-day, so I kept my weather eye peeled. He lowered
the dinghy on his own, without sayin' a word to me, and I smelled a
rat, so I kept watch. I didn't want to git you folks scared up, so
when you come out I thought I'd pass it off and wait to see what
their game was. I wouldn't say nothin' to Mr. Locke 'bout it, and
I'll see what's to be done come daylight."

"Do you think they'll make a fight if you don't let 'em aboard?"

"Wouldn't do no good if they did. We can keep 'em off, now that you
and Mr. Locke have guns. They can't live on air. You ought to try
to git some sleep."

"I'll stick it out with you."

"Ain't no use of us two standin' watch all night. You'll be all
beat out to-morrow night, and with things like they are, you won't
git no chance to sleep to-morrow. If they come back, I'll call you
in time to have the weather on 'em."

Jarrow's advice sounded sensible enough. With the crew out in a
boat there was little imminent danger, and Trask felt that it would
be wise to remain aft, for if the crew suspected their game was
known they might attempt to board the schooner from the stern. They
would probably interpret the disappearance of the riding light as
discovery aboard the schooner that they were missed and their
treachery revealed to the heads of the expedition.

So Trask decided to go back to his room, even if he did not sleep,
and being assured by Jarrow that immediately there was any sign of
the boat he would be called, he made his way aft and went to bed
fully dressed except for his shoes.

He had scarcely rolled into his bunk before he heard cautious
footsteps in the cabin, and Doc Bird came scratching at his door.

"I reckon somethin's powerful wrong, Mr. Trask," he whispered.

"You get out of here and go to bed," said Trask. "And don't show a
light for any reason until you have orders to."

"I got to be up early to make flapjack batter fo' yo' all," was
Doc's reply. "I reckon I'll have to have a light in the galley and
the fire goin' right smart long befo' the chickens is crowin' fo'
day."

Trask knew it would do no good to get out of patience with Doc, for
he was incorrigibly persistent and friendly in the face of any
rebuff.

"Don't make any fire or light any lamps until you're told to,"
Trask reiterated. "And for heaven's sake, let me and everybody else
get some sleep. Get some for yourself. Run along."

"Oh, don't yo' fret none fo' me, Mr. Trask. I'm a regular squinch
owl," and he ch