I went off and sat down on a coil of rope, and the more I thought itover, the more I didn't make it out.

After that I heard lively talking forward a little, and there wasCaptain Clyde, the bos'n, mate, Stevey Todd, and some others arguing.

The bos'n was saying he hadn't "sworn no allegiance to no countrybut the United States, an' there ain't no United States laws," hesays, "against dodging South American customs that I ever see nohow,and being I never see a South American man that took much stock in'em either, I ain't so uppish as to differ."

Then Stevey Todd chimed in and made a tidy argument, quotingScripture to prove that "actions with intwelvet to deceive, anddeception pursuant," weren't moral, and, moreover, he says: "Shall welose our souls because S. A. customs is ridiculous? Tell me that!"

"Shucks!" says the mate; "we're saved by grace!"