in the south was the young moon, a
pale curl, but gathering from the clearness of the atmosphere a promise
of radiance enough later on to touch the sea with silver under it and
fling a gleam of her own upon our soaring sails.

I had almost finished my cigar--two bells, seven o'clock had not long
been struck--when one of the stewards came out of the saloon, and
approaching me exclaimed:

"Captain Parson's compliments, sir, and he'll be glad to see you in his
cabin if you can spare him a few minutes."

"With pleasure," I answered, flinging the end of my cigar overboard,
instantly concluding that he wished to see me privately to arrange
about terms and accommodation whilst Grace and I remained with him.

CHAPTER X

A SINGULAR PROPOSAL

I followed the man into the saloon and was led right aft where stood
two large cabins. On entering I found Captain Parsons sitting at a
table covered with nautical instruments, books, writing materials and
so forth. A lighted bracket lamp near the door illuminated the
interior, and gave me a good view of the hearty little fellow, and his
sea-furniture of cot, locker, chest of drawers, and wearing apparel
that slided to and fro upon the bulkhead as it dangled from pegs. His
air was as grave, and his countenance as full of importance as such
features as his were capable of expressing. Having asked me to take a
seat, he surveyed me thoughtfully for some moments in silence.

"Young gentleman," said he at last, "before we man the windlass I have
to beg you'll not take amiss any questions I may put. Whatever I ask
won't be out of curiosity. I believe I can see my way to doing you and
your pretty young lady a very considerable service: but I shall first
want all the truth you may think proper to give me."

I heard him with some astonishment. What could he mean? What service
had he in contemplation?

"The truth of what, Captain Parsons?" said I.

"Well, now, your relations with Miss Bellassys--it's an elopement, I
believe?"

"That is so," I answered, hardly knowing whether to laugh or to feel
vexed.

"Though the young lady," he continued, "is not one of my passengers in
the sense that the rest of 'em are, she is aboard my ship, and as
though by the Divine ordering, committed to my care, as are you and
every man Jack of the two hundred and four souls who are sailing with
me. Of course you know that we shipmasters have very great powers."

I merely inclined my head, won