Mr. Trunnell

ing that I went below to

nd grinned as he bro

ng pow'rful on his mind. Did yo' ebber feel the heft ob his trunk he brought aboa

in it?"

hips, he say as dey goes aft an' have matters straightened out a bit. Dey is fo' either weldin' irons on de cap'n forrads or puttin' him on d

hour, the light grew strong enough to make her out plainly. She was a large ship, English built, with a turtle-backed stern, painted white on the tumble-home of the quarter. Her hull was black, and the foam showed in long white lines of streamers as it was blown across her topsides

the mizzen should have been, there was nothing showing above her deck. Her main topgallant mast was also

nsign, union down, in the main rigging. This showed pretty plainly that she was doing badly and wanted help, but it wa

r, and before long we managed to get out our main-topmast staysail. Then followed a close-reefed foresail balanced aft by the mizzen lower topsail, which we had saved. This, with the spencer and canvas already set, gave us a good hold of the ship in spite of the sea, and we were ready to wear if neces

m her yard-arm. I dived below for the code and

do anything. He stood near the rail and gazed through his glass without saying anything or

ed to the ma

he want,

d by him, I reckon

on. "Answer me that. How the devil can we do anything for a fellow

ship as long as she's

ll, qu

inting eyes seemed to grow to sharp points on either side of his hooked nose, which worked and

at, Mr. Trunnell, me or you?"

red Trunnell

e any orders here what

," said

that I don't want any suggestions from my mates, see? You littl

oticed Jim, the young landsman, pass his hand behind him and stand waiting. There was an ominous silence and watchfulness among the crew which was not lost

ted," said the little mate, looking straight into the pistol

ook in the whole outfit of men and mates at one glance. He may not have wished to help

to hoist out the boat we have on the house, there. What I don't want and won't have is orders suggested by any o

ell went forward along the shelter of the weather bulwar

seaman-like fellow named Ford, whose interest in the strange ship was marked, came from the group near the mizzen and asked if he should get the signal halyards re

s cheering, and Trunnell soon had the watch hard at work getting out new canvas from the lazaretto aft. The main deck was ge

he time all hands had eaten something and eight bells had str

ng the ship had made no more than could be expected, and in a little ove

away gradually into a good stiff gale, and by noon we had a break or two above us that let down the sunlight. This cheered all hands. A good meal with

ad ag'in last night, fo

. "I hope you fixed the fellow's irons all right.

s irons this time, as will take a file an' no less to cut through. I votes we get th'

t me all righ

kipper afore long. There's a divil's mess below in th' fore-peak, where a barrel has bruk loose tha

; "that lot generally

n' th' oars sound, fer th' sea will be heavy fe

re I start. Chips," I said. "Thank

red; and then we fell to with a