Dutch took out a match-box, and was going to light up, but Oakum held up his hand to command silence; and before the young man could make out what he was about to do, he stepped softly to the side, where a large tarpaulin covered one of the boats lying in its chocks, gave one end of the cover a sharp snatch, and the mulatto started up. "Now then, out o' that," said the old sailor, menacingly. "If you want a caulk, just you take it below in your bunk." The man bent his head, as he leaped lightly out, gave Oakum a curious look from beneath his half-closed eyelids, and then limped forward. "I don't like the looks o' that chap, Mr Dutch. He's one o' the sort, that if you hit him, he'd out with a knife and sheath it in a man's ribs. That chap was listening, that's what he was a-doing, though he pretended to be asleep. I don't like the look on him, nor of some more o' them as come aboard with him, and if the skipper don't look out there'll be mischief." "I'm afraid you are given to prophesying evil, Oakum," said Dutch, with a smile. "Well, sir, I on'y says what I thinks, but, mind you this: if we get back safe, I shall be surprised, for never yet, when I've gone out to sea with petticoats on board have we got back without an accident." "Nonsense, man." "'Taint nonsense, sir; it's fate," said Oakum, "and what's more, look here, I ain't a sooperstitious man, but the speerits o' them sailors as was lost in the olden times along o' the treasure ships ain't a-going to let us get hold o' what they've been watching all those hundreds o' years without making a bit of a how-de-do." STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTEEN. THE CAPTAIN'S SUSPICIONS. The next day it came on to blow--and for quite a week tempestuous weather set in, the schooner skimming along almost under bare poles, but progressing well on her voyage. Captain Studwick had some trouble with his men, but on the whole they were pretty good sailors, and his strict discipline kept them well to their work, so that, from showing at first a little insubordination, they went pretty willingly to their duties. On the tenth day out, the sun rose over a sea just rippled by a pleasant breeze. The men were busy drying clothes, and all the ports and hatches were well open, and as the day wore on Mrs Pugh, looking very weak and pale, came on deck, leaning on Bessy Studwick's arm, the latter leading her to where Dutch was talking to Mr Parkley. Dutch started as he saw them coming up, then, bowing coldly, he walked to the other side of the deck to where John Studwick was sitting, impatiently watching his sister; and as soon as he saw Mr Parkley lead Mrs Pugh to a seat, he called to Bessy sharply to come to him, keeping her jealously by his side, as he saw Mr Wilson and the doctor come up and begin walking up and down, and frowning as they both raised their hats, and smiled at his sister. "I wish you would not notice these men, Bessy," he exclaimed in an impatient whisper.