"

"Then I shall."

"But I thought you were going to call on Mr. Weatherby?"

"I am, but he told me to come when I was not working. He is going to
be home all day."

"That will be all right, then. Now let's hurry home. I think it's
going to rain harder soon, and my wife will probably be worrying about
me."

The storm, which had been a fitful one all day and part of the night,
showed signs of becoming worse. The wind was more violent, and when
Mr. Miller and Nat were nearly home it began to rain in torrents.

The rain continued all the next day, but as the wharf where Mr. Miller
and Nat worked was a covered one, they did not mind the storm. At
noon-time the boy found a chance to go to the boarding-house of Mr.
Weatherby.

"Well, here comes my life-saver!" greeted the old pilot. "How are you
feeling to-day?"

"Very well, sir. How are you?"

"Not so good as I might be. I'm lame and stiff from pulling on that
rope, but I think I'll be able to sail to-morrow. I believe you told
me last night that you would like a job on a ship," the pilot went on.

"Yes, sir," replied Nat, his heart beating high with hope.

"Hum! Well, what kind of a job would you like--pilot or captain?"

"I think I'd rather begin a little lower down," replied Nat with a
smile, for he saw that Mr. Weatherby was joking.

"Perhaps that would be best. Well, as it happens, I have a chance to
get a young lad a position on the steamer of which I am pilot. You
see, I have a steady job piloting. My vessel, the _Jessie Drew_, makes
trips all over the lakes, and Captain Wilson Marshall, who is a part
owner, is not so familiar with all the harbors and the various routes
as I am. So he engages me steadily. In fact, he and I are old friends,
as well as distantly related; so I have a somewhat different position
than do most pilots."

"And can you get me a job on a boat--your boat?" asked Nat eagerly.

"I think I can. I may say I am sure I can. The captain asked me
yesterday to look out for a bright youth to help with the cargo,
assist the purser, and be a sort of cabin assistant. I had no one in
mind then, but after our meeting last night, when you were of such
service to me, and I heard you say you wanted a job, I at once thought
of this place. I saw the captain this morning, and he has practically
engaged you--that is, if you want the berth, and he is satisfied with
you when he sees you. The last item I know will be all right. And now
it is for you