hed the ship they sought. The "St. George" was a beautiful
boat with three masts, and as we have said Willy had made more than one
trip on it with his father. He was then the darling of the crew. Now
as he climbed the ladder behind the Captain strange faces peered down
at him over the railing; there were new officers, and officers and crew
alike seemed rough fellows. Late in the evening as he stood on the
rear deck watching the golden crosses of the Church of the Holy Saviour
in the light of the setting sun, he heard a well-known voice behind him
speak his name.

"Oh, it is you, Tommy Green!" said Willy looking around in a friendly
manner. "So there really is after all one old friend on board. Are
you still the second mate? Where are James and John and all the rest?"

"Well, Master Willy," said Tommy, "they are all gone, one to the 'South
Star,' and the others to 'The Water Rose.' I was on the point of
leaving"--then he added, looking around cautiously and lowering his
voice, "for the life on the 'St. George' is not what it was when your
father was alive. God rest his soul! Now instead of rice sacks and
bales of merchandise we carry human freight--slant-eyed, pig-tailed
Chinamen bound for the gold fields of Australia."

"I am so glad you are here, Tommy; there is one human being on board I
know," repeated Willy.

"Why Master Willy, do you not know your uncle, the Captain?"

"I did not know until today that I had an uncle."

"Is that possible? Well, your father surely had no reason to be proud
of his brother. Why, in a single night he gambled away 'The Gold
Nixie' and more, too. I believe that he would gamble away the 'St.
George' if it were his, but it belongs to you, Master Willy. I ought
not to say anything to such a young lad as you about the matter--I know
that, but--"

In the cabin Redfox, the first officer, and the Captain sat in earnest
conversation. "Redfox, your wish is fulfilled. My nephew is on board,
but, do you know, now that I have seen the boy--he so much resembles my
poor dear brother when he was his age--I have not the heart to carry
out our plan," said the Captain.

"Hm, hm," answered the first officer, stroking his red beard, and
giving the Captain a wicked side glance, "hm--and we have everything so
well planned. It is our only salvation. Must I repeat the reasons
why?"

"It is not necessary; I understand them, but when our salvation is
bought at such a price--shall I say