osite sidewalk, under a full spread of canvas, as he
would have expressed it.

I was off again in an instant at a rapid pace; but in spite of all I
could do he held his own without any perceptible exertion. He had a very
ugly gait to get away from, the Admiral. I didn't dare to run, for
fear of being mistaken for a thief, a suspicion which my bundle would
naturally lend color to.

I pushed ahead, however, at a brisk trot, and must have got over one or
two miles--my pursuer neither gaining nor losing ground--when I concluded
to surrender at discretion. I saw that Sailor Ben was determined to have
me, and, knowing my man, I knew that escape was highly improbable.

So I turned round and waited for him to catch up with me, which he did
in a few seconds, looking rather sheepish at first.

"Sailor Ben," said I, severely, "do I understand that you are dogging my
steps?"

"'Well, little mess-mate," replied the Admiral, rubbing his nose, which
he always did when he was disconcerted, "I am kind o' followin' in your
wake."

"Under orders?"

"Under orders."

"Under the Captain's orders?"

"Surely."

"In other words, my grandfather has sent you to fetch me back to
Rivermouth?"

"That's about it," said the Admiral, with a burst of frankness.

"And I must go with you whether I want to or not?"

"The Capen's very identical words!"

There was nothing to be done. I bit my lips with suppressed anger, and
signified that I was at his disposal, since I couldn't help it. The
impression was very strong in my mind that the Admiral wouldn't hesitate
to put me in irons if I showed signs of mutiny.

It was too late to return to Rivermouth that night--a fact which I
communicated to the old boy sullenly, inquiring at the same time what he
proposed to do about it.

He said we would cruise about for some rations, and then make a night
of it. I didn't condescend to reply, though I hailed the suggestion of
something to eat with inward enthusiasm, for I had not taken enough food
that day to keep life in a canary.

'We wandered back to the railway station, in the waiting room of which
was a kind of restaurant presided over by a severe-looking young lady.
Here we had a cup of coffee apiece, several tough doughnuts, and some
blocks of venerable spongecake. The young lady who attended on us,
whatever her age was then, must have been a mere child when that
sponge-cake was made.

The Admiral's acquaintance with Boston hotels was slight