und eat!"

The boys needed no second invitation. They were soon seated about the
little table, where they found great slabs of cheese set out on a plate.
Loaves of hard, black bread were placed upon the table by the steward,
who withdrew to presently reappear bearing a great pot of steaming
coffee. Von Kluck refreshed himself with a glass of his beloved
"schnapps," then fell to heartily upon the bread and cheese, motioning to
the boys to do likewise.

With considerable relish the lads made a good lunch off the bread and
cheese and coffee. Hard and dark, but possessing considerable nutriment,
the bread was not at all unpleasant to the taste. It had been plentifully
seasoned with small seeds, which lent an appetizing flavor.

Shortly after finishing their lunch the boys again gained the deck, to
find the mate actively driving the men in their various duties. The wind
still came out of the northwest with a stinging snap. Ned declared that
he could feel rain approaching.

"Feels to me more like snow!" stated Jimmie, sniffing to windward. "We'll
be getting outside the Friesian Islands soon and then we'll find out
what's coming. We're somewhat protected here."

"How long will it be before we pass into the North Sea, Captain von
Kluck?" asked Ned of the captain, who approached.

"Vhe might make id by morning," stated the captain. "I vish I make a
swift voyage dis time. If Mackinter gets news to England ahead of me,
maybe he makes droubles by das Lena Knobloch."

"So you're carrying all the canvas you dare?" asked Harry.

"Chust now, yes! Maybe vhen vhe come about und head up into der vindt vhe
get oop der tops'ls und put oop uuder vun chib. I reach off a goot vays
und leaf Amsterdam und der vest coast of der Zuider Zee, den I make vun
straight reach und run ouid by Eijerlandsche Gut."

"Then I'm going below to try for a little sleep!" declared Jimmie. "I'm
not needed on deck and this wind is too cold for comfort!"

"I'll go with you and keep you company," volunteered Jack.

"We'll all go," added Harry. "Come on, Ned."

Clinging to hand rails the lads scrambled below. The deck leaned at an
angle that made walking almost impossible. Every plunge sent shivers
through the little vessel. Tons of water broke over the bows and dashed
along the planks to rush hissing through the scuppers.

In the cabin a lamp swung wildly from a beam overhead, throwing weird,
dancing shadows on the bulkheads. Here the noises of the wind