of good men and true, and
drownd them all at sea."

"Well, no," said Uncle Paul dryly; "our ambitions don't lie in that
direction, do they, Rodd?"

"No, uncle, but no man would be such a wretch as to sell you a ship that
wasn't safe."

"Not unless he got the chanst," said the skipper, frowning. "I know
some on them, and what they have done, and I don't want to command a
craft like that. Been at sea too long."

"Well, then," said Uncle Paul, "you must have had great experience, and
could judge whether a schooner's good or not."

"Dessay I could," said the skipper, "but I aren't perfect."

"But you ought to be a good judge," said Uncle Paul.

"Mebbe, but I wouldn't go by my own opinion if it was my trade instead
of yourn."

"But look here," cried Uncle Paul, "I should like you to see the vessel
and act for me."

"Tchah! Not likely, squire. What do you know about me?"

"Well, not much, certainly," said Uncle Paul, "and I should want a
character with you as to your being a good seaman."

"Of course; and if you didn't like me, and I warn't up to my work, why,
you could get rid of me. But that's a very different thing to buying a
ship."

"Yes," said Uncle Paul, "but what about the ship-builder? Is he an
honest man?"

"Oh yes, I think so."

"Couldn't he give good references?"

"Well, yes. Old established; built a lot of craft. Dessay he'd find a
few to say a word for him."

"And I suppose I could have the opinion of some well-known ship valuer?"

"Yes," grunted the skipper, "but he's only in trade. You want to know
what some old sailor says."

"Such as you," cried Rodd.

The skipper looked at the boy and smiled.

"Well, mebbe," he said, "but I don't want the job."

"Well, we'll talk about that another time," said Uncle Paul. "What I
want is for you to help me by going over with us to have a look at the
schooner."

"Ah!" said the skipper.

"And you may as well give me a reference or two to somebody who knows
your abilities--somebody well-known in Plymouth, a ship-owner, somebody
for whom you have sailed. Will you do this?"

"Ay," said the skipper.

"Well, whose name will you give me? To whom shall I apply?"

"Anybody. Everybody in Plymouth."

"That's rather wide," said Uncle Paul.

"Wider the better," said the skipper. "You ask the lot what they thinks
of Captain Chubb."

As he spoke the skipper rose and put on his cap, but took it off again
quickly.

"Time to-morrow wil