"This is one of your 'jokes,' I suppose," remarked the captain.

"Yes. It was too funny," answered Bob. "He really believed a
whale was after us."

"Do you think it was a good thing to do, alarm him so?"

"I--er--well, I thought it might do his nerves good," stammered Bob.

"Hum!" murmured the captain. "I must say, Bob, you have a queer
idea of what is good for the nerves. Now I can't allow this. Mr.
Tarbill is a guest of mine, and I will not have his comfort
interfered with. He is taking a voyage for his health, and I don't
want him annoyed."

"I'm sorry," began Bob, always ready to repent, though usually it
did not last long.

"Then don't do it again."

"I'll not, sir. I didn't think he'd believe me."

"He knows very little about the ocean. In fact, there are some
things you don't know, and, if they wanted to, some of the old
sailors could spin you yarns that would make your hair stand up."

"I wish they would then," said Bob. "I like sea stories, captain."

"I guess I'll have to take stronger measures with him," thought the