icense, when I steered the boat, and I don't believe Mr. Weatherby
did either. I suppose I did wrong, but it was unintentional, and I
don't see what else I could have done under the circumstances.

"But I'll have a chance at Bumstead now. As soon as I get out of here
I'll cause his arrest. Hold on, though, maybe I'll not get out of
here. I wonder what the punishment is for piloting a boat without a
license?"

This was another phase of the queer affair. He realized if he was held
on the charge, he would have no chance to make an accusation against
the rascally mate.

"I know what I'll do," said Nat to himself, while he anxiously waited.
"If Bumstead comes here I'll tell Captain Turton to go out and get a
policeman. Then I can make a new complaint, charge Bumstead with
keeping money belonging to me, and he'll be arrested. That's what I'll
do."

While Nat sat in the office of the harbor master, he listened to
several cases that were being disposed of. Captains of tugs and other
boats were arraigned on charges of violating rules of the harbor; such
as displaying wrong lights, crossing the course of other boats at the
improper time, failing to give warning signals, colliding with other
craft, or not filing the proper reports.

Some of the men were fined, others were suspended for a certain length
of time, and one or two had their licenses revoked.

"I wonder what he'll do to me?" thought Nat. "There doesn't seem to be
any case just like mine."

He was interrupted in his musing by the entrance of Captain Turton.

"What's this I hear?" asked the commander wonderingly, after he had
greeted his young pilot. "Are you in trouble, Nat?"

"It seems so," and the boy told the circumstances.

"Don't worry," advised Captain Turton cheerfully. "I'll stand by you,
and we'll have that mate arrested as soon as he leaves the place."

"Is the Morton case ready?" asked the harbor master, looking about
him, after he had disposed of all the other matters before him.

"The mate Bumstead isn't here yet," replied an officer who was in
charge of the court. "Young Morton is here, and Captain Turtle----"

"I beg your pardon, my name is Turton," interrupted the commander of
the _Mermaid_.

"Turton, I should say," corrected the court officer.

"Where is the person who made the charge--Bumstead the mate?" asked
the harbor master.

"I have sent Officer Jenkins for him, sir. He'll be here directly. Ah,
here is Jenkins now."

"Well, Je