"Well, if you were to ask me I should say it would take the greater part of a year to get this in ship-shape," said Ruth. "I never saw such confusion--never!" and she gazed about the deck. "Why, Miss, this isn't anythin'--nothin' at all!" cried Jack Jepson. "With a few of my old shipmates I could get this craft ready for a voyage in half a day--that is, if she's all right below th' water line," he added as an afterthought. "I'm trusting all that to Captain Brisco," said Mr. Pertell. "He was recommended to me by the ones from whom I purchased this boat. I think he will have everything in ship-shape for us in time." As they stood looking about the deck a man came up from below. From his appearance he was unmistakably a sailor, and one in authority. He issued several orders, on hearing which a number of men bestirred themselves, and then, catching sight of the little party, he called out in rough tones. "Come now! What's this? No visitors are allowed on board here. Get ashore at once!" "Hello, Captain Brisco!" called Mr. Pertell. "That is, if that's the proper nautical greeting." "Oh, Mr. Pertell. I didn't recognize you," said the commander of the _Mary Ellen_. "I beg your pardon! Won't you walk this way?" "We are on a little tour of inspection," the manager went on. "These are some of my principle moving picture actors, and I want them to get familiar with the ship. And, Captain Brisco, this is an old salt who will be with us. He is to be second mate, I believe. Jack Jepson, let me present you to Captain Brisco." A strange look came over the old salt's face. He stepped forward and burst out with: "I guess I've met Captain Brisco before, but that wasn't his name--then!" Captain Brisco started back as though a shot had been fired near him. CHAPTER VII JEPSON IS WORRIED For an instant only did the commander of the _Mary Ellen_ show signs of perturbation. He recovered himself with an effort, hardly obvious to the moving picture girls who were watching. It was as though a cloud had passed over the sun so quickly as to give an observer no time to glance up and see it, before the shadow was gone. Then Captain Brisco smiled. "I think you've made a mistake, my man," he said, with the air of one used to commanding. "I'm sure I don't know you, whether or not you think you have had the pleasure of my acquaintance. How about it?" He turned a sharp look on Jack Jepson, and the latter faltered. "Well--well, maybe I am mistaken," he said slowly. "But I sure did take you for an old shipmate of mine. I sure did--an old shipmate," and he spoke the words slowly. "For instance--who?" asked Captain Brisco, and the words seemed to come out like the closing of the jaws of a steel trap. "Oh--er--you wouldn't know if I told you," said Jack. "I guess I was mistaken," he added.