290 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

which has just been launched, and even if you are rather
young, we believe you to be the best man for our business.
Therefore, if you have no objections to make, we shall
consider you still in our employ, and you may hold your-
self in readiness to take command of the ship as soon as
your father arrives. You can retain any of your present
crew that you choose.”

“I should like Mr. Bean as my first mate, and to keep
the two sailors who stood by me through the mutiny. On
Miss Dunham’s account, I think it will be best to hold on
to the steward.”

“On Miss Dunham’s account?” Mr. Pierce said, look-
ing up quickly, and then, noting the deepening colour on
Ben’s face, added, with a smile, “I can fancy that the
Sportsman will have a passenger on board when she leaves
port again, eh, captain?”

“Well, sir, if nothing happens,” Ben replied, hesitat-
ingly, “I am going to take my wife out with me.”

“You are not married yet?”

“No, sir,” Ben said, with a laugh; “but within the
next two months I fancy there will be plenty of time for
such business.”

And so there was, for when the Sportsman left the port
of New York again, standing on the quarter-deck by the
side of the captain was the “child” whom Ben had first
seen off Nampang Island, and Mr. Bean, chief officer of
the. Sportsman, addressed her as Mrs. Thompson.

THE END.