he pole wavered to right and left and to the
front for a time, and the boy waved his hand from the open port.

"Wigwag!" he whispered. "It says: 'Brace up!' That's Jimmie!"

CHAPTER IX.

TWO KEYS TO THE TREATY BOX.

The relief of the boys at the information conveyed by the wigwag signals
from the shore may well be imagined. The night had been a long and
trying one, and they had about abandoned hope when the signals came.

The presence of Ned and Jimmie on the beach meant not only that they
were still safe, but that there was a possibility of rescuing the
_Manhattan_ from the courteous pirate who had seized it. They did not
know exactly how this could be accomplished, but they had every
confidence in Ned's courage and resourcefulness.

The boys knew, however, that what was done must be undertaken at once,
for the Filipinos who had been sent away from the boat the night before
had doubtless communicated with French's friends on the island, and it
was natural that they, the friends, should hasten down to the little bay
soon after sunrise to look over the fortunate capture made by French.

They heard French stirring in his bunk while they were talking over
plans for the rescue, and ceased whispering immediately. They knew that
Ned, probably from the presence of the Filipinos, who were drying
themselves in the scorching sunshine, understood the situation on board.
In fact, they realized that Ned and Jimmie would have come aboard at
once if they had not received an inkling of what was going on by the
change of position.

French arose, yawning, and looked lazily out of a port. He was a
muscular fellow, evidently in first-class condition physically, so it
was useless to attempt to overpower him, regain their weapons, and drive
the Filipinos off the boat. Jack seemed to think that if they could both
get hold of him they might accomplish something, but there were the
guards to reckon with while the fight was in progress.

So they gave up all idea of rescue until Ned should show his hand.
French glanced keenly about the cabin and then went out into the
cockpit, taking a seat on the bridge deck and scanning the shore
critically. The pole which had been used to convey the wigwag signals
was now out of sight.

"Can you boys operate this boat?" he finally asked.

Jack was about to reply in the affirmative but Frank lifted a warning
hand.

"No," the latter said, telling the falsehood brazenly. "Ned is the only
on