hed, his mind trained and well stored. He was a graduate of
Harvard and had traveled extensively. His inherited wealth had not
spoiled him, although it had, perhaps, given him too much
self-assurance and just a shade of superciliousness.

The two young men as they chatted formed a violent contrast. If Drew
suggested the Viking type, Parmalee would, with equal fitness, have
filled the role of a troubadour. The one was powerful and direct, the
other suave and subtle. One could conceive of Drew's wielding a broad
axe, but would have put in Parmalee's hands a rapier. Each had his own
separate and distinct appeal both to men and women.

Drew introduced Parmalee to Grimshaw. Then the captain came along, and
all four were engaged in an animated conversation when Namco, the
Japanese steward, announced:

"Lady say I make honorable report: Bleakfast!"

"And high time for it!" cried the captain. "I'm as hungry as a hawk
and I guess the rest of you are too. We'll go down and see what that
slant-eyed Celestial has knocked up for us."

Wah Lee had "done himself proud" in this initial meal, which proved to
be abundant, well-cooked and appetizing.

All were in high spirits as they gathered about the table. Ordinarily,
the mate would have formed one of the company while the second officer
stood the captain's watch. But the narrow quarters and the unusual
number of passengers on this trip made it necessary that the mate
should eat after the captain and his guests had finished.

The captain sat at the head of the table while Ruth presided over the
coffee urn at the foot. Tyke sat at the captain's right, and the two
young men were placed one on either side of their hostess.

She wore a fetching breakfast cap, which did not prevent a rebellious
wisp or two of golden hair from playing about her pink ears. Her
cheeks were rosy, her eyes sparkling, and her demure little housewifely
air as she poured the coffee was bewitching. The excitement of the
start, the novelty of the quest on which they had embarked, and the
presence of two young and attentive cavaliers put her on her mettle,
and she was full of quaint sayings and witty sallies.

Her father gazed on her fondly, Tyke beamed approvingly, and Parmalee's
admiration was undisguised. As for Drew, the havoc she had already
made in his heart reached alarming proportions. He found himself
picturing a home ashore, where every morning that face would be
opposite to him at