ted to
find some difficulty in securing an efficient crew. He of course at
once applied to Tom Platt.

"I'll see about that, sir," he answered. "You mustn't be too particular
as to what sort of chaps they may be, provided they are good seamen--for
as to their characters, I'm not likely to be able to say much."

"Pick up the best you can find," said Harry. "They'll probably behave
well enough, if kept under strict discipline."

Tom was as good as his word. In the course of a few days he had engaged
ten hands--a strong crew for a vessel of the _Dainty's_ size--six
Englishmen, a New Zealander, a Sandwich Islander, and two blacks,
natives of Tanna, an island of the New Hebrides Group. Tom confessed
that he had more confidence in the probable good conduct of the Pacific
islanders than he had in that of the white men, who, however, when they
came on board, looked more decent fellows than I had expected.

Just as the schooner was ready for sea, Harry and I were one evening
leaving the quay, when I saw a lad in ragged clothes, who, on catching
sight of me, tried to hide himself behind a stack of planks lately
landed. In spite of his forlorn and dirty condition, I recognised him
as the young stowaway who had come out with me on board the _Eclipse_.

"Hillo, Dick Tilston, can that be you?" I exclaimed. "Come here. What
have you been about?"

On being called, he approached, looking very sheepish.

"Now, don't be scolding at me," he said, taking my hand, which I held
out to him. "You know how I was treated aboard the _Eclipse_. I
couldn't stand it any longer, so when she was about to sail I slipped
ashore, and hid away till she had gone. I've since been knocking about,
unable to get any work, for no one will engage me without a character,
as they guess that I'm a runaway, and take me for a young thief. I've
sold my clothes and everything I had for food, and have got only these
rags to cover me."

I knew that what Dick said was true. I asked him if he still wished to
be a sailor, or would rather go up the country and seek for employment,
which I was sure he would be able to obtain with my brother's
recommendation.

"I would rather be a sailor than anything else, if I could serve under a
good captain," he answered.

"Well, then, stop a moment, and I'll speak to my brother," I said; and I
ran after Harry. I told him in a few words about Dick.

"Well, he may come with us," he said. "But he must try to make