"And yet you manage them well," said the captain, smiling. "You ought to have been a skipper." "Think so?" said Dutch; "but look, who is this coming on board?" "Poor John!" said the captain, with a sigh. "Poor boy, he's in a sad way." "But he's very young, Mr Studwick, and with the fine weather he may amend." "He's beginning to be out of hope, Pugh, and so is poor Bessy. The doctor says he must have a sea voyage into some warmer climate--not that he promises health, but prolonged life." "Indeed!" said Dutch, starting, as he thought of the Cuban's proposal, and the probability of Captain Studwick having charge of the vessel if the trip was made, but not feeling at liberty to say much; and, the boat from the shore touching the side, he held his peace. A minute later a fine, handsome, but rather masculine girl--whose clear eyes sparkled as they lit on Dutch Pugh, and then were turned sharply away--stepped on deck, holding out her hand directly after to assist an invalid to pass the gangway, which he did, panting slightly, and then pausing to cough. He was evidently enough the girl's brother, for with his delicate looks and hectic flush he looked strangely effeminate, and in height and stature the pair were wonderfully alike. "I don't think it was wise of you to come out, John," said the captain, kindly; "it's a cold, thick day." "It's so dull at home," said the young man, "and I must have change. There, I'm well wrapped up, father; and Bessy takes no end of care of me." He gave the girl a tender and affectionate look as he spoke; and she smiled most pleasantly. "Ah, Mr Pugh, I'm glad to see you. Have you been down?" "Yes, just for a little while," said Dutch, shaking hands with him, and then holding out his hand to the sister, who half shrank from him with an angry, flushed face; but his frank, pleasant look overcame her, and she held out her hand to him. "You have not been to see us yet, Miss Studwick," he said, frankly. "Hester quite expects you to call, and I hope you will be friends." "I will try to be, Mr Pugh," said the girl, huskily. "I'll call-- soon." "That's right," he said, smiling. "Come, too, John. We shall be very glad to see you." The young man started, and looked at him searchingly with his unnaturally bright eyes. "No," he said, sadly. "I'm too much of an invalid now. That is, at present," he said, catching his father's eye, and speaking hastily. "I shall be better in a month or two. I'm stronger now--much stronger; am I not, Bessy? Give me your arm, dear. I want to see the divers." The couple walked forward to where the air-pump was standing, and the eyes of the captain and Dutch Pugh met, when the former shook his head sadly, and turned away.