184 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

thinking I sha’n’t be on hand if you turn rusty, for I
know my duty, and shall do it.”

Bart held his ground as if thinking the men were close
by him, but a shuffle of footsteps as the captain, dropping
Miss Dunham’s hand, advanced threateningly, told that
those who had been so ready to stand at his back a few
moments previous were now deserting him.

Even the Manilamen concluded that it would be best to
obey the captain’s orders, on this occasion at least, and,
without stopping to utter the words which were trembling
on his lips, the spokesman of the party turned sulkily and
slouched forward.

«Don’t say anything to me now,” Ben whispered to the
young girl. “It won’t do to let those fellows think we
are disturbed in the slightest degree by what has been
done; therefore, take your promenade as usual until
breakfast is served, and be careful not to hold a conver-
sation with either of the officers.”

Miss Dunham knew thoroughly well what could be
accomplished by a bold bearing under such circumstances,
and obeyed Ben’s orders, instantly, pacing to and fro upon
the quarter-deck, with not a cloud on her face to show
the disquietude in her mind.

«There’s a woman for you!” Ben said, as he watched
her, with admiration beaming from his eyes; “and if this
voyage is ended successfully, it will be only for her to say
whether she will continue to hold the position of chief
mate over this skipper or not.”

During the remainder of the day, nothing was seen to