ew,
of course, berthed forward, and the two mates, of whom Jack Jepson was
one, were quartered with the captain. Alice wondered what would be the
standing of Hen Lacomb.

She learned a little later when she saw him taking his bag "aft." That
meant he was to be treated as an officer. There is all the difference in
the world on a sailing ship, whether a man bunks "forward" or "aft." In
the latter case he is either an officer or a passenger, and in the
former case he is classed as a member of the crew, a "foremast hand,"
and, as such, has no authority.

"Hen Lacomb is evidently someone in power," decided Alice, though she
said nothing to her sister or father, or even Jack. She managed to
learn, by judicious questions, that Hen, as she began to think of him,
was a friend of Captain Brisco, and a sort of passenger-helper on the
_Mary Ellen_.

And now that the voyage was really started, those who were to take part
in the play began to consider their roles.

In brief the plan was this. The schooner, under her own sail, would
proceed to the warm West Indian waters and clime, and there, when
suitable surroundings were found, the taking of the main scenes in the
big drama would begin.

I shall not weary you with an account of the trip down. In spite of her
age, the schooner proved a good sailor, for she had been well refitted,
even if she was to be wrecked. Day after day passed and the sun shone
warmer as they came farther and farther south.

Some few scenes were filmed aboard the craft, but there was not much
work for anyone, and the time was most enjoyable. Even Mr. Sneed, the
"human grouch," consented to smile, now and then.

They passed Key West, but did not dock, and kept on. Alice wondered if
they would come near the "Hole in the Wall," but she did not like to
ask, for fear of making trouble for Jack. She did not know how much of
his story he wanted known to those aboard the ship.

It was a warm, sunny day, and Mr. Pertell had announced that he would
begin some of the more important scenes of the drama in a short time.
The _Mary Ellen_ was plowing through the blue waters, bending over under
a good wind. Nearly all the members of the company were out on deck,
under awnings. Alice saw Jack Jepson at some work on the port rail, and
noticed Hen Lacomb and the captain stroll toward him. The two latter
seemed to converse for a few minutes, when suddenly there was a heavy
lurch and roll to the craft.

"Mind your helm t