ts, who were only so many boys enveloped in
white blankets, fell backward so precipitately that they tumbled over
each other, and rolled on deck with stifled exclamations that at once
proclaimed their humanity and identity.

"Oh, you villains!" roared the relieved skipper. "You young pirates!
You, you--what do you mean by playing tricks like this on your
grandfather, eh? Tell me that afore I murder ye."

"Please, sir, we didn't mean to play any trick," answered one of the
blanketed figures meekly. "Only we thought, perhaps, you were asleep,
and wouldn't like to be disturbed. You see, we were afraid you might
sail back up the river to-night, and thought we'd better explain what
we'd decided to do before it was too late; for, you see, we've talked it
all over, and made up our minds not to go back until our cruise is
finished."

"Oh, ye have, have you?" remarked the skipper, in an interested tone, at
the same time throwing a protecting arm about Cal Moody, and drawing the
little chap close to him for fear lest he should get cold.

"Yes, sir," answered the voice, which was now recognizable as that of
Will Rogers; "but we don't want you to be blamed for anything that may
happen, or to have any responsibility unless you want to."

"I don't exactly see how that is to be avoided so long as I'm in charge
of the vessel," interposed the skipper.

"Oh, we've settled all that," replied Will, cheerfully. "We'll simply
seize the sloop and sail her ourselves, and so take all the risk as well
as all the responsibility."

"You'll simply seize the vessel," repeated the skipper, slowly, and in a
bewildered tone, as though failing to comprehend what he had just heard.
"In that case, what's to become of me?"

"Why, we'll put you in irons, or lock you into your state-room, or let
you walk a plank, that is, if you know how walking a plank is done, or
set you ashore on a desolate island, or perhaps let you go adrift in the
small boat without oars or sail. Of course we'd give you plenty of
provisions and water, and you'd probably be picked up, 'cause you know
they always are. Anyhow, we'd let you take your choice of all those
ways."

"Waal, I'll be blowed!" exclaimed the skipper. "If these young pirates
hain't planned out a regular high-sea mutiny, with all the fixin's and
trimmings, then I'm a farmer."

"Of course," Will hastened to add, "we would rather have you choose to
be put in irons, and so stay on board, because when we get t