ing greedy. If you two 'll just go there and find him I'll take it as
a favor."

"Oh, well, we'll go then," said the cook with deceitful joy.

"Dick's 'art's in the right place, cook," observed Sam. "We'd better get
away directly arter tea."

"I'd like to shake you by the 'and, Dick," said the cook warmly.

"Me too," said Sam, taking it as the cook relinquished it. "You're a
fair brick, Dick, an' no error."

"True blue," said the complimentary cook.

"We'll start directly arter tea, if you'll get us the flag, Dick," said
Sam.

"_Flag?_" said Dick--"_flag?_"

"Why, yes, the Union Jack," said Sam, looking at him in simple surprise.
"It's no use going to Piggott's Bay without a Union Jack? Didn't you
know that, Dick? Arter goin' there last night too!"

He stood in an easy attitude waiting for an answer and gazed in clumsy
surprise at Dick, as that arch-deceiver stamped his way down below in a
fury. He even went so far as to pretend that Dick had gone down for the
flag in question, and gingerly putting his head down the scuttle, said
that a pair of bathing drawers would do if it was not forthcoming--a
piece of pleasantry which he would willingly have withdrawn when the
time came for him to meet Dick at dinner.

By the time they reached Northfleet again all interest in the search had
practically ceased. For one thing it was an unpleasant thing for grown
men to be exposed to the gibes of Henry, and for another, looking at
it in the cold clear light of reason, they could but see that there was
very little prospect of success. In the cabin pessimism was also to the
front with the mate as its mouthpiece.

"It's against all reason," he said, after arguing the matter a little.
"You can't expect to find him. Now take my advice, you're doing better
with a safe trade between here and Brittlesea--stick to that."

"I won't," said the other doggedly.

"It's hard on 'em," said the mate--"the old men I mean--chevying 'em
and hunting 'em about just because they've got gray whiskers and are
getting into years. Besides which, some of the crew 'll get into a mess
sooner or later."

"Talk as much as you like you won't affect me," retorted the other, who
was carrying on the conversation as he was down below washing.

"There you go again," said the mate, "making yourself look nice. What
for? Another fellow's girl. Turn it and twist it as much as you please,
that's what it comes to."

"When I want your advice," said the skippe