ed away when the skipper came on
board and a long conversation had taken place over the charts of the
West Indian Islands and the Caribbean Sea.

"Quinine, captain?" he exclaimed at last. "My good sir, you may have
all the medicine--well, nearly--that I have on board!"

"Thankye, sir," said the bluff skipper, laughing. "Enough's as good as
a feast of that stuff."

"And I'm very sorry," said the captain politely, "that I had to overhaul
your schooner."

"I arn't," said the skipper. "I'm very glad, and thankful too for the
physic stuff. Fever's a nasty thing, sir, and as I said, I'm very glad.
Good luck to you, sir, and good-bye."

"There's no doubt this time, Mr Anderson," said the captain, as soon as
the skipper had gone over the side, "that man's as honest as the day."

"That he is, sir, and so is his schooner."

"Yes, Mr Anderson. Now, then, let's go back to those charts, and we'll
then make right for the plantations. I begin to think that we shall do
some business now."

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

RATHER FISHY.

"What!" said the first lieutenant sharply. "Now, look here, Mr
Roberts--and you too, Mr Murray, for you are just as bad. You both
give yourselves airs, and though you say nothing you are always showing
off, trying to impress the men with the idea that you are men grown."

"I beg your pardon, sir--" began Roberts.

"Now, don't deny it, sir. I know it for a fact. Do you think that I
can't read you through and through--you in particular, Mr Roberts, for
you are far the worst. Not that you have much to boast about, Mr
Murray."

"I am very sorry, sir," said the latter. "No, you are not, sir," said
the chief officer abruptly. "Let's have deeds, not words. If you were
really sorry that you had been playing the imitative monkey you would
pitch the antics overboard."

"Antics, sir?" cried Roberts. "Yes, sir--antics. I said antics," cried
the officer sharply, "so don't repeat my words and force me to do the
same. A boy's a boy, sir, and a man's a man. A good boy is a rarity on
shipboard, but very valuable when you get him; and a good man--a really
good man at sea is worth his weight in gold; but I detest a hobbledehoy
who apes the man, and I generally look upon him as worthless. Don't
grunt, Mr Roberts. It's disrespectful to your superior officer. You
might very well follow the example of Mr Murray, who never resents
reproof when he deserves it. There, you need not make that disparag