"Good evening," greeted Phil politely.
"Who are you?" demanded the mate sternly.
"I guess I am Old Neptune himself. Maybe I am a mermaid.
At least I have just risen from the sea, and mighty glad
I am that I have risen."
The officer seized Phil. Leading the boy to where the light shone from the main cabin window, he peered into the lad's face. Evidently fairly well satisfied by his brief glance into the honest eyes of the Circus Boy, the officer quickly turned and led Phil to the forward end of the boat, where he summoned the captain, who was lying down in the pilot house.
"What's this? Whom have you here?"
"I don't know, sir," answered the officer. "He came over the side half a mile above here."
"What—what's this—came over the side?"
"Yes, sir."
"Impossible!"
"I saw him. I was standing astern when he climbed over the rail."