from out the west, made Wilbur look up quickly. The gray sky
seemed scudding along close overhead. The bay, the narrow channel of the
Golden Gate, the outside ocean, were all whitening with crests of waves.
At his feet the huge green ground-swells thundered to the attack of the
fort's granite foundations. Through the Gate, the bay seemed rushing out
to the Pacific. A bewildered gull shot by, tacking and slanting against
the gusts that would drive it out to sea. Evidently the storm was not
far off. Wilbur rose to his feet, and saw the "Bertha Millner," close
in, unbridled and free as a runaway horse, headed directly for the open
sea, and rushing on with all the impetus of wind and tide!

XIV. THE OCEAN IS CALLING FOR YOU

A little while after Wilbur had set off for the station, while Moran
was making the last entries in the log-book, seated at the table in the
cabin, Jim appeared at the door.

"Well," she said, looking up.

"China boy him want go asho' plenty big, seeum flen up Chinatown in um
city."

"Shore leave, is it?" said Moran. "You deserted once before without
even saying good-by; and my hand in the fire, you'll come back this time
dotty with opium. Get away with you. We'll have men aboard here in a few
days."

"Can go?" inquired Jim suavely.

"I said so. Report our arrival to your Six Companies."

Hoang rowed Jim and the coolies ashore, and then returned to the
schooner with the dory and streamed her astern. As he passed the cabin
door on his way forward, Moran hailed him.

"I thought you went ashore?" she cried.

"Heap flaid," he answered. "Him other boy go up Chinatown; him tell Sam
Yup; I tink Sam Yup alla same killee me. I no leaveum ship two, thlee
day; bimeby I go Olegon. I stay topside ship. You wantum cook. I cook
plenty fine; standum watch for you."

Indeed, ever since leaving Coronado the ex-beach-comber had made himself
very useful about the schooner; had been, in fact, obsequiousness
itself, and seemed to be particularly desirous of gaining the good-will
of the "Bertha's" officers. He understood pigeon English better than
Jim, and spoke it even better than Charlie had done. He acted the part
of interpreter between Wilbur and the hands; even turned to in the
galley upon occasion; and of his own accord offered to give the vessel
a coat of paint above the water-line. Moran turned back to her log, and
Hoang went forward. Standing on the forward deck, he looked after the
"Bertha's" c