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+Project Gutenberg's The Boy Pilot of the Lakes, by Frank V. Webster
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Boy Pilot of the Lakes
+       Nat Morton's Perils
+
+Author: Frank V. Webster
+
+Release Date: July 28, 2010 [EBook #33282]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: cover of The Boy Pilot of the Lakes by Frank V.
+Webster]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "SAM FELL INTO THE WATER."--Page 110.]
+
+
+
+
+The Boy Pilot of the Lakes
+
+Or
+
+Nat Morton's Perils
+
+
+BY FRANK V. WEBSTER
+
+AUTHOR OF "ONLY A FARM BOY," "BOB THE CASTAWAY," "TOM THE
+TELEPHONE BOY," "THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE," ETC.
+
+ILLUSTRATED
+
+NEW YORK
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
+PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS
+
+By FRANK V. WEBSTER
+
+12mo. Illustrated. Bound in cloth.
+
+  ONLY A FARM BOY, Or Dan Hardy's Rise in Life
+  TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY, Or The Mystery of a Message
+  THE BOY FROM THE RANCH, Or Roy Bradner's City Experiences
+  THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER, Or Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska
+  BOB THE CASTAWAY, Or The Wreck of the Eagle
+  THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE, Or Herbert Dare's Pluck
+  THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS, Or Who Was Dick Box?
+  THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES, Or Nat Morton's Perils
+  TWO BOY GOLD MINERS, Or Lost in the Mountains
+  JACK THE RUNAWAY, Or On the Road with a Circus
+
+_Cupples & Leon Co., Publishers, New York_
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1909, by
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
+
+THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES
+
+Printed in U. S. A.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+  CHAPTER                                                 PAGE
+  I       NAT SAVES A BOAT                                   1
+  II      A CRY FOR HELP                                    12
+  III     NAT'S BRAVE RESCUE                                18
+  IV      GETTING A JOB                                     26
+  V       NAT IN TROUBLE                                    35
+  VI      AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY                           42
+  VII     NAT HAS AN ACCIDENT                               51
+  VIII    IN THE PILOT HOUSE                                59
+  IX      A NARROW ESCAPE                                   67
+  X       SAM SHAW APPEARS                                  74
+  XI      CAPTAIN MARSHALL IS ANGRY                         81
+  XII     THE INVESTIGATION                                 88
+  XIII    MAKING A CHANGE                                   95
+  XIV     A BLOW AND A RESCUE                              103
+  XV      NAT HEARS SOME NEWS                              113
+  XVI     JUST TOO LATE                                    120
+  XVII    PLANNING A CAPTURE                               127
+  XVIII   NAT'S PLUCKY PILOTING                            135
+  XIX     THE ACCUSATION                                   146
+  XX      OFF AGAIN                                        152
+  XXI     NAT INTERVENES                                   159
+  XXII    AFTER BUMSTEAD                                   166
+  XXIII   BUMSTEAD ESCAPES                                 173
+  XXIV    IN A COLLISION                                   182
+  XXV     BUMSTEAD'S ARREST--CONCLUSION                    192
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+"Sam fell into the water."                      frontispiece
+"He fell to the floor of the hold"                        58
+"The storm enveloped the vessel"                         142
+"Shoot, then!" cried the mate                            180
+
+
+
+
+The Boy Pilot of the Lakes
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+NAT SAVES A BOAT
+
+
+"There's a rowboat adrift!" exclaimed one of a group of men who stood
+on the edge of a large pier at Chicago's water front.
+
+"Yes, and the steamer will sure smash it," added another. "She's
+headed right for it! It's a wonder folks wouldn't learn to tie their
+boats secure. Whose is it?"
+
+"I don't know. It's a good boat, though. Pity to see it knocked into
+kindling wood."
+
+"That's right."
+
+The pilot of the big freight steamer, which was approaching her dock
+after a voyage down Lake Michigan, also saw the drifting boat now,
+and, doubtless thinking some one was in it, he pulled the whistle wire
+sharply. A hoarse blast from the steamer's siren came across the
+water. The signal was one of alarm.
+
+At the sound of it a boy, who had been sitting on a box at the edge of
+the wharf, idly swinging his bare feet to and fro, looked up. He was a
+lad about fifteen years old, with brown eyes and a pleasant face.
+Though clean, his clothes--what few he had on--were very much patched.
+
+"Something's the matter," said the lad. "Something in the path of the
+steamer, I guess," for he had been around the lake front so constantly
+that he was a regular water-rat, and he knew what every whistle signal
+meant.
+
+As the boy glanced out to where the steamer was he saw the rowboat,
+almost in the path of the big vessel, for the pilot of the freighter
+had shifted his wheel to avoid a collision, though changing his course
+meant that he could not make as good a landing as he had expected.
+
+"Why, that rowboat's going to be smashed!" the boy exclaimed,
+repeating the general opinion of the crowd. "The steamer can't get up
+to the bulkhead without grinding it to pieces. There! He's reversing!"
+
+As he spoke there came across the narrow expanse of water the sound of
+bells from the engine-room--bells that indicated, to the practiced ear
+of the lad, the signal for the engineer to back the freight steamer.
+
+"That boat's worth saving," the boy murmured as he jumped off the box
+and went closer to the end of the pier. "I'm going to do it, too.
+Maybe I'll get a reward."
+
+He lost no time in useless thinking, but, throwing off his coat with
+one motion and divesting himself of his trousers by another, he poised
+himself for an instant on the stringpiece of the pier, clad in his
+undergarments.
+
+"Here! What you going to do?" yelled a special officer who was
+detailed on the pier. "Nobody allowed to commit suicide here!"
+
+"Who's going to commit suicide?" demanded the boy. "I'm going after
+that rowboat."
+
+"The steamer'll run you down!"
+
+"Not much! Didn't you hear the reverse signal?"
+
+The officer had, but he did not know as much about boats and their
+signals as did Nat Morton, which was the name of the lad about to leap
+into the lake.
+
+In fact, the big steamer, which had slackened speed on approaching the
+pier, was now slowly backing away. The action of the wind, however,
+and the waves created by the propeller, operated to send the rowboat
+nearer to the large vessel.
+
+With a splash Nat Morton dived into the lake, cleaving the water
+cleanly. When he shot up to the surface a few seconds later he was
+considerably nearer the boat, for he had swum under water as far as he
+could, as it was easier and he could go faster. Few tricks in the
+swimming or diving line were unknown to Nat Morton.
+
+"That's a plucky lad," observed one man to another.
+
+"Indeed he is," was the reply. "Who is he?"
+
+"I don't know much about him, except I see him along the lake and
+river front every time a steamer comes in. What he doesn't know about
+boats and the docks isn't worth knowing. They say he can tell almost
+any of the regular steamers just by their whistles, before they can be
+seen in a fog."
+
+"Well, he's a good diver, anyhow. Guess he'll save that boat, all
+right. It's a nervy thing to do. He ought to get a reward."
+
+"So he had, but I don't suppose he will. Probably some sailor tied his
+boat up while he went ashore, and the knot slipped. He'll never give
+the boy anything."
+
+"Look! He's almost at her now."
+
+"So he is. Say, but he's a swift swimmer. I never saw any one who
+could beat him."
+
+"Me either. There! He's in the boat and he's rowing her out of the
+way."
+
+"That's right, and the crowd on the steamer is cheering him. Guess
+that pilot's mad enough to chew nails. It'll take him ten minutes
+longer to dock now, on account of that rowboat getting in his way."
+
+"Lots of pilots would have run right in, and not cared whether they
+smashed the boat or not," said a third man, joining in the
+conversation.
+
+"So they would, but John Weatherby isn't that kind. He's one of the
+best and most careful pilots on the lake, but he's getting old.
+Perhaps that's what makes him so careful."
+
+"Maybe; but now the steamer's coming in. The boy has the boat out of
+the way. I've got to get my team. I'm expecting a big load this trip."
+
+"So am I," added the other two men, who were teamsters and freight
+handlers. They separated to get ready for the unloading of the cargo,
+which would soon follow the docking of the steamer, that was now
+proceeding again after the delay caused by the drifting boat.
+
+In the meanwhile, Nat Morton had climbed into the small craft, and
+finding a pair of oars under the seats, was propelling it toward a
+float from which it had drifted. He had paid little attention to the
+cheers of the crew of the freighter, who in this way showed their
+appreciation of what he had done. Nat was anxious to find the owner of
+the boat, for he had in mind a possible reward.
+
+As he reached the float he saw a young man hurrying down the inclined
+gangplank that led to the top of the bulkhead. The youth seemed
+excited.
+
+"Here! What are you doing in my boat?" he cried. "Get out of it right
+away! I thought some of you dock-rats would try to steal it if I left
+it alone an hour or so."
+
+"Oh, you did, eh?" asked Nat as he stepped out on the float. "Well,
+you're mistaken. Next time you want to learn how to tie a knot that
+won't slip when you leave your boat, if you don't want it knocked into
+kindling wood by a steamer."
+
+"Tie a knot! Smash the boat! Why--why--you're all wet!" exclaimed the
+other.
+
+"Shouldn't wonder," observed the boy calmly. "The Chicago River isn't
+exactly dry at this time of the year."
+
+He finished tying the boat, making a regular sailor's knot, and then
+started up the gangplank. Clearly he might expect no reward from this
+man.
+
+"Hold on a minute," said the owner of the boat.
+
+"I'm in a hurry," replied Nat, "I want to get my clothes. They're up
+on the pier, and somebody might take a notion to walk off with 'em.
+Not that they're worth an awful lot, but they're all I have. Guess
+you'll have to excuse me."
+
+"Going for your clothes? I don't exactly understand."
+
+"He jumped off the dock and got your boat, which went adrift right in
+the course of that steamer," explained a 'longshoreman who had
+listened to the conversation and who had seen what Nat did. "Plucky
+thing it was, too. If it hadn't been for him you wouldn't have any
+boat now."
+
+"Is that so? I didn't understand. I thought he was trying to steal my
+boat."
+
+"Steal your boat? Say, you don't belong around here, do you?"
+
+"No. My father is the owner of a small steam yacht, and I am taking a
+trip with him. This is the first time I was ever in Chicago. The yacht
+is tied out there, beyond some other vessels, and I took this boat and
+came ashore a while ago to see the sights. When I came back I saw that
+boy in my boat."
+
+"Humph!" murmured the 'longshoreman as he turned away. "You want to
+take a few lessons in tying ropes. That boy did you a good service."
+
+"I see he did, and I'm sorry I spoke the way I did. I'll give him a
+reward."
+
+By this time Nat was up on the pier from which he had jumped. He found
+his clothes, and put them on over his wet undergarments. The day was
+hot, and he knew the latter would soon dry.
+
+Besides, he was used to being wet half the time, as he and other lads
+of his acquaintance frequently dived off the stringpiece and swam
+around in the lake. So when the owner of the rescued rowboat looked
+for the boy he could not see him. But he determined to make up for his
+unintentional rudeness, and so went after Nat.
+
+He found the boy with a number of others crowded about the entrance to
+the freight office.
+
+"May I speak to you a few moments?" asked the young man.
+
+"Guess you'll have to excuse me," replied Nat. "I'm busy."
+
+"What doing?"
+
+"I'm waiting for a job. I may get one helping carry out some light
+freight, and I need the money."
+
+"How much will you get?"
+
+"Oh, if I'm lucky I may make a dollar."
+
+"I'll give you more than that for saving my boat. I want to explain
+that I didn't understand what you had done when I spoke so quickly."
+
+"Oh, that's all right," said Nat good-naturedly. "But if you're going
+to give me a dollar I guess I can afford to quit here," and he stepped
+out of the line, the gap immediately closing up, for there were many
+in search of odd jobs to do about the dock whenever a steamer came in.
+
+"Here are five dollars," went on the young man, producing a bank bill.
+
+"Five dollars!" exclaimed Nat. "Say, mister, it ain't worth all
+that--saving the boat."
+
+"Yes, it is. That craft cost my father quite a sum, and he would have
+blamed me if she had been smashed. I'm much obliged to you. I'm sorry
+I thought you were stealing her, but it looked----"
+
+"Forget it," advised Nat with a smile. "It's all right. I'll save
+boats for you regularly at this price."
+
+"Do you work around the docks--er----"
+
+"My name's Nat Morton," said the lad.
+
+"And mine is John Scanlon," added the other, and he explained how he
+had come to leave his boat at the float. "I don't know that I will
+have any more boats to save, as my father's yacht will soon be leaving
+for Lake Superior. Wouldn't you like a place on her better than your
+regular job?"
+
+"My regular job? I haven't any. I do whatever I can get to do, and
+sometimes it's little enough."
+
+"Where do you live?"
+
+"Back there," replied Nat with a wave of his hand toward the tenement
+district of Chicago.
+
+"What does your father do?"
+
+"I haven't any. He's--he's dead." And Nat's voice broke a little, for
+his loss had been a comparatively recent one.
+
+"I'm sorry--I beg your pardon--I didn't know----"
+
+"Oh, that's all right," said Nat, bravely keeping his feelings under
+control. "Dad's been dead a little over two years now. He and I lived
+pretty good--before that. My mother died when I was a baby. Dad was
+employed on a lumber barge. He had a good job, and I didn't have to
+work when he was alive. But after he was lost overboard in a storm
+one night, that ended all my good times. I've been hustling for myself
+ever since."
+
+"Didn't he have any life insurance, or anything like that?"
+
+"Not that I know of. I remember he said just before he went on--on his
+last trip--he told me if it turned out all right he'd have a nice sum
+in the bank, but I never heard anything about it. They found his body,
+but there was no money in the clothes, nor any bank books."
+
+"That's too bad. How do you get along?"
+
+"Oh, I make out pretty well. I live with a Mr. William Miller and his
+wife. They're poor, but they're good to me. He's a 'longshoreman, and
+he works around the docks. I do, too, whenever there is any work to be
+had, and I manage to make a living, though it isn't very much of a
+one."
+
+"No, I presume not. Perhaps if I speak to my father he might give you
+a position on his boat."
+
+"I'm much obliged to you," replied Nat. "I like boats and the water.
+I'd like to be a pilot."
+
+"I'm afraid dad couldn't give you that job," answered young Mr.
+Scanlon. "We have a good pilot."
+
+"And I don't want to leave the Millers," added the boy. "They've been
+good to me, and I want to pay them back. But isn't that some one
+calling you?"
+
+He pointed to a figure down on the float, where the boat was tied.
+
+"Yes. That's the mate of my father's steam yacht. Probably father sent
+him for me. Well, I'll have to say good-by. I hope I'll see you
+again."
+
+"I hope so, too, especially if you have any more boats you want saved.
+I'm afraid five dollars is too much."
+
+"Not a bit. Take it and welcome."
+
+"It's more than I could earn in a week," went on Nat as he carefully
+folded the bill and placed it in his pocket. "All the same, I think
+I'll try for a job here now. It looks as if they needed lots of hands,
+because the boat is late."
+
+Bidding John Scanlon good-by Nat turned back to the freight office, in
+front of which there was now only a small throng looking for
+employment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A CRY FOR HELP
+
+
+Owing to the time he had spent talking to the young man whose boat he
+saved, Nat lost a chance of getting work in helping to unload the
+steamer. Still he did help to carry some freight to the waiting trucks
+and drays, and for this he received fifty cents. But as he had five
+dollars, he did not mind the small sum paid him by the freight agent.
+
+"You weren't around as early as usual," remarked that official as he
+observed Nat. "You usually make more than this."
+
+"I know it, but I had a job that paid me better," and our hero told
+about the boat incident.
+
+"Another steamer'll be in day after to-morrow," went on the agent.
+"Better be around early."
+
+"I will, thanks."
+
+Then, as there was no further opportunity for work on the pier that
+day, Nat started for the place he called home. It was in a poor
+tenement, in one of the most congested districts of Chicago.
+
+But if there were dirt and squalor all about, Mrs. Miller did her
+best to keep her apartment clean. So though the way up to it was by
+rather dirty stairs, the rooms were neat and comfortable.
+
+"Well, Nat, you're home early, aren't you?" asked the woman, who, with
+her husband, had befriended the orphan lad.
+
+"Yes, Mrs. Miller."
+
+"I suppose you couldn't get any work?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I got some."
+
+"What's the matter, then? Don't you feel well?"
+
+She could not understand any one coming away so early from a place
+where there was work, for work, to the poor, means life itself.
+
+"Oh, I did so well I thought I'd take a vacation," and Nat related the
+incident of the day.
+
+The boy's liking for the water seemed to have been born in him. Soon
+after his mother had died his father placed him in the care of a
+family in an inland city. The child seemed to pine away, and an old
+woman suggested he might want to be near the water, as his father had
+followed all his life a calling that kept him aboard boats. Though he
+did not believe much in that theory, Mr. Morton finally consented to
+place his son to board in Chicago. Nat at once picked up and became a
+strong, healthy lad.
+
+As he grew older his father took him on short trips with him, so Nat
+grew to know and love the Great Lakes, as a sailor learns to know and
+love the ocean.
+
+Soon Nat began asking questions about ships and how they were sailed.
+His father was a good instructor, and between his terms at school Nat
+learned much about navigation in an amateur sort of way.
+
+Best of all he loved to stand in the pilot-house, where he was
+admitted because many navigators knew and liked Mr. Morton. There the
+boy learned something of the mysteries of steering a boat by the
+compass and by the lights on shore. He learned navigating terms, and,
+on one or two occasions, was even allowed to take the spokes of the
+great wheel in his own small hands.
+
+In this way Nat gained a good practical knowledge of boats. Then came
+the sad day when he received the news of the death of his father.
+Though up to that time he had lived in comparative comfort, he now
+found himself very poor.
+
+For though, as he told John Scanlon, his father had said something
+about financial matters being better after the delivery of the big
+load that was on the lumber barge on which he met his death, the boy
+was too young to understand it.
+
+All he knew was that he had to leave his pleasant boarding place and
+go to live with a poor family--the Millers--who took compassion on the
+homeless lad.
+
+Mr. Miller had made an effort to see if Mr. Morton had not left some
+little money, but his investigation resulted in nothing.
+
+For about two years Nat had lived with the Millers, doing what odd
+jobs he could find. His liking for the water kept him near the lake,
+and he had never given up his early ambition to become a pilot some
+day, though that time seemed very far off.
+
+Every chance Nat got he went aboard the steamers that tied up at the
+river wharves. In this way he got to know many captains and officers.
+Some were kind to him and allowed him the run of their ships while at
+dock. Others were surly, and ordered the boy off.
+
+In this way he became quite a familiar figure about the lake front,
+and was more or less known to those who had business there.
+
+When Mr. Miller came home the night of Nat's adventure he
+congratulated the lad on what he had done in the matter of saving the
+rowboat.
+
+"And I got well paid for it," added Nat as he finished his story and
+showed the five-dollar bill. "There, Mrs. Miller, we'll have a good
+dinner Sunday."
+
+"But I can't take your money, Nat," objected the woman.
+
+"Of course you will," he insisted. "That's what it's for. I owe you a
+lot of back board, anyhow. I didn't get hardly any work last week."
+
+"I hope business will be better next week," said Mr. Miller. "I didn't
+earn much myself these last few days."
+
+There was little to do at the pier the next day, and the following day
+quite a severe storm swept over the lake. The boats were late getting
+to the docks, and the longshoremen and freight handlers had to labor
+far into the night.
+
+"I don't believe I'll be able to get home to supper, Nat," said Mr.
+Miller to the lad as they were working near each other on the dock
+late in the afternoon. "Could you spare time to go up and tell my
+wife?"
+
+"Sure. I'm almost done with taking out the light stuff. I'll go in
+about half an hour. Shall I bring you back some lunch?"
+
+"Yes, that would be a good idea, and then I'll not have to stop, and I
+can earn more."
+
+As Nat was about to leave, the freight agent called to him:
+
+"Where you going, Nat?"
+
+"Home to get some supper for Mr. Miller."
+
+"All right. See me when you come back. I have an errand for you, and
+I'll give you a quarter if you do it."
+
+"Sure I will. What is it?"
+
+"I want to send a message and some papers to a firm uptown. It's
+about some freight they're expecting, and the office is keeping open
+late on account of it. Now hurry home and come back, and I'll have the
+message ready for you."
+
+Nat was soon back at the pier, with a lunch for Mr. Miller. Then, with
+the note and papers which the freight agent had ready for him, he
+started off uptown.
+
+As he was on his way back from the errand, he walked slowly along the
+water front. He decided he would call at the pier and see if he could
+help Mr. Miller, so that his benefactor might get through earlier.
+
+Nat reached a wharf some distance away from the one where he had been
+employed during the day. It seemed to be deserted, though there was a
+large vessel tied up on one side of it, and two barges on the other.
+
+"I'd like to be a pilot on that big steamer," thought Nat as he
+contemplated the craft in the glare of an electric light. "That would
+be a fine job. Well, maybe I'll be on one like her some day."
+
+He was about to walk on, when suddenly the stillness of the night was
+broken by a cry. It was a shout, and it seemed to come from near the
+big freight barges.
+
+"Help! help!" cried the voice. "I'm drowning! I'm in the water and I
+can't get out! Help! help!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+NAT'S BRAVE RESCUE
+
+
+"Somebody must have fallen overboard from one of the barges," thought
+Nat, for he could now easily determine that the cry came from the side
+of the dock where the two big freight carriers were tied. "Why doesn't
+some one there help him?"
+
+But though he thus wondered, he did not hesitate over what to do. He
+ran out on the pier, and seeing a gangplank leading to one barge, he
+sprinted up it. The cries continued.
+
+"I'm coming!" the boy shouted. "I'll help you! Where are you?"
+
+"Down between the two barges! I can't get out!" cried a man's voice.
+"Hurry! help!"
+
+The voice ended in a gurgle.
+
+"He's gone down under water!" exclaimed Nat. "Man overboard!" he
+loudly cried, thinking some one on the dock or aboard the vessels
+might hear him and come to help aid in rescuing the imperiled one. But
+there came no answer. The pier seemed to be deserted.
+
+Nat reached the deck of the first barge and rushed across it to the
+farthermost rail. He tried to peer down into the black space between
+the two freight boats, but he could see nothing.
+
+"Where are you?" he called again.
+
+"Here! Right here!" was the answer. "I fell down in between the two
+barges. I got hold of a rope, but it slipped from me a moment ago, and
+I went under. I managed to get hold of it again when I came up, but I
+can't last much longer. Hurry and help me!"
+
+"I will!" exclaimed Nat. "I'm coming down as soon as I can find a rope
+to cling to. There isn't room to swim down there."
+
+"No; that's right. I can hardly move. But I can't hold on much
+longer."
+
+"Don't give up!" yelled Nat. "I'll be right there. Queer there isn't
+some of the crew here," he murmured to himself.
+
+He glanced rapidly about him. There was a lantern burning high up on
+the smokestack of one of the barges, which were of the latest type,
+with big engines to turn the large propellers. It was the work of but
+an instant for Nat to loosen the lantern rope from the cleat and lower
+the light to the deck. Then cutting the rope, as the quickest method
+of detaching it from the stack, he hurried with it to the space
+between the two barges. He lowered the light, and by its gleam saw an
+elderly man clinging to a rope that dangled from the side of the
+barge the boy was on.
+
+"That's good; show a light!" exclaimed the man. "Now you can see what
+to do. But please hurry. My arms are nearly pulled from the sockets."
+
+"I'll have to get a rope that will bear my weight," replied Nat. "Hold
+on a moment more."
+
+He fastened the lantern cord to the rail, so that the light would hang
+down in the space between the two vessels. Then he got a long rope, a
+simple enough matter aboard a vessel. Securing one end to a stanchion,
+Nat threw the other end down between the barges. Then giving the cable
+a yank, to see that it was secure, he went down it hand over hand.
+
+"I'll have you out of here now in short order," he said to the
+half-exhausted man. "Can you pull yourself up by the rope?"
+
+"I'm afraid not. I'm too weak."
+
+This was a problem Nat had not considered. He thought for a moment. He
+was a bright lad, and his life about the docks had made him
+resourceful in emergencies.
+
+"I have it!" he exclaimed. "Hold on just a few seconds more."
+
+Twining his legs about the cable to support himself, Nat with one hand
+made a loop in the rope, using a knot that would not slip. Thus he
+had a support for his feet.
+
+Standing in the loop he quickly made another below it, for the rope
+was plenty long enough.
+
+"There!" he cried to the man. "Work your arms into that and then get
+your head and shoulders through. Put it under your arm-pits, and that
+will support you until I can haul you up."
+
+"Good idea," murmured the man weakly. With one hand he grasped the
+loop which Nat let down to him. He evidently was used to cables, for
+he knew how to handle this one, and in a few seconds he had his head
+and arms through the loop. This supported him so that he was out of
+water up to his waist.
+
+"I'll have you out in another minute," declared Nat as he scrambled up
+the rope hand over hand, until he was once more on the deck of the
+barge. Then he tried to pull the man up by hauling on the rope, but he
+found the task too great for his strength.
+
+"I'll have to get help," he said.
+
+"No, no! Don't leave me!" begged the man. "Just lower me another rope,
+and I can pull myself up."
+
+Nat understood the plan. Quickly running to the other side of the
+barge, he found a long cable. This he fastened as he had done the
+first, and he let the length of it dangle between the two vessels so
+that the man could reach it.
+
+"Pull now!" called the man.
+
+Hauling on the rope about the stranger's shoulders, while the latter
+aided himself in the work of rescue by pulling on the second rope, the
+rescued one was soon on the deck of the barge beside Nat. He was so
+weak that he sank down in a heap as soon as he was over the rail.
+
+"Are you hurt? Can I get you anything? Do you belong aboard this
+barge?" asked the boy.
+
+"No--no, my lad," said the man slowly. "I'll be all right in a few
+minutes. I'm exhausted, that's all. My name is Weatherby----"
+
+"What, John Weatherby, the pilot of the _Jessie Drew_?" asked Nat, who
+knew a number of pilots by their names.
+
+"That's who I am, my lad. You may think it queer that a pilot should
+fall overboard, but I'll tell you how it happened. First, however, let
+me thank you with all my heart for what you did for me. But for you I
+would have been drowned."
+
+"Oh, I guess not."
+
+"Yes, I would. I couldn't have held on much longer, as I'm getting old
+and I'm not as strong as I was."
+
+"Some one else would have come to your aid."
+
+"I don't know about that. There is no one aboard either of the barges.
+I didn't know that, or I shouldn't have come here to-night. That
+vessel over there has gone out of commission, and there is no one
+aboard her. There's a watchman on the pier, but he didn't hear me
+calling for help. You saved my life, and I'll not forget it."
+
+"I am glad I was able to," responded Nat.
+
+"What is your name?" asked the pilot. He seemed to be feeling better.
+
+"I'm Nat Morton."
+
+"Nat Morton! I've heard of you. Why, you're the boy who got the
+rowboat out of the way of the vessel I was bringing in the other day,
+aren't you?"
+
+"I guess I am."
+
+"Well, I've wanted to meet you to thank you for that. Then, before I
+get a chance to do it, you do me another favor. I heard about you from
+a friend of mine--a pilot. He said you were always about the docks."
+
+"Yes, I spend a good deal of my time here. I get occasional jobs, and
+I like the ships."
+
+"So do I, my lad. The lakes are wonderful bodies of water."
+
+"But hadn't you better go home?" suggested Nat. "You're wet, and,
+though it's a warm night, you may take cold. It's going to rain," he
+added, as a flash of lightning came.
+
+"Yes, I will go home if you will help me."
+
+"I will, gladly. Where do you live?"
+
+"I board near here, as it's handy for my business. The _Jessie Drew_
+is to sail day after to-morrow. I came down here to-night to see a
+friend of mine, who is captain of one of these grain barges, the
+second one over there. I didn't know that he and his crew, as well as
+all those on this barge we're on, had gone ashore. I started to cross
+from one barge to the other, and I fell down between them. I called
+and called, but it seemed as if help would never come."
+
+"I'm glad I happened to be passing," replied Nat. "Now, if you feel
+able, we'll go ashore."
+
+"Yes, I'm all right now. I'll go to my boarding place and get some dry
+things. Do you work around here?"
+
+"I help Mr. Miller--he's the man I live with--whenever I can. He's
+working to-night, helping unload a vessel that was delayed by the
+storm."
+
+"Yes, it's blowing quite hard. I didn't notice it so much down between
+those barges, but now I feel quite chilly. So you work on the pier,
+eh?"
+
+"Whenever I can get anything to do. But I'd like to get a job on a
+steamer."
+
+"You would, eh? What kind?"
+
+"Well, I'd like to be a pilot, but I suppose I'd have to work my way
+up. I'd be willing to start at almost anything, if I could get on a
+vessel."
+
+"You would, eh?" said the pilot, and then he seemed to be busily
+thinking.
+
+The two walked down the gangplank and off the pier, meeting no one,
+for the wind, and an occasional dash of rain, made it unpleasant to be
+out, and the watchman was probably snugly sitting in some sheltered
+place.
+
+"This is my boarding place," said Mr. Weatherby at length, as they
+came to a small house on a street leading up from the lake front. "I
+can't properly thank you now, but--I wish you'd come and see me
+to-morrow, when you're not working," he added.
+
+"I'll be glad to call and find out how you are."
+
+"Oh, I'll be all right. Now, be sure to come, I--I may have some good
+news for you." And with that the old pilot went into the house,
+leaving a very much wondering youth on the sidewalk.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+GETTING A JOB
+
+
+"Now, why in the world didn't he tell me what he wanted of me, instead
+of keeping me guessing?" thought Nat, as he made his way back to the
+dock where Mr. Miller was working. "I wonder what it can be? If he
+wanted to thank me he could just as well have done it now as
+to-morrow.
+
+"Maybe he wants to give me a reward," the boy went on musingly. "I
+don't believe I'd take it. Accepting money for rescuing a boat is all
+well enough, but not for saving life. Besides, if I hadn't done it
+somebody else would. No; if he offers me money I don't believe I'll
+take it. Still, I do need some new clothes," and he glanced down at
+the rather ragged garments he was wearing.
+
+"I've been waiting for you some time," Mr. Miller said when Nat got
+back. "I thought you said you wouldn't be gone long on that errand."
+
+"Neither I was."
+
+"What kept you, then?"
+
+"Well, I had to rescue a man."
+
+"Rescue a man? Are you joking?"
+
+"Not a bit of it. I pulled Mr. Weatherby, the pilot, out from between
+two barges." And Nat proceeded to relate his adventure.
+
+"Well, things are certainly coming your way," remarked Mr. Miller.
+"Maybe he'll give you a big reward."
+
+"I'd rather he'd give me a good job," returned Nat. "Maybe he could
+get me a place on some boat. That's what I'd like. I could earn good
+money then."
+
+"I wouldn't like to see you go away from us, Nat. My wife and I have
+become quite attached to you."
+
+"I would not like to go, Mr. Miller, for I have been very happy in
+your home. So I'm not going to think about it."
+
+"Still, I would like to see you prosper in this world," went on the
+man who had befriended Nat. "If you have a chance to get a place on a
+boat, take it. You may be able to come and see us once in a while,
+between trips."
+
+"I will always consider my home at your house."
+
+"I hope you will, Nat."
+
+"Still, nothing may happen," went on the boy. "Did you get the ship
+all unloaded?"
+
+"Yes, the holds are emptied, and I have a job to-morrow helping load
+her. I guess you could get something to do if you came down."
+
+"Then I shall."
+
+"But I thought you were going to call on Mr. Weatherby?"
+
+"I am, but he told me to come when I was not working. He is going to
+be home all day."
+
+"That will be all right, then. Now let's hurry home. I think it's
+going to rain harder soon, and my wife will probably be worrying about
+me."
+
+The storm, which had been a fitful one all day and part of the night,
+showed signs of becoming worse. The wind was more violent, and when
+Mr. Miller and Nat were nearly home it began to rain in torrents.
+
+The rain continued all the next day, but as the wharf where Mr. Miller
+and Nat worked was a covered one, they did not mind the storm. At
+noon-time the boy found a chance to go to the boarding-house of Mr.
+Weatherby.
+
+"Well, here comes my life-saver!" greeted the old pilot. "How are you
+feeling to-day?"
+
+"Very well, sir. How are you?"
+
+"Not so good as I might be. I'm lame and stiff from pulling on that
+rope, but I think I'll be able to sail to-morrow. I believe you told
+me last night that you would like a job on a ship," the pilot went on.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Nat, his heart beating high with hope.
+
+"Hum! Well, what kind of a job would you like--pilot or captain?"
+
+"I think I'd rather begin a little lower down," replied Nat with a
+smile, for he saw that Mr. Weatherby was joking.
+
+"Perhaps that would be best. Well, as it happens, I have a chance to
+get a young lad a position on the steamer of which I am pilot. You
+see, I have a steady job piloting. My vessel, the _Jessie Drew_, makes
+trips all over the lakes, and Captain Wilson Marshall, who is a part
+owner, is not so familiar with all the harbors and the various routes
+as I am. So he engages me steadily. In fact, he and I are old friends,
+as well as distantly related; so I have a somewhat different position
+than do most pilots."
+
+"And can you get me a job on a boat--your boat?" asked Nat eagerly.
+
+"I think I can. I may say I am sure I can. The captain asked me
+yesterday to look out for a bright youth to help with the cargo,
+assist the purser, and be a sort of cabin assistant. I had no one in
+mind then, but after our meeting last night, when you were of such
+service to me, and I heard you say you wanted a job, I at once thought
+of this place. I saw the captain this morning, and he has practically
+engaged you--that is, if you want the berth, and he is satisfied with
+you when he sees you. The last item I know will be all right. And now
+it is for you to say whether you want the place."
+
+"Want it? Of course I want it! I can't tell you how much obliged I am
+to you for this! I----"
+
+"Now--now--don't get excited over it," cautioned Mr. Weatherby. "If
+you're going to be a pilot you must learn to keep cool. Shall I tell
+Captain Marshall you'll take the place?"
+
+"Yes, and be glad to."
+
+"Not quite so fast. Why don't you ask me what the wages are, and how
+long you'll have to work?"
+
+"That's so. I didn't think of that. But I don't mind how long I have
+to work. It can't be much longer than I have to work now, and I get
+very little for it."
+
+"Then I guess you will be satisfied with the hours and the wages paid
+aboard the _Jessie Drew_. When can you come?"
+
+"Any time. I am not regularly hired at the dock."
+
+"Then perhaps you had better stop now, go home and get ready. We will
+sail early to-morrow. Bring along a change of clothes, for it often
+happens you'll get wet through in a storm, or when the lake is rough."
+
+"I'm afraid I can't do that," said Nat slowly, as a change came over
+his face.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Well--er--that is--you see, I haven't any other clothes. These are
+all I've got. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are very poor. Her husband doesn't
+earn much, and I don't, either. It takes all we both get to buy food
+and pay the rent. I don't have any left for clothes. They're not good
+enough to go on board the boat with. I'm afraid I can't take the job."
+
+"There is no use denying that the clothes might be better," admitted
+Mr. Weatherby gravely. "Not that I care anything about what garments a
+man or boy wears, so long as they are clean, and yours are that.
+Still, I think it would make a better impression on Captain Marshall
+if you were to have a newer suit. I'll tell you what I'll do. Here,
+you take this money and go and get yourself a good suit and some
+underwear, and whatever else you need."
+
+"I can't take your money--I haven't earned it," objected Nat, who was
+quite independent.
+
+"Nonsense, boy. Take it as a loan, then, to be paid back whenever you
+feel like it. It's a pity if I can't do a good turn to the lad who
+pulled me up from between those vessels. You will offend me if you
+don't take it. Besides, I want you to have this job. I may need you to
+save my life again, and, to be frank with you, I shouldn't like
+Captain Marshall to see the boy I recommended in such clothes,
+though, as I said, personally I don't care a rap about them."
+
+"All right," replied Nat quietly. "If you put it that way I'll borrow
+this money."
+
+"That's the way to talk. Now you'd better go, buy what you need, and
+then come back to me this evening," went on Mr. Weatherby, handing Nat
+some bankbills. "I will then take you down to the ship and introduce
+you to Captain Marshall. You'll probably stay aboard all night, so you
+had better tell your friends good-by."
+
+"Where is the ship going to?"
+
+"I don't know exactly. We'll probably call at several lake ports to
+unload or take on cargo. Now you'd better go, and be back here about
+seven o'clock."
+
+Nat hurried back to the wharf to tell Mr. Miller the good news. His
+friend rejoiced with him, though he was sorry to see the boy leave.
+When Nat reached the tenement and told Mrs. Miller, that lady cried a
+little, for she had grown to love the boy almost as a son. She went
+out shopping with him, and in a few hours Nat was ready to step aboard
+the _Jessie Drew_ and take a long voyage.
+
+It was not easy to part from his kind friends, but he was consoled by
+the thought that he would soon see them again.
+
+At the appointed hour he was at Mr. Weatherby's boarding-house, and a
+little later the two were going aboard the big lake steamer.
+
+"Ah, Mr. Weatherby!" exclaimed a man as Nat and the pilot stepped on
+the deck, "you're aboard early, I see."
+
+"Yes; I didn't want to get left. Mr. Bumstead, let me introduce a
+friend of mine to you. He did me a great service. This is Nat Morton.
+Nat, this is Mr. Bumstead, the first mate."
+
+Nat shook hands with the mate. That official was not a very kindly
+looking person. He had red hair, and he seemed surly, even when he
+smiled, which was not often.
+
+"Is he going to take a voyage with you?" asked the mate of the pilot.
+
+"Yes. He's going to help out in the purser's office. I got him the
+job."
+
+"You did!" exclaimed the mate.
+
+"Yes. What of it? You seem quite surprised, Mr. Bumstead. I
+recommended Nat for the place because he saved my life."
+
+"Has Captain Marshall given him the place?" asked the mate in a surly
+tone.
+
+"Yes. Why?"
+
+"Because I had recommended my nephew for the place, and he would have
+got it, too, if you hadn't interfered. I'm going to see the captain
+about it later. It's not fair, giving a landlubber a good job aboard
+this ship. I'll have him put ashore. I told my nephew he could have
+the job, and he's going to get it!"
+
+With that the mate strode off, muttering to himself.
+
+"I'm sorry about that," said Mr. Weatherby in a low voice. "I didn't
+know he had any one for the place. Nat, I'm afraid he'll make trouble
+for you. You'll have to be on your guard, but I'll do all I can for
+you."
+
+"I guess I can look out for myself," replied the boy. "I haven't lived
+around the docks all my life for nothing."
+
+But Nat did not know the perils that were in store for him, nor to
+what lengths the vindictive mate would go to be revenged.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+NAT IN TROUBLE
+
+
+Captain Marshall proved to be a kind man, but rather strict in his
+views. The pilot introduced Nat to him, and the commander of the
+_Jessie Drew_ gravely shook hands with the lad.
+
+"I have heard about you," he said, and Nat began to think he was
+getting to be a person of some importance. "I saw what you did the day
+that drifting rowboat got in our way, though, at the time, I didn't
+know it was you. Mr. Weatherby has told me what you did for him, and I
+must congratulate you on your quickness and wit in an emergency. That
+is what we need on a vessel.
+
+"The purser will tell you what to do. You must remember one thing
+aboard a ship, especially when we're out on the lake; the thing to do
+is to obey orders at once, and ask the reason for them afterward. I
+expect you to do that. If you do you'll not get into trouble. I shall
+have a friendly eye on you, and I trust you will do as well as the
+pilot thinks you will. Now you may report to the purser, who really
+is more of a supercargo than he is a purser. He'll find plenty for you
+to do."
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Nat, wondering just what his duties would be. He
+knew where to find the man who was to be his immediate superior, for
+on the way to the captain's cabin Mr. Weatherby had pointed out to Nat
+where the purser's office was.
+
+"Oh, yes; you're the new boy," said the purser, whose name was George
+Dunn. "Well, come into my office, and I'll show you part of what
+you'll have to do during the voyage."
+
+It was fortunate that Nat knew something about ships and the terms
+used aboard them, or he would have been sadly confused by what Mr.
+Dunn told him. As it was, much that he heard he did not comprehend. He
+found that part of his duties were to make out lists of the freight,
+enter the shipments on bills, put them in various books, check up
+manifests and way-bills, and help the purser verify the freight as it
+was taken on or put off.
+
+Luckily Nat had had a fair education before his father died, and he
+could write a good hand and read excellently. He was not very accurate
+at figures, but he was bright and quick to learn.
+
+"I guess that will do for to-night," said Mr. Dunn when it came nine
+o'clock. "I had most of the stuff checked up before you came aboard,
+or there'd have been more to do. However, we'll manage to keep you
+busy in the morning."
+
+"I wonder if I'll ever get a chance to learn to be a pilot?" said Nat,
+for the purser seemed so friendly that he ventured to speak to him of
+that pet ambition.
+
+"I shouldn't wonder. We're not very busy once we get loaded up, and
+often when sailing between ports a long distance apart there is little
+to do for days at a time. If you want to learn navigation, and Mr.
+Weatherby will teach you, I don't see why you can't do it."
+
+"I hope I can."
+
+"Come on, and I'll show you where you'll bunk," went on Mr. Dunn. "You
+want to turn out lively at six bells in the morning."
+
+"That's seven o'clock," observed Nat.
+
+"Right you are, my hearty. I see you know a little something about a
+ship. That's good. Oh, I guess you'll get along all right."
+
+It seemed to Nat that he had not been asleep at all when six strokes
+on a bell, given in the way that sailors ring the time, with short,
+double blows, awoke him. He dressed hurriedly, had his breakfast with
+the others of the crew, and then did what he could to help the purser,
+who had to check up some boxes that arrived at the last minute, just
+before the ship sailed.
+
+A little later, amid what seemed a confusion of orders, the _Jessie
+Drew_ moved away down the river, and Nat was taking his first voyage
+on Lake Michigan as a hand on a ship--a position he had long desired
+to fill, but which hitherto had seemed beyond his wildest dreams.
+
+"How do you like it?" asked Mr. Weatherby, a little later, as he
+passed the boy on his way to the pilot-house.
+
+"Fine."
+
+"I'm glad of it. Attend strictly to business, and you'll get along.
+I'll keep you in mind, and whenever I get a chance I'll take you into
+the pilot-house, and begin to instruct you in the method of steering a
+ship."
+
+"I'll be ever so much obliged to you if you will."
+
+"Why, that's nothing, after what you did for me," replied Mr.
+Weatherby, with a kind smile at Nat.
+
+As sailing on large vessels was not much of a novelty to Nat, except
+of late years, since his father's death, he did not linger long on
+deck, watching the various sights as the freighter plowed her way out
+on Lake Michigan. He went to the purser's office, to see if there was
+anything that needed to be done. He had temporarily forgotten about
+the mate's threat to have him discharged.
+
+As Nat drew near the place, he heard voices in dispute, and, when he
+entered, he was surprised to see the first mate, Mr. Bumstead,
+standing at the purser's desk, shaking his fist in the air.
+
+"I tell you those boxes are not aboard!" exclaimed the mate.
+
+"And I say they are," replied the purser firmly. "They are down on my
+list as being taken on this morning, and--er--what's his name--that
+new boy--Nat--Nat Morton checked them off. You can see for yourself."
+
+"Oh, he checked 'em off, did he?" asked the mate, in altered tones.
+"Now I begin to see where the trouble is. We'll ask him----?"
+
+"Here he is now," interrupted Mr. Dunn, as Nat entered. "Did you check
+up these boxes?" he asked, and he handed a part of the cargo list to
+Nat.
+
+"Yes, sir. They were the last things that came aboard this morning."
+
+"I told you so!" exclaimed Mr. Dunn, turning to the mate.
+
+"Wait a minute," went on that officer. "He says he checked 'em off,
+but I don't believe he did. If he did, where are they? They can't have
+fallen overboard, and I didn't eat 'em, I'm sure of that."
+
+"I checked those boxes off as you called them to me, Mr. Bumstead,"
+replied Nat. "You stood near the forward cargo hold, and the boxes
+were stowed away there. I was careful in putting them down on my
+list."
+
+"Yes! Too careful, I guess!" exclaimed the mate angrily. "You've got
+down ten more boxes than came aboard. That's a nice mess to make of
+it! But I knew how it would be if the captain took a greenhorn aboard!
+Why didn't he get some one who knew how to check a cargo?"
+
+"I know how to check a cargo," replied Nat quietly.
+
+"I say you don't! There are ten boxes missing, and you've got to find
+them, that's all there is about it!"
+
+"Everything down on my list came aboard," insisted Nat.
+
+"Well, those ten boxes didn't, and I know it. You made a mistake,
+that's what you did, or else you let the boxes fall overboard, and
+you're afraid to admit it."
+
+"No boxes fell overboard when I was checking up, Mr. Bumstead."
+
+"Well, where are those ten missing ones then?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Of course you don't. And no one else does. You made a mistake, that's
+all, and it's going to be a bad one. It puts me to a lot of work. I'll
+have to check over all my lists to make up for your blunder."
+
+"I made no blunder."
+
+"I say you did, and I'm going to report you to Captain Marshall. I'm
+not going to work with a greenhorn, who don't know enough to check up
+a simple list. I'll report you, that's what I'll do, and we'll see
+how long you'll have a berth on this ship!"
+
+Angrily muttering to himself, the mate started for the captain's
+cabin, while poor Nat, much distressed over the trouble into which he
+had gotten, stood dejectedly in the purser's office.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY
+
+
+"Don't let him worry you," said Mr. Dunn consolingly. "He's a surly
+fellow, and he's always interfering in my department."
+
+"But the captain may discharge me," replied Nat. "Still, I am sure
+those boxes came aboard. I counted them carefully and I don't believe
+I would be ten out of the way."
+
+"Of course not. Probably the mate stowed them in some other place and
+he's forgotten all about it. They'll turn up."
+
+"I hope so, for I would not like to make a mistake the first day out."
+
+At that moment a deckhand came up to where Nat stood talking to the
+purser.
+
+"Captain wants to see you," he said to the boy.
+
+"Don't get excited now," advised Mr. Dunn. "Here, take our checking
+list with you and tell the captain exactly how it happened. If you are
+sure the boxes came aboard say so--and stick to it."
+
+"I will," answered Nat, and, with rather an uneasy feeling, he went
+aft to where the captain's cabin was located.
+
+He found the mate there, looking quite excited, while Captain Marshall
+was far from calm. Evidently there had been high words between the
+men.
+
+"What is this, Nat?" asked the captain. "The mate says he is short ten
+boxes. You have them on your list as coming aboard, but they are not
+to be found. You know that will make trouble, to have anything wrong
+with the cargo."
+
+"I'm sure nothing is wrong," replied Nat. "I went over my list
+carefully, and I am positive the boxes are on board."
+
+"And I say they're not," insisted the mate. "I guess I've been in this
+business long enough to know more than a green lad who has only been
+here a day."
+
+"You want to be careful, Nat," went on Captain Marshall. "I have
+always depended on Mr. Bumstead in regard to matters connected with
+the stowing of the cargo."
+
+"I am sure those boxes are aboard, sir," went on Nat firmly. "If you
+will allow me to take a look I think I can find them."
+
+"What! Go through all the cargo after it's stowed away!" exclaimed the
+angry mate. "I guess not much! I'll not allow it!"
+
+The door of the cabin opened and there entered the pilot, Mr.
+Weatherby. He started back on seeing the mate and Nat.
+
+"Oh, excuse me," he said. "I didn't know you had any one in here,
+Captain Marshall."
+
+"That's all right, come right in," replied the commander. "There's a
+little difficulty between Nat and Mr. Bumstead, and I'm trying to
+straighten it out."
+
+He related what had taken place, and told of the missing boxes.
+
+"And there you are," he finished. "It seems to be quite a mix-up, and
+I'm sorry, for I like to keep my cargo and the records of it
+straight."
+
+"Hum," murmured the pilot. "Mr. Bumstead says the boxes are not here,
+and Nat says they came aboard, eh? Well, I should think the easiest
+way would be to look and see if they are here or not."
+
+"That's what I proposed," exclaimed Nat eagerly.
+
+"Yes! I guess I'll have you disturbing the whole cargo to look for ten
+small boxes!" exclaimed the mate. "Not much I won't! I'm right, and I
+know it!"
+
+"No, I think Nat is right," said Mr. Weatherby quietly.
+
+"Do you mean to tell me I made a mistake?" inquired Mr. Bumstead.
+
+"I don't know whether you did or not. But I know Nat's plan is the
+only one that can decide the matter. If the boxes came aboard the
+last thing, they can't be very far down among the rest of the cargo.
+It will not take long to look. What do you say, captain?"
+
+Captain Marshall was in a sort of quandary. The mate was his chief
+officer, and he wanted to be on his side because Mr. Bumstead owned
+some shares in the ship, and also because Mr. Bumstead relieved the
+commander of a lot of work that, otherwise, would have fallen to the
+share of the captain. On the other hand Mr. Marshall did not want to
+offend the pilot. In addition to being a relative of his, Mr.
+Weatherby was one of the stockholders in the company which owned the
+steamer _Jessie Drew_, and, as the captain was an employee of this
+company, he did not want to oppose one of the officers of it.
+
+"I suppose that's the only way out of it," the captain finally said,
+though with no very good grace. "Only the whole cargo must not be
+upset looking for those boxes."
+
+"I'll be careful," promised Nat. "I think I know where they were
+stowed."
+
+"Um! You think you do, but you'll soon find you're much mistaken!"
+said the mate scornfully.
+
+"I'll give you a hand," said the pilot. "Mr. Simmon, my helper, is in
+the pilot-house," he went on, in answer to a questioning glance from
+Captain Marshall. "The ship is on a straight course now, and we'll
+hold it for an hour or two. Now, Nat, come on, and we'll see if we
+can't solve this puzzle."
+
+It did not take long to demonstrate that Nat was right, and the mate
+wrong. The ten boxes were found in the afterhold, where they had been
+put by mistake, which accounted for the mate not being able to find
+them.
+
+"What have you to say now?" asked the pilot of Mr. Bumstead, when the
+search was so successfully ended.
+
+"What have I to say? Nothing, except that I think you did a mean thing
+when you got this boy in here, and kept my nephew out of the place,
+which he needs so much. But I'll get even with him yet for coming
+here." It appeared the mate's protest to Captain Marshall, about
+employing Nat, had been of no effect.
+
+"I guess Nat needed a place to work as much as did your nephew,"
+replied Mr. Weatherby, when his _protege_ had gone back to the
+purser's cabin. "His father is dead, and you ought to be glad that the
+orphan son of an old lake sailor has a chance to earn his living,
+instead of making it hard for him."
+
+"Was his father a lake sailor?" asked the mate quickly.
+
+"Yes. Nat's father was James Morton, who was employed on a lumber
+barge."
+
+"James Morton! On a lumber barge!" exclaimed the mate, turning pale.
+"Are you sure of that?"
+
+"Certainly. But what of it? Did you know Mr. Morton?"
+
+"Jim Morton," murmured the mate. "I might have recognized the name. So
+his son is aboard this vessel! I must do something, or----"
+
+"What was that you said?" asked the pilot, who had not caught the
+mate's words.
+
+"Nothing--I--er--I thought I used to know his father--but--but it must
+be another man."
+
+The mate was clearly very much excited over something.
+
+"Now look here!" exclaimed Mr. Weatherby sternly. "Nat is not to blame
+for coming here. I got him the place, and I'll look out for him, too.
+If you try any of your tricks I'll take a hand in the game myself.
+Now, I've given you your course, and I want you to keep on it. If you
+run afoul of me you'll be sorry for it."
+
+The mate turned aside, muttering to himself, but the pilot thought it
+was because he had made a mistake about the boxes.
+
+"Look out for him, Nat," said Mr. Weatherby, a little later, after the
+pilot had reported to the captain the result of the search for the
+missing boxes. "He seems to have some grudge against you, and he'll do
+you an injury if he can."
+
+"I believe that," replied Nat, "though I can't see why he should. I
+never injured him, and it was not my fault that I got the place he
+wanted for his nephew."
+
+"No, of course not. But keep your weather eye open."
+
+"I will."
+
+Captain Marshall showed no very great pleasure at finding that Nat was
+in the right. The truth was he feared the mate would be chagrined over
+the mistake he himself had made, and Captain Marshall was the least
+bit afraid of Mr. Bumstead, for the commander knew the mate was aware
+of certain shortcomings in regard to the management of the vessel, and
+he feared his chief officer might disclose them.
+
+"You want to be careful of your lists," the commander said to Nat.
+"You were right this time, but next time you might be wrong."
+
+Nat's pleasure at finding he had not made a mistake was a little
+dampened by the cool way in which the captain took it, but Mr.
+Weatherby told him not to mind, but to do his work as well as he
+could, and he would get along all right.
+
+For two or three days after that the voyage proceeded quietly. On the
+third day the ship stopped at a small city, where part of the cargo
+was discharged. Nat and the purser were kept busy checking off, and
+verifying cargo lists, and, when the _Jessie Drew_ was ready to
+proceed, Nat took to the mate a duplicate list of what cargo had been
+discharged.
+
+"Sure this is right?" asked Mr. Bumstead surlily.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Nat, more pleasantly than he felt.
+
+"Don't be too sure, young man. I'll catch you in a mistake yet, and
+when I do--well, look out--that's all."
+
+He tossed the list on his desk, and, as he did so, some papers slipped
+to the floor of his office. He stooped to pick them up, and something
+dropped from his pocket.
+
+It was a flat leather book, such as is used by some men in which to
+carry their money or papers. Nat idly glanced at it as the mate
+restored it to his pocket. Then the boy caught sight of something that
+made his heart beat quickly.
+
+For printed in gold letters on the outside of the wallet was a name,
+and the name was that of his dead father, James Morton!
+
+"That pocketbook! Where did you get it?" he eagerly asked of the mate.
+
+"Pocketbook? What pocketbook?"
+
+"The one that dropped from your pocket just now."
+
+"That? Why, that's mine. I've had it a good while."
+
+"But it has my father's name on it! I saw it. It is just like one he
+used to carry. He always had it with him. Let me see it. Perhaps it
+has some of his papers in it!"
+
+Nat was excited. He reached out his hand, as if to take the wallet.
+
+"You must be dreaming," exclaimed the mate, and Nat noticed that his
+hands trembled. "That is my pocketbook. It has no name on it."
+
+"But I saw it," insisted Nat.
+
+"I tell you it hasn't! Are you always going to dispute with me? Now
+get out of here, I want to do my work," and the mate fairly thrust Nat
+out of the room, and locked the door.
+
+"I'm sure that was my father's pocketbook," murmured the boy, as he
+walked slowly along the deck. "How did the mate get it? I wonder if he
+knew my father? There is something queer about this. I must tell Mr.
+Weatherby."
+
+Nat would have thought there was something exceedingly queer about it,
+if he could have seen what the mate was doing just then. For Mr.
+Bumstead had taken the wallet from his pocket, and, with his knife, he
+was carefully scraping away the gold letters that spelled the name of
+James Morton--Nat's father.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+NAT HAS AN ACCIDENT
+
+
+Nat vainly tried to recall some of the circumstances connected with
+his father's death, that would give him a clue to the reason why the
+mate had Mr. Morton's pocketbook. But the trouble was Nat could
+remember very little. The sad news had stunned him so that he was in a
+sort of dream for a long time afterward.
+
+The body had been recovered, after several days, but there was nothing
+in the pockets of the clothes, as far as Nat knew, to indicate that
+Mr. Morton had left any money, or anything that represented it. Yet
+Nat knew his father was a careful and saving man, who had good
+abilities for business.
+
+"If I wasn't sure it was his pocketbook, I would say that there might
+be plenty of such wallets, with the name James Morton on them,"
+thought Nat. "The name is not an uncommon one, but I can't be mistaken
+in thinking that was poor dad's wallet. How the mate got it is a
+mystery, unless he took it from my father. Or, perhaps dad gave it to
+him, yet I don't believe he would do that either, for he once told me
+the wallet was a present from mother, and I know he would not part
+with it. I must consult with Mr. Weatherby."
+
+Nat did not get a chance to speak to the pilot about the matter until
+the next day. Mr. Weatherby looked grave when he heard our hero's
+story.
+
+"Are you sure you weren't mistaken?" he asked.
+
+"Positive," was Nat's answer. "I knew that wallet too well."
+
+"Then I'll make some inquiries. Suppose you come with me."
+
+Nat and the pilot found the mate in his office, looking over some
+papers.
+
+"Nat thinks you have something that belonged to his father," said Mr.
+Weatherby, pleasantly.
+
+"He does, eh?" snapped the mate. "Well, he's mistaken, that's all I've
+got to say. Now I wish you'd get out of here. I'm busy."
+
+"But it won't do any harm to make some inquiries," went on the pilot.
+"Do you mind showing me the pocketbook?"
+
+"There it is!" said Mr. Bumstead suddenly, pulling the wallet in
+question from his pocket. "He said it had his father's name on? Well,
+it hasn't, you can see for yourself," and he quickly turned the
+pocketbook from side to side, to show that there were no letters on
+it. Then, without giving Mr. Weatherby a chance to look at it
+closely, he thrust it back into his pocket.
+
+"Are you satisfied?" he demanded. Nat hesitated.
+
+"I--I suppose so," answered the pilot. "There is no name on that. Nat
+must have been mistaken."
+
+"I told him he was dreaming," answered the mate, with a leer. "Now
+don't bother me again."
+
+"Are you sure you saw the name on that pocketbook?" asked Mr.
+Weatherby of Nat when they were out on the main deck.
+
+"Positive."
+
+"Perhaps it was some other wallet."
+
+"No, it's the same one. I can tell because there's a dark spot on one
+corner, where it got some oil on once, dad told me."
+
+"But his name is not on it," remarked the pilot. "I had a good enough
+look at it to determine that."
+
+"I can't account for it," went on Nat, more puzzled than ever. He knew
+he had seen the name, yet now, when he had another sight of the
+wallet, it had disappeared. And no wonder, for the mate had done his
+work well, and had so smoothed down the leather, where he had scraped
+off the letters, that it needed a close inspection to disclose it.
+This close inspection Mr. Bumstead was determined neither Nat nor the
+pilot should make.
+
+Though he said nothing to Nat about it, Mr. Weatherby had some
+suspicions concerning the mate. For a long time he had distrusted the
+man, but this was because of certain things that had occurred aboard
+the _Jessie Drew_. Now there was something else. Mr. Weatherby
+questioned Nat closely as to the incidents connected with Mr. Morton's
+death. When he had learned all he could he remained a few moments in
+deep thought. Then he said:
+
+"Well, Nat, don't think any more about it. It is very possible you
+were mistaken about the pocketbook. That form of wallet is not
+uncommon, and of course there are lots of men with the same name your
+father had. Why the mate should have a pocketbook, with some other
+name on it than his own, I can't explain. But we'll let matters lie
+quietly for a while. If you see or hear anything more out of the
+ordinary, let me know."
+
+"I will," promised Nat; and then he had to go to do some work in the
+captain's office.
+
+"I think you will bear watching, Mr. Bumstead," murmured the pilot, as
+he went back to take the wheel. "I don't like your ways, and I'm going
+to keep my eye on you."
+
+On his part the mate, after the visit of Nat and Mr. Weatherby, was in
+a somewhat anxious mood.
+
+"I wish that boy had never come aboard," he mused. "I might have known
+he would make trouble. I must be more careful. If I had only been a
+few hours sooner my nephew would have had the place, and I would not
+have to worry. Never mind. I may be able to get him here yet, but I
+must first get Nat out of the way. He is too suspicious, and that
+sneaking pilot is helping him. Still, they know nothing of the case,
+nor how I got the wallet, and I'll not give it up without a fight. I
+must hide that pocketbook, though. Lucky I got the name off, or I'd be
+in a pretty pickle. If I had known he was Jim Morton's son I would
+almost have given up my place, rather than be on the same boat with
+him. But it's too late now."
+
+He placed the wallet in a secret drawer in his safe, and then went on
+with his work, but it seemed that his attention was distracted, and
+several times he found himself staring out of his cabin window at
+nothing at all.
+
+Nat tried to follow the pilot's advice, and give no more thought to
+the memento of his father which he had so unexpectedly discovered, but
+it was hard work.
+
+For the next few days he was kept very busy. Captain Marshall found
+plenty of tasks for him, and, with running errands for the commander
+and the two mates, attending to what the purser had for him to do, and
+rendering occasional services for the pilot, the lad found himself
+continually occupied.
+
+He was learning more about ships than he ever knew before, and on one
+or two occasions Mr. Weatherby took him into the pilot-house, and gave
+him preliminary instructions in the exacting calling of steering big
+vessels.
+
+The freighter had stopped at several ports, taking on cargo at some,
+and discharging it at others. All this made work for Nat, but he liked
+it, for he was earning more than he had ever received before.
+
+"Nat," said Mr. Dunn, one day, "I wish you would go down into the
+forward hold, and check over those bales we took on at the last port.
+We've got to deliver them at the next stop, and I Want to be sure the
+shipping marks on them correspond to the marks on my list. I had to
+put them down in a hurry."
+
+"All right," answered the boy. "Here are the manifest slips all
+written up, Mr. Dunn," and he handed the purser some blanks, filled in
+with figures.
+
+"That's good. You are doing very well, Nat Keep at it and you'll get a
+better job soon."
+
+Taking a lantern Nat went down into the forward hold, to examine some
+bales of goods, in accordance with the purser's instructions. The
+bales were heavy ones, but they had been stowed away in such a manner
+that the shipping marks were in sight.
+
+As Nat left the purser's office a man, who had been standing near a
+window that opened into it, moved away. The man was the mate, Mr.
+Bumstead, and as he saw Nat disappear below the deck he muttered:
+
+"I think this is just the chance I want. We'll see how that
+whipper-snapper will like his job after to-day."
+
+While Nat was checking off the bales, finding only one or two slight
+errors in the list the purser had given him, he heard a noise forward
+in the dark hold.
+
+"Who's there?" he asked, for it was against the rules for any one to
+enter the cargo hold, unless authorized by the captain, mate or
+purser.
+
+No answer was returned, and Nat was beginning to think the noise was
+made by rats, for there were very large ones in the ship. Then he
+heard a sound he knew could not have been made by a rodent. It was the
+sound of some one breathing heavily.
+
+"Is any one here?" asked Nat. "I shall report this to the purser if
+you don't answer," he threatened.
+
+Still no reply came to him.
+
+"Perhaps it is one of the sailors who has crawled in here to get a
+sleep," Nat thought. "Maybe I'd better not say anything, for he might
+be punished."
+
+He listened, but the sound, whatever it was, did not come again. The
+hold was quiet, save for the slight shifting of the cargo, as the
+vessel rocked to and fro under the action of the waves.
+
+"There, all done but one bale," said Nat, half aloud, "and that one is
+turned wrong so I can't see the marks. Never mind, it's a top one, and
+I can easily shift it, as it's small."
+
+He climbed up on a tier of the cargo, first setting his lantern down
+in a safe place, and then he proceeded to move the bale around.
+
+Hardly had he touched it when the big package seemed to tumble outward
+toward him. He felt himself falling backward, and vainly threw out his
+hands to grasp some support. Farther and farther the bale toppled
+outward, until it struck against Nat, and knocked him from his feet.
+
+He fell to the floor of the hold, in a little aisle between two tiers
+of freight, and the bale was on top of him.
+
+[Illustration: "He fell to the floor of the hold"]
+
+He heard a crash of glass, and knew that the lantern had been tipped
+over and broken. Then everything was dark, and he heard a strange
+ringing in his ears. Nat had been knocked unconscious alone down in
+the big hold, but, worse than this, a tiny tongue of fire, from the
+exposed lantern wick, was playing on the bales of inflammable stuff.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+IN THE PILOT-HOUSE
+
+
+About half an hour after Mr. Dunn had sent Nat into the hold the
+purser began to wonder what kept the boy. He knew his task should not
+have taken him more than ten minutes, for Nat was prompt with whatever
+he had to do.
+
+"I hope he isn't going to do the way one boy did I used to have," said
+the purser to himself, "go down there and sleep. I think I'll take a
+look. Maybe he can't find those bales, though they were in plain
+sight."
+
+As he started toward the hatchway, down which Nat had gone, he met
+Captain Marshall, who, as was his custom, was taking a stroll about
+the ship, to see that everything was all right. He never trusted
+entirely to his officers.
+
+When he saw the purser, Mr. Marshall came to a sudden stop, and began
+to sniff the air suspiciously.
+
+"Don't you smell smoke, Mr. Dunn?" he asked.
+
+The purser took several deep breaths.
+
+"I certainly do," he replied, "and it seems to come from this hatch. I
+sent Nat down there a while ago, to check off some bales."
+
+"I hope he isn't smoking cigarettes down there," said the captain
+quickly. "If he is, I'll discharge him instantly."
+
+"Nat doesn't smoke," replied Mr. Dunn. "But it's queer why he stays
+down there so long. I'm going to take a look."
+
+"I'll go with you," decided the captain.
+
+No sooner had they started to descend the hatchway than they both were
+made aware that the smell of smoke came from the hold, and that it was
+growing stronger.
+
+"Fire! There's a fire in the cargo!" exclaimed Captain Marshall.
+"Sound the alarm, Mr. Dunn, while I go below and make an
+investigation. If it's been caused by that boy----"
+
+He did not finish, but hurried down into the hold, while Mr. Dunn
+sounded the alarm that called the crew to fire quarters.
+
+Meanwhile, Nat had been lying unconscious under the bale for about ten
+minutes. The flame from the lantern, which, fortunately, had not
+exploded, was eating away at the side of the bale which was on top of
+him. Luckily the stuff in the bale was slow burning, and it smoldered
+a long time before breaking into a flame, in spite of the fact that
+the lantern was right against it. Considerable smoke was caused,
+however, though most of it was carried forward. Still, enough came up
+the hatchway to alarm the captain and purser.
+
+It would have been very dark in the hold, but for the fact that now a
+tiny fire had burst out from the bale. By the gleam of this Captain
+Marshall saw what had happened. A bale had toppled from its place and
+smashed the lantern. But as yet he had no intimation that Nat was
+prostrate under the bale.
+
+Meanwhile the smoke was growing thicker, and it was getting into Nat's
+nostrils. He was breathing lightly in his unconscious state, but the
+smoke made it harder to get his breath, and nature, working
+automatically, did the very best thing under the circumstances. Nat
+sneezed and coughed so violently, in an unconscious effort to get air,
+that his senses came back.
+
+He could move only slightly, pinned down as he was, but he could smell
+the smoke, and he could see the flicker of fire.
+
+"Help! Help!" he cried. "Fire in the hold! Help! Help!"
+
+That was the first knowledge Captain Marshall had of the whereabouts
+of the boy. It startled him.
+
+"Where are you, Nat?" he cried.
+
+"Under this bale! I'm held down, and the fire is coming closer to
+me!"
+
+Captain Marshall did not stop to ask any more questions. He sprang
+down beside the bale, and, exerting all his strength, for he was a
+powerful man, he lifted it sufficiently so that Nat could crawl out.
+The boy had only been stunned by a blow on the head.
+
+But, during this time, Mr. Dunn had not been idle. With the first
+sounding of the fire alarm, every member of the crew sprang to his
+appointed station, and, down in the engine-room, the engineers set in
+operation the powerful pumps, while other men unreeled the lines of
+hose, running them toward the hold, as directed by the purser.
+
+So, in less than a minute from the time of sounding the alarm, there
+was a stream of water being directed into the lower part of the ship
+where the fire was.
+
+"Come on out of here!" cried the captain to Nat, as he helped the boy
+up, and let the bale fall back into place. "This is getting pretty
+warm. I wonder what's the matter with the water?"
+
+Hardly had he spoken than a stream came spurting into the hold,
+drenching them both. It also drenched the fire, and, in a few minutes,
+the last vestige of the blaze was out.
+
+"Good work, men!" complimented Captain Marshall, when he had assured
+himself there was no more danger. "You did well. I'm proud of you."
+
+Nat, who had been taken in charge by the purser, when it was found
+there was no danger of the fire spreading, was examined by that
+official. Nothing was found the matter with him, beyond a sore spot on
+his head where the bale had hit him.
+
+"How in the world did it happen?" asked Mr. Dunn, as the crew began
+reeling up the hose, and returning to their various duties. Nat told
+him about hearing the noise, and the bale falling.
+
+"Do you think it fell, or did some one shove it?" asked the purser.
+
+"I don't know. It seemed as if some one pushed it, but who could it
+be? What object would any one have in trying to hurt me?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure. You must report this to Captain Marshall,"
+said the purser. "He'll want to know all about it."
+
+There was no need of going to the captain's cabin, however, for he
+came to find Nat, as soon as the excitement caused by the fire had
+subsided.
+
+"Now tell me all about it," he said. "Every bit. Were you smoking down
+there?"
+
+"No, sir," replied Nat indignantly.
+
+He related all that had taken place, and the captain had every member
+of the crew questioned, as to whether or not they had been in the hold
+at the time. They all denied it.
+
+"Maybe it was because the bale wasn't stowed away level," suggested
+Mr. Bumstead, with a queer look at Nat, as our hero, together with the
+purser and the pilot were in Captain Marshall's cabin, discussing the
+occurrence.
+
+"That's possible," admitted Mr. Dunn. "But what made the noise?"
+
+"Rats, probably," replied the mate. "There are some whoppers down in
+that hold."
+
+"Would you say they were large enough to topple over that bale?" asked
+the pilot suddenly.
+
+"No--no--I don't know as I would," answered the mate. "Of course not.
+More likely the lurch of the vessel did it."
+
+"Well, it was lucky it was no worse," spoke the captain. "If that
+lantern had exploded, and the blazing oil had been scattered about,
+there would have been a different ending to this. Nat would probably
+be dead, and the ship a wreck. After this no lanterns are to be
+carried into the hold. Have some electric lights rigged up on long
+wires, so they can be taken in," he added to the mate, who promised to
+see that it was done.
+
+"Hum," remarked Mr. Weatherby, as he and Nat walked toward the
+pilot-house. "You can't make me believe a lurch of the ship loosened
+that bale so it fell. Bumstead doesn't stow his cargo in such a
+careless fashion. He's too good a sailor."
+
+"What do you think then?" asked Nat.
+
+"I think some one pushed that bale down."
+
+"Do you think the person wanted to hurt me?"
+
+"I can't say as to that. It may have been done by accident, by a
+sailor asleep in the hold. Certainly no rat did it," and the pilot
+smiled. But he was more worried than he would admit to Nat.
+
+"I am glad I got out."
+
+"I don't suppose you feel much like taking a lesson in navigation?"
+
+"Oh, I'm always ready for that," was the answer. "I'm all right now.
+My head has stopped aching."
+
+"Then come into the pilot-house with me, and I will explain a few more
+things to you. I think you have a natural talent for this sort of
+life, and I like to show to boys, who appreciate it, the different
+things there are to learn. For there are a good many of them, and it's
+going to take you a long time."
+
+Nat had no false notions about learning to be a pilot. He knew it
+would take him several years to be a capable one, but he determined to
+get a good ground work or the higher branches of it, and so he
+listened carefully to all that Mr. Weatherby told him.
+
+He learned how to read the compass and how to give the proper signals
+to the engineer.
+
+For a number of days he spent several hours out of the twenty-four in
+the pilot-house with Mr. Weatherby. He got an understanding of the
+charts of the lake, of the various signals used by other ships, to
+indicate the course they were on, and he learned to know the meaning
+of the shore signal lights, and the location of the lighthouses that
+marked the dangerous rocks and shoals.
+
+"You're doing very well," Mr. Weatherby said to him one day. "Much
+better than I expected. Some time I'll let you try your hand at
+steering a bit."
+
+"Oh, that will be fine!" exclaimed Nat, but he little knew what was
+going to result from it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A NARROW ESCAPE
+
+
+Though he was much interested in beginning on his long-cherished plan
+of becoming a pilot, Nat did not lose sight of the fact that there was
+some mystery concerning his father, in which the mate had a part. He
+had not given up his belief that Mr. Bumstead had Mr. Morton's wallet,
+in spite of the mate's denials. But Nat saw no way by which he could
+get at the bottom of the matter.
+
+"I guess I'll just have to wait until chance puts something in my
+way," he said to himself. "At the same time I've got to be on the
+watch against him. I believe he, or some one of his cronies, pushed
+that bale on me. I don't suppose it would have killed me if it had
+fallen flat on me, instead of only partly, but it looks as if he
+wanted to drive me off of this ship. But I'll not go! I'll stay and
+see what comes of it."
+
+The freighter was on quite a long voyage this trip. After calling at
+the last port on Lake Michigan it was to go through the Straits of
+Mackinaw into Lake Huron. There, Mr. Weatherby told Nat, it would not
+be such easy navigation, as there were many islands, for which a pilot
+had to watch, day and night. Some were not indicated by lights, and
+only a knowledge of the lake would enable the steersman to guide a
+ship away from them, after dark, or during a fog.
+
+"Do you think I'll ever be able to do it?" asked the boy.
+
+"Some time, but I shouldn't attempt it right away," replied the pilot
+with a smile.
+
+Remembering the promise he had made to Nat, the pilot one day called
+the boy into the little house where the wheel was, and said:
+
+"Now, Nat, I'm going to give you a chance to appreciate what it means
+to steer a big vessel. I'll tell you just what to do, and I think you
+can do it. We have a clear course ahead of us, the lake is calm, and I
+guess you can handle the wheel all right. You know about the compass,
+so I don't have to tell you. Now take your place here, and grasp the
+spokes of the wheel lightly but firmly. Stand with your feet well
+apart, and brace yourself, for sometimes there will come a big wave
+that may shift the rudder and throw you off your balance."
+
+The pilot-house of the _Jessie Drew_ was like the pilot-houses on most
+other steamers. The front was mainly windows, and the center space
+was taken up with a big wheel, which served to shift the rudder from
+side to side. So large was the wheel, in order to provide sufficient
+leverage, that part of it was down in a sort of pit, while the
+steersman stood on a platform, which brought his head about on a level
+with the top spokes. On some of the lake steamers there was steam
+steering gear, and of course a much smaller wheel was used, as it
+merely served as a throttle to a steam-engine, which did all the hard
+work.
+
+Nat was delighted with his chance. With shining eyes he grasped the
+spokes, and gently revolved the wheel a short distance.
+
+"That'll do," spoke Mr. Weatherby. "She's shifted enough."
+
+Nat noticed that, as he turned the wheel, the vessel changed her
+course slightly, so readily did she answer the helm. It was a
+wonderful thing, he thought, that he, a mere lad, could, by a slight
+motion of his hands, cause a mighty ship to move about as he pleased.
+
+"It's easier than I thought it was," he remarked to his friend the
+pilot.
+
+"You think so now," answered Mr. Weatherby, "but wait until you have
+to handle a boat in a storm. Then the waves bang the rudder about so
+that the wheel whirls around, and almost lifts you off your feet. More
+than once it's gotten away from me, though, when there's a bad storm,
+I have some one to help me put her over and hold her steady. I like
+steam steering gear best, for it's so easy, but it's likely to get out
+of order at a critical moment, and, before you can rig up the hand
+gear, the boat has gone on the rocks."
+
+"I hope we don't get wrecked on the rocks," said Nat, as, following
+the directions he had received, he shifted the wheel slightly to keep
+the vessel on her proper course.
+
+"Well, we'll be approaching a dangerous passage in a few hours,"
+replied the pilot. "There are a number of rocks in it, but I think
+I'll be able to get clear of 'em. I always have, but this time we'll
+arrive there after dark, and I like daylight best when I have to go
+through there."
+
+"Do you want to take the wheel now?" asked the boy, as he saw that Mr.
+Weatherby was peering anxiously ahead.
+
+"No, you may keep it a while longer. I just wanted to get sight of a
+spar buoy about here. There it is. When you come up this route you
+want to get the red and black buoy in line with that point, and then
+go to starboard two points, so."
+
+As he spoke Mr. Weatherby helped Nat put the wheel over. The big
+freighter began slowly to turn, and soon was moving around a point of
+land that jutted far out into the lake.
+
+Nat remained in the pilot-house more than an hour, and, in that time,
+he learned many valuable points. At the suggestion of his friend he
+jotted them down in a note-book, so he might go over them again at his
+leisure, and fix them firmly in his mind.
+
+As the afternoon wore on, and dusk approached, a fog began to settle
+over the lake. Nat, who had been engaged with the work in the purser's
+office, had occasion to take a message to the pilot, and he found his
+friend anxiously looking out of the big windows in front of the
+pilot-house, while Andrew Simmon, the assistant, was handling the big
+wheel.
+
+"I don't like it, Andy; I don't like it a bit," Mr. Weatherby was
+saying. "It's going to be a nasty, thick night, and just as we're
+beginning that risky passage. I've almost a notion to ask the captain
+to lay-to until morning. There's good holding ground here."
+
+"Oh, I guess we can make it," replied Andrew confidently. "We've done
+it before, in a fog."
+
+"Yes, I know we have, but I always have a feeling of dread. Somehow,
+now, I feel unusually nervous about it."
+
+"You aren't losing your nerve, are you?" the young helper asked his
+chief.
+
+"No--but--well, I don't like it, that's all."
+
+"Shall I ask the captain to anchor?"
+
+"No, he's anxious to keep on. We'll try it, Andy, but we'll both stay
+in the pilot-house until we're well past the dangerous point, that one
+where the rocks stick out."
+
+"But there's a lighthouse there, Mr. Weatherby."
+
+"I know there is, but if this fog keeps on getting thicker, the light
+will do us very little good."
+
+Nat listened anxiously to the conversation. This was a part of the
+responsibilities of piloting that had not occurred to him. More than
+on a captain, the safety of a vessel rests on a pilot, when one is in
+charge. And it is no small matter to feel that one can, by a slight
+shift of his hand, send a gallant craft to her destruction, or guide
+her to safety.
+
+As night came on the fog grew thicker. Mr. Weatherby and his helper
+did not leave the pilot-house, but had their meals sent to them.
+Captain Marshall was in frequent consultation with them, and the speed
+of the vessel was cut down almost one-half as they approached the
+danger point.
+
+From Mr. Dunn, Nat learned when they were in the unsafe passage, for
+the purser had been over that route many times.
+
+"We must be close to the point now," said Mr. Dunn, as he and Nat
+stood at the rail, trying to peer through the fog. "We'll see the
+lighthouse soon. Yes, there it is," and he pointed to where a light
+dimly flashed, amid the white curtain of dampness that wrapped the
+freighter.
+
+They could hear the lookout, stationed in the bow, call the position
+of the light. The course was shifted, the great boat turning slowly.
+
+Suddenly there was a frightened cry from the lookout.
+
+"Rocks! Rocks ahead!" he yelled. "Port! Port your helm or we'll be
+upon 'em in another minute!"
+
+The ship quivered as the great rudder was shifted to swing her about.
+Down in the engine-room there was a crash of gongs as the pilot gave
+the signals to stop and reverse.
+
+Would the ship be turned in time? Could her headway be checked? Had
+the lookout cried his warning quickly enough?
+
+These questions were in every anxious heart aboard the _Jessie Drew_.
+A shudder seemed to run through the ship. Nat peered ahead, and held
+his breath, as if that would lighten the weight that was rushing upon
+the dangerous rocks.
+
+But skill and prompt action told. Slowly the freighter swept to one
+side, and as at slackened speed she glided past the danger point, Nat
+and Mr. Dunn, from their position near the rail, could have tossed a
+biscuit on the rocks, so narrow was the space that separated the ship
+from them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+SAM SHAW APPEARS
+
+
+The vessel had not come to a stop, before orders were hurriedly given
+to let go the anchor. The narrow escape had decided Captain Marshall
+that it would not be safe to proceed, and, as there was good holding
+ground not far from the rocks, he determined to lay-to until the fog
+lifted.
+
+From the pilot-house came the captain, Mr. Weatherby, and Andy Simmon.
+The pilot was very much excited.
+
+"Those were false lights, or else something is out of order with the
+machinery," he exclaimed. "The light on the point flashes once every
+five seconds. The next light, beyond the point, flashes once every
+fifteen seconds. This light flashed once every fifteen seconds, for
+Andy and I both kept count."
+
+"That's right," said the assistant.
+
+"And I calculated by that," went on the pilot, "that we were beyond
+the point, for I couldn't see anything but the light, and I had to go
+by that. I was on the right course, if that light was the one beyond
+the point, but naturally on the wrong one if that was the point
+light."
+
+"And it was the point light," said the captain solemnly.
+
+"It was, Mr. Marshall, and only for the lookout we would now be on the
+rocks."
+
+"I can't blame you for the narrow escape we had," went on the
+commander. "Still----"
+
+"Of course you can't blame me!" exclaimed the pilot, as though
+provoked that any such suspicion should rest on him. "I was steering
+right, according to the lights. There is something wrong with them.
+The lights were false. Whether they have been deliberately changed, or
+whether the machinery is at fault is something that will have to be
+found out. It isn't safe to proceed until morning."
+
+"And that will delay me several hours," grumbled Mr. Marshall.
+
+"I can't help that. I'll not take the responsibility of piloting the
+boat in this thick fog, when I can't depend on the lights."
+
+"No, of course not," was the answer. "We'll have to remain here,
+that's all. Have the fog-horn sounded regularly, Mr. Bumstead," the
+captain added to the mate; and all through the night, at ten-second
+intervals, the great siren fog-whistle of the boat blew its melancholy
+blast. Nat found it impossible to sleep much with that noise over his
+head, but toward morning the fog lifted somewhat, and he got into a
+doze, for the whistle stopped.
+
+Mr. Weatherby went ashore in the morning to make inquiries regarding
+the false lights. He learned that the machinery in the point
+lighthouse had become deranged, so that the wrong signal was shown. It
+had been repaired as soon as possible, and was now all right. But as
+the fog was gone and it was daylight, the ship could proceed safely
+without depending on lighthouses. Nat was up early, and had a good
+view of the point and rocks that had so nearly caused the destruction
+of the _Jessie Drew_.
+
+Three days later, having made a stop at Cheboygan to take on some
+freight, the big ship was on Lake Huron. This was farther than Nat had
+ever been before, and he was much interested in the sight of a new
+body of water, though at first it did not seem much different from
+Lake Michigan.
+
+They steamed ahead, making only moderate speed, for the freighter was
+not a swift boat, and on the evening of the next day they ran into
+Thunder Bay and docked at Alpena.
+
+"Plenty of work ahead for you and me," said Mr. Dunn to Nat that
+night.
+
+"How's that?"
+
+"Well, we've got to break out a large part of the cargo and take on
+almost as much again. We'll be busy checking up lists and making out
+way-bills. You want to be careful not to make a mistake, as that mate
+will have his eye on you. It's easy to see he doesn't like you."
+
+"And I don't like him," retorted Nat.
+
+"I don't blame you. Still, do your best when he's around. I know you
+always do, though. Well, I'm going to get to bed early, as we'll have
+our hands full in the morning."
+
+Nat also sought his bunk about nine o'clock, and it seemed he had
+hardly been asleep at all when six bells struck, and he had to get up.
+
+That day was indeed a busy one, and Nat was glad when noon came and he
+could stop for dinner. He ate a hearty meal, and was taking a rest on
+deck, for the 'longshoremen and freight handlers would not resume
+their labors until one o'clock, when he saw coming up the gangplank a
+boy about his own age. The lad had red hair and rather an unpleasant
+face, with a bold, hard look about the eyes.
+
+"Hey, kid!" the youth exclaimed on catching sight of Nat, "tell me
+where Mr. Bumstead hangs out. I want to see him quick. Understand?"
+
+"I understand you well enough," replied Nat, who resented the
+unpleasant way in which the question was put. "You speak loud enough.
+I know what you mean. Mr. Bumstead is at dinner, and I don't believe
+he'd like to be disturbed."
+
+"Oh, that's all right. He'll see me. He expects me. Now you show me
+where he is, or I'll report you."
+
+"You will, eh?" asked Nat. "Well, I'm not in the habit of showing
+strangers about the ship. It's against orders. You can't go below
+until you get permission from the captain, mate or second mate."
+
+"I can't, eh? Guess you don't know who I am," replied the red-haired
+youth with an ugly leer.
+
+"No, and I don't care," retorted Nat, for his life about the docks had
+made him rather fearless.
+
+"Well, I'll make you care--you'll see! Now, are you going to show me
+where I can find Mr. Bumstead? If you don't I'll make trouble for
+you."
+
+"Look here!" exclaimed Nat, striding over to the stranger. "Don't talk
+to me like that. I'm not afraid of you, whoever you are. I'll not show
+you to Mr. Bumstead's cabin, as it is against the rules. You can't go
+below, either, unless the second mate, who's in charge of the deck
+now, says you can. He's over there, and you can ask him if you want
+to. Now, don't you say anything more to me or I'll punch your face!"
+
+Nat was no milksop. He had often fought with the lads on the dock on
+less provocation than this, and, for the time being, he forgot he was
+on a ship.
+
+"What's the row?" asked the second mate, who, hearing the sound of
+high voices, approached to see what the trouble was.
+
+"Oh, here's a fresh fellow who wants to see Mr. Bumstead," replied
+Nat.
+
+"He can't until after grub hour," said the second mate shortly.
+"What's your business, young man? Tell it, or go ashore."
+
+"I want to see Mr. Bumstead," replied the red-haired lad more humbly
+than he had yet spoken, for the second mate was a stalwart man.
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Well, he expects me."
+
+"Who are you?"
+
+"I'm his nephew, Sam Shaw, and I'm going to make the rest of the trip
+with him. He invited me, and I'm going to be a passenger."
+
+"Oh, so you're his nephew, eh?" asked the second mate.
+
+"That's what I am, and when I tell him how that fellow treated me
+he'll make it hot for him," boasted Sam Shaw. "Now will you show me
+where Mr. Bumstead's cabin is?" he asked of Nat insolently.
+
+"No," replied our hero. "You can ask one of the stewards. I'll have
+nothing to do with you," for Sam's threat to tell his uncle had roused
+all the spirit that Nat possessed.
+
+"There's your uncle now," said the second mate as Mr. Bumstead came up
+the companionway.
+
+"Hello, Uncle Joe!" called Sam; and as he went forward to meet his
+relative Nat went below. In spite of his bold words he was not a
+little worried lest Sam Shaw had come to supplant him in his position
+aboard the freighter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+CAPTAIN MARSHALL IS ANGRY
+
+
+News circulates quickly on a ship, and it was not long ere Nat heard
+from some of the crew that the mate's nephew had come aboard to finish
+out the voyage with his uncle. Sam Shaw was installed in a small
+stateroom near the mate's, and when the _Jessie Drew_ resumed her way
+that afternoon the red-haired youth stood about with a supercilious
+air, watching Nat and the others at work.
+
+"Is that all you've got to do?" asked Mr. Dunn, the purser, of Sam, as
+he saw the youth standing idly at the rail, when every one else was
+busy.
+
+"Sure," replied Sam, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. "I'm a
+passenger, I am. I'm making this voyage for my health. Maybe after a
+while I'll be an assistant to you."
+
+"Not if I know it," murmured Mr. Dunn. "I like Nat, and I hope I can
+keep him. He's doing good work."
+
+He passed on, for he had considerable to do on account of taking on a
+new cargo, while Nat, too, was kept busy.
+
+"This just suits me," said Sam Shaw to himself as he leaned over the
+rail and looked down into the blue waters of the lake. "I'm glad Uncle
+Joe sent for me to join him. He said in his letter there might be a
+chance for me, after all, to get a place in the purser's office. I
+thought by that he must mean that Nat Morton was out, but he isn't.
+However, I'll leave it to Uncle Joe. He generally manages to get his
+own way. I guess I'll take that fellow Nat down a few pegs before I
+get through with him."
+
+Sam had received a letter at his home in Chicago from his uncle, the
+mate, telling him to meet the _Jessie Drew_ at Alpena. Sam had done
+so, as we have seen, and was now established aboard the vessel. But he
+was a little puzzled as to his uncle's plans.
+
+Mr. Bumstead had said nothing further about providing a place for his
+nephew where the lad might earn money, and this was what Sam wanted
+more than anything else. He wanted an opening where there was not much
+work, and he thought Nat's position just about filled the bill. He did
+not know how hard our hero labored.
+
+"Wait until I get in the purser's office," he mused as he puffed at
+his cigarette. "I'll soon learn all there is to know, and then I'll
+have my uncle see the captain and have me made purser. I don't like
+Mr. Dunn. When I get his job I'll take things easy, and have a couple
+of assistants to do the work. Maybe I'll let Nat be second assistant,"
+he went on. "Won't I make him stand around, though!"
+
+These thoughts were very pleasant to Sam Shaw. At heart he was a mean
+youth, and he was lazy and inefficient, faults to which his uncle was,
+unfortunately, blind. Mr. Bumstead thought Sam was a very fine boy.
+
+In one of his trips about the deck, attending to his duties, Nat had
+to pass close to Sam. He saw the red-haired lad smoking a cigarette,
+and, knowing it was against the rules of the ship to smoke in that
+part of it where Sam was, he said:
+
+"You'd better throw that overboard before the captain sees you."
+
+"Throw what overboard?" asked Sam in surly tones.
+
+"That cigarette. It's against the rules to smoke 'em here."
+
+"What do I care?" retorted Sam. "My uncle is the mate."
+
+"That won't make any difference if Captain Marshall sees you."
+
+"I'm not afraid of him. My uncle owns part of the ship. He could be
+captain if he wanted to. I'll smoke wherever I please. Have one
+yourself?" he added in a burst of generosity, for since he had had
+his idea of becoming purser and having Nat for an assistant, Sam felt
+in a little more tolerant mood toward our hero.
+
+"No, thanks, I don't smoke."
+
+"Afraid of being sick, I s'pose."
+
+"No, it isn't that."
+
+"Afraid the captain will see you and punish you, then?"
+
+"Well, that's part of it. I used to smoke when I was about the docks,
+but I found it didn't agree with me, so I gave it up. I like a
+cigarette, but I believe they're bad for one's health. Besides, if I
+did smoke, I wouldn't do it here. It's against the rules, I tell you,
+and you'd better stop."
+
+"Well, I'm not going to, and you can go and tell Captain Marshall if
+you want to."
+
+"I don't do things like that," replied Nat quietly, though he felt
+like punching Sam for his sneering tone. "But I'm advising you for
+your own good."
+
+He turned away, and as he did so his coat, with an outside pocket
+showing conveniently open, was close to Sam's hand. Then a daring and
+mean scheme came into the mind of the red-haired youth.
+
+"If I get into trouble, I'll make trouble for him, too," he thought,
+and with a quick motion he dropped into Nat's pocket a partly-filled
+box of cigarettes. "If he squeals on me I'll have something to tell
+on him," he continued.
+
+Hardly had he done this than he was startled by an angry voice
+exclaiming:
+
+"Throw that cigarette overboard! How dare you smoke on this deck?
+Don't you know it's against the rules? Go below at once and I'll
+attend to your case!"
+
+Sam started guiltily, and turned to behold Captain Marshall glaring at
+him and at the lighted cigarette which the youth still held between
+his fingers. Nat, who had passed on only a few steps, turned likewise.
+One look at the commander's face told him Captain Marshall was very
+angry indeed.
+
+"I told you that you'd better stop," Nat whispered to Sam.
+
+"Aw, dry up!" was the ungracious retort. "I guess I can look out for
+myself."
+
+"Look here," went on the captain, striding up to Sam, "didn't you know
+it was against the rules to smoke up here? I don't like cigarettes in
+any part of the ship, least of all up on this deck. Didn't your uncle
+tell you about it?"
+
+"No--no, sir," replied Sam, who, in spite of his bravado, was startled
+by the angry manner of the commander.
+
+"And didn't any one tell you that it was forbidden here? Didn't you
+tell him?" he asked, turning to Nat. "You've been here long enough to
+know that rule."
+
+"I did know it, sir," replied Nat respectfully, "and I told----"
+
+"He didn't tell me!" burst out Sam quickly. "He didn't say anything
+about it. In fact, Captain Marshall, he asked me to smoke here. He
+gave me the cigarette!"
+
+"What!" exclaimed Nat, astonished beyond measure. "I never----"
+
+"Yes, you did!" went on Sam quickly. "You gave me a cigarette out of a
+box you had in your pocket, I--I thought it was all right to smoke
+when he gave it to me."
+
+"Is this true?" demanded the captain sternly.
+
+"No, sir!" exclaimed Nat. "I haven't any cigarettes, and if I had I
+wouldn't give him any. I haven't smoked in over a year."
+
+"He says you have a box in your pocket now," continued Captain
+Marshall, remembering his suspicions about the fire in the hold.
+
+"He's telling an untruth," replied Nat quietly. "I don't carry
+cigarettes about with me. You can----"
+
+"Then what's this?" asked the commander suddenly, as he stepped toward
+Nat, and plunging his hand in the lad's pocket he pulled out the box
+of cigarettes. The captain had seen a suspicious-looking bulge, and
+had acted on what he considered his rights as a commander of a vessel
+in searching one of his crew.
+
+"Why--why----" stammered Nat. "I didn't know----"
+
+"That's the box my cigarette came out of," said Sam, truthfully
+enough.
+
+"It isn't mine!" exclaimed Nat.
+
+"Then what's it doing in your pocket?" inquired Captain Marshall.
+
+"I don't know, unless Sam put it there," said Nat firmly.
+
+"That's a likely story! I don't believe you."
+
+"I never put it there," declared Sam stoutly. Telling an untruth meant
+nothing to him.
+
+"Then some one else, who wants to injure me, did it," declared Nat. "I
+never use cigarettes--I haven't for over a year."
+
+"This will be looked into," said the captain. "One of you lads is
+telling an untruth, and I propose to find out who. When I do I shall
+take action. Meanwhile I'll hold these cigarettes as evidence. Don't
+let me catch either of you smoking again aboard this ship. As for
+you," he added, turning to Nat, "you've been idle long enough. Get on
+with your work."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE INVESTIGATION
+
+
+Nat hardly knew what to make of the strange turn of events. It had
+happened so suddenly that he had no time to prepare himself. He was
+positive Sam had dropped the cigarettes into his pocket, but to prove
+it was another matter. He knew the mate would take the side of his
+nephew, while Nat had no one to stand up for him.
+
+"Unless Mr. Weatherby does," he said to himself. "I guess I'll tell
+him about it."
+
+"You leave it to me," said the pilot, when Nat had related his story.
+"I think we can easily prove that Sam Shaw is guilty. Don't worry.
+I'll stand by you."
+
+Nat felt better after this, and went about his duties with a lighter
+heart. Nevertheless, he could not help being anxious when he received
+a message telling him to report to Captain Marshall's cabin.
+
+"If you need any witnesses call on me," said the purser, as the boy
+went aft. "I saw Sam smoking before you joined him, and I'll testify
+to that effect."
+
+"Thank you," said Nat. "I may need you. He tried to play a mean trick
+on me."
+
+In the cabin Nat found assembled Mr. Bumstead and Sam Shaw, besides
+the commander of the ship, who, looking very stern, sat in a big chair
+behind the table.
+
+"I wonder where Mr. Weatherby is?" thought Nat. "He said he'd stand by
+me. I hope he comes."
+
+"There's no need to state the reasons why we are here," began the
+captain. "I'm determined to get at the bottom of this smoking
+business, and put a stop to it. Does your nephew smoke?" he asked,
+turning to the mate.
+
+"I--er--I think he used to, but he told me he had given it up, I think
+he has. Haven't you, Sam?"
+
+"Yes, Uncle Joe; but when Nat offered me one a while ago, I took it
+before I thought of what I was doing. I forgot I had promised you I
+wouldn't smoke any more."
+
+"I never gave him a cigarette!" burst out Nat.
+
+"That will do!" exclaimed the captain. "You'll have your chance
+later."
+
+He placed the box he had taken from Nat's pocket on the table in front
+of him.
+
+"Did you ever see that box before?" he asked of the mate. "Did you
+ever see your nephew have it?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Is that your box of cigarettes?" the captain asked Sam.
+
+"No, sir; it belongs to Nat," which was the truth, as far as it went,
+since Sam had mentally made Nat a present of it.
+
+"So it's yours, then?" turning to Nat.
+
+"No, sir, it is not!"
+
+"Who is telling the truth here?" asked the puzzled captain.
+
+"I am!" declared Sam quickly.
+
+"You are not!" cried Nat. "I never owned that box."
+
+"I found it in your pocket," declared the commander.
+
+"Because he put it there."
+
+"I have already said I don't take any stock in that story. What object
+would he have in doing that?"
+
+"I don't know, but he did it."
+
+"I'm sure my nephew would not do such a thing," said the mate. "I know
+Nat smokes, for I have seen him smoking about the dock when we had
+occasion to tie up there."
+
+"I used to," admitted our hero, "but I gave it up. If you will call
+Mr. Dunn," went on Nat desperately, "I think he could give some
+evidence."
+
+"What kind?" asked the captain sneeringly. "Did you make up some for
+him?"
+
+"No, sir, but he says he saw Sam smoking before I passed him there on
+the deck, and warned him it was against the rules."
+
+"Hum! Well, I suppose I'll have to send for him," which the captain
+did.
+
+Mr. Dunn told how he had seen Sam smoking before Nat had occasion to
+go to that part of the deck where the mate's nephew was.
+
+"Are you sure of this?" asked the mate sternly, before Captain
+Marshall had a chance to question Mr. Dunn. "Remember you are
+blackening a boy's character by what you say."
+
+Now, unfortunately for Nat, it so happened that Mr. Dunn had what is
+termed a very "short" memory. He could recall matters distinctly for
+only a short time after they occurred, unless he made a note of them.
+That he had not done in this case. The mate saw his advantage, as the
+purser hesitated, and he pursued it.
+
+"Wasn't it _after_ you sent Nat to that part of the deck that you saw
+Sam smoking?" he asked. "Wasn't it _after_ that?"
+
+Mr. Dunn tried to recollect. His faulty memory went back on him, he
+hesitated and stammered, he became confused, and the outcome was he
+had to admit that he might have seen Sam smoking after Nat had met
+him. The result was he did Nat's cause more harm than good.
+
+"Well, I hope you're satisfied with your witness," remarked the
+captain dryly. "I don't see that you've proved anything, whereas the
+box of cigarettes is very damaging evidence against you."
+
+Nat questioned Mr. Dunn, seeking to have him recall exactly what had
+taken place, but the purser, much as he wanted to help his assistant,
+failed dismally.
+
+"I am compelled to say I believe you gave Sam the cigarette," went on
+Captain Marshall, "and, much as I regret it, for I think you are a
+hard-working lad, I shall have to discharge you. You broke a very
+strict rule of the ship, one on account of which we might, in case of
+fire, lose all our insurance. It is too flagrant to pass over."
+
+"Then you believe him instead of me?" asked Nat faintly.
+
+"I must say that I do."
+
+"But I never had those cigarettes."
+
+"The evidence is against you. What object would Sam have in putting
+them into your pocket? That is a question you cannot answer
+satisfactorily."
+
+"I believe he wanted to injure me because I got this place that his
+uncle wanted for him."
+
+"Nonsense! I have a better place in view for my nephew," said the
+mate. "He will take it as soon as this voyage for his health is
+ended."
+
+"As for traveling for his health, I wouldn't advise him to smoke any
+more cigarettes," remarked the captain dryly, "no matter who gives
+them to him."
+
+"I'll not," promised Sam eagerly, congratulating himself on the
+success of his plot.
+
+"No, I'll see that he does not," added his uncle.
+
+Poor Nat did not know what to do or say. Mr. Dunn had slipped out of
+the cabin. The purser was sorry for what had happened, and most of all
+he regretted his inability to help Nat, for though he could not
+testify to it in a way to carry conviction, he was sure in his own
+mind of what had happened.
+
+"Why doesn't Mr. Weatherby come?" thought Nat.
+
+"You will be relieved of your duties in the purser's office," went on
+Captain Marshall. "Mr. Bumstead, will you, as a favor to me, allow
+your nephew to help Mr. Dunn for the remainder of the voyage?"
+
+"Yes, sir. I think he will be glad to do it. Will you not, Sam?"
+
+"Certainly," was the answer, and the red-haired youth did not try to
+conceal the satisfaction he felt.
+
+"Then you may consider yourself discharged," said the commander to
+Nat. "I will put you ashore at the next port."
+
+"What's that?" exclaimed a voice, and those in the cabin looked up to
+see Mr. Weatherby standing in the doorway. "Nat discharged! What's it
+all about? I tried to get here sooner, but I had to make up some
+records, and they took longer than I calculated. Is the investigation
+all over, captain?"
+
+"It is, and I am sorry to say I had to decide against Nat. I believe
+he had the cigarettes and gave Sam some to smoke in that part of the
+ship where they are forbidden. I don't know that he smoked himself,
+but he might as well have done so as to induce another."
+
+"I don't believe Nat did anything of the kind," said the pilot.
+
+"I'm sorry I can't agree with you," responded the commander. "I have
+relieved him from his duties and put Sam temporarily in his place. He
+leaves the ship at the next port."
+
+"He does, eh?" said Mr. Weatherby. "Then all I've got to say is that
+if he goes, I go too!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+MAKING A CHANGE
+
+
+Such a startling announcement as the pilot made could not fail to
+surprise those in the cabin. Nat wondered whether his friend meant it,
+and as for Captain Marshall, he believed the pilot was not aware of
+what had taken place at the investigation.
+
+"Do you mean that you will leave the ship without a pilot?" asked the
+commander.
+
+"No; at least, not until we get to the next port, where you can hire
+one. In fact, after we get over this part of the trip you'll not need
+one, for the lake is well charted, and you can steer as well as I can.
+But I repeat, if Nat goes, I go too."
+
+"But he broke one of the most stringent rules of the ship," retorted
+the captain, who did not at all like the idea of losing his pilot.
+
+"I can't agree with you. I know something of this case, and I believe
+Nat is innocent of the charge."
+
+"Do you mean to say that my nephew is guilty?" asked the mate.
+
+"I don't know that I care to express an opinion," was Mr. Weatherby's
+answer. "From what I know of him I should say I think your nephew
+might be guilty. I know he smokes cigarettes."
+
+"I used to," interrupted Sam, "but I've stopped."
+
+"Your hands don't bear out that assertion," said the pilot quietly, as
+he pointed to the tell-tale yellow stains on Sam's fingers. "I am
+inclined to think you smoke pretty steadily yet."
+
+The red-haired youth had no answer to make to this.
+
+"Do you dare to accuse my nephew?" demanded Mr. Bumstead.
+
+"I said I didn't care to accuse any one," replied Mr. Weatherby. "I
+only said I believe Nat innocent, and if he is discharged I leave
+also."
+
+"I think you are taking an unfair advantage of me," said Captain
+Marshall. "You know I need your services for some time yet."
+
+"Well, you know how to retain them."
+
+"How?"
+
+"By not unjustly discharging Nat."
+
+"I don't think I was acting unjustly."
+
+"I do."
+
+The captain was plainly disturbed. He knew he could not well get along
+without the pilot, yet he did not like to have to give in to Nat's
+claim of innocence. To do Captain Marshall justice, though he was
+quick-tempered, he really believed Nat at fault, chiefly on account of
+Mr. Dunn's failure to give the proper testimony at the investigation.
+So with no very good humor he had to change his orders.
+
+"Very well," he said rather sourly. "I'll not discharge Nat, though I
+believe him guilty."
+
+"That will not do," insisted Mr. Weatherby. "If you believe him guilty
+you must discharge him."
+
+"But if I do, you'll go, and I will be without a pilot."
+
+"That is true, but there is another alternative."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"You can say that at least there is a chance Nat is not guilty. He
+should, I think, be given the benefit of the doubt."
+
+"Very well. I'll admit that," replied the captain stiffly, for he did
+not like to be dictated to.
+
+"I believe that is all, then," went on Mr. Weatherby. "I suppose Nat
+may go back to the purser's office?"
+
+The captain nodded. He was in an exceedingly bad humor. He felt that
+his position as captain of the ship was at stake. He had incurred the
+enmity of the mate, who was a part owner, and he felt that Mr.
+Weatherby, who was a member of the company owning the vessel, had no
+very friendly feelings toward him. Still, there was nothing else the
+commander could do.
+
+"I'll get square with you yet," muttered Sam as Nat passed him on his
+way out of the captain's cabin. "I'll have your place, too, before a
+great while."
+
+"Maybe you will--when I'm through with it," replied Nat, quite pleased
+with the way things had turned out, yet wishing he could completely
+vindicate himself. "But I tell you one thing, Sam Shaw, if you try any
+more of your tricks on me I'll give you the worst licking you ever
+had."
+
+The boys were outside of the cabin now, and on the deck.
+
+"You will, eh?"
+
+"Yes, I will, and don't you forget it! You put those cigarettes in my
+pocket, and you know it."
+
+"Oh, I did, eh? Then why didn't you prove it?" sneered Sam.
+
+"I will, some day, and when I do--well, look out--that's all," and Nat
+turned away and went back to his work.
+
+Though the incident seemed closed, there was not the best of feeling
+between Captain Marshall and the pilot. As for the mate, he was so
+angry at Mr. Weatherby that he would not speak to him.
+
+The _Jessie Drew_ continued on her voyage. Stops were made at several
+ports in Saginaw Bay, where cargo was either discharged or taken on.
+Sam kept himself out of Nat's way, but this was not difficult, for
+Nat found plenty to do, as, since he grasped matters rapidly, the
+purser turned more and more work over to him.
+
+Nat was glad of this, since he wanted to learn all he could, and he
+was rapidly advancing. Mr. Dunn complimented him on his aptitude for
+the work, and said it would not be long before he could qualify for
+the position of assistant purser.
+
+"Then I suppose you'll be after my place," he said.
+
+"No, indeed," answered Nat with a smile. "You've been too kind to me."
+
+"I wish I could have done more for you at that investigation. It's too
+bad my memory is so faulty. I have to make a note of everything the
+minute it happens, or I'd forget it. I get so used to relying on books
+and memoranda in this position that I'm lost without them."
+
+"Don't worry about it," said Nat. "It's all right. Some time I'll
+prove what a mean trick Sam played on me, and then I'll be satisfied."
+
+Mr. Weatherby did not forget his promise to teach Nat all he could
+about piloting, and many a day the lad spent in learning the different
+points and studying the lake, its various headlands, lighthouses,
+buoys and other marks on which navigators have to depend.
+
+"You're coming on well, Nat," said the old pilot one day. "It won't
+be long before you can qualify for an assistant pilot, and then it
+will be only a matter of a few years when you will be a full-fledged
+one."
+
+"I'll be glad when that time comes. I want to earn some money to pay
+back Mr. and Mrs. Miller for what they did for me."
+
+"Yes, they were very kind to you, and they felt it more than a family
+would that had more money. Never forget your friends, Nat. By the way,
+have you seen or heard anything more about that pocketbook which the
+mate had?"
+
+"No; I've watched him closely, but I haven't had a sight of it.
+Probably I was mistaken."
+
+"I think not, yet he may have come by it honestly, even if it was your
+father's. Sailors often make each other gifts, or your father may have
+sold it to Mr. Bumstead."
+
+"I don't believe he'd do that. He thought too much of it. But if the
+mate came by it honestly, I don't see why he acted so queerly. I can't
+help thinking there is some mystery about it. In fact, father's death
+was so sudden that little was known concerning it."
+
+"I have a plan in mind, which I am going to put into operation as soon
+as possible," said the pilot. "It may result in some information."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I know a man who was on the lumber barge on which your father was. I
+am going to write to him, and have him tell me all the circumstances
+connected with your parent's death."
+
+"I wish you would. It would relieve my mind to know all the facts."
+
+"That is what I thought. I will write in a few days, but now I have
+another matter I want to speak to you about."
+
+The pilot's manner was serious, and Nat wondered what his friend was
+about to say. Mr. Weatherby went to the door of the pilot-house and
+looked out.
+
+"I just wanted to see that Sam Shaw, or his uncle, were not about," he
+said in explanation. "They've been hanging around here of late, and
+I'm suspicious of them."
+
+He closed the door, and coming over to where Nat stood at the wheel
+said:
+
+"How would you like to come with me on a big passenger steamer?"
+
+"Are you going?" asked Nat in surprise.
+
+"Well, I have the chance. I got a letter the other day from a big
+firm, that wants another pilot. They made me a very good offer, and
+I'm inclined to take it. I thought I would ask you if you'd like to
+go."
+
+"Would I have a chance to learn to be a pilot?"
+
+"Yes, a better chance than you have here."
+
+"Then I'd like to go first-rate. I'm ever so much obliged to you. Do
+you think you will accept the offer?"
+
+"I believe I will. I'll tell Captain Marshall that we are going to
+leave him at Detroit. He can easily get another pilot there, and we'll
+change to a ship where conditions are more pleasant. I'm glad you want
+to come with me."
+
+"I don't know what I'd do if it wasn't for you."
+
+"Well, I still feel that I'm in your debt," replied Mr. Weatherby. "I
+think----"
+
+He stopped suddenly and went to the door. He listened a moment, then
+quickly opened it. Sam Shaw was hurrying away down the deck.
+
+"I believe he was listening, the young rascal!" exclaimed the pilot.
+
+"Do you think he heard anything?"
+
+"He must have. The windows were open."
+
+"What will you do?"
+
+"Well, it doesn't matter much. I'll inform Captain Marshall at once of
+my intentions, and so spoil any trick which the mate's nephew thinks
+he can play on us."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A BLOW AND A RESCUE
+
+
+That Captain Marshall was surprised is putting it mildly when a little
+later Mr. Weatherby informed the commander that he was going to leave
+to be a pilot on a big passenger steamer.
+
+"If it is a question of more money, I think you can get it on this
+steamer," said Mr. Marshall.
+
+"No, it isn't altogether that. The freight runs are too long to suit
+me. I am getting along in years, and I like to spend a little time on
+shore. By taking this position on a passenger vessel I will have
+considerable time between trips. Then, again, conditions are not as
+pleasant here of late as I'd like to have them. Nat and I will leave
+you as soon as you reach Detroit."
+
+"Nat! Is he going with you?"
+
+"Yes. After what has occurred I should think you would be glad of it."
+
+"I don't know that I am," replied the captain. "At first I believed
+him guilty of having those cigarettes, but since then I have been
+informed by one of the crew that Sam Shaw smokes in secret, though
+not in forbidden places. No, I can't say that I am altogether pleased
+that Nat is going. He is a good boy, and though he is a trifle slow in
+some things I think I will prefer him to Sam."
+
+"Then Sam is going to have his place?"
+
+"If Nat leaves. I have promised Mr. Bumstead that I will give his
+nephew the position."
+
+"I hope you don't repent of it. I am sorry this little trouble has
+occurred, but I'll stick to Nat every time."
+
+"I wish I was sure that Sam and not Nat was at fault," went on the
+captain. "I confess I do not altogether like Sam, but I am under
+obligations to his uncle."
+
+"Well, Nat and I will soon be leaving you," continued the pilot. "Of
+course, until I go, I will do all I can to help you, and so will Nat."
+
+Though Captain Marshall was a little sorry to lose Nat, yet, on the
+whole, he was not ill-pleased that the boy to whom, in a measure, he
+had had to admit himself in the wrong was going to leave. He would
+have been better pleased to get some one else besides Sam in his
+place, but he could do nothing, as he had given the mate a promise.
+
+As for Nat, he was delighted at the prospect of a change. He had
+always wanted a place on a passenger steamer, for though he might be
+kept busier, the work was of a pleasanter character. The wages, too,
+were higher, and there was a better chance for advancement.
+
+Several days went by, and the freighter made a number of stops of
+small importance.
+
+"Well, Nat," said Mr. Weatherby in the evening, after the boy had
+spent nearly all day in the pilot-house perfecting himself along the
+lines of his chosen calling, "we'll be at Detroit to-morrow morning,
+and then we'll bid farewell to the _Jessie Drew_. I suppose you'll be
+glad of it?"
+
+"Partly, yes, though it was very nice before Sam showed up."
+
+"I, too, will be a little sorry to go," added the pilot. "I have been
+on her a number of years now, and it seems like home to me. But I
+think a change will be best."
+
+"Is the passenger steamer at Detroit?"
+
+"No, but it is expected there in a few days. We'll lay off on shore
+until she arrives. I have been in communication with the owners, and
+the boat is to pick you and me up at that port. You'll have a chance
+to make a few excursions on shore."
+
+"Oh, I'm not tired of work so soon."
+
+"No, I should hope not. But I have a little business to attend to in
+Detroit. I may say it affects you."
+
+"Affects me? How is that?"
+
+"You remember I told you I was going to write to a man who was on the
+lumber barge with your father?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, I did so, and I have an answer from him."
+
+"Who is he? What does he say?"
+
+"His name is George Clayton."
+
+"Why, I have often heard my father speak of him."
+
+"Yes; well, I had a letter from him the other day. It was forwarded to
+me from Chicago."
+
+"What does he say? Does he recall anything out of the ordinary
+concerning my father?"
+
+"That's what I can't tell. He doesn't say anything, except that he
+will meet me in Detroit. So he may know something, and, again, he may
+not. I suppose you haven't learned anything more from Mr. Bumstead?"
+
+"No. He hasn't said much to me since the trouble over the cigarettes."
+
+"Did you ask him any more about the pocketbook?"
+
+"I started to speak to him about it, intending to inquire if he
+couldn't possibly be mistaken, but he refused to talk about it and
+turned away, saying the wallet was his, and had been for a long time."
+
+"A good deal depends on what he calls a long time," murmured Mr.
+Weatherby as he went to his cabin.
+
+"I wonder what Mr. Clayton can tell me?" thought Nat. "I don't believe
+there was anything suspicious about father's death, or it would have
+been brought out at the time. The captain of the barge said he had
+fallen overboard while at work during a storm, and that they had a
+hard time recovering his body. Poor father! If he was only alive now
+he and I could be on some vessel and both earning a good living."
+
+Nat was a little sad at the thoughts of his dead parent, but he did
+not dwell long on this gloomy side. He had his work to do, and work is
+one of the best things in the world to make us forget our griefs.
+
+The _Jessie Drew_ tied up at the wharf in Detroit early the next
+morning. Mr. Weatherby had his baggage all packed, and Nat at his
+suggestion had done the same. Nat had been paid off by Captain
+Marshall the night before, but the pilot received his money in the
+form of a check every month.
+
+"I hope you do well in your new place," said Captain Marshall as he
+bade Nat good-by.
+
+"Thank you. I hope to be able to prove some day that those cigarettes
+were not mine," replied Nat.
+
+"If you do I will always be ready to beg your pardon," was the
+commander's reply, somewhat stiffly made.
+
+"Well, Nat, are you all ready?" called the pilot as he stood at the
+head of the companionway.
+
+"All ready," replied the boy, coming up on deck. Near the gangplank,
+over which he had to pass to leave the vessel, stood Sam Shaw. Though
+Sam had said little to his uncle about it, he was quite envious over
+Nat's rise in life. To be a helper to a pilot on a passenger steamer
+was much better than to be an assistant to the purser of a freighter.
+Sam had hinted to his uncle the advisability of Mr. Bumstead seeking a
+berth on a passenger boat, but the latter had replied he did not care
+for that sort of a place. The truth was the mate was not competent to
+take such a position, as he was not a first-class officer.
+
+"Good-by, Nat," called Mr. Dunn to the lad who had been such a help to
+him. "I'll miss you."
+
+"Oh, I guess I can do as well as he did," spoke Sam quickly. "I'll not
+make any mistake checking up the cargo lists, and I'll not go to sleep
+in the hold and say a bale fell on me." For his uncle had told Sam of
+these two circumstances, giving his own version of them.
+
+"That'll do you!" exclaimed Nat. "Don't you get too fresh!"
+
+"And I'm not going to have any cigarettes, either," went on Sam,
+determined to do all he could to blacken Nat's character.
+
+This last taunt was too much for Nat. Dropping his valise he sprang
+for Sam.
+
+"You take that back!" he demanded.
+
+"I'll do nothing of the kind!" was Sam's retort.
+
+"Then I'll punch your head!"
+
+"You don't dare! I'm not afraid of you. Get away from me, or I'll land
+you one on the nose!"
+
+The two boys stood glaring at each other. Nat was thoroughly angry,
+something that was rare with him, and Sam felt a desire to strike the
+lad who had managed to get ahead of him.
+
+"Are you going to get away from me?" demanded Sam.
+
+"Not until I get ready."
+
+"Come, Nat, don't have anything to do with him," advised Mr.
+Weatherby, for he did not want to see a fight.
+
+At the sound of his friend's voice Nat involuntarily turned his head.
+Sam meanly took advantage of this, and drew back his arm for a blow.
+His fist shot out, but Nat turned aside in time so that he only
+received a light blow on the shoulder. He had been hit, however, and
+he was not the lad to stand that without taking some action.
+
+"There! If you want to fight!" he cried, and his left shot out,
+straight for Sam's face. Sam tried to dodge, but he was too late. The
+blow caught him full on the chin, and so powerful was it that he
+reeled backward, vainly clutching the air for support.
+
+He had been standing with his back to the little space between the
+ship's rail and the rail of the gangplank. Nat's blow sent him reeling
+backward, and a moment later Sam fell into the water between the
+vessel and the dock.
+
+"Man overboard!" sang out a sailor who had witnessed the fight and its
+outcome. "Man overboard!"
+
+He ran to the rail, and threw a life-preserver down into the narrow
+space. But with the realization of what he had done Nat was in action.
+
+He threw off his coat and vest with a quick motion, and with his knife
+cut the laces of his shoes, kicking them off in a trice. Then, running
+to the rail, he peered down to where a swirl in the water indicated
+Sam's position. Over the rail leaped Nat, to rescue the boy whom he
+had knocked into the water.
+
+At the sailor's cry Captain Marshall and the mate came running out on
+deck. They were told by the pilot what had happened.
+
+"I'll have him arrested for this!" cried the mate. "He tried to murder
+my nephew."
+
+"Your nephew hit him first," replied Mr. Weatherby.
+
+"Yes, and now he's trying to drown him!"
+
+"Not a bit of it. Sam had no business to be standing where he was.
+Let Nat alone and he'll get him out. He rescued me from a worse place
+than that."
+
+The three men rushed to the rail, and peered down. Neither boy was in
+sight.
+
+"Sam's drowned! Oh, Sam's drowned!" cried the mate, helplessly.
+
+"Nonsense!" replied the pilot. "He hasn't been in half a minute.
+There! Nat's got him!"
+
+Nat had reappeared on the surface, with one arm about his enemy.
+
+"Throw me a rope!" he cried. "He's unconscious! Must have hit his
+head!"
+
+"Can you hold him?" asked the pilot.
+
+"Yes. I've got hold of the dock."
+
+The rope was hastily lowered, and Nat placed the loop of it about the
+shoulders of the unconscious Sam. Then those on deck hauled him up.
+
+A few seconds later, with the aid of the same rope, Nat was pulled on
+deck.
+
+"Is he--is he all right?" he asked anxiously.
+
+"Yes," answered the pilot. "That was a plucky rescue."
+
+"Well, I couldn't do any less, seeing I knocked him overboard. I was
+afraid I couldn't get him. He's quite heavy."
+
+"This is a dramatic farewell," commented Mr. Weatherby. "I suppose you
+can't go now, until you have changed your clothes."
+
+"I don't want to go until I know whether he is all right. I'm sorry I
+struck him so hard."
+
+"He deserved it, for he took an unfair advantage of you."
+
+"Yes, that's so; but I didn't think it would end this way."
+
+"Better go to the engine-room, and change your clothes," suggested Mr.
+Weatherby. "I'll wait for you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+NAT HEARS SOME NEWS
+
+
+Nat took off his wet garments, and donned some others, while the damp
+ones were put to dry over one of the boilers. In the meanwhile Sam had
+been revived. He was not much hurt, but he had swallowed a quantity of
+water, which made him quite ill.
+
+"I'll have that Nat Morton arrested for assault and battery," declared
+the mate.
+
+"No--no--don't!" begged his nephew.
+
+"Why not? Didn't he hit you?"
+
+"Yes--but--but I hit him first, and--and Mr. Weatherby saw me."
+
+"Oh," said Mr. Bumstead. "Well, we'll get even with him some way."
+
+"That's what I will," declared Sam, with as much energy as possible
+under the circumstances. "I'm glad he's going. Are you sure I'm to
+have his job?"
+
+"Yes, and you'll get more money. I made Captain Marshall agree to
+that, though he didn't want to. But you'll have to be very careful.
+Don't you dare smoke any cigarettes."
+
+"How do you know I do smoke 'em?"
+
+"Oh, I've got a good nose for tobacco," replied his uncle. "I'm
+warning you; that's all. I don't like this Nat Morton any more than
+you do, and I'm glad he is going."
+
+The mate did not say why, but it was because he had hidden away a
+certain wallet, with a name erased from it, and this wallet he did not
+want Nat to see.
+
+Owing to the fight between Nat and Sam, it was not until noon that Mr.
+Weatherby and our hero were able to leave the _Jessie Drew_. By that
+time Nat's clothes were dry, and then, without Sam looking on, for he
+was below in his bunk, the pilot and the lad whom he had befriended
+went ashore.
+
+"We'll go to the Imperial Hotel," spoke Mr. Weatherby. "That's where I
+usually put up, when I'm here, and we'll wait there until the
+_Mermaid_ docks."
+
+"Is that the name of the ship we are going on?" asked Nat.
+
+"That's her. She's a fine steamer, and Captain Turton is a fine man. I
+shall like to work for him, and I believe you will too."
+
+"Maybe he doesn't want me," suggested Nat, for he had been thinking of
+that contingency.
+
+"Oh, I've arranged all that. But I wonder if George Clayton will be
+here?"
+
+"Where did you expect to meet him?"
+
+"At the hotel. There's the place, just ahead," and the pilot pointed
+down the street. "Yes, and there's George, like a lookout in the bow
+on a foggy night. There, he's signaling us!"
+
+Nat saw a stout, jolly looking man, standing on the hotel steps,
+waving his hand to Mr. Weatherby.
+
+"Ahoy there!" called Mr. Clayton, when they were within hailing
+distance, "how goes it?"
+
+"Very fair. How about you?"
+
+"Oh, I've had pretty good weather, and I managed to keep off the rocks
+and shoals. But is this Nat Morton, whom you were telling me about?"
+
+"That's Nat," replied the pilot.
+
+"Hum. Looks like his father," commented Mr. Clayton. "Shake hands,
+young man," and he extended a big one, roughened by many years of toil
+aboard lake steamers.
+
+"Did you know my father?" asked Nat, with deep interest.
+
+"Indeed, I did. He and I were messmates on many a trip. I was on the
+same barge when a big wave washed him overboard. My! but that was a
+rough night!"
+
+"I thought maybe, George," said Mr. Weatherby, "that you could tell
+Nat something about his father's affairs. There seems to be something
+wrong somewhere, but I can't get a clear passage to what it is. The
+signals don't seem to be right, and we're navigating around in a fog.
+Maybe you can put us on the right course, and we'll get into some sort
+of a harbor."
+
+"I'll do my best, though I don't know much about his affairs," said
+the stout sailor. "But come on in. I'd like to talk to you."
+
+Nat felt a little strange at meeting one who had known his father so
+intimately.
+
+But George Clayton was not one to let one feel sad for very long. When
+they were in his room at the hotel, drinking lemonade, for the day was
+hot, he told Nat all he knew about his father's last voyage.
+
+"And so you're learning to be a pilot," he said to Nat at the close.
+"I thought your father was going to set you up in some business. He
+was afraid you would meet with some accident if you followed the same
+calling he did."
+
+"Set him up in business? What do you mean?" asked Mr. Weatherby.
+
+"Well, I don't know exactly what business, but I know Jim--I always
+called your father Jim," he explained to Nat--"I know Jim was talking
+what he was going to do with the profits of the load of lumber--I mean
+his share."
+
+"Did Mr. Morton have a share in the load of lumber on the barge from
+which he was drowned?" asked the pilot.
+
+"Of course. Didn't you know that? Didn't you get his share when he
+died?" he asked of the boy.
+
+"I got nothing. Father left nothing, as far as I know."
+
+"Why, he certainly left something," insisted Mr. Clayton. "We all got
+our share out of it, and I always supposed his went to his heirs.
+You're the only one, I understand."
+
+"This is getting to be quite a puzzle," declared Mr. Weatherby.
+"Suppose you explain."
+
+"Well, you certainly surprise me," went on Mr. Clayton. "And Nat
+didn't get anything after his father died?"
+
+"Not a cent. How could he? Mr. Morton left no papers of any kind."
+
+"Well, he certainly did, for I saw 'em. There was a whole walletful,
+and among them was a certificate of his share in the lumber deal."
+
+"What lumber deal? What wallet?" asked Nat excitedly.
+
+"I'd better begin at the beginning," said Mr. Clayton, "and tell it
+all regularly--that is, as much as I know. But first I must have some
+more lemonade."
+
+He filled his glass from the pitcher, drank a goodly draught of the
+beverage, and began:
+
+"Jim and I and several others formed a syndicate on that lumber. That
+is, we all put our money together and purchased the load. It was good
+timber, and the price was high, and we stood to make considerable. Jim
+had five shares, and each share was worth in the neighborhood of three
+hundred dollars. I had two shares."
+
+"Then my father had fifteen hundred dollars in that lumber deal," said
+Nat.
+
+"That's what he had, my boy, and where it went to is a mystery."
+
+"Did you get your money out of it?" asked the pilot.
+
+"I certainly did, and so did the others. After that storm, when your
+father was lost overboard, we had a hard job getting the lumber to
+port, but we managed to do it, and sold it for a good price."
+
+"What was done with the money?" asked Mr. Weatherby.
+
+"It was divided among the members of the syndicate."
+
+"What about Mr. Morton's share?"
+
+"His was laid aside, and the second mate of the barge said he would
+take it to his address in Chicago. He got it off Mr. Morton's dead
+body."
+
+"I never received the money," said Nat.
+
+"That's queer," spoke Mr. Clayton.
+
+"Who was the second mate, who agreed to take Mr. Morton's share to
+his heirs?" inquired the pilot.
+
+"He was Joseph Bumstead," was the startling answer, "but I don't know
+where he is now. He cleared out after we sold the lumber, taking his
+share, and Mr. Morton's, and I haven't seen him since."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+JUST TOO LATE
+
+
+Such was their surprise over this announcement on the part of Mr.
+Clayton, that neither Mr. Weatherby nor Nat knew, for a moment, what
+to say.
+
+"Are you sure Bumstead had Mr. Morton's share?" asked the pilot.
+
+"Of course. He took charge of everything that was found in poor Jim's
+pockets. There was a little money, and some other papers. One, I
+recall, was a promissory note for about four hundred dollars, for
+money Jim had loaned to Bumstead. I remember there was some question
+about letting him take that, but he said he would pay the money due on
+it to Jim's heirs, and we let him have the whole business."
+
+"What sort of a looking man was this Bumstead?" asked Mr. Weatherby,
+while he and Nat waited anxiously for the answer.
+
+Mr. Clayton accurately described the mate of the _Jessie Drew_.
+
+"It's the same man," murmured the pilot. "There can be no mistake
+about that."
+
+"Why, do you know him?" asked Mr. Clayton.
+
+"I have every reason to believe that he is mate of the freight steamer
+Nat and I have just left," was the reply.
+
+"Then let's get right after him, and make him give up that money!"
+exclaimed Mr. Clayton. "He's got it. Probably he turned the lumber
+shares into money as soon as he got ashore, for he could easily do
+that."
+
+"Then with the money due on the note he has about two thousand dollars
+belonging to----"
+
+"Belonging to Nat!" interrupted Mr. Clayton, "and I'll see that the
+boy gets it. Come on, don't lose any time. Bumstead may skip out. I
+didn't like the man when I was in the same crew with him, but I never
+supposed he was a thief."
+
+"This explains why he did not want Nat to come aboard to work," said
+the pilot. "He was afraid Mr. Morton's son would discover something."
+
+"And I _did_, too," put in Nat. "I saw him have my father's wallet."
+
+"That's so; I forgot about that for the moment," cried Mr. Weatherby.
+"Do you recall that pocketbook, with Mr. Morton's name on it in gold
+letters?" he asked, turning to Mr. Clayton.
+
+"Indeed, I do. Jim thought a lot of that. Has Bumstead got it?"
+
+"We have every reason to think he has."
+
+"He's a thorough villain," commented Mr. Clayton. "Now don't let's
+delay any longer, or he may skip out. Let's get a policeman, or a
+detective, and have him locked up. I'll be a witness against him."
+
+"I guess that's our best plan," assented the pilot. "Well, Nat, you're
+better off than you thought you were. Two thousand dollars is a neat
+sum for a lad like you."
+
+"I haven't got it yet."
+
+"No, but we'll see that you do get it," replied Mr. Weatherby's
+friend. "We'll have the law on that rascally mate. No wonder he wanted
+his nephew to have your place."
+
+"Shall we go down where the _Jessie Drew_ is tied up, and see if the
+mate is aboard before we get an officer, or stop at the police station
+first?" asked Mr. Weatherby, as he, Nat and Mr. Clayton left the
+hotel.
+
+"Let's get a policeman, or a detective, first," was Mr. Clayton's
+answer. "We can't take any chances with a man like Bumstead. To think
+of him having that money more than two years, since poor Jim was
+drowned, and Nat suffering for what was really his own!"
+
+"Oh, I didn't suffer so much," was our hero's answer. "I managed to
+get along, and Mr. and Mrs. Miller were very good to me. Then I had a
+good friend in Mr. Weatherby."
+
+"No better than I had in you," replied the pilot, who had told his
+friend of the plucky rescue.
+
+A stop at the police station, and a recital of part of the story to
+the sergeant in charge, readily procured the services of a detective.
+In order to excite no suspicions, it was arranged that the officer and
+Mr. Clayton should go on ahead to the dock where the freight steamer
+was tied up. They could go aboard, and if Mr. Bumstead saw them he
+would not become alarmed and escape, whereas, if he saw the pilot and
+Nat returning he might take the alarm.
+
+Accordingly, when they were part way to the dock, Nat and Mr.
+Weatherby walked down a side street, while the others went on.
+
+"I wonder if he'll put up a fight?" mused Nat, as they paced slowly up
+and down, waiting.
+
+"Very likely. He is a desperate man, and I haven't the slightest doubt
+but what he pushed that bale on you in the hold."
+
+"I think so myself," agreed Nat.
+
+It seemed quite a long time that Mr. Clayton and the detective were
+gone, and Nat grew impatient.
+
+"Something must have happened," he said.
+
+"I hope so," answered the pilot. "I hope they got him, and that he had
+your money with him."
+
+They resumed their pacing up and down. About ten minutes later they
+saw Mr. Clayton and the officer coming toward them, unaccompanied.
+
+"They didn't get him!" exclaimed Nat.
+
+"Maybe he gave up the money."
+
+"I hope he did. I shouldn't like to go to court over it."
+
+"Well?" asked the pilot, as the two came nearer.
+
+"We were just too late," answered Mr. Clayton dejectedly.
+
+"Too late?"
+
+"Yes, the vessel has sailed for Buffalo. We have been trying to find
+another ship bound for the same port, that might get in ahead of the
+freighter, but we couldn't. I guess Bumstead has escaped us for a
+time, but you can follow him. His ship will tie up in Buffalo for a
+week."
+
+"But Nat and I have to go aboard the passenger steamer in a few days,"
+said Mr. Weatherby. "We'll have to stay on Lake Huron for a month or
+more, cruising about. I can't go to Buffalo, and I don't believe it
+would be safe for Nat to go alone."
+
+"I wish I could," said Mr. Clayton, "but I've got to ship for a trip
+to Duluth and other ports to-morrow. Even if I didn't have to go, I
+would have no right to make a complaint against the mate. It would
+have to be done by Nat, as it's his money."
+
+"That's right," said the detective. "The person whose property is
+stolen has to make the complaint. But we might wire the Buffalo police
+to hold the man until one of you can get there. The only trouble is
+you'd have to swear out a warrant here, and as I understand it, there
+is only a suspicion against Bumstead."
+
+"We are practically sure he has Nat's money," replied the pilot,
+"still, there may be some difficulty in causing his arrest, when he is
+so far away. If we could only send some one to Buffalo, who understood
+the case, and would know what to do, we could manage. It is out of the
+question for me to go, and I don't believe Nat could manage matters.
+The mate would probably get some criminal lawyer, and effect a
+release, even if he was arrested. It's quite a puzzle."
+
+"I don't see what we can do," added the detective. "If we had been
+half an hour sooner we could have nabbed him."
+
+Nat, who had hopes of recovering the money that was rightfully his,
+began to feel discouraged. It looked as if the rascally mate had the
+best of them.
+
+As the four stood in the street, undecided what to do, a voice hailed
+Nat, calling out:
+
+"Well, well! If there isn't the lad who saved my boat for me! I'm
+glad to see you again. How are you?"
+
+Nat looked up, to see advancing toward him two men. The younger was
+John Scanlon, whose craft the boy had saved from being stove in at the
+dock in Chicago, some weeks before.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+PLANNING A CAPTURE
+
+
+"Glad to meet you again," said Nat cordially, as he shook hands with
+young Mr. Scanlon. "What are you doing here?"
+
+"Oh, we're on a little trip, my father and I. By the way, I don't
+believe you have met my father. Dad, this is Nat Morton, whom I was
+telling you about. He saved our rowboat."
+
+"Humph, I haven't quite forgiven you for that careless piece of work,
+John. But I'm glad to meet Nat," and Mr. Peter Scanlon shook hands
+with the lad.
+
+"What are you doing here, Nat?" asked John.
+
+"I'm learning to be a pilot."
+
+"This is a queer place to learn that calling--ashore."
+
+Then Nat explained that he was about to make a change of craft, and he
+introduced his companions to John and the latter's parent. He also
+told of the money due him and their fruitless efforts to capture the
+mate.
+
+"Why, that's quite a romantic story," commented John Scanlon. "To
+think of your having money all this time, and not knowing it!"
+
+"And I'm still without it," said Nat, "and likely to be for some time,
+unless something happens."
+
+"What a story that would make for the newspapers," went on John. "I
+once thought of becoming a newspaper reporter. This would be a dandy
+yarn."
+
+"Hold on there, young fellow!" exclaimed the detective.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked John.
+
+"Don't go to tipping off the papers about this. We're going to have a
+hard enough time as it is to capture this chap, and we don't want him
+to know we're after him. If he sees something about it in the papers,
+he'll take the alarm and leave Buffalo before we can land him."
+
+"Buffalo? Is he headed for Buffalo?" asked John Scanlon excitedly.
+
+"Yes. Why?" asked Nat.
+
+"Why, that's where we're going! My father's steam yacht leaves for
+Buffalo to-morrow. We're going to make the trip all the way to New
+York, by way of the St. Lawrence River, and we're going to stop off at
+Buffalo. Maybe we'll see this Bumstead."
+
+"Say, if you only could catch him!" cried Nat eagerly.
+
+"There are several legal difficulties to that plan," objected the
+detective.
+
+"Perhaps I can suggest a way out," put in Mr. Scanlon, who had been
+listening with interest to the story of Nat's newly discovered
+possessions. "I am a lawyer, and if I can help the lad who saved my
+son's boat from destruction, I'd be only too glad to do so."
+
+"That might be the very thing," went on the officer. He explained the
+mix-up that would ensue if some unauthorized person attempted to cause
+the arrest of the mate in Buffalo.
+
+"I think we can get around that difficulty," said the lawyer.
+"According to your story the mate is guilty of embezzling money
+belonging to another, with which he was entrusted. Then there is the
+promissory note, which would come under a different head. Nat can make
+a complaint in this city, charging the mate with embezzlement. A
+warrant can be sworn out, and I can be duly authorized to prosecute
+the case for Nat."
+
+"That would answer first-rate," commented the detective.
+
+"Only I'm afraid it will put you to a good deal of trouble, Mr.
+Scanlon," said Mr. Weatherby.
+
+"I don't mind that in the least. I am in no hurry. In fact I am on a
+pleasure trip, and it does not matter when I get to New York. I had
+planned to stop at Buffalo, and spending a few days longer there than
+I calculated on will make no difference."
+
+"But will your boat get to Buffalo ahead of the freight steamer?"
+asked Mr. Clayton.
+
+"I think so," replied John Scanlon, with a smile. "It is one of the
+fastest small yachts afloat. I fancy we will be at the dock waiting
+for this Bumstead when his ship gets in."
+
+"Yes," agreed his father. "I will be waiting for him there with a
+warrant. But we must lose no time. Supposing we go to the police
+station and draw up the complaint?"
+
+This was soon done, and with the proper papers in his pocket, Mr.
+Scanlon and his son prepared to set out on their voyage to capture the
+rascally mate. The lawyer promised to telegraph Nat the result of his
+efforts, as soon as possible, and the pilot gave Mr. Scanlon a list of
+the ports at which the _Mermaid_, his new vessel, would call.
+
+"In case anything happens, you can notify us," said the pilot.
+
+The lawyer and his son bade the others good-by, as, now that they had
+an object in view, the Scanlons wanted to begin their trip at once.
+
+"Good luck!" called Nat to his new friends. "I hope you get him."
+
+"Oh, we'll get him," replied John confidently.
+
+"Well, Nat, there's been quite a change in your prospects since you
+jumped overboard, a few hours ago, and rescued Sam Shaw," remarked Mr.
+Weatherby as, with our hero and Mr. Clayton, they went back to their
+hotel.
+
+"Yes, I seem to have more friends than I thought I did."
+
+"And one or two enemies. Don't forget that. You've been through some
+perils already, and I hope they're at an end."
+
+But there were yet more dangers ahead of Nat Morton--dangers of which
+he did not dream, for indeed, as the pilot had said, he had at least
+one relentless enemy who would have been well satisfied to see Nat out
+of his way.
+
+Two days later the _Mermaid_ arrived at Detroit, and the pilot and Nat
+went aboard. Mr. Clayton had previously sailed on his trip to Lake
+Superior, to be gone some time, but he promised to come, whenever
+wanted, to testify against Bumstead, in case the mate was brought to
+trial.
+
+The _Mermaid_ was a fine passenger steamer, which called at all the
+principal ports on Lakes Huron, Michigan and Erie. She carried
+passengers chiefly, but also took some freight. Nat, however, found he
+had nothing to do with that department. He was assigned to the
+captain's cabin, where he would have certain light duties to perform,
+but it had been arranged, by Mr. Weatherby, that his young _protege_
+was to receive more instruction in piloting than had been possible
+aboard the freighter.
+
+So the most of the day, and part of the night, found Nat with his
+friend in the pilot-house. The _Mermaid_ steered by steam, and instead
+of an immense wheel, there was only a small one. A simple turn of it,
+with one hand, would send the great steamer on any desired course.
+
+"This is another reason I wanted to change," remarked Mr. Weatherby,
+as he explained to Nat how the steam steering gear was operated. "That
+big wheel was getting too much for me to handle, especially in a
+storm. We'll have it easier now, and it will be more pleasant."
+
+There was no doubt about this. The _Mermaid_ was a new steamer, and
+was handsomely furnished. And it was much nicer to be among
+passengers, than delving away in a dark, dirty hold, checking up long
+cargo lists. Nat began to feel that his life had changed very much for
+the better. He had a new suit of clothes, and made a good appearance.
+
+For about a week the _Mermaid_ cruised on Lake Huron and Lake
+Michigan, taking on passengers, and some freight at one port, and
+leaving them at another. Nat was rapidly progressing in his chosen
+calling, and several times he had steered the vessel all alone, with
+no one in the pilot-house but himself, for Mr. Weatherby wanted the
+lad to acquire confidence.
+
+Captain Turton was an agreeable man, and readily consented that Nat
+should have all the privileges possible, in order to learn more
+rapidly.
+
+"I was young once myself," he said with a smile. "I had to pick up my
+knowledge of ships as best I could, and if I had had half a chance I
+would be a better navigator than I am now. In fact, I could have
+learned piloting among these many islands in Lake Huron, and that
+would have saved me hiring you, Weatherby."
+
+"Well, if Nat keeps on, he'll soon be able to take my place," said the
+pilot with a smile. "He did nearly all the work to-day. I'm getting
+lazy, I guess. For the last few days I haven't felt like myself."
+
+"Maybe you're getting malaria," suggested the captain.
+
+"I'm getting something. Guess I'll take a big dose of quinine
+to-night."
+
+"Better not to-night," spoke the captain.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Well, I don't like the looks of the weather. There seems to be a
+storm coming up, and you'll want all your wits about you if it comes
+on to blow much."
+
+"Oh, I guess I can steer, even if my ears do ring with the quinine,
+and my head buzzes," answered Mr. Weatherby. "I must break up this
+languid feeling."
+
+The _Mermaid_ stopped at a good-sized city that evening, preparatory
+to making an all-night trip. As the boat touched the dock Nat saw on
+the end of the pier a telegraph messenger.
+
+"Anybody named Nat Morton aboard?" the boy called, as soon as the ship
+was made fast.
+
+"That's me," replied Nat.
+
+"Well, I've got a telegram for you. I've been waiting three hours, and
+you've got to pay for my time."
+
+"That'll be all right," said Mr. Weatherby, who was standing at the
+rail, beside Nat. "It's probably from Mr. Scanlon," he went on. "I was
+wondering why we didn't hear from him."
+
+He paid the messenger boy, and Nat tore open the yellow envelope. The
+message was from Mr. Scanlon, and it was short. It said:
+
+      "Freighter arrived. Bumstead and nephew not aboard.
+      They shipped on another vessel before arriving at
+      Buffalo. Wire me what to do."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+NAT'S PLUCKY PILOTING
+
+
+"Well, if that isn't tough luck!" exclaimed Nat.
+
+"I suppose Bumstead thinks just the opposite," remarked the pilot.
+
+"I wonder if he heard of our plan, and made the change of boats to
+escape us?"
+
+"I think not. He could not know that we were after him. I fancy the
+mate and Captain Marshall had some disagreement. I know the mate did
+not like Mr. Marshall, who, in fact, was rather afraid of Bumstead.
+Very likely they had a quarrel, and the mate got aboard the first
+vessel he met."
+
+"Then we can't have him arrested."
+
+"Oh, I guess we can. It will take a little longer, that's all. He's
+sure to stick around the lakes, as he doesn't know enough of
+navigation to get a job anywhere else. News travels pretty well among
+those engaged in business up here, and we'll get on his track sooner
+or later."
+
+"I hope so, for I want that money. When I didn't know I was to get any
+I was pretty well satisfied, but now that I have heard of this legacy,
+it seems as though I ought to get it."
+
+"And so you shall. But I must telegraph to Mr. Scanlon. I don't
+believe we can ask him to do any more for us. He probably wants to
+continue on to New York. Besides, we can't inform him where to look
+for Bumstead. I'll just wire, thanking him, and tell him we'll look
+after the rascal now."
+
+"I guess that's the only plan."
+
+A message was sent to Mr. Scanlon, and by that time the _Mermaid_ was
+ready to proceed. The indications of the storm became more pronounced,
+but it did not break that night.
+
+Day after day slipped by and Nat kept steadily at work, learning all
+about piloting that was possible. It was wonderful how quickly he
+acquired the art of navigation.
+
+"The boy was born to it," declared the old pilot to the captain. "He
+knows as much about it already as many assistants who have been at the
+wheel for ten times as long."
+
+Mr. Weatherby was far from well, and Nat noticed that he could not
+keep at the wheel as steadily as before. One evening when a heavy
+storm was brewing the old pilot said every bone in his body ached.
+
+"Guess I'm in for a spell of sickness, sure," he remarked.
+
+"Can't you take some medicine?" asked Nat, sympathetically.
+
+"Yes."
+
+Mr. Weatherby took a large dose of quinine, so large that he was
+unable to remain in the pilot-house after midnight, but as the route
+was over a course he had previously traveled, Nat had no difficulty in
+steering the big vessel, with occasional help from Captain Turton.
+
+"Well, Nat, how did you make out?" Mr. Weatherby asked him the next
+morning.
+
+"Pretty well. I was a bit frightened at first, and I was afraid I
+would forget some of the signals, or read the lights wrong, and pile
+the boat up on an island or a bar, but I didn't."
+
+"Glad to hear it. I was a little anxious about you. Now whatever you
+do, when you're in the pilot-house, don't lose your nerve. Just say to
+yourself that you're going to succeed, and bring the ship through, and
+you'll do it."
+
+"There's more responsibility here than on a freighter."
+
+"Indeed, there is! Think of all the human lives entrusted to your
+care. That will make you keep your nerve in case you get in a critical
+place. But you did very well, and I'm proud of you."
+
+"How are you feeling this morning?"
+
+"Pretty well. I can take my trick now. You'd better turn in and get
+some sleep. You may have to take part of the watch again to-night."
+
+Nat did go to his bunk, after breakfast, but he did not stay there
+long. One of the cabin stewards was injured by a fall down a
+companionway, and Nat had to turn in and do this man's work. The
+result was the boy was kept busy nearly all day, occasionally taking a
+turn at the wheel.
+
+Once, when he relieved Mr. Weatherby for a few minutes, while the
+pilot went below to take some medicine, he remarked to his benefactor:
+
+"You don't look very well."
+
+"And I don't feel very well, Nat. But I'm trying to stick it out.
+We've got a hard part of the lake ahead of us, a part where there are
+more islands than you can shake a stick at, and I don't like to go
+through there. But we've got to do it."
+
+"But how can you, if you're sick?"
+
+"Pilots, as well as other persons, can't always do as they would like
+to. I guess I'll be all right. But I don't like the weather. The
+longer this storm holds off, the worse it's likely to be. However,
+there's no use worrying. I'll be back in a few minutes. Keep her about
+as she is."
+
+Left alone in the pilot-house Nat glanced at the compass, noted the
+course marked on the charts, and by moving the small steam
+steering-wheel slightly, found that the ship answered readily to the
+helm.
+
+Off to the west there was a big bank of slate-colored clouds, from
+which, now and then, came low rumblings of thunder.
+
+"I guess it won't be long before the storm reaches here," thought the
+young pilot.
+
+Almost before the boy realized it, an hour had passed. He was so
+interested in steering the boat, and recalling the different points
+that had been impressed on him by the pilot, that he did not notice
+that Mr. Weatherby was gone much longer than he had said he would be
+away.
+
+"It's taking him a good while to get his medicine," murmured Nat. "I
+hope he isn't going to be sick again to-night. I don't want to have to
+steer the vessel among a lot of islands."
+
+He was now anxiously awaiting the return of Mr. Weatherby, for the
+storm seemed to be approaching more rapidly, and the darkness of the
+coming night was added to by the black clouds, that now covered the
+entire sky.
+
+Nat shifted the wheel, to keep the vessel on the prescribed course,
+and was looking ahead through the fast-gathering gloom, when some one
+came into the pilot-house. He looked up to see Captain Turton, whose
+face wore a worried look.
+
+"I'm afraid we're going to have trouble," he said.
+
+"How so, captain?"
+
+"Mr. Weatherby is very sick. I was just in his cabin, and I found him
+in a semi-conscious state. He had tried to take some medicine, but
+before he could get it he was seized with a sudden fit of sickness. I
+called in the doctor, and he said the pilot would not be able to take
+charge of the vessel to-night. I don't know what we're going to do,
+unless you can steer. Do you think you can?"
+
+Nat hesitated. He had taken the freighter over this same course, when
+Mr. Weatherby was in the pilot-house with him, but that was in calm
+weather and daylight.
+
+Could he steer the big passenger steamer over the same course after
+dark, and with a storm coming up? It was a question grave enough to
+make even an older person than Nat hesitate.
+
+"It's a pretty big contract for a lad," said the captain. "I'll help
+you all I can, but the rules require me to have a pilot in charge. I
+can't do it, unless you feel that you can steer the ship, with such
+help as I can give you. Otherwise, I shall have to put into the
+nearest port, and I dislike to do that, as it will disarrange the
+passenger schedule, and the owners object to that."
+
+"I--I think I can do it--at least I'll try," said Nat, determined to
+"keep his nerve" as the pilot had advised him. "I'll do my best."
+
+"That's the way to talk, Nat! I guess you'll make out all right. Now
+I'll have to go to help look after Mr. Weatherby. He is in a bad way."
+
+"Do you think he will--die?"
+
+"Oh, no, it's not as serious as that, but he's quite sick."
+
+As the captain turned away the rumbling of thunder grew louder, and
+there came fitful gleams of lightning from the black clouds.
+
+Nat drew a long breath, and prepared himself for what he felt sure was
+coming. Then, almost as calmly as if it had been Mr. Weatherby
+himself, he gave his orders. The lookout was stationed in the bow, and
+the great searchlight, on a mast back of the pilot-house, and some
+distance above it, was set aglow. This was to disclose, during the
+storm, any vessels or other obstructions in the path of the _Mermaid_.
+This done, Nat prepared for his difficult task.
+
+It grew darker, but with the blackness came the flashing of the beacon
+lights on dangerous reefs and islands. Nat was able to pick out his
+position fairly well, and he began to feel less nervous.
+
+Suddenly, with a furious burst of wind, and a dash of rain, the storm
+enveloped the vessel. Great waves arose on the lake, and the ship
+began to pitch and toss. In fact, a storm on one of the great lakes is
+almost as bad as one at sea, if not worse, for it does not take long
+for the comparatively shallow water to become very much agitated.
+
+[Illustration: "The storm enveloped the vessel"]
+
+Nat signaled for full speed ahead, as he knew he would need all the
+steerageway possible to take the vessel through the waves that, every
+moment, were becoming larger.
+
+He had his supper in the pilot-house, for he would not leave to go to
+the cabin for it. Captain Turton came in during the evening to report
+that while Mr. Weatherby was resting easily, he was still quite ill.
+
+"Do you think you can stick out through the night?" the commander
+asked.
+
+"I'm going to," was Nat's plucky answer, though the boy was very tired
+from his long vigil the night previous, and his lack of sleep during
+the day. But Nat was not going to give in.
+
+After the first outburst the storm settled into a steady blow, with
+torrents of rain, and an occasional brilliant flash of lightning, and
+loud peals of thunder. Through it rode the ship, urged on by her
+powerful engines.
+
+The night wore on. Wearily, Nat clung to the small wheel in front of
+him, shifting the course of the vessel now and then, as he picked out
+the route on the chart, or made a quick shift to avoid some bar or
+island. His arms and legs were weary. His eyes were hot and smarting
+from lack of slumber and rest. But he stuck it out. Captain Turton
+offered to relieve him, but the boy did not want to give up. Even had
+he done so, the relief would have been short, as, while the commander
+was proposing it, word came that the ship had sprung a small leak, and
+the captain's presence was needed to see that the pumps were set
+going.
+
+"We're depending on you, Nat," he said as he left the pilot-house.
+
+"I'll stick it out," again came the plucky reply.
+
+About three o'clock in the morning the wind shifted. The lake became
+choppy, from the cross seas, and a second section of the storm seemed
+to make its appearance. Nat, who in spite of his efforts to stay awake
+had caught himself nodding--in fact almost asleep once--started up
+suddenly. He peered out of the windows.
+
+There, right in the path of the vessel, illuminated by the powerful
+searchlight, was a mass of foam. At the same moment the lookout
+yelled:
+
+"Breakers ahead! We're headed for a reef!"
+
+With a quick motion, while his heart almost stopped beating, Nat spun
+the little wheel around. The ship quivered. It seemed to hesitate, as
+if debating whether or not to rush to destruction on the sharp rocks,
+just hidden under the treacherous water, or to glide to one side.
+
+Then, slowly, so slowly that Nat's heart almost ceased beating lest
+she should not change her course quickly enough, the _Mermaid_ swung
+around, and her prow was pointed away from the dangerous reef.
+
+Nat's plucky piloting had saved the vessel!
+
+Into the little pilot-house rushed the captain. He had heard the
+lookout's cry, and had guessed what had happened.
+
+"We were almost on Dagget's Point reef!" he exclaimed. "How did we
+escape it?"
+
+"I saw it in time," answered Nat modestly.
+
+"Thank God!" cried the captain, as he grasped the young pilot by the
+hand. "There's deep water all around us, and if we'd struck it would
+have meant a terrible loss of life."
+
+At that instant there was a hoarse scream from a siren whistle, and,
+peering out of the windows of the pilot-house, Nat and the captain
+saw, looming up in front of them, but some distance away, another
+steamer. Nat blew a caution signal, and it was answered from the other
+vessel, which quickly turned aside, and then disappeared in the mist
+of rain.
+
+"I believe they were headed right for the reef, too," said the
+captain. "You warned them in time. Well, we have a good course from
+now out. I'll take the wheel, and you go lie down."
+
+But Nat would not. He insisted on remaining in the pilot-house until
+morning, and when daylight came, he saw that the other vessed was not
+far from them, both ships being headed for the same harbor. The other
+ship was the _Spray_, of much smaller tonnage than the _Mermaid_.
+
+"She must have turned back after meeting us," thought Nat, "as she was
+headed in the opposite direction when we met near the reef."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE ACCUSATION
+
+
+Captain Turton decided to lay over for some hours, as, during the
+storm, his vessel had suffered some minor damage, which he wanted
+repaired.
+
+"How is Mr. Weatherby?" asked Nat, as soon as there was no longer any
+need of him remaining in the pilot-house.
+
+"He is much better this morning," replied the commander, "but he is
+still quite weak, and will probably stay in his bunk all day. He says
+he would like to see you."
+
+"I'll go at once."
+
+"Hadn't you better get your breakfast?"
+
+"No, that can wait."
+
+"But you have been on duty a long while, and it was a great strain on
+you."
+
+"I know it was, captain, but I'm so glad I brought the ship through
+safely, that I'd be willing to go without breakfast and sleep for a
+long time yet."
+
+"You are a plucky lad, and I wish more like you were learning to be
+pilots."
+
+Nat found Mr. Weatherby quite ill, but, in spite of that, the pilot
+warmly congratulated his _protege_ on the nerve he had displayed
+during the storm.
+
+"You have proved your worth, Nat," said Mr. Weatherby, "and I am proud
+of my pupil."
+
+Nat turned in for a sleep, soon after breakfast. There was little for
+the crew of the _Mermaid_ to do while the repairs were being made, and
+those passengers who were not yet at their destination strolled about
+the town while waiting for the trip to be resumed.
+
+The vessel that Nat had brought so skilfully through the storm, which
+had ceased with the first appearance of dawn, was tied at the same
+dock as that at which was the steamer they had met near the reef. One
+was on one side, and one on the other, and when the dock between the
+ships was not occupied by wagons and trucks, laden with freight, Nat
+could look across and see the crew of the other steamer, the _Spray_,
+busily rearranging the cargo that had shifted during the storm. She
+was a freighter, but smaller than the _Jessie Drew_.
+
+The appearance of one lad in the crew of the _Spray_ attracted Nat's
+attention, when the young pilot arose early in the afternoon. The lad
+had red hair, and his figure seemed familiar.
+
+"If I didn't think he was a good way off from here I'd say that fellow
+was Sam Shaw," mused Nat. "He looks a good deal like him."
+
+He tried to watch, to determine if it was his former enemy, but, as
+the lad kept moving to and fro, it was impossible to be certain.
+
+"If I saw Mr. Bumstead I'd know it was Sam who was with him," went on
+Nat, as he stood at the rail nearest the dock. "It might be possible
+they transferred to that ship. I wonder if I hadn't better speak to
+Mr. Weatherby, and ask his advice? No, he's sick, and I don't want to
+bother him about my affairs. I guess I'll just take a stroll over
+there and see for myself. Captain Turton won't care, as we can't sail
+until late this evening."
+
+Nat started down the gangplank, but, when he was half way down, he met
+a man in uniform, who asked him:
+
+"Is this the _Mermaid_?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I am looking for a young man, named Nat Morton. Can you tell me where
+I shall find him?"
+
+"That is my name," replied our hero. He thought perhaps it might be an
+officer from police headquarters, with some message concerning Mr.
+Bumstead.
+
+"Then you are just the person I want," the man went on. "You will have
+to come with me."
+
+"Come with you? What for? Is it about Mr. Bumstead?"
+
+"Yes," replied the man. "How did you guess?"
+
+"Well, I've been expecting a message regarding him."
+
+"Then what you will hear will be no news to you."
+
+"Has he been arrested?"
+
+"Arrested? No. Why should he be arrested?"
+
+"Why, I thought you said----"
+
+"Perhaps I had better not say anything more until you get to
+headquarters," the man went on.
+
+"Then it surely must be about that rascally mate," thought Nat. "Mr.
+Weatherby will be glad they have him."
+
+He followed the man off the pier, and along a street on the water
+front.
+
+"I understand you piloted that boat through the storm last night,"
+said the man.
+
+"Well, I did, but I guess it was more by good luck than anything else
+that enabled me to do it. Who told you about it?"
+
+"Oh, it is pretty generally known. The crews of vessels talk more or
+less when they are in dock."
+
+They walked along in silence a little longer, and then the man stopped
+in front of a small building.
+
+"This doesn't look like police headquarters," thought Nat. "I wonder
+if there's a mistake."
+
+"Go right that way," said the officer, keeping close behind the boy.
+"The harbor master is in that room."
+
+"The harbor master?" repeated Nat. "What have I to do with the harbor
+master? I don't want to see him."
+
+"No, but he wants to see you."
+
+A moment later Nat was ushered into a room, where at a large desk sat
+a stern-looking man, and on either side of him were two men, each one
+with several books and papers before him.
+
+"Ah, so this is the young pilot, eh?" remarked the man in the middle.
+"How old are you--er--Nat Morton? I believe that is your name."
+
+"I will soon be sixteen."
+
+"And you piloted the _Mermaid_ past Dagget's Point reef last night--in
+that storm?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I suppose you have a license."
+
+"A license? No, sir. I am studying under Mr. Weatherby. He was taken
+suddenly ill last night, and I had to steer the boat. There was no one
+else."
+
+"I am sorry, my lad," said the harbor master, "but I shall have to
+place you under arrest."
+
+"Arrest? What for?"
+
+"For piloting a passenger steamer without a license. A complaint has
+been lodged against you with this board--the board of control in
+charge of harbors and pilots."
+
+"A complaint? Who made it?"
+
+"Bumstead is the name--er--Joseph Bumstead, mate of the freighter
+_Spray_," replied the harbor master, reading from some documents
+before him. "He says he met your boat off the reef last night, that
+you were in charge, without a license, and that you nearly ran him
+down. He made the complaint about an hour ago. His boat had to put
+back here for some repairs. He says your boat damaged the one he is
+mate of."
+
+"That's not so--I mean that part about nearly running him down!"
+exclaimed Nat. "I saw him in plenty of time, and if it hadn't been for
+my warning whistle the _Spray_ would have gone upon the reef herself!"
+
+"I am sorry, my lad, but the complaint is made in regular form, and I
+shall have to hold you for a hearing. However, we will have it at
+once. I have sent to summon this Bumstead. Do you wish to notify any
+friends?"
+
+"Mr. Weatherby is ill, and cannot come, but I would like Captain
+Turton to come."
+
+"Very well, we will send for him. Officer, bring Captain Turton here.
+In the meantime you may sit down until we reach your case," the harbor
+master motioned Nat to take a chair on one side of the big room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+OFF AGAIN
+
+
+"This is a queer turn to affairs," thought Nat, as he awaited the
+arrival of Captain Turton. "I never thought a thing about not having a
+license, when I steered the boat, and I don't believe Mr. Weatherby
+did either. I suppose I did wrong, but it was unintentional, and I
+don't see what else I could have done under the circumstances.
+
+"But I'll have a chance at Bumstead now. As soon as I get out of here
+I'll cause his arrest. Hold on, though, maybe I'll not get out of
+here. I wonder what the punishment is for piloting a boat without a
+license?"
+
+This was another phase of the queer affair. He realized if he was held
+on the charge, he would have no chance to make an accusation against
+the rascally mate.
+
+"I know what I'll do," said Nat to himself, while he anxiously waited.
+"If Bumstead comes here I'll tell Captain Turton to go out and get a
+policeman. Then I can make a new complaint, charge Bumstead with
+keeping money belonging to me, and he'll be arrested. That's what I'll
+do."
+
+While Nat sat in the office of the harbor master, he listened to
+several cases that were being disposed of. Captains of tugs and other
+boats were arraigned on charges of violating rules of the harbor; such
+as displaying wrong lights, crossing the course of other boats at the
+improper time, failing to give warning signals, colliding with other
+craft, or not filing the proper reports.
+
+Some of the men were fined, others were suspended for a certain length
+of time, and one or two had their licenses revoked.
+
+"I wonder what he'll do to me?" thought Nat. "There doesn't seem to be
+any case just like mine."
+
+He was interrupted in his musing by the entrance of Captain Turton.
+
+"What's this I hear?" asked the commander wonderingly, after he had
+greeted his young pilot. "Are you in trouble, Nat?"
+
+"It seems so," and the boy told the circumstances.
+
+"Don't worry," advised Captain Turton cheerfully. "I'll stand by you,
+and we'll have that mate arrested as soon as he leaves the place."
+
+"Is the Morton case ready?" asked the harbor master, looking about
+him, after he had disposed of all the other matters before him.
+
+"The mate Bumstead isn't here yet," replied an officer who was in
+charge of the court. "Young Morton is here, and Captain Turtle----"
+
+"I beg your pardon, my name is Turton," interrupted the commander of
+the _Mermaid_.
+
+"Turton, I should say," corrected the court officer.
+
+"Where is the person who made the charge--Bumstead the mate?" asked
+the harbor master.
+
+"I have sent Officer Jenkins for him, sir. He'll be here directly. Ah,
+here is Jenkins now."
+
+"Well, Jenkins," said the harbor master, "did you bring the mate back
+with you? This case has been delayed long enough."
+
+"No, sir, I didn't bring him."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because, sir, his ship has just sailed, and he's gone with her."
+
+"I'll commit him for contempt of court!" exclaimed the harbor master.
+"Make out the papers at once," he added, turning to his clerk. "I will
+now take up this case, however, and proceed as far as possible. Give
+me the written accusation."
+
+He looked over some papers, and, at a nod from him, Nat walked forward
+and stood in front of the big table. Then the harbor master read the
+complaint as made by Bumstead. It set out in a number of legal terms
+and phrases, that Nat Morton had, in violation of the regulations,
+piloted a vessel without having a license. The mate, it appeared, had
+heard of Nat's feat early that morning while the two vessels were
+docked, and had lost no time making his accusation, for mere spite.
+
+"How do you plead to that?" asked the harbor master.
+
+"I guess I did it," answered Nat.
+
+"Perhaps you had better explain," suggested one of the other men
+present. "We will mark you 'not guilty' until we have heard the case."
+
+Thereupon, Nat told all the circumstances connected with the sudden
+illness of Mr. Weatherby, the storm, the leak in the ship and the
+necessity for keeping on. Captain Turton was called and verified all
+that Nat said.
+
+"Hum," remarked the harbor master. "There seems to be some
+justification here. I will consult with my colleagues on this. We will
+let you know our decision shortly. You may wait here."
+
+He motioned to the men on either side of him, and they all retired to
+a rear room.
+
+"What do you suppose they'll do to me?" asked Nat.
+
+"Nothing very serious, I think," replied the captain, for he had been
+through such cases before, and he knew that harbor masters were
+disposed to stretch a point wherever possible.
+
+"And Bumstead has got away again," went on Nat. "He stayed just long
+enough to file his complaint, and then skipped out. I wonder if he
+knows I am after him?"
+
+"I think not," remarked Captain Turton, who had been told the
+circumstances of the lumber deal. "If he did he wouldn't venture to
+stay in the same port with you long enough to make a charge against
+you. Probably he wants to make all the trouble he can for you, in the
+hope that you will give up this ship life, and go somewhere so that he
+will not have to worry about you finding out about him."
+
+"Perhaps," agreed Nat.
+
+The harbor master and his colleagues filed back into the room. Nat
+tried to gather from their looks what disposition they had made of his
+case, but the men gave no indication, seeming to be as grave and
+serious as when they had gone out.
+
+"Hum," mumbled the harbor master, in his deep voice. "We have
+considered your case, Nat Morton, and we wish to ask you a few
+questions."
+
+Thereupon, Nat was put through a brief examination in relation to
+matters connected with piloting and the management of boats. The
+harbor master and his colleagues asked him a lot of questions, some of
+which Nat answered to his own satisfaction, at least. To others, more
+technical, he replied as best he could.
+
+Fortunately his life about the docks, and his instructions at the
+hands of Mr. Weatherby, stood him in good stead. He showed a good
+practical knowledge of piloting, though some of the questions puzzled
+him, and his answers seemed to afford mirth to the harbor master and
+his associates.
+
+"Well," remarked the harbor master after a pause, "what you did, Nat,
+may have been irregular--in fact it was irregular, and against the
+rules--but, under the circumstances, we cannot blame you for it. You
+are doing very well, and you know more, now, than many pilots who have
+a license. Still, you are under the age. When you reach the proper
+limit you will have to appear for an official examination. Until then
+you can go on as you have been doing, only don't try to handle a boat
+alone in a storm. Wait until you have had a little more experience.
+Then you can come up for examination, and get a full license. This
+case is laid over indefinitely."
+
+"Does that mean I can go?" asked Nat.
+
+"Yes, you can go," answered the harbor master with a smile. "And don't
+worry. We'll pass you, as soon as you are of the proper age. I
+congratulate you on your pluck," and then, to the surprise of his
+colleagues (for the harbor master was a somewhat gruff sort of a man),
+he leaned over and shook hands with Nat.
+
+A little later Nat and Captain Turton were aboard the _Mermaid_. They
+found Mr. Weatherby much better, and when the repairs were completed,
+and the freight and passengers aboard, the ship steamed out of the
+harbor to resume her voyage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+NAT INTERVENES
+
+
+One of the first things Nat did, when he had a chance to talk to Mr.
+Weatherby, was to repeat some of the questions that had been asked by
+the board of pilots, which queries the lad had not been able to answer
+properly.
+
+"Those are the points I'm weak on," he said to his friend. "I must
+study up on them, so I'll be ready for my examination."
+
+"That's right, Nat, and I'll help you all I can. There is a text book
+I want to get for you, and I will, at the next stop we make.
+Meanwhile, I think you can take charge in the pilot-house for a few
+days, until I get my strength back. I'll look in on you, every once in
+a while, to see that you are doing all right, and we're not likely to
+have another storm soon."
+
+So Nat resumed his place at the wheel, being relieved now and then by
+Captain Turton or Mr. Weatherby, who took short shifts. In a few days
+the old pilot was entirely better, and then he and Nat divided up the
+work, the lad learning more about the points on which he had been
+puzzled during the examination.
+
+The _Mermaid_ had a large number of passengers this voyage, and Nat
+was kept pretty busy, in addition to his duties in the pilot-house.
+Some travelers, specially favored, occupied seats at the captain's
+table at meal times, and this made additional work for the lad, as he
+had to help the cabin steward. But Nat liked it all, and no task was
+too exacting for him to perform to the best of his ability. During his
+leisure moments he used to watch the passengers, and in this way he
+learned much about the life of the comparatively wealthy travelers.
+
+One afternoon, when the ship was within a few hours of reaching port,
+Nat, going along the upper deck, passed a German youth, standing by
+the rail, looking down into the water, as it swept away from the bows
+of the _Mermaid_. The youth, whom Nat had noticed on several other
+occasions, because of his well-fitting clothes, appeared to be in
+rather low spirits.
+
+"We're making pretty good time," said Nat pleasantly, for he often
+addressed the passengers, many of whom had formed a liking for the
+lad.
+
+"Oh, yes, ve go fast enough," replied the German, who spoke with quite
+an accent. But he answered so gloomily, that the vessel might as well
+have been going backward, for all the satisfaction he derived from her
+speed.
+
+"We'll soon be in port," went on Nat. "I suppose you'll be glad to get
+on shore. It's quite rough on account of the wind."
+
+"Oh, it makes not so much difference to me," was the answer, and the
+youth did not smile. Indeed, he hardly lifted his face to glance at
+Nat, yet he did not seem to resent being spoken to.
+
+"It's a nice day," went on the young pilot.
+
+"Yes, I suppose for dem vot likes der vedder," came the answer. "But,
+_ach_----" and then the German murmured something to himself in his
+own language.
+
+"I guess he doesn't feel well, or else he doesn't want to talk,"
+thought Nat, as he passed on. "Maybe he's a bit seasick, though
+there's hardly any motion to-day."
+
+Nat passed on, to attend to some of his duties. When he came back,
+about an hour later, the German youth was in the same place, moodily
+staring down into the water.
+
+"I wonder what ails him?" thought Nat. "He acts queer. But that's the
+way with some Germans, the least little thing makes them moody, and
+then, again, they're as jolly as can be. But I suppose we are all
+queer, in one way or another."
+
+He was half-tempted to speak to the youth again, as he passed him, but
+he did not want to be thought too forward, so he said nothing, nor
+did the German appear to notice our hero.
+
+The vessel would arrive at port in about an hour, and would tie up
+there for the night. It was just getting dusk, and Nat was going from
+place to place on the ship, getting certain records of which he had
+charge, in shape for filing at the dock office. Several times he
+passed by the German, who stood in the same spot, and in the same
+position.
+
+"He certainly is ill," mused Nat. "I guess I'll tell him we have a
+doctor aboard. Maybe he doesn't know it."
+
+Nat was about to put his idea into execution, when Mr. Weatherby
+called him to perform some duty, and it was half an hour later when
+the young pilot made his way back again to where stood the youth in
+whom he had begun to feel considerable interest.
+
+"I'll just tell him where to find the doctor," thought the boy, as he
+approached the place where the silent figure had been leaning over the
+rail. But, to his surprise, the youth was not there.
+
+"He must have gone below," mused Nat. "Probably he feels better."
+
+An instant later he saw a strange sight. In a sheltered corner, formed
+by an angle of a deck-house, stood the German youth, and in the dim
+light from a lantern Nat saw that he was removing his collar, tie,
+coat and vest. He was neatly folding his garments in a pile on the
+deck.
+
+"He must be crazy!" thought Nat. "I'll call the captain."
+
+As he watched, the youth finished putting his clothes in order. Then,
+with a deliberate step, the German approached the rail, placed his
+hand on it, and prepared to leap over.
+
+"Suicide!" was the instant thought that came to Nat. "He's going to
+commit suicide! I must stop him!"
+
+To think, with Nat, was to act. He sprang forward with a cry of
+warning.
+
+"Here! Stop that! Come back!"
+
+The German paused, hesitated an instant, glanced at Nat rushing toward
+him, and leaped. But he was a second too late. The young pilot grabbed
+him around the legs, and held on like grim death.
+
+"What are you doing?" Nat cried. "Don't you know you'll be swept right
+into the propeller and be cut to pieces!"
+
+"Let me go! Let me go!" insisted the youth in a low, intense whisper,
+as though he was afraid of being heard.
+
+"Not unless you promise not to jump."
+
+"I vill not make promises! I haf no use for to live! I vant to end it
+all! Let me go!"
+
+He tried to escape from Nat's hold, but the young pilot had no gentle
+grip, and his arms were strong.
+
+"Let me go! Let me go!"
+
+The German was pleading now.
+
+"Not much!" panted Nat. "You can't commit suicide from this boat."
+
+The German continued to struggle. Nat felt the legs slipping away from
+him.
+
+"If you don't give up I'll call for help, and the captain will put you
+under arrest!" threatened the young pilot. That seemed to quiet the
+German. He ceased to struggle, and became calmer.
+
+"Vell," he said, in a voice that was choked with tears, "I gif up. I
+vill not jump overboard--now."
+
+"Nor at any other time," insisted Nat.
+
+"I cannot promise dot, but I promise you dot I vill not jump from dis
+boat. I care not to live longer."
+
+Nat released his hold. The German was panting from his exertions, as
+he donned his garments. The affair had taken place in a secluded spot,
+and no one had seen Nat's intervention in the tragic episode.
+
+"What's the matter?" inquired the young pilot, when the German was
+fully dressed again. "Are you sick? Why did you want to end your
+life?"
+
+To his surprise the young fellow burst into tears, and sobbed
+pitifully.
+
+"Come to my cabin," proposed Nat gently. "Perhaps I can help you."
+
+"I--I like not to go vere der peoples see me."
+
+"That's all right, I can take you to it by an outside companionway,
+and we'll meet no one. Come, and maybe I can help you. You seem to be
+in trouble."
+
+"I am--in bad troubles," was the choking reply, as the youth followed
+Nat below.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+AFTER BUMSTEAD
+
+
+"Now then," said Nat cheerfully, when he and the youth he had saved
+from suicide were safely in the young pilot's cabin, "what is the
+matter? I don't want to pry into your affairs, but I would like to
+help you. If I can't, perhaps I can get some one who can. I know Mr.
+Weatherby or Captain Turton would be glad to aid you."
+
+"You are of much kindness to me," replied the other, while he tried to
+regain control of his feelings. "My name is Hugo Kesterberg. I used to
+live in New York, where I did work in a German importing house. I have
+been in dis country not long, so I speak not der language so goot."
+
+"I can understand you very well," said Nat.
+
+"I haf a good place, und I am learning der business," went on young
+Kesterberg, "ven an uncle of mine, in der Vaterland, he die, und leave
+me vat you call legs--legs easy."
+
+"Legacy," put in Nat.
+
+"Yes, dot is him, legacy. Your American vords are so hard to speak
+right. Vell, he leaves me some money, but I am a such foolish fellow.
+Instead of putting my legs easy--I mean legacy--in der bank, I start
+in to have a goot time--I am vat you call a sport. I treat all my
+friends, und I get in vid a sporty crowd. I buy goot clothes, und I
+have lots of fun.
+
+"Pretty soon, not long after I gets my legacy, der head of der firm
+vere I work, he say dey no longer needs me, for you see I am foolish,
+und I no longer look after my vork. But dot I lose my job make me not
+for to care. I still haf plenty of monies left, und I haf more good
+times."
+
+"Then what is the trouble, if you have plenty of money?" asked Nat.
+"The trouble with most people is that they haven't got enough."
+
+"Dot's me--exactly!" exclaimed Hugo. "I got to gambling und playing
+der races, und yesterday I found I haf not enough left, after I had
+been traveling about for some time, to pay my board for vun veek, in a
+decent place. I buys me a ticket on dis boat, for as far a distance as
+I haf money, und I decide I vill end it all. Und so I vould, only you
+stop me."
+
+He added the last bitterly.
+
+"Yes, I'm glad I stopped you, and you'll be glad too, before long,"
+declared Nat firmly. "Why, you're no worse off than you were before.
+You had a lot of money, and you had a good time with it. Now you'll
+have to go back to work again."
+
+"Ach! Dot's vat you Americans call der rubber," said the German.
+
+"The rubber?" repeated Nat, a bit puzzled.
+
+"I mean der rub--dot's vere der shoes nabs me--I mean pinch. I can't
+go back to my old place, und I don't know how to get vork in any odder
+place. Dere is no use for me to live. I makes an end to myself, ven ve
+gets to der port."
+
+"No, you won't!" declared Nat. "If you don't promise not to try to
+commit suicide, for at least a week, I'll inform the police about you,
+as soon as we land, and they'll lock you up. It's against the law to
+take your own life or attempt it. If you wait a week you'll be all
+over the notion."
+
+"A man's life iss his own--he can do vat he likes mit it."
+
+"The law doesn't say so," replied Nat, who had gained his information
+from the newspapers.
+
+"Vell, der law is wrong! I takes my own life!"
+
+"Then you'll be arrested as soon as the boat lands."
+
+"Arrest a Kesterberg!" exclaimed the German. "Dot vould be a
+disgrace."
+
+"So would committing suicide."
+
+The youth started. Evidently he had not thought of it in that light
+before.
+
+"Vell, I promise you--for vun week."
+
+"That's all right," said Nat briskly. "I'm satisfied. I know if you
+wait that long you'll be in a better frame of mind. Besides, I think I
+can help you. I'll speak to the captain and to Mr. Weatherby about
+you."
+
+"But not about--not about--what I----"
+
+"Oh, no, I'll say nothing about that," promised Nat. "But I know they
+can help you. Captain Turton is acquainted with lots of firms, and
+maybe he can get you a place with one of them."
+
+"Den my troubles would be ofer," declared Hugo. "If I gets me a place
+to vork, nefer again vill I be so foolish again. If my people in
+Germany heard of vot I did, dey vould nefer forgive me."
+
+"They're not likely to hear of it," said Nat. "Now you stay here until
+you feel better. We're going to land pretty soon, and I'll be busy.
+This evening I'll speak to the captain about you."
+
+"But my ticket only takes me to dis port, und I haf no more money. I
+can't stay aboard."
+
+"I'll fix that all right," declared the young pilot, who was beginning
+to feel quite important over what he had done, which, indeed, was no
+light matter, for he had given hope to a hopeless youth.
+
+Captain Turton readily agreed to do what he could for Hugo Kesterberg,
+when, that evening, after all the freight and passengers had been
+discharged, Nat told as much of the case as it was necessary for the
+commander to know.
+
+"I think I know a firm in Detroit that would be glad of his services,"
+he said. "I'll give him a letter of recommendation to them, when we
+reach there, which will be at the end of the week."
+
+"But--er--he hasn't any money left to pay his fare there," said Nat.
+
+"That will be all right," replied Captain Turton. "I guess it won't
+break the company to give him a pass and his meals for a few days.
+Besides, I'm not going to let you get ahead of me in doing him a good
+turn."
+
+Three days later, when the _Mermaid_ reached Detroit, Hugo Kesterberg
+bade Nat, and his other friends aboard the ship, good-by. With a note
+of recommendation to a big firm, he could face the future in better
+spirits. Some time later Nat had a letter from the German youth,
+stating that he had a better position than the one in New York, and
+was doing well. The missive was full of thanks to Nat and Captain
+Turton.
+
+Detroit was as far as the _Mermaid_ was to go on the present voyage,
+and after taking on a big cargo, and quite a number of passengers, she
+turned about and began to traverse her way over Lake Huron again.
+
+Captain Turton went ashore at the first port they made, after leaving
+Detroit, and when he came aboard again, he sought out Nat. The
+captain's manner betrayed some excitement.
+
+"I have some news for you," he said to the young pilot.
+
+"Am I going to be arrested again?"
+
+"Not exactly. This concerns your enemy, Bumstead."
+
+"Have they got him? Did he give up the money?"
+
+"No, but I heard from a captain friend of mine ashore a little while
+ago, that the _Spray_ is docked at Cove Point, about fifty miles above
+here. She had to lay up for repairs. She's an old boat and her engines
+are continually getting out of order."
+
+"Are we going to stop there?" asked Nat eagerly.
+
+"No, but I know what you are thinking of. There is a chance to cause
+the arrest of the mate, and here is my plan. You can take a train from
+here to Cove Point. The railroad runs quite near there. You have the
+warrant, made out by the police. Take that with you, and the
+authorities in Cove Point will make the arrest, I'm sure."
+
+"But how can I get back to this boat?"
+
+"I'll tell you. There is a train that leaves here at midnight, which
+will get you to Cove Point about two o'clock in the morning. The
+police are up at all hours. You can get them to serve the warrant at
+once, for Bumstead will probably be aboard the _Spray_ at her dock.
+Then, after he is safe in jail, you can hire a boat to take you out,
+and I'll pick you up as I pass. I'll be on the watch for you to-morrow
+morning."
+
+The plan was very feasible, and Nat thanked the captain for his
+thoughtfulness. He made his arrangements hurriedly, and began to have
+visions of recovering the money that was rightfully his.
+
+"Be out about two miles beyond the point at about nine o'clock
+to-morrow morning," the captain called to him, as Nat left. "That's
+the time I'll pass, and as close in as I can run."
+
+"I'll be there waiting for you," promised Nat.
+
+"Good luck!" called the pilot. "I hope you get him. That Bumstead is
+getting to be as slippery as an eel."
+
+"I'll get him, if he's there," declared the lad.
+
+Then he hurried to the railroad station to get his ticket, for it was
+after ten o'clock, and the depot was some distance from the water
+front.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+BUMSTEAD ESCAPES
+
+
+When Nat found himself in the train, speeding toward Cove Point, he
+had a chance to think how he should proceed after he arrived. He
+anticipated no difficulty in getting a policeman to go to the boat and
+arrest the mate.
+
+"Maybe Sam Shaw will want to take a hand, and fight me," thought Nat.
+"Well, if he does, I'll give him all that's coming to him."
+
+The train was a slow one, and made a number of stops. When about half
+way on the journey there was a delay, caused by the wreck of a freight
+train, and it was nearly three o'clock when Nat arrived at the
+railroad station in Cove Point. This was a small town, depending for
+its existence on what traffic passed up and down the lake, and what
+little patronage came to it over the railroad.
+
+"Where's the police station?" asked Nat of a sleepy man at the depot.
+
+"They don't allow tramps to sleep in it any more," was the rather
+queer answer.
+
+"Tramps? Who asked anything about tramps?" replied Nat. "I don't want
+to sleep there."
+
+"Oh, excuse me," said the agent, opening his sleepy eyes a bit wider.
+"I didn't take a good look at you. I thought you were a tramp. Lots of
+'em come in on our trains, and want to spend the night at the police
+station. They'd let themselves be arrested because the sheriff used to
+get so much a prisoner. But the county authorities put a stop to it.
+What's the matter? Some one rob you?"
+
+"No," replied Nat, determined to keep his affairs to himself.
+
+"Some crime been committed?" persisted the agent, for he thought it
+was rather unusual for a boy to be asking his way to the police
+station at three o'clock in the morning.
+
+"I want to see a policeman," replied Nat, "and I thought the best
+place would be the station house."
+
+"There used to be a policeman stationed here nights," went on the
+agent. "But he's gone now. If it was anything about the railroad I
+could attend to it for you."
+
+"No, thank you. If you'll tell me where the station house is, I'll be
+much obliged."
+
+The agent seemed disappointed, but he gave Nat the directions.
+
+"I don't see what harm it would have done him to have told me,"
+murmured the man, when Nat had gone off down the dark street. "It
+would help to keep me awake, if I had something like a crime or an
+arrest to think about. Well, I might as well doze off; it'll be two
+hours before the down freight is in," and he composed himself as
+comfortably as he could in his chair in the telegraph office.
+
+Meanwhile, our hero managed to find the police station. Inside there
+was a sergeant on duty, who looked up inquiringly as Nat entered.
+
+"Well?" he asked.
+
+"I have a warrant for a man's arrest."
+
+"Are you a detective from some other city? Where's your badge?" asked
+the sergeant suspiciously.
+
+"No, I'm not a detective. I'm the person who made the complaint on
+which this warrant was issued," and Nat showed the one which had been
+returned by Mr. Scanlon.
+
+The sergeant seemed impressed by the boy's business-like manner.
+
+"Come inside," he invited, opening a gate in a railing that shut off
+the part of the room behind the desk. "Now tell me about it."
+
+Nat told his tale as briefly as possible.
+
+"And you want me to send an officer out to the ship with you, and
+arrest the mate?" inquired the sergeant when the young pilot had
+finished.
+
+"If you will."
+
+"Guess we'll have to, under the law. I'll be glad to help you out.
+It's a mean trick to take money in that fashion. Hey, George! I say,
+George! Get up, here's a case for you."
+
+"What's that?" inquired a sleepy voice from a room back of the
+sergeant's desk.
+
+"You've got to go out and arrest a man."
+
+"Oh, can't somebody else go? I arrested a feller last night. I ain't
+going to do all the work in this police station."
+
+"Look here, George Rosco!" called the sergeant, getting up, and going
+to the door of the room, where, evidently, the only policeman on duty
+was asleep, "you've got to get up, and go and arrest this man. There's
+a warrant for him, and he's charged with embezzling fifteen hundred
+dollars. He's mate aboard that freight steamer that's tied up here for
+repairs."
+
+"Fifteen hundred dollars! Why didn't you say so at first?" exclaimed
+the policeman, appearing in the doorway, half dressed. "That's worth
+while arresting a man for. I thought it was another one of them
+chicken-stealing cases. Fifteen hundred dollars! I'll be ready in a
+jiffy! Whew! Fifteen hundred----"
+
+The rest of what he said was lost to Nat and the sergeant, as the
+officer closed the door, while he dressed. When he came out he
+greeted Nat cordially.
+
+"I don't mind being woke up for a case like that," he explained. "I
+thought it was some measly tramp case. For the last three nights I've
+been woke up by people whose henroosts have been robbed. I'm getting
+tired of it, and when the sergeant called me a while ago, I thought it
+was another one. You see, we've only got two policemen here, and I
+don't mind telling you that I do most of the arrestin' that's done.
+The other one--Tom Duncan--he's too lazy to arrest many. I do two to
+his one. I'm on night duty and he takes the day trick."
+
+Nat could not help thinking that the night man had the easier time of
+it, even if he did make the most arrests.
+
+"Now here's the warrant, George," said the sergeant. "Bring that
+fellow in, and we'll lock him up."
+
+"Oh, I'll bring him in all right. He'll not get away from me. Let's
+see, I've got my revolver and my club. Guess I'm all right."
+
+"You go right along with him," the sergeant directed Nat. "Point out
+the man you want and he'll bring him in."
+
+"Yes, I'll get him," declared George. He started from the police
+station, followed by Nat. When he reached the door, the officer
+suddenly turned back. "Come near forgetting my badge," he said, in
+explanation. "It wouldn't do to arrest a man without my badge. He
+might think it was only a bluff. Give me my badge, sergeant."
+
+"First you know, you'll forget your head," murmured the sergeant, as
+he passed over a big tin star.
+
+"I take it off when I lay down for a nap of an evening," the policeman
+said to Nat. "Some of the points might stick me, and I'd get blood
+poisoning. You can't be too careful in this business. I knowed a
+policeman once----"
+
+"Say, if you're going to arrest that man you'd better get a move on,"
+advised the sergeant. "That boat's due to leave at daylight, I heard,
+and it ain't far from it now."
+
+"All right, I'm going now. I'll be back in a little while with the
+prisoner. Get a cell ready for him."
+
+"Oh, the cell will be ready when you are."
+
+"Fifteen hundred dollars," murmured the policeman, as he and Nat went
+out into the night. "This will be a fine arrest. Tom Duncan will wish
+he made this one."
+
+"We'd better hurry," suggested Nat. "He may escape."
+
+"Don't worry about that. No prisoner ever got away from me," boasted
+the officer.
+
+It was not far to the dock where the _Spray_ was tied up. Even in the
+darkness Nat knew the boat. He wondered if the mate was aboard. Once
+he reached the ship, the officer's manner changed. He proceeded
+cautiously, and seemed to know what he was about.
+
+"Do you know which his cabin is?" he asked of Nat, in a whisper.
+
+"No, but I know where the mate usually sleeps aboard these boats."
+
+"You go ahead then."
+
+The young pilot led the way. Though he had never been aboard the
+_Spray_ he thought he could find where Bumstead slept. Fortunately,
+they did not meet the anchor watch, who was probably asleep.
+
+"This ought to be his cabin," said Nat, indicating one in the same
+relative position as that occupied by the mate aboard the _Jessie
+Drew_.
+
+"Then I'll go in and get him," said the officer.
+
+It was beginning to get light, a streak of dawn showing in the east.
+The policeman pushed open the cabin door, which was not locked.
+
+"Is Joseph Bumstead here?" he asked in loud tones.
+
+"That's me. What's wanted?" was the answer, and Nat recognized the
+mate's voice.
+
+"Come out here," said the officer.
+
+He backed out of the cabin, and in the growing light Nat saw that he
+had his revolver drawn. Wondering what could be wanted of him,
+Bumstead jumped out of his bunk, partly dressed.
+
+"You're my prisoner!" suddenly exclaimed the policeman, throwing back
+his coat to display the big star. At the same time he grabbed the mate
+with one hand, and in the other leveled his weapon at him.
+
+"What's the trouble? Is this a joke?" demanded the mate.
+
+"You'll find it quite different from a joke," replied the officer. "I
+have a warrant for your arrest, sworn out by Nat Morton, charging you
+with the embezzlement of fifteen hundred dollars. You'll have to come
+with me."
+
+At that moment the mate caught sight of Nat, who stood to one side.
+
+"So! This is your work, eh?" he cried. "Well, I'll not go with you!
+You haven't got me yet!"
+
+With a sudden motion he broke away from the officer.
+
+"Hold on or I'll shoot!" threatened the policeman.
+
+"Shoot then!" cried the mate.
+
+[Illustration: "Shoot, then!" cried the mate (Page 180)]
+
+He ran to the rail. An instant later he had mounted it, poised on the
+top a moment, and with a shout of defiance he leaped over the side. A
+splash in the water told that he had landed in the lake.
+
+"Stop! Hold on!" yelled the officer, as he rushed to the side. "Come
+back or I'll shoot!"
+
+He peered down into the water. There was no sign of the mate. By this
+time several members of the crew were aroused and were on the deck.
+
+"What's the matter?" cried a voice that Nat recognized as Sam Shaw's.
+
+"Prisoner escaped!" exclaimed the policeman. "Can you see him?" he
+asked of Nat, who stood beside him, in the early dawn.
+
+The boy shook his head in disappointment.
+
+"He's got away, I guess," he said.
+
+"Get me a boat!" cried the officer. "I'll find him if it takes all
+day. Come on!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+IN A COLLISION
+
+
+With the increase of daylight, objects on and about the freighter
+became clearer. But looking over the side Nat and the policeman could
+see nothing of the mate. Members of the crew who had hastily leaped
+from their bunks began asking what the matter was. Soon the captain
+came from his cabin.
+
+"They've killed my uncle!" exclaimed Sam Shaw. "That's what they did!
+I heard them throw him overboard. That mean Nat Morton did it! I'll
+have him arrested for murder!"
+
+"Oh, dry up!" exclaimed Nat, quite put out with the unexpected turn of
+events.
+
+"I'll lick you; that's what I'll do!" cried Sam, advancing on Nat with
+outstretched fists.
+
+"Keep away from me!" retorted Nat. "I whipped you once, and I can do
+it again!"
+
+"He didn't push your uncle overboard," said one of the crew. "He
+jumped."
+
+"That's what he did," added the policeman. "He got away from me, too.
+Somebody get me a boat."
+
+"What for?" asked the captain.
+
+"Because I'm an officer of the law, and a prisoner has escaped. I had
+him a prisoner, all right, for I had my hand on him, but he went so
+sudden he got away."
+
+"There's a boat moored alongside," said the captain, when matters had
+been briefly explained. "But you want to hurry. I can't lay here all
+day, though how I'm going to sail without a mate is more than I know."
+
+"I'll get him for you, but I'll have to take him right away again,"
+said the officer. "He's a criminal and a fugitive from justice."
+
+The mate might have been almost anything, as far as any denial on his
+part was concerned, for not a trace of him had been seen since he
+jumped overboard. Sam Shaw, mean as he was, had a genuine affection
+for his uncle, and he was much distressed about his relative.
+
+"He's drowned! I know he's drowned!" he exclaimed, as he walked about
+the deck, half crying.
+
+"Oh, dry up!" advised Nat savagely, for he knew the mate was a good
+swimmer, and he had no doubt but that Bumstead had managed to reach
+shore, under cover of the semi-darkness, and was far enough away by
+this time.
+
+Meanwhile, the policeman got into a boat and rowed about, but all to
+no purpose. The mate had disappeared as completely as if he was at the
+bottom of the lake.
+
+"Well," said Nat, much disappointed, "that's done with. It's a
+failure. I guess I'd have done better if I'd gone alone, and not taken
+the policeman with me, though he meant well enough. Now I'd better get
+some breakfast and then arrange to have some one row me out to meet
+the _Mermaid_."
+
+He told the officer that he would have to leave.
+
+"Very well," replied the policeman. "You may go, but I'll never give
+up hunting for my prisoner. It's the first time one ever got away from
+me, and I'm not going to stand it. I'll keep hunting until I find him,
+if it takes all day or a whole year. You had better leave me your
+address, and as soon as I arrest him, I'll let you know."
+
+"I don't believe that would do any good. I travel about so, on the
+boat, that I can't tell just what my address will be. You had better
+give me the warrant; I may run across him at some other port."
+
+Rather reluctantly the policeman gave up the legal document.
+
+"I wish I had handcuffed him at first," he said. "Then he couldn't
+have gotten away, and if he jumped in the water he would have been
+drowned."
+
+"I wouldn't care about having that happen," said Nat.
+
+"Me either, though I hate to let a prisoner get away. But I'll catch
+him yet, you see."
+
+And when Nat had gone ashore, eaten his breakfast in a little
+restaurant, and was being rowed out to be picked up by the _Mermaid_,
+the policeman was still searching about the dock and adjacent shore
+for the missing mate.
+
+Captain Turton and the pilot sympathized with Nat over the failure of
+his mission, but they said Bumstead was sure to be arrested sooner or
+later.
+
+"He'll probably transfer to some other boat, now," said Nat.
+
+"Very likely," answered Mr. Weatherby. "He knows you are after him,
+and it's going to be harder to arrest him."
+
+The _Mermaid_ proceeded on her way, and for some time Nat was so
+occupied with his work, for there was a great increase in passenger
+traffic, that he almost forgot about the rascally mate and the stolen
+money.
+
+Meanwhile, as my young readers have probably surmised, Bumstead had
+safely reached shore and had arranged to keep out of the way of
+officers of the law. The sudden appearance of the policeman in his
+cabin had been the first intimation that there was a warrant for his
+arrest, and that Nat knew of his appropriation of the fifteen hundred
+dollars belonging to Mr. Morton.
+
+It is true the mate had fancied Nat was suspicious, after the lad had
+seen the wallet, and questioned him about it, but, when some time
+passed, and nothing resulted, the scoundrel thought that Nat either
+had his suspicions lulled, or did not know how to go about recovering
+the money. That a previous plan to arrest him had failed, by his shift
+of vessels, the mate never dreamed.
+
+Now he knew he must make another change. It would not be safe to
+remain aboard the _Spray_. Accordingly, when he had reached shore,
+after his sensational leap for liberty, he sought refuge with a man he
+knew at Cove Point. He remained there until he heard that Nat had
+left, and that the policeman, very reluctantly, had given up the
+search.
+
+Then the mate sent for his nephew, and the pair took what money was
+coming to them and left town. About two weeks after this the mate
+secured a place on the freighter _Liberty Bell_, which plied up and
+down Lake Huron.
+
+"Uncle Joe, what did that officer want?" asked Sam Shaw of his
+relative, one day, when he happened to mention their former place
+aboard the _Spray_. "Was it in connection with that charge you made
+against Nat before the pilot board?"
+
+"Well--er--yes--that was it. They wanted my testimony."
+
+"Why don't you give it to them? I'd like to see that Morton chap
+locked up. How did he escape being sent to jail on your charge?"
+
+"I don't exactly know," replied the mate. "I guess he is only out on
+bail."
+
+"I hope they send him to prison for a long time. I can't bear him,
+he's so stuck up, thinking he's a regular pilot."
+
+"Well, I'll fix him," murmured the mate. He did not want his nephew to
+know about the accusation Nat had made, for he was afraid Sam might,
+unconsciously, betray him. Nor was the mate altogether easy regarding
+the charge he had made before the pilot board. He had read in the
+papers about that case, and how he was wanted for contempt of court.
+He thus had to face two charges, and he knew he must be very careful
+when he went ashore, lest he be arrested.
+
+"We'll meet the vessel that Morton fellow is on, this trip, Uncle
+Joe," went on Sam.
+
+"How's that?"
+
+"Well, we're going to Bay City, and the _Mermaid_ is coming to
+Detroit, according to the papers."
+
+"Is that so?" asked the mate, suddenly interested. "I wonder where
+we'll pass her?"
+
+"About Ludlow's Island," answered Sam, who was developing a good
+knowledge of the lakes.
+
+"Ludlow's Island," repeated the mate. "The channel there is quite
+narrow. We'll have to pass quite close."
+
+"Do you think he'll see you, Uncle Joe?"
+
+"No--of course not. What does it matter? I'm not keeping out of his
+way. I had certain reasons for not wanting that officer to take me to
+court; that's why I leaped overboard that time."
+
+"Oh," answered Sam, who had not heard the explanation given by Nat and
+the policeman.
+
+"So we'll pass his vessel quite close," murmured the mate, when his
+nephew had left him. "That's my chance. If I can be left in charge of
+the wheel I think I can make Nat Morton wish he had never interfered
+with me. Let's see, we ought to get to Ludlow's Island to-morrow
+night. I hope it's dark or foggy."
+
+Meanwhile, all unconscious of the perils in store for him, Nat was,
+that same day, guiding the vessel of which he was now officially the
+assistant pilot toward Detroit.
+
+"It's going to be a thick night," said Mr. Weatherby, as Nat relieved
+him in the pilot-house, the evening of the day after the conversation
+set down above between Sam Shaw and his uncle. "I think there will be
+quite a fog before morning. Don't take any chances. If you're in
+doubt call me, but I'd like you to try your hand at taking the ship
+past Ludlow's Island. It's one of the worst places in the lake, and
+when you've been through that, in a fog, you're almost entitled to a
+pilot's license."
+
+"I'll try it, Mr. Weatherby."
+
+"That's the way to talk."
+
+As the night came on the fog increased, until Nat decided he would
+slow down to half speed. The bell and whistle were kept going at
+regular intervals, and two men were stationed in the bow as lookouts.
+
+It was close to midnight when Nat, who had decided to ask to be
+relieved, for he was a little doubtful of his ability under such bad
+conditions, saw through the haze another vessel approaching. He was in
+the narrowest part of the channel.
+
+"There isn't time to send word to Mr. Weatherby now," he thought.
+"I'll wait until I pass that ship. Then I'll go below, for I'm getting
+nervous here."
+
+The two vessels were approaching nearer and nearer to each other. If
+Nat had been aware that the ship he was about to pass was the one on
+which was his enemy, the mate, doubtless he would have been more
+nervous than he was.
+
+"He seems to be crowding too close over this way," thought Nat. "Guess
+I'll give him a caution signal."
+
+He pulled the whistle wire sharply. Short blasts came forth from the
+_Mermaid's_ hoarse siren. To Nat's surprise the other vessel, instead
+of keeping away from him, in the narrow channel, seemed to be coming
+closer.
+
+"Doesn't he know enough to keep away, and on his own course?" said the
+young pilot half aloud.
+
+He waited with an anxiously beating heart, and at the same time looked
+around to see if anybody else was near.
+
+"Oh, if only Mr. Weatherby was here now!" he told himself. Never had
+he missed the old pilot so much as at this moment. For one instant he
+thought of yelling for assistance, but knew it would be useless, for
+his voice would not carry far enough. He was in sole charge and must
+do the best he could.
+
+"Perhaps that other pilot is drunk," he murmured, and then shut his
+teeth hard. He was "up against it good and hard," and he realized it
+only too well. He trembled in spite of himself, and an icy chill began
+to creep up and down his backbone.
+
+He gave another signal. Then, as he watched, he saw the prow of the
+other vessel turn toward him.
+
+"He's going to ram me!" exclaimed Nat.
+
+Quickly he gave another signal, and then he rang for full speed
+astern. But it was too late. With a crash the other vessel was upon
+him, though the result was different from what might have been
+expected.
+
+The _Mermaid_ was a steel boat, while the _Liberty Bell_ was an old
+wooden one. Instead of the bow of the latter crashing into the hull of
+the passenger steamer, the bow of the freight boat crumpled up like
+paper, being smashed into kindling wood up as far as the pilot-house,
+part of which was demolished.
+
+There was a confused ringing of bells and blowing of whistles, and
+then both vessels came to a stop.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+BUMSTEAD'S ARREST--CONCLUSION
+
+
+With the first sound of the crash Captain Turton and Mr. Weatherby
+were out of their berths, and on deck. The searchlight of the
+_Mermaid_ showed plainly what had occurred. Neither boat was
+dangerously damaged, the passenger steamer hardly suffering at all.
+
+Captain Turton took this in at a glance, and then, with the assistance
+of the mates, he quieted the frightened passengers.
+
+"How did it happen, Nat?" asked Mr. Weatherby gravely.
+
+"That fellow went wrong!" exclaimed Nat, in his nervous excitement.
+"Whoever was steering that boat gave the wrong signals. I'm positive
+of that. Twice I warned him to keep away, but he kept crowding me
+closer, until he rammed me. It was his fault."
+
+"There will have to be an investigation," said the pilot. "I'm sorry
+this happened."
+
+"Ahoy the _Mermaid_!" came a hail from the other boat. "What's the
+matter with you fellows, anyhow? Can't you keep on your own side of
+the channel? My bows are stove in, and you've injured one of my men!"
+
+"Who are you?" called back the pilot.
+
+"Captain Carter, of the _Liberty Bell_."
+
+"It was your steersman's fault," shouted Mr. Weatherby. "Are you in
+any danger?"
+
+"No, but I'm going to lay-to until morning, and then I want to know
+who's going to settle for my damage."
+
+"We'll see you in the morning, then," was the pilot's answer.
+
+Nat passed an uneasy night. Though he knew the fault of the collision
+was not his, he worried lest he might not be able to prove it. There
+might be an old pilot in the other vessel--a pilot up to all sorts of
+tricks, who, even if he was wrong, could so make matters appear as to
+throw the blame on Nat.
+
+"If he does, that ends my career as a pilot," thought our hero.
+
+Soon after breakfast Captain Turton, with the pilot and Nat, went
+aboard the other vessel. Her bow was quite badly damaged, but the
+break did not extend below the waterline.
+
+"Did you say some of your men were injured?" asked Captain Turton,
+when he had greeted the commander of the _Liberty Bell_.
+
+"Yes, sir, my mate, Joseph Bumstead. His leg is broken."
+
+"What?" cried Nat and the pilot in the same breath.
+
+"Bumstead is his name. I don't see anything peculiar in that," replied
+Captain Carter, looking at the two in surprise.
+
+"Well, as it happens, there is something peculiar about it," went on
+Captain Turton. "We have a warrant for his arrest on a serious charge.
+However, if his leg is broken, he isn't very likely to get away, and I
+think we can proceed with the investigation. I want to find out who is
+to blame for this."
+
+"Your steersman, of course," was Captain Carter's quick answer.
+
+"It's natural you should say that. But we'll see."
+
+Several members of the crew of both vessels were called as witnesses.
+Nat told his story, of how he had tried to warn the other vessel away,
+and how the steersman of it had persisted in crowding him.
+
+"By the way, who is your pilot?" asked Mr. Weatherby. "I haven't seen
+him since I came aboard."
+
+"I have no regular pilot," answered Captain Carter. "My mate, Mr.
+Bumstead, whom I recently engaged, was steering when the collision
+occurred. He told me he could qualify as a pilot."
+
+"Hum," remarked Mr. Weatherby. "I think it will be a good plan to
+question Bumstead."
+
+"He's in his bunk."
+
+"Then we'll go there. Come, Nat."
+
+The rascally mate started when he saw the boy, and his face, that was
+flushed with a slight fever, grew pale.
+
+"Well, you've caught me, I see," he fairly snarled. "But luck is
+against me."
+
+"Yes, we've caught you in more ways than one," said the pilot.
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that you gave the wrong signals last night, either
+intentionally or through ignorance, and that you caused this
+collision."
+
+"Who says so?"
+
+"Half a dozen witnesses. Members of your own crew, for that matter."
+
+"My own crew?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I don't believe it."
+
+"It is true, nevertheless."
+
+"Name the men," growled Bumstead. He was suffering considerably, yet
+he still had some fight in him.
+
+For reply two of the deckhands were called in, and each, after much
+urging, told his story in detail.
+
+"That ain't true," growled the mate, but his voice sounded weak and
+uncertain.
+
+"It is true," cried one of the men. Bumstead had treated him roughly
+the day previous, and he was glad of a chance to "square accounts."
+
+"So it is--every word," put in the second deckhand who had been
+summoned.
+
+"You are all against me," muttered the mate. "It's a plot, I reckon."
+
+"No plot at all," cried Captain Turton. "We are simply bound to get at
+the bottom of this affair."
+
+To this Joseph Bumstead made no reply.
+
+"I'd like to know why you told me that you could qualify as a pilot,"
+put in Captain Carter, and his voice had anything but a pleasant ring
+to it.
+
+"I can qualify."
+
+"I don't believe it."
+
+"He is no pilot, and never was," said Nat. "He has done very little
+steering."
+
+"You don't know what I've done," growled the mate.
+
+"Yes, I do know!" exclaimed the boy quickly. "I know a good bit more
+than you think I do."
+
+"Ha! What do you mean by that?"
+
+"You'll find out later. We'll settle one question at a time."
+
+"See here, Bumstead, you might as well own up that you were
+responsible," said Mr. Weatherby. "If you try to stick it out you'll
+only make matters worse. To my way of thinking, you ran into us on
+purpose."
+
+"No! no! I--I----" The mate hesitated, not knowing how to proceed.
+
+"Come, out with it."
+
+"Well--er--if you must know the truth, I--er--I got confused."
+
+"Confused!" roared Captain Carter.
+
+"Ye-es. I--er--I had a headache, and I got a sudden spell of
+blindness. I--er--I wanted to put the wheel over, but before I could
+get straightened out the damage was done."
+
+"I don't believe a word of that!" exclaimed Captain Turton. "He is a
+rascal!"
+
+"No! no! I was confused--I swear it!" groaned the mate. All the
+remaining courage was oozing out of him. "I did my best to clear your
+vessel, but I simply couldn't do it."
+
+Captain Carter turned to one of his hands.
+
+"Did he act confused, so far as you know?" he questioned.
+
+"I don't know about that," answered the man. "He sure didn't steer the
+boat right."
+
+"I sometimes get those dizzy spells," said Bumstead. "They come on me
+without warning. When they do come I don't know what I am doing for
+the minute."
+
+"You should have told me of this before," said Captain Carter.
+
+"I--er--I was afraid I'd lose my job if I did. But I was confused, I
+swear I was. Otherwise, I should never have run into that other boat."
+
+They had to let it go at that, since there was no direct proof of any
+intentional desire to smash into the _Mermaid_, and the charge was too
+grave to take any chances on. But it was satisfactorily proved that
+the mate did give the wrong signals, and that Nat was not to blame.
+
+"Now that is over, we have another matter against you," went on Mr.
+Weatherby. "I presume you know what it is, Bumstead."
+
+"Yes," said the other in a low voice.
+
+"Nat, go ashore and call an officer," said the pilot.
+
+"Don't do that!" begged the mate. "I'll confess everything, and I'll
+pay the money back with interest."
+
+"Then you admit that you kept the fifteen hundred dollars you were to
+deliver to Mr. Morton's son?"
+
+"Yes. It was a great temptation, after I cashed the lumber
+certificates. I needed the money badly, and I kept it. I meant to pay
+it back, but I--I couldn't."
+
+"And will you pay back the money on the note?"
+
+"Every penny, with interest, if you don't have me arrested."
+
+"What do you say, Nat?" asked Mr. Weatherby.
+
+"I have no desire to see him arrested, though I think he tried to
+injure me in other ways than by keeping this money from me. But I
+forgive him," answered the boy.
+
+"I think that is the best way," went on the pilot. "You have been
+punished almost enough, Bumstead. I hope it will be a lesson to you."
+
+"It will. Mr. Morton was kind to me, and I treated his son very wrong.
+I'm--I'm sorry," and the mate turned his face away, so they would not
+see him weeping.
+
+Nat was glad to get away from the sad scene. On his way out he passed
+Sam Shaw, but that youth had nothing to say, and he turned aside.
+
+"I feel that I owe you an apology," said Captain Carter to Captain
+Turton. "I'll discharge that rascal of a mate and his red-headed
+nephew, too."
+
+About two weeks later, through the efforts of Mr. Scanlon, the lawyer
+who took charge of the case for Nat, the entire sum appropriated by
+the mate, together with interest for two years, was recovered, and
+turned over to the young pilot, who also received his father's
+wallet, which he prized very much. Bumstead and Sam lost their places
+on the _Liberty Bell_, and at last accounts they were working as
+laborers aboard a grain barge, for the mate had to sell his shares in
+the _Jessie Drew_ to pay Nat what was coming to the boy. Sam confessed
+his trick about the cigarettes, and Captain Marshall, when he heard
+about it, begged Nat's pardon in a letter.
+
+"Well," said Mr. Weatherby to Nat one day, "since you have come into
+your inheritance, I suppose you'll give up learning to be a pilot?"
+
+"Indeed, I shall not. I'm going to spend a couple of terms at school,
+and then I'm coming back with you again. I want to see my old friends,
+Mr. and Mrs. Miller, and do something for them, in return for their
+kindness to me. I'm going to be a pilot yet, and, I hope, a good one."
+
+"There is no question but what you will, if you keep on as you have
+been going," returned Mr. Weatherby.
+
+Nat used part of the money to better his education, and he gave a
+goodly sum to his kind friends, so that they were able to live in
+better circumstances. Then the young pilot resumed his work aboard a
+big passenger steamer, Mr. Weatherby coaching him, until the aged man
+said Nat knew as much as he did, if not more.
+
+To-day, one of the best pilots on the Great Lakes is Nat Morton, who
+once was a wharf-rat about the Chicago water front. But he won his
+place through pluck and after not a few perils.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+THE WEBSTER SERIES
+
+By FRANK V. WEBSTER
+
+[Illustration: BOB THE CASTAWAY]
+
+Mr. WEBSTER'S style is very much like that of the boys' favorite
+author, the late lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales are
+thoroughly up-to-date.
+
+Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. Stamped in various
+colors.
+
+Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid.
+
+=Only A Farm Boy=
+    _or Dan Hardy's Rise in Life_
+=The Boy From The Ranch=
+    _or Roy Bradner's City Experiences_
+=The Young Treasure Hunter=
+    _or Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska_
+=The Boy Pilot of the Lakes=
+    _or Nat Morton's Perils_
+=Tom The Telephone Boy=
+    _or The Mystery of a Message_
+=Bob The Castaway=
+    _or The Wreck of the Eagle_
+=The Newsboy Partners=
+    _or Who Was Dick Box?_
+=Two Boy Gold Miners=
+    _or Lost in the Mountains_
+=The Young Firemen of Lakeville=
+    _or Herbert Dare's Pluck_
+=The Boys of Bellwood School=
+    _or Frank Jordan's Triumph_
+=Jack the Runaway=
+    _or On the Road with a Circus_
+=Bob Chester's Grit=
+    _or From Ranch to Riches_
+=Airship Andy=
+    _or The Luck of a Brave Boy_
+=High School Rivals=
+    _or Fred Markham's Struggles_
+=Darry The Life Saver=
+    _or The Heroes of the Coast_
+=Dick The Bank Boy=
+    _or A Missing Fortune_
+=Ben Hardy's Flying Machine=
+    _or Making a Record for Himself_
+=Harry Watson's High School Days=
+    _or The Rivals of Rivertown_
+=Comrades of the Saddle=
+    _or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains_
+=Tom Taylor at West Point=
+    _or The Old Army Officer's Secret_
+=The Boy Scouts of Lennox=
+    _or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain_
+=The Boys of the Wireless=
+    _or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep_
+=Cowboy Dave=
+    _or The Round-up at Rolling River_
+=Jack of the Pony Express=
+    _or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail_
+=The Boys of the Battleship=
+    _or For the Honor of Uncle Sam_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers. NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE BOY RANCHERS SERIES
+
+By WILLARD F. BAKER
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+[Illustration: THE BOY RANCHERS IN CAMP]
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_Stories of the great west, with cattle ranches as a setting, related
+in such a style as to captivate the hearts of all boys._
+
+
+=1. THE BOY RANCHERS=
+    _or Solving the Mystery at Diamond X_
+
+Two eastern boys visit their cousin. They become involved in an
+exciting mystery.
+
+=2. THE BOY RANCHERS IN CAMP=
+    _or The Water Fight at Diamond X_
+
+Returning for a visit, the two eastern lads learn, with delight, that
+they are to become boy ranchers.
+
+=3. THE BOY RANCHERS ON THE TRAIL=
+    _or The Diamond X After Cattle Rustlers_
+
+Our boy heroes take the trail after Del Pinzo and his outlaws.
+
+=4. THE BOY RANCHERS AMONG THE INDIANS=
+    _or Trailing the Yaquis_
+
+Rosemary and Floyd are captured by the Yaqui Indians but the boy
+ranchers trailed them into the mountains and effected the rescue.
+
+=5. THE BOY RANCHERS AT SPUR CREEK=
+    _or Fighting the Sheep Herders_
+
+Dangerous struggle against desperadoes for land rights brings out
+heroic adventures.
+
+=6. THE BOY RANCHERS IN THE DESERT=
+    _or Diamond X and the Lost Mine_
+
+One night a strange old miner almost dead from hunger and hardship
+arrived at the bunk house. The boys cared for him and he told them of
+the lost desert mine.
+
+=7. THE BOY RANCHERS ON ROARING RIVER=
+    _or Diamond X and the Chinese Smugglers_
+
+The boy ranchers help capture Delton's gang who were engaged in
+smuggling Chinese across the border.
+
+
+_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note: A list of illustrations, which was not present in
+the original edition, has been created for this electronic text. In
+addition, the following typographical errors present in the original
+print edition have been corrected.
+
+In Chapter V, "shaking his first" was changed to "shaking his fist".
+
+In Chapter VIII, "He knew it would take him several years engineer set
+in operation the powerful pumps, to be a capable one, but he
+determined to get a good ground work or the higher branches of it, and
+so he listened carfully to all that Mr. Weatherby told him." was
+changed to "He knew it would take him several years to be a capable
+one, but he determined to get a good ground work or the higher
+branches of it, and so he listened carefully to all that Mr. Weatherby
+told him."
+
+In Chapter XI, a missing quotation mark was added after "I never put
+it there".
+
+In Chapter XVI, "let him have the whole businesss" was changed to "let
+him have the whole business".
+
+In Chapter XVII, "the Sanlons wanted to begin their trip" was changed
+to "the Scanlons wanted to begin their trip".
+
+In Chapter XVIII, "the other vessed" was changed to "the other
+vessel".
+
+In Chapter XX, an extraneous quotation mark was removed after "No,
+sir".
+
+In Chapter XXIII, "throwing back his boat" was changed to "throwing
+back his coat".
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Boy Pilot of the Lakes, by Frank V. Webster
+
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+
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