, although the
thought of it was sure to return to torment him as soon as the
excitement of the afternoon's search was past.

One thing served to delight and to torture him at the same time. He
was almost sure that he had surprised a secret in the eyes of Ruth. He
was thrilled as he thought of it. But the next moment he groaned in
anguish as he remembered the frightful charge hanging over his head.
What had he now to offer her but a wrecked career and a blackened name?

The exhilaration all had felt on their return was followed soon by
reaction. Ruth withdrew early to her room, pleading weariness. Tyke
was thoughtful, thinking of the thunder he had heard just before they
had left the island. The captain went on deck only to find in the
report of the second officer more cause for gravity.

Mr. Rogers came up to him as he emerged from the cabin.

"Couldn't get any water this afternoon, sir," he reported. "Found
some; but it tasted strong of sulphur, sir."

"Yes, I know, Mr. Rogers," replied the captain. "I tasted some myself
while I was ashore, and found it no good. Still, we've got plenty on
board, so it doesn't matter."

Still the second officer lingered.

"What is it, Mr. Rogers?" asked the captain, who saw that the man had
something on his mind.

"Why, I hardly know how to put it, sir," answered the second officer, a
little confusedly. "Perhaps it's foolish to speak about it; and there
may be nothing in it, after all."

"Out with it, Mr. Rogers," ordered the captain, all alert in an instant.

"Why, it's this way, sir," returned the second officer. "I don't like
the way the men are acting. I never was sweet on the crew from the
beginning, for the matter of that, not meaning any disrespect to Mr.
Ditty, who had the choosing of most of them. There's a few of them
that are smart seamen, but most of them are rank swabs that don't know
a marlinspike from a backstay. Seem more like a gang of river pirates
than deep-sea sailors."

"I know that most of them are a poor lot," replied the captain. "But
they've managed to work the ship down here, and I guess they can get
her home again."

"But it isn't only that, sir," went on the other. "There's altogether
too much whispering and getting into corners when the men are off duty
to suit me. And they shut up like clams when I pass near 'em. And
they're surly and impudent when I give 'em orders. I've had to lick a
half dozen of 'em already."

"Well,