u do not like them. That is foolish."

"That's just the trouble. If it was only skin deep I wouldn't give a
rap. The trouble with those fellows is that the black goes all the way
through. I'll bet they are black clear to the bones. If Pills ever
has to cut either of them open for anything I'm going to take a peek."

"I am surprised at you, Sam," chided Davis.

"You needn't be. You'll find, one of these days, that I am right. But
how about that house and lot?"

"If you keep on talking to me, hammocks will be piped up before I
finish my letter."

"Go on with your writing. I'm mum." Sam sat down and was soon lost in
deep thought.

"There," announced Dan finally. "I guess that's all I can write
to-night. I've done eight pages. That's pretty good for a sailor."

"I never wrote as much as that in all my life--that is, I never wrote
as much as that in letters. Say, Dan."

"Yes."

"Do you mind if I say a few words to Mother Davis at the end of your
letter!"

"Of course, you may. Mother will be delighted."

"All right. You go outside and take a walk for your health. I can't
write with anybody looking at me. It makes me nervous."

"Too bad about your sensitive nerves," retorted the other with a laugh.
"All right; I'll go out. Do not be long, for it is nearly hammock
time."

Leaving Sam grumbling about having to go to bed at nine o'clock, Dan
strolled out on the deck.

"Dear Mother Davis," began Sam, "I want to tell you that your Dan isn't
the only jackie who has money. I've got two hundred dollars, too. But
I haven't any mother. The two hundred isn't any good to me. I've been
thinking of giving it to the government some of these times, for they
could use it where it would do some good. I've got a new idea, now.
I'm going to send the two hundred to you, along with Dan's. You start
that house right away, and, by the time all the money is used up, Dan
and I will have some more for you. We're getting too rich. If Dan
kicks about it, you know how to stop him. P. S. I'm a real sailor,
now. I've got a rating and a pig's foot. The rating made me glad, but
the pig's foot hurt worse than having a tooth pulled. Lovingly, Sam."

CHAPTER X

HIS NARROW ESCAPE

Leaving Sam in the throes of composition, Dan walked out on deck. A
few moments later he uttered a sharp exclamation and clapped a hand to
his left ear, through which he felt a sudden, sharp pain. As he
brought the hand away,