to the boys, who viewed
every object with keen interest.

A hail from the boatman was answered by a man from the deck of the ship.
He thrust his head over the rail inquiringly.

"Where's your captain?" asked Ned, as the man appeared.

"What do you want of the captain?" asked the man in a surly voice.

"We want to talk with him," replied Ned. "We'll explain to him."

"He's busy now and don't want to be disturbed. Tell me what you want and
I'll give him your message. Maybe he'll see you!"

"We want to arrange passage on your ship to the United States."

"I'll see what he's got to say," replied the man, moving away.

While he was gone the boys examined the vessel closely. Jimmie pronounced
the vessel very much to his liking. He admired the lines and pointed with
pride to the modeling of the stern.

"Hello!" the boy cried excitedly, his arm extended still in the act of
indicating the ship, "there goes our friend Mackinder in a launch!"

"Where?" asked Ned eagerly, turning about in his seat.

"Right astern of us!" replied Jimmie. "I wonder what he was doing aboard
this ship. He seems to be in a hurry to get ashore."

"Maybe he wasn't on this ship at all," was Harry's objection. "He might
have been out on the harbor for a pleasure ride."

"Sure, he's just the chap to take a pleasure ride on the harbor with a
storm brewing! I've got a picture of that chap joy-riding!"

"I hope he doesn't see us," declared Jack. "He might have enough
influence with the captain to prevent our securing passage on this ship."

The conversation was interrupted by the advent of the captain, who looked
over the rail at the little craft riding alongside.

"What do you want?" he inquired in a business-like tone.

"We want to arrange passage on your ship to New York, Captain," stated
Ned respectfully. "We understand you are to sail soon. We are citizens of
the United States homeward bound. Can you help us out?"

"Not this trip!" decided the captain instantly.

"We are able to pay well for our accommodations," continued the boy. "It
is rather important that we get home as quickly as possible."

"Possibly," returned the captain shortly.

Nonplussed, Ned was at a loss to find words with which to urge his
request further. The captain's distant manner gave him no encouragement.

"We'll not be the slightest trouble, Captain," the lad presently
continued. "We understand you'll be loaded in a few days and will sail
for New York direct.