amp of feet overhead as if sail was being made, and shortly
afterwards, the hatchway being lifted up, daylight streamed down upon
me. Pining for fresh air, and desperately hungry, I lost no time in
making my way on deck.

There stood the captain and two mates. The ship was under all sail,
gliding rapidly before a strong breeze over the ocean, while the blue
outline of the land could dimly be seen astern. I stood irresolute
whether to go at once up to the captain and get the worst over, or to
run forward and ask the cook to give me something to eat. I was about
to follow the latter course, when I heard the captain's voice shouting,
"Halloa, youngster, where on earth do you come from?"

"That's more than I can exactly say, sir," I answered.

"Why, we thought you had gone overboard and been drowned, or had slipped
ashore and been carried off by the Indians," he continued; "Mr McTavish
and the other gentlemen were making a great ado about you. You have
been playing your old trick again. For my part, I should have supposed
you would have been glad enough to get out of the ship, as I understood
they wished to take you with them."

"Please sir, I hope you'll pardon me for what has happened," I said, an
idea at that moment striking me. "I want to become a sailor, and I'll
promise to try and do my duty, and learn to be one if you'll allow me."

The captain, from what I said, at once took it for granted that I had
again acted the stowaway, and I flattered myself that I had not spoken
an untruth, while I had avoided saying anything which would offend him.
I observed that old Growles had come aft, and was then within earshot.
The captain seemed rather pleased than otherwise that I had not wished
to leave the ship.

"Go forward," he said, "and let me see that you do your duty."

He was evidently in better humour than usual, having got a rich freight
which he had not expected. Touching my cap, I hurried to the caboose.
Caesar rolled his eyes and opened his mouth with astonishment when he
saw me.

"Where you been all dis time, Dick?" he asked.

"That's more than I can tell you, Caesar. Do in mercy give me some
grub, for I'm well-nigh starved," I answered.

He gave me part of a mess he had been cooking for himself.

"Dis curious ship," he said, as he remarked the ravenous way in which I
devoured the food. "I no ask questions, you no tell lies, dat is it.
Oh you wise boy."

I suspected from this that Caesar had o