bout able to get
around once more.

"Hurrah!" cried Larry, "this seems like home once more, doesn't it?"

"That's what it does," answered Luke. "But there is plenty of work
ahead, I can tell you that, lad."

"I don't care--work will help to pass the time."

When Peterson and Shamhaven saw Captain Ponsberry they did not know what
to say. The loss of their leader, Semmel, had humbled them greatly.

"I'm not going to say much to you, seeing as how both of you are hurt,"
said the master of the _Columbia_, briefly. "But understand, I want no
nonsense from either of you."

"I'll do all I can to assist you, captain," said Shamhaven, humbly. "All
I want is another chance."

"Which you'll not get from me," was the quick rejoinder. "I know you
thoroughly, Shamhaven, and I am done with you. You and Peterson aided
the Russians and you can now consider yourselves under arrest. When we
get into port I'm going to hand you over to the Japanese authorities."

Both of the culprits wanted to argue, but the captain would not listen.
Their hurts were inspected and they were told that they would be allowed
three days in which to recuperate, after which they would have to do
their share of duty.

"I don't like this," growled Shamhaven, after the interview was over.
"Peterson, we are in it deeper than ever."

"Dat is so," was the answer, with a scowl. "Vell, ve not put up mit him,
hey? Maybe, ven we git near shore, we run avay, Shamhaven."

"Yes, if we can get the chance. But I don't know where you are going to
run to--especially if you haven't any money."

"Ve git money."

"From where?"

"I ton't know dot yet, no, but ve git him, yes. Captain Ponsberry must
haf some, and dot Larry Russell, too. Vonce I see Russell mit a money
pelt vot haf some gold in him, yes."

"A money belt with gold? You must be dreaming."

"No, I see him mit mine two eyes. He count der gold. He haf more as
dirty pieces."

"That is worth remembering," answered Shamhaven. And he began to
speculate upon what he could do in Japan if he was free and had a money
belt full of gold.

That Larry had a money belt was true. He had purchased it several years
before, while on shore duty in the Philippines. He was a saving fellow
and found the belt useful in which to place his wages and the money
which he occasionally received from home. Strange as it may seem, the
belt had not been taken away from him by the Russians, and it now
contained nearly three hundred