nd I was afraid nobody ever
would come; but now it's all right, only I don't want to have anything
more to do with mermaids--never!"

"I found the poor little chap sitting straddle of the rudder," commented
the skipper, "and pretty nigh ready to drop off from exhaustion; but,
thank God, I was in time."

"Oh!" cried Will Rogers. "Isn't it splendid to have him safe back again,
and aren't we just the happiest fellows in the world at this minute? But
I say, Captain, we won't have to go back to Berks, after all--that is,
not until our cruise is finished--will we?"

"Humph!" answered the skipper, as he turned to go on deck; "I don't know
about that."

CHAPTER VI.

MUTINY AND SHIPWRECK.

The Rangers ate supper in their bunks, which they thought great fun, and
then in their overflowing joy they skylarked and threw pillows at one
another, until an unlucky shot brought the lantern down with a crash. As
this disaster not only came near to setting the sloop on fire, but left
them in total darkness, it also had the effect of so quieting them that
several actually dropped asleep, while the others discussed their
prospects in low tones, and wondered if they really would have to go
back without finishing the cruise as planned.

By this time young Jabe, with a sailor's happy facility for taking a nap
at any time, was sound asleep on deck forward, while the skipper sat aft
in a big chair, leaning against the tiller, thoughtfully puffing at his
pipe, and so affected by the soothing influences of the night that he
was wondering if, after all, he should have the heart to disappoint the
boys of their cruise.

[Illustration: THE GHOSTS OF THE "MILLGIRL."]

Although a capital sailor and, under most conditions, a very sensible
man, the skipper of the _Millgirl_ was inclined to be superstitious. So
when, a little later, by the swinging gleam of the sloop's riding light,
he saw a dim white figure gliding noiselessly along the deck towards
him, he gazed at it in speechless apprehension. To his dismay it was
followed by another, and still others, until the deck seemed crowded
with the phantom forms. All the stories of ghostly crews that he had
ever heard flashed into the skipper's mind, and, as the formless figures
silently approached him, his face was bathed in a cold perspiration. He
sat motionless until they were about to surround him, when, with a
mighty effort and a hoarse shout, he sprang to his feet.

At this the startled ghos