fore. I'm only new at the work, you know, but I
dare say, in a couple of years' time--"

The skipper howled at him, and the mate, suddenly alive again to the
obnoxious presence of the crew, drove them up the companion ladder, and
pursued them to the forecastle.

"This is a pretty kettle o' fish," said Bradd, indignantly. "Why don't
you bring him round?"

"Because I can't," said Zingall, shortly. "It'll have to wear off."

"Wear off!" repeated the skipper.

"He's under a delusion now," said Zingall, "an' o' course I can't say
how long it'll last, but whatever you do don't cross him in any way."

"Oh, don't cross him," repeated Bradd, with sarcastic inflection, "and
you call yourself a mesmerist."

Zingall drew himself up with a little pride. "Well, see what I've done,"
he said. "The fact is, I was charged full with electricity when I came
aboard, and he's got it all now. It's left me weak, and until my will
wears off him he's captain o' this ship."

"And what about me?" said Bradd.

"You're the mate," said Zingall, "and mind, for your own sake, you act
up to it. If you don't cross him I haven't any doubt it'll be all right,
but if you do he'll very likely murder you in a fit of frenzy, and--he
wouldn't be responsible. Goodnight."

"You're not going?" said Bradd, clutching him by the sleeve.

"I am," said the other. "He seems to have took a violent dislike to me,
and if I stay here it'll only make him worse."

He ran lightly up on deck, and avoiding an ugly rush on the part of
the mate, who had been listening, sprang on to the ladder and hastily
clambered ashore.

The skipper, worn and scared, looked up as the bogus skipper came below.

"I'm going to bed, George," said the mate, staring at him. "I feel a bit
heavy. Give me a call just afore high water."

"Where are you goin' to sleep?" demanded the skipper.

"Goin' to sleep?" said the mate, "why, in my state-room, to be sure."

He took the empty bottle from the table, and opening the door of the
state-room, closed it in the face of its frenzied owner, and turned the
key in the lock. Then he leaned over the berth, and, cramming the
pillow against his mouth, gave way to his feelings until he was nearly
suffocated.

Any idea that the skipper might have had of the healing effects of sleep
were rudely dispelled when the mate came on deck next morning, and found
that they had taken the schooner out without arousing him. His delusion
seemed to be stronger t