170 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

«Well, so far as compliments are concerned, captain,
I am greatly obliged to you; but the flattery I don’t care
so much about.”

“Tt wasn’t flattery at all; but downright truth, and
I meant every word.”

«Then come on deck, and profit by my example,” she
replied, with a merry laugh, hurrying up the companion-
way stairs, as if fearing the young captain was about to
say something more personal.

“J don’t wonder her father took her to sea with him,”
Ben said to himself, as he stood watching the young
woman an instant. “A bit of a girl like her puts a deal
of romance into a ship, and, if it wasn’t for being forced
to meet the owners, I’d be willing to have this voyage
continue indefinitely.”

Ben was feeling very much better when he followed
Miss Dunham on deck, and the two mates, who had
decided between themselves that there was something
“wrong with the old man,” came to the conclusion they
must have made a mistake, for he was in as good spirits
as before the steward revealed the true state of affairs.

Not again during that day did Miss Dunham and Ben
have an opportunity for a private conversation; but on the
following morning, at the breakfast-table, she gave him to
understand, by a mysterious knitting of the brow when-
ever he looked in her direction, that she wished to speak
with him.,

Mr. Bean was eating breakfast, and Mr. Rogers would
come below as soon as the first officer had concluded,