“There were reasons why we couldn't get married ashore. You have to have licenses, and questions are asked, and we were afraid it would be found out before we could arrange it.” “So this is an elopement, hey?” “Well, the young lady's father has foolish ideas about a husband for his daughter, and she doesn't agree with him.” “Who is her father?” “I don't intend to tell you, sir. That hasn't anything to do with the matter.” Captain Downs looked his passenger up and down with great disfavor. “And what's your general idea in loading yourselves onto me in this fashion?” “You have the right, as captain of a ship outside the three-mile limit, to marry folks in an emergency.” “I ain't sure that I've got any such right, and I ain't at all certain about the emergency, Mr. Bradish. I ain't going to stick my head into a scrape.” “But there can't be any scrape for you. You simply exercise your right and marry us and enter it in your log and give us a paper. It will be enough of a marriage so that we can't be separated.” “Want to hold a hand you can bluff her father with, hey? I don't approve of any such tactics in matrimony.” “I wouldn't be doing this if there were any other safe way for us,” protested Bradish, earnestly. “I'm no cheap fellow. I hold down a good job, sir. But the trouble is I work for her father--and you know how it always is in a case like that. He can't see me!” “Rich, eh?” “Yes, sir!” Bradish made the admission rather sullenly. “It's usually the case when there's eloping done!” “But this will not seem like eloping when it's reported right in the newspapers. Marriage at sea--it will seem like a romantic way of getting rid of the fuss of a church wedding. We'll put out a statement of that sort. It will give her father a chance to stop all the gossip. He'll be glad if you perform the ceremony.” “Say, young fellow, you're not rehearsing the stuff on me that you used on the girl, are you? Well, it doesn't go! “Captain Downs, you must understand how bull-headed some rich men are in matters of this kind. I am active and enterprising. I'll be a handy man for him. He likes me in a business way--he has said so. He'll be all right after he gets cooled down.” “More rehearsal! But I ain't in love with you like that girl is.” “We're in a terrible position, captain! Perhaps it wasn't a wise thing to do. But it will come out all right if you marry us.” “What's her name?” “I can't tell you.” “How in the devil can I marry you and her if I don't know her name?” “But you haven't promised that you will do your part! I don't want to expose this whole thing and then be turned down.” “I ain't making any rash promises,” stated Captain Downs, walking to the rail and taking a squint at the top-hamper. “Besides,” he added, on his tramp past to the other rail, “he may be an owner into this schooner property, for all I know. Sixteenths of her are scattered from tophet to Tar Hollow!”