I didn't have the hatch covers on."

"Well, it's easier than I thought," went on Frank. "Wait a minute and
we'll be back."

He started to row their boat toward the _Gull_.

"Oh, don't leave me!" wailed the man.

"I'm not going to," shouted back the elder Racer boy.

"What are you going to do?" asked his brother.

"Go back and get some grub, and my revolver with blank cartridges in
it."

"What's that for?"

"You'll see."

The brothers were soon aboard their own sailing craft again, and Frank
quickly secured the weapon, directing Andy to pack in a bag all the
spare food on board, for the boys usually kept a supply in a small
galley, in case they were ever becalmed over night.

"Here's some crackers, some cans of peaches, some peanuts and a lot of
stale pop corn balls," announced Andy.

"That'll do. Get a dish, and bring along the can opener," ordered
Frank. "I guess that will do."

"Oh, I'm on to your game now," said Andy.

"I'll want some condensed milk, too," went on the older boy. "Got any?"

"Yes, here's a couple of cans."

"Good, bring 'em along and another dish. Now I guess we're ready."

They were soon at the side of the lighter again with their odd
collection.

"Where is the safest place to come aboard?" asked Frank of the man, who
was still up the mast.

"Right amidships," he answered. "There's not a snake or monkey near
there now, and it's right by the open hatch."

"Good!" answered Frank. "That'll do. Make our boat fast, Andy, and
follow me. Bring the grub."

His brother obeyed, and soon the two lads were aboard the lighter.
They saw a group of monkeys aft, chattering and wrestling among
themselves, whether in play or anger was not evident. Forward were
several large snakes contentedly sunning themselves on deck. There did
not seem to be so much danger as the man had said, though doubtless if
the monkeys were really aroused they might injure some one, as several
were very large specimens.

"Quick now!" called Frank to Andy. "Help me spread out this grub near
the open hatch. Open the cans of peaches and pour them over the
crackers in the dish. Do the same with the condensed milk, only put
that in a separate dish. It's lucky the snakes are forward, they'll
get a whiff of it there."

Soon there was an array of food about the open hatch. So far the
monkeys had paid no attention to the boys, for the brothers had worked
silently, the man on the mast watching them curiou