bearing their precious burdens of
human freight. Great barges loaded to the water's edge were towed slowly
along. Ahead could be seen many steamers lying at anchor in the lower
bay off the quarantine station, while now and again a sailing vessel
similar to the one on which the Go Ahead boys were embarked could also
be seen. They were not very numerous, however.

"Well, what do you think of it, boys?" demanded a bluff, hearty voice
behind them. It was Captain Roger Dodge, the commander of the
_Josephine_, who spoke to them. His face was bronzed by the sun and
wind and his drooping mustache was faded to a straw color. His gray eyes
were the features that struck any one who observed him closely, however.
A merry twinkle could be seen in them, but at the same time their
expression denoted that their owner was a man who would never be afraid
of anything on land or sea.

"We think it's fine," exclaimed Fred Button speaking for the others.

"It's a wonderful harbor all right," said Captain Dodge. "I think it's
just about the finest in the world and I've seen most of them too."

"What one do you like next to this, captain?" inquired Grant. Old Soc
Jones was always eager to learn something.

"Well," said the captain slowly, "I guess the harbor at Sydney,
Australia, next to this. Still San Francisco has a wonderful harbor,
too. That golden gate out there is a sight worth seeing."

"I wish I could see it," said Grant, wistfully. "Some day I hope to do
it, too. Still, there are so many wonderful places in the world it's
hard to say which ones you'd rather see first."

"That's very true," agreed the captain. "I've seen a good many, but I
always want to see more. I've knocked around the world so long that I
don't believe I could settle down and be happy now. I guess I've got the
wanderlust all right."

"It's easy to get," exclaimed Pop Sanders, serious for once. "We've all
got it ourselves."

"How long have you been a sailor, captain?" asked John Clemens.

"Thirty years. I started in as a cabin boy when I was fourteen years old
and I've been at it ever since."

"You ought to know about all there is to know about it, I should think,"
said Fred.

"Without boasting at all, I can safely say that I do know a lot about
the business," said Captain Dodge, smilingly. "I've done about all there
is to do on a ship, I guess."

"And you've had some wonderful experiences," suggested Grant.

"Yes, I have," said the captain smilingl