old Jack Evans would say to his shipmates. "He is
the best fellow for a captain's son I ever fell in with; he is always
looking for something to do."

CHAPTER XVI.

OLD JACK SEES A REMEMBERED FACE.

One evening, when Ralph went into the forecastle, he found Jack alone
there. The old sailor had just been overhauling his sea-chest, and had
in his hand the baby's shoe which he had so long carried for good luck.

"I was just looking at it," he said, "because to-day I came across the
father of that identical baby. I hadn't seen him for about sixteen
years, but I knew him in a minute. He was puffing his cigar, just as he
used to do about the decks of the Moro Castle."

"What!" exclaimed Ralph, "the very man? Oh, how I wish I had been with
you! Who is he, and where does he live?"

"That I don't know," replied Jack. "Of course, he didn't know me, and I
hadn't a very good chance to introduce myself. He was jabbering with a
lot of other Spaniards on a corner, with his _caramba_ and his _como
esta usted_, so that I didn't feel like going up to him with a yarn
about a baby's shoe. Which way he went I don't know, for I had to get
back to the ship."

"When was it?" asked Ralph, with great earnestness.

"It was while I was ashore this noon."

"Why didn't you tell me?" said the boy. "I would have gone right ashore.
But, no--I couldn't have found him without you. Dear me! I wish I could
have been with you."

"Why, my lad, it's of no consequence," said Jack. "You seem to think
more of it than I do."

"But I want to see him," replied Ralph. "I wonder if he is about here
every day?"

"Likely enough," said Jack. "But I didn't think you cared anything about
the matter."

"Well, I'm thinking of that baby's shoe," answered Ralph. "It seems so
queer--the way you got it, and the way you have kept it."

"I know that's odd," said Jack. "I suppose my keeping it is all
nonsense."

"No, it isn't," said Ralph. "I don't think it is, I'm sure."

"You believe a little in old shoes, then?"

"I believe in _that_ shoe, Jack. I mean to go ashore with you, and have
a good look for that man."

"But we shouldn't stand much chance of finding him," replied Jack. "I've
been here in Santiago a number of times, but this is the first time I
have run across him here."

Ralph looked anxious and excited; but he saw that Jack felt somewhat
surprised at the interest he took in the matter, and so restrained
himself.

"After all," he thought,