pon it."

"If that's the case, I don't wonder that some of the people want to be
free."

"Russia is more free to-day than she ever was before, and freedom is
bound to come sooner or later--that is, I mean, not such freedom as we
have in the United States, but such freedom as they have in England and
Germany--where, at least, a man can call his soul his own."

"It's a wonder the Russians will fight for their country, if they are so
ground down."

"They know nothing better, and besides, they are really patriotic. If
the Czar would only treat them a little better, and give them a little
more liberty, they would be the most faithful of subjects. But when a
man can't do at all as he wants to do, and can't open his mouth about it
either, he is apt to grow sullen and ugly."

As day after day went by life on the Russian warship became almost
unendurable for Larry and the others. They suffered greatly for the want
of fresh air, and at last made a vigorous protest to the captain of the
ship, when he happened to be passing the pen. As a result orders were
given that they should be allowed three hours on deck each day, one in
the morning and two after dinner.

"This is a little like," said Larry, when coming on deck for the first
time. "Oh, how good it feels to breathe fresh air once more!" And he
filled his lungs to their fullest capacity.

For their daily exercise Larry and Luke were chained together, and the
pair inspected with great curiosity as much of the warship as was
allowed.

"It's not so very different from some of our own auxiliary cruisers,"
said Larry. "But, after all, I like ours better."

"That's right, lad; stick up fer your own country every trip."

"Well, what do you say, Luke?"

"I say I'd rather be on one of Uncle Sam's ships than on any other in
the world."

While allowed to roam around on deck, Larry often looked eagerly for the
_Columbia_, but the schooner and the Chinese junk were too far off to be
distinguished with the naked eye.

"We'd give a good deal to be back on her deck, wouldn't we, Luke?" said
he.

"Don't mention it, lad; it makes me sick," grumbled the Yankee tar.

"I wish I knew just what was being done on land, don't you? Perhaps this
war will end soon, and then we'll be set free."

"It won't end yet awhile, Larry, mark my words on that," answered Luke.

The old Yankee sailor was right--the war was far from ended, and here it
may be well to note briefly what was taking pla