s dressed in blue flannel
vest and trousers and a Tuxedo coat. Notwithstanding his own almost
faultless attire, the captain did not seem to notice the neglige of his
men. He greeted each warmly and in the same sober manner. When they had
all assembled, he rang a bell and the steward promptly responded.

"You may serve dinner," he said. "There are seven at table to-night."

"A fair prospect for a good run to-morrow, captain," said Suarez,
rubbing his hands with the air of one who looked forward with pleasure
to a coming event.

"Sure one never knows what the daylight will show," answered the
captain, with a touch of his brogue. "We may find ourselves in the very
divil of a hornets' nest when the sun shows over the horizon. But Suary,
me boy, we have pulled together out of many a bad hole, haven't we, old
man, and we are ready for another, eh?"

"The captain knows he can count on me when there is any fighting to be
done in the good cause."

"Fighting, eh," whispered Bert to Harry. "What do you suppose these
queer guys are talking about?"

"I think I begin to have a small notion."

"What do you divine, most noble chief?"

"I do not think it would be wise to say until I am surer of my facts."

"And do your suspicions point to some dreadful mystery of the deep?"
whispered Mason, with mock fear, while his mischievous eyes sparkled
with fun.

"Something perhaps a little more serious than we have been mixed up in
before, if I am right."

"Really."

"As serious as powder and bullets can be."

"Powder and bullets," repeated Bert in some alarm. "What do you mean,
Hal?"

"I tell you I cannot speak until I am surer of my ground. You know I
made an expedition into the hold to-day while the hatches were open."

"Yes, but you did not tell us that anything that you saw there was at
all suspicious."

"I do not know that it is, but I can tell you this: instead of carrying
a general cargo of merchandise for trading purposes, as we are supposed
to do, we are loaded to the gunwales with guns and ammunition."

"Well, guns and ammunition are perfectly legitimate articles of
merchandise."

"That all depends upon where and for what purpose they are shipped."

"What do you mean?"

"If two nations are at war and a nation supposed to be friendly to each
should send arms and ammunition to one or the other, it would be a
violation of international law, and would be looked upon as an act of
war on the part of the friendly na