ne of the anchor-watch was relating to his companion, and could
just discern the forms of the quartermaster and officer on watch, who
paced the deck in blissful ignorance of the danger that menaced their
vessel. Tom drew his breath more rapidly than usual, as he crawled
noiselessly over the rail and across the deck, and when he crouched at
the head of the ladder and listened to that conversation between the
anchor-watch, which we have already recorded, his heart thumped against
his ribs with a noise that frightened him. But, fortunately for the
captain of the Crusoe band, the students believed him to be miles away
at that moment, and, thinking that the noise that had attracted his
attention was only imaginary, the young tar resumed his story, his
companion settled into a comfortable position to listen, and Tom slipped
down into the galley.

He was now in a dangerous situation. The ladder ran down between the
galley and the forecastle, where slept half a dozen students, and if one
of them should chance to awake while he was there his capture was
certain. Tom thought of this, but if there had been no one within a
hundred miles of him, he could not have gone about his work with more
deliberation. He first looked for the kindling, which he had told Sam he
should find under the stove. It was there, and the wood-box was filled
also. He moved the wood-box under the shelves that supported the dishes,
piled the kindling-wood around it, and then, pulling out his bottle,
threw the coal-oil upon it and upon the shelves and bulkhead. It was
but the work of a moment more to light a match and apply it to the
kindling, and in an instant the wood was in a blaze.

"I think these fellows will find out what sort of a boy I am now,"
chuckled the captain of the Crusoe band, as he made his way up the
ladder. "This is the grandest idea I ever had, and I have carried it
out, too. There'll be nothing left of the Storm King in fifteen
minutes."

"Hallo! Boat--ship--I mean, man ahoy!" came the hail, breaking in upon
his reverie, and scattering all his courage to the winds in an instant.

It was well for Tom that he was close to the rail, for, had he been
discovered a few seconds sooner, his retreat would have been cut off,
and he would have fallen into the hands of the students, who, in their
rage, might have treated him very roughly. Hearing the footsteps of the
watch close behind him, he threw himself headlong over the rail and
landed on his