182 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

“If you are a sailor you know very well we are stand-
ing on our true course again.”

«“ That’s what I made it, sir, but me an’ my mates here
think it ain’t treatin’ us right, seein’ as we’re on a short
allowance of water, to keep off when we’re so nigh a
port. There’s no knowin’ what may happen aboard a
vessel in the shape this craft is.”

“Now look here,’ Ben replied, quickly, advancing a
pace or two to show he was ready to face them all.
“There is no reason why I should make any explanation
to you in regard to what is being done, yet I am willing
to do so. It is my business to navigate this brig the best
I know how, for the safety of all, and the owners also
expect that we won’t soldier around any more than is
absolutely necessary. You are not on such short allow-
ance as I fancy every one of you have been many times
before this, and we can make Ascension in four or five
days without cutting the allowance any lower than it is
now. There is no danger of suffering, and that you
should know very well, since the young lady and the
officers are in the same box with you.”

«But there’s no tellin’ whether we ll be able to make
Ascension. If the weather holds as we’ve had it since
leavin’ the Straits, who can tell how the bloomin’ voyage
is going to turn out ?”

“Tt is enough for you to know that I am not asking the
crew to take any more chances than I’m willing to take,”
Ben said, turning at this instant, as Miss Dunham’s hand
was laid lightly on his arm. Then he added to her in a