at is it?" asked Jack with keen interest.

"I believe it is a warship of some sort!" replied Ned.

"Then they'll capture us and take us to port mighty quick!"

"I guess they'll capture us all right!" put in Frank. "I can see the
sailing vessel making signals. They've got a string of flags flying from
the foretopmast head. I don't know what they mean, but they're calls for
help, or I'll miss my guess! They are something like the U. S. flags!"

Those on board the steamer had evidently seen the string of flags or else
by the peculiar actions of the sailing vessel guessed that something was
wrong, for the boys saw that their course was at once altered. From the
clouds of dense black smoke pouring from the funnels they knew that the
stokers were being urged to their best efforts.

In a short space of time the combined speeds of the two vessels brought
them close together. As the other approached, Harry shut off the power of
the engines, checking them to little more than steerageway.

As the steamer passed the ship Ned could see that some communication had
been made between the two. The steamer came quickly on.

"Pass me up that white flag again, Harry," requested Ned. "I think
they're coming up to speak to us, and I'd just as soon have that handy.
Maybe these fellows might misunderstand our motives, too!"

"I wish now I hadn't painted that 'U-13' quite so plainly on the sides!"
grumbled Jimmie. "I'll bet they've seen that!"

"Of course, they've seen it, but if we show a white flag they won't do
anything to us. They'll let us ask questions!"

In answer to this statement, a shot echoed across the water. A ball
striking the crest of a wave sent a cloud of spray over the "U-13."

CHAPTER XVI

A STRANGE DISCOVERY

"Get down that hatchway!" ordered Ned, wiping the spray from his face.
"Those fellows see the name 'U-13'!"

"Won't they observe the white flag if we put it up?" asked Jack.

"I don't believe they will!" Ned stated. "Better get below!"

As if to emphasize the boy's opinion another report echoed over the space
of water separating the battleship from the new "U-13."

This time the shell had been aimed a trifle too high. It went directly
over the lads on the diminutive deck. Instinctively they all ducked their
heads as the missile screamed wickedly in its useless flight.

If anything was needed to decide the matter, this last offering seemed to
serve the purpose. All three lads hastened down the