rly tones, as
he joined his brother.

"There is mischief brewing there, and I warn you not to engage in it."

"Mischief?" queried John. "What do you mean by mischief?"

"Don't you know what mischief means?"

"Rather think I do."

"These boys are getting up some trick; don't you have anything to do
with it."

John made no reply.

"What is the game?" asked Paul.

"Can't tell."

"Can't you indeed?"

"No, I can't."

"You know we all promised to obey Captain Gordon."

"I am not going to disobey him."

"If there is anything wrong going on, it is your duty to tell of it."

"O, you can't pump me; so it's no use to try," replied John, walking
away, and joining the principal conspirators in the forecastle.

"But what are you going to do with Paul?" were the first words that
saluted his ears, as John joined them.

"I don't know. What can we do with him?" said Tom, to whom the question
of the previous speaker had been addressed.

"Of course Paul won't join us," added Frank.

"No; you might as well attempt to capture Fort Constitution as to make
him join us."

"Are you sure we can't bring him over?"

"Don't say a word to him about it, or he will prevent us from going."

"He can't do that."

"He would find a way; he might jump overboard, and swim to one of these
vessels and get assistance."

"But we want Paul; and if we keep him on board, he will join us after a
few hours."

"You mustn't hurt him any way," interposed John; "if you are going to do
anything of that sort, I shall let the cat out of the bag."

"We won't hurt him," replied Tom.

"I'll tell you what we will do. We will get him to go down into the
cabin under some pretence, and then fasten him down," said Frank.

"That will do first rate."

"But Dick is on board too; what shall we do with him?"

"Fasten them both down below."

Paul, from the frequent glances bestowed upon him by the plotters, was
satisfied that he was the subject of their remarks; but this did not
disturb him, for, firm in his purpose to do right, whatever might
happen to him in consequence, he was prepared for any event which the
conspirators might bring to pass. He was sorry to find that mischief was
brewing at all, and pained to see his brother a consenting party to it.

CHAPTER XVIII.

PAUL IS MADE A PRISONER.

Before the half hour which the conspirators had indicated as the
favorable time for carrying out their mysterious project had elapsed,
Tom Ne