"Good!" said Mr Parkley, beginning to brighten up. "What I want is to get off at once. It will be horrible to stay, for we shall be the laughing-stock of the whole town. The chaff was beginning last night." "But about divers?" said the captain. "Yes, there is the difficulty. It is not every man who will train for it, as it is a risky thing. Perhaps I may be able to train one or two of the men we get. At all events, go I will, and I will not be beaten." "I'm afraid that would be but a poor chance," said Dutch, who sat there pale and troubled, but had hardly spoken. "Don't throw cold water on it, Pugh, for Heaven's sake," cried Mr Parkley, testily. "I do not wish to do that," said Dutch. "I wish to help you." "Well, then," cried Mr Parkley, sharply, "I shall take old Rasp. He'll go to oblige me, old as he is; and if it is necessary I will go down myself. I've not been down for years now, but sooner than that scoundrel shall crow over me I'll do all the diving myself." "There will be no necessity," said Dutch, quickly. "What do you mean?" exclaimed Mr Parkley. "I will go with you myself," said Dutch. "What!" cried Mr Parkley, joyfully. "You? You go with me? My dear Pugh, I shall never forget this." He rose and grasped the young man's hand with both of his own, and his face flushed with pleasure. "Yes," said Dutch, quietly, "I will go, and with old Rasp I think we can manage." "Manage!" cried Mr Parkley, "why, you are a host in yourself. But look here, my dear boy. Gentlemen, you will excuse us. Come on deck." He led the way, and Dutch followed him to the side of the schooner, where he took him by the button. "I'm so grateful, Pugh," he exclaimed, "you can't think; but it won't do. The business would be all right with another, but I can't take you away." "Why not?" said Dutch, sharply. "Your poor little wife, my boy, I could never look her in the face again." "For God's sake don't mention her," cried Dutch, passionately. "There, there," he cried, mastering himself, "you need not consider that." "But, my dear Pugh, are you not too hasty--too ready to believe? No, no, it won't do, you misjudge her. I won't let you go. In a few days all will be well again." "Parkley," exclaimed Dutch, hoarsely, "it will never be all right again. I speak to you as I would speak to no other man. Heaven knows how I have loved that woman. But I have no home now. I shall never see her again." "No, no, no, don't speak like that, my dear boy. You are too rush. Come, have patience, and all will be right. You shall not go." Dutch smiled bitterly. "You are mad just now, but it will pass off; and look here, my dear boy, it was all my fault for getting you to take the cursed scoundrel in." "Don't speak of it, pray," cried Dutch. "I must, my dear boy. Now, look here. After being guilty of one wrong to that poor little woman of yours, how can I do her another by taking her husband away?"