e meets
a fleet of schooners thet do all the fishin' fur us 'mongst the islands.
We fetch 'em out grub, an' sich-like notions, an' take in return all
the ile an' skins they've got to bring home. In course, sometimes, we
strike a fish on our own 'count; but, we don't make a trade of it, 'cept
the black fins comes under our noses, so to speak! The b'y'll run no
risk, you bet, if you're skeart about him."

"No, not a bit, mister," corroborated Nat; "and it's a downright capital
openin' for him, I guess, too. Why, there are scores of people would
give something handsome as a premium to get the cap'en to take their
sons along o' him!"

"Thet's a fact," said the skipper; "though I reckon I don't kinder like
to be bothered with b'ys--'specially sich as are mother's darlin's.
They're gen'rally powerful sassy, or else white-livered do-nuthins!
I've taken a fancy to this lad, howbeit; an' thet's the reason I wants
fur to hev him with me."

"Besides, Fritz," put in Eric, who had refrained from speaking as yet
throughout the conversation, although so interested in it, "you must
recollect what a sum mother paid for my outfit? Well, I have lost every
stitch of it, and shall not get the slightest return from the owners for
what went down in the _Gustav Barentz_--merchant sailors have to run the
risk of all such casualties, you know! Now, I should not like to go
back on mother's hands again, like a bad penny, with nothing to bless
myself with; but, here's a capital chance for me. As Captain Brown
says, I shall return in a year, and then my wages would be something
handsome to take home to mutterchen, even if I then gave up the sea."

"Did you tell mother of this in your letter?" asked Fritz.

"Certainly; for, of course, I did not expect to see you here. I told
her that I had almost pledged my word with Captain Brown to go with him,
even if it were only to pay him for what he had already done for me, in
advancing me money to buy clothes and other necessaries, for I hadn't a
rag on when he rescued me, as well as promising to keep me here till the
vessel is ready to start again on her next voyage. Why, Fritz, he's so
kind, that he actually offered to pay my passage home, if I were bent on
seeing mother first before deciding about his offer!"

"That settles it then, Eric, for mother will be certain to say that the
right thing to do will be to pay your debts first; in addition to which,
knowing I am now out here, she will not