SHORT-HANDED. 237

it would count as my inexperience. It seeras pretty tough ;
but I suppose it’s the way of the world.”

Miss Dunham met him at the foot of the companion-
way stairs. |

« Are you through with your work in the forecastle?”’
she asked.

“ For to-day, yes.”

“Ts the man hurt badly?”

“He did n’t get as much as he deserved; but enough
to hold him where he is for a month or more.”

“Do you think you can find more sailors at Ascension ?”’

“Tt is very doubtful, and that’s exactly what I have
come to talk with you about,” Ben replied, as he drew her
more closely to his side. “You have been a captain’s
daughter, and, if I understand the position of affairs cor-
rectly, have promised to be a captain’s wife. Is that
true ?”

For reply she raised her face to his, and it can readily
be understood how the young sailor concluded this por-
tion of the contract.

“Now what does such a conversation as this lead up
to?” she asked, laughingly, disengaging his arm from her
waist.

« Well, in course of time it will lead up to an appointment
with a clergyman; but just now I am about to make a
more unpleasant proposition. I am allowing that we shall
not find any men at Ascension; but be forced to work
the brig into the home port short-handed as we are.”

“Do you think that can be done?”