nd get 'e sea legs on," suggested Bludson, who was
balancing himself dexterously in his walk.

The wind had stiffened, and a crisp plain of dancing white caps met
Ralph's gaze as he steadied himself by the bulwarks. The Curlew, under
a single reefed fore and mainsail and a single jib, was gracefully
rising and falling to the rhythmic motion of long and ponderous waves.

The unaccustomed roll bewildered the lad from the mountains, the
singing of the wind through the shrouds buzzed strangely in his ears.
He made a dive for the cook's galley, where Neb was dishing up the
cabin meal.

"Mind yo' steps, now," the negro cautioned him, as Ralph, with a waiter
full of dishes, started for the companionway.

The boy, though wet and shivering, determined to do his duty, come what
might. By the assistance of Long Tom, who seized him by the collar and
propelled him roughly but safely across the deck, he managed to reach
the cabin.

He got the table arranged somehow, placing the dishes in the rough
weather racks provided, then after washing his face, he made his way
back to the galley and started with another waiter full of eatables.

This time something had drawn Long Tom away. Ralph did very well until
he came to the open space between one of the boats and the mainmast. A
rope really should have been stretched amid deck for his aid, but as
others did not need it, no one thought or cared for the cabin boy.

Just as Ralph made a dive for the mast and the afterhatch beyond, the
captain emerged from the companionway. The boy reached the mast in
safety. Encouraged by this, he loosened his hold and started boldly
for the head of the stairs.

Unfortunately the stern of the Curlew sank suddenly under the influence
of a receding wave of unusual proportions. Ralph and his waiter of
dishes were thrown violently forward against Captain Gary, who stood
like a rock, while the boy pitched one way and his dishes went another.

All who saw the catastrophe looked on with suspended breath.

The captain glared at Ralph as the lad picked himself up, then pointed
to the wreck of his breakfast.

"Clean up that rubbish," he growled, a grimness as of death settling
over his face.

Two sailors sprang forward with bucket and mop. The captain turned to
Ralph, who could now trace little resemblance in his superior's face
and mien to the bland, almost fatherly man who had welcomed him at the
Marshall House.

"My lad," said Gary, and his v