r voyage."

"I begin to wish you were," said the mate, smiling. "You'd have found
me handy when you wanted to ask questions."

The American looked at the speaker keenly, and then smiled.

"I understand," he said. "So you think I ask a lot?"

"Well, yes," said the mate, laughing. "You are pretty good at it."

"I suppose so. Way I've got. Pick up knowledge that how. Seems to me
the way to learn. Hullo! What are they doing with your ship?"

"Warping her out again so as to be ready for dropping down when we
start."

"Is that better than going off from the wharf?"

"Yes, a dear; but excuse me: there's the skipper yonder. I'll go and
tell him I want to be off for a few hours."

"You do," said the American, "and you'll find me here when you come
back."

"If the skipper knows where I want to go," thought the mate, "he'll say
no directly, for he hates that Yankee, so I won't say anything about
him. Not a bad sort of fellow when you come to know him; but of all the
inquisitive Paul Prys I ever met he's about the worst. Never mind: he
has asked me to dinner, and I'll go."

The next minute the mate was face to face with Captain Banes.

"Ah, Lynton," cried the skipper, "there you are, then. Got the
gentlemen's tackle and things on board?"

"Yes, sir, all on board."

"That's right. We shall drop down the river about one; so see that
all's right."

"All is right, sir, and I want you to spare me for three or four hours."

"Spare you to-night?"

"Yes. I want to dine with a friend."

The skipper raised his eyebrows and stared.

"Want to dine with a friend? Why--oh, well, I'm not going to imitate
that Yankee and ask questions about what doesn't concern me. I was
going to ask you to join us in the cabin, to meet the gentlemen; but
that will do another time. Yes, of course, Lynton, and I wish you a
pleasant evening; but no nonsense: I sail at the time I told you."

"And if I'm not back you'll sail without me?"

"That's right."

"No fear, sir," said the mate.

"I know there isn't, my lad, or I should have said no. I'll tell Dellow
to send a boat ashore for you at ten."

The skipper walked off leaving the mate looking after him and frowning.

"He needn't have been so nasty about it. But he wouldn't sail without
me if I were not back."

The mate did not stir till he had seen Captain Banes on board. Then and
then only he went in search of the American, but did not find him, and
after a certa