o report
to the captain. On his way he could not help giving an inquiring look at
the manner in which the substitute for Bargate performed his duty.

At eighteen Louis was a healthy, vigorous, athletic fellow, developed by an
active life on the ocean, and weighing one hundred and fifty pounds. In any
trial of strength he was more than the equal of any other member of the
"Big Four," as the four young men berthing in the cabin called themselves,
borrowing the name from a combination of railroads in the West. He was well
trained as an oarsman, and the second officer was satisfied that he was
doing his full share of the work.

As Mr. Gaskette reached the pilot-house there was a commotion there, and it
was evident to him that something unlooked for had occurred. He glanced at
the two cutters; but they were all right, and were steadily making their
way to the locality of the wreck.

"The wreck is going down, sir!" exclaimed Bangs with startling energy just
before the second officer reached the door.

"It is all up with that craft!" added Twist, the other quartermaster.

Captain Ringgold said nothing, but calmly surveyed the men who were now
struggling in the water. They seemed to be all able to swim; but it was a
closer call than they had had before. The two cutters appeared to be their
only possible salvation, and they were still at a considerable distance
from the scene of peril.

It was a terribly exciting and harrowing spectacle; but the commander
looked as impassable as ever. He rang the gong for the ship to go ahead;
and Mr. Gaskette wondered what he intended to do, though he was not left
more than a moment in suspense.

CHAPTER V

THE TITLED GENTLEMEN OF THE TRAVANCORE

The first and second cutters of the Guardian-Mother were struggling bravely
with the huge billows, but not making very rapid progress, though the gale
was in their favor. The eleven men floundering in the water where the wreck
had disappeared under them were provided with life-preservers, it was now
discovered, and their chances were somewhat less desperate than they were
at first taken to be. But the waves rudely knocked them about, and
sometimes upset them so as to require a struggle to regain their upright
position.

"The Blanche is close aboard of us, Captain Ringgold," said Mr. Gaskette.
"She is running at full speed for a position on our port hand."

"Very good," replied the c