tly from the compass to the horizon.

The boys walked to the gunwale and looked over at the broad expanse of
sea. For some time no one spoke. Each was thinking of the worry and
anxiety that those at home were suffering.

"Say, Hal," said Bert, finally, "what do you make out of this craft? Of
course it is out of the question to think of a pirate in these days, but
there is certainly some mystery about this steamer and her captain."

"Did you notice he said that if he could do so with safety he would put
us ashore? What does that word 'safety' mean? There is no danger from
the elements, he admits. What other danger threatens him if he goes
ashore? There is some mystery here and as we have become a part of it it
is up to us to find out what it is."

"Yes, but how?"

"By keeping our eyes and ears open is all I can suggest now."

"Let's go forward and take a look around."

The boys strolled along the deck that narrowed into a passage about
three feet wide as they reached the forward house, which apparently
contained the petty officers' rooms. In the centre was the door that
opened into the engine-room. Only the upper works of the big engines
were visible. The boys stopped. A man, evidently the engineer, or one of
his assistants, sat on a leather-covered seat facing the levers and
indicators. He looked up for a moment from the paper he was reading, and
nodded to the boys with a smile, and then returned to his reading
without a word.

"Fine morning, sir, after the storm," said Bert.

The man nodded again without raising his eyes from his paper.

"Cheery lot of conversationalists," said Bert, in disgust, as they moved
on.

At the forward end of the house was the galley. As they reached this a
black, woolly head popped out of the open half-door. The negro grinned
widely and quickly drew back his head.

"Good morning, Sambo," said the persistent Bert.

The negro bobbed his head, and grinned still more broadly, but did not
speak a word.

"All lost their tongues," said Bert.

Just forward of the deck house a small hatch stood open. It led to a
narrow iron ladder that ran almost perpendicularly down into the dark
depths below. The boys peered into the blackness without being able to
distinguish anything.

"I am going down," said Harry, after a moment's pause.

He stepped over the edge and placing his foot on the first rung of the
ladder, began to descend with great caution. The others watched him
anxiously unti