to help Nat, for though he could not
testify to it in a way to carry conviction, he was sure in his own
mind of what had happened.

"Why doesn't Mr. Weatherby come?" thought Nat.

"You will be relieved of your duties in the purser's office," went on
Captain Marshall. "Mr. Bumstead, will you, as a favor to me, allow
your nephew to help Mr. Dunn for the remainder of the voyage?"

"Yes, sir. I think he will be glad to do it. Will you not, Sam?"

"Certainly," was the answer, and the red-haired youth did not try to
conceal the satisfaction he felt.

"Then you may consider yourself discharged," said the commander to
Nat. "I will put you ashore at the next port."

"What's that?" exclaimed a voice, and those in the cabin looked up to
see Mr. Weatherby standing in the doorway. "Nat discharged! What's it
all about? I tried to get here sooner, but I had to make up some
records, and they took longer than I calculated. Is the investigation
all over, captain?"

"It is, and I am sorry to say I had to decide against Nat. I believe
he had the cigarettes and gave Sam some to smoke in that part of the
ship where they are forbidden. I don't know that he smoked himself,
but he might as well have done so as to induce another."

"I don't believe Nat did anything of the kind," said the pilot.

"I'm sorry I can't agree with you," responded the commander. "I have
relieved him from his duties and put Sam temporarily in his place. He
leaves the ship at the next port."

"He does, eh?" said Mr. Weatherby. "Then all I've got to say is that
if he goes, I go too!"

CHAPTER XIII

MAKING A CHANGE

Such a startling announcement as the pilot made could not fail to
surprise those in the cabin. Nat wondered whether his friend meant it,
and as for Captain Marshall, he believed the pilot was not aware of
what had taken place at the investigation.

"Do you mean that you will leave the ship without a pilot?" asked the
commander.

"No; at least, not until we get to the next port, where you can hire
one. In fact, after we get over this part of the trip you'll not need
one, for the lake is well charted, and you can steer as well as I can.
But I repeat, if Nat goes, I go too."

"But he broke one of the most stringent rules of the ship," retorted
the captain, who did not at all like the idea of losing his pilot.

"I can't agree with you. I know something of this case, and I believe
Nat is innocent of the charge."

"Do you mean to say t