144 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

waves to appear the colour of milk, a squall came up almost
without warning, and she was forced to seek shelter in the
cabin again.

«Tt seems as if I had hardly gotten on deck,” she said,
when Ben helped her below. “I hope this weather will
settle down into something pleasant soon, for it is dis-
agreeable work remaining in the cabin alone, listening to
the noises which come with every roll and plunge of the
ship.”

«Tt must be, and I wish I could stay with you; but, of
course, you know my place is on deck.”

“JT don’t ask for anything of that kind, captain. It
would be sheer torture to you, if you were forced to
remain below during heavy weather. I was n’t intending to
complain; but simply exercising a woman’s right to find
fault at any or all times.”

“You surely ought to be allowed to do that, you’ve
been so patient,” Ben replied, and then it was necessary
to shut the companionway door, for the rain was descend-
ing in torrents.

The night which followed was what a sailor would call
a “dirty one” in every sense of the word, and not till
the steward announced that breakfast was served did the
young captain have an opportunity of going below.

“J fancy you will come on deck to-day,” Ben said, as
Miss Dunham emerged from her room in obedience to
Eliphalet’s summons. “It is fair now, therefore you
had better take advantage of the opportunity; besides,
there is a three-masted schooner in sight, which we shall