“No; we didn’t spend all our money; but we thought we would take a little cruise at sea,” replied Matt. “But when we heard the ship was going to the coast of Africa, where they have the fever very bad, we gave it up; and now we are going back to New York. Have you gone to work on this vessel?” “No, I have not: I wish I could,” replied Wade. “The captain says the two young gentlemen are to have their breakfast in the cabin,” interposed Pollish at this moment. “Won’t you come with me?” Lon thought it was quite proper that they should be invited to the cabin; and he was ready to follow the steward without wasting a moment upon such a fellow as Wade Brooks. Pollish led them through the captain’s room into the cabin, where Capt. Bendig received them very politely. He gave them places at the table, and told the steward to bring the best there was on board for their meal. “The steward tells me you know that boy we have on board,” said the captain, when the two guests were seated at the table. “Yes, sir: we knew him in Midhampton, where we came from; but we don’t know any good of him. He ran away from the folks he lived with, and was charged with stealing two hundred dollars from them. Isn’t that so, Matt?” replied Lon, who was certainly a swift witness. “That’s just the idea I formed of him,” added Capt. Bendig. “But I took him for a wharf-rat. He stowed himself away on board of the yacht, and tried to steal a passage; and he did steal my breakfast and part of my dinner.” “I think they would like to see him in Midhampton,” said Lon. Pollish was attending to the table, and heard all that was said by the captain and the two runaways. As soon as he had given the boys their breakfast, he told Wade what he had heard,--that they said he was a runaway, and that he was charged with stealing two hundred dollars. “The coat fits them, and it don’t fit me,” replied Wade indignantly. “It was Matt Swikes that stole the money, and both of them ran away from home. I have no home to run away from.” “But the captain is down upon you, and he likes to believe what those two fellows say. He always believes what suits him best; and, as soon as you have finished your breakfast, I think you had better put yourself out of sight,” said Pollish. “And don’t let any of the hands see you do it.” “I will take care,” replied Ward.