ready at his tongue's end, and Mar-ston's anathema was
muffled and incoherent. The girl's rash act had tipped over the sane and
manly self-possession of both of them. The captain was too bewildered
to comprehend the full enormity of his action in standing guard over the
daughter of Julius Marston, as if she needed protection on her father's
quarter-deck. He did not move to one side of the alley when Marston
jerked an impatient gesture.

"I want to say that I am wholly to blame, sir," he faltered. "I hope you
will overlook--"

"Are you presuming to discuss my daughter's insanity with me?" He
noticed that the sailors were preparing to hoist the tender to the
davits. "Drop that boat back into the water!" he shouted. There was an
ugly rasp in his voice, and for a moment it seemed as if he were about
to lose control of himself. Then he set a check on his temper and
tongue, though his face was deathly white and his eyes were as hard as
marbles. Resolve to end further exhibition in this incredible business
dominated his wrathful shame.

"If you will set us ashore--" pleaded Mayo.

"Get back into that boat, you and your gang, whatever it is!"

"Mr. Marston, this young woman needs--"

"Get into that boat, or I'll have the bunch of you thrown overboard!"
The owner spoke in low tones, but his furious determination was
apparent.

"We will go without being thrown, sir. Will you order us set aboard that
fisherman?" He pointed to the little schooner which was almost within
hailing distance.

"Get off! I don't care where you go!" He crowded past Mayo, seized his
daughter's arm, and led her aft.

She seemed to have expended all her determination in her sensational
outburst.

The captain met her pleading gaze as she turned to leave. "It's for the
best," he declared, bravely. "I'll make good!"

The pathetic castaways from the _Polly_ made a little group at the
gangway, standing close to the rail, as if they feared to step upon the
white deck. Mate McGaw intercepted Mayo as he was about to join them.

"Hadn't I better stretch Section Two of the collision act a mite and
scare him with the prospect of a thousand-dollar fine?" asked the mate,
eagerly. "My glory, Captain Mayo, I'm so weak I can hardly stand up!
Who'd have thought it?"

"We'll go aboard the schooner, Mr. McGaw. It's the place for us."

"Maybe it is, but I'll speak up if you say the word, and make him set
you ashore--even if I leave along with you?"

"Keep y