The captain whistled, and said, "Money's plenty! I ain't quite such a highway robber as to take ten pounds. What do you want to go for?"
"Oh, for fun, and for our health! The doctors have ordered a sea-voyage for us, we've been studying so hard."
"There now, Ben! What did you say last night about lying?" interrupted Ralph.
"No, captain, we want to go on a voyage, and we've got the money to pay for the trip. Won't you take us?"
"Well, now, I don't know about that. You are running away from home, you two chaps; I know you be."
"No, honest!" said Ben. "We are hundreds of miles away from home now, and our fathers don't expect us back for over a month yet. It's vacation now, and we want to go somewhere: that's what father sent me the money for."
"I don't know whether you are tellin' the truth or lyin', boys."
"That's the truth," said Ben, "every word of it."
"You ain't used to quarters like mine. Look down in that cabin!"
The boys looked down, and felt that he was right; but Ralph answered bravely,--