immediately." Again Herr von Staden kicked the Gladstone bag.

"I'll take it in gold certificates. And in order that my dear old
father and mother may have the benefit of my rascality in case
anything unforeseen should arise to prevent my return, I suggest you
hand over the boodle this minute, and I'll go ashore and express it
home."

"Captain Murphy, you are a man after my own heart--"

"I am not a born fool, sir," Murphy interrupted. "I'm accepting this
money to be a fool, well knowing it is foolish to do it, for still I
am taking a risk. I am thirty-eight years old, Mr. von Staden, and a
skipper as young as that has his future all before him. Set him down
on the beach, however, with his ticket revoked for all time--and his
future is behind him."

"In that event," the supercargo replied, "you might accept my
assurance, without questioning my authority for such assurance, that
you would have no difficulty in procuring a remunerative position
ashore. The firm of von Staden & Ulrich could use you very handily."

"Thank you, sir. Consider the matter settled. Will you come ashore
with me, sir, and dine, or would you prefer to have supper aboard?"

"I beg of you to be excused from going ashore, captain. I have much
to do to-night. The launch which brought me alongside has a
knocked-down wireless plant aboard, and I am anxious to have it set up
on your good ship _Narcissus_--a task I shall have to oversee
personally. I shall probably work all night."