ow of a reflection upon your
demeanor towards me. You have entirely mistaken my meaning."

"Then I think you had better explain yourself."

"Since that little affair in Pournea Bay, I have been mortally afraid I
should say or do something to offend you, or hurt your feelings,"
continued Scott. "We are going on what may prove to be a delicate
business."

"I don't see how there can be anything delicate about it," added Louis.

"Perhaps that was not the right word for it. But I want to have it
understood, first and foremost, that I did not remind you of the
difference in our situations because I felt that I had any cause of
complaint," said the captain, so earnestly that he was almost eloquent.
"Without reminding you again that you are a millionaire while I am a
beggar, you are the most modest fellow on board, and have always been
without any let-up. By your action I am in command of the Maud. On your
petition I was admitted to the cabin of the Guardian-Mother, where I
have a stateroom at this moment, and a place at the table when on board
of her, on an entire equality with everybody there."

"Why do you mention these matters, Captain Scott?"

"Only to show that I am not ungrateful for the many favors extended to
me," answered the young man heartily. "More than all this, I was a bad
egg when I came on board of the steamer. It was your influence and your
example, Louis Belgrave, more than even the treatment of Captain
Ringgold, which caused me to turn over a new leaf, and try to make a man
of myself."

Scott turned away his head, and looked out at the starboard window, and
Louis saw a gush of tears fall on the rim of the wheel as he did so. He
had been about all that is bad which a young man could be when he was
committed to the care of the commander by his foster-father; but since
he had been "born again," as he expressed it, he had been thoroughly
faithful and exemplary, and morally he stood as high as the other
members of the "Big Four." His reformation had made a new being of him,
and when he reverted to it, his feelings overcame him.

"I have said too much, my dear fellow, and I am very sorry that I have
hurt your feelings," interposed Louis, after he waited a few minutes
for his emotion to subside. "Only don't remind me that I am a bigger
fellow than the rest of you, and we shall never quarrel."

"You have never spoken an unkind word to me since I was born over again,
and it was mean in me to say anything wh