and you can hardly afford to waste all your young manhood."

Austin was a quiet boy, and it was hard for him to speak, especially when
his companion was so quick to occupy all the opportunity for conversation.
All the morning he had been trying to get a chance to explain himself and
get help from the Captain in finding work. Now was his chance, and he
seized it, for his companion was silent on the subject of work.

"That is just what I want, sir. I am not used to this kind of life and I do
not like it at all. Do you know where I could find work?"

"Right, my boy. You are welcome to remain with us till you can find
something. Have you anything in mind you wish to do?"

"I have an uncle who has always been kind to me, and he promised to send me
money and help me if I ever needed help, but as yet I have found no place
to stay until I can hear from him."

"You are welcome to make your home with us until you can hear from him, and
I advise you to write today," said the Captain.

Austin was only too glad to accept this offer and to part company with his
doubtful friend. He took the postal card the captain gave him and hurriedly
wrote his cry of distress and got it into the morning mail. His heart was
now light, and he expected a reply in three or four days at the longest. In
the meantime he made himself as useful as possible in the household of the
kind Captain.

After a week a letter came to the Captain's address, but it was for
_Wilbur_ Hill instead of Austin. This puzzled Austin somewhat, but feeling