do that, would they?" She hung anxiously on his words.

"Send you back? Why, don't you savvy that this boat is bound for
Nome? There ain't no turnin' back on gold stampedes, and this is
the wildest rush the world ever saw. The captain wouldn't turn
back--he couldn't--his cargo's too precious and the company pays
five thousand a day for this ship. No, we ain't puttin' back to
unload no stowaways at five thousand per. Besides, we passengers
wouldn't let him--time's too precious." They were interrupted by
the rattle of dishes outside, and Dextry was about to open the
door when his hand wavered uncertainly above the knob, for he
heard the hearty greeting of the ship's captain.

"Well, well, Glenister, where's all the breakfast going?"

"Oo!" whispered the old man--"that's Cap' Stephens."

"Dextry isn't feeling quite up to form this morning," replied
Glenister easily.

"Don't wonder! Why weren't you aboard sooner last night? I saw
you--'most got left, eh? Served you right if you had." Then his
voice dropped to the confidential: "I'd advise you to cut out
those women. Don't misunderstand me, boy, but they're a bad lot on
this boat. I saw you come aboard. Take my word for it--they're a
bad lot. Cut 'em out. Guess I'll step inside and see what's up
with Dextry."

The girl shrank into her corner, gazing apprehensively at the
other listener.