alongside of a nice gal my arm goes creeping round her before I know
what it's doing."

"What on earth made you bring the girl on the ship?" inquired the mate.
"The other one's sure to be on the quay to meet you as usual."

"I couldn't help it," groaned the skipper; "she would come; she can be
very determined when she likes. She's awful gone on me, Bill."

"So's the other one apparently," said the mate.

"I can't think what it is the gals see in me," said the other
mournfully. "Can you?"

"No, I'm blamed if I can," replied the mate frankly.

"I don't take no credit for it, Bill," said the skipper, "not a bit. My
father was like it before me. The worry's killing me."

"Well, which are you going to have?" inquired the mate. "Which do you
like the best?"

"I don't know, an' that's a fact," said the skipper. "They 've both got
money coming to 'em; when I'm in Wales I like Mary Jones best, and when
I'm in London it's Janey Cooper. It's dreadful to be like that, Bill."

"It is," said the mate drily. "I wouldn't be in your shoes when those
two gals meet for a fortune. Then you'll have old Jones and her brothers
to tackle, too. Seems to me things'll be a bit lively."

"I hev thought of being took sick, and staying in my bunk, Bill,"
suggested Evans anxiously.

"An' having the two of 'em to nurse you," retorted Bill. "Nice quiet
time for an invalid."

Evans made a gesture of despair.

"How would it be," said the mate, after a long pause, and speaking very
slowly; "how would it be if I took this one off your hands."

"You couldn't do it, Bill," said the skipper decidedly. "Not while she
knew I was above ground." "Well, I can try," returned the mate shortly.
"I've took rather a fancy to the girl. Is it a bargain?"

"It is," said the skipper, shaking hands upon it. "If you git me out of
this hole, Bill, I'll remember it the longest day I live."

With these words he went below, and, after cautiously undoing W.
H. Cooper, who had slept himself into a knot that a professional
contortionist would have envied, tumbled in beside him and went to
sleep.

His heart almost failed him when he encountered the radiant Jane at
breakfast in the morning, but he concealed his feelings by a strong
effort; and after the meal was finished, and the passengers had gone on
deck, he laid hold of the mate, who was following, and drew him into the
cabin.

"You haven't washed yourself this morning," he said, eyeing him closely.
"How do