“Well, Spencer, supposing you sit down there and tell us what the trouble is,” Bob suggested. “Your friend the captain’s after us in the tug back there, but I don’t believe he’ll catch us. What’s the trouble between the captain and you? Let’s hear about it.” The boy climbed up so that he could see the pursuing tug. He watched it for a moment silently. Then he sat down obediently on the top step and looked at his cap. Evidently he needed prompting. “Wasn’t the captain good to you?” asked Dan. Spencer shook his head slowly. “He beat me,” he muttered finally. “Beat you, did he? What for?” “’Cause I wanted to go home.” “Where do you live?” asked Nelson, taking up the role of examiner. “Mullen’s Cove.” “Where’s that?” “Long Island.” “Oh, Long Island, eh? Folks living?” “My mother is,” answered the runaway. “My father died three years ago. He was first mate on the _Independence_.” “Fisherman?” “Yes, sir; seiner. She was wrecked on the Banks.” “Oh!” said Nelson sympathetically. “That was bad, wasn’t it?” “Yes, sir. He didn’t leave much money, but we own our house, and ma she raises vegetables and sells milk.” “I see. And where does the captain come in? By the way, what’s his name?” “Captain Sauder.” “Not soft solder, I’ll bet,” murmured Dan. “Is he a relative of yours?” Nelson asked. “No, he ain’t,” was the decided reply. “But he and my father used to be together on some boat once. And he used to come and see us sometimes. And when father died, he offered to take me and learn me to be a sailor. So ma, she let me go for a year.” “Did you like it?” “No, sir.” “But you stuck it out?” “Yes, sir.” “And then what?” “When my time was up with him I told him I was going to leave and go home. But he said I couldn’t. Said I’d signed articles for two years, and if I tried to get away he’d flog me.” “Did you try?” “Yes, sir, about three weeks ago. But he caught me.” “Did he flog you?” The boy shivered and nodded. “Bu-bu-brute!” growled Tom. “And you say you never signed anything?” “No, sir, I never did. And I ain’t heard from my mother for most a year, and—and—” He stopped and sniffed, the tears welling into his eyes. “That’s too bad!” said Nelson. “But don’t you worry. We’ll get you ashore somewhere, and you can get home.” “I guess he’ll catch me,” said the boy hopelessly. “Oh, no, he won’t! Got any money?” “Yes, sir.” “How much?” Spencer observed his questioner suspiciously for a second. But Nelson’s face showed only kindness and sympathy, and the boy’s eyes dropped. “’Most two dollars,” he answered. “Well, that’s not a great deal, is it? Did you get paid on the ship?” “Fifty cents a month.” “Gee!” exclaimed Dan. “Isn’t he the reckless captain!” “Well,” said Nelson, “I don’t pretend to know what the law is in such cases, but I’m for getting Spencer back to his home. Maybe we’ll get in trouble about it, though. What do you fellows say?”