will
take us back to Hongkong again to the Fathers."

Just here the boatswain came in and ordered Willy on deck, or they
would have continued talking indefinitely.

CHAPTER VIII.

A Very Real Danger.

Meanwhile the "St. George" under full sail and well over on her side
was running before a strong west wind. The waves washed over the deck;
the sea was so rough that it was hard for an experienced seaman to make
his way, and only those sure of foot and hand dared venture on the
rigging. Nevertheless Redfox ordered Willy to climb the mainmast with
him to help unfurl the sail at the very top.

"If you want to be a good seaman like your father you must learn to
climb the rigging not only in a light breeze like this but also in a
hurricane. You want to get so that you can run around up there like a
squirrel in a Christmas tree. There is no danger; just hold tight to
the rigging with one hand and don't get frightened when the boat
pitches. You can't learn to do any climbing that's worth while
standing around here on deck. Up, my little man, let's see if you have
any nerve."

"Yes, I have nerve, and lots of times in pleasant weather I've been up
the mast, but when the ship rocks as it does now, my father would never
let me think of going up," answered Willy.

"And he had good reason, too," put in the helmsman, who was standing
near Redfox and had heard all the conversation.

"I never heard of such a thing as asking the cabin-boy to climb the
rigging when the sea is rough, and before he has had a chance to prove
himself a good climber in pleasant weather. Master Willy, don't obey
any such foolhardy order. The Captain, I am sure, does not want you to
try any such thing."

"Oho, helmsman, you dare to order this boy to be insubordinate, do you?
I'll have you put in irons for your impudence," cried Redfox, giving
him a wicked look.

"Green, don't be frightened. I can climb much better than you think,
and then besides my guardian angel will watch over me and keep me from
falling. I am sure I won't come down any more of a corpse than I did
from the dome of the cathedral. I must obey this man. Let me go. You
just see my guardian angel will take care of me."

"Mr. Redfox, I tell you plainly it's a foolhardy game you are playing
with that boy," said the helmsman earnestly. "If anything happens to
him you'll answer for it on a charge of criminal carelessness at the
first port we put into."

"Wait till y