it, however, the comment, "A
square boarding master." Then he punched and felt of the bag's
contents, and smiled.

Donning the guernsey and jacket, he went on deck just in time to meet a
big, bearded man who was hurrying to the forecastle door.

"So, you've sobered up, have you?" he said. "Got the whisky out o'
you?"

"Wasn't whisky, Sir," answered Rogers, recognizing an officer. "I was
doped and shanghaied, even though willing to ship. I'm an able seaman,
Sir."

"You don't look it."

"Fifteen years at sea, Sir, though the last ten ashore. I'm a bit
tender; but I know my work."

"How about the other two? Are they sailors?"

"I don't think they are, Sir," answered Rogers, with a slight grin.
"They were with me when I was doped; but I don't know much about them."

"Go aft and take the wheel. There's a farmer there that can't steer.
Let's see what you can do. I'll tend to your friends."

Rogers went to the wheel, received the spokes and the course from the
rather distressed incumbent, and, even though the ship was riding along
before a stiff quartering breeze and following sea, steered a course
good enough to win silence from the skipper--another big, bearded
man--when he next looked into the binnacle. Silence, on such occasions,
is a compliment.

The cold, fresh breeze soon cleared Rogers's head of its aches and
throbs, and he took stock of the ship and her people. She seemed to be
about twelve hundred tons' register, with no skysails, stunsails, or
other kites to make work for her crew, an easy ship, as far as wind and
weather were concerned. Rogers counted her crew--sixteen men scattered
about the decks and rigging, lashing casks, stowing lines and fenders,
and securing chafing gear aloft. The big man that had spoken to him was
undoubtedly the first mate, as was evidenced by his louder voice. The
second mate, a short, broad, square-jawed man with a smooth face, spoke
little to the men, but struck them often. Rogers saw three floored
before six bells. As for the crew, they were of all nations and types,
and by these signs he knew that she was an American ship; but nothing
yet of her name or destination. Astern was a blue spot on the horizon
which he recognized as the Highlands of Navesink, and scattered about
at various distances were out- and in-bound craft, sail and steam. But
none was within hailing range.

Just before noon he saw two men thrown out of the forecastle by the
huge first mate, and in spite