The tackles were hooked on, and in another minute the boat was over the side and ready. “Give Mr. Carter the course, but tell him to lie by until we come aboard again, and don’t keep me waiting here, but get into that boat and take me to the American clipper _Arrow_. Come, bear a hand there.” “Boat’s all ready, sir,” roared the mate, as he swung himself over the rail and dropped into her stern-sheets, red in the face with exertion. “Are the cushions in her?” inquired the skipper, looking cautiously over the rail. “Ay, ay, sir,” came the answer. “Is the compass and water-breaker stowed safe?” “Ay, ay, sir, all safe, sir.” “Are provisions on board, in case we lose our bearings and can’t get back again?” “Ay, ay, sir, grub enough to last a week.” “Have you the ‘navigator’ with you?” There was a moment of silence. “Have you the ‘navigator’? No! Well, how many times will I have to tell you, Mr. Garnett, never to start off on a cruise until you are ready? Get the ‘navigator,’ and be quick about it.” The mate climbed on deck again and went below, reappearing in a moment with the “navigator” tucked lovingly under his arm. “All right, sir,” he cried, as he dropped over into the boat. At this the little skipper climbed carefully down into the mizzen channels and stepped into the stern-sheets, while the steward came to the rail and passed the skipper’s coat to Mr. Garnett. “Shove off! don’t sit there looking at me,” and the men let go and shoved clear of the vessel’s side. Then they raised their oars to a peak. “Let fall!” and the two oars clattered clumsily into the row-locks. “Give ’way together!” and the boat shot out from the ship’s side and came toward us. “Git on to th’ style av th’ Johnnie Bull,” chuckled O’Toole, who had just come on deck; “wan would think ’twas a man-o’-war sindin’ out a bloomin’ admiral. Now, b’ th’ faith av th’ howly saints! Who’s the mug I see squattin’ there in th’ stern-sheets? Garnett! B’ th’--” “In bow! Weigh enough!” cried the little skipper, as the boat with six sweeping strokes fell alongside. The next instant he sprang over the rail on to our main-deck, closely followed by his mate. Then he deliberately put on his coat, waved Garnett to stand back, and approached Captain Crojack with a majestic step. “Captain Webster, sir, yes, sir; Captain Webster of the _Countess of Warwick_,” he cried, as he reached the quarter-deck, where our skipper stood. “Ah, did I hear aright? Crojack? Captain Crojack, I’m most happy to meet you, sir; most eternally tickled. Ah, your wife and daughter, I see. Madam, I bow to you. It gives me most uncommon pleasure, miss; yes, I may even say delight. But now, sir,” he cried, turning suddenly upon Crojack, “what is this row about, and what do you mean by hailing me and ordering me to stand off?”