a seaworthy article aboard of the schooner from stem to
stern. You know well enough that I have told you this,--in more civil
language it may be,--again and again; and I hope that the telling of it
now, flatly, will induce you to consider the immense responsibility that
lies on your shoulders; for there are other ships belonging to your firm
in much the same condition--ships with inferior charts and instruments,
unsound spars, not enough of boats, and with anchors and chains scarce
powerful enough to hold a Deal lugger in a moderate gale."

Mr Denham was not prepared for this sudden and wholesale condemnation
of himself and his property. He gazed at the seaman's flushed
countenance for a few seconds in mute surprise. At last he recovered
self-possession, and said in a calm voice--

"You applied last year, if I remember rightly, for the situation of mate
aboard our ship the `Trident'--now on her second voyage from Australia?"

"I did," said Bax, shortly, not knowing how to take this sudden change
of subject.

"Do you suppose," said Denham, with a peculiar curl of his lip, "that
this interview will tend to improve your chance of obtaining that
situation?"

Denham put the question with the full expectation of humbling Bax, and
with the further intention of following up his reply with the assurance
that there was much greater probability of the moon being turned into
green cheese than of his promotion taking place; but his intentions were
frustrated by Bax starting, and, in a voice of indignation,
exclaiming--"Sir, do you suppose I have come here to beg? If you were
to offer me the _command_ of the `Trident,' or any other ship that you
possess, I would refuse it with scorn. It is bad enough to risk one's
life in the rotten craft you send to sea; but that would be nothing
compared with the shame of serving a house that thinks only of gain, and
holds human life cheaper than the dirt I tread under my feet. No, sir;
I came here to explain how the `Nancy' was lost. Having done so, I take
my leave."

"Stay," said Denham, as Bax turned to go. "Perhaps you will do me one
more service before we part. Will you kindly inform my nephew that he
need not be in a hurry to come back here. I extend his leave. He may
continue to absent himself as long as he pleases--to all eternity if it
suits him."

Mr Denham flushed up with anger as he said the last words. Bax,
without deigning a reply, turned on his heel and strode out