he captain. The waif still obstinately refused to
explain how he happened to be alone in a water-logged boat, asleep,
and out of sight of land, though he promptly answered all other
questions which were put to him.

Mr. Lowington, the principal of the Academy Squadron, was in the main
cabin, though he had been fully informed in regard to the events which
had transpired on deck. The young commander despaired of his own
ability to extort an explanation from the waif, and he concluded to
refer the matter to the principal.

"How long have you been in that boat?" asked Captain Cumberland, as he
led the way towards the companion ladder.

"Eighteen hours," answered Ole, after some hesitation, which, perhaps,
was only to enable him to count up the hours.

"Did you have anything to eat?"

"No, sir."

"Nothing?"

"Not a thing."

"Then you are hungry?"

"I had a little supper last night--not much," continued Ole,
apparently counting the seams in the deck, ashamed to acknowledge his
human weakness.

"You shall have something to eat at once."

"Thank you, sir."

Captain Cumberland therefore conducted the stranger to the steerage,
instead of the main cabin, and directed one of the stewards to give
him his supper. The man set half a cold boiled ham on one of the mess
tables, with an abundant supply of bread and butter. Cutting off a
large slice of the ham, he placed it on the plate before Ole, whose
eyes opened wide with astonishment, and gleamed with pleasure. Without
paying much attention to the forms of civilization, the boy began to
devour it, with the zeal of one who had not tasted food for
twenty-four hours. Captain Cumberland smiled, but with becoming
dignity, at the greediness of the guest, before whom the whole slice
of ham and half a brick loaf disappeared almost in a twinkling. The
steward appeared with a pot of coffee, in time to cut off another
slice of ham, which the waif attacked with the same voracity as
before. When it was consumed, and the young Norwegian glanced
wistfully at the leg before him, as though his capacity for cold ham
was not yet exhausted, the captain began to consider whether he ought
not to consult the surgeon of the ship before he permitted the waif to
eat any more. But the steward, like a generous host, seemed to regard
the quantity eaten as complimentary testimony to the quality of the
viands, and helped him to a third slice of the ham. He swallowed a
pint mug of coffee without st