Wade Brooks came out of the space under the berth, with the coat in his hand; and, as soon as he could get upon his feet, he held out the garment to the astonished skipper. He was determined not to be abused if he could help himself, and to put the best face possible upon the situation. He had not intended to steal, or to do any thing wrong, when he came on board of the “Moonlight,” which he had just learned was the name of the yacht. He had never considered a boat like a house, for his experience with the “Mud-turtle” had misled him. He was wrong, of course; but then he had many things to learn, though it is half the battle of life to mean well. It is true, also, that he had helped himself to the skipper’s beefsteaks; but he had a notion that what food a person wanted to eat was not like other property. Even Mrs. Swikes, mean as she was, would give almost anybody something to eat; and in Midhampton people never found any fault if the passerby helped himself to the apples in the orchard which had fallen from the trees, though it was a crime to knock them off. “Who are you?” demanded Capt. Bendig, as Wade held the coat up before him; and he retreated a few steps when the boy first made his appearance. “You needn’t be afraid of me: I won’t hurt you,” replied the stowaway, without answering the direct question. “What were you doing under my berth, you rascal?” continued the captain, rapidly recovering his self-possession. “I have been sleeping most of the time there,” replied Wade, smiling as though earth had no sorrows, and especially as though there were none in the “Moonlight.” “You have, have you?” said Capt. Bendig, beginning to comprehend the situation; and very probably he did not like it any better because he had exhibited some signs of alarm in the presence of the steward. “How long have you been there?” he asked angrily. “Something less than three weeks,” replied Wade, glancing at Pollish, and determining not to betray him if he could possibly avoid it. “Three weeks!” exclaimed the captain. “No, sir: I said less than three weeks. I don’t think I could tell exactly how long I have been in there.” “And it was you that took the beefsteaks?” added the captain, with a heavy frown. “Yes, sir. I was willing to divide the meat between us; and I don’t think I took more than a fair half.” “You impudent young puppy!” exclaimed the captain, taken all aback by the cool manner of the stowaway. “Was it your breakfast, or mine?” “Your part was yours, and my part was mine,” replied Wade. “That’s more impudence than I ever saw in one boy before. I suppose you think any thing on board of this vessel belongs to you, and you can help yourself.” “No, sir: I don’t say that,” protested Wade. “I am willing you should have every thing you want. I don’t wish to be mean.” “Oh, you don’t!” “No, sir: I am always willing to do the fair thing.”