The admiring speaker was Jack Carboy, addressing Dean Mercer, as the twain came in sight of the new steamer. “She is very promising. Won’t they look amazed at Millville when we reach there to-morrow, Jack? You say the engineer is aboard?” “He should be, lad--I mean admiral,” executing one of his characteristic salutes. “Never mind how you address me, Jack. In fact, I had rather you would call me plainly by my name. The judge made his only mistake when he insisted that I should take command of the new packet. But he fairly forced me into it.” “The jedge may be better at sailing a court than he is a ship, but he didn’t miss his bearings when he ran ye inter port. With ol’ Jack at the wheel, ships and seas! but won’t we swing a breeze when we run inter th’ basin up yonder?” Though less demonstrative than his free-hearted companion, Dean Mercer felt greatly elated over the appearance of the new steamer. Dean and Jack finally tired of looking the steamer over, and they sought the captain’s cabin for a few words regarding their future plans before turning in. They were thus engaged when a stranger was ushered into their presence by the steward of the boat. The newcomer was a middle-aged man, well-dressed, and gentlemanly in his manner. “Captain Mercer, I think,” he said, bowing and extending his right hand. “Glad to meet you, captain. Hope the new boat pleases you. I am Mr. Sewall, of the firm of Brown, Sewall and Company. You see I got a letter this morning from Judge Oglesby, who said you were en route here, and that by coming here to the _Spray_ this evening I might save you a lot of trouble in the morning. He knew you must be pretty busy.” While this announcement came most unexpectedly to the young commander, he managed to greet the newcomer politely and invited him to a seat. “I was here about sundown, but the _Warrior_ being late as usual, of course I had my trouble for my pains. Tell you what it is, Captain Mercer, you are bound to win with such a boat as this.” “I think it is very satisfactory. Did you want me to pay you, Mr. Sewall?” “Why, no; that is, suit your own pleasure. Of course it would save you a lot of bother in the morning, when I calculate you will not have much time to lose. Again, it would be very convenient for us. I make these as suggestions, you know.” Dean could see no harm in settling the matter then and there. It was true that it would save him considerable time in the morning, when he would be very busy. “Judge Oglesby gave me a check with which to pay the amount due you. This I will endorse if you will give me a receipt running to him in full for the sum.” “Very satisfactory. I like your way of doing business, Captain Mercer. I prophesy that within a year we shall have an order to build another boat to run on this line. Two boats would equip the line so that you could give the service the public demands. Millville is bound to become a thriving metropolis.” CHAPTER VII. THE NIGHT FIRE.