laid out for us, while you are
left in doubt, perplexity, and perhaps danger, on your yacht. There are
five of us who feel that they cannot join in the offer which I am about
to make to you and the Captain, but the rest of us wish most earnestly
and heartily to offer you our services--if you think they are worth
anything--to work this vessel to Jamaica. It is but a trip of a few days
I am told, and I have no doubt that we can return to New York from
Kingston almost as conveniently as we can from here. We can all write
home and arrange for any contingencies which may arise on account of the
delay in our return. In fact, it will not be difficult for most of us to
consider this excursion as a part, or even the whole, of our annual
vacation. Those of us who can go with you are all able-bodied fellows,
and if you say so, Captain, we will turn in and go to work this moment.
We have not any nautical experience, but we all have powers of
observation, and so far as I am able to judge, I believe I can do most
of the things I have seen done on this vessel by your common seamen, if
that is what you call them!"

Mrs. Cliff looked at Captain Burke, and he looked at her. "If it was a
sailin'-vessel," he exclaimed, "I'd say she couldn't be worked by
parsons, but a steamer's different! By George! madam, let's take them,
and get away while we can!"

CHAPTER XXIV

CHANGES ON THE "SUMMER SHELTER"

When Captain Burke communicated to Mr. Portman and Mr. Burdette the news
that nine of their passengers had offered to ship as a crew, the
sailing-master and the first mate shook their heads. They did not
believe that the vessel could be worked by parsons.

"But there isn't anybody else!" exclaimed Burke. "We've got to get
away, and they're all able-bodied, and they have more sense than most
landsmen we can ship. And besides, here are five experienced seamen on
board, and I say, let's try the parsons."

"All right," said Mr. Burdette. "If you're willing to risk it, I am."

Mr. Portman also said he was willing, and the engineer and his
assistant, who were getting very nervous, agreed to the plan as soon as
they heard of it.

Captain Burke shook himself, pulled his cap to the front of his head,
arranged his coat properly and buttoned it up, and began to give orders.
"Now, then," said he, "all passengers going ashore, please step lively!"
And while this lively stepping was going on, and during the leave-taking
and rapid writing of