therby in a low voice. "I didn't
know he had any one for the place. Nat, I'm afraid he'll make trouble
for you. You'll have to be on your guard, but I'll do all I can for
you."

"I guess I can look out for myself," replied the boy. "I haven't lived
around the docks all my life for nothing."

But Nat did not know the perils that were in store for him, nor to
what lengths the vindictive mate would go to be revenged.

CHAPTER V

NAT IN TROUBLE

Captain Marshall proved to be a kind man, but rather strict in his
views. The pilot introduced Nat to him, and the commander of the
_Jessie Drew_ gravely shook hands with the lad.

"I have heard about you," he said, and Nat began to think he was
getting to be a person of some importance. "I saw what you did the day
that drifting rowboat got in our way, though, at the time, I didn't
know it was you. Mr. Weatherby has told me what you did for him, and I
must congratulate you on your quickness and wit in an emergency. That
is what we need on a vessel.

"The purser will tell you what to do. You must remember one thing
aboard a ship, especially when we're out on the lake; the thing to do
is to obey orders at once, and ask the reason for them afterward. I
expect you to do that. If you do you'll not get into trouble. I shall
have a friendly eye on you, and I trust you will do as well as the
pilot thinks you will. Now you may report to the purser, who really
is more of a supercargo than he is a purser. He'll find plenty for you
to do."

"Yes, sir," replied Nat, wondering just what his duties would be. He
knew where to find the man who was to be his immediate superior, for
on the way to the captain's cabin Mr. Weatherby had pointed out to Nat
where the purser's office was.

"Oh, yes; you're the new boy," said the purser, whose name was George
Dunn. "Well, come into my office, and I'll show you part of what
you'll have to do during the voyage."

It was fortunate that Nat knew something about ships and the terms
used aboard them, or he would have been sadly confused by what Mr.
Dunn told him. As it was, much that he heard he did not comprehend. He
found that part of his duties were to make out lists of the freight,
enter the shipments on bills, put them in various books, check up
manifests and way-bills, and help the purser verify the freight as it
was taken on or put off.

Luckily Nat had had a fair education before his father died, and he
could write a good hand and r