"But we didn't expect to be welcomed with snuff," said Alice, as she sneezed again. This time Ruth joined her. There was an irritating odor noticeable in the cabin. "I beg your pardon," Captain Brisco said, as the others stepped closer to Russ, so they could be discerned. "I didn't know who it was. I am glad to see you. That's a paint-remover you smell. It is irritating. I am very glad to see you." But he did not say it at all as though he meant it. Alice said afterward she thought her sneeze had broken in on the captain's denunciation of the proposed sea voyage. "It was just as though he were going to say it was the most foolish and nonsensical thing of which he had ever heard," Alice explained. "Oh, why _did_ I have to go and sneeze just then?" "Did you want to hear what he would have said?" asked her sister. "Yes, I did. I don't like Captain Brisco." "You mustn't say such things," Ruth cautioned her. But this was some time later. Just at present the commander of the _Mary Ellen_ was trying to make his unexpected guests feel a welcome he rather grudgingly extended. "We have been over looking at the _Ajax_," explained Russ, "and we thought we'd stop in and pay you a call." "Oh, yes, I'm to carry the _Ajax_ on deck, I believe," the commander said. "Well, you'll find us all pretty busy here," he went on. "Mr. Jepson, will you kindly go forward and see how the men are coming on with that caulking?" It was a very different voice from the one he had used when Ruth, Alice and the others had been unseen listeners. "What about the mainmast?" asked Sailor Jack. "It's sprung, as I told you it was, and unless those stays----" "I'll look after that!" interrupted the captain. "You do as I tell you, and leave that mast to me." "But you said that it didn't need--" persisted the second mate. "Never you mind what I said!" and the commander's voice was harsh. "I'll look after that. Now you go forward!" It was more in the nature of a command than is usual between captain and mate. The girls felt this, as well as did the boys. But they said nothing. "Come along and see how we are progressing," continued Captain Brisco in more genial tones, as Jack Jepson left the cabin. "Then you are going to be ready in time?" asked Paul. "Ahead of time," said the commander, boastfully. "That's good!" exclaimed Russ. "Mr. Pertell is anxious not to be delayed." "He won't be on _my_ account," Captain Brisco assured the young operator. "A few more details, and we'll be ready for sea. About time, too, for this good weather won't hold any too long down among those West Indian islands." "Oh, are we going there?" asked Alice. "That will be delightful!" "I thought we were to go only to Florida," Ruth remarked.