dent Mr. Collingsby would never consent
to such a match. Without appearing to be suspicious, I intended to
watch the skipper closely, and if he attempted to get rid of me, he
would find it would take two to make that bargain.

Before the interesting couple in the cabin had finished their dinner, I
ran the Marian into the creek. When the skipper came on deck, he
immediately anchored the yacht, near the south bank of the lagoon.
After I had eaten my dinner, he took the small boat, and wished me to
go on shore with him, as Miss Collingsby declined to land.

CHAPTER XVII.

IN WHICH PHIL PUTS A CHECK ON THE OPERATIONS OF MR. BEN WATERFORD.

Mr. Waterford had anchored the Marian within a couple of rods of the
shore, where there was a bank convenient for landing. He had simply
lowered the jib, leaving the mainsail set, but with the boom hauled
down to the traveller, to keep it from swaying. Miss Collingsby did not
come on deck when she had finished her dinner, but sat in the cabin,
apparently reading a book she had found there; but I think her mind was
not interested in the contents of the volume.

"Come, Phil; will you go on shore with me?" repeated Mr. Waterford,
after he had hauled the little tender alongside the yacht.

"I haven't cleared away the dishes yet," I replied.

"Never mind them now; there will be time enough for that when we
return."

"But everything in the kitchen is just as I left it," I added.

"We shall not be absent more than ten or fifteen minutes."

"Can't you go alone?"

"No, but you can," he replied, with a winning smile, which was
doubtless intended to lure me into the trap he had set for me. "There
are some beautiful swamp flowers a short distance from the shore, and I
wish to get a bouquet for Miss Collingsby."

"Can't one carry the bouquet alone?" I asked.

"You are a stout fellow; possibly you could," laughed he. "If you will
go, I will tell you where to find the flowers."

"If you know, it would be better for you to go, and I will clear away
the dinner things while you are gone."

"We must pull the tender out of the water when we land, and I don't
think I can do it alone. I want to turn it over, and get the dirty
water out of it, for it really is not fit for a lady to get into. Miss
Collingsby says she is not afraid to stay alone for a few moments."

"Very well; if you will stay on board and put away the dishes, I will
go on shore alone," I replied, moved to give this an