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+Project Gutenberg's The Last Cruise of the Spitfire, by Edward Stratemeyer
+
+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 Last Cruise of the Spitfire
+       or, Luke Foster's Strange Voyage
+
+Author: Edward Stratemeyer
+
+Release Date: November 21, 2010 [EBook #34367]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Curtis Weyant, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE
+
+                        OR _Luke Foster's Strange Voyage_
+
+                              BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER
+
+AUTHOR OF "UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA," "A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA" "FIGHTING
+IN CUBAN WATERS," "RICHARD DARE'S VENTURE" "REUBEN STONE'S DISCOVERY,"
+"OLIVER BRIGHT'S SEARCH" ETC., ETC.
+
+
+    _ILLUSTRATED_
+
+    BOSTON
+    LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
+
+    COPYRIGHT, 1894,
+    By THE MERRIAM COMPANY.
+
+    COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY LEE AND SHEPARD.
+
+    _All Rights Reserved._
+
+    Norwood Press
+    J. S. Cushing & Co.--Berwick & Smith
+    Norwood Mass. U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: MY WAKENING WAS A RUDE ONE.]
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION.
+
+
+"THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE" is the opening volume of the "Ship and
+Shore" Series, and tells of the things which happened to a boy who ran
+away from his guardian's home because he could no longer stand the cruel
+treatment received.
+
+In this tale, in order to get close to the heart of the boy, the author
+has allowed Luke Foster to tell his own story in his own way. Luke has
+never before been to sea, and when he is carried off on the "Spitfire"
+his real experiences on the briny ocean, set up in juxtaposition to what
+he had imagined a life on the "rolling deep" to be, make reading which I
+trust every lad who has a "hankering" after a sailor's life may digest
+with profit. Luke concludes that a life on land is good enough for him,
+and I feel certain that a majority of our readers will agree with him.
+
+Of Luke's overbearing cousin and his dishonest uncle much might be said
+which Luke leaves untold. The boy does this probably out of his natural
+good-heartedness. Yet the lives of the pair, and especially that of the
+father, well illustrate the old saying, that, sooner or later, every
+wrong-doer is bound to overreach himself and fall into the hands of
+justice.
+
+Upon first appearing in print, "The Last Cruise of the Spitfire" was as
+well received as the stories in the "Bound to Succeed Series," which had
+preceded it; and once again the author begs to thank readers and critics
+for their continued kindness to him.
+
+EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
+
+NEWARK, N.J.,
+
+May 1, 1899.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+CHAPTER I. Myself and my Uncle
+
+CHAPTER II. An Unexpected Letter
+
+CHAPTER III. Somebody's Crime
+
+CHAPTER IV. An Unexpected Arrival
+
+CHAPTER V. An Appalling Prospect
+
+CHAPTER VI. A Turn of Fortune
+
+CHAPTER VII. On Board the Spitfire
+
+CHAPTER VIII. Phil Jones
+
+CHAPTER IX. Up Long Island Sound
+
+CHAPTER X. A Narrow Escape
+
+CHAPTER XI. Captain Hancock's Plot
+
+CHAPTER XII. The Storm
+
+CHAPTER XIII. A New Friend
+
+CHAPTER XIV. Some Plain Facts
+
+CHAPTER XV. Captain Hancock tries to make Terms
+
+CHAPTER XVI. An Important Discovery
+
+CHAPTER XVII. In a Tight Fix
+
+CHAPTER XVIII. I am put in Irons
+
+CHAPTER XIX. The Burning of the Spitfire
+
+CHAPTER XX. On the Raft
+
+CHAPTER XXI. Night on the Hasty
+
+CHAPTER XXII. A Terrible Loss
+
+CHAPTER XXIII. The Deep Blue Sea
+
+CHAPTER XXIV. Picked Up
+
+CHAPTER XXV. The Capture on the Ocean
+
+CHAPTER XXVI. On Land Once More
+
+CHAPTER XXVII. Mr. Felix Stillwell's Hope
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII. On the Cars
+
+CHAPTER XXIX. Back in New York
+
+CHAPTER XXX. An Unexpected Death
+
+CHAPTER XXXI. Conclusion
+
+
+
+
+List of Illustrations
+
+
+MY WAKENING WAS A RUDE ONE.
+
+I WENT SPINNING THROUGH THE AIR, AND THEN FELL WITH A SPLASH INTO THE
+WATER.
+
+DOWN IN THE HOLD.
+
+ON THE RAFT.
+
+
+
+
+THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE;
+
+OR, LUKE FOSTER'S STRANGE VOYAGE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+MYSELF AND MY UNCLE.
+
+
+"Luke!"
+
+"Yes, Mr. Stillwell."
+
+"Why didn't you sweep and dust the office this morning?"
+
+"I did, sir."
+
+"You did!"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You did!" repeated the gentleman, who, I may as well state, was my
+esteemed uncle. "I must say, young man, that lately you have falsified
+to an astonishing degree."
+
+"Excuse me, but I have not falsified--not to my knowledge, sir."
+
+"Stop; don't contradict me----"
+
+"I am telling the truth, sir."
+
+"Stop, I tell you! I will not have it! Look here, and then dare to tell
+me that this office has seen the touch of a broom or duster this day!"
+
+And my Uncle Felix motioned me majestically into his office with one
+hand, while with the other he pointed in bitter scorn at the floor.
+
+Mr. Felix Stillwell was in a bad humor. His sarcastic tones told this
+quite as well as the sour look upon his face. Evidently some business
+matters had gone wrong, and he intended to vent the spleen raised
+thereby upon me. He was a high-strung man at the best, and when anything
+went wrong the first person in his way was sure to catch the full
+benefit of his ire.
+
+I was an orphan, and had lived with my Uncle Felix three years. Previous
+to that time I was a scholar at the Hargrove Military and Commercial
+Academy, a first class training-school for boys, situated upon the
+Palisades, overlooking the Hudson River.
+
+My father was a retired lawyer, who, being in ill health, went with my
+mother on a two years' trip to Europe. They journeyed from place to
+place for sixteen months, and then lost their lives in a terrible
+railway accident in England. The death of both my parents at once was a
+fearful blow to me, and for a long while I could not think, and was
+utterly unable to judge what was taking place around me. At the end of
+three months I was informed that Mr. Stillwell had been appointed my
+guardian, and then I was taken from school and placed in his office in
+New York City.
+
+My duties at the office of Stillwell, Grinder & Co. were varied. In the
+morning I was expected to clean everything as bright as a pin. Then I
+went to the post-office, and on a dozen other errands; after which I did
+such writing as was placed in my hands.
+
+For this work I was allowed my board, clothing and fifty cents a week
+spending money--not a large sum, but one with which I would have been
+content had other things been equal.
+
+But they were far from being so. I lived with my uncle, but I was not
+treated as one of the family. His wife--I do not care to call her my
+aunt--was a very proud woman who had come from a blue-blooded Boston
+family, and she hardly deigned to notice me. When she did it was in a
+patronizing manner, as if I was a menial far beneath her.
+
+My two cousins, Lillian and Augustus, were even less civil. Lillian, who
+was a fashionable miss of seventeen, never spoke to me excepting when
+she wanted something done, and Gus, as every one called him, thought it
+his right to order me around as if I was his valet.
+
+In the matter of food and clothing I was scarcely considered. Any of
+Gus's cast-off suits were thought good enough for the office, and my
+Sunday suit was two years old. I had my breakfast with the servants
+before the others were up, took my noon lunch with me, and dinner when I
+returned from the office, which was generally two hours after Mr.
+Stillwell, when everything was cold.
+
+Looking back at those times I often wonder how it was I stood the
+treatment as long as I did. During my parents' lives I had had nearly
+everything that my heart wished, and to be thus cut short, not only in
+my bodily wants, but also in consideration and affection, was hard
+indeed.
+
+To my mind there was no reason why I should be treated as one so far
+beneath the family. My mother had been a gentlewoman and my father a
+gentleman, and I was conceited enough to think that by both breeding and
+education I was fully the equal of my cousins. Besides, my father had
+been well-to-do, and had, no doubt, left me a fair inheritance.
+
+Had I had less to do I would have been lonely in a city where I hardly
+knew a soul. But my work kept me so busy I had no time to think of
+myself, and perhaps this is one reason why I did not rebel before I did.
+
+In the whole of the metropolis there was but one person whom I
+considered a friend. That was Mr. Ira Mason, who had his law offices in
+the same building with Stillwell, Grinder & Co. I had done a number of
+errands for this gentleman, and in return he had become interested in
+me.
+
+To Mr. Mason I confided my story in all its details, and when I had
+finished he told me that if matters did not mend, or got worse, to let
+him know, and he would see what could be done for me.
+
+My uncle did not like Mr. Mason, who, on several occasions, had had
+clients who wished to obtain patents, and whom he had taken elsewhere;
+the reason given being that Stillwell, Grinder & Co.'s rates were too
+high, though their peculiar methods of getting patents had much to do
+with it.
+
+It was the morning of my seventeenth birthday. I had requested my uncle,
+several days previous, to give me a holiday, which I intended to spend
+with an old school chum of mine, Harry Banker, at his home in
+Locustville, a pretty village, fifty miles northwest of the city.
+
+The Banker family and mine had been well acquainted, and I had received
+numerous invitations from them to spend some time at their home, a
+large farm; but was each time forced to decline.
+
+When I had requested my uncle to let me go for just one day, I had
+thought it would be impossible for him to refuse, as it was the middle
+of July, and business was dull. I had saved my money for some time,
+determined to be prepared to pay my own way if he should not give me the
+price of a ticket.
+
+My request for a day off was met with a sharp refusal. It wasn't
+necessary, there was work to do, and, besides, Gus was going to take the
+day to go to Coney Island, and I must attend to his desk during his
+absence.
+
+I was taken back by the curt negative that I received, and was inclined
+to "air my mind." I had had no holiday for two years, and was clearly
+entitled to one. Gus had had a week at Christmas, and half a dozen days
+since. It was not treating me fairly to pile up the work upon me, and
+give me no breathing spells.
+
+What made me feel worse was the fact that I had written to Harry telling
+him of my expectations, so that I might find him home, and we could have
+a good time. He would surely expect me, and it was doubtful if I could
+get him word in time telling him I could not come.
+
+On the evening before I had written him a letter and posted it. Gus had
+seen me do so, and had made a mean remark concerning the fact that I was
+to stay at home while he was to have a good time.
+
+The remark was entirely uncalled for, and it made me angry. Hot words
+passed; and he was on the point of hitting me when my uncle came in and
+stopped the row. But my cousin was fearfully angry still, and vowed to
+get even with me; and I knew he would try his best to do so.
+
+On arriving at the offices that morning, I was in no bright humor. But I
+knew sulking would accomplish nothing, and so set to with a will to
+clean up as usual. This job took fully half an hour, and when it was
+done I crossed over to Mr. Mason's office to return a book he had loaned
+me, and also to obtain another from his large library.
+
+While in the office I heard footsteps in the hall, and looking through
+the partly closed door had seen Gus enter his father's private office,
+closing the door after him. I was on the point of following, when I
+remembered what had passed between us, and so waited until some member
+of the firm might appear.
+
+Fully five minutes elapsed, and then my cousin came out, closing the
+door softly behind him. He paused for a moment in the hallway, and,
+seeing no one, hurried down the stairs, and out of the building.
+
+I thought nothing more of his movements, but continued to look over the
+books, Mr. Mason meanwhile being busy at his desk in a smaller office
+beyond. Presently I heard my uncle's well-known step, and hurried out,
+meeting him just after he had been in his private office, which was
+behind all the others.
+
+"Don't think that because it is your birthday you can neglect your
+work," he went on, in a rising voice. "This office is to be cleaned
+thoroughly every morning."
+
+"I cleaned it thoroughly not half an hour ago," I replied stoutly.
+
+"Do you mean to contradict me?" he cried.
+
+"I'm telling the truth," was all I could say.
+
+"Does that look like it?"
+
+The floor certainly did not look like it. Bits of paper were strewn in
+all directions, and the bottle of ink on the desk had been upset,
+creating a small blue-black river, running diagonally over the oil-cloth
+towards the safe that stood beside the window.
+
+Of course I knew at once who had done all this. Gus had vowed to get
+square with me, and this was his method of doing so. Yet I could not
+help but wonder what the outcome would be.
+
+"I say, does that floor look like it?" repeated Mr. Stillwell, in
+gathering wrath.
+
+"I didn't do this, Uncle Felix."
+
+"You didn't?" he sneered. "Well, who did, then? We haven't any cat to do
+it."
+
+I was on the point of saying it was a two-legged cat, but thinking he
+would not relish the joke, replied:
+
+"I don't know. Gus was here."
+
+"My son? Impossible! I left him at home half an hour ago."
+
+"He was here not ten minutes since," I said.
+
+"I don't believe it! Besides, why should he make a pig-pen of the
+office, answer me that?" stormed Uncle Felix.
+
+"Because he knew I had just cleaned it up, and he wanted to get even
+with me for that row we had yesterday."
+
+"A likely story, I must say! As if Augustus wasn't beyond such
+childishness! You did this yourself. I want you to clean it up at once."
+
+"I didn't do----" I began.
+
+"Not another word! Clean it up, I say."
+
+My uncle was in such a savage humor I knew it would be useless for me to
+attempt to reason with him. So getting a sponge and some water, I began
+to clean up the muss on the desk. I had hardly cleaned the writing-pad
+when my uncle stopped me.
+
+"If you are going to take all day, do the job when you come back from
+the post-office. I want some letters to go in the nine o'clock mail.
+Here they are."
+
+He shoved the letters into my hand.
+
+"Now don't get them all dirty!" he cried, "or I'll crack you over the
+head. Be off with you."
+
+In a moment I was on my way to the post-office, three blocks distant.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED LETTER.
+
+
+As I walked along the street I could not help but ponder over the way I
+had been treated. My uncle's manner towards me was getting harsher every
+day. If it kept up in this fashion soon the time would come when human
+nature could stand it no longer.
+
+And what was I to do then? Several times I had asked myself that
+question without being able to come to a satisfactory answer. It was
+easy enough to think of running away and so forth, but this was just the
+thing I did not wish to do. My uncle was my guardian, and he was bound
+to support me. To be sure, the support he gave me was merely a nominal
+one; but I was not versed in law, and was afraid if I went off he might
+keep my inheritance from me. I did not know how much money my father had
+left, but what there was I wanted to come to me.
+
+Gus's actions puzzled me. If he was bound for a day to Coney Island what
+had brought him to the office at such an early hour of the morning? I
+knew that he disliked early rising, and was pretty well satisfied that
+even the delight of paying me off would not have induced him to leave
+his soft bed.
+
+Arriving at the post-office, I posted Mr. Stillwell's letters, and then
+opened the box containing the letters for the firm. There were quite a
+handful, and I looked at the addresses to see that no mistakes had been
+made.
+
+In an instant one of them attracted my attention.
+
+It was directed as follows:
+
+    MR. LUKE FOSTER,
+
+    _Care of Stillwell, Grinder & Co._,
+
+    PATENT AGENTS,
+
+    NEW YORK CITY.
+
+
+The letter was addressed to me, and as it was the first foreign epistle
+I had received since my parents' death, I looked at it with considerable
+curiosity. It was postmarked London, and the handwriting was cramped and
+heavy.
+
+Tearing the letter open, I was still more astonished to read the
+following lines:
+
+     "MR. LUKE FOSTER,
+
+     "DEAR SIR:
+
+     "Of course you will be astonished to receive this, I being a
+     stranger to you. But just before his death I became well
+     acquainted with your father, he spending with your mother six
+     weeks at my country residence in Northampton. We met six years
+     ago in New York, and traveled from that city to Chicago, and
+     from there to St. Louis; so you will see that we became quite
+     intimate.
+
+     "While stopping at my house your father expressed the fear that
+     should he die suddenly while on his travels, and his wife also
+     (odd, indeed, when such proved to be the case), your future
+     might be an uncertain one. He said he had made a will,
+     appointing his friend, John W. Banker of Locustville, New York
+     State, to be your guardian, but was afraid you might not like
+     the choice, or that this man might not treat you well.
+
+     "Never expecting that your father's end was near, I laughingly
+     replied that I was sure he had done for the best. But he shook
+     his head in doubt, and said men were strange, and often acted
+     in a way least expected, which is certainly true. So I agreed,
+     should anything happen to him, to keep an eye on you. I have
+     not done so for the following reason:
+
+     "Following close upon your parents' death came the demise of my
+     mother in Paris, and a week later, the failure of a banking
+     house in South America, with which I was closely connected.
+     After the funeral of my mother I took passage for Rio de
+     Janeiro, and it was about two weeks ago that I set foot in
+     England. Since then I have been exceedingly busy straightening
+     out my affairs, and this is the first chance I have had of
+     addressing you.
+
+     "I trust your father's choice of a guardian has been a happy
+     one, and that you are doing well. If not, write me immediately,
+     and I will see what can be done. I send this letter in care of
+     your uncle because I have not had your address. I know that he
+     and your father were not on good terms, but I trust you no
+     longer carry on that quarrel.
+
+     "Very truly,
+
+     "Your friend,
+
+     "HARVEY NOTTINGTON.
+
+     "43 OLD FELLOWS ROAD.
+
+Standing by one of the deep windows of the post-office, I read the
+letter through twice. It will be needless for me to state that it
+impressed me strangely.
+
+The most important statement made by the writer was that my father had
+never intended my uncle to be my guardian. I knew of the family quarrel,
+but Mr. Stillwell, when he had taken me from the academy, had assured me
+that that was all past and gone, and I had been delighted to have it so,
+for it had always pained me to see my mother not on speaking terms with
+my aunt. But apparently my uncle had not told the truth, and for reasons
+of his own.
+
+How was it that Mr. Stillwell had been appointed my guardian when my
+father wished Mr. Banker to act in that capacity? This was a question
+that worried me not a little. I liked Harry's father very much, and was
+sure he would have treated me with far more consideration than I was now
+receiving.
+
+The perusal of the letter drove all thoughts of the unpleasant scene I
+had left behind from my mind, and I was on the point of going directly
+to my uncle for an explanation of the case. But then came the
+recollection of Mr. Stillwell's manner towards me, and I shoved the
+letter into my pocket, resolved to say nothing until I had thought the
+matter over.
+
+I walked back to the office slowly, for I was in deep thought. For two
+years my uncle had been my guardian, and during that time my life had
+been little better than a continual hardship. The letter brought up the
+memory of the past, and I realized now more than ever how happy the days
+gone by had been. What had brought about the change?
+
+Clearly, the way I was being treated. Mr. Stillwell cared nothing for
+me, body or soul. Indeed, at that moment I was inclined to think that he
+would be as well satisfied to see me dead as alive. Perhaps if I were
+dead he would inherit the money left me by my father.
+
+This thought had never occurred to me before, and I gave it considerable
+attention. When I came to review the whole matter I discovered that in
+reality I knew very little of my own affairs. I had taken many things
+for granted, and my uncle's word on all occasions. Whether this was for
+the best was still to be seen.
+
+I was glad I had not gone on a visit that day. Had I done so Mr.
+Stillwell would have received my letter, and I do not doubt but that he
+would have opened it. As it was, he knew nothing of the communication,
+and I did not intend that he should until I was ready to disclose it to
+him.
+
+By the stamp upon the letter sheet, I saw that Mr. Nottington was a
+solicitor, and this made my mind revert to Mr. Ira Mason. As I have
+said, the lawyer had taken an interest in me, and I was sure he would
+now give me the best advice in his power.
+
+I was sorry I could not go to the gentleman at once. The letter had
+fired my curiosity, and I wanted to get at the bottom of the affair.
+
+But I had already lost time: to lose more would raise a storm of anger
+against me. I determined to wait until the noon hour, or after my uncle
+had gone home.
+
+The firm of patent lawyers of which my uncle was senior partner was
+composed of himself, Mr. Grinder, a short, stumpy busybody, now away to
+Washington on business, and Mr. Canning, a young man who had been but
+recently taken in, not so much because he was needed, I fancied, as
+because he brought with him plenty of money and a good business
+connection.
+
+Mr. Canning did not come to business until very late, as he lived
+twenty-five miles out of the city, in New Jersey. There were no clerks
+but Gus and myself; so when I arrived at the office I found Mr.
+Stillwell still alone.
+
+My uncle's face was as dark as a thunder-cloud when I handed him the
+letters. I made up my mind he was about to lecture me for having taken
+my time, and I braced up to withstand the shower of strong language he
+would be sure to heap upon me.
+
+"So, young man, you've got back at last!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Been rather a long while."
+
+To this I made no reply. What was there to say?
+
+"It's a wonder you came back at all," he went on. "To be honest, I never
+expected to see you again."
+
+"I'm sorry I can't please you, Uncle Felix."
+
+"Don't Uncle Felix me!" he cried savagely. "After your dirty work to-day
+I don't want to be any relation to you."
+
+This was certainly putting it rather strongly.
+
+"Whether you believe it or not, I didn't muss up the office," I said
+firmly. "Gus did that."
+
+"I left Gus at home," he cried, even more emphatically than before, and
+I could see that he was really angry because of my having dragged his
+son's name into the dispute.
+
+"Gus was here, and left just before you came."
+
+"I don't believe it."
+
+"All the same, it is true."
+
+"It's only a story to pass your crimes off on my son. But it won't wash,
+Luke, it won't wash."
+
+I made no further reply, seeing it was useless to try to reason with
+him, but hung up my hat and turned my attention to cleaning up the
+floor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+SOMEBODY'S CRIME.
+
+
+While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that
+the door of the safe stood open. This was a most unusual thing, and I
+wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
+He was a very careful man, and if he had it was the first time I had
+known him to do such a thing.
+
+"The safe door is open," I said mildly, as he moved as if to leave the
+office.
+
+"Have you just found that out?" he sneered; and then I saw that he had
+gone over to the door of the office only to close it.
+
+"Was it open before?" I asked in some alarm.
+
+He looked at me for a moment in silence, the cloud upon his brow
+deepening.
+
+"Luke, you are a mighty cool one for a boy, but I've got you fast, so
+you might as well give in," he said finally. "Come, now, I want no
+nonsense."
+
+This unexpected speech only bewildered me.
+
+"I don't understand you, Uncle Felix."
+
+"How many times must I tell you that I am no longer your uncle?" he
+stormed. "From this time I am done with you."
+
+"What have I done?"
+
+"What have you done? What haven't you done? Ruined your good name
+forever!"
+
+"I didn't muss up----"
+
+"Oh, pshaw, give the floor and the office a rest! I want you to own up
+without further words."
+
+By this time I was more bewildered than ever. What in the world was my
+uncle driving at?
+
+"What do you want me to own up to?" I asked.
+
+"You know well enough."
+
+"No, I don't."
+
+"Yes, you do."
+
+"I don't."
+
+"I'll give you five minutes to make a full confession," he cried, in a
+perfect rage. "At the end of that time if you are still obdurate I will
+hand you over to the police."
+
+This was certainly alarming news. Surely something serious had happened.
+
+"If you will tell me what the trouble is, I'll try to answer your
+question," was all I could find to say.
+
+Again he looked at me in that hard, cold manner.
+
+"I want you to tell me," he said, with great deliberation, "I want you
+to tell me instantly what you have done with the six thousand dollars
+and the papers that were in the safe."
+
+I stood amazed. For a moment I hardly realized the meaning of the words
+that had been spoken.
+
+"The six thousand dollars that were in the safe!" I gasped.
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"I don't know anything about the money. I didn't know you had six
+thousand in the place."
+
+"Yes, you did. You saw me place it in the safe yesterday afternoon."
+
+"No, sir, I did not."
+
+"You did: and you took it out either last night or this morning. Come,
+tell me what you have done with it, or, as sure my name is Felix
+Stillwell, you shall pass the remainder of this day in prison. Luke, I
+am not to be trifled with!"
+
+My uncle was fearfully in earnest, and his thin hands trembled with
+excitement when he spoke. In spite of the fact that I was a pretty stout
+young fellow, I was glad that though he had closed the door leading to
+the outer office, he had been unable to lock it. It might come so far
+that I would be glad enough to escape from his presence.
+
+"Did you hear me?" he demanded, seeing that I made no immediate reply.
+
+I was busy thinking over the strange news he had announced. Six thousand
+dollars and some papers missing from the safe! Whoever had taken them
+had made a big haul.
+
+I could not help but think of Gus. He was the only one who had been in
+the office besides myself. Was it possible the young man had robbed his
+own father?
+
+I was loath to believe that such was the case. My cousin a thief! It
+could not be possible; and yet if he had not taken the money, who had?
+
+"Do you hear me?" demanded Mr. Stillwell again.
+
+"I hear you," I replied, as calmly as I could, though I was nearly as
+excited as he was.
+
+"What did you do with the money?"
+
+"I don't know anything about the money."
+
+My uncle made a threatening gesture.
+
+"It's the truth, whether you believe it or not," I went on. "I did not
+know you had the money, and I haven't been near the safe."
+
+"Luke Foster, do you realize that you are staring the State prison in
+the face?"
+
+"I can't help that. I know nothing of your money, and that's all there
+is to it."
+
+"When did you open the office this morning?"
+
+"Quarter to seven."
+
+"Did you clean up at once?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"When you cleaned up was the safe door open?"
+
+"No, sir. It might have been unlocked, but it wasn't open."
+
+"How long did it take you to clean up?"
+
+"About half an hour."
+
+"What did you do then?"
+
+"I went to Mr. Mason's office to return a book he had loaned me."
+
+"And then?"
+
+"When I came back I met you," I replied promptly.
+
+"And you mean to say the safe was robbed in the meantime. Luke, you
+cannot make me believe that."
+
+"I don't know when the safe was robbed. I told you what I did, that was
+all."
+
+"I don't believe a word of your story! You have robbed the safe, and you
+have the money."
+
+"If you think so you can search me," I replied promptly.
+
+But even as I spoke I thought of the strange letter I had received. What
+would my uncle say if he saw it? It seemed to me I was getting into hot
+water in more ways than one.
+
+"I shall search you, never fear," said Mr. Stillwell. "But you had
+better confess. It may go easier with you if you do."
+
+"I can't confess to something I'm not guilty of," I returned. And then,
+as I thought of how I had been treated, I cried out:
+
+"You had better look nearer home for the guilty party, Uncle Felix."
+
+My reply seemed to anger him beyond all endurance.
+
+"Don't you dare to insinuate my son is a thief!" he cried. "You low-bred
+upstart! I have half a mind to hand you over to the police at once!"
+
+And with his face full of passion Uncle Felix bore down upon me, as if
+ready to crush me beneath the iron heel of his wrath once and forever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL.
+
+
+Mr. Stillwell's anger had reached a white heat, and as he strode towards
+me, I was half inclined to think he intended to take my very life. He
+was naturally a passionate man, and the insinuation I had made
+concerning his son maddened him beyond all endurance.
+
+I could readily understand why this was so. My Uncle Felix almost
+worshiped his son, and to have any one insinuate that that son was a
+thief cut him to the heart. I believe he would rather have lost the six
+thousand dollars, greatly as he might have felt the loss, than to have
+imagined that Gus was the guilty party.
+
+"My son a thief!" he repeated hotly. "How dare you?"
+
+"Gus was the only one in the office besides myself," I replied.
+
+"And that is the reason you lay the crime at his door? I don't believe a
+word you say."
+
+I did not expect that he would. Gus was a favored son, while I was but
+an orphan with no one to stand up for me.
+
+"Are you going to tell me what you have done with the money and the
+papers?" he demanded.
+
+"How can I when I don't know anything of them?"
+
+"You do know."
+
+"I don't."
+
+I hardly had the words out when my uncle grasped me roughly by the coat
+collar.
+
+"I'll teach you a lesson, you young rascal!"
+
+"Let go of me, Uncle Felix!" I cried. "Let go, or I'll--I'll----"
+
+"What will you do?" he sneered.
+
+"Never mind; only you may be sorry if you don't."
+
+His only reply was to tighten his hand upon my collar in such a way that
+I was in immediate danger of being strangled.
+
+"I'll choke you to death, if you don't tell!" he cried. "Speak up
+instantly."
+
+"I don't know."
+
+His hand tightened.
+
+"Will you tell?"
+
+I did not reply. I saw that he meant what he said, and I was busy
+trying to think how to defend myself.
+
+When Mr. Stillwell had caught me I had backed up against the desk. Near
+me lay a heavy ruler, used by Mr. Grinder in preparing designs for
+patents. I picked up the ruler, and before my assailant was aware struck
+him a violent blow upon the wrist.
+
+The brass edge of the weapon I had used made a slight cut upon my
+uncle's arm, and with a cry more of alarm than pain he dropped his hold
+of me and turned his attention to the injury.
+
+Seeing this I quickly placed a large office chair near the door, and got
+behind it, in such a manner that I could escape at an instant's warning.
+
+"You young villain! Do you mean to add murder to your other crimes?" he
+howled, as he proceeded to bind his handkerchief around his wrist.
+
+"I mean to fight my own battles," I replied. "I won't let you or any
+other man choke me to death."
+
+"You shall suffer for all you have done!"
+
+"I'm willing to take the consequences," I replied, as coolly as I could.
+
+He continued to glare at me, but for a moment made no movement, probably
+because he knew not what to do next. I watched him very much as a mouse
+may watch a cat.
+
+"Come, Luke, you can't keep this up any longer. Hand over that money and
+the papers."
+
+"Let me tell you for the last time, Mr. Stillwell, that I know nothing
+of either," said I. "If any one has them that person is your son."
+
+"Don't tell me such a yarn!"
+
+"I believe it's the truth. If not, why did Gus steal into the office and
+out again in such a hurry this morning?"
+
+"I don't believe he was here. I left him in his room at home."
+
+"Are you sure he was in his room?"
+
+"Yes, for I called him, and he answered back."
+
+"Nevertheless he was here, and maybe I can prove it."
+
+My uncle bit his lip. He did not relish my last remark.
+
+"And even if he was here he did not know the combination of the safe."
+
+"Neither did I."
+
+"But you could have found it out. You had plenty of chances."
+
+"No more chances than Gus had."
+
+"Pooh! Don't tell me that!"
+
+"It's the truth."
+
+"My son is not on a level with you."
+
+"I always considered myself as good as he is," I returned warmly.
+
+"My son is not a thief."
+
+"Neither am I, Uncle Felix; and what is more, I won't let you or any
+other man say so," I declared.
+
+"What are you going to do about it?" he asked curiously.
+
+"I won't stand it, that's all."
+
+"Do you know that I intend to have you arrested if you don't return what
+you have stolen?"
+
+"If you have me arrested I will do all I can to defend myself," was my
+answer. "If I am brought before the judge perhaps I will have one or two
+things to say that you will not relish."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"There will be time enough to speak when I am brought into court."
+
+"You think you are smart, Luke, but you are nothing but a fool. What can
+you say against me?"
+
+"A good many things that you don't dream of. You are not treating me
+rightly, and you know it. You don't give me decent clothing to wear, and
+I have to work harder than any one in the office. I am sure my father
+never intended such a future for his son."
+
+"I don't care what you father intended!" he snarled.
+
+"But I do, and what is more, I intend, sooner or later, to try to have
+matters mended. My father always told me he wished me to keep on going
+to school and then to enter Princeton."
+
+"Never mind, I am your guardian now, and I know what is best for you."
+
+"How much money did my father leave me?" I asked, with considerable
+curiosity.
+
+"None of your business."
+
+"Oh, but it _is_ my business."
+
+"It is not your business, and I want you to shut up!" he cried, in a
+rage. "He left little enough."
+
+"Little enough," I cried. "My father was rich."
+
+"He was at one time; but he lost the most of his fortune in stocks just
+before he died. You have hardly enough to keep you until you are
+twenty-one."
+
+I must confess that my uncle's remarks were quite a shock to me. I had
+always supposed that I would some day be wealthy. I gave the matter a
+moment's thought, and then came to the conclusion that Mr. Stillwell was
+not telling the truth.
+
+"How much money did my father leave?" I repeated. "I am entitled to
+know."
+
+"You will know when I get ready to tell you, not before."
+
+"Perhaps you are mistaken," said I. "And another thing, Uncle Felix, how
+is it that you were appointed my guardian?"
+
+At these words I fancied my uncle turned pale. He sprang towards me,
+then stopped short.
+
+"What do you mean by that question?" he demanded.
+
+"I mean why were you made my guardian when my father and you were not on
+good terms?"
+
+"Pooh, that quarrel was of no consequence," was the lofty reply. "Your
+father could not find a better person in which to trust his son's care."
+
+I had my own opinion on that point, but did not find it fit to say so.
+Then I put in what I thought was a master stroke.
+
+"I thought Mr. Banker was to be my guardian."
+
+At these words Mr. Stillwell turned even paler than before, and his hand
+trembled as he pointed his long finger at me in a threatening manner.
+
+"You think too much!" he growled.
+
+"Are you going to answer that question?"
+
+"What put it into your head?"
+
+"Never mind."
+
+"Has John Banker been writing to you about it?"
+
+In spite of his effort to ask the question unconcernedly I could see
+that my uncle was tremendously interested. Like a flash it came over me
+that perhaps this was one of the reasons he did not wish me to spend any
+time at Harry Banker's home. Mr. Banker might take it into his head to
+ask me how I was being treated, and that might lead to trouble.
+
+"Never mind; but I'm going to find out before long."
+
+"And you are going to prison before long, unless you hand over what you
+took from the safe."
+
+"I am not afraid of you, Mr. Stillwell. I have always done right. But
+I'm going to know something about myself, and soon. I have a letter in
+my pocket that tells me that Mr. Banker was to be my guardian, and I'm
+going to know why he is not."
+
+Mr. Stillwell glared at me. If he could have eaten me up I believe he
+would have done so.
+
+"You have a letter?" he cried hoarsely. "Who from?"
+
+"That is my business."
+
+"And I'll make it mine. Hand it over this instant!"
+
+"Not much."
+
+"I say you will."
+
+"And I say no."
+
+I was sorry I had spoken of the letter. I could readily see that it had
+worked Mr. Stillwell up to a fever heat.
+
+"Give me that letter, Luke. I'll stand no more fooling."
+
+Once more my uncle bore down upon me. But I saw him coming, and shoved
+the chair in his way.
+
+I still held the ruler in my hand, and now brandished it over my head.
+
+"Don't come any closer!" I cried. "If you do I'll crack you on the
+head!"
+
+My uncle was too enraged to pay attention to my words. He hurled the
+chair aside and sprang upon me as a wild beast springs upon its prey.
+
+"We'll see who is master!" he panted.
+
+In another instant he had me by the throat. His grasp was that of a band
+of steel, and I thought for a surety my last hour had come.
+
+"Let--let go!" I gasped.
+
+"Will you give me the letter?"
+
+My only reply was to struggle with all my strength. In a moment we were
+both on the floor.
+
+"Help! Help!" I cried.
+
+"Shut up!" he exclaimed, and tried to close my mouth with his hand.
+
+"I won't shut up! Let me up! Help!"
+
+But now my voice was fainter. It was all I could do to get my breath.
+The room swam round and round before my eyes.
+
+"Give up that letter and the money and papers you took!"
+
+"Help! Help!----"
+
+I could cry no longer. My senses were fast leaving me. Would no one come
+to my assistance?
+
+"We'll see who is master! If you don't give----"
+
+My uncle did not finish his speech, for at that instant the door was
+flung open, and a tall, powerful man stood in the doorway.
+
+"Here! let up there!" he commanded. "What are you doing, Stillwell?
+Who's that on the floor? Great buckwheat, if it ain't Luke Foster!"
+
+I listened in amazement as well as delight. The newcomer was Mr. John
+Banker!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+AN APPALLING PROSPECT.
+
+
+Never was an arrival more opportune than when Mr. John Banker stepped
+into the private office. I fully believe had he come a moment later he
+would have found me insensible. As it was it took me several seconds to
+recover my breath.
+
+"John Banker!" ejaculated my uncle, and every line of his features told
+of his discomfiture.
+
+"What are you doing with Luke?" went on Harry's father. "Let him up."
+
+"None of your business!" growled my uncle.
+
+"I think it is. Luke, get up."
+
+By this time I had somewhat recovered, and I was not slow to obey the
+command. I arose to my feet, and took my place beside my newly-arrived
+friend.
+
+"What's it all about?" went on Mr. Banker, turning to me.
+
+"He says I robbed the safe of six thousand dollars," I replied.
+
+"And so he did," put in my uncle, glad to be able to speak a word for
+himself.
+
+"Six thousand dollars!" ejaculated Mr. Banker. "Phew! but that's a large
+sum!"
+
+"I know nothing of the money," I went on. "But I think his son took it,
+and I just told him so, and that made him mad."
+
+"My son is no thief," stormed Mr. Stillwell.
+
+"And neither is Robert Foster's son, I reckon," returned my friend.
+"I've knowed Luke all my life, and he's as straightforward a lad as one
+wants to meet. There's some mistake, Mr. Stillwell."
+
+"No mistake at all; and unless the boy gives up what he took he shall go
+to prison."
+
+"No, no; don't be too harsh!" cried Mr. Banker. "Remember he is your
+nephew."
+
+"He is no longer any relation of mine! I've cast him off."
+
+"You have, have you?" asked my friend, curiously.
+
+"Yes, I have."
+
+"Maybe you haven't any right to do it," went on Mr. Banker. "You've got
+his money in trust."
+
+"Precious little of it."
+
+"Yes? I reckon Robert Foster left quite a pile."
+
+"No such thing."
+
+"He was worth fifty or sixty thousand dollars."
+
+"Fifty or sixty thousand dollars!" howled Mr. Stillwell. "It isn't
+quarter of that sum. He left five thousand dollars, and that's all."
+
+"Nonsense, Stillwell, he left more."
+
+"Who knows best, you or I?"
+
+"Never mind; you can't make me believe Luke's father wasn't better off
+than that."
+
+My uncle pursed up his lips.
+
+"But that isn't here nor there," he said. "Luke has taken the money, and
+he's got to go to prison."
+
+A look of pain crossed Mr. Banker's face. He and my father had been warm
+friends, and I well knew that he would do all in his power for me.
+
+"He won't go to prison if I can help it," he said. "Luke, tell me the
+whole story."
+
+Despite the numerous interruptions from my uncle, I related the
+particulars of the case. Mr. Banker listened with close attention.
+
+"That sounds like a straight story," he said, when I had concluded. "I
+can't see but what your son is just as much under suspicion as Luke,
+Stillwell."
+
+"You don't know anything about it, Banker, and the less you have to do
+with the matter the better off you will be."
+
+"I'm going to see Luke through."
+
+"What brought you here?"
+
+"I came to take him along with me, if he hadn't gone yet. Harry said he
+expected him up to spend the day or maybe a week, and I happened to be
+in the city since yesterday."
+
+"He wouldn't leave me off," I put in. "He hasn't let me have a holiday
+since I've been here."
+
+"Humph! seems to me you're rather hard on the lad, Stillwell, in more
+ways than one."
+
+"It's none of your business. You had better leave us alone."
+
+"As I've said before, I intend to see Luke through. Don't be alarmed, my
+lad. If you've done right all will go well with you."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Banker. I need a friend. Mr. Stillwell doesn't give me
+half a show."
+
+"You shall have all the show you need after this, Luke."
+
+My uncle was in a rage, but he did not know what to do. Now that I had
+some one to stand by me, I no longer felt the alarm I had when alone.
+
+"For the last time, are you going to give up the money?" asked Mr.
+Stillwell.
+
+"I've already answered that question," was my reply.
+
+"Then you shall go to prison. Come along with me."
+
+He made a movement as if to take me by the arm, but Mr. Banker stopped
+him.
+
+"Not so fast, Stillwell. Where do you intend to take him?"
+
+"To the station house, where he belongs."
+
+This alarmed me.
+
+"Can he do it?" I asked. "I didn't take the money."
+
+Mr. Banker's face clouded.
+
+"I am afraid he can. But don't be alarmed. I will stand by you."
+
+But the prospect before me of spending even a short while in one of the
+city station houses, previous to an examination, was not a pleasant one.
+I had known one young clerk who had done so, and was ever afterwards
+spoken of as having been to prison under suspicion.
+
+"I won't go to prison," I cried. "He has no right to send me. Why
+doesn't he send Gus, too?"
+
+"You come along," said my uncle sternly. "Didn't I tell you we would
+find out who was master?"
+
+He took hold of my arm. As he did so Mr. Canning came bustling in.
+
+"Hello, what's up?" he exclaimed.
+
+My uncle told his story. The new partner listened incredulously.
+
+"I can hardly believe it possible!" he exclaimed. "Yet many things are
+queer here, he added," with a peculiar look that made my uncle wince.
+
+"And I'm going to make an example of him," went on my uncle. "Take
+charge of the office while I take the young rascal down to the police
+station."
+
+"I will take charge of the office, but don't act hastily," replied Mr.
+Canning.
+
+"Now come along," went on Mr. Stillwell to me. "And beware how you
+conduct yourself."
+
+"I shall go along," said Mr. Banker.
+
+Taking me by the arm, my uncle led the way down the stairs. Mr. Banker
+was close at my side.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A TURN OF FORTUNE.
+
+
+It was now almost nine o'clock, and Nassau Street, where the patent
+offices of Stillwell, Grinder & Co. were situated, was crowded with
+people. My uncle made such a show of what he was doing that it was not
+long before quite a crowd was following us, all anxious to know what had
+happened.
+
+"There is no use of your making such a show of the poor boy," said Mr.
+Banker. "You act as if he had murdered some one."
+
+"Mind your own business," snarled Mr. Stillwell.
+
+Mr. Banker was an upright farmer, and there was little of natural
+meekness in his nature. He resented my uncle's speech, and quite an
+altercation took place.
+
+While the two were talking I was doing some hard thinking. The idea of
+going to prison became every moment more odious to me. I could fancy
+myself in a dark, damp cell, surrounded by criminals of every degree,
+awaiting a hearing. What would my friends think? And if the affair once
+got into the newspapers my good name would be gone forever.
+
+The more I thought of the matter the more determined I became that I
+would not go to prison. Suppose I ran away?
+
+No sooner had this foolish thought entered my mind than I prepared to
+act upon it. We were now on the corner of Fulton Street, and to cross
+here was all but impossible. My uncle and Mr. Banker were still in hot
+dispute, and for an instant neither of them noticed me.
+
+"Good-bye, Mr. Banker, I'm off!" I cried out suddenly.
+
+And the next moment I had torn myself loose from my uncle's grasp, and
+was dashing down Fulton Street at the top of my speed.
+
+"Hi! come back!" called out Mr. Banker after me; but I paid no heed.
+
+"Stop him! Stop him!" yelled my uncle. "Stop the thief!"
+
+His last words set the street in commotion. The cry of "Stop the thief!"
+resounded on all sides, and soon it seemed to me that I was being
+followed by at least half a hundred men and boys, all eager to stop me
+in hopes of a possible reward.
+
+But now that I had once started, I made up my mind not to be captured. I
+was a good block ahead, and by skillful turning I gradually managed to
+increase the distance.
+
+I was headed for the East River, and it was not long before I came in
+sight of the docks and the ferry slips. At one of the slips stood a
+ferry-boat just preparing to leave for Brooklyn.
+
+The sight of the boat gave me a sudden thought. I dashed into the
+ferry-house, paid the ferry fare, and in a moment was on board, just as
+the boat left the slip.
+
+It had been a long and hard run, but at last I was safe from being
+followed. Once in Brooklyn there would be a hundred places for me to go
+in case of necessity.
+
+Wiping the perspiration from my face, I made my way to the forward deck.
+But few people were on board, and quite undisturbed, I leaned against
+the railing to review the situation.
+
+What should I do next, was the question that arose to my mind, and I
+found no little difficulty in answering it. I was half inclined to think
+that I had acted very foolishly in running away. Now every one would
+surely believe me guilty, and if I was caught it would go hard indeed
+with me.
+
+Had I better go back? For one brief instant I thought such a course
+would be best; then came the vision of the cell, and I shuddered, and
+resolved, now I had undertaken to escape, to continue as I had begun.
+Whether I was wise or not I will leave my readers to determine after my
+story is concluded.
+
+It was not long before the boat bumped into the slip on the opposite
+shore. The shock brought me to a recollection of the present, and in
+company with the other passengers I went ashore. I had something of a
+notion that a policeman would be in waiting for me, but none appeared,
+and I passed out to the street unaccosted.
+
+I had been to Brooklyn several times on errands for the firm, so I knew
+the streets quite well. But fearful of being seen, I passed close to the
+wharves, and finally came to a lumber yard, and here I sat down.
+
+It was a hot day, and it was not long before I was forced to seek the
+shade. Close at hand was a shed, and this I took the liberty of
+entering.
+
+It was a rough place, used for the seasoning of the better class of
+wood. I found a seat on some ends of planking in a cool corner, quite
+out of the line of observation of those who were passing.
+
+Here I sat for full an hour. Nothing seemed to be going on in the lumber
+yard, and no one came to disturb me.
+
+But at last came voices, and then two rough looking men approached. I
+was about to make my presence known, but their appearance was such that
+I remained silent; and they took seats close to the spot where I was.
+
+"And the captain is sure that she is fully insured?" asked the taller of
+the two.
+
+"Trust Captain Hannock to cover himself well!" laughed the other. "You
+can bet he has her screwed up to the top notch."
+
+"And what is this cargo insured for?"
+
+"McNeil didn't say. Not much less than a hundred thousand, I guess. Of
+course you'll go, Crocker?"
+
+"Ya-as," replied the man addressed as Crocker, somewhat slowly. "I can't
+pick up a thousand dollars any easier than that."
+
+"I thought I had struck you right. Are you ready to sail?"
+
+"Anytime you say, Lowell. I owe two weeks' board now, and Mammy Brown
+hinted last night I'd better pay up or seek other quarters."
+
+And Crocker gave a short, hard laugh.
+
+"Then meet me at the Grapevine in an hour," said the man called Lowell.
+"I've got to make a few other arrangements before we start."
+
+"Right you are."
+
+"And remember, not a word----"
+
+"Luff there! As if I didn't understand the soundings."
+
+"All right. Come and have one."
+
+The two men arose at once and headed for a saloon that stood upon the
+near corner.
+
+I arose also and watched them out of sight. The conversation that they
+had held had not been a very lucid one, yet I was certain they were up
+to no good. One of them had spoken of making a thousand dollars in an
+easy manner, and I was positive that meant the money was to be gained
+dishonestly.
+
+What was I to do? I was no detective, to follow the men, and I was just
+at present on far from good terms with the police. It seemed a pity to
+let the matter rest where it stood, but for the present I did not feel
+inclined to investigate it. I would keep my eyes open, and if anything
+more turned up, or was noted in the papers, I would tell all I had
+heard.
+
+I wandered along the docks, piled high with merchandise of all
+descriptions. Beyond, a number of stately vessels rested at anchor,
+large and small, among which the steam tugs were industriously puffing
+and blowing, on the lookout for a job.
+
+The sight was a novel one to me, and soon I walked out upon the end of
+a dock to get a better view.
+
+"Hi, there! No loafing on this pier!" called a burly watchman; and I
+lost no time in moving on.
+
+Presently I came to a wharf that seemed to be more public, and walked
+out to one side of it. Here it was shady, and close at hand floated a
+large row-boat.
+
+The craft was deserted. Wishing to observe the scene without being
+noticed, I leaped into her. There was a cushion on the stern seat, and
+on this I sat down.
+
+The breeze and the gentle motion of the boat were delightful, and for a
+moment I thought how pleasant a life on the ocean must be. Alas! little
+did I realize what was in store for me on the boundless deep.
+
+As I sat on the soft cushion I could not help but speculate on all that
+had transpired within the last few hours. Early in the morning my mind
+had been free from care that was anyway deep; now I was a fugitive, not
+knowing which way to turn or what to do.
+
+But I was not disheartened. I was healthy and strong and I felt
+confident that I could work my way in the world. But I was worried about
+clearing my fair name of the suspicion Uncle Felix had cast upon it. I
+must do that at any and all costs.
+
+Presently a footstep sounded above me on the dock, and a well-dressed
+young man appeared.
+
+"Hullo, there!" he cried, on catching sight of me.
+
+"Hullo!" I replied, shortly. I was not in a talkative humor, and wished
+him to know it.
+
+"What are you doing down there?" he went on, rather sharply.
+
+"Nothing much."
+
+"Do you know that that is my boat?"
+
+"No, I didn't know it," I returned, and then jumped to my feet. "Excuse
+me, but I haven't hurt anything."
+
+"But what are you doing there?"
+
+"Only resting. I've walked a good bit to-day and I am tired. I'll go if
+you want to use the boat."
+
+"Oh, no, that's all right. I don't want the boat for a couple of hours
+yet. You may stay where you are."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+He was about to turn away, but a sudden thought seemed to come into his
+mind.
+
+"You say you have walked a good bit to-day?" he asked curiously.
+
+"That's it."
+
+"You are not out of work and on the tramp, are you?"
+
+"Something like that," I replied. "I'm out of work and as I can't pay to
+journey around, I'll have to walk."
+
+"I see. Well, I hope you strike something before long. It's not pleasant
+to be out of work and money."
+
+The young man nodded pleasantly and walked away. I must confess I gazed
+after him longingly. I warmly appreciated the few kind words he had
+given me.
+
+As I turned back to sit down once more I heard two men get up from
+behind a number of packing-cases on the pier, and walk away. I had not
+noticed them before, and I wondered if they had overheard the
+conversation which had taken place.
+
+It was rather warm in the boat, and the rocking motion caused by the
+waves soon put me in a drowsy mood. My time was my own, and I felt in no
+humor to move away. I allowed my head to fall back, and almost before I
+knew it I had dropped into a light doze.
+
+My wakening was a rude one. The row-boat gave a violent lurch, nearly
+precipitating me into the water. I tried to scramble to my feet, but
+some one with a big bag pushed me back.
+
+"Here, what does this mean----" I began, indignantly.
+
+"Shut up!" come back in hurried tones.
+
+Then the bag was pulled over my head and arms, and in five seconds I
+found myself a prisoner and hardly able to move hands or feet.
+
+I tried to cry out and to ask questions, but could not. The bag was
+thick, and, being tied around my neck, almost took away my breath.
+
+For the first instant I was afraid that the police from New York had
+found me, but I as quickly gave up this idea. They would never treat me
+in this strange fashion, I felt certain. But who were my strange
+assailants, and what did they intend to do with me?
+
+I felt myself lifted out of the boat and into another craft. Then I was
+thrown on my back and something that felt like a piece of canvas was
+spread over me.
+
+The boat, with me and my captors moved off and kept moving for perhaps
+ten minutes or quarter of an hour. I tried to struggle to my feet, but
+strung hands held me down.
+
+"Better keep still!" I heard a voice cry. "You can't escape, no matter
+how hard you try."
+
+When the boat finally came to a standstill I was nearly suffocated for
+the want of fresh air, and I wondered if I had not been chloroformed
+when first assaulted. I was hoisted up by several men and placed upon my
+feet, and then the cords which bound me were cut and the bag was
+removed.
+
+I looked around with a start. I was on shipboard, with the great ocean
+all around me.
+
+"Down with him!" shouted a voice behind me.
+
+Before I could turn to face the speaker a big black hole loomed up in
+front of me, and I was tumbled down into utter darkness. The hatch above
+was closed, and I was left a prisoner!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+ON BOARD THE SPITFIRE
+
+
+As I have said, I was tumbled into the black hole, and the hatch was
+closed over me. Luckily I fell upon a pile of loose sailing, so my fall
+was broken and did me no harm.
+
+But I was so completely bewildered by what had taken place that for a
+moment I did not know what had happened. Then I gradually became wide
+awake, and realized that I had been entrapped on board the vessel, which
+was probably short of sailors.
+
+I had read of men who were thus pressed into the service, but never
+dreamed that such a thing could occur so close to the great metropolis,
+and in broad daylight.
+
+Who my captors were or where they were taking me was a mystery. For an
+instant I thought the affair might be my uncle's work, but soon
+dismissed that idea as being too dime-novelish altogether.
+
+With some difficulty I rose to my feet, but the motion of the vessel, as
+the sailors got her under way, was too strong for me, and I was forced
+to lie down.
+
+The place was intensely dark, and even after my eyes became accustomed
+to the blackness, I could see little or nothing. On all sides not a
+light was to be seen, and overhead only a single streak of brightness
+around the hatch was visible. I was indeed a prisoner, and must make the
+best of it.
+
+I crawled about the hold for quite a while, feeling everywhere for a
+place to escape, but none came to hand. Meanwhile I heard the creaking
+of the blocks as the sails were being hoisted, and the tramp of the
+sailors as they hurried around obeying orders. I could hear the murmur
+of voices, but try my best, could not make out a word of what was being
+said.
+
+Presently, by the motion beneath me, I knew we were fully under way. The
+cargo below me groaned as it shifted an inch or two this way and that,
+and for an instant I was alarmed lest a case of goods should by some
+chance break loose and crush me. But nothing of the kind happened, and
+after a while all became comparatively quiet.
+
+I knew not what time of the day it was, but judged it must be about the
+middle of the afternoon. How much longer would my captivity last?
+
+If I could have found something with which to do so, I would have
+climbed up to the hatch, or shoved it open. But nothing was at hand, and
+the opening was fully five feet above my head.
+
+The air in the hold was stifling and soon I breathed with difficulty. I
+longed for a drink of water, and wondered how long I could stand being
+in the place should those on deck forget I was there.
+
+But those on deck had not forgotten me, as I soon saw. Presently the
+hatch was raised, letting in a flood of sunshine, and then a man's head
+was bent low.
+
+"Below there!" he called out.
+
+"Let me out," I replied.
+
+"Will you be easy if we do?" he went on.
+
+"That all depends. Why was I brought on board?"
+
+"Because you belong here."
+
+"Belong here!" I ejaculated. "I don't belong to this vessel."
+
+"Well, that's what I was told; I don't know anything about it myself.
+Here, catch the rope and I'll haul you up."
+
+As the sailor spoke he lowered a piece of heavy rope. Thinking anything
+would be better than remaining in the hold, I complied with his request,
+and a moment later stood upon the deck of the vessel.
+
+As I came up, a man, whom I took to be the captain, came towards me. He
+was a tall, lank individual, with a red beard and hair. The look on his
+face was a sour one, and it was easy to see that he was not of a kindly
+nature.
+
+"Hello, my hearty!" he exclaimed. "So you're up at last. Had quite a
+nap, didn't you?"
+
+"Why was I brought on this ship?" I demanded.
+
+"Why was you brought on board? Well, now, that's a mighty good one,
+smash the toplight if it isn't."
+
+"You have no right to bring me on board," I went on, "and I want you to
+put me ashore at once."
+
+The captain gave a scowl.
+
+"See here, youngster, I don't allow any one on board to speak to me in
+that fashion. You've got to keep a civil tongue in your head."
+
+"Why was I brought on board?"
+
+"Because you belong here."
+
+"I don't belong here."
+
+"Oh, yes, you do."
+
+"I'd like to know why. I never saw or heard of this vessel before."
+
+"Come now, that's a good one. Didn't you sign papers with Lowell
+yesterday morning?"
+
+This question astonished me in more ways than one. First, because I had
+not signed papers with any one, and second, because Lowell was the name
+of one of the men I had overheard talking in the lumber shed in the
+morning. Was it possible I had been kidnapped upon the same ship the two
+had been discussing?
+
+"I don't know what you mean," I replied. "I don't know Lowell, and never
+signed any papers."
+
+"Nonsense. Lowell!"
+
+"Aye, aye, sir!"
+
+And the same man I had seen upon the dock in Brooklyn came forward.
+
+"Isn't this Luke Foster that signed with you yesterday?"
+
+"Aye, captain."
+
+I was more astonished than ever. How had they come to know my name!
+
+"So you see there is no mistake," went on the captain, turning to me.
+"Now I want you to go forward with Lowell. He'll show you the ropes.
+Come, step lively. We allow no skulking on board the Spitfire. You've
+signed articles, and you've got to abide by the deed."
+
+"I didn't sign any articles, and if he says so he lies!" I burst out in
+deep anger at the way I was being treated. "It is true my name is Luke
+Foster, but how you came by it I don't know."
+
+"Well, you're on the book, and that's all there is to it. Perhaps you
+were drunk when you signed, but I have nothing to do with that."
+
+"I don't drink," I replied, and such was and is a fact. "This is all a
+put-up job."
+
+"Hold your tongue!" cried the captain. "Hold your tongue, or I'll crack
+your head open with a marlinspike! I don't allow any one to talk back to
+me. Lowell, take him forward."
+
+"Come along," said the sailor. "If the old man gets his dander up it
+will be all day with you," he added in a whisper.
+
+For a moment I stood irresolute. I had a momentary idea of jumping
+overboard and swimming for liberty. But land could be seen fully a good
+half-mile away, and no vessels of consequence were near, so I was forced
+to give such a course up.
+
+I walked forward, but my mind was in a whirl. Never before had I been so
+completely taken in. Surely this was escaping from the law with a
+vengeance!
+
+"Who owns this boat?" I asked, as we reached the forecastle.
+
+"Captain Hannock. She's just as good a two-masted schooner as sails, is
+the Spitfire; so you have no reason to complain."
+
+"Where are we bound?"
+
+"On an eight months' cruise, up the Down East coast, and then to
+England."
+
+An eight months' cruise! What a time to stay on shipboard! But perhaps I
+might escape before the end of the period.
+
+"What's the first landing?"
+
+"New Bedford."
+
+That was not so bad. If I could leave the vessel at that place I could
+easily find my way up to Boston, and a sojourn in that city would just
+suit me. All trace of my going there would be lost, and it was not
+likely that my uncle would look for me so far from New York.
+
+"Here's your bunk, and here's some old clothes to put on," went on
+Lowell, as he pointed the things out. "You had better save your good
+clothes for shore. Knocking around the ship will wear them out in no
+time."
+
+"What am I to do on board?" I asked, as I surveyed the greasy shirt and
+trousers with some dismay.
+
+"Learn to do your duty as a foremast hand. If you obey orders and don't
+kick up any muss you'll have a first-class time of it," was his reply.
+
+I was somewhat doubtful of the truth of this statement, but as nothing
+was to be gained by refuting it, I bit my lips and said nothing.
+
+"You can take your time about changing your clothes," went on Lowell.
+"There ain't much to do at present. When it storms is the time all hands
+work lively, for their own sake as much as for the sake of any one else.
+When you're in working rig come to the bow, and I'll give you a pointer
+or two about how to tackle things."
+
+With these words the boatswain--for such Lowell was--left me to myself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+PHIL JONES.
+
+
+I found the forecastle of the Spitfire a dark and rather unwholesome
+place. The ventilation was bad, and the smell of tar and oakum was so
+strong that for a moment I had to turn away to catch my breath.
+
+Luckily my bunk was close to the doorway, so I had the best light the
+place afforded. Close to me was a chest, and upon this I sat down to
+think.
+
+It would be hard to express my feelings at this moment. Had I gone on
+board the Spitfire of my own will I would not have considered the matter
+as bad. True, I had no great fancy for a life on the ocean wave, such as
+most boys are supposed to cherish. I knew that at best it was little
+better than a dog's existence.
+
+"Hello, there!"
+
+I looked up. A boy several years younger than myself stood near me. He
+was thin and pale, and his eyes had a frightened look.
+
+"Who are you?" I asked.
+
+"I'm Polly Jones," he replied.
+
+"Polly Jones," I repeated. "That's a girl's name."
+
+"'Tain't my right name. They used to call me Phil at home, but the
+sailors all call me Polly here, because they say I act like a girl."
+
+"What do you do on board?" I asked with some curiosity.
+
+"I'm the cabin boy and the cook's help. What are you?"
+
+"I don't know what I am yet. I didn't come on board of my own free
+will."
+
+"You didn't?" Phil Jones's eyes opened to their widest. "You don't look
+like a sailor."
+
+"Come down here," said I. "I want to have a talk with you."
+
+The cabin boy gave a sharp look about the deck and then hurried into the
+forecastle.
+
+"I don't want Captain Hannock to see me down here," he explained. "If he
+did he'd thrash the life out of me."
+
+"Is the captain such a hard man?"
+
+"Is he? Just you wait until something goes wrong and you'll find out
+quick enough. See here," the cabin boy bared his arm and exhibited
+several bruises that made me shudder, "he gave me those day before
+yesterday, just because I wasn't spry enough to suit him."
+
+"He must be a brute!" I exclaimed. "He shall not treat me like that, I
+can tell you."
+
+"I'd like to see some one stand up against him," said Phil. "None of the
+men dare to do it."
+
+"What makes you stay on board?"
+
+"I have to. Captain Hannock has charge of me until I'm twenty-one."
+
+"He is your guardian?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He ought to treat you better. Did you ever try to run away?"
+
+"Once; while we were at Baltimore. But Lowell caught me, and the captain
+nearly killed me when I got back. I could have got away, only I had no
+money."
+
+"Doesn't the captain allow you anything for your services?" I asked, at
+the same time wondering if I would be paid for what I was called upon to
+do.
+
+"Not a cent. To tell the truth he even takes away what the
+passengers--if we have any--give me."
+
+"He must be mighty mean," said I.
+
+"If you've any money you had better hide it," went on the cabin boy.
+"'Tain't safe here."
+
+"Thank you, Phil, I'll take your advice. I've got four dollars and a
+half, and I don't want to lose it."
+
+As I spoke I felt in my pocket to make sure that the amount was still
+safe.
+
+To my chagrin the money was gone!
+
+I must confess that I felt quite angry when I discovered that my
+hard-earned savings had been taken from me. To be sure, four dollars and
+a half was not a large sum, but it had been my entire capital and I had
+calculated upon doing a great deal with it.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Phil Jones, as he stood by, watching me turn
+my pockets inside out to make sure that there was no mistake.
+
+"My money is gone!" I exclaimed. "I have been robbed."
+
+"Where did you have it?"
+
+"Right here, in my vest pocket."
+
+"You're foolish to carry it loose. Any one could take it from you," said
+the cabin boy, with a knowing shake of his head.
+
+"I didn't take every one for a thief. Who do you suppose took the
+money?"
+
+"The captain or Lowell. He's only boatswain, but the two work hand in
+hand."
+
+I had already surmised this from the conversation I had overheard. The
+two were well mated, and no doubt the sailor was the captain's ready
+tool on all occasions.
+
+"What are you going to do about it?" asked Phil curiously.
+
+"Get it back if I can," I replied with determination. "I'm not going to
+be fleeced in this manner."
+
+"You'd better let it go," said the cabin boy, with a grave shake of his
+head. "You'll only get yourself into trouble, and it won't do a bit of
+good."
+
+Phil Jones's advice was good, and I would have saved myself considerable
+trouble by following it.
+
+But I was angry, and, as a consequence, did not stop to count the cost.
+
+I searched my other pockets, and soon learned that everything I had had
+about my person was gone, including the letter from England. No doubt it
+was through this letter that Captain Hannock had found out my name.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+UP LONG ISLAND SOUND.
+
+
+The loss of the letter worried me even more than the loss of the money.
+In the exciting events that had transpired since I had received it I had
+forgotten the writer's name and his address. I remembered the name was
+something like Noddington, and that the address was a number in Old
+Fellows Road, but that was all.
+
+This was deeply to be regretted, for I had expected to put myself into
+immediate communication with my father's friend, having any reply
+addressed to the post-office of the place I might be then stopping at.
+
+But now this scheme could not be carried out. To send a letter haphazard
+would probably do no good.
+
+I was so worked up over my discovery that I left the forecastle without
+taking the trouble to don the clothing Lowell had pointed out to me. I
+looked around the deck, and seeing the boatswain at the bow, hastened
+towards him.
+
+His brow contracted when he saw me.
+
+"Why didn't you put on the suit I gave you?" he demanded.
+
+"Because I first wanted to speak to you," I returned. "What have you
+done with my money?"
+
+"Your money? I haven't seen any money," he returned coolly.
+
+By his manner I could easily tell that his statement was untrue.
+
+"I had four dollars and a half and some letters in my pockets," I went
+on. "I want them back."
+
+"Why you good-for-nothing landlubber!" he roared. "Do you mean to say I'm
+a thief?"
+
+"Well, where's my money?"
+
+"How do I know? Come, do as I ordered you to."
+
+And he shook his fist at me savagely.
+
+"I want my stuff and I'm going to have it," I went on, as stoutly as I
+could.
+
+"You're going to obey orders, that's what you're going to do," he cried.
+"I take no back talk from any one."
+
+"If you don't give up that money I'll have you arrested as a thief the
+first time I get the chance," was my reply; and I meant just what I
+said.
+
+"You will, will you?" he roared. "Just wait till I get a rope's end and
+we'll see who is boss here."
+
+I was somewhat startled at his words, but I stood my ground. Lowell ran
+to the starboard side of the schooner, and presently returned with a
+stout rope some three feet long.
+
+"Now, are you going to do as I told you?" he asked, as he advanced
+towards me.
+
+"Don't you dare to touch me!" I cried. "If you do you will have to take
+the consequences!"
+
+"Don't talk to me!" he cried. "Just wait till I tan your back for you!"
+
+He swung the rope's end over his head, and brought it down with all
+force. I sprang aside, and received the blow squarely on my shoulder.
+Had I not done so the rope would have cut my neck deeply.
+
+"You big coward!" I cried; and the next instant I gave him one strong
+blow from the shoulder that sent him staggering against the rail.
+
+I do not know to this day how I came to deliver that blow as I did.
+Perhaps it was that my temper was at its highest, and I put all my force
+into it. I was surprised at my own power.
+
+But if I was surprised Lowell was more so. The rope's end fell from his
+hand, and his face took on a sickly green color. A number of the sailors
+who had seen my action gathered around in amazement, and one of them
+winked his eye in a most knowing manner.
+
+"I'll have your life for that!" yelled Lowell, as soon as he could
+recover.
+
+"Don't you come near me," I replied.
+
+"I'll flay you alive!"
+
+"No, you won't. I'm not used to such treatment, and I won't stand it."
+
+I stood my ground, and for a moment the boatswain did not appear to know
+what to do next.
+
+"Catch him from behind, Crocker," he said finally, addressing the sailor
+I had seen with him in the lumber shed. "I'll give him a lesson he won't
+forget as long as he remains on board the Spitfire, or else my name
+ain't Lowell."
+
+Crocker advanced upon me to do as he had been ordered. Evidently he did
+not relish the job, for he came on slowly.
+
+Not to be caught in this manner I sprang aside, and retreated rapidly
+towards the stern of the schooner. I did not know anything about the
+vessel, and finally found myself near the cabin, and face to face with
+Captain Hannock.
+
+"Here, what's the row about?" he demanded.
+
+"I want Lowell to give up the money and letters he took from me," I
+replied; and a moment later the boatswain came up.
+
+"He won't mind orders, captain," he exclaimed.
+
+"You've got to mind orders while you're on board, Foster."
+
+"Well, perhaps I will if I'm treated fairly," I replied.
+
+"You'll be treated fair enough, never fear. If Lowell has anything of
+yours I'll get it and keep it for you until you need it. Now go forward,
+and do as you are told."
+
+For a moment I hesitated. This was not a very satisfactory settlement;
+but evidently it was the best I could get, and so I retired.
+
+"Bully for you," said Phil Jones, as he followed me into the forecastle.
+"My, how you did pitch into him!"
+
+"And I'll do it again if he abuses me," I returned, hotly, for I was not
+yet calmed down over the recent encounter.
+
+"You look able to," went on the cabin-boy. "My, don't I wish I was as
+strong as you!"
+
+"You will be some day, Phil."
+
+Phil shook his head.
+
+"I reckon not--leastwise, not while I have to live such a dog's life as
+this on the Spitfire. Say, are them your clothes?" he went on, pointing
+to the articles of wearing apparel Lowell had given me.
+
+"I presume they are--for this trip. But I don't fancy them much."
+
+And the smell of grease on them was decidedly unpleasant.
+
+"You'll get used to them after a while. Things on the Spitfire ain't as
+clean as they might be, although the captain keeps me hustling to keep
+the cabin tidy. Can I help you any?"
+
+Before I could decline Phil's kind offer a dark form appeared at the
+entrance to the forecastle.
+
+"Hi, Phil, you rat, come out of that!" roared Captain Hannock, savagely.
+"What business have you got in there? Git into the cabin and lively, or
+I'll warm you good!"
+
+Phil made a break for the deck. As he passed the captain, that brute
+raised his brawny hand and boxed him on the side of the head.
+
+"Take that to teach you a lesson!" the captain stormed; and then he and
+his victim moved out of sight and hearing.
+
+This assault made me madder than ever. But I was powerless to assist
+Phil, much as I wished to do so. I could well understand the bully-like
+nature of Captain Hannock, and I resolved to be well on my guard against
+him.
+
+After some consideration, I put on the suit of ship's clothing. It
+fitted fairly well, and after I had given the trousers several hitches I
+felt quite at home in them, and then I went on deck.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+A NARROW ESCAPE.
+
+
+By the time the sun went down we were well out of sight of land. Here
+the breeze was even stronger; and at last several of the sailors
+prevailed upon the man at the wheel to send down word to the captain
+that sail must be shortened.
+
+Lowell came on deck with the captain, and both had been drinking
+heavily.
+
+"Shorten sail!" roared the captain. "Not a bit of it. If the mast goes,
+let her go."
+
+Nevertheless, the wind soon freshened so much that several of the sails
+were reefed. I watched the performance from the bow.
+
+"Here you, why don't you get to work?" cried Lowell savagely, as he came
+forward.
+
+"I don't know what to do," I replied quietly.
+
+"Don't know what to do? You're too lazy to do anything. Get aloft
+there!"
+
+"Where?"
+
+"There."
+
+He pointed up to one of the masts. I looked in the direction indicated.
+
+As I did so he caught me by the waist.
+
+"I'll teach you to hit me!" he hissed.
+
+"Here, hold up!" I cried, in alarm.
+
+"Shut up!"
+
+He placed one of his brawny hands over my mouth, thus endeavoring to
+silence me, but with an effort I cast the hand aside.
+
+"Let me go!"
+
+"I'll let you go when I'm done with you!" he whispered.
+
+He was evidently in a very ugly mood, and I saw that he did not intend
+to treat me with any show of gentleness. Nevertheless, I was hardly
+prepared for what followed.
+
+Once again he placed his hand over my mouth, and this time, in spite of
+my struggles, he managed to keep it there. Then he gradually forced me
+close to the rail.
+
+In vain I tried to break away from him. He exerted all of his strength,
+and being but a boy, I was no match for him. In another moment he had me
+hard against the rail.
+
+I endeavored to turn my head to see if our struggle was not noticed by
+some of the others. But Lowell kept my eyes turned seaward, and now he
+caught me about the arms and the waist.
+
+"I'll fix you!" he went on, with a hiccough. "I'll teach you to hit me!"
+
+"Let--let me go!" I managed to gasp.
+
+"Oh, I'll let you go!" he went on, sarcastically. "I'll let you go
+quicker than you expect, you imp! How do you like that, eh?"
+
+And the next instant he had hurled me bodily over the side. I went
+spinning through the air, and then fell with a splash into the waters of
+Long Island Sound!
+
+[Illustration: I WENT SPINNING THROUGH THE AIR, AND THEN FELL WITH A
+SPLASH INTO THE WATER.]
+
+Lowell's attack had been so unexpected that I hardly had time to realize
+what was taking place, and did nothing to stop the catastrophe.
+
+But once in the water I regained my presence of mind. I reached the
+surface as soon as possible, and then shouted lustily for help.
+
+By this time the Spitfire had gone on a considerable distance ahead, and
+as the wind was blowing little short of a gale, I was doubtful if my
+voice could be heard. Nevertheless I continued to call for assistance,
+and at the same time did all in my power to keep afloat.
+
+This would have been an easy matter had I not been weighed down by any
+clothes. But the shirt and trousers I wore were heavy, and once soaked
+with water they felt like lead. I tried to get them off and also to
+unloosen my shoes; but, as is usual in such cases, succeeded in doing
+neither.
+
+At the same time I watched the Spitfire and was not a little alarmed to
+see that the vessel was still forging ahead. Was it possible that those
+on board were going to leave me behind?
+
+It certainly seemed so, and for a few moments I was thoroughly alarmed.
+I was out of sight of land, and the darkness of night was fast
+approaching.
+
+As I moved about in an endeavor to rid myself of some of my clothing, my
+arm came in contact with something which proved to be a short spar. I
+grasped it at once, and its buoyancy helped greatly to keep me afloat.
+
+By this time the Spitfire was far ahead, and I had about concluded that
+I had seen the last of her. I noticed that some of the sails were
+lowered, and finally that the schooner swung around and began to tack
+back.
+
+It took some time for the old craft to come within hailing distance, and
+once or twice she stopped, as if those on board were about to give up
+the search.
+
+But finally she tacked to my right, and I raised my voice to the top of
+its power.
+
+"Help! Help!"
+
+For a moment no answer was returned, and I repeated the cry.
+
+"Ahoy! I see you!" was the answer.
+
+Five minutes more and the schooner was alongside. A rope was thrown
+over, and, thoroughly exhausted, I crawled on board.
+
+"You rascal!" roared Captain Hannock. "Thought you could escape that
+way, did you? I had half a mind to let you go to Davy Jones's locker!"
+
+And he shook his fist at me savagely.
+
+At these words I was almost too dumfounded to speak. Did he really
+imagine I had jumped overboard?
+
+"What do you mean?" I gasped. "I didn't go over on purpose. Lowell
+pitched me over."
+
+"What's that?" thundered the boatswain. "That's the biggest whopper I
+ever heard in my life."
+
+"It's the truth."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense," cried the captain. "Lowell seems to worry you
+altogether too much. Go forward, and don't you try any more such monkey
+tricks again, or I'll take the rope's end over you myself!"
+
+And Captain Hannock advanced upon me so savagely that I was glad enough
+to retreat.
+
+I went down into the forecastle, and here Tony Dibble, a hand, managed
+to hunt me up some dry clothing. While I was putting it on the old
+sailor stood by, and presently said:
+
+"I'm afraid you're going to have a hard time of it, my lad. I was
+thinking Lowell pushed you over, though he stood by it that you had
+fallen. I saw you just as you reached the water and I flung a stick
+after you, thinking it might keep you afloat."
+
+"And it did," I replied. "If it hadn't been for that I might have been
+at the bottom by this time."
+
+"The old man didn't want to turn back at first when he heard you were
+overboard," went on the old sailor. "He said it was bad luck."
+
+"You don't mean to say he would have let me go to the bottom!" I cried.
+
+"That's it; and me and Goller and Sampson wouldn't have it, and told him
+so, and then he turned back."
+
+"I shall never forget what you have done for me," said I. And I never
+have to this day.
+
+With dry clothes on I went on deck with the old sailor. Lowell did not
+come near me, and I saw nothing of him until the next day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+CAPTAIN HANNOCK'S PLOT.
+
+
+The sky was overcast, and Dibble said that a storm was brewing.
+
+"Will it be a bad one?"
+
+"I can't say. Sometimes a little storm outside is a bad one in the
+Sound, and then again it's just the opposite. I remember six years ago,
+sailing from Boston to Norwalk that we struck a little storm that didn't
+look like more than a puff of wind, and yet when we were done with it we
+hadn't any main-topmast worth speaking of."
+
+"I should like to see a real storm," I said.
+
+The old sailor shook his head.
+
+"They're nicer to sit by a good fire and read about than to be in. You
+never know what to expect. Besides the Spitfire's best days are over."
+
+Presently I saw the captain and Lowell go below together. I was
+satisfied that they intended to talk matters over, especially when, a
+little later, Crocker was called to join them.
+
+If only I could hear what was said, both about myself and about the plan
+to be carried out! By hook or by crook I must get within hearing
+distance.
+
+Presently Phil Jones came up the companionway to throw something over
+the side. I immediately approached him.
+
+"Say, Phil, do you want to do me a favor?"
+
+"Certainly I do," replied the cabin boy readily. "I'm always ready to do
+a favor for any one who stands up before Lowell."
+
+And Phil Jones gave a grin.
+
+In a few words I told him what I wanted, stating that I wished to hear
+whatever the trio in the cabin had to say about me.
+
+"Tell you what I'll do," said he. "I'll take you down to the pantry.
+There is a door there that connects with the cabin, and by looking
+through the keyhole you can see all that is going on, and hear
+everything, too."
+
+This just suited me, and under pretext of getting something to eat, I
+went aft with him, and was soon within the pantry he had mentioned.
+
+It was not a large place, and I had some difficulty in turning about in
+it without knocking down the dishes that it contained. But at last I
+felt that I was in a good position, and then after making me promise
+not to tell who had let me in if I was discovered, Phil Jones closed the
+door and left me to myself.
+
+At first I could see and hear but little, but as I grew accustomed to
+the place I discovered the captain, Lowell and Crocker seated around the
+cabin table, drinking.
+
+"It's going to be a stormy night, and no mistake," remarked Crocker, as
+he helped himself to some more of the liquor that stood on the table.
+
+"Guess you're right," said Lowell. "If it's bad enough we might let the
+old tub go down here without going any further."
+
+Captain Hannock shook his head.
+
+"It won't do," he said. "We want her to sink in deep water where the
+insurance people can't find her. You must remember that a good part of
+the cargo is bogus, and if that was ever found out we wouldn't get a
+penny."
+
+"How far do you calculate to sail?" asked Lowell.
+
+"I've been thinking I'd better wait till we're about three days out from
+Cape Cod. We can sail a little north of the regular track, and so have
+things all our own way."
+
+"Don't go too far," said Crocker. "Remember we've got to get back. Money
+won't do us any good if we lose our lives on the ocean."
+
+"Don't get chicken-hearted!" cried the captain angrily.
+
+"I ain't chicken-hearted," replied Crocker. "But what's the use of
+taking too much risk?"
+
+"I ain't going to risk being sent to prison for ten years or more,"
+cried Captain Hannock, in a rising voice. "If you----"
+
+"Hush, not so loud," put in Lowell. "We don't want any of the others to
+know of what's going on. If they did they'd make short work of the three
+of us."
+
+"Now don't you get afraid, Lowell. Reckon your row with that boy has
+taken the nerve out of you."
+
+Lowell muttered something under his breath.
+
+"I'll fix him yet," he said.
+
+"Don't do it so openly," said Captain Hannock. "If you do, those who see
+it may get you into trouble."
+
+"Leave me to manage the affair."
+
+This last remark was followed by a brief spell of silence. What I had
+heard interested me greatly. These three men were plotting the
+destruction of the Spitfire with a view of getting the insurance on the
+vessel and her cargo. How it was to be done I did not know, but I
+surmised that they intended to either sink the vessel or burn her up;
+perhaps they intended to try both.
+
+While I was yet thinking over what I had heard, and wondering what was
+to follow, there came a loud knock on the cabin door, and Tony Dibble
+appeared.
+
+"Excuse me, Captain, but the storm is coming up fast from the
+southeast," he said, touching his cap.
+
+"Confound you and the storm!" howled Captain Hannock.
+
+"It's getting ready for a heavy blow," added Dibble. "We all thought we
+ought to tell you."
+
+"Get to the deck! I know my business. I'll be up when it's necessary."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Touching his hat again Dibble withdrew. The captain brought his fist
+down on the table with a bang.
+
+"Dibble knows too much!" he cried. "I wish we had left him behind."
+
+"He's a good sailor," put in Lowell. "Maybe the storm is a bad one."
+
+"Don't croak, Lowell; I know my business."
+
+By this time the glasses were empty, and the three men filled them up
+again.
+
+I was considerably alarmed by what Tony Dibble had said. I was sure he
+would not have spoken had there not been good cause. If I had not been
+so interested in what was going on in the cabin I would have gone on
+deck at once.
+
+Yet what followed enchained my attention so deeply that I was glad I
+remained.
+
+"Say, Lowell, did you read the letter you took from the lad?" asked the
+captain, after he had drained his glass.
+
+"I glanced over it," was the reply. "I didn't have time to read it
+through."
+
+"Well, there's a surprise in it."
+
+"What is it?" asked Lowell; and eagerly I bent forward to catch what
+might follow.
+
+"The boy is Felix Stillwell's nephew."
+
+"What!"
+
+"It is a fact. You could have knocked me down with a feather," said the
+captain. "How he should come on board the Spitfire is the strangest
+thing I ever heard of."
+
+"I reckon Stillwell would be mightily surprised if he knew his nephew
+was with us," observed Lowell.
+
+"And I reckon you'd treated the lad differently if you'd known who he
+was."
+
+And Captain Hannock gave a loud laugh.
+
+This bit of conversation puzzled me not a little. What did these men
+know about my uncle? Could it be possible that he had anything to do
+with the Spitfire?
+
+I knew that he occasionally made a venture in lumber from down East. On
+one occasion I knew him to invest several thousand dollars in a raft
+from Maine, although whether it paid or not I never found out.
+
+I had always believed my uncle straightforward and honest, but now,
+since receiving the letter from England, my confidence in him was
+shaken. He had not treated me rightly, and this being so, who knew where
+his wrongdoing ended?
+
+"It don't make a bit of difference if he is the president's son,"
+replied Lowell savagely. "I won't allow any boy to square up to me. And
+besides, Felix Stillwell is no great friend of mine."
+
+"Nor of me, for the matter of that," said the captain. "But still, we
+must keep on the right side of him. Remember he has us where the hair is
+short."
+
+"When do I get my pay?" spoke up Crocker, who was fast becoming the
+worse for liquor.
+
+"That will be safe, never fear," said the captain, as he staggered to
+his feet, "only remember to keep a mum tongue in your head. If any one
+hears of our plans they may blow us sky high."
+
+"I'm all right: only--What was that?"
+
+As Crocker asked the last question all sprang to their feet in alarm.
+
+I could have answered the question with ease. My position had become too
+cramped for me, and I had tried to change it. In doing so I dislodged
+several dishes from the rack, and they fell with a crash to the pantry
+floor.
+
+"Some one's spying on us!" cried the captain. "Lowell, see who it is!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE STORM.
+
+
+I was greatly alarmed at Captain Hannock's order to Lowell to
+investigate the cause of the crash in the pantry. If discovered I knew
+my punishment would be severe. These three men were playing a desperate
+game, and there was no telling what they would do if cornered.
+
+"Oh, it was only a few dishes in the closet," said Lowell, as he helped
+himself to more liquor.
+
+"It gave me quite a shock," declared Crocker, and he, too, took another
+drink.
+
+These remarks relieved me somewhat. Perhaps they would not search the
+pantry after all. But the next words of the captain caused a chill to
+run down my back.
+
+"I've lived in this cabin going on sixteen years," he said, "and I never
+yet knew them dishes to jump themselves down. I'm going to see what it
+was. If it's a spy I'll string him up, mark my words!"
+
+I was now flat on the pantry floor, and to move would cause quite a
+noise. What was I to do? It did not become necessary for me to decide
+the question. The elements did it for me.
+
+For at that moment the schooner gave a fearful lurch, first to the
+weather side and then over, and an instant later there was a tremendous
+crash on the deck.
+
+For a moment the three men stood as if paralyzed, then all of them made
+a bolt for the companionway.
+
+"Something's gone by the board!" I heard the captain exclaim, and then
+all of them passed out of hearing.
+
+As soon as they were gone I sprang to my feet, and passing out of the
+pantry, made my way after them to the deck. None of the men saw me, and
+I lost no time in going forward.
+
+The storm was now upon us, and, as Tony Dibble had reported, it was a
+heavy one. The sky was one mass of black, angry clouds, and the wind
+blew a perfect gale.
+
+The schooner pitched and tossed to such a degree that I had great
+difficulty in reaching the forward deck, where I presently saw my sailor
+friend hard at work clearing away the remains of the boom of the
+mainmast, which had swung around and snapped off.
+
+"Hello, there you are," he sang out. "I was afraid you had gone
+overboard again."
+
+"Not if I can help it," I replied. "That is, unless it becomes
+necessary."
+
+"The old man's a fool," went on Dibble. "He has no business to sit in
+the cabin when there's a storm on. We might all go to the bottom."
+
+"Will we weather it, do you think?"
+
+"We can try," replied the old sailor, as cheerfully as he could.
+
+Meanwhile Captain Hannock was shouting at the top of his voice. But the
+wind was so great that little could be heard, excepting such expressions
+as would have been better unuttered. He was now thoroughly awake to the
+danger that threatened us, and did all in his power to make up for the
+time he had lost.
+
+Guided by the mate, the sailors were already taking in what little sail
+was still spread. In the wind this was no easy matter, and some of it
+was torn to shreds.
+
+"This storm will cost the captain a neat penny," said Dibble, after the
+work was done.
+
+"I don't know if it will or not," I replied. "He doesn't expect to lose
+anything on this trip."
+
+"How can he help it?"
+
+"He has a way. Maybe I'll tell you when we are alone."
+
+"Thought the old man acted awfully careless," said Dibble, as he went
+off.
+
+Instead of abating, the storm increased in violence, until I could
+hardly keep my feet upon the deck. At first I thought of retiring to the
+forecastle, but concluded that if anything happened I would rather be on
+deck, and so remained, and held on tightly to the ropes.
+
+Fortunately a few familiar lights from the shore were still to be seen,
+or otherwise we would have been driven upon the rocks. But the wheelman
+kept us in deep water, and just enough sail was carried to keep the
+schooner head up.
+
+The storm kept on nearly the entire night, and no one on board the
+Spitfire had a moment's sleep. I remained on deck the entire time, and
+kept close to Dibble and the other sailors.
+
+I noticed that Crocker had little to say, and concluded that he was
+thinking over the scheme by which he was to make a thousand dollars. I
+thought it rather strange that Captain Hannock and Lowell had taken such
+a man into their confidence, but made up my mind that it was necessary
+in order to do what they desired.
+
+As I stood upon the bow of the vessel a sudden flash of light revealed
+to me a sight that made my heart give a bound. It was a wreck not a
+hundred feet ahead of us, and driving onward at a furious rate!
+
+For an instant I was spellbound; then I gave a wild cry that brought all
+the sailors to my side.
+
+"What is it?" asked Dibble anxiously. "Are you hurt?"
+
+"No, no. Didn't you see the wreck ahead?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Thought I saw something," said one of the others. "But I wasn't sure."
+
+"What kind of a wreck?" asked the mate peering forward.
+
+I pointed in the direction in which it had disappeared.
+
+"A small sailboat of some kind," I returned. "I didn't see--Look! Look
+there!"
+
+As I spoke there was another flash of light. For an instant all hands
+beheld a small sloop with a broken mast, kiting before the wind.
+
+"You're right," cried Dibble. "Wonder if there is any one on board?"
+
+"Can't we hail her?" I asked.
+
+"We might try, although the wind is pretty strong."
+
+Both of us cried at the same time, and then the mate joined in.
+
+"Boat ahoy!"
+
+For a moment there was no reply, and we repeated the cry.
+
+And then came the faint answer:
+
+"Help! Where are you? Help!"
+
+It was a man's voice, and by its sound we could tell that he was
+well-nigh exhausted.
+
+"What can we do for him?" I asked anxiously.
+
+"We'll be on him in a moment," said Dibble. "Let's throw him a rope or
+two."
+
+In an instant he had a stout rope ready. Seeing what he intended to do I
+also procured a rope.
+
+During this time the mate went to the man at the wheel, and told him to
+steer a little to the starboard. This brought the schooner somewhat
+around, and gave us a chance to take in the man, should he be fortunate
+enough to grasp one or the other of the ropes.
+
+"I'm afraid we'll lose him in the darkness," said Dibble.
+
+"Let us do all we can," I said, thinking how I would feel if placed in a
+position similar to that occupied by the man on the wreck.
+
+"Help! Help!" repeated the unfortunate, in lower tones.
+
+"He's almost done for," said the old sailor, with a shake of his head.
+
+"There he is!" I cried, as another flash of light came.
+
+"Sure enough. Stand to catch the rope!"
+
+"Stand to catch the rope!" I repeated.
+
+"I will! Throw it to me!" came back the cry.
+
+In an instant both of us threw our ropes. By an unfortunate twist
+Dibble's went spinning from his hands, and, before he could catch it,
+went over the side.
+
+"My rope's gone!" he groaned. "Yours must do the work, boy, or the man
+will be lost!"
+
+I made no reply. I had felt the rope in my hands growing tighter.
+
+"I have the rope!" came the cry. "Pull in!"
+
+"He's got it!" I repeated. "Help me land him."
+
+Dibble readily complied; and slowly but surely we drew in on the rope.
+
+"Hurry up!" called the man. "I can't hold on much longer!"
+
+"You'll be all right in a minute!" I called back. "Don't let go."
+
+Dibble took hold of the rope with me, and held it up so that the man
+might have no difficulty in climbing over the rail.
+
+Presently the unfortunate individual came in sight. I could see that he
+was completely exhausted.
+
+"Give me your hand," I said to him and leaned far over the side to reach
+it.
+
+With one remaining effort he threw up his arm, at the same time letting
+the rope slip from his grasp.
+
+I caught his hand and held on to it with all my power. The man's weight
+was a tremendous strain on my muscles, but fortunately they stood the
+test, and then I began to drag him over the rail.
+
+It was no easy task. The schooner having lost part of her headway,
+tossed and pitched dreadfully, and once the water poured over me in a
+perfect deluge.
+
+But I had made up my mind to save the man, and I did not give up. I
+braced myself against the rail, and then Dibble gave me his hand; and a
+moment later the unfortunate was safe upon the deck.
+
+"Thank God, I'm saved!" he murmured, and then he sank back unconscious.
+
+By this time Captain Hannock had come forward to see what had taken
+place.
+
+"Humph! only another mouth to feed!" he ejaculated. "Who saved him? Did
+you, Dibble?"
+
+"I tried to, but Foster was the one to do it, brave lad that he is!"
+replied the old sailor.
+
+"Foster seems to carry himself high!" sneered the captain. "Well, take
+him to the forecastle, some of you, and let him get over it. We'll carry
+him to New Bedford, providing he pays for his passage."
+
+I was utterly disgusted with Captain Hannock's brutal words, but came to
+the conclusion that they were due in great part to the liquor he had
+drunk. I helped Dibble carry the rescued man to the forecastle, and here
+the old sailor and myself did all in our power to bring him to his
+senses.
+
+It was quite a job; but finally it was accomplished, and the man sat up.
+
+"Where am I?" he asked, in a dazed manner.
+
+"Safe on board the Spitfire," I replied.
+
+"And the Dora?"
+
+"The Dora?" asked Dibble.
+
+"Yes; my boat."
+
+"Gone to the bottom of the Sound," said the old sailor. "I saw her
+founder just as you sprang for the rope."
+
+"You did? Well, let her go. She wasn't worth much. I'm glad I'm safe.
+Phew! but wasn't it an awful storm?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," said I.
+
+The man wanted to know how we had come to see him, and all particulars,
+and we told him.
+
+He was a tall and fine-looking gentleman, about forty years of age. He
+gave his name as Oscar Ranson, and said he was a lawyer in New York.
+
+"I have been spending a few weeks at Port Jefferson on Long Island, and
+yesterday set out for a two days' cruise up the shore," he explained.
+"But I've had enough of it," he added with a shudder.
+
+We made Mr. Ranson as comfortable as possible, and, while he was sipping
+a cup of hot coffee, he asked me about myself, saying that I didn't look
+much like a sailor.
+
+And then I told him my story. Of course he was surprised.
+
+"I wouldn't have believed it possible!" he exclaimed. "But you have done
+me a good turn, and now I'll do as much for you."
+
+"Do you know Mr. Ira Mason, a lawyer?" I asked.
+
+"Quite well."
+
+"He is a friend of mine. He has an office in the same building with my
+uncle."
+
+"Yes? What is your uncle's name?"
+
+"Mr. Felix Stillwell."
+
+At the mention of my uncle's name, Mr. Oscar Ranson jumped to his feet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+A NEW FRIEND.
+
+
+"Felix Stillwell your uncle!" exclaimed Mr. Oscar Ranson, as he stepped
+up to me.
+
+I was amazed at his reception of the news.
+
+"Yes, sir," I replied.
+
+"I know him quite well," went on Mr. Ranson slowly.
+
+"You do?"
+
+"Yes; in fact I have had some dealings with him, but--but----"
+
+And here the gentleman hesitated.
+
+"But what, sir?"
+
+"Well, I don't know as I ought to tell," was the reply. "You just saved
+my life, and I don't want to hurt your feelings."
+
+These words puzzled me not a little, and I said so.
+
+"Well, the fact is, your uncle and I could never agree on some business
+matters. I did not think his actions were right, and I told him so, and
+we had quite a quarrel. But of course this has nothing to do with you."
+
+"It will not have," I returned. "My uncle has not treated me fairly, and
+we parted on bad terms, so I do not care what opinion you have of him."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"Yes, sir. I used to live with my uncle."
+
+"Are your parents living?"
+
+"No, sir; they were killed in a railroad accident in England, and my
+uncle became my guardian."
+
+At this Mr. Ranson was quite interested. He asked me several questions;
+and I ended up by telling him my whole story, even to the missing money.
+
+"It's too bad!" he exclaimed, when I had finished. "I can well
+understand how a man of Mr. Stillwell's manner would act under such
+circumstances. He is a very unreasonable man."
+
+"I suppose I made a mistake in running away," I said.
+
+"It would have been better to have faced the music. But you had no one
+to advise you, and did not know but that you would be sent to jail
+without a fair trial, I suppose."
+
+"What would you advise me to do?"
+
+"Go back and stand trial. You have done me a good turn, and I will stand
+by you."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Crocker, who
+said Captain Hannock wanted to know if the rescued man could come to the
+cabin. Mr. Ranson rose at once.
+
+"You'll find the captain a very mean man," I whispered, as he prepared
+to leave. "When we get a chance I wish to tell you something very
+important about him."
+
+"All right: I'll remember."
+
+Mr. Ranson left the forecastle. For a moment I was alone; then Lowell
+came in.
+
+"Well, what are you doing now?" he asked savagely.
+
+"Nothing," I replied, as calmly as I could.
+
+"Think you're going to have a picnic of it, I suppose?" he sneered.
+
+"I'll take things as they come," was my quiet reply.
+
+"Well, just get on deck and help clear things up," he said. "The storm
+is over."
+
+I obeyed his orders. I found the sky was now almost clear of clouds, and
+the moon was just sinking in the horizon. Dibble and the rest were hard
+at work mending the broken boom, and I turned in with a will.
+
+It took nearly an hour to repair the damage that had been done through
+the captain's carelessness. When at last we had finished I followed
+Dibble below, and we retired.
+
+I did not sleep well during that night on board the Spitfire. The place
+was strange to me, and, besides, my mind was busy with the many things
+that had happened to me since I had left my uncle's home.
+
+I could not help but wonder what my uncle had done after I escaped him.
+Had he put the police upon my track? It was more than likely. He was not
+the man to let six thousand dollars slip through his hands without
+making a great effort to get it back.
+
+Then I wondered, too, if my Cousin Gus had really taken the sum. I knew
+Gus to be a mean fellow but had not dreamed that he would turn thief.
+Had not the evidence been so strong against him, I would have felt sure
+an outside party had done the deed.
+
+For the present I felt myself perfectly safe from capture. It was not
+likely the police had traced me to Brooklyn, and if so, seen me taken on
+board the Spitfire, which Lowell must have done as slyly as possible.
+
+I did not much like the idea of giving myself up after having once taken
+the trouble to run away, but finally concluded to be guided by my
+newly-found friend's advice, satisfied that if he would stand by me I
+would be safe.
+
+"Wake up there, Foster!"
+
+It was Dibble arousing me. I was not long in obeying his summons. I
+hopped out of my bunk and rubbed my eyes.
+
+"Time to get on deck, unless you want Lowell after you with the rope's
+end again."
+
+"I don't think Lowell will trouble me much again," I replied, as I began
+to dress. "If he does I'll do what I can to defend myself."
+
+"I like your grit. It does my heart good to see a boy stand up to a man
+like him."
+
+"At the bottom I think he is a coward," I said. "Most all brutes are."
+
+When I came on deck the sun was shining brightly. Captain Hannock was
+up, and he appeared quite a different man from what he had been the day
+before. His face was still flushed from the liquor he had taken, but he
+was sober, and, consequently, much milder in his speech.
+
+"Take him around, Dibble," he said to the old sailor, "and show him the
+ropes. I guess you've got the making of a good sailor in you if you only
+set your mind down to learn," he continued to me.
+
+"I'm willing to work, but I expect pay for it," was my reply.
+
+He frowned slightly.
+
+"We'll talk about that another time, when I've seen what you're worth,
+Foster," he returned, and walked aft.
+
+Dibble took me in hand at once. He was a pleasant man to explain things,
+and he said I learned rapidly. By noon I knew many of the more important
+parts of a ship, and how the sails were raised and lowered; and as the
+weather was fine and we were bowling merrily along, I fancied that a
+life on the rolling deep wasn't half so bad after all.
+
+As we walked around I cast many a glance about for Mr. Ranson, but could
+see nothing of him. Finally I asked Phil Jones concerning him, and was
+told he was not well and was resting in the cabin.
+
+During my conversation with the gentleman I had made up my mind to tell
+him what I knew of Captain Hannock's plot. I felt sure that he would
+know exactly what to do. Moreover, being a lawyer, he could perhaps take
+steps to nip the thing in the bud.
+
+Dinner on board the Spitfire was not an elaborate affair. The variety of
+food was not extensive, and the cook was not highly experienced in the
+culinary art. Nevertheless, I was hungry, and did full justice to what
+was placed before me.
+
+"It's good, hearty stuff," said Dibble, "and that and the sea air will
+make you strong--not but what you're pretty strong already."
+
+Late in the afternoon Mr. Ranson came on deck. He looked pale, and he
+had his head bound up in a handkerchief, which, however, he presently
+took off.
+
+It was some little time before I had a chance to speak to him. But
+finally he saw me and came forward.
+
+"Why didn't you come and see me?" he asked, after I had asked him how he
+felt, and was told that he was fast recovering.
+
+"Foremast hands are not allowed in the cabin," I laughed. "We are
+expected to stay where we belong."
+
+"I found the captain a very disagreeable man last night," he went on.
+"But this morning he was much pleasanter."
+
+"He is sober now."
+
+"Yes, and that makes a great difference in any one."
+
+"I have something of importance to tell you," I said in a lower tone.
+
+"So you said last night. What is it?"
+
+"It concerns the captain and this vessel. I don't want any one to
+overhear it," I returned.
+
+"Then let us go still further forward. If any one comes near we can
+drop the subject and pretend to talk about the ship's course."
+
+I thought this advice good, and we acted on it at once.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+SOME PLAIN FACTS.
+
+
+My story took some time to tell. Once Lowell came near us, but he only
+heard Mr. Ranson say that the schooner was making first-class headway,
+and taking no interest in this he walked away.
+
+"You are sure of all this?" asked the lawyer, after I had finished my
+narrative.
+
+"Yes, sir; every word of it."
+
+"Because it is a serious charge," he continued. "In olden times they
+would have hung a man for such an offense, and they might do so even now
+if any lives were lost through the going down of the ship."
+
+"I don't know how he intends to sink the Spitfire. I suppose he can set
+fire to her or else bore holes in the bottom."
+
+"It is a most atrocious plot. I am glad he intends to do nothing until
+after he has left the Down East coast. Wherever he makes a landing, at
+New Bedford or otherwise, I can have him stopped. But the evidence must
+be strong against him. Otherwise we will get ourselves into great
+trouble."
+
+This was a new idea. I thought for a moment.
+
+"If you only had some one to testify to your story," went on Mr. Ranson.
+"Of course I believe you, but we want evidence for the court."
+
+"Wouldn't the evidence of a bogus cargo be enough?" I asked suddenly.
+
+"True, it would. I never thought of that. But are you sure the cargo is
+bogus?"
+
+"I think it is. One thing I know: it is insured for considerably more
+than its value."
+
+"What does it consist of?"
+
+"I don't know. I think I could find out from Dibble."
+
+"The sailor who helped to save me?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"It would be a good plan. But he may suspect you if he is in the plot."
+
+"I am satisfied Dibble has nothing to do with it," was my ready answer.
+"I was going to tell him what I have told you."
+
+"Oh, well, then it is all right. And I don't know but that it would be
+better to have help in case Captain Hannock attempts to do anything
+before we land."
+
+"Just what I thought."
+
+"Where is this Dibble?"
+
+"He has just gone below. I will call him."
+
+"Don't do that; it might excite suspicion. These men are undoubtedly on
+the watch. Talk to him in the forecastle. I will wait here until you
+return."
+
+I agreed; and left at once. I found the old sailor sitting on a chest,
+mending some clothing.
+
+"Say, Dibble, what kind of a cargo have we on board?" I asked.
+
+He looked at me rather curiously.
+
+"What makes you ask that question?"
+
+"Because I wanted to know."
+
+"Well," he replied slowly, "we're supposed to have fine furniture and
+crockery ware on board; but it's so packed up I didn't see any of it."
+
+"Did you help load?"
+
+"Oh, no; the longshoremen did everything. Kind of queer, too, for
+Captain Hannock generally gets all the work out of his men that he can."
+
+"Then you didn't see any of the furniture or the crockery?"
+
+"No. But what difference does it make? We sail just as well as if we had
+lumber or steam engines on board."
+
+"It makes a great difference. Let me tell you something."
+
+And taking a seat close beside him, I whispered the story I had told to
+Mr. Ranson.
+
+"Phew! Smash the anchor, but that's a great scheme!" he exclaimed. "I've
+heard of such things being done, but never thought the captain was such
+a great rascal!"
+
+"We're going to stop the game. Do you know if we could get a look at any
+part of the cargo?"
+
+Tony Dibble thought for a moment.
+
+"Just the thing!" he cried. "Come with me."
+
+He rose and led the way to the end of the forecastle. Here there was a
+small door leading to a pantry.
+
+"There is a trap-door in that pantry," explained the old sailor. "The
+old man doesn't know of it. Some of the boys made it on the last trip,
+when we were carrying a lot of provisions, and the captain tried to cut
+down the rations. He saved one way but lost a good deal the other;" and
+the old sailor laughed at the memory of the affair.
+
+It was an easy matter to raise the trap-door. The distance to the cargo
+stowed below was but a few feet, and I dropped down.
+
+"Shall I go with you or stand guard?" asked Dibble.
+
+"Better stand guard," I replied. "If any one comes get them out of the
+forecastle the best way you can. Have you a chisel or something like
+it?"
+
+"Here is one, and a wooden mallet, too." He brought the articles
+forward. "Be careful how you make a noise."
+
+"I will," was my reply. "But I haven't any light."
+
+"Here's a bit of candle. Be careful and don't set anything afire."
+
+Dibble handed the candle to me, and then closed the trap.
+
+By the feeble rays of the light I crawled backward for quite a distance.
+Finally I came to a large packing-case marked:
+
+     S. & Co. Crockery. B132. Handle with Care.
+
+The top lid of the case was well nailed on. But after a quarter of an
+hour's work I succeeded in loosening one half of it, and pulled it off.
+
+[Illustration: DOWN IN THE HOLD.]
+
+There was a quantity of straw next to the lid. I scraped it aside, and
+then took a look at what was below.
+
+The packing-case was filled with nothing but common stones.
+
+I had expected something of the kind, so I was not greatly astonished
+when I beheld the bogus crockery that filled the packing-case. I picked
+up several of the stones to make sure that I was not mistaken, and then
+restored them to their place, put the straw over the top, and nailed on
+the cover.
+
+At first I thought to leave the place at once. But so far I had not been
+disturbed, and so I made up my mind to continue the investigation, since
+it was once begun.
+
+I took up my candle, and was not long in hunting up another
+packing-case. This was marked Furniture. I took off some of the boards,
+and soon brought to light a quantity of pretty fair kindling wood!
+
+As soon as I had made sure of what the packing-case contained, I
+restored the wood to its original place and then began to nail down the
+cover, as I had done on the crockery case. I had just driven one of the
+nails home when a slight noise disturbed me.
+
+Without any hesitation I ceased my labors and blew out the light. I was
+none too soon, for an instant later I heard Lowell's voice.
+
+"I was almost certain I heard some one down here!" he exclaimed, as he
+came forward.
+
+"Maybe it was rats," suggested another voice, which it was easy to
+recognize as belonging to Captain Hannock.
+
+"I don't think so. We have nothing to attract them this trip."
+
+"If I find any of the men down here I'll flog them," was the captain's
+savage comment; and it was easy to see that he meant what he said.
+
+"It would go rough with us if any of them should discover what we were
+carrying," went on Lowell. "Paving stones and kindling wood!"
+
+"Hush! Some one might hear you!"
+
+The two men came close to where I was crouching. Indeed Lowell's foot
+came within a few inches of my arm, and for an instant I did not see how
+I could avoid being discovered. Then they passed on.
+
+"Must have been mistaken, Lowell," said the captain. "Guess you're
+getting nervous."
+
+And he gave a low laugh.
+
+"Better be too careful than not careful enough," returned the boatswain,
+slightly disturbed at the slur. "I don't want to get caught at this
+job."
+
+"Neither do I."
+
+"They can send us to prison for it."
+
+"So they can--if they catch us. But I don't intend they shall."
+
+The two men carried a lantern, and they swung it over their heads,
+casting the rays as far as possible about them.
+
+I was in a direct line of light, and for a second the captain caught
+sight of the top of my head as I moved behind the case.
+
+"Ha! what's that?" he cried. "There's something behind the box!"
+
+"Where?" asked Lowell.
+
+"There," and Captain Hannock pointed in my direction.
+
+I gave myself up for lost, and wondered what I should do when
+discovered.
+
+"What was it like?"
+
+"I--I don't know."
+
+"Let's look," said the boatswain, and he moved towards me.
+
+In another moment they would be upon me. What was I to do?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+CAPTAIN HANNOCK TRIES TO MAKE TERMS.
+
+
+A sudden idea sprang into my mind. I would try it. If it failed there
+would be no harm done.
+
+Captain Hannock's reference to rats put me in mind of cats; and drawing
+in my breath, I let off the most unearthly cat cry that has ever passed
+my lips, a cry that astonished even myself.
+
+Both of the men tumbled back in great haste. Then the captain set up a
+laugh.
+
+"It's a cat!" he cried. "Some old strayaway from the docks, I suppose."
+
+"Must be a mighty large one," returned Lowell. "Hold the light up till I
+catch her."
+
+"Nonsense! Suppose I want to get bit and die of hydrophoby?" exclaimed
+the captain. "Let her stay where she is. She can feed on the rats or
+starve to death."
+
+And taking the lantern, he moved off towards the other end of the hold.
+
+Somewhat reluctantly Lowell followed him. Then I heard a sound as of a
+hatch closing, and all became quiet.
+
+I crawled from my hiding-place and made my way with all possible speed
+to the trap-door. I reached up and knocked upon it softly, and in a
+moment Dibble opened it from above.
+
+"Quick!" I whispered. "They have been down after me. Let us get on deck,
+just as if nothing had happened."
+
+Dibble followed my advice. On reaching the deck I found that neither the
+captain nor Lowell had put in an appearance. I saw Mr. Ranson still at
+the bow, and immediately went forward to speak to him.
+
+"Well, how did you make out?" he asked anxiously. "You have been a long
+while."
+
+"I've got all the evidence," I returned. "But we must be careful or we
+shall be discovered. Listen to what I have done."
+
+As quickly as I could I related my adventures down in the hold.
+
+"You have done exceedingly well," he said, and laughed heartily over the
+ruse I had used to escape detection. "Paving stones and kindling wood!
+It is a great swindle indeed."
+
+"I guess we won't need any more proofs than that," I said.
+
+"No, indeed."
+
+A moment later the captain came on deck followed by Lowell. They gazed
+sharply about, and I was sure they were counting to see if any of the
+men were missing, for presently the boatswain entered the forecastle to
+see if one of the men was not there.
+
+"I will have to leave you now," I said to the lawyer. "We must not
+excite suspicion."
+
+"You are right," he replied. "I will go into the cabin and take a rest
+and think over what you have told me. We have as yet plenty of time in
+which to act."
+
+Ranson left me, and I joined Dibble, who was at work tarring some ropes.
+
+It was not very agreeable work, but for the sake of being near him, and
+at the same time to please Captain Hannock, I lent a hand, and we spent
+the remainder of the day together.
+
+"When shall we reach New Bedford?" I asked, as we were going to mess.
+
+"Depends on the wind," was Dibble's reply. "If it holds out we may be
+there by to-morrow morning."
+
+"So soon!"
+
+"Might have been there before if it hadn't been for the storm. That
+knocked us clear out of our bearings."
+
+My work had made me thoroughly tired, and, as a consequence, it did not
+take me long to get to sleep when once I was in my bunk.
+
+"The captain wants to see you," said Crocker, as soon as I awoke in the
+morning.
+
+"What about?"
+
+"He didn't say. You are to go to the cabin."
+
+"All right."
+
+Wondering what was up I pulled on my clothing and made my way aft. The
+captain was in the cabin alone.
+
+"Well, Foster, I've sent for you to know what your intentions are," he
+said, as I entered.
+
+"In what respect, Captain Hannock?"
+
+"About remaining on board. Of course you came on the ship under peculiar
+circumstances, but I think you like the life, and I would like you to
+remain on board for the trip. I will pay you the same as the other
+hands."
+
+Of course I was astonished at these words. What was up now? Had the
+captain hatched out some plot against me?
+
+I did not know then, as I know now, that Mr. Ranson had spoken of me,
+and that in consequence Captain Hannock was rather alarmed over the
+prospects should I get ashore. Kidnapping (as Mr. Ranson had put it) is
+no light crime.
+
+"I don't care to remain on board after we reach New Bedford," I replied,
+after a moment's hesitation.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"You ought to know as well as I do."
+
+"But I don't. You signed articles, and----"
+
+"I didn't sign anything," I interrupted.
+
+"Your name appears on the books," he returned, with a shrug of his
+shoulders.
+
+"If it does, it's a forgery."
+
+"I know nothing about that. But I am willing to do this: If you are
+willing to go ashore quietly and say nothing, I am willing that you
+shall do so."
+
+"And if not?"
+
+He frowned.
+
+"Then you'll stay on board," he said sharply.
+
+"Perhaps I won't," I replied with spirit. It is doubtful if I would have
+spoken so sharply had I not had my friends on board.
+
+"Yes, you will. Do you suppose I am going to let a boy ride over me? Not
+much!"
+
+"You had no right to take me on board."
+
+"I have a right to take my men where I find them. Now get to your work.
+I will give you half an hour to think over what I have said. Then you
+will either sign off for the trip without pay, or you will continue on
+the trip."
+
+"And my money and the letter?"
+
+"I have nothing to do with them," he replied coldly. "Now clear out!"
+
+I went on deck. I was satisfied that there would be lively times ahead.
+
+Yet little did I dream of all that was to befall me ere I parted company
+with Captain Hannock and the Spitfire.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.
+
+
+When I left the cabin after my interview with Captain Hannock I knew not
+what to do. I was unwilling to leave the vessel with the promise that I
+would not prosecute him for what had been done to me, and, on the other
+hand, I did not care particularly to stay on board if the Spitfire
+should continue her journey.
+
+Of course I knew Mr. Ranson would stop the schooner at New Bedford if he
+could, and have the captain, Lowell and Crocker arrested for conspiracy
+to defraud. But there might be some slip, and I wished to take no
+chances.
+
+Had I had the London letter that had been taken from me I should not
+have cared what Captain Hannock wished me to do, but watched my chances,
+and gone ashore at the first opportunity.
+
+Where the letter was I could not imagine, excepting that it might be in
+the cabin or the captain's stateroom.
+
+One thing was certain. Whatever happened I must regain the letter.
+Personally it was to me of greater importance than the exposure of what
+was going on aboard the schooner.
+
+I walked aft and discovered the lawyer in conversation with Tony Dibble.
+
+"I suppose you have been to see the captain," said Mr. Ranson with a
+peculiar smile.
+
+"Yes, sir, I have;" and I related the result of the interview.
+
+"I had a talk with him about your case," went on the lawyer. "But I did
+not think he would get around it in this fashion. Well, I will see that
+you get through all right."
+
+"I wouldn't care, excepting for that letter," I returned.
+
+"We can get a search warrant, and hunt it up."
+
+"But, in the mean time, Captain Hannock may destroy it. No doubt he
+thinks it of small account."
+
+"If I were you I'd hunt it up on my own account," put in Dibble. "You
+did slick work finding out about that cargo of stones and kindlings, why
+can't you do as well finding out about that letter and your money?"
+
+"I have half a notion of that sort," I replied. "What do you think of
+it, Mr. Ranson?"
+
+"I'm afraid it would go hard with you if Captain Hannock caught you."
+
+"But would I be acting right?"
+
+"Every person undoubtedly has a right to search for his own when it has
+been stolen from him."
+
+"Then I'll hunt it up if I have to turn the cabin and staterooms upside
+down," was my sudden determination.
+
+"You will hardly have time while we are going up the harbor," said
+Dibble.
+
+"Are we in sight of New Bedford?"
+
+"Oh, yes. There it is right ahead."
+
+I looked. Sure enough, land was not a great distance off.
+
+"I'm going to get out of the way," I said suddenly. "Mr. Ranson, you
+will see me later."
+
+"Do as you think best. I will stand by you."
+
+I walked off. I was not sure of my course, and entered the forecastle to
+arrange my plans.
+
+By this time the captain had come on deck. He saw where we were, and
+gave orders to lower some of the sails, and then called Lowell to
+consult with him.
+
+Seeing that I was not being noticed, I slipped from the forecastle to
+the companionway. In a moment I was down the steps and in the cabin.
+
+No one was present. Even Phil Jones was away; I could hear him talking
+to the cook in the galley. I had the place all to myself, and now was
+the chance to do the work I wished to accomplish.
+
+I will not deny that I was nervous, and for the first moment my hand
+trembled so that I could hardly open what I touched.
+
+But presently I grew more composed and even reckless, and ransacked
+whatever came beneath my notice.
+
+My first work was to pull open the drawer of the cabin table. I found it
+full of charts and nautical instruments, accompanied by the log-book.
+There was also, stuffed in one corner, the ship's articles, and opening
+it, I discovered my name at the very end, written in a rough hand,
+entirely different from my own.
+
+This was evidently the captain's or Lowell's work, and it was on the
+strength of it that the two hoped to clear themselves. The fact that I
+was a minor had not entered into their calculations.
+
+I put the articles back into the drawer and closed it. Then I looked
+around to see in what direction to continue the search.
+
+In one corner was a closet. I opened it, but found it contained nothing
+but bottles of liquor and medicine, the former predominating. I closed
+the closet and then wondered what I should attack next.
+
+While meditating I heard footsteps on the companionway. It was Captain
+Hannock descending, and I had hardly time to slip behind a curtain that
+led to one of the staterooms when he entered.
+
+"Confound the boy, I wonder what has become of him?" I heard him mutter.
+"Foster!" he called out.
+
+I made no sound. The captain stood still for a moment.
+
+"Lowell must have been mistaken. The young cub would never dare to come
+down here on his own hook."
+
+And with this comment and a final glance around, Captain Hannock left
+the cabin and mounted to the deck.
+
+I breathed more freely when he was gone. I had had a narrow escape. Had
+he looked in the stateroom I would have surely been discovered.
+
+I continued my search with difficulty. The stateroom was comparatively
+dark, and my ears were strained to their utmost to catch the first sound
+of any one approaching.
+
+The room was that belonging to the captain. Under the berth was a
+locker, tightly fastened. I was certain that the locker contained what I
+was seeking for, because it was the one likely place that such a thing
+would be in. But how could I open the box?
+
+I felt in my pockets, but they were bare of everything that could be of
+use to me. My eyes rested on a bunch of keys hung upon a nail near by. I
+took them down, and tried one after another.
+
+At length I came to the right one, and in a moment had the locker open.
+The box was filled with clothing, but at the side was a smaller box or
+pocket, and this contained letters and documents of various kinds.
+
+I took out the entire batch and ran my eyes over the superscriptions
+with all haste. The letters were all addressed to Captain Hannock with
+but one exception.
+
+And that exception was the letter I had received from London.
+
+Eagerly I opened the envelope. The contents were intact, and assured of
+this I stuffed the precious epistle in my bosom.
+
+I was about to restore the remaining letters to their original place
+when the handwriting upon several of them attracted my attention. The
+chirography was of a peculiarly heavy and sloping character, and I
+instantly recognized it as that written by my uncle!
+
+I was almost dumfounded by my discovery. What did Mr. Stillwell and
+Captain Hannock have in common?
+
+For a moment I hesitated about opening the letters. Then I reflected
+that both of the men were plotting against my welfare, and I opened one
+of the epistles without any further compunction.
+
+It was dated at New York City ten days before, and read as follows:
+
+     "DEAR HANNOCK:--I will be unable to call upon you to-day as
+     agreed, and perhaps it is just as well that we are not seen
+     together too much. The cargo is now all ready at Kinley's in
+     Brooklyn, _well packed_. Lowell can take charge of it for us
+     mutually. The insurance is O.K.
+
+     "I trust you have no trouble with the insurance on the vessel.
+     Powers will fix it up for you. The New Bedford business will be
+     all ready for you when you arrive, and you need not wait but
+     half a day at the most. Will see you to-morrow.
+
+     "F. S."
+
+I read the letter through with great care. When I had finished I felt
+sick at heart.
+
+Beyond a doubt my uncle was in league with Captain Hannock, and the two
+were engaged in as big a piece of villainy as had ever come to my
+notice.
+
+I turned to several of the other letters. The second was evidently a
+reply to one from Captain Hannock, asking if my uncle considered the
+scheme safe, to which Mr. Stillwell said that "nothing ventured nothing
+gained," and that he needed money, because he did not as yet dare to
+touch the amount placed in his care.
+
+This letter undoubtedly referred to my inheritance, and I wondered how
+large a sum it was, and why Uncle Felix did not dare to use it for his
+own benefit, seeing that he would tell me nothing concerning it.
+
+I would fain have believed that he was not yet hardened to do such a
+deed. But his actions towards me did not tend to confirm that idea, and
+I was forced to come to the conclusion that he had as yet not had the
+courage to do so.
+
+I put the two letters in my bosom along with my own. Perhaps this was
+not exactly the right thing to do, but I did not have time to consider
+my actions. By the noise on deck I knew we were approaching a landing,
+and I expected every moment to hear some one come down the companionway.
+
+The third letter was a long one, and very hurriedly written, so much so
+in fact that I had all I could do to decipher its contents. I moved over
+to the skylight, and was soon deeply absorbed.
+
+"You rascal, you, what are you doing here?"
+
+It was Captain Hannock's voice. I started in alarm, and found the
+skipper of the Spitfire close at my elbow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+IN A TIGHT FIX.
+
+
+Captain Hannock's face was deadly white, and I knew he had taken in at a
+glance what I was doing.
+
+"Looking for my letter," I replied, as calmly as I could.
+
+"Are you?" He glared at me. "You're too smart, young man. I'll have to
+take you down a peg."
+
+As he spoke he advanced upon me. I saw that he had a large wooden
+belaying pin in his hand, and I retreated as far as possible.
+
+But he was between me and the door, and took good care not to go round
+the cabin table, so I was soon forced to stop simply because I could
+back no further.
+
+"Don't you dare to touch me!" I cried.
+
+He gave a hard laugh.
+
+"I'll do just as I please. Lowell!"
+
+There was no answer. The captain repeated the call in a louder tone,
+and presently the boatswain came hurrying down the stairs.
+
+"What's up, Captain?"
+
+"I've found him," replied Captain Hannock grimly. "Prying through my
+private papers!"
+
+"What?"
+
+"Jest so! Come, get some rope. We'll teach him a lesson he won't
+forget."
+
+Lowell left the cabin at once. I wondered what the skipper of the
+Spitfire intended to do next. Was he going to flog me?
+
+I was not prepared for what was to follow. In a moment Lowell returned
+with a quantity of stout rope.
+
+"Now bind him well from head to foot," said the captain.
+
+"No, you don't!" I cried.
+
+"Yes, we do, my hearty," returned Lowell, and Captain Hannock shook the
+belaying pin in my face.
+
+"Stand still, unless you want your head split open," he commanded. "I'll
+have you to understand your days of fooling are over. You've discovered
+our secret, but it sha'n't do you any good."
+
+The boatswain sprang upon me, and the skipper of the Spitfire assisted
+him. I struggled, but soon found it of little use. The two were too many
+for me, and in a moment I was securely bound.
+
+"Now open the trap, Lowell, and we'll chuck him down in the hold,"
+exclaimed Captain Hannock.
+
+"He may yell, Captain."
+
+"That's so. Tie a cloth over his mouth."
+
+The boatswain procured a towel, and stuffing part of it in my mouth
+fastened it around my neck.
+
+Then a trap door in the cabin floor was opened, and I was lowered upon
+the cargo below.
+
+"Now you can stay there till you come to your senses," observed Captain
+Hannock.
+
+Then the trap was closed, and I was left to my fate.
+
+Fortunately for me the distance I was dropped was not great or I might
+have been severely injured. I struck upon a packing-case and lay there
+helplessly. I overheard my captors move about the cabin for some time,
+and then all was quiet.
+
+The gag in my mouth nearly choked me, but try my best I could not
+dislodge it. The ropes about my body, especially those that were
+tightened around my ankles, hurt me not a little, but all my efforts to
+loosen them only appeared to draw them closer, until, had I been able to
+do so, I would have cried out from pain.
+
+As I have said once before, the darkness in the hold was intense, and
+try my best I could not see a thing. Had there been a light I might not
+have felt so bad, but as it was I felt next to hopeless.
+
+I wondered what was going on above. I was not kept long in suspense, for
+presently there was a thump and I knew the Spitfire had reached the
+dock.
+
+Then came the noise of many feet, as the schooner was tied up and the
+sails were lowered and made fast. At length this task was completed, and
+then all was quiet once more.
+
+I wondered if Mr. Ranson had gone ashore without making any inquiries
+about me, and if so, if he would bring down the police or other officers
+of the law to arrest Captain Hannock and the others.
+
+The time dragged by slowly, until I thought the entire day had passed. I
+grew hungry and thirsty, and at last chewed the bit of cloth in my mouth
+for pure consolation. Would no help come?
+
+At length, when I had given up all hope of seeing any one, I heard a
+noise at the other end of the hold, and presently saw the dim rays of a
+candle moving slowly about.
+
+"Foster, are you here?"
+
+Instantly I recognized the voice of Tony Dibble, and my heart gave a
+bound. I tried to cry out to him, but could not.
+
+But, though I could not cry, I could make a noise with my heels, and
+this I did with a right good will.
+
+It did not take me long to attract the old sailor's attention. He
+stopped short, and held the candle over his head.
+
+"Is it really you, Foster?" he asked.
+
+"Rat, tat, tat," I replied with my heels.
+
+"Where are you?" he went on.
+
+"Rat-a-tat, rat-a-tat," was all I could answer.
+
+"Gagged, I'll be bound," he muttered to himself; and at last found his
+way to my side.
+
+It did not take him long to unfasten the gag, and that once out of my
+mouth I was able to breathe with some comfort, a thing which gave me no
+little satisfaction.
+
+"Who did the job?" he asked, as he unloosed the ropes.
+
+"The captain and Lowell," I replied. "They caught me in the cabin."
+
+"I made up my mind something was wrong," went on Dibble. "I couldn't
+find you anywhere, and was pretty certain you wouldn't go ashore without
+letting me know."
+
+"Where is Mr. Ranson?"
+
+"Gone off to get the officers. Reckon we'll have lively times in an hour
+or two."
+
+"Perhaps I'd better stay down here until he returns," I replied.
+
+"You can do that unless you want to run the risk of sneaking ashore."
+
+"I would like to do that if I can. Where is Captain Hannock?"
+
+"Gone ashore."
+
+"And Lowell?"
+
+"On deck, and Crocker with him. They'd be almost sure to see you."
+
+This was not very encouraging.
+
+"I'll go up and have a peep around. I don't much like the idea of
+remaining in this close place any longer."
+
+And with this remark I followed Dibble to the trap-door leading from the
+forecastle pantry.
+
+We were soon in the forecastle, and then the old sailor went out on deck
+to see if the coast was clear.
+
+He was gone but a few moments.
+
+"It's no use," he whispered hurriedly. "The captain's just come back and
+is on deck, and Lowell is coming down here! You had better go back for a
+while."
+
+"But if they find me untied?"
+
+"They won't know but what you untied yourself. Come, hurry up!"
+
+I followed Tony Dibble's advice. I had hardly entered the hold when
+Lowell appeared.
+
+"Is Crocker here?" he asked.
+
+"No, sir," replied Dibble.
+
+"Better git on deck," went on the boatswain, as he turned and left
+again.
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+Tony Dibble followed him on deck, and I was once more left to myself.
+
+Hardly five minutes passed before I heard a sound that filled me with
+alarm. The ropes holding the schooner fast to the dock were loosed, the
+sails were hoisted, and before I could realize it we were once more
+under way.
+
+What did it mean? Had Captain Hannock smelt a mouse and thus sought to
+outwit Mr. Ranson? It certainly looked that way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+I AM PUT IN IRONS.
+
+
+I was thoroughly dismayed. All the plans the lawyer and myself had laid
+were now useless. He was left behind and I was on board little better
+than a prisoner. Bitterly I regretted not having taken the chances of
+getting ashore without being observed. Of what use now was all my
+information against Captain Hannock and his confederates? In an hour we
+would be far out at sea, and then the chances of doing anything to save
+myself would be small indeed.
+
+Suddenly the idea of jumping overboard and swimming ashore entered my
+mind. We could not be far from the dock, and anything was better than to
+stay aboard the doomed Spitfire.
+
+No sooner had the idea suggested itself than I undertook to put it into
+execution. I raised the trap and crawled up into the forecastle. No one
+was there, and I sneaked to the deck.
+
+As I had surmised, the dock was not over a quarter of a mile away, if
+indeed it was as far. I was a fair swimmer, and without hesitation I ran
+to the rail with the full intention of jumping overboard.
+
+"Hi, you rascal, come back! Stop him, somebody!"
+
+It was Captain Hannock's voice, and it made me run faster than ever. I
+gained the rail, and in another moment would have been over.
+
+"Hi, Crocker! Why don't you stop the lad!"
+
+The next instant I felt a hand on my collar, and I was drawn forcibly
+back.
+
+"Let me go!" I cried, and twisted with might and main to free myself.
+
+"Not so lively, my hearty!" said Crocker. "The captain says you are to
+stay aboard."
+
+And despite my struggles he held me until the others came.
+
+But now I was thoroughly desperate, not knowing what would happen if I
+was carried to sea. I continued my struggles even after Captain
+Hannock's hand was placed on my arm.
+
+This enraged the captain and he looked around for a rope's end with
+which to beat me into submission.
+
+Seeing a chance, I made another struggle, and this time succeeded in
+breaking loose from Crocker and gaining the rail before they could
+catch me again.
+
+Splash! I was over the side and into the water.
+
+I had taken as good a dive as possible, and now I remained under water
+as long as my breath would allow. Consequently, when I again came to the
+surface I was all of a hundred feet behind the Spitfire. I lost no time
+in striking out for the shore.
+
+But weighed down as I was by my clothing, my progress was slow.
+Realizing how I was encumbered, I paused long enough to pull off my coat
+and vest and kick off my shoes, and then I struck out once more.
+
+In the mean time Captain Hannock was letting forth a flood of vile
+language at everything and everybody. He wanted to know who had aided me
+to escape and he threatened to shoot me if I did not turn around and
+swim back.
+
+The threat rather alarmed me, but as I did not see any firearm in his
+hand I paid no heed to it, but kept on, until the distance between me
+and the schooner was considerable.
+
+But now, to my chagrin, I saw the sails on the schooner being lowered.
+Then I heard the captain give the command to lower the boat.
+
+Desperately I struck out for the shore, still so far away. I knew I
+could not make land, but I was in hope that I might get close enough to
+summon assistance. There were a number of boats, both large and small,
+moving about, and why should I not be able to find some one upon one of
+these ready to assist me?
+
+"Help! Help!" I began to cry at the top of my voice.
+
+"He's calling for help!" I heard Crocker exclaim. "He'll have somebody
+from shore at hand soon!"
+
+"Man the boat, quick!" returned Captain Hannock. "We've only got a
+couple of minutes to reach him in!"
+
+Crocker and the captain sprang into the boat and two sailors at once
+followed. Then two pairs of oars dropped into the water and the row-boat
+left the stern of the schooner.
+
+I continued to swim, but my hopes of escape were rapidly leaving me. I
+was still too far away from any of the shore-boats for their occupants
+to hear my cries, and no one but those on the schooner and the
+schooner's boat seemed to be looking in my direction.
+
+A few minutes more and the boat dashed up beside me. I dove out of
+sight, but the keen eyes of Crocker kept sight of me and when I once
+more arose he put out his hand and caught me by the ear.
+
+"Come aboard!" he cried, sharply.
+
+"Haul him in by the ear if he won't come!" roared Captain Hannock. "We
+can't afford to waste time on him. The sooner we get away from this
+harbor the better."
+
+"That's so," returned Crocker, and he gave my ear a tremendous pull.
+"Are you coming?" he demanded.
+
+"Yes; don't yank my ear off," I replied, for the way he was treating me
+hurt not a little.
+
+"Then come aboard at once."
+
+He continued to pull my ear, and one of the sailors caught me by the
+left hand. So seeing it was useless to resist any longer, I clambered
+over the side.
+
+On the way after me the party in the boat had picked up my coat and
+vest, and these Captain Hannock now threw towards me.
+
+"Put them on and behave yourself," he said, briefly. "Pull for the
+schooner, boys."
+
+I donned the garments and sat down on the forward seat. The captain sat
+close beside me, and during the return to the vessel his watchful eyes
+did not once leave me.
+
+We were soon on deck once more, and then without warning Captain Hannock
+burst forth into a perfect storm of anger.
+
+He sprang at me and struck me a cruel blow in the mouth that almost
+knocked me off my feet.
+
+"That's the way to treat him," put in Crocker, "Lay it to him good,
+Captain."
+
+"You brute!" I cried.
+
+"Shut up!" cried Captain Hannock; and then he turned away to give orders
+to the sailors to hoist sail again.
+
+"You'll catch it now," went on Crocker to me.
+
+"I don't care," I returned, recklessly.
+
+"You don't, eh?"
+
+"No, I don't. Do your worst!"
+
+And I would say no more to him.
+
+Presently the sails went up once more and again the Spitfire moved away
+from the distant shore. With the fading away of the land my last hope
+appeared to desert me.
+
+Then Captain Hannock again approached me.
+
+"How did you get loose?" demanded the skipper of the Spitfire, as he
+hurried up, red with rage.
+
+"That's my business," was my reply. "You have no right to keep me on
+board."
+
+"I'll put you in irons. Crocker, get the irons, I'll show the cub who's
+boss here!"
+
+In a minute the handcuffs had been placed upon my wrists.
+
+"We've lost one man; I don't intend to lose two," said the captain.
+"Take him below."
+
+I thought I was to be pitched again into the hold, but this time I was
+mistaken. Lowell led me to a small room situated in the extreme bow.
+
+"You'll spend a day or two here," he said, as he locked me in. "Perhaps
+when you come out you won't be so disrespectful to your superiors."
+
+The room was not as bad as the hold had been, there being a little light
+and ventilation. At one end was a small bench, and on this I sat down.
+
+I was left entirely to myself. Evidently all the sailors had been
+forbidden to come near me. Hour after hour went by, yet no one appeared.
+
+I wondered why Tony Dibble did not manage to send me word of some kind.
+I did not know that the honest old sailor was at this minute on the dock
+at New Bedford, speculating on what had become of the Spitfire.
+
+At length towards evening Lowell came with a tray of food which he set
+down on the floor of my prison.
+
+"You want to make the most of it," he said, as he walked away. "It has
+got to last you till to-morrow noon."
+
+The food was not of the best and daintiest kind, but I was hungry, and
+even at the risk of starving later on I ate nearly the whole of it. He
+had also brought along a pitcher of water, and of this I took a deep
+draught.
+
+I sat for a long time meditating over my situation, but could make
+nothing out of it. As affairs had turned, I must make the best of
+whatever came.
+
+I sat awake long after dark, but finally my eyes grew heavy and then I
+went to sleep on the bench until morning.
+
+All the forenoon was passed in solitude. To one unaccustomed to this the
+experience is terrible. How I longed to have even a cat or dog to talk
+to! But neither one nor the other was on board.
+
+When Lowell came at noon I asked him how long my confinement was to
+continue.
+
+"Until you are ready to do your duty," he said; and not another word
+would he utter.
+
+The day passed slowly, and the night was to me a restless one. What was
+going on in the cabin and on deck? Were Captain Hannock and Lowell
+getting ready to carry out their nefarious plan?
+
+I regretted not having taken one of the other sailors into my
+confidence. But which of them could I trust?
+
+By this time I had made up my mind that Dibble was not on board.
+Probably he had gone on a hunt for Mr. Ranson and been left behind.
+
+I tried in vain to attract the attention of one of the men as he passed.
+Either he did not see me or else he did not dare to come near. If only
+some of them knew!
+
+About four o'clock I fell asleep. I slept for some hours, and would have
+continued doing so had not a wild cry suddenly brought me to my feet.
+
+"Fire! Fire!"
+
+It was a fearful cry--doubly fearful on a ship hundreds of miles from
+land--and my face blanched as I sprang to my feet.
+
+Could it be possible--was the Spitfire in flames?
+
+"Fire! fire!" came that dreadful cry once more.
+
+Then came loud voices issuing orders and the rush of the sailors' feet.
+
+In vain I tried to catch sight of some one. The men, in a perfect panic,
+rushed hither and thither, but no one paid any attention to me.
+
+"On deck there!" I heard Lowell shout.
+
+"Where is the fire?" burst from half a dozen throats in chorus.
+
+"In the hold--it is one mass of flames!"
+
+"Can't we put it out?" questioned one of the sailors.
+
+"No, the fire has gained too much headway for that."
+
+"But we might try."
+
+"It won't do, I tell you. We must get out a boat and leave the schooner.
+Ten minutes more and it will be too late."
+
+"What, as bad as that!" came back with a groan. "Can't we save her
+nohow?"
+
+"No, I tell you, idiot! I've been on board a burning vessel before. Man
+the jolly-boat, and lose no time!"
+
+"Yes, yes, the jolly-boat!" ejaculated half a dozen, and then I heard
+another rush.
+
+I was terribly alarmed. Captain Hannock's foul plot had been put into
+execution. What would the end be?
+
+I was almost stunned by my discovery. I paced up and down my cell like a
+madman, but all to no purpose.
+
+"Hurry up, men!" I heard Captain Hannock exclaim. "Don't be an hour in
+doing five minute's work! Use your strength!"
+
+"Ay! ay! sir! No time to lose, that's a fact."
+
+And the crew of the Spitfire hurried their preparations even more than
+before.
+
+"Never mind your things, boys, save your lives. We may have an
+explosion, and then it will be too late."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE BURNING OF THE SPITFIRE.
+
+
+Already I could smell the smoke that was pouring out of the cracks
+around the hatchway. It would not be a great while before the entire
+vessel would be consumed.
+
+In my cell near the bow I could hear but little of what was going on at
+the stern. I had no doubt but what active preparations were being made
+to leave the ship. I knew well enough that no means would be taken to
+subdue the conflagration. It was not Captain Hannock's desire to undo
+his nefarious work now it was once begun. The quicker every one left the
+Spitfire to her doom the better he would be suited.
+
+But my attention was soon taken from the schooner and centered upon my
+own safety. At the start I had no thought but what somebody would come
+to release me, but, as the moments went by and no one came, the awful
+suspicion crossed my mind that the master of the Spitfire meant to
+leave me to my fate.
+
+I could not at first believe this to be possible, but finally the
+thought forced itself home to me. No sooner had it done so than I made
+every effort to attract the attention of some of the sailors, who, in
+their panic, had evidently forgotten my existence.
+
+I cried out at the top of my voice, not once, but a number of times. But
+such was the bustle and confusion on deck that no one heard me, or if
+they did paid no heed.
+
+Would the captain or Lowell come? Surely, surely, they would not dare to
+leave me to die on board! But the moments went by, and no one put in an
+appearance. The captain was going to make certain that nobody should
+live to tell any tales against him. He had probably discovered that I
+knew of the plans he and my uncle had concocted.
+
+It was not long before I made an attempt to liberate myself. The cell in
+which I was confined was built entirely of wood, and the door was not an
+extra heavy one. But with my hands locked together I was at a
+disadvantage. Yet terror lent me an artificial strength.
+
+I threw my whole weight against the door, once, twice, thrice. It
+groaned on its hinges, but that was all. I tried to obtain a purchase
+upon the floor, and thereby push the door open. But the flooring was
+slippery, and this was a failure.
+
+As I have said, the cell contained nothing but a bench. In my
+desperation I took hold of this, and was surprised to be able to pull
+off the heavy board seat.
+
+For an instant I was at a loss as to the manner in which I could utilize
+the board; then the idea came to rest one end against the rear of the
+cell and the other against the top of the door, and this I did. Then I
+brought my full weight down upon the pry thus formed, as near the top as
+possible.
+
+Instantly the door was pressed open at the top to the width of several
+inches. Into this opening I slid the end of the board, and by thus
+working it down, managed in a few moments to snap the lock, and then the
+door flew open.
+
+Meanwhile I could hear the creaking of the pulleys as the jolly-boat was
+let down into the water. Would they leave before I could reach them?
+
+With my hands still chained together I rushed out upon the forward deck.
+A heavy pall of smoke blew directly into my face, and for a moment I was
+completely blinded, and knew not which way to turn. I noticed that the
+sails had been lowered, and it was a strong west wind that caused the
+smoke to thus rush towards me.
+
+By the time the wind had shifted slightly I was half choked, and
+staggered against the rail to recover my breath. The jolly-boat had
+reached the water in safety, and the sailors and Captain Hannock were
+not long in entering it. I tried to shout to them, but the sound only
+ended in a violent cough, due to the smoke, which every moment was
+getting thicker.
+
+At last I got my wind, and then cried out at the top of my voice,
+
+"Help! Stop the boat! Help!"
+
+No one paid the slightest attention.
+
+"Pull away, boys," I heard Captain Hannock call out; and an instant
+later the jolly-boat had left the schooner's side!
+
+In vain I repeated my cry. If the master of the Spitfire heard me, he
+gave no heed, and as for the sailors, they were too busy doing their
+duty to give me a thought.
+
+Deserted! Left to fight for life amidst the flames! Oh, how bitterly I
+realized the awful position in which I was placed!
+
+The wind blew in such a manner that soon the jolly-boat was hidden from
+view by the smoke. Evidently all had left the schooner in safety but
+myself.
+
+What was I to do now? Had my hands been free I could have done much,
+but as it was I was next to helpless. For a moment I stood irresolute
+upon the stern. Should I take a plank or what ever came to hand, jump
+overboard, and trust to luck?
+
+Suddenly a wild cry startled me.
+
+"Save me! Save me!"
+
+I looked, and was astonished to see Phil Jones standing terror-stricken
+near the companionway!
+
+"Phil Jones!" I cried.
+
+"Oh, Foster, is that you?" exclaimed the cabin boy, and he came running
+to my side.
+
+He was deadly pale, and shook so that he could hardly speak.
+
+"Oh, Foster, where are the others?" he continued.
+
+"Gone!" I replied.
+
+"Gone!" he ejaculated. "And we are left behind?"
+
+"Yes; the cowards have taken the small boat, and we are left without
+any."
+
+"What shall we do?"
+
+"I was just trying to think. The fire is gaining headway fast."
+
+"Can't we put it out?"
+
+I shook my head.
+
+"It might have been put out at the start, but it's too fierce now."
+
+"There ain't any other boat," he went on. "There used to be, but it got
+stove to pieces."
+
+"I can do but little with my hands chained together," said I. "Do you
+know where the key to this pair of handcuffs is?"
+
+"On a nail in the cabin. I saw Captain Hannock put it there."
+
+"Come, show me."
+
+I ran into the cabin, Jones following. Here all was confusion, as if the
+inmates had been forced to leave in a great hurry. The captain of the
+Spitfire had left nothing undone to make the loss of the schooner appear
+purely accidental.
+
+"Here is the key," said Phil, producing it. "Let me take them off."
+
+In a moment he had the handcuffs loose, and I slipped them off.
+
+"They should be on Captain Hannock," I remarked, as we hurried on deck.
+
+"Indeed they should," replied the cabin boy, though he did not fully
+understand me. "I was dead tired, and went to sleep on the pantry floor,
+and no one came near me to wake me up. I suppose the old man would just
+as soon see me dead as alive."
+
+"I, too, was left alone," I replied. "Captain Hannock and Lowell set
+the ship afire, and they didn't want any one to know it."
+
+"I guess you're right," was Phil's reply. "I overheard Lowell speaking
+about something of the kind, though I could not quite make it out."
+
+By this time we had reached the stern, where the smoke was not so dense.
+By the flames that were gradually working their way through the cracks
+in the deck, where the oakum had burnt away, I knew it would not be long
+before the entire ship would be enveloped. If anything was to be done it
+must be done quickly.
+
+"We will have to make a raft," I said. "Get all the ropes you can find
+near at hand."
+
+The cabin boy willingly complied. Now that he had a companion he did not
+appear so frightened, and he worked with a will.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+ON THE RAFT.
+
+
+While Phil was looking for ropes, I collected all the planking I could,
+and to this added a door or two. Then we tied all tightly together,
+placing the doors on top as a sort of deck.
+
+Fortunately I was thoughtful enough to build the concern with one end
+resting on the top of the rail. Had I not done so it is doubtful if we
+could have got the raft over the side. When completed it was all of
+twelve feet square.
+
+"Now take that pole and help pry her over," said I to Phil. "Try to make
+her strike right side up."
+
+He did as I directed. At a favorable moment we gave the final push, and
+the raft went over with a mighty splash.
+
+"She's all right," cried Phil joyfully. "Now what?"
+
+"Get some stores together as quick as you can and jump aboard," I
+replied. "I'll look after some water."
+
+[Illustration: ON THE RAFT. ]
+
+Picking up one of the poles Phil had thoughtfully taken aboard, I placed
+it against the stern of the schooner, and we shoved the raft away as far
+as possible. Then the cabin boy took a board, and using it as an oar,
+propelled the clumsy craft still further, until we were at least a
+hundred feet off.
+
+"There she goes! That's the last of the Spitfire!"
+
+As the cabin boy uttered the cry there was a tremendous crash on board
+the schooner. Both of the masts had come down together.
+
+The fall tore a great hole in the vessel's side. Into this the water
+poured at once.
+
+At last the schooner could stand it no longer. She quivered from stem to
+stern. Then with a mighty plunge she disappeared beneath the surface of
+the ocean!
+
+The Spitfire was no more! And Phil Jones and I were left alone upon the
+bosom of the broad Atlantic!
+
+I can hardly explain the feelings that filled my breast as I saw the
+schooner take her final plunge and sink beneath the waves. It was to me
+like some gigantic living creature breathing its last. I turned to the
+cabin boy, and saw that his eyes were filled with tears.
+
+"I've spent a good many years on her," he whimpered. "And all I had was
+on board her. It wasn't much, but it was a good deal to me."
+
+"Let us be thankful that we saved our lives," I replied. "Captain
+Hannock no doubt thinks we are at the bottom of the ocean."
+
+"By the way, where is the jolly-boat?" asked Phil suddenly.
+
+I stood up and looked eagerly in all directions. Not a craft of any kind
+was to be seen.
+
+"She's gone," I replied. "I suppose they have a compass, and have set
+out for the shore."
+
+"If it wasn't for a couple of the men, I'd like to see the boat
+swamped," said Phil.
+
+"Captain Hannock will be surprised if we ever meet again," I replied.
+
+"I don't want to meet him again. I won't live with him. I'll kill myself
+first."
+
+I was surprised at the determination with which the cabin boy uttered
+the words.
+
+"You are right," I replied. "Captain Hannock is not a fit person for any
+one to have in charge. If we ever escape, depend upon it I will do all
+in my power to see that you are treated better in the future."
+
+"Will you? Oh, thank you very much!"
+
+The sun was now rising quite high in the eastern sky, sending broad
+sheets of light over the ocean. I climbed up on the top of the water
+cask and gazed eagerly around in all directions.
+
+Not a boat was in sight.
+
+"See anything?" asked Phil.
+
+"Nothing but water and sky," was the reply. "We must shift for ourselves
+and no mistake."
+
+Luckily for us the planks we had lashed together were of sufficient
+buoyancy to cause the doors above them to ride clear of the waves, so we
+were comparatively free from the wash of the sea, although occasionally
+a wave broke over the flooring.
+
+"We will lash the cask fast," said I, "and then fasten the box of
+provisions on top of it."
+
+"That's a good idea," replied the cabin boy. "If the water strikes the
+food it won't be of much account."
+
+We did as I had suggested, first, however, drawing sufficient water from
+the cask to last us for the day.
+
+"Now if we could hoist a sail we'd be all right," said Phil.
+
+"Let us see if we can't raise the oar between the doors. I think if we
+can, we can tie some ropes fast to steady it and put the sail on it."
+
+"We haven't any boom."
+
+"Maybe we can split off a side of one of the doors and make one."
+
+"We can try," responded Phil. "We ain't got much else to do. Gracious,
+ain't I glad I ain't alone."
+
+"So am I," was my warm rejoinder. "We'll live or die together."
+
+"I ain't much afraid of dying, now you are with me."
+
+Planting the oar for a mast was no easy matter. Of course we did not
+attempt to do it until we had made the boom, and also a small crosstree
+at the top, from which we suspended the sail, not very artistically, it
+is true, but in such a fashion that it drew very well.
+
+"There we are!" cried Phil, when the task was accomplished. "What's the
+matter with that?"
+
+"Nothing," I replied. And then added with a laugh:
+
+"Let us go into a firm: Jones & Foster, Boat-builders and Sailmakers."
+
+Phil laughed heartily.
+
+"You're right! I'm glad it's up. It looks more like a regular boat now."
+
+"It will act as a signal as well as a sail," I replied, "and we need
+both."
+
+"Now we've got the sail, how are we going to steer, and in what
+direction? The ocean looks all alike to me."
+
+"We will have to be guided by the sun. I know land is to the west of
+us, though how far I haven't the least idea. And we'll have to make a
+rudder of some kind out of another piece of the door."
+
+"Suppose we run across Captain Hannock and the jolly-boat?"
+
+"It isn't likely, and if we do we will have to make the best of it. I'll
+stand no more nonsense."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+NIGHT ON THE HASTY.
+
+
+After the sail was rigged and the rudder lashed in position, we took our
+first meal on the raft. I was hungry, but fearful of exhausting our
+stock of provisions before we reached land or help of some kind, I ate
+no more than was absolutely necessary, and the cabin boy did the same.
+
+"What will we name the raft?" asked Phil, as he held a cup of water
+aloft.
+
+I thought an instant.
+
+"How would the Hasty do?"
+
+"Just the thing!" he cried. "We were mighty hasty in building her. The
+Hasty she is."
+
+And by drinking the water he so named the raft upon which we passed so
+many anxious hours.
+
+It must have been near eleven o'clock before the morning meal was
+concluded. By this time the sun was almost overhead, and poured down
+hotly upon us.
+
+"This won't do," I said, feeling my face nearly burning up. "We must
+rig a covering of some kind."
+
+There was a small part of the sail that was not used. This I cut off,
+and putting the center of it over the box of provisions as it rested
+above the cask, I fastened the four ends to the corners of the doors,
+and that gave us a miniature cabin, in which we took turns in resting.
+
+By good fortune there was a stiff breeze blowing directly from the east,
+so by skillful management, we kept the head of the raft pointed in the
+direction we wanted to go.
+
+As we sailed along Phil Jones told me much concerning himself.
+
+"I've lived with Captain Hannock ever since I can remember," he began.
+"My father was a sailor, and he died on board the Spitfire, leaving me
+in charge of those on board. My father was mate, and I've heard that
+Captain Hannock was a better man in those days."
+
+"Wasn't your mother living?"
+
+"No: she died when I was a little baby. That's the reason, I suppose,
+the captain took me in charge."
+
+"Then perhaps he had no legal right to do so."
+
+"I don't know about that. But I'm sure he had no legal right to bang me
+around the way he did."
+
+"Certainly not. And he shall not do so in the future."
+
+Then Phil asked me about myself, and I told him much of my history. He
+was not very old, but the sharp knocks he had received had given him a
+wisdom beyond his years.
+
+Talking made the time pass more swiftly, and before we knew it the sun
+was sinking in the west. It would not be long ere the night would be
+upon us.
+
+"Let us lose no time, but sail along as far as we can," I said.
+
+"How about sailing by the stars?"
+
+"I don't know anything about that."
+
+"I know a little."
+
+"Then we won't lower the sail until it is absolutely necessary. Come,
+you take a nap if you can, and I will steer as long as the sun lasts,
+and then you can take the rudder."
+
+To this the cabin boy readily agreed. He was soon asleep, and I was
+virtually left alone.
+
+As the evening shadows deepened I realized for the first time our
+forlorn condition. Here we were, afloat on the bosom of the broad
+Atlantic, with no land or sail in sight. What would the outcome of this
+adventure be?
+
+From the present my mind drifted to what had been left behind. I had no
+doubt but that my Uncle Felix was searching for me in every direction.
+Perhaps he had even made offers of reward for my discovery. Six thousand
+dollars was no mean sum to lose, and I knew him well enough to
+understand that he would well-nigh turn the metropolis upside down ere
+he would submit to it.
+
+I could understand that my running away made it look bad for me. Every
+one would say, if I was innocent why had I not stood my ground? Even Mr.
+Banker and Mr. Mason might shake their heads and have their doubts.
+
+Then I thought of the evidence I held in my pocket against Mr. Stillwell
+and Captain Hannock. If I reached shore in safety, what a sensation it
+would produce! Had my uncle treated me with more consideration I would
+have had some hesitation about exposing him even though he deserved it
+and justice demanded it. But not for an instant had he thought of how he
+was ruining my good name for all time. And I had been innocent while he
+was guilty. He must suffer the penalty of his misdeeds.
+
+I could not help but think of Mr. Ranson and Tony Dibble. What had
+become of the two? Would they watch for Captain Hannock's return and
+expose him at once?
+
+Slowly the evening wore on, until the last trace of sunshine had gone
+and only the stars shone down upon the Hasty. Phil was fast asleep, and
+I did not like to wake him, so much did he appear to enjoy the nap. Poor
+boy! for once he knew that he would not be aroused by a kick or blow!
+
+It must have been ten o'clock when Phil did awaken. He rubbed his eyes
+and sat up.
+
+"Where am I? Oh, I remember! How good of you, Luke, to let me sleep so
+long!"
+
+"It's getting pretty dark now, Phil. Are you sure you can steer?"
+
+"I think so."
+
+I handed him the rudder and lay down under the canvas. At first I was
+too restless to sleep; but after awhile tired nature could stand it no
+longer, and I dropped into a heavy slumber.
+
+"Wake up, Luke, wake up!"
+
+"What's the matter?" I exclaimed.
+
+"I can't say, but something is wrong," he returned.
+
+At once alarmed, I tried to crawl from under the bit of canvas. When I
+had accomplished this feat--which was not easy, considering how the
+Hasty rolled and pitched--I gazed at Phil and saw that he was trembling
+violently.
+
+"What is it, Phil--what scared you?" I went on.
+
+"We struck something," he cried. "I most believe it was part of a boat."
+
+"Something from the Spitfire most likely," I returned.
+
+"I don't know--but--but----"
+
+"But what, Phil--what ails you?"
+
+"I believe there was a man on it!" he said, in an awful whisper. "I
+couldn't see very well. It gave me a fearful scare."
+
+"A man! Are you sure?"
+
+"No, but it looked like a man. My, it was terrible!"
+
+"You look it. In what direction was it?"
+
+Phil pointed over his left shoulder. I peered through the gloom as best
+I could, but could see nothing.
+
+"Well, it's gone now, whatever it was," I said. "Are you quite sure you
+didn't fall asleep and dream it?"
+
+"Oh, I wasn't asleep. I'm not a bit sleepy after my long nap. I am sorry
+I disturbed you, but--but I couldn't help it."
+
+"That's all right," said I, with a yawn. "Well I might as well turn in
+again, eh?"
+
+"Yes, turn in by all means."
+
+Once more I crawled beneath the canvas. I had not heard a single cry,
+and I was inclined to think that Phil had been mistaken concerning a
+person on the wreckage he had seen.
+
+My short nap had only made me more sleepy and it was not long before I
+dropped off into a sound slumber, which even the fitful motion of the
+raft did not disturb.
+
+"Luke! Luke!"
+
+It was Phil's voice again, louder than ever before.
+
+"Now what's up?" I replied, not in the best of humor.
+
+"We must be careful. We have struck----"
+
+The cabin boy did not have time to finish the sentence for at that
+instant the Hasty received a terrific shock which nearly split her in
+two.
+
+"Oh, Luke, what shall we do?" cried Phil, in alarm, as soon as he could
+catch his breath.
+
+Before I could answer there came another shock. A moment later Phil and
+I were struggling in the dark waters!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+A TERRIBLE LOSS.
+
+
+To be suddenly aroused out of a sound sleep, and immediately afterwards
+to find yourself struggling in deep, dark water is not an experience to
+be desired. The first plunge made me shiver from head to foot, and it
+was only by instinct that I kept my mouth shut and struck out to keep
+myself afloat.
+
+I had not the slightest notion of what had happened, and in the darkness
+could see nothing. It was some time ere I could recover and call out to
+the cabin boy:
+
+"What is it, Phil? Where are you?"
+
+"Here I am," he cried, close beside me; and an instant later his hand
+touched my body.
+
+"What happened?" I repeated.
+
+"I don't know," he replied. "Either something struck the boat, or else
+we hit a rock."
+
+"I don't think we are near enough to shore to strike a rock," I
+rejoined.
+
+"Well, what was it then?"
+
+"I don't know, and what's more I'm not going to try to find out just at
+present. Where is the raft?"
+
+"I guess the Hasty has gone to the bottom. I can't see her anywhere
+around."
+
+"Don't be foolish. She couldn't sink."
+
+"That's so; I forgot. Well, where is she then?"
+
+"We must find her. Can you keep on swimming?"
+
+"For awhile. But don't leave me!" added the cabin boy in sudden alarm.
+
+"I won't. We can swim together. Take it easy."
+
+Side by side we struck out. My thoughts were busy. Suppose we were not
+able to find the raft? To swim any great distance would be impossible,
+and we could not float forever.
+
+"It's hard work, and no mistake," said Phil, after a few moments of
+silence. "I can't go much further."
+
+"Suppose we let ourselves drift with the current."
+
+"That's a good plan, for I suppose the Hasty did the same thing."
+
+So we allowed ourselves to drift for fully ten minutes. Fortunately
+both of us were good swimmers, and understood the art of floating. If
+not, it might have gone hard with us.
+
+"What's that ahead?" cried the cabin boy, at length.
+
+"Where?"
+
+"There! To the right!"
+
+I strained my eyes. Was it a light? Yes; not one but several, and all
+moving rapidly away.
+
+"It's a boat!" I cried. "Let us yell."
+
+And yell we did; once, twice, and then a dozen times, in a tone that
+made me so hoarse I could hardly speak afterwards.
+
+"It's no use," said Phil. "It's a steamer, and they won't pay any
+attention."
+
+"I shouldn't wonder but that it was the vessel that struck us?" I
+exclaimed.
+
+"Most likely. But if they would only pick us up I wouldn't care a
+straw."
+
+After this there was another interval of silence. Then my arm struck
+something hard. I put out my hand, and was overjoyed to find that it was
+the raft.
+
+"Here she is!" I cried. "Here's the Hasty."
+
+"Thank our stars!" returned Phil; "I couldn't have held out much
+longer."
+
+It did not take us long to get aboard, and completely exhausted we sank
+down on the flooring and panted to get our breath.
+
+There was no more sleep for us that night, so we both sat close
+together, and talked of what had struck us, and what damage it had done
+to the raft.
+
+"The rudder is smashed," said Phil.
+
+"Never mind, we can make another in the morning," I returned. "It's too
+dark to do anything now."
+
+So we let the raft drift at will, trusting the wind was still blowing us
+toward the shore.
+
+Slowly the night wore on, and at the first streak of dawn we were both
+in motion. It seemed a shame to rip up another part of the flooring to
+make a rudder. Yet there was no help for it. While doing so I noticed
+that the doors were unusually wet, but gave it no attention, thinking it
+had been caused by the raft dipping under when the vessel had struck us.
+
+At last we began to get hungry, and Phil hauled some crackers from the
+provision box.
+
+"They will make us mighty thirsty, and we haven't much water," he said.
+"But I hadn't time to hunt up just the best things to take along."
+
+We ate our crackers, and when we had finished them I turned to the cask
+to get some water. I pulled out the bung, and was horrified to discover
+that the cask was empty!
+
+"The water's gone!" I gasped.
+
+"What!"
+
+"It's true; there isn't a drop in the cask!"
+
+Phil was fully as much dismayed as I was. Alone on the broad Atlantic
+and not a drop to drink!
+
+"We can't live without water," he cried.
+
+"I know that. It is worse than being without food."
+
+"Ten times over. Where has the water gone?"
+
+We examined the cask carefully. At the bottom was a bunghole in which a
+bung had been placed; but either the riding of the raft or the shock had
+loosened the bung, and it had dropped out and allowed the water to run
+away to the last drop.
+
+"We are done for now!" groaned Phil. "We can't stand it twenty-four
+hours without something to drink."
+
+"Perhaps we'll have a change in luck before that," said I; but I had my
+doubts.
+
+The hours that passed after I made the discovery were terrible ones. We
+suffered intensely from thirst, and I was almost tempted to drink the
+salt water that surrounded us. Had I done so this tale would probably
+have never been written.
+
+When the noonday sun shone down upon us we could not stand to be out in
+it. Phil crawled under the canvas, his eyes rolling strangely.
+
+"Water! water! oh, give me water!" he cried.
+
+I was startled. Was the poor boy going insane?
+
+"Let me wet the canvas," I said. "It will make it cooler."
+
+I did as I suggested, and the cabin boy declared it was much better than
+before. Then I coaxed him to try to sleep, and at last he fell into a
+troublesome doze.
+
+Throwing more water on the canvas until it was sopping wet, I crawled in
+beside him.
+
+But not to sleep. My mind was in a whirl, and I could not think clearly.
+My mouth was parched, and my tongue so thick that when I tried to utter
+some words in reverie I could not, a thing that frightened me still
+more.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
+
+
+I lay several hours under the canvas, wondering how the adventure would
+end. At present things looked rather blue, and perhaps neither Phil nor
+I would live to tell the tale. At length, when I was about to give up in
+despair, a low rumble brought me to my feet instantly.
+
+It was thunder!
+
+"A storm! a storm!" I cried. "Pray God it brings us rain!"
+
+My cries awoke Phil, and he pushed the canvas aside.
+
+"What did you say?" he asked, feebly.
+
+"There is a storm coming up," was my reply. "Hear the thunder?"
+
+"What of it?"
+
+"What of it? A storm means water, and water means something to drink!"
+
+"Hooray! so it does!"
+
+And the cabin boy jumped to his feet at once.
+
+It is wonderful what life the prospect of rain put into us. Eagerly we
+watched the approach of the dark clouds that were fast bearing down upon
+us.
+
+"We must fix the cask to hold water," I said, "and also the canvas."
+
+"And we can fix the sail, too," added Phil. "We must catch as much as
+possible."
+
+I put the bung back into the cask, hammering it in well. Then by the aid
+of the mast, rudder and boom, we hung the canvas so that every drop that
+might fall upon it would be caught and poured into the cask.
+
+Hardly had we finished our preparations when the storm bore down upon
+us. The lightning was terrific, the thunder deafening, and the rain came
+down in a deluge.
+
+We heeded not the storm. We drank our fill of the first water that
+entered the cask, and oh, how good it seemed! Many a time since I have
+drunk spring water of the purest and coolest, but nothing that could
+compare with that which Phil Jones and I caught on the canvas in the
+middle of the Atlantic.
+
+Our thirst satisfied, we turned our attention to filling the cask. It
+was not long before we had it more than half full, and as the cask was a
+twenty-gallon one, this was not bad, and would last us quite some time.
+
+Of course we had to pay considerable attention to the raft, which at
+times tossed and pitched in a fashion that made me sick all over, and
+rendered it necessary to hold on tightly to prevent being swept
+overboard.
+
+For two hours the storm continued without showing any signs of abating.
+By this time we were wet to the skin and shivering with the cold.
+
+"Now we've got water, I wish it would clear off," remarked Phil, as he
+stood holding fast to the mast.
+
+"So do I. It's no fun thinking that any moment we may be swept
+overboard."
+
+"Hope the jolly-boat is out in it," he continued. "Captain Hannock
+deserves all the ducking a-going."
+
+"He can't be to land yet. Wonder if all the sailors are with him?"
+
+"I suppose so. I'm sure there wasn't a soul left on the ship."
+
+Instead of letting up, the sky grew darker and the wind increased in
+fury. The Hasty bounded up and down over the mighty swells, and many
+were the times that I thought our last moment had come. Yet each time
+the clumsy raft righted herself, ready to battle with the next wave.
+
+Not without considerable danger I managed to tie the planks more
+tightly together. That rude structure now seemed to be our only hope for
+safety.
+
+And thus the night of awful peril wore on.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"This is the very worst storm I ever saw."
+
+It was Phil who uttered the words. He was lying flat on the top of the
+cask, holding on tightly to the ropes that held the mast. He had been in
+that position for fully two hours, and it was plain to see that he was
+nearly exhausted.
+
+"Keep up your courage," I replied. "The worst is over, I'm certain. This
+storm wouldn't appear so bad if we were on shipboard."
+
+The box of provisions had become thoroughly water-soaked, and it was now
+resting on the flooring of the raft, and I was using it to lie upon, so
+that the waves might not wash over me so freely.
+
+Far over in the east I could see a faint break in the clouds, and to
+this I laid my hope of a change for the better. But the cabin boy shook
+his head.
+
+"Storms don't clear that way."
+
+"Yet this one may."
+
+"Hope you're right, but I don't think so."
+
+An instant after these words there was a terrible clap of thunder, and
+following it a deluge of rain that almost swept us from the raft.
+
+"I'll venture to say that's the end of it," said I.
+
+After the downpour was over it began to brighten, and in the course of
+half an hour there were several rifts in the clouds. We watched them
+eagerly.
+
+"Don't know but that you were right," said Phil at last. "See! see! the
+storm is drifting southward!"
+
+"Thank fortune for it," was my reply. "I never want to pass through
+another like it!"
+
+In another hour the rain had ceased. I judged it was now about four
+o'clock, and I was not far out of the way, for about an hour or so later
+the sun rose and peered dimly through the haze.
+
+It was not long before it was as bright and clear as ever. But the water
+was still in a turbulent state, and every minute or two a wave would
+break over us with a swash and a crack decidedly unpleasant.
+
+As soon as I was able to do so I overhauled the provision box with a
+view to saving what might still be fit to eat.
+
+It was in a sad mess, and the salt water had made most of the things
+worthless. The crackers and bread I threw away at once, and this left us
+with nothing but some potted beef, a jar of pickles and some canned corn
+and asparagus--rather an odd collection, but decidedly better than
+nothing.
+
+"We will have to live on closer mess than ever," I said, as I viewed the
+stuff.
+
+"I won't mind that so long as we have enough to drink," returned Phil.
+"I can stand hunger, but I can't stand being dry."
+
+"You're not very dry now," said I, with a faint attempt at humor.
+
+The cabin boy gave a laugh.
+
+"I don't mean that way. Guess our clothes will dry fast enough when the
+sun gets up."
+
+The morning proved a long and warm one. We did all we could to pass the
+time pleasantly, but it was a failure. There was no concealing the fact
+that we were both anxious about our situation.
+
+It must not be supposed that because I write so calmly of this
+involuntary cruise that we were not frightened, for such is not a fact.
+Both of us were greatly alarmed, and would have given about all we owned
+to be once more on dry land.
+
+About every hour one or the other of us would climb up to the top of the
+mast and look in all directions for a sail or land. This we did until we
+were almost ready to give it up, as nothing appeared.
+
+Our dinner was a curious one, some potted beef and cold green corn,
+washed down with a cup of cold water.
+
+"Funny we didn't think of this corn when we were so thirsty," said Phil.
+"It would have done pretty well for a time."
+
+"I didn't know it was there," I returned. "Never mind; it's over now,
+and I hope we don't have any such experience again."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+PICKED UP.
+
+
+The afternoon drifted into evening, and somewhat disheartened we
+prepared to pass another night on the Hasty. We arranged that Phil
+should sleep first for about three hours, and then I was to take my
+turn.
+
+"Tie yourself fast," said I, "or you may roll off."
+
+He followed my advice, and it was not long before he was in a sound
+slumber. I sat on the cask, steering as well as I could by the stars.
+Suddenly from out of the gloom ahead an object loomed up. I started to
+my feet and strained my eyes.
+
+It was a steam yacht!
+
+For an instant I could hardly believe my eyes. Then I gave a wild cry
+that caused Phil to jump up in alarm.
+
+"What is it?" he asked anxiously.
+
+"A ship!"
+
+"A ship! Where?"
+
+"Dead ahead. Let us hail her."
+
+And together we called out as loudly as we could:
+
+"Ship ahoy!"
+
+There was no answer; but the yacht came nearer.
+
+"Ship ahoy!"
+
+"Ahoy here!" came back the welcome cry.
+
+Then we heard the engine of the craft cease to work, and presently the
+long, slim yacht came close beside us.
+
+"Who are you?" asked some one from the deck.
+
+"We are shipwrecked from the Spitfire," replied Phil.
+
+"Will you take us on board?" I added.
+
+"Certainly; we have been looking for you," came the strange reply.
+
+But at that instant I recognized Mr. Ranson standing at the rail! The
+lawyer looked highly pleased to see us, and waved his hand.
+
+In a moment a rope was thrown to us from the yacht, and without any
+difficulty we ascended to the deck, where a small crowd of men
+surrounded us.
+
+"Right glad am I to see you!" exclaimed Mr. Ranson, as he shook me by
+the hand. "And you, too," he added to Phil.
+
+"Where are the rest of the crew?" asked the captain of the yacht.
+
+"I don't know," was my reply. "They went off in the jolly-boat and left
+us behind."
+
+"You can tell your story in the cabin," put in another man, who was
+dressed in navy-blue and wore a badge upon his breast.
+
+"Yes, that would be best," said the lawyer. "How do you feel?"
+
+"All right."
+
+"A little hungry," added Phil.
+
+"You shall dine at once," said the captain, a man by the name of Flagg.
+
+He led the way to the cabin, and the lawyer, the man in navy-blue, Phil
+and I followed.
+
+"This is Luke Foster, and this is Philip Jones," said Mr. Ranson,
+presenting us. "Captain Flagg, and Mr. Henshaw, of the government
+force."
+
+We all shook hands and sat down. Then Phil and I told our stories
+straight to the finish, and I also produced the letters I had taken from
+the locker in Captain Hannock's stateroom.
+
+"A serious case, a serious case indeed," said Mr. Henshaw, when we had
+finished. "Will you let me retain these letters?"
+
+I looked at Mr. Ranson.
+
+"Yes; let him have them. The matter is now in the hands of the
+government."
+
+By the time our story was at an end the supper was served, and never
+did two boys make a heartier meal than did Phil and I. As we all sat
+around the table Mr. Henshaw asked us many questions, and made numerous
+notes of our answers.
+
+"And how did you come to be out here for us?" I asked of the lawyer.
+
+"Didn't I promise to help you?" he replied. "When I left the Spitfire it
+was my intention to return before she set sail again. I was under the
+impression that you had gone ashore, especially as Dibble thought so
+too."
+
+"Where is Dibble? He was not on board."
+
+"He, too, was left. Captain Hannock sent him ashore on an errand, and
+set sail before either of us could return. I think he must have smelt a
+mouse."
+
+"He'll smell a still bigger mouse when he reaches shore," said the
+government officer, with a broad laugh. "Burning a vessel and a bogus
+cargo that are heavily insured is no light offense."
+
+"Where do you think he will land?"
+
+"The first place he strikes. It isn't much fun sailing around in a
+jolly-boat."
+
+"It is my idea that he will land at Nantucket," said Captain Flagg.
+
+"It won't make much difference to us," said the lawyer. "We will
+certainly hear of him in a few days, when he comes to make his claim.
+He won't lose much time in doing that, you can depend."
+
+"And in the mean time I can telegraph to New York to have this Stillwell
+arrested," went on Mr. Henshaw.
+
+I gave a start. I had not thought of such an occurrence.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked the government officer, noticing me.
+
+"Stillwell is Foster's uncle," explained the lawyer.
+
+"Indeed! Well, I am sorry for you, but the law is no respecter of
+persons. Prince and pauper are alike to Uncle Sam."
+
+"Mr. Stillwell is my uncle only in name," I replied. "He has never
+treated me half decent, and is even now trying to defraud me out of my
+inheritance."
+
+"Indeed! Then there is no love lost between you."
+
+"Not a bit, sir."
+
+"By these letters I should say he was not a man to be trusted."
+
+By Mr. Ranson's advice I told my story. Mr. Henshaw was deeply
+interested.
+
+"It was a great mistake in one way to run away," he said. "But in
+another it has helped to gather evidence against him, evidence that will
+count for much. But let me tell you one thing."
+
+"Well, sir?"
+
+"I doubt if his son took that money."
+
+"But he was in the office."
+
+"Only for a short while. That money was gone before the office was
+opened in the morning."
+
+I could hardly believe that. When I had opened the office and swept it
+everything appeared all right.
+
+"Mark my words if I am not right," went on the government officer.
+
+"I can't see how a thief from the outside could get in the place," I
+replied.
+
+"No: but a thief from the inside----" said Mr. Ranson, dryly.
+
+I started, struck by a sudden thought.
+
+"You don't mean----?" I began.
+
+"What?"
+
+"That my uncle took that money himself?" I burst out.
+
+"I don't say he did, but it may be so," said Mr. Ranson slowly. "He has
+your money in trust. The letter to Hannock says he does not as yet dare
+to touch the money in his charge. With you in prison he could do as he
+pleased. Do you follow me?"
+
+"I do; and it's as plain as day. But I never thought my uncle was such a
+villain!"
+
+"I do not say he is; but it looks so. Who would have thought him in
+league with Hannock?"
+
+"No one in New York surely," said I.
+
+I could not help but think what a sensation my uncle's arrest would
+produce. How Mr. Banker would stare when he heard of it! I was sorry for
+my aunt's sake, but Mr. Stillwell had brought it upon himself.
+
+Then I wondered if I would be able to clear myself. One thing gave me
+not a little comfort. It was Mr. Ranson's words:
+
+"Remember, they have got to prove you guilty. Until that is done every
+man is considered innocent."
+
+Yet this did not entirely satisfy me. I wanted to prove that I had not
+taken the money. If I did not I was sure there would be some who would
+always look down upon me.
+
+Now that Mr. Ranson had found us, the course of the steam yacht was
+changed, so that we headed directly for Boston. Phil and I were assigned
+a cosy stateroom, and it is perhaps useless to state that both of us
+slept soundly.
+
+Early in the morning I was aroused by a cry on deck, and the next moment
+there was a sharp rap on the door.
+
+"What is it?" I asked.
+
+"We have sighted the jolly-boat!" was Captain Flagg's reply. "You and
+Jones keep out of sight and there will be fun ahead."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+THE CAPTURE ON THE OCEAN.
+
+
+It did not take me long to dress after Captain Flagg made the
+announcement that the jolly-boat had been sighted. I was eager to find
+out how the occupants had fared, and what Mr. Henshaw, the government
+officer, would do with them.
+
+In a few moments Phil Jones and I had on our clothing, and both of us
+stepped out into the cabin, where we found Mr. Ranson awaiting us.
+
+"Where is the boat?" I asked.
+
+"Not over a quarter of a mile away," he replied. "Mr. Henshaw says you
+two and myself are to keep out of the way, and he will give Captain
+Hannock, Lowell, and the rest a complete surprise."
+
+"All right. I suppose if the captain saw us aboard he wouldn't feel much
+like coming on deck."
+
+"You are right. But he would have to, nevertheless. Mr. Henshaw will
+place him under arrest immediately."
+
+"I would like to see what takes place," I rejoined.
+
+"So would I," put in Phil. "Captain Hannock is no friend of mine."
+
+"Captain Flagg has assigned us three a place where we may see all that
+happens," returned the lawyer. "Come with me."
+
+We followed him on deck. Close to the wheel was a small covered place
+used for storing odds and ends of various kinds. It contained a window
+so that one might see, and the door was covered with a wire netting,
+through which we might hear all that occurred.
+
+It was this place that we entered, closing the door tightly behind us.
+No sooner were we inside than I heard the voice from the jolly-boat sing
+out:
+
+"Yacht ahoy!"
+
+"Hello, there! Who are you?" was the answer returned.
+
+"Survivors of the schooner Spitfire," said a voice which I recognized as
+that belonging to Lowell. "Will you take us aboard?"
+
+"Yes. Lay to under our bow."
+
+The yacht stopped moving, and a moment later the jolly-boat came
+alongside, and Captain Hannock, Lowell, Crocker, and the sailors stepped
+aboard.
+
+"Who are you?" asked Captain Flagg of Captain Hannock; and I noticed
+that Mr. Henshaw had laid aside his navy-blue suit and badge, and was
+standing by apparently as an ordinary passenger.
+
+Captain Hannock told him, and also introduced the rest.
+
+"My schooner, the Spitfire, bound for Liverpool, took fire and sank," he
+continued. "We just had time to get out the jolly-boat and get a cask of
+water and some few things to eat when she went down."
+
+"Indeed!" replied Captain Flagg. "How did she catch fire?"
+
+"I can't imagine, excepting that it was set afire by a hand on board who
+changed his mind about going and wanted me to let him land before we
+started."
+
+This was certainly cool, to say the least. Of course Captain Hannock
+meant me. Mr. Ranson pinched my arm.
+
+"Where is that man?" asked Mr. Henshaw.
+
+"I don't know. I wanted him to get into the jolly-boat, but he was
+sassy, and told me to mind my own business and he'd look out for
+himself."
+
+"What was his name?"
+
+"Luke Foster. He wasn't very old."
+
+"Are all the rest here?"
+
+"All but the cabin boy."
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"Dead, I guess. My boatswain here says he saw him jump overboard out of
+sheer fright as soon as he saw the fire."
+
+"My, what a whopper!" exclaimed Phil under his breath.
+
+"Yes, I guess he's gone to Davy Jones's locker," put in Lowell. "He was
+a very nervous lad."
+
+Captain Flagg continued to ask questions, and Captain Hannock and the
+others related their experience since the jolly-boat had left the
+Spitfire. He said they had a compass on board, but during the storm it
+had been washed overboard, and they were then compelled to steer by the
+sun and stars. Then the supply of eatables had fallen short and the
+sailors had quarreled among themselves on account of it, though he would
+make no complaint against the poor fellows.
+
+"You don't look starved, Captain Hannock," said Captain Flagg coldly.
+
+"I never show it in my face," was the smooth reply. "But all the same, I
+am mighty hungry."
+
+"You shall have breakfast very soon." And then as Mr. Henshaw gave him a
+peculiar look, the captain continued:
+
+"Won't you step into the cabin?"
+
+"Thanks: I will. Where are you bound?"
+
+"For Boston."
+
+"That will just suit me. I can't pay for the passage though. I haven't
+any money."
+
+"Was your vessel insured?"
+
+"Only about half value."
+
+The two captains and Mr. Henshaw disappeared into the cabin. We waited
+impatiently.
+
+"I guess he's done for," said Phil.
+
+"Yes; Mr. Henshaw intends to arrest them one at a time, so there will be
+no fuss," replied the lawyer.
+
+About five minutes after there was a call for Lowell, and a minute after
+one for Crocker.
+
+"That settles it," said Phil with a grin.
+
+"Were none of the others in it?" asked Mr. Ranson of me.
+
+"I hardly think so."
+
+Just then one of the yacht hands approached us.
+
+"The captain would like to see you in the cabin," he said.
+
+"All of us?" I asked.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+So we went down into the cabin, Mr. Ranson first, Phil following, and
+myself last.
+
+The three prisoners were standing in a row, all heavily handcuffed.
+
+"I demand to know the meaning of this?" Captain Hannock was saying in a
+voice of pretended indignation.
+
+"It means that you are a prisoner," replied Mr. Henshaw.
+
+"I can see that plainly enough," sneered the captain of the late
+schooner. "But why?"
+
+"For burning the Spitfire, with a view of obtaining the high insurance
+upon her."
+
+"Burning the Spitfire! Who ever heard of such a thing!"
+
+And Captain Hannock started back in assumed astonishment.
+
+"We have heard of it; and also of the bogus cargo you carried."
+
+"It's a falsehood!" cried Lowell. "We know nothing of the burning of the
+schooner. I'm almost certain that boy set her on fire."
+
+"What boy?"
+
+"Luke Foster."
+
+"Did you hire him to do it?"
+
+"Hire him? Do you think I am a fool!" shouted Captain Hannock.
+
+"Perhaps I do. The reason I asked was because I know you started out
+with the intention of setting fire to the schooner, or destroying her in
+some way," returned Mr. Henshaw.
+
+"It's false," began Captain Hannock. "The Spitfire was----"
+
+At that instant he stopped short. He had caught sight of us, and his
+face turned a sickly green. No doubt he felt that for once he had been
+thoroughly sold.
+
+Lowell and Crocker also noted our entrance. The sailor fell back in a
+fright. The boatswain turned upon me fiercely.
+
+"You whippersnapper!" he exclaimed. "Where did you come from?"
+
+I offered him no reply, and he went on:
+
+"This is the chap who set the Spitfire on fire."
+
+"We know all about it," said Mr. Henshaw quietly. "For the present you
+three may consider yourselves under arrest."
+
+"It's an outrage," cried Captain Hannock; but evidently his heart was
+not in the words.
+
+"I'll risk it."
+
+"You'll be sorry for it," put in Lowell, who was white with rage.
+
+Mr. Henshaw paid no attention to him.
+
+"Where shall we place them?" he asked of Captain Flagg.
+
+"There is no place but an empty coal locker or two."
+
+"That is good enough."
+
+"Put me into a coal locker!" foamed the boatswain.
+
+"Yes, my man. And let me add that I think a coal locker plenty good
+enough for a man who tries to burn a boy up."
+
+"I won't go!"
+
+"Oh, yes, you will."
+
+"I won't!"
+
+Mr. Henshaw suddenly caught him by the arm. I could see that the clasp
+was as that of steel.
+
+"See here, I want no more nonsense," he said sternly. "You will do just
+as I say. Come along."
+
+He marched Lowell off. The rest of us stood guard over Captain Hannock
+and Crocker.
+
+"You will catch it for this!" said Captain Hannock to Phil.
+
+"Maybe I will," returned the cabin boy. "After this I'm going to look
+out for myself."
+
+"I'll skin you when I get a chance!"
+
+"But you sha'n't get the chance," I put in; "that is, not if I can help
+it."
+
+"You! why, do you know who you are?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You are Felix Stillwell's nephew."
+
+"And what of that?" I asked, wishing to draw him on.
+
+"Oh, nothing, only you'll be sorry for what you've done."
+
+"As Mr. Henshaw says, I'll risk it," I replied.
+
+"You'll risk it?" he repeated, staring at me strangely.
+
+"Yes, I'll risk it."
+
+"You talk like a fool, Foster."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"I can place your uncle in a very bad hole."
+
+"How?"
+
+"Never mind, I can, and that's enough."
+
+"Then you'll have to go and do it, that's all."
+
+"Don't you care?" he asked, considerably astonished at my apparent
+indifference.
+
+"Yes, I care," I replied, honestly. "But if my uncle has done wrong I
+suppose he'll have to suffer for it."
+
+"Perhaps you don't think much of your uncle," he said, suspiciously.
+
+"I do and I don't. He has not treated me right at times."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+"Of course I hate to see him in company, in any transaction, with you,"
+I added, pointedly.
+
+"Don't crow, Foster," he fumed. "The end hasn't been reached yet."
+
+"Not quite; but we'll be close to it when you are landed in the Boston
+jail."
+
+This remark made Captain Hannock more angry than ever, and he began to
+use language that I would not care to remember, much less repeat.
+
+"We'll see," he said at length. "I am not the only one to suffer, when
+this goes into court. Felix Stillwell will catch it, too!"
+
+"Yes, and I reckon I can put in a word or two against this boy of his,"
+put in Crocker, who had been listening to what was going on.
+
+"You may say what you please," I returned, calmly.
+
+"Say, Captain, didn't that uncle of his send him along to set the
+Spitfire on fire?" went on the sailor, suggestively.
+
+"Why, of course he did!" burst out Captain Hannock, caught by the idea.
+"How else would he happen to be on board?"
+
+I must confess I was rather taken back by this cool assertion.
+
+I was about to reply, when Mr. Ranson caught me by the arm and shook his
+head.
+
+"Don't waste time talking to him," said the lawyer. "He will do and say
+what he can to get free, but it will not avail him--he will only twist
+himself up."
+
+"Will I?" sneered Captain Hannock.
+
+"You will. You had better remain quiet and think over what you'll have
+to say when you come up for a hearing in court."
+
+In a moment more Mr. Henshaw reappeared, with the information that since
+Lowell had objected so strongly to the coal locker they had put him in
+the oil closet (the rankest place on board), and now there were two
+lockers for the two remaining prisoners.
+
+Despite their protestations, Captain Hannock and Crocker were quickly
+transferred to their improvised cells. They did not wish to be
+separated, but Mr. Henshaw would have it no other way.
+
+And then we steamed for Boston harbor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+ON LAND ONCE MORE.
+
+
+The Disdain was a fine yacht, and the morning was all that could be
+desired. After the prisoners had been disposed of we all went on deck
+and had a talk over the affair.
+
+I learned that the Disdain had been chartered by Mr. Ranson. He had
+found Captain Flagg without anything to do, a party that was to have
+gone out for a week's cruise having disappointed him at the last moment.
+It had not taken long to get the yacht in trim for the trip, and in the
+mean time the lawyer had hunted up Mr. Henshaw and related the
+particulars of the case.
+
+The government officer had taken the matter in charge without
+hesitation. I did not know his exact authority, but Mr. Ranson assured
+me that it was amply sufficient for the occasion, and on this I rested
+content.
+
+"What will you do when we arrive in Boston?" the lawyer asked me after a
+while.
+
+"I don't know, sir. I suppose I will be wanted at the examination."
+
+"Of course."
+
+"The trouble is I haven't any money," I went on, thinking it would be
+best that my friend should know the exact condition of affairs. "I had
+four dollars and a half, but Captain Hannock or Lowell took it from me."
+
+"Don't let that worry you," he replied with a smile. "Saving my life was
+worth considerable to me, and I do not intend to forget it."
+
+"If you will lend me ten or fifteen dollars----" I began.
+
+"You shall have a hundred if you wish."
+
+"I don't want so much. I intend to pay you back."
+
+"You need not, I----"
+
+"I want to, though."
+
+"You can suit yourself. But let me say that I am your friend, and I
+intend to help you all I can, not only here, but when you reach New
+York. Your uncle will probably have you arrested as soon as you arrive,
+unless he has his hands too full of his own affairs, which I am inclined
+to believe will be so."
+
+"I wish I could get at the bottom of that robbery," I went on earnestly.
+
+"Depend upon it, it will all come out in the end. I have spoken to
+Henshaw about it, and he says he will give the full particulars to a
+fellow officer in New York who will willingly work it up."
+
+"You are very kind," was all I could say.
+
+"While you are in Boston you must be my guest," went on Mr. Ranson. "I
+have a legal connection there as well as in New York, and have rooms at
+the Ridgerow House."
+
+This conversation relieved me of not a little anxiety. I thanked Mr.
+Ranson again.
+
+"And now about your companion," he went on. "What do you know concerning
+him?"
+
+I gave him all the knowledge I possessed. Then Mr. Ranson called Phil
+aside and had a long talk with him.
+
+"And so you are sick of the sea?" said the lawyer at length.
+
+"Yes, sir; tired of the sight of it," exclaimed Phil. "I'd rather do
+anything on land than ship as a cabin boy again."
+
+"Well, I'll see what I can do towards getting you a place in some office
+or store, and until then I'll find you a boarding-house and pay your
+board."
+
+"But Captain Hannock is my guardian."
+
+"He won't be after he is convicted. Have you any relatives?"
+
+"Only an old aunt down at Lynn."
+
+"Do you like her?"
+
+"Yes, sir; very much. But Captain Hannock would not let me visit her."
+
+"Then she may perhaps become your guardian, and let you live in Boston,
+or wherever you find a place. I will fix it up for you if you wish."
+
+"Oh, thank you."
+
+And so it was arranged.
+
+"Tell you what," said the cabin boy, when we were alone, "Mr. Ranson's a
+brick!"
+
+"You're right, Phil," I replied, "and a gold one."
+
+About noon Boston appeared, and shortly after we steamed up the bay. I
+had never visited the "Hub" before, and the sight was to me a novel and
+interesting one.
+
+"We will anchor out in the bay, and go ashore in the small boat," said
+Captain Flagg. "Mr. Henshaw wishes to transact some business before the
+prisoners are transferred."
+
+"Can we go ashore?" I asked.
+
+"You will have to ask Mr. Henshaw."
+
+"I think you can," said Mr. Ranson. "You do not intend to run away, I
+believe."
+
+"Not much," I laughed. "My running away days are over. This has turned
+out very well, but I don't want to try any more."
+
+Presently the government officer came up.
+
+"Of course you can go ashore, and do as you please. Only be on hand at
+the examination, for you both will be needed as witnesses."
+
+It was not long before the small boat was launched, and quite a party
+entered. We soon reached the wharf, and in a body proceeded to one of
+the court buildings, where Mr. Henshaw left us sitting in one of the
+lower rooms.
+
+He was gone full half an hour.
+
+"Come this way, please," he said on his return, and led the way to an
+apartment on the second floor.
+
+"Here are the persons, Judge," he said, presenting us to an elderly
+gentleman sitting in a big chair.
+
+"I know Mr. Ranson very well," was the judge's reply. "Sit down, I wish
+to ask you a number of questions."
+
+So we all sat down. I was the first witness, and all I had to say was
+carefully noted. Then Phil Jones and Mr. Ranson followed; and after an
+hour or more, the judge said he was satisfied.
+
+"I wish all of you to appear here to-morrow morning at ten o'clock," he
+said, as he dismissed us. "I will not bind any of you over, but will
+trust to your honor to do as I wish."
+
+This was satisfactory to all hands, and we left. Out on the street Mr.
+Ranson told Phil to come with him and he would see what he could do for
+him.
+
+"You can come too, Foster, if you wish," he added.
+
+"I think I would prefer to take a walk around the city," I replied. "It
+is all new and strange to me."
+
+"Do just as you think best."
+
+Before we separated the lawyer handed me two five-dollar bills. He would
+have given me a larger amount, but I did not wish it.
+
+"Don't get lost," was his final remark.
+
+"I'll try not to," I replied.
+
+I did not know one street from another, but walked up and down. To me
+all seemed quite different from New York, and the time went by swiftly.
+About the middle of the afternoon I took the cars out to Bunker Hill
+monument and surrounding places of interest.
+
+I returned at supper time. Mr. Ranson had given me directions for
+reaching the Ridgerow House, and I found no difficulty in doing so.
+
+I met him in the hall.
+
+"Ah, here you are," he exclaimed. "Come up to the room and get into
+shape for supper."
+
+He led the way to an elegant room on the second floor.
+
+I was surprised at the sumptuousness of the apartment, and did not
+hesitate to say so.
+
+"It is nice," he returned. "Certainly far better than my quarters were
+at Port Jefferson."
+
+"By the way, won't the people be alarmed for your safety?" I asked.
+
+"I have already telegraphed to them."
+
+I washed up and combed my hair. My clothes were none of the best, but
+they were the best I had, and Mr. Ranson told me I could get another
+suit the first thing in the morning.
+
+Supper at the hotel was an elegant affair, and both of us did full
+justice to it.
+
+During the meal I asked what he had done with Phil.
+
+"I have secured him a position in an office down on the wharves,"
+replied the lawyer. "The work just suits him, and the pay, six dollars a
+week, is, I think, very good to start on. He has written to his aunt
+telling her to come down upon my invitation. As soon as she arrives I
+will fix the matter up so that there will be no trouble."
+
+"I think Captain Hannock has some money belonging to him."
+
+"So Philip tells me. I shall bring him to a strict accounting, and make
+him pay over every penny if he has it."
+
+"I am anxious to get back to New York," I said. "Now I have decided on
+what to do I am impatient to begin."
+
+"I guess you will be able to start by to-morrow noon. I will try to
+arrange it with Judge Boyden, so there will be no trouble. But I am
+sorry I shall not be able to go with you."
+
+"No?" I repeated, in considerable dismay, for I had counted on the
+lawyer accompanying me.
+
+"Business will keep me in Boston for a week or more. But I have already
+written to Mr. Ira Mason to take your case in charge."
+
+"Mr. Mason!" I exclaimed.
+
+"Yes. You said you knew him, and he is as good a lawyer as I could get.
+What do you think of it?"
+
+"I like it very much," I replied.
+
+"I thought you would. I told Mr. Mason to spare no expense to clear you
+and also to have the subject of your uncle's guardianship investigated.
+I know he will do what I asked."
+
+"I am sure he will."
+
+"If you wish to follow my advice write at once to this Mr. Banker, whom
+this Harvey Nottington of London says was to be your guardian. With what
+you now know perhaps he may be able to throw some light on the
+subject."
+
+"I will do so at once," I replied.
+
+As soon as the meal was finished I sat down in the reading-room, and
+wrote a long letter to Mr. Banker, telling him all that happened, and
+what a villain I had found Mr. Stillwell to be. I also said that I
+expected to be in New York the following evening and wished very much he
+would meet me. I likewise quoted the letter from London, and asked why
+my father's wish had not been carried out.
+
+"That will do first-rate," said Mr. Ranson, when I showed it to him.
+
+"I think I will take a walk out and post it," I said, for to write the
+letters had taken over an hour and a half, and I felt somewhat cramped
+from the work.
+
+"All right. You will find me in the room when you return. Remember it is
+number 67."
+
+I walked out upon the busy street. It was brightly lighted, and in the
+evening looked very similar to Fourteenth Street in New York.
+
+I found a mail-box on the corner, and dropped my letter in it.
+
+I was just turning away from the box when I felt a hand on my arm and a
+cheery voice called out:
+
+"Well, dash my toplights, if it ain't Luke Foster! How under the polar
+star did you git here, boy?"
+
+I turned swiftly and found that the man who had addressed me so
+cheerily was none other than Tony Dibble.
+
+"Why, Dibble!" I returned, warmly, and clasped his hand.
+
+"I thought you was on your way to Liverpool."
+
+"I just got in Boston," I returned.
+
+"And where's the Spitfire?"
+
+"At the bottom of the Atlantic, Dibble."
+
+"No!" He stared at me for a moment. "Then the old man----" he began in a
+whisper.
+
+"Hush! not so loud!" I interrupted. "Somebody may overhear you."
+
+"That's so." He lowered his voice still more. "She was really done for,
+then?"
+
+"Yes, burned up."
+
+"Too bad! She was an old tub, nothin' better. But I kinder loved her,
+havin' sailed in her so long. The villains! They ought to be strung up
+to the yard-arm, every one of 'em!"
+
+"How did you get here?" I asked, curiously.
+
+"Just came up from New Bedford. That there lawyer, Ranson, said I had
+better come up here and wait till I heard from him. He was going to git
+a boat and go after the Spitfire."
+
+"He did get a boat, and rescued Phil Jones and I from a raft, after the
+Spitfire was burned."
+
+"Good for him! And where is the captain now?"
+
+"Locked up."
+
+"What!" roared Tony Dibble, in amazement. "Do you mean to tell me they
+caught him red-handed?"
+
+"Hardly, but they caught him, and the others, too."
+
+"Good!"
+
+"Mr. Ranson is now stopping at the Ridgerow House, and I am stopping
+with him."
+
+"Yes, he told me the name of the hotel. I was on the way down there now
+to see if he had got back."
+
+"Perhaps you can help him as a witness against Captain Hannock," I went
+on.
+
+"I reckon I can. I ain't a lovin' the captain much, I can tell you."
+
+"I suppose not."
+
+"No, he was a corker to sail under. It was only the old Spitfire that
+took my eye. But she's gone now----" Tony Dibble wiped the moisture from
+his eyes. "Too bad! Ought to string 'em up, say I!"
+
+"The law will deal with them, never fear."
+
+Dibble was curious to know the full particulars of the going down of the
+Spitfire, and walking to a somewhat retired part of the street, I gave
+them to him. He shook his head over and over again.
+
+"And all my duds a-goin' with her," he said "Who's goin' to pay for
+them?"
+
+"Captain Hannock ought to."
+
+"So he had! Is that there lawyer at the hotel now?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I'm going to see him at once. Coming along?"
+
+"Not just now. I will be back later."
+
+"Just so, Luke; I hope you git justice for bein' left aboard."
+
+And with a shake of his weather-beaten face, Tony Dibble started off for
+the Ridgerow House.
+
+Then I continued my stroll quite a distance. Some of the shop windows
+that were still lighted interested me, and before I knew it I had gone a
+mile, if not more. At length I came to a railroad station. A number of
+trains had just come in, and a crowd of people were streaming from the
+various entrances and I stopped to watch them.
+
+Suddenly some one stopped in blank amazement before me.
+
+"So here's where you have been keeping yourself, young man!" were the
+first words I heard.
+
+Somewhat startled, I looked full at the speaker.
+
+It was my uncle Felix!
+
+"Mr. Stillwell!" I ejaculated.
+
+"Exactly; and you shall not escape me this time!"
+
+And with a very stern face my uncle caught me by the collar.
+
+"Let go of me!" I cried.
+
+"Not much! And don't you dare to try to break away, for if you do I will
+hand you over to the first policeman that appears!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+MR. FELIX STILLWELL'S MOVE.
+
+
+I was thoroughly astounded at being confronted by my uncle Felix in
+Boston. I was under the impression that he was at his place in New York
+City, and for a moment I did not know what to do.
+
+"Yes, sir, young man, don't you dare to break away, or the first
+policeman shall have you," he repeated, as he tightened his grasp.
+
+"Let go of my collar!" was all I replied.
+
+"Not a bit of it."
+
+"Yes, you will."
+
+And with a twist I pulled myself loose.
+
+"Police!" he called loudly.
+
+"Keep quiet," said I, "I'm not going to run away."
+
+"Oh-ho! So you've had enough of it," he exclaimed in derision.
+
+"Never mind what I've had. I am not going to run away, that's all."
+
+"Seems to me you are getting mighty independent," he sneered.
+
+"I have a right to be."
+
+He looked at me sharply.
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"That is my affair."
+
+"Why, you young rascal, I----"
+
+"Hold up, Mr. Stillwell, I'm no rascal."
+
+"Yes, you are! What have you done with that six thousand dollars you
+took from the safe?"
+
+"I never took six thousand dollars from the safe, and you know it," I
+returned, with spirit.
+
+As I spoke I noticed my uncle closely, and saw that he turned slightly
+pale.
+
+"You took that money, Luke. What's the use of denying it longer?"
+
+"You cannot prove it, Mr. Stillwell. I might as well say you took it."
+
+"Why--why--you--you----" he stammered.
+
+"Are you sure the safe contained six thousand dollars?" I went on.
+
+"Of course I am! Didn't Mr. Grinder give me the money only the afternoon
+before?"
+
+"And you are sure you placed it in the safe?"
+
+"See here, boy; one would suppose I was the one who had committed the
+crime."
+
+"And why not you as much as me?" I asked, as coolly as I could.
+
+"Do you mean that I didn't place the money in the safe?" he demanded.
+
+"That's just what I do mean."
+
+"You young rascal----"
+
+"Hold up, Uncle Felix, I----"
+
+"I'm not your uncle any more! I disown you."
+
+"I am willing to be disowned. You have not treated me rightly for years;
+in fact, ever since my father and mother died."
+
+"I've done more for you than you deserved."
+
+"You let me work like a slave for next to nothing. Now, if you think you
+are going to send me to prison on such a charge as this you are entirely
+mistaken."
+
+"You come along with me, and you'll soon see."
+
+"I am willing to come along; but you will get the worst of it, mark my
+words!"
+
+After this we walked along in silence for a few feet. Now that he had me
+he was evidently at a loss what to do next.
+
+"What brought you to Boston?" I asked, just to see what he would say.
+
+"None of your business!"
+
+"Oh; all right. I wondered how you knew I was here."
+
+"You can keep on wondering."
+
+I supposed I could. My words had evidently completely upset Mr.
+Stillwell.
+
+"Are you ready to go to New York with me?" he asked suddenly.
+
+I thought a moment. What of the examination in the morning?
+
+"I will if you will let me go to the hotel first," was my reply.
+
+"Been putting up at a hotel, have you? Nice way to live on other
+people's money!"
+
+"Will you let me go?"
+
+"Yes, but not for long."
+
+"Are you going back to-night?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+This was somewhat of a surprise to me. I had thought that he intended to
+wait until the arrival of Captain Hannock with the news of the loss of
+the Spitfire.
+
+But his next words solved the problem.
+
+"I shall not be satisfied until I have put you under proper care. You
+are a dangerous boy to have around."
+
+Now it was perfectly clear. He intended to take me to New York, have me
+locked up, and then return by the next train to Boston. But for once Mr.
+Stillwell had missed his calculations.
+
+"What hotel are you stopping at?"
+
+"Ridgerow House."
+
+"Humph! mighty fine place for you, it strikes me!"
+
+"It is fine."
+
+Seeing that he could make nothing out of me, he relapsed into silence.
+
+It was not long before we reached the Ridgerow House.
+
+"Is Mr. Ranson in?" I asked of the clerk.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Will you please send word that I would like to see him in the parlor at
+once?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Mr. Stillwell started on hearing the name.
+
+"Whom did you ask for?" he inquired.
+
+I told him.
+
+"Oscar Ranson?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"What do you want of him?"
+
+"That is my affair."
+
+Mr. Stillwell was much disturbed. He walked up and down impatiently.
+
+"Thought you said you were stopping at this hotel," he demanded.
+
+"So I did."
+
+"This doesn't look like it."
+
+"I occupy a room with Mr. Ranson."
+
+"Where did you meet him?"
+
+"Excuse me, but that is my business."
+
+At this reply my uncle was very angry. He wanted to let loose a flood of
+bad temper, but did not dare to do so in that public place.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+ON THE CARS.
+
+
+In a few moments Mr. Ranson came down, followed by Tony Dibble. On
+catching sight of Mr. Stillwell, the lawyer was greatly surprised.
+
+"Mr. Stillwell!" he exclaimed.
+
+"How are you, Ranson," replied my uncle gruffly.
+
+"Pretty well, but I didn't expect----"
+
+"Neither did I."
+
+"I came to see you before going to New York," I broke in hastily. "I met
+Mr. Stillwell at the depot, and he insists on my accompanying him back
+at once."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"And I wish to speak to you in private before I go," I added, in a
+whisper.
+
+We walked to one side. Mr. Stillwell was itching to hear what was said,
+but I gave him no opportunity of doing so.
+
+In a few hurried words I told the lawyer what had happened, and asked
+his advice.
+
+"Go to New York with him, and keep him there if possible," said Mr.
+Ranson. "Mr. Henshaw or his agent will be down soon and arrest him. I
+will fix matters with the judge."
+
+"Shall I say anything to him?"
+
+"No, let Mr. Mason do it for you."
+
+A little more conversation passed between us, and then I announced my
+readiness to start.
+
+"And good luck go with you," said Mr. Ranson in a voice loud enough for
+Mr. Stillwell to hear, and it made his nose go up in anger.
+
+"Hope you're done," he snarled.
+
+"Yes, sir, quite finished."
+
+"Then come along."
+
+Mr. Stillwell marched me out of the hotel and down the street without
+further words.
+
+"Going right to New York?"
+
+"None of your business."
+
+"But it is my business," and I stood still.
+
+"Can't you see we are?" he retorted.
+
+After this hardly a word passed between us. When he arrived at the depot
+he said sourly:
+
+"I suppose you haven't any ticket?"
+
+"I haven't."
+
+"Have you any money to buy it with?"
+
+"If you want me to go to New York you will have to buy me a ticket," was
+my reply.
+
+We marched up to the ticket-office, and with very bad grace he purchased
+me a single ticket.
+
+"When does the train start?" he inquired of the agent.
+
+"In ten minutes."
+
+"That suits. Come on;" the latter to me.
+
+We boarded the train. Mr. Stillwell found a vacant seat in the middle of
+the car, and insisted on my taking the inside, next the window. Then he
+placed himself between me and the aisle.
+
+"Now I want none of your fooling," he said, as he settled back.
+
+I made no reply, and we rode on in perfect silence.
+
+I sat awake for a long time. I could not speculate upon what the future
+held in store for me. I well knew that Mr. Stillwell was a deep one, and
+I determined to trust him no further than was absolutely necessary.
+
+"When will we reach New York?" I asked.
+
+There was no reply, and turning, I saw that his eyes were closed.
+
+I was pretty sure he was shamming, and to prove it, made a slight
+movement as if to rise.
+
+Instantly his eyes were wide open.
+
+"No, you don't. Sit down there," he cried.
+
+I repeated my question.
+
+"Not before to-morrow morning."
+
+Then he closed his eyes again, and I did not further disturb him.
+
+Outside of the car all was dark, and as I could not see any of the
+scenery through which we were passing, the ride soon grew monotonous.
+
+Finally my head began to fall forward; and before I knew it I was fast
+asleep.
+
+I slept for about an hour. Then I awoke with a start.
+
+Mr. Felix Stillwell's hand was in my coat pocket!
+
+I could hardly believe the evidence of my senses when I found Mr.
+Stillwell's hand where it was. Was my uncle trying to rob me? I did not
+open my eyes, but moved slightly to one side, uttering a deep sigh as I
+did so. Instantly the hand was withdrawn, and when, a moment later, I
+sat up, I saw that he was lying back as if in the soundest sleep.
+
+There was no more slumber for me that night, and in order to keep awake
+I sat bolt upright. This evidently did not please my companion, for
+presently he too sat up and looked at me sharply.
+
+"You might as well go to sleep," he said. "We have a long ride before
+us. I thought I wouldn't go to the expense of tickets for the
+sleeping-car."
+
+"I've had a nap," I replied.
+
+"It wasn't very long."
+
+"Long enough."
+
+"Humph!"
+
+My uncle sank back again, but I could see that he was put out. No doubt
+he had counted upon searching my clothing and finding some clew to what
+I had done and intended to do.
+
+It was all I could do to keep awake, but I managed to do so with the aid
+of an early morning paper I bought on the train.
+
+The paper was one from New York that had just come from the metropolis
+on the three o'clock paper train. I spread it open, and was rather
+startled to behold the following heading to one of the columns:
+
+     SET ON FIRE!
+
+     THE SCHOONER SPITFIRE GIVEN OVER TO THE FLAMES.
+
+     ARREST OF CAPTAIN HANNOCK FOR TRYING TO DEFRAUD THE INSURANCE
+     COMPANIES.
+
+     WAS THE CARGO BOGUS?
+
+And then followed a description of the arrest by Mr. Henshaw, and a
+harrowing account of two boys (Phil and myself), who had been left on
+board to be burned, and of the reasons for believing that the cargo was
+bogus, and that three New York merchants were supposed to be interested
+in the venture.
+
+Of course the newspaper item was right in some particulars, but it was
+terribly overdrawn, and I could not help hut smile as I read it.
+
+I wondered what Mr. Stillwell would say when he saw it. I determined to
+keep the paper away from him, it being time enough for him to hear of
+what had happened when he arrived in New York.
+
+By the time I had finished reading the train was approaching the upper
+part of the city.
+
+"Let me see the paper," said Mr. Stillwell.
+
+As he spoke I had the paper rolled up and resting on the sill of the
+window, which was open. Not wishing to refuse him directly, I gave the
+sheet a slight shove with my arm, and this sent it fluttering away.
+
+"It's gone," I replied. "It's dropped out of the window."
+
+"You threw it out on purpose," he growled. "Luke, you're getting more
+uncivil every day."
+
+"We have different opinions about that," I returned, with an air of
+utter indifference.
+
+I knew he was too close to town to buy a paper then. There would be one
+at the office and he would wait until he could get that.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+BACK IN NEW YORK.
+
+
+We soon reached the depot, and, leaving it, took an Elevated train down
+town.
+
+"Now, Luke, for the last and only time, are you going to give up that
+money?"
+
+My uncle asked me that question as we alighted from the train.
+
+"There is no necessity for your asking that question, Mr. Stillwell," I
+replied. "I have said all I care to on that subject."
+
+"Do you know what I am going to do with you?"
+
+"Have me locked up, I suppose."
+
+"More than that; I am going to have you sent to the State prison for a
+number of years. I hate to do it, but it's the only way to manage you."
+
+"Perhaps it won't be an easy matter to send me to prison."
+
+"I have proof enough, never fear."
+
+"I don't think so; and let me say, if you disgrace me by an arrest, I
+will make it as hot for you as I can."
+
+"You are an angel, I must say."
+
+"I don't pretend to be an angel. I'm nothing but an everyday boy, and
+I've got a temper just as well as any one. I've always tried to do my
+duty, both to you and to others, and I can't see why you should suspect
+me any more than Gus or one of your partners, or--or yourself."
+
+"What!"
+
+"Yes, I mean just what I say. I am not guilty, and I am half inclined to
+believe you know it."
+
+"You villain!"
+
+"If you have me arrested, I'll make you prove that you put the money in
+the safe and that Gus didn't take it out."
+
+"You scamp! Do you think that any one will doubt my word?"
+
+"Perhaps they will."
+
+"I have been a well-known citizen here for twelve years; I think not."
+
+"Folks don't all know you as I do. When they hear of some of the things
+you have done they will think differently."
+
+"What things?"
+
+"Never mind; you'll know soon enough."
+
+Mr. Stillwell was evidently much disturbed. He pursed up his lips
+savagely.
+
+"You speak as if I had committed some great crime," he cried.
+
+"Maybe you have."
+
+He grew pale for an instant; but quickly recovered himself.
+
+"Don't try to scare me, Luke; it won't work."
+
+"I am not trying to scare you."
+
+"Yes, you are."
+
+"I am only trying to prepare you for what may come."
+
+"I want no help from you."
+
+"Very well; but remember, you will be sorry for what you do."
+
+I said no more, and my uncle did not continue the conversation.
+
+It was not long before we reached Nassau Street. As we passed along I
+could not help but think of the day I had so unceremoniously left Mr.
+Banker and my uncle. How much had occurred since that time! What an
+experience I had had, and how much I had learned!
+
+I speculated upon the time it would take for Mr. Banker to receive my
+letter and reach New York, and if Mr. Mason had heard from Mr. Ranson
+and would be ready for my return.
+
+I hoped from the bottom of my heart all would yet be right. I hated the
+thought of going to jail, even if only for a few hours. I knew the stain
+would cling.
+
+"What did Mr. Banker do after I left?" I asked.
+
+"None of your business," growled Mr. Stillwell.
+
+"He did not think I was guilty," I went on.
+
+"I don't care what he thought."
+
+"And Mr. Mason; did he think I was guilty?"
+
+"Mr. Mason is a fool--always was."
+
+From this I inferred that my lawyer friend had thought as Mr. Banker
+did--that I was innocent. This gave me not a little satisfaction.
+
+"How did you come to meet Ranson?" he asked after a pause.
+
+"I might say that it was none of your business----" I began.
+
+"You scamp!"
+
+"But I will not. I saved Mr. Ranson's life."
+
+"Saved his life! I want none of your jokes, please!"
+
+"I am not joking. He says I saved his life, and I am willing to take his
+word for it."
+
+"How was it?"
+
+"I was on board a boat, and his boat was swamped, so I pulled him on
+board."
+
+"And so you became friends?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Humph! you might have made a better choice!"
+
+"I think Mr. Ranson a very nice man. He certainly treated me extremely
+well."
+
+"He's of small account."
+
+"He said you and he were not on good terms."
+
+"What did he do for you for saving him?"
+
+"He offered to do a great deal."
+
+"I suppose so. He's mighty free as far as words go."
+
+It made Mr. Stillwell feel sore to think I had so many friends. He
+knitted his eyebrows and said no more until we reached the office.
+
+When we arrived we found no one but my cousin Gus in charge. Mr. Grinder
+was still away, and Mr. Canning had not yet arrived.
+
+"Hello! so you're back!" exclaimed Gus. "Thought you'd get sick of
+running away."
+
+I offered no reply, and he continued:
+
+"What did you mean by insinuating that I took the money from the safe?"
+
+"If you didn't, what were you doing in the office that morning when you
+said you were going to Coney Island?"
+
+"Who says I was at the office?"
+
+"I do; and I can prove it."
+
+Gus reddened.
+
+"Well, I will own up that I was here, but I didn't go near the safe."
+
+"So you say. But if you didn't, what were you doing here?"
+
+"Don't answer him, Augustus," put in my uncle sternly. "What right have
+you to cross-question my son?" he demanded, turning to me.
+
+"If he doesn't answer I may have him arrested," was my firm reply.
+
+"What!"
+
+"I mean every word I say."
+
+"Have me arrested!" cried Gus, turning pale.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I--I came to put the office in disorder so that you would catch it," he
+faltered. "I tore up some paper and spilt the ink, but I didn't go near
+the safe."
+
+"It was a mighty small revenge," was my reply.
+
+"I--I--know it. But you stole the money," he continued triumphantly.
+
+"I did not; and you will have a job to prove it."
+
+"We'll do it, never fear. Won't we, pop?"
+
+"I think we will, Augustus. But I fear Luke is in a very unhappy frame
+of mind. He doesn't seem to realize the enormity of his crime."
+
+"He will when he's behind the bars."
+
+"I trust so."
+
+"I will never realize what I am not guilty of. What are you going to do
+with me next?"
+
+"Just sit down until I finish the morning mail and you will see.
+Augustus, watch him so that he does not escape again."
+
+"Don't fear. I told you I would not run away; and I always keep my
+word."
+
+I sat down on a chair, and Mr. Stillwell began to look over his letters.
+I wondered what would happen next, but I was not quite prepared for what
+did happen.
+
+Suddenly the door opened, and Mr. Canning rushed in. He held a morning
+paper in his hand, and was highly excited.
+
+"What does this mean?" he demanded of my uncle.
+
+"What does what mean, Mr. Canning?" asked Mr. Stillwell, as sweetly as
+he could.
+
+"This account of the burning of the Spitfire?"
+
+"Dear! dear! the Spitfire burned!" cried my uncle, wringing his hands in
+assumed anguish. "And I had a cargo on board of her, and but partly
+insured!"
+
+"Yes; and this paper states that the vessel was set on fire by the
+captain and his accomplices," went on Mr. Canning.
+
+With a bound my uncle was on his feet.
+
+"It can't be true," he cried, hoarsely.
+
+"The officers of the law claim that it is true. But that is not the
+worst of it. They claim that the cargo was a bogus one, and that you are
+guilty of fraud. Foster, here----"
+
+Mr. Canning did not continue. With a deep groan my uncle had sunk back
+into his office chair like one dead!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED DEATH.
+
+
+I was alarmed when my uncle fell back in his chair as one dead. I knew
+that his heart was affected, and that any sudden shock might prove
+serious to him.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Canning, starting forward.
+
+"The news has been too much for him," I replied.
+
+"You've killed my father!" cried Gus, white with fear. "He's troubled
+with his heart, and what you have said has done him up."
+
+"I sincerely trust not," replied the junior partner. "Let us raise him
+up, and some one go for a doctor."
+
+We made him as comfortable as possible and opened all the doors and
+windows. Then while Gus hurried off for a physician, Mr. Canning applied
+his ear to the unconscious man's breast.
+
+"His heart still beats," he exclaimed. "I trust he gets over it."
+
+We procured some water and bathed my uncle's face, and Mr. Canning
+poured some wine that was in the desk down his throat.
+
+"Is this report true?" he asked as we were doing what we could for the
+unfortunate man.
+
+"Yes, sir, it is."
+
+The junior partner shook his head.
+
+"I have suspected Mr. Stillwell for some time," he said slowly. "I was
+not in the firm a week before I was sorry I had invested my money with
+them."
+
+"Do you think I am guilty?"
+
+"Hardly, Foster; but Mr. Stillwell seemed so positive."
+
+"I don't think the money was ever put in the safe, sir," I went on.
+
+"What makes you think that?"
+
+"Because Mr. Stillwell was not acting rightly about my late father's
+estate, and as I was beginning to suspect him he wished to get me out of
+the way."
+
+"Ah, I see! I am afraid he has got himself in a bad fix."
+
+"I am afraid so too, but it is not my fault, Mr. Canning."
+
+A moment later Gus returned with a doctor. The physician shook his head
+when he beheld my uncle.
+
+"I have been called to attend him once before," he said. "He is not at
+all strong, and this may prove worse than you imagine."
+
+"Will it be fatal?" I cried.
+
+"I trust not, but I cannot say for certain. The best thing is to get him
+home where he can have perfect quiet."
+
+At these words Gus began to shed tears. I could not help but feel sorry
+for him, and also for my aunt and my cousin Lillian when they should
+hear the news.
+
+I went out and procured the easiest coach I could find, and inside of it
+we placed Mr. Stillwell, with the physician beside him, and Gus on the
+seat with the driver.
+
+"Are you coming along?" asked my cousin.
+
+"No; but I will be up later," I replied.
+
+We watched the coach out of sight up the busy street, and then Mr.
+Canning and I returned to the office.
+
+"It is a bad state of affairs," said the junior partner. "I doubt, after
+what the doctor has said, if your uncle ever puts foot in the office
+again."
+
+"I hardly know what to do," I replied.
+
+And to tell the truth, my mind was in a whirl of excitement. The
+unexpected turn of affairs bewildered me.
+
+While we were discussing matters there was a knock on the door, and Mr.
+Mason came in.
+
+"What, Foster, back already! I knew you were coming, but did not expect
+you so soon."
+
+"Did you receive Mr. Ranson's letter?" I asked.
+
+"Yes; and came to have a talk with Mr. Stillwell. Where is he?"
+
+In a few words I told him what had happened. The lawyer was much
+surprised.
+
+"This will change things a great deal, especially if your uncle does not
+recover," he said. "I think we ought to go up to the house and see him."
+
+"But he is very ill----" I began.
+
+"All the more reason we should see him. He may have something to say
+before his death, if this stroke is fatal."
+
+I could not help but shiver at the words. It seemed awful to me that my
+uncle should die, at such a time, when he was least prepared!
+
+"I'll do whatever you think best, Mr. Mason," I replied.
+
+"Then come. We will go at once. Delays are always dangerous."
+
+In a moment more we were on the way. While seated in the Elevated car he
+asked me to tell him my whole story, and I did so, just as I have
+written it here.
+
+"Will you let me see that letter from London?" he asked.
+
+I did so. He read it carefully.
+
+"I believe this Nottington is right," he said. "I have found that he is
+a gentleman in good standing, and that counts for much."
+
+"I wish Mr. Banker had been my guardian from the start," I replied.
+
+When we arrived at my uncle's home I found that he had been brought in
+but ten minutes before. The entire household was in a great state of
+alarm in consequence.
+
+We met my aunt in the lower hall. No sooner did she catch sight of me
+than she swooped down upon me.
+
+"You are to blame for all this, Luke Foster," she cried in her shrill
+voice.
+
+"I can't see how," I replied as calmly as I could.
+
+"You are. You upset him by robbing the safe and then running away."
+
+"I don't think the boy is guilty, madam," put in Mr. Mason. "We all make
+mistakes, and----"
+
+"There is no mistake here. If my husband dies this boy will be the sole
+cause."
+
+And without waiting for a reply Mrs. Stillwell swept by us and up the
+stairs.
+
+I took Mr. Mason into the parlor, a room that I hardly knew, although I
+had lived in the house about two years. Presently Gus came down the
+stairs.
+
+"You here!" he exclaimed. "What brought you? Haven't you done harm
+enough?"
+
+"I don't want to do harm. I thought I might just see your father, and
+then go away."
+
+"Well, he just asked for you," was Gus's unexpected reply. "But ma said
+you weren't to be let up."
+
+"If he asked I'm going," I said with a sudden determination.
+
+I ran up the stairs at once. At the head I met Mrs. Stillwell.
+
+"Where are you going?" she asked coldly.
+
+"To see Uncle Felix."
+
+"Well, I guess you are not!"
+
+"Gus says he asked for me."
+
+"I don't care. You shall not see the poor man."
+
+"Excuse me, madam, but I will," I replied, and brushed past her and on
+to the door of my uncle's room.
+
+She caught me by the arm.
+
+"You just march downstairs!" she cried.
+
+"Is that Luke?" came a feeble voice from within.
+
+"Yes, Uncle Felix," I hastened to reply.
+
+"Let him come in, dear; I must see him."
+
+With a very bad grace Mrs. Stillwell allowed me to enter. At first she
+was about to follow, but her husband motioned her away, and she was
+forced to withdraw.
+
+My uncle lay on the bed. His face was deadly white and awfully haggard.
+He held out his hand.
+
+"I'm glad you've come, Luke," he said, with something that sounded like
+a sigh. "The doctor tells me I cannot last long."
+
+"Oh, Uncle Felix!"
+
+"Never mind, it is for the best. I have done wrong, and death is better
+than public disgrace. Did you come alone?"
+
+"No, sir; Mr. Mason is with me."
+
+"Mason!"
+
+"Yes, sir; I asked him to come with me. He is to be my lawyer if I am
+arrested."
+
+"Do not fear; you will not be. I own up; that money was not stolen. I
+was afraid you had brought with you the officers of the law. Do you know
+anything of this--this Spitfire affair?"
+
+"I know all about it. I was on board the vessel when she burned."
+
+"You!"
+
+My uncle was greatly astonished, and he finally persuaded me to tell my
+story. When I had concluded he asked me to call up Mr. Mason, and I did
+so.
+
+The three of us were closeted for fully an hour. What took place will be
+told hereafter.
+
+At the end of the interview my uncle was very weak. The doctor was
+called in and he revived him, but it was not for long. He died at
+sundown.
+
+His funeral, three days later, was a large one, made up, not only of
+mourners, but also of those who came out of curiosity to see the remains
+of the man who had lived such a double life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+My uncle's deathbed revelation was a strange one. In brief, it was as
+follows:
+
+At the time my father and mother were killed he was in a sore financial
+strait, and needed money to keep himself from failing and losing every
+dollar he possessed.
+
+He had applied to my father for relief, and my parent was about to grant
+him considerable assistance when the fatal catastrophe occurred.
+
+Mr. Stillwell had immediately taken a steamer for England, and on
+arriving there, took entire charge of my father's affairs, though not
+without some difficulty with the English bankers, who held my father's
+funds in trust.
+
+On examining my father's private papers, my uncle was not a little
+chagrined to find that Mr. Banker was to be appointed my guardian, there
+being a will to that effect, a will that Mr. Mason and I afterwards
+found among Mr. Stillwell's papers.
+
+Mr. Banker was not on good terms with my uncle, so the latter knew that
+if the former became my guardian the loan that my father had consented
+to make would most likely never be carried out. In this predicament my
+uncle had taken his first wrong step. He had hidden my father's will and
+brought forth an old one in which he himself was named as guardian.
+
+This wrong step accomplished, the rest was easy enough. But my uncle's
+original intention had been to treat me fairly, just as if Mr. Banker
+had been my guardian.
+
+Yet in the end the temptation to use the money for his own benefit was
+too strong for him, and he had ended by losing something like ten
+thousand dollars out of an estate worth fifty.
+
+It was then that he had met Captain Hannock, who was an old school chum,
+and been persuaded to go into the scheme that had ended so disastrously.
+The remainder the reader already knows.
+
+By a paper drawn up by Mr. Mason, Uncle Felix placed the charge of his
+affairs entirely in the lawyer's hands. Mr. Mason was to settle his
+estate, pay all that was due to me over to Mr. Banker, my new guardian,
+and then settle the remainder upon Gus and Lillian, taking out, of
+course, my aunt's share as his widow.
+
+Although my uncle did not say so, I am pretty well satisfied that much
+of his wrongdoing was attributable to his wife, who was a very proud and
+extravagant woman. This, I think, is why he left her no more than he
+did.
+
+The day before my uncle's funeral Mr. Banker came down to the city. He
+shook me warmly by the hand and slyly asked me if I had enough of the
+sea.
+
+"Yes, indeed," I replied. "Life on shipboard is well enough to read
+about, but the city is good enough for me."
+
+"And what do you propose to do now?" he asked.
+
+"You are my guardian. I suppose I'll have to do as you wish me to."
+
+"No, Luke; you are old enough to choose for yourself."
+
+"Then let me say that I would like to go to college and finish the
+education my father intended I should have."
+
+"So be it," replied Mr. Banker.
+
+All this happened six years ago. During that time great changes have
+taken place.
+
+Immediately after my uncle's death my aunt removed to her former home in
+Boston, taking Gus and Lillian with her. They never write to me or come
+to New York, and I am content to leave them go their own way.
+
+Captain Hannock and Lowell are both in prison, the former with ten years
+to serve and the latter five. Crocker was discharged about a month ago.
+I have never seen any of them since the day they were sentenced in the
+Boston court-room, and I trust I never shall.
+
+Mr. Oscar Ranson still spends his time between the "Hub" and the
+metropolis, and in him I have a true friend. Phil Jones has now a
+responsible position on the wharfs, at a good salary, and as the work
+just suits him, he will no doubt rise rapidly. His old aunt has become
+his guardian, and she holds in trust for him two thousand dollars which
+Captain Hannock was compelled to pay over because it belonged to the
+cabin boy's late father. Tony Dibble is at sea.
+
+Two years ago, in company with Harry Banker, I finished my course at
+college, and now I am duly installed in Mr. Mason's office as his
+private clerk. Having a good home with my employer, I am happy, and that
+being so, what more is there to say?
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+EDWARD STRATEMEYER'S BOOKS
+
+
+Old Glory Series
+
+    UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA.
+    A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA.
+    FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS.
+    UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
+    THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE.
+    UNDER MacARTHUR IN LUZON.
+
+Stratemeyer Popular Series
+
+    THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE.
+    REUBEN STONE'S DISCOVERY.
+    TRUE TO HIMSELF.
+    RICHARD DARE'S VENTURE.
+    OLIVER BRIGHT'S SEARCH.
+    TO ALASKA FOR GOLD.
+    THE YOUNG AUCTIONEER.
+    BOUND TO BE AN ELECTRICIAN.
+    SHORTHAND TOM. THE REPORTER.
+    FIGHTING FOR HIS OWN.
+
+Soldiers of Fortune Series
+
+    ON TO PEKIN.
+    AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR.
+    UNDER THE MIKADO'S FLAG.
+    WITH TOGO FOR JAPAN.
+
+American Boys' Biographical Series
+
+    AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY.
+    AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
+
+Colonial Series
+
+    WITH WASHINGTON IN THE WEST.
+    MARCHING ON NIAGARA.
+    AT THE FALL OF MONTREAL.
+    THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS.
+    ON THE TRAIL OF PONTIAC.
+    TRAIL AND TRADING POST.
+
+Pan-American Series
+
+
+    LOST ON THE ORINOCO.
+    THE YOUNG VOLCANO EXPLORERS.
+    YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE ISTHMUS.
+    YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE AMAZON.
+
+Dave Porter Series
+
+    DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL.
+    DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS.
+
+
+THE STRATEMEYER POPULAR SERIES
+
+
+Since the passing of Henty, Edward Stratemeyer is the most widely read
+of all living writers for the young, and each year extends the vast and
+enthusiastic throng. In obedience to the popular demand we have
+established this POPULAR SERIES comprising ten representative books by
+this great writer, on which special prices can be made. The stories are
+bright and breezy, moral in tone, and while full of adventure, are not
+sensational. These books, at a popular price, will be a rare treat for
+the boys and girls.
+
+1. The Last Cruise of the Spitfire Or Luke Foster's Strange Voyage
+
+2. Reuben Stone's Discovery Or The Young Miller of Torrent Bend
+
+3. True to Himself Or Roger Strong's Struggle for Place
+
+4. Richard Dare's Venture Or Striking Out for Himself
+
+5. Oliver Bright's Search Or The Mystery of a Mine
+
+6. To Alaska for Gold Or The Fortune Hunters of the Yukon
+
+7. The Young Auctioneer Or The Polishing of a Rolling Stone
+
+8. Bound to be an Electrician Or Franklin Bell's Success
+
+9. Shorthand Tom the Reporter Or The Exploits of a Bright Boy
+
+10. Fighting for His Own Or The Fortunes of a Young Artist
+
+
+THE FAMOUS "OLD GLORY SERIES"
+
+    UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA
+    Or The War Fortunes of a Castaway
+
+    A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA
+    Or Fighting for the Single Star
+
+    FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS
+    Or Under Schley on the Brooklyn
+
+    UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES
+    Or A Young Officer in the Tropics
+
+    THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE
+    Or Under Lawton through Luzon
+
+    UNDER MACARTHUR IN LUZON
+    Or Last Battles in the Philippines
+
+
+"A boy once addicted to Stratemeyer stays by him."--_The Living Church._
+
+"The boys' delight--the 'Old Glory Series.'"--_The Christian Advocate,
+New York._
+
+"Stratemeyer's style suits the boys."--JOHN TERHUNE, _Supt. of Public
+Instruction, Bergen Co., New Jersey._
+
+"Mr. Stratemeyer is in a class by himself when it comes to writing about
+American heroes, their brilliant doings on land and sea."--_Times,
+Boston._
+
+"Mr. Stratemeyer has written a series of books which, while historically
+correct and embodying the most important features of the
+Spanish-American War and the rebellion of the Filipinos, are
+sufficiently interwoven with fiction to render them most entertaining to
+young readers."--_The Call, San Francisco._
+
+
+THE COLONIAL SERIES
+
+
+    WITH WASHINGTON IN THE WEST
+    Or A Soldier Boy's Battles in the Wilderness
+
+    MARCHING ON NIAGARA
+    Or The Soldier Boys of the Old Frontier
+
+    AT THE FALL OF MONTREAL
+    Or A Soldier Boy's Final Victory
+
+    ON THE TRAIL OF PONTIAC
+    Or The Pioneer Boys of the Ohio
+
+    THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS
+    Or The Soldier Boys of the Indian Trails
+
+    TRAIL AND TRADING POST
+    Or The Young Hunters of the Ohio
+
+"Mr. Stratemeyer has put his best work into the 'Colonial
+Series.'"--_Christian Register, Boston._
+
+"A series that doesn't fall so very far short of being history
+itself."--_Boston Courier._
+
+"The tales of war are incidental to the dramatic adventures of two boys,
+so well told that the historical facts are all the better
+remembered."--_Boston Globe._
+
+"Edward Stratemeyer has in many volumes shown himself master of the art
+of producing historic studies in the pleasing story form."--_Minneapolis
+Journal._
+
+"The author, Edward Stratemeyer, has used his usual care in matters of
+historical detail and accuracy, and gives a splendid picture of the
+times in general."--_Milwaukee Sentinel._
+
+"Told by one who knows how to write so as to interest boys, while still
+having a care as to accuracy."--_Commercial Advertiser, New York._
+
+
+AMERICAN BOYS' BIOGRAPHICAL SERIES
+
+
+VOLUME ONE
+
+AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY
+
+Here is told the whole story of McKinley's boyhood days, his life at
+school and at college, his work as a school teacher, his glorious career
+in the army, his struggles to obtain a footing as a lawyer, his efforts
+as a Congressman and a Governor, and lastly his prosperous career as our
+President, all told in a style particularly adapted to boys and young
+men. The book is full of interesting anecdotes, all taken from life,
+showing fully the sincere, honest, painstaking efforts of a life cut all
+too short. The volume will prove an inspiration to all boys and young
+men, and should be in every library.
+
+For nearly a year Mr. Stratemeyer has been gathering material and giving
+careful study to the life of the young William, his childhood, his
+boyhood, and all his inspiring and romantic history. The story was
+nearing its end when the awful finale came and tragedy ended the drama
+of President McKinley's life.--_New York Journal._
+
+
+VOLUME TWO
+
+AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT
+
+
+This excellent work for young people covers the whole life of our
+strenuous executive, as school-boy, college student, traveler, author,
+hunter and ranchman, as assemblyman, as civil service commissioner, as
+Assistant Secretary of the Navy, as a daring rough rider, as Governor of
+New York, and lastly as President. Full of stories taken from real life
+and told in a manner to interest both young and old.
+
+     We unreservedly recommend Mr. Stratemeyer's books for boys.
+     They are wholesome, accurate as to historical details and
+     always interesting.--_Boston Times._
+
+
+GOOD BOOKS FOR BOYS
+
+LARRY THE WANDERER Or The Rise of a Nobody
+
+This is a plain tale of everyday life, written especially for boys and
+girls who do not care particularly for stories with a historical or
+geographical background. Larry is a youth who has been knocked around
+from pillar to post for a number of years. The unravelling of the
+curious mystery which surrounds the lad's identity makes good reading.
+
+JOE, THE SURVEYOR Or The Value of a Lost Claim
+
+This story relates the trials and triumphs of a sturdy country youth,
+who is compelled, by the force of circumstances, to go forth into the
+world and earn, not alone his own living, but also support for his twin
+sister and his invalid father.
+
+TWO YOUNG LUMBERMEN Or From Maine to Oregon for Fortune
+
+A splendid story, the scene shifting from Maine to Michigan and the
+Great Lakes, and then to the Columbia and the Great North-west. The
+heroes are two sturdy youths who have been brought up among the
+lumbermen of their native State, and who strike out in an honest
+endeavor to better their condition. An ideal volume for every wide-awake
+American who wishes to know what our great lumber industry is to-day.
+
+     Mr. Stratemeyer's books are not only entertaining but
+     instructive.--_Daily Press, Portland, Me._
+
+BETWEEN BOER AND BRITON Or Two Boys' Adventures in South Africa
+
+Relates the experiences of two boys, cousins to each other, one American
+and the other English, whose fathers are engaged in the Transvaal, one
+in farming and the other in mining operations. While the two boys are
+off on a hunting trip after big game the war between the Boers and
+Britons suddenly breaks out, and while endeavoring to rejoin their
+parents the boys find themselves placed between hostile armies.
+
+     A stirring story of the South African War.--_The Journal,
+     Indianapolis, Ind._
+
+
+SOLDIER OF FORTUNE SERIES
+
+
+VOLUME THREE
+
+AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR Or A Young American in the Japanese Navy
+
+"At the Fall of Port Arthur" is another of Mr. Stratemeyer's spirited
+war stories. It relates, primarily, the adventures of Larry Russell, so
+well known to countless thousands of readers of the famous "Old Glory
+Series." Larry is on board his old ship, the _Columbia_, which is
+carrying a cargo for the Japanese government, and is made a prisoner. A
+chase ensues, followed by a thrilling sea fight, and the young American
+escapes to one of the Japanese cruisers. The young sailor joins the
+Japanese navy, and under Admiral Togo assists at the bombardment of Port
+Arthur. Life in the Japanese navy is described in detail, and also life
+in Port Arthur during the siege and bombardment, which has few parallels
+in history.
+
+Mr. Stratemeyer is easily foremost among all writers of boys' books
+dealing with great events as they occur.--_Observer, New York._
+
+"At the Fall of Port Arthur" is very well told.--_Chronicle, San
+Francisco._
+
+The story is timely, describing life in the Japanese navy in
+detail.--_Times, Buffalo, New York._
+
+Mr. Stratemeyer is one of the few writers for boys whose works
+may be relied upon for historic accuracy without sacrifice of
+interest.--_Journal, New York._
+
+Presented with the skill of one of the cleverest juvenile writers of the
+period.--_Globe-Democrat, St. Louis._
+
+A rattling good story for boys.--_Republican, Denver, Col._
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Last Cruise of the Spitfire, by 
+Edward Stratemeyer
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE ***
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