You have got to take care and not run into any Russian warship," said
the agent of the company at Manila. "If you do you may have a whole lot
of trouble in explaining matters to the Russian commander's
satisfaction. I see by the reports that the Russians have already held
up several English and South American ships."

"I shall keep a sharp lookout for 'em," was Captain Ponsberry's reply.

"And another thing, Captain," went on the agent, in a lower tone; "you
want to watch your crew."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't like the looks of two or three of them. For all you know they
may be more than willing to expose you--if you fall in with the
Russians. Can you trust your first and second mates?"

"I can! They are as honest as myself."

"Then caution them to keep an eye on the hands. One of those fellows
looks like a Russian to me--the chap with the heavy black beard."

"You mean Semmel. He says he is a Pole and that he hates the Russians."

"Humph! Well, I saw him talking to a lot of Russians night before last.
And when they passed a Jap the whole crowd jeered at the little brown
man."

"Semmel, too?"

"Yes."

"Then I shall watch him," answered Captain Ponsberry, decidedly.

"Do, but don't let him know it. Some of these foreign sailors are ugly
when they find out they are being suspected."

"Trust me to manage him," returned the commander of the _Columbia_; and
there the talk on the subject came to an end.

CHAPTER II

A STORM ON THE PACIFIC

Larry found Captain Ponsberry working over a chart on the cabin table,
laying out the course of the ship. The commander of the _Columbia_ was a
bluff, hearty individual and he and the young second mate thought a
great deal of each other.

"Well, what is it?" asked the captain, looking up quickly.

"I came to report that a storm is coming up from the west," answered
Larry.

"Humph! I was afraid we'd catch it sooner or later. Is it close up yet?"

"It's coming up pretty fast."

Captain Ponsberry said no more, but threw down his parallel rulers and
his pencil. Catching up his cap, he mounted to the deck, and the young
second mate followed at his heels. The captain gave a long look to the
westward and then a gaze around the remainder of the horizon.

"Tell Cal Vincent to call all hands to shorten sail!" he called out to
Larry. "Tell 'em to tumble up quick, too--thet storm ain't none too far
off for comfort!"

Larry passed the word to Cal Vincent, who wa