hardly comprehended. "Do you
mean how would I like to be a sailor?"

"Something of the kind. You would begin as cabin boy, probably. If
you are smart and willing you would soon climb up higher. By the time
you are eighteen, you should be an A 1 seaman, earning at least twenty
dollars a month and your keep."

Among the few books the boy had somehow got hold of in the mountains,
one of the most treasured was a copy of Marryat's "Midshipman Easy."
He felt a thrill now, as he pictured himself in a position to emulate,
in a measure, some of the adventures therein so graphically depicted.
The distant ocean held up to his anticipation the stirring pleasures of
a life on the wave, while veiling from his boyish ignorance its
overmastering hardships.

The captain saw his face light up, and proceeded to explain further.

"I have a cousin who runs a schooner in the West Indies trade. He is
now at the Marshall House, Savannah. His vessel is somewhere near
there. Now I can get you a good berth with him, I know. I have done
him a few favors, and he is not ungrateful.

"Emmons, here, is going to start today with a gang of mules for
Augusta. You can help him on that far, and in payment he will buy you
a ticket to Savannah. I will give you a letter to my cousin, and also
write him by mail that you are on the way. Now, what do you think of
that?"

"Sounds mighty nice--almost too nice," thought Ralph, who was shrewd
enough to wonder why Shard--whom he had been warned against--should put
himself out to serve a Granger.

"Perhaps he is sick of the feud, like me. I'm sure I would do him a
favor, if he is half a Vaughn. By granny! I believe I will take him
up. Aunt Dopples don't know everything."

"Think over it well," added the captain, noticing the boy's reflective
manner. "A sailor's life is by no means easy, yet a bright, active lad
can rise. Many a captain began before the mast."

Shard was smiling seductively, though his gaze seemed hard and
penetrating. He hung over the lad not unlike some bird of prey,
waiting for a favorable chance to pounce.

"All right," said Ralph at last. "I will go and feel thankful for the
chance, if you will answer me one question. Why should you be so--so
willing to do a favor to me. In the mountains folks would think you
were crazy."

"Ha! That miserable old feud again. My boy, I have outgrown it; have
been too much in the world. I see in you a bright lad, who only needs