282 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

nation under cloudless skies, the first officer, with the
assistance of Eliphalet, went forward to where the repent-
ant mutineer was seated on the deck, leaning against
a coil of cable.

During at least thirty minutes the two talked earnestly,
and when Mr. Bean came aft to where Miss Dunham
stood at the wheel, he said :

“Tt was as the captain thought. Bart insisted on tell-
ing me the story of his connection with the Manilamen,
and seemed most anxious I should believe he was at least
guiltless of the crime of murder.”

“ How is his wound by this time?”

«Healing rapidly. He insists he could remain at the
wheel in light weather, and wants permission to relieve
you in the future.”

“What does he say in regard to our arriving in port?”

“He expects to be delivered up to the authorities as a
matter of course, but his desire to aid in working the ship
arises from the fact that he thinks by so doing he shall be
benefited when the case comes to trial.”

«And those two men who have been working night
and day to expiate their sins,” Miss Dunham said, as she
pointed to the mutineers, who were engaged in some
trifling duty forward, “must bear the same punishment, I
suppose ?”’

“Of course. They have danced and must pay the
piper. Two lives have been taken, and if these men were
not directly implicated in the crime, they were concerned
in the mutiny which committed it.”