nto some fatal negligence. Are you bid to wait an answer?"

On raising his eyes from the note the other had given him, after breaking
its seal, the young man found that the messenger had already vanished.
Perceiving how useless it would be to pursue so light a form, amid the
mazes of lumber that loaded the wharf, and most of the adjacent shore, he
opened the letter and read as follows:--

"An accident has disabled the Master of the outward-bound ship called
the 'Royal Caroline!' Her consignee is reluctant to intrust her to the
officer next in rank; but sail she must. I find she has credit for her
speed. If you have any credentials of _character_ and _competency_,
profit by the occasion, and earn the station you are finally destined to
fill. You have been named to some who are interested, and you have been
sought diligently. If this reach you in season, be on the alert, and be
decided. Show no surprise at any co-operation you may unexpectedly meet.
My agents are more numerous than you had believed. The reason is
obvious; gold is yellow, though I am

"RED."

The signature, the matter, and the style of this letter, left Wilder in no
doubt as to its author. Casting a glance around him, he sprang into a
skiff; and, before the boat of the travellers had reached the ship, that
of Wilder had skimmed the water over half the distance between her and the
land. As he plied his skulls with vigorous and skilful arms, he soon stood
upon her decks. Forcing his way among the crowd of attendants from the
shore, that are apt to cumber a departing ship, he reached the part of the
vessel where a circle of busy and anxious faces told him he should find
those most concerned in her fate. Until now, he had hardly breathed
clearly, much less reflected on the character of his sudden enterprise. It
was too late, however, to retreat, had he been so disposed, or to abandon
his purpose, without incurring the hazard of exciting dangerous
suspicions A single instant served to recal his thoughts, ere he
demanded,--

"Do I see the owner of the 'Caroline?'"

"The ship is consigned to our house," returned a sedate, deliberate, and
shrewd-looking individual, in the attire of a wealthy, but also of a
thrifty, trader.

"I have heard that you have need of an experienced officer."

"Experienced officers are comfortable things to an owner in a vessel of
value," returned the merchant. "I hope the 'Caroline' is not without her
portio