“Don’t talk rubbish,” said the girl austerely. The new mate carefully adjusted his red necktie and smiled indulgently. “Well, you’re the prettiest cap’n I’ve ever sailed under,” he said. “What do they call that red cap you’ve got on? Tam-o’-Shanter is it?” “I don’t know,” said the girl shortly. “You mean you won’t tell me,” said the other, with a look of anger in his soft dark eyes. “Just as you like,” said she, and Lee, whistling softly, turned on his heel and began to busy himself with some small matter forward. The rest of the day passed quietly, though there was a freedom in the new mate’s manner which made the redoubtable skipper of the _Osprey_ regret her change of crew, and to treat him with more civility than her proud spirit quite approved of. There was but little wind, and the barge merely crawled along as the captain and mate, with surreptitious glances, took each other’s measure. “This is the nicest trip I’ve ever had,” said Lee, as he came up from an unduly prolonged tea, with a strong-smelling cigar in his mouth. “I’ve brought your jacket up.” “I don’t want it, thank you,” said the girl. “Better have it,” said Lee, holding it up for her. “When I want my jacket I’ll put it on myself,” said the girl. “All right, no offence,” said the other airily. “What an obstinate little devil you are.” “Have you got any drink down there?” inquired the girl, eyeing him sternly. “Just a little drop o’ whiskey, my dear, for the spasms,” said Lee facetiously. “Will you have a drop?” “I won’t have any drinking here,” said she sharply. “If you want to drink, wait till you get ashore.” “_You_ won’t have any drinking!” said the other, opening his eyes, and with a quiet chuckle he dived below and brought up a bottle and a glass. “Here’s wishing a better temper to you, my dear,” he said amiably, as he tossed off a glass. “Come, you’d better have a drop. It’ll put a little colour in your cheeks.” “Put it away now, there’s a good fellow,” said the captain timidly, as she looked anxiously at the nearest sail, some two miles distant. “It’s the only friend I’ve got,” said Lee, sprawling gracefully on the hatches, and replenishing his glass. “Look here. Are you on for a bargain?” “What do you mean?” inquired the girl. “Give me a kiss, little spitfire, and I won’t take another drop to-night,” said the new mate tenderly. “Come, I won’t tell.” “You may drink yourself to death before I’ll do that,” said the girl, striving to speak calmly. “Don’t talk that nonsense to me again.” She stooped over as she spoke and made a sudden grab at the bottle, but the new mate was too quick for her, and, snatching it up jeeringly, dared her to come for it. “Come on, come and fight for it,” said he; “hit me if you like, I don’t mind; your little fist won’t hurt.” No answer being vouchsafed to this invitation he applied himself to his only friend again, while the girl, now thoroughly frightened, steered in silence.