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HANK you very much," said Dave, by no  means inclined to jest at the opportunity in spite of Captain Grummitt's tone. In another two minutes the question of wages had been disposed of, and the two wanderers found themselves installed as members of the Mary Ellen's crew, much to their own satisfaction.

The tug was one of a host of craft that spent most of their time prowling about the waters off Sydney, looking for a ship that needed towing to a berth in the vast harbor, seldom being away more than four or five days at a time. There was little or no formality on board. The skipper was as amiable as he was fat, and he did not expect