"I will accept, honorable Captain."

"Are you sure that you can cook well enough for hungry sailors?"

"I am satisfied that I can cook for anyone, honorable Captain," rejoined
the little brown man, rather proudly.

"That sounds well enough," smiled Jack. "Have you had your breakfast,
Kamanako?"

"Oh, yes, honorable Captain."

"Then, if you'll wait for us, we'll take you aboard. We shall be going
in a half an hour, or sooner."

"Would it not be as well, honorable Captain, if I go out before you?"
asked Kamanako, respectfully.

"No," smiled, Benson. "Our first officer, Mr. Somers, does not take
kindly to strangers who are not introduced."

"Then, if I may suggest--if honorable Captain will write note for
me--then I might go out sooner."

"If you want to go aboard, Kamanako, we'll take you out when we go,"
Jack replied. He was annoyed, though he could not have told why, by
the little brown man's insistence.

Smiling and bowing again, Kamanako left the dining room. He was waiting,
though, when the others came out. As all three carried dress suit cases