256 THE BOV CAPTAIN.

Miss Dunham remained at the wheel until the brig was
put on her true course again, and then, at the positive
command of Ben that she go below and turn in, she
retired to the cabin.

It was necessary she should speak to the invalid, who
by this time was getting along very much more comfort-
ably than had been anticipated, and in answer to his ques-
tions she explained what had been decided upon, asking
in conclusion :

“Do you think it will be possible to get the brig into
port in her condition ?”’

« Not only possible, but more than probable,” Mr. Bean
replied, very decidedly. “Captain Thompson is a man who
can do an enormous amount of work, and if I was only
able to perform my part, and allow him to get his neces-
sary share of sleep, I should have no hesitation in saying
that the best thing he could do would be to give Ascen-
sion the go-by.”

“T can help him very much while it is fair,” the young
girl said. ‘ But in case we should get a series of squalls,
such as we have had, I tremble for the result.”

«But we are not likely in this latitude to have any such
weather, so on that score you may set your mind at rest.
The most you can do to help just now will be to follow his
orders implicitly, get all the sleep you can to-night, so that
he may be able to turn in to-morrow.”

“Ts there nothing more I can do for you?”

“ Nothing; and if there should be, old Eliphalet can
attend tome. Since you have taken him in hand he has