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"Where's Stanley?" inquired Captain Harden.

"Keeping sentry on deck, no doubt," answered Gus, "according to his usual custom. I'll wager a guinea that quick, excited tread we heard a moment ago, was Fred walking up and down."

"Maister Stanley's a queer sort o' a lad," observed the doctor. "I ne'er cam across ane sae proud in a' my days. T'ither day he was stannin' lookin' sae dooer and sulky, by himsel' that I didna think hem well, and I recommended a dose o' peells. Well, instead o' thankin' me, as a body ought, he glowered at me a minute, as if he thought me mad, and walked off wi' himsel' without sayin' a word. Hech, sirs! deil a more thanks I got!"

Gus couldn't help laughing; but he observed:

"Oh, you must excuse him, doctor! Fred has some queer notions; but, in general, he's a capital fellow—brave as a lion, but proud as Lucifer."

"What is your opinion, Miss Percival, of the gentleman now under discussion?" inquired Captain Harden.

Oh, what would not Fred have given to hear the reply! Miss Percival's low, musical voice had hitherto possessed an unspeakable charm for him; but now he would not have objected had it been as loud as the boatswain's so that he might have heard the answer; but, though he strained every nerve to listen, he could not catch her words.