the table, pulled out his spectacles, and adjusted them on his bulging
nose in leisurely fashion, spread the paper on the red damask cloth, and
studied it. He tipped down his head and stared at Mayo over the edge of
his glasses with true astonishment.

"This your name in these master's papers?" he demanded.

"Yes, sir."

"You're--you claim to be the Captain Mayo who smashed the _Montana?_"

"I'm the man, sir. I hung on to my papers, even though they have been
canceled."

"How do I know about these papers? How do I know your name is Mayo? You
might have stolen 'em--though, for that matter, you might just as well
carry a dynamite bomb around in your pocket, for all the good they'll do
you."

"That's the point, sir. They merely prove my identity. Nobody else would
want them. Captain Downs, I'm running away from the law. I own up to
you. Let me tell you how it happened."

"Make it short," snapped the captain, showing no great amiability toward
this plucked and discredited master. "The wind is breezing up."

He told his story concisely and in manly fashion, standing up while
Captain Downs sat and stared over his spectacles, drumming his stubby
fingers on the red damask.

"There, sir, that's why I am here and how I happened to get here," Mayo
concluded.

"I ain't prepared to say it isn't so," admitted Old Mull at last, "no
matter how foolish it sounds. And I'm wondering if next I'll find the
King of Peruvia or the Queen of Sheba aboard this schooner. New folks
are piling in fast! I know Captain Wass pretty well, though I never laid
eye on you to know you. Where's that wart on his face?"

"Starboard side of his nose, sir."

"What does he do, whittle off his chaw or bite the plug?"

"Neither. Chews fine cut."

"What's his favorite line of talk?"

"Reciting the pilot rules and jawing because the big fellows slam along
without observing them."

"Last remark showing that you have been in the pilothouse along with
Captain Wass! Examination is over and you rank one hundred and the board
stands adjourned!" He rose and shook hands with Mayo. "Now what can I do
for you?"

"I don't suppose you can do much of anything, Captain Downs. But I'm
going to ask you this, master to masted. Don't let a soul aboard this
schooner know who I am--especially those two back there!" He pointed to
the door of the main saloon.

"Seems to be more or less of a masked-ball party aboard here!" growled
the skipper.

"That man you ca