e aboard."

Presently the flicker of Tom's lantern was seen again. The captain was
behind him, and in no good humor over the message he had received.

The dash and swirl of water outside was incessant and deafening.

"Mr. Duff," said Gary in his most grating tones, "who gave you the
authority to interfere with my designs regarding this insolent
youngster?"

[Illustration: "Mr. Duff," said Gary in his most grating tones, "who
gave you the authority to interfere with my designs regarding this
insolent youngster?"]

Duff's first reply was to bring Ralph's pale, inanimate face under the
light.

"Captain Gary," said he, "I profess to be a man--not a brute. I
recognize your authority, but when I see murder about to be done--it's
time to say something."

The captain looked around as if to find a weapon wherewith to strike
his subordinate down, while in his eye shone a dull spark. He did not
look at Ralph, but controlled himself by a mighty effort.

"Of course," he was able to say at last, "if the kid is in any danger,
that alters the state of the case. But I dare say he is shamming."

"Shamming! Look at his eyes; feel of his pulse."

The captain declined these offices. He bit his nether lip instead and
regarded Duff in a peculiar way, as the latter continued his efforts to
resuscitate the boy.

"We have no ship's doctor on board as you know," said Gary. "However,
take him to a bunk in the men's quarters and tell the cook to make him
some broth. He'll come round; then we will see how he behaves. Do you
understand, Mr. Duff?"

"Aye, aye, sir. Give the boy a chance and I think he will come out all
right."

Here Ralph showed signs of animation. He twisted himself as if in
pain, then muttered:

"If he beats me I--I--shall--kill him! Shan't I--grandpa? You
drove--me--away--cause I wouldn't--cause I--wouldn't----" He became
unintelligible for a moment, but finally burst forth with feeble energy
again. "Let him starve me--shut me up--but--let him keep his hands
off--hands off."

The dull spark in Captain Gary's eyes seemed to enlarge and twinkle as
the boy uttered these words in a semi-drowsy, spasmodic way. Presently
the partially rolled up eyes opened in a natural manner and blinked
feebly at the light.

At this juncture a loud cry was heard from aloft of:

"S-a-i-l h-o!"

The captain turned away as if the interruption were a welcome one to
him.

"Stow that lad and see to him," he repeated,