264 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

weather is as favourable as it possibly could be; the men
are willing, and it begins to look as if the Progressive
Age would reach port despite all the dangers which have
threatened.”

“Have you seen Bart this morning?”

“No; but Sam tells me he is resting comfortably. I
fancy if the fear of what is to follow when we reach port
was removed from his mind he would be around very
speedily.”

“T believe him to be thoroughly repentant.”

“There ’s no question about that.”

«And shall you deliver him up to the authorities as
soon as we arrive?”

“J don’t see any other way out of it. I must make my
report, and although I am convinced he was telling me
the truth when he said the agreement was that no blood
should be spilled, he has been engaged in a mutiny, which
cost four lives, therefore must be punished.”

« And the other two men?”

«Suppose we don’t talk of this just now,” Ben replied.
“They are turning to like tigers in the effort to work the
brig, and I don’t like to think they are doing all this
simply to find themselves in jail immediately after our
arrival.”

«But you can’t let them off lightly, and leave Bart to
suffer all the punishment. One is as guilty as the other.”

« Yes, and that’s what troubles me just now. There is
no need to cross a bridge till you get to it,” and Ben put
an end to the conversation by going on deck.