into some other craft. The foghorn was blown constantly, and
occasionally came an answering sound from another vessel. Once they ran
close to a three-masted schooner, and then the bell on that ship was
rung with a loud clamor.

"That was a narrow escape," said Dave, after the schooner had drifted
from sight.

Towards night the snowstorm increased in violence. The wind piped
merrily over the deck of the steamer and the boys were glad to remain
inside. They turned in early, since there was nothing else to do.

[Illustration: Once they ran close to a three-masted schooner.--_Page
160._]

Dave could not sleep at first, but presently dropped into a light doze.
When he awoke he sat up with a start. He had heard a strange noise,
but now all was silent. He called to Roger, but received no reply. Then
he called again and got up and lighted the room.

"Roger, where are you?" he repeated, and then looked toward his chum's
berth. To his amazement the berth was made up as if it had never been
occupied, and Roger was gone.

CHAPTER XVIII

IN NORWAY AT LAST

There is no denying the fact that Dave was startled. It was one thing to
have Roger missing, it was quite another to have his chum gone and have
the berth made up as if it had never been occupied.

"He went to bed--I saw him go," muttered the boy from the country to
himself. "Am I dreaming, or what can the matter be?"

The more Dave thought over the affair the more was he puzzled. As
quickly as he could, he put on some of his clothing and slipped on his
shoes. Then he opened the stateroom door and stepped out into the
passageway leading to the main saloon.

There was a dim light burning outside, and nobody appeared to be in
sight. Dave looked up and down the passageway eagerly, and even stepped
to one of the corners. Then he walked to the main saloon, with its big
sofas and easy-chairs, and its grand piano. Not a soul was in sight
anywhere.

"Well, if this isn't the queerest yet," he murmured, and pinched
himself, to make certain that he was not dreaming. He walked to one end
of the saloon and then to the other, and then started for the stairs
leading out on deck.

At that moment there came an extra-heavy gust of wind and the steamer
rocked violently. Dave was thrown on his side and fell headlong over the
end of a sofa. As he went down he heard several cries, one in a voice
that sounded familiar to him.

"That must have been Roger," he told himself. "Wh