e coolness. "That
is about the size of it."

"Well," said Jack, "I heard two of the sailors talking in a very
mysterious manner. They say the 'Eagle' is hoodooed and the captain
knows it. They say he has not slept any to speak of since we left New
York."

"Sailors are always superstitious. They are ignorant, as a rule, and
ignorance breeds superstition."

"Do you consider Mr. Slush ignorant?" asked Bruce.

"Didn't have time to size him up, but he's queer."

"I shall feel that I am over a volcano during the rest of the voyage,"
said Jack. "What if there was somebody on board who wished to destroy
the ship?"

"It wouldn't be much of a job," grunted Browning. "A match touched to a
powder keg would do the trick in a hurry."

"But he'd go up with the rest of us," said Frank.

"Unless he used a slow match," put in Jack. "These captains always have
their enemies, who are desperate fellows and ready to do almost anything
to injure them. The steamer might be set afire by means of a slow match,
which would give the villain time enough to get away."

"I hardly think there's anybody desperate enough to do that kind of a
trick, for it would be a case of suicide."

"Perhaps not. The chap who did the trick might have some plan of
escaping. Then I have known men desperate enough to commit suicide if
they could destroy an enemy at the same time."

"Well, it's likely all this worry about this vessel and cargo is
entirely needless and foolish."

"I don't believe it," said the Virginian. "I know now that the captain
has been worried. I have noticed it in his manner. He is pale and
restless."

"Well, it's likely he may be rather anxious, for it's certain he cannot
carry any insurance on such a cargo."

"He was not at the table to-night."

"No."

"I'd give something to be on solid ground and away from this powder
mill. You know that sometimes there is such a thing as an unaccountable
explosion. A heavy sea must cause motion or friction in the cargo, and
friction often starts a fire on shipboard. Fire on this vessel means a
quick road to glory."

"Huah!" grunted Bruce. "I'm not in the habit of worrying about things
that may happen. It's cold out here. Let's go back to the stateroom."

"It will be well enough to keep still about the nature of the cargo,
Diamond," said Frank.

"Oh, I shall keep still about that all right!" assured Jack.

As they moved back along the deck they discovered somebody who was
leaning over