"I think, Capt'n," began Ben, who judged that he had said enough, "that we had better quit. Bob will tell you the rest."
"Go on!" said the captain. "There's more happened after that. How did you and Bob come here? That boy promised me that he wouldn't go to sea, no matter what happened."
Ben didn't have so much compunction of conscience in going on with the rest of his story. He told how Joe Lufkin had knocked him down and taken him on board the J. W. Smart; and the worst of it was, he didn't mention Barlow's name at all. He laid it all to Joe. When the next morning came and he woke up with a splitting headache, he was surprised to find Bob there also. They had deserted the Smart on some island, and had there found an English trader, with a crew of Malays; but the drunken captain forgot himself and brought on a mutiny, and Bob and the darky and himself had been put into a small boat and happened by chance to run onto the island where the Boston was moored.
"Yes, I remember that, and it was the first glimpse of reason I had," said Captain Nellis. "Ben, I am surprised at you. You stand still and let a man like Joe Lufkin knock you down!"
"The matter ain't settled yet," said Ben, baring his brawny arms. "You just wait until I get Joe ashore, and see if I don't pound the daylights out of him!"
"That may all be, but I don't think you will catch him ashore. Now, Ben, bring me my clothes."
"Oh, what will Bob say to me?" faltered Ben, amazed at the proposition. "He is going to kill me now for telling you this story."
"Bob won't say anything while I am around. Bring me my clothes."
Ben brought the clothes, and with sundry protests proceeded to help his captain dress. He watched him while he washed his hands and face and brushed his hair, and when his toilet was completed he felt a thrill of pride when he looked at him. It was his old commander, sure enough.
"Now, Ben, I want you to go ahead of me with a chair and place it where I can see everything that is going on," said the captain. "I haven't forgotten that I used to command this vessel once myself."