"Compliments to Captain Trott, and tell him that Captain Mayo is at the

gangway."

The skipper appeared promptly, replying to the hail before the sailor

had stirred. "Come aboard, sir."

"I'll not bother you that much, captain. I can ask my question just as

well from here. Do you know of any good opening for a man of my size?"

The captain of the Sprite came to the rail and did not reply promptly.

"I have left the Olenia and I'm looking for something."

Captain Trott started for the gangway. "Oh, you needn't trouble to come

down, sir."

"I'd rather, Captain Mayo." After he had descended he squatted on the

platform at the foot of the ladder and held the dory close, grasping the

gunwale. "What are you doing for yourself these days?"

Mayo had no relish for a long story. "I'm waiting to grab in on

something," he replied.

Captain Trott did not show any alacrity in getting to the subject which

Mayo had broached. "It has set in pretty thick, hasn't it? I have been

ordered in here to wait for my folks; they're visiting at some big

estate up-river."

"But about the chance for a job, captain!"

"Look here! What kind of a run-in did you have with the Olenia owner?"

Mayo opened his mouth and then promptly closed it. He could not reveal

the nature of the trouble between himself and his former employer.

"We had words," he said, stiffly.

"Yes, I reckon so! But the rest of it!"

"That's all."

"You needn't tell me any more than you feel like doing, of course," said

Captain Trott. "But I have to tell you that Mr. Marston has come out

with some pretty fierce talk for an owner to make. He has made quite a

business of circulating that talk. I didn't realize that you are of so

much importance in the world, Mayo," he added, dryly.

"I don't know what he is saying."

"Didn't you leave him in the night--without notice, or something of the

kind?"

"It was an accident."

"I hope you have a good story to back you up, Captain Mayo, for I have

liked you mighty well ever since meeting you first. What is behind it?"

"I can't tell you."

"But you can tell somebody--somebody who can straighten the thing out

for you, can't you?"

"No, Captain Trott."




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