take him to a bunk in the men's quarters and tell the cook to make him
some broth. He'll come round; then we will see how he behaves. Do you
understand, Mr. Duff?"

"Aye, aye, sir. Give the boy a chance and I think he will come out all
right."

Here Ralph showed signs of animation. He twisted himself as if in
pain, then muttered:

"If he beats me I--I--shall--kill him! Shan't I--grandpa? You
drove--me--away--cause I wouldn't--cause I--wouldn't----" He became
unintelligible for a moment, but finally burst forth with feeble energy
again. "Let him starve me--shut me up--but--let him keep his hands
off--hands off."

The dull spark in Captain Gary's eyes seemed to enlarge and twinkle as
the boy uttered these words in a semi-drowsy, spasmodic way. Presently
the partially rolled up eyes opened in a natural manner and blinked
feebly at the light.

At this juncture a loud cry was heard from aloft of:

"S-a-i-l h-o!"

The captain turned away as if the interruption were a welcome one to
him.

"Stow that lad and see to him," he repeated, then added sternly: "Be
assured of one thing, Mr. Duff, I will not forget your part in this