"He hasn't made any law; but if you want law, I'll give you some!" laughed Paul, who was disposed to treat the subject very good-naturedly, especially as there was so much loose indignation floating about the decks.

"I don't mean law alone, but justice," added Shuffles. "I call it high-handed injustice to take the fellows' money away from them."

"Let me give you a little law, then," persisted Paul. "How old are you, Shuffles?"

"Eighteen."

"Good! You are an infant."

"In law, I am."

"Suppose your uncle, or somebody else, should die to-day, and leave you fifty thousand dollars: wouldn't you have a good time with it?"

"I should, as soon as I got hold of it, you had better believe," replied Shuffles.

"As soon as you got hold of it!" exclaimed Paul.

"I suppose I should have a guardian till I became of age."