In spite of all the work that had been done on the _Mary Ellen_, she was still far from being a fine ship. Many things were left undone, as they would not show in a picture. As the captain had said, Mr. Pertell was not desirous of putting too much time or expense on her, just to send her to the bottom after a few days' use. Still the craft had to be rendered seaworthy, as some views were to be taken showing her progress down the coast to the Florida Straits. A little later Captain Brisco was called below, and he took leave of his visitors, saying he would be busy for some hours. "Well, it's time for us to go," Ruth said. "We promised to meet daddy at dinner," she added to her sister. Alice assented and looked around, as though in search of someone. "What is it?" Ruth asked. "I was looking for Jack, to say good-bye. There he is over there," and she pointed to the old man polishing the brass work of the binnacle in front of the steering wheel. "I'm going over and speak to him," she added. Jack Jepson had his back toward Alice, and was not aware of her approach. She heard him murmuring to himself, and the words sounded strange to her--as strange as the first ones she had overheard from him that day. "It'll never do! It'll never do!" Jack Jepson was saying. "It's criminal wrong, that's what it is. But I'll jest keep a sharp watch, an' at the first sign of danger, I'll--" Then he heard the footfall of Alice on the deck, and turned quickly. He smiled at her, and the smile was in strange contrast to his rather ominous words. As Alice knew very little about the sea or boats, she paid no attention. "I came to bid you good-bye," she said. "We are going back to New York now, but we'll soon be aboard here for a long stay, I hope. My, how nice everything looks!" "Yes, but it--it's too nice!" exclaimed Jack. "Too nice? What do you mean?" she asked wonderingly. "Oh, well, nothing, Miss Alice. You wouldn't understand. I'm glad to see you. This isn't a mate's work, properly speakin'," he said, as he indicated the box of polish, "but then we haven't started discipline yet. We'll do that at sea." "And I'll hope we'll soon be out on the deep," voiced Alice. A week later the entire moving picture company that was to take part in the marine drama assembled at the dock where the _Mary Ellen_ had been refitted for her last voyage. Stores and provisions had been put aboard, the _Ajax_ lay stowed in the cradle on deck, and the members of the company, the moving picture operators and the manager and his assistants, had sent their baggage aboard. There was plenty of extra film. "All aboard!" called Captain Brisco, and the gangplank was about to be hauled in. "All aboard! We won't wait for him!" he went on, speaking to the first mate and to Mr. Pertell who stood near him. "Won't wait for whom?" Alice heard Mr. Pertell ask.