a Russian sympathizer, he might expose the fact that while we are
carrying a cargo for the Richmond Importing Company the goods are really
meant for the Japanese Government."

"Does he know that?"

"I'm not sure, one way or the other. What I am afraid of is, that he may
know a good bit more nor we suspect."

"I see." The young second mate mused for a moment. "I'll tell you what
I'd do, if I thought he was going to play me foul--and we fell in with a
Russian warship. I'd clap him below decks, out of sight until the
warship went on her way again."

"That's easily said; but I can't make him a prisoner unless I can prove
something against him."

"You can lock him up if he is sulky and won't obey orders."

"Yes, that is true. Still----Phew!"

The captain broke off short, for a vivid streak of lightning flared all
over the upper masts of the ship. The thunder-clap was as sharp as it
was deafening, and for the moment all on board thought the _Columbia_
had surely been struck. Then came a downpour which made even the boldest
of the sailors seek shelter.

"That was closer than I like," was Larry's comment, after it was
ascertained that the ship was unharmed.

"'Most knocked me overboard," came from Luke Striker. "Gosh! reckon my
hair's singed," and he put up his hand and ran his fingers through his
grayish locks. "Don't want another like thet nohow!"

A few minutes later came another flash of lightning, but this was to the
eastward, showing that the center of the storm had passed them. The wind
was apparently going down, but the sea was as angry as ever and would be
for hours to come.

Luke had retired to the forecastle with several other sailors. Larry's
watch on deck was also at an end, and he was just on the point of going
below, when from the west came a curious humming sound which made the
young second mate pause. The humming increased, and then of a sudden the
_Columbia_ was caught in a hurricane blast that threw her far over on
her side.

"Help!" Larry heard, in the voice of Captain Ponsberry. "Somebody help
me, quick, or I'll go overboard!"

CHAPTER III

LARRY LEARNS SOMETHING

The accident which had happened to Captain Nat Ponsberry was certainly a
curious one, although similar to that which once cost the life of a
young officer in our navy.

When the hurricane blast reached the _Columbia_, the captain was in the
act of slipping on a lined raincoat,--a big affair, with long sleeves
and an