Neb was acquiescent and the boatswain and his charge were soon
discussing a hearty meal with molasses, vinegar and water for a
beverage instead of coffee.

After that Bludson took Ralph aft and introduced him to the second
mate, Mr. Duff, a slim, active, pleasant looking young man of four and
twenty, who was superintending the coiling of a spare cable in a cuddy
hole beneath the wheel.

"New boy, eh," said he, giving Ralph a brief but keen inspection. "I
thought the captain swore that he wanted no more boys, after Bunty gave
him the slip."

Bunty, Ralph afterward learned, had run away at a foreign port with a
small sum of money not his own.

"Cap'n's changed his mind then, sir," returned Tom, "He said as 'e
wanted p'tickler care taken of this kid, and he was to wait in the
cabin till 'e gets his sea legs on so to speak."

"What' your name?" To Ralph, then turning to the men: "Easy there. Lay
her even, can't you."

Ralph replied and Bludson added:

"Blest if the kid's ever seen the ocean before. He don't know a brace
from a marlin spike."

"I can learn, I reckon," said Ralph so heartily that Mr. Duff took a
second look at the boy, then smiled to himself.