The feeling that there were two people on board who were disposed to be friendly with us raised our spirits. We got up and began to chase Surley about the deck, making him run after a ball of spun-yarn till we got tired of the game. Then we walked up and down the deck till we got right aft, where we could catch a glance at the compass. We were steering about south-west and by south. "Where are we going to, my friend?" said Jerry, addressing the man at the helm. "Ask the captain; he's likely to tell you, youngster." "Oh, no matter," answered Jerry, carelessly, "I only asked for curiosity. If it's to China, or round Cape Horn, or to California, it's all the same to me." "You're an independent little chap, at all events," answered the man; "if you were one of us, you'd do well, I doubt not." "Oh, I've no objection to do well," said Jerry; "just show me the way, and I'm your man." "I like your spirit, and I'll say a word in your favour with the crew. I daresay you know something about navigation, which is more than most of the officers do; so, if you join us, it won't be long before you are made an officer." "Thank you for your good opinion of me," said Jerry; "but I'm not ambitious. I just want to do what I like, and if nobody interferes with me, I'm content." "You're a merry little chap, at all events," observed the pirate. "I like to see a fellow with some spirit in him, and I'll keep you out of harm if I can." "Thank you," said Jerry, making a dash after Surley's tail; "I thought you looked as if you were a kind chap, and that made me speak to you."