But, in order to understand the action of the commander of the cutter, we must return to Wade Brooks, who by this time was clothed in a suit of dry clothes. The steward, who had him in charge, took good care of him, and conducted him to the quarter-deck as soon as he was in condition to see the captain. Wade was not a little abashed when he found himself in the presence of the commander, who was dressed in uniform, and looked like a greater man than even the captain of the militia company in his native town, who had always filled him with awe and reverence. He looked at him, and was glad to find that he did not look a bit like Capt. Bendig. He did not put on any airs, and actually bestowed a smile upon him. “Well, young man, have you been taking a cold bath this chilly day?” said he, smiling again. “The bath was better than the licking,” replied Wade, shrugging his shoulders. “I hope you don’t think of sending me back to Capt. Bendig, who is the hardest man I ever met in my life.” “That will depend upon circumstances. Do you belong on board of that yacht?” asked the captain. “No, sir: I do not belong to her. If I did, I would drown myself,” replied Wade, with energy. “How happened you to fall overboard?” “I didn’t fall over: I jumped over.” “What did you do that for?” “Because the captain was going to lick me for nothing; and I would not stand it.” “What is your name?” “Wade Brooks, sir. What is yours?” The captain and an officer near him laughed outright at the simplicity of the boy; and it was evident that he came from the country. “You may call me Capt. Singleton; and that is my name,” said the captain, when he had recovered his gravity. “Now, Wade Brooks, what was the captain of the yacht going to flog you for?” “For nothing at all. He promised Mr. Wallgood that he would not flog me for taking his breakfast and part of his dinner. He would not whip me for this; but he said he should give it to me for hiding in the forecastle when he wanted to whip me.” Capt. Singleton seated himself on a stool, and continued to question Wade till he had drawn from him his whole history since he came from Midhampton, and up to the time he went on board of the “Moonlight.” “Do you know what the yacht is doing out here?” asked the captain. “Yes, sir, I do.” “Well, what is she doing out here?” “The cashier of the Walnut National Bank in Midhampton has run away with one hundred thousand dollars; and the yacht came out here to put him on board of that ship,” replied Wade, pointing to the “Housatonic,” which was not more than three or four miles distant; for she had tacked, and was standing up to the north-east. “Do you mean that he stole the money?” inquired Capt. Singleton, deeply interested in the matter. “Yes, sir, that’s what I mean. His name is Mr. Wallgood, and he is the brother-in-law of the captain of the ship. He went on board with his wife, and the wife of the captain of the ship; and the two women are sisters.”