. Gregory and I will get on as
far as we can till you and your watch are roused up. You'll go at it
fresher. Pick out the most tired men for turning-in."

"They're all tired alike," said the first-mate gruffly. The captain did
not answer, but went aft with his son.

"Rather a queer experience for you, Mark," he said as they entered the
cabin, to find that Mrs Strong was there, waiting eagerly to know what
was wrong on board.

Her anxieties were soon set at rest, and after a little examination of
the place, the steward pointing out which were the cabins of the
passengers expected to come on board the next day, Mrs Strong settled
herself calmly down beneath the lamp and took out her work.

"Why, mother," said Mark, "anyone would think you were at home."

"Well," she replied smiling, "is it not home where your father is."

The reply was unanswerable, and being too restless to stay below when
all was so novel on deck, Mark soon after went to where, by the light of
many lanterns, about a third of the crew, supplemented by a gang of men
from the dock, were hard at work trying to restore order in the hold.

"Hallo, youngster!" said a sharp voice; "don't get in the way. Here,
hallo, old what's-your-name! Come here."

Bruff gave his tail a wag, and butted the first-mate's leg, submitting
afterwards to being patted in the most friendly manner.

"Good dog that, young Strong."

The mate did not wait to hear what was said in reply, but dived down
into the hold, while Mark joined his father.

"This is trying to bring order out of chaos, Mark," he said
good-humouredly; and then turned sharply to look at a strange, gaunt
sailor who came up and touched his hat.

"Hallo! Who are you? Oh, I see; our stowaway friend!"

"Yes, sir. Can I help, sir?"

"Well, yes--no--you had better not try at present, my man. Get used to
the deck first, and try and put some strength in your arms."

"Please, sir, I--"

"That will do," said the captain coldly. "Obey orders, and prove that
you are worthy of what I have done, and what I am going to do. I don't
like professions."

The captain walked away, and the stowaway stood looking after him, while
Bruff walked up and smelled him suspiciously.

"Nobody don't seem to believe in me," said the man in a discontented
tone of voice.

"Try and make them, then," said Mark, who felt repelled by the man's
servile manner.

"That's just what I'm agoin' to do, sir," said the man, speaki