“I don’t know that I ever saw this boy before,” added Capt. Crogick, fixing his gaze upon Matt; “but, when you tell me he is the son of Obed Swikes, I know his father never gave him much money to spend.” “But I made most of it myself,” added Matt, who realized the full force of the master’s argument; for it was easier to squeeze milk out of a paving-stone than to get any money out of his father to spend for fun and frolic. “I used to pick berries, and sell them. I used to do jobs for folks about town.” “The story is rather thin for both of you. I don’t believe it,” added Capt. Crogick bluntly. “It’s as true as preaching,” said Matt. “As true as some preaching, I have no doubt.” “Do you think I would lie about it?” demanded Lon, beginning to mount the high horse he sometimes rode. “I rather think you would lie about it when you got into a tight place, as you are now.” “We have told the truth; and it don’t make any difference to me whether you believe me or not,” replied Lon, when he found it was no use to attempt to bluff the captain of the “Housatonic.” “Be that as it may, I shall not meddle with the matter: I have no time to attend to it, even if I were disposed to do so. When I get a chance, I shall send you back to New York; and you can settle it with your fathers,” added the captain, as he rose from his stool, and went out upon deck. “He smokes the whole thing,” said Lon, as soon as they were alone. “I know he does; but what was the use of telling him how much money we had?” demanded Matt, who was sure his companion had been guilty of very bad generalship. “I didn’t mean to do it; but it will make no difference now, for he is going off on a long voyage, and he may die of the fever he talks about.” “Our fun is spoiled for this time,” added Matt, who seemed to deplore this as much as being found out. “No, it isn’t. We shall return to New York in a day or two. We shall have a first-rate sail in this ship; and, when we get back, we can take a steamer for some place where no one will know us, and have a good time there. We are not licked out yet. Come, let’s go on deck, and see the fun.” They left the cabin; and for a time they enjoyed the movements of the big vessel, which was rolling along under easy sail, for the captain was on the lookout for the yacht which was to bring off his passengers. But they soon wearied of this monotonous life, and wished for something more active. It was as dull as any thing could be; and they made up their minds that they could not have stood it for a voyage of four or five weeks. They saw a great many vessels far to the south of them, bound to the westward; and they wondered that Capt. Crogick did not run down to one of them, and send them back, as he said he should do. They were all ready to return before it was noon; and in the afternoon they were anxious to do so.