y case of bottled goods to be found aboard the
confiscated vessel, above and below decks.

"Just an even two hundred and twenty-six," announced Jack, after they
had gone over the entire lot twice with the same result. "I reckon a few
got away aboard that speedboat but they didn't have much time to work
the racket before the hijacker mob swarmed aboard and kicked up that
riot--then along came Perk, with his armful of tear-bombs and broke up
the Boston tea party in great shape. I'll make out a paper for both of
you to sign, after which you can kick-off when you please."

All this was satisfactory to McGrath and his comrade and the paper
having been duly signed, they set about examining the engine so as to
learn whether it could have been injured in any way from the storm of
missiles that came aboard during the hostilities so lately ended.

"The bally old thing seems to be in fairly decent shape for running,"
was McGrath's verdict after the checking had been completed, "and since
we've got some distance to cover before we make Tampa Bay, p'raps we'd
better be shoving off."

"No such big hurry as that, boys," observed Jack. "I'm a bit hungry
myself and reckon you both must be in the same boat. We've got plenty of
grub, and to spare, also Perk here knows a few wrinkles along the
cooking line. Suppose we have some sort of spread to celebrate Perk's
victory."

"Huh! pleases me okay, brother," announced the expectant _chef_.
"I've run across a little rusty kerosene burnin' stove here in what I'd
call the cook's galley, an' we might as well have some hot coffee with
the eats."

As there were no dissenting votes the motion was carried unanimously;
whereupon Perk bustled around and soon had his coffee pot over an
apology for a flame which would, however, answer their purpose.

It was only a simple supper, but with good appetites to back them, every
one of the quartette declared it was great and would long be remembered.

Then the mess of saw palmetto leaves and other stuff utilized for
camouflage purposes was cast overboard after which McGrath "fiddled"
with the engine and soon had it running, limp and all, for its misses
were plentiful, although the engineer allowed there did not seem to be
anything fundamentally wrong.

"If we have fair luck," he announced, confidently, "we ought to fetch
our Tampa dock, where all prizes are tied-up, before morning comes
along. On the other hand, if we break down we'll either hang on t