ered about, and a plate and a wine glass just under
it, having fallen off during the commotion of the wreck.

There were lockers along the floor under the bed, and along the sides of
the cabin, and in one corner a heavy chest such as seamen often use to
contain their valuables, this being brassbound and padlocked.

There was a small door forward and another aft, but the boys did not
attempt to see what was beyond either of them, being satisfied with what
they saw, and not knowing what dangers they might bring upon themselves by
doing so.

"It's a bit uncanny, Jack," murmured Percival, "having the water so near
to us and not knowing at what moment it may come in upon us. One of those
doors probably leads to the companionway going on deck, and the other to
the cockpit, but I don't think it would be wise to open either."

"No," said Jack, picking up a bit of writing from the floor.

"There may be, and probably is, another door beyond this after one leading
into the cockpit," pursued Percival, "but we don't know if we would let
the water in upon us, and it is just as well to leave it alone for the
present. The other doubtless leads to the companionway, and there may be
another one beyond at the top or perhaps at the bottom. I don't see how
the water has not made its way in here, but----"

"Both doors are of iron," said Jack. "Probably the skipper wanted privacy,
and--do you read Spanish, Dick! You know a number of modern languages,
more or less."

"No, not very well, but what made you ask me?" replied Percival in some
surprise. "What have you got there, Jack?"

"A letter addressed to some official in Mexico, but whether of the
provisional or rebel government I cannot make out."

"H'm! you are always picking up strange letters."

"Yes, it seems so. You are thinking of the one I found in the flying
machine. We never settled whether that was really genuine or not, Dick,
but this seems to be so. As far as I can make out it refers to a shipment
of some sort, arms or gold or--why, Dick, this wreck cannot be so old,
after all. The date of this is only that of last year and late at that."

"Then that knocks the Captain Kidd idea silly!"

"Never mind Captain Kidd. Let us see if we can open this chest. Do you
know, I am a bit nervous about staying down here too long. You said it was
uncanny, and so it is. I'll save these letters," picking up another from
the floor. "Suppose we try the chest, Dick."

"The only reason tha