me, without offence,
to observe, that one of these young men has only just been released from
slavery, and that the other is an apprentice."

"The first does not belong to your crew, so it is my duty to take care
of him; and if the other is still an apprentice, I cannot keep him, but
I shall like to see his papers. Mistakes in these matters sometimes
occur. We do everything according to law, do you see, Mr Gale."
Captain Hudson spoke very mildly and blandly, but there was something in
his eye which showed that he was not to be trifled with.

"You will understand, sir," he continued, turning to Captain Stenning,
"I have the power to press you. Under the circumstances of the case, I
will not, unless I am forced to do it; but your friend will throw no
impediment in the way of my getting any of the hands I may require. I
will not detain you, gentlemen, and I wish you a prosperous voyage and a
happy termination to your enterprise."

This, then, was the object for which the naval captain wished to
communicate with the _Dolphin_. It was not with the best possible grace
that the two masters got up to take their leave; and yet Captain
Stenning well knew that he was completely in the power of the commander
of the sloop-of-war, and that there was no law to prevent him from being
sent to do duty before the mast on board of her.

They both shook hands warmly and kindly with Lyal, and promised to send
him a spare chest, with such things as could be collected; for of course
he had but a scanty outfit. As they were going, I put out my hand also.

"You'll let me shake hands, sir, won't you?" said I. "There's many a
kind act you've done me, Captain Gale, from the time I was a little
helpless lad till now; and I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and
may Heaven bless you, sir."

"Why, what's all this about?" exclaimed my kind captain, "You have your
papers, Jack, and you cannot, as an apprentice, be touched."

"But the papers won't protect me, sir; I am no longer an apprentice," I
answered. "Not long ago, I got a mate to look over them for me, and I
was, I find, out of my apprenticeship a month ago."

"There is no use giving in without an attempt to escape; I'll see what
can be done," he answered. "May I not take this man with me, sir?" he
asked, turning to Captain Hudson, who stood on the quarter-deck, and of
course had not heard this part of our conversation.

"Send his papers and his chest likewise," was the only