"Oh, nothin'--nothin'--," answered Jack Jepson. "Only, oh, well, I s'pose it's all right," he went on. But as he led the way forward Ruth noticed a look of worriment on the face of the old sailor. It was so evident that it startled her--the more so as she heard him murmur: "Going all by herself; eh? Well, she certainly needs a consort." CHAPTER VIII HARD WORK Ruth took advantage of the first opportunity to question Sailor Jack Jepson. The memory of that look on his face haunted her. But it was not until they had come from the _Mary Ellen_ that Ruth found her chance. While on board, arrangements had been made for taking some of the preliminary scenes of the marine drama, and Mr. Pertell urged Captain Brisco to hasten, as much as he could, the preparations for the voyage. But finally, when Alice and her father had gone on ahead, walking with Mr. Pertell, and were deep in a discussion about a certain scene, Ruth found a chance to ask: "Didn't you like what you saw downstairs in the _Mary Ellen_, Jack?" "Downstairs, Miss?" the sailor questioned, a puzzled look on his face. "Or whatever the right sea-term is for under the deck?" she went on. "Oh, you mean below." "Yes, didn't you like what you saw below?" asked Ruth. "What do you mean, Miss?" "Well, you didn't seem altogether pleased. I don't want them to hear," she went on, motioning to her father and sister, "but you looked worried. Was anything--wrong?" "Wrong? No, Miss, not exactly wrong. But some of them fellers didn't seem to know their business in repairin' a ship, that was all. But we aren't goin' on much of a voyage, so I don't s'pose it matters--much." "But we are going on a pretty long trip, and for a time we'll all be alone on board the _Mary Ellen_, some distance from land," Ruth said. "I know, for I've read the outlines." "Is that so, Miss? Why--I--I didn't exactly know that. I wonder if I'd better----" Before Jack Jepson could continue Mr. Pertell turned back and called: "Oh, I believe I forgot to tell you people, but we are also to have a motorboat in connection with the _Mary Ellen_. A big, powerful gasoline craft, she is, called the _Ajax_. She'll follow us, part of the time, for some of the pictures have to be taken from a distance, as she trails along at the stern. We'll have plenty of time for rehearsal, though." "Ah, a motorboat to follow us. Then there isn't so much danger," said Jack Jepson, and he seemed talking to himself. "Danger!" exclaimed Ruth. "What do you mean by that?" "Danger? Did I say danger, Miss?" he asked, and again Ruth was surprised at the strange look on his face. "You certainly did say it," she replied. "Well, I didn't mean it," he said, though he spoke with an obvious effort. "I meant it would be much more company--company for you folks as aren't used to sailin' the seas. That's all, Miss. Oh, no, there's no real danger--that is there won't be to _you_, as long as old Jack Jepson can ward it off," he murmured under his breath.