Chester was tempted to leave his dinner to help them again; but he
resisted the temptation. They walked quite firmly now, and as they
entered the passageway, the girl glancing back into the room, met
Chester's eyes and smiled once more. Again Chester's heart fluttered. It
would have been a cold, hardened heart indeed not to have responded to
such an appeal.

CHAPTER III.

On the morning of the fourth day out, Chester Lawrence stood watching
the antics of a young man, who, coatless and hatless, and made brave by
too many visits to the bar, was running up the rope ladders of the mast
to a dangerous height. He climbed up to where the ladder met the one on
the other side, down which he scrambled with the agility of a monkey.
The ladies in the group on deck gasped in fright at his reckless daring.
The fellow jumped to the deck from the rail, and made a sweeping bow to
the spectators:

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "'tis nothing at all, I assure you. On
shore I am a circus performer, an' I was just practicing a little. Have
no fear. See--"

He was about to make a second exhibition when a ship's officer seized
him, threatening to lock him up if he did not desist.

"O, certainly, if its against the rules," he replied meekly. His hat and
coat were lying on a chair by some ladies. He put these on again, and
then sat down and began talking to the one nearest him. Chester, who had
followed the fellow's capers with some interest, gave a start when he
saw that the lady with whom the man was trying to carry on a
conversation was the minister's daughter. She was visibly annoyed, and
looked about as if for help. Chester thought her eyes fell on him, and
without hesitation he determined to assist her. He went up to them, and
without appearing to see the girl, reached out his hand to the man,
saying:

"Halloo Jack! Didn't know you were on board till I saw your capers just
now. I want to talk to you a moment. Come along and have a drink first."

The fellow stared at Chester and was about to deny any acquaintanceship
with him, when the insistent manner of the greeting changed his mind. He
excused himself to the lady, arose and followed. Chester took his arm as
they walked along.

"Which is your state-room?" asked Chester.

"It's 340; but what you want to know for? Aren't we going to have a
drink?"

"Not just now, my man. You're going to your room, and to bed. You got up
too early. Listen,"--as the sobering man bega