say, the Canal is
supposed to be free from accidents. And, when everything gets
working smoothly, there will be none to speak of. Some of the
electrical controlling devices are not yet in place. If they had
been that vessel never could have collided with us."

"I should think her captain would know better than to signal for
her to proceed under her own power in the Canal lock," spoke Joe.

"Possibly there was some error in transmitting signals on board,"
suggested Mr. Alcando. And later they learned that this was,
indeed, the case; or at least that was the reason assigned by the
Brazilian commander for the accident. His vessel got beyond
control.

"Well, it's lucky she didn't ram the gates, and let out a flood of
water," said Joe to Blake a little after the occurrence.

"Yes, if that had happened we'd have had to make pictures whether
we wanted to or not. But I wonder what we are going to do for a
boat now?"

However, that question was easily settled, for there were other
Government vessels to be had, and Blake, Joe and Mr. Alcando, with
their cameras, films and other possessions, were soon transferred,
to continue their trip, in the _Bohio_, which was the name of the
new vessel. The _Nama_ was left for the wrecking crew.

"Well, this isn't exactly the quiet life we looked for in the
canal zone; is it, Blake?" asked Joe that night as he and his chum
were putting their new stateroom to rights.

"Hardly. Things have begun to happen, and I've noticed, Joe, that,
once they begin, they keep up. I think we are in for something."

"Do you mean a big slide in Culebra Cut?"

"Well, that may be only part of it. I have a feeling in my bones,
somehow or other, that we're on the eve of something big."

"Say, for instance--"

"I can't," answered Blake, as Joe paused. "But I'm sure something
is going to happen."

"No more collisions, I hope," his chum ventured. "Do you know,
Blake, I've wondered several times whether that one to-day was not
done on purpose."

Blake stared at his chum, and then, to Joe's surprise replied:

"And I've been thinking the same thing."

"You have?" Joe exclaimed. "Now I say--"

"Hush!" cautioned Blake quickly, "he's coming!"

The door of their stateroom opened, and Mr. Alcando entered. He
had a room across the corridor.

"Am I intruding?" he asked. "If I am--"

"Not at all. Come in," answered Blake, with a meaning look at his
chum.

"I wanted to ask you something about making dou