to say whether you want the place."

"Want it? Of course I want it! I can't tell you how much obliged I am
to you for this! I----"

"Now--now--don't get excited over it," cautioned Mr. Weatherby. "If
you're going to be a pilot you must learn to keep cool. Shall I tell
Captain Marshall you'll take the place?"

"Yes, and be glad to."

"Not quite so fast. Why don't you ask me what the wages are, and how
long you'll have to work?"

"That's so. I didn't think of that. But I don't mind how long I have
to work. It can't be much longer than I have to work now, and I get
very little for it."

"Then I guess you will be satisfied with the hours and the wages paid
aboard the _Jessie Drew_. When can you come?"

"Any time. I am not regularly hired at the dock."

"Then perhaps you had better stop now, go home and get ready. We will
sail early to-morrow. Bring along a change of clothes, for it often
happens you'll get wet through in a storm, or when the lake is rough."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," said Nat slowly, as a change came over
his face.

"Why not?"

"Well--er--that is--you see, I haven't any other clothes. These are
all I've got. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are very poor. Her husband doesn't
earn much, and I don't, either. It takes all we both get to buy food
and pay the rent. I don't have any left for clothes. They're not good
enough to go on board the boat with. I'm afraid I can't take the job."

"There is no use denying that the clothes might be better," admitted
Mr. Weatherby gravely. "Not that I care anything about what garments a
man or boy wears, so long as they are clean, and yours are that.
Still, I think it would make a better impression on Captain Marshall
if you were to have a newer suit. I'll tell you what I'll do. Here,
you take this money and go and get yourself a good suit and some
underwear, and whatever else you need."

"I can't take your money--I haven't earned it," objected Nat, who was
quite independent.

"Nonsense, boy. Take it as a loan, then, to be paid back whenever you
feel like it. It's a pity if I can't do a good turn to the lad who
pulled me up from between those vessels. You will offend me if you
don't take it. Besides, I want you to have this job. I may need you to
save my life again, and, to be frank with you, I shouldn't like
Captain Marshall to see the boy I recommended in such clothes,
though, as I said, personally I don't care a rap about them."

"All right," replied Nat quietl