at Mr. Peters went below to get a drink,
as Birch said, and in some way fell overboard. Me and Birch was on the
bridge, and the rest in the port watch are Kanakas."

There ensued a brisk discussion, in the course of which the horrified
boys learned that some time during the night the second mate had
vanished. The ship had been searched, but he was not aboard her, nor had
there been any sign of struggle. Remembering the scene which they had
witnessed between Peters and Birch, Mart immediately suspected the
one-eyed seaman, while Swanson openly announced his belief that the
second officer had met with foul play; but in no long time all such
thoughts were sent flying, when the engine-room crew came up for
questioning.

Two of the Kanaka stokers, both of them simple, frank-faced fellows who
were above all suspicion, stated that they had come up on deck for a
breath of air shortly after six bells and had seen Peters standing by
the stern rail, looking down at the swirling waters as they rose from
the churn of the propeller. Having no business in that part of the ship,
they had gone forward again.

"I think there's no doubt of it," exclaimed the captain at last, even
Swanson nodding gloomily. "Poor Peters must have either committed
suicide, or else he fell overboard. Stand by for another hour, Mr.
Swanson, then put the ship on her course again."

Only then did the boys become aware that the yacht was retracing her
course in the vain effort to pick up her lost second mate. Later on that
morning, when all hope had been given up, Bob and Mart sat in the
wireless house and talked over the matter in sober earnest. As gladly as
they could have suspected Birch, however, they agreed that there was no
foul play involved.

"Your dad's no fool," declared Mart positively. "He sized up everything
pretty square, and Swanson didn't overlook anything either. Joe is sore
at Jerry for something--prob'ly suspects him of being a pirate."

"Well, I wouldn't be surprised myself," asserted Bob. "Poor Liverpool!
He was a fine chap, for all his rough ways. Still, there's no doubt that
Birch was innocent. I shouldn't wonder if Liverpool got moonstruck and
just pitched overboard. I've heard of that happening before, Mart. Look
out--there's old Jerry coming aft now."

Sure enough, Mart looked out to see the slightly stooping figure of the
old quartermaster coming aft to the wireless house. Jerry entered,
ducked his head in silent greeting, and s