he deck. The crew went on with the
unloading; there was never a hint of hesitation or embarrassment. And
the skipper of the _Spot Cash_ was serenely made welcome. Whatever
rat-like impulse to bite may have been in the heart of the little
clerk, when Bill o' Burnt Bay came over the crest of the hill, it had
now vanished in discreet politeness. There was no occasion for biting.
Had there been--had the crew of the _Black Eagle_ been caught in the
very act of scuttling the ship--Tommy Bull would no doubt have driven
his teeth in deep. Even amateur scoundrels at bay may be highly
dangerous antagonists. These were amateur scoundrels, to be sure, and
good-hearted in the main; but they were not yet by any means at bay.

"Jus' a little leak, Skipper Bill," Skipper George explained, when
Bill o' Burnt Bay had accounted for his presence in Little Pony.
"Sprung it in the gale."

"Did you, now?" said Skipper Bill, suspiciously; "'tis lucky we
happened along. I'm a bit of a carpenter, meself, an' I'd----"

"Not at all!" Skipper George protested, with a large wave of the hand.
"_Not_ at all!"

"'Twould be no trouble----"

"Not at all!" Skipper George repeated. "Here's Tommy just found the
spot, an' we'll plug it in short order."

Skipper Bill could ill conceal his suspicion.

"You're in trouble yourself with the _Spot Cash_, says you," said
Skipper George. "We'll lend you a spar an' a couple o' hands t' set
it."

"We'll buy the spar," Archie put in.

Skipper George laughed heartily. "Well, well," said he. "Have it your
own way. You make your repairs, an' I'll make mine; an' then we'll see
who's back t' the Shore ports first."

Archie bethought himself.

"I'll lay you," Skipper George went on, clapping Archie on the back,
"that you'll not find a fish in the harbours where the _Black Eagle_
goes."

"You're ordered home, Skipper George," said Archie. "I've this message
from Tilt Cove."

Skipper George glanced at the telegram. "Well, well!" said he,
blandly; "we're nigh loaded, anyhow."

Archie wondered afterwards why Skipper George had caught his breath
and lost some of his colour.

* * * * *

Presently the crew of the _Spot Cash_, with two stout hands from the
_Black Eagle_, went over the hills with the spare spar. Skipper George
and Tommy Bull made haste to the cabin.

"Ordered home," said the skipper, slapping the message on the
counter.

"Forthwith," Tommy Bull added