oing to give 'im a licking
every day, and when we get to Fairhaven I'm going to foller 'im 'ome and
tell his wife about 'im walking out with my sister."

"She walked me out," said the skipper, with dry lips.

"Put 'em up," vociferated the "Bruiser."

"Don't you touch me, my lad," said the skipper, dodging behind the
wheel. "Go an' see about your work--go an' peel the taters."

"Wot!" roared the "Bruiser."

"You've shipped as cook aboard my craft," said the skipper impressively.
"If you lay a finger on me it's mutiny, and you'll get twelve months."

"That's right," said the mate, as the pugilist (who had once had
fourteen days for bruising, and still held it in wholesome remembrance)
paused irresolute. "It's mutiny, and it'll also be my painful duty to
get up the shotgun and blow the top of your ugly 'ed off."

"Would it be mutiny if I was to dot YOU one?" inquired the "Bruiser," in
a voice husky with emotion, as he sidled up to the mate.

"It would," said the other hastily.

"Well, you're a nice lot," said the disgusted "Bruiser," "you and your
mutinies. Will any one of you have a go at me?"

There was no response from the crew, who had gathered round, and were
watching the proceedings with keen enjoyment.

"Or all of yer?" asked the "Bruiser," raising his eyebrows.

"I've got no quarrel with you, my lad," the boy remarked with dignity,
as he caught the new cook's eye.

"Go and cook the dinner,'" said the skipper; "and look sharp about it.
I don't want to have to find fault with a young beginner like you; but I
don't have no shirkers aboard--understand that."

For one moment of terrible suspense the skipper's life hung in the
balance, then the "Bruiser," restraining his natural instincts by a
mighty effort, retreated, growling, to the galley.

The skipper's breath came more freely.

"He don't know your address, I s'pose," said the mate.

"No, but he'll soon find it out when we get ashore," replied the other
dolefully. "When I think that I've got to take that brute to my home to
make mischief I feel tempted to chuck him overboard almost."

"It is a temptation," agreed the mate loyally, closing his eyes to his
chief's physical deficiencies. "I'll pass the word to the crew not to
let him know your address, anyhow."

The morning passed quietly, the skipper striving to look unconcerned
as the new cook grimly brought the dinner down to the cabin and set
it before him. After toying with it a little while,