l under way. "It isn't often
one gets a nor'-east wind at this time of year, hereabouts, and when we
do chance upon it, why, there's no use in wasting it."

"Sartinly not, Cap'en Billings," responded Sam; "them's jest my
sentiments! I suppose as you'll be a'most out of the Channel by
mornin', if the wind holds?"

"Aye, we ought to be off Ilfracombe soon after sunrise, the pilot says.
Will you like to go ashore when we drop him there, eh?"

"That'll do nicely, Cap'en," replied Sam. "I only jest wanted for to
see the last of the b'y, and I s'pected as how you'd land your pilot
thereabout or at Bideford, where I told the man in charge o' my schooner
to call in for me; but it don't matter much where I get ashore."

"All right then," said Captain Billings; "so, now, as the ship's going
on at a spanking rate, with no danger ahead and in charge of the pilot,
suppose you and the lad come down to the cabin along with me and have a
bit of something to eat, for it's getting late? I dare say the
steward'll find us some grub somewhere, though it's rather early in the
voyage for regular meals."

So saying, the skipper dived down the poop ladder, we two after him,
when we found a well-spread table below, the sight of which pleased Sam
as much as the appearance of my bunk--although, mind you, only on
account of his interest in me, as there wasn't a bit of the gourmand
about him.

"See, my laddie," said he, nudging me, and speaking in a whisper. "The
cap'en ain't a going to starve you!"

When we got on deck again, after a hearty meal, the sun had set and the
evening was closing in; but, it was bright and clear overhead and the
twinkling Nash lights, two white and one red, by Saint Donat's Castle,
were well away to windward on the starboard hand.

Although there was no necessity whatever for my keeping up, I was too
much excited to turn in, even for the purpose of seeing how snug my new
quarters were; so, Sam keeping me company, in order to have as much of
me as he could--for the time was now approaching for our parting--he and
I paced the poop all night, talking of all sorts of things, and planning
out a wonderful future when I should be captain of a ship of my own.

Early in the morning watch, the wind lulled down to a gentle breeze, as
it frequently does in summer before sunrise. This checked the ship's
rate of speed through the water considerably, so staying our progress
that, instead of our arriving off Ilfracombe cl