"He ought to treat you better. Did you ever try to run away?"
"Once; while we were at Baltimore. But Lowell caught me, and the captain nearly killed me when I got back. I could have got away, only I had no money."
"Doesn't the captain allow you anything for your services?" I asked, at the same time wondering if I would be paid for what I was called upon to do.
"Not a cent. To tell the truth he even takes away what the passengers—if we have any—give me."
"He must be mighty mean," said I.
"If you've any money you had better hide it," went on the cabin boy. "'Tain't safe here."
"Thank you, Phil, I'll take your advice. I've got four dollars and a half, and I don't want to lose it."
As I spoke I felt in my pocket to make sure that the amount was still safe.
To my chagrin the money was gone!
I must confess that I felt quite angry when I discovered that my hard-earned savings had been taken from me. To be sure, four dollars and a half was not a large sum, but it had been my entire capital and I had calculated upon doing a great deal with it.