"What's all that you are talking about, boy?" exclaimed Mr Scoones, in an angry tone. "Mind your own business; you'll soon be fancying yourself captain of this ship, I suppose." "I know my position," answered Owen, "but I cannot stand by and see any one so cruelly ill-treated as Nat Midge is. I do not wish to appear as his champion in public, but I felt it my duty to speak to you." "You'll find it your duty to hold your tongue, youngster," answered the mate, with an oath. "Look out, or I'll treat you as I treat the other boys; I would advise you in future to attend to your own business." Owen feared that he had done no good by speaking to Mr Scoones. He determined therefore to mention the matter to the captain, although well aware that he should thus bring upon himself the vengeance of the mate. He carried out his intention the first time that he found himself alone with the captain in the cabin. "Such things will occur on board ship," answered Captain Aggett, "but I did not suppose that the first mate would have been guilty of such tyranny as you describe; I always fancied that he was a favourite with the men." "He may be with some of them, sir," observed Owen, "but he certainly is not with others, and I could not bear longer to see a helpless boy ill-treated, as young Midge has been for many weeks past." "I'll see to the matter," said Captain Aggett. "Take care not to let the mate discover that you have spoken to me; it will place you in a disagreeable position with him, and, if he is capable of acting as you have described, he may do you some injury." "I'll run the risk of that rather than let the boy be bullied," said Owen. Several days passed by, and, as far as Owen could judge, Nat was better treated than formerly; he hoped, therefore, that his remarks to the mate had produced some effect. The mate's manner, however, was distant and surly, showing that he had no good feeling towards him. When crossing the line the usual ceremonies were gone through, the captain not considering it necessary to forbid them. Neptune, with his wife and Tritons, came on board, accompanied by the barber and doctor--the characters who invariably take part in the drama. The arrangements had been made under the superintendence of the first mate, who had selected the seamen he chiefly favoured.