turned over to duty again. I didn't forget
that favor, messmates, and sink me if I wouldn't go to the bottom to
serve him any time. He commanded a brig in the South American trade
after that, and would have made a mate of me, but somehow I've got a
weakness for grog that isn't very safe, and so he knows 'twont do. You
see him there now, messmates, as calm as a lady; but he's awake when
there's need of it. The man don't live that can handle a ship better
than he; and as for fighting, do ye see, messmates, we were running on
this here same tack, just off the--but avast upon that, I haven't any
more to say, messmates," said the speaker, demurely.

Bill Marline evidently found himself treading upon dangerous ground, and
wisely cut short his yarn, thereby creating a vast amount of curiosity
among his messmates, but he sternly refused to speak further upon the
subject. Either his commander had prohibited him, or he found that by
speaking he should in some way compromise the credit or honor of one
upon whom he evidently looked as being little less than one of a
superior order of beings to himself.

"But what do you bring up so sudden for? Pay out, old fellow, there's
plenty of sea-room, and no land-sharks to fear," said one of the group,
encouragingly.

"Never you mind, messmates, there's nothing like keeping a civil tongue
in your head, especially being quiet about other people's business,"
added Bill.

"What think you, Bill, of this present vocation, eh?" asked another
companion.

"I shipped for six months, that's all I know, and no questions asked. I
understand very well that Captain Ratlin wouldn't ship me where he
wouldn't go himself."

"Well, do you see, Bill, most of us are new on board here, though we
have knocked about long enough to get the number of our mess and to work
ship together, and don't perhaps feel so well satisfied as you do."

"Why, look ye, messmates, arnt you satisfied so long as the articles you
signed are kept by captain and crew?" asked Bill Marline, somewhat
tartly.

"Why, yes, as to that matter; but where are we bound, Bill?" asked the
other.

"Any boy in the ship can make out the 'Sea Witch's' course," said the
old tar, evasively. "We're in these here Northern Trades, close-hauled,
and heading, according to my reckoning, due east, and any man who has
stood his trick at the wheel of a ship, knows that such a course steered
from the West Indies will, if well followed, run down the Cape V