And he did explain the matter in full, and in the culprit's hearing. De Forrest could not help seeing that he had sunk to zero in the estimation of the fair girl, who, after this, hardly looked at him. At eight bells the commodore came on deck again, and entertained Miss Gurney, till the squadron anchored off Neufahrwasser, the port of Danzig, at an early hour in the afternoon. "I am sorry we have arrived so soon," said she, when the ship had anchored. "Why?" "Because I suppose I must leave you now." "Aren't you tired of going to sea?" "No, indeed! I think it is so delightful!" "Then I hope you will stay with us longer. We are going to look at Danzig, and then sail for Swinemünde." "Will you allow us to stay any longer?" "Certainly; we shall be very glad to have you remain on board as long as you will." The principal indorsed this request, and the Kinnairds assented. "You will see something new on board to-morrow, if you stay," added Lincoln. "To-morrow will be the first day of the month, and we have an election of officers." "And will you be the commodore next month?" "I don't know," laughed Lincoln. "Perhaps I shall not have votes enough." "O, I hope you will!" "Thank you, Miss Gurney; my position is certainly a very comfortable one, for I have but little to do, except to entertain the ship's guests, which in this instance is an exceedingly pleasant duty." "You are very kind, Commodore Lincoln. I wish I was a young man," added Miss Gurney. "I don't; I'm afraid I shouldn't like you half so well if you were." "But if I were I should be a sailor, and would study till I became a commodore," replied the young lady, blushing. "You overrate the office." "Nothing could be more delightful than to live in the cabin, and go from place to place in this beautiful ship." "If you were on board in a gale of wind, perhaps you would not think her so very beautiful." "Well, I think so now." The conversation was interrupted by the call for all hands to go on shore. The boats were lowered, and the ship's guests were invited to take passage in the commodore's barge. De Forrest pulled the stroke oar in this boat, and his disgust was intolerable. The fair Miss Gurney sat directly in front of him, chatting with the commodore. He had flattered himself that this young lady had some regard for him, and he had accompanied her party from city to city, solely for the sake of being with her--she was so fascinating. He had permitted her to lead him to the shores of the Baltic, where he had been captured by the principal. And this was the reward of all his devotion! Thus she gave him the cold shoulder, and bestowed her smiles upon the commodore! It was real agony to him, and the coxswain was obliged to call out to him more than once to mind his stroke.