aptain Ponsberry, Grandon, and Larry.

The Russians having the schooner in charge were meek enough. As a matter
of fact the gale had terrorized them, and all had imagined they were
surely going to the bottom of the sea. They did not like it to find
themselves in the hands of the enemy and were astonished when they
learned that the _Pocastra_ had been captured.

"It was a fearful storm," said the Russian officer who was in charge.
"Several times I fancied the masts would all go by the board. I shall
never want another such experience. One man was washed overboard and
several were badly hurt by the wrecking of the forecastle."

"Were any of my former men injured?" asked Captain Ponsberry.

"It was my fellow countryman, Ostag Semmel, who was swept overboard and
drowned," answered the Russian officer.

"Semmel!" ejaculated Larry. He drew a long breath and his hatred of the
man died all in an instant. "Poor chap! That was rough on him!"

"It certainly was rough," answered Captain Ponsberry. "And what of the
others?"

"Both Peterson and Shamhaven were hurt, but not seriously. They are
below resting," was the answer.

It was found that some of the seams of the schooner had opened but that
no alarming quantity of water was running into the well. The Russians
were asked to surrender as prisoners of war and this they did willingly,
and were transferred to the Japanese warship. Then Captain Ponsberry was
asked if he wished to take charge of the _Columbia_ again.

"Will a duck swim!" he cried. "Of course I want to take charge. Hasn't
she always been my ship? And my crew will want to go with me, I know."

"But the wreckage----" began Captain Tonkaka.

"I'll attend to that, sir,--don't you worry. Only give me back my ship,
that's all I ask."

"It shall be as you say, Captain Ponsberry. But when you get to Nagasaki
you will have to settle matters with the Japanese Government. It is, all
told, a rather peculiar case. In one way, she is now a Japanese prize of
war, and in another way she is not."

"I understand, and the courts will have to settle the tangle, sir. I'll
do what is fair, and I know the Richmond Importing Company will do the
same."

"Then you can go aboard of the ship as soon as you please."

"Thank you very much."

Captain Ponsberry had returned to the warship for just this talk, and
now he lost no time in getting back to the _Columbia_, taking with him
all his crew, including Cal Vincent, who was just a