'Not very late, ma'am,' says I; 'we went to Rio first, and not filling up there were cruising about picking up a cargo when--' and I stopped, not knowing, you see, how I should put it.

'Are there any more of you ?' she asked after awhile in a low sort of voice.

'No, ma'am,' says I; 'I am the only one.' 'I did not ask,' she said almost in a whisper, and I could see her face was 'most as white as a sheet, 'I never ask.

And so you have joined them ?' 'Yes,' says I, 'I couldn't help it, ma'am.

I was the last, you see; if there had been any one else to have encouraged me I should have said no, but being alone--' 'Don't excuse yourself, poor boy,' she said; 'don't think I blame you.