“Do you know the way around here?” the boy asked. “I want to get out of this quick.” “Come with me,” said Dave, growing more interested. He had learned every turn and corner of the docks. Three minutes later they were in a busy street, and the boy seemed to breathe more freely. His face began to wear a triumphant smile. “That’s fine!” he said. “I’ll be safe now.” “Safe from what?” “I’ve skipped the ship. I was scared to death somebody would spot me. I’ve got all my things in my pockets.” “What did you skip the ship for?” Dave asked, hugely pleased at being concerned, even in a small way, with a nautical adventure. “Wanted to see America,” responded the youth. “Don’t you let on that you’ve seen me. So long.” A moment later the owner of the red hair and dirty face was swallowed up in Brooklyn, and Dave went back to the steamer with new interest. An idea had occurred to him. It was only a vague idea, but it concerned the fact that he felt perfectly capable of doing anything that red-headed, undersized chap had done on the ship; and moreover, the ship was now short of a boy. A curious tight feeling gripped him at the throat. For the space of perhaps five minutes he stood still, thinking hard, and then he boldly walked down the gangway. “Can I see the captain, please?” he said to a tall man who was standing on deck talking to a companion. “What do you want the captain for?” “I want to see him on――on business,” said Dave. The man looked down into the boy’s grey eyes which showed neither fear nor disrespect. “Well, sonny, I’m the captain,” he said. “What is it?” “I guess you want a boy, sir,” said Dave. “The other one’s gone. I’d like his job.” CHAPTER III OFF TO SEA “Gone! Gone where?” asked the captain, with a frown of annoyance. “I met him on the wharf and he said he’d left the ship, sir,” Dave replied. Suddenly the captain’s face wore a smile. The situation appeared to amuse him. “What d’you know about that!” he said, with a deep laugh. “You’ll get on, son, if you’re always as smart as this. Come back and talk to me in a week. From what I can see of you, I reckon you’ll fill the billet, but I’m too busy to waste time on you now. Come along next Thursday, and then I’ll run the rule over you.”