an
instant, however, and glanced back.

"Don't be scared, Miss," he encouraged. "It's only Eben. He's bumped
hard aginst the boat. You keep close under cover, an' I'll do what I
kin with the boy."

CHAPTER IV

UNDER COVER

By the time the captain reached the side of the boat, Eben had his
small skiff tied to the deck-rail. He was standing up, a tall, gaunt,
ungainly youth, freckled faced, and sandy haired. He wore a dark-brown
sweater, and a pair of overalls, baggy at the knees. He did not speak
as his father approached, but mechanically handed up to him a jug of
molasses, and several paper parcels. He then leaped lightly upon deck,
and headed for the cabin. But the captain detained him by laying a
firm and heavy hand upon his shoulder.

"Keep out of thar," he ordered. "I've jist been scrubbin' an' don't
want ye to dirty the place up."

The tone of his father's voice caused Eben to swing suddenly around.

"Me feet ain't dirty," he drawled. "An' s'pose they are, what's the
difference? The cabin ain't no parler. Let me go; I'm most starved."

But the captain's grip increased as he yanked his son a few feet back.

"I'm in charge of this craft," he reminded, "an' what I say goes. Yer
not goin' down into that cabin to-night, so jist make up yer mind to
that fust as last."

The boy now stared in speechless amazement. Never before had he seen
his father so agitated, nor heard him speak to him in such a manner.

"D'ye understand?" the captain asked.

"Understand what?"

"That yer not goin' down in that cabin. Isn't that what I jist said?
Where are yer ears?"

A sullen look leaped into the boy's eyes, and with an effort he shook
himself free from his father's grasp.

"D'ye mean it?" he growled.

"Sartinly I mean it. An' what's more, I don't want ye to ask any fool
questions. We'll eat an' sleep on deck to-night, up forrad. I'll
bring the grub an' clothes from the cabin, but you stay out."

Eben was about to reply in an angry manner, when the form of his
countenance instantly changed, and a peculiar expression,
half-humorous, appeared in his eyes. He stood looking at his father
for a few seconds in an absent-minded manner. Then, without a word, he
picked up the jug of molasses and strode up forward. The captain gazed
after him in astonishment, greatly wondering what had come over his son
to make him so obedient all of a sudden. He said nothing, however, but
went at once down into