nctually at six o'clock, and they started on
their return voyage.

"Well, you do know how to handle a craft," said Lee admiringly, as they
passed down the river. "The old boat seems to know it's got a pretty
young lady in charge."

"Don't talk rubbish," said the girl austerely.

The new mate carefully adjusted his red necktie and smiled indulgently.

"Well, you're the prettiest cap'n I've ever sailed under," he said.
"What do they call that red cap you've got on? Tam-o'-Shanter is it?"

"I don't know," said the girl shortly.

"You mean you won't tell me," said the other, with a look of anger in
his soft dark eyes.

"Just as you like," said she, and Lee, whistling softly, turned on his
heel and began to busy himself with some small matter forward.

The rest of the day passed quietly, though there was a freedom in the
new mate's manner which made the redoubtable skipper of the Osprey
regret her change of crew, and to treat him with more civility than her
proud spirit quite approved of. There was but little wind, and the
barge merely crawled along as the captain and mate, with surreptitious
glances, took each other's measure.

"This is the nicest trip I've ever had," said Lee, as he came up from an
unduly prolonged tea, with a strong-smelling cigar in his mouth. "I've
brought your jacket up."

"I don't want it, thank you," said the girl.

"Better have it," said Lee, holding it up for her.

"When I want my jacket I'll put it on myself," said the girl.

"All right, no offence," said the other airily. "What an obstinate
little devil you are."

"Have you got any drink down there?" inquired the girl, eyeing him
sternly.

"Just a little drop o' whiskey, my dear, for the spasms," said Lee
facetiously. "Will you have a drop?"

"I won't have any drinking here," said she sharply. "If you want to
drink, wait till you get ashore."

"YOU won't have any drinking!" said the other, opening his eyes, and
with a quiet chuckle he dived below and brought up a bottle and a glass.
"Here's wishing a better temper to you, my dear," he said amiably, as he
tossed off a glass. "Come, you'd better have a drop. It'll put a little
colour in your cheeks."

"Put it away now, there's a good fellow," said the captain timidly, as
she looked anxiously at the nearest sail, some two miles distant.

"It's the only friend I've got," said Lee, sprawling gracefully on
the hatches, and replenishing his glass. "Look here. Are you on for a
ba