“Your bill o' lading reads O. K.,” assented the skipper. “Very well! Exactly! Then you take your orders. Proceed to an anchorage off Lambert Point below Norfolk, pick a berth well off the channel, and put down both hooks. The boat is going out of commission. I find you're not making any money for the owners.” “It ain't my fault. With charters at--” began the master, indignantly. “I haven't any time for a joint debate. You are laid off. Bring your accounts to the main office as soon as you have turned the steamer over to the caretaker--he'll come out from Norfolk.” Manager Fogg turned on his heel to meet Mate Mayo. “You will report at the main offices, too, Mr. Mayo. Have you master's papers?” “I have, sir--Atlantic waters, Jacksonville to East-port.” “Very good--you're going to be promoted. I shall put you aboard the passenger-steamer _Montana_ as captain.” He looked about sharply. “Where is my agent?” “There, in the quartermaster's cabin. We gave him that,” replied Captain Wass, gruffly. “I'm glad I'm out of steamboating. I've learned how to run a boarding-house and make money out of it.” Mr. Fogg did not understand that sneer, and he paid no attention to the captain's manner. He started for the cabin indicated. “Well, you can swell around in gold braid now and catch your heiress,” observed Captain Wass to his mate. “I'm sorry, skipper,” said the young man, with real feeling. “You are the man to be promoted, not I. It isn't right--it doesn't seem real.” “There isn't any real steamboating on this coast any longer. It is--I don't know what the devil it is,” snarled the veteran. “I have been sniffing and scouting. I'd like to be a mouse in the wall of them New York offices and hear what it is they're trying to do to us poor cusses. Ordered one day to keep the law; ordered the next day to break the law; hounded by owners and threatened by the government! I'm glad I'm out of it and glad you've got a good job. That last I'm specially glad about. But keep your eye peeled. There are queer doings round about you!” Fogg entered the cabin and shut the door behind him. He found Boyne sitting on a stool and looking somewhat apprehensive. “Hiding?” inquired Fogg. “I thought I wouldn't show myself till I was sure about who was on that tug,” said the young man. “That's the boy, David,” complimented Fogg, with real heartiness. “You're no fool. Nothing like being careful. Pack your bag and go aboard the tug.” He marched out. “Philadelphia charter has been canceled, eh?” asked Captain Wass. The tone of his voice did not invite amity. “It has, sir.” “Seems queer to turn down a cargo that's there waiting--and the old boat can carry it cheaper than anybody else, the way I've got expenses fined down.” “Are you trying to tell me my business?” “I have beep steamboating forty years, and I know a little something about it.”