"Oh, it's all right, I reckon," replied Ralph carelessly.

"Yes, it is all right, but I would rather you looked for yourself
before leaving. Should anything go wrong--which I do not anticipate at
all--I wish to feel exonerated in your mind, my boy."

The captain's teeth gleamed almost fiercely as he smiled in a friendly
manner, though his eyes never relented in their hard, unfeeling stare.

Ralph drew forth the note from the envelope and read:--


MY DEAR COUSIN:

This will make you acquainted with a youth in whose welfare I already
feel a deep interest. He has made up his mind to learn to be a sailor,
and I shall take it very kindly if you will take charge of him, and see
what he can do. Give him as easy a berth as you can, and let me know
from time to time what progress he is making. His name is Ralph
Granger, and he is as plucky as he looks.

Your cousin and friend,
THEODORE SHARD.

To CAPTAIN MARK GARY,
Marshall House, Savannah.


This seemed flattering enough. As Ralph expressed his thanks, he
repressed a fleeting idea that the tone of the letter was most too much