rmined--like the moth to the flame,
Martin's thoughts came back to the girl--he was determined to win the
respect of Ruth Le Moyne, to match her self-reliance. He would show
her, by George, that he did not lack for courage; that stranger though
he was to sea life, he could acquit himself creditably in the face of
any danger he might encounter in his new environment!

The boatswain came out of his room and paused at the foot of the
companion-ladder to fill his pipe. He looked like some huge,
red-shagged bear, thought Martin, a well-fed, contented bear. The
hands of the clock were almost on the hour--in a moment the bosun would
be on deck, and Ruth would come below. Then...

The boatswain's enormous sea boots disappeared through the hatch, and a
moment later eight bells struck overhead.

Martin sat up expectantly. Little Billy grinned at him from across the
room. Confound the fellow! He had insisted on treating Martin as an
invalid during the supper, had been absurdly solicitous about the
wounded head and the turbulent stomach, when Martin had forgotten the
existence of both; he had persisted in interrupting when Martin wanted
to talk to Ruth. Here she came!

A light step, a little boot poked into view, and Ruth bustled down the
ladder. By George, she was a beauty!

"Due west--setting more canvas," she announced briskly to Captain
Dabney.

The latter turned his sightless eyes on the rosy face that bent above
him; the serene, white-bearded face was suddenly beautiful with its
welcoming smile. The blind man's hand reached out and gently stroked
the girl's arm. Martin saw there was complete agreement between the
two.

Ruth divested herself of the heavy pea-coat she wore, tossed it upon
the divan, and drew up a chair beside the captain's.

"Well, let us commence at once with our tales of woe, and our council
of war," said she laughingly. "I am quite sure Mr. Blake is perishing
with curiosity. I know I would be in his place."

It was an odd assortment that gathered about the table--a girl, a blind
man, a hunchback, and a clerk. A strange company for a ship's cabin,
at sea.

But the incongruity escaped Martin. For the moment he had eyes but for
the figure opposite him, for the trim figure revealed by the
tight-fitting guernsey, for the vivid face that bloomed above. Ruth
bore his gaze with composure; she even smiled at him, with a twinkle in
her eye. Martin blushed.

Little Billy had brought to t