"Ralph," called Duff, "are you all right, my lad?" "Here, boy," said Tom, setting down the tin vessel, "wake up and eat a bite. Mayhap cap'n will let you out before long. He's in a good humor today." But Ralph did not move. Duff raised him in his arms. The boy was insensible, either from fright, exhaustion, or the lack of suitable food. The mate's anger rose within him like a torrent. "This is simply brutal!--it is infamous. Lead the way out of here, bos'n; or--stay! Go to Captain Gary and say that Mr. Duff wants him to come here right away." "It's as much as my life's worth, sir." "Go on I tell you!" Duff was white to the lips, "D'ye want to see murder done? This lad's life is at stake, I say." While Tom went off grumbling, the second mate bathed Ralph's face with water from a jug he found, and chafed his hands. "Poor fellow! If I lose my job and am put here with him, I will speak out. The boy hasn't had a decent thing to eat since he came aboard." Presently the flicker of Tom's lantern was seen again. The captain was behind him, and in no good humor over the message he had received. The dash and swirl of water outside was incessant and deafening. "Mr. Duff," said Gary in his most grating tones, "who gave you the authority to interfere with my designs regarding this insolent youngster?" [Illustration: "Mr. Duff," said Gary in his most grating tones, "who gave you the authority to interfere with my designs regarding this insolent youngster?"] Duff's first reply was to bring Ralph's pale, inanimate face under the light. "Captain Gary," said he, "I profess to be a man--not a brute. I recognize your authority, but when I see murder about to be done--it's time to say something." The captain looked around as if to find a weapon wherewith to strike his subordinate down, while in his eye shone a dull spark. He did not look at Ralph, but controlled himself by a mighty effort. "Of course," he was able to say at last, "if the kid is in any danger, that alters the state of the case. But I dare say he is shamming." "Shamming! Look at his eyes; feel of his pulse." The captain declined these offices. He bit his nether lip instead and regarded Duff in a peculiar way, as the latter continued his efforts to resuscitate the boy. "We have no ship's doctor on board as you know," said Gary. "However, take him to a bunk in the men's quarters and tell the cook to make him some broth. He'll come round; then we will see how he behaves. Do you understand, Mr. Duff?" "Aye, aye, sir. Give the boy a chance and I think he will come out all right." Here Ralph showed signs of animation. He twisted himself as if in pain, then muttered: "If he beats me I--I--shall--kill him! Shan't I--grandpa? You drove--me--away--cause I wouldn't--cause I--wouldn't----" He became unintelligible for a moment, but finally burst forth with feeble energy again. "Let him starve me--shut me up--but--let him keep his hands off--hands off."