as to have a little peace." He walked close to Mayo and shook a monitory
finger under the young man's nose. "Now, what did ye come on board here
for, messing into my affairs?"

The indignant captain put forth his best efforts to make suitable
retort, but could only emit a series of "guggles."

"And now on top of it all I am told by my mate, who never gets around to
do anything that ought to be done till it's two days too late, that
you are one of the Mayos! Why wasn't I informed? I might have made
arrangements to show you some favors. I might have hove to and taken a
chance, considering who you was. And now it's too late. Everybody seems
to be ready to impose on me!"

Again Mayo tried to speak.

"Why don't you shut up that gobbling and talk sense?" shouted the irate
skipper, with maddening disregard of the captive's predicament.

"Father, are you completely crazy? You haven't taken that spike out of
his mouth."

"Expect a man to remember everything when he is all wrapped in his own
business and everybody trying to meddle with it?" grumbled Candage. He
fumbled in his pocket and produced a knife. He slashed away the rope
yarn which lashed the marlinespike. "If you can talk sense I'll help
you do it! I reckon you can holler all you want to now. Them dudes can't
find their own mouths in a fog, much less this schooner. Now talk up!"

Mayo worked his aching jaws and found his voice. "You know how I
happened to get aboard, Captain Candage. I am skipper of the _Olenia_.
Put back with me if you want to save trouble."

"Not by a tin hoopus, sir! I ain't going about and tackle them reefs in
this fog. I've got open sea ahead, and I shall keep going!"

Mayo was a sailor who knew that coast, and he admitted to himself that
Candage's stubbornness was justified.

"I ain't responsible for your getting aboard here. I'll land you as soon
as I can--and that covers the law, sir."

During a prolonged silence the two men stared at each other.

"At any rate, Captain Candage, I trust you will not consider that you
have a right to keep me tied up here any longer."

"Now that there's a better understanding about who is boss aboard here,
I don't know as I'm afraid to have you at large," admitted the skipper.
"I only warn you to remember your manners and don't forget that I'm
captain."

He flourished his clasp-knife and bent and cut the lashings. Then he
strode across the cabin and performed like service for his daughter.

"I rec