e
bit I've cut off the skipper's ham and a couple of eggs."

"I'm with you," said Mont readily, "and I'll return your kindness on the
first opportunity."

In a moment our hero was supplied with a good breakfast, which was
washed down with a cup of coffee.

The sea was rather high, although the wind had gone down.

It was not difficult to perceive, when Mont came to examine her, that
the ship was a very old one and had seen her best days.

Mont thought a trip to the Bermudas would be very nice, but at the same
time he did not mean to be the captain's slave, or the first mate's
either.

He had not shipped with them, and they could not legally make him work,
though he did not mind lending a hand if he was asked in a friendly
manner.

His mother would pay for his passage if she was asked.

The officers evidently took him, Carl, and Stump to be three sons of
fishermen, and had made up their minds to treat them accordingly.

When he left the galley, Mont went to where the regular hands slept and
messed, and where he and his companions had slept.

There was a great outcry as he came in.

"Leave off, I say," Carl was exclaiming; "I won't have it. Two of you
onto me at once isn't fair."

In a moment Mont was there. He found the two young men, Sam Holly and
Jerry Dabble, standing over his chum with two ropes' ends, with which
they were hitting him.

"What are you licking him for?" asked Mont, his eyes flashing.

"Because he won't get the breakfast," said Holly.

"He's not your servant--why should he?"

"He'll have to do it, or you will," said Sam the bully, setting his arms
akimbo and staring impudently at Mont.

"My good fellow," said the latter, "don't you make any error. Neither my
friend nor myself means to do anything on board this ship unless we're
asked civilly."

Jerry Dabble laughed. "You're a fool to talk that way!" he roared.

Mont immediately gave him a cuff on the ears which sent him rolling over
a bunk.

CHAPTER VII.

A LIVELY ENCOUNTER.

The two sailors were astonished beyond measure at Mont's quick action.

"Good for you, Mont!" cried Carl Barnaby, while Stump grinned with
intense delight.

"I'll go and tell the captain," growled Jerry, as he got up slowly.

Sam Holly, who was a thick-set, heavy-looking fellow, turned to Mont. "I
have had enough of this nonsense. Do you mean to do your work or not?"

"Certainly not; do it yourself."

"Do you want a good hiding?"

"You