low, gentle oscillations of the
brig, that the sea had gone down to practically nothing while he slept,
while the occasional flutter and flap of canvas, heard quite distinctly
where he was, told him that the wind had dropped to a calm.

Dressing quickly, he hurried on deck, wondering whether he would find
Miss Trevor there. She was not; but the skipper and mate were both in
evidence, standing, one on either side of the companion; neither of them
speaking. The sky was cloudless; the wind had dropped to a dead calm;
the surface of the sea was oil-smooth, but a low swell still undulated
up from the south-east quarter. The ship had swung nearly east and
west; and the sun's beams, pouring in over the starboard quarter, bit
fiercely, although the luminary was by this time declining well toward
the horizon.

"Well, mister, had a good sleep?" inquired the skipper, with some
attempt to infuse geniality into his voice.

"Excellent, thank you," answered Leslie, as with a quick glance he swept
the entire deck of the brig. "Miss Trevor is still in her cabin, I take
it, as I do not see her on deck. She has had a most trying and
exhausting experience, and I hope, sir, you will afford her all the
comfort at your command; otherwise she may suffer a serious breakdown.
Fortunately, I am not without funds; and I can make it quite worth your
while to treat us both well during the short time that I hope will only
elapse ere you have an opportunity to trans-ship us."

"Is Miss Trevor any relation of yours?" asked Potter, his tone once more
assuming a suggestion of aggressiveness.

"She is not, sir," answered Leslie, showing some surprise at the
question. "She was simply a fellow-passenger of mine on board the
_Golden Fleece_; and it was by the merest accident that we became
companions, after the ship went down. Had you any particular object in
making the inquiry, may I ask?"

"Oh no," answered Potter; "I just thought she might be related to you in
some way; you seem to be pretty anxious about her welfare; that's all."

"And very naturally, I think, taking into consideration the fact that I
have most assuredly saved her life," retorted Leslie. "Having done so
much, I feel it incumbent upon me to take her under my care and
protection until I can find a means of putting her into the way of
returning to England, or of resuming her voyage to Australia--whichever
she may prefer."

"Very kind and disinterested of you, I'm sure," rem