t things ever heard
of."

"And first chance I find," muttered Teddy, "I'm going to get transferred
from the old Eagle into one of the other patrols. Whoever heard of an
Eagle having any special luck? That's because they went and named their
patrol after a bald-headed old pirate, who loves to rob the hard working
fish-hawk of his dinner, time in and time out."

Nobody was paying any particular attention to Teddy's lament, however,
and so he started in to take a second and more particular look at the
dancing object that could be seen one moment, as it rose on a wave, and
then vanishing from view again.

"Can you all make it out?" asked Jack.

Even Francois said there was no difficulty now; while Jimmy, as if to
prove that his sight was good, went on to say:

"It seems to be a pretty hefty boat, too, fellers?"

"Yes, that's what I thought," Jack answered him.

"And I reckon you noticed that only two men are in the same; that is, a
pair handling the oars; and, if there are any others, they must be lying
flat on their backs in the bottom of the old thing. Which gives me a
smart little idea, Ned."

"Glad to hear you say so, Jimmy; and if you don't mind we'll all listen
to what you've got ailing you," the patrol leader told him.

"Why, it's just like this, you see," continued the other, pleased
beyond words to find himself in the limelight, for that bit of luck did
not come the way of Jimmy often enough to suit him. "There are just two
of the fellers, that's right, and when they step up on deck, where it
slopes near the water-line, why, we'll jump them like a toad hops over a
mushroom. Before they know what's struck 'em, they'll be our prisoners,
see?"

"Yes, but what good will they be to us, Jimmy; you don't lay out to eat
them, I hope?" demanded Teddy, unable to grasp a thing that had not yet
been fully explained.

"Shucks! don't you see--when we've got 'em tied up good and tight, why,
what's to hinder the whole bunch of us stepping into their bully boat,
and go slidin' off as slick as you please, heading for the nearest
vessel at anchor out yonder?"

Jimmy put this question boldly, as though he realized that he had struck
a chord that was bound to evoke the highest praise from his mates. And
he was right, for Ned slapped him heartily on the back, Jack wrung his
hand, while Teddy, who had lost his breath in amazement, at least
managed to stroke his sleeve affectionately.

"A great scheme, I give you my word,