look here, mates," Ben continued; "fair and square's the
word between us, ain't it? If I choose to take a notion to these two
here, it's my own lookout, and it's not for any other chap to be
interfering with me, any more than I'd be after wanting your things,
eh?"

They were beginning to see what he was driving at now, and one of them
said, with a sort of sneer,--

"You're not afraid of any one wanting your boy, or his dog either, are
you?"

"Not exactly," answered Ben; "but what I've on my mind is this: seeing
they're my property, I don't want any one to meddle with them or give
them any trouble--that's only fair, ain't it?"

"Fair enough, Ben; but what are you going to do with the boy when we
leave here?" asked one. And there was a murmur of assent to the
question.

"That'll be all right, mates," replied Ben promptly. "I'll be surety
that he doesn't get us into any trouble. You just leave that to me,
and I'll warrant you I'll get him away from us quiet enough. What do
you say, mates?"

Although by dint of bluster and brutality Evil-Eye had forced his way
to a sort of leadership among the wreckers, there was really none of
them with so much influence as Ben. With the exception of Evil-Eye
they were all now quite ready to accept his assurances of Eric not
proving a source of trouble, and to consent to his remaining with them.
Evil-Eye growled and grumbled a good deal, but could get nobody to heed
him; and Ben, satisfied that he had carried his point, and that Eric
and Prince were safe, took his seat again, and lit his pipe for a good
smoke. He was perfectly sincere in promising that Eric would not get
his associates into any trouble. He certainly never imagined what
would be the result of his taking him under his protection. Could he
have had a peep into the future, perhaps he would have hesitated before
becoming his champion. As it was, he gave himself no concern upon the
point.

Eric felt wonderfully relieved at the result of his protector's appeal.
It settled his position among his strange, uncongenial companions.
They might take no notice of him if they chose--indeed, that was just
what he would prefer--but they had, at all events, not only recognized
but consented to his presence, and this took a great load off his mind.

Although his objections had been ignored by his companions, Evil-Eye
was by no means disposed to give up altogether his designs upon Eric.
There were two reasons why he hunger