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-The Project Gutenberg eBook, Frank Nelson in the Forecastle, by Harry

-Castlemon

-

-

-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most

-other parts of the world 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.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have

-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.

-

-

-

-

-Title: Frank Nelson in the Forecastle

-       Or, The Sportman's Club Among the Whalers

-

-

-Author: Harry Castlemon

-

-

-

-Release Date: October 31, 2016  [eBook #53420]

-

-Language: English

-

-Character set encoding: UTF-8

-

-

-***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE***

-

-

-E-text prepared by Giovanni Fini, David Edwards, and the Online

-Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images

-generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org)

-

-

-

-Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this

-      file which includes the original illustrations.

-      See 53420-h.htm or 53420-h.zip:

-      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53420/53420-h/53420-h.htm)

-      or

-      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53420/53420-h.zip)

-

-

-      Images of the original pages are available through

-      Internet Archive. See

-      https://archive.org/details/franknelsoninforcast

-

-

-Transcriber's note:

-

-      Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).

-

-      Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=).

-

-

-

-

-

-[Illustration: ARCHIE, FRED, AND EUGENE ON THE MAIN-CROSS-TREES

-OF THE STRANGER.]

-

-

-Frank Nelson Series.

-

-FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE;

-

-Or, The Sportsman's Club Among the Whalers.

-

-by

-

-HARRY CASTLEMON,

-

-Author of "The Sportsman's Club Series," "Gunboat Series," "Rolling

-Stone Series," &c.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-Philadelphia:

-Porter & Coates.

-

-Cincinnati:

-R. W. Carroll & Co.

-

-

-      *      *      *      *      *      *

-

-                        FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.

-

-

- =GUNBOAT SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 6 vols. 16mo.

- Cloth, extra, black and gold.

-

-FRANK THE YOUNG NATURALIST. FRANK ON A GUNBOAT. FRANK IN THE WOODS.

-FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI. FRANK ON THE

-PRAIRIE.

-

- =ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols.

- 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.

-

-  FRANK AMONG THE RANCHEROS.

-  FRANK AT DON CARLOS' RANCHO.

-  FRANK IN THE MOUNTAINS.

-

- =SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols.

- 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.

-

-  THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB IN THE SADDLE.

-  THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AFLOAT.

-  THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE TRAPPERS.

-

- =GO-AHEAD SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo.

- Cloth, extra, black and gold.

-

-TOM NEWCOMBE. GO-AHEAD. NO MOSS.

-

- =FRANK NELSON SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo.

- Cloth, extra, black and gold.

-

-SNOWED UP. FRANK IN THE FORECASTLE. BOY TRADERS.

-

- =BOY TRAPPER SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo.

- Cloth, extra, black and gold.

-

-  THE BURIED TREASURE; OR, OLD JORDAN'S HAUNT.

-  THE BOY TRAPPER; OR, HOW DAVE FILLED THE ORDER.

-  THE MAIL-CARRIER.

-

- =ROUGHING IT SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 16mo. Cloth,

- extra, black and gold.

-

-GEORGE IN CAMP.

-

-                    _Other Volumes in Preparation._

-

-      *      *      *      *      *      *

-

-

-Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876 by

-R. W. Carroll & Co.,

-in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

-

-

-

-

-                               CONTENTS.

-

-

-                              CHAPTER I.

-

-                  A Backwoodsman's Ideas        Page 5

-

-                              CHAPTER II.

-

-                "Man Overboard"                     24

-

-                             CHAPTER III.

-

-                A Sea Lawyer                        41

-

-                              CHAPTER IV.

-

-                "Shanghaied"                        61

-

-                              CHAPTER V.

-

-                The Trapper's Adventure             82

-

-                              CHAPTER VI.

-

-                A Scamp on his Dignity              99

-

-                             CHAPTER VII.

-

-                Too late                           118

-

-                             CHAPTER VIII.

-

-                Gentleman Black                    141

-

-                              CHAPTER IX.

-

-                "There she Blows"                  159

-

-                              CHAPTER X.

-

-                Frank's first Whale                178

-

-                              CHAPTER XI.

-

-                Cutting In and Trying Out          198

-

-                             CHAPTER XII.

-

-                How Frank saw the Consul           218

-

-                             CHAPTER XIII.

-

-                Turned Adrift                      241

-

-                             CHAPTER XIV.

-

-                Old Times Revived                  262

-

-                              CHAPTER XV.

-

-                Frank on the Quarter-deck          285

-

-                             CHAPTER XVI.

-

-                Conclusion                         310

-

-

-

-

-                             FRANK NELSON

-

-                          IN THE FORECASTLE;

-

-                                OR, THE

-

-                  SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE WHALERS.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER I.

-

-A BACKWOODSMAN'S IDEAS.

-

-

-"I DECLARE this is almost like coming into another world, isn't it?"

-

-"Yes, and I, for one, am glad to get back. I like a good horse, and no

-one enjoys a few days' shooting and fishing better than I do; but when

-I get tired of the saddle and the woods, I like to see the blue water

-and feel the solid planks of a yacht's deck under my feet once more. We

-had a good time though, in spite of all our adventures and mishaps."

-

-"We certainly did. I am like Perk, who, after he had been down into the

-Cave of the Winds, under Niagara Falls, said he would do it again for

-no money, but seeing that he _had_ been down, he would not sell his

-experience at any price. I couldn't be hired to make that same trip

-to Fort Bolton again--being "snowed up" was the worst part of it to

-me--but since it is all over and we are safely out of it, I am glad we

-went."

-

-This was a portion of the conversation carried on by our friends

-Archie, Fred and Eugene, as they sat in the main-cross-trees of the

-Stranger, swinging their feet in the air and looking out over the

-shipping anchored off North Point Dock, in the harbor of San Francisco.

-They had only just arrived that day, their trip across the mountains

-being happily ended. They had discarded the half-savage, half-civilized

-costumes they had worn during their sojourn in the wilderness and

-substituted pea-jackets for their hunting-shirts, light shoes for their

-high-top boots, and natty tarpaulins for their slouch hats. They looked

-as though they had just come out of some lady's band-box, and one and

-all declared that it was most refreshing to find themselves dressed up

-like white folks once more.

-

-The first thing these three uneasy youngsters did after they had donned

-their "shore clothes," and put the suits they had worn in the mountains

-carefully away in their trunks for safe-keeping, was to run all over

-the vessel, looking into every locker and corner, just as they had done

-when they first saw her on the stocks at New Orleans, and the next to

-mount to the cross-trees to survey the harbor. Here they had sat for

-half an hour, enjoying the prospect spread out before them, and talking

-over their recent adventures and exploits. The other members of the

-Club, Walter, Frank Nelson, George Le Dell and the rest, were seated

-on the quarter-deck with Uncle Dick, talking to Dick Lewis and old Bob

-Kelly.

-

-Dick and Bob were objects of great interest to the sailors who composed

-the Stranger's crew. They stared at everything with wide-open eyes, and

-were as much out of place on the schooner's deck as the jolly tars

-would have been in the mountains from which the backwoodsmen had just

-arrived.

-

-The Club had had a varied and eventful experience during the

-comparatively short time that they had been absent from the Stranger,

-and even now the hearts of some of them would beat a trifle faster

-whenever they thought of what they had passed through. Walter drew a

-long breath every time he recalled his experience in Potter's rancho;

-Fred and Eugene shivered and drew their collars up around their ears

-when they thought of the sight presented to their gaze on the day

-they set out from their camp under the cliffs, to show the Pike and

-his family the way to Fort Bolton, and imagined that they could see

-the air filled with driving snow, and could hear the roaring of the

-wind as it swept the prairie, just as they had seen it and heard it on

-that long-to-be-remembered afternoon. Archie grew excited and elated

-whenever he thought of the way he had captured the wild horse, and

-then exasperated when he remembered how he had lost him before he had

-had a chance to try even one race with his cousin. Frank shrugged his

-shoulders when any of his companions called him "Chinny Billy," as they

-often did, and thanked his lucky stars that he was well out of the

-predicament which the genuine Chinny Billy had so nearly got him into,

-when he denounced him as an impostor and spy in the presence of all the

-members of Potter's gang; and even Uncle Dick Gaylord, hardened as he

-was by a long life of adventure, did not like to recall the feelings of

-anxiety and suspense that he had experienced on more than one occasion,

-during the journey to Bolton and back. The two trappers were probably

-the only ones in the party for whom the last few months had no especial

-interest. Their lives were made up of just such scenes and incidents,

-and they never thought of them again, unless something happened to

-bring them vividly to their recollection.

-

-The last night that the friends passed at Fort Bolton was given up

-to enjoyment. The colonel and major entertained Uncle Dick at their

-quarters, and the younger officers took charge of the boys. After

-supper it was noticed that some of the officers and their guests

-distributed themselves in little groups about the room, that the

-members of each group carried on a very earnest conversation in a low

-tone of voice, and that various little keepsakes were passed from one

-to the other, which each promised to preserve in remembrance of the

-giver. The gifts that passed between Frank and Lieutenant Gaylord

-were the most valuable of any. These two young fellows had been fast

-friends and almost constant companions ever since the night on which

-the lieutenant recaptured Dick Lewis after his flight from the guard

-house, and arrested Frank for assisting him to make his escape. Frank

-had something he knew the lieutenant wanted, and that was the splendid

-horse which Potter had given him. Frank could not take the animal

-around the world with him, and besides he was already the happy owner

-of a steed which was just as handsome and swift, and which held a much

-higher place in his affections. That was Roderick. It was Uncle Dick's

-intention to travel on horseback until the party reached a point from

-which they could continue their journey by stage or railroad, and then

-sell off their stock--their wagon, which would have been an almost

-useless encumbrance to them, now that the roads were blocked with snow,

-having been exchanged for pack mules--Frank would then have no further

-use for his horse, so he offered him to the lieutenant, who was glad to

-accept him.

-

-The journey to San Francisco was made without the occurrence of any

-exciting or noteworthy incidents. Among them all they managed to shoot

-a few black-tails, and one grizzly bear, whose skin and claws were

-preserved by the old members of the Club as trophies. They found the

-snow fully as deep as they expected, the travelling difficult, and the

-weather extremely cold; but their progress was steady, although slow,

-until they reached the railroad, and then in a few hours they found

-themselves in an almost tropical climate.

-

-When they reached the railroad, Dick and Old Bob would have taken leave

-of them, but the boys would not listen to it. They were determined

-that, if they could have their own way, the trappers should remain

-with them for a long time to come. They owed much to these two men, and

-as they could not repay them in any other way, they would take them

-around the world, introducing them to scenes and people of which they

-had never dreamed. Of course this idea originated with rattle-brained

-Eugene Gaylord, and Uncle Dick, who could not find it in his heart

-to refuse his nephews anything they asked for, consented to the

-arrangement, though not without a good deal of grumbling.

-

-"They'll only be in the way, Eugene," said the old sailor. "They just

-fit the mountains and the prairie--they were made for them; but how

-will they look on the deck of the Stranger? There isn't room enough

-aboard our little craft for that giant, Louis."

-

-"O, Uncle, there are two or three empty bunks in the forecastle, and

-they can sleep there as well as not," replied Eugene.

-

-"But they will be so uneasy that they'll not enjoy themselves in the

-least," continued Uncle Dick. "They will be frightened to death when

-they find themselves out of sight of land, and the men will be playing

-tricks on them all the while."

-

-"But the men mustn't play tricks on them. We won't let them; and

-besides it would be dangerous. As for being out of sight of land, that

-need not trouble them. They'll not be in half as much danger as they

-were while they were with Potter's gang. Then think of the fun we'll

-have, Uncle! Didn't you notice how they opened their eyes the other

-night when Bab was telling them of the elephants we expect to see in

-India?"

-

-"Well, well! do as you please," said the old sailor. "If they are

-foolish enough to go, I shall have a fine time of it among you all; I

-can see that plainly." And then he turned away to hunt up Frank Nelson,

-to whom he always went when he had anything on his mind.

-

-Eugene having gained his point went straight to Archie and Fred, who

-declared that it was the best thing they ever heard of. The matter was

-laid before the trappers with as little delay as possible, and the

-proposition almost took their breath away. They opened their mouths and

-eyes and looked wonderingly at each other, but said nothing. Archie

-thought that was enough for one day, and although his friends wanted an

-immediate answer, he succeeded in inducing them to retire and leave the

-trappers to themselves. He thought it best to give them leisure to turn

-the matter over in their minds (it seemed to be more than they could

-grasp at once) and go to them for an answer at some future time.

-

-Dick and old Bob seemed to grow timid as they approached the confines

-of civilization, but they were coaxed on board the train, and when

-the party reached San Francisco, they were taken off to the Stranger.

-The matter of the voyage around the world had been brought for up

-discussion a few times, but Dick had found his tongue at last, and

-declared that it was not to be thought of. The boys knew better than to

-press the subject, and hoped that time would accomplish what arguments

-could never do. A few hours on board the Stranger in the harbor,

-where vessels were constantly coming and going, might increase their

-confidence, while it familiarized them in some slight degree with

-life on ship-board, and perhaps they could then be induced to change

-their minds. Archie had tried to persuade Dick to follow him and his

-companions to the cross-trees; but the trapper, after glancing down at

-his colossal proportions, and then up at the ratlines, which looked no

-larger than so many threads, declared that the ropes wouldn't bear his

-weight, and remained below.

-

-"Now, this feels natural!" exclaimed Featherweight swinging back

-and forth on his dizzy perch with such apparent recklessness that

-Dick Lewis, who now and then looked up at him, fairly shook in his

-moccasins; "and I am ready for new adventures and new sights beyond the

-seas. Our fellows can say, what the books tell us comparatively few

-American travellers can say, and that is, we have seen the most of the

-wonders of our own country. I never expect to see anything grander than

-the Yo Semite Valley. I wonder how long it will be before Uncle Dick

-will hoist the signal for sailing?"

-

-"Just as soon as the stores are aboard," said Eugene. "We may get off

-to-morrow."

-

-"Will Dick and Bob go with us?"

-

-"No," said Archie. "We might as well give that up. And since I have

-come to think of it, I don't want them to go unless they are perfectly

-willing to do so."

-

-"Nor I," said Eugene. "If it frightens them so badly to travel on

-a railroad train, what would be their feelings when they found the

-schooner tossing about on such waves as we saw coming around the Horn?

-I shall urge them no more."

-

-"They have been talking to Frank about it," continued Fred. "They

-always go to him and believe every word he says--that is, almost every

-word."

-

-"Ah! yes; I was going to put that in," said Archie. "They don't like to

-believe that the world is round. They don't say so with their mouths,

-but they do with their eyes."

-

-"And they don't know what to think about elephants as large as that

-house of Potter's, and lions and tigers, and snakes twenty feet long,"

-said Fred.

-

-"And a whale bothers them," chimed in Eugene; "and Dick laughed the

-other day when I told him about a flying-fish."

-

-"What's going on down there?" asked Archie, as the sound of voices in

-animated conversation came up from the deck.

-

-The boys looked below and saw that the group, which they had last seen

-scattered over the quarter-deck, were gathered about Dick Lewis, who

-appeared to be making them a speech. Now and then he illustrated his

-remarks by pointing to something he had placed at his feet; but the

-boys could not see what it was, for the Club were crowded about it and

-hid it from view. They were missing something, that was evident; but

-they did not intend to miss any more of it, and it was but the work

-of a few seconds to swing themselves out of the crosstrees on to the

-ratlines, and descend to the deck. They ran up to the group, and found

-that the object over which the trapper was holding forth was simply a

-mess-pan filled with water.

-

-"Them stories you've been a tellin' seems wonderful to me an' ole Bob,

-who never heard the like afore," Dick was saying as the boys came up.

-"We don't conspute 'em, 'cause bein' unedicated men, we never had no

-book larnin', an' don't know nothing outside the mountains an' the

-prairy. Now, you tell me that thar's three times as much water on the

-'arth as thar is ground; that you're goin' to start from Fr'isco an'

-sail clean around it in this yere little boat, an' that if me an' ole

-Bob'll go with you, we won't even know that we're sailing round the

-world. Won't we know when we come to the edge?"

-

-"There isn't any edge to it," said Frank.

-

-"Sho! Thar can't help bein' an edge if the world is round, can thar?

-This yere," said Dick, pointing to the pan of water, "is the sea;

-an' this yere," he continued, fumbling in the pockets of his hunting

-shirt, "is the 'arth."

-

-As he spoke he drew out a piece of hard tack, which he had rudely

-shaped with his knife to represent his idea of the rotundity of the

-earth. The corners were cut off, making the biscuit nearly round, and

-there was a piece clipped out of the side of it, in shape something

-like a bottle with a very short neck and wide body, to represent the

-Golden Gate and the harbor of San Francisco. This miniature world Dick

-placed in the middle of the pan of water, and then straightened up and

-looked triumphantly at his audience. Eugene glanced at it, choked back

-a laugh and then rushed off to find the steward, while the trapper went

-on with his illustration.

-

-"Now, thar's the 'arth," said he, placing his finger on the biscuit,

-"flat like a pan-cake, as anybody can see it is, that's ever been out

-on the prairy, an' round like _you_ say it is. Here is the sea all

-around it, an' here's Fr'isco. Now, after you go out of the Golden Gate

-an' start to sail round the 'arth," said Dick, moving his long finger

-through the water around the biscuit, "can't you see the edge all the

-way round? I can understand that, which wasn't so very plain to me a

-few days ago, but now comes something I can't see into. You say the

-'arth turns over onct every day, but that don't by no means stand to

-reason, 'cause jest see what would happen,"--he went on, placing his

-finger under the biscuit and raising one edge of it out of the water.

-"If it turned over, one side of it would keep gettin' higher an' higher

-all the time, an' finally the houses, an' trees, an' mountains, an'

-folks would get to slidin' an' slidin', an' when they come to the edge,

-they'd all slip off into the water; an' when the 'arth turned _cl'ar_

-over"--here he flopped the biscuit up side down in the pan--"whar would

-we all be?"

-

-None of his auditors had attempted to interrupt the trapper, and the

-reason was because there was not one among them who could trust himself

-to speak, not even Uncle Dick. Believing from their silence that he

-had got the better of all of them, the trapper said he was more firmly

-convinced than he had ever been before, that all the learning in the

-world was not to be found in books, and was about to throw the contents

-of his mess-pan over the side, when Eugene came elbowing his way into

-the group, carrying an apple in one hand and a small magnet in the

-other.

-

-"Now, Dick," said he, "let me talk a minute. You haven't quite got the

-idea. In the first place, that piece of hard tack doesn't represent the

-shape of the earth, but this apple does, pretty nearly. In the next

-place, the globe doesn't revolve through water, for the water forms

-part of the earth and turns with it."

-

-"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper. "It would all spill out."

-

-"Hold on a minute, and I'll show you that it can't spill out. The world

-revolves through the air. Don't you fellows criticise now," continued

-Eugene, turning to his companions. "If, when I get through, you want

-to explain that the earth really revolves through space, and that the

-air goes with it, except such portions as are left behind and form the

-trade-winds, you are welcome to do it; but it is quite beyond me."

-

-Eugene handed the magnet to Archie to hold until he was ready to use

-it, and with the point of his knife rudely traced upon the apple the

-shape of the continents and the principal oceans. This done, he went

-on with his explanation, which was simply a repetition of what every

-boy learns when he first begins the study of geography. He described

-the motions of the earth as well as he could, and used the magnet to

-illustrate the attraction of gravitation. Dick listened attentively,

-and when Eugene finished, took the apple from his hand and looked at

-it with a great deal of interest. He turned it over several times, and

-appeared to be meditating upon something.

-

-"They're goin' to sail round the 'arth this way," said he, moving

-his finger slowly around the circumference of the apple, and talking

-more to himself than to the boys standing about, "an' when they get

-around here"--he stopped and thought a moment, holding the end of his

-finger under the apple--"when they get around here, they'll be--Human

-natur'!" he cried suddenly, as if frightened at the discovery he had

-made. "When you get around here, on the under side of the 'arth,

-you'll be walkin' with your heads downwards, won't you? Bob can do

-as he likes, but _I_ won't go. Mebbe that little red hoss-shoe aint

-strong enough to hold the boat fast to the 'arth--don't look as if it

-was--an' some dark night she'll get to fallin' an' fallin'--Whew! I'm

-as near that place now as I want to be, an' I'm off fur the mountains

-to-morrow, bright an' 'arly."

-

-Dick turned away, fairly trembling with excitement, and the boys

-scattered as if some one had suddenly sent a charge of bird-shot among

-them.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER II.

-

-"MAN OVERBOARD."

-

-

-THE trappers were badly frightened, there could be no doubt about

-that, and it was a spectacle the Club had never expected to witness.

-That these two men, who had time and again faced death in almost every

-shape in which he presents himself on shore, who had lived in the very

-midst of danger from their youth up, and who sought and delighted in

-perilous exploits, should be so nearly overcome with terror by hearing

-of things with which every schoolboy is familiar, was surprising; and

-there was something so ludicrous in the manner in which they exhibited

-their alarm, that the boys could scarcely restrain their laughter until

-they could get out of sight. Old Bob glared wildly about him, seemingly

-on the point of jumping overboard and swimming ashore, and Dick

-Lewis leaned against the rail, drawing his breath in quick gasps and

-looking altogether as if he did not yet fairly understand the startling

-discovery he had made. Uncle Dick Gaylord took one glance at him and

-then went to the stern and looked over into the water, while the boys

-dived down into the cabin and threw themselves into chairs, or leaned

-up in corners, holding their handkerchiefs over their mouths--all

-except Archie, who never could control himself when he wanted to laugh.

-He ran into his state-room, shut the door and buried his head in the

-pillows. The funny part of it was, that Dick should suppose, that those

-who attempted the reckless task of sailing around the world, should be

-obliged to take a magnet with them, in order to keep themselves and

-their vessel from falling off when they reached the "under side of the

-earth."

-

-At the end of five minutes Archie made an attempt to come out into the

-cabin, but he was still bubbling over with laughter, and the sight

-of him created a fresh explosion, and set Archie himself to going

-again at such a rate that he was obliged to go back. It is hard to

-tell how long it would have been before the boys could have controlled

-themselves sufficiently to talk the matter over, had it not been that a

-commotion which suddenly arose on deck, drew their attention to other

-affairs.

-

-"Fore rigging, there," exclaimed Uncle Dick. "What do you see?"

-

-"A man overboard, sir," replied the voice of the boatswain's mate. "He

-jumped off that whaler, sir."

-

-"And he's swimming this way, sir," said another voice, "and making

-signals of distress."

-

-"Have the cutter called away, Mr. Baldwin," said Uncle Dick, to his

-first mate, "and send a crew out to pick him up."

-

-The boys waited to hear no more. They crowded up the companion ladder

-with such haste that they ran some risk of sticking fast in the narrow

-passageway, and reached the deck just as the crew of the cutter were

-tumbling into their boat which lay along side moored to a swinging

-boom, man-of-war fashion.

-

-"Where is Mr. Parker?" said Uncle Dick, looking around for his second

-officer.

-

-"O, let me go in charge of the boat, Uncle," exclaimed Eugene,

-snatching Fred's hat from his head, for he had left his own in the

-cabin.

-

-"Away you go, then," said the old sailor. "Don't let him sink before

-you reach him."

-

-"They're sending out a boat from the whaler, sir," said the foremast

-hand, who was at work in the forward rigging, and who had been the

-first to discover the man in the water.

-

-"Does he appear to be all right?"

-

-"O, yes, sir. He swims like a duck, but he's waving his hand to us."

-

-"Hold on a minute, Eugene."

-

-Uncle Dick sprang upon the rail and supporting himself by the shrouds

-looked towards the man, and then toward the boat that was coming out

-to pick him up, while the boys, all except Eugene, who stood ready

-to take his place in the cutter at a moment's warning, swarmed up

-the rigging and looked on with no little interest. They saw at once

-that the man had no trouble in keeping afloat, for he swam over the

-waves as buoyantly as a cork. They saw, too, that he did not want to

-be overtaken by the whaler's boat, if he could help it, for he looked

-back at her occasionally to see if she was gaining on him, and then

-redoubled his efforts to reach the schooner.

-

-"He is trying to desert," said Uncle Dick, "and I think we had better

-have nothing to do with him."

-

-"Quartermaster, pass up that spy-glass," said Frank.

-

-The petty officer handed the instrument to Featherweight, who happened

-to be lowest in the shrouds, and he passed it to George Le Dell,

-who handed it up to Frank. The latter mounted to the crosstrees and

-levelled the glass at the swimmer. He held it to his eye for a few

-minutes, and then passing it back to George, said:

-

-"That man has either met with a severe accident, or been roughly

-handled. His face is bleeding."

-

-"Help! help!" cried a faint voice.

-

-"Go and pick him up," said Uncle Dick.

-

-"Shove off," commanded Eugene, before he was fairly seated in the

-stern-sheets of the cutter. "Remember, men, that you are racing with a

-whale-boat, and that you don't want to be beaten."

-

-The cutter swung around with her bow toward the swimmer, and propelled

-by eight strong oarsmen, who seemed to lift her fairly out of the

-water at every stroke, flew over the waves like a duck. A boat race

-was something in which Eugene took especial delight, but the one that

-came off that morning between the cutter and the whale-boat was not as

-exciting or as closely contested as he had hoped it would be. In fact

-it was no race at all; for when the officer, whoever he was, who had

-charge of the deck of the whaler, saw that the cutter was likely to

-reach the swimmer first, he hailed his boat, which turned around and

-went back.

-

-"In bow," commanded the coxswain of the cutter, who was sitting just

-behind Eugene.

-

-The two sailors who were seated in the bow raised their oars from the

-water, placed them on the thwarts between them, and then one stood up

-with the boat-hook in his hand, while the other threw himself flat on

-his face and extended his arm out over the water.

-

-"Way enough! Toss, and stand by," said the coxswain.

-

-The other oars were all thrown up into the air at the same moment,

-laid upon the thwarts, and every man leaned over the side to be ready

-to seize the swimmer as the cutter moved past him. She retained

-steerage-way enough to carry her within a few feet of him, and then the

-coxswain, with one movement of the tiller, turned the bow aside, and

-the boat-hook was thrust out within reach of his hands. It was a matter

-of some difficulty to haul the rescued man aboard, for he was too

-nearly exhausted to help himself, and his clothing, being thoroughly

-saturated with water, was as heavy as so much lead. Besides, his

-forehead was badly cut and bruised, and no doubt he was suffering from

-the hurt.

-

-[Illustration: RESCUING THE DESERTER.]

-

-"Did you fall overboard?" asked Eugene, after the man had been pulled

-into the boat and had taken his seat in the bow.

-

-"No, sir; I jumped overboard on purpose."

-

-"You hit your head against something, didn't you?"

-

-"The cap'n hit it for me, sir. It was a belaying pin that made that

-mark."

-

-Eugene looked wonderingly at the coxswain, who nodded his head, as if

-to say that he didn't doubt it at all.

-

-"Why, the officers aboard our vessel don't find it necessary to do such

-things," said Eugene.

-

-"But all vessels ain't like the Stranger, sir, nor are all shipmasters

-like Cap'n Gaylord," said the coxswain. "Do you s'pose there's a

-sailorman aboard of us that would do what this chap has done--try to

-desert? No, sir, you couldn't kick 'em off if you wanted to. When we

-get back to Bellville we'll have every man we brought away with us,

-unless some of 'em are in Davy's locker."

-

-The cutter was soon alongside the schooner, and the rescued man, by

-dint of hauling from above and pushing from below, was got upon the

-deck. He was a pitiable object when one came to look at him, and Uncle

-Dick's first order was: "Take him below, some of you, and give him

-something fit to put on. Be in a hurry about it."

-

-The sailors were only too glad to obey. They led the dripping man

-into the forecastle, from which he emerged a few minutes later with a

-clean face, a suit of dry clothes, and a handkerchief bound about his

-forehead. In his appearance, which was very much improved, he would

-have compared favorably with any of the seamen on board the Stranger,

-and they were the very best that Uncle Dick could find in the port of

-New Orleans. He had evidently had plenty of time to tell at least a

-portion of his story, for the faces of the sailors were as black as so

-many thunder clouds.

-

-The rescued man at once made his way aft, accompanied by the

-boatswain's mate, who, presuming for this once upon his captain's

-good-nature, and his own position as ranking petty officer on board the

-Stranger, took the liberty to go where he knew he had no right except

-he was in performance of his duties. The men saluted, removed their

-caps and waited for Uncle Dick to speak to them.

-

-"Well, Lucas, what do you want here?" asked the old sailor.

-

-"I ax your pardon, cap'n, for coming on the quarter-deck at this time

-without an invite," replied the boatswain's mate, "but I just wanted to

-say to you, sir, that this man is black and blue from his head to his

-feet, so he is."

-

-"How did he get that way?" asked Uncle Dick, while the boys ranged

-themselves behind him so that they could hear all that passed, "and why

-is he trying to desert?"

-

-The mate stepped back and moved his hand toward the rescued man, as if

-to say that he would tell his own story, and the latter said:

-

-"I don't want to desert my ship, cap'n. I am an able seaman, know my

-duty and am ready to do it, if I can only have plenty to eat and am

-allowed a wink of sleep now and then. I am trying to get ashore for

-protection ag'in' them tyrants aboard the Tycoon, and I hope you won't

-send me back to them, sir."

-

-"Go on," said Uncle Dick. "What has happened aboard that ship?"

-

-"She is nearly two years out of Nantucket, on a whaling course, sir,"

-said the man, "and there isn't a foremast hand aboard of her that she

-brought out with her. They've all deserted. She has to get a new crew

-at every port, and when she can't get 'em honest, she kidnaps 'em, sir.

-I shipped aboard of her, along with a lot of others, at Callao. We've

-been out only four months, and two of the men jumped overboard rather

-than stand the hard treatment they received. On the first day out the

-officers began on us and never let up. They kept us at work till we

-were ready to drop, brought us out of bed at night and made us walk the

-deck, and if we fell asleep as we walked, they knocked us down with a

-handspike or belaying-pin. They starved us almost to death, and then,

-because my boat's crew were too weak to save a whale we made fast to,

-they put us all in irons and pounded us with ropes' ends till we were

-insensible."

-

-This was only the introduction to the long story the man had to tell,

-and to which his auditors listened with breathless interest. According

-to his account, the Tycoon was a horrible place, and the cruelties

-that were practised by the officers upon the defenceless seamen, were

-shocking. The man certainly bore unmistakable evidence of brutal

-treatment, and added weight to his story by declaring that he was not

-only willing but anxious to meet his persecutors in a court of justice.

-Everybody who listened to him was indignant.

-

-"The men on board that vessel have a remedy in their own hands--two

-of them, if they only knew it," said Frank. "Why didn't they demand

-an interview with the American consul at the first port at which they

-touched?"

-

-"It wouldn't have done no good, sir," said the sailor. "The cap'n

-wouldn't never let 'em see him, sir."

-

-"He couldn't help himself," returned Frank. "The law compels him to

-allow his men to go ashore at every port at which the ship may touch to

-lay their complaints, if they have any, before our representative; or,

-if there is any good reason why the men cannot go ashore, the captain

-must bring the consul aboard to see them, if they demand it."

-

-If there was anything in which Frank was particularly well posted,

-it was the law governing the duties of consuls, as some of our

-representatives in foreign countries are called. The attorney with

-whom he had been studying in Lawrence, had political aspirations, and

-had at one time expected to be appointed consul for some port in the

-Mediterranean. If he had succeeded in his object Frank would have

-gone with him as assistant and clerk. He did not wish to accept any

-situation with whose duties and responsibilities he was not familiar,

-and in order to fit himself for it, he had obtained a copy of the

-Consular Regulations, which he had thoroughly mastered. It is a part

-of the consul's duty to care for destitute, discharged and deserting

-seamen, to stand between foremast hands and tyrannical officers, to

-protect officers from and punish mutinous sailors, and Frank knew the

-law bearing upon every case that could possibly arise.

-

-"The consul is obliged to listen to any and all complaints," continued

-Frank. "He measures them by the law bearing upon them, and he can

-discharge the crew on complaint of the officers, or he can discharge

-the officers themselves on a well-founded complaint from the crew."

-

-The sailors opened their eyes and looked at one another. They had never

-dreamed that they had so many rights, or that there was a law enacted

-on purpose to protect them.

-

-Just then the whale-boat came in sight again, rounding the stern of the

-Tycoon. She turned her bow toward the Stranger, and the quartermaster,

-after looking at her through his spy-glass, said there was a man in

-the stern-sheets dressed in gray. "That's the cap'n," exclaimed the

-deserter, in great alarm. "You won't let him take me back, sir?" he

-added, in a pleading voice.

-

-"I can't prevent your lawful captain from taking you wherever he may

-find you," answered Uncle Dick; "but hold on, now, till I get through,"

-he added, as the man began to back toward the rail as if he were about

-to take to the water again. "I'll give you a chance to save yourself.

-Call away the cutter, Mr. Baldwin, and send this man ashore."

-

-"Thank you, cap'n, thank you," said the sailor gratefully, and with

-tears in his eyes. "A prosperous and pleasant voyage to you and your

-mates, sir. What shall I do when I get ashore, sir?" he continued,

-looking at Frank.

-

-"Go to the nearest justice and take out a warrant against those

-officers for assault and battery," was the reply.

-

-The boatswain's mate and the rescued man looked as if they did not

-quite understand. "You must know, sir," said the latter, doubtfully,

-"that all this beating and pounding was done on the high seas."

-

-"Well, what of it? When one man, without any provocation, handles

-another as roughly as you have been handled, he is answerable to the

-law, no matter whether the offence was committed on the high seas or on

-the land."

-

-"Come now, off you go, my man," said Uncle Dick. "The cutter is

-ready, and you've no time to lose. Yes, go with him and take charge

-of the boat, Lucas," he added, anticipating the request that the old

-boatswain's mate was about to make.

-

-"And whatever you do, don't let those blubber-hunters catch you," said

-Eugene, in a low voice. He wanted to say it aloud, so that the cutter's

-crew could hear it; but knowing that Uncle Dick did not allow any

-interference with his men, he checked himself just in time.

-

-The cutter's crew were all in their places, and there was a determined

-look on each man's face which said as plainly as words that the

-"blubber-hunters," even if they succeeded in overhauling them--which

-was not at all unlikely, seeing that the whale-boat was built for

-speed, and was pulled by a crew who were kept in excellent training by

-almost daily practice at the oars--the deserter should never be taken

-from them. Uncle Dick seemed to read the thoughts that were passing

-through their minds, and as he looked at the sturdy fellows, who had

-thrown off their caps and rolled up their sleeves in preparation for a

-long, hard pull, he remarked to Frank that he would not care to be in

-that whale-boat if she succeeded in coming up with the cutter.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER III.

-

-A SEA LAWYER.

-

-

-THE cutter's bow swung away from the schooner as soon as the

-boatswain's mate and the rescued man were fairly seated, the oars

-dropped into the water, and then began a race that promised to be as

-exciting as even Eugene could have wished it. The boys once more ran up

-the rigging, so that they could watch both contestants. The whale-boat

-certainly had the better crew, and, although she was propelled by only

-five oars to the cutter's eight, she seemed to move two feet to the

-other boat's one. Especially was this the case when the man in gray,

-who was standing in the stern-sheets holding the steering-oar, became

-aware of what was going on. As soon as he saw the cutter moving away

-from the Stranger he comprehended the situation, and giving utterance

-to some heavy adjectives, which by the time they came to the boys' ears

-sounded a good deal like oaths, ordered his crew to "Pick her up and

-run right along with her." They responded promptly, and sent their boat

-through the water at such a rate that Uncle Dick became uneasy at the

-prospect of a collision between her crew and the cutter's.

-

-"I shouldn't think there would be any danger," said Frank. "There are

-eleven men in our boat, counting the deserter, and only six in his."

-

-"But there is no officer in our boat," said Uncle Dick, "and this man

-being a captain, will expect our crew to obey his orders. I am really

-afraid he will be disappointed."

-

-Frank, remembering the savage and determined expression he had seen on

-the face of every one of the cutter's crew, was quite sure he would be.

-

-In a few minutes the whale-boat came close aboard the schooner, and

-dashed by under her bows. Her captain was furious, his face showed

-that. He ran his eye over the men on the Stranger's deck, and picking

-out Uncle Dick at once as the commanding officer, said, as he nodded

-his head to him--

-

-"Fine business you're in, sir! helping men to desert. If there is a law

-on shore I'll see you again, my good fellow!"

-

-Uncle Dick simply smiled and touched his hat, and the whale-boat passed

-on. As she was going by, the sailors enacted a little pantomime of

-their own. They had clambered out on the bowsprit to see the race, and

-when the captain of the whaler was through threatening Uncle Dick,

-they glanced toward the quarter-deck, to make sure that none of their

-officers were observing them, and then leaned over and shook their

-fists at the angry man. One of them hugged his cap under his arm and

-beat it furiously with his clenched hand, nodding pleasantly to the

-captain the while, as if to indicate that it would have afforded him

-infinite satisfaction if the captain's head had been in the place of

-the cap. The boys, from their lofty perch in the main rigging, saw all

-that passed, and smiled at one another, but said nothing; for they

-knew that if the performance came to the ears of Uncle Dick, who was a

-very strict disciplinarian, every one of the sailors who took part in

-it would be sent to the mast.

-

-[The "mast" is to a sailor on board ship, what the "library" is to

-a refractory boy on shore. It is there that culprits are sent to be

-reprimanded, if their offence be a slight one, or sentenced if they

-have done something deserving of punishment.]

-

-Although he might laugh over it afterward in the privacy of his cabin,

-he was not the one to pass lightly over an insult to a shipmaster when

-in performance of his duty, no matter how great the provocation.

-

-All this while the cutter's crew had been exceedingly busy, and now

-loud calls were heard from the boys on the cross-trees for their

-field-glasses. They did not want to miss a single incident of the race.

-Frank, who up to this time had remained below with Uncle Dick, went

-into the cabin after the glasses, and mounting the rigging, joined the

-group on the cross-trees. "Who's ahead?" he asked.

-

-"O, the cutter," replied George Le Dell. "There is more in that crew

-than I thought. They'll land their man safe enough."

-

-And George was right. The cutter reached the wharf while the whale-boat

-was yet twenty yards away, and no sooner did she swing broadside to

-it than the deserter was lifted in the strong arms of the coxswain

-and boatswain's mate and fairly thrown ashore. He jumped to his feet

-and disappeared in less time than it takes to tell it. A few seconds

-later the whale-boat landed and the captain sprang out and started in

-pursuit, not, however, without saying a few words to the cutter's crew,

-which he emphasized by shaking his fist at them. If any of the men

-replied, our young friends at the cross-trees saw nothing to indicate

-it.

-

-The sailors pulled back slowly, for their long, hard pull had wearied

-them, and when they reached the schooner and clambered over the side,

-the boys saw that their faces were flushed, and that some portions of

-their clothes looked as though they had been dipped in the bay. The

-boatswain's mate went aft demurely enough to report the safe return of

-the boat, but when he made his way forward again, and glanced up at the

-boys, with whom he was an especial favorite, they saw that his jolly

-countenance was wreathed with smiles, and that his broad shoulders were

-shaking with suppressed mirth. He and the cutter's crew were proud

-of the exploit they had performed. The fun and excitement being all

-over now, the boys seated themselves in a circle on the cross-trees to

-discuss the incidents that had just transpired.

-

-"Now just listen to me a moment, Frank, and I'll ask you a question,"

-said Perk. "Can that brutal fellow do anything to Uncle Dick for

-assisting his man to escape?"

-

-"If you should see me assaulted by ruffians who were getting the better

-of me, and should rescue me from their clutches, could they do anything

-to you in law?" asked Frank, in reply.

-

-"Certainly not."

-

-"The same law holds good on the sea. Some people have a very mistaken

-idea of things. They insist on a landsman's right of self-defence, but

-deny the same to a sailor. Even sailors themselves think that because

-they follow the sea for a livelihood, they are debarred from exercising

-the very first law of our nature."

-

-"Hear! hear!" cried Archie.

-

-"Silence in the court-room!" exclaimed Featherweight, assuming a

-fierce frown. "Hurrah for free trade and sailors' rights, the motto

-on--on--somebody's flag! Proceed, brother Nelson. State the case to the

-jury."

-

-Frank laughed as heartily as the rest for a few minutes, and continued:

-

-"Sailors know that resistance to an officer, or even an attempt to

-spread dissatisfaction among the crew of a vessel, is called mutiny;

-and they know, too, that men have been hanged in the American navy for

-that very offence."

-

-"See Cooper's Naval History for an account of the mutiny on board the

-United States brig-of-war Somers, in 1842," said Bab.

-

-"That was the very circumstance I had in my mind," returned Frank.

-"Sailors know all this, as I was saying, and consequently they are

-afraid to call their souls their own. They suffer in silence, unless

-they are driven to commit suicide during the voyage, and when they get

-ashore forget it all, or make a feeble attempt to punish their tyrants

-by process of law, but they soon give it up, for at the very outset

-they find an insurmountable obstacle in their way. Before they can

-convict they must prove three things--that the punishment they received

-was cruel and unusual; that it was inflicted without any just cause;

-and that the occasion of it was malice, hatred, or a desire for revenge

-on the part of the officer who punished them. Now, no living being can

-prove this last accusation against another, for in order to do it he

-must be able to read his fellow-men as he would an open book, and see

-what is passing in their minds; and even that would do him no good

-unless he possessed the power to make the judge and jury who try the

-case see the matter just as he does."

-

-"Suppose this deserter could prove his complaints against the master

-of that whaler," said Walter; "what would be the penalty?"

-

-"One thousand dollars fine and five years in the state prison."

-

-"And I hope he will get it all," said Eugene.

-

-"Well, if it is so hard for a seaman to obtain satisfaction at law,

-what ought he to do when he is abused at sea?" asked Bab. "I understood

-you to say he had two remedies, and you have given only one."

-

-"Well, there is another," said Frank. "He and his companions ought

-to club together, take the ship out of the hands of her officers,

-confine them in the cabin, and make for the nearest port, if they are

-navigators enough to find their way there."

-

-"Yes," exclaimed Archie, "and swing for it the moment they reach the

-shore."

-

-"No, sir. The case has been tried in the courts more than once, and

-would be tried oftener if sailors only knew their rights. As far as any

-risk I might run is concerned, I would not be afraid to belong to such

-a crew and take part in just such a proceeding."

-

-"Well, I don't want you to get into any such scrape," said Archie; "I

-should never expect to see you again."

-

-"I have no desire to win notoriety as a mutineer, I assure you,"

-replied Frank, with a laugh. "As his Honor remarked"--here he waved his

-hand towards Featherweight, who bowed gravely--"I was only discoursing

-on sailors' rights."

-

-"There," said George, as the boatswain's whistle rang through the

-schooner, followed by the order, given in a very hoarse voice, "Away,

-you gigs, away!"--"the captain is going ashore. Hadn't we better go

-down and keep Dick Lewis and Bob company? The old fellows will be

-lonely."

-

-"That means business," said Eugene. "Uncle Dick is going ashore to

-see about the stores. It will not be long now before we take leave of

-Fr'isco."

-

-"And what will be our next port?" asked George.

-

-This was something that had not yet been decided, and if one might

-judge by what the boys said while they were descending to the deck,

-there was a prospect of a lively debate if the matter were left to

-them. Eugene wanted to go straight to Alaska. Bab, who had lately

-been reading "Reindeer, Dogs and Snow-shoes," was in favor of that,

-provided they could afterward go across to some port in Siberia and

-stay there long enough to see a little of the wild life in which he

-had been so much interested. Perk would agree to all that, in case

-they could stop on the way and give him a chance to try his hand at

-salmon-fishing in the tributaries of the Columbia river. Fred had seen

-quite enough of snow and ice, and thought he could have more sport in a

-warm country. He wanted to go to Japan. Walter said he was strongly in

-favor of that, for after they had seen all the sights in that country

-they would probably go to India, and that was what he wanted. He was

-impatient to ride on an elephant and see the famous Indian jugglers and

-serpent-charmers. Every boy wanted to go somewhere, but the trouble was

-that no two of them wanted to go to the same place; and Frank wondered

-how the matter would be decided. How astonished he would have been to

-know that the man in gray, who had just gone by in the whale-boat, was

-destined to decide it for them!

-

-The boys spent the rest of the day in company with the trappers.

-Nothing more was said on the subject which had for a long time been

-uppermost in their minds, for the tone in which Dick's answer had been

-given satisfied them that it was final. The boys were all sorry, for

-they had become greatly attached to these two good-natured, ignorant

-fellows. They had been of great service to them--beyond a doubt they

-had saved Walter's life--and they could not but miss them when they

-were gone. The cousins especially would have been glad to postpone the

-parting moment had they possessed the power. It was not at all likely

-that they would ever see the mountains or the prairie again, and even

-if they did, the chances that they would find their old friends, the

-trappers, were not one in a thousand. Their meeting with them had

-been purely accidental this time, and it was not probable that such a

-combination of circumstances would ever occur again.

-

-About supper-time Uncle Dick returned and reported that all

-arrangements had been made. The schooner was to be hauled alongside the

-dock in the morning, and they would go out with the turn of the tide.

-Where were they going? He didn't care. The world was before them, and

-when the boys had made up their minds what portion of it they wanted to

-see first, they could come to him with their decision. He wasn't going

-to bother his head about it, for he had other matters to think of.

-Eight o'clock the next evening would see the Stranger under way, and if

-the boys had any business ashore they had better attend to it the first

-thing in the morning.

-

-Uncle Dick retired at an early hour, as he always did, and the boys

-had the quarter-deck all to themselves until eleven o'clock--or rather

-they had it in company with the second mate and the quartermaster on

-watch. A few "primary meetings" had been held immediately after supper,

-but they amounted to nothing. Each boy knew upon whom he could rely

-to second any motion he might make, but he was not so certain of the

-number of votes he could raise in support of it. During the two hours'

-conversation that took place after Uncle Dick went to bed, Fred Craven

-arose six times--that is, once every twenty minutes--and said gravely,

-

-"I move you, Mr. President, that the captain of this schooner be

-requested to take her directly to some port in Japan."

-

-"I second the motion," said Frank, who was speaking for Walter.

-

-"Gentlemen, you have heard the motion," said Walter. "Are you ready for

-the question?"

-

-"Mr. President," said Eugene, "I move to amend by striking out Japan

-and substituting Alaska."

-

-"Second the motion," said Bab.

-

-"You have heard the amendment. Are you ready to take action upon it?"

-

-"Now just listen to me a minute, Mr. President, and I'll tell you

-what's a fact," said Perk. "I move to amend by striking out Alaska and

-substituting Astoria in Oregon."

-

-"I second the motion," said George, who, being a devoted disciple of

-old Izaac Walton, was as fond of fishing as he was of sailing.

-

-"Mr. President," said Archie, "I move to amend----"

-

-"The gentleman is out of order. An amendment to an amendment is proper,

-but not an amendment of an amendment to an amendment."

-

-When affairs reached this pass a hearty roar of laughter would come up

-through the open cabin windows, showing that there was an interested

-and amused listener in the person of Uncle Dick, who having gone to

-bed, leaving his state-room door ajar, could hear all that was said.

-Then speeches were made, some long and others witty, and all showing

-the training the boys had received in their debating societies. Eugene

-was particularly long-winded. According to Featherweight "he talked

-all manner of what," and spouted away on subjects that had not the

-slightest connection with the question under discussion. He talked

-eloquently about the American eagle, the war of 1812, and the stars and

-stripes, and dwelt long on the rights of sailors and other free-born

-citizens. He said afterward that if he couldn't gain his point any

-other way, he would tire his audience out, and compel them to vote for

-his amendment just to get rid of him. But the boys listened patiently

-and without once interrupting him, except by applause when he grew

-particularly eloquent, and the young orator finally tired himself

-out and took his seat in disgust. Everything was voted down; so they

-were no nearer a decision than they were before. There was one point,

-however, on which they were all agreed when the meeting broke up at

-eleven o'clock, and that was, that they had enjoyed themselves, and

-that their jaws and sides would be sure to ache for a week to come.

-

-During the afternoon the boys had held a consultation with the

-boatswain's mate, who had promised to take the trappers under his

-especial charge during the night, and to report the first man who

-attempted to play any tricks upon them. After the meeting broke up the

-boys went forward with their friends to see them safely stowed away in

-the forecastle. The sailors were all up and waiting for them--not a

-man had yet turned in. The best bunks in the forecastle had been given

-up for their use, and the beds that were made up in them would have

-looked very inviting to almost anybody except our two backwoodsmen.

-Having been all their lives accustomed to sleeping on the hard ground,

-with nothing but a blanket or the spreading branches of some friendly

-tree for protection, they wanted plenty of air and elbow-room. They

-hesitated when they looked into the little forecastle, and drew back

-and shook their heads when invited to enter. Archie finally effected a

-compromise by bringing up a couple of blankets and spreading them on

-the deck near the windlass. This being perfectly satisfactory, the boys

-bade the trappers good-night, and went away, leaving them to the tender

-mercies of the sailors.

-

-There was not much sleeping done among those foremast hands that night.

-They did not play any tricks upon their guests--indeed there were not

-many among them who would have had the hardihood to attempt it, after

-taking a good look at the stalwart fellows--but they crammed them

-"chock-a-block" with such wild stories of the sea that the trappers

-grew more alarmed than ever, and wondered greatly at the recklessness

-of the men who would willingly encounter such dangers. They told about

-mermaids, sea-dragons and serpents; of Vanderdecker's ghostly ship,

-the Flying Dutchman, which was rushing about the ocean with the speed

-of a railroad train, running down and sinking every craft that came in

-her way; of monstrous cuttle-fish which would sometimes arise suddenly

-out of the depths, and twining their long arms about a ship, sink with

-it and all the crew to the bottom; and one of the men declared that he

-had actually met and been swallowed by the same whale that took Jonah

-in out of the wet, hundreds and thousands of years before, and to

-prove it, exhibited the tobacco-box which had dropped out of Jonah's

-pocket when the whale threw him ashore. This is a staple forecastle

-yarn, and every one who has had an hour's conversation with a sailor,

-has probably heard it; but it was new to the trappers, who listened

-with all their ears and with unmistakable signs of terror on their

-faces. The simple-hearted fellows believed every word, and when the

-conversation lagged for a moment, spoke of the magnet Eugene had shown

-them, and the use for which they supposed it was intended.

-

-This started the sailors on a new tack, and the stories that followed

-were more wonderful than those which had just been told. There was not

-a sailor on board the Stranger who had not seen some unlucky vessel

-tumble off the under side of the earth, her magnet proving too weak to

-sustain her weight; and there were two or three who had belonged to the

-crews of those very vessels, and who had been saved by a miracle.

-

-The night was passed in this way, and it was daylight before the

-trappers lay down on their blankets to rest, but not to sleep. They

-could not sleep after hearing of such wonderful adventures and talking

-face to face with the men who had taken part in them. If they had not

-already made up their minds to lose no time in seeking safety among

-their native mountains, they would have done so now.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER IV.

-

-"SHANGHAIED."

-

-

-THE morning broke bright and clear, and all hands were astir at an

-early hour. The first thing was to hoist the anchor and haul the

-schooner alongside the dock. This being done, breakfast was served,

-and the boys having put on their shore-clothes, started out to take a

-good look at the city which they might never see again, and to make

-purchases of various articles they needed. Fred and Eugene each wanted

-a rifle and a brace of revolvers, their own weapons having been stolen

-from them by the hunters who robbed the Pike. Some of the others needed

-a few articles of clothing, and Frank's Maynard required some repairs.

-They set out together, but before an hour had passed, were scattered

-all over the city. Fred, Archie and Eugene hired a carriage and went

-for a ride, taking old Bob with them, while Dick Lewis stuck close

-to Frank and Walter. Knowing that the time for parting was not far

-distant, he did not seem willing to allow them out of his sight.

-

-A few years before men like Dick were often met with in the streets

-of the city; but now a genuine trapper was not seen every day, and he

-created something of a sensation wherever he went. Almost every one

-he met stared at him and turned to look at him after he had passed;

-and Dick, finally becoming nettled by the interest and curiosity his

-appearance excited, begged the boys to take him back to the schooner

-and leave him there. He would stay on board until she was ready to

-sail, he said, and then he and Bob would bid a long farewell to

-civilization, and make the best of their way back to Fort Bolton. He

-hoped that neither of them would ever see a paved street or a brick

-house again.

-

-At six o'clock in the evening the boys, and the few sailors who had

-been allowed shore liberty, began to retrace their steps toward the

-dock where the Stranger was lying. At seven they were all on board

-except two--Lucas, the boatswain's mate, and Barton, the coxswain of

-the cutter. These men had not been seen since noon, and they were to

-have been back at three o'clock. Preparations were already being made

-for getting under way, and Uncle Dick began to grow impatient. "I don't

-see what keeps those fellows," said he to Frank. "I have always found

-them trustworthy, and I hope they will not fail me now."

-

-"I must go ashore again after my rifle, you know," replied Frank--"it

-was to be done at half-past seven--and I'll go along the dock and keep

-an eye out for them."

-

-"All right. Hurry them up, if you see them, and be sure that you are in

-time yourself."

-

-Frank went ashore accompanied by the trapper--Dick was not afraid of

-attracting so much attention now that it was growing dark--and hurried

-away toward the gunsmith's. He followed the wharves as long as they

-led him in the direction he wanted to go, looking everywhere for the

-missing sailors, but without finding them. The actions of himself and

-his companion attracted the attention of two men, who were walking

-along the dock behind them. They watched them for some time, and then,

-after whispering together a few minutes, one of them came up and tapped

-Frank on the shoulder. "Who are you looking for?" said he.

-

-Frank turned and fastening his eyes on the man took a good survey

-of him before he answered. He was a flashily-dressed person, with a

-sneaking, hang-dog cast of countenance, and the grimy hand he placed

-upon Frank's shoulder, and which the latter promptly shook off, was

-heavily loaded with bogus jewelry.

-

-"Don't be quite so familiar, if you please!" said Frank.

-

-"Beg pardon," said the man, stepping back and straightening up his

-battered plug hat which he had thus far worn cocked over his left ear.

-"I thought you belonged to the Stranger."

-

-"And what if I do?" asked Frank.

-

-"I thought maybe you were looking for them two men."

-

-"What two men?"

-

-"Why, one of 'em is a short, thick-set fellow, and carries a silver

-whistle in the breast pocket of his shirt. The other is tall and

-slender, wears some kind of a badge on his arm--a petty officer's badge

-I took it to be--and has light hair and whiskers."

-

-The man gave an accurate description of the missing sailors of whom

-Frank was in search. No doubt they had got into trouble and found

-their way into some station-house; and this fellow was some little

-pettifogger, who hoped to make a few dollars by helping them out.

-

-"I thought maybe you were looking for 'em," continued the man, as he

-turned to go away; "but seeing you ain't, I am sorry I pestered you."

-

-"One moment, please," said Frank. "Where are these men now?"

-

-"They're aboard my ship."

-

-"O, you're a sailor, are you?" exclaimed Frank, again running his eye

-over the man, who looked about as much like a sailor as Dick Lewis

-did. "What is the name of your ship, and where is she?"

-

-"She's the Sunrise, and she is at anchor out here in the bay."

-

-"How came our men aboard of her?"

-

-"Well, you see, they've got some friends and acquaintances among my

-crew, and when we were lying alongside the dock they came aboard to see

-them. While they were skylarking about, one of them, the boatswain,

-fell into the hold and broke his leg. We hauled out into the bay just

-after that, and did it in such a hurry--you see there was another

-ship waiting to take our berth at the dock as soon as we were out of

-it--that we didn't have time to put him ashore. We've had a doctor to

-see him, and maybe it would be a good plan to get an ambulance and take

-him back where he belongs."

-

-"I think so too," said Frank, who became interested at once; "that is,

-if he can bear removal. But whatever we do, must be done at once. Our

-vessel is all ready to sail."

-

-"I guess he can stand it to be moved. You might come aboard and

-see--you and your pardner here. I've got a boat close by."

-

-Frank assenting to this proposition, he and Dick Lewis followed the

-man, who led the way along the wharf, and finally showed them a yawl

-manned by two oarsmen. They climbed down into it, their companion took

-his seat at the helm, and the boat was pushed off into the darkness.

-The man talked incessantly, answering all Frank's questions, and going

-so fully into the particulars of the accident that had befallen the

-boatswain's mate, and telling so straight and reasonable a story, that

-not a shadow of a doubt entered Frank's mind. He remarked that the ship

-was a long way from the wharf, and that the two men who were pulling

-the oars looked more like "dock rats" than sailors; but still he

-scarcely bestowed a second thought upon these matters, for his mind was

-fully occupied with the injured man to whose relief he was hastening.

-At last the hull and rigging of a ship loomed up through the darkness,

-and a hoarse voice hailed the yawl.

-

-"Sunrise!" replied the man at the helm.

-

-The answer was perfectly right and proper. It conveyed to them on board

-the ship the information that their captain was in the approaching

-boat; but it seemed to Frank that his presence brought very little show

-of respect from the officer in charge of the deck, for he ordered no

-lanterns to light him aboard. Indeed there were no lights to be seen on

-the deck, as Frank found when he clambered over the side, the only ones

-visible being those in the rigging, which were placed there to point

-out the position of the ship, so that passing vessels might not run

-into her.

-

-The captain, who was the first to board the ship, talked rapidly in a

-low tone to some one who hurried aft to meet him, and when Frank came

-up, he said aloud:--

-

-"Take this gentleman into the forecastle and give him all the help he

-needs to remove that man. This one," he added, pointing to Dick, "can

-go with a couple of you to get a stretcher."

-

-"Ay! ay! sir," replied a voice. "Step right this way, sir."

-

-Frank followed the speaker toward the forecastle, and when he came

-within sight of the ladder that led into it, was surprised to see that

-it was as dark as a dungeon below. Then for the first time the thought

-that things did not look just right began to creep through his mind.

-His companion descended the ladder, but Frank halted at the top. "Look

-here, my friend," said he; "if you want to get me below there you had

-better light up first."

-

-"Come on," said the man, in a tone of command.

-

-"Where's that sailor with the broken leg?" demanded Frank.

-

-"Are you going to come on?" asked the man.

-

-"Well, that depends---- I want to hear from that man of ours first. If

-you are down there, Lucas, sing out!"

-

-There was no response. In an instant it flashed upon Frank that he and

-Dick had been led into a trap. The man in the battered plug hat was

-no captain at all. Probably he was a shipping-agent. Having persuaded

-Frank and the trapper to accompany him on board the ship, he made

-a very plausible excuse for separating them for a moment, so that

-they could not assist each other, and now they were to be overpowered

-and confined until the vessel was well out to sea, when they would

-be brought out and compelled to act with the crew. While Frank was

-thinking about it, his conductor, who had gone half way down the

-ladder, turned around and started to come back. Frank's ears told him

-this and not his eyes, for they were of no use to him in that intense

-darkness. "Avast, there!" he cried, with emphasis. "If you come a step

-nearer to me I'll send you down that ladder quicker than you ever went

-down before. You have picked up the wrong men this time. Where is that

-scoundrel who called himself the master of this ship?"

-

-"Here I am," replied that worthy, in tones very different from those he

-had thus far used in addressing Frank.

-

-"Well, if you are wise, you will undo this half-hour's work with the

-least possible delay. Call away that boat and leave us a clear road to

-get to it, or----"

-

-Frank was interrupted by the sounds of a fierce struggle which just

-then arose from the quarter-deck. He heard the sound of stamping and

-scraping feet, muttered oaths and blows, and then Dick's voice rang out

-clear above the tumult. "Keep off, the hul on you," said he, "fur I'm a

-leetle wusser nor a hul parsel of wild-cats!" And then followed a sound

-such as might be made by somebody's head coming in violent contact with

-the deck.

-

-"Stand your ground, Dick!" shouted Frank. "I'll be there in a minute!"

-

-With these words he sprang forward, intending to run to his friend's

-assistance; but before he had made half a dozen steps his heels flew

-up and he was sent at full length on the deck, which he no sooner

-touched than two men, whom he had not yet seen, sprang up from behind

-the windlass and threw themselves across his shoulders. He had been

-entirely deceived as to the number of enemies with whom he had to deal.

-He had seen but four men on deck and there proved to be a dozen of

-them--more than enough to render resistance useless. Almost before

-he realized the fact he was powerless, a pair of irons being slipped

-over his wrists and another about his ankles. When he was helped to his

-feet, he found that the struggle on the quarter-deck had ended in the

-same way. Dick Lewis was led up, and by the light of a lantern which

-one of the crew drew from under a tarpaulin, Frank saw that he was

-ironed like himself.

-

-The man who carried the lantern held it up so that its rays fell full

-on the prisoners, and gave them a good looking over, bestowing his

-attentions principally upon their arms and shoulders, as if trying to

-judge of the amount of muscle they might contain. "They'll do," said

-he, at last, "and now we're all ready to be off. Can you pull an oar?"

-he added, flashing his lantern in Frank's face.

-

-"I can," was the reply.

-

-"I can! Is that the way you talk to me? I am mate of this vessel and

-there's a handle to my name."

-

-"I did not know that you were an officer," replied Frank, "and neither

-am I aware that I am under any obligations to put a handle to your

-name."

-

-"Well, you'll find it out pretty sudden. It shall be my first hard work

-to teach you manners, my fine gentleman. Take 'em below."

-

-The mate handed the lantern to one of the crew, who moved toward the

-forecastle, followed by the prisoners, who never uttered a word of

-complaint or remonstrance. Frank knew it would do no good, and Dick

-was so bewildered that he could not have spoken if he had tried. He

-kept as close to his young companion as he could. He seemed to think

-that Frank, powerless as he was, could in some way protect him. They

-followed their conductor into the forecastle, and the latter, after

-hanging the lantern to one of the carlens, went on deck again, closing

-the hatch after him.

-

-Frank and the trapper looked about them before they spoke. The very

-first objects their eyes rested on were the two missing seamen, the

-coxswain and the boatswain's mate, who lay side by side in one of the

-bunks, snoring at the rate of ten knots an hour. They were there,

-sure enough--the bogus captain told the truth on that point--and

-Frank was glad to see that they were all right, or would be as soon

-as the effects of the drug they had swallowed had been slept off.

-There were three other men in the forecastle, and they were in irons

-like themselves. They lay in their bunks and looked sullenly at the

-new-comers. "What's the matter with you?" asked Frank. "What have you

-been doing to get yourselves in this fix?"

-

-"Trying to desert," growled one of the sailors, in reply. "What's the

-matter with _you_?"

-

-"Shanghaied," answered Frank. "What ship is this, and where is she

-bound?"

-

-"She's the Tycoon, and I expect she's off for the Japan station."

-

-Frank's heart seemed to stop beating. His situation was even worse than

-he had supposed. He recalled the story of the man he had seen desert

-that same ship on that very day, and shuddered when he thought of what

-might be in store for him.

-

-"What did you say was the matter with us, Master Frank?" asked the

-trapper, leaning against a bunk by his friend's side and speaking in a

-low voice.

-

-"I say we have been shanghaied--that is, kidnapped," replied Frank.

-

-"But what fur?" said Dick, who did not understand the matter at all.

-"We hain't been a doin' of nothing."

-

-"I know that; but you see--in the first place, Dick, there's no use

-in denying that we are in serious trouble. You might as well know it

-first as last and make up your mind to stand it, for there is no way

-of escape. This is the same ship that that man we picked up to-day

-deserted from, and that red-faced man in gray whom we saw in the

-whale-boat is the captain of her. He and his officers treat their men

-so harshly that they run away every chance they get. The captain must

-have men to handle his vessel, and as he can't get them in the regular

-way, he kidnaps them."

-

-"But what do I know 'bout a ship?" exclaimed Dick.

-

-"Nothing whatever; but that is no matter. You have good strong arms,

-and it will not take long to break you in."

-

-"Whar--whar----"

-

-The trapper could not ask the question he was most anxious to have

-answered. It seemed to stick in his throat.

-

-"I know what you mean," said Frank. "This man says we are bound for

-Japan, and that is nearly three thousand miles from here."

-

-Dick was frightened almost out of his senses. His face grew as pale as

-death, great drops of perspiration stood on his forehead, and he tugged

-and pulled at his irons with the strength of desperation. But they

-had been put on him to stay, and all his efforts to free himself were

-unavailing. Frank knew what he stood in fear of, and he knew, too, that

-anything he could say would not set the poor fellow's mind at rest.

-The wrong ideas he had formed of things and the ridiculous stories he

-had heard in the forecastle of the Stranger, had made an impression

-on him so deep and lasting that even Frank, in whom the trapper had

-every confidence, could not remove it. The real dangers he was

-likely to encounter would be but small things comparatively; but the

-imaginary evils which he would look for every day, would cause him much

-suffering. Frank thought more of his friend than he did of himself.

-How would Dick behave when he found himself dancing over the waves of

-the Pacific in a small boat in pursuit of a whale? What would he think

-if he saw one of those monsters of the deep--as Lucas, the boatswain's

-mate, said he had often seen them--come up on a breach, shoot up forty

-or fifty feet into the air, and then fall down into the water with

-a noise like the roar of Niagara? No doubt he would refuse duty. No

-doubt, too, when the captain or his officers attempted to punish him

-for disobedience there would be a desperate fight--for Dick stood not

-in fear of anything that walked on two feet--which would not end until

-the trapper had been severely injured and perhaps permanently disabled.

-

-"Human natur'! What'll I do?" cried Dick, after he had exhausted

-himself in his efforts to pull off his irons.

-

-"Watch, me and do as I do, as nearly as you can," replied Frank. "We

-are completely in the power of these men, and there is no way to get

-out of it. While on our voyage from Bellville, I took particular pains

-to learn all I could of a seaman's duties, and perhaps I shall be able

-to be of some assistance to you. What we don't know Lucas and Barton

-will teach us. But, whatever you do, don't refuse duty or talk back, no

-matter what is said or done to you. It will only be worse for you if

-you do."

-

-"And bear another thing in mind," said one of the sailors, who had been

-listening to this conversation, "and that is, you take rank next below

-the cap'n's dog, and hain't got no rights of your own!"

-

-The trapper looked toward Frank, and while the latter was explaining

-that, according to a sailor's creed, those who follow the sea take rank

-in this way: first the captain, then the mates, then the captain's

-dog, and lowest of all, the foremast hands--while Frank was explaining

-this, there was the sound of a commotion on the deck over their heads,

-and after listening a moment the sailors declared that the vessel was

-about to be taken to sea. And so it proved. The anchor was hove up, the

-sails spread one after the other, and finally the prisoners below began

-to feel the increasing motion of the ship. Just then the hatch was

-thrown open and the first mate came down the ladder. He walked straight

-up to Dick, unlocked his irons and slapping him on the back ordered him

-to go on deck and lend a hand. Even this simple order was Greek to the

-honest trapper; but he understood the word "go," and he went, delighted

-to find himself in possession of his liberty once more. Frank would

-have been glad to go with him, for it was anything but agreeable to his

-feelings to be confined below like a felon; but the officers wanted to

-get a little farther away from shore before they allowed too many of

-their unwilling crew the free use of their hands and feet.

-

-The first order Dick heard when he reached the deck was: "Let fall and

-sheet home;" and the mate giving him a push by the shoulder and a kick

-at the same time, commanded him to "Grab hold of that rope and pull as

-if the sweetheart he left in the backwoods was at the other end of

-it." Or, we ought rather say that that was the order the mate intended

-to give, but he never finished it, for he was knocked down so promptly

-that it seemed as if his foot and the trapper's right arm were both

-put in motion at the same instant. Dick's hot blood, which was already

-at fever heat, boiled over completely when he felt the weight of the

-mate's boot, and he wiped out the insult as soon as it was given.

-

-Of course there was a tumult at once. The second mate caught up a

-handspike and the captain descended from his quarter-deck, flourishing

-a rope's end as he came. They advanced upon the trapper from opposite

-sides, but he was ready and waiting, and they must have been astonished

-at the rough reception they met at his hands. With one single twist,

-which was so sudden and powerful that it almost dislocated the second

-mate's shoulder, Dick wrenched the handspike out of his grasp and threw

-it to the deck. Then his long arms swung in the air like the shafts

-of a windmill, one huge clenched hand, as heavy as a sledgehammer,

-fell full in the captain's face, the other alighted on the top of the

-mate's head, and both these worthies sank to the deck on the instant.

-

-The first mate by this time recovered his feet, and picking up a

-handspike looked all around for the trapper; but he was not to be seen

-anywhere on deck. Nor indeed was he to be found about the ship. He was

-gone.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER V.

-

-THE TRAPPER'S ADVENTURE.

-

-

-"WHAT time is it now, Eugene?"

-

-"Just nine o'clock. What do you suppose is the matter, Uncle?"

-

-"I wish I knew. They are all of them old enough and large enough

-to take care of themselves, but I can't help thinking that there's

-something wrong."

-

-"I have half a mind to go ashore and look for them."

-

-"I don't know what good that would do. You don't know where to look,

-and if they should happen to come aboard while you were gone, we should

-have to send some one in search of you, and that would cause another

-delay."

-

-The stores were all aboard, the Stranger was ready to sail, and had

-been for more than an hour, but three of her company were missing,

-and so was the trapper. Uncle Dick and the boys had been impatient

-at first, but this gradually gave way to a feeling of uneasiness and

-anxiety. Everybody had some explanation to offer for Frank's absence,

-and the prevailing opinion seemed to be that the sailors, having got

-themselves into trouble during the day, had been arrested, and that

-Frank was trying to effect their release. Old Bob was more uneasy than

-the rest, and couldn't make up his mind what to think about it, not

-knowing the dangers which one might encounter while roaming about the

-city after dark. His kit and Dick's were packed and lying at the head

-of the companion-way, and the old fellow was in a hurry to be off. Had

-they been in the mountains the trapper's absence would have caused

-him no anxiety. There Dick knew all about things, and was abundantly

-able to take care of number one; but in the settlements he was like a

-child, and almost as incapable of looking out for himself. Old Bob was

-afraid something had happened to him or Frank, and the others began to

-think so too as the hours wore away and their missing friends did not

-appear. Uncle Dick finally gave up all hopes of seeing them that night,

-and ordering one watch below, went to bed himself, leaving instructions

-with the officer of the deck to call him the moment Frank arrived. The

-impatient boys remained on deck an hour or two longer; but at last they

-also grew weary and turned in and went to sleep.

-

-Just at daylight they were awakened by hasty steps on the

-companion-ladder, and the officer of the watch hurried into the cabin

-and pounded loudly on the captain's door. "Ay! ay!" replied Uncle Dick.

-

-"That trapper is coming back, sir," said the officer, "and he's having

-a fuss out there on the dock."

-

-"He is having what?" asked Uncle Dick.

-

-"He's in a rumpus of some kind, sir. He's got somebody on his back and

-is lugging him along as if he were a bag of potatoes."

-

-"It isn't Captain Nelson or one of the men, is it?" asked Uncle Dick,

-anxiously.

-

-"O no, sir. It is a landsman and a stranger."

-

-This conversation was carried on in a tone of voice loud enough to

-be heard by all the boys, who were out on the floor in an instant. It

-was but a few seconds' work to jump into their trowsers and boots, and

-catch up their coats and hats, and they were on deck almost as soon as

-the officer himself. A strange sight met their eyes. A short distance

-up the dock was Dick Lewis, running at the top of his speed, and

-carrying on his shoulder a man almost as large as himself, who kicked

-and struggled in vain to escape from the strong grasp that held him.

-The load was undoubtedly a heavy one, but the trapper moved with it

-plenty fast enough to leave behind two ill-looking fellows, who carried

-bludgeons in their hands, and who were trying to overtake him. About

-two hundred yards farther up the dock were two more men, one supporting

-the other, who was limping along half doubled up as if in great pain.

-

-The boys, wondering greatly, sprang ashore and ran up the wharf to meet

-Dick. The latter, to quote from Featherweight, looked as though he had

-been somewhere. His buckskin suit, soaked with water, clung close to

-his person; his hat was gone, and his face wore an expression that the

-old members of the club had never seen there before. Archie had seen

-it, however, and that was on the day when, seated at the camp-fire near

-the Old Bear's Hole, years before, Frank related to himself and Uncle

-James the particulars of his meeting with Black Bill and his party, and

-the manner in which he had been treated by them.

-

-Dick grinned the delight he felt at meeting the boys once more, but did

-not stop to speak to them. He went straight on board the schooner and

-threw off his burden, at the same time seizing his man by the collar

-and jerking him upon his feet in front of Uncle Dick Gaylord, who

-looked at him in amazement.

-

-"Here's the mean chap that done it all," said the trapper, throwing his

-full strength into his arm and giving the bogus captain--for it was

-he--such a shaking that his teeth fairly rattled. "Now if thar's any

-law in the settlements set it a-going."

-

-"What did he do?" demanded the boys, who had followed close at his

-heels. "Where's Frank?"

-

-"He's round on the other side of the 'arth by this time, I reckon,"

-replied Dick, drawing his hand across his forehead and looking about as

-if he were overjoyed to find himself among friends once more.

-

-"I hope they've got a horse-shoe big enough to hold 'em on, but I'm

-'most afeard, 'cause she's a heap bigger nor this little boat o'

-your'n."

-

-"What is?" asked the captain, and the boys grew anxious when they saw

-the expression that settled on his face. "Begin at the beginning and

-tell us all about it."

-

-Thus adjured, the trapper launched at once into his story, without

-wasting any time in explanatory remarks, and for ten minutes held his

-auditors spellbound. He told how he and Frank had been enticed on board

-the Tycoon, described the manner in which they had been overpowered and

-confined, repeated the conversation that took place between Frank and

-himself in the forecastle, and ended by relating the particulars of his

-"scrimmage" with the officers of the ship, with all of which the reader

-is already acquainted; but he does not know what happened afterward,

-so from this point we will tell the story in our own words.

-

-The reason Dick could not be found on board the ship after his fight

-with the officers was ended, was because he was not there--he had

-jumped overboard; and what was rather singular, none of the crew on

-deck had seen him when he did it. The last time they saw him he was

-clambering into one of the bowboats, and that was the first place they

-looked for him, his concealment being pointed out to the officers by

-a man who was looked upon as the "black sheep" of the crew, and of

-whom we shall probably hear more as our story progresses. But when the

-officers came to search the boat, Dick was not there; he had dropped

-unseen into the water.

-

-The trapper was a famous swimmer, and entertained no doubt of his

-ability to reach the shore; but even had the vessel been twenty miles

-at sea, he would have trusted himself to the waves rather than run the

-risk of encountering the terrible dangers that awaited the ship and

-her crew on the "under side of the earth." The worst thing he would

-have to contend with in case he were recaptured, would be the tyranny

-of the captain and his brutal officers; but the sturdy trapper gave

-not one thought to that, for during a life of excitement and adventure

-he had more than once demonstrated his ability to protect himself;

-but he _did_ think of that ghostly ship, the Flying Dutchman, the big

-cuttle-fish, the mermaids and sea-dragons, the whale that swallowed

-Jonah, and which was still roaming about seeking whom he might devour,

-and, worse than all, the awful danger of the ship falling off when she

-came to the under side of the earth and was sailing along with her

-masts pointing downward and the crew walking with their feet upward.

-Dick thought of all these dangers and swam as if he saw them looming up

-close behind him; but with all his exertions he could not make headway

-fast enough to suit him. His wet clothing hung upon him like lead and

-deadened his progress through the water; so the first thing he did when

-the ship was out of sight, was to stop and relieve himself of this

-encumbrance. He took off moccasins and all, and wrapping them up in

-his hunting-shirt put the bundle on his back and tied it around his

-neck with the sleeves of the shirt. After that he made better headway.

-

-It is hard to tell what would have been the result of the trapper's

-adventure, had it not been for some assistance which fortunately came

-in his way. Had there been light enough so that he could see to direct

-his course, the swim would have been nothing; but there was danger of

-moving in a circle in the darkness, and so tiring himself out without

-making any headway at all. There were no lights in front to guide him,

-but there were some behind, and after looking at them two or three

-times the swimmer became convinced that they were coming toward him.

-There was a vessel of some kind approaching, and Dick, changing his

-course a little to intercept her, had the satisfaction of hearing his

-hail answered, and of seeing the little fishing-smack which carried the

-lights thrown up into the wind within a few yards of him.

-

-"Hello, there!" cried a gruff voice.

-

-"Hello, you!" shouted Dick. "Here I am."

-

-"Well, what do you want?" asked the captain of the fishing boat,

-peering out into the darkness and trying to discover whence the hail

-came.

-

-"Is civilized folks human enough to lend a sufferin' feller-man a

-helpin' hand?" asked Dick, who after his recent experience had some

-serious doubts on this point.

-

-This question was not immediately answered, for the skipper did not

-quite understand it. He held a consultation with one of his men and

-then called out--

-

-"If you want help, pull this way. I've got no boat to send out after

-you!"

-

-Dick was pulling that way with all his might, and guided by the

-lanterns that were held over the side, at last reached the boat,

-which sat so low in the water that he could lay hold of her rail. The

-astonishment of her crew as they hauled aboard a man who carried all

-his wearing apparel around his neck, was unbounded. They gave him time

-to put on his clothes and then directed him to the captain who was

-waiting to see him.

-

-The very first question that gentleman propounded to him aroused a

-thousand fears in Dick's mind. The skipper wanted to know where he

-came from, and how he happened to be out there in the water, five

-miles from land; and the trapper, fearful that if he told the truth

-and acknowledged himself to be a deserter, the captain might follow

-the Tycoon and compel him to go aboard of her again, whether he wanted

-to or not, did something he had never done before--he made up a story

-all out of his own head, as he told Uncle Dick Gaylord, and queer work

-he made of it. He entered into the particulars of a fearful shipwreck

-that had just occurred. The waves were as high as the Rocky Mountains,

-he said, the wind blew so hard that the sailors had to stop all work

-and hold their hair on (this was a quotation from one of the stories

-the trapper had heard in the forecastle of the Stranger); his ship

-was capsized no less than three times, always coming right side up

-again, and doing it so quickly that she did not even wet her sails

-or her deck, and none of the crew had a chance to drop off into the

-water (another quotation); but finally the wind came in such furious

-gusts that it took the masts right out by the roots (still another

-quotation), and the ship filled and went down like lead. The trapper

-said that all this happened not five minutes before, and that set the

-crew of the fishing-boat into a roar of laughter, for they had been

-out all day, and knew there had scarcely been wind enough to raise any

-white caps. The captain used some hard words, and called Dick anything

-but a truthful man; but the latter affirmed so solemnly that it was all

-so, that the skipper thought that perhaps something had happened after

-all, and spent a long time in cruising about the place where Dick had

-been picked up.

-

-This delay added to the trapper's fears. What if the Tycoon should

-come back in search of him? Alarmed by the thought, he labored hard to

-convince the captain that every soul on board the wrecked ship, except

-himself, had gone down with her; but finding that the skipper paid no

-attention to him, he changed his story altogether, and declared that he

-had jumped overboard on purpose, and that he had done it because he

-had taken passage on the wrong vessel. He wanted to go to Sacramento,

-he said, but by mistake had boarded a craft bound for the "under side

-of the earth;" and as she would not turn back and put him ashore, he

-had no alternative but to take to the water and get back as best he

-could. Then the skipper was angry in earnest. Ordering Dick to get as

-far forward as the length of the little vessel would allow, and not to

-open his head again as long as he remained on board of her, he filled

-away for the city.

-

-The trapper was very glad to be let off so easily. He had induced the

-captain to turn his vessel toward the shore, and that was all he cared

-for. He crouched down in the bow and meekly submitted to the jokes and

-tricks of the sailors, who never allowed him a moment's peace. He was

-too completely cowed to take offence at anything. He had seen enough of

-civilized life and people to take all the courage out of him.

-

-The moment the fishing boat touched the dock he was out and ashore.

-Then he was himself again. When he felt something solid under his feet

-his courage all returned, and he was in just the right mood to carry

-out the exploit he afterward performed. Almost the first man he saw on

-the dock was the bogus captain, who had enticed Frank and himself on

-board the Tycoon. Dick's blood began to boil as soon as his eyes rested

-on him. His first thought was to take summary vengeance on him, but he

-was checked in time by the reflection that he was not in the mountains

-now, and that there were laws in the settlements strong enough to

-punish evil-doers of every description. He did not know how to set the

-law in motion, but the captain of the Stranger did, and he would take

-the culprit before him at once.

-

-The bogus captain, whose business was that of shipping-agent and

-boarding-house keeper, was standing in the midst of a group of friends,

-half a dozen of them perhaps, and all men like himself; but this did

-not deter the trapper, who strode up and confronted him. The talking

-and laughing were hushed at once, and all eyes were turned upon the

-new-comer, who stood before them with dripping garments, his tall

-figure drawn up to its full height, his eyes flashing and his bony

-fingers working nervously. He looked dangerous. The bogus captain

-stared at him a moment doubtfully and then a gleam of intelligence

-crossed his face and he tried to smile.

-

-"Why, I thought I had seen you before," said he, thrusting out his

-hand. "Come in! come right into the house. Where you been?"

-

-"Whar do you reckon you seed me last?" demanded Dick, holding his arms

-behind his back, for the man seemed determined to shake hands with him

-whether he wished it or not. "You can't shut up my eyes with none of

-your palaverin', now. Whar do you reckon you seed me last, I axes you?"

-

-"Why, let me think a minute," said the man, pulling off his plug hat

-and digging his fingers into his head, at the same time backing away

-from the enraged giant. "I see so many of you fellows that I can't call

-you all by name the minute I meet you."

-

-"My name's--my name's----" Dick stopped and looked all around, trying

-to think what he should call himself. He did not have a very extensive

-circle of acquaintances, and he couldn't make up a name "all out of

-his own head," as he made up the story he told the captain of the

-fishing-smack. "My name's Colonel Gaylord," said he, giving the first

-one that came into his mind.

-

-"Ah! yes; I know you now," said the bogus captain, making another

-effort to take the trapper by the hand. "You're the chap I found a good

-berth for a few days ago, ain't you? Seems to me--you know----"

-

-"Yes," roared Dick, who could control himself no longer, "I know, an'

-'tain't likely I'll ever forget, nuther. I'm the man you wanted to send

-round to the other side of the 'arth, to be chawed up by whales an'

-dropped off into the clouds, consarn you--that's who _I_ am, an' you'll

-remember me afore you see the last of me, I tell you. Human natur'! I

-wish I could tote you out to the mountains fur about ten minutes. But

-I'll set the law a-goin' agin you afore you see another day; that's

-what I'll do. Come along here, you meanest man the 'arth ever saw, not

-even exceptin' Black Bill--come along! Stand out o' the way, the rest

-on you, or I'll claw you all up like a painter!"

-

-With these words the trapper seized the bogus captain by the collar

-and began pushing him toward the Stranger, which he could see still

-lying in her berth where he had left her. The man remonstrated and

-threatened, but all to no purpose. Then he resisted and called upon

-his companions for help. One of them responded, but was disposed of so

-quickly and effectually that the others thought it best to keep at a

-safe distance.

-

-Finding that his man was possessed of more strength, activity and

-determination than he had calculated on, the trapper seized him with

-both hands, and swinging him upon his shoulder started for the schooner

-at a rapid run. He brought his prisoner in triumph, and stood him up on

-the deck where all could see him.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER VI.

-

-A SCAMP ON HIS DIGNITY.

-

-

-"THIS yere is the mean chap that done it all," continued the trapper.

-"Thar's none of us that'll ever see Frank ag'in. He's gone round on

-t'other side of the 'arth, an' some dark night, when he's sailin' along

-thinkin' of nothing, one of them big quids (the sailors had called the

-cuttle-fish 'squids') will rise outen the water all on a sudden, wrap

-his arms, two hundred feet long, all about the ship, an' that'll be the

-last of Frank. When be you goin' to hang this feller, cap'n?"

-

-Dick had an interested and anxious crowd of listeners. The officers of

-the schooner and the boys stood ranged in a circle in front of him, and

-behind were the sailors, who at first invaded the sacred precincts

-of the quarter-deck with much hesitation, holding their caps in their

-hands and momentarily expecting an order to retire; but growing bolder

-by degrees, when they found that the captain, although he looked their

-way now and then, had nothing to say to them, they crowded up close

-behind the trapper, so that they could hear every word. There were also

-two other listeners--the men with the bludgeons, who had followed Dick

-Lewis in the hope of rescuing his prisoner. When these two worthies

-first came up, they acted as if they were about to board the vessel

-without ceremony; but changed their minds when they saw half a dozen

-broad-shouldered seamen, in obedience to a sign from the officer of the

-deck, move up into the waist to receive them. The sailors, who had a

-pretty good idea of what had been going on, even before they had heard

-the trapper's story, would have been delighted to have the opportunity

-to toss these men ashore neck and heels; and the latter must have seen

-it in their countenances, for they backed away from the edge of the

-wharf and took up a position from which they could hear and see all

-that passed on the Stranger's deck.

-

-Had Frank been as safe out of his troubles as Dick Lewis was, the boys

-would have been highly amused by the latter's description of the scenes

-through which he had passed; but it was far from being a laughing

-matter now. Frank had been kidnapped ("shanghaied" the sailors called

-it) by the captain of the Tycoon or his agent, and there was no knowing

-what might become of him. Perhaps the hard fare and harder treatment

-he was certain to receive, might drive him to do something desperate.

-Uncle Dick Gaylord, however, was not troubled by any such misgivings.

-He knew that Frank possessed courage and prudence in no ordinary

-degree, and besides there were Lucas and Barton, the coxswain, on the

-same vessel. The former was an old whaleman, and the assistance he

-could render Frank in the way of teaching him his duties, might enable

-the boy to keep out of any very serious difficulties. But could he help

-him in any way? That was the momentous question, and Uncle Dick walked

-up and down his quarter-deck with his hands behind his back while he

-pondered upon it.

-

-"Every word this man has uttered, as far as it concerns me and my

-doings, is false from head to tail," declared the bogus captain.

-

-This was the first time he had spoken since he was brought on board

-the vessel. At first he was badly frightened, but while the trapper

-was telling his story, he had time to think over his situation and

-determine upon his line of defence.

-

-"I don't know anything about this man and the other fellow he speaks

-of," he continued; "I never seen him before this morning, and I never

-tried to pass myself off as the captain of any ship."

-

-Dick Lewis eyed him savagely while he was speaking, and when he ceased

-drew back his clenched hand. In a moment more the man would have

-measured his length on the deck, had not the captain interposed.

-

-"Get ashore!" said he, shortly.

-

-"O no, cap'n," replied the man, with an impudent smile. "This is a

-nice way you have of doing business, I do think! One of your friends

-commits an assault on me and drags me away from my peaceful home, and

-then you wash your hands of the matter by telling me to go ashore. That

-won't go down, by no means. Twenty dollars for damages will get rid of

-me, but not a cent less!"

-

-"I can bring a dozen witnesses to prove that that man wasn't once

-outside of his house last night," said one of the ruffians on the dock.

-"I'm one of 'em, for I was with him all the evening and know everything

-he done."

-

-"Rodgers!" exclaimed Uncle Dick.

-

-"Here, sir," came the prompt response.

-

-A stalwart sailor stepped quickly out from among his companions, and

-dashing his cap upon the deck stood behind the bogus captain pushing

-back his sleeves. A simple look from Uncle Dick would have sent the

-man flying over the schooner's side as if he had been thrown from a

-catapult.

-

-"This is the last time I shall speak to you," continued Uncle Dick.

-"Get ashore!"

-

-The bogus captain thought it best to obey, and that too without a

-moment's hesitation. Once on the dock he was safe, and there he stopped

-long enough to say a parting word to Uncle Dick. "This matter will be

-settled in the court-room," said he, with a threatening shake of his

-head. "That man shall be arrested before he is an hour older."

-

-With these words he walked off, followed by his companions. The boys

-looked first at him, then at the captain and finally at Dick Lewis, who

-stood the very picture of astonishment. "Why didn't you set the law

-a-goin'?" the trapper managed to ask at last.

-

-"It would have been of no use," answered the master of the schooner.

-"Didn't you hear what that man on the dock said? That indicated the

-defence they would bring up. We would find a court-room full of

-witnesses to prove an alibi--that is, that this man was somewhere else

-when the kidnapping was done."

-

-"But it wouldn't be true, Uncle Dick," said Archie, who, like all

-the rest of the Club, invariably addressed the old sailor by this

-affectionate title. "If they swore to that, they would be guilty of

-perjury, and that is a state prison offence. Dick has told the truth."

-

-"I know it. I am just as certain that everything he has described to us

-really happened, as I would be had I seen it all with my own eyes; but

-a justice would not take his unsupported word against that of a dozen

-men. And as for perjury, how would you fasten the crime upon these

-false witnesses that would be produced? If Frank, Lucas and Barton were

-here, we would have the game in our own hands; but they are miles away.

-This man knows we can prove nothing, and that is what makes him so

-impudent."

-

-"I wish you had told Rodgers to throw him overboard, or else let Dick

-knock him down," said Eugene.

-

-"And afterward had the satisfaction of paying a fine and costs," said

-the old sailor, with a laugh. "By the time your hair is as white as

-mine, Eugene, perhaps you will have learned something. I've got one

-fine to pay now."

-

-"Why, how is that?" asked all the boys at once.

-

-"Didn't you hear what that man said just as he went away? There'll be a

-policeman down here directly."

-

-The boys looked toward the trapper. The expression of alarm which they

-had so often seen of late, had settled on his face again. He backed up

-against the rail for support, and looked wildly about as if he had half

-a mind to take to his heels. He stood more in fear of the law than he

-did of a grizzly bear. He had always thought that there was something

-wrong about it, and now he was firmly convinced of the fact. The law,

-as he understood it, was to restrain bad people, who were disposed to

-take advantage of their neighbors whenever an opportunity was offered;

-but he found that it was likely to prove a means of punishment to the

-innocent. It would have been just as impossible to give him a clear

-idea of its workings, as it would to make him understand the causes of

-the trade-winds or the theory of the ocean-currents.

-

-"I've said a million times, an' Frank says that more'n a thousand,

-that I'd never put my old moccasins inside a city again, an' now I

-say it onct more an' I'll stick to it," said the trapper, solemnly,

-raising his hand toward the mast-head to give emphasis to his words.

-"I get skeared to death by cars an' steamboats, an' something's allers

-happenin'."

-

-"Shoulder your rifle an' kit, Dick, an' let's be off," said old

-Bob, who up to this time had been a silent and amazed spectator and

-listener. "I'm afeared."

-

-"So am I, Bob, but I dasen't. I dasen't go; the law will ketch me.

-I wish I was to the ole Bar's Hole, so't I could crawl in an' hide

-myself."

-

-Dick leaned back against the rail again, rubbing his hands together and

-groaning as men sometimes do when they are sadly troubled in spirit.

-The boys tried hard to set his mind at rest. They assured him that no

-harm should come to him, for they and Uncle Dick were not only able but

-ready and willing to stand between him and all difficulties; but the

-trapper said he didn't want them to do it. If anybody was to go to jail

-(thrusting people into jail and hanging them Dick thought were the only

-punishments in vogue in civilized communities) it should be himself

-and nobody else. Furthermore, he did not see why it was necessary that

-any one should be called upon to stand between him and difficulty. He

-had only been following out his natural impulses in trying to bring

-the bogus captain to justice, and now he must suffer for it. He shook

-his head, refusing to be comforted, and showed a desire to be alone

-with his own thoughts; so the boys left him and turned to Uncle Dick,

-who was once more pacing his quarter-deck, after holding a short

-consultation with his officers.

-

-"I know what you want," said the old sailor, as the boys approached him

-in a body. "You are anxious to know what I am going to do for Frank. I

-can only guess at the best plan, and follow it out to the best of my

-judgment. What do you think ought to be done?"

-

-The boys had no suggestions to offer. One thing was certain, and that

-was that Frank would not long submit to harsh treatment. A young man

-who had commanded a fine vessel in Uncle Sam's navy would not consent

-to take rank next below the captain's dog, as the sailors in the

-Tycoon's forecastle had assured him he would do as long as he remained

-in that ship. If the opportunity were ever offered, he would lay his

-case before the consul of the first port at which the vessel touched;

-and failing that he would probably be driven to desert. In either case

-the boys did not expect to see him again. If the consul protected him,

-he would be sent to the nearest port in the United States free of

-expense, and he had money enough in his pocket--about twenty dollars,

-Archie thought--to support him until he could receive a remittance from

-home. If he was compelled to desert he would probably ship on the first

-vessel he could find, just as Chase had done, and she might take him to

-the remotest corner of the earth. All this would sadly interfere with

-the Club's arrangements. They thought as much of Frank as his cousin

-did--so much that they one and all declared that they did not care to

-continue their voyage without him. They couldn't enjoy themselves,

-for they would worry about him all the while, and if they were to be

-separated from him they would rather go home and stay there. If their

-pleasant party and their cruise were to be broken up, they had the

-boarding-house keeper to thank for it, and Walter declared that there

-was no punishment known to the law half severe enough for him.

-

-Uncle Dick listened while the boys were talking, and said he fully

-agreed with them. "Even if Frank should succeed in escaping from the

-Tycoon, and had a vessel at his command or money enough to take him

-just where he wanted to go, he would not know which way to steer to

-find us," said he, "for you boys will remember that you did not decide

-upon anything definite, and Frank doesn't know whether we are going to

-Alaska or Japan."

-

-"And all through my foolishness," said Eugene, bitterly. "I wish I had

-given up, and gone where the others wanted to go."

-

-"So do I," said Bab.

-

-"Don't reproach yourselves," replied Uncle Dick. "You had plenty of

-sport during your debates, and you were not supposed to know that

-such an emergency as this was about to arise. But perhaps we can do

-something by following the Tycoon."

-

-"Yes, if we only knew where she is going."

-

-"I have an idea that I do know. She is bound for the Japan station,

-so the sailors in her forecastle told Dick Lewis. Well, now, she is

-short-handed. She must be, for her mate released Dick from his irons

-and brought him on deck to help make sail. She'll never go on her

-station without a full crew, and the nearest place at which she can get

-it is the Sandwich Islands. There she will undoubtedly ship Kanakas

-enough to make up her complement. Then she'll go out for a three or

-four months' cruise, and come back and fit out for the Japan station.

-Now, if we can reach Honolulu before she leaves, we shall probably be

-able to effect the release of our men. If it were not for this incident

-that has just happened I would sail at once."

-

-"Why can't you do it any way?" asked Walter, who did not like to waste

-even a moment.

-

-"Because we must see Lewis out of his trouble. If he goes ashore

-without some one to protect him, he will be sure to fall into the

-hands of those sharpers, who will frighten him out of the last article

-of value he's got."

-

-"Cap'n," said Dick, suddenly, "will you take us with you--me and Bob?"

-

-The old sailor looked in astonishment, and so did the boys.

-

-"I'm afeared to go ashore," continued the trapper, who had been holding

-a council of war with his chum, "an' so is Bob. 'Sides it's a thing we

-never done yet--run off an' leave Frank in trouble, an' we've knowed

-him too long to do it now!"

-

-"My good fellow," said Uncle Dick, with a smile, "if Frank were lost

-in the woods, you and Bob would be just the men to assist him; but you

-can't help him in any way now."

-

-"Mebbe we can, cap'n. An' even if we can't, we don't want to go back

-hum without knowing what's come on him. We shouldn't see no peace of

-mind."

-

-Uncle Dick did not speak for several minutes. He knew just how much

-these rude men thought of Frank, and told himself that their desire to

-see him safe among friends again before they took leave of him for

-ever, was perfectly natural; but there were the dangers they expected

-to meet on the "under side of the earth"--the Flying Dutchman, the

-whales, the monstrous "quids"--could they stand all these? "Lewis,"

-said he, suddenly, "have you and your companion fully made up your

-minds on this point?"

-

-"Yes, an' we won't never change 'em nuther. We allers stand to what we

-say."

-

-"That settles the matter. Mr. Baldwin, while I am gone to the custom

-house, hail the first tug you see and stand by to get under way."

-

-The boys would have been delighted by this arrangement a few hours

-before, but their feelings were different now. They had something to

-think of besides the amusement they expected the trappers to furnish

-them.

-

-Uncle Dick went ashore and walked rapidly away, leaving the boys to

-themselves. Although they were impatient to be off, the time did not

-hang heavily on their hands, for they had much to talk about. They

-fully expected the trappers to change their minds when they saw the

-preparations that were being made for getting under way, but Dick

-and Bob were not that sort. There was a dogged expression on their

-faces, such as might have been seen there had the backwoodsmen been

-in the power of savage foes who were making ready to torture them at

-the stake. It said that they fully realized the dangers before them,

-and were prepared to meet them like men who had never shown the white

-feather.

-

-"Now, if Frank were only here, and if Dick and Bob would get rid of

-some of their foolish notions, we could look forward to some fun,

-couldn't we?" said Eugene.

-

-"_If_ and _if_!" said Walter. "It is surprising how often that little

-word stands in our way."

-

-"I have been thinking that Dick's short sojourn on the Tycoon has made

-matters worse for Frank than they would otherwise have been," said Bob,

-anxiously. "The three principal officers have felt the weight of his

-arm, and of course they'll have to take satisfaction out of somebody."

-

-"Dick," said Archie, suddenly, "why don't you encourage us by saying

-that Frank will be sure to come out all right? That's what you used to

-tell us whenever he got into trouble."

-

-"But he was on the prairie then, an' now he's among civilized folks,"

-replied the trapper.

-

-"Which means, I suppose, that this is the worst scrape he ever got

-into."

-

-Dick nodded his head.

-

-"I don't know about that," said George Le Dell. "I think if he had

-his choice, he would rather be where he is now than in the prison

-at Shreveport, if he had to go through what he did when he made his

-escape. Frank has been in some tight places, but somehow he has always

-managed to squeeze through without much trouble."

-

-"And he never was hurt that I remember, except when he burned that

-house in which Colonel Harrison made his headquarters," said Archie.

-

-"When _you_ burned it, you mean," said George. "_You_ did that, and

-if you had been a line instead of a staff officer, you would have got

-another stripe around your arm for it, too. I told the Colonel all

-about it after you left our house."

-

-"Why did you do that?" exclaimed Archie, hastily. "Now I shall never

-dare to meet him again."

-

-"Ha! ha!" laughed George. "Why, he is one of your warmest friends. I

-told him because I wanted him to know that the boy who killed that bear

-and beat Somers in a fair race through the woods, had something in him.

-The Colonel scolded me for not telling him before. He said if he had

-known it while you were in our neighborhood, you wouldn't have got away

-from his house for one good long month at least. He would have kept you

-if he'd had to put a guard over you."

-

-"Well, I shouldn't have enjoyed the visit."

-

-"You couldn't have helped yourself, if plenty of hunting, riding and

-good company are aids to enjoyment."

-

-From this subject the boys gradually got back to the one that occupied

-the most of their minds and thoughts, and that was Frank's sudden

-disappearance. They asked the trapper a multitude of questions, but

-learned nothing new, for he had already told his story in detail. While

-they were talking Uncle Dick returned, and the tug being alongside and

-the pilot aboard, the lines were cast off and the Stranger swung slowly

-around until her bow pointed toward the headlands at the entrance to

-the bay. In the bustle and hurry that followed the boys found time to

-turn an eye toward the trappers now and then, but they saw no signs

-of regret or alarm on their faces; and when the lines that held the

-tug were let go, and the steamer with a farewell shriek of her whistle

-turned back toward the city, and the schooner unfolded her white

-wings one after the other, and the Golden Gate was passed, and the

-broad expanse of the Pacific was fairly spread out before them, there

-were still no signs of backing out. But it was too late now. The die

-was cast, and Dick and old Bob were bound for the "under side of the

-earth!"

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER VII.

-

-TOO LATE.

-

-

-THE very presence of Uncle Dick was enough to infuse new life and

-comfort into the boys, who were disposed to make themselves miserable

-over the absence of their genial companion. The old sailor believed in

-looking on the bright side of things, and thought there was no use in

-worrying over the matter that they could not just then better in any

-way. His example made a great change in the feelings of the Club.

-

-"Now, Walter," said he, briskly, "we are fairly afloat again, and our

-sailing-master having deserted us, we are compelled to call on you to

-fill his place. Suppose you work out a course for us. We're bound for

-the Sandwich Islands, Eugene; which way are they from here?"

-

-"Oh, you can't catch me on that," replied the boy, "for I posted myself

-only a few days ago. The twentieth parallel runs through them. They're

-in the same latitude as Vera Cruz, in Mexico."

-

-"Well, I want to make the run in as short a time as may be, so what

-shall I do?"

-

-"Stand to the southwest to get the benefit of the northeast trades,

-and the equatorial current. The same route would take you to China or

-Japan."

-

-"Suppose, now, we were in China and wanted to come back to the States:

-would I follow the same course?"

-

-"No, sir. You would steer in a northerly direction until you got

-between the parallels of thirty-five and forty-five degrees north

-latitude, and there you would find strong westerly winds to help you

-along. Perhaps you'd get some assistance from the North Pacific drift

-current, but on that point I am not sure."

-

-"Well, it is just as well you are not," shouted Walter from the cabin,

-where he was busy with his chart. "The North Pacific drift current

-might help you if you wanted to go to Alaska from China. When it

-strikes the shores of our continent it divides, part of it flowing on

-down the coast and forming the California coast current, and the rest

-bending back across the Pacific again; so it would retard your progress

-rather than help you."

-

-"Well, I am not the sailing-master of this craft, am I?" replied

-Eugene. "If I was, I'd keep posted. Besides, almost anybody with a

-chart before him, could clatter away as though his tongue was hung

-in the middle. Wait till Frank gets back if you want to talk about

-navigation."

-

-"He's a good one, that's a fact," said Uncle Dick. "He's as fit to

-command a vessel as I am."

-

-Just then Walter came up, having worked out a course, which being

-approved by the captain and given to the officer of the deck, the bow

-of the Stranger was brought around a point or two, and the voyage

-was fairly begun. There was nothing to be done now, but to await

-developments with all the patience they possessed.

-

-But few incidents worthy of record happened during the voyage,

-which, after they struck the trade winds became monotonous enough.

-The schooner bowled along before a fine breeze, and as it was never

-necessary to change the sails, there was no work to be done except

-ordinary ship's duty. The Club passed the time mostly in reading and

-conversation with the trappers, who, as soon as they fully recovered

-from their sea-sickness, kept a constant lookout for some of those

-terrible dangers which had been so graphically described to them. By

-dint of much talking and argument the boys finally succeeded in making

-them take a more sensible view of their situation, and as the days wore

-away without bringing with them any of the perils they had expected to

-encounter, the backwoodsmen began to act a little more like themselves.

-But when an ignorant person once gets hold of an idea it is almost

-impossible to make him let go of it, and the trappers' minds could not

-be set wholly at rest. They steadily refused to go into the forecastle

-at night, and always slept on deck. The boys found the reason for this

-in a remark they heard Bob make to his companion. They wanted plenty

-of elbow room when they reached the under side of the earth, the old

-fellow said, so that when the schooner dropped off among the clouds,

-they could take to the water. They saw sharks, dolphins and flying-fish

-(the trappers began to put more faith in what the boys said after they

-had seen one of the latter rise from the water and sail through the air

-like a bird on the wing), and one day the sailors pointed out to them

-an object which made them believe that their time had come. It first

-showed itself while the boys were at dinner. They were summoned on deck

-by the officers of the watch, and found themselves close alongside

-the first whale they had ever seen. The monster was taking matters

-very leisurely, moving along about a hundred yards from the schooner,

-lifting his huge head out of the water now and then and spouting a

-cloud of spray into the air, and although the vessel was running at a

-rate of eight miles an hour, he kept pace with her without the least

-exertion. The boys were all disappointed.

-

-"This must be a small one," said George.

-

-"Small!" echoed Uncle Dick. "How big do you think a whale is, any

-how--as big as the Rocky Mountains?"

-

-"No, sir; but I have read that they have been found sixty and seventy

-feet long," replied George.

-

-"Well, this fellow is every inch of eighty, and I shouldn't wonder if

-he was ninety feet in length."

-

-"I wish some whaler would come along and pitch into him," said Eugene.

-"I'd like to see the operation of catching a whale."

-

-"If fifty whalers should come along they would not trouble this

-fellow," said Uncle Dick.

-

-"Why not?"

-

-"Because he is neither a sperm nor a right whale. He belongs to the

-species known as finbacks. He would not yield oil or bone enough to pay

-for the trouble of lowering the boats, and besides he is so swift and

-strong that it would be dangerous to meddle with him."

-

-The finback kept alongside the schooner for nearly a mile, and during

-that time the boys had ample opportunity to take a good view of him.

-He sank and rose at regular intervals, executing the manoeuvre with

-an ease and grace that was astonishing, and now and then he showed so

-much of his huge bulk above the water that the boys opened their eyes

-in amazement, and Featherweight declared that there was no end to him.

-The longer they looked at him the larger he seemed to grow. At length

-he began to edge away from the schooner, and finally disappeared. Then

-each boy turned and looked at his neighbor to see what he thought about

-it.

-

-"What makes you look so sober?" demanded Featherweight of Archie, who

-stood by pulling his chin, and gazing fixedly at the spot where the

-whale had last been seen.

-

-"I was just thinking," was the reply.

-

-"And I'll warrant we can all tell what you were thinking about," said

-George. "I guess there is no one in this small party who would like to

-be ordered into a small boat to attack a beast of that size, and you

-were wondering what Frank's feelings will be the first time he tries

-it. Well, I don't want to know them by experience."

-

-Archie walked to the side and looked over into the water, while George

-turned to Dick and Bob, who just then came up. Their faces were very

-white.

-

-"Well, Dick," said George, "you have seen your first whale, and it

-isn't such a terrible looking object after all, is it?"

-

-"I dunno," replied the trapper. "If the babies look like that, what

-must the ole ones be?"

-

-"The babies?" repeated George.

-

-"One of the fellows showed that thing to me when it fust come in sight,

-and I showed it to Rodgers, but he couldn't see it. Rodgers, he called

-another of the sailors, and he said he could see something, but it was

-so small he couldn't tell whether it was a whale or not."

-

-"Now, Dick, don't you believe a word those men in the forecastle say

-to you," said Eugene, indignantly. "Uncle Dick says that is one of the

-largest whales he ever saw."

-

-"Wal, Rodgers he couldn't see it at fust 'cause it was so small, but

-when he _did_ see it, he said mebbee it was a baby. He said the ole one

-will be along purty soon lookin' fur it, an' then we'll see a whale. If

-the ole one don't find the baby, she'll think we've done something to

-it, an' she'll brush us off'n the 'arth like a feller would brush a fly

-off his Sundy trowsers."

-

-The trappers were frightened again, and for the rest of the day kept

-close company with their young friends, no doubt feeling safer in their

-presence than anywhere else. The boys, one and all, exerted themselves

-to correct the wrong impressions they had received, but the foremast

-hands had had the first chance at them, as Fred remarked, and it was

-a matter of impossibility to set their fears at rest. For a week

-afterward Dick and his companion kept a sharp lookout, expecting every

-minute to see the old whale coming in search of her young one; but

-she did not appear, and the next thing that happened to relieve the

-monotony of the voyage, was the discovery of land, dead ahead. Walter

-had been anxiously looking for it for the last twenty-four hours.

-Having taken Frank's place as sailing-master, he was eager to earn a

-reputation as a navigator, and he was not a little elated to find that

-he had made no mistake.

-

-The discovery of land set the sailors going again. Rodgers and a

-few of his companions, who, when the trappers were in hearing, were

-continually talking about mermaids and dragons and other sea monsters,

-and the awful sights that would be presented when they came to the

-under side of the earth, looked through their hands at the dim outline

-in advance, and after comparing notes in a tone of voice loud enough

-for Dick and Bob to hear, declared that it wasn't land after all--that

-the man at the mast was mistaken.

-

-"That's no more land nor I be," declared Rodgers. "If my head is worth

-a tar-bucket, it is the old whale. She can't find her baby, and so

-she's coming down to ask the skipper what he's done with it. She's

-coming like lightning too. Can't you see the water a boiling up under

-her bows? I can."

-

-"Now, mate, I think it's a squid," said another, "and he's waiting

-there to gobble up something. I can see his long arms resting on the

-water, and ready to catch the first moving thing that comes within

-reach. I hope the cap'n 'll keep away a few points."

-

-"Mebbe he don't know what it is," said a third, "and I think Lewis had

-better go aft and tell him about it--I do indeed!"

-

-"'Taint a whale nor a squid neither," said an old gray-headed seaman,

-who, using his hands for a spy-glass, had been looking at the island

-ever since they first came in sight of it. "It's the equator. I can see

-the waves rolling over it!"

-

-"Well, Jack, you've been to sea longer nor me and ought to know about

-these things," said Rodgers. "I seen the waves, but I thought they was

-the bone the whale was carrying in her teeth. When we get over it, if

-we ever do, we're on the under side of the earth, ain't we?"

-

-"That's what's the matter," said the gray-headed sailor.

-

-Dick fairly jumped, as each one of these opinions was solemnly

-advanced, and hurried off to speak to the boys. The latter, especially

-Eugene and Archie, could hardly refrain from laughing outright at his

-ludicrous display of terror, but they quieted his fears as well as

-they could, and by giving him a solemn promise that they would see him

-safely through any danger that might arise if he would remain close by

-them, they succeeded in keeping him out of the company of the foremast

-hands all the rest of the day. But it was not until nearly sunset that

-the fears the sailors had conjured up were entirely banished. By that

-time the object that had excited his alarm was so plainly visible that

-Dick could see for himself that it was land and nothing else.

-

-The boys did not see many of the new and novel sights that were

-presented to their gaze, as the Stranger made her way through the

-strait that runs between the islands of Hawaii and Mani. They had eyes

-for nothing but the whale ship they expected to find there. The huge

-fishing canoes they saw the next day; the natives that came aboard

-in swarms while they were running about in the light, baffling winds

-they found under the lee of the land, the fruits they offered for

-barter--none of these things possessed the interest for them that they

-would under almost any other circumstances. They paid little attention

-to anything but the vessels that now and then passed them. But the

-Tycoon was not among them.

-

-Uncle Dick took time, as he passed along, to look into every bay and

-inlet where the Tycoon was likely to be, and it was not until nearly a

-week after they first sighted the Sandwich Islands that the Stranger

-dropped anchor outside the coral reef that marks the entrance to the

-harbor of Honolulu. As the wind came strong down the mountain gorges,

-everything was made snug, and then the gig was called away and the

-captain set out for the town, leaving the boys to enjoy themselves as

-best they could during his absence. But it was dull business, this

-trying to pass away the time when they were so impatient and anxious.

-They kept up their spirits by telling one another that something would

-surely happen to restore their friend Frank to them, but the face that

-Uncle Dick brought back with him, when he returned six hours later,

-dashed all their hopes to the ground. No sooner was the gig fairly

-hoisted at the davits, than he gave the order to heave up the anchor

-and go to sea. The boys stood around and looked at one another in

-silence while these orders were being executed, and when Uncle Dick

-went into the cabin, they followed him.

-

-"Too late, boys," said he.

-

-"Has the Tycoon been here?" asked Walter.

-

-"Yes; she has done just what I thought she would do. She shipped a crew

-of natives and has gone out for a three months' cruise. When that is

-ended she will come back and fit out for Japan."

-

-"And what about Frank?"

-

-"Haven't heard a word of him. The consul saw only the captain, and he

-was here just long enough to ship his crew. We missed our object by

-just three days."

-

-"I don't understand how we missed it at all," said Eugene. "We

-certainly lost no time."

-

-"But you must remember that the Tycoon is a large ship, and that she

-probably carries as much canvas in her courses and spanker as we can

-spread on all our masts and yards. We can't expect to sail with her."

-

-"What are we going to do now?" asked Bab.

-

-"We are going to see if we can find her. It will be almost like

-searching for a needle in a haystack, but we don't want to remain here

-idle for three months."

-

-"Of course not," said Eugene, quickly. "That would never do. While we

-are moving about we shall feel that we are doing something for Frank,

-even if we don't find him."

-

-"Exactly," said Uncle Dick.

-

-"What will you do if we find the Tycoon?" inquired Walter.

-

-"I shall probably be able to present the matter to her captain in such

-a way that he will be willing to release Frank and make him some amends

-for what he has done--I _think_ I shall be able to do so," said the old

-sailor, with a look in his eye that spoke volumes. "But if I should

-fail, he will be arrested as soon as he comes back here."

-

-This was all Uncle Dick had to say, and it afforded the boys very

-little satisfaction. They had confidently expected that Frank would be

-restored to them when they reached the Sandwich Islands, and this was

-a sore disappointment. Where was he now? Where was he while the Tycoon

-was lying in the harbor of Honolulu? What was the reason he had not

-done as he advised the deserter to do--insisted on seeing the American

-consul? The boys could only speculate upon these points, and they had

-ample leisure to do it--almost six weeks. During that time every ship

-they could come up with was spoken, but the Tycoon was not among them,

-and neither could they gain any information concerning her. The boys

-were getting discouraged and very down-hearted, and had it not been

-for Uncle Dick there is no telling how they would have lived through it.

-

-One night the officer of the deck reported that there was a whaler

-a few miles distant "trying out"--that is, rendering out the oil of

-a whale she had recently captured. The Stranger's bow was at once

-pointed toward her, and at sunrise the two vessels were within speaking

-distance.

-

-"Now just listen to me a minute and I'll tell you what's a fact," said

-Perk, who with the rest of the Club stood in the waist, attentively

-regarding the ship as she came toward them carrying a huge bone in her

-teeth, "there's something about that craft that looks familiar."

-

-"I was just thinking so myself," said Eugene.

-

-He glanced toward Uncle Dick, who, during the last quarter of an hour

-had kept his glass levelled at the ship, and edged away toward the

-officer of the deck. "It can't be that that is the vessel we're looking

-for, is it, Mr. Baldwin?" said he.

-

-"If it isn't her, it's her sister," replied the officer, with some

-excitement.

-

-Before Eugene could carry this news to his companions the ship

-backed her main topsail, and as Uncle Dick, with an exclamation of

-astonishment that had a good deal of meaning in it, seized his trumpet,

-her captain appeared upon her bulwarks. The boys, through their

-glasses, had a plain view of him, and the general verdict was that he

-was a rough-looking fellow--one who, judging by his appearance, was

-capable of almost anything.

-

-"It is the same man we saw in the whale-boat," declared Eugene, his

-voice rendered husky by excitement. "I know him, even if he hasn't got

-his gray suit on."

-

-"I confess that I can't see any resemblance," said Bab, taking his

-glass down from his eyes long enough to bring it to a better focus.

-

-It would have required a person with a very lively imagination to

-recognise anybody at that distance, especially in such clothes as those

-in which the captain was dressed. He wore a tarpaulin on his head, a

-red shirt open at the throat, and a pair of coarse trowsers, which were

-thrust into the tops of heavy sea boots; and as some of these articles

-had been made for larger, and others for smaller men than himself, they

-fitted him oddly enough.

-

-"Ship ahoy!" roared Uncle Dick.

-

-"Ay, ay, sir!" shouted the captain of the whaler.

-

-"What ship is that?" asked Uncle Dick.

-

-The answer was given in a loud tone of voice, but the words were

-indistinct. The captain talked as if he had a mouthful of something.

-The only part of the reply that the Stranger's crew understood was that

-the ship was seventeen months out of Nantucket, and that she had nine

-hundred barrels of oil in the hold.

-

-"What does he say is the name of his ship, Mr. Baldwin?" asked Uncle

-Dick.

-

-"I understood him to say Eli Coon, sir," said the officer.

-

-"That sounds wonderfully like Tycoon, doesn't it?" whispered George.

-

-"And what does he call himself, Mr. Baldwin?" continued Uncle Dick.

-

-"Captain Hank Wilson, were the words I caught, sir."

-

-"What schooner is that?" shouted the captain of the whaler.

-

-"The Stranger, Captain Richard Gaylord, just out of Honolulu," answered

-Uncle Dick; and the words were so plain and distinct that the master of

-the whaler could have heard them if he had been twice as far away.

-

-"I'll send a boat aboard of you."

-

-"Very good, sir," replied Uncle Dick. "There is something strange about

-this, Mr. Baldwin," he added. "That is the Tycoon if I ever saw her,

-but that isn't the scoundrel who commanded her while she was in the

-harbor of San Francisco. Stand by, now, and if any of our men come off

-in his boat we'll see that they don't go back."

-

-There was no confusion on board the Stranger--there never was, for the

-discipline was too perfect for that--but everybody was highly excited.

-And the excitement was increased when the second mate went forward with

-the order, which he gave in a low voice: "All hands stand by, and

-be ready to jump when you hear the word." The sailors knew what that

-meant, and while some pushed back their sleeves, others laid handspikes

-where they could find them again at a moment's warning; and having

-thus prepared for any emergency, they moved to the side in a body, and

-awaited the coming of the whaler's boat with no little impatience. She

-came in sight at length, rounding the stern of the ship. Presently one

-of the men whispered something, which was passed along from one to

-another, until it reached the ears of the boys in the waist:

-

-"I see Lucas in that boat, and Barton too!"

-

-"But where is Frank?" said Archie, anxiously. "If he is aboard that

-ship now is his time to jump overboard and swim out to us."

-

-"Look at Dick Lewis," whispered Bab, suddenly.

-

-The boys with one accord turned their eyes toward the trapper. He stood

-on the forecastle with his hands on the rail, over which he was leaning

-as far as he could without losing his balance, and his eyes were

-fastened upon the approaching boat with a gaze such as a hawk might

-bestow upon the prey it was about to seize. As the boat approached

-nearer and veered round to come alongside, Dick gradually drew back out

-of sight and walked toward the stern to meet her.

-

-"If that is the captain of the Tycoon standing in the stern of that

-boat," said Archie, "he will be a well-thumped man before he gets

-fairly on deck, unless Uncle Dick interferes in time."

-

-"It isn't he," said Eugene. "I was mistaken. But he's a hard-looking

-customer all the same."

-

-The boat came nearer with every stroke of its crew, but the boys could

-not see any one in it whom they recognised. The backs of the oarsmen

-were turned toward them, and the captain kept his tarpaulin drawn low

-over his forehead, while the wind had turned the collar of his shirt up

-about his ears, so that his face was most effectually concealed.

-

-With a few strokes more the boat was alongside, and the red-shirted

-captain's head appeared above the Stranger's rail. Then Dick began

-to bestir himself. With a bound like a tiger he sprang forward and

-grasped the captain by the shoulders.

-

-"Avast there, Lewis!" roared Uncle Dick. "What are you about? If you

-attempt any violence I'll throw you over to the whales!"

-

-"No, I reckon not," replied the trapper. "This feller can't fool ole

-Dick Lewis, no matter what sort o' clothes he's got onto him!"

-

-As he said this he dragged the captain bodily over the rail, and

-lifting him in his arms as he would an infant, carried him toward the

-quarter-deck.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER VIII.

-

-GENTLEMAN BLACK.

-

-

-"GO on deck now, and let me give you fair warning that if you don't

-behave yourselves you'll go overboard before you can think twice!"

-

-It was the mate of the Tycoon who spoke, and who gave this order to

-Frank and the three sailors in the forecastle, after he had released

-them from their irons. The officer did not look much as he did the last

-time Frank saw him. He wore a handkerchief about his head and over

-his left eye, but it did not wholly conceal his face, which was badly

-swollen and discolored. He was in a fair way to remember his meeting

-with the trapper for some time to come.

-

-During the hour that Frank was confined in the forecastle his mind

-was exceedingly busy. His companions in trouble civilly answered all

-the questions he asked them, but did not seem inclined to talk, so

-Frank had opportunity to think over his situation and try to determine

-upon some course of action. The first thing he did was to congratulate

-himself on the fact that none of his companions were with him on the

-Tycoon. Had Walter, Bab, Archie or any of the rest gone ashore with

-him when he went after his rifle, they would now have been in the same

-predicament as himself; and according to Frank's way of thinking that

-would have been a calamity indeed. He expected to suffer--his mind was

-fully made up to that,--but he was strong and healthy and better able

-to endure hardship than any of the young friends he had left on board

-the Stranger. He had no fears for Dick Lewis. The trapper was as tough

-as a pine knot--nothing seemed to make any impression on him--and if

-he could only be induced to keep his temper under control, and pay no

-attention to the blows and insults he was sure to receive, he would get

-on well enough. Still he thought more of him than he did of Lucas and

-Barton, who were sleeping soundly in their bunk. These two were old

-sailors and could stand anything. They were not likely to have as easy

-times as they had had on board the Stranger, but they were accustomed

-to hard work and hard treatment, and when safe off the Tycoon they

-would have another story to help while away the lonely hours of the mid

-watch.

-

-Thus it will be seen that Frank was disposed to make the best of his

-misfortunes, and to look on the bright side of things. But there was

-one fact that troubled him not a little, and that was, his connection

-with the Club was severed. He did not expect to see any of its members

-again, not even Archie, for years to come. He would be released from

-the Tycoon some day--just as soon as he could gain the ear of some

-American consul for a moment--but he would not know which way to

-turn to find the Stranger, and so would have nothing left him but

-to make the best of his way back to Lawrence. That would be a great

-disappointment to him. He had anticipated much pleasure from his

-visit to foreign countries, and it was hard to abandon the voyage,

-just as his expectations were about to be realized, and go back to

-the monotonous, hum-drum routine of village life. But as there was no

-help for it, it was useless to repine, Frank told himself. He would do

-his duty as well as he could while he remained on board the Tycoon,

-but he was under no obligations to stay with her any longer than he

-was compelled to do so; and the first time she dropped anchor in port

-there would be one of her crew missing, unless the officers took the

-precaution to deprive him of his liberty.

-

-While Frank was meditating in this way the mate came into the

-forecastle, and after taking off his irons, ordered him on deck.

-Ascending the ladder he found a small crew engaged in setting things

-to rights. The third mate, who met him as he came up, put him to work

-with the rest, and for the next hour Frank was kept so busy that he did

-not have time to see much of his surroundings. He took a look around

-now and then for Dick Lewis, and wondered what sort of work the clumsy

-trapper would make in doing sailor's duty.

-

-"Was you looking for your pardner, sir?" asked a seaman who was busy

-at his side. (The "sir" came out almost involuntarily, as if the man

-instinctively felt that Frank was in some way entitled to that show of

-respect.)

-

-"Yes; I was looking for that tall, broad-shouldered man in buckskin who

-came aboard with me."

-

-"Well, sir, he's gone!"

-

-"Gone! Where?"

-

-"I don't know, for he can't be found alow nor aloft. He must have

-jumped overboard."

-

-"O, I hope not!" said Frank anxiously.

-

-"If he has, it is all right, sir, because he'd a done it sooner or

-later. I'll not stay aboard here much longer, unless there's a great

-change for the better. Things couldn't be worse."

-

-"Don't do anything desperate," said Frank. "It won't pay. But what made

-this man of whom we were speaking jump overboard?"

-

-"I don't know, sir. I was busy when he came up. The first thing I knew

-there was a rumpus; the cap'n and two of the mates were laid out as

-flat as slap-jacks, and the man hasn't been seen since."

-

-"Were we far from shore?"

-

-"Only about three or four miles."

-

-"O, then it is all right. Dick is safe. He can swim double that

-distance."

-

-"Well, I can't; but I wish I could have gone with him. I've seen two

-men go overboard since I've been on this craft, and if I was with 'em

-now among the sharks, my troubles would all be over."

-

-Here was direct confirmation of the story the deserter had told on

-board the Stranger. Frank drew a long breath, and from that moment a

-settled determination took possession of him.

-

-The work was all done at last, the watches told off and one of them

-ordered below. The one to which Frank belonged remained on deck to

-handle the ship, which was making long boards to gain an offing. Two

-or three times every hour they were called upon to trim the sails as

-the ship changed her course and stood off on another tack, and the rest

-of the time the crew lounged about the windlass. But there was none

-of that story-telling in which the crew of the Stranger engaged on

-such occasions, to make the time hang less heavily on their hands. The

-men sat sullen and silent, and as they were no company for Frank, he

-strolled aft to make an inspection of the craft which was likely to be

-his home for long weeks and perhaps months to come. She was different

-from other ships he had seen only in the number of boats she carried

-at her davits, and in her try-works, which were fitted up amidships.

-These were built of masonry, contained three large kettles, and were

-so constructed that a body of water could be kept under the furnace to

-prevent the fire from burning the deck.

-

-Having seen all he cared to see, Frank went forward again, and leaning

-over the windlass thought of the friends he was fast leaving behind

-him and of the trapper. He hoped from the bottom of his heart that

-Dick had jumped overboard. If such was the case he had saved himself

-many an hour of suffering, and had placed himself in no danger. It was

-but a short distance to the shore for such a swimmer as he knew the

-trapper to be, and besides there were vessels constantly passing in

-and out of the harbor, so that on a calm night like that he had only

-to call for help to get it. The trapper had learned enough from the

-three men in the forecastle, if he could only remember it, to put Uncle

-Dick Gaylord on the track of the Tycoon, and perhaps matters might not

-turn out so badly after all. If the Stranger followed the Tycoon to

-Japan, his release would certainly be effected; but how would he fare

-in the meantime? He wished that some discontented boy who had read

-yellow-covered novels until he had become thoroughly disgusted with

-home and all its surroundings, and sighed for the wild, free, romantic

-life of a sailor, could be in his place just then.

-

-A short time before Frank's watch on deck was ended, he heard a

-rustling in one of the bunks below, and looking into the forecastle

-saw that the boatswain's mate, having come to his senses, was sitting

-up and staring about him in great bewilderment. The old-sea dog did

-not know where he was, but he quickly became aware that he was aboard

-some craft that was in motion, and catching up his cap he sprang out

-of his bunk and ran up the ladder. At the top he found Frank, whom he

-recognised at once.

-

-"Where are we, cap'n?" he exclaimed; "and how long have we been under

-way?"

-

-The sailors belonging to the Stranger's crew were pretty well

-acquainted with the history of their captain and his passengers. They

-conceived a great respect for Frank when they learned that he had been

-all through the late war, and that he had, by his own unaided efforts,

-worked his way from the forecastle to the quarter-deck, and falling

-into Uncle Dick's habit, they invariably addressed him by his old naval

-title, and were as careful to salute him whenever they passed him as

-they were to salute their commander.

-

-Before Frank had time to reply, the boatswain's mate had glanced about

-the deck of the whaler, and some faint suspicions seemed to creep into

-his mind. "This ain't the Stranger, cap'n!" said he.

-

-"Who are you talking to?" demanded the first mate, who just then came

-forward.

-

-"I was speaking to Cap'n Nelson, sir," was the reply.

-

-"Who is he? Where is he?" asked the mate, roughly.

-

-"There he stands, sir."

-

-"Well, you just drop all that," said the officer, who was plainly very

-much surprised, "and hereafter bear in mind that there is only one

-captain aboard this ship and only one first mate. Get on deck, here.

-You belong to this watch!"

-

-"Ay, ay, sir," replied Lucas. "Now here's a lubberly go, cap'n," he

-added in a low tone, as the mate went aft out of earshot.

-

-"Be careful," said Frank, quickly. "Remember the mate's order and drop

-that title and all others when you speak to me. Just recollect that I

-occupy a lower position aboard this craft than you do, for you are an

-able seaman and I am not."

-

-"But what craft is this and what's happened us?" asked the boatswain's

-mate, earnestly--"shanghaied?"

-

-"Yes, and this ship is the Tycoon."

-

-"I knew it," said the old sailor, striking his open palm with his

-clenched hand. "Serves me right."

-

-"I don't know how you came here. Perhaps you can tell."

-

-"I took a drink, sir," said Lucas, hanging his head.

-

-"Ah! yes; and you didn't get it out of the scuttle-butt either, did

-you? Pure water would not have robbed you of your senses."

-

-Then Frank went on to tell of his meeting with the bogus captain and

-the manner in which he and the trapper had been enticed on board the

-whaler. The old sailor was greatly distressed to know that it was

-through him that Frank had been brought into trouble. He offered to

-make amends by jumping overboard, and seemed to be hurt because Frank

-would not consent to it. While he was trying to comfort the mate the

-watch was called and Frank and the rest ordered below.

-

-Thus far things seemed to be working as well as could be expected under

-the circumstances. Frank had heard a few hard words from the officers,

-but he had seen no blows struck. This, however, was only the calm that

-preceded the storm. The next morning the captain made his appearance on

-deck, just as the crew were ordered to turn to, and then the trouble

-began. Frank recognised him at once, for he wore the same clothes he

-had on when he passed the Stranger in the whale-boat. He proved to be

-quite as brutal as he looked, and a constitutional grumbler. He found

-fault with everything. Nothing could be done to suit him. He swore at

-the officers, and they in turn swore at the men, and struck right and

-left with whatever came first to their hands--that is, the first and

-second mates did. The third mate, whom Frank had heard addressed as

-Mr. Gale, took no part in the swearing and striking. He did not speak

-to the men as if they were dogs, but his orders were just as emphatic,

-just as readily understood and quite as promptly obeyed. Frank took a

-liking to the man at once. Like himself, he seemed very much out of

-place on board the Tycoon.

-

-The captain was anxious to get his small crew into shape for work

-before he reached the fishing-grounds, and almost the first thing he

-did was to order out a "dummy whale," which was a spar towed over the

-stern. Then the boats' crews were selected. There proved to be enough

-to man two boats, leaving a sufficient number of the crew on board to

-act as ship-keepers. Frank and Lucas were assigned to the captain's

-boat, the former being seated at the bow oar. This was a position of

-responsibility, as Frank very soon learned. A whale when struck by a

-harpoon sometimes starts to run; and in such a case it is the duty of

-the bow oar to seize the line, draw the boat up alongside the whale,

-and hold it there while the captain uses his lance.

-

-Everything being in readiness, the boats were lowered, and for the

-next three hours were manœuvred about the spar, until it seemed to

-Frank that the inside of his hands was all in a blaze. To make matters

-worse, the captain swore at him for his awkwardness, and took him to

-task for answering "Very good, sir!" in response to an order, when he

-should have said "Ay, ay, sir!" An officer in the navy is required to

-answer "Very good, sir," when receiving a command from a superior, to

-show that he understands it; but Frank was not in the navy now, and

-neither was he an officer. He was a foremast hand on board a whaler,

-occupying a position a good deal lower than the captain's dog, he began

-to think.

-

-The boats were finally ordered back to the ship, and after they had

-been hoisted at the davits, the falls laid down in Flemish coil on

-deck, and the spar hauled aboard, Frank heard the order passed--

-

-"Send that gentleman in the black suit aft here."

-

-Frank knew in a moment that he was the one designated. He claimed to be

-a gentleman and he wore a suit of black clothes--he was the only one

-on board who did--so he promptly answered to the summons. "Here, sir,"

-said he.

-

-When he reached the quarter-deck he removed his hat and waited for the

-captain to speak to him.

-

-"So you know your name, do you?" exclaimed the skipper, gruffly.

-

-"My name is Nelson, sir."

-

-"But it suits me to call you Gentleman Black."

-

-"Very--ay, ay, sir," replied Frank, who knew that he was expected to

-say something.

-

-"Shoulder that handspike," continued the captain, pointing out the

-implement, "and march up and down the deck like a soger as you are.

-Carry it until you learn not to say 'very good' to me. What business is

-it of yours whether my orders are very good or very bad? I'll soon take

-them airs out of you."

-

-Frank picked up the handspike, and placing it on his shoulder, began

-walking up and down the deck like a sentry on his beat. A landsman

-would have seen no significance in this punishment, but the sailors

-did, and the boatswain's mate and the coxswain (the latter had

-recovered his senses and gone to work with the rest) were highly

-indignant. A seaman regards it as an insult to be called a soldier. It

-implies that he is a "skulker"--that he shirks his duty.

-

-This was the second time that Frank had been punished on board ship.

-His first offence, as we know, was committed while he was in the navy,

-on board the receiving ship. He spilled some water on deck, and was

-obliged to wipe it up and carry a swab about the vessel until he saw

-some one else doing the same thing. He might have carried that swab

-all day, had not Archie taken pity on him and effected his release.

-His jolly little cousin was not at hand to help him now. Frank was

-glad that he was far away, and in no danger of ever being placed in a

-situation like his own.

-

-Frank found that even a handspike grows heavy after a while, and when

-he had carried it four long hours, he would have been glad to put it

-down and rest; but his release did not come until his watch was called

-at twelve o'clock that night. From noon until midnight he paced the

-deck without a moment's pause, a bite to eat or a drop to drink. He

-was tired and sleepy, but was obliged to remain on deck four hours

-longer, or until the watch to which he belonged was ordered below.

-It was pretty hard, Frank told himself, and provoking, too, to find

-somebody ready to make sport of him, as one of the sailors in his watch

-did when he went forward. It was the "black sheep" of the crew--the

-same one who pointed out the trapper's supposed hiding-place in the

-bow-boat. His name was Gardener, but some one had christened him

-Calamity, and that was what he was generally called. Some of the crew

-had warned Lucas and Barton to be very careful what they said in this

-man's presence. He was the captain's pet. He was never punished like

-the rest, and the reason probably was because he made it his business

-to keep the officers posted in everything that was said and done in the

-forecastle.

-

-"Well, Gentleman Black," said Calamity, as Frank approached the

-windlass around which the watch were gathered, "how do you like

-the taste you have had of the Tycoon's discipline? You can't come

-soldiering aboard here with your airs and your graces----"

-

-"Belay that!" cried the coxswain, jumping to his feet. "You're a

-soldier yourself and a tale-bearer besides, Calamity, and any more such

-language as that will breed a row that'll have to be settled by you and

-me the very first time we get ashore. That's a word with a bark on it!"

-

-Calamity, like the coward he was, slunk back out of sight immediately,

-and in a few minutes got up and walked away.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER IX.

-

-"THERE SHE BLOWS."

-

-

-IT soon became evident to all on board the Tycoon that Captain

-Barclay--that was the name of the master of the ship--was in a great

-hurry. Whaling captains, while on fishing-grounds, generally try to

-get over as much space as they can while daylight lasts, and to remain

-as nearly in one spot as possible during the night. By following this

-plan they can hunt over every mile of the ground, and lose no chance

-of finding the game of which they are in search. Captain Barclay,

-however, carried all the sail he could crowd, both night and day. The

-old sailors, Lucas and Barton among the rest, knew where he was going,

-and when Frank heard them express their opinions he had new cause for

-uneasiness.

-

-"He's bound for the Sandwich Islands," said Lucas, one day. "He hasn't

-got men enough aboard here to do anything, and he's going after a crew."

-

-"Then we can make up our minds that we have seen the last of the

-Stranger," said Frank.

-

-"Why, bless you," said Lucas, "I never did expect to see her again. I

-never said so before because I saw that you kept hankering after her,

-and I wanted you to keep your spirits up as long as you could."

-

-Frank's last hope was gone now, and it was only by a great effort of

-will that he kept himself from giving away utterly to his despondent

-feelings. "I have seen the last of my friends," thought he. "I have no

-one to rely on except myself. I must drag out a miserable existence

-here till I see a chance to escape, and then get home as best I can. I

-might just as well make up my mind to it."

-

-And he did. He accepted what he believed to be the inevitable, as

-gracefully as he could, and worked hard to keep his thoughts from

-wandering back to the pleasant little cabin of the Stranger, in which

-he had spent so many happy hours. He learned rapidly when once he made

-up his mind to it, and won many a word of praise and encouragement from

-Lucas and Barton, who declared that he was as handy as a pocket in a

-shirt. His services speedily attracted the attention of the mate, who

-one day addressed him something after this fashion, only using much

-stronger language--

-

-"I have half a mind to trice you up, Gentleman Black!"

-

-It happened just after a sudden squall, which struck the ship and

-threw her over almost to her beam ends. The topsails were clewed up,

-and when the crew were ordered aloft, Frank was the first to mount the

-rigging. He made his way to the main royal, and stowed it as quickly

-and neatly as if he had been accustomed to the business all his life.

-He had learned this part of a seaman's duty more readily than the

-rest, because he took the most interest in it. He felt excited and

-exhilarated when he found himself clinging to the swaying yard, with

-the wind whistling about his ears and the white-caps rolling beneath

-him, while the ship lay over at such an angle that, had he lost his

-hold, he would have fallen into the water thirty feet from her side.

-He was always among the first to respond to an order to reef or furl

-topsails, and perhaps he liked this duty best because there was danger

-in it.

-

-Having performed the work of stowing the royal, Frank descended to the

-deck, where he was met by the first officer, who had kept his eye on

-him while he was aloft. "Yes, sir, I've the best notion in the world to

-trice you up!" he repeated.

-

-"What for, sir?" asked Frank, opening his eyes in great surprise.

-

-The young sailor was well satisfied with the work he had just

-performed, and wondered what he had done that was wrong. By strict

-attention to his work he had thus far succeeded in keeping out of any

-serious difficulty since the affair of the handspike. True, he had been

-sworn at, had been sent aloft several times to slush down the masts,

-and had worked industriously for three hours knocking the rust off the

-anchor, and all because the mate thought he was a trifle too "airy"

-sometimes; but these were light punishments compared with those which

-some of the men received. He had seen a sailor knocked down with a

-belaying pin as fast as he could get up, and another hauled up by the

-wrists until he swung clear of the deck, and a fifty-pound snatch-block

-made fast to his feet.

-

-"I am not conscious of having done anything out of the way," continued

-Frank.

-

-"O, your conscience don't trouble you, then," angrily exclaimed the

-officer, who did not understand Frank's fine language. "Well, your back

-will trouble you in less than a minute if you use any jaw to me."

-

-"I meant, sir, that I didn't know I had done anything wrong," exclaimed

-Frank.

-

-"Then why didn't you say so?" growled the mate. "You're a nice lad, I

-do think, to come aboard here with your smooth, oily tongue, and talk

-us all into believing that you are a landsman! You told me that you

-didn't know anything about a ship."

-

-"Yes, sir, and I told you the truth. I have had time to learn something

-since then."

-

-"So have I," said the mate. "Now listen to me, my hearty," he added,

-shaking his finger at Frank. "You can't soldier any longer. You'll

-stand your trick at the wheel and do an able seaman's duty from this

-hour, or I'll haze you till you'll be glad to jump overboard. Go

-forward, where you belong."

-

-"Ay, ay, sir! Now I have got myself into a scrape, sure enough,"

-thought Frank. "The very first time I receive an order I don't

-understand, I shall catch it. I wish I had let that royal alone."

-

-Frank went forward and shortly afterward the first mate followed him,

-holding in his hand two short pieces of rope. "Gentleman Black," said

-he, "I need something to larrup these fellows with, when they don't

-act like men, and I want you to put a long splice in these ropes and a

-Turk's head at each end."

-

-"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Frank. "You can't catch me in this way, my

-man," he added, as the mate went aft again. "If it should ever become

-necessary to send down the topmasts, you will find out just how much

-I know about a sailor's work. I expect I shall be the first one to be

-'larruped' with this when it is done."

-

-Frank knew that such a rope as that he was at work upon, could not be

-used anywhere about the ship, unless it was for the purpose of beating

-the men. The mate gave him the task merely to try him; and he stationed

-himself, too, where he could watch Frank in order to make sure that he

-did the work himself. If he had been unable to do it, the officer would

-have accused him of soldiering, and that would have furnished him with

-an excuse for punishing Frank in some way. But he missed his object

-that time. The work was neatly and quickly performed, and Frank carried

-it to the mate, who, after closely examining it, grasped it with both

-hands and raised it in the air. "Let me see how it will answer the

-purpose for which it is intended," said he.

-

-If Frank had flinched or dodged, it is probable that he would have felt

-the weight of the rope over his shoulders; and it is probable, too,

-that the mate would have been flat on his back the very next instant.

-The deck of the Tycoon was never so near being the scene of a mutiny as

-it was that day; and just so surely as the rope fell, just so surely

-would there have been trouble, and serious trouble, too--Frank did not

-know how serious until afterward. He little dreamed that he had eight

-good men to back him up. He thought he would have to depend entirely on

-himself, but he stood his ground as if he had had the whole crew of his

-old vessel, the Boxer, at his command.

-

-The mate eyed him savagely for a moment, and then lowering the rope and

-telling Frank that he thought he was a very nice lad to come soldiering

-aboard there, when he was as able to do seaman's duty as anybody,

-called him some hard name and ordered him to go forward. The young

-sailor obeyed, glad indeed to be let off so easily; but his heart beat

-rapidly for a long time after that, and now and then he cast toward the

-officer a glance that was full of meaning.

-

-That night all sail was made again, and while Frank was at work on the

-topsail yard, Lucas, who was busy at his side, poked him with his elbow

-and whispered hurriedly--

-

-"Why didn't you knock him down, cap'n?"

-

-"Be careful," whispered Frank, in reply.

-

-"No harm done, sir," answered the boatswain's mate. "There's nobody

-near us except good men and true, and I'd as soon they would hear me

-as not. Why didn't you knock that mate down when he raised the rope on

-you?"

-

-"I had no reason for doing it," replied Frank; "but I believe I should

-have tried it if he had struck me. I don't think I could take a blow

-without resenting it. I came pretty near going in the brig that time."

-

-"No, you didn't, not by a long sight, sir, begging your pardon for

-speaking so plainly," said the old sailor, with a knowing shake of

-his head. "If you'd a done it, you'd a been walking up and down the

-quarter-deck now with your thumbs in the arm-holes of your vest. You'd

-a been master of the Tycoon, sir!"

-

-Frank looked at Lucas in amazement.

-

-"Fact, sir," said the old boatswain's mate, earnestly. "Me and Barton

-got you into this scrape, all unbeknown to us who did it, and we're

-bound to bring you out with flying colors, I tell you!"

-

-"Look here, Lucas," said Frank. "Now don't you or anybody else

-attempt----"

-

-"Belay what I have told you and listen to more," interrupted the

-sailor, hastily; "and don't be breaking in on me in that way, if you

-please, sir, because we hain't got much time to talk. You'll never be

-struck, sir, I don't think, but if you are, you'll see a tidy row. The

-officers know who you are--me and Barton told it to the other fellows

-in Calamity's hearing, and he carried it back to the cabin, as we knew

-he would--and the cap'n would give all his old boots and throw in a

-pair of new ones into the bargain, if he was well rid of you. He don't

-want you here; you know too much."

-

-"Well, he can easily be rid of me and you and Barton, too," said Frank.

-"Let him put us ashore at the Sandwich Islands. We are willing to go."

-

-"He'll never do that, sir. You wouldn't go ashore with a stopper on

-your jaw, would you?"

-

-"No, I would not," replied Frank, emphatically. "I'd tell the consul

-all I know about this ship and the way men are treated here, and have

-the captain and all his officers, except Mr. Gale, arrested. I could

-not be hired to keep my mouth shut."

-

-"Ah, ha! I thought so. The cap'n knows it, too."

-

-"What is he going to do with us?"

-

-"None of us know. The men don't want you to leave if they've got to

-stay, because they say that things ain't half as bad as they were

-before you came aboard. We know what we're going to do, and I've been

-waiting for a good chance to tell you. We're going to take the ship

-out of the hands of these villains, and put you in command. Hold on a

-bit, sir," he added, seeing that Frank was about to speak; "I know just

-what I am saying, and it is too late to find fault, for everything is

-fixed. Me and Barton spoke to some of the men about it, and there's

-six good men besides us that you can depend on every time. We know that

-you've got the brains and the book-learning to see us safe through the

-consul's court, and we'll do just whatever you say, all except one

-thing: when we get the ship, Calamity and the first mate have got to go

-overboard. That we've struck hands on. Lay in from the yard now, sir.

-Keep a stiff upper lip, and don't take no slack from nobody. When you

-get a good ready, sing out; and while me and Barton makes a dash for

-the cap'n's pistols--Calamity told us where he keeps 'em--the other six

-will take care of the officers on deck. We've got everything fixed, as

-I told you, and we're just aching to begin the work."

-

-The old boatswain's mate followed his remarks with sundry winks, nods

-and contortions of his face which Frank could not understand, but which

-no doubt meant a good deal.

-

-Frank descended to the deck and went through the rest of his duties

-like one in a dream. He had told his friends on board the Stranger

-that, had he been in the deserter's place, he would not have been

-restrained, by any fear of falling into the clutches of the law, from

-joining with his companions and taking the vessel out of the control of

-her officers. Now he was placed in a similar situation, and had only to

-"sing out" to make himself monarch of all he surveyed. Eight sturdy,

-determined men stood ready to obey his orders--a sufficient number to

-overpower the captain and his two tyrannical mates before they could

-think twice. Lucas did not have time to tell him who his friends were,

-but Frank believed that he could pick them all out. He had wondered

-at the respect which the foremast hands had shown him ever since his

-advent among them, and rightly attributed it to the influence of Lucas

-and Barton. Frank wondered if the third mate, Mr. Gale, was one of

-them. That officer always treated him with the utmost consideration,

-and once, while he was serving Frank with some clothing from the

-slop-chest, he so far forgot himself as to address him as "sir." He

-noticed the mistake as soon as he made it, but he did not recall the

-word. The old boatswain's mate and coxswain were indeed resolved to

-bring him out of his troubles with flying colors. They meant to promote

-him rapidly. Did anybody ever hear of a person creeping in at the

-hawsehole, and working his way into the captain's berth in three weeks?

-Frank laughed at the idea.

-

-"I'm a nice specimen to be put in command of a ship," he thought. "I

-hardly know the topsail halliards from the jib downhaul. But I feel

-better than I did an hour ago. If my presence here really acts as a

-restraint upon the captain, I am glad of it. As long as that state of

-affairs continues he and his officers are secure in their positions;

-but now that I have the power to prevent it, no one shall be triced

-up by the wrists with a fifty-pound weight at his feet, or beaten as

-unmercifully as that man was beaten the other day."

-

-Frank carried a light heart from that day forward, and often wondered,

-when he saw the captain in one of his angry, swearing moods, what that

-gentleman would think if he knew that he was treading on a mine that

-was liable to be exploded at any moment. He did not have a chance to

-talk to Lucas again, but the sailor looked whole volumes at him every

-time they met, and Frank thought the old fellow meant to reproach him

-because he did not "sing out."

-

-Frank by this time began to feel and look like a sailor. He had

-discarded his black suit and drawn a full seaman's rig from the

-slop-chest--red shirts, coarse trowsers, woollen stockings, heavy boots

-and tarpaulin. His hands were becoming hardened, so that he could

-haul on the ropes or take a three hours' pull about the ship, without

-setting his palms on fire as he had done at first. There was one thing

-he could not bring himself to do, and that was to go barefooted, like

-the rest of the crew. There was something too slovenly about that to

-suit Frank, who, during his experience on ship-board, had always been

-accustomed to see men neatly and completely dressed.

-

-Although Captain Barclay was in a great hurry, he did not neglect to

-keep himself and crew in readiness to seize upon the first opportunity

-that was presented for adding to his stock of oil in the hold. The

-boats were always ready for lowering, the mast-head had been manned

-for two weeks; and Frank took his turn with the rest. He did his

-duty faithfully while acting as lookout, hoping to be the first to

-discover a whale. He wanted to see one; but when it came to getting

-into a small boat and pulling out to attack him--well, Frank wasn't

-so anxious for that. He drew a long breath and his heart would beat a

-little faster than usual whenever he thought of it. He had heard many

-thrilling stories related during the night-watches, and had come to the

-conclusion that a sperm whale was made to be looked at from a distance

-and not to be approached in a small boat.

-

-One bright day Frank was sitting on the fore-royal yard, his back

-braced against the shroud-stay, one hand grasping the halliards and his

-feet swinging in the air a hundred feet above the deck. There was not

-a sail in sight--nothing but the ocean beneath and the blue sky above.

-The old boatswain's mate, who now held the position of boat-steerer,

-was sitting on the main-royal yard behind him, and both were keeping a

-bright lookout for whales. A prize of a pair of boots had been offered

-to the first man who raised a whale, and that to a sailor who, out of

-small wages, has to pay high prices for everything he draws from the

-slop-chest, is an object worth working for. Frank did not care for the

-boots--he hoped to be safely off the Tycoon long before the pair he

-then had on was worn out--but he did care for the honor of discovering

-the first spout, so he kept his eyes roaming everywhere. But half his

-watch had expired and he had seen nothing yet.

-

-"Hem! hem!" said a voice behind and above him.

-

-Frank looked around, and saw the old boatswain's mate winking and

-nodding at him as he always did both before and after making any

-confidential communication. More than that, he was holding his clenched

-hand against his breast, and pointing with his thumb out over the

-water. His meaning flashed upon Frank in an instant. His eyes scanned

-almost every inch of the watery waste that lay between him and the

-horizon, but he could see nothing that he thought looked as a spout

-ought to look.

-

-"Sing out, sir!" whispered the old sailor, excitedly. "There's grease!"

-

-"I don't see it," whispered Frank, in reply.

-

-"What's the odds? I do. Sing out, sir!"

-

-"There she blows!" shouted Frank, taking the old sea-dog at his word.

-

-The flapping of the sails below him showed that his wild yell

-had reached the ears of at least one of the sailors on deck--the

-wheelsman--and that it had excited him so that he forgot for a moment

-to attend to his business. Then the captain's hoarse voice was heard.

-"Keep her steady there, can't you? Where away?"

-

-"I am sure I don't know," said Frank, in a low tone, as he looked

-impatiently around.

-

-"Three points off the weather bow!" shouted the boatswain's mate.

-"Three miles off and coming this way. Sperm whale. Flukes! flukes!" he

-added, as the whale went down with a farewell flourish of his tail.

-

-"Dear me, I wish I could see it," thought Frank.

-

-"Lay down from aloft!" commanded the captain. "See the boats all clear

-and stand by to lower."

-

-When Frank descended to the deck in obedience to this order, he found

-the captain and all his mates in the rigging, the former sweeping the

-horizon with his glass. "There she blows!" he cried, gleefully. "Close

-aboard! Back the main topsail and lower away!"

-

-Frank sprang to the falls of the boat to which he belonged, and by

-the time it was fairly settled in the water, he was in his seat with

-his oar in his hand. Much scrambling and confusion followed; but a

-few oaths from the captain restored order, and almost before he knew

-it Frank was flying over the waves in pursuit of his first whale--the

-whale he had raised, but which he had not yet seen.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER X.

-

-FRANK'S FIRST WHALE.

-

-

-ALL this happened in much less time than we have taken to describe it.

-To Frank, whose brain was in a great whirl, it seemed that scarcely

-half a minute had elapsed after the raising of the whale, before he was

-in the boat and pulling for dear life. He afterwards recalled every

-exciting incident of that hour, and wondered that he did not feel any

-fear. Perhaps it was because he was too busy to think. He was not so

-busy, however, but that he could take note of and marvel at one thing,

-and that was the great change that had suddenly come over the captain.

-He looked and acted like a different man. He even smiled, and that was

-something Frank had never seen him do before. Holding the steering-oar

-with one hand and assisting the stroke-oar with the other, he kept up

-a running fire of small-talk to encourage his men.

-

-"Now, my good sons," said he, in a low voice and in much such a tone

-as an affectionate father might use, "all my 'lay' in that whale will

-go straight to your credit just as soon as we get back to the ship, if

-you will only put me alongside of him so that I can get one chance at

-him with the lance. I declare, it has been so long since I used a lance

-that I don't know how it seems, and I shall get all out of practice if

-you don't take pity on me. We must beat that other boat anyhow, and if

-you pull this way, you are sure to do it. That's it; pick her right up

-out of the water and walk along with her. She isn't a feather's weight

-to such long-armed, broad-shouldered fellows as you are. That's the way

-to do it; only raise her just an inch higher, my lads. She touched that

-wave; I felt it, didn't you? There! she didn't touch that one and I

-know it. Keep her there, my good lads. She's in the air now. Talk about

-your balloons! Give me this boat and crew and I'll go anywhere they

-can!"

-

-For the first time since he came on board the Tycoon, Frank felt like

-laughing. The captain reminded him of Hans Breitman's velocipede,

-which, even before it became frightened and started to run away with

-its rider, went so fast that it

-

-  "----didn't touch the dirt, by shinks,

-        Not once in half a mile."

-

-"Bless me, what muscles those two fellows in the bow have got!"

-continued the captain, still working at the stroke-oar with all his

-strength. "And how they do twist them oars about, just as if they were

-feathers! I've got to have stronger and heavier oars made for them, I

-can see that, for they're bound to break them they've got now. Ah! she

-touched that wave. Lift her up in the air again, where she belongs, and

-hold her there. You fellows in the bow needn't think you can pull your

-end of the boat so fast that we in the stern can't keep up with you. By

-the way, is that sharp-eyed, good-looking son of mine, who raised this

-whale, in the boat?"

-

-"Yes, sir. It was Nelson," replied Lucas, promptly.

-

-Frank, who did not believe in sailing under false colors, was about

-to protest that it wasn't he at all--that Lucas himself was the lucky

-man--but knowing the captain's uncertain disposition, and fearing that

-there might be some after-settlement that would prove unpleasant for

-the old boatswain's mate if the truth were known, he kept silent and

-heard himself praised for an act that he did not perform.

-

-"Ah! it is just like him," said the captain. "I knew there was lots in

-him the first time I saw him. You can't fool me in a man. I can look

-in his eye and read him like an open book. There's a boatsteerer's

-berth ahead for you, Nelson," continued the captain, too excited and

-impatient to think of the name he always applied to Frank in derision.

-"Those boots belong to you, and when we get back to the ship you go

-straight down to the slop-chest--I'll give you the key--and pick out

-whatever you want. Take everything you find there--boots, breeches,

-shirts and--no, no! Take the ship. She's yours! That's the way Daddy

-Barclay treats his sons when they do their duty by him. Now, my lads,"

-he added, in a thrilling whisper, "he's right here somewhere below us.

-Lay on your oars now; keep your eyes peeled and don't let me hear so

-much as an eye-wink from any of you."

-

-Frank's heart fairly came up into his mouth. The captain's harangue

-being ended (he had a suspicion that the skipper had kept it up on

-purpose to divert the minds of his crew, one of whom was as green as

-Frank himself), there was nothing to occupy his attention, and he had

-leisure to ponder upon the dangers he was about to encounter. Of course

-all the stories he had heard in the Tycoon's forecastle concerning the

-perils to which whalemen are constantly exposed, came into his mind,

-and to save his life he could think of nothing else. He felt as he had

-often felt on going into action. After the crew are called to quarters

-there is almost always a delay, sometimes longer and sometimes shorter,

-before the first gun is fired, and to most men that is worse than the

-battle itself. They are glad when it is over and the fight begins. The

-interval of inactivity that came now gave the boat's crew a chance to

-rest after their long, hard pull, but Frank could scarcely endure it.

-He wanted the whale to show himself at once. If he was going to cut the

-boat in two with his jaw or smash it into kindling wood with his tail,

-Frank wished he would be about it and not keep him in suspense.

-

-The whale was down a long time--so long that even the captain became

-impatient. He and the boat's crew, Frank among the rest, arose to their

-feet one after the other to obtain a wider view, and holding their oars

-in their hands, kept a bright lookout in every direction. The first

-mate's boat was lying about half a mile to windward, and her crew were

-also standing up. The Tycoon had come to directly in the path the whale

-was pursuing, and the third officer was at the mast-head, ready to

-signal to the boat's crews if the whale arose beyond the range of their

-vision. Frank's eyes were everywhere, and at last something induced him

-to turn them into the water close alongside the boat. He saw something

-there--an immense dark-blue object, which contrasted plainly with the

-paler blue of the water. He looked again, and then glanced into the

-water on the opposite side of the boat to make sure that his eyes had

-not deceived him. The sea on that side was all the same color, and

-that proved that there was something under the boat. He nudged Lucas

-with his elbow and pointed to it. The old sailor looked, and instantly

-every particle of color fled from his face. But he had nerve, if he was

-frightened, plenty of it, too, and it showed itself in the firm grasp

-he laid upon his harpoon. The time for action had arrived.

-

-"He's coming," thought Frank, while the oar he held in his grasp seemed

-to turn into lead, so heavy did it feel to his weakened arm. "I always

-supposed a whale was black."

-

-The boat header's action attracted the attention of the captain, who,

-following the direction of his gaze gave a sudden start and waved his

-hand to the crew. The men quickly seated themselves and dropped their

-oars softly in the row-locks. The temptation to look over his shoulder

-was almost irresistible, but fearing that if he did, his courage, which

-was rapidly oozing out at the ends of his fingers, would give away

-altogether, Frank resolutely controlled himself and kept his eyes fixed

-on the captain's face.

-

-"There he is," cried the skipper, a moment afterward. "Throw it at him

-and go overboard if you miss him."

-

-The old sailor obeyed the order to the very letter. He threw his

-harpoon, missed his object and went overboard. Whether it was for the

-reason that the boat was unsteady, or because the seaman was too badly

-frightened to stand firmly on his feet, or because his hand had lost

-its skill during the years that had passed since he struck his last

-whale, it is hard to tell. Perhaps all these things combined operated

-to bring about the events that followed. At any rate the iron went wild

-and the old boatswain's mate turned a complete back somersault and

-disappeared over the side. He rose immediately, however, and Frank

-catching sight of him as a wave carried him past the boat, promptly

-thrust his oar out to him.

-

-The captain was almost beside himself with fury. He did not act or

-talk quite so much like an affectionate father as he did a short time

-before. He tore off his hat, trampled it under his feet and shook all

-over with rage. "He missed him as sure as I'm a sinner," he sputtered,

-hardly able to speak plainly. "If I had him aboard the ship I would

-trice him up for a week. Let the fool go," he roared with a long string

-of heavy adjectives, as Frank tried to place the blade of his oar in

-the old sailor's grasp. "A man that'll get up on his legs and tumble

-overboard while the boat is standing still, is of no use aboard a

-vessel of mine; so let him go down among the sharks, where he belongs.

-We're well rid of--Stern all! Stern for your lives! Well done, my son.

-You've been in this business before, and you are my boat-header from

-this day out."

-

-The change in the captain's tone was brought about by an action on

-Frank's part that was unexpected, even to himself. He scarcely knew he

-did it until after it was done. Lucas, having missed his first throw

-and gone overboard, had no chance for a second attempt, and unless

-somebody took his place on the instant, the game was likely, if he did

-not escape altogether, to lead them a long, hard race before they could

-come up with him again. It required an emergency to show what Frank was

-made of. He never waited to take a second thought, but throwing his oar

-to the boatswain's mate--he knew it would keep him afloat until the

-boat could pick him up--he jumped to his feet, catching up the extra

-harpoon as he arose.

-

-When his face was turned toward the bow of the boat, Frank saw a sight

-that was well calculated to shake stronger nerves than his--a sperm

-whale coming up on a breach almost within an oar's length of him. His

-huge bulk was shooting up into the air, and he did not even make a

-ripple in the water as he arose. But when he fell on his side, as he

-did a moment later, he created something more than a ripple. He raised

-waves that threatened to swamp the boat, and made a noise that would

-have given Frank some idea of the immense weight of the monster, if he

-had not been too highly excited and alarmed to have any ideas at all.

-

-As the whale fell into the water--fortunately he fell away from the

-boat--Frank's harpoon was launched into the air, and being thrown

-with all the force his sinewy arms could give it, and flying true to

-its aim, was buried to the socket in the side of the whale. The next

-instant the young harpooner was thrown flat among the thwarts by the

-sudden start backward which the crew gave the boat in obedience to the

-captain's order "Stern all!" He heard something whistling through the

-air, and looked up just in time to see the whale's flukes disappearing

-in a pile of foam. How he opened his eyes at the sight of them! They

-would have measured more feet across than the boat measured in length.

-The whale gave the water an angry slap, raising a sea that would have

-filled the boat had not the bow been promptly brought around toward

-it, and then started down into the depths at the rate of a mile in six

-minutes, the line fairly smoking as it whizzed through the lead-lined

-groove. Frank held his breath while he gazed at it. It looked like

-a streak of blue flame, so swiftly did it run out. If it caught on

-anything, the boat and all her crew would be a hundred feet under water

-in an instant's time.

-

-The young harpooner did not hear any of the words of praise and

-promises of reward which the delighted skipper shouted at him. He did

-not hear anything but the hissing of the line as it ran through the

-groove in the bow. He lay on the bottom perfectly stupefied, until he

-was aroused by the touch of somebody's hand.

-

-When the captain gave the order to "Stern all," the crew sent the boat

-within reach of Lucas, who laid hold of the gunwale, and worked his

-way along to the bow, where he belonged. Attracting Frank's attention

-by a pull at his trowsers, he was hauled into the boat, and took his

-seat, looking not a little crestfallen. He caught up a hatchet lying

-near, and held it in his hand in readiness to cut the line in case it

-fouled while running out. Frank also seated himself, and then began to

-think about what he had done. No one in the boat could have been more

-surprised at it.

-

-"I don't want any more of this," said he, mentally. "It is just awful.

-I can't stand it. While that fellow was shooting up toward the clouds

-he looked like a church-steeple turned wrong end up. He must be a

-hundred and fifty feet long--perhaps more. Who would have thought that

-I had courage enough to send that harpoon at him?"

-

-Here Frank looked over his shoulder as if to satisfy himself that he

-had really performed the feat. There could be no mistake about it. The

-line was still running out, and Lucas was watching it while hauling in

-the harpoon with which he had missed the whale.

-

-"I believe I did do it," thought Frank. "He is black after all. It was

-the water that made him look so blue. I wouldn't do it again to be made

-owner of the finest fleet of ships that ever floated!"

-

-"Nelson," said the captain, and now that Frank's mind was settled a

-little he was able to pay attention to him, "whatever I've got that you

-want, just ask for it and it is yours. Don't be bashful or stand on

-ceremony with your Daddy Barclay. Take a big bite if you want to."

-

-"I have only one favor to ask, captain," replied Frank, suddenly

-tempted to strike while the iron was hot, although he knew it would be

-quite useless, "and that is----"

-

-"Well, slack away lively, and let it come out on the run," said the

-captain, as Frank hesitated a moment, wondering how he could word the

-request so that the skipper would not get angry at him. "Speak it out."

-

-"I should be greatly obliged if you would set me and the two men who

-were shanghaied with me, ashore at the first port we make," said Frank.

-"We shall use the right the law gives us, and ask to see the consul as

-soon as we get there."

-

-Frank's only motive in saying this was to let the captain know that he

-understood the law applying to the rights of seamen; and he said it

-at that time because he did not know that he would ever have another

-chance, this being the first opportunity he had ever had to exchange

-a word with the master of the Tycoon. If there is anything an officer

-thoroughly detests it is a "sea lawyer" among his crew. One of these

-gentry will keep a ship's company in hot water from the time the voyage

-begins until it is ended; and his presence acts as a restraint upon

-the captain and his mates, who, if they are disposed to be tyrannical,

-expect to escape the consequences through the sailor's ignorance of

-their rights. Frank knew this, and he was in hopes that if he let the

-captain see that he knew what his privileges were, and that he intended

-to insist on having them, the skipper would be glad to get rid of him

-with as little delay as possible.

-

-The master of the Tycoon had not a word to say in reply to this

-request, but the look he gave Frank satisfied the latter that if he

-had not spoken at the right time to further his own interests, he had

-spoken at the right time to make the captain angry. He did not offer

-Frank any more rewards after that.

-

-The line continued to run out with great rapidity for a few minutes,

-then the speed gradually decreased until it remained motionless, and

-the actions of the captain and his crew indicated that the whale was

-soon expected to make his appearance at the surface again. He came very

-speedily, and much too close to the boat for the comfort and safety of

-its crew. Seen through Frank's frightened eyes, his head looked like

-a small mountain rising out of the water. His mouth was wide open,

-showing a milk-white cavity large enough to take in the boat and all

-its crew, and Frank gathered from something Lucas said that he was

-ugly and had made up his mind to do some mischief. The sequel proved

-that the old sailor was right. The monster began operations at once

-by striking out with his long, sword-like jaw, which to Frank's great

-amazement he worked sideways, instead of up and down, and followed

-it up with a tremendous sweep of his tail that, had he succeeded in

-planting the blow where he wanted it, would have made an end of his

-enemies in a hurry. But both these dangers were escaped. His jaw just

-touched the bow of the boat, and the blow from his flukes was avoided

-by the vigilance of the captain and the prompt obedience of the crew,

-who quickly backed the boat out of his reach. Apparently satisfied with

-the demonstrations he had made, the whale got under way and made off at

-an astonishing rate of speed, the harpoon which Frank had planted still

-fast in his side.

-

-The bow-oarsman now had a duty to perform, and he set about it without

-waiting for orders. It was to overhaul the line and draw the boat up

-alongside the whale, so that the captain, who stood ready to change

-places with the harpooner, could use his lance. He rapidly drew in the

-line, taking care to lay it down clear of everything, so that it would

-not kink or get foul in case the whale sounded again, and soon had the

-slack all in. Then he felt a strain upon it, and an instant afterward

-the line was whipped out of the water with such force that it was

-drawn as tight as a bow-string, and the spray flew from it in a perfect

-shower.

-

-"Hold fast to it, my son," yelled the captain. "Keep every inch you

-get, and get every inch you can. We'll have a sleigh-ride now, and such

-a one as landsmen know nothing about."

-

-For a moment the strain was fearful, and Frank's power of muscle was

-tested to the utmost. It seemed to him that if the harpoon did not

-draw or the line break, his arms would be pulled off. Letting go was

-something he did not think of; but he knew he could not retain his hold

-much longer, so in spite of the old mate's warning gestures, he passed

-a bight of the line around a thwart and held it there. By this time the

-boat began to move, and the strain was somewhat lessened.

-

-Now began a novel ride, which Frank thought he could have enjoyed if he

-had only had leisure to give his attention to it. A whale can move at

-tremendous speed for a short distance, and this one went at such a rate

-that the boat buried her bow in the waves, and rolled back great masses

-of foam, which, spreading out over the surface of the water, gave it

-the appearance of a bank of snow. Perhaps it was this that first caused

-the sailors to call a ride of this kind a sleigh-ride. But Frank had no

-time to see what was going on around him. He had work to perform; and

-it _was_ work to haul a heavy boat containing six men through the waves

-against such resistance as the whale created by the high rate of speed

-he kept up. The line was wet and slippery, and Frank's hands, which he

-had fondly hoped were pretty well hardened by this time, soon began to

-feel the effects of it.

-

-In the first lesson he received while manœuvring about the "dummy

-whale," Frank had been instructed how to adjust the line to make the

-boat move side by side with a running whale and at a short distance

-from it, and he struggled hard to bring the boat in that position; but

-the line came in very slowly, and sometimes when he was almost on the

-point of accomplishing his object, an unusually large wave striking the

-bow or a sudden spurt on the part of the frantic beast in front, would

-tear the line from his hands in spite of all he could do to prevent it.

-

-At length, after Frank had worked his best for nearly an hour without

-once pausing for breath, and the line had been drawn through his hands

-for the third time, the captain's small stock of patience was all

-exhausted, and he began to relieve his mind by uttering heavy oaths.

-"Coward!" he yelled, stamping his feet as if he were trying to knock

-a hole through the bottom of the boat. "If you are afraid to put me

-alongside that whale, jump overboard and give place to a better man.

-You're fixing your back for a rope's end as soon as you get aboard the

-ship!"

-

-Frank and the old boatswain's mate exchanged quick glances, one

-elevating his eye-brows, and the other drawing his down. The first

-meant: "If he tries it will you sing out?" and Frank by his answering

-scowl meant: "I will." Not a word was passed, but each understood the

-other perfectly.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER XI.

-

-CUTTING IN AND TRYING OUT.

-

-

-THE high-spirited Frank, smarting under a sense of injustice, and

-hardly able to bear the pain occasioned by his lacerated hands,

-suddenly became very reckless. The captain had no excuse for talking to

-him in that style after what he had done. A coward would not have been

-likely to take a defeated harpooner's place and plunge an iron into the

-first whale he had ever seen, and neither would he have worked as hard

-as Frank did to bring the boat into position; and that he _did_ work,

-the crimson stains his hands left on the rope abundantly proved.

-

-"I have had this boat alongside that whale three times," said Frank, to

-himself, "and if I get her there again she'll stay, unless something

-breaks. I'll make all fast; and if the whale goes down and takes us to

-the bottom with him, it can't be helped. I'll see who will be the first

-to act like a coward, the captain or I."

-

-Had Frank carried this reckless resolve into execution, and had the

-whale sounded as soon as the line was made fast, the boat would not

-have been emptied of her crew more quickly than she was a moment later.

-The whale threw his flukes about in the most spiteful manner, but

-finding that he could not reach the boat with them, he gave signs of a

-change of tactics which created a panic among all the crew except Frank

-and the old boatswain's mate. Frank was not frightened because he did

-not understand them--in his case ignorance was bliss--but the sailor

-did, and he did not turn white this time either. He was about to be

-given an opportunity to make amends for his previous defeat, and he was

-ready to improve it.

-

-"He's going to 'mill,'" said he in a low tone as he picked up his

-harpoon. "Don't slack an inch till I get a dart at him."

-

-Before Frank could ask an explanation the whale raised his huge head

-from the water, dropped his jaw at right angles with his body and

-turning as quickly as a flash, started off across the course he had

-been pursuing. Frank, who was sitting with face forward so that he

-had a fair view of the whale and could see every move he made, stared

-at him in amazement; and while awaiting the issue of events with a

-calmness that surprised himself, eagerly responded to the harpooner's

-entreaty to haul in faster, although he believed that certain death

-awaited him. It seemed as if the boat would run squarely into the

-whale's mouth.

-

-"Slack that line!" roared the captain, suddenly stopping his swearing

-and speaking in an imploring tone of voice. "Slack that line, and may

-Heaven have mercy on us! Stern all, for life!"

-

-[Illustration: THE AIR SEEMED TO BE LITERALLY FILLED WITH PIECES OF

-PLANKS, HARPOONS, ROPES, AND LANCES.]

-

-Frank dropped the line, which seemed like a coal of fire in his hands,

-and the men laid out their strength on the oars till they fairly

-snapped. The first stroke stopped the boat's headway and the second

-started her on the back track, but not in time to escape the danger

-that threatened her. Before Lucas could throw his harpoon the whale's

-jaw swept around like a scythe, and striking the boat in the side

-overturned her in an instant, smashing in the planks as if they had

-been pasteboard, and tumbling those of the crew who did not jump out

-into the water.

-

-From the crest of a wave on which he struck, Frank turned to look at

-the whale and see what had become of his companions. The monster was

-bringing his tail into play now. With one fierce upward sweep of his

-huge flukes he lifted the battered boat out of the water, and the

-captain, who had clung to the wreck, was going up with it. The air

-seemed to be literally filled with pieces of planks, harpoons, ropes

-and lances. The crew had all escaped without injury--at least they

-were all able to swim, for Frank counted four frightened faces bobbing

-about on the waves near him. He had some idea now of the strength and

-ferocity a whale could display when he once set about it. He made

-up his mind, too, that men must be simply foolhardy to willingly

-follow any such business as whaling. Otherwise how could they bring

-themselves to engage with such a monster as this, against whose

-tremendous power, which he had just seen exerted with such telling

-effect, their strength was as nothing?

-

-To say that Frank was frightened would not begin to tell how he felt.

-How helpless he was! How completely the waves baffled his mad efforts

-to get out of the reach of his dangerous foe, and how like straws they

-seemed in the path of the whale which skimmed through them as easily as

-a bird passes through the air! Then how frightened everybody else was,

-if he might judge by the pale faces he saw about him, and the frantic

-attempts the men made to swim away. If those who were accustomed to

-such scenes and such dangers were so nearly overcome with terror, it

-was time for a novice to show signs of fear.

-

-"Look out, Nelson!" cried Lucas, suddenly. "Look out! He's----"

-

-The old boatswain's mate no doubt meant to say something else, but he

-did not stay on top of the water long enough to say it. He ducked

-his head and went down like lead, making desperate struggles to go

-faster. Frank cast one frightened glance over his shoulder and went

-down too. The whale had turned again and was coming directly toward

-him, rolling from side to side and slashing from right to left with his

-jaw, describing at each stroke a circle thirty-two feet in diameter.

-There was no time to swim out of his reach. His only chance for life

-was to go below him. How Frank blessed his lucky stars at that moment

-that deep diving and swimming long distances under water were two of

-his accomplishments! He went as far down as he could, stayed under as

-long as he could hold his breath, and came up almost strangled. He was

-out of danger. The battered boat was twenty feet away and the whale a

-hundred feet still farther off, and moving rapidly toward the ship. The

-men were all clinging to the boat to keep themselves afloat, and Frank

-swam up and joined them.

-

-All this while the men in the mate's boat had been doing their best

-with sail and oars to get near enough to the whale to take part in

-the fight, but without success. Now, however, they had an opportunity

-offered them, for the whale had doubled on his course, and if he did

-not take it into his head to turn again, he would pass their boat

-at such a distance that they would have a chance at him with their

-harpoons. The mate prepared for it by ordering one man to take down

-the sail while the rest still tugged at the oars. He did not even look

-toward the disabled boat or ask if the crew wanted assistance.

-

-"These whalemen are a heartless lot," thought Frank. "If I were in

-command of that boat I think I should save my shipmates first; but I

-suppose that officer thinks we are not worth as much as the whale. Men

-can be had any day for the asking, and if a few of them lose their

-lives what's the odds? Nobody misses them. But whales are not as plenty

-as they used to be, and if one of them is lost it is something to be

-sorry for."

-

-Frank's meditations were interrupted and his attention called from the

-chase by the actions of one the men near him, who suddenly began to

-make desperate efforts to climb into the boat. He persisted in spite of

-the angry orders and oaths of the skipper, who stormed and threatened

-to no purpose. The man was almost beside himself with fear.

-

-"What has come over him all at once?" asked Frank, of the man at his

-side. "He was quiet enough a moment ago."

-

-"He had a narrow escape from a shark once," replied the sailor, "and I

-guess he has just thought of it."

-

-"Well, I wish from the bottom of my heart that he hadn't thought of it

-at all," said Frank, "or else that I had not asked you any questions,

-for I have new cause for alarm now. I wonder if a sailor can turn in

-any direction without finding himself confronted by some deadly peril?"

-

-"He might if he's a merchantman, but not if he is a whaler," was the

-comforting reply.

-

-"If I had thought of sharks I never could have dived under that whale,"

-continued Frank.

-

-"O, 'tain't time for 'em to be on hand yet; but you'll see 'em coming

-like a flock of sheep just as soon as that fellow begins to spout

-blood."

-

-"Ay, that you will," said another. "I was hanging on to a stove boat

-once, just as we are now, and the sharks, I never see the beat of 'em

-in all my born days, come up----"

-

-"Well, if they got hold of anybody, I don't want to know it,"

-interrupted Frank, with a shudder. "Can't you talk about something

-else?"

-

-"Take that!" shouted the captain, who was narrowly watching the chase.

-"And that!" he added, a moment afterward. "He's fast again, and we are

-sixty barrels of grease ahead."

-

-Frank looked up to see what had called forth these exclamations from

-the captain, and was just in time to catch a glimpse of the mate's

-harpooner as he threw his second iron into the whale. He had three

-harpoons in him now, and Frank gathered from the remarks the men made

-that his capture was considered certain. He lashed the water furiously

-with his tail, raising an immense pile of spray and foam, and when it

-disappeared he was out of sight.

-

-"Now look out for breakers," said Lucas, "for there's no knowing where

-he will come up, and he's ugly if he is little. We know that, don't we?"

-

-"Little!" repeated Frank, who remembered that he had compared the beast

-to a church-steeple, and estimated his length at one hundred and fifty

-feet; "how big is he?"

-

-"The cap'n says sixty barrels."

-

-"I mean, how long is he?"

-

-"O, I don't know. I never took the measure of one. I ain't a tailor."

-

-"Did you ever know of one larger than this?"

-

-"Many a one. I heard of one once that ran a hundred and thirty-five

-barrels, but I didn't see him. The biggest one I ever struck or saw

-struck turned out a hundred and fifteen barrels."

-

-"Almost twice as large as this one," thought Frank, hardly able to

-believe his ears. "Whew! I will never sail another foot in the Tycoon

-after we reach the Sandwich Islands. If a youngster can kick up a row

-like this, what could a full grown one do? What _wouldn't_ he do if he

-got mad?"

-

-Frank was greatly relieved to hear one of the men say at that moment

-that the ship was coming down to pick them up. It was anything but

-pleasant to be placed in such a situation as that in which he and his

-companions were placed just then, immersed to their necks in salt

-water, every wave making a clean breach over them, nothing but a

-battered boat to keep them afloat, an enraged and ugly whale in close

-proximity, and a school of hungry sharks expected to arrive every

-moment. On the contrary, it was a situation well calculated to inspire

-terror.

-

-The good ship never seemed to move so slowly before, but she came up

-with them at last, a boat pulled by two men came out to their relief,

-and in ten minutes more the wrecked boat was on deck in possession of

-the carpenter, and the exhausted men were in the forecastle, exchanging

-their wet clothes for dry ones. When Frank went on deck again the whale

-was in his "flurry," which, upon inquiry, he found to be a sailor's

-way of saying "death struggle." The mate and his crew had made short

-work of him, and Frank came up too late to see the lance used. The

-whale was swimming in a circle at a surprising rate of speed, pounding

-the sea with his flukes, spouting blood from his blow-hole, and rolling

-from side to side as if trying to reach his enemies with his jaw. His

-fury increased for a few seconds, then gradually lessened, and finally

-the captured monster rolled over and lay motionless on the water.

-"Fin out!" cried all the sailors on the Tycoon, which was equivalent

-to saying, "he is dead." Then all joined in a yell of triumph, except

-Frank. He could not help feeling sorry for the conquered leviathan, who

-had battled so strongly for his life, and told himself that it was a

-mean business altogether.

-

-"Men who can torture a beast like that to death and feel no remorse

-over it, would serve their fellow creatures the same way if they had

-a good chance," was what he said to himself. "I know now how it comes

-that the captain and his two mates are so brutal. They have practiced

-on whales so long that they have no feeling left."

-

-Now came the work of making fast to the whale, which was begun as soon

-as the ship was brought alongside of it. Frank did not see how it was

-done, for he was kept busy at something else. When he had leisure to

-look over the side he found the game secured by a chain, one end of

-which was fastened just above the tail, and the other led through a

-hawsehole to the bitts. He could see the whole length of him now, and

-had it not been for the three harpoons sticking in his back and side,

-he could hardly have brought himself to believe that it was the same

-whale that smashed his boat. He looked very much smaller, and the

-reason was because he had something to compare him with.

-

-And now came the most disagreeable part of a whaleman's duties--the

-cutting in and trying out. The first consists in removing the blubber

-from the body of the whale, cutting off the head and bailing out the

-spermaceti; and the next in rendering out the oil in the try-kettles.

-Lucas said that, as the day was far spent, the work ought not to be

-commenced until the next morning. The crew could then have a good

-night's sleep after their hard work in the boats, and be fresh and

-ready for the laborious duties before them; but Captain Barclay thought

-differently. He never cared for the comfort of his men, so he ordered

-them to begin at once.

-

-How long it took to do the work Frank never knew, for he was too busy

-and too completely tired out to keep track of the days. The crew was

-so small that every man was required to handle the blubber as it was

-hauled aboard by the tackles; and when that was all stowed, and the

-carcass cut adrift, the watches were lengthened into six (they were

-often nearer eight) hours each, and the trying out began. Frank did

-not wonder that the men grew quarrelsome, and that more than one of

-them had to be driven to his work with a rope's end, being compelled,

-as they were, to work almost twenty hours out of the twenty-four. He

-thought often of what he had read concerning the fiendish ingenuity

-displayed by the Chinese in inventing modes of torture for those who

-disobey their laws, and told himself that some of them must have served

-their time in a whale-ship, and there learned by experience the misery

-to which a person is subjected when deprived of sleep. Frank would not

-have resented a blow himself now, he was too weak and dispirited; but

-he would have given all he ever hoped to possess, if he could have lain

-down in all the oil and dirt of the blubber-room, and had a good sound

-nap. The work was made harder by the captain's great desire to fill up

-the hold as soon as possible. He kept the mast-head manned all day by

-some of the crew who ought to have been allowed to go below to rest,

-and swore at them roundly because they did not raise another whale;

-although it is hard to tell what good it would have done if they had

-discovered a school of them, for in their exhausted condition they

-never could have endured a lengthened struggle with one. Frank often

-thought, after it was all over, that the only thing that sustained him

-during that week, was the sweet, sound sleep he had every time he

-acted as lookout. Seated on the royal yard, a hundred and more feet

-in the air, with his back against the stay and a rope passed about

-his waist to keep him from falling off, he would slumber like a log,

-leaving the whales, if there were any, to spout in peace. The rest of

-the crew being equally sleepy and careless, no more whales were raised,

-and Frank was glad of it.

-

-"I can't stand this, Mr. Gale," said Frank one day, when the third

-officer came into the blubber-room where he was at work, "and I won't."

-

-"You won't?"

-

-"No, sir. I have never done any soldiering since I have been aboard

-here, but I shall do it hereafter."

-

-"Do you know that you are talking to the third mate of this ship?"

-demanded Mr. Gale, who seemed surprised at Frank's strong language.

-

-"I do, sir, and I am not afraid to speak to you more plainly still."

-

-"Why ain't you?"

-

-"Because I know that you will neither get angry at what I say nor

-repeat it."

-

-"Well, I suppose I ought to give you a good blowing-up for your

-impudence," said the mate, who had to smile in spite of himself, "but I

-can't."

-

-"No, of course you can't. You know I have cause to be down on every

-officer of this ship except you, and that I will some day be in a

-position to make them smart for it. You know what they have done."

-

-"Well, we'll drop that. It ain't for me to talk about the doings of my

-superiors. I came down here to tell you something that'll liven you up

-a bit, may be. We shall sight the Islands in a few days, and the old

-man is going to put you ashore."

-

-"Good for him," exclaimed Frank, who was wide awake in an instant. "How

-about Lucas and Barton?"

-

-"Don't talk so loud. The masts, bulkheads and everything else have ears

-in this ship. I don't know about them. He didn't say."

-

-"They must go if I go," said Frank. "I shall need them for witnesses."

-

-"But you mustn't call any witnesses. If you go ashore at Honolulu, you

-must keep still and say nothing."

-

-"O, I must! Do you think that's the sort of fellow I am? Must I let a

-man kidnap me, carry me away from my friends to some out-of-the-way

-part of the world, and then, in order to gain the liberty of which

-he has deprived me and which rightfully belongs to me, promise him

-that he shall go scot free? Must he be allowed to run at large to try

-the same game upon somebody else, and perhaps abuse and maltreat him

-until he jumps overboard, as those two men did shortly before you

-reached Fr'isco? No, sir! He be jerked as high as the strong arm of

-the law can lift him, and that's pretty high. A thousand dollars fine

-and a long term in the penitentiary are the rewards that surely await

-him, and perhaps he can be tried for manslaughter. I am bound to have

-my liberty, Mr. Gale, and I shall get it without entering into any

-such agreement as that. If anybody makes promises, it will be Captain

-Barclay."

-

-Frank, being thoroughly aroused, clattered away in spite of all the

-officer's attempts to interrupt him. He could not have told why he said

-what he did toward the last. Perhaps he had a prophetic vision, during

-which the thrilling scenes that were so soon to be enacted were plainly

-portrayed. At any rate the words came into his mind, and he uttered

-them regardless of consequences. He was about to say something more,

-but an emphatic and warning gesture from the mate stopped him.

-

-Frank looked up and saw Calamity's sinister face peering down the

-hatchway. His first impulse was to knock him over with the handle of

-the blubber-knife for playing eavesdropper; but the vacant expression

-on the man's countenance induced the hope that perhaps he had only just

-come there, and had heard nothing he could make use of.

-

-"Look here," exclaimed Mr. Gale suddenly, doubling up his huge fist

-and shaking it at Frank, "I am an officer of this ship and you must

-respect me, or I'll teach you manners. Put a 'sir' in when you speak

-to me. As for Cap'n Barclay promising you them boots, I reckon you'll

-get 'em when this work is done; and if I hand 'em to you you'll get 'em

-over your head for your impudence!"

-

-"O, is that you down there, Mr. Gale?" exclaimed Calamity. "It is so

-dark I couldn't see you. The captain wants you on deck."

-

-The officer lingered a moment to add a few words to what he had already

-said, and then mounted the ladder leading to the deck, while Frank went

-on separating the fleshy fibres from the blubber.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER XII.

-

-HOW FRANK SAW THE CONSUL.

-

-

-FRANK knew why it was that Mr. Gale changed his tone and manner so

-suddenly. It was Calamity's presence that made him do it. The mate knew

-that if this man had overheard any of the conversation between himself

-and Frank he would go straight to the captain with it; and it would

-never do to let the skipper know that one of his officers had been so

-familiar with a foremast hand. It would not only make it unpleasant

-for himself, but Frank would most likely be punished for daring to

-express himself so plainly. Mr. Gale hoped that by speaking roughly and

-flourishing his fists in the most approved quarter-deck style, he could

-put Calamity on the wrong scent, and make him believe that he had been

-taking Frank to task for something. But the eavesdropper understood

-all that, and was much too smart to be deceived by any such artifice.

-

-"They can't shut up my eyes in no such way as that," said he, with

-a knowing shake of his head. "I heard it all, and see through their

-backing and filling as plainly as they do. I've got a chance to square

-yards with both of them now, and I knew it would come if I only waited

-long enough and kept my eyes and ears open. That Gentleman Black is so

-stuck up that he won't notice a common fellow like me, and Mr. Gale

-jawed me the other day and called me a soldier and a lubber. Won't

-there be a healthy old row here directly? I guess yes."

-

-There certainly would be if this man was able to bring it about, for

-he took great delight in such things, especially when he knew that he

-was out of danger himself. He hunted up the captain without delay, and

-the latter saw at a glance that he had something to tell him. "What is

-it, Gardner?" said he. (Behind his back the captain always called him

-Calamity, and in his heart despised him as cordially as any of the crew

-did.) "Your face is full of news."

-

-"You said you would put Nelson ashore at the Sandwich Islands if he'd

-keep still and say nothing, didn't you, cap'n?" began Calamity.

-

-"Yes, I did," replied the skipper, interested at once. "Have you been

-pumping him?"

-

-"No, but Mr. Gale has, and he says he'll hang you as high as the strong

-arm of the law can hist you. He can't be hired to keep his mouth shut.

-He told Mr. Gale so, and him and Mr. Gale were talking mighty familiar

-and friendly like--too much so, for it don't look well for an officer

-to do such things."

-

-"What did Mr. Gale say?"

-

-"I didn't hear what he said at first, but I saw him winking and

-nodding, and when he saw me looking down the hatchway, he began to jaw

-Nelson about them boots you promised him for raising that whale. But he

-did it just to fool me."

-

-"Then Nelson is going to hang me, is he?"

-

-"Yes, and he wants Barton and Lucas for witnesses. He says he'll tell

-the consul everything that's been done aboard this ship, and you shan't

-be let loose any longer to haze men till they jump overboard."

-

-"Go for'ard; go for'ard," said the captain, hastily.

-

-"Aha!" thought Calamity, as he returned to his duties, "that was a

-home-thrust. I must say he took it easier than I thought he would.

-I must say this too for Gentleman Black, that since he's been on

-board, there haven't been so many men triced up or knocked down with

-handspikes, and the grub has been better than it ever was before. Now

-I'll tell you what's the truth," added Calamity, slapping his knee

-as he leaned over and looked under the try-pots, "Gentleman Black is

-master here, if he is nothing but a foremast hand, and that's what's

-the matter. That's the reason the old man takes things so easy, and

-don't go ripping and tearing around the way he used to. I wonder if I

-hadn't better make friends with him!"

-

-Meanwhile the work of trying-out went slowly on, and contrary to

-Calamity's expectations, though not much to his surprise, the captain

-took no steps to punish Mr. Gale and Frank for the conversation they

-had had in the blubber-room. Indeed he thought he could see a change

-in the skipper and in the two mates. The former very rarely went off

-into one of his fits of rage now, and the mates seemed to treat the

-men a trifle more like human beings. Every one of the crew noticed it,

-and Lucas, after sundry winks and nods, told Frank in confidence that

-something was going to happen very shortly. And sure enough, something

-did happen, but it was not just what the old sailor thought it would be.

-

-Finally the last barrel of oil was lowered into the hold, and the

-captain, to the surprise of his men, who had never known him to be

-guilty of an act of kindness before, sent all the crew except a

-boatsteerer's watch below to sleep. And a glorious sleep they had too

-after their days and nights of labor. Frank felt like another person

-when he came on deck in the morning, and went to work with a light

-heart to assist in cleaning up the ship. This required perseverance and

-the outlay of a good deal of strength, but it was done in good time,

-and when the deck was wiped down and the brightwork cleaned, the Tycoon

-looked as though she had never been near a whale. By this time land was

-in plain sight, and Frank and Lucas found opportunity to hold several

-whispered consultations as to the course they ought to pursue to secure

-their release. On two points Frank had made up his mind: If he went

-ashore, Lucas and Barton must be permitted to go also; and he would not

-purchase his freedom by entering into any agreement whatsoever with the

-captain of the Tycoon. The last one of these consultations was broken

-up by the sudden appearance of the third mate.

-

-"Nelson," said he, "the old man wants to see you in the cabin."

-

-"Ay, ay, sir!" replied Frank.

-

-"And you had better take a friend's advice," continued the officer, in

-a low tone, as the young sailor was about to pass him, "and agree to

-what he has to propose."

-

-Frank did not say whether he would or not. He wanted first to hear what

-it was that the captain had to propose. He went into the cabin and

-found the skipper and his two mates seated at a table there. The former

-had some shipping articles before him, and the first mate was reading

-a well-thumbed copy of Bowditch. This was encouraging. If the three

-officers had been examining the law, they no doubt learned that they

-were liable to some heavy penalties for what they had done.

-

-"Nelson," said the captain, as Frank came in, "you haven't signed

-articles yet."

-

-"No, sir," said Frank.

-

-"Well, just put your name to them now," continued the captain, pushing

-them across the table. "There's a chair and there's a pen."

-

-"I beg to be excused, sir," replied Frank.

-

-"Won't you do it?"

-

-"I'd rather not, sir."

-

-"Suit yourself," said the captain indifferently. "I am only advising

-you as a friend. You will lose your work if you don't. You can't

-collect a cent from the ship if you stay aboard of her ten years."

-

-"I am sorry to differ with you, sir, but I know better than that."

-

-

-"Be careful how you speak," said the captain, starting up in his chair.

-"I have stood a good deal from you, and you don't want to say too much.

-You are not talking to Mr. Gale now."

-

-"You haven't stood more than I have, sir," returned Frank. "It is high

-time I should speak plainly, as I never had the chance before and may

-never have it again. I know that when seamen are shipped on American

-whaling vessels without the rate of their pay being specified, they are

-entitled on their discharge in a foreign port, to the sum of twenty

-dollars a month as extra wages."

-

-"How do you happen to know so much about law, Nelson?" asked the first

-mate.

-

-"The way I happen to know so much about these matters is because I read

-up, expecting at one time to go as consul's clerk to some port in the

-Mediterranean."

-

-The captain and his mates opened their eyes and looked at one another.

-Here was a foremast hand who must hold a high social position when he

-was ashore, else he would not number among his friends those who had

-influence enough to secure government appointments.

-

-"Then you won't sign these articles?" continued the captain, after

-thinking a moment.

-

-"By no means, sir. I don't want to go to sea for two or three years. I

-want to go ashore."

-

-"I am willing you should go, if you will promise not to enter any

-complaints."

-

-"If I should promise that, captain, I should tell a falsehood, and that

-is something I'll not do."

-

-"Will a hundred dollars be any inducement to you?"

-

-"Not the slightest."

-

-"A hundred dollars besides your wages, I mean."

-

-"No, sir," repeated Frank. "You are liable for two hundred dollars for

-every foremast hand aboard this vessel, except Calamity."

-

-"How do you make that out?"

-

-"You carried them to sea without making a contract with them."

-

-"That'll do. You can go on deck," said the captain.

-

-"But before I go, sir, I demand to see the American consul of the first

-port at which we touch," said Frank.

-

-"Very well, you can see him, but you can't go ashore. If one goes all

-must go, and the first thing I know the ship will be deserted. I'll

-bring the consul aboard to see you."

-

-"That will be perfectly satisfactory, sir. Victory!" whispered Frank

-to himself as he went up the ladder. "The people triumphant! The ring

-broken all to smash! A captain cowed in his own cabin by a foremast

-hand! Hurrah for sailors' rights! We're going to see the consul, Lucas!"

-

-"Aha!" exclaimed the old sailor, with an admiring glance at Frank. "I

-knew you had the brains, sir. But I'm sorry we're going to get off so

-easy. Me and the rest wanted to see you on that quarter-deck."

-

-"And a pretty figure I'd make up there, wouldn't I?" returned Frank.

-"I'm glad you didn't have a chance to carry out your plans."

-

-"What do you think of him, any how?" asked the first mate, after Frank

-had left the cabin.

-

-"I think I've got an elephant on my hands," answered the captain. "I

-don't want to keep him, and I don't know how to get rid of him. I wish

-Billings had been in Guinea before he brought him aboard here."

-

-"You don't intend to let him see the consul?"

-

-"Am I as green as that?" cried the skipper. "He's got too smooth a

-tongue in his head and swings it about too loose and reckless. He and

-them two men who were shipped with him must be kept close while I am

-ashore after a crew."

-

-"And what will you do with them then? They can raise a row with one

-consul as well as another."

-

-"I know it. Shall I turn them adrift in a boat or put them on some

-vessel bound for the States, or set them ashore on some island, and let

-them shift for themselves?"

-

-"You might transfer them to Gale's boat, and some day when they are off

-after a whale, clear out and leave them," suggested the third mate.

-"Gale is a milk-and-water fellow, and not the man at all to get along

-with a hard crew."

-

-"Well, I must put one of those plans into execution," said the captain,

-"and circumstances shall decide which it shall be. I am in as great a

-hurry to see the last of Nelson as he is to see the last of me. I'd

-knock him overboard if I had a good chance."

-

-"Don't do that, cap'n," said the mate, hastily. "The first one of us

-who lays an ugly hand on him is booked for Davy's Locker, sure!"

-

-"That's what I am afraid of," said the captain, who being unable to

-control himself any longer, began to relieve his mind by swearing. "I

-know how things are going, and besides, Calamity has kept his eyes and

-ears open."

-

-Two days after this conversation took place between the captain and

-his mates, the Tycoon dropped her anchor near the spot where the

-Stranger lay three days afterward. One of the boats was called away at

-once, a crew selected for her, and the captain started for the shore.

-Frank felt jubilant when he saw him go off, but Lucas looked rather

-down-hearted. "He hasn't got a single one of our friends in that boat,

-sir," said the sailor.

-

-"Of course not," replied Frank. "He wouldn't take them if he knew who

-they were, for he wants the first chance at the consul himself."

-

-"Yes, and he'll have the last chance too, sir. We'll never see him."

-

-"Very well, if he doesn't bring him off as he promised, I'll jump

-overboard and swim ashore. I can make the island very easily. You won't

-pull a boat in pursuit of me."

-

-"No, sir, and nobody else shall. Neither shall the mudhook be hove up

-till you've had a chance to say a word for us."

-

-"Nelson, the first mate wants to see you in the cabin," said Mr. Gale,

-coming forward at this moment. "He is going to offer you something to

-keep still, and you had better take it."

-

-"If that is all he wants it will be of no use for me to go," answered

-Frank, "for my mind is made up."

-

-"Go and talk to him, anyhow," said the officer. "Perhaps you can strike

-some sort of a bargain. I want to see you safe off this craft, and now

-is your chance, if ever."

-

-"Nelson!" shouted the mate, from the top of the companion ladder.

-

-"Coming, sir," replied Frank.

-

-He went, and was not a little astonished at the reception he met as he

-entered the cabin. The door was suddenly closed behind him, and before

-he could think twice he was powerless, his ankles and wrists being

-heavily ironed. "Not a word out of you," said the first mate, covering

-Frank's head with a cocked revolver. "You'll find out now who controls

-this ship--you or her proper officers."

-

-"You ain't as smart as some folks seem to think," said the second

-mate, with a grin. "If you were bound to blab, why didn't you take the

-hundred dollars the cap'n offered you, and wait till you got ashore

-before you began to swing your chin?"

-

-Frank made no reply, and could offer no resistance, as the two mates

-dragged him out of the cabin along a narrow passageway that led to

-the hold. They stowed him away among the oil casks and left him to

-his meditations. This was the way Frank saw the consul at the port of

-Honolulu.

-

-Having disposed of Frank, the officers made their way back to the

-cabin, and one of them mounting the companion ladder, called out: "Mr.

-Gale, tell Lucas that Nelson has got his money, and ask him to come

-down and get his!"

-

-Lucas came, wondering what arguments the mates had brought to bear

-upon Frank to work so great a change in his feelings all at once, and

-when he reached the foot of the ladder he found out what they were--a

-revolver and a pair of handcuffs. The former held him passive while the

-irons were slipped on, and then he also was carried to the hold and

-stowed away, but at such a distance from Frank that the two could hold

-no conversation. Barton was served in the same manner, and the officers

-having secured the men of whom they stood the most in fear, breathed

-freely once more, and told each other that they were still masters of

-the Tycoon.

-

-The prisoners were kept in the hold almost twelve hours--long enough

-for the captain to bring his crew of natives on board and get his

-vessel well out to sea. Then they were released and ordered on deck.

-Frank was disposed to make the best of his disappointment, knowing that

-he could not help himself, but Lucas was inclined to smash things. He

-hunted up his friends as soon as he could--those who had promised to

-stand by him and Frank through thick and thin--and laid down the law

-to them in stronger language than we care to quote. "Why, what's the

-matter?" asked the sailors, as soon as their angry mate gave them a

-chance to speak. "Where have you been so long?"

-

-"That's what's the matter," replied Lucas, showing his wrists.

-

-"That's where I've been so long," he added, tapping the marks the irons

-had left. "Sailed the blue water, man and boy for thirty-five years,

-I have, and never had the darbies on me before. Me and Cap'n Nelson's

-both been there, and Barton too; and here you chaps stood around like

-so many bumps on a log, and never lifted a hand to help us!"

-

-"What could we have done, even if we had known that you were in

-trouble, while the mates were walking around with their pistols

-strapped to their waists and holding us tight to our work?" asked one

-of the sailors.

-

-Lucas opened his eyes at this. Did the mates know of the plans that had

-so often been discussed in the forecastle? It looked like it.

-

-"Somebody's been talking while Calamity was about," said the

-boatswain's-mate. "Never mind; we've missed one chance, but we'll have

-better luck next time. The ship's going to Japan, and she'll have

-another man on her quarter-deck when she comes back."

-

-And so she did, but Lucas did very little toward bringing about the

-change. It was Captain Barclay himself; but of course he did not intend

-to do it.

-

-Almost the first man Frank saw when he came on deck after his release

-was the third mate. "Nelson," said he, earnestly, "I had no hand in

-this business. If I had known what those men intended to do, I should

-have warned you."

-

-"I believe you, sir," replied Frank. "I lay nothing to your charge, as

-you will find when the day of settlement comes."

-

-Frank looked toward the Islands which the ship was fast leaving behind,

-then at the dusky, muscular Kanakas who thronged the deck, and went

-to work with a heavy heart. He had already had more than enough of

-whaling. He did not mind the dangerous, laborious duties he had to

-perform so much as he did the life he led in the forecastle. Of course

-it was kept neat and clean, like the rest of the ship, but it smelled

-horribly of tar and bilge water, and the men into whose company he

-was thrown there, were not just the sort he would have selected for

-associates had he been permitted to choose. It was bad enough before,

-but now here were a score and more of heathen with whom he had to bunk.

-Frank did not know how he could stand it. The only thing that had kept

-him up thus far was the belief that all this would end very shortly;

-but that hope was gone now, and time only would show what was in store

-for him.

-

-Frank worked hard while on duty and talked a good deal when on watch,

-to keep himself from thinking too much. He had the satisfaction of

-seeing that the captain and his two mates did not treat the crew with

-any more severity than they had always done, and some of the old

-members of the ship's company were often heard to declare that they did

-not act like the same men. As for the natives, Frank very soon found

-reason to change the opinions he had formed of them. They had all seen

-service in whalers, and proved to be the neatest and most peaceable

-portion of the crew. More than that, they did not swear, and it was

-some relief to work by the side of men who could talk without putting

-an oath or two in every sentence they uttered.

-

-As soon as the ship was fairly under way the mast-head was manned, and

-the sailors set about preparing themselves for the real business of the

-voyage. A complete change was made in the boats' crews, and Frank, to

-his delight, found himself with Lucas, Barton, and two other foremast

-hands, assigned to the third mate's boat. Frank held his old position

-as bow-oarsman, and Lucas was boat-steerer. He soon proved himself to

-be a good one too. He did not fall overboard again, or give Frank any

-more opportunities to take his place and strike a whale he had missed.

-During the next three weeks nine whales were added to the stock already

-in the hold, and of this number four were captured by Mr. Gale's boat.

-Frank very soon got over his nervousness, and as a consequence went

-just as far the other way, and was inclined to be a little too daring.

-He had an uncomfortable habit of wrapping a line about a thwart when he

-could not hold it, and Lucas, after repeatedly telling him never to do

-it again, got out of patience, and Frank was moved toward the other end

-of the boat--"promoted backward." He was seated at the stroke-oar, and

-the bow-oar given into the hands of Barton, who knew too much of the

-nature of the game they were hunting to run any risks.

-

-Meanwhile the Tycoon was rapidly approaching her cruising grounds, and

-one morning the captain told his officers that the Mangrove Islands lay

-directly in their course two hundred miles distant, and that it was

-his intention to stop there for water and terrapins. That same day a

-whale was raised, and the captain and the third mate set off to capture

-it. The two boats pulled side by side for a mile or more, and then the

-whale took the alarm and made off. "Never mind, Mr. Gale," shouted the

-captain. "You keep on after him, and I'll follow you with the ship."

-

-Mr. Gale promptly hoisted his sail and went in pursuit. The whale led

-them a long chase, but getting a little over his fright at last, he

-allowed the boat to approach within striking distance, and gave Lucas

-a chance to throw his harpoons into him. Then a most terrific fight

-ensued, which was so long and so stubbornly contested that Frank began

-to think he had never seen an ugly whale before. The monster seemed

-determined to destroy his enemies; but the mate kept at him, and by his

-excellent management succeeded in taking his boat through the struggle

-without the loss of any of her crew, and with so little damage that an

-hour's work by the ship's carpenter would make her fit for sea again.

-When it was ended and the whale rolled over with his fin out, the mate

-seized one of the flags, and turned to signal his triumph to the ship.

-

-"It's lucky you wasn't in the bow," said Lucas, drawing his hand across

-his dripping forehead and nodding to Frank. "If you'd been here with

-the line wrapped around a thwart when he sounded the last time, there

-wouldn't have been one of us left to tell the story of this fight!"

-

-"Pass that bucket aft and I'll bail her out," said Frank, drawing a

-long breath and glad that the danger was over. "He hit us a pretty

-hard blow with his jaw, and the water is running in here like a small

-Niagara. What's the matter, Mr. Gale?"

-

-This question was called forth by an exclamation of wonder from the

-third mate. When he turned to signal the ship he stopped suddenly,

-looked all around the horizon, and then the flag dropped from his

-hands. The Tycoon was almost hull down--nothing but her topsails were

-visible. During the five hours that the brave officer had been pursuing

-and battling with the whale, the ship was standing away from him

-instead of coming to his relief, and he had been too busy to see it

-until this moment.

-

-"What's the matter, sir?" repeated Frank.

-

-Mr. Gale sat down, his face whiter now than it had been at any time

-during the deadly fight he and his men had just passed through, and

-pointed toward the Tycoon's receding topsails.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER XIII.

-

-TURNED ADRIFT.

-

-

-FRANK looked, and was not a little surprised to find that the Tycoon,

-which he had all the while supposed was following the boat, was almost

-out of sight. He did not understand it at first, but a single glance at

-the faces of his companions explained it all. Even Lucas, who had shown

-so much courage a few minutes before, betrayed the utmost consternation

-now.

-

-"Well, Nelson," said Mr. Gale, in a tone of resignation, "Captain

-Barclay has got rid of you at last."

-

-"Why, you don't suppose that he intends to desert us!" cried Frank.

-

-The mate shrugged his shoulders and pointed with his thumb toward the

-ship, as if to say that Frank could see what she was doing as well as

-he could, and might interpret her actions to suit himself.

-

-"It can't be possible!" said Frank. "No man on earth could be guilty of

-an act of treachery like this."

-

-"A captain who will allow his men to be abused until they jump

-overboard to put themselves out of his way, will do anything," returned

-Mr. Gale, quietly. "Hoist the sail, Lucas; you had better bail her out,

-Nelson. We must keep her afloat until she carries us two hundred miles."

-

-"Is there any water, sir?" asked Barton.

-

-"Yes, the keg is full, and we need a taste of it after our hard work;

-but we must touch it lightly, for there is no telling when we shall get

-any more. The Mangrove Islands are the nearest land, and, as I said,

-they are two hundred miles away. It is lucky that I know the course."

-

-The sail having been hoisted, the men took a refreshing drink all

-around, and settled back on their seats to think over their situation.

-Frank could not yet believe that Captain Barclay had sent them out

-there alone, with no other object in view than to desert them. He kept

-telling himself that the ship must have raised another whale and gone

-in pursuit of it, and he watched her closely, expecting every moment

-to see her shorten sail and come-to to wait for them; but she kept on,

-with all her canvas spread, and very soon nothing but her royals were

-visible above the horizon. Frank was obliged to believe it now, and

-shuddered when he thought of what was yet to come. With a leaky boat

-under them, not a mouthful of anything to eat, and with only a very

-small supply of water to allay the raging thirst caused by their five

-hours' work under a broiling sun, their situation was one calculated

-to frighten anybody. But still it might have been worse, and in this

-thought Frank found a little consolation. The mate knew which way

-to steer to find land, and if they could only keep the boat afloat

-twenty-four hours they would be safe. But suppose the boat had been

-stove during the fight with the whale! Suppose he had cut it in two

-with his jaw, or smashed it in pieces with his flukes, as he had tried

-so hard to do, and left the crew struggling in the water: what then!

-Captain Barclay would have deserted them all the same, and they would

-have been left powerless. Surrounded by an army of hungry sharks (Frank

-now and then caught a momentary glimpse of a sharp fin cutting the

-water as one of these voracious monsters hurried toward the whale they

-had just left, being attracted no doubt by the blood he had spouted

-during his flurry), their sufferings would have been ended, and there

-would have been none left to tell the story of the captain's treachery.

-

-"Come, come, boys! This will never do in the world," said Mr. Gale,

-suddenly breaking the silence that had reigned for the last half hour.

-"Wake up, there! What's the matter with you that you look so sober? If

-we were eight or nine hundred miles out at sea, we'd have something to

-worry over; but if the wind holds this way, we shall be all right by

-to-morrow at this time. The Tycoon is going to the Mangrove Islands for

-water, and maybe we shall be lucky enough to catch her there. If we

-can't stand it to do without food for that length of time we had better

-jump overboard at once, for we've no business to be sailors. Come,

-Lucas, begin there in the bow, and sing a song or tell a story!"

-

-"I can't, sir!" replied the sailor.

-

-"All right. You shan't have any water the next time it is passed

-around. Go on, Barton. Sing a song or tell a story--a lively one, mind."

-

-"Hold on a bit, sir!" exclaimed Lucas. "I'll do almost anything to get

-another drink of that water."

-

-This order soon brought about a great change in the feelings of the

-men. Their minds being diverted from the dangers of their situation,

-something like merriment soon began to prevail. As it was understood

-that each one must do his share toward entertaining his companions,

-and that the first one who failed to tell a story or sing a song when

-his turn came, should forfeit his next drink of water, this trial of

-memory and ingenuity was kept up until far in the night. It would seem

-as though men who had spent their lives amid scenes of danger and

-excitement could never be at a loss for something to talk about, but

-even the oldest among the sailors ran short of stories at last, and

-when this happened they did not hesitate to make up one as they went

-along; and some of those they told were as ridiculous as the story

-Dick Lewis told the captain of the fishing boat. Frank drew on his

-experience among the mountains and in the woods, and his stories must

-have been worth listening to, for when his turn came the men were all

-wide awake.

-

-At last when the crew began to show signs of drowsiness, Mr. Gale

-ordered four of them to make themselves as comfortable as they could

-and go to sleep, while he and Frank looked out for the boat. Mr. Gale

-steered by a compass, the face being lighted up by a small lantern

-with which whale-boats are always provided, and Frank talked to him

-to keep him awake, and bailed out the water as fast as it ran in. He

-did not learn anything encouraging during the four hours that he and

-Mr. Gale kept watch. The mate said they were sure to reach the Islands

-unless a storm blew them out of their course or swamped them, but he

-did not like to think of the way they would fare after they got there.

-The largest of the Islands was often visited by whalers, he continued,

-but it was almost a land unknown. It was a good place to go to get

-water and fresh meat in the shape of terrapins, but he had never yet

-heard of a boat's crew, who, leaving the beach to explore the island,

-had ever returned to tell what they saw there. Many a fine whale ship

-which, when last spoken, had her hold nearly filled with oil and was

-almost ready to set out on her return voyage, had suddenly disappeared,

-leaving no trace behind. It was supposed that some of them had gone to

-the Islands for water, and had either been wrecked on the treacherous

-shoals and reefs with which they were surrounded, or been captured and

-plundered by the natives. He had seen men who had been held captive

-there for years, and had only escaped at last by smuggling themselves

-on board some vessel whose crew was too strong to be successfully

-attacked. But if they succeeded in getting there they would find an

-abundance to eat and plenty of water to drink, and that was better

-than being tossed about on the waves of the Pacific in an open boat.

-

-Frank now began to understand Captain Barclay's plans. There was more

-in them than he had at first supposed. The skipper wanted to be rid

-of Frank and his friends, and the whale they had killed and deserted,

-furnished him with an excuse for sending the boat away from the ship.

-When he arrived in port he could say that she had been smashed in

-pieces by the whale, and all her crew sent to the bottom. He took his

-chances on this. If the event really happened, so much the better; but

-if they came through the fight in safety, and succeeded in reaching the

-Islands, the natives would detain them as prisoners. In either case he

-was clear of them, and they could never appear against him in a court

-of justice.

-

-"I can understand all that," said Frank, after he had explained this to

-the mate, "but there is one thing I can't quite see through: Why did he

-send you off with us? You never said you would prosecute him, did you?

-And there are two other men in the boat who never made any threats of

-that kind. I am very sorry that the friendship you have exhibited for

-me should have brought you into this trouble. I shall never be able to

-repay you."

-

-"It wasn't that at all," said the mate, in reply. "The captain has

-always been afraid of me, and he was just as anxious to get me off the

-vessel as he was to get you off. I'm not the sort of officer that suits

-him. I have been a foremast hand myself, and I can't see the beauty of

-banging men about as if they had no more feeling than so many logs of

-wood. As for sending these two other men with us, he had to give the

-boat a full crew, you know, and he put in those against whom he had a

-grudge."

-

-Frank and the mate talked in this way until almost daylight, and then

-the former called Lucas and Barton, who steered the boat and kept her

-bailed out, while Frank and Mr. Gale lay down on the thwarts and slept

-until the sun grew too warm for them. It was then nine o'clock. As they

-had no breakfast to serve up they took a drink of water all around,

-which seemed to aggravate rather than relieve their thirst, the supply

-the mate allowed them being so small; and at one o'clock by Mr. Gale's

-watch, when the Mangrove Islands were in plain sight, they emptied the

-keg.

-

-Propelled by a favorable breeze the boat rapidly approached the land,

-and finally the outlines of the shore and the trees on the hill-sides

-could be easily distinguished. Suddenly Mr. Gale arose, and standing

-erect in the stern-sheets, gazed steadily into the little bay toward

-which the boat was heading. "She's there!" said he, a moment later.

-

-"The Tycoon?" asked Frank, running his eye along the shore in the vain

-effort to find the object that had attracted the officer's attention.

-

-"Yes, the Tycoon!"

-

-"Will we go aboard of her, Mr. Gale?" asked one of the crew.

-

-"Certainly, just as straight as we can go. We belong to her, don't we?"

-

-The men said nothing in reply, but their actions told what was passing

-in their minds. Some seemed delighted, while others beat their open

-palms with their clenched hands, and banged the oars violently down

-on the thwarts. It was plain that Captain Barclay had some men in his

-ship's company who would give him serious trouble if they ever found

-the opportunity.

-

-"There's something wrong with her," continued the mate, still gazing

-earnestly at the ship, which Frank had at last been able to discover.

-

-"So I was thinking," said the latter. "She's close in shore and has her

-topsails aback. She can't be lying-to in there."

-

-"No, she's aground," replied the mate, "and they are trying to work her

-off."

-

-All eyes were now turned toward the ship which came rapidly into view

-as the boat approached the shore. It was plain that she was hard and

-fast aground. The crew were running about the deck, pulling the yards

-first one way and then the other, in the hope of getting the sails full

-enough to work her off; but the breeze was not sufficiently strong,

-and besides the tide was running out, so that the ship was every moment

-sinking more firmly into her bed on the sand bar. Presently one of the

-crew discovered the approaching boat. It was one of the Kanakas. He

-gazed at it a moment, then jumped up and clapped his hands, calling

-out "Galickhee!" or some such tongue-twisting name which he and his

-people had bestowed upon the third officer. That brought all the crew

-to the side, where they stood waving their hats and shouting out words

-of welcome. Frank and the rest were astonished at this reception. Where

-were Captain Barclay and his mates that they permitted the crew to act

-in this way?

-

-"O, Mr. Gale, you're just in time," cried one of the men, who answered

-to the name of Boson, "only I wish you had come a little sooner. We're

-up to our necks in trouble."

-

-"Not an officer aboard--all gone--the ship a thousand miles from

-water--or she might as well be, she's so hard a-ground, six men dead

-and the niggers thicker than blackberries," chimed in Tully, another

-of the crew, stamping about the deck and swinging his arms wildly in

-the air.

-

-The men in the whale-boat were greatly amazed. They clambered over

-the side with all possible haste, each one demanding to know what was

-the matter. The crew shook each of them by the hand as if they were

-overjoyed to meet them once more, and then silently directed their

-attention to different parts of the deck, as if telling them to see

-for themselves what was the matter. Frank stood speechless while he

-looked. The deck was in the greatest confusion. Harpoons, spades,

-lances and handspikes were scattered about, and with them were mingled

-curious weapons and ornaments that he had never seen before, and

-blubber-knives, cutlasses and muskets with the bayonets attached. These

-last came from the ship's armory, and their presence on deck was enough

-to prove that there had been a fight, even had other indications been

-wanting.

-

-A feeble attempt had been made to clear up things a little, but the

-traces that were left of the recent contest proclaimed that it had been

-a severe and by no means a bloodless one. Frank ran his eye hastily

-over the crew gathered about him, and saw that there were some familiar

-faces missing--among them those of the captain, his two mates and his

-old enemy, Calamity. What if he had been there when the fight came

-off? Might not he also have been among the missing? Perhaps Captain

-Barclay's attempt to get him off his vessel had been the means of

-saving his life.

-

-"What's been going on here, any how?" demanded the mate, as soon as he

-could speak.

-

-A chorus of hoarse voices arose in reply, each one trying to give his

-version of the story, and to make himself heard above his companions;

-but Mr. Gale, finding that there was nothing to be learned in that way,

-commanded silence, and pointing to one of the crew ordered him to speak

-for all. The man complied, telling his story in regular sailor lingo

-which we put into English as follows:--

-

-The Tycoon arrived at the island that morning about three o'clock,

-and came to anchor two miles outside the bar. The captain, knowing

-the treacherous character of the natives, kept one watch on deck

-until morning, but nothing suspicious being seen, the ship stood close

-in at daylight, and came to; after which the water-barrels were got

-overboard, and the captain and first mate set out in their boats to tow

-them ashore. No sooner had the crews touched the beach than they were

-assailed by a swarm of natives, who had been lying in ambush waiting

-for them. Almost at the same moment two large war canoes filled with

-savages made their appearance, coming from one of the numerous little

-inlets which set into the land from the bay. They headed straight for

-the ship, their crews brandishing their lances and clubs, and yelling

-at the top of their lungs.

-

-The sailors on board the Tycoon, who had witnessed the massacre of

-their shipmates without the power to aid them, now found themselves

-called upon to provide for their own safety. The second mate, who

-was in command, made an effort to bring the ship about and run out

-of the bay; but she struck the bar in going around, running on with

-sufficient force to knock all the crew off their feet. They could not

-run, and their only chance for life was to beat off their assailants,

-who outnumbered them five to one. The weapons that were left in the

-arm-chest were quickly brought up, muskets, pistols and cartridges to

-put into them were distributed among the crew, lances, harpoons and

-spades placed about the deck in convenient nooks, so that they could

-be readily seized, and by the time these preparations were completed,

-their foes were upon them. They made the attack at two different

-points, one canoe running under the bow and the other coming alongside

-at the starboard quarter. The sailors met them at both places, and

-the first assault was repulsed. The seamen, having the advantage of

-position, knocked their assailants over the side as fast as they could

-climb to the top of the bulwarks, but the natives persevered, and

-overwhelming numbers began to tell. They succeeded in gaining a footing

-on deck, and drove the sailors before them toward the waist.

-

-Almost in the beginning of the fight the second mate had been struck

-down by a lance, and as there was no one to direct the movements of the

-sailors, each man fought on his own hook, and did just what he thought

-best, without paying any attention to his neighbors. Boson probably

-saved the day. While the sailors were retreating he caught up the

-mate's revolver, which was lying on deck, and turning fiercely on his

-foes fired all the barrels in quick succession, every shot striking a

-native and bringing him dead or wounded to the deck. That was more than

-the enemy could endure. Appalled by the havoc the six-shooter created,

-they beat a hasty retreat, followed by the sailors, who thinned their

-ranks very perceptibly before they could clamber over the side into

-their boat. As they were about to push off, Boson and Tully added a

-grand finale to the victory. The former threw a harpoon at one of the

-natives, which, missing its object, passed through the bottom of the

-boat, knocking a hole in her that would have caused her to sink long

-before she could reach the shore, even had Tully not followed it up,

-as he did, with the heavy snatch-block, which made a complete wreck of

-her.

-

-The enemy being beaten at the quarter, the sailors who defended that

-part of the ship ran to the assistance of their friends in the bow; but

-the fight was over there, also. The natives, failing to gain the deck,

-became discouraged, and dropping back into their boat, made all haste

-to reach the shore. Some succeeded, others did not. The sailors rushed

-for their muskets and pistols, which they had thrown to the deck after

-firing their contents at the foe, and hastily ramming down cartridges,

-opened fire on the natives. Those of their companions who were not

-provided with these weapons, employed themselves in clearing the deck

-of the dead and wounded the savages had left behind them, tumbling them

-all unceremoniously over the side, and never looking to see what became

-of them afterward.

-

-The battle being ended, the crew began to look about them and make

-an estimate of their losses. They found that six of their number had

-fallen beneath the war-clubs and lances of their assailants, which,

-counting in the twelve that had gone ashore in the boats, made eighteen

-men they had lost out of thirty-five. Greatly alarmed, disheartened by

-the loss of all their officers, and afraid to risk another encounter

-with their diminished numbers, they hastily committed the bodies of

-their dead companions to the deep, and set to work to get the ship

-afloat. They had kept hard at it for more than six hours. They had

-moved her a little, but the tide began to fall just at the wrong time,

-and there she was as fast as if she had been nailed to the ground.

-

-The new-comers listened to this story with breathless attention. If any

-evidence was needed to convince them of its truthfulness, they found

-it in the frightened faces of the men and the disordered state of the

-deck, which bore unmistakable signs of the conflict. Their assailants

-had left some of their property behind them in the shape of lances,

-war-clubs and head-dresses, and close alongside the ship floated the

-wreck of the canoe, which was slowly moving out to sea with the tide. A

-moment later additional and most unexpected evidence was produced. A

-warning exclamation uttered by Lucas, under his breath, drew all eyes

-toward him. Frank saw him pick up a lance that happened to be lying

-near, and following the direction of his gaze, saw that it was fastened

-upon a head which was slowly rising above the combings of the fore

-hatch--a head covered with a mass of shaggy hair. It was one of the

-natives, who had no doubt been knocked into the hold during the fight,

-and was now coming up to see if the coast was clear, so that he could

-make his escape. Not a man moved. Every one held his breath as Lucas

-raised the long, slender whale-lance in the air and held it poised in

-both hands.

-

-The head was raised slowly, cautiously, inch by inch, above the

-combings of the hatchway, and presently a dark-brown forehead and then

-a pair of eyes appeared. At that instant the lance whistled through

-the air. Thrown by a practised hand and flying true to its aim, its

-keen point was buried in the combings exactly in range with the spot

-where the head had been a second before. Its owner had seen the weapon

-coming and dodged just in time, but his escape was a narrow one.

-

-"Avast, there!" cried a voice from the hold. "Ain't you Christians

-enough to give a white man a chance for life and liberty?"

-

-The sailors stood and looked at one another without speaking.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER XIV.

-

-OLD TIMES REVIVED.

-

-

-"I SAY! on deck, there!" continued the voice. "Don't throw any more of

-them things at me, and I'll come up!"

-

-These words aroused the crew. They made a rush for the fore-hatch,

-and when they reached it found the owner of the head crouching among

-the oil barrels. Frank looked at him in astonishment, and could

-scarcely believe that he was a white man. His only clothing was a pair

-of tattered trowsers, and those portions of his person which were

-unprotected were as brown as sole-leather, made so, no doubt, by long

-exposure to the sun and weather. Moreover, his body was profusely

-tattooed, so that at the distance Frank stood from him, he looked as

-though he had on a tight-fitting under-shirt of some dark-colored

-material, with light blue slashings.

-

-"Who are you, and where did you come from?" demanded the mate.

-

-"I'm Chips," replied the man. "I used to be carpenter of the whale-ship

-Mary Starbuck, that was wrecked here long ago. It was so long ago," he

-added, putting his hand to his forehead in a bewildered sort of way,

-"that I have almost forgot how it happened."

-

-"Come on deck," said the mate, in a very different tone of voice, "and

-tell us all about it."

-

-A dozen pairs of ready hands were stretched down to the prisoner--for

-such Frank now knew him to be--and in a moment more he was hoisted out

-of the hold to the deck. Frank had a good view of him then, and saw

-that he really was a white man. His long, matted beard, which hung down

-nearly to his waist, had afforded some protection to his breast, and

-the skin beneath it was almost as white as his own. The man pulled his

-forelock when he found himself standing in the presence of the mate,

-and gave his trowsers a regular sailor hitch.

-

-"I remember hearing of the loss of the Starbuck," said Mr. Gale. "The

-news reached Nantucket just before I sailed; but it wasn't so very long

-ago--not quite two years."

-

-"Is that all, sir? It seems a longer time to me," said the man, whom we

-will call by the name he had given. "You're the first white men I've

-set eyes on since then, except those on the island, and you can't call

-them white now. Some of them are blacker than I am."

-

-"Do you mean to say that there are men on that island held as

-prisoners?" asked Frank.

-

-"Four more of 'em, sir, and one has been here, as near as he can

-calculate, about ten years. I hope you won't sail without trying to do

-something for 'em, sir. They lead a hard life here."

-

-"How do you happen to be aboard my ship?" asked the mate.

-

-"I came off in one of the canoes, sir, and watching my chance jumped

-into the hold. I was willing to fight for my liberty, but I was afraid

-that if I tried to join in with you, you would kill me, not knowing who

-I was, and if you didn't the natives would, when they saw me trying to

-desert 'em; and I was so anxious to see my home and family once more

-that I didn't dare run any risks."

-

-Chips then went on to tell how he came to be a prisoner in the hands

-of the islanders. His narrative would make an interesting chapter

-by itself; but as it has no bearing on our story, and nothing to do

-with the events that happened afterward, we condense it into a few

-sentences. The ship to which he belonged was wrecked while lying at the

-island to fill up with water. A furious storm first disabled her, so

-that she could not make an offing, and then drove her high and dry upon

-the bar. Only two of the crew succeeded in reaching the shore, Chips

-and another, and they were immediately pounced upon by the natives, who

-carried them in triumph to their principal village, which was hidden

-away among the rocky gorges in the interior of the island. They found

-four other prisoners there, and it was owing to their influence that

-Chips was so well received. He was a carpenter, and just the man the

-natives wanted. His companion, however, was nothing but a foremast

-hand, and not being of any particular use, he was harshly treated,

-and was often in danger of his life. Being driven desperate at last,

-he seized the first opportunity for escape that presented itself, and

-succeeded, at very great risk, in swimming off to a ship that came

-there for water. He warned the captain off, most likely, for the vessel

-went away at once, and it was probably through him that the news of the

-loss of the Mary Starbuck was carried to Nantucket. The five prisoners

-who were left were constantly on the alert to elude the vigilance of

-their captors, but this was the first opportunity that Chips had ever

-found. He and his companions were allowed the freedom of the island

-until a vessel hove in sight, and then they were hurried to the village

-and kept under guard as long as she remained.

-

-Being satisfied at last that there was but one way to accomplish his

-object, Chips made himself perfectly at home on the island, acted

-quite contented, and finally succeeded in making the natives believe

-that he had no desire to leave them. He became a savage to all intents

-and purposes. He took part in their dances and pow-wows, joined in

-their debates, tried to teach them the use of the fire-arms they found

-on the vessels that fell into their hands, and so won their confidence

-that they permitted him to take part in the attack on the Tycoon.

-Watching his chance, while the fight was in progress, he slipped into

-the hold, and there he was among his own kind once more.

-

-"And now I hope you'll lend a hand to them poor fellows I left behind,

-sir," said Chips, in conclusion. "It can be easy done now, but

-to-morrow it'll be too late. There ain't more'n a hundred fighting men

-on the island, but to-night they'll send off canoes after help, and in

-the morning, if you're here, you will have an army of 'em howling about

-you."

-

-"How far is it to the village?" asked Mr. Gale.

-

-"O, you'll not have to go back to the principal town, sir," answered

-Chips. "There's a little fishing village right here on the beach, and

-the natives will all be there to-night, holding a grand pow-wow and

-waiting for the help that's coming to-morrow. If we can get close to

-them and give them a volley before they know it, they'll run like deer!"

-

-"Why I thought you said they had fire-arms," exclaimed the mate.

-

-"So they have, sir, but it would make you laugh to see them use them,"

-said Chips. "They take the butt of a gun under their arms, shut their

-eyes and turn away their heads before they pull the trigger. They

-seem to think it is the noise that does the damage. All we want, you

-understand, sir, is to drive 'em at the start. They won't run far

-before they'll turn on us, and then they'll fight; but by the time

-they do that, the prisoners will have had a chance to take care of

-themselves, and we can be back to our boats. I know just where the

-village is, and can lead you to it in ten minutes after we touch the

-beach."

-

-"I suppose you don't know anything about those boats' crews that went

-ashore?" said the mate.

-

-"No, sir. Those who were not killed are prisoners, and we'll find them

-at the village."

-

-The man's proposition was well worth thinking over, the mate told

-himself. He felt that he had a duty to perform toward the prisoners

-in the hands of the savages, and he was not the one to shrink from

-it. True, he had a small force to work with, but if he acted with

-promptness and decision when the time for action arrived, much might be

-done. "Boys, turn to and straighten up here," said he, after a moment's

-reflection. "Let's make the old Tycoon look a little more like herself.

-Nelson, come with me."

-

-The men went to work with a will--all except Lucas, Barton and Chips,

-who disappeared in the forecastle for a few minutes. When they came on

-deck again Chips could hardly have been told from the rest of the crew,

-his tattooed body being clothed in a full sailor's rig, and his matted

-hair covered with a new tarpaulin. He lent a hand with the rest, and

-soon proved that he had not forgotten how to do a seaman's duty.

-

-Frank followed Mr. Gale to the quarter-deck. "What do you think of

-this?" asked the mate. "Shall we risk it?"

-

-"By all means," answered Frank, quickly. "How would you and I feel if

-we were held captives by these heathen, and some of our own countrymen

-should come here, and, after learning our situation, go off without

-making an effort to help us? We may be able to rescue the captain or

-some of his men, if they are still alive."

-

-Mr. Gale looked at his companion a little doubtfully.

-

-"O, I mean it," said Frank, who knew what was passing in the officer's

-mind. "I have no reason to like Captain Barclay, and if I could once

-bring him before a court of justice he would suffer for what he has

-done. But this is a different thing. If I get the chance, I'll try just

-as hard to help him as I would to help you."

-

-"Well, I suppose that is the right sort of feeling," said the mate,

-"but it isn't my style, I am free to say. A man who has the heart to

-turn a boat's crew adrift on the ocean, doesn't deserve any help when

-he's in difficulty. It's the others I want to work for, but here's the

-trouble: I don't know anything about this fighting business."

-

-"I've had a little experience in it," said Frank, "and so have Lucas

-and Barton. They are old men-of-war's men, and I know you can depend on

-them. I'll give you all the help I can."

-

-"Won't you boss the job?"

-

-"No, I'd rather not. The men will yield you more prompt obedience."

-

-"I know a story worth two of that, sir. I ain't blind or deaf, either."

-

-After some more conversation it was decided that the Tycoon's crew

-could not leave the island with clear consciences unless they made some

-sort of a demonstration in favor of the captives, and Frank was finally

-prevailed upon to take command of the expedition. This being settled,

-the first thing the young sailor did was to call Chips aft. He and Mr.

-Gale spent an hour in conversation with him, and when the man went

-forward again Frank held in his hands a map of the island, on which

-the position of the fishing village, the situation of every hut in it,

-the shape of the jungle that surrounded it, and the location of all

-the paths that led to it were plainly marked. Frank also had a short

-consultation with Lucas, who, when it was over, made his way forward

-again, winking and nodding as he always did when he had anything on his

-mind. His companions tried hard to find out what had passed between him

-and the captain, as everybody called Frank now; but Lucas, while he

-seemed to grow in size under the pressure of the secret that had been

-committed to his keeping, remained as dumb as a tar-bucket.

-

-Everything had now been done that could be done before dark--except

-getting the boats and weapons in readiness--and Frank recollected

-that he had been at sea for twenty-four hours in an open boat without

-anything to eat, and that he was very hungry. Perhaps the savory odors

-that now and then came from the galley recalled this fact to his mind.

-At any rate they brought his appetite back to him, and he did ample

-justice to the abundant meal that was soon served up. The captain was

-not there now to superintend the drawing of the provisions, so the

-doctor went into the store-room and helped himself. The consequence

-was that some articles which rightfully belonged to the men, but which

-they had never tasted since leaving port, such as beans, flour, dried

-apples and molasses, found their way into the forecastle. Each man got

-an extra cup of coffee--strong coffee, too--an extra tablespoonful of

-sugar in it, and all he wanted to eat besides. Mr. Gale and Frank dined

-in the cabin and the captain's steward waited on them.

-

-"That's all right," said Lucas, when the steward told him of it

-afterward. "Cap'n Nelson's a cap'n just as much as Cap'n Barclay, and

-just as good a one, too. Don't I know? He belongs in the cabin and at

-the head of the table, and he's got to stay there now. He shan't never

-come into this forecastle again!"

-

-After dinner two of the boats were overhauled and put in readiness for

-the expedition, which was to leave the ship as soon as darkness settled

-down to hide her from the watchful eyes of those on shore, the muskets

-and pistols were loaded, and a dozen rounds of cartridges provided

-for each man. Of course these preparations did not escape the notice

-of the sailors, who knew by them that there was work to be done. It

-soon got abroad that Frank was at the head of the affair, and that set

-Lucas and Barton in ecstacies. This made them think of old times; and

-so eager were they for the fight, that they almost got up a row with

-Boson and Tully just to get their hands in. They did not neglect, too,

-to make sundry little arrangements with their companions in regard to

-the treatment the captain and first mate were to receive in case they

-were found among the prisoners. They would do their best to rescue

-the friends of Chips, but Captain Barclay should not come back to the

-ship, no matter what happened. All this, however, was upset by a simple

-order from their wide-awake leader, who seemed to see everything, know

-everything and who neglected nothing.

-

-The boats and weapons being in readiness, all the crew were ordered

-below to rest and sleep, except a boatsteerer's watch, who remained on

-deck to look out for the ship. Even these were permitted to lie down on

-deck, with the exception of one man, whose duty it was to keep an eye

-on the shore, and report anything suspicious that he might see going on

-there.

-

-The men were allowed to sleep until nine o'clock, when they were called

-on deck to prepare for action. An abundant and well-cooked supper was

-served up and eagerly devoured by the grateful foremast hands, who

-told one another that if Captain Nelson and Mr. Gale were the officers

-of the ship, they'd never have any trouble with their crew, but they

-wouldn't catch much grease. They'd feed their men so high that they

-would get too fat to see a spout or pull an oar.

-

-Supper over, the men were mustered on the quarter-deck to listen to

-Frank's plan of the campaign. He had made up his mind what ought to be

-done and assigned each man a particular duty, giving him his orders so

-plainly that there was no possible chance for a misunderstanding. One

-order was, that every hut in the village was to be set on fire--they

-wanted a light to fight by--but it must first be searched to make

-sure that it contained no prisoners. Some of the boats' crews might

-be bound or severely wounded and unable to help themselves; and

-such unfortunates needed especial care and must be looked after by

-trustworthy men. If any wounded were discovered, they must be turned

-over to Lucas and Barton, who would assist them back to the boats and

-remain there to guard them. The men thus designated raised their hands

-to their caps and said, "Ay, ay, sir!" but when Frank turned to another

-sailor to give him his orders, they looked at each other and scowled

-fiercely.

-

-"Now here's a go," muttered Barton. "Suppose we find the first mate

-with a lance or something through his leg! Eh?"

-

-"Or the cap'n," whispered Lucas, in great disgust.

-

-"Must we bring him to the boat, carry him like he was a blessed little

-baby, and then watch to see that the niggers don't slip around and send

-him to Davy's Locker, where he belongs?" added Barton.

-

-"Them's the orders."

-

-"I don't care. I won't do it."

-

-"Avast, there! Better not go agin orders when they come from _him_,"

-whispered Lucas, jerking his thumb towards Frank. "Besides, didn't he

-say we was men as could be trusted?"

-

-"Ay, so he did," answered Barton, after thinking a moment. "So he did.

-We can't go back on him after that."

-

-Having given his instructions in the plainest language he was master

-of, Frank went back to the head of the line and made each man repeat

-what he had said to him, to make sure that he fully understood what

-was required, and then he distributed the weapons and ammunition. The

-Kanakas, although as eager for the fight as their white companions,

-declined to accept the muskets that were offered them, preferring to

-use the lances and war-clubs the natives had left behind them. It was a

-motley-looking company altogether, Frank told himself, after they were

-all armed and stood awaiting his orders--very unlike the well-provided

-and well-disciplined bluejackets he had been accustomed to command on

-expeditions similar to this.

-

-Everything being in readiness, Frank nodded to Mr. Gale, who ordered

-the boats to be lowered away and the crews to tumble into them. Frank

-took every man, knowing that the natives would not attack the ship

-while their homes were in danger. When every one was in his place he

-clambered down into one of the boats, Mr. Gale having charge of the

-other, and led the way toward the beach. Arriving within a few rods

-of it the boats were brought to a stand still, and Chips slipped

-noiselessly into the water and struck out for the beach, accompanied by

-Lucas, who carried a blubber-knife between his teeth. Chips might have

-been astonished to know that Lucas had orders to use the blubber-knife

-at the very first sign of treachery. This was the secret the old

-boatswain's mate had been carrying all the afternoon. Frank believed

-the story Chips had told him, but he was so wary that he neglected no

-precautions to insure the success of the expedition and the safety of

-the men composing it.

-

-At the end of half an hour the two men made their appearance again,

-coming alongside so silently that Frank did not see them until they

-laid hold of the gunwale. They reported the coast clear. The natives,

-not dreaming of danger, were all at the village, going through some

-sort of a ceremony intended to bring them success in the next attack

-they made on the ship, and which Chips said would not be delayed longer

-than daylight. Frank breathed easier now. Chips was not trying to lead

-him into an ambush, and that was one thing off his mind.

-

-Slowly and noiselessly the boats approached the shore, and when their

-bows touched the sand the crews disembarked. The two men selected

-to guard them promptly took their positions, and the rest fell in

-behind Chips, who led them along a narrow path through darkness so

-intense that Frank, who followed close at his heels, was obliged to

-take hold of his clothing in order to keep track of him. Ten minutes'

-walk brought them within sight of a bright fire, which they could see

-shining through the trees in front of them. There they stopped. Frank

-whispered to the men as they came up one after another, showed them

-the position of the village, and they lost no time in taking up the

-positions he assigned them. When they had all moved off to the right

-and left, Frank, Mr. Gale and Chips were left alone. They waited and

-listened for a few minutes, and then moved down the path until they

-obtained a view of the fire. It was a large one, and threw out so

-much light that every hut in the village could be distinctly seen.

-There were about two hundred of the natives in sight, men, women and

-children, and some were seated in a circle about the fire, while others

-stood erect, looking intently toward the jungle where Frank knew the

-right of his line was taking up its position. Their quick ears warned

-them of the approach of an enemy.

-

-At this moment Frank caught the gleam of a bayonet on the extreme left

-of the line. That told him that some of his men were in position, and

-he decided to begin operations at once. He nodded to his companions,

-and instantly three muskets were levelled and belched forth their

-contents in quick succession. This was the signal for the attack, and

-it was promptly obeyed. Muskets and pistols roared all along the line,

-and such a chorus of hoarse voices arose from the jungle that Frank,

-had he not known just how many men he had at his command, would have

-supposed that there was a small army hidden there.

-

-The natives behaved just as Chips said they would. The most of them

-took to their heels at once, while the bravest among them lingered long

-enough to fire their muskets. But they discharged them any how--just

-as they happened to pick them up--and Frank saw that the muzzles of

-the most of them were pointed into the air. No sooner were the weapons

-emptied than the owners threw them down and ran for life.

-

-In two minutes' time the sailors were all in the now deserted village,

-and two of the huts had been fired by Chips, who showed himself as

-active as a cat. He ran about with a fire-brand in each hand, calling

-loudly on the captives to make all haste to reach the beach, telling

-them they would find boats there and men to protect them.

-

-Frank remained in the centre of the line, so that he could see all

-that was going on and direct the movements of his men, and it was with

-no little satisfaction that he noted the care with which each member

-of his small company took to carry out the instructions given him.

-Frank did not see that any of the natives were killed, but he did see

-one prisoner rescued. He did not get a glimpse of his face or of his

-clothing, but a remark Lucas made as he and Barton carried him by in

-their arms, told him who it was. "This ain't such a nice piece of

-business as it might be, sir," said the former, touching his cap.

-

-"It's the captain," thought Frank. "That was a lucky thought of mine,

-appointing two of his worst enemies to take care of him, for they

-wouldn't injure him now for the world. He's badly hurt, too. Will he

-act more like a man now, or be a worse tyrant than ever?"

-

-In a very short space of time the whole village was in a blaze. The

-huts being built of bamboo and their cone-shaped roofs thatched with

-dry grass, they burned like so much tinder. There was nothing more to

-be done now--nothing more they could do. They had rescued one prisoner,

-given the others a chance to run if they were able to do it, and now

-he must take care of his own men before the natives turned on them.

-The signal to retreat, a long, shrill whistle, was as promptly obeyed

-as the signal to attack. The men hurried toward him, and throwing

-their weapons on their shoulders fell in behind Chips, who led the way

-toward the beach at a dog trot. Frank ran his eye over the line as it

-moved passed him to see if there was anybody missing, and found to his

-delight that not only were the men all there, but also two more rescued

-prisoners, the captain's harpooner and bow-oarsman, who saluted him

-as they went by. When the last man was in the path, Frank and Mr. Gale

-fell in and brought up the rear. A few minutes' rapid run brought them

-to the beach, and after seeing the wounded captain stowed away as

-comfortably as circumstances would permit, Frank ordered the crews into

-the boats, which were pushed off toward the ship. There was no pursuit

-attempted, the natives being too badly frightened to rally immediately.

-By the time their expected reinforcements arrived, the Tycoon was safe

-out of their reach.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER XV.

-

-FRANK ON THE QUARTER-DECK.

-

-

-THE expedition was ended and well ended too, Frank told himself. Three

-men were rescued, and that was something to feel glad over. The attack

-was so well planned, and all the details carried out so faithfully

-and energetically, that it was entirely successful, and there was not

-a man missing. All the ship's company could be accounted for except

-Gardner--Frank could not bring himself now to think of him by the

-name he generally bore--and he had doubtless been killed and thrown

-overboard when the natives made their attack on the vessel.

-

-While on the way back to the Tycoon Frank had much to think about, the

-principal object of his thoughts being the wounded captain. Frank was

-sorry to see him in his present situation, and he reproached himself

-when he reflected that he had so long cherished feelings of revenge

-toward him. He had all the while told himself that his feelings were

-not actuated by any desire for vengeance--that he wanted to have the

-skipper shut up for a while, merely to prevent him from serving others

-as he had served himself; but now he knew that behind all this was the

-belief that the captain deserved punishment for the offences of which

-he had been guilty, and that he would breathe a good deal easier if he

-could assist in bringing it about. That was all past now, however. The

-skipper needed assistance, and that was enough for the generous Frank,

-who felt almost as tender toward him as he would have felt toward his

-cousin Archie, had he been in the same situation.

-

-Meanwhile an animated conversation was going on between Mr. Gale and

-Lucas, who were in the other boat with Barton, the coxswain. The third

-mate had been silent and thoughtful for a long time, and Lucas asked

-the reason for it.

-

-"I was just thinking of what's to come," replied Mr. Gale. "Here we

-have been risking our lives to free these men, and what are we going to

-do with them now that we have got them?"

-

-"Take them aboard the ship, sir," said Lucas.

-

-"And what's to be done with the ship? The cap'n is of no use now, the

-first and second mates are gone, and so, of course, the ship falls to

-my hands; but she's a bigger load than I can carry."

-

-"Don't worry about that, sir," returned Lucas, quickly. "Cap'n Nelson's

-shoulders are broad, and he can carry her."

-

-"Was he ever master of a vessel?" asked Mr. Gale.

-

-"Of course he was, sir. Didn't you know it?"

-

-"I heard something about it, but I didn't believe it. He don't look

-like a sailor."

-

-"No more'n he looks like a lawyer or a fighting man, sir; but he's

-all three. When the war was going he commanded as fine a brig as ever

-sailed in Farragut's fleet."

-

-"A brig!" echoed Barton. "A ship, you mean. Haven't I seen her often?

-Didn't I see her and him too down there in Mobile Bay, the time we had

-the fight with the forts and gunboats? You're right I did. The Admiral

-was going to put him in command of a frigate, only the war closed and

-Cap'n Nelson wouldn't stay in the navy."

-

-"I knew it was something of that kind," said Lucas, who knew just

-nothing at all about it. He and Barton were working to put Frank on the

-Tycoon's quarter-deck, and they did not care how many falsehoods they

-told or what means they used to get him there. "He went into a fight

-once and licked the rebels three to one," continued Lucas.

-

-"Five to one, you mean," corrected Barton, who did not think his friend

-was saying quite as much as could be said in Frank's favor.

-

-"I knew it was big odds," returned Lucas, "and under them

-circumstances, sir, you mustn't feel hard if we say that we won't serve

-on the Tycoon under nobody but Cap'n Nelson."

-

-"I don't feel hard toward you," said the mate, "for I don't want to

-command her. I am not fit."

-

-"No more you be, sir," said Barton, bluntly; "but Cap'n Nelson is. We

-can call him cap'n now, and nobody can't say no to us without getting

-his head broke."

-

-Frank, little dreaming of what was passing in the other boat, was being

-carried rapidly ahead by the stalwart Kanakas who pulled him, and

-reached the ship a long distance in advance of Mr. Gale. As he came

-alongside he saw two men looking over the rail, both of whom Chips

-recognised, dark as it was. They proved to be two wrecked sailors who

-had been held prisoners by the natives, and who had taken advantage

-of the attack on the village to run to the beach and swim off to

-the vessel. They were overjoyed to find themselves among their own

-countrymen once more, and almost overwhelmed Frank by their exhibition

-of gratitude. But he had no time to listen to them. He simply shook

-hands with them, and then turned his attention to the captain.

-

-The wounded man groaned whenever any one touched him; but a whip being

-quickly rigged he was hoisted aboard as tenderly as possible, and in

-obedience to Frank's directions was carried into the cabin and placed

-in his bunk. When the steward lighted the lamp Frank had a good view of

-him for the first time, and he could hardly bring himself to believe

-that this wreck of humanity was the same man he had so often seen on

-the quarter-deck. He was no surgeon, but knowing that something ought

-to be done at once to relieve the captain and stop the flow of blood,

-he set to work to do what he could. He cut off the sufferer's coat and

-shirt with his knife, and found three gaping wounds, which were enough

-to have left the life out of any but a man of iron, as the captain was.

-While he was bathing them with warm water brought from the galley the

-third mate came in, and Frank was surprised to see him remove his hat.

-

-"Is it necessary for me to apologize for coming in here under such

-circumstances as these, without an invitation?" asked the amateur

-doctor.

-

-"I guess not, sir," answered the officer, with a smile. "From all I can

-learn you've got the best right here."

-

-"How is that? I don't understand you."

-

-"Why, the men have put you in as cap'n, and say they won't do duty

-under anybody else."

-

-"Well, they have no right to do anything of the kind. They don't know

-what they are talking about."

-

-"No, they don't. I'm master of this ship," murmured the wounded man,

-looking about with the old savage glare in his eyes and trying to raise

-his head. "Trice 'em all up, and hang the snatch-block to their--Mr.

-Gale!" he ejaculated, recognising the third mate.

-

-"Yes, sir; it's Mr. Gale, come back safe and sound, and just as ready

-to do duty as he was before you turned him adrift in that boat,"

-replied the officer.

-

-"Send the first mate here," said the captain, sinking back on his

-pillow and closing his eyes.

-

-"I can't, sir. He went ashore with you and hasn't come back yet. The

-natives made an end of him, most likely."

-

-"The second mate, then."

-

-"Can't send him either, sir, because he and the first are keeping

-company now somewhere besides on board this ship. The natives harpooned

-him. There's nobody left but me."

-

-"And you ain't worth nothing. You don't know how to flog a man."

-

-"If I did, I couldn't do it now, sir. The men have taken the ship and

-put Cap'n Nelson in command. I looked for 'em to do it long ago."

-

-"Nelson!" groaned the captain, opening his eyes again. "I sent him----"

-

-He seemed to recognise the face bending over him, and stopped suddenly.

-

-"I know you did, sir," said Mr. Gale, "You sent him adrift with me; but

-he's back again, and so are Lucas and Barton and all the rest of the

-boat's crew. But I say, cap'n, if you are able to do duty, you'd best

-be giving some orders, for the tide is about turning, and if the ship

-is to be worked off the bar, now's the time."

-

-The captain made no reply, and neither could Mr. Gale induce him to

-speak again. He lay with his eyes closed, and groaned every time

-a question was asked him. The mate scratched his head in great

-perplexity. "What shall I do, sir?" said he, looking at Frank.

-

-"Do just what you think best," was the reply. "This man is in no

-condition to give orders. Go ahead on your own hook."

-

-The mate clapped his hat on his head and hurried up the ladder. He

-found the crew gathered in the waist waiting, no doubt, to hear from

-some one in the cabin. "Turn to, lads," said Mr. Gale, briskly. "Bear a

-hand, and get up that small kedge for'ard."

-

-"Who give them orders, sir, begging your pardon for being curious?"

-said Lucas. "Did Cap'n Barclay or Cap'n Nelson?"

-

-"Cap'n Nelson," replied the mate. "Cap'n Barclay ain't fit to command

-now."

-

-"No more was he ever fit to command, sir!" said Lucas, who was speaking

-for all of the men. "But, asking your pardon again, sir, I'd just like

-to have a peep at Cap'n Nelson, and see why he don't come up and give

-his own orders, like the master of a ship had ought to do. You know

-that he went into that cabin once and didn't come out again very soon,

-don't you? We don't think as much of you, by no means, as we did before

-you had a hand in that business."

-

-The mate made no reply. He had set himself right with Frank, who was

-perfectly satisfied that he was not to blame for anything that had

-happened, and he would leave him to make the matter straight with the

-men. He stepped aside to allow Lucas to pass, and the latter, running

-down the companion-ladder, was amazed to find Frank acting the part of

-Good Samaritan to one whom he had hitherto regarded as an enemy. He

-opened his eyes wide at the sight, and Frank thought he was displeased.

-"It's all time wasted, sir," said he.

-

-"Well, we must do the very best we can for him," was Frank's reply.

-"If he can only hold out till we fall in with some ship carrying a

-surgeon, he will perhaps pull through all right."

-

-"Did you give orders to have the ship worked off the bar, cap'n?" asked

-the boatswain's mate.

-

-"We want to get her off, don't we?" answered Frank. "She musn't lie

-here and be pounded to pieces, as she will be if the wind rises."

-

-Lucas went out of the cabin satisfied. He knew what ought to be done

-as well as anybody, but he wanted to be sure that the orders came from

-the right source. The men were satisfied too, and went to work to get

-the ship out of her dangerous situation, while Frank kept busy with his

-patient, although he believed, with Lucas, that his efforts to save the

-captain's life would be useless. He had nothing to work with--no lint

-or bandages, and no medicine to allay the fever. But the sequel proved

-that Frank did not know what the old sailor meant by his remark. The

-wounded skipper was threatened by another danger from which no one on

-board the Tycoon but Frank could protect him--- the fury of the men he

-had wronged.

-

-At the end of two hours the Tycoon was in deep water and standing away

-from the inhospitable Islands with all her canvas spread. Frank had

-been equally successful with the work to which he had devoted himself,

-and now the captain was in a sound sleep. While Frank stood watching

-him, wondering; what was to be done when he awoke, since there were no

-medicines aboard except calomel and salts, nothing to eat except coarse

-ship's fare, and nothing to drink but the miserable stuff called tea

-and coffee which the cook served up twice each day--while Frank was

-thinking about this, and wishing he could get inside the Stranger's

-pantry long enough to secure some of the delicacies he knew to be

-stowed away there, he was aroused by a great hubbub which suddenly

-arose on deck. He heard the stamping of feet and loud yells of triumph,

-mingled with cries of, "Here's one of 'em. Pitch him overboard!" A

-moment later the mate's voice was heard in tones of remonstrance, to

-which some one replied: "If you don't go aft where you belong and mind

-your own business, you'll go over too!"

-

-Mr. Gale evidently thought that the man, whoever he was that said this,

-was in earnest, for Frank heard him running along the deck, and saw his

-pale face appear at the top of the companion ladder. "Come up, cap'n,"

-he cried, in great excitement; "the men are going to throw Calamity

-overboard!"

-

-Frank lingered just long enough to slap his pockets, to make sure that

-the pistols he had carried during the attack on the village were still

-there, and then went up the stairs in three jumps. He saw a group of

-men in the waist, who were pushing and crowding one another about, and

-caught just one glimpse of the pale face of Gardner, who was in the

-midst of them, and resisting to the utmost the efforts that were being

-made to drag him to the side. He saw at a glance that Boson and Tully

-were the ringleaders, and the ones who had seized the frightened man;

-and he was sorry to see, too, that Lucas and Barton were there and

-making no effort to restrain their companions, although they took no

-part in the proceeding. The peaceable Kanakas were standing in a body

-on the forecastle and looking on in great amazement.

-

-With three jumps more Frank was in the waist, standing between the men

-and the rail, and Mr. Gale was at his side. "Lucas! Barton!" he cried,

-"come over to this side the deck."

-

-"Why, cap'n?" began Lucas.

-

-"No words," interrupted Frank. "You and Barton come over to this side

-of the deck, and be quick about it."

-

-The sailors obeyed, and the change in their positions seemed to make a

-corresponding change in their feelings, for the next order Frank gave

-was responded to without an instant's hesitation. "Lucas, take hold

-of Boson. Barton, grab Tully and drag him away. Gardner, go into the

-cabin!"

-

-It was wonderful how quickly and easily one calm, determined spirit

-controlled those angry men. The trouble was ended at once. Boson let

-go his hold and slunk away at the sight of Lucas's big fist, which was

-brandished before his eyes, and Tully was equally active in giving

-ground before the broad-shouldered Barton. Gardner, finding himself at

-liberty, went down the companion-ladder like a flash, banging the door

-behind him.

-

-"I am surprised at you, men," said Frank, sternly, and there was not

-one among them who could look him in the eye. "If you had succeeded in

-accomplishing your object, what would you have said for yourselves when

-you got ashore? Boson, you are the largest and strongest man in the

-crew. Take your stand at the top of that ladder and knock the first one

-down who attempts to go into the cabin without Mr. Gale's permission."

-

-This stroke of policy on Frank's part won him a fast friend on the

-spot--one who might otherwise have been an enemy, and kept the crew

-in a constant uproar. He was a turbulent fellow, this Boson, and one

-of the few sailors Frank had met who seemed to need a handspike or

-belaying-pin over his head about once a day to keep him in order. His

-appearance was enough to frighten some men, and was a good index of his

-character. He had a most repulsive countenance, a small bullet-shaped

-head, always kept closely cropped and set on a thick, muscular neck,

-and a form betokening immense physical power. And indeed he possessed

-it. He could handle an eighteen-foot oar as if it were a feather, and

-when he laid out his strength, he fairly made things snap. His whole

-body was seamed and scarred by wounds he had received in fights and

-from the officers he had sailed under, and Frank had seen him knocked

-flat with a handspike which seemed to make no more impression on his

-thick skull than it would on the mast. This was the man of whom Frank

-had been wise enough to make a friend.

-

-Boson looked at him in amazement, evidently at a loss to decide whether

-Frank was in earnest or not; but making up his mind at last that he

-was, he marched off, and taking the position assigned him, looked

-defiantly at the crew, as if daring them to come on.

-

-Frank was surprised at the ease with which the disturbance had been

-quelled, and so was Mr. Gale. It leaked out afterward that the

-former's prompt action had prevented serious trouble. Lucas made no

-idle threat when he said that the captain and Calamity were both to

-go overboard. The latter had been hiding in the hold among the oil

-barrels. He went there when he saw the natives approaching to make

-their attack on the ship, and no one missed him until the fight was

-over, and the sailors began to look around to see how many they had

-lost. Not finding Calamity among the slain, they concluded that he had

-either jumped overboard, or been wounded and thrown over; but he had

-been safely concealed in the hold all the while. Finding at last that

-the ship was in motion, he came out of his hiding-place to see what

-was going on, and must have been astonished at the reception extended

-to him. After he had been disposed of, the skipper's turn was to come

-next. The desperate men counted on meeting with opposition and perhaps

-resistance from Mr. Gale and Frank, but expected to overcome it very

-easily. They knew Mr. Gale, but found they did not know Frank. Had the

-latter been as easily cowed as the third mate was, something certainly

-would have happened.

-

-Quiet being restored, Mr. Gale and Frank walked aft together, and the

-crew seeing them in earnest conversation, leaned over the rail and

-waited to learn what would come next. "I suppose the first business is

-to decide who we want for officers," said Frank.

-

-"I suppose so, sir," replied Mr. Gale.

-

-"You are entitled to the captain's berth, of course. That's settled."

-

-"No it ain't, sir," returned the mate, quickly. "This is the first

-voyage I ever made as an officer, and I know no more about navigation

-than I do about the moon."

-

-"Then let me act as your sailing-master."

-

-"The men won't agree to it, sir. They said so."

-

-Then the mate went on to repeat the conversation that had taken place

-between Lucas, Barton and himself, at which Frank laughed heartily.

-"Why they are very much mistaken," said he. "The largest sailing

-vessel I ever commanded was a pleasure yacht."

-

-"No odds, sir. They've got it in their heads that you must command them

-now that the old man is done for, and there'll be a row if you don't.

-You have seen what they are when they get started."

-

-"Then I'll tell you what we'll do," said Frank, after thinking a

-moment. "We'll leave it to them; and after they have selected their

-officers we'll draw up a paper containing a full history of everything

-that has happened since leaving Honolulu, and ask them to sign it.

-These matters must be looked into by the consul, and we want to be all

-right in law, you know."

-

-In accordance with this suggestion, the mate mustered the men on the

-quarter-deck and made them a little speech. He told them that there

-must be somebody at the head of affairs, and that as the officers were

-all gone except himself, others must be selected. In the first place

-they must all agree to be bound by the decision of the majority, and

-faithfully promise to obey those placed over them.

-

-"We'll all obey Cap'n Nelson," exclaimed Boson, before the mate was

-fairly done speaking.

-

-"Yes, Cap'n Nelson! Cap'n Nelson!" cried a chorus of hoarse voices.

-"Nobody else!"

-

-There was not a dissenting voice; so Frank could no longer refuse to

-accept the responsibility. He was amused to see that Lucas and Barton,

-while supporting Boson's nomination, looked savagely at him, as if they

-would have been glad to knock him down for speaking in such a hurry.

-They wanted to bring Frank forward themselves.

-

-"Cap'n Nelson, I give place to you, sir," said Mr. Gale.

-

-The men greeted the young commander with cheers as he stepped forward,

-no doubt expecting him to make them a speech; but Frank did nothing of

-the kind. He told them that the next business was to select a first

-mate, and at his suggestion Mr. Gale was chosen by a unanimous vote.

-Lucas was put in for second, and Boson, who was a fine sailor, if

-he was a quarrelsome fellow, for third mate; and when the men were

-dismissed every one of them seemed satisfied.

-

-[Illustration: FRANK CHOSEN CAPTAIN OF THE TYCOON.]

-

-Frank at once went below to look at his patient, leaving Mr. Gale in

-charge of the deck. The captain lay with his eyes closed, rolling his

-head from side to side, and Calamity was fanning him with his hat. The

-latter started up in alarm as Frank entered.

-

-"It is no one who is going to harm you," said he. "I hope you see now

-what you have brought upon yourself by your way of doing business. Let

-it be a lesson to you."

-

-"I shall never dare to go into the forecastle again," whined Calamity.

-

-"You needn't go in there. You will stay here as the captain's nurse."

-

-This order seemed to relieve the frightened man. Through the open

-skylights he had heard all that passed on deck, and he was afraid that

-Frank, having the authority to do so, would order him to go forward

-where he belonged.

-

-Frank slept but little that night. The responsibilities of his new

-position weighed on his mind, and he came on deck every hour to see

-that things were going straight. The first real duty he performed as

-captain was to ascertain whereabouts in the wide world the ship was,

-and this he did the next day by an observation. She was directly in

-the track of vessels bound from Australia to the Pacific ports of the

-United States, and he decided to cruise about for a few days in the

-hope of meeting some ship that carried a surgeon. Without medical

-assistance he was afraid that the captain might not live until the ship

-reached Honolulu, which, according to his calculations, was more than

-fifteen hundred miles distant.

-

-The observation made, dinner over and the table cleared away, Frank

-busied himself for an hour or two in drawing up papers for the men

-to sign; and when that was done, he took a few minutes to think over

-the various incidents that had operated to place him in his present

-position. The most exacting old sea-dog could hardly have found

-fault with the way affairs were going now. The weather-side of the

-quarter-deck was reserved for the captain, who for an hour paced up and

-down there with his hands behind his back, and as free from intrusion

-as a monarch on his throne. The officers were alert and watchful, the

-crew seemed to have settled down to the new order of things as if they

-had been accustomed to them all their lives, and never in her best days

-under her old commander had the Tycoon looked more ship-shape. Frank

-wished the crew had put Mr. Gale in his place, and left him to act

-as sailing-master; but since they had seen fit to do differently, he

-would perform his duty as best he could. He knew every rope and sail

-in the ship, was possessed of excellent judgment, which was the one

-great thing needed, and the captain's sextant came as handy to him as

-a fishing-rod or double-barrel; so he was not so very unfit for the

-position he held after all. How Archie and the rest of the friends he

-had left on the Stranger would open their eyes if they could see him in

-that dress and know that he was the master of that fine ship! For the

-first time in a long while Frank allowed his thoughts to wander back to

-them, and the consequence was he became homesick. Yes, homesick; for

-the cabin of the Stranger had been his home for almost eight months,

-and had he kept out of the way of the bogus captain, it might have been

-his home yet. Where was the schooner now, and what were those aboard

-of her doing? Perhaps she was sailing about over the Pacific in search

-of the Tycoon! This thought aroused Frank from his reverie, and caused

-him to straighten up and look about as if he expected to see something.

-If the Stranger followed the Tycoon to the Sandwich Islands, would not

-Uncle Dick ascertain when he got there that she had shipped a crew and

-started for the Japan station? And would he not sail again immediately

-and try to find her?

-

-"Sail ho!" shouted the man at the mast-head. "Where away?" demanded the

-captain, greatly excited.

-

-"Two points off the lee bow, sir. Steamer."

-

-"Dear me! why did he say steamer?" thought Frank. "I'd rather he'd have

-said topsail schooner."

-

-No doubt he would, especially if the schooner proved to be the

-Stranger. Still he was glad to know that there was a steamer near,

-for he would be relieved of one cause of anxiety if he could only

-intercept her. He would bring her doctor aboard, and perhaps he could

-do something for the captain.

-

-

-

-

-CHAPTER XVI.

-

-CONCLUSION.

-

-

-Frank went aloft with his glass, and after watching the steamer for a

-few minutes made up his mind that if he held on his way she would cross

-his path at such a distance that he could not speak her; so he altered

-the Tycoon's course a few points, and for several miles ran almost

-parallel with the approaching craft. This manœuvre was successful, and

-by sunset the two vessels were within hailing distance. After seeing

-one of the boats cleared for lowering and the crew ready to tumble into

-her, Frank came to while the steamer was yet a half a mile away; and

-this attracting the attention of her captain, he ran under a slow bell

-until within speaking distance, when he stopped his engines. His vessel

-was a fine large mail steamer, and her promenade deck was crowded with

-passengers.

-

-"Steamer ahoy!" yelled Frank, through his trumpet. "Will you wait for

-me to send a boat aboard of you? We are in need of medical assistance."

-

-A reply in the affirmative promptly came back, and five minutes

-afterward a whale-boat, manned by a sturdy crew steered by Frank, was

-pulling toward the steamer.

-

-Up to this time Frank's mind was fully occupied with thoughts of the

-wounded captain; but now it occurred to him that he was not in just

-the right dress to present himself before a company of ladies and

-gentlemen. Clothed in a red shirt, coarse trowsers, heavy boots, all

-plentifully spattered with oil, a tarpaulin, which, although but a

-short time out of the slop-chest, began to show signs of wear, and with

-hands and face browned by exposure, he was not the most attractive

-looking young man in the world, and he thought he looked worse when in

-the presence of the dapper young officer who met him at the gangway.

-The well-dressed people on deck gave him plenty of room as he walked

-along, but the gray-headed captain came forward and greeted him

-cordially. "What did you say you wanted, sir?" said he. "A doctor?"

-

-"Yes, sir. There's a man aboard that ship in a critical condition. We

-had some trouble with the natives at the Mangrove Islands, and he's

-badly wounded."

-

-A chorus of ejaculations and questions arose from the passengers who

-crowded eagerly forward, and Frank could have told his story to a

-most attentive and interested audience if he had only had time; but

-the captain sent off at once for the surgeon, who made his appearance

-before he was fairly begun. To him Frank described the nature of the

-captain's injuries as well as he could, and when he had heard all Frank

-could tell him, he provided himself with medicine and instruments, got

-into the whale-boat and was taken on board the Tycoon. He remained

-there nearly three hours--so long that some of the gentlemen among the

-steamer's passengers became impatient at the delay, called on Frank

-for a boat, and came off to see what the "blubber-hunter" looked like.

-The young captain met them as they came over the side, and was amused

-at the look of astonishment that settled on their faces when they found

-themselves fairly on her deck.

-

-"Why, if I had known that you kept your craft as neat as this, I should

-have brought my wife and daughter along," said one of the gentlemen,

-running his finger over the rail and closely examining it to make sure

-that there was no oil on it. "I expected to find myself knee-deep in

-grease. I have seen whalers come into port before now, and they were

-such horrible looking things outside, that I supposed, they could not

-be very tidy on deck."

-

-"They are not always, sir," said Frank, "especially when they are

-cutting in and trying out. They often spend eight months and more out

-of sight of land, and the men are so busy with other work that they

-can't find time to keep the ship as neat and trim as a merchantman or

-man-of-war."

-

-The visitors having satisfied themselves that they were in no danger

-of soiling their good clothes, began to exhibit a lively interest in

-what they saw about them. Frank showed them over the ship, explained

-the use of the try-works, harpoons, lances and all the other implements

-connected with a whaler's calling, and related the particulars of

-the fight they had had with the natives at the Mangrove Islands; and

-so engrossed did his listeners become that they were sorry when the

-doctor came out of the cabin and announced that he was ready to depart.

-He told Frank what he had done for the wounded man, and said that,

-although he was so badly used up that it might take him some months to

-fully recover from the effects of his injuries, there were no bones

-broken, and his life was in no danger, if the remedies he left for him

-were faithfully administered according to the directions he had given

-the captain's attendant. The doctor and the passengers were then taken

-on board their vessel by one of the whale-boats, and when it returned

-and was hoisted at the davits, the Tycoon filled away for the Sandwich

-Islands.

-

-It was wonderful what a change the doctor's visit made in the wounded

-man! He seemed to grow better immediately. Frank found him in earnest

-conversation with Calamity. When it was ended the latter came out with

-the request that Mr. Gale might be sent to the captain when he was off

-duty, if Frank had no objection. Of course he had none. The first mate

-was sent for at once, and remained in conversation with the captain for

-more than an hour. When he came out he went straight to Frank, who was

-pacing the quarter-deck. "How is he now?" asked the latter.

-

-"O, he's all right that is, his tongue is as lively as ever. He wants

-me to act as mediator between you and him."

-

-"There is no occasion for it," answered Frank. "There are no hard

-feelings on my part."

-

-"I was sure of it, sir. Calamity has told him everything, and he would

-be perfectly satisfied with the way matters have been arranged, if it

-wasn't for the fear that you helped rescue him from the natives, and

-brought the doctor off to save his life, so that you might have the

-chance to take him before the court at Honolulu."

-

-"Perhaps if he knew me better he would not have so poor an opinion of

-me," returned Frank. "I don't deny that if I could have got him there

-two days ago, I should have made trouble for him. Indeed I told him so

-to his face. But that is all over now."

-

-"He has been punished enough, hasn't he, sir?"

-

-"I think he has. You may assure him for me, in the plainest language

-you can command, that I shall not trouble him in any way. On the

-contrary, I will do what I can to make him comfortable."

-

-"I'll tell him, sir. He wanted me to ask two favors of you: one is,

-that you will put him on board the first ship you meet bound for the

-States. He's afraid of the men, sir. Calamity told him that they were

-going to throw him overboard."

-

-"He has nothing to fear from them, but I'll respect his wishes all the

-same. What else does he want me to do?"

-

-"He hopes that while you are looking out for a sail, you will keep

-an eye open for whales and lose no chance for filling up. We stow

-twenty-five hundred barrels, and here we have been out nearly seventeen

-months and haven't taken a quarter of that quantity. It looks now as

-though we were not going to make a paying voyage."

-

-"I'll do the best I can," replied Frank.

-

-And he did. The ship lay-to that night with only a boatsteerer's watch

-on deck, and the next morning business began in earnest. A whale was

-discovered before breakfast, and three boats in command of Mr. Gale,

-Lucas and Boson were sent out after him, Frank remaining in charge

-of the ship. The prize was secured without much trouble, and while

-it was lying alongside, and the men, having prepared themselves for

-work by eating a good breakfast, were about to begin the cutting in,

-another was raised, and by three o'clock that also was alongside, and

-the carpenter was at work on a stove boat. This whale fought hard, but

-there was nobody hurt.

-

-This was only the beginning. The blubber-room was never entirely

-empty, and during the next three weeks four hundred barrels of oil were

-added to those in the hold. Of course the labor was severe, the crew

-being small, but the men had plenty to eat, were kindly treated and

-the amount of work they turned off was surprising. Calamity kept the

-captain posted in all that was going on, and he growled lustily--being

-an old sailor he couldn't help it--and wondered why he had not been

-blessed with such luck, and why the crew had not worked as well for him

-as they did for the new captain.

-

-One bright morning, following a hard night's work at trying-out, while

-Frank was leaning over a water-bucket, rubbing his hands and face with

-a piece of hard soap, the man at the mast-head announced that there was

-a sail in sight, and in response to the usual inquiry, added: "Broad

-off the wheather beam. Topsail schooner. Sets low in the water and

-spreads lots of canvas."

-

-"Do you hear that, Lucas?" cried Frank, gazing about through eyes that

-were almost hidden in soap suds. "Jump up there, quick!"

-

-The latter cleared his eyes by the aid of a piece of canvas that served

-him for a towel, and watched the movements of the old boatswain's mate

-as he hurried aloft. He saw him level his glass, hold it to his eye for

-a moment and then begin to scramble down again. That was enough for

-Frank. "Mr. Gale," said he, so delighted and excited, that he could

-hardly stand still, "my connection with the Tycoon is nearly ended now.

-My friends are close by."

-

-"I am glad for your sake, sir, and sorry for my own," replied the mate.

-"We've had a pleasant ship and the best of luck since you've been on

-the quarter-deck."

-

-"And I have been very well contented," said Frank; "but I wasn't while

-I was in the forecastle, I tell you. It isn't often that a shanghaied

-man becomes master of the ship that runs away with him, is it?"

-

-"I never heard the like before, sir."

-

-"And probably you never will again. Well, Lucas!"

-

-"It's the Stranger, sir! I can tell her among a million!" replied the

-second mate, no less delighted than his captain.

-

-"Breakfast is on, sir," announced the steward.

-

-Frank did not want any, but he made a show of eating nevertheless. He

-drank a cup or two of a decoction of parched beans which the steward

-called coffee, swallowed a few mouthfuls of salt horse and hard-tack,

-and then hurried on deck to tell the officer on watch to see one of

-the boats clear for lowering, and to have a crew, whom he mentioned by

-name, ready to pull him off to the schooner. After that he gave his

-black suit a good overhauling; but it had seen pretty hard service

-before he drew any clothing from the slop-chest, and he decided that it

-would not do to put on. Then he took a look at himself in the little

-mirror that was screwed fast to one of the bulkheads in the cabin, and

-told himself that Boson was a beauty compared to him.

-

-"Well, what's the difference?" thought Frank. "If any of those boys had

-been in my boots they would look just as rough and weather-beaten as I

-do."

-

-With this reflection to console him Frank hurried on deck again, and

-taking the glass Lucas offered him, levelled it at the schooner, which

-was now close aboard. Almost the first man he saw was Dick Lewis.

-Frank's heart leaped at the sight of him. He had supposed that the two

-trappers were safe in the mountains long before this time, but now he

-would have a chance to shake them by the hand once more before he bade

-them good-by for ever. He wondered how they had conquered their fears

-sufficiently to venture out to sea. He saw Uncle Dick Gaylord and his

-two officers on the quarter-deck, and the Club gathered in the waist,

-every one of them with his field-glass in his hand.

-

-"Of course they will recognise the ship, but they will never know me in

-this dress," thought Frank. "And I don't think they'll be able to make

-much out of my hail either."

-

-Frank kept out of sight until the ship's main yard was backed and the

-schooner thrown up into the wind; then he showed himself.

-

-"What ship is that?" yelled a stentorian voice, that Frank could have

-recognised anywhere.

-

-"The whale ship Eli Coon, Hank Wilson master. Seventeen months out

-of Nantucket and nine hundred barrels of oil in the hold. I think

-that bothered them a little, Mr. Gale. I see they are talking very

-earnestly. Is that crew ready? I'll send a boat aboard of you," he

-added, hailing the schooner.

-

-"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Uncle Dick, in a tone of voice which indicated

-that he did not understand the matter at all.

-

-Lucas, Barton, Boson and Tully, all good oarsmen, comprised the boat's

-crew, and they were not long in taking their captain alongside the

-schooner. Seeing that the Club and Uncle Dick kept their glasses

-levelled at him, Frank drew his hat low over his forehead, and thanked

-the wind for turning the collar of his shirt up around his ears. He

-laughed to himself when he thought how amazed his friends would be

-to see him in those clothes and learn that he was the captain of the

-Tycoon--he who had been shanghaied and thrust into her forecastle to

-do duty as a common sailor! He thought he could have some sport with

-the schooner's company, and run no risk of being recognised. After

-comparing his reckoning with Uncle Dick's, he would slap the boys on

-the back and take all sorts of liberties with them, and see what they

-would do about it. But Dick Lewis upset all these calculations in short

-order. His sharp eyes penetrated Frank's disguise, and no sooner did

-his head appear above the schooner's rail than he was hauled aboard,

-lifted bodily from the deck and carried aft. He struggled hard to free

-himself, but the trapper held him fast, and finally stood him on his

-feet in front of Uncle Dick, just as he had done with the bogus captain.

-

-"What do you mean?" demanded Frank, in a gruff voice. "If this is the

-way you treat your visitors, sir, I'll go back where I belong!"

-

-Uncle Dick stared at Frank, who tried to look angry, but his eyes

-laughed in spite of himself. "Nelson!" he exclaimed, at a venture.

-

-"That's jest who he are, cap'n," cried the trapper, bringing his heavy

-hand down on Frank's shoulder with such force that he shook all over.

-"Whiskers and all, that's him."

-

-It was all out now, and Frank's little plan was exposed. Of course

-a great hubbub arose at once, and Frank judged by the greeting he

-received that his friends were just as glad to see him as he was to see

-them. Lucas and Barton met with an equally cordial reception from their

-friends in the forecastle, who were not a little surprised to find that

-one of them had worked his way to the quarter-deck during his absence.

-

-Frank had a long story to tell, and it took him a long time to tell it.

-When it was ended, Uncle Dick and the Club had a good many questions to

-ask, and it took a long time to answer them; so that the two vessels

-remained alongside the greater part of the day. During that time boat's

-crews were exchanged, some of the schooner's company going off to

-visit the ship, and some of her crew coming back to visit the Stranger.

-

-As soon as the conversation began to flag Frank spoke of the needs of

-the wounded captain, asking for some of the good things with which the

-Stranger was so amply provided; but Uncle Dick had something better

-to propose. "Write an order to your mate to send him off here," said

-he. "I have a medicine-chest, plenty of lint and bandages, and long

-experience has made me a passable physician and surgeon. I can take

-better care of him than you can, and perhaps he will feel easier when

-he is out of reach of his men."

-

-Frank was only too glad to accept this kind offer, for he knew that the

-wounded man would be benefited by the change. He sent off an order to

-Mr. Gale, and half an hour afterward Captain Barclay was comfortably

-settled in the Stranger's cabin. He was delighted with his elegant

-quarters, and repeatedly declared that he did not deserve the treatment

-he received. If he was ever able to take the quarter-deck again he

-would be a different man.

-

-His story told and all questions asked and answered, the young captain

-made ready to return to his ship. Of course all the boys went with

-him. Frank warned them that he could not give them such food or such

-quarters as they had on board the Stranger, but they didn't care for

-that. They wanted to see the Tycoon, and they made Frank promise, over

-and over again, that if the opportunity were offered, he would show

-them the operation of catching a whale. The Club tried to induce the

-trappers to go with them, but their entreaties and arguments fell on

-deaf ears. Dick and Bob knew that the Stranger was a safe boat, but

-they did not like to trust the Tycoon, and so thought it best to remain

-where they were.

-

-"Brace for'ard main yard," said Frank, when all the whaler's boats had

-been hoisted at the davits. "Eugene, you said you couldn't understand

-how it came that you reached the Sandwich Islands three days after we

-did. Now I'll show you. Set studding sails, Mr. Gale."

-

-Eugene very soon found out why it was. The Stranger was considered to

-be remarkably swift for a small vessel, but the big Tycoon sailed two

-miles to her one, and at daylight the next morning the schooner was out

-of sight.

-

-Frank being impatient to reach Honolulu, did not go out of his way to

-find whales. According to promise he kept the mast-head manned, but

-to no purpose. The boys watched and waited in the hope of hearing the

-welcome cry, "There she blows!" but not a whale was to be seen. Mr.

-Gale told them that the reason was because they offered no inducement.

-It was the practice of whalers under such circumstances as these, he

-said, to put up a prize of some kind to go to the man who discovered

-the first spout. He had known a whale to rise in less than two minutes

-after a pair of trowsers had been hung up in the rigging.

-

-"O, if that's the trouble, we'll raise so many that you won't know

-which to go after first," said Archie; "who's got any money?"

-

-All the boys happened to have a little in their pockets, and by

-clubbing together they raised sufficient to purchase one of the best

-suits of clothing in the slop-chest--hat, boots and all--which was hung

-up in plain view of the crew. But the offer of a dozen suits would not

-have enabled the men to see whales where there were none, and Frank

-took the ship into Honolulu without having the opportunity to gratify

-his friends, who were greatly disappointed. The Stranger was not in

-port, but she came shortly afterward, and by that time the Tycoon's

-business was settled. She passed through the consul's hands, the crew

-were paid off and discharged and a new captain assumed command and made

-ready to take her to the States. As soon as the Stranger came in, Uncle

-Dick's charge was carried to the hospital, and Frank never heard of him

-afterward. He never heard of Mr. Gale either after he took leave of

-him. The last time he saw him he was second mate of the Tycoon.

-

-One incident happened on board the Stranger that is worth recording. It

-was noticed that after Captain Barclay was brought on board, Dick Lewis

-acted more like himself than he had done for many a day.

-

-It was observed, too, that he often went through a most expressive

-pantomime, which was easily understood by those who witnessed it. One

-morning the captain came out of his cabin and found him standing at the

-top of the companion ladder, where he had been often seen of late. "Why

-do you hang around here so much?" asked Uncle Dick.

-

-The trapper pushed his hat on the back of his head, shoved up his

-sleeves until his brawny arms were bare to the elbow, spread out his

-feet, placed his hands on his hips and looked at the captain. "When is

-that mean varmint comin' up?" said he. "I owe him a leetle something,

-an' I'm in an amazin' hurry to pay it!"

-

-"Now, Lewis, you needn't worry about him," said Uncle Dick. "He's

-having as much punishment as he can stand. Frank heaped hot coals of

-fire on his head every day for three weeks, and I am following up the

-same treatment."

-

-"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper, looking doubtfully at Captain Gaylord.

-

-"It is as true as gospel."

-

-Dick could not refuse to believe it after so strong an affirmation as

-this. He grinned all over with delight, and taking the sailor's sturdy

-palm in his long, bony fingers, gave it a shake and a squeeze that made

-the captain wince and lift one of his feet a little way from the deck.

-Then Dick hurried off to find his chum.

-

-"It's all right, Bob," said he, gleefully. "I didn't know civilized

-folks done sich things, but the cap'n's scalpin' that feller in a way

-the Injuns never thought of. He's pilin' fire on his head every day."

-

-This piece of news, while it greatly surprised both the trappers,

-afforded them the liveliest satisfaction. The kidnapper was being

-fearfully punished for what he had done, and they told one another

-that he deserved it. Dick did not hang around the cabin door any more,

-but he kept his eyes open, and as he never saw any fire carried below,

-he began to grow suspicious.

-

-When the Stranger arrived in the port of Honolulu and he saw

-preparations being made to take the captain ashore, he resolved to

-investigate things a little, just to satisfy himself. Watching his

-chance, while the wounded man was being carried across the deck to be

-lowered into the boat, he dashed forward and lifted the hat from his

-head. To his intense surprise and chagrin the captain's scalp was all

-there, and his hair did not look as if it had ever been near a fire.

-Knowing nothing of the Christian principle of returning good for evil,

-the trapper supposed that Captain Gaylord had been piling literal coals

-on his patient's head every day. It took Uncle Dick a long time to

-explain things, and the backwoodsman never had as much faith in him

-after that.

-

-Having restored Frank to the society of his friends once more, we will

-take leave of him for the present, promising to say more of him soon

-in the concluding volume of this series, which will be entitled: "THE

-BOY TRADERS; OR, THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE BOERS."

-

-

-

-

-      *      *      *      *      *      *

-

-

-

-

-Transcriber's note:

-

-—Obvious errors were corrected.

-

-

-

-***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE***

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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 53420 ***
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 53420-h.htm or 53420-h.zip:
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53420/53420-h/53420-h.htm)
+      or
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53420/53420-h.zip)
+
+
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      https://archive.org/details/franknelsoninforcast
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+      Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
+
+      Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=).
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: ARCHIE, FRED, AND EUGENE ON THE MAIN-CROSS-TREES
+OF THE STRANGER.]
+
+
+Frank Nelson Series.
+
+FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE;
+
+Or, The Sportsman's Club Among the Whalers.
+
+by
+
+HARRY CASTLEMON,
+
+Author of "The Sportsman's Club Series," "Gunboat Series," "Rolling
+Stone Series," &c.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Philadelphia:
+Porter & Coates.
+
+Cincinnati:
+R. W. Carroll & Co.
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+                        FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.
+
+
+ =GUNBOAT SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 6 vols. 16mo.
+ Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+FRANK THE YOUNG NATURALIST. FRANK ON A GUNBOAT. FRANK IN THE WOODS.
+FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI. FRANK ON THE
+PRAIRIE.
+
+ =ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols.
+ 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+  FRANK AMONG THE RANCHEROS.
+  FRANK AT DON CARLOS' RANCHO.
+  FRANK IN THE MOUNTAINS.
+
+ =SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols.
+ 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+  THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB IN THE SADDLE.
+  THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AFLOAT.
+  THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE TRAPPERS.
+
+ =GO-AHEAD SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo.
+ Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+TOM NEWCOMBE. GO-AHEAD. NO MOSS.
+
+ =FRANK NELSON SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo.
+ Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+SNOWED UP. FRANK IN THE FORECASTLE. BOY TRADERS.
+
+ =BOY TRAPPER SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo.
+ Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+  THE BURIED TREASURE; OR, OLD JORDAN'S HAUNT.
+  THE BOY TRAPPER; OR, HOW DAVE FILLED THE ORDER.
+  THE MAIL-CARRIER.
+
+ =ROUGHING IT SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 16mo. Cloth,
+ extra, black and gold.
+
+GEORGE IN CAMP.
+
+                    _Other Volumes in Preparation._
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876 by
+R. W. Carroll & Co.,
+in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
+
+
+
+
+                               CONTENTS.
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                  A Backwoodsman's Ideas        Page 5
+
+                              CHAPTER II.
+
+                "Man Overboard"                     24
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                A Sea Lawyer                        41
+
+                              CHAPTER IV.
+
+                "Shanghaied"                        61
+
+                              CHAPTER V.
+
+                The Trapper's Adventure             82
+
+                              CHAPTER VI.
+
+                A Scamp on his Dignity              99
+
+                             CHAPTER VII.
+
+                Too late                           118
+
+                             CHAPTER VIII.
+
+                Gentleman Black                    141
+
+                              CHAPTER IX.
+
+                "There she Blows"                  159
+
+                              CHAPTER X.
+
+                Frank's first Whale                178
+
+                              CHAPTER XI.
+
+                Cutting In and Trying Out          198
+
+                             CHAPTER XII.
+
+                How Frank saw the Consul           218
+
+                             CHAPTER XIII.
+
+                Turned Adrift                      241
+
+                             CHAPTER XIV.
+
+                Old Times Revived                  262
+
+                              CHAPTER XV.
+
+                Frank on the Quarter-deck          285
+
+                             CHAPTER XVI.
+
+                Conclusion                         310
+
+
+
+
+                             FRANK NELSON
+
+                          IN THE FORECASTLE;
+
+                                OR, THE
+
+                  SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE WHALERS.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+A BACKWOODSMAN'S IDEAS.
+
+
+"I DECLARE this is almost like coming into another world, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, and I, for one, am glad to get back. I like a good horse, and no
+one enjoys a few days' shooting and fishing better than I do; but when
+I get tired of the saddle and the woods, I like to see the blue water
+and feel the solid planks of a yacht's deck under my feet once more. We
+had a good time though, in spite of all our adventures and mishaps."
+
+"We certainly did. I am like Perk, who, after he had been down into the
+Cave of the Winds, under Niagara Falls, said he would do it again for
+no money, but seeing that he _had_ been down, he would not sell his
+experience at any price. I couldn't be hired to make that same trip
+to Fort Bolton again--being "snowed up" was the worst part of it to
+me--but since it is all over and we are safely out of it, I am glad we
+went."
+
+This was a portion of the conversation carried on by our friends
+Archie, Fred and Eugene, as they sat in the main-cross-trees of the
+Stranger, swinging their feet in the air and looking out over the
+shipping anchored off North Point Dock, in the harbor of San Francisco.
+They had only just arrived that day, their trip across the mountains
+being happily ended. They had discarded the half-savage, half-civilized
+costumes they had worn during their sojourn in the wilderness and
+substituted pea-jackets for their hunting-shirts, light shoes for their
+high-top boots, and natty tarpaulins for their slouch hats. They looked
+as though they had just come out of some lady's band-box, and one and
+all declared that it was most refreshing to find themselves dressed up
+like white folks once more.
+
+The first thing these three uneasy youngsters did after they had donned
+their "shore clothes," and put the suits they had worn in the mountains
+carefully away in their trunks for safe-keeping, was to run all over
+the vessel, looking into every locker and corner, just as they had done
+when they first saw her on the stocks at New Orleans, and the next to
+mount to the cross-trees to survey the harbor. Here they had sat for
+half an hour, enjoying the prospect spread out before them, and talking
+over their recent adventures and exploits. The other members of the
+Club, Walter, Frank Nelson, George Le Dell and the rest, were seated
+on the quarter-deck with Uncle Dick, talking to Dick Lewis and old Bob
+Kelly.
+
+Dick and Bob were objects of great interest to the sailors who composed
+the Stranger's crew. They stared at everything with wide-open eyes, and
+were as much out of place on the schooner's deck as the jolly tars
+would have been in the mountains from which the backwoodsmen had just
+arrived.
+
+The Club had had a varied and eventful experience during the
+comparatively short time that they had been absent from the Stranger,
+and even now the hearts of some of them would beat a trifle faster
+whenever they thought of what they had passed through. Walter drew a
+long breath every time he recalled his experience in Potter's rancho;
+Fred and Eugene shivered and drew their collars up around their ears
+when they thought of the sight presented to their gaze on the day
+they set out from their camp under the cliffs, to show the Pike and
+his family the way to Fort Bolton, and imagined that they could see
+the air filled with driving snow, and could hear the roaring of the
+wind as it swept the prairie, just as they had seen it and heard it on
+that long-to-be-remembered afternoon. Archie grew excited and elated
+whenever he thought of the way he had captured the wild horse, and
+then exasperated when he remembered how he had lost him before he had
+had a chance to try even one race with his cousin. Frank shrugged his
+shoulders when any of his companions called him "Chinny Billy," as they
+often did, and thanked his lucky stars that he was well out of the
+predicament which the genuine Chinny Billy had so nearly got him into,
+when he denounced him as an impostor and spy in the presence of all the
+members of Potter's gang; and even Uncle Dick Gaylord, hardened as he
+was by a long life of adventure, did not like to recall the feelings of
+anxiety and suspense that he had experienced on more than one occasion,
+during the journey to Bolton and back. The two trappers were probably
+the only ones in the party for whom the last few months had no especial
+interest. Their lives were made up of just such scenes and incidents,
+and they never thought of them again, unless something happened to
+bring them vividly to their recollection.
+
+The last night that the friends passed at Fort Bolton was given up
+to enjoyment. The colonel and major entertained Uncle Dick at their
+quarters, and the younger officers took charge of the boys. After
+supper it was noticed that some of the officers and their guests
+distributed themselves in little groups about the room, that the
+members of each group carried on a very earnest conversation in a low
+tone of voice, and that various little keepsakes were passed from one
+to the other, which each promised to preserve in remembrance of the
+giver. The gifts that passed between Frank and Lieutenant Gaylord
+were the most valuable of any. These two young fellows had been fast
+friends and almost constant companions ever since the night on which
+the lieutenant recaptured Dick Lewis after his flight from the guard
+house, and arrested Frank for assisting him to make his escape. Frank
+had something he knew the lieutenant wanted, and that was the splendid
+horse which Potter had given him. Frank could not take the animal
+around the world with him, and besides he was already the happy owner
+of a steed which was just as handsome and swift, and which held a much
+higher place in his affections. That was Roderick. It was Uncle Dick's
+intention to travel on horseback until the party reached a point from
+which they could continue their journey by stage or railroad, and then
+sell off their stock--their wagon, which would have been an almost
+useless encumbrance to them, now that the roads were blocked with snow,
+having been exchanged for pack mules--Frank would then have no further
+use for his horse, so he offered him to the lieutenant, who was glad to
+accept him.
+
+The journey to San Francisco was made without the occurrence of any
+exciting or noteworthy incidents. Among them all they managed to shoot
+a few black-tails, and one grizzly bear, whose skin and claws were
+preserved by the old members of the Club as trophies. They found the
+snow fully as deep as they expected, the travelling difficult, and the
+weather extremely cold; but their progress was steady, although slow,
+until they reached the railroad, and then in a few hours they found
+themselves in an almost tropical climate.
+
+When they reached the railroad, Dick and Old Bob would have taken leave
+of them, but the boys would not listen to it. They were determined
+that, if they could have their own way, the trappers should remain
+with them for a long time to come. They owed much to these two men, and
+as they could not repay them in any other way, they would take them
+around the world, introducing them to scenes and people of which they
+had never dreamed. Of course this idea originated with rattle-brained
+Eugene Gaylord, and Uncle Dick, who could not find it in his heart
+to refuse his nephews anything they asked for, consented to the
+arrangement, though not without a good deal of grumbling.
+
+"They'll only be in the way, Eugene," said the old sailor. "They just
+fit the mountains and the prairie--they were made for them; but how
+will they look on the deck of the Stranger? There isn't room enough
+aboard our little craft for that giant, Louis."
+
+"O, Uncle, there are two or three empty bunks in the forecastle, and
+they can sleep there as well as not," replied Eugene.
+
+"But they will be so uneasy that they'll not enjoy themselves in the
+least," continued Uncle Dick. "They will be frightened to death when
+they find themselves out of sight of land, and the men will be playing
+tricks on them all the while."
+
+"But the men mustn't play tricks on them. We won't let them; and
+besides it would be dangerous. As for being out of sight of land, that
+need not trouble them. They'll not be in half as much danger as they
+were while they were with Potter's gang. Then think of the fun we'll
+have, Uncle! Didn't you notice how they opened their eyes the other
+night when Bab was telling them of the elephants we expect to see in
+India?"
+
+"Well, well! do as you please," said the old sailor. "If they are
+foolish enough to go, I shall have a fine time of it among you all; I
+can see that plainly." And then he turned away to hunt up Frank Nelson,
+to whom he always went when he had anything on his mind.
+
+Eugene having gained his point went straight to Archie and Fred, who
+declared that it was the best thing they ever heard of. The matter was
+laid before the trappers with as little delay as possible, and the
+proposition almost took their breath away. They opened their mouths and
+eyes and looked wonderingly at each other, but said nothing. Archie
+thought that was enough for one day, and although his friends wanted an
+immediate answer, he succeeded in inducing them to retire and leave the
+trappers to themselves. He thought it best to give them leisure to turn
+the matter over in their minds (it seemed to be more than they could
+grasp at once) and go to them for an answer at some future time.
+
+Dick and old Bob seemed to grow timid as they approached the confines
+of civilization, but they were coaxed on board the train, and when
+the party reached San Francisco, they were taken off to the Stranger.
+The matter of the voyage around the world had been brought for up
+discussion a few times, but Dick had found his tongue at last, and
+declared that it was not to be thought of. The boys knew better than to
+press the subject, and hoped that time would accomplish what arguments
+could never do. A few hours on board the Stranger in the harbor,
+where vessels were constantly coming and going, might increase their
+confidence, while it familiarized them in some slight degree with
+life on ship-board, and perhaps they could then be induced to change
+their minds. Archie had tried to persuade Dick to follow him and his
+companions to the cross-trees; but the trapper, after glancing down at
+his colossal proportions, and then up at the ratlines, which looked no
+larger than so many threads, declared that the ropes wouldn't bear his
+weight, and remained below.
+
+"Now, this feels natural!" exclaimed Featherweight swinging back
+and forth on his dizzy perch with such apparent recklessness that
+Dick Lewis, who now and then looked up at him, fairly shook in his
+moccasins; "and I am ready for new adventures and new sights beyond the
+seas. Our fellows can say, what the books tell us comparatively few
+American travellers can say, and that is, we have seen the most of the
+wonders of our own country. I never expect to see anything grander than
+the Yo Semite Valley. I wonder how long it will be before Uncle Dick
+will hoist the signal for sailing?"
+
+"Just as soon as the stores are aboard," said Eugene. "We may get off
+to-morrow."
+
+"Will Dick and Bob go with us?"
+
+"No," said Archie. "We might as well give that up. And since I have
+come to think of it, I don't want them to go unless they are perfectly
+willing to do so."
+
+"Nor I," said Eugene. "If it frightens them so badly to travel on
+a railroad train, what would be their feelings when they found the
+schooner tossing about on such waves as we saw coming around the Horn?
+I shall urge them no more."
+
+"They have been talking to Frank about it," continued Fred. "They
+always go to him and believe every word he says--that is, almost every
+word."
+
+"Ah! yes; I was going to put that in," said Archie. "They don't like to
+believe that the world is round. They don't say so with their mouths,
+but they do with their eyes."
+
+"And they don't know what to think about elephants as large as that
+house of Potter's, and lions and tigers, and snakes twenty feet long,"
+said Fred.
+
+"And a whale bothers them," chimed in Eugene; "and Dick laughed the
+other day when I told him about a flying-fish."
+
+"What's going on down there?" asked Archie, as the sound of voices in
+animated conversation came up from the deck.
+
+The boys looked below and saw that the group, which they had last seen
+scattered over the quarter-deck, were gathered about Dick Lewis, who
+appeared to be making them a speech. Now and then he illustrated his
+remarks by pointing to something he had placed at his feet; but the
+boys could not see what it was, for the Club were crowded about it and
+hid it from view. They were missing something, that was evident; but
+they did not intend to miss any more of it, and it was but the work
+of a few seconds to swing themselves out of the crosstrees on to the
+ratlines, and descend to the deck. They ran up to the group, and found
+that the object over which the trapper was holding forth was simply a
+mess-pan filled with water.
+
+"Them stories you've been a tellin' seems wonderful to me an' ole Bob,
+who never heard the like afore," Dick was saying as the boys came up.
+"We don't conspute 'em, 'cause bein' unedicated men, we never had no
+book larnin', an' don't know nothing outside the mountains an' the
+prairy. Now, you tell me that thar's three times as much water on the
+'arth as thar is ground; that you're goin' to start from Fr'isco an'
+sail clean around it in this yere little boat, an' that if me an' ole
+Bob'll go with you, we won't even know that we're sailing round the
+world. Won't we know when we come to the edge?"
+
+"There isn't any edge to it," said Frank.
+
+"Sho! Thar can't help bein' an edge if the world is round, can thar?
+This yere," said Dick, pointing to the pan of water, "is the sea;
+an' this yere," he continued, fumbling in the pockets of his hunting
+shirt, "is the 'arth."
+
+As he spoke he drew out a piece of hard tack, which he had rudely
+shaped with his knife to represent his idea of the rotundity of the
+earth. The corners were cut off, making the biscuit nearly round, and
+there was a piece clipped out of the side of it, in shape something
+like a bottle with a very short neck and wide body, to represent the
+Golden Gate and the harbor of San Francisco. This miniature world Dick
+placed in the middle of the pan of water, and then straightened up and
+looked triumphantly at his audience. Eugene glanced at it, choked back
+a laugh and then rushed off to find the steward, while the trapper went
+on with his illustration.
+
+"Now, thar's the 'arth," said he, placing his finger on the biscuit,
+"flat like a pan-cake, as anybody can see it is, that's ever been out
+on the prairy, an' round like _you_ say it is. Here is the sea all
+around it, an' here's Fr'isco. Now, after you go out of the Golden Gate
+an' start to sail round the 'arth," said Dick, moving his long finger
+through the water around the biscuit, "can't you see the edge all the
+way round? I can understand that, which wasn't so very plain to me a
+few days ago, but now comes something I can't see into. You say the
+'arth turns over onct every day, but that don't by no means stand to
+reason, 'cause jest see what would happen,"--he went on, placing his
+finger under the biscuit and raising one edge of it out of the water.
+"If it turned over, one side of it would keep gettin' higher an' higher
+all the time, an' finally the houses, an' trees, an' mountains, an'
+folks would get to slidin' an' slidin', an' when they come to the edge,
+they'd all slip off into the water; an' when the 'arth turned _cl'ar_
+over"--here he flopped the biscuit up side down in the pan--"whar would
+we all be?"
+
+None of his auditors had attempted to interrupt the trapper, and the
+reason was because there was not one among them who could trust himself
+to speak, not even Uncle Dick. Believing from their silence that he
+had got the better of all of them, the trapper said he was more firmly
+convinced than he had ever been before, that all the learning in the
+world was not to be found in books, and was about to throw the contents
+of his mess-pan over the side, when Eugene came elbowing his way into
+the group, carrying an apple in one hand and a small magnet in the
+other.
+
+"Now, Dick," said he, "let me talk a minute. You haven't quite got the
+idea. In the first place, that piece of hard tack doesn't represent the
+shape of the earth, but this apple does, pretty nearly. In the next
+place, the globe doesn't revolve through water, for the water forms
+part of the earth and turns with it."
+
+"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper. "It would all spill out."
+
+"Hold on a minute, and I'll show you that it can't spill out. The world
+revolves through the air. Don't you fellows criticise now," continued
+Eugene, turning to his companions. "If, when I get through, you want
+to explain that the earth really revolves through space, and that the
+air goes with it, except such portions as are left behind and form the
+trade-winds, you are welcome to do it; but it is quite beyond me."
+
+Eugene handed the magnet to Archie to hold until he was ready to use
+it, and with the point of his knife rudely traced upon the apple the
+shape of the continents and the principal oceans. This done, he went
+on with his explanation, which was simply a repetition of what every
+boy learns when he first begins the study of geography. He described
+the motions of the earth as well as he could, and used the magnet to
+illustrate the attraction of gravitation. Dick listened attentively,
+and when Eugene finished, took the apple from his hand and looked at
+it with a great deal of interest. He turned it over several times, and
+appeared to be meditating upon something.
+
+"They're goin' to sail round the 'arth this way," said he, moving
+his finger slowly around the circumference of the apple, and talking
+more to himself than to the boys standing about, "an' when they get
+around here"--he stopped and thought a moment, holding the end of his
+finger under the apple--"when they get around here, they'll be--Human
+natur'!" he cried suddenly, as if frightened at the discovery he had
+made. "When you get around here, on the under side of the 'arth,
+you'll be walkin' with your heads downwards, won't you? Bob can do
+as he likes, but _I_ won't go. Mebbe that little red hoss-shoe aint
+strong enough to hold the boat fast to the 'arth--don't look as if it
+was--an' some dark night she'll get to fallin' an' fallin'--Whew! I'm
+as near that place now as I want to be, an' I'm off fur the mountains
+to-morrow, bright an' 'arly."
+
+Dick turned away, fairly trembling with excitement, and the boys
+scattered as if some one had suddenly sent a charge of bird-shot among
+them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+"MAN OVERBOARD."
+
+
+THE trappers were badly frightened, there could be no doubt about
+that, and it was a spectacle the Club had never expected to witness.
+That these two men, who had time and again faced death in almost every
+shape in which he presents himself on shore, who had lived in the very
+midst of danger from their youth up, and who sought and delighted in
+perilous exploits, should be so nearly overcome with terror by hearing
+of things with which every schoolboy is familiar, was surprising; and
+there was something so ludicrous in the manner in which they exhibited
+their alarm, that the boys could scarcely restrain their laughter until
+they could get out of sight. Old Bob glared wildly about him, seemingly
+on the point of jumping overboard and swimming ashore, and Dick
+Lewis leaned against the rail, drawing his breath in quick gasps and
+looking altogether as if he did not yet fairly understand the startling
+discovery he had made. Uncle Dick Gaylord took one glance at him and
+then went to the stern and looked over into the water, while the boys
+dived down into the cabin and threw themselves into chairs, or leaned
+up in corners, holding their handkerchiefs over their mouths--all
+except Archie, who never could control himself when he wanted to laugh.
+He ran into his state-room, shut the door and buried his head in the
+pillows. The funny part of it was, that Dick should suppose, that those
+who attempted the reckless task of sailing around the world, should be
+obliged to take a magnet with them, in order to keep themselves and
+their vessel from falling off when they reached the "under side of the
+earth."
+
+At the end of five minutes Archie made an attempt to come out into the
+cabin, but he was still bubbling over with laughter, and the sight
+of him created a fresh explosion, and set Archie himself to going
+again at such a rate that he was obliged to go back. It is hard to
+tell how long it would have been before the boys could have controlled
+themselves sufficiently to talk the matter over, had it not been that a
+commotion which suddenly arose on deck, drew their attention to other
+affairs.
+
+"Fore rigging, there," exclaimed Uncle Dick. "What do you see?"
+
+"A man overboard, sir," replied the voice of the boatswain's mate. "He
+jumped off that whaler, sir."
+
+"And he's swimming this way, sir," said another voice, "and making
+signals of distress."
+
+"Have the cutter called away, Mr. Baldwin," said Uncle Dick, to his
+first mate, "and send a crew out to pick him up."
+
+The boys waited to hear no more. They crowded up the companion ladder
+with such haste that they ran some risk of sticking fast in the narrow
+passageway, and reached the deck just as the crew of the cutter were
+tumbling into their boat which lay along side moored to a swinging
+boom, man-of-war fashion.
+
+"Where is Mr. Parker?" said Uncle Dick, looking around for his second
+officer.
+
+"O, let me go in charge of the boat, Uncle," exclaimed Eugene,
+snatching Fred's hat from his head, for he had left his own in the
+cabin.
+
+"Away you go, then," said the old sailor. "Don't let him sink before
+you reach him."
+
+"They're sending out a boat from the whaler, sir," said the foremast
+hand, who was at work in the forward rigging, and who had been the
+first to discover the man in the water.
+
+"Does he appear to be all right?"
+
+"O, yes, sir. He swims like a duck, but he's waving his hand to us."
+
+"Hold on a minute, Eugene."
+
+Uncle Dick sprang upon the rail and supporting himself by the shrouds
+looked towards the man, and then toward the boat that was coming out
+to pick him up, while the boys, all except Eugene, who stood ready
+to take his place in the cutter at a moment's warning, swarmed up
+the rigging and looked on with no little interest. They saw at once
+that the man had no trouble in keeping afloat, for he swam over the
+waves as buoyantly as a cork. They saw, too, that he did not want to
+be overtaken by the whaler's boat, if he could help it, for he looked
+back at her occasionally to see if she was gaining on him, and then
+redoubled his efforts to reach the schooner.
+
+"He is trying to desert," said Uncle Dick, "and I think we had better
+have nothing to do with him."
+
+"Quartermaster, pass up that spy-glass," said Frank.
+
+The petty officer handed the instrument to Featherweight, who happened
+to be lowest in the shrouds, and he passed it to George Le Dell,
+who handed it up to Frank. The latter mounted to the crosstrees and
+levelled the glass at the swimmer. He held it to his eye for a few
+minutes, and then passing it back to George, said:
+
+"That man has either met with a severe accident, or been roughly
+handled. His face is bleeding."
+
+"Help! help!" cried a faint voice.
+
+"Go and pick him up," said Uncle Dick.
+
+"Shove off," commanded Eugene, before he was fairly seated in the
+stern-sheets of the cutter. "Remember, men, that you are racing with a
+whale-boat, and that you don't want to be beaten."
+
+The cutter swung around with her bow toward the swimmer, and propelled
+by eight strong oarsmen, who seemed to lift her fairly out of the
+water at every stroke, flew over the waves like a duck. A boat race
+was something in which Eugene took especial delight, but the one that
+came off that morning between the cutter and the whale-boat was not as
+exciting or as closely contested as he had hoped it would be. In fact
+it was no race at all; for when the officer, whoever he was, who had
+charge of the deck of the whaler, saw that the cutter was likely to
+reach the swimmer first, he hailed his boat, which turned around and
+went back.
+
+"In bow," commanded the coxswain of the cutter, who was sitting just
+behind Eugene.
+
+The two sailors who were seated in the bow raised their oars from the
+water, placed them on the thwarts between them, and then one stood up
+with the boat-hook in his hand, while the other threw himself flat on
+his face and extended his arm out over the water.
+
+"Way enough! Toss, and stand by," said the coxswain.
+
+The other oars were all thrown up into the air at the same moment,
+laid upon the thwarts, and every man leaned over the side to be ready
+to seize the swimmer as the cutter moved past him. She retained
+steerage-way enough to carry her within a few feet of him, and then the
+coxswain, with one movement of the tiller, turned the bow aside, and
+the boat-hook was thrust out within reach of his hands. It was a matter
+of some difficulty to haul the rescued man aboard, for he was too
+nearly exhausted to help himself, and his clothing, being thoroughly
+saturated with water, was as heavy as so much lead. Besides, his
+forehead was badly cut and bruised, and no doubt he was suffering from
+the hurt.
+
+[Illustration: RESCUING THE DESERTER.]
+
+"Did you fall overboard?" asked Eugene, after the man had been pulled
+into the boat and had taken his seat in the bow.
+
+"No, sir; I jumped overboard on purpose."
+
+"You hit your head against something, didn't you?"
+
+"The cap'n hit it for me, sir. It was a belaying pin that made that
+mark."
+
+Eugene looked wonderingly at the coxswain, who nodded his head, as if
+to say that he didn't doubt it at all.
+
+"Why, the officers aboard our vessel don't find it necessary to do such
+things," said Eugene.
+
+"But all vessels ain't like the Stranger, sir, nor are all shipmasters
+like Cap'n Gaylord," said the coxswain. "Do you s'pose there's a
+sailorman aboard of us that would do what this chap has done--try to
+desert? No, sir, you couldn't kick 'em off if you wanted to. When we
+get back to Bellville we'll have every man we brought away with us,
+unless some of 'em are in Davy's locker."
+
+The cutter was soon alongside the schooner, and the rescued man, by
+dint of hauling from above and pushing from below, was got upon the
+deck. He was a pitiable object when one came to look at him, and Uncle
+Dick's first order was: "Take him below, some of you, and give him
+something fit to put on. Be in a hurry about it."
+
+The sailors were only too glad to obey. They led the dripping man
+into the forecastle, from which he emerged a few minutes later with a
+clean face, a suit of dry clothes, and a handkerchief bound about his
+forehead. In his appearance, which was very much improved, he would
+have compared favorably with any of the seamen on board the Stranger,
+and they were the very best that Uncle Dick could find in the port of
+New Orleans. He had evidently had plenty of time to tell at least a
+portion of his story, for the faces of the sailors were as black as so
+many thunder clouds.
+
+The rescued man at once made his way aft, accompanied by the
+boatswain's mate, who, presuming for this once upon his captain's
+good-nature, and his own position as ranking petty officer on board the
+Stranger, took the liberty to go where he knew he had no right except
+he was in performance of his duties. The men saluted, removed their
+caps and waited for Uncle Dick to speak to them.
+
+"Well, Lucas, what do you want here?" asked the old sailor.
+
+"I ax your pardon, cap'n, for coming on the quarter-deck at this time
+without an invite," replied the boatswain's mate, "but I just wanted to
+say to you, sir, that this man is black and blue from his head to his
+feet, so he is."
+
+"How did he get that way?" asked Uncle Dick, while the boys ranged
+themselves behind him so that they could hear all that passed, "and why
+is he trying to desert?"
+
+The mate stepped back and moved his hand toward the rescued man, as if
+to say that he would tell his own story, and the latter said:
+
+"I don't want to desert my ship, cap'n. I am an able seaman, know my
+duty and am ready to do it, if I can only have plenty to eat and am
+allowed a wink of sleep now and then. I am trying to get ashore for
+protection ag'in' them tyrants aboard the Tycoon, and I hope you won't
+send me back to them, sir."
+
+"Go on," said Uncle Dick. "What has happened aboard that ship?"
+
+"She is nearly two years out of Nantucket, on a whaling course, sir,"
+said the man, "and there isn't a foremast hand aboard of her that she
+brought out with her. They've all deserted. She has to get a new crew
+at every port, and when she can't get 'em honest, she kidnaps 'em, sir.
+I shipped aboard of her, along with a lot of others, at Callao. We've
+been out only four months, and two of the men jumped overboard rather
+than stand the hard treatment they received. On the first day out the
+officers began on us and never let up. They kept us at work till we
+were ready to drop, brought us out of bed at night and made us walk the
+deck, and if we fell asleep as we walked, they knocked us down with a
+handspike or belaying-pin. They starved us almost to death, and then,
+because my boat's crew were too weak to save a whale we made fast to,
+they put us all in irons and pounded us with ropes' ends till we were
+insensible."
+
+This was only the introduction to the long story the man had to tell,
+and to which his auditors listened with breathless interest. According
+to his account, the Tycoon was a horrible place, and the cruelties
+that were practised by the officers upon the defenceless seamen, were
+shocking. The man certainly bore unmistakable evidence of brutal
+treatment, and added weight to his story by declaring that he was not
+only willing but anxious to meet his persecutors in a court of justice.
+Everybody who listened to him was indignant.
+
+"The men on board that vessel have a remedy in their own hands--two
+of them, if they only knew it," said Frank. "Why didn't they demand
+an interview with the American consul at the first port at which they
+touched?"
+
+"It wouldn't have done no good, sir," said the sailor. "The cap'n
+wouldn't never let 'em see him, sir."
+
+"He couldn't help himself," returned Frank. "The law compels him to
+allow his men to go ashore at every port at which the ship may touch to
+lay their complaints, if they have any, before our representative; or,
+if there is any good reason why the men cannot go ashore, the captain
+must bring the consul aboard to see them, if they demand it."
+
+If there was anything in which Frank was particularly well posted,
+it was the law governing the duties of consuls, as some of our
+representatives in foreign countries are called. The attorney with
+whom he had been studying in Lawrence, had political aspirations, and
+had at one time expected to be appointed consul for some port in the
+Mediterranean. If he had succeeded in his object Frank would have
+gone with him as assistant and clerk. He did not wish to accept any
+situation with whose duties and responsibilities he was not familiar,
+and in order to fit himself for it, he had obtained a copy of the
+Consular Regulations, which he had thoroughly mastered. It is a part
+of the consul's duty to care for destitute, discharged and deserting
+seamen, to stand between foremast hands and tyrannical officers, to
+protect officers from and punish mutinous sailors, and Frank knew the
+law bearing upon every case that could possibly arise.
+
+"The consul is obliged to listen to any and all complaints," continued
+Frank. "He measures them by the law bearing upon them, and he can
+discharge the crew on complaint of the officers, or he can discharge
+the officers themselves on a well-founded complaint from the crew."
+
+The sailors opened their eyes and looked at one another. They had never
+dreamed that they had so many rights, or that there was a law enacted
+on purpose to protect them.
+
+Just then the whale-boat came in sight again, rounding the stern of the
+Tycoon. She turned her bow toward the Stranger, and the quartermaster,
+after looking at her through his spy-glass, said there was a man in
+the stern-sheets dressed in gray. "That's the cap'n," exclaimed the
+deserter, in great alarm. "You won't let him take me back, sir?" he
+added, in a pleading voice.
+
+"I can't prevent your lawful captain from taking you wherever he may
+find you," answered Uncle Dick; "but hold on, now, till I get through,"
+he added, as the man began to back toward the rail as if he were about
+to take to the water again. "I'll give you a chance to save yourself.
+Call away the cutter, Mr. Baldwin, and send this man ashore."
+
+"Thank you, cap'n, thank you," said the sailor gratefully, and with
+tears in his eyes. "A prosperous and pleasant voyage to you and your
+mates, sir. What shall I do when I get ashore, sir?" he continued,
+looking at Frank.
+
+"Go to the nearest justice and take out a warrant against those
+officers for assault and battery," was the reply.
+
+The boatswain's mate and the rescued man looked as if they did not
+quite understand. "You must know, sir," said the latter, doubtfully,
+"that all this beating and pounding was done on the high seas."
+
+"Well, what of it? When one man, without any provocation, handles
+another as roughly as you have been handled, he is answerable to the
+law, no matter whether the offence was committed on the high seas or on
+the land."
+
+"Come now, off you go, my man," said Uncle Dick. "The cutter is
+ready, and you've no time to lose. Yes, go with him and take charge
+of the boat, Lucas," he added, anticipating the request that the old
+boatswain's mate was about to make.
+
+"And whatever you do, don't let those blubber-hunters catch you," said
+Eugene, in a low voice. He wanted to say it aloud, so that the cutter's
+crew could hear it; but knowing that Uncle Dick did not allow any
+interference with his men, he checked himself just in time.
+
+The cutter's crew were all in their places, and there was a determined
+look on each man's face which said as plainly as words that the
+"blubber-hunters," even if they succeeded in overhauling them--which
+was not at all unlikely, seeing that the whale-boat was built for
+speed, and was pulled by a crew who were kept in excellent training by
+almost daily practice at the oars--the deserter should never be taken
+from them. Uncle Dick seemed to read the thoughts that were passing
+through their minds, and as he looked at the sturdy fellows, who had
+thrown off their caps and rolled up their sleeves in preparation for a
+long, hard pull, he remarked to Frank that he would not care to be in
+that whale-boat if she succeeded in coming up with the cutter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A SEA LAWYER.
+
+
+THE cutter's bow swung away from the schooner as soon as the
+boatswain's mate and the rescued man were fairly seated, the oars
+dropped into the water, and then began a race that promised to be as
+exciting as even Eugene could have wished it. The boys once more ran up
+the rigging, so that they could watch both contestants. The whale-boat
+certainly had the better crew, and, although she was propelled by only
+five oars to the cutter's eight, she seemed to move two feet to the
+other boat's one. Especially was this the case when the man in gray,
+who was standing in the stern-sheets holding the steering-oar, became
+aware of what was going on. As soon as he saw the cutter moving away
+from the Stranger he comprehended the situation, and giving utterance
+to some heavy adjectives, which by the time they came to the boys' ears
+sounded a good deal like oaths, ordered his crew to "Pick her up and
+run right along with her." They responded promptly, and sent their boat
+through the water at such a rate that Uncle Dick became uneasy at the
+prospect of a collision between her crew and the cutter's.
+
+"I shouldn't think there would be any danger," said Frank. "There are
+eleven men in our boat, counting the deserter, and only six in his."
+
+"But there is no officer in our boat," said Uncle Dick, "and this man
+being a captain, will expect our crew to obey his orders. I am really
+afraid he will be disappointed."
+
+Frank, remembering the savage and determined expression he had seen on
+the face of every one of the cutter's crew, was quite sure he would be.
+
+In a few minutes the whale-boat came close aboard the schooner, and
+dashed by under her bows. Her captain was furious, his face showed
+that. He ran his eye over the men on the Stranger's deck, and picking
+out Uncle Dick at once as the commanding officer, said, as he nodded
+his head to him--
+
+"Fine business you're in, sir! helping men to desert. If there is a law
+on shore I'll see you again, my good fellow!"
+
+Uncle Dick simply smiled and touched his hat, and the whale-boat passed
+on. As she was going by, the sailors enacted a little pantomime of
+their own. They had clambered out on the bowsprit to see the race, and
+when the captain of the whaler was through threatening Uncle Dick,
+they glanced toward the quarter-deck, to make sure that none of their
+officers were observing them, and then leaned over and shook their
+fists at the angry man. One of them hugged his cap under his arm and
+beat it furiously with his clenched hand, nodding pleasantly to the
+captain the while, as if to indicate that it would have afforded him
+infinite satisfaction if the captain's head had been in the place of
+the cap. The boys, from their lofty perch in the main rigging, saw all
+that passed, and smiled at one another, but said nothing; for they
+knew that if the performance came to the ears of Uncle Dick, who was a
+very strict disciplinarian, every one of the sailors who took part in
+it would be sent to the mast.
+
+[The "mast" is to a sailor on board ship, what the "library" is to
+a refractory boy on shore. It is there that culprits are sent to be
+reprimanded, if their offence be a slight one, or sentenced if they
+have done something deserving of punishment.]
+
+Although he might laugh over it afterward in the privacy of his cabin,
+he was not the one to pass lightly over an insult to a shipmaster when
+in performance of his duty, no matter how great the provocation.
+
+All this while the cutter's crew had been exceedingly busy, and now
+loud calls were heard from the boys on the cross-trees for their
+field-glasses. They did not want to miss a single incident of the race.
+Frank, who up to this time had remained below with Uncle Dick, went
+into the cabin after the glasses, and mounting the rigging, joined the
+group on the cross-trees. "Who's ahead?" he asked.
+
+"O, the cutter," replied George Le Dell. "There is more in that crew
+than I thought. They'll land their man safe enough."
+
+And George was right. The cutter reached the wharf while the whale-boat
+was yet twenty yards away, and no sooner did she swing broadside to
+it than the deserter was lifted in the strong arms of the coxswain
+and boatswain's mate and fairly thrown ashore. He jumped to his feet
+and disappeared in less time than it takes to tell it. A few seconds
+later the whale-boat landed and the captain sprang out and started in
+pursuit, not, however, without saying a few words to the cutter's crew,
+which he emphasized by shaking his fist at them. If any of the men
+replied, our young friends at the cross-trees saw nothing to indicate
+it.
+
+The sailors pulled back slowly, for their long, hard pull had wearied
+them, and when they reached the schooner and clambered over the side,
+the boys saw that their faces were flushed, and that some portions of
+their clothes looked as though they had been dipped in the bay. The
+boatswain's mate went aft demurely enough to report the safe return of
+the boat, but when he made his way forward again, and glanced up at the
+boys, with whom he was an especial favorite, they saw that his jolly
+countenance was wreathed with smiles, and that his broad shoulders were
+shaking with suppressed mirth. He and the cutter's crew were proud
+of the exploit they had performed. The fun and excitement being all
+over now, the boys seated themselves in a circle on the cross-trees to
+discuss the incidents that had just transpired.
+
+"Now just listen to me a moment, Frank, and I'll ask you a question,"
+said Perk. "Can that brutal fellow do anything to Uncle Dick for
+assisting his man to escape?"
+
+"If you should see me assaulted by ruffians who were getting the better
+of me, and should rescue me from their clutches, could they do anything
+to you in law?" asked Frank, in reply.
+
+"Certainly not."
+
+"The same law holds good on the sea. Some people have a very mistaken
+idea of things. They insist on a landsman's right of self-defence, but
+deny the same to a sailor. Even sailors themselves think that because
+they follow the sea for a livelihood, they are debarred from exercising
+the very first law of our nature."
+
+"Hear! hear!" cried Archie.
+
+"Silence in the court-room!" exclaimed Featherweight, assuming a
+fierce frown. "Hurrah for free trade and sailors' rights, the motto
+on--on--somebody's flag! Proceed, brother Nelson. State the case to the
+jury."
+
+Frank laughed as heartily as the rest for a few minutes, and continued:
+
+"Sailors know that resistance to an officer, or even an attempt to
+spread dissatisfaction among the crew of a vessel, is called mutiny;
+and they know, too, that men have been hanged in the American navy for
+that very offence."
+
+"See Cooper's Naval History for an account of the mutiny on board the
+United States brig-of-war Somers, in 1842," said Bab.
+
+"That was the very circumstance I had in my mind," returned Frank.
+"Sailors know all this, as I was saying, and consequently they are
+afraid to call their souls their own. They suffer in silence, unless
+they are driven to commit suicide during the voyage, and when they get
+ashore forget it all, or make a feeble attempt to punish their tyrants
+by process of law, but they soon give it up, for at the very outset
+they find an insurmountable obstacle in their way. Before they can
+convict they must prove three things--that the punishment they received
+was cruel and unusual; that it was inflicted without any just cause;
+and that the occasion of it was malice, hatred, or a desire for revenge
+on the part of the officer who punished them. Now, no living being can
+prove this last accusation against another, for in order to do it he
+must be able to read his fellow-men as he would an open book, and see
+what is passing in their minds; and even that would do him no good
+unless he possessed the power to make the judge and jury who try the
+case see the matter just as he does."
+
+"Suppose this deserter could prove his complaints against the master
+of that whaler," said Walter; "what would be the penalty?"
+
+"One thousand dollars fine and five years in the state prison."
+
+"And I hope he will get it all," said Eugene.
+
+"Well, if it is so hard for a seaman to obtain satisfaction at law,
+what ought he to do when he is abused at sea?" asked Bab. "I understood
+you to say he had two remedies, and you have given only one."
+
+"Well, there is another," said Frank. "He and his companions ought
+to club together, take the ship out of the hands of her officers,
+confine them in the cabin, and make for the nearest port, if they are
+navigators enough to find their way there."
+
+"Yes," exclaimed Archie, "and swing for it the moment they reach the
+shore."
+
+"No, sir. The case has been tried in the courts more than once, and
+would be tried oftener if sailors only knew their rights. As far as any
+risk I might run is concerned, I would not be afraid to belong to such
+a crew and take part in just such a proceeding."
+
+"Well, I don't want you to get into any such scrape," said Archie; "I
+should never expect to see you again."
+
+"I have no desire to win notoriety as a mutineer, I assure you,"
+replied Frank, with a laugh. "As his Honor remarked"--here he waved his
+hand towards Featherweight, who bowed gravely--"I was only discoursing
+on sailors' rights."
+
+"There," said George, as the boatswain's whistle rang through the
+schooner, followed by the order, given in a very hoarse voice, "Away,
+you gigs, away!"--"the captain is going ashore. Hadn't we better go
+down and keep Dick Lewis and Bob company? The old fellows will be
+lonely."
+
+"That means business," said Eugene. "Uncle Dick is going ashore to
+see about the stores. It will not be long now before we take leave of
+Fr'isco."
+
+"And what will be our next port?" asked George.
+
+This was something that had not yet been decided, and if one might
+judge by what the boys said while they were descending to the deck,
+there was a prospect of a lively debate if the matter were left to
+them. Eugene wanted to go straight to Alaska. Bab, who had lately
+been reading "Reindeer, Dogs and Snow-shoes," was in favor of that,
+provided they could afterward go across to some port in Siberia and
+stay there long enough to see a little of the wild life in which he
+had been so much interested. Perk would agree to all that, in case
+they could stop on the way and give him a chance to try his hand at
+salmon-fishing in the tributaries of the Columbia river. Fred had seen
+quite enough of snow and ice, and thought he could have more sport in a
+warm country. He wanted to go to Japan. Walter said he was strongly in
+favor of that, for after they had seen all the sights in that country
+they would probably go to India, and that was what he wanted. He was
+impatient to ride on an elephant and see the famous Indian jugglers and
+serpent-charmers. Every boy wanted to go somewhere, but the trouble was
+that no two of them wanted to go to the same place; and Frank wondered
+how the matter would be decided. How astonished he would have been to
+know that the man in gray, who had just gone by in the whale-boat, was
+destined to decide it for them!
+
+The boys spent the rest of the day in company with the trappers.
+Nothing more was said on the subject which had for a long time been
+uppermost in their minds, for the tone in which Dick's answer had been
+given satisfied them that it was final. The boys were all sorry, for
+they had become greatly attached to these two good-natured, ignorant
+fellows. They had been of great service to them--beyond a doubt they
+had saved Walter's life--and they could not but miss them when they
+were gone. The cousins especially would have been glad to postpone the
+parting moment had they possessed the power. It was not at all likely
+that they would ever see the mountains or the prairie again, and even
+if they did, the chances that they would find their old friends, the
+trappers, were not one in a thousand. Their meeting with them had
+been purely accidental this time, and it was not probable that such a
+combination of circumstances would ever occur again.
+
+About supper-time Uncle Dick returned and reported that all
+arrangements had been made. The schooner was to be hauled alongside the
+dock in the morning, and they would go out with the turn of the tide.
+Where were they going? He didn't care. The world was before them, and
+when the boys had made up their minds what portion of it they wanted to
+see first, they could come to him with their decision. He wasn't going
+to bother his head about it, for he had other matters to think of.
+Eight o'clock the next evening would see the Stranger under way, and if
+the boys had any business ashore they had better attend to it the first
+thing in the morning.
+
+Uncle Dick retired at an early hour, as he always did, and the boys
+had the quarter-deck all to themselves until eleven o'clock--or rather
+they had it in company with the second mate and the quartermaster on
+watch. A few "primary meetings" had been held immediately after supper,
+but they amounted to nothing. Each boy knew upon whom he could rely
+to second any motion he might make, but he was not so certain of the
+number of votes he could raise in support of it. During the two hours'
+conversation that took place after Uncle Dick went to bed, Fred Craven
+arose six times--that is, once every twenty minutes--and said gravely,
+
+"I move you, Mr. President, that the captain of this schooner be
+requested to take her directly to some port in Japan."
+
+"I second the motion," said Frank, who was speaking for Walter.
+
+"Gentlemen, you have heard the motion," said Walter. "Are you ready for
+the question?"
+
+"Mr. President," said Eugene, "I move to amend by striking out Japan
+and substituting Alaska."
+
+"Second the motion," said Bab.
+
+"You have heard the amendment. Are you ready to take action upon it?"
+
+"Now just listen to me a minute, Mr. President, and I'll tell you
+what's a fact," said Perk. "I move to amend by striking out Alaska and
+substituting Astoria in Oregon."
+
+"I second the motion," said George, who, being a devoted disciple of
+old Izaac Walton, was as fond of fishing as he was of sailing.
+
+"Mr. President," said Archie, "I move to amend----"
+
+"The gentleman is out of order. An amendment to an amendment is proper,
+but not an amendment of an amendment to an amendment."
+
+When affairs reached this pass a hearty roar of laughter would come up
+through the open cabin windows, showing that there was an interested
+and amused listener in the person of Uncle Dick, who having gone to
+bed, leaving his state-room door ajar, could hear all that was said.
+Then speeches were made, some long and others witty, and all showing
+the training the boys had received in their debating societies. Eugene
+was particularly long-winded. According to Featherweight "he talked
+all manner of what," and spouted away on subjects that had not the
+slightest connection with the question under discussion. He talked
+eloquently about the American eagle, the war of 1812, and the stars and
+stripes, and dwelt long on the rights of sailors and other free-born
+citizens. He said afterward that if he couldn't gain his point any
+other way, he would tire his audience out, and compel them to vote for
+his amendment just to get rid of him. But the boys listened patiently
+and without once interrupting him, except by applause when he grew
+particularly eloquent, and the young orator finally tired himself
+out and took his seat in disgust. Everything was voted down; so they
+were no nearer a decision than they were before. There was one point,
+however, on which they were all agreed when the meeting broke up at
+eleven o'clock, and that was, that they had enjoyed themselves, and
+that their jaws and sides would be sure to ache for a week to come.
+
+During the afternoon the boys had held a consultation with the
+boatswain's mate, who had promised to take the trappers under his
+especial charge during the night, and to report the first man who
+attempted to play any tricks upon them. After the meeting broke up the
+boys went forward with their friends to see them safely stowed away in
+the forecastle. The sailors were all up and waiting for them--not a
+man had yet turned in. The best bunks in the forecastle had been given
+up for their use, and the beds that were made up in them would have
+looked very inviting to almost anybody except our two backwoodsmen.
+Having been all their lives accustomed to sleeping on the hard ground,
+with nothing but a blanket or the spreading branches of some friendly
+tree for protection, they wanted plenty of air and elbow-room. They
+hesitated when they looked into the little forecastle, and drew back
+and shook their heads when invited to enter. Archie finally effected a
+compromise by bringing up a couple of blankets and spreading them on
+the deck near the windlass. This being perfectly satisfactory, the boys
+bade the trappers good-night, and went away, leaving them to the tender
+mercies of the sailors.
+
+There was not much sleeping done among those foremast hands that night.
+They did not play any tricks upon their guests--indeed there were not
+many among them who would have had the hardihood to attempt it, after
+taking a good look at the stalwart fellows--but they crammed them
+"chock-a-block" with such wild stories of the sea that the trappers
+grew more alarmed than ever, and wondered greatly at the recklessness
+of the men who would willingly encounter such dangers. They told about
+mermaids, sea-dragons and serpents; of Vanderdecker's ghostly ship,
+the Flying Dutchman, which was rushing about the ocean with the speed
+of a railroad train, running down and sinking every craft that came in
+her way; of monstrous cuttle-fish which would sometimes arise suddenly
+out of the depths, and twining their long arms about a ship, sink with
+it and all the crew to the bottom; and one of the men declared that he
+had actually met and been swallowed by the same whale that took Jonah
+in out of the wet, hundreds and thousands of years before, and to
+prove it, exhibited the tobacco-box which had dropped out of Jonah's
+pocket when the whale threw him ashore. This is a staple forecastle
+yarn, and every one who has had an hour's conversation with a sailor,
+has probably heard it; but it was new to the trappers, who listened
+with all their ears and with unmistakable signs of terror on their
+faces. The simple-hearted fellows believed every word, and when the
+conversation lagged for a moment, spoke of the magnet Eugene had shown
+them, and the use for which they supposed it was intended.
+
+This started the sailors on a new tack, and the stories that followed
+were more wonderful than those which had just been told. There was not
+a sailor on board the Stranger who had not seen some unlucky vessel
+tumble off the under side of the earth, her magnet proving too weak to
+sustain her weight; and there were two or three who had belonged to the
+crews of those very vessels, and who had been saved by a miracle.
+
+The night was passed in this way, and it was daylight before the
+trappers lay down on their blankets to rest, but not to sleep. They
+could not sleep after hearing of such wonderful adventures and talking
+face to face with the men who had taken part in them. If they had not
+already made up their minds to lose no time in seeking safety among
+their native mountains, they would have done so now.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+"SHANGHAIED."
+
+
+THE morning broke bright and clear, and all hands were astir at an
+early hour. The first thing was to hoist the anchor and haul the
+schooner alongside the dock. This being done, breakfast was served,
+and the boys having put on their shore-clothes, started out to take a
+good look at the city which they might never see again, and to make
+purchases of various articles they needed. Fred and Eugene each wanted
+a rifle and a brace of revolvers, their own weapons having been stolen
+from them by the hunters who robbed the Pike. Some of the others needed
+a few articles of clothing, and Frank's Maynard required some repairs.
+They set out together, but before an hour had passed, were scattered
+all over the city. Fred, Archie and Eugene hired a carriage and went
+for a ride, taking old Bob with them, while Dick Lewis stuck close
+to Frank and Walter. Knowing that the time for parting was not far
+distant, he did not seem willing to allow them out of his sight.
+
+A few years before men like Dick were often met with in the streets
+of the city; but now a genuine trapper was not seen every day, and he
+created something of a sensation wherever he went. Almost every one
+he met stared at him and turned to look at him after he had passed;
+and Dick, finally becoming nettled by the interest and curiosity his
+appearance excited, begged the boys to take him back to the schooner
+and leave him there. He would stay on board until she was ready to
+sail, he said, and then he and Bob would bid a long farewell to
+civilization, and make the best of their way back to Fort Bolton. He
+hoped that neither of them would ever see a paved street or a brick
+house again.
+
+At six o'clock in the evening the boys, and the few sailors who had
+been allowed shore liberty, began to retrace their steps toward the
+dock where the Stranger was lying. At seven they were all on board
+except two--Lucas, the boatswain's mate, and Barton, the coxswain of
+the cutter. These men had not been seen since noon, and they were to
+have been back at three o'clock. Preparations were already being made
+for getting under way, and Uncle Dick began to grow impatient. "I don't
+see what keeps those fellows," said he to Frank. "I have always found
+them trustworthy, and I hope they will not fail me now."
+
+"I must go ashore again after my rifle, you know," replied Frank--"it
+was to be done at half-past seven--and I'll go along the dock and keep
+an eye out for them."
+
+"All right. Hurry them up, if you see them, and be sure that you are in
+time yourself."
+
+Frank went ashore accompanied by the trapper--Dick was not afraid of
+attracting so much attention now that it was growing dark--and hurried
+away toward the gunsmith's. He followed the wharves as long as they
+led him in the direction he wanted to go, looking everywhere for the
+missing sailors, but without finding them. The actions of himself and
+his companion attracted the attention of two men, who were walking
+along the dock behind them. They watched them for some time, and then,
+after whispering together a few minutes, one of them came up and tapped
+Frank on the shoulder. "Who are you looking for?" said he.
+
+Frank turned and fastening his eyes on the man took a good survey
+of him before he answered. He was a flashily-dressed person, with a
+sneaking, hang-dog cast of countenance, and the grimy hand he placed
+upon Frank's shoulder, and which the latter promptly shook off, was
+heavily loaded with bogus jewelry.
+
+"Don't be quite so familiar, if you please!" said Frank.
+
+"Beg pardon," said the man, stepping back and straightening up his
+battered plug hat which he had thus far worn cocked over his left ear.
+"I thought you belonged to the Stranger."
+
+"And what if I do?" asked Frank.
+
+"I thought maybe you were looking for them two men."
+
+"What two men?"
+
+"Why, one of 'em is a short, thick-set fellow, and carries a silver
+whistle in the breast pocket of his shirt. The other is tall and
+slender, wears some kind of a badge on his arm--a petty officer's badge
+I took it to be--and has light hair and whiskers."
+
+The man gave an accurate description of the missing sailors of whom
+Frank was in search. No doubt they had got into trouble and found
+their way into some station-house; and this fellow was some little
+pettifogger, who hoped to make a few dollars by helping them out.
+
+"I thought maybe you were looking for 'em," continued the man, as he
+turned to go away; "but seeing you ain't, I am sorry I pestered you."
+
+"One moment, please," said Frank. "Where are these men now?"
+
+"They're aboard my ship."
+
+"O, you're a sailor, are you?" exclaimed Frank, again running his eye
+over the man, who looked about as much like a sailor as Dick Lewis
+did. "What is the name of your ship, and where is she?"
+
+"She's the Sunrise, and she is at anchor out here in the bay."
+
+"How came our men aboard of her?"
+
+"Well, you see, they've got some friends and acquaintances among my
+crew, and when we were lying alongside the dock they came aboard to see
+them. While they were skylarking about, one of them, the boatswain,
+fell into the hold and broke his leg. We hauled out into the bay just
+after that, and did it in such a hurry--you see there was another
+ship waiting to take our berth at the dock as soon as we were out of
+it--that we didn't have time to put him ashore. We've had a doctor to
+see him, and maybe it would be a good plan to get an ambulance and take
+him back where he belongs."
+
+"I think so too," said Frank, who became interested at once; "that is,
+if he can bear removal. But whatever we do, must be done at once. Our
+vessel is all ready to sail."
+
+"I guess he can stand it to be moved. You might come aboard and
+see--you and your pardner here. I've got a boat close by."
+
+Frank assenting to this proposition, he and Dick Lewis followed the
+man, who led the way along the wharf, and finally showed them a yawl
+manned by two oarsmen. They climbed down into it, their companion took
+his seat at the helm, and the boat was pushed off into the darkness.
+The man talked incessantly, answering all Frank's questions, and going
+so fully into the particulars of the accident that had befallen the
+boatswain's mate, and telling so straight and reasonable a story, that
+not a shadow of a doubt entered Frank's mind. He remarked that the ship
+was a long way from the wharf, and that the two men who were pulling
+the oars looked more like "dock rats" than sailors; but still he
+scarcely bestowed a second thought upon these matters, for his mind was
+fully occupied with the injured man to whose relief he was hastening.
+At last the hull and rigging of a ship loomed up through the darkness,
+and a hoarse voice hailed the yawl.
+
+"Sunrise!" replied the man at the helm.
+
+The answer was perfectly right and proper. It conveyed to them on board
+the ship the information that their captain was in the approaching
+boat; but it seemed to Frank that his presence brought very little show
+of respect from the officer in charge of the deck, for he ordered no
+lanterns to light him aboard. Indeed there were no lights to be seen on
+the deck, as Frank found when he clambered over the side, the only ones
+visible being those in the rigging, which were placed there to point
+out the position of the ship, so that passing vessels might not run
+into her.
+
+The captain, who was the first to board the ship, talked rapidly in a
+low tone to some one who hurried aft to meet him, and when Frank came
+up, he said aloud:--
+
+"Take this gentleman into the forecastle and give him all the help he
+needs to remove that man. This one," he added, pointing to Dick, "can
+go with a couple of you to get a stretcher."
+
+"Ay! ay! sir," replied a voice. "Step right this way, sir."
+
+Frank followed the speaker toward the forecastle, and when he came
+within sight of the ladder that led into it, was surprised to see that
+it was as dark as a dungeon below. Then for the first time the thought
+that things did not look just right began to creep through his mind.
+His companion descended the ladder, but Frank halted at the top. "Look
+here, my friend," said he; "if you want to get me below there you had
+better light up first."
+
+"Come on," said the man, in a tone of command.
+
+"Where's that sailor with the broken leg?" demanded Frank.
+
+"Are you going to come on?" asked the man.
+
+"Well, that depends---- I want to hear from that man of ours first. If
+you are down there, Lucas, sing out!"
+
+There was no response. In an instant it flashed upon Frank that he and
+Dick had been led into a trap. The man in the battered plug hat was
+no captain at all. Probably he was a shipping-agent. Having persuaded
+Frank and the trapper to accompany him on board the ship, he made
+a very plausible excuse for separating them for a moment, so that
+they could not assist each other, and now they were to be overpowered
+and confined until the vessel was well out to sea, when they would
+be brought out and compelled to act with the crew. While Frank was
+thinking about it, his conductor, who had gone half way down the
+ladder, turned around and started to come back. Frank's ears told him
+this and not his eyes, for they were of no use to him in that intense
+darkness. "Avast, there!" he cried, with emphasis. "If you come a step
+nearer to me I'll send you down that ladder quicker than you ever went
+down before. You have picked up the wrong men this time. Where is that
+scoundrel who called himself the master of this ship?"
+
+"Here I am," replied that worthy, in tones very different from those he
+had thus far used in addressing Frank.
+
+"Well, if you are wise, you will undo this half-hour's work with the
+least possible delay. Call away that boat and leave us a clear road to
+get to it, or----"
+
+Frank was interrupted by the sounds of a fierce struggle which just
+then arose from the quarter-deck. He heard the sound of stamping and
+scraping feet, muttered oaths and blows, and then Dick's voice rang out
+clear above the tumult. "Keep off, the hul on you," said he, "fur I'm a
+leetle wusser nor a hul parsel of wild-cats!" And then followed a sound
+such as might be made by somebody's head coming in violent contact with
+the deck.
+
+"Stand your ground, Dick!" shouted Frank. "I'll be there in a minute!"
+
+With these words he sprang forward, intending to run to his friend's
+assistance; but before he had made half a dozen steps his heels flew
+up and he was sent at full length on the deck, which he no sooner
+touched than two men, whom he had not yet seen, sprang up from behind
+the windlass and threw themselves across his shoulders. He had been
+entirely deceived as to the number of enemies with whom he had to deal.
+He had seen but four men on deck and there proved to be a dozen of
+them--more than enough to render resistance useless. Almost before
+he realized the fact he was powerless, a pair of irons being slipped
+over his wrists and another about his ankles. When he was helped to his
+feet, he found that the struggle on the quarter-deck had ended in the
+same way. Dick Lewis was led up, and by the light of a lantern which
+one of the crew drew from under a tarpaulin, Frank saw that he was
+ironed like himself.
+
+The man who carried the lantern held it up so that its rays fell full
+on the prisoners, and gave them a good looking over, bestowing his
+attentions principally upon their arms and shoulders, as if trying to
+judge of the amount of muscle they might contain. "They'll do," said
+he, at last, "and now we're all ready to be off. Can you pull an oar?"
+he added, flashing his lantern in Frank's face.
+
+"I can," was the reply.
+
+"I can! Is that the way you talk to me? I am mate of this vessel and
+there's a handle to my name."
+
+"I did not know that you were an officer," replied Frank, "and neither
+am I aware that I am under any obligations to put a handle to your
+name."
+
+"Well, you'll find it out pretty sudden. It shall be my first hard work
+to teach you manners, my fine gentleman. Take 'em below."
+
+The mate handed the lantern to one of the crew, who moved toward the
+forecastle, followed by the prisoners, who never uttered a word of
+complaint or remonstrance. Frank knew it would do no good, and Dick
+was so bewildered that he could not have spoken if he had tried. He
+kept as close to his young companion as he could. He seemed to think
+that Frank, powerless as he was, could in some way protect him. They
+followed their conductor into the forecastle, and the latter, after
+hanging the lantern to one of the carlens, went on deck again, closing
+the hatch after him.
+
+Frank and the trapper looked about them before they spoke. The very
+first objects their eyes rested on were the two missing seamen, the
+coxswain and the boatswain's mate, who lay side by side in one of the
+bunks, snoring at the rate of ten knots an hour. They were there,
+sure enough--the bogus captain told the truth on that point--and
+Frank was glad to see that they were all right, or would be as soon
+as the effects of the drug they had swallowed had been slept off.
+There were three other men in the forecastle, and they were in irons
+like themselves. They lay in their bunks and looked sullenly at the
+new-comers. "What's the matter with you?" asked Frank. "What have you
+been doing to get yourselves in this fix?"
+
+"Trying to desert," growled one of the sailors, in reply. "What's the
+matter with _you_?"
+
+"Shanghaied," answered Frank. "What ship is this, and where is she
+bound?"
+
+"She's the Tycoon, and I expect she's off for the Japan station."
+
+Frank's heart seemed to stop beating. His situation was even worse than
+he had supposed. He recalled the story of the man he had seen desert
+that same ship on that very day, and shuddered when he thought of what
+might be in store for him.
+
+"What did you say was the matter with us, Master Frank?" asked the
+trapper, leaning against a bunk by his friend's side and speaking in a
+low voice.
+
+"I say we have been shanghaied--that is, kidnapped," replied Frank.
+
+"But what fur?" said Dick, who did not understand the matter at all.
+"We hain't been a doin' of nothing."
+
+"I know that; but you see--in the first place, Dick, there's no use
+in denying that we are in serious trouble. You might as well know it
+first as last and make up your mind to stand it, for there is no way
+of escape. This is the same ship that that man we picked up to-day
+deserted from, and that red-faced man in gray whom we saw in the
+whale-boat is the captain of her. He and his officers treat their men
+so harshly that they run away every chance they get. The captain must
+have men to handle his vessel, and as he can't get them in the regular
+way, he kidnaps them."
+
+"But what do I know 'bout a ship?" exclaimed Dick.
+
+"Nothing whatever; but that is no matter. You have good strong arms,
+and it will not take long to break you in."
+
+"Whar--whar----"
+
+The trapper could not ask the question he was most anxious to have
+answered. It seemed to stick in his throat.
+
+"I know what you mean," said Frank. "This man says we are bound for
+Japan, and that is nearly three thousand miles from here."
+
+Dick was frightened almost out of his senses. His face grew as pale as
+death, great drops of perspiration stood on his forehead, and he tugged
+and pulled at his irons with the strength of desperation. But they
+had been put on him to stay, and all his efforts to free himself were
+unavailing. Frank knew what he stood in fear of, and he knew, too, that
+anything he could say would not set the poor fellow's mind at rest.
+The wrong ideas he had formed of things and the ridiculous stories he
+had heard in the forecastle of the Stranger, had made an impression
+on him so deep and lasting that even Frank, in whom the trapper had
+every confidence, could not remove it. The real dangers he was
+likely to encounter would be but small things comparatively; but the
+imaginary evils which he would look for every day, would cause him much
+suffering. Frank thought more of his friend than he did of himself.
+How would Dick behave when he found himself dancing over the waves of
+the Pacific in a small boat in pursuit of a whale? What would he think
+if he saw one of those monsters of the deep--as Lucas, the boatswain's
+mate, said he had often seen them--come up on a breach, shoot up forty
+or fifty feet into the air, and then fall down into the water with
+a noise like the roar of Niagara? No doubt he would refuse duty. No
+doubt, too, when the captain or his officers attempted to punish him
+for disobedience there would be a desperate fight--for Dick stood not
+in fear of anything that walked on two feet--which would not end until
+the trapper had been severely injured and perhaps permanently disabled.
+
+"Human natur'! What'll I do?" cried Dick, after he had exhausted
+himself in his efforts to pull off his irons.
+
+"Watch, me and do as I do, as nearly as you can," replied Frank. "We
+are completely in the power of these men, and there is no way to get
+out of it. While on our voyage from Bellville, I took particular pains
+to learn all I could of a seaman's duties, and perhaps I shall be able
+to be of some assistance to you. What we don't know Lucas and Barton
+will teach us. But, whatever you do, don't refuse duty or talk back, no
+matter what is said or done to you. It will only be worse for you if
+you do."
+
+"And bear another thing in mind," said one of the sailors, who had been
+listening to this conversation, "and that is, you take rank next below
+the cap'n's dog, and hain't got no rights of your own!"
+
+The trapper looked toward Frank, and while the latter was explaining
+that, according to a sailor's creed, those who follow the sea take rank
+in this way: first the captain, then the mates, then the captain's
+dog, and lowest of all, the foremast hands--while Frank was explaining
+this, there was the sound of a commotion on the deck over their heads,
+and after listening a moment the sailors declared that the vessel was
+about to be taken to sea. And so it proved. The anchor was hove up, the
+sails spread one after the other, and finally the prisoners below began
+to feel the increasing motion of the ship. Just then the hatch was
+thrown open and the first mate came down the ladder. He walked straight
+up to Dick, unlocked his irons and slapping him on the back ordered him
+to go on deck and lend a hand. Even this simple order was Greek to the
+honest trapper; but he understood the word "go," and he went, delighted
+to find himself in possession of his liberty once more. Frank would
+have been glad to go with him, for it was anything but agreeable to his
+feelings to be confined below like a felon; but the officers wanted to
+get a little farther away from shore before they allowed too many of
+their unwilling crew the free use of their hands and feet.
+
+The first order Dick heard when he reached the deck was: "Let fall and
+sheet home;" and the mate giving him a push by the shoulder and a kick
+at the same time, commanded him to "Grab hold of that rope and pull as
+if the sweetheart he left in the backwoods was at the other end of
+it." Or, we ought rather say that that was the order the mate intended
+to give, but he never finished it, for he was knocked down so promptly
+that it seemed as if his foot and the trapper's right arm were both
+put in motion at the same instant. Dick's hot blood, which was already
+at fever heat, boiled over completely when he felt the weight of the
+mate's boot, and he wiped out the insult as soon as it was given.
+
+Of course there was a tumult at once. The second mate caught up a
+handspike and the captain descended from his quarter-deck, flourishing
+a rope's end as he came. They advanced upon the trapper from opposite
+sides, but he was ready and waiting, and they must have been astonished
+at the rough reception they met at his hands. With one single twist,
+which was so sudden and powerful that it almost dislocated the second
+mate's shoulder, Dick wrenched the handspike out of his grasp and threw
+it to the deck. Then his long arms swung in the air like the shafts
+of a windmill, one huge clenched hand, as heavy as a sledgehammer,
+fell full in the captain's face, the other alighted on the top of the
+mate's head, and both these worthies sank to the deck on the instant.
+
+The first mate by this time recovered his feet, and picking up a
+handspike looked all around for the trapper; but he was not to be seen
+anywhere on deck. Nor indeed was he to be found about the ship. He was
+gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE TRAPPER'S ADVENTURE.
+
+
+"WHAT time is it now, Eugene?"
+
+"Just nine o'clock. What do you suppose is the matter, Uncle?"
+
+"I wish I knew. They are all of them old enough and large enough
+to take care of themselves, but I can't help thinking that there's
+something wrong."
+
+"I have half a mind to go ashore and look for them."
+
+"I don't know what good that would do. You don't know where to look,
+and if they should happen to come aboard while you were gone, we should
+have to send some one in search of you, and that would cause another
+delay."
+
+The stores were all aboard, the Stranger was ready to sail, and had
+been for more than an hour, but three of her company were missing,
+and so was the trapper. Uncle Dick and the boys had been impatient
+at first, but this gradually gave way to a feeling of uneasiness and
+anxiety. Everybody had some explanation to offer for Frank's absence,
+and the prevailing opinion seemed to be that the sailors, having got
+themselves into trouble during the day, had been arrested, and that
+Frank was trying to effect their release. Old Bob was more uneasy than
+the rest, and couldn't make up his mind what to think about it, not
+knowing the dangers which one might encounter while roaming about the
+city after dark. His kit and Dick's were packed and lying at the head
+of the companion-way, and the old fellow was in a hurry to be off. Had
+they been in the mountains the trapper's absence would have caused
+him no anxiety. There Dick knew all about things, and was abundantly
+able to take care of number one; but in the settlements he was like a
+child, and almost as incapable of looking out for himself. Old Bob was
+afraid something had happened to him or Frank, and the others began to
+think so too as the hours wore away and their missing friends did not
+appear. Uncle Dick finally gave up all hopes of seeing them that night,
+and ordering one watch below, went to bed himself, leaving instructions
+with the officer of the deck to call him the moment Frank arrived. The
+impatient boys remained on deck an hour or two longer; but at last they
+also grew weary and turned in and went to sleep.
+
+Just at daylight they were awakened by hasty steps on the
+companion-ladder, and the officer of the watch hurried into the cabin
+and pounded loudly on the captain's door. "Ay! ay!" replied Uncle Dick.
+
+"That trapper is coming back, sir," said the officer, "and he's having
+a fuss out there on the dock."
+
+"He is having what?" asked Uncle Dick.
+
+"He's in a rumpus of some kind, sir. He's got somebody on his back and
+is lugging him along as if he were a bag of potatoes."
+
+"It isn't Captain Nelson or one of the men, is it?" asked Uncle Dick,
+anxiously.
+
+"O no, sir. It is a landsman and a stranger."
+
+This conversation was carried on in a tone of voice loud enough to
+be heard by all the boys, who were out on the floor in an instant. It
+was but a few seconds' work to jump into their trowsers and boots, and
+catch up their coats and hats, and they were on deck almost as soon as
+the officer himself. A strange sight met their eyes. A short distance
+up the dock was Dick Lewis, running at the top of his speed, and
+carrying on his shoulder a man almost as large as himself, who kicked
+and struggled in vain to escape from the strong grasp that held him.
+The load was undoubtedly a heavy one, but the trapper moved with it
+plenty fast enough to leave behind two ill-looking fellows, who carried
+bludgeons in their hands, and who were trying to overtake him. About
+two hundred yards farther up the dock were two more men, one supporting
+the other, who was limping along half doubled up as if in great pain.
+
+The boys, wondering greatly, sprang ashore and ran up the wharf to meet
+Dick. The latter, to quote from Featherweight, looked as though he had
+been somewhere. His buckskin suit, soaked with water, clung close to
+his person; his hat was gone, and his face wore an expression that the
+old members of the club had never seen there before. Archie had seen
+it, however, and that was on the day when, seated at the camp-fire near
+the Old Bear's Hole, years before, Frank related to himself and Uncle
+James the particulars of his meeting with Black Bill and his party, and
+the manner in which he had been treated by them.
+
+Dick grinned the delight he felt at meeting the boys once more, but did
+not stop to speak to them. He went straight on board the schooner and
+threw off his burden, at the same time seizing his man by the collar
+and jerking him upon his feet in front of Uncle Dick Gaylord, who
+looked at him in amazement.
+
+"Here's the mean chap that done it all," said the trapper, throwing his
+full strength into his arm and giving the bogus captain--for it was
+he--such a shaking that his teeth fairly rattled. "Now if thar's any
+law in the settlements set it a-going."
+
+"What did he do?" demanded the boys, who had followed close at his
+heels. "Where's Frank?"
+
+"He's round on the other side of the 'arth by this time, I reckon,"
+replied Dick, drawing his hand across his forehead and looking about as
+if he were overjoyed to find himself among friends once more.
+
+"I hope they've got a horse-shoe big enough to hold 'em on, but I'm
+'most afeard, 'cause she's a heap bigger nor this little boat o'
+your'n."
+
+"What is?" asked the captain, and the boys grew anxious when they saw
+the expression that settled on his face. "Begin at the beginning and
+tell us all about it."
+
+Thus adjured, the trapper launched at once into his story, without
+wasting any time in explanatory remarks, and for ten minutes held his
+auditors spellbound. He told how he and Frank had been enticed on board
+the Tycoon, described the manner in which they had been overpowered and
+confined, repeated the conversation that took place between Frank and
+himself in the forecastle, and ended by relating the particulars of his
+"scrimmage" with the officers of the ship, with all of which the reader
+is already acquainted; but he does not know what happened afterward,
+so from this point we will tell the story in our own words.
+
+The reason Dick could not be found on board the ship after his fight
+with the officers was ended, was because he was not there--he had
+jumped overboard; and what was rather singular, none of the crew on
+deck had seen him when he did it. The last time they saw him he was
+clambering into one of the bowboats, and that was the first place they
+looked for him, his concealment being pointed out to the officers by
+a man who was looked upon as the "black sheep" of the crew, and of
+whom we shall probably hear more as our story progresses. But when the
+officers came to search the boat, Dick was not there; he had dropped
+unseen into the water.
+
+The trapper was a famous swimmer, and entertained no doubt of his
+ability to reach the shore; but even had the vessel been twenty miles
+at sea, he would have trusted himself to the waves rather than run the
+risk of encountering the terrible dangers that awaited the ship and
+her crew on the "under side of the earth." The worst thing he would
+have to contend with in case he were recaptured, would be the tyranny
+of the captain and his brutal officers; but the sturdy trapper gave
+not one thought to that, for during a life of excitement and adventure
+he had more than once demonstrated his ability to protect himself;
+but he _did_ think of that ghostly ship, the Flying Dutchman, the big
+cuttle-fish, the mermaids and sea-dragons, the whale that swallowed
+Jonah, and which was still roaming about seeking whom he might devour,
+and, worse than all, the awful danger of the ship falling off when she
+came to the under side of the earth and was sailing along with her
+masts pointing downward and the crew walking with their feet upward.
+Dick thought of all these dangers and swam as if he saw them looming up
+close behind him; but with all his exertions he could not make headway
+fast enough to suit him. His wet clothing hung upon him like lead and
+deadened his progress through the water; so the first thing he did when
+the ship was out of sight, was to stop and relieve himself of this
+encumbrance. He took off moccasins and all, and wrapping them up in
+his hunting-shirt put the bundle on his back and tied it around his
+neck with the sleeves of the shirt. After that he made better headway.
+
+It is hard to tell what would have been the result of the trapper's
+adventure, had it not been for some assistance which fortunately came
+in his way. Had there been light enough so that he could see to direct
+his course, the swim would have been nothing; but there was danger of
+moving in a circle in the darkness, and so tiring himself out without
+making any headway at all. There were no lights in front to guide him,
+but there were some behind, and after looking at them two or three
+times the swimmer became convinced that they were coming toward him.
+There was a vessel of some kind approaching, and Dick, changing his
+course a little to intercept her, had the satisfaction of hearing his
+hail answered, and of seeing the little fishing-smack which carried the
+lights thrown up into the wind within a few yards of him.
+
+"Hello, there!" cried a gruff voice.
+
+"Hello, you!" shouted Dick. "Here I am."
+
+"Well, what do you want?" asked the captain of the fishing boat,
+peering out into the darkness and trying to discover whence the hail
+came.
+
+"Is civilized folks human enough to lend a sufferin' feller-man a
+helpin' hand?" asked Dick, who after his recent experience had some
+serious doubts on this point.
+
+This question was not immediately answered, for the skipper did not
+quite understand it. He held a consultation with one of his men and
+then called out--
+
+"If you want help, pull this way. I've got no boat to send out after
+you!"
+
+Dick was pulling that way with all his might, and guided by the
+lanterns that were held over the side, at last reached the boat,
+which sat so low in the water that he could lay hold of her rail. The
+astonishment of her crew as they hauled aboard a man who carried all
+his wearing apparel around his neck, was unbounded. They gave him time
+to put on his clothes and then directed him to the captain who was
+waiting to see him.
+
+The very first question that gentleman propounded to him aroused a
+thousand fears in Dick's mind. The skipper wanted to know where he
+came from, and how he happened to be out there in the water, five
+miles from land; and the trapper, fearful that if he told the truth
+and acknowledged himself to be a deserter, the captain might follow
+the Tycoon and compel him to go aboard of her again, whether he wanted
+to or not, did something he had never done before--he made up a story
+all out of his own head, as he told Uncle Dick Gaylord, and queer work
+he made of it. He entered into the particulars of a fearful shipwreck
+that had just occurred. The waves were as high as the Rocky Mountains,
+he said, the wind blew so hard that the sailors had to stop all work
+and hold their hair on (this was a quotation from one of the stories
+the trapper had heard in the forecastle of the Stranger); his ship
+was capsized no less than three times, always coming right side up
+again, and doing it so quickly that she did not even wet her sails
+or her deck, and none of the crew had a chance to drop off into the
+water (another quotation); but finally the wind came in such furious
+gusts that it took the masts right out by the roots (still another
+quotation), and the ship filled and went down like lead. The trapper
+said that all this happened not five minutes before, and that set the
+crew of the fishing-boat into a roar of laughter, for they had been
+out all day, and knew there had scarcely been wind enough to raise any
+white caps. The captain used some hard words, and called Dick anything
+but a truthful man; but the latter affirmed so solemnly that it was all
+so, that the skipper thought that perhaps something had happened after
+all, and spent a long time in cruising about the place where Dick had
+been picked up.
+
+This delay added to the trapper's fears. What if the Tycoon should
+come back in search of him? Alarmed by the thought, he labored hard to
+convince the captain that every soul on board the wrecked ship, except
+himself, had gone down with her; but finding that the skipper paid no
+attention to him, he changed his story altogether, and declared that he
+had jumped overboard on purpose, and that he had done it because he
+had taken passage on the wrong vessel. He wanted to go to Sacramento,
+he said, but by mistake had boarded a craft bound for the "under side
+of the earth;" and as she would not turn back and put him ashore, he
+had no alternative but to take to the water and get back as best he
+could. Then the skipper was angry in earnest. Ordering Dick to get as
+far forward as the length of the little vessel would allow, and not to
+open his head again as long as he remained on board of her, he filled
+away for the city.
+
+The trapper was very glad to be let off so easily. He had induced the
+captain to turn his vessel toward the shore, and that was all he cared
+for. He crouched down in the bow and meekly submitted to the jokes and
+tricks of the sailors, who never allowed him a moment's peace. He was
+too completely cowed to take offence at anything. He had seen enough of
+civilized life and people to take all the courage out of him.
+
+The moment the fishing boat touched the dock he was out and ashore.
+Then he was himself again. When he felt something solid under his feet
+his courage all returned, and he was in just the right mood to carry
+out the exploit he afterward performed. Almost the first man he saw on
+the dock was the bogus captain, who had enticed Frank and himself on
+board the Tycoon. Dick's blood began to boil as soon as his eyes rested
+on him. His first thought was to take summary vengeance on him, but he
+was checked in time by the reflection that he was not in the mountains
+now, and that there were laws in the settlements strong enough to
+punish evil-doers of every description. He did not know how to set the
+law in motion, but the captain of the Stranger did, and he would take
+the culprit before him at once.
+
+The bogus captain, whose business was that of shipping-agent and
+boarding-house keeper, was standing in the midst of a group of friends,
+half a dozen of them perhaps, and all men like himself; but this did
+not deter the trapper, who strode up and confronted him. The talking
+and laughing were hushed at once, and all eyes were turned upon the
+new-comer, who stood before them with dripping garments, his tall
+figure drawn up to its full height, his eyes flashing and his bony
+fingers working nervously. He looked dangerous. The bogus captain
+stared at him a moment doubtfully and then a gleam of intelligence
+crossed his face and he tried to smile.
+
+"Why, I thought I had seen you before," said he, thrusting out his
+hand. "Come in! come right into the house. Where you been?"
+
+"Whar do you reckon you seed me last?" demanded Dick, holding his arms
+behind his back, for the man seemed determined to shake hands with him
+whether he wished it or not. "You can't shut up my eyes with none of
+your palaverin', now. Whar do you reckon you seed me last, I axes you?"
+
+"Why, let me think a minute," said the man, pulling off his plug hat
+and digging his fingers into his head, at the same time backing away
+from the enraged giant. "I see so many of you fellows that I can't call
+you all by name the minute I meet you."
+
+"My name's--my name's----" Dick stopped and looked all around, trying
+to think what he should call himself. He did not have a very extensive
+circle of acquaintances, and he couldn't make up a name "all out of
+his own head," as he made up the story he told the captain of the
+fishing-smack. "My name's Colonel Gaylord," said he, giving the first
+one that came into his mind.
+
+"Ah! yes; I know you now," said the bogus captain, making another
+effort to take the trapper by the hand. "You're the chap I found a good
+berth for a few days ago, ain't you? Seems to me--you know----"
+
+"Yes," roared Dick, who could control himself no longer, "I know, an'
+'tain't likely I'll ever forget, nuther. I'm the man you wanted to send
+round to the other side of the 'arth, to be chawed up by whales an'
+dropped off into the clouds, consarn you--that's who _I_ am, an' you'll
+remember me afore you see the last of me, I tell you. Human natur'! I
+wish I could tote you out to the mountains fur about ten minutes. But
+I'll set the law a-goin' agin you afore you see another day; that's
+what I'll do. Come along here, you meanest man the 'arth ever saw, not
+even exceptin' Black Bill--come along! Stand out o' the way, the rest
+on you, or I'll claw you all up like a painter!"
+
+With these words the trapper seized the bogus captain by the collar
+and began pushing him toward the Stranger, which he could see still
+lying in her berth where he had left her. The man remonstrated and
+threatened, but all to no purpose. Then he resisted and called upon
+his companions for help. One of them responded, but was disposed of so
+quickly and effectually that the others thought it best to keep at a
+safe distance.
+
+Finding that his man was possessed of more strength, activity and
+determination than he had calculated on, the trapper seized him with
+both hands, and swinging him upon his shoulder started for the schooner
+at a rapid run. He brought his prisoner in triumph, and stood him up on
+the deck where all could see him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A SCAMP ON HIS DIGNITY.
+
+
+"THIS yere is the mean chap that done it all," continued the trapper.
+"Thar's none of us that'll ever see Frank ag'in. He's gone round on
+t'other side of the 'arth, an' some dark night, when he's sailin' along
+thinkin' of nothing, one of them big quids (the sailors had called the
+cuttle-fish 'squids') will rise outen the water all on a sudden, wrap
+his arms, two hundred feet long, all about the ship, an' that'll be the
+last of Frank. When be you goin' to hang this feller, cap'n?"
+
+Dick had an interested and anxious crowd of listeners. The officers of
+the schooner and the boys stood ranged in a circle in front of him, and
+behind were the sailors, who at first invaded the sacred precincts
+of the quarter-deck with much hesitation, holding their caps in their
+hands and momentarily expecting an order to retire; but growing bolder
+by degrees, when they found that the captain, although he looked their
+way now and then, had nothing to say to them, they crowded up close
+behind the trapper, so that they could hear every word. There were also
+two other listeners--the men with the bludgeons, who had followed Dick
+Lewis in the hope of rescuing his prisoner. When these two worthies
+first came up, they acted as if they were about to board the vessel
+without ceremony; but changed their minds when they saw half a dozen
+broad-shouldered seamen, in obedience to a sign from the officer of the
+deck, move up into the waist to receive them. The sailors, who had a
+pretty good idea of what had been going on, even before they had heard
+the trapper's story, would have been delighted to have the opportunity
+to toss these men ashore neck and heels; and the latter must have seen
+it in their countenances, for they backed away from the edge of the
+wharf and took up a position from which they could hear and see all
+that passed on the Stranger's deck.
+
+Had Frank been as safe out of his troubles as Dick Lewis was, the boys
+would have been highly amused by the latter's description of the scenes
+through which he had passed; but it was far from being a laughing
+matter now. Frank had been kidnapped ("shanghaied" the sailors called
+it) by the captain of the Tycoon or his agent, and there was no knowing
+what might become of him. Perhaps the hard fare and harder treatment
+he was certain to receive, might drive him to do something desperate.
+Uncle Dick Gaylord, however, was not troubled by any such misgivings.
+He knew that Frank possessed courage and prudence in no ordinary
+degree, and besides there were Lucas and Barton, the coxswain, on the
+same vessel. The former was an old whaleman, and the assistance he
+could render Frank in the way of teaching him his duties, might enable
+the boy to keep out of any very serious difficulties. But could he help
+him in any way? That was the momentous question, and Uncle Dick walked
+up and down his quarter-deck with his hands behind his back while he
+pondered upon it.
+
+"Every word this man has uttered, as far as it concerns me and my
+doings, is false from head to tail," declared the bogus captain.
+
+This was the first time he had spoken since he was brought on board
+the vessel. At first he was badly frightened, but while the trapper
+was telling his story, he had time to think over his situation and
+determine upon his line of defence.
+
+"I don't know anything about this man and the other fellow he speaks
+of," he continued; "I never seen him before this morning, and I never
+tried to pass myself off as the captain of any ship."
+
+Dick Lewis eyed him savagely while he was speaking, and when he ceased
+drew back his clenched hand. In a moment more the man would have
+measured his length on the deck, had not the captain interposed.
+
+"Get ashore!" said he, shortly.
+
+"O no, cap'n," replied the man, with an impudent smile. "This is a
+nice way you have of doing business, I do think! One of your friends
+commits an assault on me and drags me away from my peaceful home, and
+then you wash your hands of the matter by telling me to go ashore. That
+won't go down, by no means. Twenty dollars for damages will get rid of
+me, but not a cent less!"
+
+"I can bring a dozen witnesses to prove that that man wasn't once
+outside of his house last night," said one of the ruffians on the dock.
+"I'm one of 'em, for I was with him all the evening and know everything
+he done."
+
+"Rodgers!" exclaimed Uncle Dick.
+
+"Here, sir," came the prompt response.
+
+A stalwart sailor stepped quickly out from among his companions, and
+dashing his cap upon the deck stood behind the bogus captain pushing
+back his sleeves. A simple look from Uncle Dick would have sent the
+man flying over the schooner's side as if he had been thrown from a
+catapult.
+
+"This is the last time I shall speak to you," continued Uncle Dick.
+"Get ashore!"
+
+The bogus captain thought it best to obey, and that too without a
+moment's hesitation. Once on the dock he was safe, and there he stopped
+long enough to say a parting word to Uncle Dick. "This matter will be
+settled in the court-room," said he, with a threatening shake of his
+head. "That man shall be arrested before he is an hour older."
+
+With these words he walked off, followed by his companions. The boys
+looked first at him, then at the captain and finally at Dick Lewis, who
+stood the very picture of astonishment. "Why didn't you set the law
+a-goin'?" the trapper managed to ask at last.
+
+"It would have been of no use," answered the master of the schooner.
+"Didn't you hear what that man on the dock said? That indicated the
+defence they would bring up. We would find a court-room full of
+witnesses to prove an alibi--that is, that this man was somewhere else
+when the kidnapping was done."
+
+"But it wouldn't be true, Uncle Dick," said Archie, who, like all
+the rest of the Club, invariably addressed the old sailor by this
+affectionate title. "If they swore to that, they would be guilty of
+perjury, and that is a state prison offence. Dick has told the truth."
+
+"I know it. I am just as certain that everything he has described to us
+really happened, as I would be had I seen it all with my own eyes; but
+a justice would not take his unsupported word against that of a dozen
+men. And as for perjury, how would you fasten the crime upon these
+false witnesses that would be produced? If Frank, Lucas and Barton were
+here, we would have the game in our own hands; but they are miles away.
+This man knows we can prove nothing, and that is what makes him so
+impudent."
+
+"I wish you had told Rodgers to throw him overboard, or else let Dick
+knock him down," said Eugene.
+
+"And afterward had the satisfaction of paying a fine and costs," said
+the old sailor, with a laugh. "By the time your hair is as white as
+mine, Eugene, perhaps you will have learned something. I've got one
+fine to pay now."
+
+"Why, how is that?" asked all the boys at once.
+
+"Didn't you hear what that man said just as he went away? There'll be a
+policeman down here directly."
+
+The boys looked toward the trapper. The expression of alarm which they
+had so often seen of late, had settled on his face again. He backed up
+against the rail for support, and looked wildly about as if he had half
+a mind to take to his heels. He stood more in fear of the law than he
+did of a grizzly bear. He had always thought that there was something
+wrong about it, and now he was firmly convinced of the fact. The law,
+as he understood it, was to restrain bad people, who were disposed to
+take advantage of their neighbors whenever an opportunity was offered;
+but he found that it was likely to prove a means of punishment to the
+innocent. It would have been just as impossible to give him a clear
+idea of its workings, as it would to make him understand the causes of
+the trade-winds or the theory of the ocean-currents.
+
+"I've said a million times, an' Frank says that more'n a thousand,
+that I'd never put my old moccasins inside a city again, an' now I
+say it onct more an' I'll stick to it," said the trapper, solemnly,
+raising his hand toward the mast-head to give emphasis to his words.
+"I get skeared to death by cars an' steamboats, an' something's allers
+happenin'."
+
+"Shoulder your rifle an' kit, Dick, an' let's be off," said old
+Bob, who up to this time had been a silent and amazed spectator and
+listener. "I'm afeared."
+
+"So am I, Bob, but I dasen't. I dasen't go; the law will ketch me.
+I wish I was to the ole Bar's Hole, so't I could crawl in an' hide
+myself."
+
+Dick leaned back against the rail again, rubbing his hands together and
+groaning as men sometimes do when they are sadly troubled in spirit.
+The boys tried hard to set his mind at rest. They assured him that no
+harm should come to him, for they and Uncle Dick were not only able but
+ready and willing to stand between him and all difficulties; but the
+trapper said he didn't want them to do it. If anybody was to go to jail
+(thrusting people into jail and hanging them Dick thought were the only
+punishments in vogue in civilized communities) it should be himself
+and nobody else. Furthermore, he did not see why it was necessary that
+any one should be called upon to stand between him and difficulty. He
+had only been following out his natural impulses in trying to bring
+the bogus captain to justice, and now he must suffer for it. He shook
+his head, refusing to be comforted, and showed a desire to be alone
+with his own thoughts; so the boys left him and turned to Uncle Dick,
+who was once more pacing his quarter-deck, after holding a short
+consultation with his officers.
+
+"I know what you want," said the old sailor, as the boys approached him
+in a body. "You are anxious to know what I am going to do for Frank. I
+can only guess at the best plan, and follow it out to the best of my
+judgment. What do you think ought to be done?"
+
+The boys had no suggestions to offer. One thing was certain, and that
+was that Frank would not long submit to harsh treatment. A young man
+who had commanded a fine vessel in Uncle Sam's navy would not consent
+to take rank next below the captain's dog, as the sailors in the
+Tycoon's forecastle had assured him he would do as long as he remained
+in that ship. If the opportunity were ever offered, he would lay his
+case before the consul of the first port at which the vessel touched;
+and failing that he would probably be driven to desert. In either case
+the boys did not expect to see him again. If the consul protected him,
+he would be sent to the nearest port in the United States free of
+expense, and he had money enough in his pocket--about twenty dollars,
+Archie thought--to support him until he could receive a remittance from
+home. If he was compelled to desert he would probably ship on the first
+vessel he could find, just as Chase had done, and she might take him to
+the remotest corner of the earth. All this would sadly interfere with
+the Club's arrangements. They thought as much of Frank as his cousin
+did--so much that they one and all declared that they did not care to
+continue their voyage without him. They couldn't enjoy themselves,
+for they would worry about him all the while, and if they were to be
+separated from him they would rather go home and stay there. If their
+pleasant party and their cruise were to be broken up, they had the
+boarding-house keeper to thank for it, and Walter declared that there
+was no punishment known to the law half severe enough for him.
+
+Uncle Dick listened while the boys were talking, and said he fully
+agreed with them. "Even if Frank should succeed in escaping from the
+Tycoon, and had a vessel at his command or money enough to take him
+just where he wanted to go, he would not know which way to steer to
+find us," said he, "for you boys will remember that you did not decide
+upon anything definite, and Frank doesn't know whether we are going to
+Alaska or Japan."
+
+"And all through my foolishness," said Eugene, bitterly. "I wish I had
+given up, and gone where the others wanted to go."
+
+"So do I," said Bab.
+
+"Don't reproach yourselves," replied Uncle Dick. "You had plenty of
+sport during your debates, and you were not supposed to know that
+such an emergency as this was about to arise. But perhaps we can do
+something by following the Tycoon."
+
+"Yes, if we only knew where she is going."
+
+"I have an idea that I do know. She is bound for the Japan station,
+so the sailors in her forecastle told Dick Lewis. Well, now, she is
+short-handed. She must be, for her mate released Dick from his irons
+and brought him on deck to help make sail. She'll never go on her
+station without a full crew, and the nearest place at which she can get
+it is the Sandwich Islands. There she will undoubtedly ship Kanakas
+enough to make up her complement. Then she'll go out for a three or
+four months' cruise, and come back and fit out for the Japan station.
+Now, if we can reach Honolulu before she leaves, we shall probably be
+able to effect the release of our men. If it were not for this incident
+that has just happened I would sail at once."
+
+"Why can't you do it any way?" asked Walter, who did not like to waste
+even a moment.
+
+"Because we must see Lewis out of his trouble. If he goes ashore
+without some one to protect him, he will be sure to fall into the
+hands of those sharpers, who will frighten him out of the last article
+of value he's got."
+
+"Cap'n," said Dick, suddenly, "will you take us with you--me and Bob?"
+
+The old sailor looked in astonishment, and so did the boys.
+
+"I'm afeared to go ashore," continued the trapper, who had been holding
+a council of war with his chum, "an' so is Bob. 'Sides it's a thing we
+never done yet--run off an' leave Frank in trouble, an' we've knowed
+him too long to do it now!"
+
+"My good fellow," said Uncle Dick, with a smile, "if Frank were lost
+in the woods, you and Bob would be just the men to assist him; but you
+can't help him in any way now."
+
+"Mebbe we can, cap'n. An' even if we can't, we don't want to go back
+hum without knowing what's come on him. We shouldn't see no peace of
+mind."
+
+Uncle Dick did not speak for several minutes. He knew just how much
+these rude men thought of Frank, and told himself that their desire to
+see him safe among friends again before they took leave of him for
+ever, was perfectly natural; but there were the dangers they expected
+to meet on the "under side of the earth"--the Flying Dutchman, the
+whales, the monstrous "quids"--could they stand all these? "Lewis,"
+said he, suddenly, "have you and your companion fully made up your
+minds on this point?"
+
+"Yes, an' we won't never change 'em nuther. We allers stand to what we
+say."
+
+"That settles the matter. Mr. Baldwin, while I am gone to the custom
+house, hail the first tug you see and stand by to get under way."
+
+The boys would have been delighted by this arrangement a few hours
+before, but their feelings were different now. They had something to
+think of besides the amusement they expected the trappers to furnish
+them.
+
+Uncle Dick went ashore and walked rapidly away, leaving the boys to
+themselves. Although they were impatient to be off, the time did not
+hang heavily on their hands, for they had much to talk about. They
+fully expected the trappers to change their minds when they saw the
+preparations that were being made for getting under way, but Dick
+and Bob were not that sort. There was a dogged expression on their
+faces, such as might have been seen there had the backwoodsmen been
+in the power of savage foes who were making ready to torture them at
+the stake. It said that they fully realized the dangers before them,
+and were prepared to meet them like men who had never shown the white
+feather.
+
+"Now, if Frank were only here, and if Dick and Bob would get rid of
+some of their foolish notions, we could look forward to some fun,
+couldn't we?" said Eugene.
+
+"_If_ and _if_!" said Walter. "It is surprising how often that little
+word stands in our way."
+
+"I have been thinking that Dick's short sojourn on the Tycoon has made
+matters worse for Frank than they would otherwise have been," said Bob,
+anxiously. "The three principal officers have felt the weight of his
+arm, and of course they'll have to take satisfaction out of somebody."
+
+"Dick," said Archie, suddenly, "why don't you encourage us by saying
+that Frank will be sure to come out all right? That's what you used to
+tell us whenever he got into trouble."
+
+"But he was on the prairie then, an' now he's among civilized folks,"
+replied the trapper.
+
+"Which means, I suppose, that this is the worst scrape he ever got
+into."
+
+Dick nodded his head.
+
+"I don't know about that," said George Le Dell. "I think if he had
+his choice, he would rather be where he is now than in the prison
+at Shreveport, if he had to go through what he did when he made his
+escape. Frank has been in some tight places, but somehow he has always
+managed to squeeze through without much trouble."
+
+"And he never was hurt that I remember, except when he burned that
+house in which Colonel Harrison made his headquarters," said Archie.
+
+"When _you_ burned it, you mean," said George. "_You_ did that, and
+if you had been a line instead of a staff officer, you would have got
+another stripe around your arm for it, too. I told the Colonel all
+about it after you left our house."
+
+"Why did you do that?" exclaimed Archie, hastily. "Now I shall never
+dare to meet him again."
+
+"Ha! ha!" laughed George. "Why, he is one of your warmest friends. I
+told him because I wanted him to know that the boy who killed that bear
+and beat Somers in a fair race through the woods, had something in him.
+The Colonel scolded me for not telling him before. He said if he had
+known it while you were in our neighborhood, you wouldn't have got away
+from his house for one good long month at least. He would have kept you
+if he'd had to put a guard over you."
+
+"Well, I shouldn't have enjoyed the visit."
+
+"You couldn't have helped yourself, if plenty of hunting, riding and
+good company are aids to enjoyment."
+
+From this subject the boys gradually got back to the one that occupied
+the most of their minds and thoughts, and that was Frank's sudden
+disappearance. They asked the trapper a multitude of questions, but
+learned nothing new, for he had already told his story in detail. While
+they were talking Uncle Dick returned, and the tug being alongside and
+the pilot aboard, the lines were cast off and the Stranger swung slowly
+around until her bow pointed toward the headlands at the entrance to
+the bay. In the bustle and hurry that followed the boys found time to
+turn an eye toward the trappers now and then, but they saw no signs
+of regret or alarm on their faces; and when the lines that held the
+tug were let go, and the steamer with a farewell shriek of her whistle
+turned back toward the city, and the schooner unfolded her white
+wings one after the other, and the Golden Gate was passed, and the
+broad expanse of the Pacific was fairly spread out before them, there
+were still no signs of backing out. But it was too late now. The die
+was cast, and Dick and old Bob were bound for the "under side of the
+earth!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+TOO LATE.
+
+
+THE very presence of Uncle Dick was enough to infuse new life and
+comfort into the boys, who were disposed to make themselves miserable
+over the absence of their genial companion. The old sailor believed in
+looking on the bright side of things, and thought there was no use in
+worrying over the matter that they could not just then better in any
+way. His example made a great change in the feelings of the Club.
+
+"Now, Walter," said he, briskly, "we are fairly afloat again, and our
+sailing-master having deserted us, we are compelled to call on you to
+fill his place. Suppose you work out a course for us. We're bound for
+the Sandwich Islands, Eugene; which way are they from here?"
+
+"Oh, you can't catch me on that," replied the boy, "for I posted myself
+only a few days ago. The twentieth parallel runs through them. They're
+in the same latitude as Vera Cruz, in Mexico."
+
+"Well, I want to make the run in as short a time as may be, so what
+shall I do?"
+
+"Stand to the southwest to get the benefit of the northeast trades,
+and the equatorial current. The same route would take you to China or
+Japan."
+
+"Suppose, now, we were in China and wanted to come back to the States:
+would I follow the same course?"
+
+"No, sir. You would steer in a northerly direction until you got
+between the parallels of thirty-five and forty-five degrees north
+latitude, and there you would find strong westerly winds to help you
+along. Perhaps you'd get some assistance from the North Pacific drift
+current, but on that point I am not sure."
+
+"Well, it is just as well you are not," shouted Walter from the cabin,
+where he was busy with his chart. "The North Pacific drift current
+might help you if you wanted to go to Alaska from China. When it
+strikes the shores of our continent it divides, part of it flowing on
+down the coast and forming the California coast current, and the rest
+bending back across the Pacific again; so it would retard your progress
+rather than help you."
+
+"Well, I am not the sailing-master of this craft, am I?" replied
+Eugene. "If I was, I'd keep posted. Besides, almost anybody with a
+chart before him, could clatter away as though his tongue was hung
+in the middle. Wait till Frank gets back if you want to talk about
+navigation."
+
+"He's a good one, that's a fact," said Uncle Dick. "He's as fit to
+command a vessel as I am."
+
+Just then Walter came up, having worked out a course, which being
+approved by the captain and given to the officer of the deck, the bow
+of the Stranger was brought around a point or two, and the voyage
+was fairly begun. There was nothing to be done now, but to await
+developments with all the patience they possessed.
+
+But few incidents worthy of record happened during the voyage,
+which, after they struck the trade winds became monotonous enough.
+The schooner bowled along before a fine breeze, and as it was never
+necessary to change the sails, there was no work to be done except
+ordinary ship's duty. The Club passed the time mostly in reading and
+conversation with the trappers, who, as soon as they fully recovered
+from their sea-sickness, kept a constant lookout for some of those
+terrible dangers which had been so graphically described to them. By
+dint of much talking and argument the boys finally succeeded in making
+them take a more sensible view of their situation, and as the days wore
+away without bringing with them any of the perils they had expected to
+encounter, the backwoodsmen began to act a little more like themselves.
+But when an ignorant person once gets hold of an idea it is almost
+impossible to make him let go of it, and the trappers' minds could not
+be set wholly at rest. They steadily refused to go into the forecastle
+at night, and always slept on deck. The boys found the reason for this
+in a remark they heard Bob make to his companion. They wanted plenty
+of elbow room when they reached the under side of the earth, the old
+fellow said, so that when the schooner dropped off among the clouds,
+they could take to the water. They saw sharks, dolphins and flying-fish
+(the trappers began to put more faith in what the boys said after they
+had seen one of the latter rise from the water and sail through the air
+like a bird on the wing), and one day the sailors pointed out to them
+an object which made them believe that their time had come. It first
+showed itself while the boys were at dinner. They were summoned on deck
+by the officers of the watch, and found themselves close alongside
+the first whale they had ever seen. The monster was taking matters
+very leisurely, moving along about a hundred yards from the schooner,
+lifting his huge head out of the water now and then and spouting a
+cloud of spray into the air, and although the vessel was running at a
+rate of eight miles an hour, he kept pace with her without the least
+exertion. The boys were all disappointed.
+
+"This must be a small one," said George.
+
+"Small!" echoed Uncle Dick. "How big do you think a whale is, any
+how--as big as the Rocky Mountains?"
+
+"No, sir; but I have read that they have been found sixty and seventy
+feet long," replied George.
+
+"Well, this fellow is every inch of eighty, and I shouldn't wonder if
+he was ninety feet in length."
+
+"I wish some whaler would come along and pitch into him," said Eugene.
+"I'd like to see the operation of catching a whale."
+
+"If fifty whalers should come along they would not trouble this
+fellow," said Uncle Dick.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because he is neither a sperm nor a right whale. He belongs to the
+species known as finbacks. He would not yield oil or bone enough to pay
+for the trouble of lowering the boats, and besides he is so swift and
+strong that it would be dangerous to meddle with him."
+
+The finback kept alongside the schooner for nearly a mile, and during
+that time the boys had ample opportunity to take a good view of him.
+He sank and rose at regular intervals, executing the manoeuvre with
+an ease and grace that was astonishing, and now and then he showed so
+much of his huge bulk above the water that the boys opened their eyes
+in amazement, and Featherweight declared that there was no end to him.
+The longer they looked at him the larger he seemed to grow. At length
+he began to edge away from the schooner, and finally disappeared. Then
+each boy turned and looked at his neighbor to see what he thought about
+it.
+
+"What makes you look so sober?" demanded Featherweight of Archie, who
+stood by pulling his chin, and gazing fixedly at the spot where the
+whale had last been seen.
+
+"I was just thinking," was the reply.
+
+"And I'll warrant we can all tell what you were thinking about," said
+George. "I guess there is no one in this small party who would like to
+be ordered into a small boat to attack a beast of that size, and you
+were wondering what Frank's feelings will be the first time he tries
+it. Well, I don't want to know them by experience."
+
+Archie walked to the side and looked over into the water, while George
+turned to Dick and Bob, who just then came up. Their faces were very
+white.
+
+"Well, Dick," said George, "you have seen your first whale, and it
+isn't such a terrible looking object after all, is it?"
+
+"I dunno," replied the trapper. "If the babies look like that, what
+must the ole ones be?"
+
+"The babies?" repeated George.
+
+"One of the fellows showed that thing to me when it fust come in sight,
+and I showed it to Rodgers, but he couldn't see it. Rodgers, he called
+another of the sailors, and he said he could see something, but it was
+so small he couldn't tell whether it was a whale or not."
+
+"Now, Dick, don't you believe a word those men in the forecastle say
+to you," said Eugene, indignantly. "Uncle Dick says that is one of the
+largest whales he ever saw."
+
+"Wal, Rodgers he couldn't see it at fust 'cause it was so small, but
+when he _did_ see it, he said mebbee it was a baby. He said the ole one
+will be along purty soon lookin' fur it, an' then we'll see a whale. If
+the ole one don't find the baby, she'll think we've done something to
+it, an' she'll brush us off'n the 'arth like a feller would brush a fly
+off his Sundy trowsers."
+
+The trappers were frightened again, and for the rest of the day kept
+close company with their young friends, no doubt feeling safer in their
+presence than anywhere else. The boys, one and all, exerted themselves
+to correct the wrong impressions they had received, but the foremast
+hands had had the first chance at them, as Fred remarked, and it was
+a matter of impossibility to set their fears at rest. For a week
+afterward Dick and his companion kept a sharp lookout, expecting every
+minute to see the old whale coming in search of her young one; but
+she did not appear, and the next thing that happened to relieve the
+monotony of the voyage, was the discovery of land, dead ahead. Walter
+had been anxiously looking for it for the last twenty-four hours.
+Having taken Frank's place as sailing-master, he was eager to earn a
+reputation as a navigator, and he was not a little elated to find that
+he had made no mistake.
+
+The discovery of land set the sailors going again. Rodgers and a
+few of his companions, who, when the trappers were in hearing, were
+continually talking about mermaids and dragons and other sea monsters,
+and the awful sights that would be presented when they came to the
+under side of the earth, looked through their hands at the dim outline
+in advance, and after comparing notes in a tone of voice loud enough
+for Dick and Bob to hear, declared that it wasn't land after all--that
+the man at the mast was mistaken.
+
+"That's no more land nor I be," declared Rodgers. "If my head is worth
+a tar-bucket, it is the old whale. She can't find her baby, and so
+she's coming down to ask the skipper what he's done with it. She's
+coming like lightning too. Can't you see the water a boiling up under
+her bows? I can."
+
+"Now, mate, I think it's a squid," said another, "and he's waiting
+there to gobble up something. I can see his long arms resting on the
+water, and ready to catch the first moving thing that comes within
+reach. I hope the cap'n 'll keep away a few points."
+
+"Mebbe he don't know what it is," said a third, "and I think Lewis had
+better go aft and tell him about it--I do indeed!"
+
+"'Taint a whale nor a squid neither," said an old gray-headed seaman,
+who, using his hands for a spy-glass, had been looking at the island
+ever since they first came in sight of it. "It's the equator. I can see
+the waves rolling over it!"
+
+"Well, Jack, you've been to sea longer nor me and ought to know about
+these things," said Rodgers. "I seen the waves, but I thought they was
+the bone the whale was carrying in her teeth. When we get over it, if
+we ever do, we're on the under side of the earth, ain't we?"
+
+"That's what's the matter," said the gray-headed sailor.
+
+Dick fairly jumped, as each one of these opinions was solemnly
+advanced, and hurried off to speak to the boys. The latter, especially
+Eugene and Archie, could hardly refrain from laughing outright at his
+ludicrous display of terror, but they quieted his fears as well as
+they could, and by giving him a solemn promise that they would see him
+safely through any danger that might arise if he would remain close by
+them, they succeeded in keeping him out of the company of the foremast
+hands all the rest of the day. But it was not until nearly sunset that
+the fears the sailors had conjured up were entirely banished. By that
+time the object that had excited his alarm was so plainly visible that
+Dick could see for himself that it was land and nothing else.
+
+The boys did not see many of the new and novel sights that were
+presented to their gaze, as the Stranger made her way through the
+strait that runs between the islands of Hawaii and Mani. They had eyes
+for nothing but the whale ship they expected to find there. The huge
+fishing canoes they saw the next day; the natives that came aboard
+in swarms while they were running about in the light, baffling winds
+they found under the lee of the land, the fruits they offered for
+barter--none of these things possessed the interest for them that they
+would under almost any other circumstances. They paid little attention
+to anything but the vessels that now and then passed them. But the
+Tycoon was not among them.
+
+Uncle Dick took time, as he passed along, to look into every bay and
+inlet where the Tycoon was likely to be, and it was not until nearly a
+week after they first sighted the Sandwich Islands that the Stranger
+dropped anchor outside the coral reef that marks the entrance to the
+harbor of Honolulu. As the wind came strong down the mountain gorges,
+everything was made snug, and then the gig was called away and the
+captain set out for the town, leaving the boys to enjoy themselves as
+best they could during his absence. But it was dull business, this
+trying to pass away the time when they were so impatient and anxious.
+They kept up their spirits by telling one another that something would
+surely happen to restore their friend Frank to them, but the face that
+Uncle Dick brought back with him, when he returned six hours later,
+dashed all their hopes to the ground. No sooner was the gig fairly
+hoisted at the davits, than he gave the order to heave up the anchor
+and go to sea. The boys stood around and looked at one another in
+silence while these orders were being executed, and when Uncle Dick
+went into the cabin, they followed him.
+
+"Too late, boys," said he.
+
+"Has the Tycoon been here?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes; she has done just what I thought she would do. She shipped a crew
+of natives and has gone out for a three months' cruise. When that is
+ended she will come back and fit out for Japan."
+
+"And what about Frank?"
+
+"Haven't heard a word of him. The consul saw only the captain, and he
+was here just long enough to ship his crew. We missed our object by
+just three days."
+
+"I don't understand how we missed it at all," said Eugene. "We
+certainly lost no time."
+
+"But you must remember that the Tycoon is a large ship, and that she
+probably carries as much canvas in her courses and spanker as we can
+spread on all our masts and yards. We can't expect to sail with her."
+
+"What are we going to do now?" asked Bab.
+
+"We are going to see if we can find her. It will be almost like
+searching for a needle in a haystack, but we don't want to remain here
+idle for three months."
+
+"Of course not," said Eugene, quickly. "That would never do. While we
+are moving about we shall feel that we are doing something for Frank,
+even if we don't find him."
+
+"Exactly," said Uncle Dick.
+
+"What will you do if we find the Tycoon?" inquired Walter.
+
+"I shall probably be able to present the matter to her captain in such
+a way that he will be willing to release Frank and make him some amends
+for what he has done--I _think_ I shall be able to do so," said the old
+sailor, with a look in his eye that spoke volumes. "But if I should
+fail, he will be arrested as soon as he comes back here."
+
+This was all Uncle Dick had to say, and it afforded the boys very
+little satisfaction. They had confidently expected that Frank would be
+restored to them when they reached the Sandwich Islands, and this was
+a sore disappointment. Where was he now? Where was he while the Tycoon
+was lying in the harbor of Honolulu? What was the reason he had not
+done as he advised the deserter to do--insisted on seeing the American
+consul? The boys could only speculate upon these points, and they had
+ample leisure to do it--almost six weeks. During that time every ship
+they could come up with was spoken, but the Tycoon was not among them,
+and neither could they gain any information concerning her. The boys
+were getting discouraged and very down-hearted, and had it not been
+for Uncle Dick there is no telling how they would have lived through it.
+
+One night the officer of the deck reported that there was a whaler
+a few miles distant "trying out"--that is, rendering out the oil of
+a whale she had recently captured. The Stranger's bow was at once
+pointed toward her, and at sunrise the two vessels were within speaking
+distance.
+
+"Now just listen to me a minute and I'll tell you what's a fact," said
+Perk, who with the rest of the Club stood in the waist, attentively
+regarding the ship as she came toward them carrying a huge bone in her
+teeth, "there's something about that craft that looks familiar."
+
+"I was just thinking so myself," said Eugene.
+
+He glanced toward Uncle Dick, who, during the last quarter of an hour
+had kept his glass levelled at the ship, and edged away toward the
+officer of the deck. "It can't be that that is the vessel we're looking
+for, is it, Mr. Baldwin?" said he.
+
+"If it isn't her, it's her sister," replied the officer, with some
+excitement.
+
+Before Eugene could carry this news to his companions the ship
+backed her main topsail, and as Uncle Dick, with an exclamation of
+astonishment that had a good deal of meaning in it, seized his trumpet,
+her captain appeared upon her bulwarks. The boys, through their
+glasses, had a plain view of him, and the general verdict was that he
+was a rough-looking fellow--one who, judging by his appearance, was
+capable of almost anything.
+
+"It is the same man we saw in the whale-boat," declared Eugene, his
+voice rendered husky by excitement. "I know him, even if he hasn't got
+his gray suit on."
+
+"I confess that I can't see any resemblance," said Bab, taking his
+glass down from his eyes long enough to bring it to a better focus.
+
+It would have required a person with a very lively imagination to
+recognise anybody at that distance, especially in such clothes as those
+in which the captain was dressed. He wore a tarpaulin on his head, a
+red shirt open at the throat, and a pair of coarse trowsers, which were
+thrust into the tops of heavy sea boots; and as some of these articles
+had been made for larger, and others for smaller men than himself, they
+fitted him oddly enough.
+
+"Ship ahoy!" roared Uncle Dick.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" shouted the captain of the whaler.
+
+"What ship is that?" asked Uncle Dick.
+
+The answer was given in a loud tone of voice, but the words were
+indistinct. The captain talked as if he had a mouthful of something.
+The only part of the reply that the Stranger's crew understood was that
+the ship was seventeen months out of Nantucket, and that she had nine
+hundred barrels of oil in the hold.
+
+"What does he say is the name of his ship, Mr. Baldwin?" asked Uncle
+Dick.
+
+"I understood him to say Eli Coon, sir," said the officer.
+
+"That sounds wonderfully like Tycoon, doesn't it?" whispered George.
+
+"And what does he call himself, Mr. Baldwin?" continued Uncle Dick.
+
+"Captain Hank Wilson, were the words I caught, sir."
+
+"What schooner is that?" shouted the captain of the whaler.
+
+"The Stranger, Captain Richard Gaylord, just out of Honolulu," answered
+Uncle Dick; and the words were so plain and distinct that the master of
+the whaler could have heard them if he had been twice as far away.
+
+"I'll send a boat aboard of you."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied Uncle Dick. "There is something strange about
+this, Mr. Baldwin," he added. "That is the Tycoon if I ever saw her,
+but that isn't the scoundrel who commanded her while she was in the
+harbor of San Francisco. Stand by, now, and if any of our men come off
+in his boat we'll see that they don't go back."
+
+There was no confusion on board the Stranger--there never was, for the
+discipline was too perfect for that--but everybody was highly excited.
+And the excitement was increased when the second mate went forward with
+the order, which he gave in a low voice: "All hands stand by, and
+be ready to jump when you hear the word." The sailors knew what that
+meant, and while some pushed back their sleeves, others laid handspikes
+where they could find them again at a moment's warning; and having
+thus prepared for any emergency, they moved to the side in a body, and
+awaited the coming of the whaler's boat with no little impatience. She
+came in sight at length, rounding the stern of the ship. Presently one
+of the men whispered something, which was passed along from one to
+another, until it reached the ears of the boys in the waist:
+
+"I see Lucas in that boat, and Barton too!"
+
+"But where is Frank?" said Archie, anxiously. "If he is aboard that
+ship now is his time to jump overboard and swim out to us."
+
+"Look at Dick Lewis," whispered Bab, suddenly.
+
+The boys with one accord turned their eyes toward the trapper. He stood
+on the forecastle with his hands on the rail, over which he was leaning
+as far as he could without losing his balance, and his eyes were
+fastened upon the approaching boat with a gaze such as a hawk might
+bestow upon the prey it was about to seize. As the boat approached
+nearer and veered round to come alongside, Dick gradually drew back out
+of sight and walked toward the stern to meet her.
+
+"If that is the captain of the Tycoon standing in the stern of that
+boat," said Archie, "he will be a well-thumped man before he gets
+fairly on deck, unless Uncle Dick interferes in time."
+
+"It isn't he," said Eugene. "I was mistaken. But he's a hard-looking
+customer all the same."
+
+The boat came nearer with every stroke of its crew, but the boys could
+not see any one in it whom they recognised. The backs of the oarsmen
+were turned toward them, and the captain kept his tarpaulin drawn low
+over his forehead, while the wind had turned the collar of his shirt up
+about his ears, so that his face was most effectually concealed.
+
+With a few strokes more the boat was alongside, and the red-shirted
+captain's head appeared above the Stranger's rail. Then Dick began
+to bestir himself. With a bound like a tiger he sprang forward and
+grasped the captain by the shoulders.
+
+"Avast there, Lewis!" roared Uncle Dick. "What are you about? If you
+attempt any violence I'll throw you over to the whales!"
+
+"No, I reckon not," replied the trapper. "This feller can't fool ole
+Dick Lewis, no matter what sort o' clothes he's got onto him!"
+
+As he said this he dragged the captain bodily over the rail, and
+lifting him in his arms as he would an infant, carried him toward the
+quarter-deck.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+GENTLEMAN BLACK.
+
+
+"GO on deck now, and let me give you fair warning that if you don't
+behave yourselves you'll go overboard before you can think twice!"
+
+It was the mate of the Tycoon who spoke, and who gave this order to
+Frank and the three sailors in the forecastle, after he had released
+them from their irons. The officer did not look much as he did the last
+time Frank saw him. He wore a handkerchief about his head and over
+his left eye, but it did not wholly conceal his face, which was badly
+swollen and discolored. He was in a fair way to remember his meeting
+with the trapper for some time to come.
+
+During the hour that Frank was confined in the forecastle his mind
+was exceedingly busy. His companions in trouble civilly answered all
+the questions he asked them, but did not seem inclined to talk, so
+Frank had opportunity to think over his situation and try to determine
+upon some course of action. The first thing he did was to congratulate
+himself on the fact that none of his companions were with him on the
+Tycoon. Had Walter, Bab, Archie or any of the rest gone ashore with
+him when he went after his rifle, they would now have been in the same
+predicament as himself; and according to Frank's way of thinking that
+would have been a calamity indeed. He expected to suffer--his mind was
+fully made up to that,--but he was strong and healthy and better able
+to endure hardship than any of the young friends he had left on board
+the Stranger. He had no fears for Dick Lewis. The trapper was as tough
+as a pine knot--nothing seemed to make any impression on him--and if
+he could only be induced to keep his temper under control, and pay no
+attention to the blows and insults he was sure to receive, he would get
+on well enough. Still he thought more of him than he did of Lucas and
+Barton, who were sleeping soundly in their bunk. These two were old
+sailors and could stand anything. They were not likely to have as easy
+times as they had had on board the Stranger, but they were accustomed
+to hard work and hard treatment, and when safe off the Tycoon they
+would have another story to help while away the lonely hours of the mid
+watch.
+
+Thus it will be seen that Frank was disposed to make the best of his
+misfortunes, and to look on the bright side of things. But there was
+one fact that troubled him not a little, and that was, his connection
+with the Club was severed. He did not expect to see any of its members
+again, not even Archie, for years to come. He would be released from
+the Tycoon some day--just as soon as he could gain the ear of some
+American consul for a moment--but he would not know which way to
+turn to find the Stranger, and so would have nothing left him but
+to make the best of his way back to Lawrence. That would be a great
+disappointment to him. He had anticipated much pleasure from his
+visit to foreign countries, and it was hard to abandon the voyage,
+just as his expectations were about to be realized, and go back to
+the monotonous, hum-drum routine of village life. But as there was no
+help for it, it was useless to repine, Frank told himself. He would do
+his duty as well as he could while he remained on board the Tycoon,
+but he was under no obligations to stay with her any longer than he
+was compelled to do so; and the first time she dropped anchor in port
+there would be one of her crew missing, unless the officers took the
+precaution to deprive him of his liberty.
+
+While Frank was meditating in this way the mate came into the
+forecastle, and after taking off his irons, ordered him on deck.
+Ascending the ladder he found a small crew engaged in setting things
+to rights. The third mate, who met him as he came up, put him to work
+with the rest, and for the next hour Frank was kept so busy that he did
+not have time to see much of his surroundings. He took a look around
+now and then for Dick Lewis, and wondered what sort of work the clumsy
+trapper would make in doing sailor's duty.
+
+"Was you looking for your pardner, sir?" asked a seaman who was busy
+at his side. (The "sir" came out almost involuntarily, as if the man
+instinctively felt that Frank was in some way entitled to that show of
+respect.)
+
+"Yes; I was looking for that tall, broad-shouldered man in buckskin who
+came aboard with me."
+
+"Well, sir, he's gone!"
+
+"Gone! Where?"
+
+"I don't know, for he can't be found alow nor aloft. He must have
+jumped overboard."
+
+"O, I hope not!" said Frank anxiously.
+
+"If he has, it is all right, sir, because he'd a done it sooner or
+later. I'll not stay aboard here much longer, unless there's a great
+change for the better. Things couldn't be worse."
+
+"Don't do anything desperate," said Frank. "It won't pay. But what made
+this man of whom we were speaking jump overboard?"
+
+"I don't know, sir. I was busy when he came up. The first thing I knew
+there was a rumpus; the cap'n and two of the mates were laid out as
+flat as slap-jacks, and the man hasn't been seen since."
+
+"Were we far from shore?"
+
+"Only about three or four miles."
+
+"O, then it is all right. Dick is safe. He can swim double that
+distance."
+
+"Well, I can't; but I wish I could have gone with him. I've seen two
+men go overboard since I've been on this craft, and if I was with 'em
+now among the sharks, my troubles would all be over."
+
+Here was direct confirmation of the story the deserter had told on
+board the Stranger. Frank drew a long breath, and from that moment a
+settled determination took possession of him.
+
+The work was all done at last, the watches told off and one of them
+ordered below. The one to which Frank belonged remained on deck to
+handle the ship, which was making long boards to gain an offing. Two
+or three times every hour they were called upon to trim the sails as
+the ship changed her course and stood off on another tack, and the rest
+of the time the crew lounged about the windlass. But there was none
+of that story-telling in which the crew of the Stranger engaged on
+such occasions, to make the time hang less heavily on their hands. The
+men sat sullen and silent, and as they were no company for Frank, he
+strolled aft to make an inspection of the craft which was likely to be
+his home for long weeks and perhaps months to come. She was different
+from other ships he had seen only in the number of boats she carried
+at her davits, and in her try-works, which were fitted up amidships.
+These were built of masonry, contained three large kettles, and were
+so constructed that a body of water could be kept under the furnace to
+prevent the fire from burning the deck.
+
+Having seen all he cared to see, Frank went forward again, and leaning
+over the windlass thought of the friends he was fast leaving behind
+him and of the trapper. He hoped from the bottom of his heart that
+Dick had jumped overboard. If such was the case he had saved himself
+many an hour of suffering, and had placed himself in no danger. It was
+but a short distance to the shore for such a swimmer as he knew the
+trapper to be, and besides there were vessels constantly passing in
+and out of the harbor, so that on a calm night like that he had only
+to call for help to get it. The trapper had learned enough from the
+three men in the forecastle, if he could only remember it, to put Uncle
+Dick Gaylord on the track of the Tycoon, and perhaps matters might not
+turn out so badly after all. If the Stranger followed the Tycoon to
+Japan, his release would certainly be effected; but how would he fare
+in the meantime? He wished that some discontented boy who had read
+yellow-covered novels until he had become thoroughly disgusted with
+home and all its surroundings, and sighed for the wild, free, romantic
+life of a sailor, could be in his place just then.
+
+A short time before Frank's watch on deck was ended, he heard a
+rustling in one of the bunks below, and looking into the forecastle
+saw that the boatswain's mate, having come to his senses, was sitting
+up and staring about him in great bewilderment. The old-sea dog did
+not know where he was, but he quickly became aware that he was aboard
+some craft that was in motion, and catching up his cap he sprang out
+of his bunk and ran up the ladder. At the top he found Frank, whom he
+recognised at once.
+
+"Where are we, cap'n?" he exclaimed; "and how long have we been under
+way?"
+
+The sailors belonging to the Stranger's crew were pretty well
+acquainted with the history of their captain and his passengers. They
+conceived a great respect for Frank when they learned that he had been
+all through the late war, and that he had, by his own unaided efforts,
+worked his way from the forecastle to the quarter-deck, and falling
+into Uncle Dick's habit, they invariably addressed him by his old naval
+title, and were as careful to salute him whenever they passed him as
+they were to salute their commander.
+
+Before Frank had time to reply, the boatswain's mate had glanced about
+the deck of the whaler, and some faint suspicions seemed to creep into
+his mind. "This ain't the Stranger, cap'n!" said he.
+
+"Who are you talking to?" demanded the first mate, who just then came
+forward.
+
+"I was speaking to Cap'n Nelson, sir," was the reply.
+
+"Who is he? Where is he?" asked the mate, roughly.
+
+"There he stands, sir."
+
+"Well, you just drop all that," said the officer, who was plainly very
+much surprised, "and hereafter bear in mind that there is only one
+captain aboard this ship and only one first mate. Get on deck, here.
+You belong to this watch!"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," replied Lucas. "Now here's a lubberly go, cap'n," he
+added in a low tone, as the mate went aft out of earshot.
+
+"Be careful," said Frank, quickly. "Remember the mate's order and drop
+that title and all others when you speak to me. Just recollect that I
+occupy a lower position aboard this craft than you do, for you are an
+able seaman and I am not."
+
+"But what craft is this and what's happened us?" asked the boatswain's
+mate, earnestly--"shanghaied?"
+
+"Yes, and this ship is the Tycoon."
+
+"I knew it," said the old sailor, striking his open palm with his
+clenched hand. "Serves me right."
+
+"I don't know how you came here. Perhaps you can tell."
+
+"I took a drink, sir," said Lucas, hanging his head.
+
+"Ah! yes; and you didn't get it out of the scuttle-butt either, did
+you? Pure water would not have robbed you of your senses."
+
+Then Frank went on to tell of his meeting with the bogus captain and
+the manner in which he and the trapper had been enticed on board the
+whaler. The old sailor was greatly distressed to know that it was
+through him that Frank had been brought into trouble. He offered to
+make amends by jumping overboard, and seemed to be hurt because Frank
+would not consent to it. While he was trying to comfort the mate the
+watch was called and Frank and the rest ordered below.
+
+Thus far things seemed to be working as well as could be expected under
+the circumstances. Frank had heard a few hard words from the officers,
+but he had seen no blows struck. This, however, was only the calm that
+preceded the storm. The next morning the captain made his appearance on
+deck, just as the crew were ordered to turn to, and then the trouble
+began. Frank recognised him at once, for he wore the same clothes he
+had on when he passed the Stranger in the whale-boat. He proved to be
+quite as brutal as he looked, and a constitutional grumbler. He found
+fault with everything. Nothing could be done to suit him. He swore at
+the officers, and they in turn swore at the men, and struck right and
+left with whatever came first to their hands--that is, the first and
+second mates did. The third mate, whom Frank had heard addressed as
+Mr. Gale, took no part in the swearing and striking. He did not speak
+to the men as if they were dogs, but his orders were just as emphatic,
+just as readily understood and quite as promptly obeyed. Frank took a
+liking to the man at once. Like himself, he seemed very much out of
+place on board the Tycoon.
+
+The captain was anxious to get his small crew into shape for work
+before he reached the fishing-grounds, and almost the first thing he
+did was to order out a "dummy whale," which was a spar towed over the
+stern. Then the boats' crews were selected. There proved to be enough
+to man two boats, leaving a sufficient number of the crew on board to
+act as ship-keepers. Frank and Lucas were assigned to the captain's
+boat, the former being seated at the bow oar. This was a position of
+responsibility, as Frank very soon learned. A whale when struck by a
+harpoon sometimes starts to run; and in such a case it is the duty of
+the bow oar to seize the line, draw the boat up alongside the whale,
+and hold it there while the captain uses his lance.
+
+Everything being in readiness, the boats were lowered, and for the
+next three hours were manœuvred about the spar, until it seemed to
+Frank that the inside of his hands was all in a blaze. To make matters
+worse, the captain swore at him for his awkwardness, and took him to
+task for answering "Very good, sir!" in response to an order, when he
+should have said "Ay, ay, sir!" An officer in the navy is required to
+answer "Very good, sir," when receiving a command from a superior, to
+show that he understands it; but Frank was not in the navy now, and
+neither was he an officer. He was a foremast hand on board a whaler,
+occupying a position a good deal lower than the captain's dog, he began
+to think.
+
+The boats were finally ordered back to the ship, and after they had
+been hoisted at the davits, the falls laid down in Flemish coil on
+deck, and the spar hauled aboard, Frank heard the order passed--
+
+"Send that gentleman in the black suit aft here."
+
+Frank knew in a moment that he was the one designated. He claimed to be
+a gentleman and he wore a suit of black clothes--he was the only one
+on board who did--so he promptly answered to the summons. "Here, sir,"
+said he.
+
+When he reached the quarter-deck he removed his hat and waited for the
+captain to speak to him.
+
+"So you know your name, do you?" exclaimed the skipper, gruffly.
+
+"My name is Nelson, sir."
+
+"But it suits me to call you Gentleman Black."
+
+"Very--ay, ay, sir," replied Frank, who knew that he was expected to
+say something.
+
+"Shoulder that handspike," continued the captain, pointing out the
+implement, "and march up and down the deck like a soger as you are.
+Carry it until you learn not to say 'very good' to me. What business is
+it of yours whether my orders are very good or very bad? I'll soon take
+them airs out of you."
+
+Frank picked up the handspike, and placing it on his shoulder, began
+walking up and down the deck like a sentry on his beat. A landsman
+would have seen no significance in this punishment, but the sailors
+did, and the boatswain's mate and the coxswain (the latter had
+recovered his senses and gone to work with the rest) were highly
+indignant. A seaman regards it as an insult to be called a soldier. It
+implies that he is a "skulker"--that he shirks his duty.
+
+This was the second time that Frank had been punished on board ship.
+His first offence, as we know, was committed while he was in the navy,
+on board the receiving ship. He spilled some water on deck, and was
+obliged to wipe it up and carry a swab about the vessel until he saw
+some one else doing the same thing. He might have carried that swab
+all day, had not Archie taken pity on him and effected his release.
+His jolly little cousin was not at hand to help him now. Frank was
+glad that he was far away, and in no danger of ever being placed in a
+situation like his own.
+
+Frank found that even a handspike grows heavy after a while, and when
+he had carried it four long hours, he would have been glad to put it
+down and rest; but his release did not come until his watch was called
+at twelve o'clock that night. From noon until midnight he paced the
+deck without a moment's pause, a bite to eat or a drop to drink. He
+was tired and sleepy, but was obliged to remain on deck four hours
+longer, or until the watch to which he belonged was ordered below.
+It was pretty hard, Frank told himself, and provoking, too, to find
+somebody ready to make sport of him, as one of the sailors in his watch
+did when he went forward. It was the "black sheep" of the crew--the
+same one who pointed out the trapper's supposed hiding-place in the
+bow-boat. His name was Gardener, but some one had christened him
+Calamity, and that was what he was generally called. Some of the crew
+had warned Lucas and Barton to be very careful what they said in this
+man's presence. He was the captain's pet. He was never punished like
+the rest, and the reason probably was because he made it his business
+to keep the officers posted in everything that was said and done in the
+forecastle.
+
+"Well, Gentleman Black," said Calamity, as Frank approached the
+windlass around which the watch were gathered, "how do you like
+the taste you have had of the Tycoon's discipline? You can't come
+soldiering aboard here with your airs and your graces----"
+
+"Belay that!" cried the coxswain, jumping to his feet. "You're a
+soldier yourself and a tale-bearer besides, Calamity, and any more such
+language as that will breed a row that'll have to be settled by you and
+me the very first time we get ashore. That's a word with a bark on it!"
+
+Calamity, like the coward he was, slunk back out of sight immediately,
+and in a few minutes got up and walked away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+"THERE SHE BLOWS."
+
+
+IT soon became evident to all on board the Tycoon that Captain
+Barclay--that was the name of the master of the ship--was in a great
+hurry. Whaling captains, while on fishing-grounds, generally try to
+get over as much space as they can while daylight lasts, and to remain
+as nearly in one spot as possible during the night. By following this
+plan they can hunt over every mile of the ground, and lose no chance
+of finding the game of which they are in search. Captain Barclay,
+however, carried all the sail he could crowd, both night and day. The
+old sailors, Lucas and Barton among the rest, knew where he was going,
+and when Frank heard them express their opinions he had new cause for
+uneasiness.
+
+"He's bound for the Sandwich Islands," said Lucas, one day. "He hasn't
+got men enough aboard here to do anything, and he's going after a crew."
+
+"Then we can make up our minds that we have seen the last of the
+Stranger," said Frank.
+
+"Why, bless you," said Lucas, "I never did expect to see her again. I
+never said so before because I saw that you kept hankering after her,
+and I wanted you to keep your spirits up as long as you could."
+
+Frank's last hope was gone now, and it was only by a great effort of
+will that he kept himself from giving away utterly to his despondent
+feelings. "I have seen the last of my friends," thought he. "I have no
+one to rely on except myself. I must drag out a miserable existence
+here till I see a chance to escape, and then get home as best I can. I
+might just as well make up my mind to it."
+
+And he did. He accepted what he believed to be the inevitable, as
+gracefully as he could, and worked hard to keep his thoughts from
+wandering back to the pleasant little cabin of the Stranger, in which
+he had spent so many happy hours. He learned rapidly when once he made
+up his mind to it, and won many a word of praise and encouragement from
+Lucas and Barton, who declared that he was as handy as a pocket in a
+shirt. His services speedily attracted the attention of the mate, who
+one day addressed him something after this fashion, only using much
+stronger language--
+
+"I have half a mind to trice you up, Gentleman Black!"
+
+It happened just after a sudden squall, which struck the ship and
+threw her over almost to her beam ends. The topsails were clewed up,
+and when the crew were ordered aloft, Frank was the first to mount the
+rigging. He made his way to the main royal, and stowed it as quickly
+and neatly as if he had been accustomed to the business all his life.
+He had learned this part of a seaman's duty more readily than the
+rest, because he took the most interest in it. He felt excited and
+exhilarated when he found himself clinging to the swaying yard, with
+the wind whistling about his ears and the white-caps rolling beneath
+him, while the ship lay over at such an angle that, had he lost his
+hold, he would have fallen into the water thirty feet from her side.
+He was always among the first to respond to an order to reef or furl
+topsails, and perhaps he liked this duty best because there was danger
+in it.
+
+Having performed the work of stowing the royal, Frank descended to the
+deck, where he was met by the first officer, who had kept his eye on
+him while he was aloft. "Yes, sir, I've the best notion in the world to
+trice you up!" he repeated.
+
+"What for, sir?" asked Frank, opening his eyes in great surprise.
+
+The young sailor was well satisfied with the work he had just
+performed, and wondered what he had done that was wrong. By strict
+attention to his work he had thus far succeeded in keeping out of any
+serious difficulty since the affair of the handspike. True, he had been
+sworn at, had been sent aloft several times to slush down the masts,
+and had worked industriously for three hours knocking the rust off the
+anchor, and all because the mate thought he was a trifle too "airy"
+sometimes; but these were light punishments compared with those which
+some of the men received. He had seen a sailor knocked down with a
+belaying pin as fast as he could get up, and another hauled up by the
+wrists until he swung clear of the deck, and a fifty-pound snatch-block
+made fast to his feet.
+
+"I am not conscious of having done anything out of the way," continued
+Frank.
+
+"O, your conscience don't trouble you, then," angrily exclaimed the
+officer, who did not understand Frank's fine language. "Well, your back
+will trouble you in less than a minute if you use any jaw to me."
+
+"I meant, sir, that I didn't know I had done anything wrong," exclaimed
+Frank.
+
+"Then why didn't you say so?" growled the mate. "You're a nice lad, I
+do think, to come aboard here with your smooth, oily tongue, and talk
+us all into believing that you are a landsman! You told me that you
+didn't know anything about a ship."
+
+"Yes, sir, and I told you the truth. I have had time to learn something
+since then."
+
+"So have I," said the mate. "Now listen to me, my hearty," he added,
+shaking his finger at Frank. "You can't soldier any longer. You'll
+stand your trick at the wheel and do an able seaman's duty from this
+hour, or I'll haze you till you'll be glad to jump overboard. Go
+forward, where you belong."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir! Now I have got myself into a scrape, sure enough,"
+thought Frank. "The very first time I receive an order I don't
+understand, I shall catch it. I wish I had let that royal alone."
+
+Frank went forward and shortly afterward the first mate followed him,
+holding in his hand two short pieces of rope. "Gentleman Black," said
+he, "I need something to larrup these fellows with, when they don't
+act like men, and I want you to put a long splice in these ropes and a
+Turk's head at each end."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Frank. "You can't catch me in this way, my
+man," he added, as the mate went aft again. "If it should ever become
+necessary to send down the topmasts, you will find out just how much
+I know about a sailor's work. I expect I shall be the first one to be
+'larruped' with this when it is done."
+
+Frank knew that such a rope as that he was at work upon, could not be
+used anywhere about the ship, unless it was for the purpose of beating
+the men. The mate gave him the task merely to try him; and he stationed
+himself, too, where he could watch Frank in order to make sure that he
+did the work himself. If he had been unable to do it, the officer would
+have accused him of soldiering, and that would have furnished him with
+an excuse for punishing Frank in some way. But he missed his object
+that time. The work was neatly and quickly performed, and Frank carried
+it to the mate, who, after closely examining it, grasped it with both
+hands and raised it in the air. "Let me see how it will answer the
+purpose for which it is intended," said he.
+
+If Frank had flinched or dodged, it is probable that he would have felt
+the weight of the rope over his shoulders; and it is probable, too,
+that the mate would have been flat on his back the very next instant.
+The deck of the Tycoon was never so near being the scene of a mutiny as
+it was that day; and just so surely as the rope fell, just so surely
+would there have been trouble, and serious trouble, too--Frank did not
+know how serious until afterward. He little dreamed that he had eight
+good men to back him up. He thought he would have to depend entirely on
+himself, but he stood his ground as if he had had the whole crew of his
+old vessel, the Boxer, at his command.
+
+The mate eyed him savagely for a moment, and then lowering the rope and
+telling Frank that he thought he was a very nice lad to come soldiering
+aboard there, when he was as able to do seaman's duty as anybody,
+called him some hard name and ordered him to go forward. The young
+sailor obeyed, glad indeed to be let off so easily; but his heart beat
+rapidly for a long time after that, and now and then he cast toward the
+officer a glance that was full of meaning.
+
+That night all sail was made again, and while Frank was at work on the
+topsail yard, Lucas, who was busy at his side, poked him with his elbow
+and whispered hurriedly--
+
+"Why didn't you knock him down, cap'n?"
+
+"Be careful," whispered Frank, in reply.
+
+"No harm done, sir," answered the boatswain's mate. "There's nobody
+near us except good men and true, and I'd as soon they would hear me
+as not. Why didn't you knock that mate down when he raised the rope on
+you?"
+
+"I had no reason for doing it," replied Frank; "but I believe I should
+have tried it if he had struck me. I don't think I could take a blow
+without resenting it. I came pretty near going in the brig that time."
+
+"No, you didn't, not by a long sight, sir, begging your pardon for
+speaking so plainly," said the old sailor, with a knowing shake of
+his head. "If you'd a done it, you'd a been walking up and down the
+quarter-deck now with your thumbs in the arm-holes of your vest. You'd
+a been master of the Tycoon, sir!"
+
+Frank looked at Lucas in amazement.
+
+"Fact, sir," said the old boatswain's mate, earnestly. "Me and Barton
+got you into this scrape, all unbeknown to us who did it, and we're
+bound to bring you out with flying colors, I tell you!"
+
+"Look here, Lucas," said Frank. "Now don't you or anybody else
+attempt----"
+
+"Belay what I have told you and listen to more," interrupted the
+sailor, hastily; "and don't be breaking in on me in that way, if you
+please, sir, because we hain't got much time to talk. You'll never be
+struck, sir, I don't think, but if you are, you'll see a tidy row. The
+officers know who you are--me and Barton told it to the other fellows
+in Calamity's hearing, and he carried it back to the cabin, as we knew
+he would--and the cap'n would give all his old boots and throw in a
+pair of new ones into the bargain, if he was well rid of you. He don't
+want you here; you know too much."
+
+"Well, he can easily be rid of me and you and Barton, too," said Frank.
+"Let him put us ashore at the Sandwich Islands. We are willing to go."
+
+"He'll never do that, sir. You wouldn't go ashore with a stopper on
+your jaw, would you?"
+
+"No, I would not," replied Frank, emphatically. "I'd tell the consul
+all I know about this ship and the way men are treated here, and have
+the captain and all his officers, except Mr. Gale, arrested. I could
+not be hired to keep my mouth shut."
+
+"Ah, ha! I thought so. The cap'n knows it, too."
+
+"What is he going to do with us?"
+
+"None of us know. The men don't want you to leave if they've got to
+stay, because they say that things ain't half as bad as they were
+before you came aboard. We know what we're going to do, and I've been
+waiting for a good chance to tell you. We're going to take the ship
+out of the hands of these villains, and put you in command. Hold on a
+bit, sir," he added, seeing that Frank was about to speak; "I know just
+what I am saying, and it is too late to find fault, for everything is
+fixed. Me and Barton spoke to some of the men about it, and there's
+six good men besides us that you can depend on every time. We know that
+you've got the brains and the book-learning to see us safe through the
+consul's court, and we'll do just whatever you say, all except one
+thing: when we get the ship, Calamity and the first mate have got to go
+overboard. That we've struck hands on. Lay in from the yard now, sir.
+Keep a stiff upper lip, and don't take no slack from nobody. When you
+get a good ready, sing out; and while me and Barton makes a dash for
+the cap'n's pistols--Calamity told us where he keeps 'em--the other six
+will take care of the officers on deck. We've got everything fixed, as
+I told you, and we're just aching to begin the work."
+
+The old boatswain's mate followed his remarks with sundry winks, nods
+and contortions of his face which Frank could not understand, but which
+no doubt meant a good deal.
+
+Frank descended to the deck and went through the rest of his duties
+like one in a dream. He had told his friends on board the Stranger
+that, had he been in the deserter's place, he would not have been
+restrained, by any fear of falling into the clutches of the law, from
+joining with his companions and taking the vessel out of the control of
+her officers. Now he was placed in a similar situation, and had only to
+"sing out" to make himself monarch of all he surveyed. Eight sturdy,
+determined men stood ready to obey his orders--a sufficient number to
+overpower the captain and his two tyrannical mates before they could
+think twice. Lucas did not have time to tell him who his friends were,
+but Frank believed that he could pick them all out. He had wondered
+at the respect which the foremast hands had shown him ever since his
+advent among them, and rightly attributed it to the influence of Lucas
+and Barton. Frank wondered if the third mate, Mr. Gale, was one of
+them. That officer always treated him with the utmost consideration,
+and once, while he was serving Frank with some clothing from the
+slop-chest, he so far forgot himself as to address him as "sir." He
+noticed the mistake as soon as he made it, but he did not recall the
+word. The old boatswain's mate and coxswain were indeed resolved to
+bring him out of his troubles with flying colors. They meant to promote
+him rapidly. Did anybody ever hear of a person creeping in at the
+hawsehole, and working his way into the captain's berth in three weeks?
+Frank laughed at the idea.
+
+"I'm a nice specimen to be put in command of a ship," he thought. "I
+hardly know the topsail halliards from the jib downhaul. But I feel
+better than I did an hour ago. If my presence here really acts as a
+restraint upon the captain, I am glad of it. As long as that state of
+affairs continues he and his officers are secure in their positions;
+but now that I have the power to prevent it, no one shall be triced
+up by the wrists with a fifty-pound weight at his feet, or beaten as
+unmercifully as that man was beaten the other day."
+
+Frank carried a light heart from that day forward, and often wondered,
+when he saw the captain in one of his angry, swearing moods, what that
+gentleman would think if he knew that he was treading on a mine that
+was liable to be exploded at any moment. He did not have a chance to
+talk to Lucas again, but the sailor looked whole volumes at him every
+time they met, and Frank thought the old fellow meant to reproach him
+because he did not "sing out."
+
+Frank by this time began to feel and look like a sailor. He had
+discarded his black suit and drawn a full seaman's rig from the
+slop-chest--red shirts, coarse trowsers, woollen stockings, heavy boots
+and tarpaulin. His hands were becoming hardened, so that he could
+haul on the ropes or take a three hours' pull about the ship, without
+setting his palms on fire as he had done at first. There was one thing
+he could not bring himself to do, and that was to go barefooted, like
+the rest of the crew. There was something too slovenly about that to
+suit Frank, who, during his experience on ship-board, had always been
+accustomed to see men neatly and completely dressed.
+
+Although Captain Barclay was in a great hurry, he did not neglect to
+keep himself and crew in readiness to seize upon the first opportunity
+that was presented for adding to his stock of oil in the hold. The
+boats were always ready for lowering, the mast-head had been manned
+for two weeks; and Frank took his turn with the rest. He did his
+duty faithfully while acting as lookout, hoping to be the first to
+discover a whale. He wanted to see one; but when it came to getting
+into a small boat and pulling out to attack him--well, Frank wasn't
+so anxious for that. He drew a long breath and his heart would beat a
+little faster than usual whenever he thought of it. He had heard many
+thrilling stories related during the night-watches, and had come to the
+conclusion that a sperm whale was made to be looked at from a distance
+and not to be approached in a small boat.
+
+One bright day Frank was sitting on the fore-royal yard, his back
+braced against the shroud-stay, one hand grasping the halliards and his
+feet swinging in the air a hundred feet above the deck. There was not
+a sail in sight--nothing but the ocean beneath and the blue sky above.
+The old boatswain's mate, who now held the position of boat-steerer,
+was sitting on the main-royal yard behind him, and both were keeping a
+bright lookout for whales. A prize of a pair of boots had been offered
+to the first man who raised a whale, and that to a sailor who, out of
+small wages, has to pay high prices for everything he draws from the
+slop-chest, is an object worth working for. Frank did not care for the
+boots--he hoped to be safely off the Tycoon long before the pair he
+then had on was worn out--but he did care for the honor of discovering
+the first spout, so he kept his eyes roaming everywhere. But half his
+watch had expired and he had seen nothing yet.
+
+"Hem! hem!" said a voice behind and above him.
+
+Frank looked around, and saw the old boatswain's mate winking and
+nodding at him as he always did both before and after making any
+confidential communication. More than that, he was holding his clenched
+hand against his breast, and pointing with his thumb out over the
+water. His meaning flashed upon Frank in an instant. His eyes scanned
+almost every inch of the watery waste that lay between him and the
+horizon, but he could see nothing that he thought looked as a spout
+ought to look.
+
+"Sing out, sir!" whispered the old sailor, excitedly. "There's grease!"
+
+"I don't see it," whispered Frank, in reply.
+
+"What's the odds? I do. Sing out, sir!"
+
+"There she blows!" shouted Frank, taking the old sea-dog at his word.
+
+The flapping of the sails below him showed that his wild yell
+had reached the ears of at least one of the sailors on deck--the
+wheelsman--and that it had excited him so that he forgot for a moment
+to attend to his business. Then the captain's hoarse voice was heard.
+"Keep her steady there, can't you? Where away?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know," said Frank, in a low tone, as he looked
+impatiently around.
+
+"Three points off the weather bow!" shouted the boatswain's mate.
+"Three miles off and coming this way. Sperm whale. Flukes! flukes!" he
+added, as the whale went down with a farewell flourish of his tail.
+
+"Dear me, I wish I could see it," thought Frank.
+
+"Lay down from aloft!" commanded the captain. "See the boats all clear
+and stand by to lower."
+
+When Frank descended to the deck in obedience to this order, he found
+the captain and all his mates in the rigging, the former sweeping the
+horizon with his glass. "There she blows!" he cried, gleefully. "Close
+aboard! Back the main topsail and lower away!"
+
+Frank sprang to the falls of the boat to which he belonged, and by
+the time it was fairly settled in the water, he was in his seat with
+his oar in his hand. Much scrambling and confusion followed; but a
+few oaths from the captain restored order, and almost before he knew
+it Frank was flying over the waves in pursuit of his first whale--the
+whale he had raised, but which he had not yet seen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+FRANK'S FIRST WHALE.
+
+
+ALL this happened in much less time than we have taken to describe it.
+To Frank, whose brain was in a great whirl, it seemed that scarcely
+half a minute had elapsed after the raising of the whale, before he was
+in the boat and pulling for dear life. He afterwards recalled every
+exciting incident of that hour, and wondered that he did not feel any
+fear. Perhaps it was because he was too busy to think. He was not so
+busy, however, but that he could take note of and marvel at one thing,
+and that was the great change that had suddenly come over the captain.
+He looked and acted like a different man. He even smiled, and that was
+something Frank had never seen him do before. Holding the steering-oar
+with one hand and assisting the stroke-oar with the other, he kept up
+a running fire of small-talk to encourage his men.
+
+"Now, my good sons," said he, in a low voice and in much such a tone
+as an affectionate father might use, "all my 'lay' in that whale will
+go straight to your credit just as soon as we get back to the ship, if
+you will only put me alongside of him so that I can get one chance at
+him with the lance. I declare, it has been so long since I used a lance
+that I don't know how it seems, and I shall get all out of practice if
+you don't take pity on me. We must beat that other boat anyhow, and if
+you pull this way, you are sure to do it. That's it; pick her right up
+out of the water and walk along with her. She isn't a feather's weight
+to such long-armed, broad-shouldered fellows as you are. That's the way
+to do it; only raise her just an inch higher, my lads. She touched that
+wave; I felt it, didn't you? There! she didn't touch that one and I
+know it. Keep her there, my good lads. She's in the air now. Talk about
+your balloons! Give me this boat and crew and I'll go anywhere they
+can!"
+
+For the first time since he came on board the Tycoon, Frank felt like
+laughing. The captain reminded him of Hans Breitman's velocipede,
+which, even before it became frightened and started to run away with
+its rider, went so fast that it
+
+  "----didn't touch the dirt, by shinks,
+        Not once in half a mile."
+
+"Bless me, what muscles those two fellows in the bow have got!"
+continued the captain, still working at the stroke-oar with all his
+strength. "And how they do twist them oars about, just as if they were
+feathers! I've got to have stronger and heavier oars made for them, I
+can see that, for they're bound to break them they've got now. Ah! she
+touched that wave. Lift her up in the air again, where she belongs, and
+hold her there. You fellows in the bow needn't think you can pull your
+end of the boat so fast that we in the stern can't keep up with you. By
+the way, is that sharp-eyed, good-looking son of mine, who raised this
+whale, in the boat?"
+
+"Yes, sir. It was Nelson," replied Lucas, promptly.
+
+Frank, who did not believe in sailing under false colors, was about
+to protest that it wasn't he at all--that Lucas himself was the lucky
+man--but knowing the captain's uncertain disposition, and fearing that
+there might be some after-settlement that would prove unpleasant for
+the old boatswain's mate if the truth were known, he kept silent and
+heard himself praised for an act that he did not perform.
+
+"Ah! it is just like him," said the captain. "I knew there was lots in
+him the first time I saw him. You can't fool me in a man. I can look
+in his eye and read him like an open book. There's a boatsteerer's
+berth ahead for you, Nelson," continued the captain, too excited and
+impatient to think of the name he always applied to Frank in derision.
+"Those boots belong to you, and when we get back to the ship you go
+straight down to the slop-chest--I'll give you the key--and pick out
+whatever you want. Take everything you find there--boots, breeches,
+shirts and--no, no! Take the ship. She's yours! That's the way Daddy
+Barclay treats his sons when they do their duty by him. Now, my lads,"
+he added, in a thrilling whisper, "he's right here somewhere below us.
+Lay on your oars now; keep your eyes peeled and don't let me hear so
+much as an eye-wink from any of you."
+
+Frank's heart fairly came up into his mouth. The captain's harangue
+being ended (he had a suspicion that the skipper had kept it up on
+purpose to divert the minds of his crew, one of whom was as green as
+Frank himself), there was nothing to occupy his attention, and he had
+leisure to ponder upon the dangers he was about to encounter. Of course
+all the stories he had heard in the Tycoon's forecastle concerning the
+perils to which whalemen are constantly exposed, came into his mind,
+and to save his life he could think of nothing else. He felt as he had
+often felt on going into action. After the crew are called to quarters
+there is almost always a delay, sometimes longer and sometimes shorter,
+before the first gun is fired, and to most men that is worse than the
+battle itself. They are glad when it is over and the fight begins. The
+interval of inactivity that came now gave the boat's crew a chance to
+rest after their long, hard pull, but Frank could scarcely endure it.
+He wanted the whale to show himself at once. If he was going to cut the
+boat in two with his jaw or smash it into kindling wood with his tail,
+Frank wished he would be about it and not keep him in suspense.
+
+The whale was down a long time--so long that even the captain became
+impatient. He and the boat's crew, Frank among the rest, arose to their
+feet one after the other to obtain a wider view, and holding their oars
+in their hands, kept a bright lookout in every direction. The first
+mate's boat was lying about half a mile to windward, and her crew were
+also standing up. The Tycoon had come to directly in the path the whale
+was pursuing, and the third officer was at the mast-head, ready to
+signal to the boat's crews if the whale arose beyond the range of their
+vision. Frank's eyes were everywhere, and at last something induced him
+to turn them into the water close alongside the boat. He saw something
+there--an immense dark-blue object, which contrasted plainly with the
+paler blue of the water. He looked again, and then glanced into the
+water on the opposite side of the boat to make sure that his eyes had
+not deceived him. The sea on that side was all the same color, and
+that proved that there was something under the boat. He nudged Lucas
+with his elbow and pointed to it. The old sailor looked, and instantly
+every particle of color fled from his face. But he had nerve, if he was
+frightened, plenty of it, too, and it showed itself in the firm grasp
+he laid upon his harpoon. The time for action had arrived.
+
+"He's coming," thought Frank, while the oar he held in his grasp seemed
+to turn into lead, so heavy did it feel to his weakened arm. "I always
+supposed a whale was black."
+
+The boat header's action attracted the attention of the captain, who,
+following the direction of his gaze gave a sudden start and waved his
+hand to the crew. The men quickly seated themselves and dropped their
+oars softly in the row-locks. The temptation to look over his shoulder
+was almost irresistible, but fearing that if he did, his courage, which
+was rapidly oozing out at the ends of his fingers, would give away
+altogether, Frank resolutely controlled himself and kept his eyes fixed
+on the captain's face.
+
+"There he is," cried the skipper, a moment afterward. "Throw it at him
+and go overboard if you miss him."
+
+The old sailor obeyed the order to the very letter. He threw his
+harpoon, missed his object and went overboard. Whether it was for the
+reason that the boat was unsteady, or because the seaman was too badly
+frightened to stand firmly on his feet, or because his hand had lost
+its skill during the years that had passed since he struck his last
+whale, it is hard to tell. Perhaps all these things combined operated
+to bring about the events that followed. At any rate the iron went wild
+and the old boatswain's mate turned a complete back somersault and
+disappeared over the side. He rose immediately, however, and Frank
+catching sight of him as a wave carried him past the boat, promptly
+thrust his oar out to him.
+
+The captain was almost beside himself with fury. He did not act or
+talk quite so much like an affectionate father as he did a short time
+before. He tore off his hat, trampled it under his feet and shook all
+over with rage. "He missed him as sure as I'm a sinner," he sputtered,
+hardly able to speak plainly. "If I had him aboard the ship I would
+trice him up for a week. Let the fool go," he roared with a long string
+of heavy adjectives, as Frank tried to place the blade of his oar in
+the old sailor's grasp. "A man that'll get up on his legs and tumble
+overboard while the boat is standing still, is of no use aboard a
+vessel of mine; so let him go down among the sharks, where he belongs.
+We're well rid of--Stern all! Stern for your lives! Well done, my son.
+You've been in this business before, and you are my boat-header from
+this day out."
+
+The change in the captain's tone was brought about by an action on
+Frank's part that was unexpected, even to himself. He scarcely knew he
+did it until after it was done. Lucas, having missed his first throw
+and gone overboard, had no chance for a second attempt, and unless
+somebody took his place on the instant, the game was likely, if he did
+not escape altogether, to lead them a long, hard race before they could
+come up with him again. It required an emergency to show what Frank was
+made of. He never waited to take a second thought, but throwing his oar
+to the boatswain's mate--he knew it would keep him afloat until the
+boat could pick him up--he jumped to his feet, catching up the extra
+harpoon as he arose.
+
+When his face was turned toward the bow of the boat, Frank saw a sight
+that was well calculated to shake stronger nerves than his--a sperm
+whale coming up on a breach almost within an oar's length of him. His
+huge bulk was shooting up into the air, and he did not even make a
+ripple in the water as he arose. But when he fell on his side, as he
+did a moment later, he created something more than a ripple. He raised
+waves that threatened to swamp the boat, and made a noise that would
+have given Frank some idea of the immense weight of the monster, if he
+had not been too highly excited and alarmed to have any ideas at all.
+
+As the whale fell into the water--fortunately he fell away from the
+boat--Frank's harpoon was launched into the air, and being thrown
+with all the force his sinewy arms could give it, and flying true to
+its aim, was buried to the socket in the side of the whale. The next
+instant the young harpooner was thrown flat among the thwarts by the
+sudden start backward which the crew gave the boat in obedience to the
+captain's order "Stern all!" He heard something whistling through the
+air, and looked up just in time to see the whale's flukes disappearing
+in a pile of foam. How he opened his eyes at the sight of them! They
+would have measured more feet across than the boat measured in length.
+The whale gave the water an angry slap, raising a sea that would have
+filled the boat had not the bow been promptly brought around toward
+it, and then started down into the depths at the rate of a mile in six
+minutes, the line fairly smoking as it whizzed through the lead-lined
+groove. Frank held his breath while he gazed at it. It looked like
+a streak of blue flame, so swiftly did it run out. If it caught on
+anything, the boat and all her crew would be a hundred feet under water
+in an instant's time.
+
+The young harpooner did not hear any of the words of praise and
+promises of reward which the delighted skipper shouted at him. He did
+not hear anything but the hissing of the line as it ran through the
+groove in the bow. He lay on the bottom perfectly stupefied, until he
+was aroused by the touch of somebody's hand.
+
+When the captain gave the order to "Stern all," the crew sent the boat
+within reach of Lucas, who laid hold of the gunwale, and worked his
+way along to the bow, where he belonged. Attracting Frank's attention
+by a pull at his trowsers, he was hauled into the boat, and took his
+seat, looking not a little crestfallen. He caught up a hatchet lying
+near, and held it in his hand in readiness to cut the line in case it
+fouled while running out. Frank also seated himself, and then began to
+think about what he had done. No one in the boat could have been more
+surprised at it.
+
+"I don't want any more of this," said he, mentally. "It is just awful.
+I can't stand it. While that fellow was shooting up toward the clouds
+he looked like a church-steeple turned wrong end up. He must be a
+hundred and fifty feet long--perhaps more. Who would have thought that
+I had courage enough to send that harpoon at him?"
+
+Here Frank looked over his shoulder as if to satisfy himself that he
+had really performed the feat. There could be no mistake about it. The
+line was still running out, and Lucas was watching it while hauling in
+the harpoon with which he had missed the whale.
+
+"I believe I did do it," thought Frank. "He is black after all. It was
+the water that made him look so blue. I wouldn't do it again to be made
+owner of the finest fleet of ships that ever floated!"
+
+"Nelson," said the captain, and now that Frank's mind was settled a
+little he was able to pay attention to him, "whatever I've got that you
+want, just ask for it and it is yours. Don't be bashful or stand on
+ceremony with your Daddy Barclay. Take a big bite if you want to."
+
+"I have only one favor to ask, captain," replied Frank, suddenly
+tempted to strike while the iron was hot, although he knew it would be
+quite useless, "and that is----"
+
+"Well, slack away lively, and let it come out on the run," said the
+captain, as Frank hesitated a moment, wondering how he could word the
+request so that the skipper would not get angry at him. "Speak it out."
+
+"I should be greatly obliged if you would set me and the two men who
+were shanghaied with me, ashore at the first port we make," said Frank.
+"We shall use the right the law gives us, and ask to see the consul as
+soon as we get there."
+
+Frank's only motive in saying this was to let the captain know that he
+understood the law applying to the rights of seamen; and he said it
+at that time because he did not know that he would ever have another
+chance, this being the first opportunity he had ever had to exchange
+a word with the master of the Tycoon. If there is anything an officer
+thoroughly detests it is a "sea lawyer" among his crew. One of these
+gentry will keep a ship's company in hot water from the time the voyage
+begins until it is ended; and his presence acts as a restraint upon
+the captain and his mates, who, if they are disposed to be tyrannical,
+expect to escape the consequences through the sailor's ignorance of
+their rights. Frank knew this, and he was in hopes that if he let the
+captain see that he knew what his privileges were, and that he intended
+to insist on having them, the skipper would be glad to get rid of him
+with as little delay as possible.
+
+The master of the Tycoon had not a word to say in reply to this
+request, but the look he gave Frank satisfied the latter that if he
+had not spoken at the right time to further his own interests, he had
+spoken at the right time to make the captain angry. He did not offer
+Frank any more rewards after that.
+
+The line continued to run out with great rapidity for a few minutes,
+then the speed gradually decreased until it remained motionless, and
+the actions of the captain and his crew indicated that the whale was
+soon expected to make his appearance at the surface again. He came very
+speedily, and much too close to the boat for the comfort and safety of
+its crew. Seen through Frank's frightened eyes, his head looked like
+a small mountain rising out of the water. His mouth was wide open,
+showing a milk-white cavity large enough to take in the boat and all
+its crew, and Frank gathered from something Lucas said that he was
+ugly and had made up his mind to do some mischief. The sequel proved
+that the old sailor was right. The monster began operations at once
+by striking out with his long, sword-like jaw, which to Frank's great
+amazement he worked sideways, instead of up and down, and followed
+it up with a tremendous sweep of his tail that, had he succeeded in
+planting the blow where he wanted it, would have made an end of his
+enemies in a hurry. But both these dangers were escaped. His jaw just
+touched the bow of the boat, and the blow from his flukes was avoided
+by the vigilance of the captain and the prompt obedience of the crew,
+who quickly backed the boat out of his reach. Apparently satisfied with
+the demonstrations he had made, the whale got under way and made off at
+an astonishing rate of speed, the harpoon which Frank had planted still
+fast in his side.
+
+The bow-oarsman now had a duty to perform, and he set about it without
+waiting for orders. It was to overhaul the line and draw the boat up
+alongside the whale, so that the captain, who stood ready to change
+places with the harpooner, could use his lance. He rapidly drew in the
+line, taking care to lay it down clear of everything, so that it would
+not kink or get foul in case the whale sounded again, and soon had the
+slack all in. Then he felt a strain upon it, and an instant afterward
+the line was whipped out of the water with such force that it was
+drawn as tight as a bow-string, and the spray flew from it in a perfect
+shower.
+
+"Hold fast to it, my son," yelled the captain. "Keep every inch you
+get, and get every inch you can. We'll have a sleigh-ride now, and such
+a one as landsmen know nothing about."
+
+For a moment the strain was fearful, and Frank's power of muscle was
+tested to the utmost. It seemed to him that if the harpoon did not
+draw or the line break, his arms would be pulled off. Letting go was
+something he did not think of; but he knew he could not retain his hold
+much longer, so in spite of the old mate's warning gestures, he passed
+a bight of the line around a thwart and held it there. By this time the
+boat began to move, and the strain was somewhat lessened.
+
+Now began a novel ride, which Frank thought he could have enjoyed if he
+had only had leisure to give his attention to it. A whale can move at
+tremendous speed for a short distance, and this one went at such a rate
+that the boat buried her bow in the waves, and rolled back great masses
+of foam, which, spreading out over the surface of the water, gave it
+the appearance of a bank of snow. Perhaps it was this that first caused
+the sailors to call a ride of this kind a sleigh-ride. But Frank had no
+time to see what was going on around him. He had work to perform; and
+it _was_ work to haul a heavy boat containing six men through the waves
+against such resistance as the whale created by the high rate of speed
+he kept up. The line was wet and slippery, and Frank's hands, which he
+had fondly hoped were pretty well hardened by this time, soon began to
+feel the effects of it.
+
+In the first lesson he received while manœuvring about the "dummy
+whale," Frank had been instructed how to adjust the line to make the
+boat move side by side with a running whale and at a short distance
+from it, and he struggled hard to bring the boat in that position; but
+the line came in very slowly, and sometimes when he was almost on the
+point of accomplishing his object, an unusually large wave striking the
+bow or a sudden spurt on the part of the frantic beast in front, would
+tear the line from his hands in spite of all he could do to prevent it.
+
+At length, after Frank had worked his best for nearly an hour without
+once pausing for breath, and the line had been drawn through his hands
+for the third time, the captain's small stock of patience was all
+exhausted, and he began to relieve his mind by uttering heavy oaths.
+"Coward!" he yelled, stamping his feet as if he were trying to knock
+a hole through the bottom of the boat. "If you are afraid to put me
+alongside that whale, jump overboard and give place to a better man.
+You're fixing your back for a rope's end as soon as you get aboard the
+ship!"
+
+Frank and the old boatswain's mate exchanged quick glances, one
+elevating his eye-brows, and the other drawing his down. The first
+meant: "If he tries it will you sing out?" and Frank by his answering
+scowl meant: "I will." Not a word was passed, but each understood the
+other perfectly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+CUTTING IN AND TRYING OUT.
+
+
+THE high-spirited Frank, smarting under a sense of injustice, and
+hardly able to bear the pain occasioned by his lacerated hands,
+suddenly became very reckless. The captain had no excuse for talking to
+him in that style after what he had done. A coward would not have been
+likely to take a defeated harpooner's place and plunge an iron into the
+first whale he had ever seen, and neither would he have worked as hard
+as Frank did to bring the boat into position; and that he _did_ work,
+the crimson stains his hands left on the rope abundantly proved.
+
+"I have had this boat alongside that whale three times," said Frank, to
+himself, "and if I get her there again she'll stay, unless something
+breaks. I'll make all fast; and if the whale goes down and takes us to
+the bottom with him, it can't be helped. I'll see who will be the first
+to act like a coward, the captain or I."
+
+Had Frank carried this reckless resolve into execution, and had the
+whale sounded as soon as the line was made fast, the boat would not
+have been emptied of her crew more quickly than she was a moment later.
+The whale threw his flukes about in the most spiteful manner, but
+finding that he could not reach the boat with them, he gave signs of a
+change of tactics which created a panic among all the crew except Frank
+and the old boatswain's mate. Frank was not frightened because he did
+not understand them--in his case ignorance was bliss--but the sailor
+did, and he did not turn white this time either. He was about to be
+given an opportunity to make amends for his previous defeat, and he was
+ready to improve it.
+
+"He's going to 'mill,'" said he in a low tone as he picked up his
+harpoon. "Don't slack an inch till I get a dart at him."
+
+Before Frank could ask an explanation the whale raised his huge head
+from the water, dropped his jaw at right angles with his body and
+turning as quickly as a flash, started off across the course he had
+been pursuing. Frank, who was sitting with face forward so that he
+had a fair view of the whale and could see every move he made, stared
+at him in amazement; and while awaiting the issue of events with a
+calmness that surprised himself, eagerly responded to the harpooner's
+entreaty to haul in faster, although he believed that certain death
+awaited him. It seemed as if the boat would run squarely into the
+whale's mouth.
+
+"Slack that line!" roared the captain, suddenly stopping his swearing
+and speaking in an imploring tone of voice. "Slack that line, and may
+Heaven have mercy on us! Stern all, for life!"
+
+[Illustration: THE AIR SEEMED TO BE LITERALLY FILLED WITH PIECES OF
+PLANKS, HARPOONS, ROPES, AND LANCES.]
+
+Frank dropped the line, which seemed like a coal of fire in his hands,
+and the men laid out their strength on the oars till they fairly
+snapped. The first stroke stopped the boat's headway and the second
+started her on the back track, but not in time to escape the danger
+that threatened her. Before Lucas could throw his harpoon the whale's
+jaw swept around like a scythe, and striking the boat in the side
+overturned her in an instant, smashing in the planks as if they had
+been pasteboard, and tumbling those of the crew who did not jump out
+into the water.
+
+From the crest of a wave on which he struck, Frank turned to look at
+the whale and see what had become of his companions. The monster was
+bringing his tail into play now. With one fierce upward sweep of his
+huge flukes he lifted the battered boat out of the water, and the
+captain, who had clung to the wreck, was going up with it. The air
+seemed to be literally filled with pieces of planks, harpoons, ropes
+and lances. The crew had all escaped without injury--at least they
+were all able to swim, for Frank counted four frightened faces bobbing
+about on the waves near him. He had some idea now of the strength and
+ferocity a whale could display when he once set about it. He made
+up his mind, too, that men must be simply foolhardy to willingly
+follow any such business as whaling. Otherwise how could they bring
+themselves to engage with such a monster as this, against whose
+tremendous power, which he had just seen exerted with such telling
+effect, their strength was as nothing?
+
+To say that Frank was frightened would not begin to tell how he felt.
+How helpless he was! How completely the waves baffled his mad efforts
+to get out of the reach of his dangerous foe, and how like straws they
+seemed in the path of the whale which skimmed through them as easily as
+a bird passes through the air! Then how frightened everybody else was,
+if he might judge by the pale faces he saw about him, and the frantic
+attempts the men made to swim away. If those who were accustomed to
+such scenes and such dangers were so nearly overcome with terror, it
+was time for a novice to show signs of fear.
+
+"Look out, Nelson!" cried Lucas, suddenly. "Look out! He's----"
+
+The old boatswain's mate no doubt meant to say something else, but he
+did not stay on top of the water long enough to say it. He ducked
+his head and went down like lead, making desperate struggles to go
+faster. Frank cast one frightened glance over his shoulder and went
+down too. The whale had turned again and was coming directly toward
+him, rolling from side to side and slashing from right to left with his
+jaw, describing at each stroke a circle thirty-two feet in diameter.
+There was no time to swim out of his reach. His only chance for life
+was to go below him. How Frank blessed his lucky stars at that moment
+that deep diving and swimming long distances under water were two of
+his accomplishments! He went as far down as he could, stayed under as
+long as he could hold his breath, and came up almost strangled. He was
+out of danger. The battered boat was twenty feet away and the whale a
+hundred feet still farther off, and moving rapidly toward the ship. The
+men were all clinging to the boat to keep themselves afloat, and Frank
+swam up and joined them.
+
+All this while the men in the mate's boat had been doing their best
+with sail and oars to get near enough to the whale to take part in
+the fight, but without success. Now, however, they had an opportunity
+offered them, for the whale had doubled on his course, and if he did
+not take it into his head to turn again, he would pass their boat
+at such a distance that they would have a chance at him with their
+harpoons. The mate prepared for it by ordering one man to take down
+the sail while the rest still tugged at the oars. He did not even look
+toward the disabled boat or ask if the crew wanted assistance.
+
+"These whalemen are a heartless lot," thought Frank. "If I were in
+command of that boat I think I should save my shipmates first; but I
+suppose that officer thinks we are not worth as much as the whale. Men
+can be had any day for the asking, and if a few of them lose their
+lives what's the odds? Nobody misses them. But whales are not as plenty
+as they used to be, and if one of them is lost it is something to be
+sorry for."
+
+Frank's meditations were interrupted and his attention called from the
+chase by the actions of one the men near him, who suddenly began to
+make desperate efforts to climb into the boat. He persisted in spite of
+the angry orders and oaths of the skipper, who stormed and threatened
+to no purpose. The man was almost beside himself with fear.
+
+"What has come over him all at once?" asked Frank, of the man at his
+side. "He was quiet enough a moment ago."
+
+"He had a narrow escape from a shark once," replied the sailor, "and I
+guess he has just thought of it."
+
+"Well, I wish from the bottom of my heart that he hadn't thought of it
+at all," said Frank, "or else that I had not asked you any questions,
+for I have new cause for alarm now. I wonder if a sailor can turn in
+any direction without finding himself confronted by some deadly peril?"
+
+"He might if he's a merchantman, but not if he is a whaler," was the
+comforting reply.
+
+"If I had thought of sharks I never could have dived under that whale,"
+continued Frank.
+
+"O, 'tain't time for 'em to be on hand yet; but you'll see 'em coming
+like a flock of sheep just as soon as that fellow begins to spout
+blood."
+
+"Ay, that you will," said another. "I was hanging on to a stove boat
+once, just as we are now, and the sharks, I never see the beat of 'em
+in all my born days, come up----"
+
+"Well, if they got hold of anybody, I don't want to know it,"
+interrupted Frank, with a shudder. "Can't you talk about something
+else?"
+
+"Take that!" shouted the captain, who was narrowly watching the chase.
+"And that!" he added, a moment afterward. "He's fast again, and we are
+sixty barrels of grease ahead."
+
+Frank looked up to see what had called forth these exclamations from
+the captain, and was just in time to catch a glimpse of the mate's
+harpooner as he threw his second iron into the whale. He had three
+harpoons in him now, and Frank gathered from the remarks the men made
+that his capture was considered certain. He lashed the water furiously
+with his tail, raising an immense pile of spray and foam, and when it
+disappeared he was out of sight.
+
+"Now look out for breakers," said Lucas, "for there's no knowing where
+he will come up, and he's ugly if he is little. We know that, don't we?"
+
+"Little!" repeated Frank, who remembered that he had compared the beast
+to a church-steeple, and estimated his length at one hundred and fifty
+feet; "how big is he?"
+
+"The cap'n says sixty barrels."
+
+"I mean, how long is he?"
+
+"O, I don't know. I never took the measure of one. I ain't a tailor."
+
+"Did you ever know of one larger than this?"
+
+"Many a one. I heard of one once that ran a hundred and thirty-five
+barrels, but I didn't see him. The biggest one I ever struck or saw
+struck turned out a hundred and fifteen barrels."
+
+"Almost twice as large as this one," thought Frank, hardly able to
+believe his ears. "Whew! I will never sail another foot in the Tycoon
+after we reach the Sandwich Islands. If a youngster can kick up a row
+like this, what could a full grown one do? What _wouldn't_ he do if he
+got mad?"
+
+Frank was greatly relieved to hear one of the men say at that moment
+that the ship was coming down to pick them up. It was anything but
+pleasant to be placed in such a situation as that in which he and his
+companions were placed just then, immersed to their necks in salt
+water, every wave making a clean breach over them, nothing but a
+battered boat to keep them afloat, an enraged and ugly whale in close
+proximity, and a school of hungry sharks expected to arrive every
+moment. On the contrary, it was a situation well calculated to inspire
+terror.
+
+The good ship never seemed to move so slowly before, but she came up
+with them at last, a boat pulled by two men came out to their relief,
+and in ten minutes more the wrecked boat was on deck in possession of
+the carpenter, and the exhausted men were in the forecastle, exchanging
+their wet clothes for dry ones. When Frank went on deck again the whale
+was in his "flurry," which, upon inquiry, he found to be a sailor's
+way of saying "death struggle." The mate and his crew had made short
+work of him, and Frank came up too late to see the lance used. The
+whale was swimming in a circle at a surprising rate of speed, pounding
+the sea with his flukes, spouting blood from his blow-hole, and rolling
+from side to side as if trying to reach his enemies with his jaw. His
+fury increased for a few seconds, then gradually lessened, and finally
+the captured monster rolled over and lay motionless on the water.
+"Fin out!" cried all the sailors on the Tycoon, which was equivalent
+to saying, "he is dead." Then all joined in a yell of triumph, except
+Frank. He could not help feeling sorry for the conquered leviathan, who
+had battled so strongly for his life, and told himself that it was a
+mean business altogether.
+
+"Men who can torture a beast like that to death and feel no remorse
+over it, would serve their fellow creatures the same way if they had
+a good chance," was what he said to himself. "I know now how it comes
+that the captain and his two mates are so brutal. They have practiced
+on whales so long that they have no feeling left."
+
+Now came the work of making fast to the whale, which was begun as soon
+as the ship was brought alongside of it. Frank did not see how it was
+done, for he was kept busy at something else. When he had leisure to
+look over the side he found the game secured by a chain, one end of
+which was fastened just above the tail, and the other led through a
+hawsehole to the bitts. He could see the whole length of him now, and
+had it not been for the three harpoons sticking in his back and side,
+he could hardly have brought himself to believe that it was the same
+whale that smashed his boat. He looked very much smaller, and the
+reason was because he had something to compare him with.
+
+And now came the most disagreeable part of a whaleman's duties--the
+cutting in and trying out. The first consists in removing the blubber
+from the body of the whale, cutting off the head and bailing out the
+spermaceti; and the next in rendering out the oil in the try-kettles.
+Lucas said that, as the day was far spent, the work ought not to be
+commenced until the next morning. The crew could then have a good
+night's sleep after their hard work in the boats, and be fresh and
+ready for the laborious duties before them; but Captain Barclay thought
+differently. He never cared for the comfort of his men, so he ordered
+them to begin at once.
+
+How long it took to do the work Frank never knew, for he was too busy
+and too completely tired out to keep track of the days. The crew was
+so small that every man was required to handle the blubber as it was
+hauled aboard by the tackles; and when that was all stowed, and the
+carcass cut adrift, the watches were lengthened into six (they were
+often nearer eight) hours each, and the trying out began. Frank did
+not wonder that the men grew quarrelsome, and that more than one of
+them had to be driven to his work with a rope's end, being compelled,
+as they were, to work almost twenty hours out of the twenty-four. He
+thought often of what he had read concerning the fiendish ingenuity
+displayed by the Chinese in inventing modes of torture for those who
+disobey their laws, and told himself that some of them must have served
+their time in a whale-ship, and there learned by experience the misery
+to which a person is subjected when deprived of sleep. Frank would not
+have resented a blow himself now, he was too weak and dispirited; but
+he would have given all he ever hoped to possess, if he could have lain
+down in all the oil and dirt of the blubber-room, and had a good sound
+nap. The work was made harder by the captain's great desire to fill up
+the hold as soon as possible. He kept the mast-head manned all day by
+some of the crew who ought to have been allowed to go below to rest,
+and swore at them roundly because they did not raise another whale;
+although it is hard to tell what good it would have done if they had
+discovered a school of them, for in their exhausted condition they
+never could have endured a lengthened struggle with one. Frank often
+thought, after it was all over, that the only thing that sustained him
+during that week, was the sweet, sound sleep he had every time he
+acted as lookout. Seated on the royal yard, a hundred and more feet
+in the air, with his back against the stay and a rope passed about
+his waist to keep him from falling off, he would slumber like a log,
+leaving the whales, if there were any, to spout in peace. The rest of
+the crew being equally sleepy and careless, no more whales were raised,
+and Frank was glad of it.
+
+"I can't stand this, Mr. Gale," said Frank one day, when the third
+officer came into the blubber-room where he was at work, "and I won't."
+
+"You won't?"
+
+"No, sir. I have never done any soldiering since I have been aboard
+here, but I shall do it hereafter."
+
+"Do you know that you are talking to the third mate of this ship?"
+demanded Mr. Gale, who seemed surprised at Frank's strong language.
+
+"I do, sir, and I am not afraid to speak to you more plainly still."
+
+"Why ain't you?"
+
+"Because I know that you will neither get angry at what I say nor
+repeat it."
+
+"Well, I suppose I ought to give you a good blowing-up for your
+impudence," said the mate, who had to smile in spite of himself, "but I
+can't."
+
+"No, of course you can't. You know I have cause to be down on every
+officer of this ship except you, and that I will some day be in a
+position to make them smart for it. You know what they have done."
+
+"Well, we'll drop that. It ain't for me to talk about the doings of my
+superiors. I came down here to tell you something that'll liven you up
+a bit, may be. We shall sight the Islands in a few days, and the old
+man is going to put you ashore."
+
+"Good for him," exclaimed Frank, who was wide awake in an instant. "How
+about Lucas and Barton?"
+
+"Don't talk so loud. The masts, bulkheads and everything else have ears
+in this ship. I don't know about them. He didn't say."
+
+"They must go if I go," said Frank. "I shall need them for witnesses."
+
+"But you mustn't call any witnesses. If you go ashore at Honolulu, you
+must keep still and say nothing."
+
+"O, I must! Do you think that's the sort of fellow I am? Must I let a
+man kidnap me, carry me away from my friends to some out-of-the-way
+part of the world, and then, in order to gain the liberty of which
+he has deprived me and which rightfully belongs to me, promise him
+that he shall go scot free? Must he be allowed to run at large to try
+the same game upon somebody else, and perhaps abuse and maltreat him
+until he jumps overboard, as those two men did shortly before you
+reached Fr'isco? No, sir! He be jerked as high as the strong arm of
+the law can lift him, and that's pretty high. A thousand dollars fine
+and a long term in the penitentiary are the rewards that surely await
+him, and perhaps he can be tried for manslaughter. I am bound to have
+my liberty, Mr. Gale, and I shall get it without entering into any
+such agreement as that. If anybody makes promises, it will be Captain
+Barclay."
+
+Frank, being thoroughly aroused, clattered away in spite of all the
+officer's attempts to interrupt him. He could not have told why he said
+what he did toward the last. Perhaps he had a prophetic vision, during
+which the thrilling scenes that were so soon to be enacted were plainly
+portrayed. At any rate the words came into his mind, and he uttered
+them regardless of consequences. He was about to say something more,
+but an emphatic and warning gesture from the mate stopped him.
+
+Frank looked up and saw Calamity's sinister face peering down the
+hatchway. His first impulse was to knock him over with the handle of
+the blubber-knife for playing eavesdropper; but the vacant expression
+on the man's countenance induced the hope that perhaps he had only just
+come there, and had heard nothing he could make use of.
+
+"Look here," exclaimed Mr. Gale suddenly, doubling up his huge fist
+and shaking it at Frank, "I am an officer of this ship and you must
+respect me, or I'll teach you manners. Put a 'sir' in when you speak
+to me. As for Cap'n Barclay promising you them boots, I reckon you'll
+get 'em when this work is done; and if I hand 'em to you you'll get 'em
+over your head for your impudence!"
+
+"O, is that you down there, Mr. Gale?" exclaimed Calamity. "It is so
+dark I couldn't see you. The captain wants you on deck."
+
+The officer lingered a moment to add a few words to what he had already
+said, and then mounted the ladder leading to the deck, while Frank went
+on separating the fleshy fibres from the blubber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+HOW FRANK SAW THE CONSUL.
+
+
+FRANK knew why it was that Mr. Gale changed his tone and manner so
+suddenly. It was Calamity's presence that made him do it. The mate knew
+that if this man had overheard any of the conversation between himself
+and Frank he would go straight to the captain with it; and it would
+never do to let the skipper know that one of his officers had been so
+familiar with a foremast hand. It would not only make it unpleasant
+for himself, but Frank would most likely be punished for daring to
+express himself so plainly. Mr. Gale hoped that by speaking roughly and
+flourishing his fists in the most approved quarter-deck style, he could
+put Calamity on the wrong scent, and make him believe that he had been
+taking Frank to task for something. But the eavesdropper understood
+all that, and was much too smart to be deceived by any such artifice.
+
+"They can't shut up my eyes in no such way as that," said he, with
+a knowing shake of his head. "I heard it all, and see through their
+backing and filling as plainly as they do. I've got a chance to square
+yards with both of them now, and I knew it would come if I only waited
+long enough and kept my eyes and ears open. That Gentleman Black is so
+stuck up that he won't notice a common fellow like me, and Mr. Gale
+jawed me the other day and called me a soldier and a lubber. Won't
+there be a healthy old row here directly? I guess yes."
+
+There certainly would be if this man was able to bring it about, for
+he took great delight in such things, especially when he knew that he
+was out of danger himself. He hunted up the captain without delay, and
+the latter saw at a glance that he had something to tell him. "What is
+it, Gardner?" said he. (Behind his back the captain always called him
+Calamity, and in his heart despised him as cordially as any of the crew
+did.) "Your face is full of news."
+
+"You said you would put Nelson ashore at the Sandwich Islands if he'd
+keep still and say nothing, didn't you, cap'n?" began Calamity.
+
+"Yes, I did," replied the skipper, interested at once. "Have you been
+pumping him?"
+
+"No, but Mr. Gale has, and he says he'll hang you as high as the strong
+arm of the law can hist you. He can't be hired to keep his mouth shut.
+He told Mr. Gale so, and him and Mr. Gale were talking mighty familiar
+and friendly like--too much so, for it don't look well for an officer
+to do such things."
+
+"What did Mr. Gale say?"
+
+"I didn't hear what he said at first, but I saw him winking and
+nodding, and when he saw me looking down the hatchway, he began to jaw
+Nelson about them boots you promised him for raising that whale. But he
+did it just to fool me."
+
+"Then Nelson is going to hang me, is he?"
+
+"Yes, and he wants Barton and Lucas for witnesses. He says he'll tell
+the consul everything that's been done aboard this ship, and you shan't
+be let loose any longer to haze men till they jump overboard."
+
+"Go for'ard; go for'ard," said the captain, hastily.
+
+"Aha!" thought Calamity, as he returned to his duties, "that was a
+home-thrust. I must say he took it easier than I thought he would.
+I must say this too for Gentleman Black, that since he's been on
+board, there haven't been so many men triced up or knocked down with
+handspikes, and the grub has been better than it ever was before. Now
+I'll tell you what's the truth," added Calamity, slapping his knee
+as he leaned over and looked under the try-pots, "Gentleman Black is
+master here, if he is nothing but a foremast hand, and that's what's
+the matter. That's the reason the old man takes things so easy, and
+don't go ripping and tearing around the way he used to. I wonder if I
+hadn't better make friends with him!"
+
+Meanwhile the work of trying-out went slowly on, and contrary to
+Calamity's expectations, though not much to his surprise, the captain
+took no steps to punish Mr. Gale and Frank for the conversation they
+had had in the blubber-room. Indeed he thought he could see a change
+in the skipper and in the two mates. The former very rarely went off
+into one of his fits of rage now, and the mates seemed to treat the
+men a trifle more like human beings. Every one of the crew noticed it,
+and Lucas, after sundry winks and nods, told Frank in confidence that
+something was going to happen very shortly. And sure enough, something
+did happen, but it was not just what the old sailor thought it would be.
+
+Finally the last barrel of oil was lowered into the hold, and the
+captain, to the surprise of his men, who had never known him to be
+guilty of an act of kindness before, sent all the crew except a
+boatsteerer's watch below to sleep. And a glorious sleep they had too
+after their days and nights of labor. Frank felt like another person
+when he came on deck in the morning, and went to work with a light
+heart to assist in cleaning up the ship. This required perseverance and
+the outlay of a good deal of strength, but it was done in good time,
+and when the deck was wiped down and the brightwork cleaned, the Tycoon
+looked as though she had never been near a whale. By this time land was
+in plain sight, and Frank and Lucas found opportunity to hold several
+whispered consultations as to the course they ought to pursue to secure
+their release. On two points Frank had made up his mind: If he went
+ashore, Lucas and Barton must be permitted to go also; and he would not
+purchase his freedom by entering into any agreement whatsoever with the
+captain of the Tycoon. The last one of these consultations was broken
+up by the sudden appearance of the third mate.
+
+"Nelson," said he, "the old man wants to see you in the cabin."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" replied Frank.
+
+"And you had better take a friend's advice," continued the officer, in
+a low tone, as the young sailor was about to pass him, "and agree to
+what he has to propose."
+
+Frank did not say whether he would or not. He wanted first to hear what
+it was that the captain had to propose. He went into the cabin and
+found the skipper and his two mates seated at a table there. The former
+had some shipping articles before him, and the first mate was reading
+a well-thumbed copy of Bowditch. This was encouraging. If the three
+officers had been examining the law, they no doubt learned that they
+were liable to some heavy penalties for what they had done.
+
+"Nelson," said the captain, as Frank came in, "you haven't signed
+articles yet."
+
+"No, sir," said Frank.
+
+"Well, just put your name to them now," continued the captain, pushing
+them across the table. "There's a chair and there's a pen."
+
+"I beg to be excused, sir," replied Frank.
+
+"Won't you do it?"
+
+"I'd rather not, sir."
+
+"Suit yourself," said the captain indifferently. "I am only advising
+you as a friend. You will lose your work if you don't. You can't
+collect a cent from the ship if you stay aboard of her ten years."
+
+"I am sorry to differ with you, sir, but I know better than that."
+
+
+"Be careful how you speak," said the captain, starting up in his chair.
+"I have stood a good deal from you, and you don't want to say too much.
+You are not talking to Mr. Gale now."
+
+"You haven't stood more than I have, sir," returned Frank. "It is high
+time I should speak plainly, as I never had the chance before and may
+never have it again. I know that when seamen are shipped on American
+whaling vessels without the rate of their pay being specified, they are
+entitled on their discharge in a foreign port, to the sum of twenty
+dollars a month as extra wages."
+
+"How do you happen to know so much about law, Nelson?" asked the first
+mate.
+
+"The way I happen to know so much about these matters is because I read
+up, expecting at one time to go as consul's clerk to some port in the
+Mediterranean."
+
+The captain and his mates opened their eyes and looked at one another.
+Here was a foremast hand who must hold a high social position when he
+was ashore, else he would not number among his friends those who had
+influence enough to secure government appointments.
+
+"Then you won't sign these articles?" continued the captain, after
+thinking a moment.
+
+"By no means, sir. I don't want to go to sea for two or three years. I
+want to go ashore."
+
+"I am willing you should go, if you will promise not to enter any
+complaints."
+
+"If I should promise that, captain, I should tell a falsehood, and that
+is something I'll not do."
+
+"Will a hundred dollars be any inducement to you?"
+
+"Not the slightest."
+
+"A hundred dollars besides your wages, I mean."
+
+"No, sir," repeated Frank. "You are liable for two hundred dollars for
+every foremast hand aboard this vessel, except Calamity."
+
+"How do you make that out?"
+
+"You carried them to sea without making a contract with them."
+
+"That'll do. You can go on deck," said the captain.
+
+"But before I go, sir, I demand to see the American consul of the first
+port at which we touch," said Frank.
+
+"Very well, you can see him, but you can't go ashore. If one goes all
+must go, and the first thing I know the ship will be deserted. I'll
+bring the consul aboard to see you."
+
+"That will be perfectly satisfactory, sir. Victory!" whispered Frank
+to himself as he went up the ladder. "The people triumphant! The ring
+broken all to smash! A captain cowed in his own cabin by a foremast
+hand! Hurrah for sailors' rights! We're going to see the consul, Lucas!"
+
+"Aha!" exclaimed the old sailor, with an admiring glance at Frank. "I
+knew you had the brains, sir. But I'm sorry we're going to get off so
+easy. Me and the rest wanted to see you on that quarter-deck."
+
+"And a pretty figure I'd make up there, wouldn't I?" returned Frank.
+"I'm glad you didn't have a chance to carry out your plans."
+
+"What do you think of him, any how?" asked the first mate, after Frank
+had left the cabin.
+
+"I think I've got an elephant on my hands," answered the captain. "I
+don't want to keep him, and I don't know how to get rid of him. I wish
+Billings had been in Guinea before he brought him aboard here."
+
+"You don't intend to let him see the consul?"
+
+"Am I as green as that?" cried the skipper. "He's got too smooth a
+tongue in his head and swings it about too loose and reckless. He and
+them two men who were shipped with him must be kept close while I am
+ashore after a crew."
+
+"And what will you do with them then? They can raise a row with one
+consul as well as another."
+
+"I know it. Shall I turn them adrift in a boat or put them on some
+vessel bound for the States, or set them ashore on some island, and let
+them shift for themselves?"
+
+"You might transfer them to Gale's boat, and some day when they are off
+after a whale, clear out and leave them," suggested the third mate.
+"Gale is a milk-and-water fellow, and not the man at all to get along
+with a hard crew."
+
+"Well, I must put one of those plans into execution," said the captain,
+"and circumstances shall decide which it shall be. I am in as great a
+hurry to see the last of Nelson as he is to see the last of me. I'd
+knock him overboard if I had a good chance."
+
+"Don't do that, cap'n," said the mate, hastily. "The first one of us
+who lays an ugly hand on him is booked for Davy's Locker, sure!"
+
+"That's what I am afraid of," said the captain, who being unable to
+control himself any longer, began to relieve his mind by swearing. "I
+know how things are going, and besides, Calamity has kept his eyes and
+ears open."
+
+Two days after this conversation took place between the captain and
+his mates, the Tycoon dropped her anchor near the spot where the
+Stranger lay three days afterward. One of the boats was called away at
+once, a crew selected for her, and the captain started for the shore.
+Frank felt jubilant when he saw him go off, but Lucas looked rather
+down-hearted. "He hasn't got a single one of our friends in that boat,
+sir," said the sailor.
+
+"Of course not," replied Frank. "He wouldn't take them if he knew who
+they were, for he wants the first chance at the consul himself."
+
+"Yes, and he'll have the last chance too, sir. We'll never see him."
+
+"Very well, if he doesn't bring him off as he promised, I'll jump
+overboard and swim ashore. I can make the island very easily. You won't
+pull a boat in pursuit of me."
+
+"No, sir, and nobody else shall. Neither shall the mudhook be hove up
+till you've had a chance to say a word for us."
+
+"Nelson, the first mate wants to see you in the cabin," said Mr. Gale,
+coming forward at this moment. "He is going to offer you something to
+keep still, and you had better take it."
+
+"If that is all he wants it will be of no use for me to go," answered
+Frank, "for my mind is made up."
+
+"Go and talk to him, anyhow," said the officer. "Perhaps you can strike
+some sort of a bargain. I want to see you safe off this craft, and now
+is your chance, if ever."
+
+"Nelson!" shouted the mate, from the top of the companion ladder.
+
+"Coming, sir," replied Frank.
+
+He went, and was not a little astonished at the reception he met as he
+entered the cabin. The door was suddenly closed behind him, and before
+he could think twice he was powerless, his ankles and wrists being
+heavily ironed. "Not a word out of you," said the first mate, covering
+Frank's head with a cocked revolver. "You'll find out now who controls
+this ship--you or her proper officers."
+
+"You ain't as smart as some folks seem to think," said the second
+mate, with a grin. "If you were bound to blab, why didn't you take the
+hundred dollars the cap'n offered you, and wait till you got ashore
+before you began to swing your chin?"
+
+Frank made no reply, and could offer no resistance, as the two mates
+dragged him out of the cabin along a narrow passageway that led to
+the hold. They stowed him away among the oil casks and left him to
+his meditations. This was the way Frank saw the consul at the port of
+Honolulu.
+
+Having disposed of Frank, the officers made their way back to the
+cabin, and one of them mounting the companion ladder, called out: "Mr.
+Gale, tell Lucas that Nelson has got his money, and ask him to come
+down and get his!"
+
+Lucas came, wondering what arguments the mates had brought to bear
+upon Frank to work so great a change in his feelings all at once, and
+when he reached the foot of the ladder he found out what they were--a
+revolver and a pair of handcuffs. The former held him passive while the
+irons were slipped on, and then he also was carried to the hold and
+stowed away, but at such a distance from Frank that the two could hold
+no conversation. Barton was served in the same manner, and the officers
+having secured the men of whom they stood the most in fear, breathed
+freely once more, and told each other that they were still masters of
+the Tycoon.
+
+The prisoners were kept in the hold almost twelve hours--long enough
+for the captain to bring his crew of natives on board and get his
+vessel well out to sea. Then they were released and ordered on deck.
+Frank was disposed to make the best of his disappointment, knowing that
+he could not help himself, but Lucas was inclined to smash things. He
+hunted up his friends as soon as he could--those who had promised to
+stand by him and Frank through thick and thin--and laid down the law
+to them in stronger language than we care to quote. "Why, what's the
+matter?" asked the sailors, as soon as their angry mate gave them a
+chance to speak. "Where have you been so long?"
+
+"That's what's the matter," replied Lucas, showing his wrists.
+
+"That's where I've been so long," he added, tapping the marks the irons
+had left. "Sailed the blue water, man and boy for thirty-five years,
+I have, and never had the darbies on me before. Me and Cap'n Nelson's
+both been there, and Barton too; and here you chaps stood around like
+so many bumps on a log, and never lifted a hand to help us!"
+
+"What could we have done, even if we had known that you were in
+trouble, while the mates were walking around with their pistols
+strapped to their waists and holding us tight to our work?" asked one
+of the sailors.
+
+Lucas opened his eyes at this. Did the mates know of the plans that had
+so often been discussed in the forecastle? It looked like it.
+
+"Somebody's been talking while Calamity was about," said the
+boatswain's-mate. "Never mind; we've missed one chance, but we'll have
+better luck next time. The ship's going to Japan, and she'll have
+another man on her quarter-deck when she comes back."
+
+And so she did, but Lucas did very little toward bringing about the
+change. It was Captain Barclay himself; but of course he did not intend
+to do it.
+
+Almost the first man Frank saw when he came on deck after his release
+was the third mate. "Nelson," said he, earnestly, "I had no hand in
+this business. If I had known what those men intended to do, I should
+have warned you."
+
+"I believe you, sir," replied Frank. "I lay nothing to your charge, as
+you will find when the day of settlement comes."
+
+Frank looked toward the Islands which the ship was fast leaving behind,
+then at the dusky, muscular Kanakas who thronged the deck, and went
+to work with a heavy heart. He had already had more than enough of
+whaling. He did not mind the dangerous, laborious duties he had to
+perform so much as he did the life he led in the forecastle. Of course
+it was kept neat and clean, like the rest of the ship, but it smelled
+horribly of tar and bilge water, and the men into whose company he
+was thrown there, were not just the sort he would have selected for
+associates had he been permitted to choose. It was bad enough before,
+but now here were a score and more of heathen with whom he had to bunk.
+Frank did not know how he could stand it. The only thing that had kept
+him up thus far was the belief that all this would end very shortly;
+but that hope was gone now, and time only would show what was in store
+for him.
+
+Frank worked hard while on duty and talked a good deal when on watch,
+to keep himself from thinking too much. He had the satisfaction of
+seeing that the captain and his two mates did not treat the crew with
+any more severity than they had always done, and some of the old
+members of the ship's company were often heard to declare that they did
+not act like the same men. As for the natives, Frank very soon found
+reason to change the opinions he had formed of them. They had all seen
+service in whalers, and proved to be the neatest and most peaceable
+portion of the crew. More than that, they did not swear, and it was
+some relief to work by the side of men who could talk without putting
+an oath or two in every sentence they uttered.
+
+As soon as the ship was fairly under way the mast-head was manned, and
+the sailors set about preparing themselves for the real business of the
+voyage. A complete change was made in the boats' crews, and Frank, to
+his delight, found himself with Lucas, Barton, and two other foremast
+hands, assigned to the third mate's boat. Frank held his old position
+as bow-oarsman, and Lucas was boat-steerer. He soon proved himself to
+be a good one too. He did not fall overboard again, or give Frank any
+more opportunities to take his place and strike a whale he had missed.
+During the next three weeks nine whales were added to the stock already
+in the hold, and of this number four were captured by Mr. Gale's boat.
+Frank very soon got over his nervousness, and as a consequence went
+just as far the other way, and was inclined to be a little too daring.
+He had an uncomfortable habit of wrapping a line about a thwart when he
+could not hold it, and Lucas, after repeatedly telling him never to do
+it again, got out of patience, and Frank was moved toward the other end
+of the boat--"promoted backward." He was seated at the stroke-oar, and
+the bow-oar given into the hands of Barton, who knew too much of the
+nature of the game they were hunting to run any risks.
+
+Meanwhile the Tycoon was rapidly approaching her cruising grounds, and
+one morning the captain told his officers that the Mangrove Islands lay
+directly in their course two hundred miles distant, and that it was
+his intention to stop there for water and terrapins. That same day a
+whale was raised, and the captain and the third mate set off to capture
+it. The two boats pulled side by side for a mile or more, and then the
+whale took the alarm and made off. "Never mind, Mr. Gale," shouted the
+captain. "You keep on after him, and I'll follow you with the ship."
+
+Mr. Gale promptly hoisted his sail and went in pursuit. The whale led
+them a long chase, but getting a little over his fright at last, he
+allowed the boat to approach within striking distance, and gave Lucas
+a chance to throw his harpoons into him. Then a most terrific fight
+ensued, which was so long and so stubbornly contested that Frank began
+to think he had never seen an ugly whale before. The monster seemed
+determined to destroy his enemies; but the mate kept at him, and by his
+excellent management succeeded in taking his boat through the struggle
+without the loss of any of her crew, and with so little damage that an
+hour's work by the ship's carpenter would make her fit for sea again.
+When it was ended and the whale rolled over with his fin out, the mate
+seized one of the flags, and turned to signal his triumph to the ship.
+
+"It's lucky you wasn't in the bow," said Lucas, drawing his hand across
+his dripping forehead and nodding to Frank. "If you'd been here with
+the line wrapped around a thwart when he sounded the last time, there
+wouldn't have been one of us left to tell the story of this fight!"
+
+"Pass that bucket aft and I'll bail her out," said Frank, drawing a
+long breath and glad that the danger was over. "He hit us a pretty
+hard blow with his jaw, and the water is running in here like a small
+Niagara. What's the matter, Mr. Gale?"
+
+This question was called forth by an exclamation of wonder from the
+third mate. When he turned to signal the ship he stopped suddenly,
+looked all around the horizon, and then the flag dropped from his
+hands. The Tycoon was almost hull down--nothing but her topsails were
+visible. During the five hours that the brave officer had been pursuing
+and battling with the whale, the ship was standing away from him
+instead of coming to his relief, and he had been too busy to see it
+until this moment.
+
+"What's the matter, sir?" repeated Frank.
+
+Mr. Gale sat down, his face whiter now than it had been at any time
+during the deadly fight he and his men had just passed through, and
+pointed toward the Tycoon's receding topsails.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+TURNED ADRIFT.
+
+
+FRANK looked, and was not a little surprised to find that the Tycoon,
+which he had all the while supposed was following the boat, was almost
+out of sight. He did not understand it at first, but a single glance at
+the faces of his companions explained it all. Even Lucas, who had shown
+so much courage a few minutes before, betrayed the utmost consternation
+now.
+
+"Well, Nelson," said Mr. Gale, in a tone of resignation, "Captain
+Barclay has got rid of you at last."
+
+"Why, you don't suppose that he intends to desert us!" cried Frank.
+
+The mate shrugged his shoulders and pointed with his thumb toward the
+ship, as if to say that Frank could see what she was doing as well as
+he could, and might interpret her actions to suit himself.
+
+"It can't be possible!" said Frank. "No man on earth could be guilty of
+an act of treachery like this."
+
+"A captain who will allow his men to be abused until they jump
+overboard to put themselves out of his way, will do anything," returned
+Mr. Gale, quietly. "Hoist the sail, Lucas; you had better bail her out,
+Nelson. We must keep her afloat until she carries us two hundred miles."
+
+"Is there any water, sir?" asked Barton.
+
+"Yes, the keg is full, and we need a taste of it after our hard work;
+but we must touch it lightly, for there is no telling when we shall get
+any more. The Mangrove Islands are the nearest land, and, as I said,
+they are two hundred miles away. It is lucky that I know the course."
+
+The sail having been hoisted, the men took a refreshing drink all
+around, and settled back on their seats to think over their situation.
+Frank could not yet believe that Captain Barclay had sent them out
+there alone, with no other object in view than to desert them. He kept
+telling himself that the ship must have raised another whale and gone
+in pursuit of it, and he watched her closely, expecting every moment
+to see her shorten sail and come-to to wait for them; but she kept on,
+with all her canvas spread, and very soon nothing but her royals were
+visible above the horizon. Frank was obliged to believe it now, and
+shuddered when he thought of what was yet to come. With a leaky boat
+under them, not a mouthful of anything to eat, and with only a very
+small supply of water to allay the raging thirst caused by their five
+hours' work under a broiling sun, their situation was one calculated
+to frighten anybody. But still it might have been worse, and in this
+thought Frank found a little consolation. The mate knew which way
+to steer to find land, and if they could only keep the boat afloat
+twenty-four hours they would be safe. But suppose the boat had been
+stove during the fight with the whale! Suppose he had cut it in two
+with his jaw, or smashed it in pieces with his flukes, as he had tried
+so hard to do, and left the crew struggling in the water: what then!
+Captain Barclay would have deserted them all the same, and they would
+have been left powerless. Surrounded by an army of hungry sharks (Frank
+now and then caught a momentary glimpse of a sharp fin cutting the
+water as one of these voracious monsters hurried toward the whale they
+had just left, being attracted no doubt by the blood he had spouted
+during his flurry), their sufferings would have been ended, and there
+would have been none left to tell the story of the captain's treachery.
+
+"Come, come, boys! This will never do in the world," said Mr. Gale,
+suddenly breaking the silence that had reigned for the last half hour.
+"Wake up, there! What's the matter with you that you look so sober? If
+we were eight or nine hundred miles out at sea, we'd have something to
+worry over; but if the wind holds this way, we shall be all right by
+to-morrow at this time. The Tycoon is going to the Mangrove Islands for
+water, and maybe we shall be lucky enough to catch her there. If we
+can't stand it to do without food for that length of time we had better
+jump overboard at once, for we've no business to be sailors. Come,
+Lucas, begin there in the bow, and sing a song or tell a story!"
+
+"I can't, sir!" replied the sailor.
+
+"All right. You shan't have any water the next time it is passed
+around. Go on, Barton. Sing a song or tell a story--a lively one, mind."
+
+"Hold on a bit, sir!" exclaimed Lucas. "I'll do almost anything to get
+another drink of that water."
+
+This order soon brought about a great change in the feelings of the
+men. Their minds being diverted from the dangers of their situation,
+something like merriment soon began to prevail. As it was understood
+that each one must do his share toward entertaining his companions,
+and that the first one who failed to tell a story or sing a song when
+his turn came, should forfeit his next drink of water, this trial of
+memory and ingenuity was kept up until far in the night. It would seem
+as though men who had spent their lives amid scenes of danger and
+excitement could never be at a loss for something to talk about, but
+even the oldest among the sailors ran short of stories at last, and
+when this happened they did not hesitate to make up one as they went
+along; and some of those they told were as ridiculous as the story
+Dick Lewis told the captain of the fishing boat. Frank drew on his
+experience among the mountains and in the woods, and his stories must
+have been worth listening to, for when his turn came the men were all
+wide awake.
+
+At last when the crew began to show signs of drowsiness, Mr. Gale
+ordered four of them to make themselves as comfortable as they could
+and go to sleep, while he and Frank looked out for the boat. Mr. Gale
+steered by a compass, the face being lighted up by a small lantern
+with which whale-boats are always provided, and Frank talked to him
+to keep him awake, and bailed out the water as fast as it ran in. He
+did not learn anything encouraging during the four hours that he and
+Mr. Gale kept watch. The mate said they were sure to reach the Islands
+unless a storm blew them out of their course or swamped them, but he
+did not like to think of the way they would fare after they got there.
+The largest of the Islands was often visited by whalers, he continued,
+but it was almost a land unknown. It was a good place to go to get
+water and fresh meat in the shape of terrapins, but he had never yet
+heard of a boat's crew, who, leaving the beach to explore the island,
+had ever returned to tell what they saw there. Many a fine whale ship
+which, when last spoken, had her hold nearly filled with oil and was
+almost ready to set out on her return voyage, had suddenly disappeared,
+leaving no trace behind. It was supposed that some of them had gone to
+the Islands for water, and had either been wrecked on the treacherous
+shoals and reefs with which they were surrounded, or been captured and
+plundered by the natives. He had seen men who had been held captive
+there for years, and had only escaped at last by smuggling themselves
+on board some vessel whose crew was too strong to be successfully
+attacked. But if they succeeded in getting there they would find an
+abundance to eat and plenty of water to drink, and that was better
+than being tossed about on the waves of the Pacific in an open boat.
+
+Frank now began to understand Captain Barclay's plans. There was more
+in them than he had at first supposed. The skipper wanted to be rid
+of Frank and his friends, and the whale they had killed and deserted,
+furnished him with an excuse for sending the boat away from the ship.
+When he arrived in port he could say that she had been smashed in
+pieces by the whale, and all her crew sent to the bottom. He took his
+chances on this. If the event really happened, so much the better; but
+if they came through the fight in safety, and succeeded in reaching the
+Islands, the natives would detain them as prisoners. In either case he
+was clear of them, and they could never appear against him in a court
+of justice.
+
+"I can understand all that," said Frank, after he had explained this to
+the mate, "but there is one thing I can't quite see through: Why did he
+send you off with us? You never said you would prosecute him, did you?
+And there are two other men in the boat who never made any threats of
+that kind. I am very sorry that the friendship you have exhibited for
+me should have brought you into this trouble. I shall never be able to
+repay you."
+
+"It wasn't that at all," said the mate, in reply. "The captain has
+always been afraid of me, and he was just as anxious to get me off the
+vessel as he was to get you off. I'm not the sort of officer that suits
+him. I have been a foremast hand myself, and I can't see the beauty of
+banging men about as if they had no more feeling than so many logs of
+wood. As for sending these two other men with us, he had to give the
+boat a full crew, you know, and he put in those against whom he had a
+grudge."
+
+Frank and the mate talked in this way until almost daylight, and then
+the former called Lucas and Barton, who steered the boat and kept her
+bailed out, while Frank and Mr. Gale lay down on the thwarts and slept
+until the sun grew too warm for them. It was then nine o'clock. As they
+had no breakfast to serve up they took a drink of water all around,
+which seemed to aggravate rather than relieve their thirst, the supply
+the mate allowed them being so small; and at one o'clock by Mr. Gale's
+watch, when the Mangrove Islands were in plain sight, they emptied the
+keg.
+
+Propelled by a favorable breeze the boat rapidly approached the land,
+and finally the outlines of the shore and the trees on the hill-sides
+could be easily distinguished. Suddenly Mr. Gale arose, and standing
+erect in the stern-sheets, gazed steadily into the little bay toward
+which the boat was heading. "She's there!" said he, a moment later.
+
+"The Tycoon?" asked Frank, running his eye along the shore in the vain
+effort to find the object that had attracted the officer's attention.
+
+"Yes, the Tycoon!"
+
+"Will we go aboard of her, Mr. Gale?" asked one of the crew.
+
+"Certainly, just as straight as we can go. We belong to her, don't we?"
+
+The men said nothing in reply, but their actions told what was passing
+in their minds. Some seemed delighted, while others beat their open
+palms with their clenched hands, and banged the oars violently down
+on the thwarts. It was plain that Captain Barclay had some men in his
+ship's company who would give him serious trouble if they ever found
+the opportunity.
+
+"There's something wrong with her," continued the mate, still gazing
+earnestly at the ship, which Frank had at last been able to discover.
+
+"So I was thinking," said the latter. "She's close in shore and has her
+topsails aback. She can't be lying-to in there."
+
+"No, she's aground," replied the mate, "and they are trying to work her
+off."
+
+All eyes were now turned toward the ship which came rapidly into view
+as the boat approached the shore. It was plain that she was hard and
+fast aground. The crew were running about the deck, pulling the yards
+first one way and then the other, in the hope of getting the sails full
+enough to work her off; but the breeze was not sufficiently strong,
+and besides the tide was running out, so that the ship was every moment
+sinking more firmly into her bed on the sand bar. Presently one of the
+crew discovered the approaching boat. It was one of the Kanakas. He
+gazed at it a moment, then jumped up and clapped his hands, calling
+out "Galickhee!" or some such tongue-twisting name which he and his
+people had bestowed upon the third officer. That brought all the crew
+to the side, where they stood waving their hats and shouting out words
+of welcome. Frank and the rest were astonished at this reception. Where
+were Captain Barclay and his mates that they permitted the crew to act
+in this way?
+
+"O, Mr. Gale, you're just in time," cried one of the men, who answered
+to the name of Boson, "only I wish you had come a little sooner. We're
+up to our necks in trouble."
+
+"Not an officer aboard--all gone--the ship a thousand miles from
+water--or she might as well be, she's so hard a-ground, six men dead
+and the niggers thicker than blackberries," chimed in Tully, another
+of the crew, stamping about the deck and swinging his arms wildly in
+the air.
+
+The men in the whale-boat were greatly amazed. They clambered over
+the side with all possible haste, each one demanding to know what was
+the matter. The crew shook each of them by the hand as if they were
+overjoyed to meet them once more, and then silently directed their
+attention to different parts of the deck, as if telling them to see
+for themselves what was the matter. Frank stood speechless while he
+looked. The deck was in the greatest confusion. Harpoons, spades,
+lances and handspikes were scattered about, and with them were mingled
+curious weapons and ornaments that he had never seen before, and
+blubber-knives, cutlasses and muskets with the bayonets attached. These
+last came from the ship's armory, and their presence on deck was enough
+to prove that there had been a fight, even had other indications been
+wanting.
+
+A feeble attempt had been made to clear up things a little, but the
+traces that were left of the recent contest proclaimed that it had been
+a severe and by no means a bloodless one. Frank ran his eye hastily
+over the crew gathered about him, and saw that there were some familiar
+faces missing--among them those of the captain, his two mates and his
+old enemy, Calamity. What if he had been there when the fight came
+off? Might not he also have been among the missing? Perhaps Captain
+Barclay's attempt to get him off his vessel had been the means of
+saving his life.
+
+"What's been going on here, any how?" demanded the mate, as soon as he
+could speak.
+
+A chorus of hoarse voices arose in reply, each one trying to give his
+version of the story, and to make himself heard above his companions;
+but Mr. Gale, finding that there was nothing to be learned in that way,
+commanded silence, and pointing to one of the crew ordered him to speak
+for all. The man complied, telling his story in regular sailor lingo
+which we put into English as follows:--
+
+The Tycoon arrived at the island that morning about three o'clock,
+and came to anchor two miles outside the bar. The captain, knowing
+the treacherous character of the natives, kept one watch on deck
+until morning, but nothing suspicious being seen, the ship stood close
+in at daylight, and came to; after which the water-barrels were got
+overboard, and the captain and first mate set out in their boats to tow
+them ashore. No sooner had the crews touched the beach than they were
+assailed by a swarm of natives, who had been lying in ambush waiting
+for them. Almost at the same moment two large war canoes filled with
+savages made their appearance, coming from one of the numerous little
+inlets which set into the land from the bay. They headed straight for
+the ship, their crews brandishing their lances and clubs, and yelling
+at the top of their lungs.
+
+The sailors on board the Tycoon, who had witnessed the massacre of
+their shipmates without the power to aid them, now found themselves
+called upon to provide for their own safety. The second mate, who
+was in command, made an effort to bring the ship about and run out
+of the bay; but she struck the bar in going around, running on with
+sufficient force to knock all the crew off their feet. They could not
+run, and their only chance for life was to beat off their assailants,
+who outnumbered them five to one. The weapons that were left in the
+arm-chest were quickly brought up, muskets, pistols and cartridges to
+put into them were distributed among the crew, lances, harpoons and
+spades placed about the deck in convenient nooks, so that they could
+be readily seized, and by the time these preparations were completed,
+their foes were upon them. They made the attack at two different
+points, one canoe running under the bow and the other coming alongside
+at the starboard quarter. The sailors met them at both places, and
+the first assault was repulsed. The seamen, having the advantage of
+position, knocked their assailants over the side as fast as they could
+climb to the top of the bulwarks, but the natives persevered, and
+overwhelming numbers began to tell. They succeeded in gaining a footing
+on deck, and drove the sailors before them toward the waist.
+
+Almost in the beginning of the fight the second mate had been struck
+down by a lance, and as there was no one to direct the movements of the
+sailors, each man fought on his own hook, and did just what he thought
+best, without paying any attention to his neighbors. Boson probably
+saved the day. While the sailors were retreating he caught up the
+mate's revolver, which was lying on deck, and turning fiercely on his
+foes fired all the barrels in quick succession, every shot striking a
+native and bringing him dead or wounded to the deck. That was more than
+the enemy could endure. Appalled by the havoc the six-shooter created,
+they beat a hasty retreat, followed by the sailors, who thinned their
+ranks very perceptibly before they could clamber over the side into
+their boat. As they were about to push off, Boson and Tully added a
+grand finale to the victory. The former threw a harpoon at one of the
+natives, which, missing its object, passed through the bottom of the
+boat, knocking a hole in her that would have caused her to sink long
+before she could reach the shore, even had Tully not followed it up,
+as he did, with the heavy snatch-block, which made a complete wreck of
+her.
+
+The enemy being beaten at the quarter, the sailors who defended that
+part of the ship ran to the assistance of their friends in the bow; but
+the fight was over there, also. The natives, failing to gain the deck,
+became discouraged, and dropping back into their boat, made all haste
+to reach the shore. Some succeeded, others did not. The sailors rushed
+for their muskets and pistols, which they had thrown to the deck after
+firing their contents at the foe, and hastily ramming down cartridges,
+opened fire on the natives. Those of their companions who were not
+provided with these weapons, employed themselves in clearing the deck
+of the dead and wounded the savages had left behind them, tumbling them
+all unceremoniously over the side, and never looking to see what became
+of them afterward.
+
+The battle being ended, the crew began to look about them and make
+an estimate of their losses. They found that six of their number had
+fallen beneath the war-clubs and lances of their assailants, which,
+counting in the twelve that had gone ashore in the boats, made eighteen
+men they had lost out of thirty-five. Greatly alarmed, disheartened by
+the loss of all their officers, and afraid to risk another encounter
+with their diminished numbers, they hastily committed the bodies of
+their dead companions to the deep, and set to work to get the ship
+afloat. They had kept hard at it for more than six hours. They had
+moved her a little, but the tide began to fall just at the wrong time,
+and there she was as fast as if she had been nailed to the ground.
+
+The new-comers listened to this story with breathless attention. If any
+evidence was needed to convince them of its truthfulness, they found
+it in the frightened faces of the men and the disordered state of the
+deck, which bore unmistakable signs of the conflict. Their assailants
+had left some of their property behind them in the shape of lances,
+war-clubs and head-dresses, and close alongside the ship floated the
+wreck of the canoe, which was slowly moving out to sea with the tide. A
+moment later additional and most unexpected evidence was produced. A
+warning exclamation uttered by Lucas, under his breath, drew all eyes
+toward him. Frank saw him pick up a lance that happened to be lying
+near, and following the direction of his gaze, saw that it was fastened
+upon a head which was slowly rising above the combings of the fore
+hatch--a head covered with a mass of shaggy hair. It was one of the
+natives, who had no doubt been knocked into the hold during the fight,
+and was now coming up to see if the coast was clear, so that he could
+make his escape. Not a man moved. Every one held his breath as Lucas
+raised the long, slender whale-lance in the air and held it poised in
+both hands.
+
+The head was raised slowly, cautiously, inch by inch, above the
+combings of the hatchway, and presently a dark-brown forehead and then
+a pair of eyes appeared. At that instant the lance whistled through
+the air. Thrown by a practised hand and flying true to its aim, its
+keen point was buried in the combings exactly in range with the spot
+where the head had been a second before. Its owner had seen the weapon
+coming and dodged just in time, but his escape was a narrow one.
+
+"Avast, there!" cried a voice from the hold. "Ain't you Christians
+enough to give a white man a chance for life and liberty?"
+
+The sailors stood and looked at one another without speaking.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+OLD TIMES REVIVED.
+
+
+"I SAY! on deck, there!" continued the voice. "Don't throw any more of
+them things at me, and I'll come up!"
+
+These words aroused the crew. They made a rush for the fore-hatch,
+and when they reached it found the owner of the head crouching among
+the oil barrels. Frank looked at him in astonishment, and could
+scarcely believe that he was a white man. His only clothing was a pair
+of tattered trowsers, and those portions of his person which were
+unprotected were as brown as sole-leather, made so, no doubt, by long
+exposure to the sun and weather. Moreover, his body was profusely
+tattooed, so that at the distance Frank stood from him, he looked as
+though he had on a tight-fitting under-shirt of some dark-colored
+material, with light blue slashings.
+
+"Who are you, and where did you come from?" demanded the mate.
+
+"I'm Chips," replied the man. "I used to be carpenter of the whale-ship
+Mary Starbuck, that was wrecked here long ago. It was so long ago," he
+added, putting his hand to his forehead in a bewildered sort of way,
+"that I have almost forgot how it happened."
+
+"Come on deck," said the mate, in a very different tone of voice, "and
+tell us all about it."
+
+A dozen pairs of ready hands were stretched down to the prisoner--for
+such Frank now knew him to be--and in a moment more he was hoisted out
+of the hold to the deck. Frank had a good view of him then, and saw
+that he really was a white man. His long, matted beard, which hung down
+nearly to his waist, had afforded some protection to his breast, and
+the skin beneath it was almost as white as his own. The man pulled his
+forelock when he found himself standing in the presence of the mate,
+and gave his trowsers a regular sailor hitch.
+
+"I remember hearing of the loss of the Starbuck," said Mr. Gale. "The
+news reached Nantucket just before I sailed; but it wasn't so very long
+ago--not quite two years."
+
+"Is that all, sir? It seems a longer time to me," said the man, whom we
+will call by the name he had given. "You're the first white men I've
+set eyes on since then, except those on the island, and you can't call
+them white now. Some of them are blacker than I am."
+
+"Do you mean to say that there are men on that island held as
+prisoners?" asked Frank.
+
+"Four more of 'em, sir, and one has been here, as near as he can
+calculate, about ten years. I hope you won't sail without trying to do
+something for 'em, sir. They lead a hard life here."
+
+"How do you happen to be aboard my ship?" asked the mate.
+
+"I came off in one of the canoes, sir, and watching my chance jumped
+into the hold. I was willing to fight for my liberty, but I was afraid
+that if I tried to join in with you, you would kill me, not knowing who
+I was, and if you didn't the natives would, when they saw me trying to
+desert 'em; and I was so anxious to see my home and family once more
+that I didn't dare run any risks."
+
+Chips then went on to tell how he came to be a prisoner in the hands
+of the islanders. His narrative would make an interesting chapter
+by itself; but as it has no bearing on our story, and nothing to do
+with the events that happened afterward, we condense it into a few
+sentences. The ship to which he belonged was wrecked while lying at the
+island to fill up with water. A furious storm first disabled her, so
+that she could not make an offing, and then drove her high and dry upon
+the bar. Only two of the crew succeeded in reaching the shore, Chips
+and another, and they were immediately pounced upon by the natives, who
+carried them in triumph to their principal village, which was hidden
+away among the rocky gorges in the interior of the island. They found
+four other prisoners there, and it was owing to their influence that
+Chips was so well received. He was a carpenter, and just the man the
+natives wanted. His companion, however, was nothing but a foremast
+hand, and not being of any particular use, he was harshly treated,
+and was often in danger of his life. Being driven desperate at last,
+he seized the first opportunity for escape that presented itself, and
+succeeded, at very great risk, in swimming off to a ship that came
+there for water. He warned the captain off, most likely, for the vessel
+went away at once, and it was probably through him that the news of the
+loss of the Mary Starbuck was carried to Nantucket. The five prisoners
+who were left were constantly on the alert to elude the vigilance of
+their captors, but this was the first opportunity that Chips had ever
+found. He and his companions were allowed the freedom of the island
+until a vessel hove in sight, and then they were hurried to the village
+and kept under guard as long as she remained.
+
+Being satisfied at last that there was but one way to accomplish his
+object, Chips made himself perfectly at home on the island, acted
+quite contented, and finally succeeded in making the natives believe
+that he had no desire to leave them. He became a savage to all intents
+and purposes. He took part in their dances and pow-wows, joined in
+their debates, tried to teach them the use of the fire-arms they found
+on the vessels that fell into their hands, and so won their confidence
+that they permitted him to take part in the attack on the Tycoon.
+Watching his chance, while the fight was in progress, he slipped into
+the hold, and there he was among his own kind once more.
+
+"And now I hope you'll lend a hand to them poor fellows I left behind,
+sir," said Chips, in conclusion. "It can be easy done now, but
+to-morrow it'll be too late. There ain't more'n a hundred fighting men
+on the island, but to-night they'll send off canoes after help, and in
+the morning, if you're here, you will have an army of 'em howling about
+you."
+
+"How far is it to the village?" asked Mr. Gale.
+
+"O, you'll not have to go back to the principal town, sir," answered
+Chips. "There's a little fishing village right here on the beach, and
+the natives will all be there to-night, holding a grand pow-wow and
+waiting for the help that's coming to-morrow. If we can get close to
+them and give them a volley before they know it, they'll run like deer!"
+
+"Why I thought you said they had fire-arms," exclaimed the mate.
+
+"So they have, sir, but it would make you laugh to see them use them,"
+said Chips. "They take the butt of a gun under their arms, shut their
+eyes and turn away their heads before they pull the trigger. They
+seem to think it is the noise that does the damage. All we want, you
+understand, sir, is to drive 'em at the start. They won't run far
+before they'll turn on us, and then they'll fight; but by the time
+they do that, the prisoners will have had a chance to take care of
+themselves, and we can be back to our boats. I know just where the
+village is, and can lead you to it in ten minutes after we touch the
+beach."
+
+"I suppose you don't know anything about those boats' crews that went
+ashore?" said the mate.
+
+"No, sir. Those who were not killed are prisoners, and we'll find them
+at the village."
+
+The man's proposition was well worth thinking over, the mate told
+himself. He felt that he had a duty to perform toward the prisoners
+in the hands of the savages, and he was not the one to shrink from
+it. True, he had a small force to work with, but if he acted with
+promptness and decision when the time for action arrived, much might be
+done. "Boys, turn to and straighten up here," said he, after a moment's
+reflection. "Let's make the old Tycoon look a little more like herself.
+Nelson, come with me."
+
+The men went to work with a will--all except Lucas, Barton and Chips,
+who disappeared in the forecastle for a few minutes. When they came on
+deck again Chips could hardly have been told from the rest of the crew,
+his tattooed body being clothed in a full sailor's rig, and his matted
+hair covered with a new tarpaulin. He lent a hand with the rest, and
+soon proved that he had not forgotten how to do a seaman's duty.
+
+Frank followed Mr. Gale to the quarter-deck. "What do you think of
+this?" asked the mate. "Shall we risk it?"
+
+"By all means," answered Frank, quickly. "How would you and I feel if
+we were held captives by these heathen, and some of our own countrymen
+should come here, and, after learning our situation, go off without
+making an effort to help us? We may be able to rescue the captain or
+some of his men, if they are still alive."
+
+Mr. Gale looked at his companion a little doubtfully.
+
+"O, I mean it," said Frank, who knew what was passing in the officer's
+mind. "I have no reason to like Captain Barclay, and if I could once
+bring him before a court of justice he would suffer for what he has
+done. But this is a different thing. If I get the chance, I'll try just
+as hard to help him as I would to help you."
+
+"Well, I suppose that is the right sort of feeling," said the mate,
+"but it isn't my style, I am free to say. A man who has the heart to
+turn a boat's crew adrift on the ocean, doesn't deserve any help when
+he's in difficulty. It's the others I want to work for, but here's the
+trouble: I don't know anything about this fighting business."
+
+"I've had a little experience in it," said Frank, "and so have Lucas
+and Barton. They are old men-of-war's men, and I know you can depend on
+them. I'll give you all the help I can."
+
+"Won't you boss the job?"
+
+"No, I'd rather not. The men will yield you more prompt obedience."
+
+"I know a story worth two of that, sir. I ain't blind or deaf, either."
+
+After some more conversation it was decided that the Tycoon's crew
+could not leave the island with clear consciences unless they made some
+sort of a demonstration in favor of the captives, and Frank was finally
+prevailed upon to take command of the expedition. This being settled,
+the first thing the young sailor did was to call Chips aft. He and Mr.
+Gale spent an hour in conversation with him, and when the man went
+forward again Frank held in his hands a map of the island, on which
+the position of the fishing village, the situation of every hut in it,
+the shape of the jungle that surrounded it, and the location of all
+the paths that led to it were plainly marked. Frank also had a short
+consultation with Lucas, who, when it was over, made his way forward
+again, winking and nodding as he always did when he had anything on his
+mind. His companions tried hard to find out what had passed between him
+and the captain, as everybody called Frank now; but Lucas, while he
+seemed to grow in size under the pressure of the secret that had been
+committed to his keeping, remained as dumb as a tar-bucket.
+
+Everything had now been done that could be done before dark--except
+getting the boats and weapons in readiness--and Frank recollected
+that he had been at sea for twenty-four hours in an open boat without
+anything to eat, and that he was very hungry. Perhaps the savory odors
+that now and then came from the galley recalled this fact to his mind.
+At any rate they brought his appetite back to him, and he did ample
+justice to the abundant meal that was soon served up. The captain was
+not there now to superintend the drawing of the provisions, so the
+doctor went into the store-room and helped himself. The consequence
+was that some articles which rightfully belonged to the men, but which
+they had never tasted since leaving port, such as beans, flour, dried
+apples and molasses, found their way into the forecastle. Each man got
+an extra cup of coffee--strong coffee, too--an extra tablespoonful of
+sugar in it, and all he wanted to eat besides. Mr. Gale and Frank dined
+in the cabin and the captain's steward waited on them.
+
+"That's all right," said Lucas, when the steward told him of it
+afterward. "Cap'n Nelson's a cap'n just as much as Cap'n Barclay, and
+just as good a one, too. Don't I know? He belongs in the cabin and at
+the head of the table, and he's got to stay there now. He shan't never
+come into this forecastle again!"
+
+After dinner two of the boats were overhauled and put in readiness for
+the expedition, which was to leave the ship as soon as darkness settled
+down to hide her from the watchful eyes of those on shore, the muskets
+and pistols were loaded, and a dozen rounds of cartridges provided
+for each man. Of course these preparations did not escape the notice
+of the sailors, who knew by them that there was work to be done. It
+soon got abroad that Frank was at the head of the affair, and that set
+Lucas and Barton in ecstacies. This made them think of old times; and
+so eager were they for the fight, that they almost got up a row with
+Boson and Tully just to get their hands in. They did not neglect, too,
+to make sundry little arrangements with their companions in regard to
+the treatment the captain and first mate were to receive in case they
+were found among the prisoners. They would do their best to rescue
+the friends of Chips, but Captain Barclay should not come back to the
+ship, no matter what happened. All this, however, was upset by a simple
+order from their wide-awake leader, who seemed to see everything, know
+everything and who neglected nothing.
+
+The boats and weapons being in readiness, all the crew were ordered
+below to rest and sleep, except a boatsteerer's watch, who remained on
+deck to look out for the ship. Even these were permitted to lie down on
+deck, with the exception of one man, whose duty it was to keep an eye
+on the shore, and report anything suspicious that he might see going on
+there.
+
+The men were allowed to sleep until nine o'clock, when they were called
+on deck to prepare for action. An abundant and well-cooked supper was
+served up and eagerly devoured by the grateful foremast hands, who
+told one another that if Captain Nelson and Mr. Gale were the officers
+of the ship, they'd never have any trouble with their crew, but they
+wouldn't catch much grease. They'd feed their men so high that they
+would get too fat to see a spout or pull an oar.
+
+Supper over, the men were mustered on the quarter-deck to listen to
+Frank's plan of the campaign. He had made up his mind what ought to be
+done and assigned each man a particular duty, giving him his orders so
+plainly that there was no possible chance for a misunderstanding. One
+order was, that every hut in the village was to be set on fire--they
+wanted a light to fight by--but it must first be searched to make
+sure that it contained no prisoners. Some of the boats' crews might
+be bound or severely wounded and unable to help themselves; and
+such unfortunates needed especial care and must be looked after by
+trustworthy men. If any wounded were discovered, they must be turned
+over to Lucas and Barton, who would assist them back to the boats and
+remain there to guard them. The men thus designated raised their hands
+to their caps and said, "Ay, ay, sir!" but when Frank turned to another
+sailor to give him his orders, they looked at each other and scowled
+fiercely.
+
+"Now here's a go," muttered Barton. "Suppose we find the first mate
+with a lance or something through his leg! Eh?"
+
+"Or the cap'n," whispered Lucas, in great disgust.
+
+"Must we bring him to the boat, carry him like he was a blessed little
+baby, and then watch to see that the niggers don't slip around and send
+him to Davy's Locker, where he belongs?" added Barton.
+
+"Them's the orders."
+
+"I don't care. I won't do it."
+
+"Avast, there! Better not go agin orders when they come from _him_,"
+whispered Lucas, jerking his thumb towards Frank. "Besides, didn't he
+say we was men as could be trusted?"
+
+"Ay, so he did," answered Barton, after thinking a moment. "So he did.
+We can't go back on him after that."
+
+Having given his instructions in the plainest language he was master
+of, Frank went back to the head of the line and made each man repeat
+what he had said to him, to make sure that he fully understood what
+was required, and then he distributed the weapons and ammunition. The
+Kanakas, although as eager for the fight as their white companions,
+declined to accept the muskets that were offered them, preferring to
+use the lances and war-clubs the natives had left behind them. It was a
+motley-looking company altogether, Frank told himself, after they were
+all armed and stood awaiting his orders--very unlike the well-provided
+and well-disciplined bluejackets he had been accustomed to command on
+expeditions similar to this.
+
+Everything being in readiness, Frank nodded to Mr. Gale, who ordered
+the boats to be lowered away and the crews to tumble into them. Frank
+took every man, knowing that the natives would not attack the ship
+while their homes were in danger. When every one was in his place he
+clambered down into one of the boats, Mr. Gale having charge of the
+other, and led the way toward the beach. Arriving within a few rods
+of it the boats were brought to a stand still, and Chips slipped
+noiselessly into the water and struck out for the beach, accompanied by
+Lucas, who carried a blubber-knife between his teeth. Chips might have
+been astonished to know that Lucas had orders to use the blubber-knife
+at the very first sign of treachery. This was the secret the old
+boatswain's mate had been carrying all the afternoon. Frank believed
+the story Chips had told him, but he was so wary that he neglected no
+precautions to insure the success of the expedition and the safety of
+the men composing it.
+
+At the end of half an hour the two men made their appearance again,
+coming alongside so silently that Frank did not see them until they
+laid hold of the gunwale. They reported the coast clear. The natives,
+not dreaming of danger, were all at the village, going through some
+sort of a ceremony intended to bring them success in the next attack
+they made on the ship, and which Chips said would not be delayed longer
+than daylight. Frank breathed easier now. Chips was not trying to lead
+him into an ambush, and that was one thing off his mind.
+
+Slowly and noiselessly the boats approached the shore, and when their
+bows touched the sand the crews disembarked. The two men selected
+to guard them promptly took their positions, and the rest fell in
+behind Chips, who led them along a narrow path through darkness so
+intense that Frank, who followed close at his heels, was obliged to
+take hold of his clothing in order to keep track of him. Ten minutes'
+walk brought them within sight of a bright fire, which they could see
+shining through the trees in front of them. There they stopped. Frank
+whispered to the men as they came up one after another, showed them
+the position of the village, and they lost no time in taking up the
+positions he assigned them. When they had all moved off to the right
+and left, Frank, Mr. Gale and Chips were left alone. They waited and
+listened for a few minutes, and then moved down the path until they
+obtained a view of the fire. It was a large one, and threw out so
+much light that every hut in the village could be distinctly seen.
+There were about two hundred of the natives in sight, men, women and
+children, and some were seated in a circle about the fire, while others
+stood erect, looking intently toward the jungle where Frank knew the
+right of his line was taking up its position. Their quick ears warned
+them of the approach of an enemy.
+
+At this moment Frank caught the gleam of a bayonet on the extreme left
+of the line. That told him that some of his men were in position, and
+he decided to begin operations at once. He nodded to his companions,
+and instantly three muskets were levelled and belched forth their
+contents in quick succession. This was the signal for the attack, and
+it was promptly obeyed. Muskets and pistols roared all along the line,
+and such a chorus of hoarse voices arose from the jungle that Frank,
+had he not known just how many men he had at his command, would have
+supposed that there was a small army hidden there.
+
+The natives behaved just as Chips said they would. The most of them
+took to their heels at once, while the bravest among them lingered long
+enough to fire their muskets. But they discharged them any how--just
+as they happened to pick them up--and Frank saw that the muzzles of
+the most of them were pointed into the air. No sooner were the weapons
+emptied than the owners threw them down and ran for life.
+
+In two minutes' time the sailors were all in the now deserted village,
+and two of the huts had been fired by Chips, who showed himself as
+active as a cat. He ran about with a fire-brand in each hand, calling
+loudly on the captives to make all haste to reach the beach, telling
+them they would find boats there and men to protect them.
+
+Frank remained in the centre of the line, so that he could see all
+that was going on and direct the movements of his men, and it was with
+no little satisfaction that he noted the care with which each member
+of his small company took to carry out the instructions given him.
+Frank did not see that any of the natives were killed, but he did see
+one prisoner rescued. He did not get a glimpse of his face or of his
+clothing, but a remark Lucas made as he and Barton carried him by in
+their arms, told him who it was. "This ain't such a nice piece of
+business as it might be, sir," said the former, touching his cap.
+
+"It's the captain," thought Frank. "That was a lucky thought of mine,
+appointing two of his worst enemies to take care of him, for they
+wouldn't injure him now for the world. He's badly hurt, too. Will he
+act more like a man now, or be a worse tyrant than ever?"
+
+In a very short space of time the whole village was in a blaze. The
+huts being built of bamboo and their cone-shaped roofs thatched with
+dry grass, they burned like so much tinder. There was nothing more to
+be done now--nothing more they could do. They had rescued one prisoner,
+given the others a chance to run if they were able to do it, and now
+he must take care of his own men before the natives turned on them.
+The signal to retreat, a long, shrill whistle, was as promptly obeyed
+as the signal to attack. The men hurried toward him, and throwing
+their weapons on their shoulders fell in behind Chips, who led the way
+toward the beach at a dog trot. Frank ran his eye over the line as it
+moved passed him to see if there was anybody missing, and found to his
+delight that not only were the men all there, but also two more rescued
+prisoners, the captain's harpooner and bow-oarsman, who saluted him
+as they went by. When the last man was in the path, Frank and Mr. Gale
+fell in and brought up the rear. A few minutes' rapid run brought them
+to the beach, and after seeing the wounded captain stowed away as
+comfortably as circumstances would permit, Frank ordered the crews into
+the boats, which were pushed off toward the ship. There was no pursuit
+attempted, the natives being too badly frightened to rally immediately.
+By the time their expected reinforcements arrived, the Tycoon was safe
+out of their reach.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+FRANK ON THE QUARTER-DECK.
+
+
+THE expedition was ended and well ended too, Frank told himself. Three
+men were rescued, and that was something to feel glad over. The attack
+was so well planned, and all the details carried out so faithfully
+and energetically, that it was entirely successful, and there was not
+a man missing. All the ship's company could be accounted for except
+Gardner--Frank could not bring himself now to think of him by the
+name he generally bore--and he had doubtless been killed and thrown
+overboard when the natives made their attack on the vessel.
+
+While on the way back to the Tycoon Frank had much to think about, the
+principal object of his thoughts being the wounded captain. Frank was
+sorry to see him in his present situation, and he reproached himself
+when he reflected that he had so long cherished feelings of revenge
+toward him. He had all the while told himself that his feelings were
+not actuated by any desire for vengeance--that he wanted to have the
+skipper shut up for a while, merely to prevent him from serving others
+as he had served himself; but now he knew that behind all this was the
+belief that the captain deserved punishment for the offences of which
+he had been guilty, and that he would breathe a good deal easier if he
+could assist in bringing it about. That was all past now, however. The
+skipper needed assistance, and that was enough for the generous Frank,
+who felt almost as tender toward him as he would have felt toward his
+cousin Archie, had he been in the same situation.
+
+Meanwhile an animated conversation was going on between Mr. Gale and
+Lucas, who were in the other boat with Barton, the coxswain. The third
+mate had been silent and thoughtful for a long time, and Lucas asked
+the reason for it.
+
+"I was just thinking of what's to come," replied Mr. Gale. "Here we
+have been risking our lives to free these men, and what are we going to
+do with them now that we have got them?"
+
+"Take them aboard the ship, sir," said Lucas.
+
+"And what's to be done with the ship? The cap'n is of no use now, the
+first and second mates are gone, and so, of course, the ship falls to
+my hands; but she's a bigger load than I can carry."
+
+"Don't worry about that, sir," returned Lucas, quickly. "Cap'n Nelson's
+shoulders are broad, and he can carry her."
+
+"Was he ever master of a vessel?" asked Mr. Gale.
+
+"Of course he was, sir. Didn't you know it?"
+
+"I heard something about it, but I didn't believe it. He don't look
+like a sailor."
+
+"No more'n he looks like a lawyer or a fighting man, sir; but he's
+all three. When the war was going he commanded as fine a brig as ever
+sailed in Farragut's fleet."
+
+"A brig!" echoed Barton. "A ship, you mean. Haven't I seen her often?
+Didn't I see her and him too down there in Mobile Bay, the time we had
+the fight with the forts and gunboats? You're right I did. The Admiral
+was going to put him in command of a frigate, only the war closed and
+Cap'n Nelson wouldn't stay in the navy."
+
+"I knew it was something of that kind," said Lucas, who knew just
+nothing at all about it. He and Barton were working to put Frank on the
+Tycoon's quarter-deck, and they did not care how many falsehoods they
+told or what means they used to get him there. "He went into a fight
+once and licked the rebels three to one," continued Lucas.
+
+"Five to one, you mean," corrected Barton, who did not think his friend
+was saying quite as much as could be said in Frank's favor.
+
+"I knew it was big odds," returned Lucas, "and under them
+circumstances, sir, you mustn't feel hard if we say that we won't serve
+on the Tycoon under nobody but Cap'n Nelson."
+
+"I don't feel hard toward you," said the mate, "for I don't want to
+command her. I am not fit."
+
+"No more you be, sir," said Barton, bluntly; "but Cap'n Nelson is. We
+can call him cap'n now, and nobody can't say no to us without getting
+his head broke."
+
+Frank, little dreaming of what was passing in the other boat, was being
+carried rapidly ahead by the stalwart Kanakas who pulled him, and
+reached the ship a long distance in advance of Mr. Gale. As he came
+alongside he saw two men looking over the rail, both of whom Chips
+recognised, dark as it was. They proved to be two wrecked sailors who
+had been held prisoners by the natives, and who had taken advantage
+of the attack on the village to run to the beach and swim off to
+the vessel. They were overjoyed to find themselves among their own
+countrymen once more, and almost overwhelmed Frank by their exhibition
+of gratitude. But he had no time to listen to them. He simply shook
+hands with them, and then turned his attention to the captain.
+
+The wounded man groaned whenever any one touched him; but a whip being
+quickly rigged he was hoisted aboard as tenderly as possible, and in
+obedience to Frank's directions was carried into the cabin and placed
+in his bunk. When the steward lighted the lamp Frank had a good view of
+him for the first time, and he could hardly bring himself to believe
+that this wreck of humanity was the same man he had so often seen on
+the quarter-deck. He was no surgeon, but knowing that something ought
+to be done at once to relieve the captain and stop the flow of blood,
+he set to work to do what he could. He cut off the sufferer's coat and
+shirt with his knife, and found three gaping wounds, which were enough
+to have left the life out of any but a man of iron, as the captain was.
+While he was bathing them with warm water brought from the galley the
+third mate came in, and Frank was surprised to see him remove his hat.
+
+"Is it necessary for me to apologize for coming in here under such
+circumstances as these, without an invitation?" asked the amateur
+doctor.
+
+"I guess not, sir," answered the officer, with a smile. "From all I can
+learn you've got the best right here."
+
+"How is that? I don't understand you."
+
+"Why, the men have put you in as cap'n, and say they won't do duty
+under anybody else."
+
+"Well, they have no right to do anything of the kind. They don't know
+what they are talking about."
+
+"No, they don't. I'm master of this ship," murmured the wounded man,
+looking about with the old savage glare in his eyes and trying to raise
+his head. "Trice 'em all up, and hang the snatch-block to their--Mr.
+Gale!" he ejaculated, recognising the third mate.
+
+"Yes, sir; it's Mr. Gale, come back safe and sound, and just as ready
+to do duty as he was before you turned him adrift in that boat,"
+replied the officer.
+
+"Send the first mate here," said the captain, sinking back on his
+pillow and closing his eyes.
+
+"I can't, sir. He went ashore with you and hasn't come back yet. The
+natives made an end of him, most likely."
+
+"The second mate, then."
+
+"Can't send him either, sir, because he and the first are keeping
+company now somewhere besides on board this ship. The natives harpooned
+him. There's nobody left but me."
+
+"And you ain't worth nothing. You don't know how to flog a man."
+
+"If I did, I couldn't do it now, sir. The men have taken the ship and
+put Cap'n Nelson in command. I looked for 'em to do it long ago."
+
+"Nelson!" groaned the captain, opening his eyes again. "I sent him----"
+
+He seemed to recognise the face bending over him, and stopped suddenly.
+
+"I know you did, sir," said Mr. Gale, "You sent him adrift with me; but
+he's back again, and so are Lucas and Barton and all the rest of the
+boat's crew. But I say, cap'n, if you are able to do duty, you'd best
+be giving some orders, for the tide is about turning, and if the ship
+is to be worked off the bar, now's the time."
+
+The captain made no reply, and neither could Mr. Gale induce him to
+speak again. He lay with his eyes closed, and groaned every time
+a question was asked him. The mate scratched his head in great
+perplexity. "What shall I do, sir?" said he, looking at Frank.
+
+"Do just what you think best," was the reply. "This man is in no
+condition to give orders. Go ahead on your own hook."
+
+The mate clapped his hat on his head and hurried up the ladder. He
+found the crew gathered in the waist waiting, no doubt, to hear from
+some one in the cabin. "Turn to, lads," said Mr. Gale, briskly. "Bear a
+hand, and get up that small kedge for'ard."
+
+"Who give them orders, sir, begging your pardon for being curious?"
+said Lucas. "Did Cap'n Barclay or Cap'n Nelson?"
+
+"Cap'n Nelson," replied the mate. "Cap'n Barclay ain't fit to command
+now."
+
+"No more was he ever fit to command, sir!" said Lucas, who was speaking
+for all of the men. "But, asking your pardon again, sir, I'd just like
+to have a peep at Cap'n Nelson, and see why he don't come up and give
+his own orders, like the master of a ship had ought to do. You know
+that he went into that cabin once and didn't come out again very soon,
+don't you? We don't think as much of you, by no means, as we did before
+you had a hand in that business."
+
+The mate made no reply. He had set himself right with Frank, who was
+perfectly satisfied that he was not to blame for anything that had
+happened, and he would leave him to make the matter straight with the
+men. He stepped aside to allow Lucas to pass, and the latter, running
+down the companion-ladder, was amazed to find Frank acting the part of
+Good Samaritan to one whom he had hitherto regarded as an enemy. He
+opened his eyes wide at the sight, and Frank thought he was displeased.
+"It's all time wasted, sir," said he.
+
+"Well, we must do the very best we can for him," was Frank's reply.
+"If he can only hold out till we fall in with some ship carrying a
+surgeon, he will perhaps pull through all right."
+
+"Did you give orders to have the ship worked off the bar, cap'n?" asked
+the boatswain's mate.
+
+"We want to get her off, don't we?" answered Frank. "She musn't lie
+here and be pounded to pieces, as she will be if the wind rises."
+
+Lucas went out of the cabin satisfied. He knew what ought to be done
+as well as anybody, but he wanted to be sure that the orders came from
+the right source. The men were satisfied too, and went to work to get
+the ship out of her dangerous situation, while Frank kept busy with his
+patient, although he believed, with Lucas, that his efforts to save the
+captain's life would be useless. He had nothing to work with--no lint
+or bandages, and no medicine to allay the fever. But the sequel proved
+that Frank did not know what the old sailor meant by his remark. The
+wounded skipper was threatened by another danger from which no one on
+board the Tycoon but Frank could protect him--- the fury of the men he
+had wronged.
+
+At the end of two hours the Tycoon was in deep water and standing away
+from the inhospitable Islands with all her canvas spread. Frank had
+been equally successful with the work to which he had devoted himself,
+and now the captain was in a sound sleep. While Frank stood watching
+him, wondering; what was to be done when he awoke, since there were no
+medicines aboard except calomel and salts, nothing to eat except coarse
+ship's fare, and nothing to drink but the miserable stuff called tea
+and coffee which the cook served up twice each day--while Frank was
+thinking about this, and wishing he could get inside the Stranger's
+pantry long enough to secure some of the delicacies he knew to be
+stowed away there, he was aroused by a great hubbub which suddenly
+arose on deck. He heard the stamping of feet and loud yells of triumph,
+mingled with cries of, "Here's one of 'em. Pitch him overboard!" A
+moment later the mate's voice was heard in tones of remonstrance, to
+which some one replied: "If you don't go aft where you belong and mind
+your own business, you'll go over too!"
+
+Mr. Gale evidently thought that the man, whoever he was that said this,
+was in earnest, for Frank heard him running along the deck, and saw his
+pale face appear at the top of the companion ladder. "Come up, cap'n,"
+he cried, in great excitement; "the men are going to throw Calamity
+overboard!"
+
+Frank lingered just long enough to slap his pockets, to make sure that
+the pistols he had carried during the attack on the village were still
+there, and then went up the stairs in three jumps. He saw a group of
+men in the waist, who were pushing and crowding one another about, and
+caught just one glimpse of the pale face of Gardner, who was in the
+midst of them, and resisting to the utmost the efforts that were being
+made to drag him to the side. He saw at a glance that Boson and Tully
+were the ringleaders, and the ones who had seized the frightened man;
+and he was sorry to see, too, that Lucas and Barton were there and
+making no effort to restrain their companions, although they took no
+part in the proceeding. The peaceable Kanakas were standing in a body
+on the forecastle and looking on in great amazement.
+
+With three jumps more Frank was in the waist, standing between the men
+and the rail, and Mr. Gale was at his side. "Lucas! Barton!" he cried,
+"come over to this side the deck."
+
+"Why, cap'n?" began Lucas.
+
+"No words," interrupted Frank. "You and Barton come over to this side
+of the deck, and be quick about it."
+
+The sailors obeyed, and the change in their positions seemed to make a
+corresponding change in their feelings, for the next order Frank gave
+was responded to without an instant's hesitation. "Lucas, take hold
+of Boson. Barton, grab Tully and drag him away. Gardner, go into the
+cabin!"
+
+It was wonderful how quickly and easily one calm, determined spirit
+controlled those angry men. The trouble was ended at once. Boson let
+go his hold and slunk away at the sight of Lucas's big fist, which was
+brandished before his eyes, and Tully was equally active in giving
+ground before the broad-shouldered Barton. Gardner, finding himself at
+liberty, went down the companion-ladder like a flash, banging the door
+behind him.
+
+"I am surprised at you, men," said Frank, sternly, and there was not
+one among them who could look him in the eye. "If you had succeeded in
+accomplishing your object, what would you have said for yourselves when
+you got ashore? Boson, you are the largest and strongest man in the
+crew. Take your stand at the top of that ladder and knock the first one
+down who attempts to go into the cabin without Mr. Gale's permission."
+
+This stroke of policy on Frank's part won him a fast friend on the
+spot--one who might otherwise have been an enemy, and kept the crew
+in a constant uproar. He was a turbulent fellow, this Boson, and one
+of the few sailors Frank had met who seemed to need a handspike or
+belaying-pin over his head about once a day to keep him in order. His
+appearance was enough to frighten some men, and was a good index of his
+character. He had a most repulsive countenance, a small bullet-shaped
+head, always kept closely cropped and set on a thick, muscular neck,
+and a form betokening immense physical power. And indeed he possessed
+it. He could handle an eighteen-foot oar as if it were a feather, and
+when he laid out his strength, he fairly made things snap. His whole
+body was seamed and scarred by wounds he had received in fights and
+from the officers he had sailed under, and Frank had seen him knocked
+flat with a handspike which seemed to make no more impression on his
+thick skull than it would on the mast. This was the man of whom Frank
+had been wise enough to make a friend.
+
+Boson looked at him in amazement, evidently at a loss to decide whether
+Frank was in earnest or not; but making up his mind at last that he
+was, he marched off, and taking the position assigned him, looked
+defiantly at the crew, as if daring them to come on.
+
+Frank was surprised at the ease with which the disturbance had been
+quelled, and so was Mr. Gale. It leaked out afterward that the
+former's prompt action had prevented serious trouble. Lucas made no
+idle threat when he said that the captain and Calamity were both to
+go overboard. The latter had been hiding in the hold among the oil
+barrels. He went there when he saw the natives approaching to make
+their attack on the ship, and no one missed him until the fight was
+over, and the sailors began to look around to see how many they had
+lost. Not finding Calamity among the slain, they concluded that he had
+either jumped overboard, or been wounded and thrown over; but he had
+been safely concealed in the hold all the while. Finding at last that
+the ship was in motion, he came out of his hiding-place to see what
+was going on, and must have been astonished at the reception extended
+to him. After he had been disposed of, the skipper's turn was to come
+next. The desperate men counted on meeting with opposition and perhaps
+resistance from Mr. Gale and Frank, but expected to overcome it very
+easily. They knew Mr. Gale, but found they did not know Frank. Had the
+latter been as easily cowed as the third mate was, something certainly
+would have happened.
+
+Quiet being restored, Mr. Gale and Frank walked aft together, and the
+crew seeing them in earnest conversation, leaned over the rail and
+waited to learn what would come next. "I suppose the first business is
+to decide who we want for officers," said Frank.
+
+"I suppose so, sir," replied Mr. Gale.
+
+"You are entitled to the captain's berth, of course. That's settled."
+
+"No it ain't, sir," returned the mate, quickly. "This is the first
+voyage I ever made as an officer, and I know no more about navigation
+than I do about the moon."
+
+"Then let me act as your sailing-master."
+
+"The men won't agree to it, sir. They said so."
+
+Then the mate went on to repeat the conversation that had taken place
+between Lucas, Barton and himself, at which Frank laughed heartily.
+"Why they are very much mistaken," said he. "The largest sailing
+vessel I ever commanded was a pleasure yacht."
+
+"No odds, sir. They've got it in their heads that you must command them
+now that the old man is done for, and there'll be a row if you don't.
+You have seen what they are when they get started."
+
+"Then I'll tell you what we'll do," said Frank, after thinking a
+moment. "We'll leave it to them; and after they have selected their
+officers we'll draw up a paper containing a full history of everything
+that has happened since leaving Honolulu, and ask them to sign it.
+These matters must be looked into by the consul, and we want to be all
+right in law, you know."
+
+In accordance with this suggestion, the mate mustered the men on the
+quarter-deck and made them a little speech. He told them that there
+must be somebody at the head of affairs, and that as the officers were
+all gone except himself, others must be selected. In the first place
+they must all agree to be bound by the decision of the majority, and
+faithfully promise to obey those placed over them.
+
+"We'll all obey Cap'n Nelson," exclaimed Boson, before the mate was
+fairly done speaking.
+
+"Yes, Cap'n Nelson! Cap'n Nelson!" cried a chorus of hoarse voices.
+"Nobody else!"
+
+There was not a dissenting voice; so Frank could no longer refuse to
+accept the responsibility. He was amused to see that Lucas and Barton,
+while supporting Boson's nomination, looked savagely at him, as if they
+would have been glad to knock him down for speaking in such a hurry.
+They wanted to bring Frank forward themselves.
+
+"Cap'n Nelson, I give place to you, sir," said Mr. Gale.
+
+The men greeted the young commander with cheers as he stepped forward,
+no doubt expecting him to make them a speech; but Frank did nothing of
+the kind. He told them that the next business was to select a first
+mate, and at his suggestion Mr. Gale was chosen by a unanimous vote.
+Lucas was put in for second, and Boson, who was a fine sailor, if
+he was a quarrelsome fellow, for third mate; and when the men were
+dismissed every one of them seemed satisfied.
+
+[Illustration: FRANK CHOSEN CAPTAIN OF THE TYCOON.]
+
+Frank at once went below to look at his patient, leaving Mr. Gale in
+charge of the deck. The captain lay with his eyes closed, rolling his
+head from side to side, and Calamity was fanning him with his hat. The
+latter started up in alarm as Frank entered.
+
+"It is no one who is going to harm you," said he. "I hope you see now
+what you have brought upon yourself by your way of doing business. Let
+it be a lesson to you."
+
+"I shall never dare to go into the forecastle again," whined Calamity.
+
+"You needn't go in there. You will stay here as the captain's nurse."
+
+This order seemed to relieve the frightened man. Through the open
+skylights he had heard all that passed on deck, and he was afraid that
+Frank, having the authority to do so, would order him to go forward
+where he belonged.
+
+Frank slept but little that night. The responsibilities of his new
+position weighed on his mind, and he came on deck every hour to see
+that things were going straight. The first real duty he performed as
+captain was to ascertain whereabouts in the wide world the ship was,
+and this he did the next day by an observation. She was directly in
+the track of vessels bound from Australia to the Pacific ports of the
+United States, and he decided to cruise about for a few days in the
+hope of meeting some ship that carried a surgeon. Without medical
+assistance he was afraid that the captain might not live until the ship
+reached Honolulu, which, according to his calculations, was more than
+fifteen hundred miles distant.
+
+The observation made, dinner over and the table cleared away, Frank
+busied himself for an hour or two in drawing up papers for the men
+to sign; and when that was done, he took a few minutes to think over
+the various incidents that had operated to place him in his present
+position. The most exacting old sea-dog could hardly have found
+fault with the way affairs were going now. The weather-side of the
+quarter-deck was reserved for the captain, who for an hour paced up and
+down there with his hands behind his back, and as free from intrusion
+as a monarch on his throne. The officers were alert and watchful, the
+crew seemed to have settled down to the new order of things as if they
+had been accustomed to them all their lives, and never in her best days
+under her old commander had the Tycoon looked more ship-shape. Frank
+wished the crew had put Mr. Gale in his place, and left him to act
+as sailing-master; but since they had seen fit to do differently, he
+would perform his duty as best he could. He knew every rope and sail
+in the ship, was possessed of excellent judgment, which was the one
+great thing needed, and the captain's sextant came as handy to him as
+a fishing-rod or double-barrel; so he was not so very unfit for the
+position he held after all. How Archie and the rest of the friends he
+had left on the Stranger would open their eyes if they could see him in
+that dress and know that he was the master of that fine ship! For the
+first time in a long while Frank allowed his thoughts to wander back to
+them, and the consequence was he became homesick. Yes, homesick; for
+the cabin of the Stranger had been his home for almost eight months,
+and had he kept out of the way of the bogus captain, it might have been
+his home yet. Where was the schooner now, and what were those aboard
+of her doing? Perhaps she was sailing about over the Pacific in search
+of the Tycoon! This thought aroused Frank from his reverie, and caused
+him to straighten up and look about as if he expected to see something.
+If the Stranger followed the Tycoon to the Sandwich Islands, would not
+Uncle Dick ascertain when he got there that she had shipped a crew and
+started for the Japan station? And would he not sail again immediately
+and try to find her?
+
+"Sail ho!" shouted the man at the mast-head. "Where away?" demanded the
+captain, greatly excited.
+
+"Two points off the lee bow, sir. Steamer."
+
+"Dear me! why did he say steamer?" thought Frank. "I'd rather he'd have
+said topsail schooner."
+
+No doubt he would, especially if the schooner proved to be the
+Stranger. Still he was glad to know that there was a steamer near,
+for he would be relieved of one cause of anxiety if he could only
+intercept her. He would bring her doctor aboard, and perhaps he could
+do something for the captain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+Frank went aloft with his glass, and after watching the steamer for a
+few minutes made up his mind that if he held on his way she would cross
+his path at such a distance that he could not speak her; so he altered
+the Tycoon's course a few points, and for several miles ran almost
+parallel with the approaching craft. This manœuvre was successful, and
+by sunset the two vessels were within hailing distance. After seeing
+one of the boats cleared for lowering and the crew ready to tumble into
+her, Frank came to while the steamer was yet a half a mile away; and
+this attracting the attention of her captain, he ran under a slow bell
+until within speaking distance, when he stopped his engines. His vessel
+was a fine large mail steamer, and her promenade deck was crowded with
+passengers.
+
+"Steamer ahoy!" yelled Frank, through his trumpet. "Will you wait for
+me to send a boat aboard of you? We are in need of medical assistance."
+
+A reply in the affirmative promptly came back, and five minutes
+afterward a whale-boat, manned by a sturdy crew steered by Frank, was
+pulling toward the steamer.
+
+Up to this time Frank's mind was fully occupied with thoughts of the
+wounded captain; but now it occurred to him that he was not in just
+the right dress to present himself before a company of ladies and
+gentlemen. Clothed in a red shirt, coarse trowsers, heavy boots, all
+plentifully spattered with oil, a tarpaulin, which, although but a
+short time out of the slop-chest, began to show signs of wear, and with
+hands and face browned by exposure, he was not the most attractive
+looking young man in the world, and he thought he looked worse when in
+the presence of the dapper young officer who met him at the gangway.
+The well-dressed people on deck gave him plenty of room as he walked
+along, but the gray-headed captain came forward and greeted him
+cordially. "What did you say you wanted, sir?" said he. "A doctor?"
+
+"Yes, sir. There's a man aboard that ship in a critical condition. We
+had some trouble with the natives at the Mangrove Islands, and he's
+badly wounded."
+
+A chorus of ejaculations and questions arose from the passengers who
+crowded eagerly forward, and Frank could have told his story to a
+most attentive and interested audience if he had only had time; but
+the captain sent off at once for the surgeon, who made his appearance
+before he was fairly begun. To him Frank described the nature of the
+captain's injuries as well as he could, and when he had heard all Frank
+could tell him, he provided himself with medicine and instruments, got
+into the whale-boat and was taken on board the Tycoon. He remained
+there nearly three hours--so long that some of the gentlemen among the
+steamer's passengers became impatient at the delay, called on Frank
+for a boat, and came off to see what the "blubber-hunter" looked like.
+The young captain met them as they came over the side, and was amused
+at the look of astonishment that settled on their faces when they found
+themselves fairly on her deck.
+
+"Why, if I had known that you kept your craft as neat as this, I should
+have brought my wife and daughter along," said one of the gentlemen,
+running his finger over the rail and closely examining it to make sure
+that there was no oil on it. "I expected to find myself knee-deep in
+grease. I have seen whalers come into port before now, and they were
+such horrible looking things outside, that I supposed, they could not
+be very tidy on deck."
+
+"They are not always, sir," said Frank, "especially when they are
+cutting in and trying out. They often spend eight months and more out
+of sight of land, and the men are so busy with other work that they
+can't find time to keep the ship as neat and trim as a merchantman or
+man-of-war."
+
+The visitors having satisfied themselves that they were in no danger
+of soiling their good clothes, began to exhibit a lively interest in
+what they saw about them. Frank showed them over the ship, explained
+the use of the try-works, harpoons, lances and all the other implements
+connected with a whaler's calling, and related the particulars of
+the fight they had had with the natives at the Mangrove Islands; and
+so engrossed did his listeners become that they were sorry when the
+doctor came out of the cabin and announced that he was ready to depart.
+He told Frank what he had done for the wounded man, and said that,
+although he was so badly used up that it might take him some months to
+fully recover from the effects of his injuries, there were no bones
+broken, and his life was in no danger, if the remedies he left for him
+were faithfully administered according to the directions he had given
+the captain's attendant. The doctor and the passengers were then taken
+on board their vessel by one of the whale-boats, and when it returned
+and was hoisted at the davits, the Tycoon filled away for the Sandwich
+Islands.
+
+It was wonderful what a change the doctor's visit made in the wounded
+man! He seemed to grow better immediately. Frank found him in earnest
+conversation with Calamity. When it was ended the latter came out with
+the request that Mr. Gale might be sent to the captain when he was off
+duty, if Frank had no objection. Of course he had none. The first mate
+was sent for at once, and remained in conversation with the captain for
+more than an hour. When he came out he went straight to Frank, who was
+pacing the quarter-deck. "How is he now?" asked the latter.
+
+"O, he's all right that is, his tongue is as lively as ever. He wants
+me to act as mediator between you and him."
+
+"There is no occasion for it," answered Frank. "There are no hard
+feelings on my part."
+
+"I was sure of it, sir. Calamity has told him everything, and he would
+be perfectly satisfied with the way matters have been arranged, if it
+wasn't for the fear that you helped rescue him from the natives, and
+brought the doctor off to save his life, so that you might have the
+chance to take him before the court at Honolulu."
+
+"Perhaps if he knew me better he would not have so poor an opinion of
+me," returned Frank. "I don't deny that if I could have got him there
+two days ago, I should have made trouble for him. Indeed I told him so
+to his face. But that is all over now."
+
+"He has been punished enough, hasn't he, sir?"
+
+"I think he has. You may assure him for me, in the plainest language
+you can command, that I shall not trouble him in any way. On the
+contrary, I will do what I can to make him comfortable."
+
+"I'll tell him, sir. He wanted me to ask two favors of you: one is,
+that you will put him on board the first ship you meet bound for the
+States. He's afraid of the men, sir. Calamity told him that they were
+going to throw him overboard."
+
+"He has nothing to fear from them, but I'll respect his wishes all the
+same. What else does he want me to do?"
+
+"He hopes that while you are looking out for a sail, you will keep
+an eye open for whales and lose no chance for filling up. We stow
+twenty-five hundred barrels, and here we have been out nearly seventeen
+months and haven't taken a quarter of that quantity. It looks now as
+though we were not going to make a paying voyage."
+
+"I'll do the best I can," replied Frank.
+
+And he did. The ship lay-to that night with only a boatsteerer's watch
+on deck, and the next morning business began in earnest. A whale was
+discovered before breakfast, and three boats in command of Mr. Gale,
+Lucas and Boson were sent out after him, Frank remaining in charge
+of the ship. The prize was secured without much trouble, and while
+it was lying alongside, and the men, having prepared themselves for
+work by eating a good breakfast, were about to begin the cutting in,
+another was raised, and by three o'clock that also was alongside, and
+the carpenter was at work on a stove boat. This whale fought hard, but
+there was nobody hurt.
+
+This was only the beginning. The blubber-room was never entirely
+empty, and during the next three weeks four hundred barrels of oil were
+added to those in the hold. Of course the labor was severe, the crew
+being small, but the men had plenty to eat, were kindly treated and
+the amount of work they turned off was surprising. Calamity kept the
+captain posted in all that was going on, and he growled lustily--being
+an old sailor he couldn't help it--and wondered why he had not been
+blessed with such luck, and why the crew had not worked as well for him
+as they did for the new captain.
+
+One bright morning, following a hard night's work at trying-out, while
+Frank was leaning over a water-bucket, rubbing his hands and face with
+a piece of hard soap, the man at the mast-head announced that there was
+a sail in sight, and in response to the usual inquiry, added: "Broad
+off the wheather beam. Topsail schooner. Sets low in the water and
+spreads lots of canvas."
+
+"Do you hear that, Lucas?" cried Frank, gazing about through eyes that
+were almost hidden in soap suds. "Jump up there, quick!"
+
+The latter cleared his eyes by the aid of a piece of canvas that served
+him for a towel, and watched the movements of the old boatswain's mate
+as he hurried aloft. He saw him level his glass, hold it to his eye for
+a moment and then begin to scramble down again. That was enough for
+Frank. "Mr. Gale," said he, so delighted and excited, that he could
+hardly stand still, "my connection with the Tycoon is nearly ended now.
+My friends are close by."
+
+"I am glad for your sake, sir, and sorry for my own," replied the mate.
+"We've had a pleasant ship and the best of luck since you've been on
+the quarter-deck."
+
+"And I have been very well contented," said Frank; "but I wasn't while
+I was in the forecastle, I tell you. It isn't often that a shanghaied
+man becomes master of the ship that runs away with him, is it?"
+
+"I never heard the like before, sir."
+
+"And probably you never will again. Well, Lucas!"
+
+"It's the Stranger, sir! I can tell her among a million!" replied the
+second mate, no less delighted than his captain.
+
+"Breakfast is on, sir," announced the steward.
+
+Frank did not want any, but he made a show of eating nevertheless. He
+drank a cup or two of a decoction of parched beans which the steward
+called coffee, swallowed a few mouthfuls of salt horse and hard-tack,
+and then hurried on deck to tell the officer on watch to see one of
+the boats clear for lowering, and to have a crew, whom he mentioned by
+name, ready to pull him off to the schooner. After that he gave his
+black suit a good overhauling; but it had seen pretty hard service
+before he drew any clothing from the slop-chest, and he decided that it
+would not do to put on. Then he took a look at himself in the little
+mirror that was screwed fast to one of the bulkheads in the cabin, and
+told himself that Boson was a beauty compared to him.
+
+"Well, what's the difference?" thought Frank. "If any of those boys had
+been in my boots they would look just as rough and weather-beaten as I
+do."
+
+With this reflection to console him Frank hurried on deck again, and
+taking the glass Lucas offered him, levelled it at the schooner, which
+was now close aboard. Almost the first man he saw was Dick Lewis.
+Frank's heart leaped at the sight of him. He had supposed that the two
+trappers were safe in the mountains long before this time, but now he
+would have a chance to shake them by the hand once more before he bade
+them good-by for ever. He wondered how they had conquered their fears
+sufficiently to venture out to sea. He saw Uncle Dick Gaylord and his
+two officers on the quarter-deck, and the Club gathered in the waist,
+every one of them with his field-glass in his hand.
+
+"Of course they will recognise the ship, but they will never know me in
+this dress," thought Frank. "And I don't think they'll be able to make
+much out of my hail either."
+
+Frank kept out of sight until the ship's main yard was backed and the
+schooner thrown up into the wind; then he showed himself.
+
+"What ship is that?" yelled a stentorian voice, that Frank could have
+recognised anywhere.
+
+"The whale ship Eli Coon, Hank Wilson master. Seventeen months out
+of Nantucket and nine hundred barrels of oil in the hold. I think
+that bothered them a little, Mr. Gale. I see they are talking very
+earnestly. Is that crew ready? I'll send a boat aboard of you," he
+added, hailing the schooner.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Uncle Dick, in a tone of voice which indicated
+that he did not understand the matter at all.
+
+Lucas, Barton, Boson and Tully, all good oarsmen, comprised the boat's
+crew, and they were not long in taking their captain alongside the
+schooner. Seeing that the Club and Uncle Dick kept their glasses
+levelled at him, Frank drew his hat low over his forehead, and thanked
+the wind for turning the collar of his shirt up around his ears. He
+laughed to himself when he thought how amazed his friends would be
+to see him in those clothes and learn that he was the captain of the
+Tycoon--he who had been shanghaied and thrust into her forecastle to
+do duty as a common sailor! He thought he could have some sport with
+the schooner's company, and run no risk of being recognised. After
+comparing his reckoning with Uncle Dick's, he would slap the boys on
+the back and take all sorts of liberties with them, and see what they
+would do about it. But Dick Lewis upset all these calculations in short
+order. His sharp eyes penetrated Frank's disguise, and no sooner did
+his head appear above the schooner's rail than he was hauled aboard,
+lifted bodily from the deck and carried aft. He struggled hard to free
+himself, but the trapper held him fast, and finally stood him on his
+feet in front of Uncle Dick, just as he had done with the bogus captain.
+
+"What do you mean?" demanded Frank, in a gruff voice. "If this is the
+way you treat your visitors, sir, I'll go back where I belong!"
+
+Uncle Dick stared at Frank, who tried to look angry, but his eyes
+laughed in spite of himself. "Nelson!" he exclaimed, at a venture.
+
+"That's jest who he are, cap'n," cried the trapper, bringing his heavy
+hand down on Frank's shoulder with such force that he shook all over.
+"Whiskers and all, that's him."
+
+It was all out now, and Frank's little plan was exposed. Of course
+a great hubbub arose at once, and Frank judged by the greeting he
+received that his friends were just as glad to see him as he was to see
+them. Lucas and Barton met with an equally cordial reception from their
+friends in the forecastle, who were not a little surprised to find that
+one of them had worked his way to the quarter-deck during his absence.
+
+Frank had a long story to tell, and it took him a long time to tell it.
+When it was ended, Uncle Dick and the Club had a good many questions to
+ask, and it took a long time to answer them; so that the two vessels
+remained alongside the greater part of the day. During that time boat's
+crews were exchanged, some of the schooner's company going off to
+visit the ship, and some of her crew coming back to visit the Stranger.
+
+As soon as the conversation began to flag Frank spoke of the needs of
+the wounded captain, asking for some of the good things with which the
+Stranger was so amply provided; but Uncle Dick had something better
+to propose. "Write an order to your mate to send him off here," said
+he. "I have a medicine-chest, plenty of lint and bandages, and long
+experience has made me a passable physician and surgeon. I can take
+better care of him than you can, and perhaps he will feel easier when
+he is out of reach of his men."
+
+Frank was only too glad to accept this kind offer, for he knew that the
+wounded man would be benefited by the change. He sent off an order to
+Mr. Gale, and half an hour afterward Captain Barclay was comfortably
+settled in the Stranger's cabin. He was delighted with his elegant
+quarters, and repeatedly declared that he did not deserve the treatment
+he received. If he was ever able to take the quarter-deck again he
+would be a different man.
+
+His story told and all questions asked and answered, the young captain
+made ready to return to his ship. Of course all the boys went with
+him. Frank warned them that he could not give them such food or such
+quarters as they had on board the Stranger, but they didn't care for
+that. They wanted to see the Tycoon, and they made Frank promise, over
+and over again, that if the opportunity were offered, he would show
+them the operation of catching a whale. The Club tried to induce the
+trappers to go with them, but their entreaties and arguments fell on
+deaf ears. Dick and Bob knew that the Stranger was a safe boat, but
+they did not like to trust the Tycoon, and so thought it best to remain
+where they were.
+
+"Brace for'ard main yard," said Frank, when all the whaler's boats had
+been hoisted at the davits. "Eugene, you said you couldn't understand
+how it came that you reached the Sandwich Islands three days after we
+did. Now I'll show you. Set studding sails, Mr. Gale."
+
+Eugene very soon found out why it was. The Stranger was considered to
+be remarkably swift for a small vessel, but the big Tycoon sailed two
+miles to her one, and at daylight the next morning the schooner was out
+of sight.
+
+Frank being impatient to reach Honolulu, did not go out of his way to
+find whales. According to promise he kept the mast-head manned, but
+to no purpose. The boys watched and waited in the hope of hearing the
+welcome cry, "There she blows!" but not a whale was to be seen. Mr.
+Gale told them that the reason was because they offered no inducement.
+It was the practice of whalers under such circumstances as these, he
+said, to put up a prize of some kind to go to the man who discovered
+the first spout. He had known a whale to rise in less than two minutes
+after a pair of trowsers had been hung up in the rigging.
+
+"O, if that's the trouble, we'll raise so many that you won't know
+which to go after first," said Archie; "who's got any money?"
+
+All the boys happened to have a little in their pockets, and by
+clubbing together they raised sufficient to purchase one of the best
+suits of clothing in the slop-chest--hat, boots and all--which was hung
+up in plain view of the crew. But the offer of a dozen suits would not
+have enabled the men to see whales where there were none, and Frank
+took the ship into Honolulu without having the opportunity to gratify
+his friends, who were greatly disappointed. The Stranger was not in
+port, but she came shortly afterward, and by that time the Tycoon's
+business was settled. She passed through the consul's hands, the crew
+were paid off and discharged and a new captain assumed command and made
+ready to take her to the States. As soon as the Stranger came in, Uncle
+Dick's charge was carried to the hospital, and Frank never heard of him
+afterward. He never heard of Mr. Gale either after he took leave of
+him. The last time he saw him he was second mate of the Tycoon.
+
+One incident happened on board the Stranger that is worth recording. It
+was noticed that after Captain Barclay was brought on board, Dick Lewis
+acted more like himself than he had done for many a day.
+
+It was observed, too, that he often went through a most expressive
+pantomime, which was easily understood by those who witnessed it. One
+morning the captain came out of his cabin and found him standing at the
+top of the companion ladder, where he had been often seen of late. "Why
+do you hang around here so much?" asked Uncle Dick.
+
+The trapper pushed his hat on the back of his head, shoved up his
+sleeves until his brawny arms were bare to the elbow, spread out his
+feet, placed his hands on his hips and looked at the captain. "When is
+that mean varmint comin' up?" said he. "I owe him a leetle something,
+an' I'm in an amazin' hurry to pay it!"
+
+"Now, Lewis, you needn't worry about him," said Uncle Dick. "He's
+having as much punishment as he can stand. Frank heaped hot coals of
+fire on his head every day for three weeks, and I am following up the
+same treatment."
+
+"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper, looking doubtfully at Captain Gaylord.
+
+"It is as true as gospel."
+
+Dick could not refuse to believe it after so strong an affirmation as
+this. He grinned all over with delight, and taking the sailor's sturdy
+palm in his long, bony fingers, gave it a shake and a squeeze that made
+the captain wince and lift one of his feet a little way from the deck.
+Then Dick hurried off to find his chum.
+
+"It's all right, Bob," said he, gleefully. "I didn't know civilized
+folks done sich things, but the cap'n's scalpin' that feller in a way
+the Injuns never thought of. He's pilin' fire on his head every day."
+
+This piece of news, while it greatly surprised both the trappers,
+afforded them the liveliest satisfaction. The kidnapper was being
+fearfully punished for what he had done, and they told one another
+that he deserved it. Dick did not hang around the cabin door any more,
+but he kept his eyes open, and as he never saw any fire carried below,
+he began to grow suspicious.
+
+When the Stranger arrived in the port of Honolulu and he saw
+preparations being made to take the captain ashore, he resolved to
+investigate things a little, just to satisfy himself. Watching his
+chance, while the wounded man was being carried across the deck to be
+lowered into the boat, he dashed forward and lifted the hat from his
+head. To his intense surprise and chagrin the captain's scalp was all
+there, and his hair did not look as if it had ever been near a fire.
+Knowing nothing of the Christian principle of returning good for evil,
+the trapper supposed that Captain Gaylord had been piling literal coals
+on his patient's head every day. It took Uncle Dick a long time to
+explain things, and the backwoodsman never had as much faith in him
+after that.
+
+Having restored Frank to the society of his friends once more, we will
+take leave of him for the present, promising to say more of him soon
+in the concluding volume of this series, which will be entitled: "THE
+BOY TRADERS; OR, THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE BOERS."
+
+
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+—Obvious errors were corrected.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 53420 ***
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-<body>

-<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Frank Nelson in the Forecastle, by Harry

-Castlemon</h1>

-<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States

-and most other parts of the world 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 <a

-href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>.  If you are not

-located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the

-country where you are located before using this ebook.</p>

-<p>Title: Frank Nelson in the Forecastle</p>

-<p>       Or, The Sportman's Club Among the Whalers</p>

-<p>Author: Harry Castlemon</p>

-<p>Release Date: October 31, 2016  [eBook #53420]</p>

-<p>Language: English</p>

-<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p>

-<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE***</p>

-<p>&nbsp;</p>

-<h4>E-text prepared by Giovanni Fini, David Edwards,<br />

-    and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />

-    (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br />

-    from page images generously made available by<br />

-    Internet Archive<br />

-    (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4>

-<p>&nbsp;</p>

-<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10">

-  <tr>

-    <td valign="top">

-      Note:

-    </td>

-    <td>

-      Images of the original pages are available through

-      Internet Archive. See

-      <a href="https://archive.org/details/franknelsoninforcast">

-      https://archive.org/details/franknelsoninforcast</a>

-    </td>

-  </tr>

-</table>

-<p>&nbsp;</p>

-<hr class="full" />

-<p>&nbsp;</p>

-<p>&nbsp;</p>

-<p>&nbsp;</p>

-

-<div class="limit">

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<div class="figcenter">

- <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="350" height="591" alt="" />

-</div>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<div class="figcenter">

-     <img src="images/fr.jpg" width="400" height="579"

-         alt=""

-         title="" />

-     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">Archie, Fred, and Eugene on the Main-cross-trees<br />

-of the Stranger.</span></p>

-</div></div>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<p class="pc4 large"><i>FRANK NELSON SERIES.</i></p>

-

-<hr class="d1" />

-

-<h1 class="p4">FRANK NELSON<br />

-<span class="mid">IN THE FORECASTLE;</span></h1>

-

-<p class="pc4 reduct">OR, THE</p>

-

-<p class="pc2 large">SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE WHALERS.</p>

-

-<p class="pc4 lmid"><span class="smcap">By</span> HARRY CASTLEMON,</p>

-

-<p class="pc1 reduct">AUTHOR OF "THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES," "GUNBOAT SERIES," "ROLLING<br />

-STONE SERIES," &amp;C.</p>

-

-<p class="pc4 lmid">PHILADELPHIA:<br />

-<span class="mid"><span class="ls1">PORTER &amp; COATE</span>S.</span></p>

-

-<p class="pc1">CINCINNATI:<br />

-R. W. CARROLL &amp; CO.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<p class="pc4 large">FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.</p>

-

-<hr class="d2" />

-

-<p class="pa1"><b>GUNBOAT SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated. 6 vols.

-16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>

-

-<p class="pa1"><span class="smcap">Frank the Young Naturalist.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank on a Gunboat.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank

-in the Woods.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank before Vicksburg.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank on the Lower

-Mississippi.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank on the Prairie.</span></p>

-

-<p class="pa1"><b>ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>.

-Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>

-

-<p><span class="smcap">Frank among the Rancheros.</span></p>

-<p><span class="smcap">Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho.</span></p>

-<p><span class="smcap">Frank in the Mountains.</span></p>

-

-<p class="pa1"><b>SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>.

-Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>

-

-<p><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle.</span></p>

-<p><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club Afloat.</span></p>

-<p><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club among the Trappers.</span></p>

-

-<p class="pa1"><b>GO-AHEAD SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated. 3

-vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>

-

-<p class="pn"><span class="smcap">Tom Newcombe.</span> <span class="smcap">Go-Ahead.</span> <span class="smcap">No Moss.</span></p>

-

-<p><b>FRANK NELSON SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated.

-3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>

-

-<p><span class="smcap">Snowed Up.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank in the Forecastle.</span> <span class="smcap">Boy Traders.</span></p>

-

-<p class="pa1"><b>BOY TRAPPER SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated.

-3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>

-

-<p><span class="smcap">The Buried Treasure; or, Old Jordan's Haunt.</span></p>

-<p><span class="smcap">The Boy Trapper; or, How Dave Filled the Order.</span></p>

-<p><span class="smcap">The Mail-Carrier.</span></p>

-

-<p class="pa1"><b>ROUGHING IT SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated.

-16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>

-

-<p><span class="smcap">George in Camp.</span></p>

-

-<hr class="d2" />

-

-<p class="pc mid"><i><b>Other Volumes in Preparation.</b></i></p>

-

-<hr class="d1" />

-

-<p class="pc reduct">

-Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876 by<br />

-R. W. CARROLL &amp; CO.,<br />

-in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4">CONTENTS.</h2>

-

-<hr class="d2" />

-

-<table id="toc" summary="ont">

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER I.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">A Backwoodsman's Ideas</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c5">Page 5</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER II.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">"Man Overboard"</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c24">24</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER III.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">A Sea Lawyer</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c41">41</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER IV.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">"Shanghaied"</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c61">61</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER V.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">The Trapper's Adventure</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c82">82</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER VI.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">A Scamp on his Dignity</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c99">99</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER VII.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">Too late</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c118">118</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER VIII.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">Gentleman Black</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c141">141</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER IX.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">"There she Blows"</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c159">159</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER X.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">Frank's first Whale</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c178">178</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XI.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">Cutting In and Trying Out</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c198">198</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XII.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">How Frank saw the Consul</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c218">218</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XIII.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">Turned Adrift</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c241">241</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XIV.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">Old Times Revived</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c262">262</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XV.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">Frank on the Quarter-deck</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c285">285</a></td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XVI.</td>

- </tr>

-

- <tr>

-  <td class="tdl">Conclusion</td>

-  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c310">310</a></td>

- </tr>

-

-</table>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<p class="pc4 elarge">FRANK NELSON</p>

-

-<p class="pc1 xlarge">IN THE FORECASTLE;</p>

-

-<p class="pc2 reduct">OR, THE</p>

-

-<p class="pc1 large">SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE WHALERS.</p>

-

-<hr class="d2" />

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c5" id="c5">CHAPTER I.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">A BACKWOODSMAN'S IDEAS.</p>

-

-

-<p class="drop-cap00">"I DECLARE this is almost like coming into another

-world, isn't it?"</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, and I, for one, am glad to get back. I

-like a good horse, and no one enjoys a few days'

-shooting and fishing better than I do; but when I

-get tired of the saddle and the woods, I like to see

-the blue water and feel the solid planks of a yacht's

-deck under my feet once more. We had a good

-time though, in spite of all our adventures and mishaps."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"We certainly did. I am like Perk, who, after

-he had been down into the Cave of the Winds, under

-Niagara Falls, said he would do it again for no

-money, but seeing that he <i>had</i> been down, he would

-not sell his experience at any price. I couldn't be

-hired to make that same trip to Fort Bolton again&mdash;being

-"snowed up" was the worst part of it to me&mdash;but

-since it is all over and we are safely out of it, I

-am glad we went."</p>

-

-<p>This was a portion of the conversation carried on

-by our friends Archie, Fred and Eugene, as they

-sat in the main-cross-trees of the Stranger, swinging

-their feet in the air and looking out over the shipping

-anchored off North Point Dock, in the harbor

-of San Francisco. They had only just arrived that

-day, their trip across the mountains being happily

-ended. They had discarded the half-savage, half-civilized

-costumes they had worn during their sojourn

-in the wilderness and substituted pea-jackets

-for their hunting-shirts, light shoes for their high-top

-boots, and natty tarpaulins for their slouch hats.

-They looked as though they had just come out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>

-some lady's band-box, and one and all declared that

-it was most refreshing to find themselves dressed up

-like white folks once more.</p>

-

-<p>The first thing these three uneasy youngsters did

-after they had donned their "shore clothes," and put

-the suits they had worn in the mountains carefully

-away in their trunks for safe-keeping, was to run all

-over the vessel, looking into every locker and corner,

-just as they had done when they first saw her on

-the stocks at New Orleans, and the next to mount to

-the cross-trees to survey the harbor. Here they had

-sat for half an hour, enjoying the prospect spread

-out before them, and talking over their recent adventures

-and exploits. The other members of the Club,

-Walter, Frank Nelson, George Le Dell and the rest,

-were seated on the quarter-deck with Uncle Dick,

-talking to Dick Lewis and old Bob Kelly.</p>

-

-<p>Dick and Bob were objects of great interest to

-the sailors who composed the Stranger's crew. They

-stared at everything with wide-open eyes, and were

-as much out of place on the schooner's deck as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>

-jolly tars would have been in the mountains from

-which the backwoodsmen had just arrived.</p>

-

-<p>The Club had had a varied and eventful experience

-during the comparatively short time that they

-had been absent from the Stranger, and even now

-the hearts of some of them would beat a trifle faster

-whenever they thought of what they had passed

-through. Walter drew a long breath every time he

-recalled his experience in Potter's rancho; Fred

-and Eugene shivered and drew their collars up

-around their ears when they thought of the sight

-presented to their gaze on the day they set out from

-their camp under the cliffs, to show the Pike and his

-family the way to Fort Bolton, and imagined that

-they could see the air filled with driving snow, and

-could hear the roaring of the wind as it swept the

-prairie, just as they had seen it and heard it on that

-long-to-be-remembered afternoon. Archie grew excited

-and elated whenever he thought of the way he

-had captured the wild horse, and then exasperated

-when he remembered how he had lost him before he

-had had a chance to try even one race with his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>

-cousin. Frank shrugged his shoulders when any of

-his companions called him "Chinny Billy," as they

-often did, and thanked his lucky stars that he was

-well out of the predicament which the genuine

-Chinny Billy had so nearly got him into, when he

-denounced him as an impostor and spy in the presence

-of all the members of Potter's gang; and even

-Uncle Dick Gaylord, hardened as he was by a long

-life of adventure, did not like to recall the feelings

-of anxiety and suspense that he had experienced on

-more than one occasion, during the journey to

-Bolton and back. The two trappers were probably

-the only ones in the party for whom the last few

-months had no especial interest. Their lives were

-made up of just such scenes and incidents, and they

-never thought of them again, unless something

-happened to bring them vividly to their recollection.</p>

-

-<p>The last night that the friends passed at Fort

-Bolton was given up to enjoyment. The colonel

-and major entertained Uncle Dick at their quarters,

-and the younger officers took charge of the boys.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>

-After supper it was noticed that some of the officers

-and their guests distributed themselves in little

-groups about the room, that the members of each

-group carried on a very earnest conversation in a

-low tone of voice, and that various little keepsakes

-were passed from one to the other, which each

-promised to preserve in remembrance of the giver.

-The gifts that passed between Frank and Lieutenant

-Gaylord were the most valuable of any. These two

-young fellows had been fast friends and almost

-constant companions ever since the night on which

-the lieutenant recaptured Dick Lewis after his

-flight from the guard house, and arrested Frank for

-assisting him to make his escape. Frank had something

-he knew the lieutenant wanted, and that was

-the splendid horse which Potter had given him.

-Frank could not take the animal around the world

-with him, and besides he was already the happy

-owner of a steed which was just as handsome and

-swift, and which held a much higher place in his

-affections. That was Roderick. It was Uncle

-Dick's intention to travel on horseback until the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>

-party reached a point from which they could continue

-their journey by stage or railroad, and then

-sell off their stock&mdash;their wagon, which would have

-been an almost useless encumbrance to them, now

-that the roads were blocked with snow, having been

-exchanged for pack mules&mdash;Frank would then have

-no further use for his horse, so he offered him to the

-lieutenant, who was glad to accept him.</p>

-

-<p>The journey to San Francisco was made without

-the occurrence of any exciting or noteworthy incidents.

-Among them all they managed to shoot a

-few black-tails, and one grizzly bear, whose skin and

-claws were preserved by the old members of the

-Club as trophies. They found the snow fully as

-deep as they expected, the travelling difficult, and

-the weather extremely cold; but their progress was

-steady, although slow, until they reached the railroad,

-and then in a few hours they found themselves

-in an almost tropical climate.</p>

-

-<p>When they reached the railroad, Dick and Old

-Bob would have taken leave of them, but the boys

-would not listen to it. They were determined that,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>

-if they could have their own way, the trappers

-should remain with them for a long time to come.

-They owed much to these two men, and as they

-could not repay them in any other way, they would

-take them around the world, introducing them to

-scenes and people of which they had never dreamed.

-Of course this idea originated with rattle-brained

-Eugene Gaylord, and Uncle Dick, who could not

-find it in his heart to refuse his nephews anything

-they asked for, consented to the arrangement,

-though not without a good deal of grumbling.</p>

-

-<p>"They'll only be in the way, Eugene," said the

-old sailor. "They just fit the mountains and the

-prairie&mdash;they were made for them; but how will

-they look on the deck of the Stranger? There

-isn't room enough aboard our little craft for that

-giant, Louis."</p>

-

-<p>"O, Uncle, there are two or three empty bunks

-in the forecastle, and they can sleep there as well

-as not," replied Eugene.</p>

-

-<p>"But they will be so uneasy that they'll not

-enjoy themselves in the least," continued Uncle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>

-Dick. "They will be frightened to death when

-they find themselves out of sight of land, and the

-men will be playing tricks on them all the while."</p>

-

-<p>"But the men mustn't play tricks on them. We

-won't let them; and besides it would be dangerous.

-As for being out of sight of land, that need not

-trouble them. They'll not be in half as much danger

-as they were while they were with Potter's

-gang. Then think of the fun we'll have, Uncle!

-Didn't you notice how they opened their eyes the

-other night when Bab was telling them of the

-elephants we expect to see in India?"</p>

-

-<p>"Well, well! do as you please," said the old

-sailor. "If they are foolish enough to go, I shall

-have a fine time of it among you all; I can see

-that plainly." And then he turned away to hunt

-up Frank Nelson, to whom he always went when

-he had anything on his mind.</p>

-

-<p>Eugene having gained his point went straight to

-Archie and Fred, who declared that it was the best

-thing they ever heard of. The matter was laid

-before the trappers with as little delay as possible,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>

-and the proposition almost took their breath away.

-They opened their mouths and eyes and looked

-wonderingly at each other, but said nothing. Archie

-thought that was enough for one day, and although

-his friends wanted an immediate answer, he succeeded

-in inducing them to retire and leave the

-trappers to themselves. He thought it best to give

-them leisure to turn the matter over in their minds

-(it seemed to be more than they could grasp at

-once) and go to them for an answer at some future

-time.</p>

-

-<p>Dick and old Bob seemed to grow timid as they

-approached the confines of civilization, but they

-were coaxed on board the train, and when the party

-reached San Francisco, they were taken off to the

-Stranger. The matter of the voyage around the

-world had been brought for up discussion a few times,

-but Dick had found his tongue at last, and declared

-that it was not to be thought of. The boys knew

-better than to press the subject, and hoped that

-time would accomplish what arguments could never

-do. A few hours on board the Stranger in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>

-harbor, where vessels were constantly coming and

-going, might increase their confidence, while it

-familiarized them in some slight degree with life on

-ship-board, and perhaps they could then be induced

-to change their minds. Archie had tried to persuade

-Dick to follow him and his companions to the cross-trees;

-but the trapper, after glancing down at his

-colossal proportions, and then up at the ratlines,

-which looked no larger than so many threads, declared

-that the ropes wouldn't bear his weight, and

-remained below.</p>

-

-<p>"Now, this feels natural!" exclaimed Featherweight

-swinging back and forth on his dizzy perch

-with such apparent recklessness that Dick Lewis,

-who now and then looked up at him, fairly shook in

-his moccasins; "and I am ready for new adventures

-and new sights beyond the seas. Our fellows

-can say, what the books tell us comparatively few

-American travellers can say, and that is, we have

-seen the most of the wonders of our own country.

-I never expect to see anything grander than the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>

-Yo Semite Valley. I wonder how long it will be

-before Uncle Dick will hoist the signal for sailing?"</p>

-

-<p>"Just as soon as the stores are aboard," said

-Eugene. "We may get off to-morrow."</p>

-

-<p>"Will Dick and Bob go with us?"</p>

-

-<p>"No," said Archie. "We might as well give

-that up. And since I have come to think of it, I

-don't want them to go unless they are perfectly

-willing to do so."</p>

-

-<p>"Nor I," said Eugene. "If it frightens them so

-badly to travel on a railroad train, what would be

-their feelings when they found the schooner tossing

-about on such waves as we saw coming around the

-Horn? I shall urge them no more."</p>

-

-<p>"They have been talking to Frank about it,"

-continued Fred. "They always go to him and

-believe every word he says&mdash;that is, almost every

-word."</p>

-

-<p>"Ah! yes; I was going to put that in," said

-Archie. "They don't like to believe that the

-world is round. They don't say so with their

-mouths, but they do with their eyes."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"And they don't know what to think about elephants

-as large as that house of Potter's, and lions

-and tigers, and snakes twenty feet long," said

-Fred.</p>

-

-<p>"And a whale bothers them," chimed in Eugene;

-"and Dick laughed the other day when I told him

-about a flying-fish."</p>

-

-<p>"What's going on down there?" asked Archie,

-as the sound of voices in animated conversation

-came up from the deck.</p>

-

-<p>The boys looked below and saw that the group,

-which they had last seen scattered over the quarter-deck,

-were gathered about Dick Lewis, who appeared

-to be making them a speech. Now and then he

-illustrated his remarks by pointing to something he

-had placed at his feet; but the boys could not see

-what it was, for the Club were crowded about it and

-hid it from view. They were missing something,

-that was evident; but they did not intend to miss

-any more of it, and it was but the work of a few

-seconds to swing themselves out of the crosstrees

-on to the ratlines, and descend to the deck. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>

-ran up to the group, and found that the object over

-which the trapper was holding forth was simply a

-mess-pan filled with water.</p>

-

-<p>"Them stories you've been a tellin' seems wonderful

-to me an' ole Bob, who never heard the like

-afore," Dick was saying as the boys came up.

-"We don't conspute 'em, 'cause bein' unedicated

-men, we never had no book larnin', an' don't know

-nothing outside the mountains an' the prairy. Now,

-you tell me that thar's three times as much water

-on the 'arth as thar is ground; that you're goin' to

-start from Fr'isco an' sail clean around it in this

-yere little boat, an' that if me an' ole Bob'll go

-with you, we won't even know that we're sailing

-round the world. Won't we know when we come to

-the edge?"</p>

-

-<p>"There isn't any edge to it," said Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Sho! Thar can't help bein' an edge if the

-world is round, can thar? This yere," said Dick,

-pointing to the pan of water, "is the sea; an' this

-yere," he continued, fumbling in the pockets of his

-hunting shirt, "is the 'arth."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>As he spoke he drew out a piece of hard tack,

-which he had rudely shaped with his knife to represent

-his idea of the rotundity of the earth. The

-corners were cut off, making the biscuit nearly

-round, and there was a piece clipped out of the side

-of it, in shape something like a bottle with a very

-short neck and wide body, to represent the Golden

-Gate and the harbor of San Francisco. This miniature

-world Dick placed in the middle of the pan of

-water, and then straightened up and looked triumphantly

-at his audience. Eugene glanced at it,

-choked back a laugh and then rushed off to find the

-steward, while the trapper went on with his illustration.</p>

-

-<p>"Now, thar's the 'arth," said he, placing his

-finger on the biscuit, "flat like a pan-cake, as anybody

-can see it is, that's ever been out on the prairy,

-an' round like <i>you</i> say it is. Here is the sea all

-around it, an' here's Fr'isco. Now, after you go

-out of the Golden Gate an' start to sail round the

-'arth," said Dick, moving his long finger through

-the water around the biscuit, "can't you see the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>

-edge all the way round? I can understand that,

-which wasn't so very plain to me a few days ago,

-but now comes something I can't see into. You say

-the 'arth turns over onct every day, but that don't

-by no means stand to reason, 'cause jest see what

-would happen,"&mdash;he went on, placing his finger

-under the biscuit and raising one edge of it out of

-the water. "If it turned over, one side of it would

-keep gettin' higher an' higher all the time, an'

-finally the houses, an' trees, an' mountains, an' folks

-would get to slidin' an' slidin', an' when they come

-to the edge, they'd all slip off into the water; an'

-when the 'arth turned <i>cl'ar</i> over"&mdash;here he flopped

-the biscuit up side down in the pan&mdash;"whar would

-we all be?"</p>

-

-<p>None of his auditors had attempted to interrupt

-the trapper, and the reason was because there was

-not one among them who could trust himself to

-speak, not even Uncle Dick. Believing from their

-silence that he had got the better of all of them,

-the trapper said he was more firmly convinced than

-he had ever been before, that all the learning in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>

-world was not to be found in books, and was about

-to throw the contents of his mess-pan over the side,

-when Eugene came elbowing his way into the group,

-carrying an apple in one hand and a small magnet in

-the other.</p>

-

-<p>"Now, Dick," said he, "let me talk a minute.

-You haven't quite got the idea. In the first place,

-that piece of hard tack doesn't represent the shape

-of the earth, but this apple does, pretty nearly.

-In the next place, the globe doesn't revolve through

-water, for the water forms part of the earth and

-turns with it."</p>

-

-<p>"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper. "It would all

-spill out."</p>

-

-<p>"Hold on a minute, and I'll show you that it

-can't spill out. The world revolves through the

-air. Don't you fellows criticise now," continued

-Eugene, turning to his companions. "If, when I

-get through, you want to explain that the earth

-really revolves through space, and that the air goes

-with it, except such portions as are left behind and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>

-form the trade-winds, you are welcome to do it; but

-it is quite beyond me."</p>

-

-<p>Eugene handed the magnet to Archie to hold

-until he was ready to use it, and with the point of

-his knife rudely traced upon the apple the shape of

-the continents and the principal oceans. This

-done, he went on with his explanation, which was

-simply a repetition of what every boy learns when

-he first begins the study of geography. He

-described the motions of the earth as well as he

-could, and used the magnet to illustrate the attraction

-of gravitation. Dick listened attentively, and

-when Eugene finished, took the apple from his hand

-and looked at it with a great deal of interest. He

-turned it over several times, and appeared to be

-meditating upon something.</p>

-

-<p>"They're goin' to sail round the 'arth this way,"

-said he, moving his finger slowly around the circumference

-of the apple, and talking more to himself

-than to the boys standing about, "an' when they

-get around here"&mdash;he stopped and thought a

-moment, holding the end of his finger under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>

-apple&mdash;"when they get around here, they'll be&mdash;Human

-natur'!" he cried suddenly, as if frightened

-at the discovery he had made. "When you get

-around here, on the under side of the 'arth, you'll

-be walkin' with your heads downwards, won't you?

-Bob can do as he likes, but <i>I</i> won't go. Mebbe

-that little red hoss-shoe aint strong enough to hold

-the boat fast to the 'arth&mdash;don't look as if it was&mdash;an'

-some dark night she'll get to fallin' an' fallin'&mdash;Whew!

-I'm as near that place now as I want to be,

-an' I'm off fur the mountains to-morrow, bright an'

-'arly."</p>

-

-<p>Dick turned away, fairly trembling with excitement,

-and the boys scattered as if some one had

-suddenly sent a charge of bird-shot among them.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c24" id="c24">CHAPTER II.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">"MAN OVERBOARD."</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap04">THE trappers were badly frightened, there could

-be no doubt about that, and it was a spectacle

-the Club had never expected to witness. That

-these two men, who had time and again faced death

-in almost every shape in which he presents himself

-on shore, who had lived in the very midst of danger

-from their youth up, and who sought and delighted

-in perilous exploits, should be so nearly overcome

-with terror by hearing of things with which every

-schoolboy is familiar, was surprising; and there was

-something so ludicrous in the manner in which they

-exhibited their alarm, that the boys could scarcely

-restrain their laughter until they could get out of

-sight. Old Bob glared wildly about him, seemingly

-on the point of jumping overboard and swimming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>

-ashore, and Dick Lewis leaned against the

-rail, drawing his breath in quick gasps and looking

-altogether as if he did not yet fairly understand the

-startling discovery he had made. Uncle Dick Gaylord

-took one glance at him and then went to the

-stern and looked over into the water, while the boys

-dived down into the cabin and threw themselves into

-chairs, or leaned up in corners, holding their handkerchiefs

-over their mouths&mdash;all except Archie, who

-never could control himself when he wanted to

-laugh. He ran into his state-room, shut the door

-and buried his head in the pillows. The funny

-part of it was, that Dick should suppose, that those

-who attempted the reckless task of sailing around

-the world, should be obliged to take a magnet with

-them, in order to keep themselves and their vessel

-from falling off when they reached the "under side

-of the earth."</p>

-

-<p>At the end of five minutes Archie made an

-attempt to come out into the cabin, but he was still

-bubbling over with laughter, and the sight of him

-created a fresh explosion, and set Archie himself to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>

-going again at such a rate that he was obliged to

-go back. It is hard to tell how long it would have

-been before the boys could have controlled themselves

-sufficiently to talk the matter over, had it not

-been that a commotion which suddenly arose on

-deck, drew their attention to other affairs.</p>

-

-<p>"Fore rigging, there," exclaimed Uncle Dick.

-"What do you see?"</p>

-

-<p>"A man overboard, sir," replied the voice of the

-boatswain's mate. "He jumped off that whaler,

-sir."</p>

-

-<p>"And he's swimming this way, sir," said another

-voice, "and making signals of distress."</p>

-

-<p>"Have the cutter called away, Mr. Baldwin,"

-said Uncle Dick, to his first mate, "and send a

-crew out to pick him up."</p>

-

-<p>The boys waited to hear no more. They crowded

-up the companion ladder with such haste that they

-ran some risk of sticking fast in the narrow passageway,

-and reached the deck just as the crew of the

-cutter were tumbling into their boat which lay along

-side moored to a swinging boom, man-of-war fashion.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Where is Mr. Parker?" said Uncle Dick, looking

-around for his second officer.</p>

-

-<p>"O, let me go in charge of the boat, Uncle,"

-exclaimed Eugene, snatching Fred's hat from his

-head, for he had left his own in the cabin.</p>

-

-<p>"Away you go, then," said the old sailor.

-"Don't let him sink before you reach him."</p>

-

-<p>"They're sending out a boat from the whaler,

-sir," said the foremast hand, who was at work in the

-forward rigging, and who had been the first to discover

-the man in the water.</p>

-

-<p>"Does he appear to be all right?"</p>

-

-<p>"O, yes, sir. He swims like a duck, but he's

-waving his hand to us."</p>

-

-<p>"Hold on a minute, Eugene."</p>

-

-<p>Uncle Dick sprang upon the rail and supporting

-himself by the shrouds looked towards the man, and

-then toward the boat that was coming out to pick

-him up, while the boys, all except Eugene, who

-stood ready to take his place in the cutter at a moment's

-warning, swarmed up the rigging and looked

-on with no little interest. They saw at once that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>

-the man had no trouble in keeping afloat, for he

-swam over the waves as buoyantly as a cork. They

-saw, too, that he did not want to be overtaken by

-the whaler's boat, if he could help it, for he looked

-back at her occasionally to see if she was gaining

-on him, and then redoubled his efforts to reach the

-schooner.</p>

-

-<p>"He is trying to desert," said Uncle Dick,

-"and I think we had better have nothing to do

-with him."</p>

-

-<p>"Quartermaster, pass up that spy-glass," said

-Frank.</p>

-

-<p>The petty officer handed the instrument to

-Featherweight, who happened to be lowest in the

-shrouds, and he passed it to George Le Dell, who

-handed it up to Frank. The latter mounted to the

-crosstrees and levelled the glass at the swimmer.

-He held it to his eye for a few minutes, and then

-passing it back to George, said:</p>

-

-<p>"That man has either met with a severe accident,

-or been roughly handled. His face is bleeding."</p>

-

-<p>"Help! help!" cried a faint voice.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Go and pick him up," said Uncle Dick.</p>

-

-<p>"Shove off," commanded Eugene, before he was

-fairly seated in the stern-sheets of the cutter.

-"Remember, men, that you are racing with a whale-boat,

-and that you don't want to be beaten."</p>

-

-<p>The cutter swung around with her bow toward

-the swimmer, and propelled by eight strong oarsmen,

-who seemed to lift her fairly out of the water

-at every stroke, flew over the waves like a duck.

-A boat race was something in which Eugene took

-especial delight, but the one that came off that

-morning between the cutter and the whale-boat was

-not as exciting or as closely contested as he had

-hoped it would be. In fact it was no race at all;

-for when the officer, whoever he was, who had

-charge of the deck of the whaler, saw that the

-cutter was likely to reach the swimmer first, he

-hailed his boat, which turned around and went back.</p>

-

-<p>"In bow," commanded the coxswain of the

-cutter, who was sitting just behind Eugene.</p>

-

-<p>The two sailors who were seated in the bow raised

-their oars from the water, placed them on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>

-thwarts between them, and then one stood up with

-the boat-hook in his hand, while the other threw

-himself flat on his face and extended his arm out

-over the water.</p>

-

-<p>"Way enough! Toss, and stand by," said the

-coxswain.</p>

-

-<p>The other oars were all thrown up into the air at

-the same moment, laid upon the thwarts, and every

-man leaned over the side to be ready to seize the

-swimmer as the cutter moved past him. She

-retained steerage-way enough to carry her within a

-few feet of him, and then the coxswain, with one

-movement of the tiller, turned the bow aside, and

-the boat-hook was thrust out within reach of his

-hands. It was a matter of some difficulty to haul

-the rescued man aboard, for he was too nearly

-exhausted to help himself, and his clothing, being

-thoroughly saturated with water, was as heavy as

-so much lead. Besides, his forehead was badly cut

-and bruised, and no doubt he was suffering from the

-hurt.</p>

-

-<div class="figcenter">

-     <img src="images/ill-030.jpg" width="400" height="277"

-         alt=""

-         title="" />

-     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">Rescuing the Deserter.</span></p>

-</div></div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Did you fall overboard?" asked Eugene, after

-the man had been pulled into the boat and had

-taken his seat in the bow.</p>

-

-<p>"No, sir; I jumped overboard on purpose."</p>

-

-<p>"You hit your head against something, didn't

-you?"</p>

-

-<p>"The cap'n hit it for me, sir. It was a belaying

-pin that made that mark."</p>

-

-<p>Eugene looked wonderingly at the coxswain, who

-nodded his head, as if to say that he didn't doubt it

-at all.</p>

-

-<p>"Why, the officers aboard our vessel don't find it

-necessary to do such things," said Eugene.</p>

-

-<p>"But all vessels ain't like the Stranger, sir, nor

-are all shipmasters like Cap'n Gaylord," said the coxswain.

-"Do you s'pose there's a sailorman aboard

-of us that would do what this chap has done&mdash;try

-to desert? No, sir, you couldn't kick 'em off if

-you wanted to. When we get back to Bellville

-we'll have every man we brought away with us,

-unless some of 'em are in Davy's locker."</p>

-

-<p>The cutter was soon alongside the schooner, and

-the rescued man, by dint of hauling from above and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>

-pushing from below, was got upon the deck. He

-was a pitiable object when one came to look at him,

-and Uncle Dick's first order was: "Take him

-below, some of you, and give him something fit to

-put on. Be in a hurry about it."</p>

-

-<p>The sailors were only too glad to obey. They

-led the dripping man into the forecastle, from which

-he emerged a few minutes later with a clean face, a

-suit of dry clothes, and a handkerchief bound about

-his forehead. In his appearance, which was very

-much improved, he would have compared favorably

-with any of the seamen on board the Stranger, and

-they were the very best that Uncle Dick could find

-in the port of New Orleans. He had evidently had

-plenty of time to tell at least a portion of his story,

-for the faces of the sailors were as black as so many

-thunder clouds.</p>

-

-<p>The rescued man at once made his way aft, accompanied

-by the boatswain's mate, who, presuming for

-this once upon his captain's good-nature, and his

-own position as ranking petty officer on board the

-Stranger, took the liberty to go where he knew he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>

-had no right except he was in performance of his

-duties. The men saluted, removed their caps and

-waited for Uncle Dick to speak to them.</p>

-

-<p>"Well, Lucas, what do you want here?" asked

-the old sailor.</p>

-

-<p>"I ax your pardon, cap'n, for coming on the

-quarter-deck at this time without an invite," replied

-the boatswain's mate, "but I just wanted to say to

-you, sir, that this man is black and blue from his

-head to his feet, so he is."</p>

-

-<p>"How did he get that way?" asked Uncle Dick,

-while the boys ranged themselves behind him so that

-they could hear all that passed, "and why is he

-trying to desert?"</p>

-

-<p>The mate stepped back and moved his hand

-toward the rescued man, as if to say that he would

-tell his own story, and the latter said:</p>

-

-<p>"I don't want to desert my ship, cap'n. I am

-an able seaman, know my duty and am ready to do

-it, if I can only have plenty to eat and am allowed

-a wink of sleep now and then. I am trying to get

-ashore for protection ag'in' them tyrants aboard the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>

-Tycoon, and I hope you won't send me back to

-them, sir."</p>

-

-<p>"Go on," said Uncle Dick. "What has happened

-aboard that ship?"</p>

-

-<p>"She is nearly two years out of Nantucket, on a

-whaling course, sir," said the man, "and there

-isn't a foremast hand aboard of her that she brought

-out with her. They've all deserted. She has to

-get a new crew at every port, and when she can't

-get 'em honest, she kidnaps 'em, sir. I shipped

-aboard of her, along with a lot of others, at Callao.

-We've been out only four months, and two of the

-men jumped overboard rather than stand the hard

-treatment they received. On the first day out the

-officers began on us and never let up. They kept

-us at work till we were ready to drop, brought us

-out of bed at night and made us walk the deck, and

-if we fell asleep as we walked, they knocked us

-down with a handspike or belaying-pin. They

-starved us almost to death, and then, because my

-boat's crew were too weak to save a whale we made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>

-fast to, they put us all in irons and pounded us with

-ropes' ends till we were insensible."</p>

-

-<p>This was only the introduction to the long story

-the man had to tell, and to which his auditors listened

-with breathless interest. According to his

-account, the Tycoon was a horrible place, and the

-cruelties that were practised by the officers upon the

-defenceless seamen, were shocking. The man certainly

-bore unmistakable evidence of brutal treatment,

-and added weight to his story by declaring

-that he was not only willing but anxious to meet his

-persecutors in a court of justice. Everybody who

-listened to him was indignant.</p>

-

-<p>"The men on board that vessel have a remedy in

-their own hands&mdash;two of them, if they only knew

-it," said Frank. "Why didn't they demand an

-interview with the American consul at the first port

-at which they touched?"</p>

-

-<p>"It wouldn't have done no good, sir," said the

-sailor. "The cap'n wouldn't never let 'em see him,

-sir."</p>

-

-<p>"He couldn't help himself," returned Frank.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>

-"The law compels him to allow his men to go

-ashore at every port at which the ship may touch

-to lay their complaints, if they have any, before

-our representative; or, if there is any good reason

-why the men cannot go ashore, the captain must

-bring the consul aboard to see them, if they demand

-it."</p>

-

-<p>If there was anything in which Frank was particularly

-well posted, it was the law governing the

-duties of consuls, as some of our representatives in

-foreign countries are called. The attorney with

-whom he had been studying in Lawrence, had political

-aspirations, and had at one time expected to be

-appointed consul for some port in the Mediterranean.

-If he had succeeded in his object Frank would have

-gone with him as assistant and clerk. He did not

-wish to accept any situation with whose duties and

-responsibilities he was not familiar, and in order to

-fit himself for it, he had obtained a copy of the

-Consular Regulations, which he had thoroughly

-mastered. It is a part of the consul's duty to care

-for destitute, discharged and deserting seamen, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>

-stand between foremast hands and tyrannical officers,

-to protect officers from and punish mutinous sailors,

-and Frank knew the law bearing upon every case

-that could possibly arise.</p>

-

-<p>"The consul is obliged to listen to any and all

-complaints," continued Frank. "He measures

-them by the law bearing upon them, and he can

-discharge the crew on complaint of the officers, or

-he can discharge the officers themselves on a well-founded

-complaint from the crew."</p>

-

-<p>The sailors opened their eyes and looked at one

-another. They had never dreamed that they had

-so many rights, or that there was a law enacted on

-purpose to protect them.</p>

-

-<p>Just then the whale-boat came in sight again, rounding

-the stern of the Tycoon. She turned her bow

-toward the Stranger, and the quartermaster, after

-looking at her through his spy-glass, said there was

-a man in the stern-sheets dressed in gray. "That's

-the cap'n," exclaimed the deserter, in great alarm.

-"You won't let him take me back, sir?" he added,

-in a pleading voice.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"I can't prevent your lawful captain from taking

-you wherever he may find you," answered Uncle

-Dick; "but hold on, now, till I get through," he

-added, as the man began to back toward the rail

-as if he were about to take to the water again. "I'll

-give you a chance to save yourself. Call away the

-cutter, Mr. Baldwin, and send this man ashore."</p>

-

-<p>"Thank you, cap'n, thank you," said the sailor

-gratefully, and with tears in his eyes. "A prosperous

-and pleasant voyage to you and your mates,

-sir. What shall I do when I get ashore, sir?" he

-continued, looking at Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Go to the nearest justice and take out a warrant

-against those officers for assault and battery," was

-the reply.</p>

-

-<p>The boatswain's mate and the rescued man looked

-as if they did not quite understand. "You must

-know, sir," said the latter, doubtfully, "that all

-this beating and pounding was done on the high

-seas."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, what of it? When one man, without any

-provocation, handles another as roughly as you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>

-have been handled, he is answerable to the law, no

-matter whether the offence was committed on the

-high seas or on the land."</p>

-

-<p>"Come now, off you go, my man," said Uncle

-Dick. "The cutter is ready, and you've no time

-to lose. Yes, go with him and take charge of the

-boat, Lucas," he added, anticipating the request

-that the old boatswain's mate was about to make.</p>

-

-<p>"And whatever you do, don't let those blubber-hunters

-catch you," said Eugene, in a low voice.

-He wanted to say it aloud, so that the cutter's crew

-could hear it; but knowing that Uncle Dick did

-not allow any interference with his men, he checked

-himself just in time.</p>

-

-<p>The cutter's crew were all in their places, and

-there was a determined look on each man's face

-which said as plainly as words that the "blubber-hunters,"

-even if they succeeded in overhauling

-them&mdash;which was not at all unlikely, seeing that

-the whale-boat was built for speed, and was pulled

-by a crew who were kept in excellent training by

-almost daily practice at the oars&mdash;the deserter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>

-should never be taken from them. Uncle Dick

-seemed to read the thoughts that were passing

-through their minds, and as he looked at the sturdy

-fellows, who had thrown off their caps and rolled up

-their sleeves in preparation for a long, hard pull, he

-remarked to Frank that he would not care to be in

-that whale-boat if she succeeded in coming up with

-the cutter.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c41" id="c41">CHAPTER III.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">A SEA LAWYER.</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap04">THE cutter's bow swung away from the schooner

-as soon as the boatswain's mate and the

-rescued man were fairly seated, the oars dropped

-into the water, and then began a race that promised

-to be as exciting as even Eugene could have wished

-it. The boys once more ran up the rigging, so that

-they could watch both contestants. The whale-boat

-certainly had the better crew, and, although she was

-propelled by only five oars to the cutter's eight, she

-seemed to move two feet to the other boat's one.

-Especially was this the case when the man in gray,

-who was standing in the stern-sheets holding the

-steering-oar, became aware of what was going on.

-As soon as he saw the cutter moving away from the

-Stranger he comprehended the situation, and giving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>

-utterance to some heavy adjectives, which by the

-time they came to the boys' ears sounded a good

-deal like oaths, ordered his crew to "Pick her up

-and run right along with her." They responded

-promptly, and sent their boat through the water at

-such a rate that Uncle Dick became uneasy at the

-prospect of a collision between her crew and the

-cutter's.</p>

-

-<p>"I shouldn't think there would be any danger,"

-said Frank. "There are eleven men in our boat,

-counting the deserter, and only six in his."</p>

-

-<p>"But there is no officer in our boat," said Uncle

-Dick, "and this man being a captain, will expect

-our crew to obey his orders. I am really afraid he

-will be disappointed."</p>

-

-<p>Frank, remembering the savage and determined

-expression he had seen on the face of every one of

-the cutter's crew, was quite sure he would be.</p>

-

-<p>In a few minutes the whale-boat came close

-aboard the schooner, and dashed by under her

-bows. Her captain was furious, his face showed

-that. He ran his eye over the men on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>

-Stranger's deck, and picking out Uncle Dick at

-once as the commanding officer, said, as he nodded

-his head to him&mdash;</p>

-

-<p>"Fine business you're in, sir! helping men to

-desert. If there is a law on shore I'll see you

-again, my good fellow!"</p>

-

-<p>Uncle Dick simply smiled and touched his hat,

-and the whale-boat passed on. As she was going

-by, the sailors enacted a little pantomime of their

-own. They had clambered out on the bowsprit to

-see the race, and when the captain of the whaler

-was through threatening Uncle Dick, they glanced

-toward the quarter-deck, to make sure that none of

-their officers were observing them, and then leaned

-over and shook their fists at the angry man. One

-of them hugged his cap under his arm and beat it

-furiously with his clenched hand, nodding pleasantly

-to the captain the while, as if to indicate that

-it would have afforded him infinite satisfaction if

-the captain's head had been in the place of the cap.

-The boys, from their lofty perch in the main rigging,

-saw all that passed, and smiled at one another,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>

-but said nothing; for they knew that if the performance

-came to the ears of Uncle Dick, who was a

-very strict disciplinarian, every one of the sailors

-who took part in it would be sent to the mast.</p>

-

-<p class="pbq p1">[The "mast" is to a sailor on board ship, what the

-"library" is to a refractory boy on shore. It is there that

-culprits are sent to be reprimanded, if their offence be a

-slight one, or sentenced if they have done something deserving

-of punishment.]</p>

-

-<p class="p1">Although he might laugh over it afterward in the

-privacy of his cabin, he was not the one to pass

-lightly over an insult to a shipmaster when in performance

-of his duty, no matter how great the

-provocation.</p>

-

-<p>All this while the cutter's crew had been exceedingly

-busy, and now loud calls were heard from the

-boys on the cross-trees for their field-glasses. They

-did not want to miss a single incident of the race.

-Frank, who up to this time had remained below with

-Uncle Dick, went into the cabin after the glasses,

-and mounting the rigging, joined the group on the

-cross-trees. "Who's ahead?" he asked.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"O, the cutter," replied George Le Dell. "There

-is more in that crew than I thought. They'll land

-their man safe enough."</p>

-

-<p>And George was right. The cutter reached the

-wharf while the whale-boat was yet twenty yards

-away, and no sooner did she swing broadside to it

-than the deserter was lifted in the strong arms of

-the coxswain and boatswain's mate and fairly thrown

-ashore. He jumped to his feet and disappeared in

-less time than it takes to tell it. A few seconds

-later the whale-boat landed and the captain sprang

-out and started in pursuit, not, however, without

-saying a few words to the cutter's crew, which he

-emphasized by shaking his fist at them. If any of

-the men replied, our young friends at the cross-trees

-saw nothing to indicate it.</p>

-

-<p>The sailors pulled back slowly, for their long,

-hard pull had wearied them, and when they reached

-the schooner and clambered over the side, the boys

-saw that their faces were flushed, and that some

-portions of their clothes looked as though they had

-been dipped in the bay. The boatswain's mate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>

-went aft demurely enough to report the safe return

-of the boat, but when he made his way forward

-again, and glanced up at the boys, with whom he

-was an especial favorite, they saw that his jolly

-countenance was wreathed with smiles, and that his

-broad shoulders were shaking with suppressed mirth.

-He and the cutter's crew were proud of the exploit

-they had performed. The fun and excitement

-being all over now, the boys seated themselves in a

-circle on the cross-trees to discuss the incidents

-that had just transpired.</p>

-

-<p>"Now just listen to me a moment, Frank, and

-I'll ask you a question," said Perk. "Can that

-brutal fellow do anything to Uncle Dick for assisting

-his man to escape?"</p>

-

-<p>"If you should see me assaulted by ruffians who

-were getting the better of me, and should rescue me

-from their clutches, could they do anything to you

-in law?" asked Frank, in reply.</p>

-

-<p>"Certainly not."</p>

-

-<p>"The same law holds good on the sea. Some

-people have a very mistaken idea of things. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>

-insist on a landsman's right of self-defence, but

-deny the same to a sailor. Even sailors themselves

-think that because they follow the sea for a livelihood,

-they are debarred from exercising the very

-first law of our nature."</p>

-

-<p>"Hear! hear!" cried Archie.</p>

-

-<p>"Silence in the court-room!" exclaimed Featherweight,

-assuming a fierce frown. "Hurrah for free

-trade and sailors' rights, the motto on&mdash;on&mdash;somebody's

-flag! Proceed, brother Nelson. State the

-case to the jury."</p>

-

-<p>Frank laughed as heartily as the rest for a few

-minutes, and continued:</p>

-

-<p>"Sailors know that resistance to an officer, or

-even an attempt to spread dissatisfaction among the

-crew of a vessel, is called mutiny; and they know,

-too, that men have been hanged in the American

-navy for that very offence."</p>

-

-<p>"See Cooper's Naval History for an account of

-the mutiny on board the United States brig-of-war

-Somers, in 1842," said Bab.</p>

-

-<p>"That was the very circumstance I had in my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>

-mind," returned Frank. "Sailors know all this, as I

-was saying, and consequently they are afraid to call

-their souls their own. They suffer in silence, unless

-they are driven to commit suicide during the voyage,

-and when they get ashore forget it all, or make a

-feeble attempt to punish their tyrants by process of

-law, but they soon give it up, for at the very outset

-they find an insurmountable obstacle in their way.

-Before they can convict they must prove three

-things&mdash;that the punishment they received was cruel

-and unusual; that it was inflicted without any just

-cause; and that the occasion of it was malice, hatred,

-or a desire for revenge on the part of the officer who

-punished them. Now, no living being can prove

-this last accusation against another, for in order to

-do it he must be able to read his fellow-men as he

-would an open book, and see what is passing in their

-minds; and even that would do him no good unless

-he possessed the power to make the judge and jury

-who try the case see the matter just as he does."</p>

-

-<p>"Suppose this deserter could prove his complaints<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>

-against the master of that whaler," said Walter;

-"what would be the penalty?"</p>

-

-<p>"One thousand dollars fine and five years in the

-state prison."</p>

-

-<p>"And I hope he will get it all," said Eugene.</p>

-

-<p>"Well, if it is so hard for a seaman to obtain

-satisfaction at law, what ought he to do when he is

-abused at sea?" asked Bab. "I understood you to

-say he had two remedies, and you have given only

-one."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, there is another," said Frank. "He and

-his companions ought to club together, take the ship

-out of the hands of her officers, confine them in the

-cabin, and make for the nearest port, if they are

-navigators enough to find their way there."</p>

-

-<p>"Yes," exclaimed Archie, "and swing for it the

-moment they reach the shore."</p>

-

-<p>"No, sir. The case has been tried in the courts

-more than once, and would be tried oftener if sailors

-only knew their rights. As far as any risk I might

-run is concerned, I would not be afraid to belong to

-such a crew and take part in just such a proceeding."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Well, I don't want you to get into any such

-scrape," said Archie; "I should never expect to see

-you again."</p>

-

-<p>"I have no desire to win notoriety as a mutineer,

-I assure you," replied Frank, with a laugh. "As

-his Honor remarked"&mdash;here he waved his hand

-towards Featherweight, who bowed gravely&mdash;"I was

-only discoursing on sailors' rights."</p>

-

-<p>"There," said George, as the boatswain's whistle

-rang through the schooner, followed by the order,

-given in a very hoarse voice, "Away, you gigs,

-away!"&mdash;"the captain is going ashore. Hadn't we

-better go down and keep Dick Lewis and Bob company?

-The old fellows will be lonely."</p>

-

-<p>"That means business," said Eugene. "Uncle

-Dick is going ashore to see about the stores. It

-will not be long now before we take leave of Fr'isco."</p>

-

-<p>"And what will be our next port?" asked George.</p>

-

-<p>This was something that had not yet been decided,

-and if one might judge by what the boys said while

-they were descending to the deck, there was a prospect

-of a lively debate if the matter were left to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>

-them. Eugene wanted to go straight to Alaska.

-Bab, who had lately been reading "Reindeer, Dogs

-and Snow-shoes," was in favor of that, provided they

-could afterward go across to some port in Siberia

-and stay there long enough to see a little of the wild

-life in which he had been so much interested. Perk

-would agree to all that, in case they could stop on

-the way and give him a chance to try his hand at

-salmon-fishing in the tributaries of the Columbia

-river. Fred had seen quite enough of snow and ice,

-and thought he could have more sport in a warm

-country. He wanted to go to Japan. Walter said

-he was strongly in favor of that, for after they had

-seen all the sights in that country they would probably

-go to India, and that was what he wanted. He

-was impatient to ride on an elephant and see the

-famous Indian jugglers and serpent-charmers. Every

-boy wanted to go somewhere, but the trouble was

-that no two of them wanted to go to the same place;

-and Frank wondered how the matter would be decided.

-How astonished he would have been to know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>

-that the man in gray, who had just gone by in the

-whale-boat, was destined to decide it for them!</p>

-

-<p>The boys spent the rest of the day in company

-with the trappers. Nothing more was said on the

-subject which had for a long time been uppermost

-in their minds, for the tone in which Dick's answer

-had been given satisfied them that it was final.

-The boys were all sorry, for they had become

-greatly attached to these two good-natured, ignorant

-fellows. They had been of great service to them&mdash;beyond

-a doubt they had saved Walter's life&mdash;and

-they could not but miss them when they were

-gone. The cousins especially would have been

-glad to postpone the parting moment had they

-possessed the power. It was not at all likely that

-they would ever see the mountains or the prairie

-again, and even if they did, the chances that they

-would find their old friends, the trappers, were not

-one in a thousand. Their meeting with them had

-been purely accidental this time, and it was not

-probable that such a combination of circumstances

-would ever occur again.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>About supper-time Uncle Dick returned and

-reported that all arrangements had been made.

-The schooner was to be hauled alongside the dock

-in the morning, and they would go out with the

-turn of the tide. Where were they going? He

-didn't care. The world was before them, and when

-the boys had made up their minds what portion of

-it they wanted to see first, they could come to him

-with their decision. He wasn't going to bother his

-head about it, for he had other matters to think of.

-Eight o'clock the next evening would see the

-Stranger under way, and if the boys had any business

-ashore they had better attend to it the first

-thing in the morning.</p>

-

-<p>Uncle Dick retired at an early hour, as he

-always did, and the boys had the quarter-deck all

-to themselves until eleven o'clock&mdash;or rather they

-had it in company with the second mate and the

-quartermaster on watch. A few "primary meetings"

-had been held immediately after supper, but

-they amounted to nothing. Each boy knew upon

-whom he could rely to second any motion he might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>

-make, but he was not so certain of the number of

-votes he could raise in support of it. During the

-two hours' conversation that took place after Uncle

-Dick went to bed, Fred Craven arose six times&mdash;that

-is, once every twenty minutes&mdash;and said

-gravely,</p>

-

-<p>"I move you, Mr. President, that the captain of

-this schooner be requested to take her directly to

-some port in Japan."</p>

-

-<p>"I second the motion," said Frank, who was

-speaking for Walter.</p>

-

-<p>"Gentlemen, you have heard the motion," said

-Walter. "Are you ready for the question?"</p>

-

-<p>"Mr. President," said Eugene, "I move to

-amend by striking out Japan and substituting

-Alaska."</p>

-

-<p>"Second the motion," said Bab.</p>

-

-<p>"You have heard the amendment. Are you

-ready to take action upon it?"</p>

-

-<p>"Now just listen to me a minute, Mr. President,

-and I'll tell you what's a fact," said Perk. "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>

-move to amend by striking out Alaska and substituting

-Astoria in Oregon."</p>

-

-<p>"I second the motion," said George, who, being

-a devoted disciple of old Izaac Walton, was as fond

-of fishing as he was of sailing.</p>

-

-<p>"Mr. President," said Archie, "I move to

-amend&mdash;&mdash;"</p>

-

-<p>"The gentleman is out of order. An amendment

-to an amendment is proper, but not an amendment

-of an amendment to an amendment."</p>

-

-<p>When affairs reached this pass a hearty roar of

-laughter would come up through the open cabin

-windows, showing that there was an interested and

-amused listener in the person of Uncle Dick, who

-having gone to bed, leaving his state-room door ajar,

-could hear all that was said. Then speeches were

-made, some long and others witty, and all showing

-the training the boys had received in their debating

-societies. Eugene was particularly long-winded.

-According to Featherweight "he talked all manner

-of what," and spouted away on subjects that had

-not the slightest connection with the question under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>

-discussion. He talked eloquently about the American

-eagle, the war of 1812, and the stars and stripes,

-and dwelt long on the rights of sailors and other

-free-born citizens. He said afterward that if he

-couldn't gain his point any other way, he would

-tire his audience out, and compel them to vote for

-his amendment just to get rid of him. But the

-boys listened patiently and without once interrupting

-him, except by applause when he grew particularly

-eloquent, and the young orator finally tired

-himself out and took his seat in disgust. Everything

-was voted down; so they were no nearer a

-decision than they were before. There was one

-point, however, on which they were all agreed when

-the meeting broke up at eleven o'clock, and that

-was, that they had enjoyed themselves, and that

-their jaws and sides would be sure to ache for a

-week to come.</p>

-

-<p>During the afternoon the boys had held a consultation

-with the boatswain's mate, who had promised

-to take the trappers under his especial charge during

-the night, and to report the first man who attempted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>

-to play any tricks upon them. After the meeting

-broke up the boys went forward with their friends

-to see them safely stowed away in the forecastle.

-The sailors were all up and waiting for them&mdash;not

-a man had yet turned in. The best bunks in the

-forecastle had been given up for their use, and the

-beds that were made up in them would have looked

-very inviting to almost anybody except our two backwoodsmen.

-Having been all their lives accustomed

-to sleeping on the hard ground, with nothing but a

-blanket or the spreading branches of some friendly

-tree for protection, they wanted plenty of air and

-elbow-room. They hesitated when they looked into

-the little forecastle, and drew back and shook their

-heads when invited to enter. Archie finally effected

-a compromise by bringing up a couple of blankets

-and spreading them on the deck near the windlass.

-This being perfectly satisfactory, the boys bade the

-trappers good-night, and went away, leaving them

-to the tender mercies of the sailors.</p>

-

-<p>There was not much sleeping done among those

-foremast hands that night. They did not play any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>

-tricks upon their guests&mdash;indeed there were not

-many among them who would have had the hardihood

-to attempt it, after taking a good look at the

-stalwart fellows&mdash;but they crammed them "chock-a-block"

-with such wild stories of the sea that the

-trappers grew more alarmed than ever, and wondered

-greatly at the recklessness of the men who would

-willingly encounter such dangers. They told about

-mermaids, sea-dragons and serpents; of Vanderdecker's

-ghostly ship, the Flying Dutchman, which

-was rushing about the ocean with the speed of a

-railroad train, running down and sinking every craft

-that came in her way; of monstrous cuttle-fish which

-would sometimes arise suddenly out of the depths,

-and twining their long arms about a ship, sink with

-it and all the crew to the bottom; and one of the

-men declared that he had actually met and been

-swallowed by the same whale that took Jonah in out

-of the wet, hundreds and thousands of years before,

-and to prove it, exhibited the tobacco-box which had

-dropped out of Jonah's pocket when the whale threw

-him ashore. This is a staple forecastle yarn, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>

-every one who has had an hour's conversation with

-a sailor, has probably heard it; but it was new to

-the trappers, who listened with all their ears and

-with unmistakable signs of terror on their faces.

-The simple-hearted fellows believed every word, and

-when the conversation lagged for a moment, spoke

-of the magnet Eugene had shown them, and the use

-for which they supposed it was intended.</p>

-

-<p>This started the sailors on a new tack, and the

-stories that followed were more wonderful than those

-which had just been told. There was not a sailor

-on board the Stranger who had not seen some unlucky

-vessel tumble off the under side of the earth,

-her magnet proving too weak to sustain her weight;

-and there were two or three who had belonged to the

-crews of those very vessels, and who had been saved

-by a miracle.</p>

-

-<p>The night was passed in this way, and it was

-daylight before the trappers lay down on their

-blankets to rest, but not to sleep. They could not

-sleep after hearing of such wonderful adventures and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>

-talking face to face with the men who had taken

-part in them. If they had not already made up

-their minds to lose no time in seeking safety among

-their native mountains, they would have done so

-now.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c61" id="c61">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pc">"SHANGHAIED."</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap04">THE morning broke bright and clear, and all

-hands were astir at an early hour. The first

-thing was to hoist the anchor and haul the schooner

-alongside the dock. This being done, breakfast was

-served, and the boys having put on their shore-clothes,

-started out to take a good look at the city

-which they might never see again, and to make purchases

-of various articles they needed. Fred and

-Eugene each wanted a rifle and a brace of revolvers,

-their own weapons having been stolen from them by

-the hunters who robbed the Pike. Some of the

-others needed a few articles of clothing, and Frank's

-Maynard required some repairs. They set out together,

-but before an hour had passed, were scattered

-all over the city. Fred, Archie and Eugene<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>

-hired a carriage and went for a ride, taking old Bob

-with them, while Dick Lewis stuck close to Frank

-and Walter. Knowing that the time for parting

-was not far distant, he did not seem willing to allow

-them out of his sight.</p>

-

-<p>A few years before men like Dick were often met

-with in the streets of the city; but now a genuine

-trapper was not seen every day, and he created

-something of a sensation wherever he went. Almost

-every one he met stared at him and turned to look

-at him after he had passed; and Dick, finally becoming

-nettled by the interest and curiosity his appearance

-excited, begged the boys to take him back

-to the schooner and leave him there. He would

-stay on board until she was ready to sail, he said,

-and then he and Bob would bid a long farewell to

-civilization, and make the best of their way back to

-Fort Bolton. He hoped that neither of them would

-ever see a paved street or a brick house again.</p>

-

-<p>At six o'clock in the evening the boys, and the

-few sailors who had been allowed shore liberty, began

-to retrace their steps toward the dock where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>

-the Stranger was lying. At seven they were all on

-board except two&mdash;Lucas, the boatswain's mate, and

-Barton, the coxswain of the cutter. These men

-had not been seen since noon, and they were to have

-been back at three o'clock. Preparations were

-already being made for getting under way, and

-Uncle Dick began to grow impatient. "I don't

-see what keeps those fellows," said he to Frank.

-"I have always found them trustworthy, and I hope

-they will not fail me now."</p>

-

-<p>"I must go ashore again after my rifle, you know,"

-replied Frank&mdash;"it was to be done at half-past

-seven&mdash;and I'll go along the dock and keep an eye

-out for them."</p>

-

-<p>"All right. Hurry them up, if you see them,

-and be sure that you are in time yourself."</p>

-

-<p>Frank went ashore accompanied by the trapper&mdash;Dick

-was not afraid of attracting so much attention

-now that it was growing dark&mdash;and hurried

-away toward the gunsmith's. He followed the

-wharves as long as they led him in the direction he

-wanted to go, looking everywhere for the missing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>

-sailors, but without finding them. The actions of

-himself and his companion attracted the attention of

-two men, who were walking along the dock behind

-them. They watched them for some time, and then,

-after whispering together a few minutes, one of

-them came up and tapped Frank on the shoulder.

-"Who are you looking for?" said he.</p>

-

-<p>Frank turned and fastening his eyes on the man

-took a good survey of him before he answered. He

-was a flashily-dressed person, with a sneaking, hang-dog

-cast of countenance, and the grimy hand he

-placed upon Frank's shoulder, and which the latter

-promptly shook off, was heavily loaded with bogus

-jewelry.</p>

-

-<p>"Don't be quite so familiar, if you please!" said

-Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Beg pardon," said the man, stepping back and

-straightening up his battered plug hat which he had

-thus far worn cocked over his left ear. "I thought

-you belonged to the Stranger."</p>

-

-<p>"And what if I do?" asked Frank.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"I thought maybe you were looking for them two

-men."</p>

-

-<p>"What two men?"</p>

-

-<p>"Why, one of 'em is a short, thick-set fellow, and

-carries a silver whistle in the breast pocket of his

-shirt. The other is tall and slender, wears some

-kind of a badge on his arm&mdash;a petty officer's badge

-I took it to be&mdash;and has light hair and whiskers."</p>

-

-<p>The man gave an accurate description of the

-missing sailors of whom Frank was in search. No

-doubt they had got into trouble and found their way

-into some station-house; and this fellow was some

-little pettifogger, who hoped to make a few dollars

-by helping them out.</p>

-

-<p>"I thought maybe you were looking for 'em,"

-continued the man, as he turned to go away;

-"but seeing you ain't, I am sorry I pestered you."</p>

-

-<p>"One moment, please," said Frank. "Where

-are these men now?"</p>

-

-<p>"They're aboard my ship."</p>

-

-<p>"O, you're a sailor, are you?" exclaimed Frank,

-again running his eye over the man, who looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>

-about as much like a sailor as Dick Lewis did.

-"What is the name of your ship, and where is she?"</p>

-

-<p>"She's the Sunrise, and she is at anchor out here

-in the bay."</p>

-

-<p>"How came our men aboard of her?"</p>

-

-<p>"Well, you see, they've got some friends and

-acquaintances among my crew, and when we were

-lying alongside the dock they came aboard to see

-them. While they were skylarking about, one of

-them, the boatswain, fell into the hold and broke his

-leg. We hauled out into the bay just after that,

-and did it in such a hurry&mdash;you see there was another

-ship waiting to take our berth at the dock as

-soon as we were out of it&mdash;that we didn't have time

-to put him ashore. We've had a doctor to see him,

-and maybe it would be a good plan to get an ambulance

-and take him back where he belongs."</p>

-

-<p>"I think so too," said Frank, who became interested

-at once; "that is, if he can bear removal.

-But whatever we do, must be done at once. Our

-vessel is all ready to sail."</p>

-

-<p>"I guess he can stand it to be moved. You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>

-might come aboard and see&mdash;you and your pardner

-here. I've got a boat close by."</p>

-

-<p>Frank assenting to this proposition, he and Dick

-Lewis followed the man, who led the way along the

-wharf, and finally showed them a yawl manned by

-two oarsmen. They climbed down into it, their

-companion took his seat at the helm, and the boat

-was pushed off into the darkness. The man talked

-incessantly, answering all Frank's questions, and

-going so fully into the particulars of the accident

-that had befallen the boatswain's mate, and telling

-so straight and reasonable a story, that not a shadow

-of a doubt entered Frank's mind. He remarked

-that the ship was a long way from the wharf, and

-that the two men who were pulling the oars looked

-more like "dock rats" than sailors; but still he

-scarcely bestowed a second thought upon these matters,

-for his mind was fully occupied with the injured

-man to whose relief he was hastening. At last the hull

-and rigging of a ship loomed up through the darkness,

-and a hoarse voice hailed the yawl.</p>

-

-<p>"Sunrise!" replied the man at the helm.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>The answer was perfectly right and proper. It

-conveyed to them on board the ship the information

-that their captain was in the approaching boat; but

-it seemed to Frank that his presence brought very

-little show of respect from the officer in charge of

-the deck, for he ordered no lanterns to light him

-aboard. Indeed there were no lights to be seen on

-the deck, as Frank found when he clambered over

-the side, the only ones visible being those in the

-rigging, which were placed there to point out the

-position of the ship, so that passing vessels might

-not run into her.</p>

-

-<p>The captain, who was the first to board the ship,

-talked rapidly in a low tone to some one who hurried

-aft to meet him, and when Frank came up,

-he said aloud:&mdash;</p>

-

-<p>"Take this gentleman into the forecastle and

-give him all the help he needs to remove that man.

-This one," he added, pointing to Dick, "can go

-with a couple of you to get a stretcher."</p>

-

-<p>"Ay! ay! sir," replied a voice. "Step right

-this way, sir."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>Frank followed the speaker toward the forecastle,

-and when he came within sight of the ladder that

-led into it, was surprised to see that it was as dark

-as a dungeon below. Then for the first time the

-thought that things did not look just right began

-to creep through his mind. His companion descended

-the ladder, but Frank halted at the top.

-"Look here, my friend," said he; "if you want to

-get me below there you had better light up first."</p>

-

-<p>"Come on," said the man, in a tone of command.</p>

-

-<p>"Where's that sailor with the broken leg?"

-demanded Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Are you going to come on?" asked the man.</p>

-

-<p>"Well, that depends&mdash;&mdash; I want to hear from that

-man of ours first. If you are down there, Lucas,

-sing out!"</p>

-

-<p>There was no response. In an instant it flashed

-upon Frank that he and Dick had been led into a

-trap. The man in the battered plug hat was no

-captain at all. Probably he was a shipping-agent.

-Having persuaded Frank and the trapper to accompany

-him on board the ship, he made a very plausible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>

-excuse for separating them for a moment, so

-that they could not assist each other, and now they

-were to be overpowered and confined until the vessel

-was well out to sea, when they would be brought

-out and compelled to act with the crew. While

-Frank was thinking about it, his conductor, who had

-gone half way down the ladder, turned around and

-started to come back. Frank's ears told him this

-and not his eyes, for they were of no use to him in

-that intense darkness. "Avast, there!" he cried,

-with emphasis. "If you come a step nearer to me

-I'll send you down that ladder quicker than you

-ever went down before. You have picked up the

-wrong men this time. Where is that scoundrel who

-called himself the master of this ship?"</p>

-

-<p>"Here I am," replied that worthy, in tones very

-different from those he had thus far used in addressing

-Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Well, if you are wise, you will undo this half-hour's

-work with the least possible delay. Call away

-that boat and leave us a clear road to get to

-it, or&mdash;&mdash;"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>Frank was interrupted by the sounds of a fierce

-struggle which just then arose from the quarter-deck.

-He heard the sound of stamping and scraping feet,

-muttered oaths and blows, and then Dick's voice

-rang out clear above the tumult. "Keep off, the

-hul on you," said he, "fur I'm a leetle wusser nor

-a hul parsel of wild-cats!" And then followed a

-sound such as might be made by somebody's head

-coming in violent contact with the deck.</p>

-

-<p>"Stand your ground, Dick!" shouted Frank.

-"I'll be there in a minute!"</p>

-

-<p>With these words he sprang forward, intending to

-run to his friend's assistance; but before he had

-made half a dozen steps his heels flew up and he

-was sent at full length on the deck, which he no

-sooner touched than two men, whom he had not yet

-seen, sprang up from behind the windlass and threw

-themselves across his shoulders. He had been entirely

-deceived as to the number of enemies with

-whom he had to deal. He had seen but four men

-on deck and there proved to be a dozen of them&mdash;more

-than enough to render resistance useless.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>

-Almost before he realized the fact he was powerless,

-a pair of irons being slipped over his wrists and

-another about his ankles. When he was helped to

-his feet, he found that the struggle on the quarter-deck

-had ended in the same way. Dick Lewis was

-led up, and by the light of a lantern which one of

-the crew drew from under a tarpaulin, Frank saw

-that he was ironed like himself.</p>

-

-<p>The man who carried the lantern held it up so

-that its rays fell full on the prisoners, and gave them

-a good looking over, bestowing his attentions principally

-upon their arms and shoulders, as if trying

-to judge of the amount of muscle they might contain.

-"They'll do," said he, at last, "and now we're all

-ready to be off. Can you pull an oar?" he added,

-flashing his lantern in Frank's face.</p>

-

-<p>"I can," was the reply.</p>

-

-<p>"I can! Is that the way you talk to me? I am

-mate of this vessel and there's a handle to my

-name."</p>

-

-<p>"I did not know that you were an officer," replied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>

-Frank, "and neither am I aware that I am under

-any obligations to put a handle to your name."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, you'll find it out pretty sudden. It shall

-be my first hard work to teach you manners, my

-fine gentleman. Take 'em below."</p>

-

-<p>The mate handed the lantern to one of the crew,

-who moved toward the forecastle, followed by the

-prisoners, who never uttered a word of complaint or

-remonstrance. Frank knew it would do no good,

-and Dick was so bewildered that he could not have

-spoken if he had tried. He kept as close to his

-young companion as he could. He seemed to think

-that Frank, powerless as he was, could in some way

-protect him. They followed their conductor into the

-forecastle, and the latter, after hanging the lantern

-to one of the carlens, went on deck again, closing

-the hatch after him.</p>

-

-<p>Frank and the trapper looked about them before

-they spoke. The very first objects their eyes rested

-on were the two missing seamen, the coxswain and

-the boatswain's mate, who lay side by side in one

-of the bunks, snoring at the rate of ten knots an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>

-hour. They were there, sure enough&mdash;the bogus

-captain told the truth on that point&mdash;and Frank

-was glad to see that they were all right, or would

-be as soon as the effects of the drug they had swallowed

-had been slept off. There were three other

-men in the forecastle, and they were in irons like

-themselves. They lay in their bunks and looked

-sullenly at the new-comers. "What's the matter

-with you?" asked Frank. "What have you been

-doing to get yourselves in this fix?"</p>

-

-<p>"Trying to desert," growled one of the sailors,

-in reply. "What's the matter with <i>you</i>?"</p>

-

-<p>"Shanghaied," answered Frank. "What ship is

-this, and where is she bound?"</p>

-

-<p>"She's the Tycoon, and I expect she's off for the

-Japan station."</p>

-

-<p>Frank's heart seemed to stop beating. His situation

-was even worse than he had supposed. He

-recalled the story of the man he had seen desert

-that same ship on that very day, and shuddered

-when he thought of what might be in store for him.</p>

-

-<p>"What did you say was the matter with us, Master<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>

-Frank?" asked the trapper, leaning against a bunk

-by his friend's side and speaking in a low voice.</p>

-

-<p>"I say we have been shanghaied&mdash;that is, kidnapped,"

-replied Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"But what fur?" said Dick, who did not understand

-the matter at all. "We hain't been a doin' of

-nothing."</p>

-

-<p>"I know that; but you see&mdash;in the first place,

-Dick, there's no use in denying that we are in

-serious trouble. You might as well know it first as

-last and make up your mind to stand it, for there is

-no way of escape. This is the same ship that that

-man we picked up to-day deserted from, and that

-red-faced man in gray whom we saw in the whale-boat

-is the captain of her. He and his officers treat

-their men so harshly that they run away every

-chance they get. The captain must have men to

-handle his vessel, and as he can't get them in the

-regular way, he kidnaps them."</p>

-

-<p>"But what do I know 'bout a ship?" exclaimed

-Dick.</p>

-

-<p>"Nothing whatever; but that is no matter. You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>

-have good strong arms, and it will not take long to

-break you in."</p>

-

-<p>"Whar&mdash;whar&mdash;&mdash;"</p>

-

-<p>The trapper could not ask the question he was

-most anxious to have answered. It seemed to stick

-in his throat.</p>

-

-<p>"I know what you mean," said Frank. "This

-man says we are bound for Japan, and that is nearly

-three thousand miles from here."</p>

-

-<p>Dick was frightened almost out of his senses.

-His face grew as pale as death, great drops of perspiration

-stood on his forehead, and he tugged and

-pulled at his irons with the strength of desperation.

-But they had been put on him to stay, and all his

-efforts to free himself were unavailing. Frank knew

-what he stood in fear of, and he knew, too, that anything

-he could say would not set the poor fellow's

-mind at rest. The wrong ideas he had formed of

-things and the ridiculous stories he had heard in the

-forecastle of the Stranger, had made an impression

-on him so deep and lasting that even Frank, in whom

-the trapper had every confidence, could not remove<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>

-it. The real dangers he was likely to encounter

-would be but small things comparatively; but the

-imaginary evils which he would look for every day,

-would cause him much suffering. Frank thought

-more of his friend than he did of himself. How

-would Dick behave when he found himself dancing

-over the waves of the Pacific in a small boat in pursuit

-of a whale? What would he think if he saw one

-of those monsters of the deep&mdash;as Lucas, the boatswain's

-mate, said he had often seen them&mdash;come up

-on a breach, shoot up forty or fifty feet into the air,

-and then fall down into the water with a noise like

-the roar of Niagara? No doubt he would refuse duty.

-No doubt, too, when the captain or his officers

-attempted to punish him for disobedience there

-would be a desperate fight&mdash;for Dick stood not in

-fear of anything that walked on two feet&mdash;which

-would not end until the trapper had been severely

-injured and perhaps permanently disabled.</p>

-

-<p>"Human natur'! What'll I do?" cried Dick,

-after he had exhausted himself in his efforts to pull

-off his irons.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Watch, me and do as I do, as nearly as you can,"

-replied Frank. "We are completely in the power

-of these men, and there is no way to get out of it.

-While on our voyage from Bellville, I took particular

-pains to learn all I could of a seaman's duties,

-and perhaps I shall be able to be of some assistance

-to you. What we don't know Lucas and Barton

-will teach us. But, whatever you do, don't refuse

-duty or talk back, no matter what is said or done to

-you. It will only be worse for you if you do."</p>

-

-<p>"And bear another thing in mind," said one of

-the sailors, who had been listening to this conversation,

-"and that is, you take rank next below the

-cap'n's dog, and hain't got no rights of your own!"</p>

-

-<p>The trapper looked toward Frank, and while the

-latter was explaining that, according to a sailor's

-creed, those who follow the sea take rank in this way:

-first the captain, then the mates, then the captain's

-dog, and lowest of all, the foremast hands&mdash;while

-Frank was explaining this, there was the sound of a

-commotion on the deck over their heads, and after

-listening a moment the sailors declared that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>

-vessel was about to be taken to sea. And so it proved.

-The anchor was hove up, the sails spread one after

-the other, and finally the prisoners below began to

-feel the increasing motion of the ship. Just then

-the hatch was thrown open and the first mate came

-down the ladder. He walked straight up to Dick,

-unlocked his irons and slapping him on the back

-ordered him to go on deck and lend a hand. Even

-this simple order was Greek to the honest trapper;

-but he understood the word "go," and he went,

-delighted to find himself in possession of his liberty

-once more. Frank would have been glad to go

-with him, for it was anything but agreeable to his

-feelings to be confined below like a felon; but the

-officers wanted to get a little farther away from

-shore before they allowed too many of their unwilling

-crew the free use of their hands and feet.</p>

-

-<p>The first order Dick heard when he reached the

-deck was: "Let fall and sheet home;" and the mate

-giving him a push by the shoulder and a kick at the

-same time, commanded him to "Grab hold of that

-rope and pull as if the sweetheart he left in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>

-backwoods was at the other end of it." Or, we

-ought rather say that that was the order the mate

-intended to give, but he never finished it, for he was

-knocked down so promptly that it seemed as if his

-foot and the trapper's right arm were both put in

-motion at the same instant. Dick's hot blood, which

-was already at fever heat, boiled over completely

-when he felt the weight of the mate's boot, and he

-wiped out the insult as soon as it was given.</p>

-

-<p>Of course there was a tumult at once. The second

-mate caught up a handspike and the captain

-descended from his quarter-deck, flourishing a rope's

-end as he came. They advanced upon the trapper

-from opposite sides, but he was ready and waiting,

-and they must have been astonished at the rough

-reception they met at his hands. With one single

-twist, which was so sudden and powerful that it

-almost dislocated the second mate's shoulder, Dick

-wrenched the handspike out of his grasp and threw

-it to the deck. Then his long arms swung in the

-air like the shafts of a windmill, one huge clenched

-hand, as heavy as a sledgehammer, fell full in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>

-captain's face, the other alighted on the top of the

-mate's head, and both these worthies sank to the

-deck on the instant.</p>

-

-<p>The first mate by this time recovered his feet, and

-picking up a handspike looked all around for the

-trapper; but he was not to be seen anywhere on

-deck. Nor indeed was he to be found about the

-ship. He was gone.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c82" id="c82">CHAPTER V.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">THE TRAPPER'S ADVENTURE.</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap04">"WHAT time is it now, Eugene?"</p>

-

-<p>"Just nine o'clock. What do you suppose

-is the matter, Uncle?"</p>

-

-<p>"I wish I knew. They are all of them old enough

-and large enough to take care of themselves, but I

-can't help thinking that there's something wrong."</p>

-

-<p>"I have half a mind to go ashore and look for

-them."</p>

-

-<p>"I don't know what good that would do. You

-don't know where to look, and if they should happen

-to come aboard while you were gone, we should have

-to send some one in search of you, and that would

-cause another delay."</p>

-

-<p>The stores were all aboard, the Stranger was

-ready to sail, and had been for more than an hour,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>

-but three of her company were missing, and so was

-the trapper. Uncle Dick and the boys had been

-impatient at first, but this gradually gave way to a

-feeling of uneasiness and anxiety. Everybody had

-some explanation to offer for Frank's absence, and

-the prevailing opinion seemed to be that the sailors,

-having got themselves into trouble during the day,

-had been arrested, and that Frank was trying to

-effect their release. Old Bob was more uneasy than

-the rest, and couldn't make up his mind what to

-think about it, not knowing the dangers which one

-might encounter while roaming about the city after

-dark. His kit and Dick's were packed and lying at

-the head of the companion-way, and the old fellow

-was in a hurry to be off. Had they been in the

-mountains the trapper's absence would have caused

-him no anxiety. There Dick knew all about things,

-and was abundantly able to take care of number one;

-but in the settlements he was like a child, and almost

-as incapable of looking out for himself. Old Bob

-was afraid something had happened to him or Frank,

-and the others began to think so too as the hours<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>

-wore away and their missing friends did not appear.

-Uncle Dick finally gave up all hopes of seeing them

-that night, and ordering one watch below, went to

-bed himself, leaving instructions with the officer of

-the deck to call him the moment Frank arrived.

-The impatient boys remained on deck an hour or

-two longer; but at last they also grew weary and

-turned in and went to sleep.</p>

-

-<p>Just at daylight they were awakened by hasty

-steps on the companion-ladder, and the officer of the

-watch hurried into the cabin and pounded loudly on

-the captain's door. "Ay! ay!" replied Uncle Dick.</p>

-

-<p>"That trapper is coming back, sir," said the

-officer, "and he's having a fuss out there on the dock."</p>

-

-<p>"He is having what?" asked Uncle Dick.</p>

-

-<p>"He's in a rumpus of some kind, sir. He's got

-somebody on his back and is lugging him along as

-if he were a bag of potatoes."</p>

-

-<p>"It isn't Captain Nelson or one of the men, is it?"

-asked Uncle Dick, anxiously.</p>

-

-<p>"O no, sir. It is a landsman and a stranger."</p>

-

-<p>This conversation was carried on in a tone of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>

-voice loud enough to be heard by all the boys, who

-were out on the floor in an instant. It was but a

-few seconds' work to jump into their trowsers and

-boots, and catch up their coats and hats, and they

-were on deck almost as soon as the officer himself.

-A strange sight met their eyes. A short distance

-up the dock was Dick Lewis, running at the top of

-his speed, and carrying on his shoulder a man almost

-as large as himself, who kicked and struggled in

-vain to escape from the strong grasp that held him.

-The load was undoubtedly a heavy one, but the trapper

-moved with it plenty fast enough to leave behind

-two ill-looking fellows, who carried bludgeons in

-their hands, and who were trying to overtake him.

-About two hundred yards farther up the dock were

-two more men, one supporting the other, who was

-limping along half doubled up as if in great pain.</p>

-

-<p>The boys, wondering greatly, sprang ashore and

-ran up the wharf to meet Dick. The latter, to quote

-from Featherweight, looked as though he had been

-somewhere. His buckskin suit, soaked with water,

-clung close to his person; his hat was gone, and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>

-face wore an expression that the old members of the

-club had never seen there before. Archie had seen

-it, however, and that was on the day when, seated

-at the camp-fire near the Old Bear's Hole, years

-before, Frank related to himself and Uncle James

-the particulars of his meeting with Black Bill and

-his party, and the manner in which he had been

-treated by them.</p>

-

-<p>Dick grinned the delight he felt at meeting the

-boys once more, but did not stop to speak to them.

-He went straight on board the schooner and threw

-off his burden, at the same time seizing his man by

-the collar and jerking him upon his feet in front of

-Uncle Dick Gaylord, who looked at him in amazement.</p>

-

-<p>"Here's the mean chap that done it all," said the

-trapper, throwing his full strength into his arm and

-giving the bogus captain&mdash;for it was he&mdash;such a

-shaking that his teeth fairly rattled. "Now if

-thar's any law in the settlements set it a-going."</p>

-

-<p>"What did he do?" demanded the boys, who had

-followed close at his heels. "Where's Frank?"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"He's round on the other side of the 'arth by this

-time, I reckon," replied Dick, drawing his hand

-across his forehead and looking about as if he were

-overjoyed to find himself among friends once more.</p>

-

-<p>"I hope they've got a horse-shoe big enough to

-hold 'em on, but I'm 'most afeard, 'cause she's a

-heap bigger nor this little boat o' your'n."</p>

-

-<p>"What is?" asked the captain, and the boys grew

-anxious when they saw the expression that settled

-on his face. "Begin at the beginning and tell us

-all about it."</p>

-

-<p>Thus adjured, the trapper launched at once into

-his story, without wasting any time in explanatory

-remarks, and for ten minutes held his auditors spellbound.

-He told how he and Frank had been enticed

-on board the Tycoon, described the manner

-in which they had been overpowered and confined,

-repeated the conversation that took place between

-Frank and himself in the forecastle, and ended by

-relating the particulars of his "scrimmage" with the

-officers of the ship, with all of which the reader is

-already acquainted; but he does not know what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>

-happened afterward, so from this point we will tell

-the story in our own words.</p>

-

-<p>The reason Dick could not be found on board the

-ship after his fight with the officers was ended, was

-because he was not there&mdash;he had jumped overboard;

-and what was rather singular, none of the crew on

-deck had seen him when he did it. The last time

-they saw him he was clambering into one of the bowboats,

-and that was the first place they looked for

-him, his concealment being pointed out to the officers

-by a man who was looked upon as the "black

-sheep" of the crew, and of whom we shall probably

-hear more as our story progresses. But when the

-officers came to search the boat, Dick was not there;

-he had dropped unseen into the water.</p>

-

-<p>The trapper was a famous swimmer, and entertained

-no doubt of his ability to reach the shore;

-but even had the vessel been twenty miles at sea,

-he would have trusted himself to the waves rather

-than run the risk of encountering the terrible dangers

-that awaited the ship and her crew on the "under

-side of the earth." The worst thing he would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>

-have to contend with in case he were recaptured,

-would be the tyranny of the captain and his brutal

-officers; but the sturdy trapper gave not one thought

-to that, for during a life of excitement and adventure

-he had more than once demonstrated his ability

-to protect himself; but he <i>did</i> think of that ghostly

-ship, the Flying Dutchman, the big cuttle-fish, the

-mermaids and sea-dragons, the whale that swallowed

-Jonah, and which was still roaming about seeking

-whom he might devour, and, worse than all, the

-awful danger of the ship falling off when she came to

-the under side of the earth and was sailing along

-with her masts pointing downward and the crew

-walking with their feet upward. Dick thought of

-all these dangers and swam as if he saw them looming

-up close behind him; but with all his exertions

-he could not make headway fast enough to suit him.

-His wet clothing hung upon him like lead and deadened

-his progress through the water; so the first

-thing he did when the ship was out of sight, was to

-stop and relieve himself of this encumbrance. He

-took off moccasins and all, and wrapping them up in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>

-his hunting-shirt put the bundle on his back and

-tied it around his neck with the sleeves of the shirt.

-After that he made better headway.</p>

-

-<p>It is hard to tell what would have been the result

-of the trapper's adventure, had it not been for some

-assistance which fortunately came in his way. Had

-there been light enough so that he could see to direct

-his course, the swim would have been nothing; but

-there was danger of moving in a circle in the darkness,

-and so tiring himself out without making any

-headway at all. There were no lights in front to

-guide him, but there were some behind, and after

-looking at them two or three times the swimmer

-became convinced that they were coming toward him.

-There was a vessel of some kind approaching, and

-Dick, changing his course a little to intercept her,

-had the satisfaction of hearing his hail answered,

-and of seeing the little fishing-smack which carried

-the lights thrown up into the wind within a few

-yards of him.</p>

-

-<p>"Hello, there!" cried a gruff voice.</p>

-

-<p>"Hello, you!" shouted Dick. "Here I am."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Well, what do you want?" asked the captain of

-the fishing boat, peering out into the darkness and

-trying to discover whence the hail came.</p>

-

-<p>"Is civilized folks human enough to lend a sufferin'

-feller-man a helpin' hand?" asked Dick, who

-after his recent experience had some serious doubts

-on this point.</p>

-

-<p>This question was not immediately answered, for

-the skipper did not quite understand it. He held

-a consultation with one of his men and then called

-out&mdash;</p>

-

-<p>"If you want help, pull this way. I've got no

-boat to send out after you!"</p>

-

-<p>Dick was pulling that way with all his might,

-and guided by the lanterns that were held over the

-side, at last reached the boat, which sat so low in

-the water that he could lay hold of her rail. The

-astonishment of her crew as they hauled aboard a

-man who carried all his wearing apparel around his

-neck, was unbounded. They gave him time to put

-on his clothes and then directed him to the captain

-who was waiting to see him.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>The very first question that gentleman propounded

-to him aroused a thousand fears in Dick's mind.

-The skipper wanted to know where he came from,

-and how he happened to be out there in the water,

-five miles from land; and the trapper, fearful that if

-he told the truth and acknowledged himself to be a

-deserter, the captain might follow the Tycoon and

-compel him to go aboard of her again, whether he

-wanted to or not, did something he had never done

-before&mdash;he made up a story all out of his own head,

-as he told Uncle Dick Gaylord, and queer work he

-made of it. He entered into the particulars of a

-fearful shipwreck that had just occurred. The waves

-were as high as the Rocky Mountains, he said, the

-wind blew so hard that the sailors had to stop all

-work and hold their hair on (this was a quotation

-from one of the stories the trapper had heard in

-the forecastle of the Stranger); his ship was capsized

-no less than three times, always coming right

-side up again, and doing it so quickly that she did

-not even wet her sails or her deck, and none of the

-crew had a chance to drop off into the water (another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>

-quotation); but finally the wind came in such furious

-gusts that it took the masts right out by the roots

-(still another quotation), and the ship filled and went

-down like lead. The trapper said that all this happened

-not five minutes before, and that set the crew

-of the fishing-boat into a roar of laughter, for they had

-been out all day, and knew there had scarcely been

-wind enough to raise any white caps. The captain

-used some hard words, and called Dick anything

-but a truthful man; but the latter affirmed so solemnly

-that it was all so, that the skipper thought

-that perhaps something had happened after all, and

-spent a long time in cruising about the place where

-Dick had been picked up.</p>

-

-<p>This delay added to the trapper's fears. What

-if the Tycoon should come back in search of him?

-Alarmed by the thought, he labored hard to convince

-the captain that every soul on board the wrecked

-ship, except himself, had gone down with her;

-but finding that the skipper paid no attention to

-him, he changed his story altogether, and declared

-that he had jumped overboard on purpose, and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>

-he had done it because he had taken passage on the

-wrong vessel. He wanted to go to Sacramento, he

-said, but by mistake had boarded a craft bound for

-the "under side of the earth;" and as she would

-not turn back and put him ashore, he had no alternative

-but to take to the water and get back as best

-he could. Then the skipper was angry in earnest.

-Ordering Dick to get as far forward as the length

-of the little vessel would allow, and not to open his

-head again as long as he remained on board of her,

-he filled away for the city.</p>

-

-<p>The trapper was very glad to be let off so easily.

-He had induced the captain to turn his vessel toward

-the shore, and that was all he cared for. He crouched

-down in the bow and meekly submitted to the jokes

-and tricks of the sailors, who never allowed him a

-moment's peace. He was too completely cowed to

-take offence at anything. He had seen enough of

-civilized life and people to take all the courage out

-of him.</p>

-

-<p>The moment the fishing boat touched the dock he

-was out and ashore. Then he was himself again.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>

-When he felt something solid under his feet his

-courage all returned, and he was in just the right

-mood to carry out the exploit he afterward performed.

-Almost the first man he saw on the dock

-was the bogus captain, who had enticed Frank and

-himself on board the Tycoon. Dick's blood began

-to boil as soon as his eyes rested on him. His first

-thought was to take summary vengeance on him, but

-he was checked in time by the reflection that he was

-not in the mountains now, and that there were laws

-in the settlements strong enough to punish evil-doers

-of every description. He did not know how to set

-the law in motion, but the captain of the Stranger

-did, and he would take the culprit before him at once.</p>

-

-<p>The bogus captain, whose business was that of

-shipping-agent and boarding-house keeper, was

-standing in the midst of a group of friends, half a

-dozen of them perhaps, and all men like himself;

-but this did not deter the trapper, who strode up and

-confronted him. The talking and laughing were

-hushed at once, and all eyes were turned upon the

-new-comer, who stood before them with dripping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>

-garments, his tall figure drawn up to its full height,

-his eyes flashing and his bony fingers working nervously.

-He looked dangerous. The bogus captain

-stared at him a moment doubtfully and then a gleam

-of intelligence crossed his face and he tried to smile.</p>

-

-<p>"Why, I thought I had seen you before," said he,

-thrusting out his hand. "Come in! come right into

-the house. Where you been?"</p>

-

-<p>"Whar do you reckon you seed me last?" demanded

-Dick, holding his arms behind his back,

-for the man seemed determined to shake hands with

-him whether he wished it or not. "You can't shut

-up my eyes with none of your palaverin', now.

-Whar do you reckon you seed me last, I axes you?"</p>

-

-<p>"Why, let me think a minute," said the man,

-pulling off his plug hat and digging his fingers into

-his head, at the same time backing away from the

-enraged giant. "I see so many of you fellows that

-I can't call you all by name the minute I meet you."</p>

-

-<p>"My name's&mdash;my name's&mdash;&mdash;" Dick stopped and

-looked all around, trying to think what he should

-call himself. He did not have a very extensive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>

-circle of acquaintances, and he couldn't make up a

-name "all out of his own head," as he made up the

-story he told the captain of the fishing-smack. "My

-name's Colonel Gaylord," said he, giving the first

-one that came into his mind.</p>

-

-<p>"Ah! yes; I know you now," said the bogus

-captain, making another effort to take the trapper

-by the hand. "You're the chap I found a good

-berth for a few days ago, ain't you? Seems to me&mdash;you

-know&mdash;&mdash;"</p>

-

-<p>"Yes," roared Dick, who could control himself

-no longer, "I know, an' 'tain't likely I'll ever forget,

-nuther. I'm the man you wanted to send round to

-the other side of the 'arth, to be chawed up by whales

-an' dropped off into the clouds, consarn you&mdash;that's

-who <i>I</i> am, an' you'll remember me afore you see the

-last of me, I tell you. Human natur'! I wish I

-could tote you out to the mountains fur about ten

-minutes. But I'll set the law a-goin' agin you afore

-you see another day; that's what I'll do. Come

-along here, you meanest man the 'arth ever saw,

-not even exceptin' Black Bill&mdash;come along! Stand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>

-out o' the way, the rest on you, or I'll claw you all

-up like a painter!"</p>

-

-<p>With these words the trapper seized the bogus

-captain by the collar and began pushing him toward

-the Stranger, which he could see still lying in her

-berth where he had left her. The man remonstrated

-and threatened, but all to no purpose. Then

-he resisted and called upon his companions for help.

-One of them responded, but was disposed of so

-quickly and effectually that the others thought it

-best to keep at a safe distance.</p>

-

-<p>Finding that his man was possessed of more

-strength, activity and determination than he had

-calculated on, the trapper seized him with both hands,

-and swinging him upon his shoulder started for the

-schooner at a rapid run. He brought his prisoner

-in triumph, and stood him up on the deck where all

-could see him.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c99" id="c99">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">A SCAMP ON HIS DIGNITY.</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap04">"THIS yere is the mean chap that done it all,"

-continued the trapper. "Thar's none of us that'll

-ever see Frank ag'in. He's gone round on t'other

-side of the 'arth, an' some dark night, when he's

-sailin' along thinkin' of nothing, one of them big

-quids (the sailors had called the cuttle-fish 'squids')

-will rise outen the water all on a sudden, wrap his

-arms, two hundred feet long, all about the ship, an'

-that'll be the last of Frank. When be you goin' to

-hang this feller, cap'n?"</p>

-

-<p>Dick had an interested and anxious crowd of

-listeners. The officers of the schooner and the boys

-stood ranged in a circle in front of him, and behind

-were the sailors, who at first invaded the sacred precincts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>

-of the quarter-deck with much hesitation,

-holding their caps in their hands and momentarily

-expecting an order to retire; but growing bolder by

-degrees, when they found that the captain, although

-he looked their way now and then, had nothing to

-say to them, they crowded up close behind the trapper,

-so that they could hear every word. There were

-also two other listeners&mdash;the men with the bludgeons,

-who had followed Dick Lewis in the hope of rescuing

-his prisoner. When these two worthies first came

-up, they acted as if they were about to board the

-vessel without ceremony; but changed their minds

-when they saw half a dozen broad-shouldered seamen,

-in obedience to a sign from the officer of the

-deck, move up into the waist to receive them. The

-sailors, who had a pretty good idea of what had

-been going on, even before they had heard the trapper's

-story, would have been delighted to have the

-opportunity to toss these men ashore neck and heels;

-and the latter must have seen it in their countenances,

-for they backed away from the edge of the

-wharf and took up a position from which they could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>

-hear and see all that passed on the Stranger's

-deck.</p>

-

-<p>Had Frank been as safe out of his troubles as

-Dick Lewis was, the boys would have been highly

-amused by the latter's description of the scenes

-through which he had passed; but it was far from

-being a laughing matter now. Frank had been

-kidnapped ("shanghaied" the sailors called it) by

-the captain of the Tycoon or his agent, and there

-was no knowing what might become of him. Perhaps

-the hard fare and harder treatment he was

-certain to receive, might drive him to do something

-desperate. Uncle Dick Gaylord, however, was not

-troubled by any such misgivings. He knew that

-Frank possessed courage and prudence in no ordinary

-degree, and besides there were Lucas and

-Barton, the coxswain, on the same vessel. The

-former was an old whaleman, and the assistance he

-could render Frank in the way of teaching him his

-duties, might enable the boy to keep out of any very

-serious difficulties. But could he help him in any

-way? That was the momentous question, and Uncle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>

-Dick walked up and down his quarter-deck with his

-hands behind his back while he pondered upon it.</p>

-

-<p>"Every word this man has uttered, as far as it

-concerns me and my doings, is false from head to

-tail," declared the bogus captain.</p>

-

-<p>This was the first time he had spoken since he

-was brought on board the vessel. At first he was

-badly frightened, but while the trapper was telling

-his story, he had time to think over his situation and

-determine upon his line of defence.</p>

-

-<p>"I don't know anything about this man and the

-other fellow he speaks of," he continued; "I never

-seen him before this morning, and I never tried to

-pass myself off as the captain of any ship."</p>

-

-<p>Dick Lewis eyed him savagely while he was

-speaking, and when he ceased drew back his clenched

-hand. In a moment more the man would have

-measured his length on the deck, had not the captain

-interposed.</p>

-

-<p>"Get ashore!" said he, shortly.</p>

-

-<p>"O no, cap'n," replied the man, with an impudent

-smile. "This is a nice way you have of doing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>

-business, I do think! One of your friends commits

-an assault on me and drags me away from my

-peaceful home, and then you wash your hands of

-the matter by telling me to go ashore. That won't

-go down, by no means. Twenty dollars for damages

-will get rid of me, but not a cent less!"</p>

-

-<p>"I can bring a dozen witnesses to prove that

-that man wasn't once outside of his house last night,"

-said one of the ruffians on the dock. "I'm one of

-'em, for I was with him all the evening and know

-everything he done."</p>

-

-<p>"Rodgers!" exclaimed Uncle Dick.</p>

-

-<p>"Here, sir," came the prompt response.</p>

-

-<p>A stalwart sailor stepped quickly out from among

-his companions, and dashing his cap upon the deck

-stood behind the bogus captain pushing back his

-sleeves. A simple look from Uncle Dick would

-have sent the man flying over the schooner's side as

-if he had been thrown from a catapult.</p>

-

-<p>"This is the last time I shall speak to you," continued

-Uncle Dick. "Get ashore!"</p>

-

-<p>The bogus captain thought it best to obey, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>

-that too without a moment's hesitation. Once on

-the dock he was safe, and there he stopped long

-enough to say a parting word to Uncle Dick. "This

-matter will be settled in the court-room," said he,

-with a threatening shake of his head. "That man

-shall be arrested before he is an hour older."</p>

-

-<p>With these words he walked off, followed by his

-companions. The boys looked first at him, then at

-the captain and finally at Dick Lewis, who stood the

-very picture of astonishment. "Why didn't you set

-the law a-goin'?" the trapper managed to ask at last.</p>

-

-<p>"It would have been of no use," answered the

-master of the schooner. "Didn't you hear what that

-man on the dock said? That indicated the defence

-they would bring up. We would find a court-room

-full of witnesses to prove an alibi&mdash;that is, that this

-man was somewhere else when the kidnapping was

-done."</p>

-

-<p>"But it wouldn't be true, Uncle Dick," said

-Archie, who, like all the rest of the Club, invariably

-addressed the old sailor by this affectionate title.

-"If they swore to that, they would be guilty of perjury,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>

-and that is a state prison offence. Dick has

-told the truth."</p>

-

-<p>"I know it. I am just as certain that everything

-he has described to us really happened, as I would

-be had I seen it all with my own eyes; but a justice

-would not take his unsupported word against that of

-a dozen men. And as for perjury, how would you

-fasten the crime upon these false witnesses that

-would be produced? If Frank, Lucas and Barton

-were here, we would have the game in our own hands;

-but they are miles away. This man knows we can

-prove nothing, and that is what makes him so impudent."</p>

-

-<p>"I wish you had told Rodgers to throw him overboard,

-or else let Dick knock him down," said

-Eugene.</p>

-

-<p>"And afterward had the satisfaction of paying a

-fine and costs," said the old sailor, with a laugh.

-"By the time your hair is as white as mine, Eugene,

-perhaps you will have learned something. I've got

-one fine to pay now."</p>

-

-<p>"Why, how is that?" asked all the boys at once.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Didn't you hear what that man said just as he

-went away? There'll be a policeman down here

-directly."</p>

-

-<p>The boys looked toward the trapper. The expression

-of alarm which they had so often seen of

-late, had settled on his face again. He backed up

-against the rail for support, and looked wildly about

-as if he had half a mind to take to his heels. He

-stood more in fear of the law than he did of a grizzly

-bear. He had always thought that there was

-something wrong about it, and now he was firmly

-convinced of the fact. The law, as he understood

-it, was to restrain bad people, who were disposed to

-take advantage of their neighbors whenever an opportunity

-was offered; but he found that it was

-likely to prove a means of punishment to the innocent.

-It would have been just as impossible to give

-him a clear idea of its workings, as it would to make

-him understand the causes of the trade-winds or the

-theory of the ocean-currents.</p>

-

-<p>"I've said a million times, an' Frank says that

-more'n a thousand, that I'd never put my old moccasins<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>

-inside a city again, an' now I say it onct more

-an' I'll stick to it," said the trapper, solemnly, raising

-his hand toward the mast-head to give emphasis

-to his words. "I get skeared to death by cars an'

-steamboats, an' something's allers happenin'."</p>

-

-<p>"Shoulder your rifle an' kit, Dick, an' let's be

-off," said old Bob, who up to this time had been

-a silent and amazed spectator and listener. "I'm

-afeared."</p>

-

-<p>"So am I, Bob, but I dasen't. I dasen't go; the

-law will ketch me. I wish I was to the ole Bar's

-Hole, so't I could crawl in an' hide myself."</p>

-

-<p>Dick leaned back against the rail again, rubbing

-his hands together and groaning as men sometimes

-do when they are sadly troubled in spirit. The boys

-tried hard to set his mind at rest. They assured

-him that no harm should come to him, for they and

-Uncle Dick were not only able but ready and willing

-to stand between him and all difficulties; but the

-trapper said he didn't want them to do it. If anybody

-was to go to jail (thrusting people into jail and

-hanging them Dick thought were the only punishments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>

-in vogue in civilized communities) it should

-be himself and nobody else. Furthermore, he did

-not see why it was necessary that any one should be

-called upon to stand between him and difficulty.

-He had only been following out his natural impulses

-in trying to bring the bogus captain to justice, and

-now he must suffer for it. He shook his head, refusing

-to be comforted, and showed a desire to be

-alone with his own thoughts; so the boys left him

-and turned to Uncle Dick, who was once more

-pacing his quarter-deck, after holding a short consultation

-with his officers.</p>

-

-<p>"I know what you want," said the old sailor, as

-the boys approached him in a body. "You are

-anxious to know what I am going to do for Frank.

-I can only guess at the best plan, and follow it out

-to the best of my judgment. What do you think

-ought to be done?"</p>

-

-<p>The boys had no suggestions to offer. One thing

-was certain, and that was that Frank would not long

-submit to harsh treatment. A young man who had

-commanded a fine vessel in Uncle Sam's navy would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>

-not consent to take rank next below the captain's

-dog, as the sailors in the Tycoon's forecastle had

-assured him he would do as long as he remained in

-that ship. If the opportunity were ever offered, he

-would lay his case before the consul of the first port

-at which the vessel touched; and failing that he

-would probably be driven to desert. In either case

-the boys did not expect to see him again. If the

-consul protected him, he would be sent to the

-nearest port in the United States free of expense,

-and he had money enough in his pocket&mdash;about

-twenty dollars, Archie thought&mdash;to support him

-until he could receive a remittance from home. If

-he was compelled to desert he would probably ship

-on the first vessel he could find, just as Chase had

-done, and she might take him to the remotest corner

-of the earth. All this would sadly interfere with

-the Club's arrangements. They thought as much

-of Frank as his cousin did&mdash;so much that they one

-and all declared that they did not care to continue

-their voyage without him. They couldn't enjoy

-themselves, for they would worry about him all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>

-while, and if they were to be separated from him

-they would rather go home and stay there. If their

-pleasant party and their cruise were to be broken up,

-they had the boarding-house keeper to thank for it,

-and Walter declared that there was no punishment

-known to the law half severe enough for him.</p>

-

-<p>Uncle Dick listened while the boys were talking,

-and said he fully agreed with them. "Even if

-Frank should succeed in escaping from the Tycoon,

-and had a vessel at his command or money enough

-to take him just where he wanted to go, he would

-not know which way to steer to find us," said he,

-"for you boys will remember that you did not

-decide upon anything definite, and Frank doesn't

-know whether we are going to Alaska or Japan."</p>

-

-<p>"And all through my foolishness," said Eugene,

-bitterly. "I wish I had given up, and gone where

-the others wanted to go."</p>

-

-<p>"So do I," said Bab.</p>

-

-<p>"Don't reproach yourselves," replied Uncle Dick.

-"You had plenty of sport during your debates, and

-you were not supposed to know that such an emergency<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>

-as this was about to arise. But perhaps we

-can do something by following the Tycoon."</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, if we only knew where she is going."</p>

-

-<p>"I have an idea that I do know. She is bound

-for the Japan station, so the sailors in her forecastle

-told Dick Lewis. Well, now, she is short-handed.

-She must be, for her mate released Dick from his

-irons and brought him on deck to help make sail.

-She'll never go on her station without a full crew,

-and the nearest place at which she can get it is the

-Sandwich Islands. There she will undoubtedly ship

-Kanakas enough to make up her complement. Then

-she'll go out for a three or four months' cruise, and

-come back and fit out for the Japan station. Now,

-if we can reach Honolulu before she leaves, we shall

-probably be able to effect the release of our men.

-If it were not for this incident that has just happened

-I would sail at once."</p>

-

-<p>"Why can't you do it any way?" asked Walter,

-who did not like to waste even a moment.</p>

-

-<p>"Because we must see Lewis out of his trouble.

-If he goes ashore without some one to protect him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>

-he will be sure to fall into the hands of those

-sharpers, who will frighten him out of the last

-article of value he's got."</p>

-

-<p>"Cap'n," said Dick, suddenly, "will you take us

-with you&mdash;me and Bob?"</p>

-

-<p>The old sailor looked in astonishment, and so did

-the boys.</p>

-

-<p>"I'm afeared to go ashore," continued the trapper,

-who had been holding a council of war with his

-chum, "an' so is Bob. 'Sides it's a thing we never

-done yet&mdash;run off an' leave Frank in trouble, an'

-we've knowed him too long to do it now!"</p>

-

-<p>"My good fellow," said Uncle Dick, with a smile,

-"if Frank were lost in the woods, you and Bob

-would be just the men to assist him; but you can't

-help him in any way now."</p>

-

-<p>"Mebbe we can, cap'n. An' even if we can't, we

-don't want to go back hum without knowing what's

-come on him. We shouldn't see no peace of mind."</p>

-

-<p>Uncle Dick did not speak for several minutes.

-He knew just how much these rude men thought of

-Frank, and told himself that their desire to see him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>

-safe among friends again before they took leave of

-him for ever, was perfectly natural; but there were

-the dangers they expected to meet on the "under

-side of the earth"&mdash;the Flying Dutchman, the

-whales, the monstrous "quids"&mdash;could they stand

-all these? "Lewis," said he, suddenly, "have you

-and your companion fully made up your minds on

-this point?"</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, an' we won't never change 'em nuther.

-We allers stand to what we say."</p>

-

-<p>"That settles the matter. Mr. Baldwin, while I

-am gone to the custom house, hail the first tug you

-see and stand by to get under way."</p>

-

-<p>The boys would have been delighted by this

-arrangement a few hours before, but their feelings

-were different now. They had something to think

-of besides the amusement they expected the trappers

-to furnish them.</p>

-

-<p>Uncle Dick went ashore and walked rapidly away,

-leaving the boys to themselves. Although they

-were impatient to be off, the time did not hang heavily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>

-on their hands, for they had much to talk about.

-They fully expected the trappers to change their

-minds when they saw the preparations that were

-being made for getting under way, but Dick and

-Bob were not that sort. There was a dogged expression

-on their faces, such as might have been

-seen there had the backwoodsmen been in the power

-of savage foes who were making ready to torture

-them at the stake. It said that they fully realized

-the dangers before them, and were prepared to meet

-them like men who had never shown the white

-feather.</p>

-

-<p>"Now, if Frank were only here, and if Dick and

-Bob would get rid of some of their foolish notions,

-we could look forward to some fun, couldn't we?"

-said Eugene.</p>

-

-<p>"<i>If</i> and <i>if</i>!" said Walter. "It is surprising

-how often that little word stands in our way."</p>

-

-<p>"I have been thinking that Dick's short sojourn

-on the Tycoon has made matters worse for Frank

-than they would otherwise have been," said Bob,

-anxiously. "The three principal officers have felt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>

-the weight of his arm, and of course they'll have to

-take satisfaction out of somebody."</p>

-

-<p>"Dick," said Archie, suddenly, "why don't you

-encourage us by saying that Frank will be sure to

-come out all right? That's what you used to tell

-us whenever he got into trouble."</p>

-

-<p>"But he was on the prairie then, an' now he's

-among civilized folks," replied the trapper.</p>

-

-<p>"Which means, I suppose, that this is the worst

-scrape he ever got into."</p>

-

-<p>Dick nodded his head.</p>

-

-<p>"I don't know about that," said George Le Dell.

-"I think if he had his choice, he would rather be

-where he is now than in the prison at Shreveport, if

-he had to go through what he did when he made his

-escape. Frank has been in some tight places, but

-somehow he has always managed to squeeze through

-without much trouble."</p>

-

-<p>"And he never was hurt that I remember, except

-when he burned that house in which Colonel Harrison

-made his headquarters," said Archie.</p>

-

-<p>"When <i>you</i> burned it, you mean," said George.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>

-"<i>You</i> did that, and if you had been a line instead

-of a staff officer, you would have got another stripe

-around your arm for it, too. I told the Colonel all

-about it after you left our house."</p>

-

-<p>"Why did you do that?" exclaimed Archie,

-hastily. "Now I shall never dare to meet him

-again."</p>

-

-<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed George. "Why, he is one

-of your warmest friends. I told him because I

-wanted him to know that the boy who killed that

-bear and beat Somers in a fair race through the

-woods, had something in him. The Colonel scolded

-me for not telling him before. He said if he had

-known it while you were in our neighborhood, you

-wouldn't have got away from his house for one good

-long month at least. He would have kept you if

-he'd had to put a guard over you."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, I shouldn't have enjoyed the visit."</p>

-

-<p>"You couldn't have helped yourself, if plenty of

-hunting, riding and good company are aids to enjoyment."</p>

-

-<p>From this subject the boys gradually got back to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>

-the one that occupied the most of their minds and

-thoughts, and that was Frank's sudden disappearance.

-They asked the trapper a multitude of

-questions, but learned nothing new, for he had

-already told his story in detail. While they were

-talking Uncle Dick returned, and the tug being

-alongside and the pilot aboard, the lines were cast

-off and the Stranger swung slowly around until her

-bow pointed toward the headlands at the entrance

-to the bay. In the bustle and hurry that followed

-the boys found time to turn an eye toward the trappers

-now and then, but they saw no signs of regret

-or alarm on their faces; and when the lines that

-held the tug were let go, and the steamer with a

-farewell shriek of her whistle turned back toward

-the city, and the schooner unfolded her white wings

-one after the other, and the Golden Gate was passed,

-and the broad expanse of the Pacific was fairly

-spread out before them, there were still no signs of

-backing out. But it was too late now. The die

-was cast, and Dick and old Bob were bound for the

-"under side of the earth!"</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c118" id="c118">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">TOO LATE.</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap04">THE very presence of Uncle Dick was enough

-to infuse new life and comfort into the boys,

-who were disposed to make themselves miserable

-over the absence of their genial companion. The

-old sailor believed in looking on the bright side of

-things, and thought there was no use in worrying

-over the matter that they could not just then better

-in any way. His example made a great change in

-the feelings of the Club.</p>

-

-<p>"Now, Walter," said he, briskly, "we are fairly

-afloat again, and our sailing-master having deserted

-us, we are compelled to call on you to fill his place.

-Suppose you work out a course for us. We're

-bound for the Sandwich Islands, Eugene; which

-way are they from here?"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Oh, you can't catch me on that," replied the

-boy, "for I posted myself only a few days ago.

-The twentieth parallel runs through them. They're

-in the same latitude as Vera Cruz, in Mexico."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, I want to make the run in as short a time

-as may be, so what shall I do?"</p>

-

-<p>"Stand to the southwest to get the benefit of

-the northeast trades, and the equatorial current.

-The same route would take you to China or Japan."</p>

-

-<p>"Suppose, now, we were in China and wanted

-to come back to the States: would I follow the

-same course?"</p>

-

-<p>"No, sir. You would steer in a northerly

-direction until you got between the parallels of

-thirty-five and forty-five degrees north latitude, and

-there you would find strong westerly winds to help

-you along. Perhaps you'd get some assistance from

-the North Pacific drift current, but on that point I

-am not sure."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, it is just as well you are not," shouted

-Walter from the cabin, where he was busy with his

-chart. "The North Pacific drift current might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>

-help you if you wanted to go to Alaska from China.

-When it strikes the shores of our continent it

-divides, part of it flowing on down the coast and

-forming the California coast current, and the rest

-bending back across the Pacific again; so it would

-retard your progress rather than help you."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, I am not the sailing-master of this craft,

-am I?" replied Eugene. "If I was, I'd keep

-posted. Besides, almost anybody with a chart before

-him, could clatter away as though his tongue

-was hung in the middle. Wait till Frank gets back

-if you want to talk about navigation."</p>

-

-<p>"He's a good one, that's a fact," said Uncle

-Dick. "He's as fit to command a vessel as I am."</p>

-

-<p>Just then Walter came up, having worked out a

-course, which being approved by the captain and

-given to the officer of the deck, the bow of the

-Stranger was brought around a point or two, and the

-voyage was fairly begun. There was nothing to be

-done now, but to await developments with all the

-patience they possessed.</p>

-

-<p>But few incidents worthy of record happened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>

-during the voyage, which, after they struck the

-trade winds became monotonous enough. The

-schooner bowled along before a fine breeze, and as

-it was never necessary to change the sails, there

-was no work to be done except ordinary ship's duty.

-The Club passed the time mostly in reading and

-conversation with the trappers, who, as soon as they

-fully recovered from their sea-sickness, kept a constant

-lookout for some of those terrible dangers

-which had been so graphically described to them.

-By dint of much talking and argument the boys

-finally succeeded in making them take a more sensible

-view of their situation, and as the days wore

-away without bringing with them any of the perils

-they had expected to encounter, the backwoodsmen

-began to act a little more like themselves. But

-when an ignorant person once gets hold of an idea

-it is almost impossible to make him let go of it, and

-the trappers' minds could not be set wholly at rest.

-They steadily refused to go into the forecastle at

-night, and always slept on deck. The boys found

-the reason for this in a remark they heard Bob<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>

-make to his companion. They wanted plenty of

-elbow room when they reached the under side of the

-earth, the old fellow said, so that when the schooner

-dropped off among the clouds, they could take to

-the water. They saw sharks, dolphins and flying-fish

-(the trappers began to put more faith in what

-the boys said after they had seen one of the latter

-rise from the water and sail through the air like a

-bird on the wing), and one day the sailors pointed

-out to them an object which made them believe that

-their time had come. It first showed itself while the

-boys were at dinner. They were summoned on

-deck by the officers of the watch, and found themselves

-close alongside the first whale they had ever

-seen. The monster was taking matters very leisurely,

-moving along about a hundred yards from

-the schooner, lifting his huge head out of the water

-now and then and spouting a cloud of spray into the

-air, and although the vessel was running at a rate

-of eight miles an hour, he kept pace with her

-without the least exertion. The boys were all disappointed.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"This must be a small one," said George.</p>

-

-<p>"Small!" echoed Uncle Dick. "How big do

-you think a whale is, any how&mdash;as big as the Rocky

-Mountains?"</p>

-

-<p>"No, sir; but I have read that they have been

-found sixty and seventy feet long," replied George.</p>

-

-<p>"Well, this fellow is every inch of eighty, and

-I shouldn't wonder if he was ninety feet in length."</p>

-

-<p>"I wish some whaler would come along and pitch

-into him," said Eugene. "I'd like to see the

-operation of catching a whale."</p>

-

-<p>"If fifty whalers should come along they would

-not trouble this fellow," said Uncle Dick.</p>

-

-<p>"Why not?"</p>

-

-<p>"Because he is neither a sperm nor a right whale.

-He belongs to the species known as finbacks. He

-would not yield oil or bone enough to pay for the

-trouble of lowering the boats, and besides he is so

-swift and strong that it would be dangerous to meddle

-with him."</p>

-

-<p>The finback kept alongside the schooner for

-nearly a mile, and during that time the boys had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>

-ample opportunity to take a good view of him. He

-sank and rose at regular intervals, executing the

-manoeuvre with an ease and grace that was astonishing,

-and now and then he showed so much of his

-huge bulk above the water that the boys opened

-their eyes in amazement, and Featherweight declared

-that there was no end to him. The longer

-they looked at him the larger he seemed to grow.

-At length he began to edge away from the schooner,

-and finally disappeared. Then each boy turned

-and looked at his neighbor to see what he thought

-about it.</p>

-

-<p>"What makes you look so sober?" demanded

-Featherweight of Archie, who stood by pulling his

-chin, and gazing fixedly at the spot where the whale

-had last been seen.</p>

-

-<p>"I was just thinking," was the reply.</p>

-

-<p>"And I'll warrant we can all tell what you were

-thinking about," said George. "I guess there is

-no one in this small party who would like to be

-ordered into a small boat to attack a beast of that

-size, and you were wondering what Frank's feelings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>

-will be the first time he tries it. Well, I don't want

-to know them by experience."</p>

-

-<p>Archie walked to the side and looked over into

-the water, while George turned to Dick and Bob,

-who just then came up. Their faces were very

-white.</p>

-

-<p>"Well, Dick," said George, "you have seen your

-first whale, and it isn't such a terrible looking object

-after all, is it?"</p>

-

-<p>"I dunno," replied the trapper. "If the babies

-look like that, what must the ole ones be?"</p>

-

-<p>"The babies?" repeated George.</p>

-

-<p>"One of the fellows showed that thing to me

-when it fust come in sight, and I showed it to Rodgers,

-but he couldn't see it. Rodgers, he called

-another of the sailors, and he said he could see something,

-but it was so small he couldn't tell whether

-it was a whale or not."</p>

-

-<p>"Now, Dick, don't you believe a word those men

-in the forecastle say to you," said Eugene, indignantly.

-"Uncle Dick says that is one of the largest

-whales he ever saw."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Wal, Rodgers he couldn't see it at fust 'cause

-it was so small, but when he <i>did</i> see it, he said

-mebbee it was a baby. He said the ole one will be

-along purty soon lookin' fur it, an' then we'll see a

-whale. If the ole one don't find the baby, she'll

-think we've done something to it, an' she'll brush

-us off'n the 'arth like a feller would brush a fly off

-his Sundy trowsers."</p>

-

-<p>The trappers were frightened again, and for the

-rest of the day kept close company with their young

-friends, no doubt feeling safer in their presence than

-anywhere else. The boys, one and all, exerted

-themselves to correct the wrong impressions they

-had received, but the foremast hands had had the

-first chance at them, as Fred remarked, and it was

-a matter of impossibility to set their fears at rest.

-For a week afterward Dick and his companion kept

-a sharp lookout, expecting every minute to see the

-old whale coming in search of her young one; but

-she did not appear, and the next thing that happened

-to relieve the monotony of the voyage, was

-the discovery of land, dead ahead. Walter had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>

-been anxiously looking for it for the last twenty-four

-hours. Having taken Frank's place as sailing-master,

-he was eager to earn a reputation as a navigator,

-and he was not a little elated to find that

-he had made no mistake.</p>

-

-<p>The discovery of land set the sailors going again.

-Rodgers and a few of his companions, who, when

-the trappers were in hearing, were continually

-talking about mermaids and dragons and other sea

-monsters, and the awful sights that would be presented

-when they came to the under side of the

-earth, looked through their hands at the dim outline

-in advance, and after comparing notes in a tone

-of voice loud enough for Dick and Bob to hear, declared

-that it wasn't land after all&mdash;that the man

-at the mast was mistaken.</p>

-

-<p>"That's no more land nor I be," declared Rodgers.

-"If my head is worth a tar-bucket, it is the

-old whale. She can't find her baby, and so she's

-coming down to ask the skipper what he's done

-with it. She's coming like lightning too. Can't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>

-you see the water a boiling up under her bows? I

-can."</p>

-

-<p>"Now, mate, I think it's a squid," said another,

-"and he's waiting there to gobble up something.

-I can see his long arms resting on the water, and

-ready to catch the first moving thing that comes

-within reach. I hope the cap'n 'll keep away a few

-points."</p>

-

-<p>"Mebbe he don't know what it is," said a third,

-"and I think Lewis had better go aft and tell him

-about it&mdash;I do indeed!"</p>

-

-<p>"'Taint a whale nor a squid neither," said an old

-gray-headed seaman, who, using his hands for a

-spy-glass, had been looking at the island ever since

-they first came in sight of it. "It's the equator.

-I can see the waves rolling over it!"</p>

-

-<p>"Well, Jack, you've been to sea longer nor me and

-ought to know about these things," said Rodgers.

-"I seen the waves, but I thought they was the bone

-the whale was carrying in her teeth. When we get

-over it, if we ever do, we're on the under side of the

-earth, ain't we?"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"That's what's the matter," said the gray-headed

-sailor.</p>

-

-<p>Dick fairly jumped, as each one of these opinions

-was solemnly advanced, and hurried off to speak to

-the boys. The latter, especially Eugene and Archie,

-could hardly refrain from laughing outright at his

-ludicrous display of terror, but they quieted his

-fears as well as they could, and by giving him a

-solemn promise that they would see him safely

-through any danger that might arise if he would

-remain close by them, they succeeded in keeping

-him out of the company of the foremast hands all

-the rest of the day. But it was not until nearly

-sunset that the fears the sailors had conjured up

-were entirely banished. By that time the object

-that had excited his alarm was so plainly visible

-that Dick could see for himself that it was land and

-nothing else.</p>

-

-<p>The boys did not see many of the new and novel

-sights that were presented to their gaze, as the

-Stranger made her way through the strait that runs

-between the islands of Hawaii and Mani. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>

-had eyes for nothing but the whale ship they expected

-to find there. The huge fishing canoes they

-saw the next day; the natives that came aboard

-in swarms while they were running about in the

-light, baffling winds they found under the lee of the

-land, the fruits they offered for barter&mdash;none of

-these things possessed the interest for them that

-they would under almost any other circumstances.

-They paid little attention to anything but the vessels

-that now and then passed them. But the Tycoon

-was not among them.</p>

-

-<p>Uncle Dick took time, as he passed along, to look

-into every bay and inlet where the Tycoon was likely

-to be, and it was not until nearly a week after they

-first sighted the Sandwich Islands that the Stranger

-dropped anchor outside the coral reef that marks the

-entrance to the harbor of Honolulu. As the wind

-came strong down the mountain gorges, everything

-was made snug, and then the gig was called away

-and the captain set out for the town, leaving the

-boys to enjoy themselves as best they could during

-his absence. But it was dull business, this trying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>

-to pass away the time when they were so impatient

-and anxious. They kept up their spirits by telling

-one another that something would surely happen to

-restore their friend Frank to them, but the face

-that Uncle Dick brought back with him, when he

-returned six hours later, dashed all their hopes to

-the ground. No sooner was the gig fairly hoisted

-at the davits, than he gave the order to heave up the

-anchor and go to sea. The boys stood around and

-looked at one another in silence while these orders

-were being executed, and when Uncle Dick went

-into the cabin, they followed him.</p>

-

-<p>"Too late, boys," said he.</p>

-

-<p>"Has the Tycoon been here?" asked Walter.</p>

-

-<p>"Yes; she has done just what I thought she

-would do. She shipped a crew of natives and has

-gone out for a three months' cruise. When that is

-ended she will come back and fit out for Japan."</p>

-

-<p>"And what about Frank?"</p>

-

-<p>"Haven't heard a word of him. The consul saw

-only the captain, and he was here just long enough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>

-to ship his crew. We missed our object by just

-three days."</p>

-

-<p>"I don't understand how we missed it at all,"

-said Eugene. "We certainly lost no time."</p>

-

-<p>"But you must remember that the Tycoon is a

-large ship, and that she probably carries as much

-canvas in her courses and spanker as we can spread

-on all our masts and yards. We can't expect to

-sail with her."</p>

-

-<p>"What are we going to do now?" asked Bab.</p>

-

-<p>"We are going to see if we can find her. It will

-be almost like searching for a needle in a haystack,

-but we don't want to remain here idle for three

-months."</p>

-

-<p>"Of course not," said Eugene, quickly. "That

-would never do. While we are moving about we

-shall feel that we are doing something for Frank,

-even if we don't find him."</p>

-

-<p>"Exactly," said Uncle Dick.</p>

-

-<p>"What will you do if we find the Tycoon?"

-inquired Walter.</p>

-

-<p>"I shall probably be able to present the matter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>

-to her captain in such a way that he will be willing

-to release Frank and make him some amends for

-what he has done&mdash;I <i>think</i> I shall be able to do so,"

-said the old sailor, with a look in his eye that spoke

-volumes. "But if I should fail, he will be arrested

-as soon as he comes back here."</p>

-

-<p>This was all Uncle Dick had to say, and it

-afforded the boys very little satisfaction. They

-had confidently expected that Frank would be

-restored to them when they reached the Sandwich

-Islands, and this was a sore disappointment. Where

-was he now? Where was he while the Tycoon

-was lying in the harbor of Honolulu? What was

-the reason he had not done as he advised the deserter

-to do&mdash;insisted on seeing the American consul?

-The boys could only speculate upon these

-points, and they had ample leisure to do it&mdash;almost

-six weeks. During that time every ship they

-could come up with was spoken, but the Tycoon

-was not among them, and neither could they gain

-any information concerning her. The boys were

-getting discouraged and very down-hearted, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>

-had it not been for Uncle Dick there is no telling

-how they would have lived through it.</p>

-

-<p>One night the officer of the deck reported that

-there was a whaler a few miles distant "trying

-out"&mdash;that is, rendering out the oil of a whale she

-had recently captured. The Stranger's bow was

-at once pointed toward her, and at sunrise the two

-vessels were within speaking distance.</p>

-

-<p>"Now just listen to me a minute and I'll tell you

-what's a fact," said Perk, who with the rest of the

-Club stood in the waist, attentively regarding the

-ship as she came toward them carrying a huge bone

-in her teeth, "there's something about that craft

-that looks familiar."</p>

-

-<p>"I was just thinking so myself," said Eugene.</p>

-

-<p>He glanced toward Uncle Dick, who, during the

-last quarter of an hour had kept his glass levelled

-at the ship, and edged away toward the officer of

-the deck. "It can't be that that is the vessel

-we're looking for, is it, Mr. Baldwin?" said he.</p>

-

-<p>"If it isn't her, it's her sister," replied the officer,

-with some excitement.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>Before Eugene could carry this news to his companions

-the ship backed her main topsail, and as

-Uncle Dick, with an exclamation of astonishment

-that had a good deal of meaning in it, seized his

-trumpet, her captain appeared upon her bulwarks.

-The boys, through their glasses, had a plain view

-of him, and the general verdict was that he was a

-rough-looking fellow&mdash;one who, judging by his appearance,

-was capable of almost anything.</p>

-

-<p>"It is the same man we saw in the whale-boat,"

-declared Eugene, his voice rendered husky by excitement.

-"I know him, even if he hasn't got his

-gray suit on."</p>

-

-<p>"I confess that I can't see any resemblance,"

-said Bab, taking his glass down from his eyes long

-enough to bring it to a better focus.</p>

-

-<p>It would have required a person with a very

-lively imagination to recognise anybody at that

-distance, especially in such clothes as those in which

-the captain was dressed. He wore a tarpaulin on his

-head, a red shirt open at the throat, and a pair of

-coarse trowsers, which were thrust into the tops<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>

-of heavy sea boots; and as some of these articles

-had been made for larger, and others for smaller

-men than himself, they fitted him oddly enough.</p>

-

-<p>"Ship ahoy!" roared Uncle Dick.</p>

-

-<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" shouted the captain of the whaler.</p>

-

-<p>"What ship is that?" asked Uncle Dick.</p>

-

-<p>The answer was given in a loud tone of voice,

-but the words were indistinct. The captain talked

-as if he had a mouthful of something. The only

-part of the reply that the Stranger's crew understood

-was that the ship was seventeen months out

-of Nantucket, and that she had nine hundred barrels

-of oil in the hold.</p>

-

-<p>"What does he say is the name of his ship, Mr.

-Baldwin?" asked Uncle Dick.</p>

-

-<p>"I understood him to say Eli Coon, sir," said

-the officer.</p>

-

-<p>"That sounds wonderfully like Tycoon, doesn't

-it?" whispered George.</p>

-

-<p>"And what does he call himself, Mr. Baldwin?"

-continued Uncle Dick.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Captain Hank Wilson, were the words I caught,

-sir."</p>

-

-<p>"What schooner is that?" shouted the captain

-of the whaler.</p>

-

-<p>"The Stranger, Captain Richard Gaylord, just

-out of Honolulu," answered Uncle Dick; and the

-words were so plain and distinct that the master of

-the whaler could have heard them if he had been

-twice as far away.</p>

-

-<p>"I'll send a boat aboard of you."</p>

-

-<p>"Very good, sir," replied Uncle Dick. "There

-is something strange about this, Mr. Baldwin," he

-added. "That is the Tycoon if I ever saw her, but

-that isn't the scoundrel who commanded her while

-she was in the harbor of San Francisco. Stand by,

-now, and if any of our men come off in his boat

-we'll see that they don't go back."</p>

-

-<p>There was no confusion on board the Stranger&mdash;there

-never was, for the discipline was too perfect

-for that&mdash;but everybody was highly excited. And

-the excitement was increased when the second mate

-went forward with the order, which he gave in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>

-low voice: "All hands stand by, and be ready to

-jump when you hear the word." The sailors knew

-what that meant, and while some pushed back their

-sleeves, others laid handspikes where they could

-find them again at a moment's warning; and having

-thus prepared for any emergency, they moved to

-the side in a body, and awaited the coming of the

-whaler's boat with no little impatience. She came

-in sight at length, rounding the stern of the ship.

-Presently one of the men whispered something, which

-was passed along from one to another, until it

-reached the ears of the boys in the waist:</p>

-

-<p>"I see Lucas in that boat, and Barton too!"</p>

-

-<p>"But where is Frank?" said Archie, anxiously.

-"If he is aboard that ship now is his time to jump

-overboard and swim out to us."</p>

-

-<p>"Look at Dick Lewis," whispered Bab, suddenly.</p>

-

-<p>The boys with one accord turned their eyes

-toward the trapper. He stood on the forecastle with

-his hands on the rail, over which he was leaning as

-far as he could without losing his balance, and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>

-eyes were fastened upon the approaching boat with

-a gaze such as a hawk might bestow upon the prey

-it was about to seize. As the boat approached nearer

-and veered round to come alongside, Dick gradually

-drew back out of sight and walked toward the

-stern to meet her.</p>

-

-<p>"If that is the captain of the Tycoon standing

-in the stern of that boat," said Archie, "he will be

-a well-thumped man before he gets fairly on deck,

-unless Uncle Dick interferes in time."</p>

-

-<p>"It isn't he," said Eugene. "I was mistaken.

-But he's a hard-looking customer all the same."</p>

-

-<p>The boat came nearer with every stroke of its

-crew, but the boys could not see any one in it whom

-they recognised. The backs of the oarsmen were

-turned toward them, and the captain kept his tarpaulin

-drawn low over his forehead, while the wind

-had turned the collar of his shirt up about his ears,

-so that his face was most effectually concealed.</p>

-

-<p>With a few strokes more the boat was alongside,

-and the red-shirted captain's head appeared above

-the Stranger's rail. Then Dick began to bestir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>

-himself. With a bound like a tiger he sprang forward

-and grasped the captain by the shoulders.</p>

-

-<p>"Avast there, Lewis!" roared Uncle Dick.

-"What are you about? If you attempt any violence

-I'll throw you over to the whales!"</p>

-

-<p>"No, I reckon not," replied the trapper. "This

-feller can't fool ole Dick Lewis, no matter what sort

-o' clothes he's got onto him!"</p>

-

-<p>As he said this he dragged the captain bodily over

-the rail, and lifting him in his arms as he would an

-infant, carried him toward the quarter-deck.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c141" id="c141">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">GENTLEMAN BLACK.</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap08">"GO on deck now, and let me give you fair warning

-that if you don't behave yourselves you'll

-go overboard before you can think twice!"</p>

-

-<p>It was the mate of the Tycoon who spoke, and

-who gave this order to Frank and the three sailors

-in the forecastle, after he had released them from

-their irons. The officer did not look much as he did

-the last time Frank saw him. He wore a handkerchief

-about his head and over his left eye, but it did

-not wholly conceal his face, which was badly swollen

-and discolored. He was in a fair way to remember

-his meeting with the trapper for some time to come.</p>

-

-<p>During the hour that Frank was confined in the

-forecastle his mind was exceedingly busy. His

-companions in trouble civilly answered all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>

-questions he asked them, but did not seem inclined

-to talk, so Frank had opportunity to think over his

-situation and try to determine upon some course of

-action. The first thing he did was to congratulate

-himself on the fact that none of his companions

-were with him on the Tycoon. Had Walter, Bab,

-Archie or any of the rest gone ashore with him

-when he went after his rifle, they would now have

-been in the same predicament as himself; and

-according to Frank's way of thinking that would

-have been a calamity indeed. He expected to suffer&mdash;his

-mind was fully made up to that,&mdash;but he

-was strong and healthy and better able to endure

-hardship than any of the young friends he had left

-on board the Stranger. He had no fears for

-Dick Lewis. The trapper was as tough as a pine

-knot&mdash;nothing seemed to make any impression on

-him&mdash;and if he could only be induced to keep his

-temper under control, and pay no attention to the

-blows and insults he was sure to receive, he would

-get on well enough. Still he thought more of him

-than he did of Lucas and Barton, who were sleeping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>

-soundly in their bunk. These two were old sailors

-and could stand anything. They were not likely

-to have as easy times as they had had on board the

-Stranger, but they were accustomed to hard work

-and hard treatment, and when safe off the Tycoon

-they would have another story to help while away

-the lonely hours of the mid watch.</p>

-

-<p>Thus it will be seen that Frank was disposed to

-make the best of his misfortunes, and to look on the

-bright side of things. But there was one fact that

-troubled him not a little, and that was, his connection

-with the Club was severed. He did not expect

-to see any of its members again, not even

-Archie, for years to come. He would be released

-from the Tycoon some day&mdash;just as soon as he could

-gain the ear of some American consul for a moment&mdash;but

-he would not know which way to turn

-to find the Stranger, and so would have nothing

-left him but to make the best of his way back to

-Lawrence. That would be a great disappointment

-to him. He had anticipated much pleasure from

-his visit to foreign countries, and it was hard to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>

-abandon the voyage, just as his expectations were

-about to be realized, and go back to the monotonous,

-hum-drum routine of village life. But as there was

-no help for it, it was useless to repine, Frank told

-himself. He would do his duty as well as he could

-while he remained on board the Tycoon, but he was

-under no obligations to stay with her any longer

-than he was compelled to do so; and the first time

-she dropped anchor in port there would be one of

-her crew missing, unless the officers took the precaution

-to deprive him of his liberty.</p>

-

-<p>While Frank was meditating in this way the mate

-came into the forecastle, and after taking off his

-irons, ordered him on deck. Ascending the ladder

-he found a small crew engaged in setting things to

-rights. The third mate, who met him as he came

-up, put him to work with the rest, and for the next

-hour Frank was kept so busy that he did not have

-time to see much of his surroundings. He took a

-look around now and then for Dick Lewis, and

-wondered what sort of work the clumsy trapper

-would make in doing sailor's duty.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Was you looking for your pardner, sir?" asked

-a seaman who was busy at his side. (The "sir"

-came out almost involuntarily, as if the man instinctively

-felt that Frank was in some way entitled to

-that show of respect.)</p>

-

-<p>"Yes; I was looking for that tall, broad-shouldered

-man in buckskin who came aboard with me."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, sir, he's gone!"</p>

-

-<p>"Gone! Where?"</p>

-

-<p>"I don't know, for he can't be found alow nor

-aloft. He must have jumped overboard."</p>

-

-<p>"O, I hope not!" said Frank anxiously.</p>

-

-<p>"If he has, it is all right, sir, because he'd a

-done it sooner or later. I'll not stay aboard here

-much longer, unless there's a great change for the

-better. Things couldn't be worse."</p>

-

-<p>"Don't do anything desperate," said Frank.

-"It won't pay. But what made this man of whom

-we were speaking jump overboard?"</p>

-

-<p>"I don't know, sir. I was busy when he came

-up. The first thing I knew there was a rumpus;

-the cap'n and two of the mates were laid out as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>

-flat as slap-jacks, and the man hasn't been seen

-since."</p>

-

-<p>"Were we far from shore?"</p>

-

-<p>"Only about three or four miles."</p>

-

-<p>"O, then it is all right. Dick is safe. He can

-swim double that distance."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, I can't; but I wish I could have gone

-with him. I've seen two men go overboard since

-I've been on this craft, and if I was with 'em now

-among the sharks, my troubles would all be over."</p>

-

-<p>Here was direct confirmation of the story the

-deserter had told on board the Stranger. Frank

-drew a long breath, and from that moment a settled

-determination took possession of him.</p>

-

-<p>The work was all done at last, the watches told

-off and one of them ordered below. The one to

-which Frank belonged remained on deck to handle

-the ship, which was making long boards to gain an

-offing. Two or three times every hour they were

-called upon to trim the sails as the ship changed

-her course and stood off on another tack, and the

-rest of the time the crew lounged about the windlass.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>

-But there was none of that story-telling in

-which the crew of the Stranger engaged on such

-occasions, to make the time hang less heavily on

-their hands. The men sat sullen and silent, and as

-they were no company for Frank, he strolled aft to

-make an inspection of the craft which was likely to

-be his home for long weeks and perhaps months to

-come. She was different from other ships he had

-seen only in the number of boats she carried at her

-davits, and in her try-works, which were fitted up

-amidships. These were built of masonry, contained

-three large kettles, and were so constructed that a

-body of water could be kept under the furnace to

-prevent the fire from burning the deck.</p>

-

-<p>Having seen all he cared to see, Frank went

-forward again, and leaning over the windlass thought

-of the friends he was fast leaving behind him and

-of the trapper. He hoped from the bottom of his

-heart that Dick had jumped overboard. If such

-was the case he had saved himself many an hour of

-suffering, and had placed himself in no danger. It

-was but a short distance to the shore for such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>

-swimmer as he knew the trapper to be, and besides

-there were vessels constantly passing in and out of

-the harbor, so that on a calm night like that he had

-only to call for help to get it. The trapper had

-learned enough from the three men in the forecastle,

-if he could only remember it, to put Uncle Dick

-Gaylord on the track of the Tycoon, and perhaps

-matters might not turn out so badly after all. If

-the Stranger followed the Tycoon to Japan, his

-release would certainly be effected; but how would

-he fare in the meantime? He wished that some

-discontented boy who had read yellow-covered

-novels until he had become thoroughly disgusted

-with home and all its surroundings, and sighed for

-the wild, free, romantic life of a sailor, could be in

-his place just then.</p>

-

-<p>A short time before Frank's watch on deck was

-ended, he heard a rustling in one of the bunks below,

-and looking into the forecastle saw that the

-boatswain's mate, having come to his senses, was

-sitting up and staring about him in great bewilderment.

-The old-sea dog did not know where he was,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>

-but he quickly became aware that he was aboard

-some craft that was in motion, and catching up his

-cap he sprang out of his bunk and ran up the ladder.

-At the top he found Frank, whom he recognised

-at once.</p>

-

-<p>"Where are we, cap'n?" he exclaimed; "and

-how long have we been under way?"</p>

-

-<p>The sailors belonging to the Stranger's crew were

-pretty well acquainted with the history of their

-captain and his passengers. They conceived a

-great respect for Frank when they learned that he

-had been all through the late war, and that he had,

-by his own unaided efforts, worked his way from the

-forecastle to the quarter-deck, and falling into Uncle

-Dick's habit, they invariably addressed him by his

-old naval title, and were as careful to salute him

-whenever they passed him as they were to salute

-their commander.</p>

-

-<p>Before Frank had time to reply, the boatswain's

-mate had glanced about the deck of the whaler, and

-some faint suspicions seemed to creep into his mind.

-"This ain't the Stranger, cap'n!" said he.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Who are you talking to?" demanded the first

-mate, who just then came forward.</p>

-

-<p>"I was speaking to Cap'n Nelson, sir," was the

-reply.</p>

-

-<p>"Who is he? Where is he?" asked the mate,

-roughly.</p>

-

-<p>"There he stands, sir."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, you just drop all that," said the officer,

-who was plainly very much surprised, "and hereafter

-bear in mind that there is only one captain aboard

-this ship and only one first mate. Get on deck,

-here. You belong to this watch!"</p>

-

-<p>"Ay, ay, sir," replied Lucas. "Now here's a

-lubberly go, cap'n," he added in a low tone, as the

-mate went aft out of earshot.</p>

-

-<p>"Be careful," said Frank, quickly. "Remember

-the mate's order and drop that title and all others

-when you speak to me. Just recollect that I occupy

-a lower position aboard this craft than you do, for

-you are an able seaman and I am not."</p>

-

-<p>"But what craft is this and what's happened us?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>

-asked the boatswain's mate, earnestly&mdash;"shanghaied?"</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, and this ship is the Tycoon."</p>

-

-<p>"I knew it," said the old sailor, striking his open

-palm with his clenched hand. "Serves me right."</p>

-

-<p>"I don't know how you came here. Perhaps you

-can tell."</p>

-

-<p>"I took a drink, sir," said Lucas, hanging his

-head.</p>

-

-<p>"Ah! yes; and you didn't get it out of the scuttle-butt

-either, did you? Pure water would not

-have robbed you of your senses."</p>

-

-<p>Then Frank went on to tell of his meeting with

-the bogus captain and the manner in which he and

-the trapper had been enticed on board the whaler.

-The old sailor was greatly distressed to know that

-it was through him that Frank had been brought

-into trouble. He offered to make amends by jumping

-overboard, and seemed to be hurt because Frank

-would not consent to it. While he was trying to

-comfort the mate the watch was called and Frank

-and the rest ordered below.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>Thus far things seemed to be working as well as

-could be expected under the circumstances. Frank

-had heard a few hard words from the officers, but

-he had seen no blows struck. This, however, was

-only the calm that preceded the storm. The next

-morning the captain made his appearance on deck,

-just as the crew were ordered to turn to, and then

-the trouble began. Frank recognised him at once,

-for he wore the same clothes he had on when he

-passed the Stranger in the whale-boat. He proved

-to be quite as brutal as he looked, and a constitutional

-grumbler. He found fault with everything.

-Nothing could be done to suit him. He swore

-at the officers, and they in turn swore at the men,

-and struck right and left with whatever came first

-to their hands&mdash;that is, the first and second mates

-did. The third mate, whom Frank had heard

-addressed as Mr. Gale, took no part in the swearing

-and striking. He did not speak to the men as if

-they were dogs, but his orders were just as emphatic,

-just as readily understood and quite as

-promptly obeyed. Frank took a liking to the man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>

-at once. Like himself, he seemed very much out

-of place on board the Tycoon.</p>

-

-<p>The captain was anxious to get his small crew

-into shape for work before he reached the fishing-grounds,

-and almost the first thing he did was to

-order out a "dummy whale," which was a spar

-towed over the stern. Then the boats' crews were

-selected. There proved to be enough to man two

-boats, leaving a sufficient number of the crew on

-board to act as ship-keepers. Frank and Lucas were

-assigned to the captain's boat, the former being

-seated at the bow oar. This was a position of

-responsibility, as Frank very soon learned. A

-whale when struck by a harpoon sometimes starts

-to run; and in such a case it is the duty of the bow

-oar to seize the line, draw the boat up alongside

-the whale, and hold it there while the captain uses

-his lance.</p>

-

-<p>Everything being in readiness, the boats were

-lowered, and for the next three hours were manœuvred

-about the spar, until it seemed to Frank that

-the inside of his hands was all in a blaze. To make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>

-matters worse, the captain swore at him for his

-awkwardness, and took him to task for answering

-"Very good, sir!" in response to an order, when he

-should have said "Ay, ay, sir!" An officer in the

-navy is required to answer "Very good, sir," when

-receiving a command from a superior, to show that

-he understands it; but Frank was not in the navy

-now, and neither was he an officer. He was a foremast

-hand on board a whaler, occupying a position

-a good deal lower than the captain's dog, he began

-to think.</p>

-

-<p>The boats were finally ordered back to the ship,

-and after they had been hoisted at the davits, the

-falls laid down in Flemish coil on deck, and the

-spar hauled aboard, Frank heard the order passed&mdash;</p>

-

-<p>"Send that gentleman in the black suit aft

-here."</p>

-

-<p>Frank knew in a moment that he was the one

-designated. He claimed to be a gentleman and he

-wore a suit of black clothes&mdash;he was the only one

-on board who did&mdash;so he promptly answered to the

-summons. "Here, sir," said he.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>When he reached the quarter-deck he removed

-his hat and waited for the captain to speak to him.</p>

-

-<p>"So you know your name, do you?" exclaimed

-the skipper, gruffly.</p>

-

-<p>"My name is Nelson, sir."</p>

-

-<p>"But it suits me to call you Gentleman Black."</p>

-

-<p>"Very&mdash;ay, ay, sir," replied Frank, who knew

-that he was expected to say something.</p>

-

-<p>"Shoulder that handspike," continued the captain,

-pointing out the implement, "and march up

-and down the deck like a soger as you are. Carry

-it until you learn not to say 'very good' to me.

-What business is it of yours whether my orders are

-very good or very bad? I'll soon take them airs

-out of you."</p>

-

-<p>Frank picked up the handspike, and placing it on

-his shoulder, began walking up and down the deck

-like a sentry on his beat. A landsman would have

-seen no significance in this punishment, but the

-sailors did, and the boatswain's mate and the coxswain

-(the latter had recovered his senses and gone

-to work with the rest) were highly indignant. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>

-seaman regards it as an insult to be called a soldier.

-It implies that he is a "skulker"&mdash;that he shirks

-his duty.</p>

-

-<p>This was the second time that Frank had been

-punished on board ship. His first offence, as we

-know, was committed while he was in the navy, on

-board the receiving ship. He spilled some water

-on deck, and was obliged to wipe it up and carry a

-swab about the vessel until he saw some one else

-doing the same thing. He might have carried that

-swab all day, had not Archie taken pity on him and

-effected his release. His jolly little cousin was not

-at hand to help him now. Frank was glad that he

-was far away, and in no danger of ever being placed

-in a situation like his own.</p>

-

-<p>Frank found that even a handspike grows heavy

-after a while, and when he had carried it four long

-hours, he would have been glad to put it down and

-rest; but his release did not come until his watch

-was called at twelve o'clock that night. From noon

-until midnight he paced the deck without a moment's

-pause, a bite to eat or a drop to drink. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>

-tired and sleepy, but was obliged to remain on

-deck four hours longer, or until the watch to which

-he belonged was ordered below. It was pretty hard,

-Frank told himself, and provoking, too, to find

-somebody ready to make sport of him, as one of the

-sailors in his watch did when he went forward. It

-was the "black sheep" of the crew&mdash;the same one

-who pointed out the trapper's supposed hiding-place

-in the bow-boat. His name was Gardener, but some

-one had christened him Calamity, and that was

-what he was generally called. Some of the crew had

-warned Lucas and Barton to be very careful what

-they said in this man's presence. He was the captain's

-pet. He was never punished like the rest,

-and the reason probably was because he made it his

-business to keep the officers posted in everything

-that was said and done in the forecastle.</p>

-

-<p>"Well, Gentleman Black," said Calamity, as

-Frank approached the windlass around which the

-watch were gathered, "how do you like the taste

-you have had of the Tycoon's discipline? You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>

-can't come soldiering aboard here with your airs and

-your graces&mdash;&mdash;"</p>

-

-<p>"Belay that!" cried the coxswain, jumping to his

-feet. "You're a soldier yourself and a tale-bearer

-besides, Calamity, and any more such language as

-that will breed a row that'll have to be settled by

-you and me the very first time we get ashore.

-That's a word with a bark on it!"</p>

-

-<p>Calamity, like the coward he was, slunk back out

-of sight immediately, and in a few minutes got up

-and walked away.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c159" id="c159">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">"THERE SHE BLOWS."</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap04">IT soon became evident to all on board the Tycoon

-that Captain Barclay&mdash;that was the name

-of the master of the ship&mdash;was in a great hurry.

-Whaling captains, while on fishing-grounds, generally

-try to get over as much space as they can while

-daylight lasts, and to remain as nearly in one spot

-as possible during the night. By following this

-plan they can hunt over every mile of the ground,

-and lose no chance of finding the game of which

-they are in search. Captain Barclay, however, carried

-all the sail he could crowd, both night and day.

-The old sailors, Lucas and Barton among the rest,

-knew where he was going, and when Frank heard

-them express their opinions he had new cause for

-uneasiness.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"He's bound for the Sandwich Islands," said Lucas,

-one day. "He hasn't got men enough aboard

-here to do anything, and he's going after a crew."</p>

-

-<p>"Then we can make up our minds that we have

-seen the last of the Stranger," said Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Why, bless you," said Lucas, "I never did expect

-to see her again. I never said so before because

-I saw that you kept hankering after her, and I wanted

-you to keep your spirits up as long as you could."</p>

-

-<p>Frank's last hope was gone now, and it was only

-by a great effort of will that he kept himself from

-giving away utterly to his despondent feelings. "I

-have seen the last of my friends," thought he. "I

-have no one to rely on except myself. I must drag

-out a miserable existence here till I see a chance to

-escape, and then get home as best I can. I might

-just as well make up my mind to it."</p>

-

-<p>And he did. He accepted what he believed to

-be the inevitable, as gracefully as he could, and

-worked hard to keep his thoughts from wandering

-back to the pleasant little cabin of the Stranger, in

-which he had spent so many happy hours. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>

-learned rapidly when once he made up his mind to

-it, and won many a word of praise and encouragement

-from Lucas and Barton, who declared that he

-was as handy as a pocket in a shirt. His services

-speedily attracted the attention of the mate, who

-one day addressed him something after this fashion,

-only using much stronger language&mdash;</p>

-

-<p>"I have half a mind to trice you up, Gentleman

-Black!"</p>

-

-<p>It happened just after a sudden squall, which

-struck the ship and threw her over almost to her

-beam ends. The topsails were clewed up, and when

-the crew were ordered aloft, Frank was the first to

-mount the rigging. He made his way to the main

-royal, and stowed it as quickly and neatly as if he

-had been accustomed to the business all his life.

-He had learned this part of a seaman's duty more

-readily than the rest, because he took the most interest

-in it. He felt excited and exhilarated when

-he found himself clinging to the swaying yard, with

-the wind whistling about his ears and the white-caps

-rolling beneath him, while the ship lay over at such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>

-an angle that, had he lost his hold, he would have

-fallen into the water thirty feet from her side. He

-was always among the first to respond to an order

-to reef or furl topsails, and perhaps he liked this

-duty best because there was danger in it.</p>

-

-<p>Having performed the work of stowing the royal,

-Frank descended to the deck, where he was met by

-the first officer, who had kept his eye on him while

-he was aloft. "Yes, sir, I've the best notion in the

-world to trice you up!" he repeated.</p>

-

-<p>"What for, sir?" asked Frank, opening his eyes

-in great surprise.</p>

-

-<p>The young sailor was well satisfied with the work

-he had just performed, and wondered what he had

-done that was wrong. By strict attention to his

-work he had thus far succeeded in keeping out of

-any serious difficulty since the affair of the handspike.

-True, he had been sworn at, had been sent

-aloft several times to slush down the masts, and

-had worked industriously for three hours knocking

-the rust off the anchor, and all because the mate

-thought he was a trifle too "airy" sometimes; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>

-these were light punishments compared with those

-which some of the men received. He had seen a

-sailor knocked down with a belaying pin as fast as

-he could get up, and another hauled up by the wrists

-until he swung clear of the deck, and a fifty-pound

-snatch-block made fast to his feet.</p>

-

-<p>"I am not conscious of having done anything

-out of the way," continued Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"O, your conscience don't trouble you, then," angrily

-exclaimed the officer, who did not understand

-Frank's fine language. "Well, your back will

-trouble you in less than a minute if you use any

-jaw to me."</p>

-

-<p>"I meant, sir, that I didn't know I had done anything

-wrong," exclaimed Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Then why didn't you say so?" growled the mate.

-"You're a nice lad, I do think, to come aboard here

-with your smooth, oily tongue, and talk us all into

-believing that you are a landsman! You told me

-that you didn't know anything about a ship."</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, sir, and I told you the truth. I have had

-time to learn something since then."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"So have I," said the mate. "Now listen to

-me, my hearty," he added, shaking his finger at

-Frank. "You can't soldier any longer. You'll stand

-your trick at the wheel and do an able seaman's

-duty from this hour, or I'll haze you till you'll be

-glad to jump overboard. Go forward, where you

-belong."</p>

-

-<p>"Ay, ay, sir! Now I have got myself into a

-scrape, sure enough," thought Frank. "The very

-first time I receive an order I don't understand, I

-shall catch it. I wish I had let that royal alone."</p>

-

-<p>Frank went forward and shortly afterward the

-first mate followed him, holding in his hand two short

-pieces of rope. "Gentleman Black," said he, "I

-need something to larrup these fellows with, when

-they don't act like men, and I want you to put a

-long splice in these ropes and a Turk's head at each

-end."</p>

-

-<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Frank. "You can't

-catch me in this way, my man," he added, as the

-mate went aft again. "If it should ever become

-necessary to send down the topmasts, you will find<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>

-out just how much I know about a sailor's work. I

-expect I shall be the first one to be 'larruped' with

-this when it is done."</p>

-

-<p>Frank knew that such a rope as that he was at

-work upon, could not be used anywhere about the

-ship, unless it was for the purpose of beating the

-men. The mate gave him the task merely to try

-him; and he stationed himself, too, where he could

-watch Frank in order to make sure that he did the

-work himself. If he had been unable to do it, the

-officer would have accused him of soldiering, and

-that would have furnished him with an excuse for

-punishing Frank in some way. But he missed his

-object that time. The work was neatly and quickly

-performed, and Frank carried it to the mate, who,

-after closely examining it, grasped it with both hands

-and raised it in the air. "Let me see how it will

-answer the purpose for which it is intended," said

-he.</p>

-

-<p>If Frank had flinched or dodged, it is probable

-that he would have felt the weight of the rope over

-his shoulders; and it is probable, too, that the mate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>

-would have been flat on his back the very next instant.

-The deck of the Tycoon was never so near

-being the scene of a mutiny as it was that day; and

-just so surely as the rope fell, just so surely would

-there have been trouble, and serious trouble, too&mdash;Frank

-did not know how serious until afterward.

-He little dreamed that he had eight good men to

-back him up. He thought he would have to depend

-entirely on himself, but he stood his ground as if he

-had had the whole crew of his old vessel, the Boxer,

-at his command.</p>

-

-<p>The mate eyed him savagely for a moment, and

-then lowering the rope and telling Frank that he

-thought he was a very nice lad to come soldiering

-aboard there, when he was as able to do seaman's

-duty as anybody, called him some hard name and ordered

-him to go forward. The young sailor obeyed,

-glad indeed to be let off so easily; but his heart

-beat rapidly for a long time after that, and now and

-then he cast toward the officer a glance that was

-full of meaning.</p>

-

-<p>That night all sail was made again, and while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>

-Frank was at work on the topsail yard, Lucas, who

-was busy at his side, poked him with his elbow and

-whispered hurriedly&mdash;</p>

-

-<p>"Why didn't you knock him down, cap'n?"</p>

-

-<p>"Be careful," whispered Frank, in reply.</p>

-

-<p>"No harm done, sir," answered the boatswain's

-mate. "There's nobody near us except good men

-and true, and I'd as soon they would hear me as not.

-Why didn't you knock that mate down when he

-raised the rope on you?"</p>

-

-<p>"I had no reason for doing it," replied Frank;

-"but I believe I should have tried it if he had struck

-me. I don't think I could take a blow without resenting

-it. I came pretty near going in the brig

-that time."</p>

-

-<p>"No, you didn't, not by a long sight, sir, begging

-your pardon for speaking so plainly," said the old

-sailor, with a knowing shake of his head. "If

-you'd a done it, you'd a been walking up and down

-the quarter-deck now with your thumbs in the arm-holes

-of your vest. You'd a been master of the

-Tycoon, sir!"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>Frank looked at Lucas in amazement.</p>

-

-<p>"Fact, sir," said the old boatswain's mate, earnestly.

-"Me and Barton got you into this scrape,

-all unbeknown to us who did it, and we're bound to

-bring you out with flying colors, I tell you!"</p>

-

-<p>"Look here, Lucas," said Frank. "Now don't

-you or anybody else attempt&mdash;&mdash;"</p>

-

-<p>"Belay what I have told you and listen to more,"

-interrupted the sailor, hastily; "and don't be breaking

-in on me in that way, if you please, sir, because

-we hain't got much time to talk. You'll never be

-struck, sir, I don't think, but if you are, you'll see

-a tidy row. The officers know who you are&mdash;me

-and Barton told it to the other fellows in Calamity's

-hearing, and he carried it back to the cabin, as we

-knew he would&mdash;and the cap'n would give all his

-old boots and throw in a pair of new ones into the

-bargain, if he was well rid of you. He don't want

-you here; you know too much."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, he can easily be rid of me and you and

-Barton, too," said Frank. "Let him put us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>

-ashore at the Sandwich Islands. We are willing

-to go."</p>

-

-<p>"He'll never do that, sir. You wouldn't go

-ashore with a stopper on your jaw, would you?"</p>

-

-<p>"No, I would not," replied Frank, emphatically.

-"I'd tell the consul all I know about this ship and

-the way men are treated here, and have the captain

-and all his officers, except Mr. Gale, arrested. I

-could not be hired to keep my mouth shut."</p>

-

-<p>"Ah, ha! I thought so. The cap'n knows it,

-too."</p>

-

-<p>"What is he going to do with us?"</p>

-

-<p>"None of us know. The men don't want you to

-leave if they've got to stay, because they say that

-things ain't half as bad as they were before you

-came aboard. We know what we're going to do,

-and I've been waiting for a good chance to tell you.

-We're going to take the ship out of the hands of

-these villains, and put you in command. Hold on

-a bit, sir," he added, seeing that Frank was about

-to speak; "I know just what I am saying, and it is

-too late to find fault, for everything is fixed. Me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>

-and Barton spoke to some of the men about it, and

-there's six good men besides us that you can depend

-on every time. We know that you've got the

-brains and the book-learning to see us safe through

-the consul's court, and we'll do just whatever you

-say, all except one thing: when we get the ship,

-Calamity and the first mate have got to go overboard.

-That we've struck hands on. Lay in from the yard

-now, sir. Keep a stiff upper lip, and don't take no

-slack from nobody. When you get a good ready,

-sing out; and while me and Barton makes a dash

-for the cap'n's pistols&mdash;Calamity told us where he

-keeps 'em&mdash;the other six will take care of the

-officers on deck. We've got everything fixed, as I

-told you, and we're just aching to begin the work."</p>

-

-<p>The old boatswain's mate followed his remarks

-with sundry winks, nods and contortions of his face

-which Frank could not understand, but which no

-doubt meant a good deal.</p>

-

-<p>Frank descended to the deck and went through

-the rest of his duties like one in a dream. He had

-told his friends on board the Stranger that, had he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>

-been in the deserter's place, he would not have been

-restrained, by any fear of falling into the clutches

-of the law, from joining with his companions and

-taking the vessel out of the control of her officers.

-Now he was placed in a similar situation, and had

-only to "sing out" to make himself monarch of all he

-surveyed. Eight sturdy, determined men stood

-ready to obey his orders&mdash;a sufficient number to

-overpower the captain and his two tyrannical mates

-before they could think twice. Lucas did not have

-time to tell him who his friends were, but Frank

-believed that he could pick them all out. He had

-wondered at the respect which the foremast hands

-had shown him ever since his advent among them,

-and rightly attributed it to the influence of Lucas

-and Barton. Frank wondered if the third mate,

-Mr. Gale, was one of them. That officer always

-treated him with the utmost consideration, and once,

-while he was serving Frank with some clothing from

-the slop-chest, he so far forgot himself as to address

-him as "sir." He noticed the mistake as soon as

-he made it, but he did not recall the word. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>

-old boatswain's mate and coxswain were indeed resolved

-to bring him out of his troubles with flying

-colors. They meant to promote him rapidly. Did

-anybody ever hear of a person creeping in at the

-hawsehole, and working his way into the captain's

-berth in three weeks? Frank laughed at the idea.</p>

-

-<p>"I'm a nice specimen to be put in command of

-a ship," he thought. "I hardly know the topsail

-halliards from the jib downhaul. But I feel better

-than I did an hour ago. If my presence here really

-acts as a restraint upon the captain, I am glad of it.

-As long as that state of affairs continues he and his

-officers are secure in their positions; but now that

-I have the power to prevent it, no one shall be

-triced up by the wrists with a fifty-pound weight at

-his feet, or beaten as unmercifully as that man was

-beaten the other day."</p>

-

-<p>Frank carried a light heart from that day forward,

-and often wondered, when he saw the captain

-in one of his angry, swearing moods, what that gentleman

-would think if he knew that he was treading

-on a mine that was liable to be exploded at any moment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>

-He did not have a chance to talk to Lucas

-again, but the sailor looked whole volumes at him

-every time they met, and Frank thought the old

-fellow meant to reproach him because he did not

-"sing out."</p>

-

-<p>Frank by this time began to feel and look like a

-sailor. He had discarded his black suit and drawn

-a full seaman's rig from the slop-chest&mdash;red shirts,

-coarse trowsers, woollen stockings, heavy boots and

-tarpaulin. His hands were becoming hardened, so

-that he could haul on the ropes or take a three

-hours' pull about the ship, without setting his palms

-on fire as he had done at first. There was one thing

-he could not bring himself to do, and that was to

-go barefooted, like the rest of the crew. There was

-something too slovenly about that to suit Frank,

-who, during his experience on ship-board, had

-always been accustomed to see men neatly and completely

-dressed.</p>

-

-<p>Although Captain Barclay was in a great hurry,

-he did not neglect to keep himself and crew in

-readiness to seize upon the first opportunity that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>

-was presented for adding to his stock of oil in the

-hold. The boats were always ready for lowering,

-the mast-head had been manned for two weeks;

-and Frank took his turn with the rest. He did his

-duty faithfully while acting as lookout, hoping to

-be the first to discover a whale. He wanted to see

-one; but when it came to getting into a small boat

-and pulling out to attack him&mdash;well, Frank wasn't

-so anxious for that. He drew a long breath and

-his heart would beat a little faster than usual whenever

-he thought of it. He had heard many thrilling

-stories related during the night-watches, and

-had come to the conclusion that a sperm whale was

-made to be looked at from a distance and not to be

-approached in a small boat.</p>

-

-<p>One bright day Frank was sitting on the fore-royal

-yard, his back braced against the shroud-stay,

-one hand grasping the halliards and his feet swinging

-in the air a hundred feet above the deck. There

-was not a sail in sight&mdash;nothing but the ocean beneath

-and the blue sky above. The old boatswain's

-mate, who now held the position of boat-steerer, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>

-sitting on the main-royal yard behind him, and both

-were keeping a bright lookout for whales. A prize

-of a pair of boots had been offered to the first man

-who raised a whale, and that to a sailor who, out of

-small wages, has to pay high prices for everything

-he draws from the slop-chest, is an object worth

-working for. Frank did not care for the boots&mdash;he

-hoped to be safely off the Tycoon long before the

-pair he then had on was worn out&mdash;but he did care

-for the honor of discovering the first spout, so he

-kept his eyes roaming everywhere. But half his

-watch had expired and he had seen nothing yet.</p>

-

-<p>"Hem! hem!" said a voice behind and above

-him.</p>

-

-<p>Frank looked around, and saw the old boatswain's

-mate winking and nodding at him as he always did

-both before and after making any confidential communication.

-More than that, he was holding his

-clenched hand against his breast, and pointing with

-his thumb out over the water. His meaning flashed

-upon Frank in an instant. His eyes scanned almost

-every inch of the watery waste that lay between him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>

-and the horizon, but he could see nothing that he

-thought looked as a spout ought to look.</p>

-

-<p>"Sing out, sir!" whispered the old sailor, excitedly.

-"There's grease!"</p>

-

-<p>"I don't see it," whispered Frank, in reply.</p>

-

-<p>"What's the odds? I do. Sing out, sir!"</p>

-

-<p>"There she blows!" shouted Frank, taking the

-old sea-dog at his word.</p>

-

-<p>The flapping of the sails below him showed that

-his wild yell had reached the ears of at least one

-of the sailors on deck&mdash;the wheelsman&mdash;and that it

-had excited him so that he forgot for a moment to

-attend to his business. Then the captain's hoarse

-voice was heard. "Keep her steady there, can't

-you? Where away?"</p>

-

-<p>"I am sure I don't know," said Frank, in a low

-tone, as he looked impatiently around.</p>

-

-<p>"Three points off the weather bow!" shouted the

-boatswain's mate. "Three miles off and coming

-this way. Sperm whale. Flukes! flukes!" he

-added, as the whale went down with a farewell

-flourish of his tail.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Dear me, I wish I could see it," thought

-Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Lay down from aloft!" commanded the captain.

-"See the boats all clear and stand by to

-lower."</p>

-

-<p>When Frank descended to the deck in obedience

-to this order, he found the captain and all his mates

-in the rigging, the former sweeping the horizon

-with his glass. "There she blows!" he cried, gleefully.

-"Close aboard! Back the main topsail and

-lower away!"</p>

-

-<p>Frank sprang to the falls of the boat to which he

-belonged, and by the time it was fairly settled in

-the water, he was in his seat with his oar in his

-hand. Much scrambling and confusion followed;

-but a few oaths from the captain restored order,

-and almost before he knew it Frank was flying

-over the waves in pursuit of his first whale&mdash;the

-whale he had raised, but which he had not yet

-seen.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c178" id="c178">CHAPTER X.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">FRANK'S FIRST WHALE.</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap16">ALL this happened in much less time than we

-have taken to describe it. To Frank, whose

-brain was in a great whirl, it seemed that scarcely

-half a minute had elapsed after the raising of the

-whale, before he was in the boat and pulling for

-dear life. He afterwards recalled every exciting

-incident of that hour, and wondered that he did not

-feel any fear. Perhaps it was because he was too

-busy to think. He was not so busy, however, but

-that he could take note of and marvel at one thing,

-and that was the great change that had suddenly

-come over the captain. He looked and acted like

-a different man. He even smiled, and that was

-something Frank had never seen him do before.

-Holding the steering-oar with one hand and assisting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>

-the stroke-oar with the other, he kept up a running

-fire of small-talk to encourage his men.</p>

-

-<p>"Now, my good sons," said he, in a low voice and

-in much such a tone as an affectionate father might

-use, "all my 'lay' in that whale will go straight to

-your credit just as soon as we get back to the ship,

-if you will only put me alongside of him so that I

-can get one chance at him with the lance. I declare,

-it has been so long since I used a lance that

-I don't know how it seems, and I shall get all out

-of practice if you don't take pity on me. We must

-beat that other boat anyhow, and if you pull this

-way, you are sure to do it. That's it; pick her

-right up out of the water and walk along with her.

-She isn't a feather's weight to such long-armed,

-broad-shouldered fellows as you are. That's the

-way to do it; only raise her just an inch higher, my

-lads. She touched that wave; I felt it, didn't you?

-There! she didn't touch that one and I know it.

-Keep her there, my good lads. She's in the air

-now. Talk about your balloons! Give me this

-boat and crew and I'll go anywhere they can!"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>For the first time since he came on board the

-Tycoon, Frank felt like laughing. The captain

-reminded him of Hans Breitman's velocipede, which,

-even before it became frightened and started to run

-away with its rider, went so fast that it</p>

-

-<p class="pp6q p1">"&mdash;&mdash;didn't touch the dirt, by shinks,</p>

-<p class="pp8">Not once in half a mile."</p>

-

-<p class="p1">"Bless me, what muscles those two fellows in the

-bow have got!" continued the captain, still working

-at the stroke-oar with all his strength. "And how

-they do twist them oars about, just as if they were

-feathers! I've got to have stronger and heavier

-oars made for them, I can see that, for they're

-bound to break them they've got now. Ah! she

-touched that wave. Lift her up in the air again,

-where she belongs, and hold her there. You fellows

-in the bow needn't think you can pull your end of

-the boat so fast that we in the stern can't keep up

-with you. By the way, is that sharp-eyed, good-looking

-son of mine, who raised this whale, in the

-boat?"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Yes, sir. It was Nelson," replied Lucas,

-promptly.</p>

-

-<p>Frank, who did not believe in sailing under false

-colors, was about to protest that it wasn't he at all&mdash;that

-Lucas himself was the lucky man&mdash;but

-knowing the captain's uncertain disposition, and

-fearing that there might be some after-settlement

-that would prove unpleasant for the old boatswain's

-mate if the truth were known, he kept silent and

-heard himself praised for an act that he did not perform.</p>

-

-<p>"Ah! it is just like him," said the captain. "I

-knew there was lots in him the first time I saw him.

-You can't fool me in a man. I can look in his eye

-and read him like an open book. There's a boatsteerer's

-berth ahead for you, Nelson," continued the

-captain, too excited and impatient to think of the

-name he always applied to Frank in derision.

-"Those boots belong to you, and when we get back

-to the ship you go straight down to the slop-chest&mdash;I'll

-give you the key&mdash;and pick out whatever you

-want. Take everything you find there&mdash;boots,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>

-breeches, shirts and&mdash;no, no! Take the ship. She's

-yours! That's the way Daddy Barclay treats his

-sons when they do their duty by him. Now, my

-lads," he added, in a thrilling whisper, "he's right

-here somewhere below us. Lay on your oars now;

-keep your eyes peeled and don't let me hear so much

-as an eye-wink from any of you."</p>

-

-<p>Frank's heart fairly came up into his mouth.

-The captain's harangue being ended (he had a suspicion

-that the skipper had kept it up on purpose

-to divert the minds of his crew, one of whom was

-as green as Frank himself), there was nothing to

-occupy his attention, and he had leisure to ponder

-upon the dangers he was about to encounter. Of

-course all the stories he had heard in the Tycoon's

-forecastle concerning the perils to which whalemen

-are constantly exposed, came into his mind, and to

-save his life he could think of nothing else. He

-felt as he had often felt on going into action.

-After the crew are called to quarters there is almost

-always a delay, sometimes longer and sometimes

-shorter, before the first gun is fired, and to most men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>

-that is worse than the battle itself. They are glad

-when it is over and the fight begins. The interval

-of inactivity that came now gave the boat's crew a

-chance to rest after their long, hard pull, but Frank

-could scarcely endure it. He wanted the whale to

-show himself at once. If he was going to cut the

-boat in two with his jaw or smash it into kindling

-wood with his tail, Frank wished he would be about

-it and not keep him in suspense.</p>

-

-<p>The whale was down a long time&mdash;so long that

-even the captain became impatient. He and the

-boat's crew, Frank among the rest, arose to their

-feet one after the other to obtain a wider view, and

-holding their oars in their hands, kept a bright

-lookout in every direction. The first mate's boat

-was lying about half a mile to windward, and her

-crew were also standing up. The Tycoon had come

-to directly in the path the whale was pursuing, and

-the third officer was at the mast-head, ready to

-signal to the boat's crews if the whale arose beyond

-the range of their vision. Frank's eyes were everywhere,

-and at last something induced him to turn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>

-them into the water close alongside the boat. He

-saw something there&mdash;an immense dark-blue object,

-which contrasted plainly with the paler blue of the

-water. He looked again, and then glanced into the

-water on the opposite side of the boat to make sure

-that his eyes had not deceived him. The sea on

-that side was all the same color, and that proved

-that there was something under the boat. He

-nudged Lucas with his elbow and pointed to it.

-The old sailor looked, and instantly every particle

-of color fled from his face. But he had nerve, if he

-was frightened, plenty of it, too, and it showed

-itself in the firm grasp he laid upon his harpoon.

-The time for action had arrived.</p>

-

-<p>"He's coming," thought Frank, while the oar he

-held in his grasp seemed to turn into lead, so heavy

-did it feel to his weakened arm. "I always supposed

-a whale was black."</p>

-

-<p>The boat header's action attracted the attention

-of the captain, who, following the direction of his

-gaze gave a sudden start and waved his hand to the

-crew. The men quickly seated themselves and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>

-dropped their oars softly in the row-locks. The

-temptation to look over his shoulder was almost

-irresistible, but fearing that if he did, his courage,

-which was rapidly oozing out at the ends of his fingers,

-would give away altogether, Frank resolutely

-controlled himself and kept his eyes fixed on the

-captain's face.</p>

-

-<p>"There he is," cried the skipper, a moment afterward.

-"Throw it at him and go overboard if you

-miss him."</p>

-

-<p>The old sailor obeyed the order to the very letter.

-He threw his harpoon, missed his object and went

-overboard. Whether it was for the reason that the

-boat was unsteady, or because the seaman was too

-badly frightened to stand firmly on his feet, or because

-his hand had lost its skill during the years that

-had passed since he struck his last whale, it is hard

-to tell. Perhaps all these things combined operated

-to bring about the events that followed. At any

-rate the iron went wild and the old boatswain's mate

-turned a complete back somersault and disappeared

-over the side. He rose immediately, however, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>

-Frank catching sight of him as a wave carried him

-past the boat, promptly thrust his oar out to him.</p>

-

-<p>The captain was almost beside himself with fury.

-He did not act or talk quite so much like an

-affectionate father as he did a short time before.

-He tore off his hat, trampled it under his feet and

-shook all over with rage. "He missed him as sure

-as I'm a sinner," he sputtered, hardly able to speak

-plainly. "If I had him aboard the ship I would

-trice him up for a week. Let the fool go," he

-roared with a long string of heavy adjectives, as

-Frank tried to place the blade of his oar in the old

-sailor's grasp. "A man that'll get up on his legs

-and tumble overboard while the boat is standing

-still, is of no use aboard a vessel of mine; so let him

-go down among the sharks, where he belongs.

-We're well rid of&mdash;Stern all! Stern for your lives!

-Well done, my son. You've been in this business

-before, and you are my boat-header from this day

-out."</p>

-

-<p>The change in the captain's tone was brought

-about by an action on Frank's part that was unexpected,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>

-even to himself. He scarcely knew he did

-it until after it was done. Lucas, having missed

-his first throw and gone overboard, had no chance

-for a second attempt, and unless somebody took his

-place on the instant, the game was likely, if he did

-not escape altogether, to lead them a long, hard

-race before they could come up with him again. It

-required an emergency to show what Frank was

-made of. He never waited to take a second

-thought, but throwing his oar to the boatswain's

-mate&mdash;he knew it would keep him afloat until the

-boat could pick him up&mdash;he jumped to his feet,

-catching up the extra harpoon as he arose.</p>

-

-<p>When his face was turned toward the bow of the

-boat, Frank saw a sight that was well calculated to

-shake stronger nerves than his&mdash;a sperm whale

-coming up on a breach almost within an oar's

-length of him. His huge bulk was shooting up

-into the air, and he did not even make a ripple in

-the water as he arose. But when he fell on his

-side, as he did a moment later, he created something

-more than a ripple. He raised waves that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>

-threatened to swamp the boat, and made a noise

-that would have given Frank some idea of the immense

-weight of the monster, if he had not been

-too highly excited and alarmed to have any ideas at

-all.</p>

-

-<p>As the whale fell into the water&mdash;fortunately he

-fell away from the boat&mdash;Frank's harpoon was

-launched into the air, and being thrown with all the

-force his sinewy arms could give it, and flying true

-to its aim, was buried to the socket in the side of

-the whale. The next instant the young harpooner

-was thrown flat among the thwarts by the sudden

-start backward which the crew gave the boat in

-obedience to the captain's order "Stern all!" He

-heard something whistling through the air, and

-looked up just in time to see the whale's flukes disappearing

-in a pile of foam. How he opened his

-eyes at the sight of them! They would have measured

-more feet across than the boat measured in

-length. The whale gave the water an angry slap,

-raising a sea that would have filled the boat had not

-the bow been promptly brought around toward it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>

-and then started down into the depths at the rate

-of a mile in six minutes, the line fairly smoking as

-it whizzed through the lead-lined groove. Frank

-held his breath while he gazed at it. It looked like

-a streak of blue flame, so swiftly did it run out. If

-it caught on anything, the boat and all her crew

-would be a hundred feet under water in an instant's

-time.</p>

-

-<p>The young harpooner did not hear any of the

-words of praise and promises of reward which the

-delighted skipper shouted at him. He did not hear

-anything but the hissing of the line as it ran through

-the groove in the bow. He lay on the bottom perfectly

-stupefied, until he was aroused by the touch

-of somebody's hand.</p>

-

-<p>When the captain gave the order to "Stern all,"

-the crew sent the boat within reach of Lucas, who

-laid hold of the gunwale, and worked his way along

-to the bow, where he belonged. Attracting Frank's

-attention by a pull at his trowsers, he was hauled

-into the boat, and took his seat, looking not a little

-crestfallen. He caught up a hatchet lying near, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>

-held it in his hand in readiness to cut the line in case

-it fouled while running out. Frank also seated himself,

-and then began to think about what he had done.

-No one in the boat could have been more surprised

-at it.</p>

-

-<p>"I don't want any more of this," said he, mentally.

-"It is just awful. I can't stand it. While

-that fellow was shooting up toward the clouds he

-looked like a church-steeple turned wrong end up.

-He must be a hundred and fifty feet long&mdash;perhaps

-more. Who would have thought that I had courage

-enough to send that harpoon at him?"</p>

-

-<p>Here Frank looked over his shoulder as if to satisfy

-himself that he had really performed the feat.

-There could be no mistake about it. The line was

-still running out, and Lucas was watching it while

-hauling in the harpoon with which he had missed

-the whale.</p>

-

-<p>"I believe I did do it," thought Frank. "He is

-black after all. It was the water that made him

-look so blue. I wouldn't do it again to be made

-owner of the finest fleet of ships that ever floated!"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Nelson," said the captain, and now that Frank's

-mind was settled a little he was able to pay attention

-to him, "whatever I've got that you want, just

-ask for it and it is yours. Don't be bashful or stand

-on ceremony with your Daddy Barclay. Take a big

-bite if you want to."</p>

-

-<p>"I have only one favor to ask, captain," replied

-Frank, suddenly tempted to strike while the iron

-was hot, although he knew it would be quite useless,

-"and that is&mdash;&mdash;"</p>

-

-<p>"Well, slack away lively, and let it come out on

-the run," said the captain, as Frank hesitated a

-moment, wondering how he could word the request

-so that the skipper would not get angry at him.

-"Speak it out."</p>

-

-<p>"I should be greatly obliged if you would set me

-and the two men who were shanghaied with me,

-ashore at the first port we make," said Frank.

-"We shall use the right the law gives us, and ask

-to see the consul as soon as we get there."</p>

-

-<p>Frank's only motive in saying this was to let the

-captain know that he understood the law applying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>

-to the rights of seamen; and he said it at that time

-because he did not know that he would ever have

-another chance, this being the first opportunity he

-had ever had to exchange a word with the master

-of the Tycoon. If there is anything an officer thoroughly

-detests it is a "sea lawyer" among his crew.

-One of these gentry will keep a ship's company in

-hot water from the time the voyage begins until it

-is ended; and his presence acts as a restraint upon

-the captain and his mates, who, if they are disposed

-to be tyrannical, expect to escape the consequences

-through the sailor's ignorance of their rights.

-Frank knew this, and he was in hopes that if he let

-the captain see that he knew what his privileges

-were, and that he intended to insist on having them,

-the skipper would be glad to get rid of him with as

-little delay as possible.</p>

-

-<p>The master of the Tycoon had not a word to say

-in reply to this request, but the look he gave Frank

-satisfied the latter that if he had not spoken at the

-right time to further his own interests, he had

-spoken at the right time to make the captain angry.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>

-He did not offer Frank any more rewards after

-that.</p>

-

-<p>The line continued to run out with great rapidity

-for a few minutes, then the speed gradually decreased

-until it remained motionless, and the actions

-of the captain and his crew indicated that the whale

-was soon expected to make his appearance at the

-surface again. He came very speedily, and much

-too close to the boat for the comfort and safety of its

-crew. Seen through Frank's frightened eyes, his

-head looked like a small mountain rising out of the

-water. His mouth was wide open, showing a milk-white

-cavity large enough to take in the boat and

-all its crew, and Frank gathered from something

-Lucas said that he was ugly and had made up his

-mind to do some mischief. The sequel proved that

-the old sailor was right. The monster began operations

-at once by striking out with his long, sword-like

-jaw, which to Frank's great amazement he

-worked sideways, instead of up and down, and followed

-it up with a tremendous sweep of his tail that,

-had he succeeded in planting the blow where he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>

-wanted it, would have made an end of his enemies

-in a hurry. But both these dangers were escaped.

-His jaw just touched the bow of the boat, and the

-blow from his flukes was avoided by the vigilance

-of the captain and the prompt obedience of the

-crew, who quickly backed the boat out of his reach.

-Apparently satisfied with the demonstrations he had

-made, the whale got under way and made off at an

-astonishing rate of speed, the harpoon which Frank

-had planted still fast in his side.</p>

-

-<p>The bow-oarsman now had a duty to perform, and

-he set about it without waiting for orders. It was

-to overhaul the line and draw the boat up alongside

-the whale, so that the captain, who stood ready to

-change places with the harpooner, could use his

-lance. He rapidly drew in the line, taking care to

-lay it down clear of everything, so that it would not

-kink or get foul in case the whale sounded again,

-and soon had the slack all in. Then he felt a

-strain upon it, and an instant afterward the line

-was whipped out of the water with such force that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>

-it was drawn as tight as a bow-string, and the spray

-flew from it in a perfect shower.</p>

-

-<p>"Hold fast to it, my son," yelled the captain.

-"Keep every inch you get, and get every inch you

-can. We'll have a sleigh-ride now, and such a one

-as landsmen know nothing about."</p>

-

-<p>For a moment the strain was fearful, and Frank's

-power of muscle was tested to the utmost. It

-seemed to him that if the harpoon did not draw or

-the line break, his arms would be pulled off. Letting

-go was something he did not think of; but he

-knew he could not retain his hold much longer, so

-in spite of the old mate's warning gestures, he

-passed a bight of the line around a thwart and held

-it there. By this time the boat began to move, and

-the strain was somewhat lessened.</p>

-

-<p>Now began a novel ride, which Frank thought he

-could have enjoyed if he had only had leisure to give

-his attention to it. A whale can move at tremendous

-speed for a short distance, and this one went at

-such a rate that the boat buried her bow in the

-waves, and rolled back great masses of foam, which,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>

-spreading out over the surface of the water, gave it

-the appearance of a bank of snow. Perhaps it was

-this that first caused the sailors to call a ride of this

-kind a sleigh-ride. But Frank had no time to see

-what was going on around him. He had work to

-perform; and it <i>was</i> work to haul a heavy boat

-containing six men through the waves against such

-resistance as the whale created by the high rate of

-speed he kept up. The line was wet and slippery,

-and Frank's hands, which he had fondly hoped were

-pretty well hardened by this time, soon began to

-feel the effects of it.</p>

-

-<p>In the first lesson he received while manœuvring

-about the "dummy whale," Frank had been instructed

-how to adjust the line to make the boat

-move side by side with a running whale and at a

-short distance from it, and he struggled hard to

-bring the boat in that position; but the line came

-in very slowly, and sometimes when he was almost

-on the point of accomplishing his object, an unusually

-large wave striking the bow or a sudden

-spurt on the part of the frantic beast in front,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>

-would tear the line from his hands in spite of all

-he could do to prevent it.</p>

-

-<p>At length, after Frank had worked his best for

-nearly an hour without once pausing for breath,

-and the line had been drawn through his hands for

-the third time, the captain's small stock of patience

-was all exhausted, and he began to relieve his mind

-by uttering heavy oaths. "Coward!" he yelled,

-stamping his feet as if he were trying to knock a

-hole through the bottom of the boat. "If you are

-afraid to put me alongside that whale, jump overboard

-and give place to a better man. You're fixing

-your back for a rope's end as soon as you get

-aboard the ship!"</p>

-

-<p>Frank and the old boatswain's mate exchanged

-quick glances, one elevating his eye-brows, and the

-other drawing his down. The first meant: "If

-he tries it will you sing out?" and Frank by his

-answering scowl meant: "I will." Not a word

-was passed, but each understood the other perfectly.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c198" id="c198">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">CUTTING IN AND TRYING OUT.</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap04">THE high-spirited Frank, smarting under a sense

-of injustice, and hardly able to bear the pain

-occasioned by his lacerated hands, suddenly became

-very reckless. The captain had no excuse for talking

-to him in that style after what he had done. A

-coward would not have been likely to take a defeated

-harpooner's place and plunge an iron into the first

-whale he had ever seen, and neither would he have

-worked as hard as Frank did to bring the boat into

-position; and that he <i>did</i> work, the crimson stains

-his hands left on the rope abundantly proved.</p>

-

-<p>"I have had this boat alongside that whale three

-times," said Frank, to himself, "and if I get her

-there again she'll stay, unless something breaks. I'll

-make all fast; and if the whale goes down and takes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span>

-us to the bottom with him, it can't be helped. I'll

-see who will be the first to act like a coward, the

-captain or I."</p>

-

-<p>Had Frank carried this reckless resolve into execution,

-and had the whale sounded as soon as the

-line was made fast, the boat would not have been

-emptied of her crew more quickly than she was a

-moment later. The whale threw his flukes about

-in the most spiteful manner, but finding that he

-could not reach the boat with them, he gave signs

-of a change of tactics which created a panic among

-all the crew except Frank and the old boatswain's

-mate. Frank was not frightened because he did

-not understand them&mdash;in his case ignorance was

-bliss&mdash;but the sailor did, and he did not turn white

-this time either. He was about to be given an opportunity

-to make amends for his previous defeat,

-and he was ready to improve it.</p>

-

-<p>"He's going to 'mill,'" said he in a low tone

-as he picked up his harpoon. "Don't slack an

-inch till I get a dart at him."</p>

-

-<p>Before Frank could ask an explanation the whale<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>

-raised his huge head from the water, dropped his

-jaw at right angles with his body and turning as

-quickly as a flash, started off across the course he

-had been pursuing. Frank, who was sitting with

-face forward so that he had a fair view of the whale

-and could see every move he made, stared at him in

-amazement; and while awaiting the issue of events

-with a calmness that surprised himself, eagerly responded

-to the harpooner's entreaty to haul in

-faster, although he believed that certain death

-awaited him. It seemed as if the boat would run

-squarely into the whale's mouth.</p>

-

-<p>"Slack that line!" roared the captain, suddenly

-stopping his swearing and speaking in an imploring

-tone of voice. "Slack that line, and may Heaven

-have mercy on us! Stern all, for life!"</p>

-

-<div class="figcenter">

-     <img src="images/ill-201.jpg" width="400" height="278"

-         alt=""

-         title="" />

-     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">The Air seemed to be literally filled with pieces<br />

-of Planks, Harpoons, Ropes, and Lances.</span></p>

-</div></div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>Frank dropped the line, which seemed like a coal

-of fire in his hands, and the men laid out their

-strength on the oars till they fairly snapped. The

-first stroke stopped the boat's headway and the

-second started her on the back track, but not in

-time to escape the danger that threatened her.

-Before Lucas could throw his harpoon the whale's

-jaw swept around like a scythe, and striking the

-boat in the side overturned her in an instant,

-smashing in the planks as if they had been pasteboard,

-and tumbling those of the crew who did not

-jump out into the water.</p>

-

-<p>From the crest of a wave on which he struck,

-Frank turned to look at the whale and see what had

-become of his companions. The monster was

-bringing his tail into play now. With one fierce

-upward sweep of his huge flukes he lifted the battered

-boat out of the water, and the captain, who

-had clung to the wreck, was going up with it. The

-air seemed to be literally filled with pieces of planks,

-harpoons, ropes and lances. The crew had all escaped

-without injury&mdash;at least they were all able

-to swim, for Frank counted four frightened faces

-bobbing about on the waves near him. He had

-some idea now of the strength and ferocity a whale

-could display when he once set about it. He made

-up his mind, too, that men must be simply foolhardy

-to willingly follow any such business as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>

-whaling. Otherwise how could they bring themselves

-to engage with such a monster as this, against

-whose tremendous power, which he had just seen

-exerted with such telling effect, their strength was

-as nothing?</p>

-

-<p>To say that Frank was frightened would not begin

-to tell how he felt. How helpless he was! How

-completely the waves baffled his mad efforts to get

-out of the reach of his dangerous foe, and how like

-straws they seemed in the path of the whale which

-skimmed through them as easily as a bird passes

-through the air! Then how frightened everybody

-else was, if he might judge by the pale faces he saw

-about him, and the frantic attempts the men made

-to swim away. If those who were accustomed to

-such scenes and such dangers were so nearly overcome

-with terror, it was time for a novice to show

-signs of fear.</p>

-

-<p>"Look out, Nelson!" cried Lucas, suddenly.

-"Look out! He's&mdash;&mdash;"</p>

-

-<p>The old boatswain's mate no doubt meant to say

-something else, but he did not stay on top of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>

-water long enough to say it. He ducked his head

-and went down like lead, making desperate struggles

-to go faster. Frank cast one frightened glance over

-his shoulder and went down too. The whale had

-turned again and was coming directly toward him,

-rolling from side to side and slashing from right to

-left with his jaw, describing at each stroke a circle

-thirty-two feet in diameter. There was no time to

-swim out of his reach. His only chance for life

-was to go below him. How Frank blessed his

-lucky stars at that moment that deep diving and

-swimming long distances under water were two of

-his accomplishments! He went as far down as he

-could, stayed under as long as he could hold his

-breath, and came up almost strangled. He was out

-of danger. The battered boat was twenty feet away

-and the whale a hundred feet still farther off, and

-moving rapidly toward the ship. The men were all

-clinging to the boat to keep themselves afloat, and

-Frank swam up and joined them.</p>

-

-<p>All this while the men in the mate's boat had

-been doing their best with sail and oars to get near<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span>

-enough to the whale to take part in the fight, but

-without success. Now, however, they had an opportunity

-offered them, for the whale had doubled

-on his course, and if he did not take it into his head

-to turn again, he would pass their boat at such a

-distance that they would have a chance at him with

-their harpoons. The mate prepared for it by ordering

-one man to take down the sail while the rest

-still tugged at the oars. He did not even look

-toward the disabled boat or ask if the crew wanted

-assistance.</p>

-

-<p>"These whalemen are a heartless lot," thought

-Frank. "If I were in command of that boat I

-think I should save my shipmates first; but I suppose

-that officer thinks we are not worth as much

-as the whale. Men can be had any day for the

-asking, and if a few of them lose their lives

-what's the odds? Nobody misses them. But

-whales are not as plenty as they used to be, and if

-one of them is lost it is something to be sorry

-for."</p>

-

-<p>Frank's meditations were interrupted and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>

-attention called from the chase by the actions of

-one the men near him, who suddenly began to make

-desperate efforts to climb into the boat. He persisted

-in spite of the angry orders and oaths of the

-skipper, who stormed and threatened to no purpose.

-The man was almost beside himself with fear.</p>

-

-<p>"What has come over him all at once?" asked

-Frank, of the man at his side. "He was quiet

-enough a moment ago."</p>

-

-<p>"He had a narrow escape from a shark once,"

-replied the sailor, "and I guess he has just thought

-of it."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, I wish from the bottom of my heart that

-he hadn't thought of it at all," said Frank, "or

-else that I had not asked you any questions, for I

-have new cause for alarm now. I wonder if a sailor

-can turn in any direction without finding himself

-confronted by some deadly peril?"</p>

-

-<p>"He might if he's a merchantman, but not if he

-is a whaler," was the comforting reply.</p>

-

-<p>"If I had thought of sharks I never could have

-dived under that whale," continued Frank.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"O, 'tain't time for 'em to be on hand yet; but

-you'll see 'em coming like a flock of sheep just as

-soon as that fellow begins to spout blood."</p>

-

-<p>"Ay, that you will," said another. "I was

-hanging on to a stove boat once, just as we are

-now, and the sharks, I never see the beat of 'em in

-all my born days, come up&mdash;&mdash;"</p>

-

-<p>"Well, if they got hold of anybody, I don't

-want to know it," interrupted Frank, with a

-shudder. "Can't you talk about something else?"</p>

-

-<p>"Take that!" shouted the captain, who was

-narrowly watching the chase. "And that!" he

-added, a moment afterward. "He's fast again, and

-we are sixty barrels of grease ahead."</p>

-

-<p>Frank looked up to see what had called forth

-these exclamations from the captain, and was just

-in time to catch a glimpse of the mate's harpooner

-as he threw his second iron into the whale. He had

-three harpoons in him now, and Frank gathered

-from the remarks the men made that his capture

-was considered certain. He lashed the water furiously

-with his tail, raising an immense pile of spray<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>

-and foam, and when it disappeared he was out of

-sight.</p>

-

-<p>"Now look out for breakers," said Lucas, "for

-there's no knowing where he will come up, and he's

-ugly if he is little. We know that, don't we?"</p>

-

-<p>"Little!" repeated Frank, who remembered that

-he had compared the beast to a church-steeple, and

-estimated his length at one hundred and fifty feet;

-"how big is he?"</p>

-

-<p>"The cap'n says sixty barrels."</p>

-

-<p>"I mean, how long is he?"</p>

-

-<p>"O, I don't know. I never took the measure of

-one. I ain't a tailor."</p>

-

-<p>"Did you ever know of one larger than this?"</p>

-

-<p>"Many a one. I heard of one once that ran a

-hundred and thirty-five barrels, but I didn't see

-him. The biggest one I ever struck or saw struck

-turned out a hundred and fifteen barrels."</p>

-

-<p>"Almost twice as large as this one," thought

-Frank, hardly able to believe his ears. "Whew!

-I will never sail another foot in the Tycoon after we

-reach the Sandwich Islands. If a youngster can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span>

-kick up a row like this, what could a full grown

-one do? What <i>wouldn't</i> he do if he got mad?"</p>

-

-<p>Frank was greatly relieved to hear one of the

-men say at that moment that the ship was coming

-down to pick them up. It was anything but pleasant

-to be placed in such a situation as that in

-which he and his companions were placed just then,

-immersed to their necks in salt water, every wave

-making a clean breach over them, nothing but a

-battered boat to keep them afloat, an enraged and

-ugly whale in close proximity, and a school of

-hungry sharks expected to arrive every moment.

-On the contrary, it was a situation well calculated

-to inspire terror.</p>

-

-<p>The good ship never seemed to move so slowly

-before, but she came up with them at last, a boat

-pulled by two men came out to their relief, and in

-ten minutes more the wrecked boat was on deck

-in possession of the carpenter, and the exhausted

-men were in the forecastle, exchanging their wet

-clothes for dry ones. When Frank went on deck

-again the whale was in his "flurry," which, upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span>

-inquiry, he found to be a sailor's way of saying

-"death struggle." The mate and his crew had

-made short work of him, and Frank came up too

-late to see the lance used. The whale was swimming

-in a circle at a surprising rate of speed,

-pounding the sea with his flukes, spouting blood

-from his blow-hole, and rolling from side to side as

-if trying to reach his enemies with his jaw. His

-fury increased for a few seconds, then gradually

-lessened, and finally the captured monster rolled

-over and lay motionless on the water. "Fin out!"

-cried all the sailors on the Tycoon, which was

-equivalent to saying, "he is dead." Then all joined

-in a yell of triumph, except Frank. He could not

-help feeling sorry for the conquered leviathan, who

-had battled so strongly for his life, and told himself

-that it was a mean business altogether.</p>

-

-<p>"Men who can torture a beast like that to death

-and feel no remorse over it, would serve their fellow

-creatures the same way if they had a good

-chance," was what he said to himself. "I know

-now how it comes that the captain and his two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>

-mates are so brutal. They have practiced on

-whales so long that they have no feeling left."</p>

-

-<p>Now came the work of making fast to the whale,

-which was begun as soon as the ship was brought

-alongside of it. Frank did not see how it was done,

-for he was kept busy at something else. When he

-had leisure to look over the side he found the game

-secured by a chain, one end of which was fastened

-just above the tail, and the other led through

-a hawsehole to the bitts. He could see the whole

-length of him now, and had it not been for the

-three harpoons sticking in his back and side, he

-could hardly have brought himself to believe that it

-was the same whale that smashed his boat. He

-looked very much smaller, and the reason was

-because he had something to compare him with.</p>

-

-<p>And now came the most disagreeable part of a

-whaleman's duties&mdash;the cutting in and trying out.

-The first consists in removing the blubber from

-the body of the whale, cutting off the head and

-bailing out the spermaceti; and the next in rendering

-out the oil in the try-kettles. Lucas said that,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span>

-as the day was far spent, the work ought not to be

-commenced until the next morning. The crew

-could then have a good night's sleep after their hard

-work in the boats, and be fresh and ready for the

-laborious duties before them; but Captain Barclay

-thought differently. He never cared for the comfort

-of his men, so he ordered them to begin at

-once.</p>

-

-<p>How long it took to do the work Frank never

-knew, for he was too busy and too completely tired

-out to keep track of the days. The crew was so

-small that every man was required to handle the

-blubber as it was hauled aboard by the tackles; and

-when that was all stowed, and the carcass cut adrift,

-the watches were lengthened into six (they were

-often nearer eight) hours each, and the trying out

-began. Frank did not wonder that the men grew

-quarrelsome, and that more than one of them had

-to be driven to his work with a rope's end, being

-compelled, as they were, to work almost twenty

-hours out of the twenty-four. He thought often of

-what he had read concerning the fiendish ingenuity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span>

-displayed by the Chinese in inventing modes of torture

-for those who disobey their laws, and told himself

-that some of them must have served their

-time in a whale-ship, and there learned by experience

-the misery to which a person is subjected when

-deprived of sleep. Frank would not have resented

-a blow himself now, he was too weak and dispirited;

-but he would have given all he ever hoped to

-possess, if he could have lain down in all the oil

-and dirt of the blubber-room, and had a good sound

-nap. The work was made harder by the captain's

-great desire to fill up the hold as soon as possible.

-He kept the mast-head manned all day by some of

-the crew who ought to have been allowed to go

-below to rest, and swore at them roundly because

-they did not raise another whale; although it is

-hard to tell what good it would have done if they

-had discovered a school of them, for in their exhausted

-condition they never could have endured a

-lengthened struggle with one. Frank often thought,

-after it was all over, that the only thing that sustained

-him during that week, was the sweet, sound<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span>

-sleep he had every time he acted as lookout. Seated

-on the royal yard, a hundred and more feet in the

-air, with his back against the stay and a rope passed

-about his waist to keep him from falling off, he

-would slumber like a log, leaving the whales, if

-there were any, to spout in peace. The rest of

-the crew being equally sleepy and careless,

-no more whales were raised, and Frank was glad

-of it.</p>

-

-<p>"I can't stand this, Mr. Gale," said Frank one

-day, when the third officer came into the blubber-room

-where he was at work, "and I won't."</p>

-

-<p>"You won't?"</p>

-

-<p>"No, sir. I have never done any soldiering

-since I have been aboard here, but I shall do it

-hereafter."</p>

-

-<p>"Do you know that you are talking to the third

-mate of this ship?" demanded Mr. Gale, who

-seemed surprised at Frank's strong language.</p>

-

-<p>"I do, sir, and I am not afraid to speak to you

-more plainly still."</p>

-

-<p>"Why ain't you?"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Because I know that you will neither get angry

-at what I say nor repeat it."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, I suppose I ought to give you a good

-blowing-up for your impudence," said the mate,

-who had to smile in spite of himself, "but I

-can't."</p>

-

-<p>"No, of course you can't. You know I have

-cause to be down on every officer of this ship except

-you, and that I will some day be in a position to

-make them smart for it. You know what they have

-done."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, we'll drop that. It ain't for me to talk

-about the doings of my superiors. I came down

-here to tell you something that'll liven you up a bit,

-may be. We shall sight the Islands in a few days,

-and the old man is going to put you ashore."</p>

-

-<p>"Good for him," exclaimed Frank, who was wide

-awake in an instant. "How about Lucas and

-Barton?"</p>

-

-<p>"Don't talk so loud. The masts, bulkheads and

-everything else have ears in this ship. I don't

-know about them. He didn't say."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"They must go if I go," said Frank. "I shall

-need them for witnesses."</p>

-

-<p>"But you mustn't call any witnesses. If you go

-ashore at Honolulu, you must keep still and say

-nothing."</p>

-

-<p>"O, I must! Do you think that's the sort of

-fellow I am? Must I let a man kidnap me, carry

-me away from my friends to some out-of-the-way

-part of the world, and then, in order to gain the

-liberty of which he has deprived me and which

-rightfully belongs to me, promise him that he shall

-go scot free? Must he be allowed to run at large

-to try the same game upon somebody else, and perhaps

-abuse and maltreat him until he jumps overboard,

-as those two men did shortly before you

-reached Fr'isco? No, sir! He be jerked as high

-as the strong arm of the law can lift him, and that's

-pretty high. A thousand dollars fine and a long

-term in the penitentiary are the rewards that surely

-await him, and perhaps he can be tried for manslaughter.

-I am bound to have my liberty, Mr.

-Gale, and I shall get it without entering into any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>

-such agreement as that. If anybody makes promises,

-it will be Captain Barclay."</p>

-

-<p>Frank, being thoroughly aroused, clattered away

-in spite of all the officer's attempts to interrupt him.

-He could not have told why he said what he did

-toward the last. Perhaps he had a prophetic vision,

-during which the thrilling scenes that were so soon

-to be enacted were plainly portrayed. At any rate

-the words came into his mind, and he uttered them

-regardless of consequences. He was about to say

-something more, but an emphatic and warning

-gesture from the mate stopped him.</p>

-

-<p>Frank looked up and saw Calamity's sinister face

-peering down the hatchway. His first impulse was

-to knock him over with the handle of the blubber-knife

-for playing eavesdropper; but the vacant expression

-on the man's countenance induced the hope

-that perhaps he had only just come there, and had

-heard nothing he could make use of.</p>

-

-<p>"Look here," exclaimed Mr. Gale suddenly,

-doubling up his huge fist and shaking it at Frank,

-"I am an officer of this ship and you must respect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>

-me, or I'll teach you manners. Put a 'sir' in when

-you speak to me. As for Cap'n Barclay promising

-you them boots, I reckon you'll get 'em when this

-work is done; and if I hand 'em to you you'll

-get 'em over your head for your impudence!"</p>

-

-<p>"O, is that you down there, Mr. Gale?" exclaimed

-Calamity. "It is so dark I couldn't see you.

-The captain wants you on deck."</p>

-

-<p>The officer lingered a moment to add a few words

-to what he had already said, and then mounted the

-ladder leading to the deck, while Frank went on

-separating the fleshy fibres from the blubber.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c218" id="c218">CHAPTER XII.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">HOW FRANK SAW THE CONSUL.</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap06">FRANK knew why it was that Mr. Gale changed

-his tone and manner so suddenly. It was

-Calamity's presence that made him do it. The

-mate knew that if this man had overheard any of the

-conversation between himself and Frank he would

-go straight to the captain with it; and it would

-never do to let the skipper know that one of his

-officers had been so familiar with a foremast hand.

-It would not only make it unpleasant for himself,

-but Frank would most likely be punished for daring

-to express himself so plainly. Mr. Gale hoped that

-by speaking roughly and flourishing his fists in the

-most approved quarter-deck style, he could put

-Calamity on the wrong scent, and make him believe

-that he had been taking Frank to task for something.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>

-But the eavesdropper understood all that,

-and was much too smart to be deceived by any such

-artifice.</p>

-

-<p>"They can't shut up my eyes in no such way as

-that," said he, with a knowing shake of his head.

-"I heard it all, and see through their backing and

-filling as plainly as they do. I've got a chance to

-square yards with both of them now, and I knew

-it would come if I only waited long enough and

-kept my eyes and ears open. That Gentleman

-Black is so stuck up that he won't notice a common

-fellow like me, and Mr. Gale jawed me the other

-day and called me a soldier and a lubber. Won't

-there be a healthy old row here directly? I guess

-yes."</p>

-

-<p>There certainly would be if this man was able to

-bring it about, for he took great delight in such

-things, especially when he knew that he was out

-of danger himself. He hunted up the captain without

-delay, and the latter saw at a glance that he

-had something to tell him. "What is it, Gardner?"

-said he. (Behind his back the captain always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>

-called him Calamity, and in his heart despised him

-as cordially as any of the crew did.) "Your face

-is full of news."</p>

-

-<p>"You said you would put Nelson ashore at the

-Sandwich Islands if he'd keep still and say nothing,

-didn't you, cap'n?" began Calamity.</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, I did," replied the skipper, interested at

-once. "Have you been pumping him?"</p>

-

-<p>"No, but Mr. Gale has, and he says he'll hang

-you as high as the strong arm of the law can hist

-you. He can't be hired to keep his mouth shut.

-He told Mr. Gale so, and him and Mr. Gale were

-talking mighty familiar and friendly like&mdash;too much

-so, for it don't look well for an officer to do such

-things."</p>

-

-<p>"What did Mr. Gale say?"</p>

-

-<p>"I didn't hear what he said at first, but I saw

-him winking and nodding, and when he saw me

-looking down the hatchway, he began to jaw Nelson

-about them boots you promised him for raising

-that whale. But he did it just to fool me."</p>

-

-<p>"Then Nelson is going to hang me, is he?"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Yes, and he wants Barton and Lucas for witnesses.

-He says he'll tell the consul everything

-that's been done aboard this ship, and you shan't

-be let loose any longer to haze men till they jump

-overboard."</p>

-

-<p>"Go for'ard; go for'ard," said the captain,

-hastily.</p>

-

-<p>"Aha!" thought Calamity, as he returned to his

-duties, "that was a home-thrust. I must say he

-took it easier than I thought he would. I must

-say this too for Gentleman Black, that since he's

-been on board, there haven't been so many men

-triced up or knocked down with handspikes, and

-the grub has been better than it ever was before.

-Now I'll tell you what's the truth," added Calamity,

-slapping his knee as he leaned over and looked

-under the try-pots, "Gentleman Black is master

-here, if he is nothing but a foremast hand, and

-that's what's the matter. That's the reason the

-old man takes things so easy, and don't go ripping

-and tearing around the way he used to. I wonder

-if I hadn't better make friends with him!"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>Meanwhile the work of trying-out went slowly

-on, and contrary to Calamity's expectations, though

-not much to his surprise, the captain took no steps

-to punish Mr. Gale and Frank for the conversation

-they had had in the blubber-room. Indeed he

-thought he could see a change in the skipper and

-in the two mates. The former very rarely went

-off into one of his fits of rage now, and the

-mates seemed to treat the men a trifle more like

-human beings. Every one of the crew noticed it,

-and Lucas, after sundry winks and nods, told Frank

-in confidence that something was going to happen

-very shortly. And sure enough, something did

-happen, but it was not just what the old sailor

-thought it would be.</p>

-

-<p>Finally the last barrel of oil was lowered into the

-hold, and the captain, to the surprise of his men,

-who had never known him to be guilty of an act of

-kindness before, sent all the crew except a boatsteerer's

-watch below to sleep. And a glorious

-sleep they had too after their days and nights of

-labor. Frank felt like another person when he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>

-came on deck in the morning, and went to work

-with a light heart to assist in cleaning up the ship.

-This required perseverance and the outlay of a

-good deal of strength, but it was done in good time,

-and when the deck was wiped down and the brightwork

-cleaned, the Tycoon looked as though she had

-never been near a whale. By this time land was

-in plain sight, and Frank and Lucas found opportunity

-to hold several whispered consultations as to

-the course they ought to pursue to secure their

-release. On two points Frank had made up his

-mind: If he went ashore, Lucas and Barton must

-be permitted to go also; and he would not purchase

-his freedom by entering into any agreement whatsoever

-with the captain of the Tycoon. The last one

-of these consultations was broken up by the sudden

-appearance of the third mate.</p>

-

-<p>"Nelson," said he, "the old man wants to see

-you in the cabin."</p>

-

-<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" replied Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"And you had better take a friend's advice,"

-continued the officer, in a low tone, as the young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>

-sailor was about to pass him, "and agree to what

-he has to propose."</p>

-

-<p>Frank did not say whether he would or not. He

-wanted first to hear what it was that the captain had

-to propose. He went into the cabin and found the

-skipper and his two mates seated at a table there.

-The former had some shipping articles before him,

-and the first mate was reading a well-thumbed copy

-of Bowditch. This was encouraging. If the three

-officers had been examining the law, they no doubt

-learned that they were liable to some heavy penalties

-for what they had done.</p>

-

-<p>"Nelson," said the captain, as Frank came in,

-"you haven't signed articles yet."</p>

-

-<p>"No, sir," said Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Well, just put your name to them now," continued

-the captain, pushing them across the table.

-"There's a chair and there's a pen."</p>

-

-<p>"I beg to be excused, sir," replied Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Won't you do it?"</p>

-

-<p>"I'd rather not, sir."</p>

-

-<p>"Suit yourself," said the captain indifferently.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span>

-"I am only advising you as a friend. You will lose

-your work if you don't. You can't collect a

-cent from the ship if you stay aboard of her ten

-years."</p>

-

-<p>"I am sorry to differ with you, sir, but I know

-better than that."</p>

-

-

-<p>"Be careful how you speak," said the captain,

-starting up in his chair. "I have stood a good

-deal from you, and you don't want to say too

-much. You are not talking to Mr. Gale now."</p>

-

-<p>"You haven't stood more than I have, sir," returned

-Frank. "It is high time I should speak

-plainly, as I never had the chance before and may

-never have it again. I know that when seamen are

-shipped on American whaling vessels without the

-rate of their pay being specified, they are entitled

-on their discharge in a foreign port, to the sum of

-twenty dollars a month as extra wages."</p>

-

-<p>"How do you happen to know so much about

-law, Nelson?" asked the first mate.</p>

-

-<p>"The way I happen to know so much about these

-matters is because I read up, expecting at one time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>

-to go as consul's clerk to some port in the Mediterranean."</p>

-

-<p>The captain and his mates opened their eyes and

-looked at one another. Here was a foremast hand

-who must hold a high social position when he was

-ashore, else he would not number among his friends

-those who had influence enough to secure government

-appointments.</p>

-

-<p>"Then you won't sign these articles?" continued

-the captain, after thinking a moment.</p>

-

-<p>"By no means, sir. I don't want to go to sea

-for two or three years. I want to go ashore."</p>

-

-<p>"I am willing you should go, if you will promise

-not to enter any complaints."</p>

-

-<p>"If I should promise that, captain, I should tell

-a falsehood, and that is something I'll not do."</p>

-

-<p>"Will a hundred dollars be any inducement to

-you?"</p>

-

-<p>"Not the slightest."</p>

-

-<p>"A hundred dollars besides your wages, I

-mean."</p>

-

-<p>"No, sir," repeated Frank. "You are liable for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>

-two hundred dollars for every foremast hand aboard

-this vessel, except Calamity."</p>

-

-<p>"How do you make that out?"</p>

-

-<p>"You carried them to sea without making a contract

-with them."</p>

-

-<p>"That'll do. You can go on deck," said the

-captain.</p>

-

-<p>"But before I go, sir, I demand to see the American

-consul of the first port at which we touch," said

-Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Very well, you can see him, but you can't go

-ashore. If one goes all must go, and the first thing

-I know the ship will be deserted. I'll bring the

-consul aboard to see you."</p>

-

-<p>"That will be perfectly satisfactory, sir. Victory!"

-whispered Frank to himself as he went up

-the ladder. "The people triumphant! The ring

-broken all to smash! A captain cowed in his own

-cabin by a foremast hand! Hurrah for sailors'

-rights! We're going to see the consul, Lucas!"</p>

-

-<p>"Aha!" exclaimed the old sailor, with an admiring

-glance at Frank. "I knew you had the brains,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span>

-sir. But I'm sorry we're going to get off so easy.

-Me and the rest wanted to see you on that quarter-deck."</p>

-

-<p>"And a pretty figure I'd make up there, wouldn't

-I?" returned Frank. "I'm glad you didn't have a

-chance to carry out your plans."</p>

-

-<p>"What do you think of him, any how?" asked

-the first mate, after Frank had left the cabin.</p>

-

-<p>"I think I've got an elephant on my hands,"

-answered the captain. "I don't want to keep him,

-and I don't know how to get rid of him. I wish

-Billings had been in Guinea before he brought him

-aboard here."</p>

-

-<p>"You don't intend to let him see the consul?"</p>

-

-<p>"Am I as green as that?" cried the skipper.

-"He's got too smooth a tongue in his head and

-swings it about too loose and reckless. He and

-them two men who were shipped with him must be

-kept close while I am ashore after a crew."</p>

-

-<p>"And what will you do with them then? They

-can raise a row with one consul as well as another."</p>

-

-<p>"I know it. Shall I turn them adrift in a boat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span>

-or put them on some vessel bound for the States, or

-set them ashore on some island, and let them shift

-for themselves?"</p>

-

-<p>"You might transfer them to Gale's boat, and

-some day when they are off after a whale, clear out

-and leave them," suggested the third mate. "Gale

-is a milk-and-water fellow, and not the man at all

-to get along with a hard crew."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, I must put one of those plans into execution,"

-said the captain, "and circumstances shall

-decide which it shall be. I am in as great a hurry

-to see the last of Nelson as he is to see the last of

-me. I'd knock him overboard if I had a good

-chance."</p>

-

-<p>"Don't do that, cap'n," said the mate, hastily.

-"The first one of us who lays an ugly hand on him

-is booked for Davy's Locker, sure!"</p>

-

-<p>"That's what I am afraid of," said the captain,

-who being unable to control himself any longer,

-began to relieve his mind by swearing. "I know

-how things are going, and besides, Calamity has kept

-his eyes and ears open."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>Two days after this conversation took place

-between the captain and his mates, the Tycoon

-dropped her anchor near the spot where the Stranger

-lay three days afterward. One of the boats

-was called away at once, a crew selected for her,

-and the captain started for the shore. Frank felt

-jubilant when he saw him go off, but Lucas looked

-rather down-hearted. "He hasn't got a single one

-of our friends in that boat, sir," said the sailor.</p>

-

-<p>"Of course not," replied Frank. "He wouldn't

-take them if he knew who they were, for he wants

-the first chance at the consul himself."</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, and he'll have the last chance too, sir.

-We'll never see him."</p>

-

-<p>"Very well, if he doesn't bring him off as he

-promised, I'll jump overboard and swim ashore. I

-can make the island very easily. You won't pull

-a boat in pursuit of me."</p>

-

-<p>"No, sir, and nobody else shall. Neither shall

-the mudhook be hove up till you've had a chance

-to say a word for us."</p>

-

-<p>"Nelson, the first mate wants to see you in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span>

-cabin," said Mr. Gale, coming forward at this

-moment. "He is going to offer you something to

-keep still, and you had better take it."</p>

-

-<p>"If that is all he wants it will be of no use for

-me to go," answered Frank, "for my mind is made

-up."</p>

-

-<p>"Go and talk to him, anyhow," said the officer.

-"Perhaps you can strike some sort of a bargain. I

-want to see you safe off this craft, and now is your

-chance, if ever."</p>

-

-<p>"Nelson!" shouted the mate, from the top of the

-companion ladder.</p>

-

-<p>"Coming, sir," replied Frank.</p>

-

-<p>He went, and was not a little astonished at the

-reception he met as he entered the cabin. The door

-was suddenly closed behind him, and before he

-could think twice he was powerless, his ankles and

-wrists being heavily ironed. "Not a word out of

-you," said the first mate, covering Frank's head

-with a cocked revolver. "You'll find out now who

-controls this ship&mdash;you or her proper officers."</p>

-

-<p>"You ain't as smart as some folks seem to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>

-think," said the second mate, with a grin. "If

-you were bound to blab, why didn't you take the

-hundred dollars the cap'n offered you, and wait till

-you got ashore before you began to swing your

-chin?"</p>

-

-<p>Frank made no reply, and could offer no resistance,

-as the two mates dragged him out of the

-cabin along a narrow passageway that led to the

-hold. They stowed him away among the oil casks

-and left him to his meditations. This was the way

-Frank saw the consul at the port of Honolulu.</p>

-

-<p>Having disposed of Frank, the officers made their

-way back to the cabin, and one of them mounting

-the companion ladder, called out: "Mr. Gale,

-tell Lucas that Nelson has got his money, and ask

-him to come down and get his!"</p>

-

-<p>Lucas came, wondering what arguments the

-mates had brought to bear upon Frank to work so

-great a change in his feelings all at once, and when

-he reached the foot of the ladder he found out what

-they were&mdash;a revolver and a pair of handcuffs.

-The former held him passive while the irons were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>

-slipped on, and then he also was carried to the hold

-and stowed away, but at such a distance from Frank

-that the two could hold no conversation. Barton

-was served in the same manner, and the officers

-having secured the men of whom they stood the

-most in fear, breathed freely once more, and told

-each other that they were still masters of the Tycoon.</p>

-

-<p>The prisoners were kept in the hold almost

-twelve hours&mdash;long enough for the captain to bring

-his crew of natives on board and get his vessel well

-out to sea. Then they were released and ordered

-on deck. Frank was disposed to make the best of

-his disappointment, knowing that he could not help

-himself, but Lucas was inclined to smash things.

-He hunted up his friends as soon as he could&mdash;those

-who had promised to stand by him and Frank

-through thick and thin&mdash;and laid down the law to

-them in stronger language than we care to quote.

-"Why, what's the matter?" asked the sailors, as

-soon as their angry mate gave them a chance to

-speak. "Where have you been so long?"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"That's what's the matter," replied Lucas, showing

-his wrists.</p>

-

-<p>"That's where I've been so long," he added,

-tapping the marks the irons had left. "Sailed the

-blue water, man and boy for thirty-five years, I

-have, and never had the darbies on me before. Me

-and Cap'n Nelson's both been there, and Barton

-too; and here you chaps stood around like so

-many bumps on a log, and never lifted a hand to

-help us!"</p>

-

-<p>"What could we have done, even if we had

-known that you were in trouble, while the mates

-were walking around with their pistols strapped to

-their waists and holding us tight to our work?"

-asked one of the sailors.</p>

-

-<p>Lucas opened his eyes at this. Did the mates

-know of the plans that had so often been discussed

-in the forecastle? It looked like it.</p>

-

-<p>"Somebody's been talking while Calamity was

-about," said the boatswain's-mate. "Never mind;

-we've missed one chance, but we'll have better luck

-next time. The ship's going to Japan, and she'll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span>

-have another man on her quarter-deck when she

-comes back."</p>

-

-<p>And so she did, but Lucas did very little toward

-bringing about the change. It was Captain Barclay

-himself; but of course he did not intend to

-do it.</p>

-

-<p>Almost the first man Frank saw when he came

-on deck after his release was the third mate.

-"Nelson," said he, earnestly, "I had no hand in

-this business. If I had known what those men intended

-to do, I should have warned you."</p>

-

-<p>"I believe you, sir," replied Frank. "I lay

-nothing to your charge, as you will find when the

-day of settlement comes."</p>

-

-<p>Frank looked toward the Islands which the ship

-was fast leaving behind, then at the dusky, muscular

-Kanakas who thronged the deck, and went to work

-with a heavy heart. He had already had more than

-enough of whaling. He did not mind the dangerous,

-laborious duties he had to perform so much as

-he did the life he led in the forecastle. Of course

-it was kept neat and clean, like the rest of the ship,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>

-but it smelled horribly of tar and bilge water, and

-the men into whose company he was thrown there,

-were not just the sort he would have selected for

-associates had he been permitted to choose. It was

-bad enough before, but now here were a score and

-more of heathen with whom he had to bunk.

-Frank did not know how he could stand it. The

-only thing that had kept him up thus far was the

-belief that all this would end very shortly; but

-that hope was gone now, and time only would show

-what was in store for him.</p>

-

-<p>Frank worked hard while on duty and talked a

-good deal when on watch, to keep himself from

-thinking too much. He had the satisfaction of seeing

-that the captain and his two mates did not treat

-the crew with any more severity than they had

-always done, and some of the old members of the

-ship's company were often heard to declare that

-they did not act like the same men. As for the

-natives, Frank very soon found reason to change the

-opinions he had formed of them. They had all seen

-service in whalers, and proved to be the neatest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span>

-and most peaceable portion of the crew. More than

-that, they did not swear, and it was some relief to

-work by the side of men who could talk without

-putting an oath or two in every sentence they

-uttered.</p>

-

-<p>As soon as the ship was fairly under way the

-mast-head was manned, and the sailors set about

-preparing themselves for the real business of the

-voyage. A complete change was made in the boats'

-crews, and Frank, to his delight, found himself with

-Lucas, Barton, and two other foremast hands,

-assigned to the third mate's boat. Frank held his

-old position as bow-oarsman, and Lucas was boat-steerer.

-He soon proved himself to be a good one

-too. He did not fall overboard again, or give Frank

-any more opportunities to take his place and strike

-a whale he had missed. During the next three

-weeks nine whales were added to the stock already

-in the hold, and of this number four were captured

-by Mr. Gale's boat. Frank very soon got over his

-nervousness, and as a consequence went just as far

-the other way, and was inclined to be a little too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span>

-daring. He had an uncomfortable habit of wrapping

-a line about a thwart when he could not hold

-it, and Lucas, after repeatedly telling him never to

-do it again, got out of patience, and Frank was

-moved toward the other end of the boat&mdash;"promoted

-backward." He was seated at the stroke-oar,

-and the bow-oar given into the hands of Barton,

-who knew too much of the nature of the game they

-were hunting to run any risks.</p>

-

-<p>Meanwhile the Tycoon was rapidly approaching

-her cruising grounds, and one morning the captain

-told his officers that the Mangrove Islands lay

-directly in their course two hundred miles distant,

-and that it was his intention to stop there for water

-and terrapins. That same day a whale was raised,

-and the captain and the third mate set off to capture

-it. The two boats pulled side by side for a

-mile or more, and then the whale took the alarm

-and made off. "Never mind, Mr. Gale," shouted

-the captain. "You keep on after him, and I'll

-follow you with the ship."</p>

-

-<p>Mr. Gale promptly hoisted his sail and went in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span>

-pursuit. The whale led them a long chase, but getting

-a little over his fright at last, he allowed the

-boat to approach within striking distance, and gave

-Lucas a chance to throw his harpoons into him.

-Then a most terrific fight ensued, which was so

-long and so stubbornly contested that Frank began

-to think he had never seen an ugly whale before.

-The monster seemed determined to destroy his enemies;

-but the mate kept at him, and by his excellent

-management succeeded in taking his boat

-through the struggle without the loss of any of her

-crew, and with so little damage that an hour's work

-by the ship's carpenter would make her fit for sea

-again. When it was ended and the whale rolled

-over with his fin out, the mate seized one of the

-flags, and turned to signal his triumph to the ship.</p>

-

-<p>"It's lucky you wasn't in the bow," said Lucas,

-drawing his hand across his dripping forehead and

-nodding to Frank. "If you'd been here with the

-line wrapped around a thwart when he sounded the

-last time, there wouldn't have been one of us left

-to tell the story of this fight!"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Pass that bucket aft and I'll bail her out," said

-Frank, drawing a long breath and glad that the

-danger was over. "He hit us a pretty hard blow

-with his jaw, and the water is running in here like

-a small Niagara. What's the matter, Mr. Gale?"</p>

-

-<p>This question was called forth by an exclamation

-of wonder from the third mate. When he

-turned to signal the ship he stopped suddenly,

-looked all around the horizon, and then the flag

-dropped from his hands. The Tycoon was almost

-hull down&mdash;nothing but her topsails were visible.

-During the five hours that the brave officer had

-been pursuing and battling with the whale, the ship

-was standing away from him instead of coming to

-his relief, and he had been too busy to see it until

-this moment.</p>

-

-<p>"What's the matter, sir?" repeated Frank.</p>

-

-<p>Mr. Gale sat down, his face whiter now than it

-had been at any time during the deadly fight he

-and his men had just passed through, and pointed

-toward the Tycoon's receding topsails.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c241" id="c241">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">TURNED ADRIFT.</p>

-

-

-<p class="drop-cap06">FRANK looked, and was not a little surprised

-to find that the Tycoon, which he had all the

-while supposed was following the boat, was almost

-out of sight. He did not understand it at first, but

-a single glance at the faces of his companions explained

-it all. Even Lucas, who had shown so

-much courage a few minutes before, betrayed the

-utmost consternation now.</p>

-

-<p>"Well, Nelson," said Mr. Gale, in a tone of

-resignation, "Captain Barclay has got rid of you

-at last."</p>

-

-<p>"Why, you don't suppose that he intends to

-desert us!" cried Frank.</p>

-

-<p>The mate shrugged his shoulders and pointed

-with his thumb toward the ship, as if to say that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span>

-Frank could see what she was doing as well as he

-could, and might interpret her actions to suit himself.</p>

-

-<p>"It can't be possible!" said Frank. "No man

-on earth could be guilty of an act of treachery like

-this."</p>

-

-<p>"A captain who will allow his men to be abused

-until they jump overboard to put themselves out of

-his way, will do anything," returned Mr. Gale,

-quietly. "Hoist the sail, Lucas; you had better

-bail her out, Nelson. We must keep her afloat

-until she carries us two hundred miles."</p>

-

-<p>"Is there any water, sir?" asked Barton.</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, the keg is full, and we need a taste of it

-after our hard work; but we must touch it lightly,

-for there is no telling when we shall get any more.

-The Mangrove Islands are the nearest land, and, as

-I said, they are two hundred miles away. It is

-lucky that I know the course."</p>

-

-<p>The sail having been hoisted, the men took a refreshing

-drink all around, and settled back on their

-seats to think over their situation. Frank could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span>

-not yet believe that Captain Barclay had sent them

-out there alone, with no other object in view than to

-desert them. He kept telling himself that the ship

-must have raised another whale and gone in pursuit

-of it, and he watched her closely, expecting every

-moment to see her shorten sail and come-to to wait for

-them; but she kept on, with all her canvas spread,

-and very soon nothing but her royals were visible

-above the horizon. Frank was obliged to believe it

-now, and shuddered when he thought of what was

-yet to come. With a leaky boat under them, not a

-mouthful of anything to eat, and with only a very

-small supply of water to allay the raging thirst

-caused by their five hours' work under a broiling sun,

-their situation was one calculated to frighten anybody.

-But still it might have been worse, and in

-this thought Frank found a little consolation. The

-mate knew which way to steer to find land, and if

-they could only keep the boat afloat twenty-four

-hours they would be safe. But suppose the boat

-had been stove during the fight with the whale! Suppose

-he had cut it in two with his jaw, or smashed it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span>

-in pieces with his flukes, as he had tried so hard to do,

-and left the crew struggling in the water: what

-then! Captain Barclay would have deserted them

-all the same, and they would have been left powerless.

-Surrounded by an army of hungry sharks

-(Frank now and then caught a momentary glimpse

-of a sharp fin cutting the water as one of these voracious

-monsters hurried toward the whale they had

-just left, being attracted no doubt by the blood he

-had spouted during his flurry), their sufferings would

-have been ended, and there would have been none

-left to tell the story of the captain's treachery.</p>

-

-<p>"Come, come, boys! This will never do in the

-world," said Mr. Gale, suddenly breaking the silence

-that had reigned for the last half hour. "Wake up,

-there! What's the matter with you that you look

-so sober? If we were eight or nine hundred miles

-out at sea, we'd have something to worry over; but

-if the wind holds this way, we shall be all right by

-to-morrow at this time. The Tycoon is going to

-the Mangrove Islands for water, and maybe we

-shall be lucky enough to catch her there. If we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span>

-can't stand it to do without food for that length of

-time we had better jump overboard at once, for we've

-no business to be sailors. Come, Lucas, begin there

-in the bow, and sing a song or tell a story!"</p>

-

-<p>"I can't, sir!" replied the sailor.</p>

-

-<p>"All right. You shan't have any water the next

-time it is passed around. Go on, Barton. Sing a

-song or tell a story&mdash;a lively one, mind."</p>

-

-<p>"Hold on a bit, sir!" exclaimed Lucas. "I'll

-do almost anything to get another drink of that

-water."</p>

-

-<p>This order soon brought about a great change in

-the feelings of the men. Their minds being diverted

-from the dangers of their situation, something like

-merriment soon began to prevail. As it was understood

-that each one must do his share toward entertaining

-his companions, and that the first one who

-failed to tell a story or sing a song when his turn

-came, should forfeit his next drink of water, this

-trial of memory and ingenuity was kept up until

-far in the night. It would seem as though men

-who had spent their lives amid scenes of danger and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span>

-excitement could never be at a loss for something

-to talk about, but even the oldest among the sailors

-ran short of stories at last, and when this happened

-they did not hesitate to make up one as they went

-along; and some of those they told were as ridiculous

-as the story Dick Lewis told the captain of the

-fishing boat. Frank drew on his experience among

-the mountains and in the woods, and his stories

-must have been worth listening to, for when his turn

-came the men were all wide awake.</p>

-

-<p>At last when the crew began to show signs of

-drowsiness, Mr. Gale ordered four of them to

-make themselves as comfortable as they could and

-go to sleep, while he and Frank looked out for the

-boat. Mr. Gale steered by a compass, the face

-being lighted up by a small lantern with which

-whale-boats are always provided, and Frank talked

-to him to keep him awake, and bailed out the water

-as fast as it ran in. He did not learn anything

-encouraging during the four hours that he and Mr.

-Gale kept watch. The mate said they were sure to

-reach the Islands unless a storm blew them out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span>

-their course or swamped them, but he did not like

-to think of the way they would fare after they got

-there. The largest of the Islands was often visited

-by whalers, he continued, but it was almost a land

-unknown. It was a good place to go to get water

-and fresh meat in the shape of terrapins, but he

-had never yet heard of a boat's crew, who, leaving

-the beach to explore the island, had ever returned

-to tell what they saw there. Many a fine whale

-ship which, when last spoken, had her hold nearly

-filled with oil and was almost ready to set out on

-her return voyage, had suddenly disappeared, leaving

-no trace behind. It was supposed that some of

-them had gone to the Islands for water, and had

-either been wrecked on the treacherous shoals and

-reefs with which they were surrounded, or been

-captured and plundered by the natives. He had

-seen men who had been held captive there for years,

-and had only escaped at last by smuggling themselves

-on board some vessel whose crew was too strong to

-be successfully attacked. But if they succeeded in

-getting there they would find an abundance to eat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span>

-and plenty of water to drink, and that was better

-than being tossed about on the waves of the Pacific

-in an open boat.</p>

-

-<p>Frank now began to understand Captain Barclay's

-plans. There was more in them than he had at

-first supposed. The skipper wanted to be rid of

-Frank and his friends, and the whale they had killed

-and deserted, furnished him with an excuse for sending

-the boat away from the ship. When he arrived

-in port he could say that she had been smashed in

-pieces by the whale, and all her crew sent to the

-bottom. He took his chances on this. If the event

-really happened, so much the better; but if they

-came through the fight in safety, and succeeded in

-reaching the Islands, the natives would detain them

-as prisoners. In either case he was clear of them,

-and they could never appear against him in a court

-of justice.</p>

-

-<p>"I can understand all that," said Frank, after

-he had explained this to the mate, "but there is one

-thing I can't quite see through: Why did he send

-you off with us? You never said you would prosecute<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span>

-him, did you? And there are two other men

-in the boat who never made any threats of that

-kind. I am very sorry that the friendship you

-have exhibited for me should have brought you

-into this trouble. I shall never be able to repay

-you."</p>

-

-<p>"It wasn't that at all," said the mate, in reply.

-"The captain has always been afraid of me, and he

-was just as anxious to get me off the vessel as he

-was to get you off. I'm not the sort of officer that

-suits him. I have been a foremast hand myself,

-and I can't see the beauty of banging men about as

-if they had no more feeling than so many logs of

-wood. As for sending these two other men with us,

-he had to give the boat a full crew, you know, and

-he put in those against whom he had a grudge."</p>

-

-<p>Frank and the mate talked in this way until

-almost daylight, and then the former called Lucas

-and Barton, who steered the boat and kept her bailed

-out, while Frank and Mr. Gale lay down on the

-thwarts and slept until the sun grew too warm for

-them. It was then nine o'clock. As they had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span>

-breakfast to serve up they took a drink of water all

-around, which seemed to aggravate rather than

-relieve their thirst, the supply the mate allowed

-them being so small; and at one o'clock by Mr.

-Gale's watch, when the Mangrove Islands were in

-plain sight, they emptied the keg.</p>

-

-<p>Propelled by a favorable breeze the boat rapidly

-approached the land, and finally the outlines of the

-shore and the trees on the hill-sides could be easily

-distinguished. Suddenly Mr. Gale arose, and

-standing erect in the stern-sheets, gazed steadily

-into the little bay toward which the boat was heading.

-"She's there!" said he, a moment later.</p>

-

-<p>"The Tycoon?" asked Frank, running his eye

-along the shore in the vain effort to find the object

-that had attracted the officer's attention.</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, the Tycoon!"</p>

-

-<p>"Will we go aboard of her, Mr. Gale?" asked

-one of the crew.</p>

-

-<p>"Certainly, just as straight as we can go. We

-belong to her, don't we?"</p>

-

-<p>The men said nothing in reply, but their actions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span>

-told what was passing in their minds. Some seemed

-delighted, while others beat their open palms with

-their clenched hands, and banged the oars violently

-down on the thwarts. It was plain that Captain

-Barclay had some men in his ship's company who

-would give him serious trouble if they ever found

-the opportunity.</p>

-

-<p>"There's something wrong with her," continued

-the mate, still gazing earnestly at the ship, which

-Frank had at last been able to discover.</p>

-

-<p>"So I was thinking," said the latter. "She's

-close in shore and has her topsails aback. She

-can't be lying-to in there."</p>

-

-<p>"No, she's aground," replied the mate, "and

-they are trying to work her off."</p>

-

-<p>All eyes were now turned toward the ship which

-came rapidly into view as the boat approached the

-shore. It was plain that she was hard and fast

-aground. The crew were running about the deck,

-pulling the yards first one way and then the other,

-in the hope of getting the sails full enough to work

-her off; but the breeze was not sufficiently strong,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span>

-and besides the tide was running out, so that the

-ship was every moment sinking more firmly into

-her bed on the sand bar. Presently one of the

-crew discovered the approaching boat. It was one

-of the Kanakas. He gazed at it a moment, then

-jumped up and clapped his hands, calling out "Galickhee!"

-or some such tongue-twisting name which

-he and his people had bestowed upon the third

-officer. That brought all the crew to the side, where

-they stood waving their hats and shouting out words

-of welcome. Frank and the rest were astonished at

-this reception. Where were Captain Barclay and

-his mates that they permitted the crew to act in this

-way?</p>

-

-<p>"O, Mr. Gale, you're just in time," cried one of

-the men, who answered to the name of Boson, "only

-I wish you had come a little sooner. We're up to

-our necks in trouble."</p>

-

-<p>"Not an officer aboard&mdash;all gone&mdash;the ship a

-thousand miles from water&mdash;or she might as well be,

-she's so hard a-ground, six men dead and the niggers

-thicker than blackberries," chimed in Tully, another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span>

-of the crew, stamping about the deck and swinging

-his arms wildly in the air.</p>

-

-<p>The men in the whale-boat were greatly amazed.

-They clambered over the side with all possible haste,

-each one demanding to know what was the matter.

-The crew shook each of them by the hand as if they

-were overjoyed to meet them once more, and then

-silently directed their attention to different parts of

-the deck, as if telling them to see for themselves

-what was the matter. Frank stood speechless while

-he looked. The deck was in the greatest confusion.

-Harpoons, spades, lances and handspikes were scattered

-about, and with them were mingled curious

-weapons and ornaments that he had never seen

-before, and blubber-knives, cutlasses and muskets

-with the bayonets attached. These last came from

-the ship's armory, and their presence on deck was

-enough to prove that there had been a fight, even

-had other indications been wanting.</p>

-

-<p>A feeble attempt had been made to clear up things

-a little, but the traces that were left of the recent

-contest proclaimed that it had been a severe and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span>

-by no means a bloodless one. Frank ran his eye

-hastily over the crew gathered about him, and saw

-that there were some familiar faces missing&mdash;among

-them those of the captain, his two mates and his old

-enemy, Calamity. What if he had been there when

-the fight came off? Might not he also have been

-among the missing? Perhaps Captain Barclay's

-attempt to get him off his vessel had been the means

-of saving his life.</p>

-

-<p>"What's been going on here, any how?" demanded

-the mate, as soon as he could speak.</p>

-

-<p>A chorus of hoarse voices arose in reply, each one

-trying to give his version of the story, and to make

-himself heard above his companions; but Mr. Gale,

-finding that there was nothing to be learned in that

-way, commanded silence, and pointing to one of the

-crew ordered him to speak for all. The man complied,

-telling his story in regular sailor lingo which

-we put into English as follows:&mdash;</p>

-

-<p>The Tycoon arrived at the island that morning

-about three o'clock, and came to anchor two miles

-outside the bar. The captain, knowing the treacherous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span>

-character of the natives, kept one watch on

-deck until morning, but nothing suspicious being

-seen, the ship stood close in at daylight, and came

-to; after which the water-barrels were got overboard,

-and the captain and first mate set out in

-their boats to tow them ashore. No sooner had the

-crews touched the beach than they were assailed

-by a swarm of natives, who had been lying in

-ambush waiting for them. Almost at the same

-moment two large war canoes filled with savages

-made their appearance, coming from one of the

-numerous little inlets which set into the land from

-the bay. They headed straight for the ship, their

-crews brandishing their lances and clubs, and yelling

-at the top of their lungs.</p>

-

-<p>The sailors on board the Tycoon, who had witnessed

-the massacre of their shipmates without the

-power to aid them, now found themselves called

-upon to provide for their own safety. The second

-mate, who was in command, made an effort to

-bring the ship about and run out of the bay; but

-she struck the bar in going around, running on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span>

-with sufficient force to knock all the crew off their

-feet. They could not run, and their only chance

-for life was to beat off their assailants, who outnumbered

-them five to one. The weapons that were

-left in the arm-chest were quickly brought up, muskets,

-pistols and cartridges to put into them were

-distributed among the crew, lances, harpoons and

-spades placed about the deck in convenient nooks,

-so that they could be readily seized, and by the

-time these preparations were completed, their foes

-were upon them. They made the attack at two

-different points, one canoe running under the

-bow and the other coming alongside at the starboard

-quarter. The sailors met them at both

-places, and the first assault was repulsed. The

-seamen, having the advantage of position, knocked

-their assailants over the side as fast as they could

-climb to the top of the bulwarks, but the natives

-persevered, and overwhelming numbers began to

-tell. They succeeded in gaining a footing on deck,

-and drove the sailors before them toward the waist.</p>

-

-<p>Almost in the beginning of the fight the second<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span>

-mate had been struck down by a lance, and as there

-was no one to direct the movements of the sailors,

-each man fought on his own hook, and did just

-what he thought best, without paying any attention

-to his neighbors. Boson probably saved the day.

-While the sailors were retreating he caught up the

-mate's revolver, which was lying on deck, and turning

-fiercely on his foes fired all the barrels in quick

-succession, every shot striking a native and bringing

-him dead or wounded to the deck. That was

-more than the enemy could endure. Appalled by

-the havoc the six-shooter created, they beat a hasty

-retreat, followed by the sailors, who thinned their

-ranks very perceptibly before they could clamber

-over the side into their boat. As they were about

-to push off, Boson and Tully added a grand finale to

-the victory. The former threw a harpoon at one

-of the natives, which, missing its object, passed

-through the bottom of the boat, knocking a hole in

-her that would have caused her to sink long before

-she could reach the shore, even had Tully not followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span>

-it up, as he did, with the heavy snatch-block,

-which made a complete wreck of her.</p>

-

-<p>The enemy being beaten at the quarter, the

-sailors who defended that part of the ship ran

-to the assistance of their friends in the bow;

-but the fight was over there, also. The natives,

-failing to gain the deck, became discouraged, and

-dropping back into their boat, made all haste to

-reach the shore. Some succeeded, others did not.

-The sailors rushed for their muskets and pistols,

-which they had thrown to the deck after firing their

-contents at the foe, and hastily ramming down cartridges,

-opened fire on the natives. Those of their

-companions who were not provided with these

-weapons, employed themselves in clearing the deck

-of the dead and wounded the savages had left

-behind them, tumbling them all unceremoniously

-over the side, and never looking to see what became

-of them afterward.</p>

-

-<p>The battle being ended, the crew began to look

-about them and make an estimate of their losses.

-They found that six of their number had fallen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>

-beneath the war-clubs and lances of their assailants,

-which, counting in the twelve that had gone ashore

-in the boats, made eighteen men they had lost out

-of thirty-five. Greatly alarmed, disheartened by

-the loss of all their officers, and afraid to risk

-another encounter with their diminished numbers,

-they hastily committed the bodies of their dead companions

-to the deep, and set to work to get the ship

-afloat. They had kept hard at it for more than six

-hours. They had moved her a little, but the tide

-began to fall just at the wrong time, and there she

-was as fast as if she had been nailed to the ground.</p>

-

-<p>The new-comers listened to this story with breathless

-attention. If any evidence was needed to convince

-them of its truthfulness, they found it in the

-frightened faces of the men and the disordered state

-of the deck, which bore unmistakable signs of the

-conflict. Their assailants had left some of their

-property behind them in the shape of lances, war-clubs

-and head-dresses, and close alongside the ship

-floated the wreck of the canoe, which was slowly

-moving out to sea with the tide. A moment later<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span>

-additional and most unexpected evidence was produced.

-A warning exclamation uttered by Lucas,

-under his breath, drew all eyes toward him. Frank

-saw him pick up a lance that happened to be lying

-near, and following the direction of his gaze, saw

-that it was fastened upon a head which was slowly

-rising above the combings of the fore hatch&mdash;a head

-covered with a mass of shaggy hair. It was one

-of the natives, who had no doubt been knocked into

-the hold during the fight, and was now coming up

-to see if the coast was clear, so that he could make

-his escape. Not a man moved. Every one held

-his breath as Lucas raised the long, slender whale-lance

-in the air and held it poised in both hands.</p>

-

-<p>The head was raised slowly, cautiously, inch by

-inch, above the combings of the hatchway, and presently

-a dark-brown forehead and then a pair of eyes

-appeared. At that instant the lance whistled through

-the air. Thrown by a practised hand and flying true

-to its aim, its keen point was buried in the combings

-exactly in range with the spot where the head had

-been a second before. Its owner had seen the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span>

-weapon coming and dodged just in time, but his

-escape was a narrow one.</p>

-

-<p>"Avast, there!" cried a voice from the hold.

-"Ain't you Christians enough to give a white man a

-chance for life and liberty?"</p>

-

-<p>The sailors stood and looked at one another without

-speaking.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c262" id="c262">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">OLD TIMES REVIVED.</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap00">"I SAY! on deck, there!" continued the voice.

-"Don't throw any more of them things at me,

-and I'll come up!"</p>

-

-<p>These words aroused the crew. They made a rush

-for the fore-hatch, and when they reached it found

-the owner of the head crouching among the oil

-barrels. Frank looked at him in astonishment, and

-could scarcely believe that he was a white man.

-His only clothing was a pair of tattered trowsers,

-and those portions of his person which were unprotected

-were as brown as sole-leather, made so, no

-doubt, by long exposure to the sun and weather.

-Moreover, his body was profusely tattooed, so that

-at the distance Frank stood from him, he looked

-as though he had on a tight-fitting under-shirt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span>

-of some dark-colored material, with light blue

-slashings.</p>

-

-<p>"Who are you, and where did you come from?"

-demanded the mate.</p>

-

-<p>"I'm Chips," replied the man. "I used to be

-carpenter of the whale-ship Mary Starbuck, that

-was wrecked here long ago. It was so long ago,"

-he added, putting his hand to his forehead in a

-bewildered sort of way, "that I have almost forgot

-how it happened."</p>

-

-<p>"Come on deck," said the mate, in a very different

-tone of voice, "and tell us all about it."</p>

-

-<p>A dozen pairs of ready hands were stretched

-down to the prisoner&mdash;for such Frank now knew him

-to be&mdash;and in a moment more he was hoisted out

-of the hold to the deck. Frank had a good view

-of him then, and saw that he really was a white

-man. His long, matted beard, which hung down

-nearly to his waist, had afforded some protection to

-his breast, and the skin beneath it was almost as

-white as his own. The man pulled his forelock

-when he found himself standing in the presence of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span>

-the mate, and gave his trowsers a regular sailor

-hitch.</p>

-

-<p>"I remember hearing of the loss of the Starbuck,"

-said Mr. Gale. "The news reached Nantucket

-just before I sailed; but it wasn't so very

-long ago&mdash;not quite two years."</p>

-

-<p>"Is that all, sir? It seems a longer time to

-me," said the man, whom we will call by the name

-he had given. "You're the first white men I've set

-eyes on since then, except those on the island, and

-you can't call them white now. Some of them are

-blacker than I am."</p>

-

-<p>"Do you mean to say that there are men on that

-island held as prisoners?" asked Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Four more of 'em, sir, and one has been here,

-as near as he can calculate, about ten years. I

-hope you won't sail without trying to do something

-for 'em, sir. They lead a hard life here."</p>

-

-<p>"How do you happen to be aboard my ship?"

-asked the mate.</p>

-

-<p>"I came off in one of the canoes, sir, and watching

-my chance jumped into the hold. I was willing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span>

-to fight for my liberty, but I was afraid that if I

-tried to join in with you, you would kill me, not

-knowing who I was, and if you didn't the natives

-would, when they saw me trying to desert 'em; and

-I was so anxious to see my home and family once

-more that I didn't dare run any risks."</p>

-

-<p>Chips then went on to tell how he came to be a

-prisoner in the hands of the islanders. His narrative

-would make an interesting chapter by itself;

-but as it has no bearing on our story, and nothing

-to do with the events that happened afterward, we

-condense it into a few sentences. The ship to

-which he belonged was wrecked while lying at the

-island to fill up with water. A furious storm first

-disabled her, so that she could not make an offing,

-and then drove her high and dry upon the bar.

-Only two of the crew succeeded in reaching the

-shore, Chips and another, and they were immediately

-pounced upon by the natives, who carried them

-in triumph to their principal village, which was

-hidden away among the rocky gorges in the interior

-of the island. They found four other prisoners<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span>

-there, and it was owing to their influence that Chips

-was so well received. He was a carpenter, and

-just the man the natives wanted. His companion,

-however, was nothing but a foremast hand, and not

-being of any particular use, he was harshly treated,

-and was often in danger of his life. Being driven

-desperate at last, he seized the first opportunity for

-escape that presented itself, and succeeded, at very

-great risk, in swimming off to a ship that came there

-for water. He warned the captain off, most likely,

-for the vessel went away at once, and it was probably

-through him that the news of the loss of the

-Mary Starbuck was carried to Nantucket. The

-five prisoners who were left were constantly on the

-alert to elude the vigilance of their captors, but

-this was the first opportunity that Chips had ever

-found. He and his companions were allowed the

-freedom of the island until a vessel hove in sight,

-and then they were hurried to the village and kept

-under guard as long as she remained.</p>

-

-<p>Being satisfied at last that there was but one

-way to accomplish his object, Chips made himself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span>

-perfectly at home on the island, acted quite

-contented, and finally succeeded in making the

-natives believe that he had no desire to leave them.

-He became a savage to all intents and purposes.

-He took part in their dances and pow-wows, joined

-in their debates, tried to teach them the use of the

-fire-arms they found on the vessels that fell into

-their hands, and so won their confidence that they

-permitted him to take part in the attack on the

-Tycoon. Watching his chance, while the fight was

-in progress, he slipped into the hold, and there he

-was among his own kind once more.</p>

-

-<p>"And now I hope you'll lend a hand to them

-poor fellows I left behind, sir," said Chips, in conclusion.

-"It can be easy done now, but to-morrow

-it'll be too late. There ain't more'n a hundred

-fighting men on the island, but to-night they'll send

-off canoes after help, and in the morning, if you're

-here, you will have an army of 'em howling about

-you."</p>

-

-<p>"How far is it to the village?" asked Mr. Gale.</p>

-

-<p>"O, you'll not have to go back to the principal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span>

-town, sir," answered Chips. "There's a little fishing

-village right here on the beach, and the natives

-will all be there to-night, holding a grand pow-wow

-and waiting for the help that's coming to-morrow.

-If we can get close to them and give them a volley

-before they know it, they'll run like deer!"</p>

-

-<p>"Why I thought you said they had fire-arms,"

-exclaimed the mate.</p>

-

-<p>"So they have, sir, but it would make you laugh

-to see them use them," said Chips. "They take

-the butt of a gun under their arms, shut their

-eyes and turn away their heads before they pull

-the trigger. They seem to think it is the noise that

-does the damage. All we want, you understand,

-sir, is to drive 'em at the start. They won't run

-far before they'll turn on us, and then they'll fight;

-but by the time they do that, the prisoners will have

-had a chance to take care of themselves, and we

-can be back to our boats. I know just where the

-village is, and can lead you to it in ten minutes

-after we touch the beach."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"I suppose you don't know anything about those

-boats' crews that went ashore?" said the mate.</p>

-

-<p>"No, sir. Those who were not killed are prisoners,

-and we'll find them at the village."</p>

-

-<p>The man's proposition was well worth thinking

-over, the mate told himself. He felt that he had a

-duty to perform toward the prisoners in the hands

-of the savages, and he was not the one to shrink

-from it. True, he had a small force to work with,

-but if he acted with promptness and decision when

-the time for action arrived, much might be done.

-"Boys, turn to and straighten up here," said he,

-after a moment's reflection. "Let's make the old

-Tycoon look a little more like herself. Nelson,

-come with me."</p>

-

-<p>The men went to work with a will&mdash;all except

-Lucas, Barton and Chips, who disappeared in the

-forecastle for a few minutes. When they came on

-deck again Chips could hardly have been told from

-the rest of the crew, his tattooed body being clothed

-in a full sailor's rig, and his matted hair covered

-with a new tarpaulin. He lent a hand with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span>

-rest, and soon proved that he had not forgotten how

-to do a seaman's duty.</p>

-

-<p>Frank followed Mr. Gale to the quarter-deck.

-"What do you think of this?" asked the mate.

-"Shall we risk it?"</p>

-

-<p>"By all means," answered Frank, quickly.

-"How would you and I feel if we were held captives

-by these heathen, and some of our own countrymen

-should come here, and, after learning our

-situation, go off without making an effort to help

-us? We may be able to rescue the captain or some

-of his men, if they are still alive."</p>

-

-<p>Mr. Gale looked at his companion a little doubtfully.</p>

-

-<p>"O, I mean it," said Frank, who knew what was

-passing in the officer's mind. "I have no reason to

-like Captain Barclay, and if I could once bring him

-before a court of justice he would suffer for what he

-has done. But this is a different thing. If I get

-the chance, I'll try just as hard to help him as I

-would to help you."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, I suppose that is the right sort of feeling,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span>

-said the mate, "but it isn't my style, I am free to

-say. A man who has the heart to turn a boat's

-crew adrift on the ocean, doesn't deserve any help

-when he's in difficulty. It's the others I want to

-work for, but here's the trouble: I don't know anything

-about this fighting business."</p>

-

-<p>"I've had a little experience in it," said Frank,

-"and so have Lucas and Barton. They are old

-men-of-war's men, and I know you can depend on

-them. I'll give you all the help I can."</p>

-

-<p>"Won't you boss the job?"</p>

-

-<p>"No, I'd rather not. The men will yield you

-more prompt obedience."</p>

-

-<p>"I know a story worth two of that, sir. I ain't

-blind or deaf, either."</p>

-

-<p>After some more conversation it was decided that

-the Tycoon's crew could not leave the island with

-clear consciences unless they made some sort of a

-demonstration in favor of the captives, and Frank

-was finally prevailed upon to take command of the

-expedition. This being settled, the first thing the

-young sailor did was to call Chips aft. He and Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span>

-Gale spent an hour in conversation with him, and

-when the man went forward again Frank held in his

-hands a map of the island, on which the position

-of the fishing village, the situation of every hut in

-it, the shape of the jungle that surrounded it, and

-the location of all the paths that led to it were

-plainly marked. Frank also had a short consultation

-with Lucas, who, when it was over, made his

-way forward again, winking and nodding as he

-always did when he had anything on his mind.

-His companions tried hard to find out what had

-passed between him and the captain, as everybody

-called Frank now; but Lucas, while he seemed to

-grow in size under the pressure of the secret that

-had been committed to his keeping, remained as

-dumb as a tar-bucket.</p>

-

-<p>Everything had now been done that could be done

-before dark&mdash;except getting the boats and weapons

-in readiness&mdash;and Frank recollected that he had

-been at sea for twenty-four hours in an open boat

-without anything to eat, and that he was very hungry.

-Perhaps the savory odors that now and then came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span>

-from the galley recalled this fact to his mind. At

-any rate they brought his appetite back to him, and

-he did ample justice to the abundant meal that was

-soon served up. The captain was not there now to

-superintend the drawing of the provisions, so the

-doctor went into the store-room and helped himself.

-The consequence was that some articles which rightfully

-belonged to the men, but which they had never

-tasted since leaving port, such as beans, flour, dried

-apples and molasses, found their way into the forecastle.

-Each man got an extra cup of coffee&mdash;strong

-coffee, too&mdash;an extra tablespoonful of sugar

-in it, and all he wanted to eat besides. Mr. Gale

-and Frank dined in the cabin and the captain's

-steward waited on them.</p>

-

-<p>"That's all right," said Lucas, when the steward

-told him of it afterward. "Cap'n Nelson's a cap'n

-just as much as Cap'n Barclay, and just as good a

-one, too. Don't I know? He belongs in the cabin

-and at the head of the table, and he's got to stay there

-now. He shan't never come into this forecastle

-again!"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>After dinner two of the boats were overhauled and

-put in readiness for the expedition, which was to

-leave the ship as soon as darkness settled down to

-hide her from the watchful eyes of those on shore,

-the muskets and pistols were loaded, and a dozen

-rounds of cartridges provided for each man. Of

-course these preparations did not escape the notice

-of the sailors, who knew by them that there was

-work to be done. It soon got abroad that Frank

-was at the head of the affair, and that set Lucas and

-Barton in ecstacies. This made them think of old

-times; and so eager were they for the fight, that

-they almost got up a row with Boson and Tully just

-to get their hands in. They did not neglect, too,

-to make sundry little arrangements with their companions

-in regard to the treatment the captain and

-first mate were to receive in case they were found

-among the prisoners. They would do their best to

-rescue the friends of Chips, but Captain Barclay

-should not come back to the ship, no matter what

-happened. All this, however, was upset by a

-simple order from their wide-awake leader, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span>

-seemed to see everything, know everything and who

-neglected nothing.</p>

-

-<p>The boats and weapons being in readiness, all the

-crew were ordered below to rest and sleep, except a

-boatsteerer's watch, who remained on deck to look

-out for the ship. Even these were permitted to lie

-down on deck, with the exception of one man, whose

-duty it was to keep an eye on the shore, and report

-anything suspicious that he might see going on there.</p>

-

-<p>The men were allowed to sleep until nine o'clock,

-when they were called on deck to prepare for action.

-An abundant and well-cooked supper was served up

-and eagerly devoured by the grateful foremast

-hands, who told one another that if Captain Nelson

-and Mr. Gale were the officers of the ship, they'd

-never have any trouble with their crew, but they

-wouldn't catch much grease. They'd feed their

-men so high that they would get too fat to see a

-spout or pull an oar.</p>

-

-<p>Supper over, the men were mustered on the

-quarter-deck to listen to Frank's plan of the campaign.

-He had made up his mind what ought to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span>

-done and assigned each man a particular duty, giving

-him his orders so plainly that there was no

-possible chance for a misunderstanding. One order

-was, that every hut in the village was to be set on

-fire&mdash;they wanted a light to fight by&mdash;but it must

-first be searched to make sure that it contained no

-prisoners. Some of the boats' crews might be bound

-or severely wounded and unable to help themselves;

-and such unfortunates needed especial care and

-must be looked after by trustworthy men. If any

-wounded were discovered, they must be turned over

-to Lucas and Barton, who would assist them back

-to the boats and remain there to guard them. The

-men thus designated raised their hands to their caps

-and said, "Ay, ay, sir!" but when Frank turned to

-another sailor to give him his orders, they looked

-at each other and scowled fiercely.</p>

-

-<p>"Now here's a go," muttered Barton. "Suppose

-we find the first mate with a lance or something

-through his leg! Eh?"</p>

-

-<p>"Or the cap'n," whispered Lucas, in great disgust.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Must we bring him to the boat, carry him like

-he was a blessed little baby, and then watch to

-see that the niggers don't slip around and send

-him to Davy's Locker, where he belongs?" added

-Barton.</p>

-

-<p>"Them's the orders."</p>

-

-<p>"I don't care. I won't do it."</p>

-

-<p>"Avast, there! Better not go agin orders when

-they come from <i>him</i>," whispered Lucas, jerking his

-thumb towards Frank. "Besides, didn't he say we

-was men as could be trusted?"</p>

-

-<p>"Ay, so he did," answered Barton, after thinking

-a moment. "So he did. We can't go back on

-him after that."</p>

-

-<p>Having given his instructions in the plainest language

-he was master of, Frank went back to the

-head of the line and made each man repeat what he

-had said to him, to make sure that he fully understood

-what was required, and then he distributed

-the weapons and ammunition. The Kanakas,

-although as eager for the fight as their white companions,

-declined to accept the muskets that were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span>

-offered them, preferring to use the lances and war-clubs

-the natives had left behind them. It was a

-motley-looking company altogether, Frank told himself,

-after they were all armed and stood awaiting

-his orders&mdash;very unlike the well-provided and well-disciplined

-bluejackets he had been accustomed to

-command on expeditions similar to this.</p>

-

-<p>Everything being in readiness, Frank nodded to

-Mr. Gale, who ordered the boats to be lowered away

-and the crews to tumble into them. Frank took

-every man, knowing that the natives would not

-attack the ship while their homes were in danger.

-When every one was in his place he clambered down

-into one of the boats, Mr. Gale having charge of

-the other, and led the way toward the beach. Arriving

-within a few rods of it the boats were brought

-to a stand still, and Chips slipped noiselessly into

-the water and struck out for the beach, accompanied

-by Lucas, who carried a blubber-knife between his

-teeth. Chips might have been astonished to know

-that Lucas had orders to use the blubber-knife at the

-very first sign of treachery. This was the secret<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span>

-the old boatswain's mate had been carrying all the

-afternoon. Frank believed the story Chips had

-told him, but he was so wary that he neglected no

-precautions to insure the success of the expedition

-and the safety of the men composing it.</p>

-

-<p>At the end of half an hour the two men made

-their appearance again, coming alongside so

-silently that Frank did not see them until they laid

-hold of the gunwale. They reported the coast

-clear. The natives, not dreaming of danger, were

-all at the village, going through some sort of a ceremony

-intended to bring them success in the next

-attack they made on the ship, and which Chips said

-would not be delayed longer than daylight. Frank

-breathed easier now. Chips was not trying to lead

-him into an ambush, and that was one thing off his

-mind.</p>

-

-<p>Slowly and noiselessly the boats approached the

-shore, and when their bows touched the sand the

-crews disembarked. The two men selected to guard

-them promptly took their positions, and the rest

-fell in behind Chips, who led them along a narrow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span>

-path through darkness so intense that Frank, who

-followed close at his heels, was obliged to take hold

-of his clothing in order to keep track of him. Ten

-minutes' walk brought them within sight of a bright

-fire, which they could see shining through the trees

-in front of them. There they stopped. Frank

-whispered to the men as they came up one after

-another, showed them the position of the village, and

-they lost no time in taking up the positions he

-assigned them. When they had all moved off to

-the right and left, Frank, Mr. Gale and Chips

-were left alone. They waited and listened for a few

-minutes, and then moved down the path until they

-obtained a view of the fire. It was a large one,

-and threw out so much light that every hut in the

-village could be distinctly seen. There were about

-two hundred of the natives in sight, men, women

-and children, and some were seated in a circle about

-the fire, while others stood erect, looking intently

-toward the jungle where Frank knew the right of

-his line was taking up its position. Their quick

-ears warned them of the approach of an enemy.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>At this moment Frank caught the gleam of a

-bayonet on the extreme left of the line. That told

-him that some of his men were in position, and he

-decided to begin operations at once. He nodded to

-his companions, and instantly three muskets were

-levelled and belched forth their contents in quick

-succession. This was the signal for the attack, and

-it was promptly obeyed. Muskets and pistols

-roared all along the line, and such a chorus of hoarse

-voices arose from the jungle that Frank, had he not

-known just how many men he had at his command,

-would have supposed that there was a small army

-hidden there.</p>

-

-<p>The natives behaved just as Chips said they

-would. The most of them took to their heels at

-once, while the bravest among them lingered long

-enough to fire their muskets. But they discharged

-them any how&mdash;just as they happened to pick them

-up&mdash;and Frank saw that the muzzles of the most

-of them were pointed into the air. No sooner were

-the weapons emptied than the owners threw them

-down and ran for life.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>In two minutes' time the sailors were all in the

-now deserted village, and two of the huts had been

-fired by Chips, who showed himself as active as a

-cat. He ran about with a fire-brand in each hand,

-calling loudly on the captives to make all haste to

-reach the beach, telling them they would find boats

-there and men to protect them.</p>

-

-<p>Frank remained in the centre of the line, so that

-he could see all that was going on and direct the

-movements of his men, and it was with no little

-satisfaction that he noted the care with which each

-member of his small company took to carry out the

-instructions given him. Frank did not see that any

-of the natives were killed, but he did see one

-prisoner rescued. He did not get a glimpse of his

-face or of his clothing, but a remark Lucas made

-as he and Barton carried him by in their arms, told

-him who it was. "This ain't such a nice piece of

-business as it might be, sir," said the former, touching

-his cap.</p>

-

-<p>"It's the captain," thought Frank. "That was

-a lucky thought of mine, appointing two of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span>

-worst enemies to take care of him, for they wouldn't

-injure him now for the world. He's badly hurt, too.

-Will he act more like a man now, or be a worse

-tyrant than ever?"</p>

-

-<p>In a very short space of time the whole village

-was in a blaze. The huts being built of bamboo

-and their cone-shaped roofs thatched with dry grass,

-they burned like so much tinder. There was nothing

-more to be done now&mdash;nothing more they could

-do. They had rescued one prisoner, given the

-others a chance to run if they were able to do it,

-and now he must take care of his own men before

-the natives turned on them. The signal to retreat,

-a long, shrill whistle, was as promptly obeyed as the

-signal to attack. The men hurried toward him, and

-throwing their weapons on their shoulders fell in

-behind Chips, who led the way toward the beach at

-a dog trot. Frank ran his eye over the line as it

-moved passed him to see if there was anybody missing,

-and found to his delight that not only were the

-men all there, but also two more rescued prisoners,

-the captain's harpooner and bow-oarsman, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span>

-saluted him as they went by. When the last man

-was in the path, Frank and Mr. Gale fell in and

-brought up the rear. A few minutes' rapid run

-brought them to the beach, and after seeing the

-wounded captain stowed away as comfortably as

-circumstances would permit, Frank ordered the

-crews into the boats, which were pushed off toward

-the ship. There was no pursuit attempted, the

-natives being too badly frightened to rally immediately.

-By the time their expected reinforcements

-arrived, the Tycoon was safe out of their reach.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c285" id="c285">CHAPTER XV.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">FRANK ON THE QUARTER-DECK.</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap04">THE expedition was ended and well ended too,

-Frank told himself. Three men were rescued,

-and that was something to feel glad over. The

-attack was so well planned, and all the details

-carried out so faithfully and energetically, that it was

-entirely successful, and there was not a man missing.

-All the ship's company could be accounted for

-except Gardner&mdash;Frank could not bring himself

-now to think of him by the name he generally bore&mdash;and

-he had doubtless been killed and thrown overboard

-when the natives made their attack on the

-vessel.</p>

-

-<p>While on the way back to the Tycoon Frank had

-much to think about, the principal object of his

-thoughts being the wounded captain. Frank was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span>

-sorry to see him in his present situation, and he

-reproached himself when he reflected that he had

-so long cherished feelings of revenge toward him.

-He had all the while told himself that his feelings

-were not actuated by any desire for vengeance&mdash;that

-he wanted to have the skipper shut up for a

-while, merely to prevent him from serving others as

-he had served himself; but now he knew that

-behind all this was the belief that the captain

-deserved punishment for the offences of which he

-had been guilty, and that he would breathe a good

-deal easier if he could assist in bringing it about.

-That was all past now, however. The skipper

-needed assistance, and that was enough for the

-generous Frank, who felt almost as tender toward

-him as he would have felt toward his cousin Archie,

-had he been in the same situation.</p>

-

-<p>Meanwhile an animated conversation was going

-on between Mr. Gale and Lucas, who were in the

-other boat with Barton, the coxswain. The third

-mate had been silent and thoughtful for a long time,

-and Lucas asked the reason for it.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"I was just thinking of what's to come," replied

-Mr. Gale. "Here we have been risking our lives

-to free these men, and what are we going to do with

-them now that we have got them?"</p>

-

-<p>"Take them aboard the ship, sir," said Lucas.</p>

-

-<p>"And what's to be done with the ship? The

-cap'n is of no use now, the first and second mates

-are gone, and so, of course, the ship falls to my

-hands; but she's a bigger load than I can carry."</p>

-

-<p>"Don't worry about that, sir," returned Lucas,

-quickly. "Cap'n Nelson's shoulders are broad, and

-he can carry her."</p>

-

-<p>"Was he ever master of a vessel?" asked Mr.

-Gale.</p>

-

-<p>"Of course he was, sir. Didn't you know it?"</p>

-

-<p>"I heard something about it, but I didn't believe

-it. He don't look like a sailor."</p>

-

-<p>"No more'n he looks like a lawyer or a fighting

-man, sir; but he's all three. When the war was

-going he commanded as fine a brig as ever sailed in

-Farragut's fleet."</p>

-

-<p>"A brig!" echoed Barton. "A ship, you mean.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span>

-Haven't I seen her often? Didn't I see her and

-him too down there in Mobile Bay, the time we had

-the fight with the forts and gunboats? You're

-right I did. The Admiral was going to put him in

-command of a frigate, only the war closed and Cap'n

-Nelson wouldn't stay in the navy."</p>

-

-<p>"I knew it was something of that kind," said

-Lucas, who knew just nothing at all about it. He

-and Barton were working to put Frank on the Tycoon's

-quarter-deck, and they did not care how

-many falsehoods they told or what means they used

-to get him there. "He went into a fight once

-and licked the rebels three to one," continued

-Lucas.</p>

-

-<p>"Five to one, you mean," corrected Barton,

-who did not think his friend was saying quite as

-much as could be said in Frank's favor.</p>

-

-<p>"I knew it was big odds," returned Lucas, "and

-under them circumstances, sir, you mustn't feel hard

-if we say that we won't serve on the Tycoon under

-nobody but Cap'n Nelson."</p>

-

-<p>"I don't feel hard toward you," said the mate,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span>

-"for I don't want to command her. I am not

-fit."</p>

-

-<p>"No more you be, sir," said Barton, bluntly;

-"but Cap'n Nelson is. We can call him cap'n

-now, and nobody can't say no to us without getting

-his head broke."</p>

-

-<p>Frank, little dreaming of what was passing in

-the other boat, was being carried rapidly ahead by

-the stalwart Kanakas who pulled him, and reached

-the ship a long distance in advance of Mr. Gale.

-As he came alongside he saw two men looking over

-the rail, both of whom Chips recognised, dark as it

-was. They proved to be two wrecked sailors who

-had been held prisoners by the natives, and who

-had taken advantage of the attack on the village

-to run to the beach and swim off to the vessel.

-They were overjoyed to find themselves among

-their own countrymen once more, and almost overwhelmed

-Frank by their exhibition of gratitude.

-But he had no time to listen to them. He simply

-shook hands with them, and then turned his attention

-to the captain.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>The wounded man groaned whenever any one

-touched him; but a whip being quickly rigged he

-was hoisted aboard as tenderly as possible, and in

-obedience to Frank's directions was carried into the

-cabin and placed in his bunk. When the steward

-lighted the lamp Frank had a good view of him for

-the first time, and he could hardly bring himself to

-believe that this wreck of humanity was the same

-man he had so often seen on the quarter-deck. He

-was no surgeon, but knowing that something ought

-to be done at once to relieve the captain and stop

-the flow of blood, he set to work to do what he

-could. He cut off the sufferer's coat and shirt with

-his knife, and found three gaping wounds, which

-were enough to have left the life out of any but a

-man of iron, as the captain was. While he was

-bathing them with warm water brought from the

-galley the third mate came in, and Frank was surprised

-to see him remove his hat.</p>

-

-<p>"Is it necessary for me to apologize for coming

-in here under such circumstances as these, without

-an invitation?" asked the amateur doctor.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"I guess not, sir," answered the officer, with a

-smile. "From all I can learn you've got the best

-right here."</p>

-

-<p>"How is that? I don't understand you."</p>

-

-<p>"Why, the men have put you in as cap'n, and

-say they won't do duty under anybody else."</p>

-

-<p>"Well, they have no right to do anything of the

-kind. They don't know what they are talking

-about."</p>

-

-<p>"No, they don't. I'm master of this ship,"

-murmured the wounded man, looking about with the

-old savage glare in his eyes and trying to raise his

-head. "Trice 'em all up, and hang the snatch-block

-to their&mdash;Mr. Gale!" he ejaculated, recognising

-the third mate.</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, sir; it's Mr. Gale, come back safe and

-sound, and just as ready to do duty as he was

-before you turned him adrift in that boat," replied

-the officer.</p>

-

-<p>"Send the first mate here," said the captain,

-sinking back on his pillow and closing his eyes.</p>

-

-<p>"I can't, sir. He went ashore with you and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span>

-hasn't come back yet. The natives made an end

-of him, most likely."</p>

-

-<p>"The second mate, then."</p>

-

-<p>"Can't send him either, sir, because he and the

-first are keeping company now somewhere besides

-on board this ship. The natives harpooned him.

-There's nobody left but me."</p>

-

-<p>"And you ain't worth nothing. You don't know

-how to flog a man."</p>

-

-<p>"If I did, I couldn't do it now, sir. The men

-have taken the ship and put Cap'n Nelson in command.

-I looked for 'em to do it long ago."</p>

-

-<p>"Nelson!" groaned the captain, opening his eyes

-again. "I sent him&mdash;&mdash;"</p>

-

-<p>He seemed to recognise the face bending over

-him, and stopped suddenly.</p>

-

-<p>"I know you did, sir," said Mr. Gale, "You

-sent him adrift with me; but he's back again, and

-so are Lucas and Barton and all the rest of the

-boat's crew. But I say, cap'n, if you are able to

-do duty, you'd best be giving some orders, for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span>

-tide is about turning, and if the ship is to be worked

-off the bar, now's the time."</p>

-

-<p>The captain made no reply, and neither could

-Mr. Gale induce him to speak again. He lay with

-his eyes closed, and groaned every time a question

-was asked him. The mate scratched his head in

-great perplexity. "What shall I do, sir?" said

-he, looking at Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"Do just what you think best," was the reply.

-"This man is in no condition to give orders. Go

-ahead on your own hook."</p>

-

-<p>The mate clapped his hat on his head and hurried

-up the ladder. He found the crew gathered

-in the waist waiting, no doubt, to hear from some

-one in the cabin. "Turn to, lads," said Mr. Gale,

-briskly. "Bear a hand, and get up that small

-kedge for'ard."</p>

-

-<p>"Who give them orders, sir, begging your pardon

-for being curious?" said Lucas. "Did Cap'n Barclay

-or Cap'n Nelson?"</p>

-

-<p>"Cap'n Nelson," replied the mate. "Cap'n Barclay

-ain't fit to command now."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"No more was he ever fit to command, sir!" said

-Lucas, who was speaking for all of the men. "But,

-asking your pardon again, sir, I'd just like to have

-a peep at Cap'n Nelson, and see why he don't come

-up and give his own orders, like the master of a ship

-had ought to do. You know that he went into that

-cabin once and didn't come out again very soon,

-don't you? We don't think as much of you, by no

-means, as we did before you had a hand in that

-business."</p>

-

-<p>The mate made no reply. He had set himself

-right with Frank, who was perfectly satisfied that

-he was not to blame for anything that had happened,

-and he would leave him to make the matter straight

-with the men. He stepped aside to allow Lucas to

-pass, and the latter, running down the companion-ladder,

-was amazed to find Frank acting the part of

-Good Samaritan to one whom he had hitherto regarded

-as an enemy. He opened his eyes wide at

-the sight, and Frank thought he was displeased.

-"It's all time wasted, sir," said he.</p>

-

-<p>"Well, we must do the very best we can for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span>

-him," was Frank's reply. "If he can only hold

-out till we fall in with some ship carrying a surgeon,

-he will perhaps pull through all right."</p>

-

-<p>"Did you give orders to have the ship worked

-off the bar, cap'n?" asked the boatswain's mate.</p>

-

-<p>"We want to get her off, don't we?" answered

-Frank. "She musn't lie here and be pounded to

-pieces, as she will be if the wind rises."</p>

-

-<p>Lucas went out of the cabin satisfied. He knew

-what ought to be done as well as anybody, but he

-wanted to be sure that the orders came from the

-right source. The men were satisfied too, and went to

-work to get the ship out of her dangerous situation,

-while Frank kept busy with his patient, although he

-believed, with Lucas, that his efforts to save the

-captain's life would be useless. He had nothing to

-work with&mdash;no lint or bandages, and no medicine to

-allay the fever. But the sequel proved that Frank

-did not know what the old sailor meant by his

-remark. The wounded skipper was threatened by

-another danger from which no one on board the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span>

-Tycoon but Frank could protect him&mdash;- the fury of

-the men he had wronged.</p>

-

-<p>At the end of two hours the Tycoon was in deep

-water and standing away from the inhospitable Islands

-with all her canvas spread. Frank had been

-equally successful with the work to which he had

-devoted himself, and now the captain was in a sound

-sleep. While Frank stood watching him, wondering;

-what was to be done when he awoke, since there

-were no medicines aboard except calomel and salts,

-nothing to eat except coarse ship's fare, and nothing

-to drink but the miserable stuff called tea and

-coffee which the cook served up twice each day&mdash;while

-Frank was thinking about this, and wishing

-he could get inside the Stranger's pantry long

-enough to secure some of the delicacies he knew to be

-stowed away there, he was aroused by a great hubbub

-which suddenly arose on deck. He heard the

-stamping of feet and loud yells of triumph, mingled

-with cries of, "Here's one of 'em. Pitch him

-overboard!" A moment later the mate's voice was

-heard in tones of remonstrance, to which some one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span>

-replied: "If you don't go aft where you belong and

-mind your own business, you'll go over too!"</p>

-

-<p>Mr. Gale evidently thought that the man, whoever

-he was that said this, was in earnest, for Frank

-heard him running along the deck, and saw his pale

-face appear at the top of the companion ladder.

-"Come up, cap'n," he cried, in great excitement;

-"the men are going to throw Calamity overboard!"</p>

-

-<p>Frank lingered just long enough to slap his

-pockets, to make sure that the pistols he had carried

-during the attack on the village were still there, and

-then went up the stairs in three jumps. He saw a

-group of men in the waist, who were pushing and

-crowding one another about, and caught just one

-glimpse of the pale face of Gardner, who was in the

-midst of them, and resisting to the utmost the efforts

-that were being made to drag him to the side. He

-saw at a glance that Boson and Tully were the

-ringleaders, and the ones who had seized the frightened

-man; and he was sorry to see, too, that Lucas

-and Barton were there and making no effort to

-restrain their companions, although they took no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span>

-part in the proceeding. The peaceable Kanakas

-were standing in a body on the forecastle and looking

-on in great amazement.</p>

-

-<p>With three jumps more Frank was in the waist,

-standing between the men and the rail, and Mr.

-Gale was at his side. "Lucas! Barton!" he cried,

-"come over to this side the deck."</p>

-

-<p>"Why, cap'n?" began Lucas.</p>

-

-<p>"No words," interrupted Frank. "You and

-Barton come over to this side of the deck, and be

-quick about it."</p>

-

-<p>The sailors obeyed, and the change in their positions

-seemed to make a corresponding change in

-their feelings, for the next order Frank gave was

-responded to without an instant's hesitation.

-"Lucas, take hold of Boson. Barton, grab Tully

-and drag him away. Gardner, go into the cabin!"</p>

-

-<p>It was wonderful how quickly and easily one

-calm, determined spirit controlled those angry men.

-The trouble was ended at once. Boson let go his

-hold and slunk away at the sight of Lucas's big fist,

-which was brandished before his eyes, and Tully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span>

-was equally active in giving ground before the

-broad-shouldered Barton. Gardner, finding himself

-at liberty, went down the companion-ladder like a

-flash, banging the door behind him.</p>

-

-<p>"I am surprised at you, men," said Frank,

-sternly, and there was not one among them who

-could look him in the eye. "If you had succeeded

-in accomplishing your object, what would you have

-said for yourselves when you got ashore? Boson,

-you are the largest and strongest man in the crew.

-Take your stand at the top of that ladder and knock

-the first one down who attempts to go into the

-cabin without Mr. Gale's permission."</p>

-

-<p>This stroke of policy on Frank's part won him a

-fast friend on the spot&mdash;one who might otherwise

-have been an enemy, and kept the crew in a constant

-uproar. He was a turbulent fellow, this Boson,

-and one of the few sailors Frank had met who

-seemed to need a handspike or belaying-pin over

-his head about once a day to keep him in order.

-His appearance was enough to frighten some men,

-and was a good index of his character. He had a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span>

-most repulsive countenance, a small bullet-shaped

-head, always kept closely cropped and set on a

-thick, muscular neck, and a form betokening immense

-physical power. And indeed he possessed

-it. He could handle an eighteen-foot oar as if it

-were a feather, and when he laid out his strength,

-he fairly made things snap. His whole body was

-seamed and scarred by wounds he had received in

-fights and from the officers he had sailed under, and

-Frank had seen him knocked flat with a handspike

-which seemed to make no more impression on his

-thick skull than it would on the mast. This was

-the man of whom Frank had been wise enough to

-make a friend.</p>

-

-<p>Boson looked at him in amazement, evidently at

-a loss to decide whether Frank was in earnest or

-not; but making up his mind at last that he was,

-he marched off, and taking the position assigned

-him, looked defiantly at the crew, as if daring them

-to come on.</p>

-

-<p>Frank was surprised at the ease with which the

-disturbance had been quelled, and so was Mr. Gale.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span>

-It leaked out afterward that the former's prompt

-action had prevented serious trouble. Lucas made

-no idle threat when he said that the captain and

-Calamity were both to go overboard. The latter

-had been hiding in the hold among the oil barrels.

-He went there when he saw the natives approaching

-to make their attack on the ship, and no one

-missed him until the fight was over, and the sailors

-began to look around to see how many they had

-lost. Not finding Calamity among the slain, they

-concluded that he had either jumped overboard, or

-been wounded and thrown over; but he had been

-safely concealed in the hold all the while. Finding

-at last that the ship was in motion, he came out of

-his hiding-place to see what was going on, and must

-have been astonished at the reception extended to

-him. After he had been disposed of, the skipper's

-turn was to come next. The desperate men counted

-on meeting with opposition and perhaps resistance

-from Mr. Gale and Frank, but expected to overcome

-it very easily. They knew Mr. Gale, but

-found they did not know Frank. Had the latter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span>

-been as easily cowed as the third mate was, something

-certainly would have happened.</p>

-

-<p>Quiet being restored, Mr. Gale and Frank walked

-aft together, and the crew seeing them in earnest

-conversation, leaned over the rail and waited to learn

-what would come next. "I suppose the first business

-is to decide who we want for officers," said

-Frank.</p>

-

-<p>"I suppose so, sir," replied Mr. Gale.</p>

-

-<p>"You are entitled to the captain's berth, of course.

-That's settled."</p>

-

-<p>"No it ain't, sir," returned the mate, quickly.

-"This is the first voyage I ever made as an officer,

-and I know no more about navigation than I do

-about the moon."</p>

-

-<p>"Then let me act as your sailing-master."</p>

-

-<p>"The men won't agree to it, sir. They said so."</p>

-

-<p>Then the mate went on to repeat the conversation

-that had taken place between Lucas, Barton and

-himself, at which Frank laughed heartily. "Why

-they are very much mistaken," said he. "The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span>

-largest sailing vessel I ever commanded was a

-pleasure yacht."</p>

-

-<p>"No odds, sir. They've got it in their heads

-that you must command them now that the old man

-is done for, and there'll be a row if you don't.

-You have seen what they are when they get

-started."</p>

-

-<p>"Then I'll tell you what we'll do," said Frank,

-after thinking a moment. "We'll leave it to them;

-and after they have selected their officers we'll draw

-up a paper containing a full history of everything

-that has happened since leaving Honolulu, and ask

-them to sign it. These matters must be looked into

-by the consul, and we want to be all right in law,

-you know."</p>

-

-<p>In accordance with this suggestion, the mate

-mustered the men on the quarter-deck and made

-them a little speech. He told them that there must

-be somebody at the head of affairs, and that as the

-officers were all gone except himself, others must

-be selected. In the first place they must all agree

-to be bound by the decision of the majority, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span>

-faithfully promise to obey those placed over

-them.</p>

-

-<p>"We'll all obey Cap'n Nelson," exclaimed Boson,

-before the mate was fairly done speaking.</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, Cap'n Nelson! Cap'n Nelson!" cried a

-chorus of hoarse voices. "Nobody else!"</p>

-

-<p>There was not a dissenting voice; so Frank could

-no longer refuse to accept the responsibility. He

-was amused to see that Lucas and Barton, while

-supporting Boson's nomination, looked savagely at

-him, as if they would have been glad to knock him

-down for speaking in such a hurry. They wanted

-to bring Frank forward themselves.</p>

-

-<p>"Cap'n Nelson, I give place to you, sir," said

-Mr. Gale.</p>

-

-<p>The men greeted the young commander with

-cheers as he stepped forward, no doubt expecting

-him to make them a speech; but Frank did nothing

-of the kind. He told them that the next business

-was to select a first mate, and at his suggestion Mr.

-Gale was chosen by a unanimous vote. Lucas was

-put in for second, and Boson, who was a fine sailor,

-if he was a quarrelsome fellow, for third mate; and

-when the men were dismissed every one of them

-seemed satisfied.</p>

-

-<div class="figcenter">

-     <img src="images/ill-304.jpg" width="400" height="279"

-         alt=""

-         title="" />

-     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">Frank chosen Captain of the Tycoon.</span></p>

-</div></div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>Frank at once went below to look at his patient,

-leaving Mr. Gale in charge of the deck. The captain

-lay with his eyes closed, rolling his head from

-side to side, and Calamity was fanning him with

-his hat. The latter started up in alarm as Frank

-entered.</p>

-

-<p>"It is no one who is going to harm you,"

-said he. "I hope you see now what you have

-brought upon yourself by your way of doing business.

-Let it be a lesson to you."</p>

-

-<p>"I shall never dare to go into the forecastle

-again," whined Calamity.</p>

-

-<p>"You needn't go in there. You will stay here

-as the captain's nurse."</p>

-

-<p>This order seemed to relieve the frightened man.

-Through the open skylights he had heard all that

-passed on deck, and he was afraid that Frank,

-having the authority to do so, would order him to

-go forward where he belonged.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>Frank slept but little that night. The responsibilities

-of his new position weighed on his mind, and

-he came on deck every hour to see that things were

-going straight. The first real duty he performed as

-captain was to ascertain whereabouts in the wide

-world the ship was, and this he did the next day by

-an observation. She was directly in the track of

-vessels bound from Australia to the Pacific ports

-of the United States, and he decided to cruise about

-for a few days in the hope of meeting some ship

-that carried a surgeon. Without medical assistance

-he was afraid that the captain might not live until

-the ship reached Honolulu, which, according to his

-calculations, was more than fifteen hundred miles

-distant.</p>

-

-<p>The observation made, dinner over and the table

-cleared away, Frank busied himself for an hour or

-two in drawing up papers for the men to sign; and

-when that was done, he took a few minutes to think

-over the various incidents that had operated to

-place him in his present position. The most exacting

-old sea-dog could hardly have found fault with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span>

-the way affairs were going now. The weather-side

-of the quarter-deck was reserved for the captain,

-who for an hour paced up and down there with his

-hands behind his back, and as free from intrusion

-as a monarch on his throne. The officers were alert

-and watchful, the crew seemed to have settled down

-to the new order of things as if they had been

-accustomed to them all their lives, and never in her

-best days under her old commander had the Tycoon

-looked more ship-shape. Frank wished the crew

-had put Mr. Gale in his place, and left him to act

-as sailing-master; but since they had seen fit to do

-differently, he would perform his duty as best he

-could. He knew every rope and sail in the ship,

-was possessed of excellent judgment, which was the

-one great thing needed, and the captain's sextant

-came as handy to him as a fishing-rod or double-barrel;

-so he was not so very unfit for the position

-he held after all. How Archie and the rest of the

-friends he had left on the Stranger would open their

-eyes if they could see him in that dress and know

-that he was the master of that fine ship! For the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span>

-first time in a long while Frank allowed his thoughts

-to wander back to them, and the consequence was

-he became homesick. Yes, homesick; for the

-cabin of the Stranger had been his home for almost

-eight months, and had he kept out of the way of

-the bogus captain, it might have been his home yet.

-Where was the schooner now, and what were those

-aboard of her doing? Perhaps she was sailing

-about over the Pacific in search of the Tycoon!

-This thought aroused Frank from his reverie, and

-caused him to straighten up and look about as if he

-expected to see something. If the Stranger followed

-the Tycoon to the Sandwich Islands, would

-not Uncle Dick ascertain when he got there that

-she had shipped a crew and started for the Japan

-station? And would he not sail again immediately

-and try to find her?</p>

-

-<p>"Sail ho!" shouted the man at the mast-head.

-"Where away?" demanded the captain, greatly

-excited.</p>

-

-<p>"Two points off the lee bow, sir. Steamer."</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"Dear me! why did he say steamer?" thought

-Frank. "I'd rather he'd have said topsail schooner."</p>

-

-<p>No doubt he would, especially if the schooner

-proved to be the Stranger. Still he was glad to

-know that there was a steamer near, for he would

-be relieved of one cause of anxiety if he could only

-intercept her. He would bring her doctor aboard,

-and perhaps he could do something for the captain.</p>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-

-</div>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span></p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-

-<h2 class="p4"><a name="c310" id="c310">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h2>

-

-<p class="pch">CONCLUSION.</p>

-

-<p class="drop-cap04">Frank went aloft with his glass, and after

-watching the steamer for a few minutes made

-up his mind that if he held on his way she would

-cross his path at such a distance that he could not

-speak her; so he altered the Tycoon's course a few

-points, and for several miles ran almost parallel

-with the approaching craft. This manœuvre was

-successful, and by sunset the two vessels were

-within hailing distance. After seeing one of the

-boats cleared for lowering and the crew ready to

-tumble into her, Frank came to while the steamer

-was yet a half a mile away; and this attracting the

-attention of her captain, he ran under a slow bell

-until within speaking distance, when he stopped his

-engines. His vessel was a fine large mail steamer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span>

-and her promenade deck was crowded with passengers.</p>

-

-<p>"Steamer ahoy!" yelled Frank, through his

-trumpet. "Will you wait for me to send a boat

-aboard of you? We are in need of medical assistance."</p>

-

-<p>A reply in the affirmative promptly came back,

-and five minutes afterward a whale-boat, manned by

-a sturdy crew steered by Frank, was pulling toward

-the steamer.</p>

-

-<p>Up to this time Frank's mind was fully occupied

-with thoughts of the wounded captain; but now it

-occurred to him that he was not in just the right

-dress to present himself before a company of ladies

-and gentlemen. Clothed in a red shirt, coarse

-trowsers, heavy boots, all plentifully spattered with

-oil, a tarpaulin, which, although but a short time out

-of the slop-chest, began to show signs of wear, and

-with hands and face browned by exposure, he was

-not the most attractive looking young man in the

-world, and he thought he looked worse when in the

-presence of the dapper young officer who met him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span>

-at the gangway. The well-dressed people on deck

-gave him plenty of room as he walked along, but the

-gray-headed captain came forward and greeted him

-cordially. "What did you say you wanted, sir?"

-said he. "A doctor?"</p>

-

-<p>"Yes, sir. There's a man aboard that ship in a

-critical condition. We had some trouble with the

-natives at the Mangrove Islands, and he's badly

-wounded."</p>

-

-<p>A chorus of ejaculations and questions arose from

-the passengers who crowded eagerly forward, and

-Frank could have told his story to a most attentive

-and interested audience if he had only had time;

-but the captain sent off at once for the surgeon, who

-made his appearance before he was fairly begun.

-To him Frank described the nature of the captain's

-injuries as well as he could, and when he had heard

-all Frank could tell him, he provided himself with

-medicine and instruments, got into the whale-boat

-and was taken on board the Tycoon. He remained

-there nearly three hours&mdash;so long that some of the

-gentlemen among the steamer's passengers became<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span>

-impatient at the delay, called on Frank for a boat,

-and came off to see what the "blubber-hunter"

-looked like. The young captain met them as they

-came over the side, and was amused at the look of

-astonishment that settled on their faces when they

-found themselves fairly on her deck.</p>

-

-<p>"Why, if I had known that you kept your craft

-as neat as this, I should have brought my wife and

-daughter along," said one of the gentlemen, running

-his finger over the rail and closely examining it to

-make sure that there was no oil on it. "I expected

-to find myself knee-deep in grease. I have seen

-whalers come into port before now, and they were

-such horrible looking things outside, that I supposed,

-they could not be very tidy on deck."</p>

-

-<p>"They are not always, sir," said Frank, "especially

-when they are cutting in and trying out. They

-often spend eight months and more out of sight of

-land, and the men are so busy with other work that

-they can't find time to keep the ship as neat and

-trim as a merchantman or man-of-war."</p>

-

-<p>The visitors having satisfied themselves that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span>

-were in no danger of soiling their good clothes, began

-to exhibit a lively interest in what they saw

-about them. Frank showed them over the ship,

-explained the use of the try-works, harpoons, lances

-and all the other implements connected with a

-whaler's calling, and related the particulars of the

-fight they had had with the natives at the Mangrove

-Islands; and so engrossed did his listeners become

-that they were sorry when the doctor came out of

-the cabin and announced that he was ready to depart.

-He told Frank what he had done for the

-wounded man, and said that, although he was so

-badly used up that it might take him some months

-to fully recover from the effects of his injuries, there

-were no bones broken, and his life was in no

-danger, if the remedies he left for him were faithfully

-administered according to the directions he

-had given the captain's attendant. The doctor and

-the passengers were then taken on board their vessel

-by one of the whale-boats, and when it returned

-and was hoisted at the davits, the Tycoon

-filled away for the Sandwich Islands.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>It was wonderful what a change the doctor's visit

-made in the wounded man! He seemed to grow

-better immediately. Frank found him in earnest

-conversation with Calamity. When it was ended

-the latter came out with the request that Mr. Gale

-might be sent to the captain when he was off duty,

-if Frank had no objection. Of course he had none.

-The first mate was sent for at once, and remained

-in conversation with the captain for more than an

-hour. When he came out he went straight to

-Frank, who was pacing the quarter-deck. "How

-is he now?" asked the latter.</p>

-

-<p>"O, he's all right that is, his tongue is as lively

-as ever. He wants me to act as mediator between

-you and him."</p>

-

-<p>"There is no occasion for it," answered Frank.

-"There are no hard feelings on my part."</p>

-

-<p>"I was sure of it, sir. Calamity has told him

-everything, and he would be perfectly satisfied with

-the way matters have been arranged, if it wasn't

-for the fear that you helped rescue him from the

-natives, and brought the doctor off to save his life,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span>

-so that you might have the chance to take him before

-the court at Honolulu."</p>

-

-<p>"Perhaps if he knew me better he would not

-have so poor an opinion of me," returned Frank.

-"I don't deny that if I could have got him there

-two days ago, I should have made trouble for him.

-Indeed I told him so to his face. But that is all

-over now."</p>

-

-<p>"He has been punished enough, hasn't he, sir?"</p>

-

-<p>"I think he has. You may assure him for me,

-in the plainest language you can command, that I

-shall not trouble him in any way. On the contrary,

-I will do what I can to make him comfortable."</p>

-

-<p>"I'll tell him, sir. He wanted me to ask two

-favors of you: one is, that you will put him on

-board the first ship you meet bound for the States.

-He's afraid of the men, sir. Calamity told him

-that they were going to throw him overboard."</p>

-

-<p>"He has nothing to fear from them, but I'll respect

-his wishes all the same. What else does he

-want me to do?"</p>

-

-<p>"He hopes that while you are looking out for a sail,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span>

-you will keep an eye open for whales and lose no

-chance for filling up. We stow twenty-five hundred

-barrels, and here we have been out nearly seventeen

-months and haven't taken a quarter of that quantity.

-It looks now as though we were not going to

-make a paying voyage."</p>

-

-<p>"I'll do the best I can," replied Frank.</p>

-

-<p>And he did. The ship lay-to that night with

-only a boatsteerer's watch on deck, and the next

-morning business began in earnest. A whale was

-discovered before breakfast, and three boats in

-command of Mr. Gale, Lucas and Boson were sent

-out after him, Frank remaining in charge of the

-ship. The prize was secured without much trouble,

-and while it was lying alongside, and the men, having

-prepared themselves for work by eating a good

-breakfast, were about to begin the cutting in,

-another was raised, and by three o'clock that also

-was alongside, and the carpenter was at work on a

-stove boat. This whale fought hard, but there was

-nobody hurt.</p>

-

-<p>This was only the beginning. The blubber-room<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span>

-was never entirely empty, and during the next three

-weeks four hundred barrels of oil were added to

-those in the hold. Of course the labor was severe,

-the crew being small, but the men had plenty to

-eat, were kindly treated and the amount of work

-they turned off was surprising. Calamity kept the

-captain posted in all that was going on, and he

-growled lustily&mdash;being an old sailor he couldn't

-help it&mdash;and wondered why he had not been blessed

-with such luck, and why the crew had not worked

-as well for him as they did for the new captain.</p>

-

-<p>One bright morning, following a hard night's

-work at trying-out, while Frank was leaning over

-a water-bucket, rubbing his hands and face with a

-piece of hard soap, the man at the mast-head

-announced that there was a sail in sight, and in

-response to the usual inquiry, added: "Broad off

-the wheather beam. Topsail schooner. Sets low

-in the water and spreads lots of canvas."</p>

-

-<p>"Do you hear that, Lucas?" cried Frank, gazing

-about through eyes that were almost hidden in soap

-suds. "Jump up there, quick!"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>The latter cleared his eyes by the aid of a piece

-of canvas that served him for a towel, and watched

-the movements of the old boatswain's mate as he

-hurried aloft. He saw him level his glass, hold it

-to his eye for a moment and then begin to scramble

-down again. That was enough for Frank. "Mr.

-Gale," said he, so delighted and excited, that he

-could hardly stand still, "my connection with the

-Tycoon is nearly ended now. My friends are close

-by."</p>

-

-<p>"I am glad for your sake, sir, and sorry for my

-own," replied the mate. "We've had a pleasant

-ship and the best of luck since you've been on the

-quarter-deck."</p>

-

-<p>"And I have been very well contented," said

-Frank; "but I wasn't while I was in the forecastle,

-I tell you. It isn't often that a shanghaied man

-becomes master of the ship that runs away with

-him, is it?"</p>

-

-<p>"I never heard the like before, sir."</p>

-

-<p>"And probably you never will again. Well,

-Lucas!"</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>"It's the Stranger, sir! I can tell her among a

-million!" replied the second mate, no less delighted

-than his captain.</p>

-

-<p>"Breakfast is on, sir," announced the steward.</p>

-

-<p>Frank did not want any, but he made a show of

-eating nevertheless. He drank a cup or two of a

-decoction of parched beans which the steward called

-coffee, swallowed a few mouthfuls of salt horse and

-hard-tack, and then hurried on deck to tell the

-officer on watch to see one of the boats clear for

-lowering, and to have a crew, whom he mentioned

-by name, ready to pull him off to the schooner.

-After that he gave his black suit a good overhauling;

-but it had seen pretty hard service before he

-drew any clothing from the slop-chest, and he decided

-that it would not do to put on. Then he took

-a look at himself in the little mirror that was

-screwed fast to one of the bulkheads in the cabin,

-and told himself that Boson was a beauty compared

-to him.</p>

-

-<p>"Well, what's the difference?" thought Frank.

-"If any of those boys had been in my boots they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span>

-would look just as rough and weather-beaten as I

-do."</p>

-

-<p>With this reflection to console him Frank hurried

-on deck again, and taking the glass Lucas offered

-him, levelled it at the schooner, which was now

-close aboard. Almost the first man he saw was

-Dick Lewis. Frank's heart leaped at the sight

-of him. He had supposed that the two trappers

-were safe in the mountains long before this

-time, but now he would have a chance to shake

-them by the hand once more before he bade them

-good-by for ever. He wondered how they had conquered

-their fears sufficiently to venture out to sea.

-He saw Uncle Dick Gaylord and his two officers on

-the quarter-deck, and the Club gathered in the

-waist, every one of them with his field-glass in his

-hand.</p>

-

-<p>"Of course they will recognise the ship, but they

-will never know me in this dress," thought Frank.

-"And I don't think they'll be able to make much

-out of my hail either."</p>

-

-<p>Frank kept out of sight until the ship's main<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span>

-yard was backed and the schooner thrown up into

-the wind; then he showed himself.</p>

-

-<p>"What ship is that?" yelled a stentorian voice,

-that Frank could have recognised anywhere.</p>

-

-<p>"The whale ship Eli Coon, Hank Wilson master.

-Seventeen months out of Nantucket and nine hundred

-barrels of oil in the hold. I think that

-bothered them a little, Mr. Gale. I see they are

-talking very earnestly. Is that crew ready? I'll

-send a boat aboard of you," he added, hailing the

-schooner.</p>

-

-<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Uncle Dick, in a tone

-of voice which indicated that he did not understand

-the matter at all.</p>

-

-<p>Lucas, Barton, Boson and Tully, all good oarsmen,

-comprised the boat's crew, and they were not

-long in taking their captain alongside the schooner.

-Seeing that the Club and Uncle Dick kept their

-glasses levelled at him, Frank drew his hat low over

-his forehead, and thanked the wind for turning the

-collar of his shirt up around his ears. He laughed

-to himself when he thought how amazed his friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span>

-would be to see him in those clothes and learn that

-he was the captain of the Tycoon&mdash;he who had

-been shanghaied and thrust into her forecastle to

-do duty as a common sailor! He thought he could

-have some sport with the schooner's company, and

-run no risk of being recognised. After comparing

-his reckoning with Uncle Dick's, he would slap the

-boys on the back and take all sorts of liberties

-with them, and see what they would do about it.

-But Dick Lewis upset all these calculations in short

-order. His sharp eyes penetrated Frank's disguise,

-and no sooner did his head appear above the

-schooner's rail than he was hauled aboard, lifted

-bodily from the deck and carried aft. He struggled

-hard to free himself, but the trapper held him fast,

-and finally stood him on his feet in front of

-Uncle Dick, just as he had done with the bogus

-captain.</p>

-

-<p>"What do you mean?" demanded Frank, in a

-gruff voice. "If this is the way you treat your

-visitors, sir, I'll go back where I belong!"</p>

-

-<p>Uncle Dick stared at Frank, who tried to look<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span>

-angry, but his eyes laughed in spite of himself.

-"Nelson!" he exclaimed, at a venture.</p>

-

-<p>"That's jest who he are, cap'n," cried the

-trapper, bringing his heavy hand down on Frank's

-shoulder with such force that he shook all over.

-"Whiskers and all, that's him."</p>

-

-<p>It was all out now, and Frank's little plan was

-exposed. Of course a great hubbub arose at once,

-and Frank judged by the greeting he received that

-his friends were just as glad to see him as he was to

-see them. Lucas and Barton met with an equally

-cordial reception from their friends in the forecastle,

-who were not a little surprised to find that one of

-them had worked his way to the quarter-deck during

-his absence.</p>

-

-<p>Frank had a long story to tell, and it took him

-a long time to tell it. When it was ended, Uncle

-Dick and the Club had a good many questions to

-ask, and it took a long time to answer them; so

-that the two vessels remained alongside the greater

-part of the day. During that time boat's crews

-were exchanged, some of the schooner's company<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span>

-going off to visit the ship, and some of her crew

-coming back to visit the Stranger.</p>

-

-<p>As soon as the conversation began to flag Frank

-spoke of the needs of the wounded captain, asking

-for some of the good things with which the Stranger

-was so amply provided; but Uncle Dick had something

-better to propose. "Write an order to your

-mate to send him off here," said he. "I have a

-medicine-chest, plenty of lint and bandages, and

-long experience has made me a passable physician

-and surgeon. I can take better care of him than

-you can, and perhaps he will feel easier when he is

-out of reach of his men."</p>

-

-<p>Frank was only too glad to accept this kind offer,

-for he knew that the wounded man would be benefited

-by the change. He sent off an order to Mr.

-Gale, and half an hour afterward Captain Barclay

-was comfortably settled in the Stranger's cabin.

-He was delighted with his elegant quarters, and

-repeatedly declared that he did not deserve the

-treatment he received. If he was ever able to take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span>

-the quarter-deck again he would be a different

-man.</p>

-

-<p>His story told and all questions asked and

-answered, the young captain made ready to return

-to his ship. Of course all the boys went with him.

-Frank warned them that he could not give them

-such food or such quarters as they had on board the

-Stranger, but they didn't care for that. They

-wanted to see the Tycoon, and they made Frank

-promise, over and over again, that if the opportunity

-were offered, he would show them the operation of

-catching a whale. The Club tried to induce the

-trappers to go with them, but their entreaties and

-arguments fell on deaf ears. Dick and Bob knew

-that the Stranger was a safe boat, but they did not

-like to trust the Tycoon, and so thought it best to

-remain where they were.</p>

-

-<p>"Brace for'ard main yard," said Frank, when

-all the whaler's boats had been hoisted at the davits.

-"Eugene, you said you couldn't understand how it

-came that you reached the Sandwich Islands three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span>

-days after we did. Now I'll show you. Set studding

-sails, Mr. Gale."</p>

-

-<p>Eugene very soon found out why it was. The

-Stranger was considered to be remarkably swift for

-a small vessel, but the big Tycoon sailed two miles

-to her one, and at daylight the next morning the

-schooner was out of sight.</p>

-

-<p>Frank being impatient to reach Honolulu, did

-not go out of his way to find whales. According to

-promise he kept the mast-head manned, but to no

-purpose. The boys watched and waited in the hope

-of hearing the welcome cry, "There she blows!"

-but not a whale was to be seen. Mr. Gale told

-them that the reason was because they offered no

-inducement. It was the practice of whalers under

-such circumstances as these, he said, to put up a

-prize of some kind to go to the man who discovered

-the first spout. He had known a whale to rise in

-less than two minutes after a pair of trowsers had

-been hung up in the rigging.</p>

-

-<p>"O, if that's the trouble, we'll raise so many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span>

-that you won't know which to go after first," said

-Archie; "who's got any money?"</p>

-

-<p>All the boys happened to have a little in their

-pockets, and by clubbing together they raised sufficient

-to purchase one of the best suits of clothing

-in the slop-chest&mdash;hat, boots and all&mdash;which was

-hung up in plain view of the crew. But the offer

-of a dozen suits would not have enabled the men to

-see whales where there were none, and Frank took

-the ship into Honolulu without having the opportunity

-to gratify his friends, who were greatly disappointed.

-The Stranger was not in port, but she

-came shortly afterward, and by that time the Tycoon's

-business was settled. She passed through

-the consul's hands, the crew were paid off and discharged

-and a new captain assumed command and

-made ready to take her to the States. As soon as

-the Stranger came in, Uncle Dick's charge was carried

-to the hospital, and Frank never heard of him

-afterward. He never heard of Mr. Gale either

-after he took leave of him. The last time he saw

-him he was second mate of the Tycoon.</p>

-

-<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span></p>

-

-<p>One incident happened on board the Stranger

-that is worth recording. It was noticed that after

-Captain Barclay was brought on board, Dick Lewis

-acted more like himself than he had done for many

-a day.</p>

-

-<p>It was observed, too, that he often went through

-a most expressive pantomime, which was easily

-understood by those who witnessed it. One morning

-the captain came out of his cabin and found

-him standing at the top of the companion ladder,

-where he had been often seen of late. "Why

-do you hang around here so much?" asked Uncle

-Dick.</p>

-

-<p>The trapper pushed his hat on the back of his

-head, shoved up his sleeves until his brawny arms

-were bare to the elbow, spread out his feet, placed

-his hands on his hips and looked at the captain.

-"When is that mean varmint comin' up?" said he.

-"I owe him a leetle something, an' I'm in an amazin'

-hurry to pay it!"</p>

-

-<p>"Now, Lewis, you needn't worry about him,"

-said Uncle Dick. "He's having as much punishment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span>

-as he can stand. Frank heaped hot coals

-of fire on his head every day for three weeks, and

-I am following up the same treatment."</p>

-

-<p>"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper, looking doubtfully

-at Captain Gaylord.</p>

-

-<p>"It is as true as gospel."</p>

-

-<p>Dick could not refuse to believe it after so strong

-an affirmation as this. He grinned all over with

-delight, and taking the sailor's sturdy palm in his

-long, bony fingers, gave it a shake and a squeeze

-that made the captain wince and lift one of his feet

-a little way from the deck. Then Dick hurried off

-to find his chum.</p>

-

-<p>"It's all right, Bob," said he, gleefully. "I

-didn't know civilized folks done sich things, but the

-cap'n's scalpin' that feller in a way the Injuns

-never thought of. He's pilin' fire on his head

-every day."</p>

-

-<p>This piece of news, while it greatly surprised both

-the trappers, afforded them the liveliest satisfaction.

-The kidnapper was being fearfully punished for

-what he had done, and they told one another that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span>

-he deserved it. Dick did not hang around the cabin

-door any more, but he kept his eyes open, and as he

-never saw any fire carried below, he began to grow

-suspicious.</p>

-

-<p>When the Stranger arrived in the port of Honolulu

-and he saw preparations being made to take the

-captain ashore, he resolved to investigate things a

-little, just to satisfy himself. Watching his chance,

-while the wounded man was being carried across

-the deck to be lowered into the boat, he dashed

-forward and lifted the hat from his head. To his

-intense surprise and chagrin the captain's scalp was

-all there, and his hair did not look as if it had

-ever been near a fire. Knowing nothing of the

-Christian principle of returning good for evil, the

-trapper supposed that Captain Gaylord had been

-piling literal coals on his patient's head every day.

-It took Uncle Dick a long time to explain things,

-and the backwoodsman never had as much faith in

-him after that.</p>

-

-<p>Having restored Frank to the society of his

-friends once more, we will take leave of him for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span>

-present, promising to say more of him soon in the

-concluding volume of this series, which will be entitled:

-"<span class="smcap">The Boy Traders; or, The Sportsman's

-Club among the Boers</span>."</p>

-

-<p>&nbsp;</p>

-</div>

-

-<hr class="chap" />

-<p>&nbsp;</p>

-

-<div class="chapter">

-<div class="transnote p4">

-<p class="pc large">TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:</p>

-<p class="ptn">&mdash;Obvious print and punctuation errors were corrected.</p>

-</div>

-</div>

-</div>

-

-<p>&nbsp;</p>

-<hr class="full" />

-<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE***</p>

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+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Nelson in the Forecastle, by Harry Castlemon</title>
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+<body>
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 53420 ***</div>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Frank Nelson in the Forecastle, by Harry
+Castlemon</h1>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10">
+  <tr>
+    <td valign="top">
+      Note:
+    </td>
+    <td>
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      <a href="https://archive.org/details/franknelsoninforcast">
+      https://archive.org/details/franknelsoninforcast</a>
+    </td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="limit">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+ <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="350" height="591" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+     <img src="images/fr.jpg" width="400" height="579"
+         alt=""
+         title="" />
+     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">Archie, Fred, and Eugene on the Main-cross-trees<br />
+of the Stranger.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p class="pc4 large"><i>FRANK NELSON SERIES.</i></p>
+
+<hr class="d1" />
+
+<h1 class="p4">FRANK NELSON<br />
+<span class="mid">IN THE FORECASTLE;</span></h1>
+
+<p class="pc4 reduct">OR, THE</p>
+
+<p class="pc2 large">SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE WHALERS.</p>
+
+<p class="pc4 lmid"><span class="smcap">By</span> HARRY CASTLEMON,</p>
+
+<p class="pc1 reduct">AUTHOR OF "THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES," "GUNBOAT SERIES," "ROLLING<br />
+STONE SERIES," &amp;C.</p>
+
+<p class="pc4 lmid">PHILADELPHIA:<br />
+<span class="mid"><span class="ls1">PORTER &amp; COATE</span>S.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pc1">CINCINNATI:<br />
+R. W. CARROLL &amp; CO.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p class="pc4 large">FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.</p>
+
+<hr class="d2" />
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>GUNBOAT SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated. 6 vols.
+16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><span class="smcap">Frank the Young Naturalist.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank on a Gunboat.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank
+in the Woods.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank before Vicksburg.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank on the Lower
+Mississippi.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank on the Prairie.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>.
+Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Frank among the Rancheros.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">Frank in the Mountains.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>.
+Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club Afloat.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club among the Trappers.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>GO-AHEAD SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated. 3
+vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p class="pn"><span class="smcap">Tom Newcombe.</span> <span class="smcap">Go-Ahead.</span> <span class="smcap">No Moss.</span></p>
+
+<p><b>FRANK NELSON SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated.
+3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Snowed Up.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank in the Forecastle.</span> <span class="smcap">Boy Traders.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>BOY TRAPPER SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated.
+3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Buried Treasure; or, Old Jordan's Haunt.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">The Boy Trapper; or, How Dave Filled the Order.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">The Mail-Carrier.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>ROUGHING IT SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated.
+16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">George in Camp.</span></p>
+
+<hr class="d2" />
+
+<p class="pc mid"><i><b>Other Volumes in Preparation.</b></i></p>
+
+<hr class="d1" />
+
+<p class="pc reduct">
+Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876 by<br />
+R. W. CARROLL &amp; CO.,<br />
+in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4">CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+<hr class="d2" />
+
+<table id="toc" summary="ont">
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER I.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">A Backwoodsman's Ideas</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c5">Page 5</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER II.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">"Man Overboard"</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c24">24</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER III.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">A Sea Lawyer</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c41">41</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER IV.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">"Shanghaied"</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c61">61</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER V.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">The Trapper's Adventure</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c82">82</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER VI.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">A Scamp on his Dignity</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c99">99</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER VII.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Too late</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c118">118</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER VIII.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Gentleman Black</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c141">141</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER IX.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">"There she Blows"</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c159">159</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER X.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Frank's first Whale</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c178">178</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XI.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Cutting In and Trying Out</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c198">198</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XII.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">How Frank saw the Consul</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c218">218</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XIII.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Turned Adrift</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c241">241</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XIV.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Old Times Revived</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c262">262</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XV.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Frank on the Quarter-deck</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c285">285</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XVI.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Conclusion</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c310">310</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+</table>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p class="pc4 elarge">FRANK NELSON</p>
+
+<p class="pc1 xlarge">IN THE FORECASTLE;</p>
+
+<p class="pc2 reduct">OR, THE</p>
+
+<p class="pc1 large">SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE WHALERS.</p>
+
+<hr class="d2" />
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c5" id="c5">CHAPTER I.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">A BACKWOODSMAN'S IDEAS.</p>
+
+
+<p class="drop-cap00">"I DECLARE this is almost like coming into another
+world, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I, for one, am glad to get back. I
+like a good horse, and no one enjoys a few days'
+shooting and fishing better than I do; but when I
+get tired of the saddle and the woods, I like to see
+the blue water and feel the solid planks of a yacht's
+deck under my feet once more. We had a good
+time though, in spite of all our adventures and mishaps."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We certainly did. I am like Perk, who, after
+he had been down into the Cave of the Winds, under
+Niagara Falls, said he would do it again for no
+money, but seeing that he <i>had</i> been down, he would
+not sell his experience at any price. I couldn't be
+hired to make that same trip to Fort Bolton again&mdash;being
+"snowed up" was the worst part of it to me&mdash;but
+since it is all over and we are safely out of it, I
+am glad we went."</p>
+
+<p>This was a portion of the conversation carried on
+by our friends Archie, Fred and Eugene, as they
+sat in the main-cross-trees of the Stranger, swinging
+their feet in the air and looking out over the shipping
+anchored off North Point Dock, in the harbor
+of San Francisco. They had only just arrived that
+day, their trip across the mountains being happily
+ended. They had discarded the half-savage, half-civilized
+costumes they had worn during their sojourn
+in the wilderness and substituted pea-jackets
+for their hunting-shirts, light shoes for their high-top
+boots, and natty tarpaulins for their slouch hats.
+They looked as though they had just come out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>
+some lady's band-box, and one and all declared that
+it was most refreshing to find themselves dressed up
+like white folks once more.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing these three uneasy youngsters did
+after they had donned their "shore clothes," and put
+the suits they had worn in the mountains carefully
+away in their trunks for safe-keeping, was to run all
+over the vessel, looking into every locker and corner,
+just as they had done when they first saw her on
+the stocks at New Orleans, and the next to mount to
+the cross-trees to survey the harbor. Here they had
+sat for half an hour, enjoying the prospect spread
+out before them, and talking over their recent adventures
+and exploits. The other members of the Club,
+Walter, Frank Nelson, George Le Dell and the rest,
+were seated on the quarter-deck with Uncle Dick,
+talking to Dick Lewis and old Bob Kelly.</p>
+
+<p>Dick and Bob were objects of great interest to
+the sailors who composed the Stranger's crew. They
+stared at everything with wide-open eyes, and were
+as much out of place on the schooner's deck as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>
+jolly tars would have been in the mountains from
+which the backwoodsmen had just arrived.</p>
+
+<p>The Club had had a varied and eventful experience
+during the comparatively short time that they
+had been absent from the Stranger, and even now
+the hearts of some of them would beat a trifle faster
+whenever they thought of what they had passed
+through. Walter drew a long breath every time he
+recalled his experience in Potter's rancho; Fred
+and Eugene shivered and drew their collars up
+around their ears when they thought of the sight
+presented to their gaze on the day they set out from
+their camp under the cliffs, to show the Pike and his
+family the way to Fort Bolton, and imagined that
+they could see the air filled with driving snow, and
+could hear the roaring of the wind as it swept the
+prairie, just as they had seen it and heard it on that
+long-to-be-remembered afternoon. Archie grew excited
+and elated whenever he thought of the way he
+had captured the wild horse, and then exasperated
+when he remembered how he had lost him before he
+had had a chance to try even one race with his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>
+cousin. Frank shrugged his shoulders when any of
+his companions called him "Chinny Billy," as they
+often did, and thanked his lucky stars that he was
+well out of the predicament which the genuine
+Chinny Billy had so nearly got him into, when he
+denounced him as an impostor and spy in the presence
+of all the members of Potter's gang; and even
+Uncle Dick Gaylord, hardened as he was by a long
+life of adventure, did not like to recall the feelings
+of anxiety and suspense that he had experienced on
+more than one occasion, during the journey to
+Bolton and back. The two trappers were probably
+the only ones in the party for whom the last few
+months had no especial interest. Their lives were
+made up of just such scenes and incidents, and they
+never thought of them again, unless something
+happened to bring them vividly to their recollection.</p>
+
+<p>The last night that the friends passed at Fort
+Bolton was given up to enjoyment. The colonel
+and major entertained Uncle Dick at their quarters,
+and the younger officers took charge of the boys.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>
+After supper it was noticed that some of the officers
+and their guests distributed themselves in little
+groups about the room, that the members of each
+group carried on a very earnest conversation in a
+low tone of voice, and that various little keepsakes
+were passed from one to the other, which each
+promised to preserve in remembrance of the giver.
+The gifts that passed between Frank and Lieutenant
+Gaylord were the most valuable of any. These two
+young fellows had been fast friends and almost
+constant companions ever since the night on which
+the lieutenant recaptured Dick Lewis after his
+flight from the guard house, and arrested Frank for
+assisting him to make his escape. Frank had something
+he knew the lieutenant wanted, and that was
+the splendid horse which Potter had given him.
+Frank could not take the animal around the world
+with him, and besides he was already the happy
+owner of a steed which was just as handsome and
+swift, and which held a much higher place in his
+affections. That was Roderick. It was Uncle
+Dick's intention to travel on horseback until the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>
+party reached a point from which they could continue
+their journey by stage or railroad, and then
+sell off their stock&mdash;their wagon, which would have
+been an almost useless encumbrance to them, now
+that the roads were blocked with snow, having been
+exchanged for pack mules&mdash;Frank would then have
+no further use for his horse, so he offered him to the
+lieutenant, who was glad to accept him.</p>
+
+<p>The journey to San Francisco was made without
+the occurrence of any exciting or noteworthy incidents.
+Among them all they managed to shoot a
+few black-tails, and one grizzly bear, whose skin and
+claws were preserved by the old members of the
+Club as trophies. They found the snow fully as
+deep as they expected, the travelling difficult, and
+the weather extremely cold; but their progress was
+steady, although slow, until they reached the railroad,
+and then in a few hours they found themselves
+in an almost tropical climate.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached the railroad, Dick and Old
+Bob would have taken leave of them, but the boys
+would not listen to it. They were determined that,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+if they could have their own way, the trappers
+should remain with them for a long time to come.
+They owed much to these two men, and as they
+could not repay them in any other way, they would
+take them around the world, introducing them to
+scenes and people of which they had never dreamed.
+Of course this idea originated with rattle-brained
+Eugene Gaylord, and Uncle Dick, who could not
+find it in his heart to refuse his nephews anything
+they asked for, consented to the arrangement,
+though not without a good deal of grumbling.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll only be in the way, Eugene," said the
+old sailor. "They just fit the mountains and the
+prairie&mdash;they were made for them; but how will
+they look on the deck of the Stranger? There
+isn't room enough aboard our little craft for that
+giant, Louis."</p>
+
+<p>"O, Uncle, there are two or three empty bunks
+in the forecastle, and they can sleep there as well
+as not," replied Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>"But they will be so uneasy that they'll not
+enjoy themselves in the least," continued Uncle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
+Dick. "They will be frightened to death when
+they find themselves out of sight of land, and the
+men will be playing tricks on them all the while."</p>
+
+<p>"But the men mustn't play tricks on them. We
+won't let them; and besides it would be dangerous.
+As for being out of sight of land, that need not
+trouble them. They'll not be in half as much danger
+as they were while they were with Potter's
+gang. Then think of the fun we'll have, Uncle!
+Didn't you notice how they opened their eyes the
+other night when Bab was telling them of the
+elephants we expect to see in India?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well! do as you please," said the old
+sailor. "If they are foolish enough to go, I shall
+have a fine time of it among you all; I can see
+that plainly." And then he turned away to hunt
+up Frank Nelson, to whom he always went when
+he had anything on his mind.</p>
+
+<p>Eugene having gained his point went straight to
+Archie and Fred, who declared that it was the best
+thing they ever heard of. The matter was laid
+before the trappers with as little delay as possible,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+and the proposition almost took their breath away.
+They opened their mouths and eyes and looked
+wonderingly at each other, but said nothing. Archie
+thought that was enough for one day, and although
+his friends wanted an immediate answer, he succeeded
+in inducing them to retire and leave the
+trappers to themselves. He thought it best to give
+them leisure to turn the matter over in their minds
+(it seemed to be more than they could grasp at
+once) and go to them for an answer at some future
+time.</p>
+
+<p>Dick and old Bob seemed to grow timid as they
+approached the confines of civilization, but they
+were coaxed on board the train, and when the party
+reached San Francisco, they were taken off to the
+Stranger. The matter of the voyage around the
+world had been brought for up discussion a few times,
+but Dick had found his tongue at last, and declared
+that it was not to be thought of. The boys knew
+better than to press the subject, and hoped that
+time would accomplish what arguments could never
+do. A few hours on board the Stranger in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+harbor, where vessels were constantly coming and
+going, might increase their confidence, while it
+familiarized them in some slight degree with life on
+ship-board, and perhaps they could then be induced
+to change their minds. Archie had tried to persuade
+Dick to follow him and his companions to the cross-trees;
+but the trapper, after glancing down at his
+colossal proportions, and then up at the ratlines,
+which looked no larger than so many threads, declared
+that the ropes wouldn't bear his weight, and
+remained below.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, this feels natural!" exclaimed Featherweight
+swinging back and forth on his dizzy perch
+with such apparent recklessness that Dick Lewis,
+who now and then looked up at him, fairly shook in
+his moccasins; "and I am ready for new adventures
+and new sights beyond the seas. Our fellows
+can say, what the books tell us comparatively few
+American travellers can say, and that is, we have
+seen the most of the wonders of our own country.
+I never expect to see anything grander than the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
+Yo Semite Valley. I wonder how long it will be
+before Uncle Dick will hoist the signal for sailing?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just as soon as the stores are aboard," said
+Eugene. "We may get off to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Will Dick and Bob go with us?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Archie. "We might as well give
+that up. And since I have come to think of it, I
+don't want them to go unless they are perfectly
+willing to do so."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I," said Eugene. "If it frightens them so
+badly to travel on a railroad train, what would be
+their feelings when they found the schooner tossing
+about on such waves as we saw coming around the
+Horn? I shall urge them no more."</p>
+
+<p>"They have been talking to Frank about it,"
+continued Fred. "They always go to him and
+believe every word he says&mdash;that is, almost every
+word."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! yes; I was going to put that in," said
+Archie. "They don't like to believe that the
+world is round. They don't say so with their
+mouths, but they do with their eyes."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And they don't know what to think about elephants
+as large as that house of Potter's, and lions
+and tigers, and snakes twenty feet long," said
+Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"And a whale bothers them," chimed in Eugene;
+"and Dick laughed the other day when I told him
+about a flying-fish."</p>
+
+<p>"What's going on down there?" asked Archie,
+as the sound of voices in animated conversation
+came up from the deck.</p>
+
+<p>The boys looked below and saw that the group,
+which they had last seen scattered over the quarter-deck,
+were gathered about Dick Lewis, who appeared
+to be making them a speech. Now and then he
+illustrated his remarks by pointing to something he
+had placed at his feet; but the boys could not see
+what it was, for the Club were crowded about it and
+hid it from view. They were missing something,
+that was evident; but they did not intend to miss
+any more of it, and it was but the work of a few
+seconds to swing themselves out of the crosstrees
+on to the ratlines, and descend to the deck. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+ran up to the group, and found that the object over
+which the trapper was holding forth was simply a
+mess-pan filled with water.</p>
+
+<p>"Them stories you've been a tellin' seems wonderful
+to me an' ole Bob, who never heard the like
+afore," Dick was saying as the boys came up.
+"We don't conspute 'em, 'cause bein' unedicated
+men, we never had no book larnin', an' don't know
+nothing outside the mountains an' the prairy. Now,
+you tell me that thar's three times as much water
+on the 'arth as thar is ground; that you're goin' to
+start from Fr'isco an' sail clean around it in this
+yere little boat, an' that if me an' ole Bob'll go
+with you, we won't even know that we're sailing
+round the world. Won't we know when we come to
+the edge?"</p>
+
+<p>"There isn't any edge to it," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Sho! Thar can't help bein' an edge if the
+world is round, can thar? This yere," said Dick,
+pointing to the pan of water, "is the sea; an' this
+yere," he continued, fumbling in the pockets of his
+hunting shirt, "is the 'arth."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he drew out a piece of hard tack,
+which he had rudely shaped with his knife to represent
+his idea of the rotundity of the earth. The
+corners were cut off, making the biscuit nearly
+round, and there was a piece clipped out of the side
+of it, in shape something like a bottle with a very
+short neck and wide body, to represent the Golden
+Gate and the harbor of San Francisco. This miniature
+world Dick placed in the middle of the pan of
+water, and then straightened up and looked triumphantly
+at his audience. Eugene glanced at it,
+choked back a laugh and then rushed off to find the
+steward, while the trapper went on with his illustration.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, thar's the 'arth," said he, placing his
+finger on the biscuit, "flat like a pan-cake, as anybody
+can see it is, that's ever been out on the prairy,
+an' round like <i>you</i> say it is. Here is the sea all
+around it, an' here's Fr'isco. Now, after you go
+out of the Golden Gate an' start to sail round the
+'arth," said Dick, moving his long finger through
+the water around the biscuit, "can't you see the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>
+edge all the way round? I can understand that,
+which wasn't so very plain to me a few days ago,
+but now comes something I can't see into. You say
+the 'arth turns over onct every day, but that don't
+by no means stand to reason, 'cause jest see what
+would happen,"&mdash;he went on, placing his finger
+under the biscuit and raising one edge of it out of
+the water. "If it turned over, one side of it would
+keep gettin' higher an' higher all the time, an'
+finally the houses, an' trees, an' mountains, an' folks
+would get to slidin' an' slidin', an' when they come
+to the edge, they'd all slip off into the water; an'
+when the 'arth turned <i>cl'ar</i> over"&mdash;here he flopped
+the biscuit up side down in the pan&mdash;"whar would
+we all be?"</p>
+
+<p>None of his auditors had attempted to interrupt
+the trapper, and the reason was because there was
+not one among them who could trust himself to
+speak, not even Uncle Dick. Believing from their
+silence that he had got the better of all of them,
+the trapper said he was more firmly convinced than
+he had ever been before, that all the learning in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+world was not to be found in books, and was about
+to throw the contents of his mess-pan over the side,
+when Eugene came elbowing his way into the group,
+carrying an apple in one hand and a small magnet in
+the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Dick," said he, "let me talk a minute.
+You haven't quite got the idea. In the first place,
+that piece of hard tack doesn't represent the shape
+of the earth, but this apple does, pretty nearly.
+In the next place, the globe doesn't revolve through
+water, for the water forms part of the earth and
+turns with it."</p>
+
+<p>"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper. "It would all
+spill out."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on a minute, and I'll show you that it
+can't spill out. The world revolves through the
+air. Don't you fellows criticise now," continued
+Eugene, turning to his companions. "If, when I
+get through, you want to explain that the earth
+really revolves through space, and that the air goes
+with it, except such portions as are left behind and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+form the trade-winds, you are welcome to do it; but
+it is quite beyond me."</p>
+
+<p>Eugene handed the magnet to Archie to hold
+until he was ready to use it, and with the point of
+his knife rudely traced upon the apple the shape of
+the continents and the principal oceans. This
+done, he went on with his explanation, which was
+simply a repetition of what every boy learns when
+he first begins the study of geography. He
+described the motions of the earth as well as he
+could, and used the magnet to illustrate the attraction
+of gravitation. Dick listened attentively, and
+when Eugene finished, took the apple from his hand
+and looked at it with a great deal of interest. He
+turned it over several times, and appeared to be
+meditating upon something.</p>
+
+<p>"They're goin' to sail round the 'arth this way,"
+said he, moving his finger slowly around the circumference
+of the apple, and talking more to himself
+than to the boys standing about, "an' when they
+get around here"&mdash;he stopped and thought a
+moment, holding the end of his finger under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+apple&mdash;"when they get around here, they'll be&mdash;Human
+natur'!" he cried suddenly, as if frightened
+at the discovery he had made. "When you get
+around here, on the under side of the 'arth, you'll
+be walkin' with your heads downwards, won't you?
+Bob can do as he likes, but <i>I</i> won't go. Mebbe
+that little red hoss-shoe aint strong enough to hold
+the boat fast to the 'arth&mdash;don't look as if it was&mdash;an'
+some dark night she'll get to fallin' an' fallin'&mdash;Whew!
+I'm as near that place now as I want to be,
+an' I'm off fur the mountains to-morrow, bright an'
+'arly."</p>
+
+<p>Dick turned away, fairly trembling with excitement,
+and the boys scattered as if some one had
+suddenly sent a charge of bird-shot among them.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c24" id="c24">CHAPTER II.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">"MAN OVERBOARD."</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE trappers were badly frightened, there could
+be no doubt about that, and it was a spectacle
+the Club had never expected to witness. That
+these two men, who had time and again faced death
+in almost every shape in which he presents himself
+on shore, who had lived in the very midst of danger
+from their youth up, and who sought and delighted
+in perilous exploits, should be so nearly overcome
+with terror by hearing of things with which every
+schoolboy is familiar, was surprising; and there was
+something so ludicrous in the manner in which they
+exhibited their alarm, that the boys could scarcely
+restrain their laughter until they could get out of
+sight. Old Bob glared wildly about him, seemingly
+on the point of jumping overboard and swimming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+ashore, and Dick Lewis leaned against the
+rail, drawing his breath in quick gasps and looking
+altogether as if he did not yet fairly understand the
+startling discovery he had made. Uncle Dick Gaylord
+took one glance at him and then went to the
+stern and looked over into the water, while the boys
+dived down into the cabin and threw themselves into
+chairs, or leaned up in corners, holding their handkerchiefs
+over their mouths&mdash;all except Archie, who
+never could control himself when he wanted to
+laugh. He ran into his state-room, shut the door
+and buried his head in the pillows. The funny
+part of it was, that Dick should suppose, that those
+who attempted the reckless task of sailing around
+the world, should be obliged to take a magnet with
+them, in order to keep themselves and their vessel
+from falling off when they reached the "under side
+of the earth."</p>
+
+<p>At the end of five minutes Archie made an
+attempt to come out into the cabin, but he was still
+bubbling over with laughter, and the sight of him
+created a fresh explosion, and set Archie himself to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>
+going again at such a rate that he was obliged to
+go back. It is hard to tell how long it would have
+been before the boys could have controlled themselves
+sufficiently to talk the matter over, had it not
+been that a commotion which suddenly arose on
+deck, drew their attention to other affairs.</p>
+
+<p>"Fore rigging, there," exclaimed Uncle Dick.
+"What do you see?"</p>
+
+<p>"A man overboard, sir," replied the voice of the
+boatswain's mate. "He jumped off that whaler,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>"And he's swimming this way, sir," said another
+voice, "and making signals of distress."</p>
+
+<p>"Have the cutter called away, Mr. Baldwin,"
+said Uncle Dick, to his first mate, "and send a
+crew out to pick him up."</p>
+
+<p>The boys waited to hear no more. They crowded
+up the companion ladder with such haste that they
+ran some risk of sticking fast in the narrow passageway,
+and reached the deck just as the crew of the
+cutter were tumbling into their boat which lay along
+side moored to a swinging boom, man-of-war fashion.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Where is Mr. Parker?" said Uncle Dick, looking
+around for his second officer.</p>
+
+<p>"O, let me go in charge of the boat, Uncle,"
+exclaimed Eugene, snatching Fred's hat from his
+head, for he had left his own in the cabin.</p>
+
+<p>"Away you go, then," said the old sailor.
+"Don't let him sink before you reach him."</p>
+
+<p>"They're sending out a boat from the whaler,
+sir," said the foremast hand, who was at work in the
+forward rigging, and who had been the first to discover
+the man in the water.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he appear to be all right?"</p>
+
+<p>"O, yes, sir. He swims like a duck, but he's
+waving his hand to us."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on a minute, Eugene."</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick sprang upon the rail and supporting
+himself by the shrouds looked towards the man, and
+then toward the boat that was coming out to pick
+him up, while the boys, all except Eugene, who
+stood ready to take his place in the cutter at a moment's
+warning, swarmed up the rigging and looked
+on with no little interest. They saw at once that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>
+the man had no trouble in keeping afloat, for he
+swam over the waves as buoyantly as a cork. They
+saw, too, that he did not want to be overtaken by
+the whaler's boat, if he could help it, for he looked
+back at her occasionally to see if she was gaining
+on him, and then redoubled his efforts to reach the
+schooner.</p>
+
+<p>"He is trying to desert," said Uncle Dick,
+"and I think we had better have nothing to do
+with him."</p>
+
+<p>"Quartermaster, pass up that spy-glass," said
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The petty officer handed the instrument to
+Featherweight, who happened to be lowest in the
+shrouds, and he passed it to George Le Dell, who
+handed it up to Frank. The latter mounted to the
+crosstrees and levelled the glass at the swimmer.
+He held it to his eye for a few minutes, and then
+passing it back to George, said:</p>
+
+<p>"That man has either met with a severe accident,
+or been roughly handled. His face is bleeding."</p>
+
+<p>"Help! help!" cried a faint voice.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Go and pick him up," said Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"Shove off," commanded Eugene, before he was
+fairly seated in the stern-sheets of the cutter.
+"Remember, men, that you are racing with a whale-boat,
+and that you don't want to be beaten."</p>
+
+<p>The cutter swung around with her bow toward
+the swimmer, and propelled by eight strong oarsmen,
+who seemed to lift her fairly out of the water
+at every stroke, flew over the waves like a duck.
+A boat race was something in which Eugene took
+especial delight, but the one that came off that
+morning between the cutter and the whale-boat was
+not as exciting or as closely contested as he had
+hoped it would be. In fact it was no race at all;
+for when the officer, whoever he was, who had
+charge of the deck of the whaler, saw that the
+cutter was likely to reach the swimmer first, he
+hailed his boat, which turned around and went back.</p>
+
+<p>"In bow," commanded the coxswain of the
+cutter, who was sitting just behind Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>The two sailors who were seated in the bow raised
+their oars from the water, placed them on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>
+thwarts between them, and then one stood up with
+the boat-hook in his hand, while the other threw
+himself flat on his face and extended his arm out
+over the water.</p>
+
+<p>"Way enough! Toss, and stand by," said the
+coxswain.</p>
+
+<p>The other oars were all thrown up into the air at
+the same moment, laid upon the thwarts, and every
+man leaned over the side to be ready to seize the
+swimmer as the cutter moved past him. She
+retained steerage-way enough to carry her within a
+few feet of him, and then the coxswain, with one
+movement of the tiller, turned the bow aside, and
+the boat-hook was thrust out within reach of his
+hands. It was a matter of some difficulty to haul
+the rescued man aboard, for he was too nearly
+exhausted to help himself, and his clothing, being
+thoroughly saturated with water, was as heavy as
+so much lead. Besides, his forehead was badly cut
+and bruised, and no doubt he was suffering from the
+hurt.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+     <img src="images/ill-030.jpg" width="400" height="277"
+         alt=""
+         title="" />
+     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">Rescuing the Deserter.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Did you fall overboard?" asked Eugene, after
+the man had been pulled into the boat and had
+taken his seat in the bow.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I jumped overboard on purpose."</p>
+
+<p>"You hit your head against something, didn't
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"The cap'n hit it for me, sir. It was a belaying
+pin that made that mark."</p>
+
+<p>Eugene looked wonderingly at the coxswain, who
+nodded his head, as if to say that he didn't doubt it
+at all.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the officers aboard our vessel don't find it
+necessary to do such things," said Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>"But all vessels ain't like the Stranger, sir, nor
+are all shipmasters like Cap'n Gaylord," said the coxswain.
+"Do you s'pose there's a sailorman aboard
+of us that would do what this chap has done&mdash;try
+to desert? No, sir, you couldn't kick 'em off if
+you wanted to. When we get back to Bellville
+we'll have every man we brought away with us,
+unless some of 'em are in Davy's locker."</p>
+
+<p>The cutter was soon alongside the schooner, and
+the rescued man, by dint of hauling from above and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>
+pushing from below, was got upon the deck. He
+was a pitiable object when one came to look at him,
+and Uncle Dick's first order was: "Take him
+below, some of you, and give him something fit to
+put on. Be in a hurry about it."</p>
+
+<p>The sailors were only too glad to obey. They
+led the dripping man into the forecastle, from which
+he emerged a few minutes later with a clean face, a
+suit of dry clothes, and a handkerchief bound about
+his forehead. In his appearance, which was very
+much improved, he would have compared favorably
+with any of the seamen on board the Stranger, and
+they were the very best that Uncle Dick could find
+in the port of New Orleans. He had evidently had
+plenty of time to tell at least a portion of his story,
+for the faces of the sailors were as black as so many
+thunder clouds.</p>
+
+<p>The rescued man at once made his way aft, accompanied
+by the boatswain's mate, who, presuming for
+this once upon his captain's good-nature, and his
+own position as ranking petty officer on board the
+Stranger, took the liberty to go where he knew he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+had no right except he was in performance of his
+duties. The men saluted, removed their caps and
+waited for Uncle Dick to speak to them.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Lucas, what do you want here?" asked
+the old sailor.</p>
+
+<p>"I ax your pardon, cap'n, for coming on the
+quarter-deck at this time without an invite," replied
+the boatswain's mate, "but I just wanted to say to
+you, sir, that this man is black and blue from his
+head to his feet, so he is."</p>
+
+<p>"How did he get that way?" asked Uncle Dick,
+while the boys ranged themselves behind him so that
+they could hear all that passed, "and why is he
+trying to desert?"</p>
+
+<p>The mate stepped back and moved his hand
+toward the rescued man, as if to say that he would
+tell his own story, and the latter said:</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to desert my ship, cap'n. I am
+an able seaman, know my duty and am ready to do
+it, if I can only have plenty to eat and am allowed
+a wink of sleep now and then. I am trying to get
+ashore for protection ag'in' them tyrants aboard the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+Tycoon, and I hope you won't send me back to
+them, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Go on," said Uncle Dick. "What has happened
+aboard that ship?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is nearly two years out of Nantucket, on a
+whaling course, sir," said the man, "and there
+isn't a foremast hand aboard of her that she brought
+out with her. They've all deserted. She has to
+get a new crew at every port, and when she can't
+get 'em honest, she kidnaps 'em, sir. I shipped
+aboard of her, along with a lot of others, at Callao.
+We've been out only four months, and two of the
+men jumped overboard rather than stand the hard
+treatment they received. On the first day out the
+officers began on us and never let up. They kept
+us at work till we were ready to drop, brought us
+out of bed at night and made us walk the deck, and
+if we fell asleep as we walked, they knocked us
+down with a handspike or belaying-pin. They
+starved us almost to death, and then, because my
+boat's crew were too weak to save a whale we made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+fast to, they put us all in irons and pounded us with
+ropes' ends till we were insensible."</p>
+
+<p>This was only the introduction to the long story
+the man had to tell, and to which his auditors listened
+with breathless interest. According to his
+account, the Tycoon was a horrible place, and the
+cruelties that were practised by the officers upon the
+defenceless seamen, were shocking. The man certainly
+bore unmistakable evidence of brutal treatment,
+and added weight to his story by declaring
+that he was not only willing but anxious to meet his
+persecutors in a court of justice. Everybody who
+listened to him was indignant.</p>
+
+<p>"The men on board that vessel have a remedy in
+their own hands&mdash;two of them, if they only knew
+it," said Frank. "Why didn't they demand an
+interview with the American consul at the first port
+at which they touched?"</p>
+
+<p>"It wouldn't have done no good, sir," said the
+sailor. "The cap'n wouldn't never let 'em see him,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>"He couldn't help himself," returned Frank.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
+"The law compels him to allow his men to go
+ashore at every port at which the ship may touch
+to lay their complaints, if they have any, before
+our representative; or, if there is any good reason
+why the men cannot go ashore, the captain must
+bring the consul aboard to see them, if they demand
+it."</p>
+
+<p>If there was anything in which Frank was particularly
+well posted, it was the law governing the
+duties of consuls, as some of our representatives in
+foreign countries are called. The attorney with
+whom he had been studying in Lawrence, had political
+aspirations, and had at one time expected to be
+appointed consul for some port in the Mediterranean.
+If he had succeeded in his object Frank would have
+gone with him as assistant and clerk. He did not
+wish to accept any situation with whose duties and
+responsibilities he was not familiar, and in order to
+fit himself for it, he had obtained a copy of the
+Consular Regulations, which he had thoroughly
+mastered. It is a part of the consul's duty to care
+for destitute, discharged and deserting seamen, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
+stand between foremast hands and tyrannical officers,
+to protect officers from and punish mutinous sailors,
+and Frank knew the law bearing upon every case
+that could possibly arise.</p>
+
+<p>"The consul is obliged to listen to any and all
+complaints," continued Frank. "He measures
+them by the law bearing upon them, and he can
+discharge the crew on complaint of the officers, or
+he can discharge the officers themselves on a well-founded
+complaint from the crew."</p>
+
+<p>The sailors opened their eyes and looked at one
+another. They had never dreamed that they had
+so many rights, or that there was a law enacted on
+purpose to protect them.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the whale-boat came in sight again, rounding
+the stern of the Tycoon. She turned her bow
+toward the Stranger, and the quartermaster, after
+looking at her through his spy-glass, said there was
+a man in the stern-sheets dressed in gray. "That's
+the cap'n," exclaimed the deserter, in great alarm.
+"You won't let him take me back, sir?" he added,
+in a pleading voice.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I can't prevent your lawful captain from taking
+you wherever he may find you," answered Uncle
+Dick; "but hold on, now, till I get through," he
+added, as the man began to back toward the rail
+as if he were about to take to the water again. "I'll
+give you a chance to save yourself. Call away the
+cutter, Mr. Baldwin, and send this man ashore."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, cap'n, thank you," said the sailor
+gratefully, and with tears in his eyes. "A prosperous
+and pleasant voyage to you and your mates,
+sir. What shall I do when I get ashore, sir?" he
+continued, looking at Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Go to the nearest justice and take out a warrant
+against those officers for assault and battery," was
+the reply.</p>
+
+<p>The boatswain's mate and the rescued man looked
+as if they did not quite understand. "You must
+know, sir," said the latter, doubtfully, "that all
+this beating and pounding was done on the high
+seas."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what of it? When one man, without any
+provocation, handles another as roughly as you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>
+have been handled, he is answerable to the law, no
+matter whether the offence was committed on the
+high seas or on the land."</p>
+
+<p>"Come now, off you go, my man," said Uncle
+Dick. "The cutter is ready, and you've no time
+to lose. Yes, go with him and take charge of the
+boat, Lucas," he added, anticipating the request
+that the old boatswain's mate was about to make.</p>
+
+<p>"And whatever you do, don't let those blubber-hunters
+catch you," said Eugene, in a low voice.
+He wanted to say it aloud, so that the cutter's crew
+could hear it; but knowing that Uncle Dick did
+not allow any interference with his men, he checked
+himself just in time.</p>
+
+<p>The cutter's crew were all in their places, and
+there was a determined look on each man's face
+which said as plainly as words that the "blubber-hunters,"
+even if they succeeded in overhauling
+them&mdash;which was not at all unlikely, seeing that
+the whale-boat was built for speed, and was pulled
+by a crew who were kept in excellent training by
+almost daily practice at the oars&mdash;the deserter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>
+should never be taken from them. Uncle Dick
+seemed to read the thoughts that were passing
+through their minds, and as he looked at the sturdy
+fellows, who had thrown off their caps and rolled up
+their sleeves in preparation for a long, hard pull, he
+remarked to Frank that he would not care to be in
+that whale-boat if she succeeded in coming up with
+the cutter.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c41" id="c41">CHAPTER III.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">A SEA LAWYER.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE cutter's bow swung away from the schooner
+as soon as the boatswain's mate and the
+rescued man were fairly seated, the oars dropped
+into the water, and then began a race that promised
+to be as exciting as even Eugene could have wished
+it. The boys once more ran up the rigging, so that
+they could watch both contestants. The whale-boat
+certainly had the better crew, and, although she was
+propelled by only five oars to the cutter's eight, she
+seemed to move two feet to the other boat's one.
+Especially was this the case when the man in gray,
+who was standing in the stern-sheets holding the
+steering-oar, became aware of what was going on.
+As soon as he saw the cutter moving away from the
+Stranger he comprehended the situation, and giving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>
+utterance to some heavy adjectives, which by the
+time they came to the boys' ears sounded a good
+deal like oaths, ordered his crew to "Pick her up
+and run right along with her." They responded
+promptly, and sent their boat through the water at
+such a rate that Uncle Dick became uneasy at the
+prospect of a collision between her crew and the
+cutter's.</p>
+
+<p>"I shouldn't think there would be any danger,"
+said Frank. "There are eleven men in our boat,
+counting the deserter, and only six in his."</p>
+
+<p>"But there is no officer in our boat," said Uncle
+Dick, "and this man being a captain, will expect
+our crew to obey his orders. I am really afraid he
+will be disappointed."</p>
+
+<p>Frank, remembering the savage and determined
+expression he had seen on the face of every one of
+the cutter's crew, was quite sure he would be.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes the whale-boat came close
+aboard the schooner, and dashed by under her
+bows. Her captain was furious, his face showed
+that. He ran his eye over the men on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>
+Stranger's deck, and picking out Uncle Dick at
+once as the commanding officer, said, as he nodded
+his head to him&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Fine business you're in, sir! helping men to
+desert. If there is a law on shore I'll see you
+again, my good fellow!"</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick simply smiled and touched his hat,
+and the whale-boat passed on. As she was going
+by, the sailors enacted a little pantomime of their
+own. They had clambered out on the bowsprit to
+see the race, and when the captain of the whaler
+was through threatening Uncle Dick, they glanced
+toward the quarter-deck, to make sure that none of
+their officers were observing them, and then leaned
+over and shook their fists at the angry man. One
+of them hugged his cap under his arm and beat it
+furiously with his clenched hand, nodding pleasantly
+to the captain the while, as if to indicate that
+it would have afforded him infinite satisfaction if
+the captain's head had been in the place of the cap.
+The boys, from their lofty perch in the main rigging,
+saw all that passed, and smiled at one another,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+but said nothing; for they knew that if the performance
+came to the ears of Uncle Dick, who was a
+very strict disciplinarian, every one of the sailors
+who took part in it would be sent to the mast.</p>
+
+<p class="pbq p1">[The "mast" is to a sailor on board ship, what the
+"library" is to a refractory boy on shore. It is there that
+culprits are sent to be reprimanded, if their offence be a
+slight one, or sentenced if they have done something deserving
+of punishment.]</p>
+
+<p class="p1">Although he might laugh over it afterward in the
+privacy of his cabin, he was not the one to pass
+lightly over an insult to a shipmaster when in performance
+of his duty, no matter how great the
+provocation.</p>
+
+<p>All this while the cutter's crew had been exceedingly
+busy, and now loud calls were heard from the
+boys on the cross-trees for their field-glasses. They
+did not want to miss a single incident of the race.
+Frank, who up to this time had remained below with
+Uncle Dick, went into the cabin after the glasses,
+and mounting the rigging, joined the group on the
+cross-trees. "Who's ahead?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"O, the cutter," replied George Le Dell. "There
+is more in that crew than I thought. They'll land
+their man safe enough."</p>
+
+<p>And George was right. The cutter reached the
+wharf while the whale-boat was yet twenty yards
+away, and no sooner did she swing broadside to it
+than the deserter was lifted in the strong arms of
+the coxswain and boatswain's mate and fairly thrown
+ashore. He jumped to his feet and disappeared in
+less time than it takes to tell it. A few seconds
+later the whale-boat landed and the captain sprang
+out and started in pursuit, not, however, without
+saying a few words to the cutter's crew, which he
+emphasized by shaking his fist at them. If any of
+the men replied, our young friends at the cross-trees
+saw nothing to indicate it.</p>
+
+<p>The sailors pulled back slowly, for their long,
+hard pull had wearied them, and when they reached
+the schooner and clambered over the side, the boys
+saw that their faces were flushed, and that some
+portions of their clothes looked as though they had
+been dipped in the bay. The boatswain's mate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>
+went aft demurely enough to report the safe return
+of the boat, but when he made his way forward
+again, and glanced up at the boys, with whom he
+was an especial favorite, they saw that his jolly
+countenance was wreathed with smiles, and that his
+broad shoulders were shaking with suppressed mirth.
+He and the cutter's crew were proud of the exploit
+they had performed. The fun and excitement
+being all over now, the boys seated themselves in a
+circle on the cross-trees to discuss the incidents
+that had just transpired.</p>
+
+<p>"Now just listen to me a moment, Frank, and
+I'll ask you a question," said Perk. "Can that
+brutal fellow do anything to Uncle Dick for assisting
+his man to escape?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you should see me assaulted by ruffians who
+were getting the better of me, and should rescue me
+from their clutches, could they do anything to you
+in law?" asked Frank, in reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not."</p>
+
+<p>"The same law holds good on the sea. Some
+people have a very mistaken idea of things. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+insist on a landsman's right of self-defence, but
+deny the same to a sailor. Even sailors themselves
+think that because they follow the sea for a livelihood,
+they are debarred from exercising the very
+first law of our nature."</p>
+
+<p>"Hear! hear!" cried Archie.</p>
+
+<p>"Silence in the court-room!" exclaimed Featherweight,
+assuming a fierce frown. "Hurrah for free
+trade and sailors' rights, the motto on&mdash;on&mdash;somebody's
+flag! Proceed, brother Nelson. State the
+case to the jury."</p>
+
+<p>Frank laughed as heartily as the rest for a few
+minutes, and continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Sailors know that resistance to an officer, or
+even an attempt to spread dissatisfaction among the
+crew of a vessel, is called mutiny; and they know,
+too, that men have been hanged in the American
+navy for that very offence."</p>
+
+<p>"See Cooper's Naval History for an account of
+the mutiny on board the United States brig-of-war
+Somers, in 1842," said Bab.</p>
+
+<p>"That was the very circumstance I had in my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+mind," returned Frank. "Sailors know all this, as I
+was saying, and consequently they are afraid to call
+their souls their own. They suffer in silence, unless
+they are driven to commit suicide during the voyage,
+and when they get ashore forget it all, or make a
+feeble attempt to punish their tyrants by process of
+law, but they soon give it up, for at the very outset
+they find an insurmountable obstacle in their way.
+Before they can convict they must prove three
+things&mdash;that the punishment they received was cruel
+and unusual; that it was inflicted without any just
+cause; and that the occasion of it was malice, hatred,
+or a desire for revenge on the part of the officer who
+punished them. Now, no living being can prove
+this last accusation against another, for in order to
+do it he must be able to read his fellow-men as he
+would an open book, and see what is passing in their
+minds; and even that would do him no good unless
+he possessed the power to make the judge and jury
+who try the case see the matter just as he does."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose this deserter could prove his complaints<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>
+against the master of that whaler," said Walter;
+"what would be the penalty?"</p>
+
+<p>"One thousand dollars fine and five years in the
+state prison."</p>
+
+<p>"And I hope he will get it all," said Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if it is so hard for a seaman to obtain
+satisfaction at law, what ought he to do when he is
+abused at sea?" asked Bab. "I understood you to
+say he had two remedies, and you have given only
+one."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, there is another," said Frank. "He and
+his companions ought to club together, take the ship
+out of the hands of her officers, confine them in the
+cabin, and make for the nearest port, if they are
+navigators enough to find their way there."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," exclaimed Archie, "and swing for it the
+moment they reach the shore."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. The case has been tried in the courts
+more than once, and would be tried oftener if sailors
+only knew their rights. As far as any risk I might
+run is concerned, I would not be afraid to belong to
+such a crew and take part in just such a proceeding."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't want you to get into any such
+scrape," said Archie; "I should never expect to see
+you again."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no desire to win notoriety as a mutineer,
+I assure you," replied Frank, with a laugh. "As
+his Honor remarked"&mdash;here he waved his hand
+towards Featherweight, who bowed gravely&mdash;"I was
+only discoursing on sailors' rights."</p>
+
+<p>"There," said George, as the boatswain's whistle
+rang through the schooner, followed by the order,
+given in a very hoarse voice, "Away, you gigs,
+away!"&mdash;"the captain is going ashore. Hadn't we
+better go down and keep Dick Lewis and Bob company?
+The old fellows will be lonely."</p>
+
+<p>"That means business," said Eugene. "Uncle
+Dick is going ashore to see about the stores. It
+will not be long now before we take leave of Fr'isco."</p>
+
+<p>"And what will be our next port?" asked George.</p>
+
+<p>This was something that had not yet been decided,
+and if one might judge by what the boys said while
+they were descending to the deck, there was a prospect
+of a lively debate if the matter were left to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
+them. Eugene wanted to go straight to Alaska.
+Bab, who had lately been reading "Reindeer, Dogs
+and Snow-shoes," was in favor of that, provided they
+could afterward go across to some port in Siberia
+and stay there long enough to see a little of the wild
+life in which he had been so much interested. Perk
+would agree to all that, in case they could stop on
+the way and give him a chance to try his hand at
+salmon-fishing in the tributaries of the Columbia
+river. Fred had seen quite enough of snow and ice,
+and thought he could have more sport in a warm
+country. He wanted to go to Japan. Walter said
+he was strongly in favor of that, for after they had
+seen all the sights in that country they would probably
+go to India, and that was what he wanted. He
+was impatient to ride on an elephant and see the
+famous Indian jugglers and serpent-charmers. Every
+boy wanted to go somewhere, but the trouble was
+that no two of them wanted to go to the same place;
+and Frank wondered how the matter would be decided.
+How astonished he would have been to know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+that the man in gray, who had just gone by in the
+whale-boat, was destined to decide it for them!</p>
+
+<p>The boys spent the rest of the day in company
+with the trappers. Nothing more was said on the
+subject which had for a long time been uppermost
+in their minds, for the tone in which Dick's answer
+had been given satisfied them that it was final.
+The boys were all sorry, for they had become
+greatly attached to these two good-natured, ignorant
+fellows. They had been of great service to them&mdash;beyond
+a doubt they had saved Walter's life&mdash;and
+they could not but miss them when they were
+gone. The cousins especially would have been
+glad to postpone the parting moment had they
+possessed the power. It was not at all likely that
+they would ever see the mountains or the prairie
+again, and even if they did, the chances that they
+would find their old friends, the trappers, were not
+one in a thousand. Their meeting with them had
+been purely accidental this time, and it was not
+probable that such a combination of circumstances
+would ever occur again.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>About supper-time Uncle Dick returned and
+reported that all arrangements had been made.
+The schooner was to be hauled alongside the dock
+in the morning, and they would go out with the
+turn of the tide. Where were they going? He
+didn't care. The world was before them, and when
+the boys had made up their minds what portion of
+it they wanted to see first, they could come to him
+with their decision. He wasn't going to bother his
+head about it, for he had other matters to think of.
+Eight o'clock the next evening would see the
+Stranger under way, and if the boys had any business
+ashore they had better attend to it the first
+thing in the morning.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick retired at an early hour, as he
+always did, and the boys had the quarter-deck all
+to themselves until eleven o'clock&mdash;or rather they
+had it in company with the second mate and the
+quartermaster on watch. A few "primary meetings"
+had been held immediately after supper, but
+they amounted to nothing. Each boy knew upon
+whom he could rely to second any motion he might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>
+make, but he was not so certain of the number of
+votes he could raise in support of it. During the
+two hours' conversation that took place after Uncle
+Dick went to bed, Fred Craven arose six times&mdash;that
+is, once every twenty minutes&mdash;and said
+gravely,</p>
+
+<p>"I move you, Mr. President, that the captain of
+this schooner be requested to take her directly to
+some port in Japan."</p>
+
+<p>"I second the motion," said Frank, who was
+speaking for Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen, you have heard the motion," said
+Walter. "Are you ready for the question?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. President," said Eugene, "I move to
+amend by striking out Japan and substituting
+Alaska."</p>
+
+<p>"Second the motion," said Bab.</p>
+
+<p>"You have heard the amendment. Are you
+ready to take action upon it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Now just listen to me a minute, Mr. President,
+and I'll tell you what's a fact," said Perk. "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>
+move to amend by striking out Alaska and substituting
+Astoria in Oregon."</p>
+
+<p>"I second the motion," said George, who, being
+a devoted disciple of old Izaac Walton, was as fond
+of fishing as he was of sailing.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. President," said Archie, "I move to
+amend&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"The gentleman is out of order. An amendment
+to an amendment is proper, but not an amendment
+of an amendment to an amendment."</p>
+
+<p>When affairs reached this pass a hearty roar of
+laughter would come up through the open cabin
+windows, showing that there was an interested and
+amused listener in the person of Uncle Dick, who
+having gone to bed, leaving his state-room door ajar,
+could hear all that was said. Then speeches were
+made, some long and others witty, and all showing
+the training the boys had received in their debating
+societies. Eugene was particularly long-winded.
+According to Featherweight "he talked all manner
+of what," and spouted away on subjects that had
+not the slightest connection with the question under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>
+discussion. He talked eloquently about the American
+eagle, the war of 1812, and the stars and stripes,
+and dwelt long on the rights of sailors and other
+free-born citizens. He said afterward that if he
+couldn't gain his point any other way, he would
+tire his audience out, and compel them to vote for
+his amendment just to get rid of him. But the
+boys listened patiently and without once interrupting
+him, except by applause when he grew particularly
+eloquent, and the young orator finally tired
+himself out and took his seat in disgust. Everything
+was voted down; so they were no nearer a
+decision than they were before. There was one
+point, however, on which they were all agreed when
+the meeting broke up at eleven o'clock, and that
+was, that they had enjoyed themselves, and that
+their jaws and sides would be sure to ache for a
+week to come.</p>
+
+<p>During the afternoon the boys had held a consultation
+with the boatswain's mate, who had promised
+to take the trappers under his especial charge during
+the night, and to report the first man who attempted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>
+to play any tricks upon them. After the meeting
+broke up the boys went forward with their friends
+to see them safely stowed away in the forecastle.
+The sailors were all up and waiting for them&mdash;not
+a man had yet turned in. The best bunks in the
+forecastle had been given up for their use, and the
+beds that were made up in them would have looked
+very inviting to almost anybody except our two backwoodsmen.
+Having been all their lives accustomed
+to sleeping on the hard ground, with nothing but a
+blanket or the spreading branches of some friendly
+tree for protection, they wanted plenty of air and
+elbow-room. They hesitated when they looked into
+the little forecastle, and drew back and shook their
+heads when invited to enter. Archie finally effected
+a compromise by bringing up a couple of blankets
+and spreading them on the deck near the windlass.
+This being perfectly satisfactory, the boys bade the
+trappers good-night, and went away, leaving them
+to the tender mercies of the sailors.</p>
+
+<p>There was not much sleeping done among those
+foremast hands that night. They did not play any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
+tricks upon their guests&mdash;indeed there were not
+many among them who would have had the hardihood
+to attempt it, after taking a good look at the
+stalwart fellows&mdash;but they crammed them "chock-a-block"
+with such wild stories of the sea that the
+trappers grew more alarmed than ever, and wondered
+greatly at the recklessness of the men who would
+willingly encounter such dangers. They told about
+mermaids, sea-dragons and serpents; of Vanderdecker's
+ghostly ship, the Flying Dutchman, which
+was rushing about the ocean with the speed of a
+railroad train, running down and sinking every craft
+that came in her way; of monstrous cuttle-fish which
+would sometimes arise suddenly out of the depths,
+and twining their long arms about a ship, sink with
+it and all the crew to the bottom; and one of the
+men declared that he had actually met and been
+swallowed by the same whale that took Jonah in out
+of the wet, hundreds and thousands of years before,
+and to prove it, exhibited the tobacco-box which had
+dropped out of Jonah's pocket when the whale threw
+him ashore. This is a staple forecastle yarn, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+every one who has had an hour's conversation with
+a sailor, has probably heard it; but it was new to
+the trappers, who listened with all their ears and
+with unmistakable signs of terror on their faces.
+The simple-hearted fellows believed every word, and
+when the conversation lagged for a moment, spoke
+of the magnet Eugene had shown them, and the use
+for which they supposed it was intended.</p>
+
+<p>This started the sailors on a new tack, and the
+stories that followed were more wonderful than those
+which had just been told. There was not a sailor
+on board the Stranger who had not seen some unlucky
+vessel tumble off the under side of the earth,
+her magnet proving too weak to sustain her weight;
+and there were two or three who had belonged to the
+crews of those very vessels, and who had been saved
+by a miracle.</p>
+
+<p>The night was passed in this way, and it was
+daylight before the trappers lay down on their
+blankets to rest, but not to sleep. They could not
+sleep after hearing of such wonderful adventures and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>
+talking face to face with the men who had taken
+part in them. If they had not already made up
+their minds to lose no time in seeking safety among
+their native mountains, they would have done so
+now.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c61" id="c61">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pc">"SHANGHAIED."</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE morning broke bright and clear, and all
+hands were astir at an early hour. The first
+thing was to hoist the anchor and haul the schooner
+alongside the dock. This being done, breakfast was
+served, and the boys having put on their shore-clothes,
+started out to take a good look at the city
+which they might never see again, and to make purchases
+of various articles they needed. Fred and
+Eugene each wanted a rifle and a brace of revolvers,
+their own weapons having been stolen from them by
+the hunters who robbed the Pike. Some of the
+others needed a few articles of clothing, and Frank's
+Maynard required some repairs. They set out together,
+but before an hour had passed, were scattered
+all over the city. Fred, Archie and Eugene<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>
+hired a carriage and went for a ride, taking old Bob
+with them, while Dick Lewis stuck close to Frank
+and Walter. Knowing that the time for parting
+was not far distant, he did not seem willing to allow
+them out of his sight.</p>
+
+<p>A few years before men like Dick were often met
+with in the streets of the city; but now a genuine
+trapper was not seen every day, and he created
+something of a sensation wherever he went. Almost
+every one he met stared at him and turned to look
+at him after he had passed; and Dick, finally becoming
+nettled by the interest and curiosity his appearance
+excited, begged the boys to take him back
+to the schooner and leave him there. He would
+stay on board until she was ready to sail, he said,
+and then he and Bob would bid a long farewell to
+civilization, and make the best of their way back to
+Fort Bolton. He hoped that neither of them would
+ever see a paved street or a brick house again.</p>
+
+<p>At six o'clock in the evening the boys, and the
+few sailors who had been allowed shore liberty, began
+to retrace their steps toward the dock where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>
+the Stranger was lying. At seven they were all on
+board except two&mdash;Lucas, the boatswain's mate, and
+Barton, the coxswain of the cutter. These men
+had not been seen since noon, and they were to have
+been back at three o'clock. Preparations were
+already being made for getting under way, and
+Uncle Dick began to grow impatient. "I don't
+see what keeps those fellows," said he to Frank.
+"I have always found them trustworthy, and I hope
+they will not fail me now."</p>
+
+<p>"I must go ashore again after my rifle, you know,"
+replied Frank&mdash;"it was to be done at half-past
+seven&mdash;and I'll go along the dock and keep an eye
+out for them."</p>
+
+<p>"All right. Hurry them up, if you see them,
+and be sure that you are in time yourself."</p>
+
+<p>Frank went ashore accompanied by the trapper&mdash;Dick
+was not afraid of attracting so much attention
+now that it was growing dark&mdash;and hurried
+away toward the gunsmith's. He followed the
+wharves as long as they led him in the direction he
+wanted to go, looking everywhere for the missing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+sailors, but without finding them. The actions of
+himself and his companion attracted the attention of
+two men, who were walking along the dock behind
+them. They watched them for some time, and then,
+after whispering together a few minutes, one of
+them came up and tapped Frank on the shoulder.
+"Who are you looking for?" said he.</p>
+
+<p>Frank turned and fastening his eyes on the man
+took a good survey of him before he answered. He
+was a flashily-dressed person, with a sneaking, hang-dog
+cast of countenance, and the grimy hand he
+placed upon Frank's shoulder, and which the latter
+promptly shook off, was heavily loaded with bogus
+jewelry.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be quite so familiar, if you please!" said
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Beg pardon," said the man, stepping back and
+straightening up his battered plug hat which he had
+thus far worn cocked over his left ear. "I thought
+you belonged to the Stranger."</p>
+
+<p>"And what if I do?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I thought maybe you were looking for them two
+men."</p>
+
+<p>"What two men?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, one of 'em is a short, thick-set fellow, and
+carries a silver whistle in the breast pocket of his
+shirt. The other is tall and slender, wears some
+kind of a badge on his arm&mdash;a petty officer's badge
+I took it to be&mdash;and has light hair and whiskers."</p>
+
+<p>The man gave an accurate description of the
+missing sailors of whom Frank was in search. No
+doubt they had got into trouble and found their way
+into some station-house; and this fellow was some
+little pettifogger, who hoped to make a few dollars
+by helping them out.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought maybe you were looking for 'em,"
+continued the man, as he turned to go away;
+"but seeing you ain't, I am sorry I pestered you."</p>
+
+<p>"One moment, please," said Frank. "Where
+are these men now?"</p>
+
+<p>"They're aboard my ship."</p>
+
+<p>"O, you're a sailor, are you?" exclaimed Frank,
+again running his eye over the man, who looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>
+about as much like a sailor as Dick Lewis did.
+"What is the name of your ship, and where is she?"</p>
+
+<p>"She's the Sunrise, and she is at anchor out here
+in the bay."</p>
+
+<p>"How came our men aboard of her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see, they've got some friends and
+acquaintances among my crew, and when we were
+lying alongside the dock they came aboard to see
+them. While they were skylarking about, one of
+them, the boatswain, fell into the hold and broke his
+leg. We hauled out into the bay just after that,
+and did it in such a hurry&mdash;you see there was another
+ship waiting to take our berth at the dock as
+soon as we were out of it&mdash;that we didn't have time
+to put him ashore. We've had a doctor to see him,
+and maybe it would be a good plan to get an ambulance
+and take him back where he belongs."</p>
+
+<p>"I think so too," said Frank, who became interested
+at once; "that is, if he can bear removal.
+But whatever we do, must be done at once. Our
+vessel is all ready to sail."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess he can stand it to be moved. You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+might come aboard and see&mdash;you and your pardner
+here. I've got a boat close by."</p>
+
+<p>Frank assenting to this proposition, he and Dick
+Lewis followed the man, who led the way along the
+wharf, and finally showed them a yawl manned by
+two oarsmen. They climbed down into it, their
+companion took his seat at the helm, and the boat
+was pushed off into the darkness. The man talked
+incessantly, answering all Frank's questions, and
+going so fully into the particulars of the accident
+that had befallen the boatswain's mate, and telling
+so straight and reasonable a story, that not a shadow
+of a doubt entered Frank's mind. He remarked
+that the ship was a long way from the wharf, and
+that the two men who were pulling the oars looked
+more like "dock rats" than sailors; but still he
+scarcely bestowed a second thought upon these matters,
+for his mind was fully occupied with the injured
+man to whose relief he was hastening. At last the hull
+and rigging of a ship loomed up through the darkness,
+and a hoarse voice hailed the yawl.</p>
+
+<p>"Sunrise!" replied the man at the helm.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The answer was perfectly right and proper. It
+conveyed to them on board the ship the information
+that their captain was in the approaching boat; but
+it seemed to Frank that his presence brought very
+little show of respect from the officer in charge of
+the deck, for he ordered no lanterns to light him
+aboard. Indeed there were no lights to be seen on
+the deck, as Frank found when he clambered over
+the side, the only ones visible being those in the
+rigging, which were placed there to point out the
+position of the ship, so that passing vessels might
+not run into her.</p>
+
+<p>The captain, who was the first to board the ship,
+talked rapidly in a low tone to some one who hurried
+aft to meet him, and when Frank came up,
+he said aloud:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Take this gentleman into the forecastle and
+give him all the help he needs to remove that man.
+This one," he added, pointing to Dick, "can go
+with a couple of you to get a stretcher."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay! ay! sir," replied a voice. "Step right
+this way, sir."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank followed the speaker toward the forecastle,
+and when he came within sight of the ladder that
+led into it, was surprised to see that it was as dark
+as a dungeon below. Then for the first time the
+thought that things did not look just right began
+to creep through his mind. His companion descended
+the ladder, but Frank halted at the top.
+"Look here, my friend," said he; "if you want to
+get me below there you had better light up first."</p>
+
+<p>"Come on," said the man, in a tone of command.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's that sailor with the broken leg?"
+demanded Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to come on?" asked the man.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that depends&mdash;&mdash; I want to hear from that
+man of ours first. If you are down there, Lucas,
+sing out!"</p>
+
+<p>There was no response. In an instant it flashed
+upon Frank that he and Dick had been led into a
+trap. The man in the battered plug hat was no
+captain at all. Probably he was a shipping-agent.
+Having persuaded Frank and the trapper to accompany
+him on board the ship, he made a very plausible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
+excuse for separating them for a moment, so
+that they could not assist each other, and now they
+were to be overpowered and confined until the vessel
+was well out to sea, when they would be brought
+out and compelled to act with the crew. While
+Frank was thinking about it, his conductor, who had
+gone half way down the ladder, turned around and
+started to come back. Frank's ears told him this
+and not his eyes, for they were of no use to him in
+that intense darkness. "Avast, there!" he cried,
+with emphasis. "If you come a step nearer to me
+I'll send you down that ladder quicker than you
+ever went down before. You have picked up the
+wrong men this time. Where is that scoundrel who
+called himself the master of this ship?"</p>
+
+<p>"Here I am," replied that worthy, in tones very
+different from those he had thus far used in addressing
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you are wise, you will undo this half-hour's
+work with the least possible delay. Call away
+that boat and leave us a clear road to get to
+it, or&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank was interrupted by the sounds of a fierce
+struggle which just then arose from the quarter-deck.
+He heard the sound of stamping and scraping feet,
+muttered oaths and blows, and then Dick's voice
+rang out clear above the tumult. "Keep off, the
+hul on you," said he, "fur I'm a leetle wusser nor
+a hul parsel of wild-cats!" And then followed a
+sound such as might be made by somebody's head
+coming in violent contact with the deck.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand your ground, Dick!" shouted Frank.
+"I'll be there in a minute!"</p>
+
+<p>With these words he sprang forward, intending to
+run to his friend's assistance; but before he had
+made half a dozen steps his heels flew up and he
+was sent at full length on the deck, which he no
+sooner touched than two men, whom he had not yet
+seen, sprang up from behind the windlass and threw
+themselves across his shoulders. He had been entirely
+deceived as to the number of enemies with
+whom he had to deal. He had seen but four men
+on deck and there proved to be a dozen of them&mdash;more
+than enough to render resistance useless.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+Almost before he realized the fact he was powerless,
+a pair of irons being slipped over his wrists and
+another about his ankles. When he was helped to
+his feet, he found that the struggle on the quarter-deck
+had ended in the same way. Dick Lewis was
+led up, and by the light of a lantern which one of
+the crew drew from under a tarpaulin, Frank saw
+that he was ironed like himself.</p>
+
+<p>The man who carried the lantern held it up so
+that its rays fell full on the prisoners, and gave them
+a good looking over, bestowing his attentions principally
+upon their arms and shoulders, as if trying
+to judge of the amount of muscle they might contain.
+"They'll do," said he, at last, "and now we're all
+ready to be off. Can you pull an oar?" he added,
+flashing his lantern in Frank's face.</p>
+
+<p>"I can," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I can! Is that the way you talk to me? I am
+mate of this vessel and there's a handle to my
+name."</p>
+
+<p>"I did not know that you were an officer," replied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>
+Frank, "and neither am I aware that I am under
+any obligations to put a handle to your name."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you'll find it out pretty sudden. It shall
+be my first hard work to teach you manners, my
+fine gentleman. Take 'em below."</p>
+
+<p>The mate handed the lantern to one of the crew,
+who moved toward the forecastle, followed by the
+prisoners, who never uttered a word of complaint or
+remonstrance. Frank knew it would do no good,
+and Dick was so bewildered that he could not have
+spoken if he had tried. He kept as close to his
+young companion as he could. He seemed to think
+that Frank, powerless as he was, could in some way
+protect him. They followed their conductor into the
+forecastle, and the latter, after hanging the lantern
+to one of the carlens, went on deck again, closing
+the hatch after him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank and the trapper looked about them before
+they spoke. The very first objects their eyes rested
+on were the two missing seamen, the coxswain and
+the boatswain's mate, who lay side by side in one
+of the bunks, snoring at the rate of ten knots an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>
+hour. They were there, sure enough&mdash;the bogus
+captain told the truth on that point&mdash;and Frank
+was glad to see that they were all right, or would
+be as soon as the effects of the drug they had swallowed
+had been slept off. There were three other
+men in the forecastle, and they were in irons like
+themselves. They lay in their bunks and looked
+sullenly at the new-comers. "What's the matter
+with you?" asked Frank. "What have you been
+doing to get yourselves in this fix?"</p>
+
+<p>"Trying to desert," growled one of the sailors,
+in reply. "What's the matter with <i>you</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>"Shanghaied," answered Frank. "What ship is
+this, and where is she bound?"</p>
+
+<p>"She's the Tycoon, and I expect she's off for the
+Japan station."</p>
+
+<p>Frank's heart seemed to stop beating. His situation
+was even worse than he had supposed. He
+recalled the story of the man he had seen desert
+that same ship on that very day, and shuddered
+when he thought of what might be in store for him.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you say was the matter with us, Master<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>
+Frank?" asked the trapper, leaning against a bunk
+by his friend's side and speaking in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>"I say we have been shanghaied&mdash;that is, kidnapped,"
+replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"But what fur?" said Dick, who did not understand
+the matter at all. "We hain't been a doin' of
+nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that; but you see&mdash;in the first place,
+Dick, there's no use in denying that we are in
+serious trouble. You might as well know it first as
+last and make up your mind to stand it, for there is
+no way of escape. This is the same ship that that
+man we picked up to-day deserted from, and that
+red-faced man in gray whom we saw in the whale-boat
+is the captain of her. He and his officers treat
+their men so harshly that they run away every
+chance they get. The captain must have men to
+handle his vessel, and as he can't get them in the
+regular way, he kidnaps them."</p>
+
+<p>"But what do I know 'bout a ship?" exclaimed
+Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing whatever; but that is no matter. You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
+have good strong arms, and it will not take long to
+break you in."</p>
+
+<p>"Whar&mdash;whar&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The trapper could not ask the question he was
+most anxious to have answered. It seemed to stick
+in his throat.</p>
+
+<p>"I know what you mean," said Frank. "This
+man says we are bound for Japan, and that is nearly
+three thousand miles from here."</p>
+
+<p>Dick was frightened almost out of his senses.
+His face grew as pale as death, great drops of perspiration
+stood on his forehead, and he tugged and
+pulled at his irons with the strength of desperation.
+But they had been put on him to stay, and all his
+efforts to free himself were unavailing. Frank knew
+what he stood in fear of, and he knew, too, that anything
+he could say would not set the poor fellow's
+mind at rest. The wrong ideas he had formed of
+things and the ridiculous stories he had heard in the
+forecastle of the Stranger, had made an impression
+on him so deep and lasting that even Frank, in whom
+the trapper had every confidence, could not remove<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>
+it. The real dangers he was likely to encounter
+would be but small things comparatively; but the
+imaginary evils which he would look for every day,
+would cause him much suffering. Frank thought
+more of his friend than he did of himself. How
+would Dick behave when he found himself dancing
+over the waves of the Pacific in a small boat in pursuit
+of a whale? What would he think if he saw one
+of those monsters of the deep&mdash;as Lucas, the boatswain's
+mate, said he had often seen them&mdash;come up
+on a breach, shoot up forty or fifty feet into the air,
+and then fall down into the water with a noise like
+the roar of Niagara? No doubt he would refuse duty.
+No doubt, too, when the captain or his officers
+attempted to punish him for disobedience there
+would be a desperate fight&mdash;for Dick stood not in
+fear of anything that walked on two feet&mdash;which
+would not end until the trapper had been severely
+injured and perhaps permanently disabled.</p>
+
+<p>"Human natur'! What'll I do?" cried Dick,
+after he had exhausted himself in his efforts to pull
+off his irons.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Watch, me and do as I do, as nearly as you can,"
+replied Frank. "We are completely in the power
+of these men, and there is no way to get out of it.
+While on our voyage from Bellville, I took particular
+pains to learn all I could of a seaman's duties,
+and perhaps I shall be able to be of some assistance
+to you. What we don't know Lucas and Barton
+will teach us. But, whatever you do, don't refuse
+duty or talk back, no matter what is said or done to
+you. It will only be worse for you if you do."</p>
+
+<p>"And bear another thing in mind," said one of
+the sailors, who had been listening to this conversation,
+"and that is, you take rank next below the
+cap'n's dog, and hain't got no rights of your own!"</p>
+
+<p>The trapper looked toward Frank, and while the
+latter was explaining that, according to a sailor's
+creed, those who follow the sea take rank in this way:
+first the captain, then the mates, then the captain's
+dog, and lowest of all, the foremast hands&mdash;while
+Frank was explaining this, there was the sound of a
+commotion on the deck over their heads, and after
+listening a moment the sailors declared that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>
+vessel was about to be taken to sea. And so it proved.
+The anchor was hove up, the sails spread one after
+the other, and finally the prisoners below began to
+feel the increasing motion of the ship. Just then
+the hatch was thrown open and the first mate came
+down the ladder. He walked straight up to Dick,
+unlocked his irons and slapping him on the back
+ordered him to go on deck and lend a hand. Even
+this simple order was Greek to the honest trapper;
+but he understood the word "go," and he went,
+delighted to find himself in possession of his liberty
+once more. Frank would have been glad to go
+with him, for it was anything but agreeable to his
+feelings to be confined below like a felon; but the
+officers wanted to get a little farther away from
+shore before they allowed too many of their unwilling
+crew the free use of their hands and feet.</p>
+
+<p>The first order Dick heard when he reached the
+deck was: "Let fall and sheet home;" and the mate
+giving him a push by the shoulder and a kick at the
+same time, commanded him to "Grab hold of that
+rope and pull as if the sweetheart he left in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+backwoods was at the other end of it." Or, we
+ought rather say that that was the order the mate
+intended to give, but he never finished it, for he was
+knocked down so promptly that it seemed as if his
+foot and the trapper's right arm were both put in
+motion at the same instant. Dick's hot blood, which
+was already at fever heat, boiled over completely
+when he felt the weight of the mate's boot, and he
+wiped out the insult as soon as it was given.</p>
+
+<p>Of course there was a tumult at once. The second
+mate caught up a handspike and the captain
+descended from his quarter-deck, flourishing a rope's
+end as he came. They advanced upon the trapper
+from opposite sides, but he was ready and waiting,
+and they must have been astonished at the rough
+reception they met at his hands. With one single
+twist, which was so sudden and powerful that it
+almost dislocated the second mate's shoulder, Dick
+wrenched the handspike out of his grasp and threw
+it to the deck. Then his long arms swung in the
+air like the shafts of a windmill, one huge clenched
+hand, as heavy as a sledgehammer, fell full in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>
+captain's face, the other alighted on the top of the
+mate's head, and both these worthies sank to the
+deck on the instant.</p>
+
+<p>The first mate by this time recovered his feet, and
+picking up a handspike looked all around for the
+trapper; but he was not to be seen anywhere on
+deck. Nor indeed was he to be found about the
+ship. He was gone.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c82" id="c82">CHAPTER V.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">THE TRAPPER'S ADVENTURE.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">"WHAT time is it now, Eugene?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just nine o'clock. What do you suppose
+is the matter, Uncle?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I knew. They are all of them old enough
+and large enough to take care of themselves, but I
+can't help thinking that there's something wrong."</p>
+
+<p>"I have half a mind to go ashore and look for
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what good that would do. You
+don't know where to look, and if they should happen
+to come aboard while you were gone, we should have
+to send some one in search of you, and that would
+cause another delay."</p>
+
+<p>The stores were all aboard, the Stranger was
+ready to sail, and had been for more than an hour,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>
+but three of her company were missing, and so was
+the trapper. Uncle Dick and the boys had been
+impatient at first, but this gradually gave way to a
+feeling of uneasiness and anxiety. Everybody had
+some explanation to offer for Frank's absence, and
+the prevailing opinion seemed to be that the sailors,
+having got themselves into trouble during the day,
+had been arrested, and that Frank was trying to
+effect their release. Old Bob was more uneasy than
+the rest, and couldn't make up his mind what to
+think about it, not knowing the dangers which one
+might encounter while roaming about the city after
+dark. His kit and Dick's were packed and lying at
+the head of the companion-way, and the old fellow
+was in a hurry to be off. Had they been in the
+mountains the trapper's absence would have caused
+him no anxiety. There Dick knew all about things,
+and was abundantly able to take care of number one;
+but in the settlements he was like a child, and almost
+as incapable of looking out for himself. Old Bob
+was afraid something had happened to him or Frank,
+and the others began to think so too as the hours<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+wore away and their missing friends did not appear.
+Uncle Dick finally gave up all hopes of seeing them
+that night, and ordering one watch below, went to
+bed himself, leaving instructions with the officer of
+the deck to call him the moment Frank arrived.
+The impatient boys remained on deck an hour or
+two longer; but at last they also grew weary and
+turned in and went to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>Just at daylight they were awakened by hasty
+steps on the companion-ladder, and the officer of the
+watch hurried into the cabin and pounded loudly on
+the captain's door. "Ay! ay!" replied Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"That trapper is coming back, sir," said the
+officer, "and he's having a fuss out there on the dock."</p>
+
+<p>"He is having what?" asked Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"He's in a rumpus of some kind, sir. He's got
+somebody on his back and is lugging him along as
+if he were a bag of potatoes."</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't Captain Nelson or one of the men, is it?"
+asked Uncle Dick, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"O no, sir. It is a landsman and a stranger."</p>
+
+<p>This conversation was carried on in a tone of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>
+voice loud enough to be heard by all the boys, who
+were out on the floor in an instant. It was but a
+few seconds' work to jump into their trowsers and
+boots, and catch up their coats and hats, and they
+were on deck almost as soon as the officer himself.
+A strange sight met their eyes. A short distance
+up the dock was Dick Lewis, running at the top of
+his speed, and carrying on his shoulder a man almost
+as large as himself, who kicked and struggled in
+vain to escape from the strong grasp that held him.
+The load was undoubtedly a heavy one, but the trapper
+moved with it plenty fast enough to leave behind
+two ill-looking fellows, who carried bludgeons in
+their hands, and who were trying to overtake him.
+About two hundred yards farther up the dock were
+two more men, one supporting the other, who was
+limping along half doubled up as if in great pain.</p>
+
+<p>The boys, wondering greatly, sprang ashore and
+ran up the wharf to meet Dick. The latter, to quote
+from Featherweight, looked as though he had been
+somewhere. His buckskin suit, soaked with water,
+clung close to his person; his hat was gone, and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>
+face wore an expression that the old members of the
+club had never seen there before. Archie had seen
+it, however, and that was on the day when, seated
+at the camp-fire near the Old Bear's Hole, years
+before, Frank related to himself and Uncle James
+the particulars of his meeting with Black Bill and
+his party, and the manner in which he had been
+treated by them.</p>
+
+<p>Dick grinned the delight he felt at meeting the
+boys once more, but did not stop to speak to them.
+He went straight on board the schooner and threw
+off his burden, at the same time seizing his man by
+the collar and jerking him upon his feet in front of
+Uncle Dick Gaylord, who looked at him in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's the mean chap that done it all," said the
+trapper, throwing his full strength into his arm and
+giving the bogus captain&mdash;for it was he&mdash;such a
+shaking that his teeth fairly rattled. "Now if
+thar's any law in the settlements set it a-going."</p>
+
+<p>"What did he do?" demanded the boys, who had
+followed close at his heels. "Where's Frank?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He's round on the other side of the 'arth by this
+time, I reckon," replied Dick, drawing his hand
+across his forehead and looking about as if he were
+overjoyed to find himself among friends once more.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope they've got a horse-shoe big enough to
+hold 'em on, but I'm 'most afeard, 'cause she's a
+heap bigger nor this little boat o' your'n."</p>
+
+<p>"What is?" asked the captain, and the boys grew
+anxious when they saw the expression that settled
+on his face. "Begin at the beginning and tell us
+all about it."</p>
+
+<p>Thus adjured, the trapper launched at once into
+his story, without wasting any time in explanatory
+remarks, and for ten minutes held his auditors spellbound.
+He told how he and Frank had been enticed
+on board the Tycoon, described the manner
+in which they had been overpowered and confined,
+repeated the conversation that took place between
+Frank and himself in the forecastle, and ended by
+relating the particulars of his "scrimmage" with the
+officers of the ship, with all of which the reader is
+already acquainted; but he does not know what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>
+happened afterward, so from this point we will tell
+the story in our own words.</p>
+
+<p>The reason Dick could not be found on board the
+ship after his fight with the officers was ended, was
+because he was not there&mdash;he had jumped overboard;
+and what was rather singular, none of the crew on
+deck had seen him when he did it. The last time
+they saw him he was clambering into one of the bowboats,
+and that was the first place they looked for
+him, his concealment being pointed out to the officers
+by a man who was looked upon as the "black
+sheep" of the crew, and of whom we shall probably
+hear more as our story progresses. But when the
+officers came to search the boat, Dick was not there;
+he had dropped unseen into the water.</p>
+
+<p>The trapper was a famous swimmer, and entertained
+no doubt of his ability to reach the shore;
+but even had the vessel been twenty miles at sea,
+he would have trusted himself to the waves rather
+than run the risk of encountering the terrible dangers
+that awaited the ship and her crew on the "under
+side of the earth." The worst thing he would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>
+have to contend with in case he were recaptured,
+would be the tyranny of the captain and his brutal
+officers; but the sturdy trapper gave not one thought
+to that, for during a life of excitement and adventure
+he had more than once demonstrated his ability
+to protect himself; but he <i>did</i> think of that ghostly
+ship, the Flying Dutchman, the big cuttle-fish, the
+mermaids and sea-dragons, the whale that swallowed
+Jonah, and which was still roaming about seeking
+whom he might devour, and, worse than all, the
+awful danger of the ship falling off when she came to
+the under side of the earth and was sailing along
+with her masts pointing downward and the crew
+walking with their feet upward. Dick thought of
+all these dangers and swam as if he saw them looming
+up close behind him; but with all his exertions
+he could not make headway fast enough to suit him.
+His wet clothing hung upon him like lead and deadened
+his progress through the water; so the first
+thing he did when the ship was out of sight, was to
+stop and relieve himself of this encumbrance. He
+took off moccasins and all, and wrapping them up in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
+his hunting-shirt put the bundle on his back and
+tied it around his neck with the sleeves of the shirt.
+After that he made better headway.</p>
+
+<p>It is hard to tell what would have been the result
+of the trapper's adventure, had it not been for some
+assistance which fortunately came in his way. Had
+there been light enough so that he could see to direct
+his course, the swim would have been nothing; but
+there was danger of moving in a circle in the darkness,
+and so tiring himself out without making any
+headway at all. There were no lights in front to
+guide him, but there were some behind, and after
+looking at them two or three times the swimmer
+became convinced that they were coming toward him.
+There was a vessel of some kind approaching, and
+Dick, changing his course a little to intercept her,
+had the satisfaction of hearing his hail answered,
+and of seeing the little fishing-smack which carried
+the lights thrown up into the wind within a few
+yards of him.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, there!" cried a gruff voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, you!" shouted Dick. "Here I am."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, what do you want?" asked the captain of
+the fishing boat, peering out into the darkness and
+trying to discover whence the hail came.</p>
+
+<p>"Is civilized folks human enough to lend a sufferin'
+feller-man a helpin' hand?" asked Dick, who
+after his recent experience had some serious doubts
+on this point.</p>
+
+<p>This question was not immediately answered, for
+the skipper did not quite understand it. He held
+a consultation with one of his men and then called
+out&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"If you want help, pull this way. I've got no
+boat to send out after you!"</p>
+
+<p>Dick was pulling that way with all his might,
+and guided by the lanterns that were held over the
+side, at last reached the boat, which sat so low in
+the water that he could lay hold of her rail. The
+astonishment of her crew as they hauled aboard a
+man who carried all his wearing apparel around his
+neck, was unbounded. They gave him time to put
+on his clothes and then directed him to the captain
+who was waiting to see him.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The very first question that gentleman propounded
+to him aroused a thousand fears in Dick's mind.
+The skipper wanted to know where he came from,
+and how he happened to be out there in the water,
+five miles from land; and the trapper, fearful that if
+he told the truth and acknowledged himself to be a
+deserter, the captain might follow the Tycoon and
+compel him to go aboard of her again, whether he
+wanted to or not, did something he had never done
+before&mdash;he made up a story all out of his own head,
+as he told Uncle Dick Gaylord, and queer work he
+made of it. He entered into the particulars of a
+fearful shipwreck that had just occurred. The waves
+were as high as the Rocky Mountains, he said, the
+wind blew so hard that the sailors had to stop all
+work and hold their hair on (this was a quotation
+from one of the stories the trapper had heard in
+the forecastle of the Stranger); his ship was capsized
+no less than three times, always coming right
+side up again, and doing it so quickly that she did
+not even wet her sails or her deck, and none of the
+crew had a chance to drop off into the water (another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>
+quotation); but finally the wind came in such furious
+gusts that it took the masts right out by the roots
+(still another quotation), and the ship filled and went
+down like lead. The trapper said that all this happened
+not five minutes before, and that set the crew
+of the fishing-boat into a roar of laughter, for they had
+been out all day, and knew there had scarcely been
+wind enough to raise any white caps. The captain
+used some hard words, and called Dick anything
+but a truthful man; but the latter affirmed so solemnly
+that it was all so, that the skipper thought
+that perhaps something had happened after all, and
+spent a long time in cruising about the place where
+Dick had been picked up.</p>
+
+<p>This delay added to the trapper's fears. What
+if the Tycoon should come back in search of him?
+Alarmed by the thought, he labored hard to convince
+the captain that every soul on board the wrecked
+ship, except himself, had gone down with her;
+but finding that the skipper paid no attention to
+him, he changed his story altogether, and declared
+that he had jumped overboard on purpose, and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>
+he had done it because he had taken passage on the
+wrong vessel. He wanted to go to Sacramento, he
+said, but by mistake had boarded a craft bound for
+the "under side of the earth;" and as she would
+not turn back and put him ashore, he had no alternative
+but to take to the water and get back as best
+he could. Then the skipper was angry in earnest.
+Ordering Dick to get as far forward as the length
+of the little vessel would allow, and not to open his
+head again as long as he remained on board of her,
+he filled away for the city.</p>
+
+<p>The trapper was very glad to be let off so easily.
+He had induced the captain to turn his vessel toward
+the shore, and that was all he cared for. He crouched
+down in the bow and meekly submitted to the jokes
+and tricks of the sailors, who never allowed him a
+moment's peace. He was too completely cowed to
+take offence at anything. He had seen enough of
+civilized life and people to take all the courage out
+of him.</p>
+
+<p>The moment the fishing boat touched the dock he
+was out and ashore. Then he was himself again.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>
+When he felt something solid under his feet his
+courage all returned, and he was in just the right
+mood to carry out the exploit he afterward performed.
+Almost the first man he saw on the dock
+was the bogus captain, who had enticed Frank and
+himself on board the Tycoon. Dick's blood began
+to boil as soon as his eyes rested on him. His first
+thought was to take summary vengeance on him, but
+he was checked in time by the reflection that he was
+not in the mountains now, and that there were laws
+in the settlements strong enough to punish evil-doers
+of every description. He did not know how to set
+the law in motion, but the captain of the Stranger
+did, and he would take the culprit before him at once.</p>
+
+<p>The bogus captain, whose business was that of
+shipping-agent and boarding-house keeper, was
+standing in the midst of a group of friends, half a
+dozen of them perhaps, and all men like himself;
+but this did not deter the trapper, who strode up and
+confronted him. The talking and laughing were
+hushed at once, and all eyes were turned upon the
+new-comer, who stood before them with dripping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
+garments, his tall figure drawn up to its full height,
+his eyes flashing and his bony fingers working nervously.
+He looked dangerous. The bogus captain
+stared at him a moment doubtfully and then a gleam
+of intelligence crossed his face and he tried to smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I thought I had seen you before," said he,
+thrusting out his hand. "Come in! come right into
+the house. Where you been?"</p>
+
+<p>"Whar do you reckon you seed me last?" demanded
+Dick, holding his arms behind his back,
+for the man seemed determined to shake hands with
+him whether he wished it or not. "You can't shut
+up my eyes with none of your palaverin', now.
+Whar do you reckon you seed me last, I axes you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, let me think a minute," said the man,
+pulling off his plug hat and digging his fingers into
+his head, at the same time backing away from the
+enraged giant. "I see so many of you fellows that
+I can't call you all by name the minute I meet you."</p>
+
+<p>"My name's&mdash;my name's&mdash;&mdash;" Dick stopped and
+looked all around, trying to think what he should
+call himself. He did not have a very extensive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>
+circle of acquaintances, and he couldn't make up a
+name "all out of his own head," as he made up the
+story he told the captain of the fishing-smack. "My
+name's Colonel Gaylord," said he, giving the first
+one that came into his mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! yes; I know you now," said the bogus
+captain, making another effort to take the trapper
+by the hand. "You're the chap I found a good
+berth for a few days ago, ain't you? Seems to me&mdash;you
+know&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," roared Dick, who could control himself
+no longer, "I know, an' 'tain't likely I'll ever forget,
+nuther. I'm the man you wanted to send round to
+the other side of the 'arth, to be chawed up by whales
+an' dropped off into the clouds, consarn you&mdash;that's
+who <i>I</i> am, an' you'll remember me afore you see the
+last of me, I tell you. Human natur'! I wish I
+could tote you out to the mountains fur about ten
+minutes. But I'll set the law a-goin' agin you afore
+you see another day; that's what I'll do. Come
+along here, you meanest man the 'arth ever saw,
+not even exceptin' Black Bill&mdash;come along! Stand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>
+out o' the way, the rest on you, or I'll claw you all
+up like a painter!"</p>
+
+<p>With these words the trapper seized the bogus
+captain by the collar and began pushing him toward
+the Stranger, which he could see still lying in her
+berth where he had left her. The man remonstrated
+and threatened, but all to no purpose. Then
+he resisted and called upon his companions for help.
+One of them responded, but was disposed of so
+quickly and effectually that the others thought it
+best to keep at a safe distance.</p>
+
+<p>Finding that his man was possessed of more
+strength, activity and determination than he had
+calculated on, the trapper seized him with both hands,
+and swinging him upon his shoulder started for the
+schooner at a rapid run. He brought his prisoner
+in triumph, and stood him up on the deck where all
+could see him.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c99" id="c99">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">A SCAMP ON HIS DIGNITY.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">"THIS yere is the mean chap that done it all,"
+continued the trapper. "Thar's none of us that'll
+ever see Frank ag'in. He's gone round on t'other
+side of the 'arth, an' some dark night, when he's
+sailin' along thinkin' of nothing, one of them big
+quids (the sailors had called the cuttle-fish 'squids')
+will rise outen the water all on a sudden, wrap his
+arms, two hundred feet long, all about the ship, an'
+that'll be the last of Frank. When be you goin' to
+hang this feller, cap'n?"</p>
+
+<p>Dick had an interested and anxious crowd of
+listeners. The officers of the schooner and the boys
+stood ranged in a circle in front of him, and behind
+were the sailors, who at first invaded the sacred precincts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>
+of the quarter-deck with much hesitation,
+holding their caps in their hands and momentarily
+expecting an order to retire; but growing bolder by
+degrees, when they found that the captain, although
+he looked their way now and then, had nothing to
+say to them, they crowded up close behind the trapper,
+so that they could hear every word. There were
+also two other listeners&mdash;the men with the bludgeons,
+who had followed Dick Lewis in the hope of rescuing
+his prisoner. When these two worthies first came
+up, they acted as if they were about to board the
+vessel without ceremony; but changed their minds
+when they saw half a dozen broad-shouldered seamen,
+in obedience to a sign from the officer of the
+deck, move up into the waist to receive them. The
+sailors, who had a pretty good idea of what had
+been going on, even before they had heard the trapper's
+story, would have been delighted to have the
+opportunity to toss these men ashore neck and heels;
+and the latter must have seen it in their countenances,
+for they backed away from the edge of the
+wharf and took up a position from which they could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>
+hear and see all that passed on the Stranger's
+deck.</p>
+
+<p>Had Frank been as safe out of his troubles as
+Dick Lewis was, the boys would have been highly
+amused by the latter's description of the scenes
+through which he had passed; but it was far from
+being a laughing matter now. Frank had been
+kidnapped ("shanghaied" the sailors called it) by
+the captain of the Tycoon or his agent, and there
+was no knowing what might become of him. Perhaps
+the hard fare and harder treatment he was
+certain to receive, might drive him to do something
+desperate. Uncle Dick Gaylord, however, was not
+troubled by any such misgivings. He knew that
+Frank possessed courage and prudence in no ordinary
+degree, and besides there were Lucas and
+Barton, the coxswain, on the same vessel. The
+former was an old whaleman, and the assistance he
+could render Frank in the way of teaching him his
+duties, might enable the boy to keep out of any very
+serious difficulties. But could he help him in any
+way? That was the momentous question, and Uncle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>
+Dick walked up and down his quarter-deck with his
+hands behind his back while he pondered upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"Every word this man has uttered, as far as it
+concerns me and my doings, is false from head to
+tail," declared the bogus captain.</p>
+
+<p>This was the first time he had spoken since he
+was brought on board the vessel. At first he was
+badly frightened, but while the trapper was telling
+his story, he had time to think over his situation and
+determine upon his line of defence.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know anything about this man and the
+other fellow he speaks of," he continued; "I never
+seen him before this morning, and I never tried to
+pass myself off as the captain of any ship."</p>
+
+<p>Dick Lewis eyed him savagely while he was
+speaking, and when he ceased drew back his clenched
+hand. In a moment more the man would have
+measured his length on the deck, had not the captain
+interposed.</p>
+
+<p>"Get ashore!" said he, shortly.</p>
+
+<p>"O no, cap'n," replied the man, with an impudent
+smile. "This is a nice way you have of doing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+business, I do think! One of your friends commits
+an assault on me and drags me away from my
+peaceful home, and then you wash your hands of
+the matter by telling me to go ashore. That won't
+go down, by no means. Twenty dollars for damages
+will get rid of me, but not a cent less!"</p>
+
+<p>"I can bring a dozen witnesses to prove that
+that man wasn't once outside of his house last night,"
+said one of the ruffians on the dock. "I'm one of
+'em, for I was with him all the evening and know
+everything he done."</p>
+
+<p>"Rodgers!" exclaimed Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, sir," came the prompt response.</p>
+
+<p>A stalwart sailor stepped quickly out from among
+his companions, and dashing his cap upon the deck
+stood behind the bogus captain pushing back his
+sleeves. A simple look from Uncle Dick would
+have sent the man flying over the schooner's side as
+if he had been thrown from a catapult.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the last time I shall speak to you," continued
+Uncle Dick. "Get ashore!"</p>
+
+<p>The bogus captain thought it best to obey, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>
+that too without a moment's hesitation. Once on
+the dock he was safe, and there he stopped long
+enough to say a parting word to Uncle Dick. "This
+matter will be settled in the court-room," said he,
+with a threatening shake of his head. "That man
+shall be arrested before he is an hour older."</p>
+
+<p>With these words he walked off, followed by his
+companions. The boys looked first at him, then at
+the captain and finally at Dick Lewis, who stood the
+very picture of astonishment. "Why didn't you set
+the law a-goin'?" the trapper managed to ask at last.</p>
+
+<p>"It would have been of no use," answered the
+master of the schooner. "Didn't you hear what that
+man on the dock said? That indicated the defence
+they would bring up. We would find a court-room
+full of witnesses to prove an alibi&mdash;that is, that this
+man was somewhere else when the kidnapping was
+done."</p>
+
+<p>"But it wouldn't be true, Uncle Dick," said
+Archie, who, like all the rest of the Club, invariably
+addressed the old sailor by this affectionate title.
+"If they swore to that, they would be guilty of perjury,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>
+and that is a state prison offence. Dick has
+told the truth."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it. I am just as certain that everything
+he has described to us really happened, as I would
+be had I seen it all with my own eyes; but a justice
+would not take his unsupported word against that of
+a dozen men. And as for perjury, how would you
+fasten the crime upon these false witnesses that
+would be produced? If Frank, Lucas and Barton
+were here, we would have the game in our own hands;
+but they are miles away. This man knows we can
+prove nothing, and that is what makes him so impudent."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you had told Rodgers to throw him overboard,
+or else let Dick knock him down," said
+Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>"And afterward had the satisfaction of paying a
+fine and costs," said the old sailor, with a laugh.
+"By the time your hair is as white as mine, Eugene,
+perhaps you will have learned something. I've got
+one fine to pay now."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, how is that?" asked all the boys at once.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you hear what that man said just as he
+went away? There'll be a policeman down here
+directly."</p>
+
+<p>The boys looked toward the trapper. The expression
+of alarm which they had so often seen of
+late, had settled on his face again. He backed up
+against the rail for support, and looked wildly about
+as if he had half a mind to take to his heels. He
+stood more in fear of the law than he did of a grizzly
+bear. He had always thought that there was
+something wrong about it, and now he was firmly
+convinced of the fact. The law, as he understood
+it, was to restrain bad people, who were disposed to
+take advantage of their neighbors whenever an opportunity
+was offered; but he found that it was
+likely to prove a means of punishment to the innocent.
+It would have been just as impossible to give
+him a clear idea of its workings, as it would to make
+him understand the causes of the trade-winds or the
+theory of the ocean-currents.</p>
+
+<p>"I've said a million times, an' Frank says that
+more'n a thousand, that I'd never put my old moccasins<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>
+inside a city again, an' now I say it onct more
+an' I'll stick to it," said the trapper, solemnly, raising
+his hand toward the mast-head to give emphasis
+to his words. "I get skeared to death by cars an'
+steamboats, an' something's allers happenin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Shoulder your rifle an' kit, Dick, an' let's be
+off," said old Bob, who up to this time had been
+a silent and amazed spectator and listener. "I'm
+afeared."</p>
+
+<p>"So am I, Bob, but I dasen't. I dasen't go; the
+law will ketch me. I wish I was to the ole Bar's
+Hole, so't I could crawl in an' hide myself."</p>
+
+<p>Dick leaned back against the rail again, rubbing
+his hands together and groaning as men sometimes
+do when they are sadly troubled in spirit. The boys
+tried hard to set his mind at rest. They assured
+him that no harm should come to him, for they and
+Uncle Dick were not only able but ready and willing
+to stand between him and all difficulties; but the
+trapper said he didn't want them to do it. If anybody
+was to go to jail (thrusting people into jail and
+hanging them Dick thought were the only punishments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+in vogue in civilized communities) it should
+be himself and nobody else. Furthermore, he did
+not see why it was necessary that any one should be
+called upon to stand between him and difficulty.
+He had only been following out his natural impulses
+in trying to bring the bogus captain to justice, and
+now he must suffer for it. He shook his head, refusing
+to be comforted, and showed a desire to be
+alone with his own thoughts; so the boys left him
+and turned to Uncle Dick, who was once more
+pacing his quarter-deck, after holding a short consultation
+with his officers.</p>
+
+<p>"I know what you want," said the old sailor, as
+the boys approached him in a body. "You are
+anxious to know what I am going to do for Frank.
+I can only guess at the best plan, and follow it out
+to the best of my judgment. What do you think
+ought to be done?"</p>
+
+<p>The boys had no suggestions to offer. One thing
+was certain, and that was that Frank would not long
+submit to harsh treatment. A young man who had
+commanded a fine vessel in Uncle Sam's navy would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>
+not consent to take rank next below the captain's
+dog, as the sailors in the Tycoon's forecastle had
+assured him he would do as long as he remained in
+that ship. If the opportunity were ever offered, he
+would lay his case before the consul of the first port
+at which the vessel touched; and failing that he
+would probably be driven to desert. In either case
+the boys did not expect to see him again. If the
+consul protected him, he would be sent to the
+nearest port in the United States free of expense,
+and he had money enough in his pocket&mdash;about
+twenty dollars, Archie thought&mdash;to support him
+until he could receive a remittance from home. If
+he was compelled to desert he would probably ship
+on the first vessel he could find, just as Chase had
+done, and she might take him to the remotest corner
+of the earth. All this would sadly interfere with
+the Club's arrangements. They thought as much
+of Frank as his cousin did&mdash;so much that they one
+and all declared that they did not care to continue
+their voyage without him. They couldn't enjoy
+themselves, for they would worry about him all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>
+while, and if they were to be separated from him
+they would rather go home and stay there. If their
+pleasant party and their cruise were to be broken up,
+they had the boarding-house keeper to thank for it,
+and Walter declared that there was no punishment
+known to the law half severe enough for him.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick listened while the boys were talking,
+and said he fully agreed with them. "Even if
+Frank should succeed in escaping from the Tycoon,
+and had a vessel at his command or money enough
+to take him just where he wanted to go, he would
+not know which way to steer to find us," said he,
+"for you boys will remember that you did not
+decide upon anything definite, and Frank doesn't
+know whether we are going to Alaska or Japan."</p>
+
+<p>"And all through my foolishness," said Eugene,
+bitterly. "I wish I had given up, and gone where
+the others wanted to go."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," said Bab.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't reproach yourselves," replied Uncle Dick.
+"You had plenty of sport during your debates, and
+you were not supposed to know that such an emergency<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>
+as this was about to arise. But perhaps we
+can do something by following the Tycoon."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if we only knew where she is going."</p>
+
+<p>"I have an idea that I do know. She is bound
+for the Japan station, so the sailors in her forecastle
+told Dick Lewis. Well, now, she is short-handed.
+She must be, for her mate released Dick from his
+irons and brought him on deck to help make sail.
+She'll never go on her station without a full crew,
+and the nearest place at which she can get it is the
+Sandwich Islands. There she will undoubtedly ship
+Kanakas enough to make up her complement. Then
+she'll go out for a three or four months' cruise, and
+come back and fit out for the Japan station. Now,
+if we can reach Honolulu before she leaves, we shall
+probably be able to effect the release of our men.
+If it were not for this incident that has just happened
+I would sail at once."</p>
+
+<p>"Why can't you do it any way?" asked Walter,
+who did not like to waste even a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"Because we must see Lewis out of his trouble.
+If he goes ashore without some one to protect him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>
+he will be sure to fall into the hands of those
+sharpers, who will frighten him out of the last
+article of value he's got."</p>
+
+<p>"Cap'n," said Dick, suddenly, "will you take us
+with you&mdash;me and Bob?"</p>
+
+<p>The old sailor looked in astonishment, and so did
+the boys.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afeared to go ashore," continued the trapper,
+who had been holding a council of war with his
+chum, "an' so is Bob. 'Sides it's a thing we never
+done yet&mdash;run off an' leave Frank in trouble, an'
+we've knowed him too long to do it now!"</p>
+
+<p>"My good fellow," said Uncle Dick, with a smile,
+"if Frank were lost in the woods, you and Bob
+would be just the men to assist him; but you can't
+help him in any way now."</p>
+
+<p>"Mebbe we can, cap'n. An' even if we can't, we
+don't want to go back hum without knowing what's
+come on him. We shouldn't see no peace of mind."</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick did not speak for several minutes.
+He knew just how much these rude men thought of
+Frank, and told himself that their desire to see him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>
+safe among friends again before they took leave of
+him for ever, was perfectly natural; but there were
+the dangers they expected to meet on the "under
+side of the earth"&mdash;the Flying Dutchman, the
+whales, the monstrous "quids"&mdash;could they stand
+all these? "Lewis," said he, suddenly, "have you
+and your companion fully made up your minds on
+this point?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, an' we won't never change 'em nuther.
+We allers stand to what we say."</p>
+
+<p>"That settles the matter. Mr. Baldwin, while I
+am gone to the custom house, hail the first tug you
+see and stand by to get under way."</p>
+
+<p>The boys would have been delighted by this
+arrangement a few hours before, but their feelings
+were different now. They had something to think
+of besides the amusement they expected the trappers
+to furnish them.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick went ashore and walked rapidly away,
+leaving the boys to themselves. Although they
+were impatient to be off, the time did not hang heavily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
+on their hands, for they had much to talk about.
+They fully expected the trappers to change their
+minds when they saw the preparations that were
+being made for getting under way, but Dick and
+Bob were not that sort. There was a dogged expression
+on their faces, such as might have been
+seen there had the backwoodsmen been in the power
+of savage foes who were making ready to torture
+them at the stake. It said that they fully realized
+the dangers before them, and were prepared to meet
+them like men who had never shown the white
+feather.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, if Frank were only here, and if Dick and
+Bob would get rid of some of their foolish notions,
+we could look forward to some fun, couldn't we?"
+said Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>If</i> and <i>if</i>!" said Walter. "It is surprising
+how often that little word stands in our way."</p>
+
+<p>"I have been thinking that Dick's short sojourn
+on the Tycoon has made matters worse for Frank
+than they would otherwise have been," said Bob,
+anxiously. "The three principal officers have felt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>
+the weight of his arm, and of course they'll have to
+take satisfaction out of somebody."</p>
+
+<p>"Dick," said Archie, suddenly, "why don't you
+encourage us by saying that Frank will be sure to
+come out all right? That's what you used to tell
+us whenever he got into trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"But he was on the prairie then, an' now he's
+among civilized folks," replied the trapper.</p>
+
+<p>"Which means, I suppose, that this is the worst
+scrape he ever got into."</p>
+
+<p>Dick nodded his head.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know about that," said George Le Dell.
+"I think if he had his choice, he would rather be
+where he is now than in the prison at Shreveport, if
+he had to go through what he did when he made his
+escape. Frank has been in some tight places, but
+somehow he has always managed to squeeze through
+without much trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"And he never was hurt that I remember, except
+when he burned that house in which Colonel Harrison
+made his headquarters," said Archie.</p>
+
+<p>"When <i>you</i> burned it, you mean," said George.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
+"<i>You</i> did that, and if you had been a line instead
+of a staff officer, you would have got another stripe
+around your arm for it, too. I told the Colonel all
+about it after you left our house."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you do that?" exclaimed Archie,
+hastily. "Now I shall never dare to meet him
+again."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed George. "Why, he is one
+of your warmest friends. I told him because I
+wanted him to know that the boy who killed that
+bear and beat Somers in a fair race through the
+woods, had something in him. The Colonel scolded
+me for not telling him before. He said if he had
+known it while you were in our neighborhood, you
+wouldn't have got away from his house for one good
+long month at least. He would have kept you if
+he'd had to put a guard over you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I shouldn't have enjoyed the visit."</p>
+
+<p>"You couldn't have helped yourself, if plenty of
+hunting, riding and good company are aids to enjoyment."</p>
+
+<p>From this subject the boys gradually got back to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>
+the one that occupied the most of their minds and
+thoughts, and that was Frank's sudden disappearance.
+They asked the trapper a multitude of
+questions, but learned nothing new, for he had
+already told his story in detail. While they were
+talking Uncle Dick returned, and the tug being
+alongside and the pilot aboard, the lines were cast
+off and the Stranger swung slowly around until her
+bow pointed toward the headlands at the entrance
+to the bay. In the bustle and hurry that followed
+the boys found time to turn an eye toward the trappers
+now and then, but they saw no signs of regret
+or alarm on their faces; and when the lines that
+held the tug were let go, and the steamer with a
+farewell shriek of her whistle turned back toward
+the city, and the schooner unfolded her white wings
+one after the other, and the Golden Gate was passed,
+and the broad expanse of the Pacific was fairly
+spread out before them, there were still no signs of
+backing out. But it was too late now. The die
+was cast, and Dick and old Bob were bound for the
+"under side of the earth!"</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c118" id="c118">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">TOO LATE.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE very presence of Uncle Dick was enough
+to infuse new life and comfort into the boys,
+who were disposed to make themselves miserable
+over the absence of their genial companion. The
+old sailor believed in looking on the bright side of
+things, and thought there was no use in worrying
+over the matter that they could not just then better
+in any way. His example made a great change in
+the feelings of the Club.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Walter," said he, briskly, "we are fairly
+afloat again, and our sailing-master having deserted
+us, we are compelled to call on you to fill his place.
+Suppose you work out a course for us. We're
+bound for the Sandwich Islands, Eugene; which
+way are they from here?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you can't catch me on that," replied the
+boy, "for I posted myself only a few days ago.
+The twentieth parallel runs through them. They're
+in the same latitude as Vera Cruz, in Mexico."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I want to make the run in as short a time
+as may be, so what shall I do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Stand to the southwest to get the benefit of
+the northeast trades, and the equatorial current.
+The same route would take you to China or Japan."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose, now, we were in China and wanted
+to come back to the States: would I follow the
+same course?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. You would steer in a northerly
+direction until you got between the parallels of
+thirty-five and forty-five degrees north latitude, and
+there you would find strong westerly winds to help
+you along. Perhaps you'd get some assistance from
+the North Pacific drift current, but on that point I
+am not sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it is just as well you are not," shouted
+Walter from the cabin, where he was busy with his
+chart. "The North Pacific drift current might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>
+help you if you wanted to go to Alaska from China.
+When it strikes the shores of our continent it
+divides, part of it flowing on down the coast and
+forming the California coast current, and the rest
+bending back across the Pacific again; so it would
+retard your progress rather than help you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am not the sailing-master of this craft,
+am I?" replied Eugene. "If I was, I'd keep
+posted. Besides, almost anybody with a chart before
+him, could clatter away as though his tongue
+was hung in the middle. Wait till Frank gets back
+if you want to talk about navigation."</p>
+
+<p>"He's a good one, that's a fact," said Uncle
+Dick. "He's as fit to command a vessel as I am."</p>
+
+<p>Just then Walter came up, having worked out a
+course, which being approved by the captain and
+given to the officer of the deck, the bow of the
+Stranger was brought around a point or two, and the
+voyage was fairly begun. There was nothing to be
+done now, but to await developments with all the
+patience they possessed.</p>
+
+<p>But few incidents worthy of record happened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>
+during the voyage, which, after they struck the
+trade winds became monotonous enough. The
+schooner bowled along before a fine breeze, and as
+it was never necessary to change the sails, there
+was no work to be done except ordinary ship's duty.
+The Club passed the time mostly in reading and
+conversation with the trappers, who, as soon as they
+fully recovered from their sea-sickness, kept a constant
+lookout for some of those terrible dangers
+which had been so graphically described to them.
+By dint of much talking and argument the boys
+finally succeeded in making them take a more sensible
+view of their situation, and as the days wore
+away without bringing with them any of the perils
+they had expected to encounter, the backwoodsmen
+began to act a little more like themselves. But
+when an ignorant person once gets hold of an idea
+it is almost impossible to make him let go of it, and
+the trappers' minds could not be set wholly at rest.
+They steadily refused to go into the forecastle at
+night, and always slept on deck. The boys found
+the reason for this in a remark they heard Bob<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>
+make to his companion. They wanted plenty of
+elbow room when they reached the under side of the
+earth, the old fellow said, so that when the schooner
+dropped off among the clouds, they could take to
+the water. They saw sharks, dolphins and flying-fish
+(the trappers began to put more faith in what
+the boys said after they had seen one of the latter
+rise from the water and sail through the air like a
+bird on the wing), and one day the sailors pointed
+out to them an object which made them believe that
+their time had come. It first showed itself while the
+boys were at dinner. They were summoned on
+deck by the officers of the watch, and found themselves
+close alongside the first whale they had ever
+seen. The monster was taking matters very leisurely,
+moving along about a hundred yards from
+the schooner, lifting his huge head out of the water
+now and then and spouting a cloud of spray into the
+air, and although the vessel was running at a rate
+of eight miles an hour, he kept pace with her
+without the least exertion. The boys were all disappointed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"This must be a small one," said George.</p>
+
+<p>"Small!" echoed Uncle Dick. "How big do
+you think a whale is, any how&mdash;as big as the Rocky
+Mountains?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; but I have read that they have been
+found sixty and seventy feet long," replied George.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, this fellow is every inch of eighty, and
+I shouldn't wonder if he was ninety feet in length."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish some whaler would come along and pitch
+into him," said Eugene. "I'd like to see the
+operation of catching a whale."</p>
+
+<p>"If fifty whalers should come along they would
+not trouble this fellow," said Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because he is neither a sperm nor a right whale.
+He belongs to the species known as finbacks. He
+would not yield oil or bone enough to pay for the
+trouble of lowering the boats, and besides he is so
+swift and strong that it would be dangerous to meddle
+with him."</p>
+
+<p>The finback kept alongside the schooner for
+nearly a mile, and during that time the boys had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>
+ample opportunity to take a good view of him. He
+sank and rose at regular intervals, executing the
+manoeuvre with an ease and grace that was astonishing,
+and now and then he showed so much of his
+huge bulk above the water that the boys opened
+their eyes in amazement, and Featherweight declared
+that there was no end to him. The longer
+they looked at him the larger he seemed to grow.
+At length he began to edge away from the schooner,
+and finally disappeared. Then each boy turned
+and looked at his neighbor to see what he thought
+about it.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you look so sober?" demanded
+Featherweight of Archie, who stood by pulling his
+chin, and gazing fixedly at the spot where the whale
+had last been seen.</p>
+
+<p>"I was just thinking," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"And I'll warrant we can all tell what you were
+thinking about," said George. "I guess there is
+no one in this small party who would like to be
+ordered into a small boat to attack a beast of that
+size, and you were wondering what Frank's feelings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>
+will be the first time he tries it. Well, I don't want
+to know them by experience."</p>
+
+<p>Archie walked to the side and looked over into
+the water, while George turned to Dick and Bob,
+who just then came up. Their faces were very
+white.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Dick," said George, "you have seen your
+first whale, and it isn't such a terrible looking object
+after all, is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I dunno," replied the trapper. "If the babies
+look like that, what must the ole ones be?"</p>
+
+<p>"The babies?" repeated George.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the fellows showed that thing to me
+when it fust come in sight, and I showed it to Rodgers,
+but he couldn't see it. Rodgers, he called
+another of the sailors, and he said he could see something,
+but it was so small he couldn't tell whether
+it was a whale or not."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Dick, don't you believe a word those men
+in the forecastle say to you," said Eugene, indignantly.
+"Uncle Dick says that is one of the largest
+whales he ever saw."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Wal, Rodgers he couldn't see it at fust 'cause
+it was so small, but when he <i>did</i> see it, he said
+mebbee it was a baby. He said the ole one will be
+along purty soon lookin' fur it, an' then we'll see a
+whale. If the ole one don't find the baby, she'll
+think we've done something to it, an' she'll brush
+us off'n the 'arth like a feller would brush a fly off
+his Sundy trowsers."</p>
+
+<p>The trappers were frightened again, and for the
+rest of the day kept close company with their young
+friends, no doubt feeling safer in their presence than
+anywhere else. The boys, one and all, exerted
+themselves to correct the wrong impressions they
+had received, but the foremast hands had had the
+first chance at them, as Fred remarked, and it was
+a matter of impossibility to set their fears at rest.
+For a week afterward Dick and his companion kept
+a sharp lookout, expecting every minute to see the
+old whale coming in search of her young one; but
+she did not appear, and the next thing that happened
+to relieve the monotony of the voyage, was
+the discovery of land, dead ahead. Walter had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>
+been anxiously looking for it for the last twenty-four
+hours. Having taken Frank's place as sailing-master,
+he was eager to earn a reputation as a navigator,
+and he was not a little elated to find that
+he had made no mistake.</p>
+
+<p>The discovery of land set the sailors going again.
+Rodgers and a few of his companions, who, when
+the trappers were in hearing, were continually
+talking about mermaids and dragons and other sea
+monsters, and the awful sights that would be presented
+when they came to the under side of the
+earth, looked through their hands at the dim outline
+in advance, and after comparing notes in a tone
+of voice loud enough for Dick and Bob to hear, declared
+that it wasn't land after all&mdash;that the man
+at the mast was mistaken.</p>
+
+<p>"That's no more land nor I be," declared Rodgers.
+"If my head is worth a tar-bucket, it is the
+old whale. She can't find her baby, and so she's
+coming down to ask the skipper what he's done
+with it. She's coming like lightning too. Can't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>
+you see the water a boiling up under her bows? I
+can."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, mate, I think it's a squid," said another,
+"and he's waiting there to gobble up something.
+I can see his long arms resting on the water, and
+ready to catch the first moving thing that comes
+within reach. I hope the cap'n 'll keep away a few
+points."</p>
+
+<p>"Mebbe he don't know what it is," said a third,
+"and I think Lewis had better go aft and tell him
+about it&mdash;I do indeed!"</p>
+
+<p>"'Taint a whale nor a squid neither," said an old
+gray-headed seaman, who, using his hands for a
+spy-glass, had been looking at the island ever since
+they first came in sight of it. "It's the equator.
+I can see the waves rolling over it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Jack, you've been to sea longer nor me and
+ought to know about these things," said Rodgers.
+"I seen the waves, but I thought they was the bone
+the whale was carrying in her teeth. When we get
+over it, if we ever do, we're on the under side of the
+earth, ain't we?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's what's the matter," said the gray-headed
+sailor.</p>
+
+<p>Dick fairly jumped, as each one of these opinions
+was solemnly advanced, and hurried off to speak to
+the boys. The latter, especially Eugene and Archie,
+could hardly refrain from laughing outright at his
+ludicrous display of terror, but they quieted his
+fears as well as they could, and by giving him a
+solemn promise that they would see him safely
+through any danger that might arise if he would
+remain close by them, they succeeded in keeping
+him out of the company of the foremast hands all
+the rest of the day. But it was not until nearly
+sunset that the fears the sailors had conjured up
+were entirely banished. By that time the object
+that had excited his alarm was so plainly visible
+that Dick could see for himself that it was land and
+nothing else.</p>
+
+<p>The boys did not see many of the new and novel
+sights that were presented to their gaze, as the
+Stranger made her way through the strait that runs
+between the islands of Hawaii and Mani. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>
+had eyes for nothing but the whale ship they expected
+to find there. The huge fishing canoes they
+saw the next day; the natives that came aboard
+in swarms while they were running about in the
+light, baffling winds they found under the lee of the
+land, the fruits they offered for barter&mdash;none of
+these things possessed the interest for them that
+they would under almost any other circumstances.
+They paid little attention to anything but the vessels
+that now and then passed them. But the Tycoon
+was not among them.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick took time, as he passed along, to look
+into every bay and inlet where the Tycoon was likely
+to be, and it was not until nearly a week after they
+first sighted the Sandwich Islands that the Stranger
+dropped anchor outside the coral reef that marks the
+entrance to the harbor of Honolulu. As the wind
+came strong down the mountain gorges, everything
+was made snug, and then the gig was called away
+and the captain set out for the town, leaving the
+boys to enjoy themselves as best they could during
+his absence. But it was dull business, this trying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>
+to pass away the time when they were so impatient
+and anxious. They kept up their spirits by telling
+one another that something would surely happen to
+restore their friend Frank to them, but the face
+that Uncle Dick brought back with him, when he
+returned six hours later, dashed all their hopes to
+the ground. No sooner was the gig fairly hoisted
+at the davits, than he gave the order to heave up the
+anchor and go to sea. The boys stood around and
+looked at one another in silence while these orders
+were being executed, and when Uncle Dick went
+into the cabin, they followed him.</p>
+
+<p>"Too late, boys," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Has the Tycoon been here?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; she has done just what I thought she
+would do. She shipped a crew of natives and has
+gone out for a three months' cruise. When that is
+ended she will come back and fit out for Japan."</p>
+
+<p>"And what about Frank?"</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't heard a word of him. The consul saw
+only the captain, and he was here just long enough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>
+to ship his crew. We missed our object by just
+three days."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand how we missed it at all,"
+said Eugene. "We certainly lost no time."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must remember that the Tycoon is a
+large ship, and that she probably carries as much
+canvas in her courses and spanker as we can spread
+on all our masts and yards. We can't expect to
+sail with her."</p>
+
+<p>"What are we going to do now?" asked Bab.</p>
+
+<p>"We are going to see if we can find her. It will
+be almost like searching for a needle in a haystack,
+but we don't want to remain here idle for three
+months."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not," said Eugene, quickly. "That
+would never do. While we are moving about we
+shall feel that we are doing something for Frank,
+even if we don't find him."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," said Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"What will you do if we find the Tycoon?"
+inquired Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall probably be able to present the matter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
+to her captain in such a way that he will be willing
+to release Frank and make him some amends for
+what he has done&mdash;I <i>think</i> I shall be able to do so,"
+said the old sailor, with a look in his eye that spoke
+volumes. "But if I should fail, he will be arrested
+as soon as he comes back here."</p>
+
+<p>This was all Uncle Dick had to say, and it
+afforded the boys very little satisfaction. They
+had confidently expected that Frank would be
+restored to them when they reached the Sandwich
+Islands, and this was a sore disappointment. Where
+was he now? Where was he while the Tycoon
+was lying in the harbor of Honolulu? What was
+the reason he had not done as he advised the deserter
+to do&mdash;insisted on seeing the American consul?
+The boys could only speculate upon these
+points, and they had ample leisure to do it&mdash;almost
+six weeks. During that time every ship they
+could come up with was spoken, but the Tycoon
+was not among them, and neither could they gain
+any information concerning her. The boys were
+getting discouraged and very down-hearted, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
+had it not been for Uncle Dick there is no telling
+how they would have lived through it.</p>
+
+<p>One night the officer of the deck reported that
+there was a whaler a few miles distant "trying
+out"&mdash;that is, rendering out the oil of a whale she
+had recently captured. The Stranger's bow was
+at once pointed toward her, and at sunrise the two
+vessels were within speaking distance.</p>
+
+<p>"Now just listen to me a minute and I'll tell you
+what's a fact," said Perk, who with the rest of the
+Club stood in the waist, attentively regarding the
+ship as she came toward them carrying a huge bone
+in her teeth, "there's something about that craft
+that looks familiar."</p>
+
+<p>"I was just thinking so myself," said Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>He glanced toward Uncle Dick, who, during the
+last quarter of an hour had kept his glass levelled
+at the ship, and edged away toward the officer of
+the deck. "It can't be that that is the vessel
+we're looking for, is it, Mr. Baldwin?" said he.</p>
+
+<p>"If it isn't her, it's her sister," replied the officer,
+with some excitement.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Before Eugene could carry this news to his companions
+the ship backed her main topsail, and as
+Uncle Dick, with an exclamation of astonishment
+that had a good deal of meaning in it, seized his
+trumpet, her captain appeared upon her bulwarks.
+The boys, through their glasses, had a plain view
+of him, and the general verdict was that he was a
+rough-looking fellow&mdash;one who, judging by his appearance,
+was capable of almost anything.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the same man we saw in the whale-boat,"
+declared Eugene, his voice rendered husky by excitement.
+"I know him, even if he hasn't got his
+gray suit on."</p>
+
+<p>"I confess that I can't see any resemblance,"
+said Bab, taking his glass down from his eyes long
+enough to bring it to a better focus.</p>
+
+<p>It would have required a person with a very
+lively imagination to recognise anybody at that
+distance, especially in such clothes as those in which
+the captain was dressed. He wore a tarpaulin on his
+head, a red shirt open at the throat, and a pair of
+coarse trowsers, which were thrust into the tops<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>
+of heavy sea boots; and as some of these articles
+had been made for larger, and others for smaller
+men than himself, they fitted him oddly enough.</p>
+
+<p>"Ship ahoy!" roared Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" shouted the captain of the whaler.</p>
+
+<p>"What ship is that?" asked Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>The answer was given in a loud tone of voice,
+but the words were indistinct. The captain talked
+as if he had a mouthful of something. The only
+part of the reply that the Stranger's crew understood
+was that the ship was seventeen months out
+of Nantucket, and that she had nine hundred barrels
+of oil in the hold.</p>
+
+<p>"What does he say is the name of his ship, Mr.
+Baldwin?" asked Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"I understood him to say Eli Coon, sir," said
+the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"That sounds wonderfully like Tycoon, doesn't
+it?" whispered George.</p>
+
+<p>"And what does he call himself, Mr. Baldwin?"
+continued Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Captain Hank Wilson, were the words I caught,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>"What schooner is that?" shouted the captain
+of the whaler.</p>
+
+<p>"The Stranger, Captain Richard Gaylord, just
+out of Honolulu," answered Uncle Dick; and the
+words were so plain and distinct that the master of
+the whaler could have heard them if he had been
+twice as far away.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll send a boat aboard of you."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir," replied Uncle Dick. "There
+is something strange about this, Mr. Baldwin," he
+added. "That is the Tycoon if I ever saw her, but
+that isn't the scoundrel who commanded her while
+she was in the harbor of San Francisco. Stand by,
+now, and if any of our men come off in his boat
+we'll see that they don't go back."</p>
+
+<p>There was no confusion on board the Stranger&mdash;there
+never was, for the discipline was too perfect
+for that&mdash;but everybody was highly excited. And
+the excitement was increased when the second mate
+went forward with the order, which he gave in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
+low voice: "All hands stand by, and be ready to
+jump when you hear the word." The sailors knew
+what that meant, and while some pushed back their
+sleeves, others laid handspikes where they could
+find them again at a moment's warning; and having
+thus prepared for any emergency, they moved to
+the side in a body, and awaited the coming of the
+whaler's boat with no little impatience. She came
+in sight at length, rounding the stern of the ship.
+Presently one of the men whispered something, which
+was passed along from one to another, until it
+reached the ears of the boys in the waist:</p>
+
+<p>"I see Lucas in that boat, and Barton too!"</p>
+
+<p>"But where is Frank?" said Archie, anxiously.
+"If he is aboard that ship now is his time to jump
+overboard and swim out to us."</p>
+
+<p>"Look at Dick Lewis," whispered Bab, suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>The boys with one accord turned their eyes
+toward the trapper. He stood on the forecastle with
+his hands on the rail, over which he was leaning as
+far as he could without losing his balance, and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>
+eyes were fastened upon the approaching boat with
+a gaze such as a hawk might bestow upon the prey
+it was about to seize. As the boat approached nearer
+and veered round to come alongside, Dick gradually
+drew back out of sight and walked toward the
+stern to meet her.</p>
+
+<p>"If that is the captain of the Tycoon standing
+in the stern of that boat," said Archie, "he will be
+a well-thumped man before he gets fairly on deck,
+unless Uncle Dick interferes in time."</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't he," said Eugene. "I was mistaken.
+But he's a hard-looking customer all the same."</p>
+
+<p>The boat came nearer with every stroke of its
+crew, but the boys could not see any one in it whom
+they recognised. The backs of the oarsmen were
+turned toward them, and the captain kept his tarpaulin
+drawn low over his forehead, while the wind
+had turned the collar of his shirt up about his ears,
+so that his face was most effectually concealed.</p>
+
+<p>With a few strokes more the boat was alongside,
+and the red-shirted captain's head appeared above
+the Stranger's rail. Then Dick began to bestir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
+himself. With a bound like a tiger he sprang forward
+and grasped the captain by the shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"Avast there, Lewis!" roared Uncle Dick.
+"What are you about? If you attempt any violence
+I'll throw you over to the whales!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I reckon not," replied the trapper. "This
+feller can't fool ole Dick Lewis, no matter what sort
+o' clothes he's got onto him!"</p>
+
+<p>As he said this he dragged the captain bodily over
+the rail, and lifting him in his arms as he would an
+infant, carried him toward the quarter-deck.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c141" id="c141">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">GENTLEMAN BLACK.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap08">"GO on deck now, and let me give you fair warning
+that if you don't behave yourselves you'll
+go overboard before you can think twice!"</p>
+
+<p>It was the mate of the Tycoon who spoke, and
+who gave this order to Frank and the three sailors
+in the forecastle, after he had released them from
+their irons. The officer did not look much as he did
+the last time Frank saw him. He wore a handkerchief
+about his head and over his left eye, but it did
+not wholly conceal his face, which was badly swollen
+and discolored. He was in a fair way to remember
+his meeting with the trapper for some time to come.</p>
+
+<p>During the hour that Frank was confined in the
+forecastle his mind was exceedingly busy. His
+companions in trouble civilly answered all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>
+questions he asked them, but did not seem inclined
+to talk, so Frank had opportunity to think over his
+situation and try to determine upon some course of
+action. The first thing he did was to congratulate
+himself on the fact that none of his companions
+were with him on the Tycoon. Had Walter, Bab,
+Archie or any of the rest gone ashore with him
+when he went after his rifle, they would now have
+been in the same predicament as himself; and
+according to Frank's way of thinking that would
+have been a calamity indeed. He expected to suffer&mdash;his
+mind was fully made up to that,&mdash;but he
+was strong and healthy and better able to endure
+hardship than any of the young friends he had left
+on board the Stranger. He had no fears for
+Dick Lewis. The trapper was as tough as a pine
+knot&mdash;nothing seemed to make any impression on
+him&mdash;and if he could only be induced to keep his
+temper under control, and pay no attention to the
+blows and insults he was sure to receive, he would
+get on well enough. Still he thought more of him
+than he did of Lucas and Barton, who were sleeping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>
+soundly in their bunk. These two were old sailors
+and could stand anything. They were not likely
+to have as easy times as they had had on board the
+Stranger, but they were accustomed to hard work
+and hard treatment, and when safe off the Tycoon
+they would have another story to help while away
+the lonely hours of the mid watch.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it will be seen that Frank was disposed to
+make the best of his misfortunes, and to look on the
+bright side of things. But there was one fact that
+troubled him not a little, and that was, his connection
+with the Club was severed. He did not expect
+to see any of its members again, not even
+Archie, for years to come. He would be released
+from the Tycoon some day&mdash;just as soon as he could
+gain the ear of some American consul for a moment&mdash;but
+he would not know which way to turn
+to find the Stranger, and so would have nothing
+left him but to make the best of his way back to
+Lawrence. That would be a great disappointment
+to him. He had anticipated much pleasure from
+his visit to foreign countries, and it was hard to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>
+abandon the voyage, just as his expectations were
+about to be realized, and go back to the monotonous,
+hum-drum routine of village life. But as there was
+no help for it, it was useless to repine, Frank told
+himself. He would do his duty as well as he could
+while he remained on board the Tycoon, but he was
+under no obligations to stay with her any longer
+than he was compelled to do so; and the first time
+she dropped anchor in port there would be one of
+her crew missing, unless the officers took the precaution
+to deprive him of his liberty.</p>
+
+<p>While Frank was meditating in this way the mate
+came into the forecastle, and after taking off his
+irons, ordered him on deck. Ascending the ladder
+he found a small crew engaged in setting things to
+rights. The third mate, who met him as he came
+up, put him to work with the rest, and for the next
+hour Frank was kept so busy that he did not have
+time to see much of his surroundings. He took a
+look around now and then for Dick Lewis, and
+wondered what sort of work the clumsy trapper
+would make in doing sailor's duty.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Was you looking for your pardner, sir?" asked
+a seaman who was busy at his side. (The "sir"
+came out almost involuntarily, as if the man instinctively
+felt that Frank was in some way entitled to
+that show of respect.)</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I was looking for that tall, broad-shouldered
+man in buckskin who came aboard with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir, he's gone!"</p>
+
+<p>"Gone! Where?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, for he can't be found alow nor
+aloft. He must have jumped overboard."</p>
+
+<p>"O, I hope not!" said Frank anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"If he has, it is all right, sir, because he'd a
+done it sooner or later. I'll not stay aboard here
+much longer, unless there's a great change for the
+better. Things couldn't be worse."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't do anything desperate," said Frank.
+"It won't pay. But what made this man of whom
+we were speaking jump overboard?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, sir. I was busy when he came
+up. The first thing I knew there was a rumpus;
+the cap'n and two of the mates were laid out as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>
+flat as slap-jacks, and the man hasn't been seen
+since."</p>
+
+<p>"Were we far from shore?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only about three or four miles."</p>
+
+<p>"O, then it is all right. Dick is safe. He can
+swim double that distance."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I can't; but I wish I could have gone
+with him. I've seen two men go overboard since
+I've been on this craft, and if I was with 'em now
+among the sharks, my troubles would all be over."</p>
+
+<p>Here was direct confirmation of the story the
+deserter had told on board the Stranger. Frank
+drew a long breath, and from that moment a settled
+determination took possession of him.</p>
+
+<p>The work was all done at last, the watches told
+off and one of them ordered below. The one to
+which Frank belonged remained on deck to handle
+the ship, which was making long boards to gain an
+offing. Two or three times every hour they were
+called upon to trim the sails as the ship changed
+her course and stood off on another tack, and the
+rest of the time the crew lounged about the windlass.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>
+But there was none of that story-telling in
+which the crew of the Stranger engaged on such
+occasions, to make the time hang less heavily on
+their hands. The men sat sullen and silent, and as
+they were no company for Frank, he strolled aft to
+make an inspection of the craft which was likely to
+be his home for long weeks and perhaps months to
+come. She was different from other ships he had
+seen only in the number of boats she carried at her
+davits, and in her try-works, which were fitted up
+amidships. These were built of masonry, contained
+three large kettles, and were so constructed that a
+body of water could be kept under the furnace to
+prevent the fire from burning the deck.</p>
+
+<p>Having seen all he cared to see, Frank went
+forward again, and leaning over the windlass thought
+of the friends he was fast leaving behind him and
+of the trapper. He hoped from the bottom of his
+heart that Dick had jumped overboard. If such
+was the case he had saved himself many an hour of
+suffering, and had placed himself in no danger. It
+was but a short distance to the shore for such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>
+swimmer as he knew the trapper to be, and besides
+there were vessels constantly passing in and out of
+the harbor, so that on a calm night like that he had
+only to call for help to get it. The trapper had
+learned enough from the three men in the forecastle,
+if he could only remember it, to put Uncle Dick
+Gaylord on the track of the Tycoon, and perhaps
+matters might not turn out so badly after all. If
+the Stranger followed the Tycoon to Japan, his
+release would certainly be effected; but how would
+he fare in the meantime? He wished that some
+discontented boy who had read yellow-covered
+novels until he had become thoroughly disgusted
+with home and all its surroundings, and sighed for
+the wild, free, romantic life of a sailor, could be in
+his place just then.</p>
+
+<p>A short time before Frank's watch on deck was
+ended, he heard a rustling in one of the bunks below,
+and looking into the forecastle saw that the
+boatswain's mate, having come to his senses, was
+sitting up and staring about him in great bewilderment.
+The old-sea dog did not know where he was,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>
+but he quickly became aware that he was aboard
+some craft that was in motion, and catching up his
+cap he sprang out of his bunk and ran up the ladder.
+At the top he found Frank, whom he recognised
+at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are we, cap'n?" he exclaimed; "and
+how long have we been under way?"</p>
+
+<p>The sailors belonging to the Stranger's crew were
+pretty well acquainted with the history of their
+captain and his passengers. They conceived a
+great respect for Frank when they learned that he
+had been all through the late war, and that he had,
+by his own unaided efforts, worked his way from the
+forecastle to the quarter-deck, and falling into Uncle
+Dick's habit, they invariably addressed him by his
+old naval title, and were as careful to salute him
+whenever they passed him as they were to salute
+their commander.</p>
+
+<p>Before Frank had time to reply, the boatswain's
+mate had glanced about the deck of the whaler, and
+some faint suspicions seemed to creep into his mind.
+"This ain't the Stranger, cap'n!" said he.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Who are you talking to?" demanded the first
+mate, who just then came forward.</p>
+
+<p>"I was speaking to Cap'n Nelson, sir," was the
+reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is he? Where is he?" asked the mate,
+roughly.</p>
+
+<p>"There he stands, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you just drop all that," said the officer,
+who was plainly very much surprised, "and hereafter
+bear in mind that there is only one captain aboard
+this ship and only one first mate. Get on deck,
+here. You belong to this watch!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir," replied Lucas. "Now here's a
+lubberly go, cap'n," he added in a low tone, as the
+mate went aft out of earshot.</p>
+
+<p>"Be careful," said Frank, quickly. "Remember
+the mate's order and drop that title and all others
+when you speak to me. Just recollect that I occupy
+a lower position aboard this craft than you do, for
+you are an able seaman and I am not."</p>
+
+<p>"But what craft is this and what's happened us?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>
+asked the boatswain's mate, earnestly&mdash;"shanghaied?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and this ship is the Tycoon."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it," said the old sailor, striking his open
+palm with his clenched hand. "Serves me right."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know how you came here. Perhaps you
+can tell."</p>
+
+<p>"I took a drink, sir," said Lucas, hanging his
+head.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! yes; and you didn't get it out of the scuttle-butt
+either, did you? Pure water would not
+have robbed you of your senses."</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank went on to tell of his meeting with
+the bogus captain and the manner in which he and
+the trapper had been enticed on board the whaler.
+The old sailor was greatly distressed to know that
+it was through him that Frank had been brought
+into trouble. He offered to make amends by jumping
+overboard, and seemed to be hurt because Frank
+would not consent to it. While he was trying to
+comfort the mate the watch was called and Frank
+and the rest ordered below.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Thus far things seemed to be working as well as
+could be expected under the circumstances. Frank
+had heard a few hard words from the officers, but
+he had seen no blows struck. This, however, was
+only the calm that preceded the storm. The next
+morning the captain made his appearance on deck,
+just as the crew were ordered to turn to, and then
+the trouble began. Frank recognised him at once,
+for he wore the same clothes he had on when he
+passed the Stranger in the whale-boat. He proved
+to be quite as brutal as he looked, and a constitutional
+grumbler. He found fault with everything.
+Nothing could be done to suit him. He swore
+at the officers, and they in turn swore at the men,
+and struck right and left with whatever came first
+to their hands&mdash;that is, the first and second mates
+did. The third mate, whom Frank had heard
+addressed as Mr. Gale, took no part in the swearing
+and striking. He did not speak to the men as if
+they were dogs, but his orders were just as emphatic,
+just as readily understood and quite as
+promptly obeyed. Frank took a liking to the man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>
+at once. Like himself, he seemed very much out
+of place on board the Tycoon.</p>
+
+<p>The captain was anxious to get his small crew
+into shape for work before he reached the fishing-grounds,
+and almost the first thing he did was to
+order out a "dummy whale," which was a spar
+towed over the stern. Then the boats' crews were
+selected. There proved to be enough to man two
+boats, leaving a sufficient number of the crew on
+board to act as ship-keepers. Frank and Lucas were
+assigned to the captain's boat, the former being
+seated at the bow oar. This was a position of
+responsibility, as Frank very soon learned. A
+whale when struck by a harpoon sometimes starts
+to run; and in such a case it is the duty of the bow
+oar to seize the line, draw the boat up alongside
+the whale, and hold it there while the captain uses
+his lance.</p>
+
+<p>Everything being in readiness, the boats were
+lowered, and for the next three hours were manœuvred
+about the spar, until it seemed to Frank that
+the inside of his hands was all in a blaze. To make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
+matters worse, the captain swore at him for his
+awkwardness, and took him to task for answering
+"Very good, sir!" in response to an order, when he
+should have said "Ay, ay, sir!" An officer in the
+navy is required to answer "Very good, sir," when
+receiving a command from a superior, to show that
+he understands it; but Frank was not in the navy
+now, and neither was he an officer. He was a foremast
+hand on board a whaler, occupying a position
+a good deal lower than the captain's dog, he began
+to think.</p>
+
+<p>The boats were finally ordered back to the ship,
+and after they had been hoisted at the davits, the
+falls laid down in Flemish coil on deck, and the
+spar hauled aboard, Frank heard the order passed&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Send that gentleman in the black suit aft
+here."</p>
+
+<p>Frank knew in a moment that he was the one
+designated. He claimed to be a gentleman and he
+wore a suit of black clothes&mdash;he was the only one
+on board who did&mdash;so he promptly answered to the
+summons. "Here, sir," said he.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When he reached the quarter-deck he removed
+his hat and waited for the captain to speak to him.</p>
+
+<p>"So you know your name, do you?" exclaimed
+the skipper, gruffly.</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Nelson, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"But it suits me to call you Gentleman Black."</p>
+
+<p>"Very&mdash;ay, ay, sir," replied Frank, who knew
+that he was expected to say something.</p>
+
+<p>"Shoulder that handspike," continued the captain,
+pointing out the implement, "and march up
+and down the deck like a soger as you are. Carry
+it until you learn not to say 'very good' to me.
+What business is it of yours whether my orders are
+very good or very bad? I'll soon take them airs
+out of you."</p>
+
+<p>Frank picked up the handspike, and placing it on
+his shoulder, began walking up and down the deck
+like a sentry on his beat. A landsman would have
+seen no significance in this punishment, but the
+sailors did, and the boatswain's mate and the coxswain
+(the latter had recovered his senses and gone
+to work with the rest) were highly indignant. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>
+seaman regards it as an insult to be called a soldier.
+It implies that he is a "skulker"&mdash;that he shirks
+his duty.</p>
+
+<p>This was the second time that Frank had been
+punished on board ship. His first offence, as we
+know, was committed while he was in the navy, on
+board the receiving ship. He spilled some water
+on deck, and was obliged to wipe it up and carry a
+swab about the vessel until he saw some one else
+doing the same thing. He might have carried that
+swab all day, had not Archie taken pity on him and
+effected his release. His jolly little cousin was not
+at hand to help him now. Frank was glad that he
+was far away, and in no danger of ever being placed
+in a situation like his own.</p>
+
+<p>Frank found that even a handspike grows heavy
+after a while, and when he had carried it four long
+hours, he would have been glad to put it down and
+rest; but his release did not come until his watch
+was called at twelve o'clock that night. From noon
+until midnight he paced the deck without a moment's
+pause, a bite to eat or a drop to drink. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>
+tired and sleepy, but was obliged to remain on
+deck four hours longer, or until the watch to which
+he belonged was ordered below. It was pretty hard,
+Frank told himself, and provoking, too, to find
+somebody ready to make sport of him, as one of the
+sailors in his watch did when he went forward. It
+was the "black sheep" of the crew&mdash;the same one
+who pointed out the trapper's supposed hiding-place
+in the bow-boat. His name was Gardener, but some
+one had christened him Calamity, and that was
+what he was generally called. Some of the crew had
+warned Lucas and Barton to be very careful what
+they said in this man's presence. He was the captain's
+pet. He was never punished like the rest,
+and the reason probably was because he made it his
+business to keep the officers posted in everything
+that was said and done in the forecastle.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Gentleman Black," said Calamity, as
+Frank approached the windlass around which the
+watch were gathered, "how do you like the taste
+you have had of the Tycoon's discipline? You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>
+can't come soldiering aboard here with your airs and
+your graces&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Belay that!" cried the coxswain, jumping to his
+feet. "You're a soldier yourself and a tale-bearer
+besides, Calamity, and any more such language as
+that will breed a row that'll have to be settled by
+you and me the very first time we get ashore.
+That's a word with a bark on it!"</p>
+
+<p>Calamity, like the coward he was, slunk back out
+of sight immediately, and in a few minutes got up
+and walked away.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c159" id="c159">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">"THERE SHE BLOWS."</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">IT soon became evident to all on board the Tycoon
+that Captain Barclay&mdash;that was the name
+of the master of the ship&mdash;was in a great hurry.
+Whaling captains, while on fishing-grounds, generally
+try to get over as much space as they can while
+daylight lasts, and to remain as nearly in one spot
+as possible during the night. By following this
+plan they can hunt over every mile of the ground,
+and lose no chance of finding the game of which
+they are in search. Captain Barclay, however, carried
+all the sail he could crowd, both night and day.
+The old sailors, Lucas and Barton among the rest,
+knew where he was going, and when Frank heard
+them express their opinions he had new cause for
+uneasiness.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He's bound for the Sandwich Islands," said Lucas,
+one day. "He hasn't got men enough aboard
+here to do anything, and he's going after a crew."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we can make up our minds that we have
+seen the last of the Stranger," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, bless you," said Lucas, "I never did expect
+to see her again. I never said so before because
+I saw that you kept hankering after her, and I wanted
+you to keep your spirits up as long as you could."</p>
+
+<p>Frank's last hope was gone now, and it was only
+by a great effort of will that he kept himself from
+giving away utterly to his despondent feelings. "I
+have seen the last of my friends," thought he. "I
+have no one to rely on except myself. I must drag
+out a miserable existence here till I see a chance to
+escape, and then get home as best I can. I might
+just as well make up my mind to it."</p>
+
+<p>And he did. He accepted what he believed to
+be the inevitable, as gracefully as he could, and
+worked hard to keep his thoughts from wandering
+back to the pleasant little cabin of the Stranger, in
+which he had spent so many happy hours. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>
+learned rapidly when once he made up his mind to
+it, and won many a word of praise and encouragement
+from Lucas and Barton, who declared that he
+was as handy as a pocket in a shirt. His services
+speedily attracted the attention of the mate, who
+one day addressed him something after this fashion,
+only using much stronger language&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I have half a mind to trice you up, Gentleman
+Black!"</p>
+
+<p>It happened just after a sudden squall, which
+struck the ship and threw her over almost to her
+beam ends. The topsails were clewed up, and when
+the crew were ordered aloft, Frank was the first to
+mount the rigging. He made his way to the main
+royal, and stowed it as quickly and neatly as if he
+had been accustomed to the business all his life.
+He had learned this part of a seaman's duty more
+readily than the rest, because he took the most interest
+in it. He felt excited and exhilarated when
+he found himself clinging to the swaying yard, with
+the wind whistling about his ears and the white-caps
+rolling beneath him, while the ship lay over at such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>
+an angle that, had he lost his hold, he would have
+fallen into the water thirty feet from her side. He
+was always among the first to respond to an order
+to reef or furl topsails, and perhaps he liked this
+duty best because there was danger in it.</p>
+
+<p>Having performed the work of stowing the royal,
+Frank descended to the deck, where he was met by
+the first officer, who had kept his eye on him while
+he was aloft. "Yes, sir, I've the best notion in the
+world to trice you up!" he repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"What for, sir?" asked Frank, opening his eyes
+in great surprise.</p>
+
+<p>The young sailor was well satisfied with the work
+he had just performed, and wondered what he had
+done that was wrong. By strict attention to his
+work he had thus far succeeded in keeping out of
+any serious difficulty since the affair of the handspike.
+True, he had been sworn at, had been sent
+aloft several times to slush down the masts, and
+had worked industriously for three hours knocking
+the rust off the anchor, and all because the mate
+thought he was a trifle too "airy" sometimes; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>
+these were light punishments compared with those
+which some of the men received. He had seen a
+sailor knocked down with a belaying pin as fast as
+he could get up, and another hauled up by the wrists
+until he swung clear of the deck, and a fifty-pound
+snatch-block made fast to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not conscious of having done anything
+out of the way," continued Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"O, your conscience don't trouble you, then," angrily
+exclaimed the officer, who did not understand
+Frank's fine language. "Well, your back will
+trouble you in less than a minute if you use any
+jaw to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I meant, sir, that I didn't know I had done anything
+wrong," exclaimed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Then why didn't you say so?" growled the mate.
+"You're a nice lad, I do think, to come aboard here
+with your smooth, oily tongue, and talk us all into
+believing that you are a landsman! You told me
+that you didn't know anything about a ship."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, and I told you the truth. I have had
+time to learn something since then."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"So have I," said the mate. "Now listen to
+me, my hearty," he added, shaking his finger at
+Frank. "You can't soldier any longer. You'll stand
+your trick at the wheel and do an able seaman's
+duty from this hour, or I'll haze you till you'll be
+glad to jump overboard. Go forward, where you
+belong."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir! Now I have got myself into a
+scrape, sure enough," thought Frank. "The very
+first time I receive an order I don't understand, I
+shall catch it. I wish I had let that royal alone."</p>
+
+<p>Frank went forward and shortly afterward the
+first mate followed him, holding in his hand two short
+pieces of rope. "Gentleman Black," said he, "I
+need something to larrup these fellows with, when
+they don't act like men, and I want you to put a
+long splice in these ropes and a Turk's head at each
+end."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Frank. "You can't
+catch me in this way, my man," he added, as the
+mate went aft again. "If it should ever become
+necessary to send down the topmasts, you will find<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>
+out just how much I know about a sailor's work. I
+expect I shall be the first one to be 'larruped' with
+this when it is done."</p>
+
+<p>Frank knew that such a rope as that he was at
+work upon, could not be used anywhere about the
+ship, unless it was for the purpose of beating the
+men. The mate gave him the task merely to try
+him; and he stationed himself, too, where he could
+watch Frank in order to make sure that he did the
+work himself. If he had been unable to do it, the
+officer would have accused him of soldiering, and
+that would have furnished him with an excuse for
+punishing Frank in some way. But he missed his
+object that time. The work was neatly and quickly
+performed, and Frank carried it to the mate, who,
+after closely examining it, grasped it with both hands
+and raised it in the air. "Let me see how it will
+answer the purpose for which it is intended," said
+he.</p>
+
+<p>If Frank had flinched or dodged, it is probable
+that he would have felt the weight of the rope over
+his shoulders; and it is probable, too, that the mate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
+would have been flat on his back the very next instant.
+The deck of the Tycoon was never so near
+being the scene of a mutiny as it was that day; and
+just so surely as the rope fell, just so surely would
+there have been trouble, and serious trouble, too&mdash;Frank
+did not know how serious until afterward.
+He little dreamed that he had eight good men to
+back him up. He thought he would have to depend
+entirely on himself, but he stood his ground as if he
+had had the whole crew of his old vessel, the Boxer,
+at his command.</p>
+
+<p>The mate eyed him savagely for a moment, and
+then lowering the rope and telling Frank that he
+thought he was a very nice lad to come soldiering
+aboard there, when he was as able to do seaman's
+duty as anybody, called him some hard name and ordered
+him to go forward. The young sailor obeyed,
+glad indeed to be let off so easily; but his heart
+beat rapidly for a long time after that, and now and
+then he cast toward the officer a glance that was
+full of meaning.</p>
+
+<p>That night all sail was made again, and while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>
+Frank was at work on the topsail yard, Lucas, who
+was busy at his side, poked him with his elbow and
+whispered hurriedly&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you knock him down, cap'n?"</p>
+
+<p>"Be careful," whispered Frank, in reply.</p>
+
+<p>"No harm done, sir," answered the boatswain's
+mate. "There's nobody near us except good men
+and true, and I'd as soon they would hear me as not.
+Why didn't you knock that mate down when he
+raised the rope on you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I had no reason for doing it," replied Frank;
+"but I believe I should have tried it if he had struck
+me. I don't think I could take a blow without resenting
+it. I came pretty near going in the brig
+that time."</p>
+
+<p>"No, you didn't, not by a long sight, sir, begging
+your pardon for speaking so plainly," said the old
+sailor, with a knowing shake of his head. "If
+you'd a done it, you'd a been walking up and down
+the quarter-deck now with your thumbs in the arm-holes
+of your vest. You'd a been master of the
+Tycoon, sir!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank looked at Lucas in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Fact, sir," said the old boatswain's mate, earnestly.
+"Me and Barton got you into this scrape,
+all unbeknown to us who did it, and we're bound to
+bring you out with flying colors, I tell you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, Lucas," said Frank. "Now don't
+you or anybody else attempt&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Belay what I have told you and listen to more,"
+interrupted the sailor, hastily; "and don't be breaking
+in on me in that way, if you please, sir, because
+we hain't got much time to talk. You'll never be
+struck, sir, I don't think, but if you are, you'll see
+a tidy row. The officers know who you are&mdash;me
+and Barton told it to the other fellows in Calamity's
+hearing, and he carried it back to the cabin, as we
+knew he would&mdash;and the cap'n would give all his
+old boots and throw in a pair of new ones into the
+bargain, if he was well rid of you. He don't want
+you here; you know too much."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he can easily be rid of me and you and
+Barton, too," said Frank. "Let him put us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+ashore at the Sandwich Islands. We are willing
+to go."</p>
+
+<p>"He'll never do that, sir. You wouldn't go
+ashore with a stopper on your jaw, would you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I would not," replied Frank, emphatically.
+"I'd tell the consul all I know about this ship and
+the way men are treated here, and have the captain
+and all his officers, except Mr. Gale, arrested. I
+could not be hired to keep my mouth shut."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, ha! I thought so. The cap'n knows it,
+too."</p>
+
+<p>"What is he going to do with us?"</p>
+
+<p>"None of us know. The men don't want you to
+leave if they've got to stay, because they say that
+things ain't half as bad as they were before you
+came aboard. We know what we're going to do,
+and I've been waiting for a good chance to tell you.
+We're going to take the ship out of the hands of
+these villains, and put you in command. Hold on
+a bit, sir," he added, seeing that Frank was about
+to speak; "I know just what I am saying, and it is
+too late to find fault, for everything is fixed. Me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>
+and Barton spoke to some of the men about it, and
+there's six good men besides us that you can depend
+on every time. We know that you've got the
+brains and the book-learning to see us safe through
+the consul's court, and we'll do just whatever you
+say, all except one thing: when we get the ship,
+Calamity and the first mate have got to go overboard.
+That we've struck hands on. Lay in from the yard
+now, sir. Keep a stiff upper lip, and don't take no
+slack from nobody. When you get a good ready,
+sing out; and while me and Barton makes a dash
+for the cap'n's pistols&mdash;Calamity told us where he
+keeps 'em&mdash;the other six will take care of the
+officers on deck. We've got everything fixed, as I
+told you, and we're just aching to begin the work."</p>
+
+<p>The old boatswain's mate followed his remarks
+with sundry winks, nods and contortions of his face
+which Frank could not understand, but which no
+doubt meant a good deal.</p>
+
+<p>Frank descended to the deck and went through
+the rest of his duties like one in a dream. He had
+told his friends on board the Stranger that, had he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>
+been in the deserter's place, he would not have been
+restrained, by any fear of falling into the clutches
+of the law, from joining with his companions and
+taking the vessel out of the control of her officers.
+Now he was placed in a similar situation, and had
+only to "sing out" to make himself monarch of all he
+surveyed. Eight sturdy, determined men stood
+ready to obey his orders&mdash;a sufficient number to
+overpower the captain and his two tyrannical mates
+before they could think twice. Lucas did not have
+time to tell him who his friends were, but Frank
+believed that he could pick them all out. He had
+wondered at the respect which the foremast hands
+had shown him ever since his advent among them,
+and rightly attributed it to the influence of Lucas
+and Barton. Frank wondered if the third mate,
+Mr. Gale, was one of them. That officer always
+treated him with the utmost consideration, and once,
+while he was serving Frank with some clothing from
+the slop-chest, he so far forgot himself as to address
+him as "sir." He noticed the mistake as soon as
+he made it, but he did not recall the word. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>
+old boatswain's mate and coxswain were indeed resolved
+to bring him out of his troubles with flying
+colors. They meant to promote him rapidly. Did
+anybody ever hear of a person creeping in at the
+hawsehole, and working his way into the captain's
+berth in three weeks? Frank laughed at the idea.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a nice specimen to be put in command of
+a ship," he thought. "I hardly know the topsail
+halliards from the jib downhaul. But I feel better
+than I did an hour ago. If my presence here really
+acts as a restraint upon the captain, I am glad of it.
+As long as that state of affairs continues he and his
+officers are secure in their positions; but now that
+I have the power to prevent it, no one shall be
+triced up by the wrists with a fifty-pound weight at
+his feet, or beaten as unmercifully as that man was
+beaten the other day."</p>
+
+<p>Frank carried a light heart from that day forward,
+and often wondered, when he saw the captain
+in one of his angry, swearing moods, what that gentleman
+would think if he knew that he was treading
+on a mine that was liable to be exploded at any moment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>
+He did not have a chance to talk to Lucas
+again, but the sailor looked whole volumes at him
+every time they met, and Frank thought the old
+fellow meant to reproach him because he did not
+"sing out."</p>
+
+<p>Frank by this time began to feel and look like a
+sailor. He had discarded his black suit and drawn
+a full seaman's rig from the slop-chest&mdash;red shirts,
+coarse trowsers, woollen stockings, heavy boots and
+tarpaulin. His hands were becoming hardened, so
+that he could haul on the ropes or take a three
+hours' pull about the ship, without setting his palms
+on fire as he had done at first. There was one thing
+he could not bring himself to do, and that was to
+go barefooted, like the rest of the crew. There was
+something too slovenly about that to suit Frank,
+who, during his experience on ship-board, had
+always been accustomed to see men neatly and completely
+dressed.</p>
+
+<p>Although Captain Barclay was in a great hurry,
+he did not neglect to keep himself and crew in
+readiness to seize upon the first opportunity that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>
+was presented for adding to his stock of oil in the
+hold. The boats were always ready for lowering,
+the mast-head had been manned for two weeks;
+and Frank took his turn with the rest. He did his
+duty faithfully while acting as lookout, hoping to
+be the first to discover a whale. He wanted to see
+one; but when it came to getting into a small boat
+and pulling out to attack him&mdash;well, Frank wasn't
+so anxious for that. He drew a long breath and
+his heart would beat a little faster than usual whenever
+he thought of it. He had heard many thrilling
+stories related during the night-watches, and
+had come to the conclusion that a sperm whale was
+made to be looked at from a distance and not to be
+approached in a small boat.</p>
+
+<p>One bright day Frank was sitting on the fore-royal
+yard, his back braced against the shroud-stay,
+one hand grasping the halliards and his feet swinging
+in the air a hundred feet above the deck. There
+was not a sail in sight&mdash;nothing but the ocean beneath
+and the blue sky above. The old boatswain's
+mate, who now held the position of boat-steerer, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>
+sitting on the main-royal yard behind him, and both
+were keeping a bright lookout for whales. A prize
+of a pair of boots had been offered to the first man
+who raised a whale, and that to a sailor who, out of
+small wages, has to pay high prices for everything
+he draws from the slop-chest, is an object worth
+working for. Frank did not care for the boots&mdash;he
+hoped to be safely off the Tycoon long before the
+pair he then had on was worn out&mdash;but he did care
+for the honor of discovering the first spout, so he
+kept his eyes roaming everywhere. But half his
+watch had expired and he had seen nothing yet.</p>
+
+<p>"Hem! hem!" said a voice behind and above
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked around, and saw the old boatswain's
+mate winking and nodding at him as he always did
+both before and after making any confidential communication.
+More than that, he was holding his
+clenched hand against his breast, and pointing with
+his thumb out over the water. His meaning flashed
+upon Frank in an instant. His eyes scanned almost
+every inch of the watery waste that lay between him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>
+and the horizon, but he could see nothing that he
+thought looked as a spout ought to look.</p>
+
+<p>"Sing out, sir!" whispered the old sailor, excitedly.
+"There's grease!"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see it," whispered Frank, in reply.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the odds? I do. Sing out, sir!"</p>
+
+<p>"There she blows!" shouted Frank, taking the
+old sea-dog at his word.</p>
+
+<p>The flapping of the sails below him showed that
+his wild yell had reached the ears of at least one
+of the sailors on deck&mdash;the wheelsman&mdash;and that it
+had excited him so that he forgot for a moment to
+attend to his business. Then the captain's hoarse
+voice was heard. "Keep her steady there, can't
+you? Where away?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I don't know," said Frank, in a low
+tone, as he looked impatiently around.</p>
+
+<p>"Three points off the weather bow!" shouted the
+boatswain's mate. "Three miles off and coming
+this way. Sperm whale. Flukes! flukes!" he
+added, as the whale went down with a farewell
+flourish of his tail.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Dear me, I wish I could see it," thought
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Lay down from aloft!" commanded the captain.
+"See the boats all clear and stand by to
+lower."</p>
+
+<p>When Frank descended to the deck in obedience
+to this order, he found the captain and all his mates
+in the rigging, the former sweeping the horizon
+with his glass. "There she blows!" he cried, gleefully.
+"Close aboard! Back the main topsail and
+lower away!"</p>
+
+<p>Frank sprang to the falls of the boat to which he
+belonged, and by the time it was fairly settled in
+the water, he was in his seat with his oar in his
+hand. Much scrambling and confusion followed;
+but a few oaths from the captain restored order,
+and almost before he knew it Frank was flying
+over the waves in pursuit of his first whale&mdash;the
+whale he had raised, but which he had not yet
+seen.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c178" id="c178">CHAPTER X.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">FRANK'S FIRST WHALE.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap16">ALL this happened in much less time than we
+have taken to describe it. To Frank, whose
+brain was in a great whirl, it seemed that scarcely
+half a minute had elapsed after the raising of the
+whale, before he was in the boat and pulling for
+dear life. He afterwards recalled every exciting
+incident of that hour, and wondered that he did not
+feel any fear. Perhaps it was because he was too
+busy to think. He was not so busy, however, but
+that he could take note of and marvel at one thing,
+and that was the great change that had suddenly
+come over the captain. He looked and acted like
+a different man. He even smiled, and that was
+something Frank had never seen him do before.
+Holding the steering-oar with one hand and assisting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>
+the stroke-oar with the other, he kept up a running
+fire of small-talk to encourage his men.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, my good sons," said he, in a low voice and
+in much such a tone as an affectionate father might
+use, "all my 'lay' in that whale will go straight to
+your credit just as soon as we get back to the ship,
+if you will only put me alongside of him so that I
+can get one chance at him with the lance. I declare,
+it has been so long since I used a lance that
+I don't know how it seems, and I shall get all out
+of practice if you don't take pity on me. We must
+beat that other boat anyhow, and if you pull this
+way, you are sure to do it. That's it; pick her
+right up out of the water and walk along with her.
+She isn't a feather's weight to such long-armed,
+broad-shouldered fellows as you are. That's the
+way to do it; only raise her just an inch higher, my
+lads. She touched that wave; I felt it, didn't you?
+There! she didn't touch that one and I know it.
+Keep her there, my good lads. She's in the air
+now. Talk about your balloons! Give me this
+boat and crew and I'll go anywhere they can!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>For the first time since he came on board the
+Tycoon, Frank felt like laughing. The captain
+reminded him of Hans Breitman's velocipede, which,
+even before it became frightened and started to run
+away with its rider, went so fast that it</p>
+
+<p class="pp6q p1">"&mdash;&mdash;didn't touch the dirt, by shinks,</p>
+<p class="pp8">Not once in half a mile."</p>
+
+<p class="p1">"Bless me, what muscles those two fellows in the
+bow have got!" continued the captain, still working
+at the stroke-oar with all his strength. "And how
+they do twist them oars about, just as if they were
+feathers! I've got to have stronger and heavier
+oars made for them, I can see that, for they're
+bound to break them they've got now. Ah! she
+touched that wave. Lift her up in the air again,
+where she belongs, and hold her there. You fellows
+in the bow needn't think you can pull your end of
+the boat so fast that we in the stern can't keep up
+with you. By the way, is that sharp-eyed, good-looking
+son of mine, who raised this whale, in the
+boat?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. It was Nelson," replied Lucas,
+promptly.</p>
+
+<p>Frank, who did not believe in sailing under false
+colors, was about to protest that it wasn't he at all&mdash;that
+Lucas himself was the lucky man&mdash;but
+knowing the captain's uncertain disposition, and
+fearing that there might be some after-settlement
+that would prove unpleasant for the old boatswain's
+mate if the truth were known, he kept silent and
+heard himself praised for an act that he did not perform.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! it is just like him," said the captain. "I
+knew there was lots in him the first time I saw him.
+You can't fool me in a man. I can look in his eye
+and read him like an open book. There's a boatsteerer's
+berth ahead for you, Nelson," continued the
+captain, too excited and impatient to think of the
+name he always applied to Frank in derision.
+"Those boots belong to you, and when we get back
+to the ship you go straight down to the slop-chest&mdash;I'll
+give you the key&mdash;and pick out whatever you
+want. Take everything you find there&mdash;boots,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>
+breeches, shirts and&mdash;no, no! Take the ship. She's
+yours! That's the way Daddy Barclay treats his
+sons when they do their duty by him. Now, my
+lads," he added, in a thrilling whisper, "he's right
+here somewhere below us. Lay on your oars now;
+keep your eyes peeled and don't let me hear so much
+as an eye-wink from any of you."</p>
+
+<p>Frank's heart fairly came up into his mouth.
+The captain's harangue being ended (he had a suspicion
+that the skipper had kept it up on purpose
+to divert the minds of his crew, one of whom was
+as green as Frank himself), there was nothing to
+occupy his attention, and he had leisure to ponder
+upon the dangers he was about to encounter. Of
+course all the stories he had heard in the Tycoon's
+forecastle concerning the perils to which whalemen
+are constantly exposed, came into his mind, and to
+save his life he could think of nothing else. He
+felt as he had often felt on going into action.
+After the crew are called to quarters there is almost
+always a delay, sometimes longer and sometimes
+shorter, before the first gun is fired, and to most men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>
+that is worse than the battle itself. They are glad
+when it is over and the fight begins. The interval
+of inactivity that came now gave the boat's crew a
+chance to rest after their long, hard pull, but Frank
+could scarcely endure it. He wanted the whale to
+show himself at once. If he was going to cut the
+boat in two with his jaw or smash it into kindling
+wood with his tail, Frank wished he would be about
+it and not keep him in suspense.</p>
+
+<p>The whale was down a long time&mdash;so long that
+even the captain became impatient. He and the
+boat's crew, Frank among the rest, arose to their
+feet one after the other to obtain a wider view, and
+holding their oars in their hands, kept a bright
+lookout in every direction. The first mate's boat
+was lying about half a mile to windward, and her
+crew were also standing up. The Tycoon had come
+to directly in the path the whale was pursuing, and
+the third officer was at the mast-head, ready to
+signal to the boat's crews if the whale arose beyond
+the range of their vision. Frank's eyes were everywhere,
+and at last something induced him to turn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>
+them into the water close alongside the boat. He
+saw something there&mdash;an immense dark-blue object,
+which contrasted plainly with the paler blue of the
+water. He looked again, and then glanced into the
+water on the opposite side of the boat to make sure
+that his eyes had not deceived him. The sea on
+that side was all the same color, and that proved
+that there was something under the boat. He
+nudged Lucas with his elbow and pointed to it.
+The old sailor looked, and instantly every particle
+of color fled from his face. But he had nerve, if he
+was frightened, plenty of it, too, and it showed
+itself in the firm grasp he laid upon his harpoon.
+The time for action had arrived.</p>
+
+<p>"He's coming," thought Frank, while the oar he
+held in his grasp seemed to turn into lead, so heavy
+did it feel to his weakened arm. "I always supposed
+a whale was black."</p>
+
+<p>The boat header's action attracted the attention
+of the captain, who, following the direction of his
+gaze gave a sudden start and waved his hand to the
+crew. The men quickly seated themselves and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>
+dropped their oars softly in the row-locks. The
+temptation to look over his shoulder was almost
+irresistible, but fearing that if he did, his courage,
+which was rapidly oozing out at the ends of his fingers,
+would give away altogether, Frank resolutely
+controlled himself and kept his eyes fixed on the
+captain's face.</p>
+
+<p>"There he is," cried the skipper, a moment afterward.
+"Throw it at him and go overboard if you
+miss him."</p>
+
+<p>The old sailor obeyed the order to the very letter.
+He threw his harpoon, missed his object and went
+overboard. Whether it was for the reason that the
+boat was unsteady, or because the seaman was too
+badly frightened to stand firmly on his feet, or because
+his hand had lost its skill during the years that
+had passed since he struck his last whale, it is hard
+to tell. Perhaps all these things combined operated
+to bring about the events that followed. At any
+rate the iron went wild and the old boatswain's mate
+turned a complete back somersault and disappeared
+over the side. He rose immediately, however, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>
+Frank catching sight of him as a wave carried him
+past the boat, promptly thrust his oar out to him.</p>
+
+<p>The captain was almost beside himself with fury.
+He did not act or talk quite so much like an
+affectionate father as he did a short time before.
+He tore off his hat, trampled it under his feet and
+shook all over with rage. "He missed him as sure
+as I'm a sinner," he sputtered, hardly able to speak
+plainly. "If I had him aboard the ship I would
+trice him up for a week. Let the fool go," he
+roared with a long string of heavy adjectives, as
+Frank tried to place the blade of his oar in the old
+sailor's grasp. "A man that'll get up on his legs
+and tumble overboard while the boat is standing
+still, is of no use aboard a vessel of mine; so let him
+go down among the sharks, where he belongs.
+We're well rid of&mdash;Stern all! Stern for your lives!
+Well done, my son. You've been in this business
+before, and you are my boat-header from this day
+out."</p>
+
+<p>The change in the captain's tone was brought
+about by an action on Frank's part that was unexpected,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>
+even to himself. He scarcely knew he did
+it until after it was done. Lucas, having missed
+his first throw and gone overboard, had no chance
+for a second attempt, and unless somebody took his
+place on the instant, the game was likely, if he did
+not escape altogether, to lead them a long, hard
+race before they could come up with him again. It
+required an emergency to show what Frank was
+made of. He never waited to take a second
+thought, but throwing his oar to the boatswain's
+mate&mdash;he knew it would keep him afloat until the
+boat could pick him up&mdash;he jumped to his feet,
+catching up the extra harpoon as he arose.</p>
+
+<p>When his face was turned toward the bow of the
+boat, Frank saw a sight that was well calculated to
+shake stronger nerves than his&mdash;a sperm whale
+coming up on a breach almost within an oar's
+length of him. His huge bulk was shooting up
+into the air, and he did not even make a ripple in
+the water as he arose. But when he fell on his
+side, as he did a moment later, he created something
+more than a ripple. He raised waves that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>
+threatened to swamp the boat, and made a noise
+that would have given Frank some idea of the immense
+weight of the monster, if he had not been
+too highly excited and alarmed to have any ideas at
+all.</p>
+
+<p>As the whale fell into the water&mdash;fortunately he
+fell away from the boat&mdash;Frank's harpoon was
+launched into the air, and being thrown with all the
+force his sinewy arms could give it, and flying true
+to its aim, was buried to the socket in the side of
+the whale. The next instant the young harpooner
+was thrown flat among the thwarts by the sudden
+start backward which the crew gave the boat in
+obedience to the captain's order "Stern all!" He
+heard something whistling through the air, and
+looked up just in time to see the whale's flukes disappearing
+in a pile of foam. How he opened his
+eyes at the sight of them! They would have measured
+more feet across than the boat measured in
+length. The whale gave the water an angry slap,
+raising a sea that would have filled the boat had not
+the bow been promptly brought around toward it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>
+and then started down into the depths at the rate
+of a mile in six minutes, the line fairly smoking as
+it whizzed through the lead-lined groove. Frank
+held his breath while he gazed at it. It looked like
+a streak of blue flame, so swiftly did it run out. If
+it caught on anything, the boat and all her crew
+would be a hundred feet under water in an instant's
+time.</p>
+
+<p>The young harpooner did not hear any of the
+words of praise and promises of reward which the
+delighted skipper shouted at him. He did not hear
+anything but the hissing of the line as it ran through
+the groove in the bow. He lay on the bottom perfectly
+stupefied, until he was aroused by the touch
+of somebody's hand.</p>
+
+<p>When the captain gave the order to "Stern all,"
+the crew sent the boat within reach of Lucas, who
+laid hold of the gunwale, and worked his way along
+to the bow, where he belonged. Attracting Frank's
+attention by a pull at his trowsers, he was hauled
+into the boat, and took his seat, looking not a little
+crestfallen. He caught up a hatchet lying near, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>
+held it in his hand in readiness to cut the line in case
+it fouled while running out. Frank also seated himself,
+and then began to think about what he had done.
+No one in the boat could have been more surprised
+at it.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want any more of this," said he, mentally.
+"It is just awful. I can't stand it. While
+that fellow was shooting up toward the clouds he
+looked like a church-steeple turned wrong end up.
+He must be a hundred and fifty feet long&mdash;perhaps
+more. Who would have thought that I had courage
+enough to send that harpoon at him?"</p>
+
+<p>Here Frank looked over his shoulder as if to satisfy
+himself that he had really performed the feat.
+There could be no mistake about it. The line was
+still running out, and Lucas was watching it while
+hauling in the harpoon with which he had missed
+the whale.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe I did do it," thought Frank. "He is
+black after all. It was the water that made him
+look so blue. I wouldn't do it again to be made
+owner of the finest fleet of ships that ever floated!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Nelson," said the captain, and now that Frank's
+mind was settled a little he was able to pay attention
+to him, "whatever I've got that you want, just
+ask for it and it is yours. Don't be bashful or stand
+on ceremony with your Daddy Barclay. Take a big
+bite if you want to."</p>
+
+<p>"I have only one favor to ask, captain," replied
+Frank, suddenly tempted to strike while the iron
+was hot, although he knew it would be quite useless,
+"and that is&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, slack away lively, and let it come out on
+the run," said the captain, as Frank hesitated a
+moment, wondering how he could word the request
+so that the skipper would not get angry at him.
+"Speak it out."</p>
+
+<p>"I should be greatly obliged if you would set me
+and the two men who were shanghaied with me,
+ashore at the first port we make," said Frank.
+"We shall use the right the law gives us, and ask
+to see the consul as soon as we get there."</p>
+
+<p>Frank's only motive in saying this was to let the
+captain know that he understood the law applying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>
+to the rights of seamen; and he said it at that time
+because he did not know that he would ever have
+another chance, this being the first opportunity he
+had ever had to exchange a word with the master
+of the Tycoon. If there is anything an officer thoroughly
+detests it is a "sea lawyer" among his crew.
+One of these gentry will keep a ship's company in
+hot water from the time the voyage begins until it
+is ended; and his presence acts as a restraint upon
+the captain and his mates, who, if they are disposed
+to be tyrannical, expect to escape the consequences
+through the sailor's ignorance of their rights.
+Frank knew this, and he was in hopes that if he let
+the captain see that he knew what his privileges
+were, and that he intended to insist on having them,
+the skipper would be glad to get rid of him with as
+little delay as possible.</p>
+
+<p>The master of the Tycoon had not a word to say
+in reply to this request, but the look he gave Frank
+satisfied the latter that if he had not spoken at the
+right time to further his own interests, he had
+spoken at the right time to make the captain angry.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>
+He did not offer Frank any more rewards after
+that.</p>
+
+<p>The line continued to run out with great rapidity
+for a few minutes, then the speed gradually decreased
+until it remained motionless, and the actions
+of the captain and his crew indicated that the whale
+was soon expected to make his appearance at the
+surface again. He came very speedily, and much
+too close to the boat for the comfort and safety of its
+crew. Seen through Frank's frightened eyes, his
+head looked like a small mountain rising out of the
+water. His mouth was wide open, showing a milk-white
+cavity large enough to take in the boat and
+all its crew, and Frank gathered from something
+Lucas said that he was ugly and had made up his
+mind to do some mischief. The sequel proved that
+the old sailor was right. The monster began operations
+at once by striking out with his long, sword-like
+jaw, which to Frank's great amazement he
+worked sideways, instead of up and down, and followed
+it up with a tremendous sweep of his tail that,
+had he succeeded in planting the blow where he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>
+wanted it, would have made an end of his enemies
+in a hurry. But both these dangers were escaped.
+His jaw just touched the bow of the boat, and the
+blow from his flukes was avoided by the vigilance
+of the captain and the prompt obedience of the
+crew, who quickly backed the boat out of his reach.
+Apparently satisfied with the demonstrations he had
+made, the whale got under way and made off at an
+astonishing rate of speed, the harpoon which Frank
+had planted still fast in his side.</p>
+
+<p>The bow-oarsman now had a duty to perform, and
+he set about it without waiting for orders. It was
+to overhaul the line and draw the boat up alongside
+the whale, so that the captain, who stood ready to
+change places with the harpooner, could use his
+lance. He rapidly drew in the line, taking care to
+lay it down clear of everything, so that it would not
+kink or get foul in case the whale sounded again,
+and soon had the slack all in. Then he felt a
+strain upon it, and an instant afterward the line
+was whipped out of the water with such force that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>
+it was drawn as tight as a bow-string, and the spray
+flew from it in a perfect shower.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold fast to it, my son," yelled the captain.
+"Keep every inch you get, and get every inch you
+can. We'll have a sleigh-ride now, and such a one
+as landsmen know nothing about."</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the strain was fearful, and Frank's
+power of muscle was tested to the utmost. It
+seemed to him that if the harpoon did not draw or
+the line break, his arms would be pulled off. Letting
+go was something he did not think of; but he
+knew he could not retain his hold much longer, so
+in spite of the old mate's warning gestures, he
+passed a bight of the line around a thwart and held
+it there. By this time the boat began to move, and
+the strain was somewhat lessened.</p>
+
+<p>Now began a novel ride, which Frank thought he
+could have enjoyed if he had only had leisure to give
+his attention to it. A whale can move at tremendous
+speed for a short distance, and this one went at
+such a rate that the boat buried her bow in the
+waves, and rolled back great masses of foam, which,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>
+spreading out over the surface of the water, gave it
+the appearance of a bank of snow. Perhaps it was
+this that first caused the sailors to call a ride of this
+kind a sleigh-ride. But Frank had no time to see
+what was going on around him. He had work to
+perform; and it <i>was</i> work to haul a heavy boat
+containing six men through the waves against such
+resistance as the whale created by the high rate of
+speed he kept up. The line was wet and slippery,
+and Frank's hands, which he had fondly hoped were
+pretty well hardened by this time, soon began to
+feel the effects of it.</p>
+
+<p>In the first lesson he received while manœuvring
+about the "dummy whale," Frank had been instructed
+how to adjust the line to make the boat
+move side by side with a running whale and at a
+short distance from it, and he struggled hard to
+bring the boat in that position; but the line came
+in very slowly, and sometimes when he was almost
+on the point of accomplishing his object, an unusually
+large wave striking the bow or a sudden
+spurt on the part of the frantic beast in front,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>
+would tear the line from his hands in spite of all
+he could do to prevent it.</p>
+
+<p>At length, after Frank had worked his best for
+nearly an hour without once pausing for breath,
+and the line had been drawn through his hands for
+the third time, the captain's small stock of patience
+was all exhausted, and he began to relieve his mind
+by uttering heavy oaths. "Coward!" he yelled,
+stamping his feet as if he were trying to knock a
+hole through the bottom of the boat. "If you are
+afraid to put me alongside that whale, jump overboard
+and give place to a better man. You're fixing
+your back for a rope's end as soon as you get
+aboard the ship!"</p>
+
+<p>Frank and the old boatswain's mate exchanged
+quick glances, one elevating his eye-brows, and the
+other drawing his down. The first meant: "If
+he tries it will you sing out?" and Frank by his
+answering scowl meant: "I will." Not a word
+was passed, but each understood the other perfectly.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c198" id="c198">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">CUTTING IN AND TRYING OUT.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE high-spirited Frank, smarting under a sense
+of injustice, and hardly able to bear the pain
+occasioned by his lacerated hands, suddenly became
+very reckless. The captain had no excuse for talking
+to him in that style after what he had done. A
+coward would not have been likely to take a defeated
+harpooner's place and plunge an iron into the first
+whale he had ever seen, and neither would he have
+worked as hard as Frank did to bring the boat into
+position; and that he <i>did</i> work, the crimson stains
+his hands left on the rope abundantly proved.</p>
+
+<p>"I have had this boat alongside that whale three
+times," said Frank, to himself, "and if I get her
+there again she'll stay, unless something breaks. I'll
+make all fast; and if the whale goes down and takes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span>
+us to the bottom with him, it can't be helped. I'll
+see who will be the first to act like a coward, the
+captain or I."</p>
+
+<p>Had Frank carried this reckless resolve into execution,
+and had the whale sounded as soon as the
+line was made fast, the boat would not have been
+emptied of her crew more quickly than she was a
+moment later. The whale threw his flukes about
+in the most spiteful manner, but finding that he
+could not reach the boat with them, he gave signs
+of a change of tactics which created a panic among
+all the crew except Frank and the old boatswain's
+mate. Frank was not frightened because he did
+not understand them&mdash;in his case ignorance was
+bliss&mdash;but the sailor did, and he did not turn white
+this time either. He was about to be given an opportunity
+to make amends for his previous defeat,
+and he was ready to improve it.</p>
+
+<p>"He's going to 'mill,'" said he in a low tone
+as he picked up his harpoon. "Don't slack an
+inch till I get a dart at him."</p>
+
+<p>Before Frank could ask an explanation the whale<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>
+raised his huge head from the water, dropped his
+jaw at right angles with his body and turning as
+quickly as a flash, started off across the course he
+had been pursuing. Frank, who was sitting with
+face forward so that he had a fair view of the whale
+and could see every move he made, stared at him in
+amazement; and while awaiting the issue of events
+with a calmness that surprised himself, eagerly responded
+to the harpooner's entreaty to haul in
+faster, although he believed that certain death
+awaited him. It seemed as if the boat would run
+squarely into the whale's mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"Slack that line!" roared the captain, suddenly
+stopping his swearing and speaking in an imploring
+tone of voice. "Slack that line, and may Heaven
+have mercy on us! Stern all, for life!"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+     <img src="images/ill-201.jpg" width="400" height="278"
+         alt=""
+         title="" />
+     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">The Air seemed to be literally filled with pieces<br />
+of Planks, Harpoons, Ropes, and Lances.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank dropped the line, which seemed like a coal
+of fire in his hands, and the men laid out their
+strength on the oars till they fairly snapped. The
+first stroke stopped the boat's headway and the
+second started her on the back track, but not in
+time to escape the danger that threatened her.
+Before Lucas could throw his harpoon the whale's
+jaw swept around like a scythe, and striking the
+boat in the side overturned her in an instant,
+smashing in the planks as if they had been pasteboard,
+and tumbling those of the crew who did not
+jump out into the water.</p>
+
+<p>From the crest of a wave on which he struck,
+Frank turned to look at the whale and see what had
+become of his companions. The monster was
+bringing his tail into play now. With one fierce
+upward sweep of his huge flukes he lifted the battered
+boat out of the water, and the captain, who
+had clung to the wreck, was going up with it. The
+air seemed to be literally filled with pieces of planks,
+harpoons, ropes and lances. The crew had all escaped
+without injury&mdash;at least they were all able
+to swim, for Frank counted four frightened faces
+bobbing about on the waves near him. He had
+some idea now of the strength and ferocity a whale
+could display when he once set about it. He made
+up his mind, too, that men must be simply foolhardy
+to willingly follow any such business as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>
+whaling. Otherwise how could they bring themselves
+to engage with such a monster as this, against
+whose tremendous power, which he had just seen
+exerted with such telling effect, their strength was
+as nothing?</p>
+
+<p>To say that Frank was frightened would not begin
+to tell how he felt. How helpless he was! How
+completely the waves baffled his mad efforts to get
+out of the reach of his dangerous foe, and how like
+straws they seemed in the path of the whale which
+skimmed through them as easily as a bird passes
+through the air! Then how frightened everybody
+else was, if he might judge by the pale faces he saw
+about him, and the frantic attempts the men made
+to swim away. If those who were accustomed to
+such scenes and such dangers were so nearly overcome
+with terror, it was time for a novice to show
+signs of fear.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out, Nelson!" cried Lucas, suddenly.
+"Look out! He's&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The old boatswain's mate no doubt meant to say
+something else, but he did not stay on top of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>
+water long enough to say it. He ducked his head
+and went down like lead, making desperate struggles
+to go faster. Frank cast one frightened glance over
+his shoulder and went down too. The whale had
+turned again and was coming directly toward him,
+rolling from side to side and slashing from right to
+left with his jaw, describing at each stroke a circle
+thirty-two feet in diameter. There was no time to
+swim out of his reach. His only chance for life
+was to go below him. How Frank blessed his
+lucky stars at that moment that deep diving and
+swimming long distances under water were two of
+his accomplishments! He went as far down as he
+could, stayed under as long as he could hold his
+breath, and came up almost strangled. He was out
+of danger. The battered boat was twenty feet away
+and the whale a hundred feet still farther off, and
+moving rapidly toward the ship. The men were all
+clinging to the boat to keep themselves afloat, and
+Frank swam up and joined them.</p>
+
+<p>All this while the men in the mate's boat had
+been doing their best with sail and oars to get near<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span>
+enough to the whale to take part in the fight, but
+without success. Now, however, they had an opportunity
+offered them, for the whale had doubled
+on his course, and if he did not take it into his head
+to turn again, he would pass their boat at such a
+distance that they would have a chance at him with
+their harpoons. The mate prepared for it by ordering
+one man to take down the sail while the rest
+still tugged at the oars. He did not even look
+toward the disabled boat or ask if the crew wanted
+assistance.</p>
+
+<p>"These whalemen are a heartless lot," thought
+Frank. "If I were in command of that boat I
+think I should save my shipmates first; but I suppose
+that officer thinks we are not worth as much
+as the whale. Men can be had any day for the
+asking, and if a few of them lose their lives
+what's the odds? Nobody misses them. But
+whales are not as plenty as they used to be, and if
+one of them is lost it is something to be sorry
+for."</p>
+
+<p>Frank's meditations were interrupted and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>
+attention called from the chase by the actions of
+one the men near him, who suddenly began to make
+desperate efforts to climb into the boat. He persisted
+in spite of the angry orders and oaths of the
+skipper, who stormed and threatened to no purpose.
+The man was almost beside himself with fear.</p>
+
+<p>"What has come over him all at once?" asked
+Frank, of the man at his side. "He was quiet
+enough a moment ago."</p>
+
+<p>"He had a narrow escape from a shark once,"
+replied the sailor, "and I guess he has just thought
+of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I wish from the bottom of my heart that
+he hadn't thought of it at all," said Frank, "or
+else that I had not asked you any questions, for I
+have new cause for alarm now. I wonder if a sailor
+can turn in any direction without finding himself
+confronted by some deadly peril?"</p>
+
+<p>"He might if he's a merchantman, but not if he
+is a whaler," was the comforting reply.</p>
+
+<p>"If I had thought of sharks I never could have
+dived under that whale," continued Frank.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"O, 'tain't time for 'em to be on hand yet; but
+you'll see 'em coming like a flock of sheep just as
+soon as that fellow begins to spout blood."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that you will," said another. "I was
+hanging on to a stove boat once, just as we are
+now, and the sharks, I never see the beat of 'em in
+all my born days, come up&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if they got hold of anybody, I don't
+want to know it," interrupted Frank, with a
+shudder. "Can't you talk about something else?"</p>
+
+<p>"Take that!" shouted the captain, who was
+narrowly watching the chase. "And that!" he
+added, a moment afterward. "He's fast again, and
+we are sixty barrels of grease ahead."</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked up to see what had called forth
+these exclamations from the captain, and was just
+in time to catch a glimpse of the mate's harpooner
+as he threw his second iron into the whale. He had
+three harpoons in him now, and Frank gathered
+from the remarks the men made that his capture
+was considered certain. He lashed the water furiously
+with his tail, raising an immense pile of spray<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>
+and foam, and when it disappeared he was out of
+sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Now look out for breakers," said Lucas, "for
+there's no knowing where he will come up, and he's
+ugly if he is little. We know that, don't we?"</p>
+
+<p>"Little!" repeated Frank, who remembered that
+he had compared the beast to a church-steeple, and
+estimated his length at one hundred and fifty feet;
+"how big is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"The cap'n says sixty barrels."</p>
+
+<p>"I mean, how long is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"O, I don't know. I never took the measure of
+one. I ain't a tailor."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever know of one larger than this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Many a one. I heard of one once that ran a
+hundred and thirty-five barrels, but I didn't see
+him. The biggest one I ever struck or saw struck
+turned out a hundred and fifteen barrels."</p>
+
+<p>"Almost twice as large as this one," thought
+Frank, hardly able to believe his ears. "Whew!
+I will never sail another foot in the Tycoon after we
+reach the Sandwich Islands. If a youngster can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span>
+kick up a row like this, what could a full grown
+one do? What <i>wouldn't</i> he do if he got mad?"</p>
+
+<p>Frank was greatly relieved to hear one of the
+men say at that moment that the ship was coming
+down to pick them up. It was anything but pleasant
+to be placed in such a situation as that in
+which he and his companions were placed just then,
+immersed to their necks in salt water, every wave
+making a clean breach over them, nothing but a
+battered boat to keep them afloat, an enraged and
+ugly whale in close proximity, and a school of
+hungry sharks expected to arrive every moment.
+On the contrary, it was a situation well calculated
+to inspire terror.</p>
+
+<p>The good ship never seemed to move so slowly
+before, but she came up with them at last, a boat
+pulled by two men came out to their relief, and in
+ten minutes more the wrecked boat was on deck
+in possession of the carpenter, and the exhausted
+men were in the forecastle, exchanging their wet
+clothes for dry ones. When Frank went on deck
+again the whale was in his "flurry," which, upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span>
+inquiry, he found to be a sailor's way of saying
+"death struggle." The mate and his crew had
+made short work of him, and Frank came up too
+late to see the lance used. The whale was swimming
+in a circle at a surprising rate of speed,
+pounding the sea with his flukes, spouting blood
+from his blow-hole, and rolling from side to side as
+if trying to reach his enemies with his jaw. His
+fury increased for a few seconds, then gradually
+lessened, and finally the captured monster rolled
+over and lay motionless on the water. "Fin out!"
+cried all the sailors on the Tycoon, which was
+equivalent to saying, "he is dead." Then all joined
+in a yell of triumph, except Frank. He could not
+help feeling sorry for the conquered leviathan, who
+had battled so strongly for his life, and told himself
+that it was a mean business altogether.</p>
+
+<p>"Men who can torture a beast like that to death
+and feel no remorse over it, would serve their fellow
+creatures the same way if they had a good
+chance," was what he said to himself. "I know
+now how it comes that the captain and his two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>
+mates are so brutal. They have practiced on
+whales so long that they have no feeling left."</p>
+
+<p>Now came the work of making fast to the whale,
+which was begun as soon as the ship was brought
+alongside of it. Frank did not see how it was done,
+for he was kept busy at something else. When he
+had leisure to look over the side he found the game
+secured by a chain, one end of which was fastened
+just above the tail, and the other led through
+a hawsehole to the bitts. He could see the whole
+length of him now, and had it not been for the
+three harpoons sticking in his back and side, he
+could hardly have brought himself to believe that it
+was the same whale that smashed his boat. He
+looked very much smaller, and the reason was
+because he had something to compare him with.</p>
+
+<p>And now came the most disagreeable part of a
+whaleman's duties&mdash;the cutting in and trying out.
+The first consists in removing the blubber from
+the body of the whale, cutting off the head and
+bailing out the spermaceti; and the next in rendering
+out the oil in the try-kettles. Lucas said that,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span>
+as the day was far spent, the work ought not to be
+commenced until the next morning. The crew
+could then have a good night's sleep after their hard
+work in the boats, and be fresh and ready for the
+laborious duties before them; but Captain Barclay
+thought differently. He never cared for the comfort
+of his men, so he ordered them to begin at
+once.</p>
+
+<p>How long it took to do the work Frank never
+knew, for he was too busy and too completely tired
+out to keep track of the days. The crew was so
+small that every man was required to handle the
+blubber as it was hauled aboard by the tackles; and
+when that was all stowed, and the carcass cut adrift,
+the watches were lengthened into six (they were
+often nearer eight) hours each, and the trying out
+began. Frank did not wonder that the men grew
+quarrelsome, and that more than one of them had
+to be driven to his work with a rope's end, being
+compelled, as they were, to work almost twenty
+hours out of the twenty-four. He thought often of
+what he had read concerning the fiendish ingenuity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span>
+displayed by the Chinese in inventing modes of torture
+for those who disobey their laws, and told himself
+that some of them must have served their
+time in a whale-ship, and there learned by experience
+the misery to which a person is subjected when
+deprived of sleep. Frank would not have resented
+a blow himself now, he was too weak and dispirited;
+but he would have given all he ever hoped to
+possess, if he could have lain down in all the oil
+and dirt of the blubber-room, and had a good sound
+nap. The work was made harder by the captain's
+great desire to fill up the hold as soon as possible.
+He kept the mast-head manned all day by some of
+the crew who ought to have been allowed to go
+below to rest, and swore at them roundly because
+they did not raise another whale; although it is
+hard to tell what good it would have done if they
+had discovered a school of them, for in their exhausted
+condition they never could have endured a
+lengthened struggle with one. Frank often thought,
+after it was all over, that the only thing that sustained
+him during that week, was the sweet, sound<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span>
+sleep he had every time he acted as lookout. Seated
+on the royal yard, a hundred and more feet in the
+air, with his back against the stay and a rope passed
+about his waist to keep him from falling off, he
+would slumber like a log, leaving the whales, if
+there were any, to spout in peace. The rest of
+the crew being equally sleepy and careless,
+no more whales were raised, and Frank was glad
+of it.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't stand this, Mr. Gale," said Frank one
+day, when the third officer came into the blubber-room
+where he was at work, "and I won't."</p>
+
+<p>"You won't?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. I have never done any soldiering
+since I have been aboard here, but I shall do it
+hereafter."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know that you are talking to the third
+mate of this ship?" demanded Mr. Gale, who
+seemed surprised at Frank's strong language.</p>
+
+<p>"I do, sir, and I am not afraid to speak to you
+more plainly still."</p>
+
+<p>"Why ain't you?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Because I know that you will neither get angry
+at what I say nor repeat it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose I ought to give you a good
+blowing-up for your impudence," said the mate,
+who had to smile in spite of himself, "but I
+can't."</p>
+
+<p>"No, of course you can't. You know I have
+cause to be down on every officer of this ship except
+you, and that I will some day be in a position to
+make them smart for it. You know what they have
+done."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we'll drop that. It ain't for me to talk
+about the doings of my superiors. I came down
+here to tell you something that'll liven you up a bit,
+may be. We shall sight the Islands in a few days,
+and the old man is going to put you ashore."</p>
+
+<p>"Good for him," exclaimed Frank, who was wide
+awake in an instant. "How about Lucas and
+Barton?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't talk so loud. The masts, bulkheads and
+everything else have ears in this ship. I don't
+know about them. He didn't say."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"They must go if I go," said Frank. "I shall
+need them for witnesses."</p>
+
+<p>"But you mustn't call any witnesses. If you go
+ashore at Honolulu, you must keep still and say
+nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"O, I must! Do you think that's the sort of
+fellow I am? Must I let a man kidnap me, carry
+me away from my friends to some out-of-the-way
+part of the world, and then, in order to gain the
+liberty of which he has deprived me and which
+rightfully belongs to me, promise him that he shall
+go scot free? Must he be allowed to run at large
+to try the same game upon somebody else, and perhaps
+abuse and maltreat him until he jumps overboard,
+as those two men did shortly before you
+reached Fr'isco? No, sir! He be jerked as high
+as the strong arm of the law can lift him, and that's
+pretty high. A thousand dollars fine and a long
+term in the penitentiary are the rewards that surely
+await him, and perhaps he can be tried for manslaughter.
+I am bound to have my liberty, Mr.
+Gale, and I shall get it without entering into any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>
+such agreement as that. If anybody makes promises,
+it will be Captain Barclay."</p>
+
+<p>Frank, being thoroughly aroused, clattered away
+in spite of all the officer's attempts to interrupt him.
+He could not have told why he said what he did
+toward the last. Perhaps he had a prophetic vision,
+during which the thrilling scenes that were so soon
+to be enacted were plainly portrayed. At any rate
+the words came into his mind, and he uttered them
+regardless of consequences. He was about to say
+something more, but an emphatic and warning
+gesture from the mate stopped him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked up and saw Calamity's sinister face
+peering down the hatchway. His first impulse was
+to knock him over with the handle of the blubber-knife
+for playing eavesdropper; but the vacant expression
+on the man's countenance induced the hope
+that perhaps he had only just come there, and had
+heard nothing he could make use of.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here," exclaimed Mr. Gale suddenly,
+doubling up his huge fist and shaking it at Frank,
+"I am an officer of this ship and you must respect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>
+me, or I'll teach you manners. Put a 'sir' in when
+you speak to me. As for Cap'n Barclay promising
+you them boots, I reckon you'll get 'em when this
+work is done; and if I hand 'em to you you'll
+get 'em over your head for your impudence!"</p>
+
+<p>"O, is that you down there, Mr. Gale?" exclaimed
+Calamity. "It is so dark I couldn't see you.
+The captain wants you on deck."</p>
+
+<p>The officer lingered a moment to add a few words
+to what he had already said, and then mounted the
+ladder leading to the deck, while Frank went on
+separating the fleshy fibres from the blubber.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c218" id="c218">CHAPTER XII.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">HOW FRANK SAW THE CONSUL.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap06">FRANK knew why it was that Mr. Gale changed
+his tone and manner so suddenly. It was
+Calamity's presence that made him do it. The
+mate knew that if this man had overheard any of the
+conversation between himself and Frank he would
+go straight to the captain with it; and it would
+never do to let the skipper know that one of his
+officers had been so familiar with a foremast hand.
+It would not only make it unpleasant for himself,
+but Frank would most likely be punished for daring
+to express himself so plainly. Mr. Gale hoped that
+by speaking roughly and flourishing his fists in the
+most approved quarter-deck style, he could put
+Calamity on the wrong scent, and make him believe
+that he had been taking Frank to task for something.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>
+But the eavesdropper understood all that,
+and was much too smart to be deceived by any such
+artifice.</p>
+
+<p>"They can't shut up my eyes in no such way as
+that," said he, with a knowing shake of his head.
+"I heard it all, and see through their backing and
+filling as plainly as they do. I've got a chance to
+square yards with both of them now, and I knew
+it would come if I only waited long enough and
+kept my eyes and ears open. That Gentleman
+Black is so stuck up that he won't notice a common
+fellow like me, and Mr. Gale jawed me the other
+day and called me a soldier and a lubber. Won't
+there be a healthy old row here directly? I guess
+yes."</p>
+
+<p>There certainly would be if this man was able to
+bring it about, for he took great delight in such
+things, especially when he knew that he was out
+of danger himself. He hunted up the captain without
+delay, and the latter saw at a glance that he
+had something to tell him. "What is it, Gardner?"
+said he. (Behind his back the captain always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>
+called him Calamity, and in his heart despised him
+as cordially as any of the crew did.) "Your face
+is full of news."</p>
+
+<p>"You said you would put Nelson ashore at the
+Sandwich Islands if he'd keep still and say nothing,
+didn't you, cap'n?" began Calamity.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I did," replied the skipper, interested at
+once. "Have you been pumping him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but Mr. Gale has, and he says he'll hang
+you as high as the strong arm of the law can hist
+you. He can't be hired to keep his mouth shut.
+He told Mr. Gale so, and him and Mr. Gale were
+talking mighty familiar and friendly like&mdash;too much
+so, for it don't look well for an officer to do such
+things."</p>
+
+<p>"What did Mr. Gale say?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't hear what he said at first, but I saw
+him winking and nodding, and when he saw me
+looking down the hatchway, he began to jaw Nelson
+about them boots you promised him for raising
+that whale. But he did it just to fool me."</p>
+
+<p>"Then Nelson is going to hang me, is he?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and he wants Barton and Lucas for witnesses.
+He says he'll tell the consul everything
+that's been done aboard this ship, and you shan't
+be let loose any longer to haze men till they jump
+overboard."</p>
+
+<p>"Go for'ard; go for'ard," said the captain,
+hastily.</p>
+
+<p>"Aha!" thought Calamity, as he returned to his
+duties, "that was a home-thrust. I must say he
+took it easier than I thought he would. I must
+say this too for Gentleman Black, that since he's
+been on board, there haven't been so many men
+triced up or knocked down with handspikes, and
+the grub has been better than it ever was before.
+Now I'll tell you what's the truth," added Calamity,
+slapping his knee as he leaned over and looked
+under the try-pots, "Gentleman Black is master
+here, if he is nothing but a foremast hand, and
+that's what's the matter. That's the reason the
+old man takes things so easy, and don't go ripping
+and tearing around the way he used to. I wonder
+if I hadn't better make friends with him!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the work of trying-out went slowly
+on, and contrary to Calamity's expectations, though
+not much to his surprise, the captain took no steps
+to punish Mr. Gale and Frank for the conversation
+they had had in the blubber-room. Indeed he
+thought he could see a change in the skipper and
+in the two mates. The former very rarely went
+off into one of his fits of rage now, and the
+mates seemed to treat the men a trifle more like
+human beings. Every one of the crew noticed it,
+and Lucas, after sundry winks and nods, told Frank
+in confidence that something was going to happen
+very shortly. And sure enough, something did
+happen, but it was not just what the old sailor
+thought it would be.</p>
+
+<p>Finally the last barrel of oil was lowered into the
+hold, and the captain, to the surprise of his men,
+who had never known him to be guilty of an act of
+kindness before, sent all the crew except a boatsteerer's
+watch below to sleep. And a glorious
+sleep they had too after their days and nights of
+labor. Frank felt like another person when he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>
+came on deck in the morning, and went to work
+with a light heart to assist in cleaning up the ship.
+This required perseverance and the outlay of a
+good deal of strength, but it was done in good time,
+and when the deck was wiped down and the brightwork
+cleaned, the Tycoon looked as though she had
+never been near a whale. By this time land was
+in plain sight, and Frank and Lucas found opportunity
+to hold several whispered consultations as to
+the course they ought to pursue to secure their
+release. On two points Frank had made up his
+mind: If he went ashore, Lucas and Barton must
+be permitted to go also; and he would not purchase
+his freedom by entering into any agreement whatsoever
+with the captain of the Tycoon. The last one
+of these consultations was broken up by the sudden
+appearance of the third mate.</p>
+
+<p>"Nelson," said he, "the old man wants to see
+you in the cabin."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"And you had better take a friend's advice,"
+continued the officer, in a low tone, as the young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>
+sailor was about to pass him, "and agree to what
+he has to propose."</p>
+
+<p>Frank did not say whether he would or not. He
+wanted first to hear what it was that the captain had
+to propose. He went into the cabin and found the
+skipper and his two mates seated at a table there.
+The former had some shipping articles before him,
+and the first mate was reading a well-thumbed copy
+of Bowditch. This was encouraging. If the three
+officers had been examining the law, they no doubt
+learned that they were liable to some heavy penalties
+for what they had done.</p>
+
+<p>"Nelson," said the captain, as Frank came in,
+"you haven't signed articles yet."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, just put your name to them now," continued
+the captain, pushing them across the table.
+"There's a chair and there's a pen."</p>
+
+<p>"I beg to be excused, sir," replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'd rather not, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Suit yourself," said the captain indifferently.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span>
+"I am only advising you as a friend. You will lose
+your work if you don't. You can't collect a
+cent from the ship if you stay aboard of her ten
+years."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry to differ with you, sir, but I know
+better than that."</p>
+
+
+<p>"Be careful how you speak," said the captain,
+starting up in his chair. "I have stood a good
+deal from you, and you don't want to say too
+much. You are not talking to Mr. Gale now."</p>
+
+<p>"You haven't stood more than I have, sir," returned
+Frank. "It is high time I should speak
+plainly, as I never had the chance before and may
+never have it again. I know that when seamen are
+shipped on American whaling vessels without the
+rate of their pay being specified, they are entitled
+on their discharge in a foreign port, to the sum of
+twenty dollars a month as extra wages."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you happen to know so much about
+law, Nelson?" asked the first mate.</p>
+
+<p>"The way I happen to know so much about these
+matters is because I read up, expecting at one time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>
+to go as consul's clerk to some port in the Mediterranean."</p>
+
+<p>The captain and his mates opened their eyes and
+looked at one another. Here was a foremast hand
+who must hold a high social position when he was
+ashore, else he would not number among his friends
+those who had influence enough to secure government
+appointments.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you won't sign these articles?" continued
+the captain, after thinking a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"By no means, sir. I don't want to go to sea
+for two or three years. I want to go ashore."</p>
+
+<p>"I am willing you should go, if you will promise
+not to enter any complaints."</p>
+
+<p>"If I should promise that, captain, I should tell
+a falsehood, and that is something I'll not do."</p>
+
+<p>"Will a hundred dollars be any inducement to
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not the slightest."</p>
+
+<p>"A hundred dollars besides your wages, I
+mean."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," repeated Frank. "You are liable for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>
+two hundred dollars for every foremast hand aboard
+this vessel, except Calamity."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you make that out?"</p>
+
+<p>"You carried them to sea without making a contract
+with them."</p>
+
+<p>"That'll do. You can go on deck," said the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"But before I go, sir, I demand to see the American
+consul of the first port at which we touch," said
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, you can see him, but you can't go
+ashore. If one goes all must go, and the first thing
+I know the ship will be deserted. I'll bring the
+consul aboard to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"That will be perfectly satisfactory, sir. Victory!"
+whispered Frank to himself as he went up
+the ladder. "The people triumphant! The ring
+broken all to smash! A captain cowed in his own
+cabin by a foremast hand! Hurrah for sailors'
+rights! We're going to see the consul, Lucas!"</p>
+
+<p>"Aha!" exclaimed the old sailor, with an admiring
+glance at Frank. "I knew you had the brains,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span>
+sir. But I'm sorry we're going to get off so easy.
+Me and the rest wanted to see you on that quarter-deck."</p>
+
+<p>"And a pretty figure I'd make up there, wouldn't
+I?" returned Frank. "I'm glad you didn't have a
+chance to carry out your plans."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think of him, any how?" asked
+the first mate, after Frank had left the cabin.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I've got an elephant on my hands,"
+answered the captain. "I don't want to keep him,
+and I don't know how to get rid of him. I wish
+Billings had been in Guinea before he brought him
+aboard here."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't intend to let him see the consul?"</p>
+
+<p>"Am I as green as that?" cried the skipper.
+"He's got too smooth a tongue in his head and
+swings it about too loose and reckless. He and
+them two men who were shipped with him must be
+kept close while I am ashore after a crew."</p>
+
+<p>"And what will you do with them then? They
+can raise a row with one consul as well as another."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it. Shall I turn them adrift in a boat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span>
+or put them on some vessel bound for the States, or
+set them ashore on some island, and let them shift
+for themselves?"</p>
+
+<p>"You might transfer them to Gale's boat, and
+some day when they are off after a whale, clear out
+and leave them," suggested the third mate. "Gale
+is a milk-and-water fellow, and not the man at all
+to get along with a hard crew."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I must put one of those plans into execution,"
+said the captain, "and circumstances shall
+decide which it shall be. I am in as great a hurry
+to see the last of Nelson as he is to see the last of
+me. I'd knock him overboard if I had a good
+chance."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't do that, cap'n," said the mate, hastily.
+"The first one of us who lays an ugly hand on him
+is booked for Davy's Locker, sure!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I am afraid of," said the captain,
+who being unable to control himself any longer,
+began to relieve his mind by swearing. "I know
+how things are going, and besides, Calamity has kept
+his eyes and ears open."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Two days after this conversation took place
+between the captain and his mates, the Tycoon
+dropped her anchor near the spot where the Stranger
+lay three days afterward. One of the boats
+was called away at once, a crew selected for her,
+and the captain started for the shore. Frank felt
+jubilant when he saw him go off, but Lucas looked
+rather down-hearted. "He hasn't got a single one
+of our friends in that boat, sir," said the sailor.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not," replied Frank. "He wouldn't
+take them if he knew who they were, for he wants
+the first chance at the consul himself."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and he'll have the last chance too, sir.
+We'll never see him."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, if he doesn't bring him off as he
+promised, I'll jump overboard and swim ashore. I
+can make the island very easily. You won't pull
+a boat in pursuit of me."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, and nobody else shall. Neither shall
+the mudhook be hove up till you've had a chance
+to say a word for us."</p>
+
+<p>"Nelson, the first mate wants to see you in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span>
+cabin," said Mr. Gale, coming forward at this
+moment. "He is going to offer you something to
+keep still, and you had better take it."</p>
+
+<p>"If that is all he wants it will be of no use for
+me to go," answered Frank, "for my mind is made
+up."</p>
+
+<p>"Go and talk to him, anyhow," said the officer.
+"Perhaps you can strike some sort of a bargain. I
+want to see you safe off this craft, and now is your
+chance, if ever."</p>
+
+<p>"Nelson!" shouted the mate, from the top of the
+companion ladder.</p>
+
+<p>"Coming, sir," replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>He went, and was not a little astonished at the
+reception he met as he entered the cabin. The door
+was suddenly closed behind him, and before he
+could think twice he was powerless, his ankles and
+wrists being heavily ironed. "Not a word out of
+you," said the first mate, covering Frank's head
+with a cocked revolver. "You'll find out now who
+controls this ship&mdash;you or her proper officers."</p>
+
+<p>"You ain't as smart as some folks seem to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>
+think," said the second mate, with a grin. "If
+you were bound to blab, why didn't you take the
+hundred dollars the cap'n offered you, and wait till
+you got ashore before you began to swing your
+chin?"</p>
+
+<p>Frank made no reply, and could offer no resistance,
+as the two mates dragged him out of the
+cabin along a narrow passageway that led to the
+hold. They stowed him away among the oil casks
+and left him to his meditations. This was the way
+Frank saw the consul at the port of Honolulu.</p>
+
+<p>Having disposed of Frank, the officers made their
+way back to the cabin, and one of them mounting
+the companion ladder, called out: "Mr. Gale,
+tell Lucas that Nelson has got his money, and ask
+him to come down and get his!"</p>
+
+<p>Lucas came, wondering what arguments the
+mates had brought to bear upon Frank to work so
+great a change in his feelings all at once, and when
+he reached the foot of the ladder he found out what
+they were&mdash;a revolver and a pair of handcuffs.
+The former held him passive while the irons were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>
+slipped on, and then he also was carried to the hold
+and stowed away, but at such a distance from Frank
+that the two could hold no conversation. Barton
+was served in the same manner, and the officers
+having secured the men of whom they stood the
+most in fear, breathed freely once more, and told
+each other that they were still masters of the Tycoon.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoners were kept in the hold almost
+twelve hours&mdash;long enough for the captain to bring
+his crew of natives on board and get his vessel well
+out to sea. Then they were released and ordered
+on deck. Frank was disposed to make the best of
+his disappointment, knowing that he could not help
+himself, but Lucas was inclined to smash things.
+He hunted up his friends as soon as he could&mdash;those
+who had promised to stand by him and Frank
+through thick and thin&mdash;and laid down the law to
+them in stronger language than we care to quote.
+"Why, what's the matter?" asked the sailors, as
+soon as their angry mate gave them a chance to
+speak. "Where have you been so long?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's what's the matter," replied Lucas, showing
+his wrists.</p>
+
+<p>"That's where I've been so long," he added,
+tapping the marks the irons had left. "Sailed the
+blue water, man and boy for thirty-five years, I
+have, and never had the darbies on me before. Me
+and Cap'n Nelson's both been there, and Barton
+too; and here you chaps stood around like so
+many bumps on a log, and never lifted a hand to
+help us!"</p>
+
+<p>"What could we have done, even if we had
+known that you were in trouble, while the mates
+were walking around with their pistols strapped to
+their waists and holding us tight to our work?"
+asked one of the sailors.</p>
+
+<p>Lucas opened his eyes at this. Did the mates
+know of the plans that had so often been discussed
+in the forecastle? It looked like it.</p>
+
+<p>"Somebody's been talking while Calamity was
+about," said the boatswain's-mate. "Never mind;
+we've missed one chance, but we'll have better luck
+next time. The ship's going to Japan, and she'll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span>
+have another man on her quarter-deck when she
+comes back."</p>
+
+<p>And so she did, but Lucas did very little toward
+bringing about the change. It was Captain Barclay
+himself; but of course he did not intend to
+do it.</p>
+
+<p>Almost the first man Frank saw when he came
+on deck after his release was the third mate.
+"Nelson," said he, earnestly, "I had no hand in
+this business. If I had known what those men intended
+to do, I should have warned you."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you, sir," replied Frank. "I lay
+nothing to your charge, as you will find when the
+day of settlement comes."</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked toward the Islands which the ship
+was fast leaving behind, then at the dusky, muscular
+Kanakas who thronged the deck, and went to work
+with a heavy heart. He had already had more than
+enough of whaling. He did not mind the dangerous,
+laborious duties he had to perform so much as
+he did the life he led in the forecastle. Of course
+it was kept neat and clean, like the rest of the ship,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>
+but it smelled horribly of tar and bilge water, and
+the men into whose company he was thrown there,
+were not just the sort he would have selected for
+associates had he been permitted to choose. It was
+bad enough before, but now here were a score and
+more of heathen with whom he had to bunk.
+Frank did not know how he could stand it. The
+only thing that had kept him up thus far was the
+belief that all this would end very shortly; but
+that hope was gone now, and time only would show
+what was in store for him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank worked hard while on duty and talked a
+good deal when on watch, to keep himself from
+thinking too much. He had the satisfaction of seeing
+that the captain and his two mates did not treat
+the crew with any more severity than they had
+always done, and some of the old members of the
+ship's company were often heard to declare that
+they did not act like the same men. As for the
+natives, Frank very soon found reason to change the
+opinions he had formed of them. They had all seen
+service in whalers, and proved to be the neatest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span>
+and most peaceable portion of the crew. More than
+that, they did not swear, and it was some relief to
+work by the side of men who could talk without
+putting an oath or two in every sentence they
+uttered.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the ship was fairly under way the
+mast-head was manned, and the sailors set about
+preparing themselves for the real business of the
+voyage. A complete change was made in the boats'
+crews, and Frank, to his delight, found himself with
+Lucas, Barton, and two other foremast hands,
+assigned to the third mate's boat. Frank held his
+old position as bow-oarsman, and Lucas was boat-steerer.
+He soon proved himself to be a good one
+too. He did not fall overboard again, or give Frank
+any more opportunities to take his place and strike
+a whale he had missed. During the next three
+weeks nine whales were added to the stock already
+in the hold, and of this number four were captured
+by Mr. Gale's boat. Frank very soon got over his
+nervousness, and as a consequence went just as far
+the other way, and was inclined to be a little too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span>
+daring. He had an uncomfortable habit of wrapping
+a line about a thwart when he could not hold
+it, and Lucas, after repeatedly telling him never to
+do it again, got out of patience, and Frank was
+moved toward the other end of the boat&mdash;"promoted
+backward." He was seated at the stroke-oar,
+and the bow-oar given into the hands of Barton,
+who knew too much of the nature of the game they
+were hunting to run any risks.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the Tycoon was rapidly approaching
+her cruising grounds, and one morning the captain
+told his officers that the Mangrove Islands lay
+directly in their course two hundred miles distant,
+and that it was his intention to stop there for water
+and terrapins. That same day a whale was raised,
+and the captain and the third mate set off to capture
+it. The two boats pulled side by side for a
+mile or more, and then the whale took the alarm
+and made off. "Never mind, Mr. Gale," shouted
+the captain. "You keep on after him, and I'll
+follow you with the ship."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Gale promptly hoisted his sail and went in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span>
+pursuit. The whale led them a long chase, but getting
+a little over his fright at last, he allowed the
+boat to approach within striking distance, and gave
+Lucas a chance to throw his harpoons into him.
+Then a most terrific fight ensued, which was so
+long and so stubbornly contested that Frank began
+to think he had never seen an ugly whale before.
+The monster seemed determined to destroy his enemies;
+but the mate kept at him, and by his excellent
+management succeeded in taking his boat
+through the struggle without the loss of any of her
+crew, and with so little damage that an hour's work
+by the ship's carpenter would make her fit for sea
+again. When it was ended and the whale rolled
+over with his fin out, the mate seized one of the
+flags, and turned to signal his triumph to the ship.</p>
+
+<p>"It's lucky you wasn't in the bow," said Lucas,
+drawing his hand across his dripping forehead and
+nodding to Frank. "If you'd been here with the
+line wrapped around a thwart when he sounded the
+last time, there wouldn't have been one of us left
+to tell the story of this fight!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Pass that bucket aft and I'll bail her out," said
+Frank, drawing a long breath and glad that the
+danger was over. "He hit us a pretty hard blow
+with his jaw, and the water is running in here like
+a small Niagara. What's the matter, Mr. Gale?"</p>
+
+<p>This question was called forth by an exclamation
+of wonder from the third mate. When he
+turned to signal the ship he stopped suddenly,
+looked all around the horizon, and then the flag
+dropped from his hands. The Tycoon was almost
+hull down&mdash;nothing but her topsails were visible.
+During the five hours that the brave officer had
+been pursuing and battling with the whale, the ship
+was standing away from him instead of coming to
+his relief, and he had been too busy to see it until
+this moment.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter, sir?" repeated Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Gale sat down, his face whiter now than it
+had been at any time during the deadly fight he
+and his men had just passed through, and pointed
+toward the Tycoon's receding topsails.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c241" id="c241">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">TURNED ADRIFT.</p>
+
+
+<p class="drop-cap06">FRANK looked, and was not a little surprised
+to find that the Tycoon, which he had all the
+while supposed was following the boat, was almost
+out of sight. He did not understand it at first, but
+a single glance at the faces of his companions explained
+it all. Even Lucas, who had shown so
+much courage a few minutes before, betrayed the
+utmost consternation now.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Nelson," said Mr. Gale, in a tone of
+resignation, "Captain Barclay has got rid of you
+at last."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you don't suppose that he intends to
+desert us!" cried Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The mate shrugged his shoulders and pointed
+with his thumb toward the ship, as if to say that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span>
+Frank could see what she was doing as well as he
+could, and might interpret her actions to suit himself.</p>
+
+<p>"It can't be possible!" said Frank. "No man
+on earth could be guilty of an act of treachery like
+this."</p>
+
+<p>"A captain who will allow his men to be abused
+until they jump overboard to put themselves out of
+his way, will do anything," returned Mr. Gale,
+quietly. "Hoist the sail, Lucas; you had better
+bail her out, Nelson. We must keep her afloat
+until she carries us two hundred miles."</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any water, sir?" asked Barton.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, the keg is full, and we need a taste of it
+after our hard work; but we must touch it lightly,
+for there is no telling when we shall get any more.
+The Mangrove Islands are the nearest land, and, as
+I said, they are two hundred miles away. It is
+lucky that I know the course."</p>
+
+<p>The sail having been hoisted, the men took a refreshing
+drink all around, and settled back on their
+seats to think over their situation. Frank could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span>
+not yet believe that Captain Barclay had sent them
+out there alone, with no other object in view than to
+desert them. He kept telling himself that the ship
+must have raised another whale and gone in pursuit
+of it, and he watched her closely, expecting every
+moment to see her shorten sail and come-to to wait for
+them; but she kept on, with all her canvas spread,
+and very soon nothing but her royals were visible
+above the horizon. Frank was obliged to believe it
+now, and shuddered when he thought of what was
+yet to come. With a leaky boat under them, not a
+mouthful of anything to eat, and with only a very
+small supply of water to allay the raging thirst
+caused by their five hours' work under a broiling sun,
+their situation was one calculated to frighten anybody.
+But still it might have been worse, and in
+this thought Frank found a little consolation. The
+mate knew which way to steer to find land, and if
+they could only keep the boat afloat twenty-four
+hours they would be safe. But suppose the boat
+had been stove during the fight with the whale! Suppose
+he had cut it in two with his jaw, or smashed it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span>
+in pieces with his flukes, as he had tried so hard to do,
+and left the crew struggling in the water: what
+then! Captain Barclay would have deserted them
+all the same, and they would have been left powerless.
+Surrounded by an army of hungry sharks
+(Frank now and then caught a momentary glimpse
+of a sharp fin cutting the water as one of these voracious
+monsters hurried toward the whale they had
+just left, being attracted no doubt by the blood he
+had spouted during his flurry), their sufferings would
+have been ended, and there would have been none
+left to tell the story of the captain's treachery.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come, boys! This will never do in the
+world," said Mr. Gale, suddenly breaking the silence
+that had reigned for the last half hour. "Wake up,
+there! What's the matter with you that you look
+so sober? If we were eight or nine hundred miles
+out at sea, we'd have something to worry over; but
+if the wind holds this way, we shall be all right by
+to-morrow at this time. The Tycoon is going to
+the Mangrove Islands for water, and maybe we
+shall be lucky enough to catch her there. If we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span>
+can't stand it to do without food for that length of
+time we had better jump overboard at once, for we've
+no business to be sailors. Come, Lucas, begin there
+in the bow, and sing a song or tell a story!"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't, sir!" replied the sailor.</p>
+
+<p>"All right. You shan't have any water the next
+time it is passed around. Go on, Barton. Sing a
+song or tell a story&mdash;a lively one, mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on a bit, sir!" exclaimed Lucas. "I'll
+do almost anything to get another drink of that
+water."</p>
+
+<p>This order soon brought about a great change in
+the feelings of the men. Their minds being diverted
+from the dangers of their situation, something like
+merriment soon began to prevail. As it was understood
+that each one must do his share toward entertaining
+his companions, and that the first one who
+failed to tell a story or sing a song when his turn
+came, should forfeit his next drink of water, this
+trial of memory and ingenuity was kept up until
+far in the night. It would seem as though men
+who had spent their lives amid scenes of danger and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span>
+excitement could never be at a loss for something
+to talk about, but even the oldest among the sailors
+ran short of stories at last, and when this happened
+they did not hesitate to make up one as they went
+along; and some of those they told were as ridiculous
+as the story Dick Lewis told the captain of the
+fishing boat. Frank drew on his experience among
+the mountains and in the woods, and his stories
+must have been worth listening to, for when his turn
+came the men were all wide awake.</p>
+
+<p>At last when the crew began to show signs of
+drowsiness, Mr. Gale ordered four of them to
+make themselves as comfortable as they could and
+go to sleep, while he and Frank looked out for the
+boat. Mr. Gale steered by a compass, the face
+being lighted up by a small lantern with which
+whale-boats are always provided, and Frank talked
+to him to keep him awake, and bailed out the water
+as fast as it ran in. He did not learn anything
+encouraging during the four hours that he and Mr.
+Gale kept watch. The mate said they were sure to
+reach the Islands unless a storm blew them out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span>
+their course or swamped them, but he did not like
+to think of the way they would fare after they got
+there. The largest of the Islands was often visited
+by whalers, he continued, but it was almost a land
+unknown. It was a good place to go to get water
+and fresh meat in the shape of terrapins, but he
+had never yet heard of a boat's crew, who, leaving
+the beach to explore the island, had ever returned
+to tell what they saw there. Many a fine whale
+ship which, when last spoken, had her hold nearly
+filled with oil and was almost ready to set out on
+her return voyage, had suddenly disappeared, leaving
+no trace behind. It was supposed that some of
+them had gone to the Islands for water, and had
+either been wrecked on the treacherous shoals and
+reefs with which they were surrounded, or been
+captured and plundered by the natives. He had
+seen men who had been held captive there for years,
+and had only escaped at last by smuggling themselves
+on board some vessel whose crew was too strong to
+be successfully attacked. But if they succeeded in
+getting there they would find an abundance to eat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span>
+and plenty of water to drink, and that was better
+than being tossed about on the waves of the Pacific
+in an open boat.</p>
+
+<p>Frank now began to understand Captain Barclay's
+plans. There was more in them than he had at
+first supposed. The skipper wanted to be rid of
+Frank and his friends, and the whale they had killed
+and deserted, furnished him with an excuse for sending
+the boat away from the ship. When he arrived
+in port he could say that she had been smashed in
+pieces by the whale, and all her crew sent to the
+bottom. He took his chances on this. If the event
+really happened, so much the better; but if they
+came through the fight in safety, and succeeded in
+reaching the Islands, the natives would detain them
+as prisoners. In either case he was clear of them,
+and they could never appear against him in a court
+of justice.</p>
+
+<p>"I can understand all that," said Frank, after
+he had explained this to the mate, "but there is one
+thing I can't quite see through: Why did he send
+you off with us? You never said you would prosecute<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span>
+him, did you? And there are two other men
+in the boat who never made any threats of that
+kind. I am very sorry that the friendship you
+have exhibited for me should have brought you
+into this trouble. I shall never be able to repay
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't that at all," said the mate, in reply.
+"The captain has always been afraid of me, and he
+was just as anxious to get me off the vessel as he
+was to get you off. I'm not the sort of officer that
+suits him. I have been a foremast hand myself,
+and I can't see the beauty of banging men about as
+if they had no more feeling than so many logs of
+wood. As for sending these two other men with us,
+he had to give the boat a full crew, you know, and
+he put in those against whom he had a grudge."</p>
+
+<p>Frank and the mate talked in this way until
+almost daylight, and then the former called Lucas
+and Barton, who steered the boat and kept her bailed
+out, while Frank and Mr. Gale lay down on the
+thwarts and slept until the sun grew too warm for
+them. It was then nine o'clock. As they had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span>
+breakfast to serve up they took a drink of water all
+around, which seemed to aggravate rather than
+relieve their thirst, the supply the mate allowed
+them being so small; and at one o'clock by Mr.
+Gale's watch, when the Mangrove Islands were in
+plain sight, they emptied the keg.</p>
+
+<p>Propelled by a favorable breeze the boat rapidly
+approached the land, and finally the outlines of the
+shore and the trees on the hill-sides could be easily
+distinguished. Suddenly Mr. Gale arose, and
+standing erect in the stern-sheets, gazed steadily
+into the little bay toward which the boat was heading.
+"She's there!" said he, a moment later.</p>
+
+<p>"The Tycoon?" asked Frank, running his eye
+along the shore in the vain effort to find the object
+that had attracted the officer's attention.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, the Tycoon!"</p>
+
+<p>"Will we go aboard of her, Mr. Gale?" asked
+one of the crew.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, just as straight as we can go. We
+belong to her, don't we?"</p>
+
+<p>The men said nothing in reply, but their actions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span>
+told what was passing in their minds. Some seemed
+delighted, while others beat their open palms with
+their clenched hands, and banged the oars violently
+down on the thwarts. It was plain that Captain
+Barclay had some men in his ship's company who
+would give him serious trouble if they ever found
+the opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>"There's something wrong with her," continued
+the mate, still gazing earnestly at the ship, which
+Frank had at last been able to discover.</p>
+
+<p>"So I was thinking," said the latter. "She's
+close in shore and has her topsails aback. She
+can't be lying-to in there."</p>
+
+<p>"No, she's aground," replied the mate, "and
+they are trying to work her off."</p>
+
+<p>All eyes were now turned toward the ship which
+came rapidly into view as the boat approached the
+shore. It was plain that she was hard and fast
+aground. The crew were running about the deck,
+pulling the yards first one way and then the other,
+in the hope of getting the sails full enough to work
+her off; but the breeze was not sufficiently strong,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span>
+and besides the tide was running out, so that the
+ship was every moment sinking more firmly into
+her bed on the sand bar. Presently one of the
+crew discovered the approaching boat. It was one
+of the Kanakas. He gazed at it a moment, then
+jumped up and clapped his hands, calling out "Galickhee!"
+or some such tongue-twisting name which
+he and his people had bestowed upon the third
+officer. That brought all the crew to the side, where
+they stood waving their hats and shouting out words
+of welcome. Frank and the rest were astonished at
+this reception. Where were Captain Barclay and
+his mates that they permitted the crew to act in this
+way?</p>
+
+<p>"O, Mr. Gale, you're just in time," cried one of
+the men, who answered to the name of Boson, "only
+I wish you had come a little sooner. We're up to
+our necks in trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"Not an officer aboard&mdash;all gone&mdash;the ship a
+thousand miles from water&mdash;or she might as well be,
+she's so hard a-ground, six men dead and the niggers
+thicker than blackberries," chimed in Tully, another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span>
+of the crew, stamping about the deck and swinging
+his arms wildly in the air.</p>
+
+<p>The men in the whale-boat were greatly amazed.
+They clambered over the side with all possible haste,
+each one demanding to know what was the matter.
+The crew shook each of them by the hand as if they
+were overjoyed to meet them once more, and then
+silently directed their attention to different parts of
+the deck, as if telling them to see for themselves
+what was the matter. Frank stood speechless while
+he looked. The deck was in the greatest confusion.
+Harpoons, spades, lances and handspikes were scattered
+about, and with them were mingled curious
+weapons and ornaments that he had never seen
+before, and blubber-knives, cutlasses and muskets
+with the bayonets attached. These last came from
+the ship's armory, and their presence on deck was
+enough to prove that there had been a fight, even
+had other indications been wanting.</p>
+
+<p>A feeble attempt had been made to clear up things
+a little, but the traces that were left of the recent
+contest proclaimed that it had been a severe and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span>
+by no means a bloodless one. Frank ran his eye
+hastily over the crew gathered about him, and saw
+that there were some familiar faces missing&mdash;among
+them those of the captain, his two mates and his old
+enemy, Calamity. What if he had been there when
+the fight came off? Might not he also have been
+among the missing? Perhaps Captain Barclay's
+attempt to get him off his vessel had been the means
+of saving his life.</p>
+
+<p>"What's been going on here, any how?" demanded
+the mate, as soon as he could speak.</p>
+
+<p>A chorus of hoarse voices arose in reply, each one
+trying to give his version of the story, and to make
+himself heard above his companions; but Mr. Gale,
+finding that there was nothing to be learned in that
+way, commanded silence, and pointing to one of the
+crew ordered him to speak for all. The man complied,
+telling his story in regular sailor lingo which
+we put into English as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>The Tycoon arrived at the island that morning
+about three o'clock, and came to anchor two miles
+outside the bar. The captain, knowing the treacherous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span>
+character of the natives, kept one watch on
+deck until morning, but nothing suspicious being
+seen, the ship stood close in at daylight, and came
+to; after which the water-barrels were got overboard,
+and the captain and first mate set out in
+their boats to tow them ashore. No sooner had the
+crews touched the beach than they were assailed
+by a swarm of natives, who had been lying in
+ambush waiting for them. Almost at the same
+moment two large war canoes filled with savages
+made their appearance, coming from one of the
+numerous little inlets which set into the land from
+the bay. They headed straight for the ship, their
+crews brandishing their lances and clubs, and yelling
+at the top of their lungs.</p>
+
+<p>The sailors on board the Tycoon, who had witnessed
+the massacre of their shipmates without the
+power to aid them, now found themselves called
+upon to provide for their own safety. The second
+mate, who was in command, made an effort to
+bring the ship about and run out of the bay; but
+she struck the bar in going around, running on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span>
+with sufficient force to knock all the crew off their
+feet. They could not run, and their only chance
+for life was to beat off their assailants, who outnumbered
+them five to one. The weapons that were
+left in the arm-chest were quickly brought up, muskets,
+pistols and cartridges to put into them were
+distributed among the crew, lances, harpoons and
+spades placed about the deck in convenient nooks,
+so that they could be readily seized, and by the
+time these preparations were completed, their foes
+were upon them. They made the attack at two
+different points, one canoe running under the
+bow and the other coming alongside at the starboard
+quarter. The sailors met them at both
+places, and the first assault was repulsed. The
+seamen, having the advantage of position, knocked
+their assailants over the side as fast as they could
+climb to the top of the bulwarks, but the natives
+persevered, and overwhelming numbers began to
+tell. They succeeded in gaining a footing on deck,
+and drove the sailors before them toward the waist.</p>
+
+<p>Almost in the beginning of the fight the second<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span>
+mate had been struck down by a lance, and as there
+was no one to direct the movements of the sailors,
+each man fought on his own hook, and did just
+what he thought best, without paying any attention
+to his neighbors. Boson probably saved the day.
+While the sailors were retreating he caught up the
+mate's revolver, which was lying on deck, and turning
+fiercely on his foes fired all the barrels in quick
+succession, every shot striking a native and bringing
+him dead or wounded to the deck. That was
+more than the enemy could endure. Appalled by
+the havoc the six-shooter created, they beat a hasty
+retreat, followed by the sailors, who thinned their
+ranks very perceptibly before they could clamber
+over the side into their boat. As they were about
+to push off, Boson and Tully added a grand finale to
+the victory. The former threw a harpoon at one
+of the natives, which, missing its object, passed
+through the bottom of the boat, knocking a hole in
+her that would have caused her to sink long before
+she could reach the shore, even had Tully not followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span>
+it up, as he did, with the heavy snatch-block,
+which made a complete wreck of her.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy being beaten at the quarter, the
+sailors who defended that part of the ship ran
+to the assistance of their friends in the bow;
+but the fight was over there, also. The natives,
+failing to gain the deck, became discouraged, and
+dropping back into their boat, made all haste to
+reach the shore. Some succeeded, others did not.
+The sailors rushed for their muskets and pistols,
+which they had thrown to the deck after firing their
+contents at the foe, and hastily ramming down cartridges,
+opened fire on the natives. Those of their
+companions who were not provided with these
+weapons, employed themselves in clearing the deck
+of the dead and wounded the savages had left
+behind them, tumbling them all unceremoniously
+over the side, and never looking to see what became
+of them afterward.</p>
+
+<p>The battle being ended, the crew began to look
+about them and make an estimate of their losses.
+They found that six of their number had fallen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>
+beneath the war-clubs and lances of their assailants,
+which, counting in the twelve that had gone ashore
+in the boats, made eighteen men they had lost out
+of thirty-five. Greatly alarmed, disheartened by
+the loss of all their officers, and afraid to risk
+another encounter with their diminished numbers,
+they hastily committed the bodies of their dead companions
+to the deep, and set to work to get the ship
+afloat. They had kept hard at it for more than six
+hours. They had moved her a little, but the tide
+began to fall just at the wrong time, and there she
+was as fast as if she had been nailed to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>The new-comers listened to this story with breathless
+attention. If any evidence was needed to convince
+them of its truthfulness, they found it in the
+frightened faces of the men and the disordered state
+of the deck, which bore unmistakable signs of the
+conflict. Their assailants had left some of their
+property behind them in the shape of lances, war-clubs
+and head-dresses, and close alongside the ship
+floated the wreck of the canoe, which was slowly
+moving out to sea with the tide. A moment later<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span>
+additional and most unexpected evidence was produced.
+A warning exclamation uttered by Lucas,
+under his breath, drew all eyes toward him. Frank
+saw him pick up a lance that happened to be lying
+near, and following the direction of his gaze, saw
+that it was fastened upon a head which was slowly
+rising above the combings of the fore hatch&mdash;a head
+covered with a mass of shaggy hair. It was one
+of the natives, who had no doubt been knocked into
+the hold during the fight, and was now coming up
+to see if the coast was clear, so that he could make
+his escape. Not a man moved. Every one held
+his breath as Lucas raised the long, slender whale-lance
+in the air and held it poised in both hands.</p>
+
+<p>The head was raised slowly, cautiously, inch by
+inch, above the combings of the hatchway, and presently
+a dark-brown forehead and then a pair of eyes
+appeared. At that instant the lance whistled through
+the air. Thrown by a practised hand and flying true
+to its aim, its keen point was buried in the combings
+exactly in range with the spot where the head had
+been a second before. Its owner had seen the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span>
+weapon coming and dodged just in time, but his
+escape was a narrow one.</p>
+
+<p>"Avast, there!" cried a voice from the hold.
+"Ain't you Christians enough to give a white man a
+chance for life and liberty?"</p>
+
+<p>The sailors stood and looked at one another without
+speaking.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c262" id="c262">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">OLD TIMES REVIVED.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap00">"I SAY! on deck, there!" continued the voice.
+"Don't throw any more of them things at me,
+and I'll come up!"</p>
+
+<p>These words aroused the crew. They made a rush
+for the fore-hatch, and when they reached it found
+the owner of the head crouching among the oil
+barrels. Frank looked at him in astonishment, and
+could scarcely believe that he was a white man.
+His only clothing was a pair of tattered trowsers,
+and those portions of his person which were unprotected
+were as brown as sole-leather, made so, no
+doubt, by long exposure to the sun and weather.
+Moreover, his body was profusely tattooed, so that
+at the distance Frank stood from him, he looked
+as though he had on a tight-fitting under-shirt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span>
+of some dark-colored material, with light blue
+slashings.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you, and where did you come from?"
+demanded the mate.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm Chips," replied the man. "I used to be
+carpenter of the whale-ship Mary Starbuck, that
+was wrecked here long ago. It was so long ago,"
+he added, putting his hand to his forehead in a
+bewildered sort of way, "that I have almost forgot
+how it happened."</p>
+
+<p>"Come on deck," said the mate, in a very different
+tone of voice, "and tell us all about it."</p>
+
+<p>A dozen pairs of ready hands were stretched
+down to the prisoner&mdash;for such Frank now knew him
+to be&mdash;and in a moment more he was hoisted out
+of the hold to the deck. Frank had a good view
+of him then, and saw that he really was a white
+man. His long, matted beard, which hung down
+nearly to his waist, had afforded some protection to
+his breast, and the skin beneath it was almost as
+white as his own. The man pulled his forelock
+when he found himself standing in the presence of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span>
+the mate, and gave his trowsers a regular sailor
+hitch.</p>
+
+<p>"I remember hearing of the loss of the Starbuck,"
+said Mr. Gale. "The news reached Nantucket
+just before I sailed; but it wasn't so very
+long ago&mdash;not quite two years."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all, sir? It seems a longer time to
+me," said the man, whom we will call by the name
+he had given. "You're the first white men I've set
+eyes on since then, except those on the island, and
+you can't call them white now. Some of them are
+blacker than I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to say that there are men on that
+island held as prisoners?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Four more of 'em, sir, and one has been here,
+as near as he can calculate, about ten years. I
+hope you won't sail without trying to do something
+for 'em, sir. They lead a hard life here."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you happen to be aboard my ship?"
+asked the mate.</p>
+
+<p>"I came off in one of the canoes, sir, and watching
+my chance jumped into the hold. I was willing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span>
+to fight for my liberty, but I was afraid that if I
+tried to join in with you, you would kill me, not
+knowing who I was, and if you didn't the natives
+would, when they saw me trying to desert 'em; and
+I was so anxious to see my home and family once
+more that I didn't dare run any risks."</p>
+
+<p>Chips then went on to tell how he came to be a
+prisoner in the hands of the islanders. His narrative
+would make an interesting chapter by itself;
+but as it has no bearing on our story, and nothing
+to do with the events that happened afterward, we
+condense it into a few sentences. The ship to
+which he belonged was wrecked while lying at the
+island to fill up with water. A furious storm first
+disabled her, so that she could not make an offing,
+and then drove her high and dry upon the bar.
+Only two of the crew succeeded in reaching the
+shore, Chips and another, and they were immediately
+pounced upon by the natives, who carried them
+in triumph to their principal village, which was
+hidden away among the rocky gorges in the interior
+of the island. They found four other prisoners<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span>
+there, and it was owing to their influence that Chips
+was so well received. He was a carpenter, and
+just the man the natives wanted. His companion,
+however, was nothing but a foremast hand, and not
+being of any particular use, he was harshly treated,
+and was often in danger of his life. Being driven
+desperate at last, he seized the first opportunity for
+escape that presented itself, and succeeded, at very
+great risk, in swimming off to a ship that came there
+for water. He warned the captain off, most likely,
+for the vessel went away at once, and it was probably
+through him that the news of the loss of the
+Mary Starbuck was carried to Nantucket. The
+five prisoners who were left were constantly on the
+alert to elude the vigilance of their captors, but
+this was the first opportunity that Chips had ever
+found. He and his companions were allowed the
+freedom of the island until a vessel hove in sight,
+and then they were hurried to the village and kept
+under guard as long as she remained.</p>
+
+<p>Being satisfied at last that there was but one
+way to accomplish his object, Chips made himself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span>
+perfectly at home on the island, acted quite
+contented, and finally succeeded in making the
+natives believe that he had no desire to leave them.
+He became a savage to all intents and purposes.
+He took part in their dances and pow-wows, joined
+in their debates, tried to teach them the use of the
+fire-arms they found on the vessels that fell into
+their hands, and so won their confidence that they
+permitted him to take part in the attack on the
+Tycoon. Watching his chance, while the fight was
+in progress, he slipped into the hold, and there he
+was among his own kind once more.</p>
+
+<p>"And now I hope you'll lend a hand to them
+poor fellows I left behind, sir," said Chips, in conclusion.
+"It can be easy done now, but to-morrow
+it'll be too late. There ain't more'n a hundred
+fighting men on the island, but to-night they'll send
+off canoes after help, and in the morning, if you're
+here, you will have an army of 'em howling about
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"How far is it to the village?" asked Mr. Gale.</p>
+
+<p>"O, you'll not have to go back to the principal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span>
+town, sir," answered Chips. "There's a little fishing
+village right here on the beach, and the natives
+will all be there to-night, holding a grand pow-wow
+and waiting for the help that's coming to-morrow.
+If we can get close to them and give them a volley
+before they know it, they'll run like deer!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why I thought you said they had fire-arms,"
+exclaimed the mate.</p>
+
+<p>"So they have, sir, but it would make you laugh
+to see them use them," said Chips. "They take
+the butt of a gun under their arms, shut their
+eyes and turn away their heads before they pull
+the trigger. They seem to think it is the noise that
+does the damage. All we want, you understand,
+sir, is to drive 'em at the start. They won't run
+far before they'll turn on us, and then they'll fight;
+but by the time they do that, the prisoners will have
+had a chance to take care of themselves, and we
+can be back to our boats. I know just where the
+village is, and can lead you to it in ten minutes
+after we touch the beach."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you don't know anything about those
+boats' crews that went ashore?" said the mate.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. Those who were not killed are prisoners,
+and we'll find them at the village."</p>
+
+<p>The man's proposition was well worth thinking
+over, the mate told himself. He felt that he had a
+duty to perform toward the prisoners in the hands
+of the savages, and he was not the one to shrink
+from it. True, he had a small force to work with,
+but if he acted with promptness and decision when
+the time for action arrived, much might be done.
+"Boys, turn to and straighten up here," said he,
+after a moment's reflection. "Let's make the old
+Tycoon look a little more like herself. Nelson,
+come with me."</p>
+
+<p>The men went to work with a will&mdash;all except
+Lucas, Barton and Chips, who disappeared in the
+forecastle for a few minutes. When they came on
+deck again Chips could hardly have been told from
+the rest of the crew, his tattooed body being clothed
+in a full sailor's rig, and his matted hair covered
+with a new tarpaulin. He lent a hand with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span>
+rest, and soon proved that he had not forgotten how
+to do a seaman's duty.</p>
+
+<p>Frank followed Mr. Gale to the quarter-deck.
+"What do you think of this?" asked the mate.
+"Shall we risk it?"</p>
+
+<p>"By all means," answered Frank, quickly.
+"How would you and I feel if we were held captives
+by these heathen, and some of our own countrymen
+should come here, and, after learning our
+situation, go off without making an effort to help
+us? We may be able to rescue the captain or some
+of his men, if they are still alive."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Gale looked at his companion a little doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"O, I mean it," said Frank, who knew what was
+passing in the officer's mind. "I have no reason to
+like Captain Barclay, and if I could once bring him
+before a court of justice he would suffer for what he
+has done. But this is a different thing. If I get
+the chance, I'll try just as hard to help him as I
+would to help you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose that is the right sort of feeling,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span>
+said the mate, "but it isn't my style, I am free to
+say. A man who has the heart to turn a boat's
+crew adrift on the ocean, doesn't deserve any help
+when he's in difficulty. It's the others I want to
+work for, but here's the trouble: I don't know anything
+about this fighting business."</p>
+
+<p>"I've had a little experience in it," said Frank,
+"and so have Lucas and Barton. They are old
+men-of-war's men, and I know you can depend on
+them. I'll give you all the help I can."</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you boss the job?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I'd rather not. The men will yield you
+more prompt obedience."</p>
+
+<p>"I know a story worth two of that, sir. I ain't
+blind or deaf, either."</p>
+
+<p>After some more conversation it was decided that
+the Tycoon's crew could not leave the island with
+clear consciences unless they made some sort of a
+demonstration in favor of the captives, and Frank
+was finally prevailed upon to take command of the
+expedition. This being settled, the first thing the
+young sailor did was to call Chips aft. He and Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span>
+Gale spent an hour in conversation with him, and
+when the man went forward again Frank held in his
+hands a map of the island, on which the position
+of the fishing village, the situation of every hut in
+it, the shape of the jungle that surrounded it, and
+the location of all the paths that led to it were
+plainly marked. Frank also had a short consultation
+with Lucas, who, when it was over, made his
+way forward again, winking and nodding as he
+always did when he had anything on his mind.
+His companions tried hard to find out what had
+passed between him and the captain, as everybody
+called Frank now; but Lucas, while he seemed to
+grow in size under the pressure of the secret that
+had been committed to his keeping, remained as
+dumb as a tar-bucket.</p>
+
+<p>Everything had now been done that could be done
+before dark&mdash;except getting the boats and weapons
+in readiness&mdash;and Frank recollected that he had
+been at sea for twenty-four hours in an open boat
+without anything to eat, and that he was very hungry.
+Perhaps the savory odors that now and then came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span>
+from the galley recalled this fact to his mind. At
+any rate they brought his appetite back to him, and
+he did ample justice to the abundant meal that was
+soon served up. The captain was not there now to
+superintend the drawing of the provisions, so the
+doctor went into the store-room and helped himself.
+The consequence was that some articles which rightfully
+belonged to the men, but which they had never
+tasted since leaving port, such as beans, flour, dried
+apples and molasses, found their way into the forecastle.
+Each man got an extra cup of coffee&mdash;strong
+coffee, too&mdash;an extra tablespoonful of sugar
+in it, and all he wanted to eat besides. Mr. Gale
+and Frank dined in the cabin and the captain's
+steward waited on them.</p>
+
+<p>"That's all right," said Lucas, when the steward
+told him of it afterward. "Cap'n Nelson's a cap'n
+just as much as Cap'n Barclay, and just as good a
+one, too. Don't I know? He belongs in the cabin
+and at the head of the table, and he's got to stay there
+now. He shan't never come into this forecastle
+again!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After dinner two of the boats were overhauled and
+put in readiness for the expedition, which was to
+leave the ship as soon as darkness settled down to
+hide her from the watchful eyes of those on shore,
+the muskets and pistols were loaded, and a dozen
+rounds of cartridges provided for each man. Of
+course these preparations did not escape the notice
+of the sailors, who knew by them that there was
+work to be done. It soon got abroad that Frank
+was at the head of the affair, and that set Lucas and
+Barton in ecstacies. This made them think of old
+times; and so eager were they for the fight, that
+they almost got up a row with Boson and Tully just
+to get their hands in. They did not neglect, too,
+to make sundry little arrangements with their companions
+in regard to the treatment the captain and
+first mate were to receive in case they were found
+among the prisoners. They would do their best to
+rescue the friends of Chips, but Captain Barclay
+should not come back to the ship, no matter what
+happened. All this, however, was upset by a
+simple order from their wide-awake leader, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span>
+seemed to see everything, know everything and who
+neglected nothing.</p>
+
+<p>The boats and weapons being in readiness, all the
+crew were ordered below to rest and sleep, except a
+boatsteerer's watch, who remained on deck to look
+out for the ship. Even these were permitted to lie
+down on deck, with the exception of one man, whose
+duty it was to keep an eye on the shore, and report
+anything suspicious that he might see going on there.</p>
+
+<p>The men were allowed to sleep until nine o'clock,
+when they were called on deck to prepare for action.
+An abundant and well-cooked supper was served up
+and eagerly devoured by the grateful foremast
+hands, who told one another that if Captain Nelson
+and Mr. Gale were the officers of the ship, they'd
+never have any trouble with their crew, but they
+wouldn't catch much grease. They'd feed their
+men so high that they would get too fat to see a
+spout or pull an oar.</p>
+
+<p>Supper over, the men were mustered on the
+quarter-deck to listen to Frank's plan of the campaign.
+He had made up his mind what ought to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span>
+done and assigned each man a particular duty, giving
+him his orders so plainly that there was no
+possible chance for a misunderstanding. One order
+was, that every hut in the village was to be set on
+fire&mdash;they wanted a light to fight by&mdash;but it must
+first be searched to make sure that it contained no
+prisoners. Some of the boats' crews might be bound
+or severely wounded and unable to help themselves;
+and such unfortunates needed especial care and
+must be looked after by trustworthy men. If any
+wounded were discovered, they must be turned over
+to Lucas and Barton, who would assist them back
+to the boats and remain there to guard them. The
+men thus designated raised their hands to their caps
+and said, "Ay, ay, sir!" but when Frank turned to
+another sailor to give him his orders, they looked
+at each other and scowled fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>"Now here's a go," muttered Barton. "Suppose
+we find the first mate with a lance or something
+through his leg! Eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Or the cap'n," whispered Lucas, in great disgust.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Must we bring him to the boat, carry him like
+he was a blessed little baby, and then watch to
+see that the niggers don't slip around and send
+him to Davy's Locker, where he belongs?" added
+Barton.</p>
+
+<p>"Them's the orders."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care. I won't do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Avast, there! Better not go agin orders when
+they come from <i>him</i>," whispered Lucas, jerking his
+thumb towards Frank. "Besides, didn't he say we
+was men as could be trusted?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, so he did," answered Barton, after thinking
+a moment. "So he did. We can't go back on
+him after that."</p>
+
+<p>Having given his instructions in the plainest language
+he was master of, Frank went back to the
+head of the line and made each man repeat what he
+had said to him, to make sure that he fully understood
+what was required, and then he distributed
+the weapons and ammunition. The Kanakas,
+although as eager for the fight as their white companions,
+declined to accept the muskets that were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span>
+offered them, preferring to use the lances and war-clubs
+the natives had left behind them. It was a
+motley-looking company altogether, Frank told himself,
+after they were all armed and stood awaiting
+his orders&mdash;very unlike the well-provided and well-disciplined
+bluejackets he had been accustomed to
+command on expeditions similar to this.</p>
+
+<p>Everything being in readiness, Frank nodded to
+Mr. Gale, who ordered the boats to be lowered away
+and the crews to tumble into them. Frank took
+every man, knowing that the natives would not
+attack the ship while their homes were in danger.
+When every one was in his place he clambered down
+into one of the boats, Mr. Gale having charge of
+the other, and led the way toward the beach. Arriving
+within a few rods of it the boats were brought
+to a stand still, and Chips slipped noiselessly into
+the water and struck out for the beach, accompanied
+by Lucas, who carried a blubber-knife between his
+teeth. Chips might have been astonished to know
+that Lucas had orders to use the blubber-knife at the
+very first sign of treachery. This was the secret<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span>
+the old boatswain's mate had been carrying all the
+afternoon. Frank believed the story Chips had
+told him, but he was so wary that he neglected no
+precautions to insure the success of the expedition
+and the safety of the men composing it.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of half an hour the two men made
+their appearance again, coming alongside so
+silently that Frank did not see them until they laid
+hold of the gunwale. They reported the coast
+clear. The natives, not dreaming of danger, were
+all at the village, going through some sort of a ceremony
+intended to bring them success in the next
+attack they made on the ship, and which Chips said
+would not be delayed longer than daylight. Frank
+breathed easier now. Chips was not trying to lead
+him into an ambush, and that was one thing off his
+mind.</p>
+
+<p>Slowly and noiselessly the boats approached the
+shore, and when their bows touched the sand the
+crews disembarked. The two men selected to guard
+them promptly took their positions, and the rest
+fell in behind Chips, who led them along a narrow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span>
+path through darkness so intense that Frank, who
+followed close at his heels, was obliged to take hold
+of his clothing in order to keep track of him. Ten
+minutes' walk brought them within sight of a bright
+fire, which they could see shining through the trees
+in front of them. There they stopped. Frank
+whispered to the men as they came up one after
+another, showed them the position of the village, and
+they lost no time in taking up the positions he
+assigned them. When they had all moved off to
+the right and left, Frank, Mr. Gale and Chips
+were left alone. They waited and listened for a few
+minutes, and then moved down the path until they
+obtained a view of the fire. It was a large one,
+and threw out so much light that every hut in the
+village could be distinctly seen. There were about
+two hundred of the natives in sight, men, women
+and children, and some were seated in a circle about
+the fire, while others stood erect, looking intently
+toward the jungle where Frank knew the right of
+his line was taking up its position. Their quick
+ears warned them of the approach of an enemy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>At this moment Frank caught the gleam of a
+bayonet on the extreme left of the line. That told
+him that some of his men were in position, and he
+decided to begin operations at once. He nodded to
+his companions, and instantly three muskets were
+levelled and belched forth their contents in quick
+succession. This was the signal for the attack, and
+it was promptly obeyed. Muskets and pistols
+roared all along the line, and such a chorus of hoarse
+voices arose from the jungle that Frank, had he not
+known just how many men he had at his command,
+would have supposed that there was a small army
+hidden there.</p>
+
+<p>The natives behaved just as Chips said they
+would. The most of them took to their heels at
+once, while the bravest among them lingered long
+enough to fire their muskets. But they discharged
+them any how&mdash;just as they happened to pick them
+up&mdash;and Frank saw that the muzzles of the most
+of them were pointed into the air. No sooner were
+the weapons emptied than the owners threw them
+down and ran for life.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In two minutes' time the sailors were all in the
+now deserted village, and two of the huts had been
+fired by Chips, who showed himself as active as a
+cat. He ran about with a fire-brand in each hand,
+calling loudly on the captives to make all haste to
+reach the beach, telling them they would find boats
+there and men to protect them.</p>
+
+<p>Frank remained in the centre of the line, so that
+he could see all that was going on and direct the
+movements of his men, and it was with no little
+satisfaction that he noted the care with which each
+member of his small company took to carry out the
+instructions given him. Frank did not see that any
+of the natives were killed, but he did see one
+prisoner rescued. He did not get a glimpse of his
+face or of his clothing, but a remark Lucas made
+as he and Barton carried him by in their arms, told
+him who it was. "This ain't such a nice piece of
+business as it might be, sir," said the former, touching
+his cap.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the captain," thought Frank. "That was
+a lucky thought of mine, appointing two of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span>
+worst enemies to take care of him, for they wouldn't
+injure him now for the world. He's badly hurt, too.
+Will he act more like a man now, or be a worse
+tyrant than ever?"</p>
+
+<p>In a very short space of time the whole village
+was in a blaze. The huts being built of bamboo
+and their cone-shaped roofs thatched with dry grass,
+they burned like so much tinder. There was nothing
+more to be done now&mdash;nothing more they could
+do. They had rescued one prisoner, given the
+others a chance to run if they were able to do it,
+and now he must take care of his own men before
+the natives turned on them. The signal to retreat,
+a long, shrill whistle, was as promptly obeyed as the
+signal to attack. The men hurried toward him, and
+throwing their weapons on their shoulders fell in
+behind Chips, who led the way toward the beach at
+a dog trot. Frank ran his eye over the line as it
+moved passed him to see if there was anybody missing,
+and found to his delight that not only were the
+men all there, but also two more rescued prisoners,
+the captain's harpooner and bow-oarsman, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span>
+saluted him as they went by. When the last man
+was in the path, Frank and Mr. Gale fell in and
+brought up the rear. A few minutes' rapid run
+brought them to the beach, and after seeing the
+wounded captain stowed away as comfortably as
+circumstances would permit, Frank ordered the
+crews into the boats, which were pushed off toward
+the ship. There was no pursuit attempted, the
+natives being too badly frightened to rally immediately.
+By the time their expected reinforcements
+arrived, the Tycoon was safe out of their reach.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c285" id="c285">CHAPTER XV.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">FRANK ON THE QUARTER-DECK.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE expedition was ended and well ended too,
+Frank told himself. Three men were rescued,
+and that was something to feel glad over. The
+attack was so well planned, and all the details
+carried out so faithfully and energetically, that it was
+entirely successful, and there was not a man missing.
+All the ship's company could be accounted for
+except Gardner&mdash;Frank could not bring himself
+now to think of him by the name he generally bore&mdash;and
+he had doubtless been killed and thrown overboard
+when the natives made their attack on the
+vessel.</p>
+
+<p>While on the way back to the Tycoon Frank had
+much to think about, the principal object of his
+thoughts being the wounded captain. Frank was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span>
+sorry to see him in his present situation, and he
+reproached himself when he reflected that he had
+so long cherished feelings of revenge toward him.
+He had all the while told himself that his feelings
+were not actuated by any desire for vengeance&mdash;that
+he wanted to have the skipper shut up for a
+while, merely to prevent him from serving others as
+he had served himself; but now he knew that
+behind all this was the belief that the captain
+deserved punishment for the offences of which he
+had been guilty, and that he would breathe a good
+deal easier if he could assist in bringing it about.
+That was all past now, however. The skipper
+needed assistance, and that was enough for the
+generous Frank, who felt almost as tender toward
+him as he would have felt toward his cousin Archie,
+had he been in the same situation.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile an animated conversation was going
+on between Mr. Gale and Lucas, who were in the
+other boat with Barton, the coxswain. The third
+mate had been silent and thoughtful for a long time,
+and Lucas asked the reason for it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I was just thinking of what's to come," replied
+Mr. Gale. "Here we have been risking our lives
+to free these men, and what are we going to do with
+them now that we have got them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Take them aboard the ship, sir," said Lucas.</p>
+
+<p>"And what's to be done with the ship? The
+cap'n is of no use now, the first and second mates
+are gone, and so, of course, the ship falls to my
+hands; but she's a bigger load than I can carry."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't worry about that, sir," returned Lucas,
+quickly. "Cap'n Nelson's shoulders are broad, and
+he can carry her."</p>
+
+<p>"Was he ever master of a vessel?" asked Mr.
+Gale.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course he was, sir. Didn't you know it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I heard something about it, but I didn't believe
+it. He don't look like a sailor."</p>
+
+<p>"No more'n he looks like a lawyer or a fighting
+man, sir; but he's all three. When the war was
+going he commanded as fine a brig as ever sailed in
+Farragut's fleet."</p>
+
+<p>"A brig!" echoed Barton. "A ship, you mean.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span>
+Haven't I seen her often? Didn't I see her and
+him too down there in Mobile Bay, the time we had
+the fight with the forts and gunboats? You're
+right I did. The Admiral was going to put him in
+command of a frigate, only the war closed and Cap'n
+Nelson wouldn't stay in the navy."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it was something of that kind," said
+Lucas, who knew just nothing at all about it. He
+and Barton were working to put Frank on the Tycoon's
+quarter-deck, and they did not care how
+many falsehoods they told or what means they used
+to get him there. "He went into a fight once
+and licked the rebels three to one," continued
+Lucas.</p>
+
+<p>"Five to one, you mean," corrected Barton,
+who did not think his friend was saying quite as
+much as could be said in Frank's favor.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it was big odds," returned Lucas, "and
+under them circumstances, sir, you mustn't feel hard
+if we say that we won't serve on the Tycoon under
+nobody but Cap'n Nelson."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't feel hard toward you," said the mate,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span>
+"for I don't want to command her. I am not
+fit."</p>
+
+<p>"No more you be, sir," said Barton, bluntly;
+"but Cap'n Nelson is. We can call him cap'n
+now, and nobody can't say no to us without getting
+his head broke."</p>
+
+<p>Frank, little dreaming of what was passing in
+the other boat, was being carried rapidly ahead by
+the stalwart Kanakas who pulled him, and reached
+the ship a long distance in advance of Mr. Gale.
+As he came alongside he saw two men looking over
+the rail, both of whom Chips recognised, dark as it
+was. They proved to be two wrecked sailors who
+had been held prisoners by the natives, and who
+had taken advantage of the attack on the village
+to run to the beach and swim off to the vessel.
+They were overjoyed to find themselves among
+their own countrymen once more, and almost overwhelmed
+Frank by their exhibition of gratitude.
+But he had no time to listen to them. He simply
+shook hands with them, and then turned his attention
+to the captain.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The wounded man groaned whenever any one
+touched him; but a whip being quickly rigged he
+was hoisted aboard as tenderly as possible, and in
+obedience to Frank's directions was carried into the
+cabin and placed in his bunk. When the steward
+lighted the lamp Frank had a good view of him for
+the first time, and he could hardly bring himself to
+believe that this wreck of humanity was the same
+man he had so often seen on the quarter-deck. He
+was no surgeon, but knowing that something ought
+to be done at once to relieve the captain and stop
+the flow of blood, he set to work to do what he
+could. He cut off the sufferer's coat and shirt with
+his knife, and found three gaping wounds, which
+were enough to have left the life out of any but a
+man of iron, as the captain was. While he was
+bathing them with warm water brought from the
+galley the third mate came in, and Frank was surprised
+to see him remove his hat.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it necessary for me to apologize for coming
+in here under such circumstances as these, without
+an invitation?" asked the amateur doctor.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I guess not, sir," answered the officer, with a
+smile. "From all I can learn you've got the best
+right here."</p>
+
+<p>"How is that? I don't understand you."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the men have put you in as cap'n, and
+say they won't do duty under anybody else."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they have no right to do anything of the
+kind. They don't know what they are talking
+about."</p>
+
+<p>"No, they don't. I'm master of this ship,"
+murmured the wounded man, looking about with the
+old savage glare in his eyes and trying to raise his
+head. "Trice 'em all up, and hang the snatch-block
+to their&mdash;Mr. Gale!" he ejaculated, recognising
+the third mate.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; it's Mr. Gale, come back safe and
+sound, and just as ready to do duty as he was
+before you turned him adrift in that boat," replied
+the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Send the first mate here," said the captain,
+sinking back on his pillow and closing his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't, sir. He went ashore with you and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span>
+hasn't come back yet. The natives made an end
+of him, most likely."</p>
+
+<p>"The second mate, then."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't send him either, sir, because he and the
+first are keeping company now somewhere besides
+on board this ship. The natives harpooned him.
+There's nobody left but me."</p>
+
+<p>"And you ain't worth nothing. You don't know
+how to flog a man."</p>
+
+<p>"If I did, I couldn't do it now, sir. The men
+have taken the ship and put Cap'n Nelson in command.
+I looked for 'em to do it long ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Nelson!" groaned the captain, opening his eyes
+again. "I sent him&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He seemed to recognise the face bending over
+him, and stopped suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"I know you did, sir," said Mr. Gale, "You
+sent him adrift with me; but he's back again, and
+so are Lucas and Barton and all the rest of the
+boat's crew. But I say, cap'n, if you are able to
+do duty, you'd best be giving some orders, for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span>
+tide is about turning, and if the ship is to be worked
+off the bar, now's the time."</p>
+
+<p>The captain made no reply, and neither could
+Mr. Gale induce him to speak again. He lay with
+his eyes closed, and groaned every time a question
+was asked him. The mate scratched his head in
+great perplexity. "What shall I do, sir?" said
+he, looking at Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Do just what you think best," was the reply.
+"This man is in no condition to give orders. Go
+ahead on your own hook."</p>
+
+<p>The mate clapped his hat on his head and hurried
+up the ladder. He found the crew gathered
+in the waist waiting, no doubt, to hear from some
+one in the cabin. "Turn to, lads," said Mr. Gale,
+briskly. "Bear a hand, and get up that small
+kedge for'ard."</p>
+
+<p>"Who give them orders, sir, begging your pardon
+for being curious?" said Lucas. "Did Cap'n Barclay
+or Cap'n Nelson?"</p>
+
+<p>"Cap'n Nelson," replied the mate. "Cap'n Barclay
+ain't fit to command now."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No more was he ever fit to command, sir!" said
+Lucas, who was speaking for all of the men. "But,
+asking your pardon again, sir, I'd just like to have
+a peep at Cap'n Nelson, and see why he don't come
+up and give his own orders, like the master of a ship
+had ought to do. You know that he went into that
+cabin once and didn't come out again very soon,
+don't you? We don't think as much of you, by no
+means, as we did before you had a hand in that
+business."</p>
+
+<p>The mate made no reply. He had set himself
+right with Frank, who was perfectly satisfied that
+he was not to blame for anything that had happened,
+and he would leave him to make the matter straight
+with the men. He stepped aside to allow Lucas to
+pass, and the latter, running down the companion-ladder,
+was amazed to find Frank acting the part of
+Good Samaritan to one whom he had hitherto regarded
+as an enemy. He opened his eyes wide at
+the sight, and Frank thought he was displeased.
+"It's all time wasted, sir," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we must do the very best we can for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span>
+him," was Frank's reply. "If he can only hold
+out till we fall in with some ship carrying a surgeon,
+he will perhaps pull through all right."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you give orders to have the ship worked
+off the bar, cap'n?" asked the boatswain's mate.</p>
+
+<p>"We want to get her off, don't we?" answered
+Frank. "She musn't lie here and be pounded to
+pieces, as she will be if the wind rises."</p>
+
+<p>Lucas went out of the cabin satisfied. He knew
+what ought to be done as well as anybody, but he
+wanted to be sure that the orders came from the
+right source. The men were satisfied too, and went to
+work to get the ship out of her dangerous situation,
+while Frank kept busy with his patient, although he
+believed, with Lucas, that his efforts to save the
+captain's life would be useless. He had nothing to
+work with&mdash;no lint or bandages, and no medicine to
+allay the fever. But the sequel proved that Frank
+did not know what the old sailor meant by his
+remark. The wounded skipper was threatened by
+another danger from which no one on board the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span>
+Tycoon but Frank could protect him&mdash;- the fury of
+the men he had wronged.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of two hours the Tycoon was in deep
+water and standing away from the inhospitable Islands
+with all her canvas spread. Frank had been
+equally successful with the work to which he had
+devoted himself, and now the captain was in a sound
+sleep. While Frank stood watching him, wondering;
+what was to be done when he awoke, since there
+were no medicines aboard except calomel and salts,
+nothing to eat except coarse ship's fare, and nothing
+to drink but the miserable stuff called tea and
+coffee which the cook served up twice each day&mdash;while
+Frank was thinking about this, and wishing
+he could get inside the Stranger's pantry long
+enough to secure some of the delicacies he knew to be
+stowed away there, he was aroused by a great hubbub
+which suddenly arose on deck. He heard the
+stamping of feet and loud yells of triumph, mingled
+with cries of, "Here's one of 'em. Pitch him
+overboard!" A moment later the mate's voice was
+heard in tones of remonstrance, to which some one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span>
+replied: "If you don't go aft where you belong and
+mind your own business, you'll go over too!"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Gale evidently thought that the man, whoever
+he was that said this, was in earnest, for Frank
+heard him running along the deck, and saw his pale
+face appear at the top of the companion ladder.
+"Come up, cap'n," he cried, in great excitement;
+"the men are going to throw Calamity overboard!"</p>
+
+<p>Frank lingered just long enough to slap his
+pockets, to make sure that the pistols he had carried
+during the attack on the village were still there, and
+then went up the stairs in three jumps. He saw a
+group of men in the waist, who were pushing and
+crowding one another about, and caught just one
+glimpse of the pale face of Gardner, who was in the
+midst of them, and resisting to the utmost the efforts
+that were being made to drag him to the side. He
+saw at a glance that Boson and Tully were the
+ringleaders, and the ones who had seized the frightened
+man; and he was sorry to see, too, that Lucas
+and Barton were there and making no effort to
+restrain their companions, although they took no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span>
+part in the proceeding. The peaceable Kanakas
+were standing in a body on the forecastle and looking
+on in great amazement.</p>
+
+<p>With three jumps more Frank was in the waist,
+standing between the men and the rail, and Mr.
+Gale was at his side. "Lucas! Barton!" he cried,
+"come over to this side the deck."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, cap'n?" began Lucas.</p>
+
+<p>"No words," interrupted Frank. "You and
+Barton come over to this side of the deck, and be
+quick about it."</p>
+
+<p>The sailors obeyed, and the change in their positions
+seemed to make a corresponding change in
+their feelings, for the next order Frank gave was
+responded to without an instant's hesitation.
+"Lucas, take hold of Boson. Barton, grab Tully
+and drag him away. Gardner, go into the cabin!"</p>
+
+<p>It was wonderful how quickly and easily one
+calm, determined spirit controlled those angry men.
+The trouble was ended at once. Boson let go his
+hold and slunk away at the sight of Lucas's big fist,
+which was brandished before his eyes, and Tully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span>
+was equally active in giving ground before the
+broad-shouldered Barton. Gardner, finding himself
+at liberty, went down the companion-ladder like a
+flash, banging the door behind him.</p>
+
+<p>"I am surprised at you, men," said Frank,
+sternly, and there was not one among them who
+could look him in the eye. "If you had succeeded
+in accomplishing your object, what would you have
+said for yourselves when you got ashore? Boson,
+you are the largest and strongest man in the crew.
+Take your stand at the top of that ladder and knock
+the first one down who attempts to go into the
+cabin without Mr. Gale's permission."</p>
+
+<p>This stroke of policy on Frank's part won him a
+fast friend on the spot&mdash;one who might otherwise
+have been an enemy, and kept the crew in a constant
+uproar. He was a turbulent fellow, this Boson,
+and one of the few sailors Frank had met who
+seemed to need a handspike or belaying-pin over
+his head about once a day to keep him in order.
+His appearance was enough to frighten some men,
+and was a good index of his character. He had a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span>
+most repulsive countenance, a small bullet-shaped
+head, always kept closely cropped and set on a
+thick, muscular neck, and a form betokening immense
+physical power. And indeed he possessed
+it. He could handle an eighteen-foot oar as if it
+were a feather, and when he laid out his strength,
+he fairly made things snap. His whole body was
+seamed and scarred by wounds he had received in
+fights and from the officers he had sailed under, and
+Frank had seen him knocked flat with a handspike
+which seemed to make no more impression on his
+thick skull than it would on the mast. This was
+the man of whom Frank had been wise enough to
+make a friend.</p>
+
+<p>Boson looked at him in amazement, evidently at
+a loss to decide whether Frank was in earnest or
+not; but making up his mind at last that he was,
+he marched off, and taking the position assigned
+him, looked defiantly at the crew, as if daring them
+to come on.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was surprised at the ease with which the
+disturbance had been quelled, and so was Mr. Gale.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span>
+It leaked out afterward that the former's prompt
+action had prevented serious trouble. Lucas made
+no idle threat when he said that the captain and
+Calamity were both to go overboard. The latter
+had been hiding in the hold among the oil barrels.
+He went there when he saw the natives approaching
+to make their attack on the ship, and no one
+missed him until the fight was over, and the sailors
+began to look around to see how many they had
+lost. Not finding Calamity among the slain, they
+concluded that he had either jumped overboard, or
+been wounded and thrown over; but he had been
+safely concealed in the hold all the while. Finding
+at last that the ship was in motion, he came out of
+his hiding-place to see what was going on, and must
+have been astonished at the reception extended to
+him. After he had been disposed of, the skipper's
+turn was to come next. The desperate men counted
+on meeting with opposition and perhaps resistance
+from Mr. Gale and Frank, but expected to overcome
+it very easily. They knew Mr. Gale, but
+found they did not know Frank. Had the latter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span>
+been as easily cowed as the third mate was, something
+certainly would have happened.</p>
+
+<p>Quiet being restored, Mr. Gale and Frank walked
+aft together, and the crew seeing them in earnest
+conversation, leaned over the rail and waited to learn
+what would come next. "I suppose the first business
+is to decide who we want for officers," said
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so, sir," replied Mr. Gale.</p>
+
+<p>"You are entitled to the captain's berth, of course.
+That's settled."</p>
+
+<p>"No it ain't, sir," returned the mate, quickly.
+"This is the first voyage I ever made as an officer,
+and I know no more about navigation than I do
+about the moon."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let me act as your sailing-master."</p>
+
+<p>"The men won't agree to it, sir. They said so."</p>
+
+<p>Then the mate went on to repeat the conversation
+that had taken place between Lucas, Barton and
+himself, at which Frank laughed heartily. "Why
+they are very much mistaken," said he. "The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span>
+largest sailing vessel I ever commanded was a
+pleasure yacht."</p>
+
+<p>"No odds, sir. They've got it in their heads
+that you must command them now that the old man
+is done for, and there'll be a row if you don't.
+You have seen what they are when they get
+started."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll tell you what we'll do," said Frank,
+after thinking a moment. "We'll leave it to them;
+and after they have selected their officers we'll draw
+up a paper containing a full history of everything
+that has happened since leaving Honolulu, and ask
+them to sign it. These matters must be looked into
+by the consul, and we want to be all right in law,
+you know."</p>
+
+<p>In accordance with this suggestion, the mate
+mustered the men on the quarter-deck and made
+them a little speech. He told them that there must
+be somebody at the head of affairs, and that as the
+officers were all gone except himself, others must
+be selected. In the first place they must all agree
+to be bound by the decision of the majority, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span>
+faithfully promise to obey those placed over
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll all obey Cap'n Nelson," exclaimed Boson,
+before the mate was fairly done speaking.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Cap'n Nelson! Cap'n Nelson!" cried a
+chorus of hoarse voices. "Nobody else!"</p>
+
+<p>There was not a dissenting voice; so Frank could
+no longer refuse to accept the responsibility. He
+was amused to see that Lucas and Barton, while
+supporting Boson's nomination, looked savagely at
+him, as if they would have been glad to knock him
+down for speaking in such a hurry. They wanted
+to bring Frank forward themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"Cap'n Nelson, I give place to you, sir," said
+Mr. Gale.</p>
+
+<p>The men greeted the young commander with
+cheers as he stepped forward, no doubt expecting
+him to make them a speech; but Frank did nothing
+of the kind. He told them that the next business
+was to select a first mate, and at his suggestion Mr.
+Gale was chosen by a unanimous vote. Lucas was
+put in for second, and Boson, who was a fine sailor,
+if he was a quarrelsome fellow, for third mate; and
+when the men were dismissed every one of them
+seemed satisfied.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+     <img src="images/ill-304.jpg" width="400" height="279"
+         alt=""
+         title="" />
+     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">Frank chosen Captain of the Tycoon.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank at once went below to look at his patient,
+leaving Mr. Gale in charge of the deck. The captain
+lay with his eyes closed, rolling his head from
+side to side, and Calamity was fanning him with
+his hat. The latter started up in alarm as Frank
+entered.</p>
+
+<p>"It is no one who is going to harm you,"
+said he. "I hope you see now what you have
+brought upon yourself by your way of doing business.
+Let it be a lesson to you."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall never dare to go into the forecastle
+again," whined Calamity.</p>
+
+<p>"You needn't go in there. You will stay here
+as the captain's nurse."</p>
+
+<p>This order seemed to relieve the frightened man.
+Through the open skylights he had heard all that
+passed on deck, and he was afraid that Frank,
+having the authority to do so, would order him to
+go forward where he belonged.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank slept but little that night. The responsibilities
+of his new position weighed on his mind, and
+he came on deck every hour to see that things were
+going straight. The first real duty he performed as
+captain was to ascertain whereabouts in the wide
+world the ship was, and this he did the next day by
+an observation. She was directly in the track of
+vessels bound from Australia to the Pacific ports
+of the United States, and he decided to cruise about
+for a few days in the hope of meeting some ship
+that carried a surgeon. Without medical assistance
+he was afraid that the captain might not live until
+the ship reached Honolulu, which, according to his
+calculations, was more than fifteen hundred miles
+distant.</p>
+
+<p>The observation made, dinner over and the table
+cleared away, Frank busied himself for an hour or
+two in drawing up papers for the men to sign; and
+when that was done, he took a few minutes to think
+over the various incidents that had operated to
+place him in his present position. The most exacting
+old sea-dog could hardly have found fault with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span>
+the way affairs were going now. The weather-side
+of the quarter-deck was reserved for the captain,
+who for an hour paced up and down there with his
+hands behind his back, and as free from intrusion
+as a monarch on his throne. The officers were alert
+and watchful, the crew seemed to have settled down
+to the new order of things as if they had been
+accustomed to them all their lives, and never in her
+best days under her old commander had the Tycoon
+looked more ship-shape. Frank wished the crew
+had put Mr. Gale in his place, and left him to act
+as sailing-master; but since they had seen fit to do
+differently, he would perform his duty as best he
+could. He knew every rope and sail in the ship,
+was possessed of excellent judgment, which was the
+one great thing needed, and the captain's sextant
+came as handy to him as a fishing-rod or double-barrel;
+so he was not so very unfit for the position
+he held after all. How Archie and the rest of the
+friends he had left on the Stranger would open their
+eyes if they could see him in that dress and know
+that he was the master of that fine ship! For the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span>
+first time in a long while Frank allowed his thoughts
+to wander back to them, and the consequence was
+he became homesick. Yes, homesick; for the
+cabin of the Stranger had been his home for almost
+eight months, and had he kept out of the way of
+the bogus captain, it might have been his home yet.
+Where was the schooner now, and what were those
+aboard of her doing? Perhaps she was sailing
+about over the Pacific in search of the Tycoon!
+This thought aroused Frank from his reverie, and
+caused him to straighten up and look about as if he
+expected to see something. If the Stranger followed
+the Tycoon to the Sandwich Islands, would
+not Uncle Dick ascertain when he got there that
+she had shipped a crew and started for the Japan
+station? And would he not sail again immediately
+and try to find her?</p>
+
+<p>"Sail ho!" shouted the man at the mast-head.
+"Where away?" demanded the captain, greatly
+excited.</p>
+
+<p>"Two points off the lee bow, sir. Steamer."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Dear me! why did he say steamer?" thought
+Frank. "I'd rather he'd have said topsail schooner."</p>
+
+<p>No doubt he would, especially if the schooner
+proved to be the Stranger. Still he was glad to
+know that there was a steamer near, for he would
+be relieved of one cause of anxiety if he could only
+intercept her. He would bring her doctor aboard,
+and perhaps he could do something for the captain.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c310" id="c310">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">CONCLUSION.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">Frank went aloft with his glass, and after
+watching the steamer for a few minutes made
+up his mind that if he held on his way she would
+cross his path at such a distance that he could not
+speak her; so he altered the Tycoon's course a few
+points, and for several miles ran almost parallel
+with the approaching craft. This manœuvre was
+successful, and by sunset the two vessels were
+within hailing distance. After seeing one of the
+boats cleared for lowering and the crew ready to
+tumble into her, Frank came to while the steamer
+was yet a half a mile away; and this attracting the
+attention of her captain, he ran under a slow bell
+until within speaking distance, when he stopped his
+engines. His vessel was a fine large mail steamer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span>
+and her promenade deck was crowded with passengers.</p>
+
+<p>"Steamer ahoy!" yelled Frank, through his
+trumpet. "Will you wait for me to send a boat
+aboard of you? We are in need of medical assistance."</p>
+
+<p>A reply in the affirmative promptly came back,
+and five minutes afterward a whale-boat, manned by
+a sturdy crew steered by Frank, was pulling toward
+the steamer.</p>
+
+<p>Up to this time Frank's mind was fully occupied
+with thoughts of the wounded captain; but now it
+occurred to him that he was not in just the right
+dress to present himself before a company of ladies
+and gentlemen. Clothed in a red shirt, coarse
+trowsers, heavy boots, all plentifully spattered with
+oil, a tarpaulin, which, although but a short time out
+of the slop-chest, began to show signs of wear, and
+with hands and face browned by exposure, he was
+not the most attractive looking young man in the
+world, and he thought he looked worse when in the
+presence of the dapper young officer who met him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span>
+at the gangway. The well-dressed people on deck
+gave him plenty of room as he walked along, but the
+gray-headed captain came forward and greeted him
+cordially. "What did you say you wanted, sir?"
+said he. "A doctor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. There's a man aboard that ship in a
+critical condition. We had some trouble with the
+natives at the Mangrove Islands, and he's badly
+wounded."</p>
+
+<p>A chorus of ejaculations and questions arose from
+the passengers who crowded eagerly forward, and
+Frank could have told his story to a most attentive
+and interested audience if he had only had time;
+but the captain sent off at once for the surgeon, who
+made his appearance before he was fairly begun.
+To him Frank described the nature of the captain's
+injuries as well as he could, and when he had heard
+all Frank could tell him, he provided himself with
+medicine and instruments, got into the whale-boat
+and was taken on board the Tycoon. He remained
+there nearly three hours&mdash;so long that some of the
+gentlemen among the steamer's passengers became<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span>
+impatient at the delay, called on Frank for a boat,
+and came off to see what the "blubber-hunter"
+looked like. The young captain met them as they
+came over the side, and was amused at the look of
+astonishment that settled on their faces when they
+found themselves fairly on her deck.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, if I had known that you kept your craft
+as neat as this, I should have brought my wife and
+daughter along," said one of the gentlemen, running
+his finger over the rail and closely examining it to
+make sure that there was no oil on it. "I expected
+to find myself knee-deep in grease. I have seen
+whalers come into port before now, and they were
+such horrible looking things outside, that I supposed,
+they could not be very tidy on deck."</p>
+
+<p>"They are not always, sir," said Frank, "especially
+when they are cutting in and trying out. They
+often spend eight months and more out of sight of
+land, and the men are so busy with other work that
+they can't find time to keep the ship as neat and
+trim as a merchantman or man-of-war."</p>
+
+<p>The visitors having satisfied themselves that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span>
+were in no danger of soiling their good clothes, began
+to exhibit a lively interest in what they saw
+about them. Frank showed them over the ship,
+explained the use of the try-works, harpoons, lances
+and all the other implements connected with a
+whaler's calling, and related the particulars of the
+fight they had had with the natives at the Mangrove
+Islands; and so engrossed did his listeners become
+that they were sorry when the doctor came out of
+the cabin and announced that he was ready to depart.
+He told Frank what he had done for the
+wounded man, and said that, although he was so
+badly used up that it might take him some months
+to fully recover from the effects of his injuries, there
+were no bones broken, and his life was in no
+danger, if the remedies he left for him were faithfully
+administered according to the directions he
+had given the captain's attendant. The doctor and
+the passengers were then taken on board their vessel
+by one of the whale-boats, and when it returned
+and was hoisted at the davits, the Tycoon
+filled away for the Sandwich Islands.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was wonderful what a change the doctor's visit
+made in the wounded man! He seemed to grow
+better immediately. Frank found him in earnest
+conversation with Calamity. When it was ended
+the latter came out with the request that Mr. Gale
+might be sent to the captain when he was off duty,
+if Frank had no objection. Of course he had none.
+The first mate was sent for at once, and remained
+in conversation with the captain for more than an
+hour. When he came out he went straight to
+Frank, who was pacing the quarter-deck. "How
+is he now?" asked the latter.</p>
+
+<p>"O, he's all right that is, his tongue is as lively
+as ever. He wants me to act as mediator between
+you and him."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no occasion for it," answered Frank.
+"There are no hard feelings on my part."</p>
+
+<p>"I was sure of it, sir. Calamity has told him
+everything, and he would be perfectly satisfied with
+the way matters have been arranged, if it wasn't
+for the fear that you helped rescue him from the
+natives, and brought the doctor off to save his life,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span>
+so that you might have the chance to take him before
+the court at Honolulu."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps if he knew me better he would not
+have so poor an opinion of me," returned Frank.
+"I don't deny that if I could have got him there
+two days ago, I should have made trouble for him.
+Indeed I told him so to his face. But that is all
+over now."</p>
+
+<p>"He has been punished enough, hasn't he, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think he has. You may assure him for me,
+in the plainest language you can command, that I
+shall not trouble him in any way. On the contrary,
+I will do what I can to make him comfortable."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell him, sir. He wanted me to ask two
+favors of you: one is, that you will put him on
+board the first ship you meet bound for the States.
+He's afraid of the men, sir. Calamity told him
+that they were going to throw him overboard."</p>
+
+<p>"He has nothing to fear from them, but I'll respect
+his wishes all the same. What else does he
+want me to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"He hopes that while you are looking out for a sail,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span>
+you will keep an eye open for whales and lose no
+chance for filling up. We stow twenty-five hundred
+barrels, and here we have been out nearly seventeen
+months and haven't taken a quarter of that quantity.
+It looks now as though we were not going to
+make a paying voyage."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do the best I can," replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>And he did. The ship lay-to that night with
+only a boatsteerer's watch on deck, and the next
+morning business began in earnest. A whale was
+discovered before breakfast, and three boats in
+command of Mr. Gale, Lucas and Boson were sent
+out after him, Frank remaining in charge of the
+ship. The prize was secured without much trouble,
+and while it was lying alongside, and the men, having
+prepared themselves for work by eating a good
+breakfast, were about to begin the cutting in,
+another was raised, and by three o'clock that also
+was alongside, and the carpenter was at work on a
+stove boat. This whale fought hard, but there was
+nobody hurt.</p>
+
+<p>This was only the beginning. The blubber-room<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span>
+was never entirely empty, and during the next three
+weeks four hundred barrels of oil were added to
+those in the hold. Of course the labor was severe,
+the crew being small, but the men had plenty to
+eat, were kindly treated and the amount of work
+they turned off was surprising. Calamity kept the
+captain posted in all that was going on, and he
+growled lustily&mdash;being an old sailor he couldn't
+help it&mdash;and wondered why he had not been blessed
+with such luck, and why the crew had not worked
+as well for him as they did for the new captain.</p>
+
+<p>One bright morning, following a hard night's
+work at trying-out, while Frank was leaning over
+a water-bucket, rubbing his hands and face with a
+piece of hard soap, the man at the mast-head
+announced that there was a sail in sight, and in
+response to the usual inquiry, added: "Broad off
+the wheather beam. Topsail schooner. Sets low
+in the water and spreads lots of canvas."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you hear that, Lucas?" cried Frank, gazing
+about through eyes that were almost hidden in soap
+suds. "Jump up there, quick!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The latter cleared his eyes by the aid of a piece
+of canvas that served him for a towel, and watched
+the movements of the old boatswain's mate as he
+hurried aloft. He saw him level his glass, hold it
+to his eye for a moment and then begin to scramble
+down again. That was enough for Frank. "Mr.
+Gale," said he, so delighted and excited, that he
+could hardly stand still, "my connection with the
+Tycoon is nearly ended now. My friends are close
+by."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad for your sake, sir, and sorry for my
+own," replied the mate. "We've had a pleasant
+ship and the best of luck since you've been on the
+quarter-deck."</p>
+
+<p>"And I have been very well contented," said
+Frank; "but I wasn't while I was in the forecastle,
+I tell you. It isn't often that a shanghaied man
+becomes master of the ship that runs away with
+him, is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I never heard the like before, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"And probably you never will again. Well,
+Lucas!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It's the Stranger, sir! I can tell her among a
+million!" replied the second mate, no less delighted
+than his captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Breakfast is on, sir," announced the steward.</p>
+
+<p>Frank did not want any, but he made a show of
+eating nevertheless. He drank a cup or two of a
+decoction of parched beans which the steward called
+coffee, swallowed a few mouthfuls of salt horse and
+hard-tack, and then hurried on deck to tell the
+officer on watch to see one of the boats clear for
+lowering, and to have a crew, whom he mentioned
+by name, ready to pull him off to the schooner.
+After that he gave his black suit a good overhauling;
+but it had seen pretty hard service before he
+drew any clothing from the slop-chest, and he decided
+that it would not do to put on. Then he took
+a look at himself in the little mirror that was
+screwed fast to one of the bulkheads in the cabin,
+and told himself that Boson was a beauty compared
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what's the difference?" thought Frank.
+"If any of those boys had been in my boots they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span>
+would look just as rough and weather-beaten as I
+do."</p>
+
+<p>With this reflection to console him Frank hurried
+on deck again, and taking the glass Lucas offered
+him, levelled it at the schooner, which was now
+close aboard. Almost the first man he saw was
+Dick Lewis. Frank's heart leaped at the sight
+of him. He had supposed that the two trappers
+were safe in the mountains long before this
+time, but now he would have a chance to shake
+them by the hand once more before he bade them
+good-by for ever. He wondered how they had conquered
+their fears sufficiently to venture out to sea.
+He saw Uncle Dick Gaylord and his two officers on
+the quarter-deck, and the Club gathered in the
+waist, every one of them with his field-glass in his
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course they will recognise the ship, but they
+will never know me in this dress," thought Frank.
+"And I don't think they'll be able to make much
+out of my hail either."</p>
+
+<p>Frank kept out of sight until the ship's main<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span>
+yard was backed and the schooner thrown up into
+the wind; then he showed himself.</p>
+
+<p>"What ship is that?" yelled a stentorian voice,
+that Frank could have recognised anywhere.</p>
+
+<p>"The whale ship Eli Coon, Hank Wilson master.
+Seventeen months out of Nantucket and nine hundred
+barrels of oil in the hold. I think that
+bothered them a little, Mr. Gale. I see they are
+talking very earnestly. Is that crew ready? I'll
+send a boat aboard of you," he added, hailing the
+schooner.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Uncle Dick, in a tone
+of voice which indicated that he did not understand
+the matter at all.</p>
+
+<p>Lucas, Barton, Boson and Tully, all good oarsmen,
+comprised the boat's crew, and they were not
+long in taking their captain alongside the schooner.
+Seeing that the Club and Uncle Dick kept their
+glasses levelled at him, Frank drew his hat low over
+his forehead, and thanked the wind for turning the
+collar of his shirt up around his ears. He laughed
+to himself when he thought how amazed his friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span>
+would be to see him in those clothes and learn that
+he was the captain of the Tycoon&mdash;he who had
+been shanghaied and thrust into her forecastle to
+do duty as a common sailor! He thought he could
+have some sport with the schooner's company, and
+run no risk of being recognised. After comparing
+his reckoning with Uncle Dick's, he would slap the
+boys on the back and take all sorts of liberties
+with them, and see what they would do about it.
+But Dick Lewis upset all these calculations in short
+order. His sharp eyes penetrated Frank's disguise,
+and no sooner did his head appear above the
+schooner's rail than he was hauled aboard, lifted
+bodily from the deck and carried aft. He struggled
+hard to free himself, but the trapper held him fast,
+and finally stood him on his feet in front of
+Uncle Dick, just as he had done with the bogus
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" demanded Frank, in a
+gruff voice. "If this is the way you treat your
+visitors, sir, I'll go back where I belong!"</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick stared at Frank, who tried to look<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span>
+angry, but his eyes laughed in spite of himself.
+"Nelson!" he exclaimed, at a venture.</p>
+
+<p>"That's jest who he are, cap'n," cried the
+trapper, bringing his heavy hand down on Frank's
+shoulder with such force that he shook all over.
+"Whiskers and all, that's him."</p>
+
+<p>It was all out now, and Frank's little plan was
+exposed. Of course a great hubbub arose at once,
+and Frank judged by the greeting he received that
+his friends were just as glad to see him as he was to
+see them. Lucas and Barton met with an equally
+cordial reception from their friends in the forecastle,
+who were not a little surprised to find that one of
+them had worked his way to the quarter-deck during
+his absence.</p>
+
+<p>Frank had a long story to tell, and it took him
+a long time to tell it. When it was ended, Uncle
+Dick and the Club had a good many questions to
+ask, and it took a long time to answer them; so
+that the two vessels remained alongside the greater
+part of the day. During that time boat's crews
+were exchanged, some of the schooner's company<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span>
+going off to visit the ship, and some of her crew
+coming back to visit the Stranger.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the conversation began to flag Frank
+spoke of the needs of the wounded captain, asking
+for some of the good things with which the Stranger
+was so amply provided; but Uncle Dick had something
+better to propose. "Write an order to your
+mate to send him off here," said he. "I have a
+medicine-chest, plenty of lint and bandages, and
+long experience has made me a passable physician
+and surgeon. I can take better care of him than
+you can, and perhaps he will feel easier when he is
+out of reach of his men."</p>
+
+<p>Frank was only too glad to accept this kind offer,
+for he knew that the wounded man would be benefited
+by the change. He sent off an order to Mr.
+Gale, and half an hour afterward Captain Barclay
+was comfortably settled in the Stranger's cabin.
+He was delighted with his elegant quarters, and
+repeatedly declared that he did not deserve the
+treatment he received. If he was ever able to take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span>
+the quarter-deck again he would be a different
+man.</p>
+
+<p>His story told and all questions asked and
+answered, the young captain made ready to return
+to his ship. Of course all the boys went with him.
+Frank warned them that he could not give them
+such food or such quarters as they had on board the
+Stranger, but they didn't care for that. They
+wanted to see the Tycoon, and they made Frank
+promise, over and over again, that if the opportunity
+were offered, he would show them the operation of
+catching a whale. The Club tried to induce the
+trappers to go with them, but their entreaties and
+arguments fell on deaf ears. Dick and Bob knew
+that the Stranger was a safe boat, but they did not
+like to trust the Tycoon, and so thought it best to
+remain where they were.</p>
+
+<p>"Brace for'ard main yard," said Frank, when
+all the whaler's boats had been hoisted at the davits.
+"Eugene, you said you couldn't understand how it
+came that you reached the Sandwich Islands three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span>
+days after we did. Now I'll show you. Set studding
+sails, Mr. Gale."</p>
+
+<p>Eugene very soon found out why it was. The
+Stranger was considered to be remarkably swift for
+a small vessel, but the big Tycoon sailed two miles
+to her one, and at daylight the next morning the
+schooner was out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>Frank being impatient to reach Honolulu, did
+not go out of his way to find whales. According to
+promise he kept the mast-head manned, but to no
+purpose. The boys watched and waited in the hope
+of hearing the welcome cry, "There she blows!"
+but not a whale was to be seen. Mr. Gale told
+them that the reason was because they offered no
+inducement. It was the practice of whalers under
+such circumstances as these, he said, to put up a
+prize of some kind to go to the man who discovered
+the first spout. He had known a whale to rise in
+less than two minutes after a pair of trowsers had
+been hung up in the rigging.</p>
+
+<p>"O, if that's the trouble, we'll raise so many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span>
+that you won't know which to go after first," said
+Archie; "who's got any money?"</p>
+
+<p>All the boys happened to have a little in their
+pockets, and by clubbing together they raised sufficient
+to purchase one of the best suits of clothing
+in the slop-chest&mdash;hat, boots and all&mdash;which was
+hung up in plain view of the crew. But the offer
+of a dozen suits would not have enabled the men to
+see whales where there were none, and Frank took
+the ship into Honolulu without having the opportunity
+to gratify his friends, who were greatly disappointed.
+The Stranger was not in port, but she
+came shortly afterward, and by that time the Tycoon's
+business was settled. She passed through
+the consul's hands, the crew were paid off and discharged
+and a new captain assumed command and
+made ready to take her to the States. As soon as
+the Stranger came in, Uncle Dick's charge was carried
+to the hospital, and Frank never heard of him
+afterward. He never heard of Mr. Gale either
+after he took leave of him. The last time he saw
+him he was second mate of the Tycoon.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>One incident happened on board the Stranger
+that is worth recording. It was noticed that after
+Captain Barclay was brought on board, Dick Lewis
+acted more like himself than he had done for many
+a day.</p>
+
+<p>It was observed, too, that he often went through
+a most expressive pantomime, which was easily
+understood by those who witnessed it. One morning
+the captain came out of his cabin and found
+him standing at the top of the companion ladder,
+where he had been often seen of late. "Why
+do you hang around here so much?" asked Uncle
+Dick.</p>
+
+<p>The trapper pushed his hat on the back of his
+head, shoved up his sleeves until his brawny arms
+were bare to the elbow, spread out his feet, placed
+his hands on his hips and looked at the captain.
+"When is that mean varmint comin' up?" said he.
+"I owe him a leetle something, an' I'm in an amazin'
+hurry to pay it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Lewis, you needn't worry about him,"
+said Uncle Dick. "He's having as much punishment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span>
+as he can stand. Frank heaped hot coals
+of fire on his head every day for three weeks, and
+I am following up the same treatment."</p>
+
+<p>"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper, looking doubtfully
+at Captain Gaylord.</p>
+
+<p>"It is as true as gospel."</p>
+
+<p>Dick could not refuse to believe it after so strong
+an affirmation as this. He grinned all over with
+delight, and taking the sailor's sturdy palm in his
+long, bony fingers, gave it a shake and a squeeze
+that made the captain wince and lift one of his feet
+a little way from the deck. Then Dick hurried off
+to find his chum.</p>
+
+<p>"It's all right, Bob," said he, gleefully. "I
+didn't know civilized folks done sich things, but the
+cap'n's scalpin' that feller in a way the Injuns
+never thought of. He's pilin' fire on his head
+every day."</p>
+
+<p>This piece of news, while it greatly surprised both
+the trappers, afforded them the liveliest satisfaction.
+The kidnapper was being fearfully punished for
+what he had done, and they told one another that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span>
+he deserved it. Dick did not hang around the cabin
+door any more, but he kept his eyes open, and as he
+never saw any fire carried below, he began to grow
+suspicious.</p>
+
+<p>When the Stranger arrived in the port of Honolulu
+and he saw preparations being made to take the
+captain ashore, he resolved to investigate things a
+little, just to satisfy himself. Watching his chance,
+while the wounded man was being carried across
+the deck to be lowered into the boat, he dashed
+forward and lifted the hat from his head. To his
+intense surprise and chagrin the captain's scalp was
+all there, and his hair did not look as if it had
+ever been near a fire. Knowing nothing of the
+Christian principle of returning good for evil, the
+trapper supposed that Captain Gaylord had been
+piling literal coals on his patient's head every day.
+It took Uncle Dick a long time to explain things,
+and the backwoodsman never had as much faith in
+him after that.</p>
+
+<p>Having restored Frank to the society of his
+friends once more, we will take leave of him for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span>
+present, promising to say more of him soon in the
+concluding volume of this series, which will be entitled:
+"<span class="smcap">The Boy Traders; or, The Sportsman's
+Club among the Boers</span>."</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<div class="transnote p4">
+<p class="pc large">TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:</p>
+<p class="ptn">&mdash;Obvious print and punctuation errors were corrected.</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 53420 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
+
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Frank Nelson in the Forecastle, by Harry
+Castlemon
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
+other parts of the world 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.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
+to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
+
+
+
+
+Title: Frank Nelson in the Forecastle
+       Or, The Sportman's Club Among the Whalers
+
+
+Author: Harry Castlemon
+
+
+
+Release Date: October 31, 2016  [eBook #53420]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Giovanni Fini, David Edwards, and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images
+generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 53420-h.htm or 53420-h.zip:
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53420/53420-h/53420-h.htm)
+      or
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53420/53420-h.zip)
+
+
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      https://archive.org/details/franknelsoninforcast
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+      Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
+
+      Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=).
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: ARCHIE, FRED, AND EUGENE ON THE MAIN-CROSS-TREES
+OF THE STRANGER.]
+
+
+Frank Nelson Series.
+
+FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE;
+
+Or, The Sportsman's Club Among the Whalers.
+
+by
+
+HARRY CASTLEMON,
+
+Author of "The Sportsman's Club Series," "Gunboat Series," "Rolling
+Stone Series," &c.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Philadelphia:
+Porter & Coates.
+
+Cincinnati:
+R. W. Carroll & Co.
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+                        FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.
+
+
+ =GUNBOAT SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 6 vols. 16mo.
+ Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+FRANK THE YOUNG NATURALIST. FRANK ON A GUNBOAT. FRANK IN THE WOODS.
+FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI. FRANK ON THE
+PRAIRIE.
+
+ =ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols.
+ 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+  FRANK AMONG THE RANCHEROS.
+  FRANK AT DON CARLOS' RANCHO.
+  FRANK IN THE MOUNTAINS.
+
+ =SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols.
+ 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+  THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB IN THE SADDLE.
+  THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AFLOAT.
+  THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE TRAPPERS.
+
+ =GO-AHEAD SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo.
+ Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+TOM NEWCOMBE. GO-AHEAD. NO MOSS.
+
+ =FRANK NELSON SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo.
+ Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+SNOWED UP. FRANK IN THE FORECASTLE. BOY TRADERS.
+
+ =BOY TRAPPER SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo.
+ Cloth, extra, black and gold.
+
+  THE BURIED TREASURE; OR, OLD JORDAN'S HAUNT.
+  THE BOY TRAPPER; OR, HOW DAVE FILLED THE ORDER.
+  THE MAIL-CARRIER.
+
+ =ROUGHING IT SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 16mo. Cloth,
+ extra, black and gold.
+
+GEORGE IN CAMP.
+
+                    _Other Volumes in Preparation._
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876 by
+R. W. Carroll & Co.,
+in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
+
+
+
+
+                               CONTENTS.
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                  A Backwoodsman's Ideas        Page 5
+
+                              CHAPTER II.
+
+                "Man Overboard"                     24
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                A Sea Lawyer                        41
+
+                              CHAPTER IV.
+
+                "Shanghaied"                        61
+
+                              CHAPTER V.
+
+                The Trapper's Adventure             82
+
+                              CHAPTER VI.
+
+                A Scamp on his Dignity              99
+
+                             CHAPTER VII.
+
+                Too late                           118
+
+                             CHAPTER VIII.
+
+                Gentleman Black                    141
+
+                              CHAPTER IX.
+
+                "There she Blows"                  159
+
+                              CHAPTER X.
+
+                Frank's first Whale                178
+
+                              CHAPTER XI.
+
+                Cutting In and Trying Out          198
+
+                             CHAPTER XII.
+
+                How Frank saw the Consul           218
+
+                             CHAPTER XIII.
+
+                Turned Adrift                      241
+
+                             CHAPTER XIV.
+
+                Old Times Revived                  262
+
+                              CHAPTER XV.
+
+                Frank on the Quarter-deck          285
+
+                             CHAPTER XVI.
+
+                Conclusion                         310
+
+
+
+
+                             FRANK NELSON
+
+                          IN THE FORECASTLE;
+
+                                OR, THE
+
+                  SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE WHALERS.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+A BACKWOODSMAN'S IDEAS.
+
+
+"I DECLARE this is almost like coming into another world, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, and I, for one, am glad to get back. I like a good horse, and no
+one enjoys a few days' shooting and fishing better than I do; but when
+I get tired of the saddle and the woods, I like to see the blue water
+and feel the solid planks of a yacht's deck under my feet once more. We
+had a good time though, in spite of all our adventures and mishaps."
+
+"We certainly did. I am like Perk, who, after he had been down into the
+Cave of the Winds, under Niagara Falls, said he would do it again for
+no money, but seeing that he _had_ been down, he would not sell his
+experience at any price. I couldn't be hired to make that same trip
+to Fort Bolton again--being "snowed up" was the worst part of it to
+me--but since it is all over and we are safely out of it, I am glad we
+went."
+
+This was a portion of the conversation carried on by our friends
+Archie, Fred and Eugene, as they sat in the main-cross-trees of the
+Stranger, swinging their feet in the air and looking out over the
+shipping anchored off North Point Dock, in the harbor of San Francisco.
+They had only just arrived that day, their trip across the mountains
+being happily ended. They had discarded the half-savage, half-civilized
+costumes they had worn during their sojourn in the wilderness and
+substituted pea-jackets for their hunting-shirts, light shoes for their
+high-top boots, and natty tarpaulins for their slouch hats. They looked
+as though they had just come out of some lady's band-box, and one and
+all declared that it was most refreshing to find themselves dressed up
+like white folks once more.
+
+The first thing these three uneasy youngsters did after they had donned
+their "shore clothes," and put the suits they had worn in the mountains
+carefully away in their trunks for safe-keeping, was to run all over
+the vessel, looking into every locker and corner, just as they had done
+when they first saw her on the stocks at New Orleans, and the next to
+mount to the cross-trees to survey the harbor. Here they had sat for
+half an hour, enjoying the prospect spread out before them, and talking
+over their recent adventures and exploits. The other members of the
+Club, Walter, Frank Nelson, George Le Dell and the rest, were seated
+on the quarter-deck with Uncle Dick, talking to Dick Lewis and old Bob
+Kelly.
+
+Dick and Bob were objects of great interest to the sailors who composed
+the Stranger's crew. They stared at everything with wide-open eyes, and
+were as much out of place on the schooner's deck as the jolly tars
+would have been in the mountains from which the backwoodsmen had just
+arrived.
+
+The Club had had a varied and eventful experience during the
+comparatively short time that they had been absent from the Stranger,
+and even now the hearts of some of them would beat a trifle faster
+whenever they thought of what they had passed through. Walter drew a
+long breath every time he recalled his experience in Potter's rancho;
+Fred and Eugene shivered and drew their collars up around their ears
+when they thought of the sight presented to their gaze on the day
+they set out from their camp under the cliffs, to show the Pike and
+his family the way to Fort Bolton, and imagined that they could see
+the air filled with driving snow, and could hear the roaring of the
+wind as it swept the prairie, just as they had seen it and heard it on
+that long-to-be-remembered afternoon. Archie grew excited and elated
+whenever he thought of the way he had captured the wild horse, and
+then exasperated when he remembered how he had lost him before he had
+had a chance to try even one race with his cousin. Frank shrugged his
+shoulders when any of his companions called him "Chinny Billy," as they
+often did, and thanked his lucky stars that he was well out of the
+predicament which the genuine Chinny Billy had so nearly got him into,
+when he denounced him as an impostor and spy in the presence of all the
+members of Potter's gang; and even Uncle Dick Gaylord, hardened as he
+was by a long life of adventure, did not like to recall the feelings of
+anxiety and suspense that he had experienced on more than one occasion,
+during the journey to Bolton and back. The two trappers were probably
+the only ones in the party for whom the last few months had no especial
+interest. Their lives were made up of just such scenes and incidents,
+and they never thought of them again, unless something happened to
+bring them vividly to their recollection.
+
+The last night that the friends passed at Fort Bolton was given up
+to enjoyment. The colonel and major entertained Uncle Dick at their
+quarters, and the younger officers took charge of the boys. After
+supper it was noticed that some of the officers and their guests
+distributed themselves in little groups about the room, that the
+members of each group carried on a very earnest conversation in a low
+tone of voice, and that various little keepsakes were passed from one
+to the other, which each promised to preserve in remembrance of the
+giver. The gifts that passed between Frank and Lieutenant Gaylord
+were the most valuable of any. These two young fellows had been fast
+friends and almost constant companions ever since the night on which
+the lieutenant recaptured Dick Lewis after his flight from the guard
+house, and arrested Frank for assisting him to make his escape. Frank
+had something he knew the lieutenant wanted, and that was the splendid
+horse which Potter had given him. Frank could not take the animal
+around the world with him, and besides he was already the happy owner
+of a steed which was just as handsome and swift, and which held a much
+higher place in his affections. That was Roderick. It was Uncle Dick's
+intention to travel on horseback until the party reached a point from
+which they could continue their journey by stage or railroad, and then
+sell off their stock--their wagon, which would have been an almost
+useless encumbrance to them, now that the roads were blocked with snow,
+having been exchanged for pack mules--Frank would then have no further
+use for his horse, so he offered him to the lieutenant, who was glad to
+accept him.
+
+The journey to San Francisco was made without the occurrence of any
+exciting or noteworthy incidents. Among them all they managed to shoot
+a few black-tails, and one grizzly bear, whose skin and claws were
+preserved by the old members of the Club as trophies. They found the
+snow fully as deep as they expected, the travelling difficult, and the
+weather extremely cold; but their progress was steady, although slow,
+until they reached the railroad, and then in a few hours they found
+themselves in an almost tropical climate.
+
+When they reached the railroad, Dick and Old Bob would have taken leave
+of them, but the boys would not listen to it. They were determined
+that, if they could have their own way, the trappers should remain
+with them for a long time to come. They owed much to these two men, and
+as they could not repay them in any other way, they would take them
+around the world, introducing them to scenes and people of which they
+had never dreamed. Of course this idea originated with rattle-brained
+Eugene Gaylord, and Uncle Dick, who could not find it in his heart
+to refuse his nephews anything they asked for, consented to the
+arrangement, though not without a good deal of grumbling.
+
+"They'll only be in the way, Eugene," said the old sailor. "They just
+fit the mountains and the prairie--they were made for them; but how
+will they look on the deck of the Stranger? There isn't room enough
+aboard our little craft for that giant, Louis."
+
+"O, Uncle, there are two or three empty bunks in the forecastle, and
+they can sleep there as well as not," replied Eugene.
+
+"But they will be so uneasy that they'll not enjoy themselves in the
+least," continued Uncle Dick. "They will be frightened to death when
+they find themselves out of sight of land, and the men will be playing
+tricks on them all the while."
+
+"But the men mustn't play tricks on them. We won't let them; and
+besides it would be dangerous. As for being out of sight of land, that
+need not trouble them. They'll not be in half as much danger as they
+were while they were with Potter's gang. Then think of the fun we'll
+have, Uncle! Didn't you notice how they opened their eyes the other
+night when Bab was telling them of the elephants we expect to see in
+India?"
+
+"Well, well! do as you please," said the old sailor. "If they are
+foolish enough to go, I shall have a fine time of it among you all; I
+can see that plainly." And then he turned away to hunt up Frank Nelson,
+to whom he always went when he had anything on his mind.
+
+Eugene having gained his point went straight to Archie and Fred, who
+declared that it was the best thing they ever heard of. The matter was
+laid before the trappers with as little delay as possible, and the
+proposition almost took their breath away. They opened their mouths and
+eyes and looked wonderingly at each other, but said nothing. Archie
+thought that was enough for one day, and although his friends wanted an
+immediate answer, he succeeded in inducing them to retire and leave the
+trappers to themselves. He thought it best to give them leisure to turn
+the matter over in their minds (it seemed to be more than they could
+grasp at once) and go to them for an answer at some future time.
+
+Dick and old Bob seemed to grow timid as they approached the confines
+of civilization, but they were coaxed on board the train, and when
+the party reached San Francisco, they were taken off to the Stranger.
+The matter of the voyage around the world had been brought for up
+discussion a few times, but Dick had found his tongue at last, and
+declared that it was not to be thought of. The boys knew better than to
+press the subject, and hoped that time would accomplish what arguments
+could never do. A few hours on board the Stranger in the harbor,
+where vessels were constantly coming and going, might increase their
+confidence, while it familiarized them in some slight degree with
+life on ship-board, and perhaps they could then be induced to change
+their minds. Archie had tried to persuade Dick to follow him and his
+companions to the cross-trees; but the trapper, after glancing down at
+his colossal proportions, and then up at the ratlines, which looked no
+larger than so many threads, declared that the ropes wouldn't bear his
+weight, and remained below.
+
+"Now, this feels natural!" exclaimed Featherweight swinging back
+and forth on his dizzy perch with such apparent recklessness that
+Dick Lewis, who now and then looked up at him, fairly shook in his
+moccasins; "and I am ready for new adventures and new sights beyond the
+seas. Our fellows can say, what the books tell us comparatively few
+American travellers can say, and that is, we have seen the most of the
+wonders of our own country. I never expect to see anything grander than
+the Yo Semite Valley. I wonder how long it will be before Uncle Dick
+will hoist the signal for sailing?"
+
+"Just as soon as the stores are aboard," said Eugene. "We may get off
+to-morrow."
+
+"Will Dick and Bob go with us?"
+
+"No," said Archie. "We might as well give that up. And since I have
+come to think of it, I don't want them to go unless they are perfectly
+willing to do so."
+
+"Nor I," said Eugene. "If it frightens them so badly to travel on
+a railroad train, what would be their feelings when they found the
+schooner tossing about on such waves as we saw coming around the Horn?
+I shall urge them no more."
+
+"They have been talking to Frank about it," continued Fred. "They
+always go to him and believe every word he says--that is, almost every
+word."
+
+"Ah! yes; I was going to put that in," said Archie. "They don't like to
+believe that the world is round. They don't say so with their mouths,
+but they do with their eyes."
+
+"And they don't know what to think about elephants as large as that
+house of Potter's, and lions and tigers, and snakes twenty feet long,"
+said Fred.
+
+"And a whale bothers them," chimed in Eugene; "and Dick laughed the
+other day when I told him about a flying-fish."
+
+"What's going on down there?" asked Archie, as the sound of voices in
+animated conversation came up from the deck.
+
+The boys looked below and saw that the group, which they had last seen
+scattered over the quarter-deck, were gathered about Dick Lewis, who
+appeared to be making them a speech. Now and then he illustrated his
+remarks by pointing to something he had placed at his feet; but the
+boys could not see what it was, for the Club were crowded about it and
+hid it from view. They were missing something, that was evident; but
+they did not intend to miss any more of it, and it was but the work
+of a few seconds to swing themselves out of the crosstrees on to the
+ratlines, and descend to the deck. They ran up to the group, and found
+that the object over which the trapper was holding forth was simply a
+mess-pan filled with water.
+
+"Them stories you've been a tellin' seems wonderful to me an' ole Bob,
+who never heard the like afore," Dick was saying as the boys came up.
+"We don't conspute 'em, 'cause bein' unedicated men, we never had no
+book larnin', an' don't know nothing outside the mountains an' the
+prairy. Now, you tell me that thar's three times as much water on the
+'arth as thar is ground; that you're goin' to start from Fr'isco an'
+sail clean around it in this yere little boat, an' that if me an' ole
+Bob'll go with you, we won't even know that we're sailing round the
+world. Won't we know when we come to the edge?"
+
+"There isn't any edge to it," said Frank.
+
+"Sho! Thar can't help bein' an edge if the world is round, can thar?
+This yere," said Dick, pointing to the pan of water, "is the sea;
+an' this yere," he continued, fumbling in the pockets of his hunting
+shirt, "is the 'arth."
+
+As he spoke he drew out a piece of hard tack, which he had rudely
+shaped with his knife to represent his idea of the rotundity of the
+earth. The corners were cut off, making the biscuit nearly round, and
+there was a piece clipped out of the side of it, in shape something
+like a bottle with a very short neck and wide body, to represent the
+Golden Gate and the harbor of San Francisco. This miniature world Dick
+placed in the middle of the pan of water, and then straightened up and
+looked triumphantly at his audience. Eugene glanced at it, choked back
+a laugh and then rushed off to find the steward, while the trapper went
+on with his illustration.
+
+"Now, thar's the 'arth," said he, placing his finger on the biscuit,
+"flat like a pan-cake, as anybody can see it is, that's ever been out
+on the prairy, an' round like _you_ say it is. Here is the sea all
+around it, an' here's Fr'isco. Now, after you go out of the Golden Gate
+an' start to sail round the 'arth," said Dick, moving his long finger
+through the water around the biscuit, "can't you see the edge all the
+way round? I can understand that, which wasn't so very plain to me a
+few days ago, but now comes something I can't see into. You say the
+'arth turns over onct every day, but that don't by no means stand to
+reason, 'cause jest see what would happen,"--he went on, placing his
+finger under the biscuit and raising one edge of it out of the water.
+"If it turned over, one side of it would keep gettin' higher an' higher
+all the time, an' finally the houses, an' trees, an' mountains, an'
+folks would get to slidin' an' slidin', an' when they come to the edge,
+they'd all slip off into the water; an' when the 'arth turned _cl'ar_
+over"--here he flopped the biscuit up side down in the pan--"whar would
+we all be?"
+
+None of his auditors had attempted to interrupt the trapper, and the
+reason was because there was not one among them who could trust himself
+to speak, not even Uncle Dick. Believing from their silence that he
+had got the better of all of them, the trapper said he was more firmly
+convinced than he had ever been before, that all the learning in the
+world was not to be found in books, and was about to throw the contents
+of his mess-pan over the side, when Eugene came elbowing his way into
+the group, carrying an apple in one hand and a small magnet in the
+other.
+
+"Now, Dick," said he, "let me talk a minute. You haven't quite got the
+idea. In the first place, that piece of hard tack doesn't represent the
+shape of the earth, but this apple does, pretty nearly. In the next
+place, the globe doesn't revolve through water, for the water forms
+part of the earth and turns with it."
+
+"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper. "It would all spill out."
+
+"Hold on a minute, and I'll show you that it can't spill out. The world
+revolves through the air. Don't you fellows criticise now," continued
+Eugene, turning to his companions. "If, when I get through, you want
+to explain that the earth really revolves through space, and that the
+air goes with it, except such portions as are left behind and form the
+trade-winds, you are welcome to do it; but it is quite beyond me."
+
+Eugene handed the magnet to Archie to hold until he was ready to use
+it, and with the point of his knife rudely traced upon the apple the
+shape of the continents and the principal oceans. This done, he went
+on with his explanation, which was simply a repetition of what every
+boy learns when he first begins the study of geography. He described
+the motions of the earth as well as he could, and used the magnet to
+illustrate the attraction of gravitation. Dick listened attentively,
+and when Eugene finished, took the apple from his hand and looked at
+it with a great deal of interest. He turned it over several times, and
+appeared to be meditating upon something.
+
+"They're goin' to sail round the 'arth this way," said he, moving
+his finger slowly around the circumference of the apple, and talking
+more to himself than to the boys standing about, "an' when they get
+around here"--he stopped and thought a moment, holding the end of his
+finger under the apple--"when they get around here, they'll be--Human
+natur'!" he cried suddenly, as if frightened at the discovery he had
+made. "When you get around here, on the under side of the 'arth,
+you'll be walkin' with your heads downwards, won't you? Bob can do
+as he likes, but _I_ won't go. Mebbe that little red hoss-shoe aint
+strong enough to hold the boat fast to the 'arth--don't look as if it
+was--an' some dark night she'll get to fallin' an' fallin'--Whew! I'm
+as near that place now as I want to be, an' I'm off fur the mountains
+to-morrow, bright an' 'arly."
+
+Dick turned away, fairly trembling with excitement, and the boys
+scattered as if some one had suddenly sent a charge of bird-shot among
+them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+"MAN OVERBOARD."
+
+
+THE trappers were badly frightened, there could be no doubt about
+that, and it was a spectacle the Club had never expected to witness.
+That these two men, who had time and again faced death in almost every
+shape in which he presents himself on shore, who had lived in the very
+midst of danger from their youth up, and who sought and delighted in
+perilous exploits, should be so nearly overcome with terror by hearing
+of things with which every schoolboy is familiar, was surprising; and
+there was something so ludicrous in the manner in which they exhibited
+their alarm, that the boys could scarcely restrain their laughter until
+they could get out of sight. Old Bob glared wildly about him, seemingly
+on the point of jumping overboard and swimming ashore, and Dick
+Lewis leaned against the rail, drawing his breath in quick gasps and
+looking altogether as if he did not yet fairly understand the startling
+discovery he had made. Uncle Dick Gaylord took one glance at him and
+then went to the stern and looked over into the water, while the boys
+dived down into the cabin and threw themselves into chairs, or leaned
+up in corners, holding their handkerchiefs over their mouths--all
+except Archie, who never could control himself when he wanted to laugh.
+He ran into his state-room, shut the door and buried his head in the
+pillows. The funny part of it was, that Dick should suppose, that those
+who attempted the reckless task of sailing around the world, should be
+obliged to take a magnet with them, in order to keep themselves and
+their vessel from falling off when they reached the "under side of the
+earth."
+
+At the end of five minutes Archie made an attempt to come out into the
+cabin, but he was still bubbling over with laughter, and the sight
+of him created a fresh explosion, and set Archie himself to going
+again at such a rate that he was obliged to go back. It is hard to
+tell how long it would have been before the boys could have controlled
+themselves sufficiently to talk the matter over, had it not been that a
+commotion which suddenly arose on deck, drew their attention to other
+affairs.
+
+"Fore rigging, there," exclaimed Uncle Dick. "What do you see?"
+
+"A man overboard, sir," replied the voice of the boatswain's mate. "He
+jumped off that whaler, sir."
+
+"And he's swimming this way, sir," said another voice, "and making
+signals of distress."
+
+"Have the cutter called away, Mr. Baldwin," said Uncle Dick, to his
+first mate, "and send a crew out to pick him up."
+
+The boys waited to hear no more. They crowded up the companion ladder
+with such haste that they ran some risk of sticking fast in the narrow
+passageway, and reached the deck just as the crew of the cutter were
+tumbling into their boat which lay along side moored to a swinging
+boom, man-of-war fashion.
+
+"Where is Mr. Parker?" said Uncle Dick, looking around for his second
+officer.
+
+"O, let me go in charge of the boat, Uncle," exclaimed Eugene,
+snatching Fred's hat from his head, for he had left his own in the
+cabin.
+
+"Away you go, then," said the old sailor. "Don't let him sink before
+you reach him."
+
+"They're sending out a boat from the whaler, sir," said the foremast
+hand, who was at work in the forward rigging, and who had been the
+first to discover the man in the water.
+
+"Does he appear to be all right?"
+
+"O, yes, sir. He swims like a duck, but he's waving his hand to us."
+
+"Hold on a minute, Eugene."
+
+Uncle Dick sprang upon the rail and supporting himself by the shrouds
+looked towards the man, and then toward the boat that was coming out
+to pick him up, while the boys, all except Eugene, who stood ready
+to take his place in the cutter at a moment's warning, swarmed up
+the rigging and looked on with no little interest. They saw at once
+that the man had no trouble in keeping afloat, for he swam over the
+waves as buoyantly as a cork. They saw, too, that he did not want to
+be overtaken by the whaler's boat, if he could help it, for he looked
+back at her occasionally to see if she was gaining on him, and then
+redoubled his efforts to reach the schooner.
+
+"He is trying to desert," said Uncle Dick, "and I think we had better
+have nothing to do with him."
+
+"Quartermaster, pass up that spy-glass," said Frank.
+
+The petty officer handed the instrument to Featherweight, who happened
+to be lowest in the shrouds, and he passed it to George Le Dell,
+who handed it up to Frank. The latter mounted to the crosstrees and
+levelled the glass at the swimmer. He held it to his eye for a few
+minutes, and then passing it back to George, said:
+
+"That man has either met with a severe accident, or been roughly
+handled. His face is bleeding."
+
+"Help! help!" cried a faint voice.
+
+"Go and pick him up," said Uncle Dick.
+
+"Shove off," commanded Eugene, before he was fairly seated in the
+stern-sheets of the cutter. "Remember, men, that you are racing with a
+whale-boat, and that you don't want to be beaten."
+
+The cutter swung around with her bow toward the swimmer, and propelled
+by eight strong oarsmen, who seemed to lift her fairly out of the
+water at every stroke, flew over the waves like a duck. A boat race
+was something in which Eugene took especial delight, but the one that
+came off that morning between the cutter and the whale-boat was not as
+exciting or as closely contested as he had hoped it would be. In fact
+it was no race at all; for when the officer, whoever he was, who had
+charge of the deck of the whaler, saw that the cutter was likely to
+reach the swimmer first, he hailed his boat, which turned around and
+went back.
+
+"In bow," commanded the coxswain of the cutter, who was sitting just
+behind Eugene.
+
+The two sailors who were seated in the bow raised their oars from the
+water, placed them on the thwarts between them, and then one stood up
+with the boat-hook in his hand, while the other threw himself flat on
+his face and extended his arm out over the water.
+
+"Way enough! Toss, and stand by," said the coxswain.
+
+The other oars were all thrown up into the air at the same moment,
+laid upon the thwarts, and every man leaned over the side to be ready
+to seize the swimmer as the cutter moved past him. She retained
+steerage-way enough to carry her within a few feet of him, and then the
+coxswain, with one movement of the tiller, turned the bow aside, and
+the boat-hook was thrust out within reach of his hands. It was a matter
+of some difficulty to haul the rescued man aboard, for he was too
+nearly exhausted to help himself, and his clothing, being thoroughly
+saturated with water, was as heavy as so much lead. Besides, his
+forehead was badly cut and bruised, and no doubt he was suffering from
+the hurt.
+
+[Illustration: RESCUING THE DESERTER.]
+
+"Did you fall overboard?" asked Eugene, after the man had been pulled
+into the boat and had taken his seat in the bow.
+
+"No, sir; I jumped overboard on purpose."
+
+"You hit your head against something, didn't you?"
+
+"The cap'n hit it for me, sir. It was a belaying pin that made that
+mark."
+
+Eugene looked wonderingly at the coxswain, who nodded his head, as if
+to say that he didn't doubt it at all.
+
+"Why, the officers aboard our vessel don't find it necessary to do such
+things," said Eugene.
+
+"But all vessels ain't like the Stranger, sir, nor are all shipmasters
+like Cap'n Gaylord," said the coxswain. "Do you s'pose there's a
+sailorman aboard of us that would do what this chap has done--try to
+desert? No, sir, you couldn't kick 'em off if you wanted to. When we
+get back to Bellville we'll have every man we brought away with us,
+unless some of 'em are in Davy's locker."
+
+The cutter was soon alongside the schooner, and the rescued man, by
+dint of hauling from above and pushing from below, was got upon the
+deck. He was a pitiable object when one came to look at him, and Uncle
+Dick's first order was: "Take him below, some of you, and give him
+something fit to put on. Be in a hurry about it."
+
+The sailors were only too glad to obey. They led the dripping man
+into the forecastle, from which he emerged a few minutes later with a
+clean face, a suit of dry clothes, and a handkerchief bound about his
+forehead. In his appearance, which was very much improved, he would
+have compared favorably with any of the seamen on board the Stranger,
+and they were the very best that Uncle Dick could find in the port of
+New Orleans. He had evidently had plenty of time to tell at least a
+portion of his story, for the faces of the sailors were as black as so
+many thunder clouds.
+
+The rescued man at once made his way aft, accompanied by the
+boatswain's mate, who, presuming for this once upon his captain's
+good-nature, and his own position as ranking petty officer on board the
+Stranger, took the liberty to go where he knew he had no right except
+he was in performance of his duties. The men saluted, removed their
+caps and waited for Uncle Dick to speak to them.
+
+"Well, Lucas, what do you want here?" asked the old sailor.
+
+"I ax your pardon, cap'n, for coming on the quarter-deck at this time
+without an invite," replied the boatswain's mate, "but I just wanted to
+say to you, sir, that this man is black and blue from his head to his
+feet, so he is."
+
+"How did he get that way?" asked Uncle Dick, while the boys ranged
+themselves behind him so that they could hear all that passed, "and why
+is he trying to desert?"
+
+The mate stepped back and moved his hand toward the rescued man, as if
+to say that he would tell his own story, and the latter said:
+
+"I don't want to desert my ship, cap'n. I am an able seaman, know my
+duty and am ready to do it, if I can only have plenty to eat and am
+allowed a wink of sleep now and then. I am trying to get ashore for
+protection ag'in' them tyrants aboard the Tycoon, and I hope you won't
+send me back to them, sir."
+
+"Go on," said Uncle Dick. "What has happened aboard that ship?"
+
+"She is nearly two years out of Nantucket, on a whaling course, sir,"
+said the man, "and there isn't a foremast hand aboard of her that she
+brought out with her. They've all deserted. She has to get a new crew
+at every port, and when she can't get 'em honest, she kidnaps 'em, sir.
+I shipped aboard of her, along with a lot of others, at Callao. We've
+been out only four months, and two of the men jumped overboard rather
+than stand the hard treatment they received. On the first day out the
+officers began on us and never let up. They kept us at work till we
+were ready to drop, brought us out of bed at night and made us walk the
+deck, and if we fell asleep as we walked, they knocked us down with a
+handspike or belaying-pin. They starved us almost to death, and then,
+because my boat's crew were too weak to save a whale we made fast to,
+they put us all in irons and pounded us with ropes' ends till we were
+insensible."
+
+This was only the introduction to the long story the man had to tell,
+and to which his auditors listened with breathless interest. According
+to his account, the Tycoon was a horrible place, and the cruelties
+that were practised by the officers upon the defenceless seamen, were
+shocking. The man certainly bore unmistakable evidence of brutal
+treatment, and added weight to his story by declaring that he was not
+only willing but anxious to meet his persecutors in a court of justice.
+Everybody who listened to him was indignant.
+
+"The men on board that vessel have a remedy in their own hands--two
+of them, if they only knew it," said Frank. "Why didn't they demand
+an interview with the American consul at the first port at which they
+touched?"
+
+"It wouldn't have done no good, sir," said the sailor. "The cap'n
+wouldn't never let 'em see him, sir."
+
+"He couldn't help himself," returned Frank. "The law compels him to
+allow his men to go ashore at every port at which the ship may touch to
+lay their complaints, if they have any, before our representative; or,
+if there is any good reason why the men cannot go ashore, the captain
+must bring the consul aboard to see them, if they demand it."
+
+If there was anything in which Frank was particularly well posted,
+it was the law governing the duties of consuls, as some of our
+representatives in foreign countries are called. The attorney with
+whom he had been studying in Lawrence, had political aspirations, and
+had at one time expected to be appointed consul for some port in the
+Mediterranean. If he had succeeded in his object Frank would have
+gone with him as assistant and clerk. He did not wish to accept any
+situation with whose duties and responsibilities he was not familiar,
+and in order to fit himself for it, he had obtained a copy of the
+Consular Regulations, which he had thoroughly mastered. It is a part
+of the consul's duty to care for destitute, discharged and deserting
+seamen, to stand between foremast hands and tyrannical officers, to
+protect officers from and punish mutinous sailors, and Frank knew the
+law bearing upon every case that could possibly arise.
+
+"The consul is obliged to listen to any and all complaints," continued
+Frank. "He measures them by the law bearing upon them, and he can
+discharge the crew on complaint of the officers, or he can discharge
+the officers themselves on a well-founded complaint from the crew."
+
+The sailors opened their eyes and looked at one another. They had never
+dreamed that they had so many rights, or that there was a law enacted
+on purpose to protect them.
+
+Just then the whale-boat came in sight again, rounding the stern of the
+Tycoon. She turned her bow toward the Stranger, and the quartermaster,
+after looking at her through his spy-glass, said there was a man in
+the stern-sheets dressed in gray. "That's the cap'n," exclaimed the
+deserter, in great alarm. "You won't let him take me back, sir?" he
+added, in a pleading voice.
+
+"I can't prevent your lawful captain from taking you wherever he may
+find you," answered Uncle Dick; "but hold on, now, till I get through,"
+he added, as the man began to back toward the rail as if he were about
+to take to the water again. "I'll give you a chance to save yourself.
+Call away the cutter, Mr. Baldwin, and send this man ashore."
+
+"Thank you, cap'n, thank you," said the sailor gratefully, and with
+tears in his eyes. "A prosperous and pleasant voyage to you and your
+mates, sir. What shall I do when I get ashore, sir?" he continued,
+looking at Frank.
+
+"Go to the nearest justice and take out a warrant against those
+officers for assault and battery," was the reply.
+
+The boatswain's mate and the rescued man looked as if they did not
+quite understand. "You must know, sir," said the latter, doubtfully,
+"that all this beating and pounding was done on the high seas."
+
+"Well, what of it? When one man, without any provocation, handles
+another as roughly as you have been handled, he is answerable to the
+law, no matter whether the offence was committed on the high seas or on
+the land."
+
+"Come now, off you go, my man," said Uncle Dick. "The cutter is
+ready, and you've no time to lose. Yes, go with him and take charge
+of the boat, Lucas," he added, anticipating the request that the old
+boatswain's mate was about to make.
+
+"And whatever you do, don't let those blubber-hunters catch you," said
+Eugene, in a low voice. He wanted to say it aloud, so that the cutter's
+crew could hear it; but knowing that Uncle Dick did not allow any
+interference with his men, he checked himself just in time.
+
+The cutter's crew were all in their places, and there was a determined
+look on each man's face which said as plainly as words that the
+"blubber-hunters," even if they succeeded in overhauling them--which
+was not at all unlikely, seeing that the whale-boat was built for
+speed, and was pulled by a crew who were kept in excellent training by
+almost daily practice at the oars--the deserter should never be taken
+from them. Uncle Dick seemed to read the thoughts that were passing
+through their minds, and as he looked at the sturdy fellows, who had
+thrown off their caps and rolled up their sleeves in preparation for a
+long, hard pull, he remarked to Frank that he would not care to be in
+that whale-boat if she succeeded in coming up with the cutter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A SEA LAWYER.
+
+
+THE cutter's bow swung away from the schooner as soon as the
+boatswain's mate and the rescued man were fairly seated, the oars
+dropped into the water, and then began a race that promised to be as
+exciting as even Eugene could have wished it. The boys once more ran up
+the rigging, so that they could watch both contestants. The whale-boat
+certainly had the better crew, and, although she was propelled by only
+five oars to the cutter's eight, she seemed to move two feet to the
+other boat's one. Especially was this the case when the man in gray,
+who was standing in the stern-sheets holding the steering-oar, became
+aware of what was going on. As soon as he saw the cutter moving away
+from the Stranger he comprehended the situation, and giving utterance
+to some heavy adjectives, which by the time they came to the boys' ears
+sounded a good deal like oaths, ordered his crew to "Pick her up and
+run right along with her." They responded promptly, and sent their boat
+through the water at such a rate that Uncle Dick became uneasy at the
+prospect of a collision between her crew and the cutter's.
+
+"I shouldn't think there would be any danger," said Frank. "There are
+eleven men in our boat, counting the deserter, and only six in his."
+
+"But there is no officer in our boat," said Uncle Dick, "and this man
+being a captain, will expect our crew to obey his orders. I am really
+afraid he will be disappointed."
+
+Frank, remembering the savage and determined expression he had seen on
+the face of every one of the cutter's crew, was quite sure he would be.
+
+In a few minutes the whale-boat came close aboard the schooner, and
+dashed by under her bows. Her captain was furious, his face showed
+that. He ran his eye over the men on the Stranger's deck, and picking
+out Uncle Dick at once as the commanding officer, said, as he nodded
+his head to him--
+
+"Fine business you're in, sir! helping men to desert. If there is a law
+on shore I'll see you again, my good fellow!"
+
+Uncle Dick simply smiled and touched his hat, and the whale-boat passed
+on. As she was going by, the sailors enacted a little pantomime of
+their own. They had clambered out on the bowsprit to see the race, and
+when the captain of the whaler was through threatening Uncle Dick,
+they glanced toward the quarter-deck, to make sure that none of their
+officers were observing them, and then leaned over and shook their
+fists at the angry man. One of them hugged his cap under his arm and
+beat it furiously with his clenched hand, nodding pleasantly to the
+captain the while, as if to indicate that it would have afforded him
+infinite satisfaction if the captain's head had been in the place of
+the cap. The boys, from their lofty perch in the main rigging, saw all
+that passed, and smiled at one another, but said nothing; for they
+knew that if the performance came to the ears of Uncle Dick, who was a
+very strict disciplinarian, every one of the sailors who took part in
+it would be sent to the mast.
+
+[The "mast" is to a sailor on board ship, what the "library" is to
+a refractory boy on shore. It is there that culprits are sent to be
+reprimanded, if their offence be a slight one, or sentenced if they
+have done something deserving of punishment.]
+
+Although he might laugh over it afterward in the privacy of his cabin,
+he was not the one to pass lightly over an insult to a shipmaster when
+in performance of his duty, no matter how great the provocation.
+
+All this while the cutter's crew had been exceedingly busy, and now
+loud calls were heard from the boys on the cross-trees for their
+field-glasses. They did not want to miss a single incident of the race.
+Frank, who up to this time had remained below with Uncle Dick, went
+into the cabin after the glasses, and mounting the rigging, joined the
+group on the cross-trees. "Who's ahead?" he asked.
+
+"O, the cutter," replied George Le Dell. "There is more in that crew
+than I thought. They'll land their man safe enough."
+
+And George was right. The cutter reached the wharf while the whale-boat
+was yet twenty yards away, and no sooner did she swing broadside to
+it than the deserter was lifted in the strong arms of the coxswain
+and boatswain's mate and fairly thrown ashore. He jumped to his feet
+and disappeared in less time than it takes to tell it. A few seconds
+later the whale-boat landed and the captain sprang out and started in
+pursuit, not, however, without saying a few words to the cutter's crew,
+which he emphasized by shaking his fist at them. If any of the men
+replied, our young friends at the cross-trees saw nothing to indicate
+it.
+
+The sailors pulled back slowly, for their long, hard pull had wearied
+them, and when they reached the schooner and clambered over the side,
+the boys saw that their faces were flushed, and that some portions of
+their clothes looked as though they had been dipped in the bay. The
+boatswain's mate went aft demurely enough to report the safe return of
+the boat, but when he made his way forward again, and glanced up at the
+boys, with whom he was an especial favorite, they saw that his jolly
+countenance was wreathed with smiles, and that his broad shoulders were
+shaking with suppressed mirth. He and the cutter's crew were proud
+of the exploit they had performed. The fun and excitement being all
+over now, the boys seated themselves in a circle on the cross-trees to
+discuss the incidents that had just transpired.
+
+"Now just listen to me a moment, Frank, and I'll ask you a question,"
+said Perk. "Can that brutal fellow do anything to Uncle Dick for
+assisting his man to escape?"
+
+"If you should see me assaulted by ruffians who were getting the better
+of me, and should rescue me from their clutches, could they do anything
+to you in law?" asked Frank, in reply.
+
+"Certainly not."
+
+"The same law holds good on the sea. Some people have a very mistaken
+idea of things. They insist on a landsman's right of self-defence, but
+deny the same to a sailor. Even sailors themselves think that because
+they follow the sea for a livelihood, they are debarred from exercising
+the very first law of our nature."
+
+"Hear! hear!" cried Archie.
+
+"Silence in the court-room!" exclaimed Featherweight, assuming a
+fierce frown. "Hurrah for free trade and sailors' rights, the motto
+on--on--somebody's flag! Proceed, brother Nelson. State the case to the
+jury."
+
+Frank laughed as heartily as the rest for a few minutes, and continued:
+
+"Sailors know that resistance to an officer, or even an attempt to
+spread dissatisfaction among the crew of a vessel, is called mutiny;
+and they know, too, that men have been hanged in the American navy for
+that very offence."
+
+"See Cooper's Naval History for an account of the mutiny on board the
+United States brig-of-war Somers, in 1842," said Bab.
+
+"That was the very circumstance I had in my mind," returned Frank.
+"Sailors know all this, as I was saying, and consequently they are
+afraid to call their souls their own. They suffer in silence, unless
+they are driven to commit suicide during the voyage, and when they get
+ashore forget it all, or make a feeble attempt to punish their tyrants
+by process of law, but they soon give it up, for at the very outset
+they find an insurmountable obstacle in their way. Before they can
+convict they must prove three things--that the punishment they received
+was cruel and unusual; that it was inflicted without any just cause;
+and that the occasion of it was malice, hatred, or a desire for revenge
+on the part of the officer who punished them. Now, no living being can
+prove this last accusation against another, for in order to do it he
+must be able to read his fellow-men as he would an open book, and see
+what is passing in their minds; and even that would do him no good
+unless he possessed the power to make the judge and jury who try the
+case see the matter just as he does."
+
+"Suppose this deserter could prove his complaints against the master
+of that whaler," said Walter; "what would be the penalty?"
+
+"One thousand dollars fine and five years in the state prison."
+
+"And I hope he will get it all," said Eugene.
+
+"Well, if it is so hard for a seaman to obtain satisfaction at law,
+what ought he to do when he is abused at sea?" asked Bab. "I understood
+you to say he had two remedies, and you have given only one."
+
+"Well, there is another," said Frank. "He and his companions ought
+to club together, take the ship out of the hands of her officers,
+confine them in the cabin, and make for the nearest port, if they are
+navigators enough to find their way there."
+
+"Yes," exclaimed Archie, "and swing for it the moment they reach the
+shore."
+
+"No, sir. The case has been tried in the courts more than once, and
+would be tried oftener if sailors only knew their rights. As far as any
+risk I might run is concerned, I would not be afraid to belong to such
+a crew and take part in just such a proceeding."
+
+"Well, I don't want you to get into any such scrape," said Archie; "I
+should never expect to see you again."
+
+"I have no desire to win notoriety as a mutineer, I assure you,"
+replied Frank, with a laugh. "As his Honor remarked"--here he waved his
+hand towards Featherweight, who bowed gravely--"I was only discoursing
+on sailors' rights."
+
+"There," said George, as the boatswain's whistle rang through the
+schooner, followed by the order, given in a very hoarse voice, "Away,
+you gigs, away!"--"the captain is going ashore. Hadn't we better go
+down and keep Dick Lewis and Bob company? The old fellows will be
+lonely."
+
+"That means business," said Eugene. "Uncle Dick is going ashore to
+see about the stores. It will not be long now before we take leave of
+Fr'isco."
+
+"And what will be our next port?" asked George.
+
+This was something that had not yet been decided, and if one might
+judge by what the boys said while they were descending to the deck,
+there was a prospect of a lively debate if the matter were left to
+them. Eugene wanted to go straight to Alaska. Bab, who had lately
+been reading "Reindeer, Dogs and Snow-shoes," was in favor of that,
+provided they could afterward go across to some port in Siberia and
+stay there long enough to see a little of the wild life in which he
+had been so much interested. Perk would agree to all that, in case
+they could stop on the way and give him a chance to try his hand at
+salmon-fishing in the tributaries of the Columbia river. Fred had seen
+quite enough of snow and ice, and thought he could have more sport in a
+warm country. He wanted to go to Japan. Walter said he was strongly in
+favor of that, for after they had seen all the sights in that country
+they would probably go to India, and that was what he wanted. He was
+impatient to ride on an elephant and see the famous Indian jugglers and
+serpent-charmers. Every boy wanted to go somewhere, but the trouble was
+that no two of them wanted to go to the same place; and Frank wondered
+how the matter would be decided. How astonished he would have been to
+know that the man in gray, who had just gone by in the whale-boat, was
+destined to decide it for them!
+
+The boys spent the rest of the day in company with the trappers.
+Nothing more was said on the subject which had for a long time been
+uppermost in their minds, for the tone in which Dick's answer had been
+given satisfied them that it was final. The boys were all sorry, for
+they had become greatly attached to these two good-natured, ignorant
+fellows. They had been of great service to them--beyond a doubt they
+had saved Walter's life--and they could not but miss them when they
+were gone. The cousins especially would have been glad to postpone the
+parting moment had they possessed the power. It was not at all likely
+that they would ever see the mountains or the prairie again, and even
+if they did, the chances that they would find their old friends, the
+trappers, were not one in a thousand. Their meeting with them had
+been purely accidental this time, and it was not probable that such a
+combination of circumstances would ever occur again.
+
+About supper-time Uncle Dick returned and reported that all
+arrangements had been made. The schooner was to be hauled alongside the
+dock in the morning, and they would go out with the turn of the tide.
+Where were they going? He didn't care. The world was before them, and
+when the boys had made up their minds what portion of it they wanted to
+see first, they could come to him with their decision. He wasn't going
+to bother his head about it, for he had other matters to think of.
+Eight o'clock the next evening would see the Stranger under way, and if
+the boys had any business ashore they had better attend to it the first
+thing in the morning.
+
+Uncle Dick retired at an early hour, as he always did, and the boys
+had the quarter-deck all to themselves until eleven o'clock--or rather
+they had it in company with the second mate and the quartermaster on
+watch. A few "primary meetings" had been held immediately after supper,
+but they amounted to nothing. Each boy knew upon whom he could rely
+to second any motion he might make, but he was not so certain of the
+number of votes he could raise in support of it. During the two hours'
+conversation that took place after Uncle Dick went to bed, Fred Craven
+arose six times--that is, once every twenty minutes--and said gravely,
+
+"I move you, Mr. President, that the captain of this schooner be
+requested to take her directly to some port in Japan."
+
+"I second the motion," said Frank, who was speaking for Walter.
+
+"Gentlemen, you have heard the motion," said Walter. "Are you ready for
+the question?"
+
+"Mr. President," said Eugene, "I move to amend by striking out Japan
+and substituting Alaska."
+
+"Second the motion," said Bab.
+
+"You have heard the amendment. Are you ready to take action upon it?"
+
+"Now just listen to me a minute, Mr. President, and I'll tell you
+what's a fact," said Perk. "I move to amend by striking out Alaska and
+substituting Astoria in Oregon."
+
+"I second the motion," said George, who, being a devoted disciple of
+old Izaac Walton, was as fond of fishing as he was of sailing.
+
+"Mr. President," said Archie, "I move to amend----"
+
+"The gentleman is out of order. An amendment to an amendment is proper,
+but not an amendment of an amendment to an amendment."
+
+When affairs reached this pass a hearty roar of laughter would come up
+through the open cabin windows, showing that there was an interested
+and amused listener in the person of Uncle Dick, who having gone to
+bed, leaving his state-room door ajar, could hear all that was said.
+Then speeches were made, some long and others witty, and all showing
+the training the boys had received in their debating societies. Eugene
+was particularly long-winded. According to Featherweight "he talked
+all manner of what," and spouted away on subjects that had not the
+slightest connection with the question under discussion. He talked
+eloquently about the American eagle, the war of 1812, and the stars and
+stripes, and dwelt long on the rights of sailors and other free-born
+citizens. He said afterward that if he couldn't gain his point any
+other way, he would tire his audience out, and compel them to vote for
+his amendment just to get rid of him. But the boys listened patiently
+and without once interrupting him, except by applause when he grew
+particularly eloquent, and the young orator finally tired himself
+out and took his seat in disgust. Everything was voted down; so they
+were no nearer a decision than they were before. There was one point,
+however, on which they were all agreed when the meeting broke up at
+eleven o'clock, and that was, that they had enjoyed themselves, and
+that their jaws and sides would be sure to ache for a week to come.
+
+During the afternoon the boys had held a consultation with the
+boatswain's mate, who had promised to take the trappers under his
+especial charge during the night, and to report the first man who
+attempted to play any tricks upon them. After the meeting broke up the
+boys went forward with their friends to see them safely stowed away in
+the forecastle. The sailors were all up and waiting for them--not a
+man had yet turned in. The best bunks in the forecastle had been given
+up for their use, and the beds that were made up in them would have
+looked very inviting to almost anybody except our two backwoodsmen.
+Having been all their lives accustomed to sleeping on the hard ground,
+with nothing but a blanket or the spreading branches of some friendly
+tree for protection, they wanted plenty of air and elbow-room. They
+hesitated when they looked into the little forecastle, and drew back
+and shook their heads when invited to enter. Archie finally effected a
+compromise by bringing up a couple of blankets and spreading them on
+the deck near the windlass. This being perfectly satisfactory, the boys
+bade the trappers good-night, and went away, leaving them to the tender
+mercies of the sailors.
+
+There was not much sleeping done among those foremast hands that night.
+They did not play any tricks upon their guests--indeed there were not
+many among them who would have had the hardihood to attempt it, after
+taking a good look at the stalwart fellows--but they crammed them
+"chock-a-block" with such wild stories of the sea that the trappers
+grew more alarmed than ever, and wondered greatly at the recklessness
+of the men who would willingly encounter such dangers. They told about
+mermaids, sea-dragons and serpents; of Vanderdecker's ghostly ship,
+the Flying Dutchman, which was rushing about the ocean with the speed
+of a railroad train, running down and sinking every craft that came in
+her way; of monstrous cuttle-fish which would sometimes arise suddenly
+out of the depths, and twining their long arms about a ship, sink with
+it and all the crew to the bottom; and one of the men declared that he
+had actually met and been swallowed by the same whale that took Jonah
+in out of the wet, hundreds and thousands of years before, and to
+prove it, exhibited the tobacco-box which had dropped out of Jonah's
+pocket when the whale threw him ashore. This is a staple forecastle
+yarn, and every one who has had an hour's conversation with a sailor,
+has probably heard it; but it was new to the trappers, who listened
+with all their ears and with unmistakable signs of terror on their
+faces. The simple-hearted fellows believed every word, and when the
+conversation lagged for a moment, spoke of the magnet Eugene had shown
+them, and the use for which they supposed it was intended.
+
+This started the sailors on a new tack, and the stories that followed
+were more wonderful than those which had just been told. There was not
+a sailor on board the Stranger who had not seen some unlucky vessel
+tumble off the under side of the earth, her magnet proving too weak to
+sustain her weight; and there were two or three who had belonged to the
+crews of those very vessels, and who had been saved by a miracle.
+
+The night was passed in this way, and it was daylight before the
+trappers lay down on their blankets to rest, but not to sleep. They
+could not sleep after hearing of such wonderful adventures and talking
+face to face with the men who had taken part in them. If they had not
+already made up their minds to lose no time in seeking safety among
+their native mountains, they would have done so now.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+"SHANGHAIED."
+
+
+THE morning broke bright and clear, and all hands were astir at an
+early hour. The first thing was to hoist the anchor and haul the
+schooner alongside the dock. This being done, breakfast was served,
+and the boys having put on their shore-clothes, started out to take a
+good look at the city which they might never see again, and to make
+purchases of various articles they needed. Fred and Eugene each wanted
+a rifle and a brace of revolvers, their own weapons having been stolen
+from them by the hunters who robbed the Pike. Some of the others needed
+a few articles of clothing, and Frank's Maynard required some repairs.
+They set out together, but before an hour had passed, were scattered
+all over the city. Fred, Archie and Eugene hired a carriage and went
+for a ride, taking old Bob with them, while Dick Lewis stuck close
+to Frank and Walter. Knowing that the time for parting was not far
+distant, he did not seem willing to allow them out of his sight.
+
+A few years before men like Dick were often met with in the streets
+of the city; but now a genuine trapper was not seen every day, and he
+created something of a sensation wherever he went. Almost every one
+he met stared at him and turned to look at him after he had passed;
+and Dick, finally becoming nettled by the interest and curiosity his
+appearance excited, begged the boys to take him back to the schooner
+and leave him there. He would stay on board until she was ready to
+sail, he said, and then he and Bob would bid a long farewell to
+civilization, and make the best of their way back to Fort Bolton. He
+hoped that neither of them would ever see a paved street or a brick
+house again.
+
+At six o'clock in the evening the boys, and the few sailors who had
+been allowed shore liberty, began to retrace their steps toward the
+dock where the Stranger was lying. At seven they were all on board
+except two--Lucas, the boatswain's mate, and Barton, the coxswain of
+the cutter. These men had not been seen since noon, and they were to
+have been back at three o'clock. Preparations were already being made
+for getting under way, and Uncle Dick began to grow impatient. "I don't
+see what keeps those fellows," said he to Frank. "I have always found
+them trustworthy, and I hope they will not fail me now."
+
+"I must go ashore again after my rifle, you know," replied Frank--"it
+was to be done at half-past seven--and I'll go along the dock and keep
+an eye out for them."
+
+"All right. Hurry them up, if you see them, and be sure that you are in
+time yourself."
+
+Frank went ashore accompanied by the trapper--Dick was not afraid of
+attracting so much attention now that it was growing dark--and hurried
+away toward the gunsmith's. He followed the wharves as long as they
+led him in the direction he wanted to go, looking everywhere for the
+missing sailors, but without finding them. The actions of himself and
+his companion attracted the attention of two men, who were walking
+along the dock behind them. They watched them for some time, and then,
+after whispering together a few minutes, one of them came up and tapped
+Frank on the shoulder. "Who are you looking for?" said he.
+
+Frank turned and fastening his eyes on the man took a good survey
+of him before he answered. He was a flashily-dressed person, with a
+sneaking, hang-dog cast of countenance, and the grimy hand he placed
+upon Frank's shoulder, and which the latter promptly shook off, was
+heavily loaded with bogus jewelry.
+
+"Don't be quite so familiar, if you please!" said Frank.
+
+"Beg pardon," said the man, stepping back and straightening up his
+battered plug hat which he had thus far worn cocked over his left ear.
+"I thought you belonged to the Stranger."
+
+"And what if I do?" asked Frank.
+
+"I thought maybe you were looking for them two men."
+
+"What two men?"
+
+"Why, one of 'em is a short, thick-set fellow, and carries a silver
+whistle in the breast pocket of his shirt. The other is tall and
+slender, wears some kind of a badge on his arm--a petty officer's badge
+I took it to be--and has light hair and whiskers."
+
+The man gave an accurate description of the missing sailors of whom
+Frank was in search. No doubt they had got into trouble and found
+their way into some station-house; and this fellow was some little
+pettifogger, who hoped to make a few dollars by helping them out.
+
+"I thought maybe you were looking for 'em," continued the man, as he
+turned to go away; "but seeing you ain't, I am sorry I pestered you."
+
+"One moment, please," said Frank. "Where are these men now?"
+
+"They're aboard my ship."
+
+"O, you're a sailor, are you?" exclaimed Frank, again running his eye
+over the man, who looked about as much like a sailor as Dick Lewis
+did. "What is the name of your ship, and where is she?"
+
+"She's the Sunrise, and she is at anchor out here in the bay."
+
+"How came our men aboard of her?"
+
+"Well, you see, they've got some friends and acquaintances among my
+crew, and when we were lying alongside the dock they came aboard to see
+them. While they were skylarking about, one of them, the boatswain,
+fell into the hold and broke his leg. We hauled out into the bay just
+after that, and did it in such a hurry--you see there was another
+ship waiting to take our berth at the dock as soon as we were out of
+it--that we didn't have time to put him ashore. We've had a doctor to
+see him, and maybe it would be a good plan to get an ambulance and take
+him back where he belongs."
+
+"I think so too," said Frank, who became interested at once; "that is,
+if he can bear removal. But whatever we do, must be done at once. Our
+vessel is all ready to sail."
+
+"I guess he can stand it to be moved. You might come aboard and
+see--you and your pardner here. I've got a boat close by."
+
+Frank assenting to this proposition, he and Dick Lewis followed the
+man, who led the way along the wharf, and finally showed them a yawl
+manned by two oarsmen. They climbed down into it, their companion took
+his seat at the helm, and the boat was pushed off into the darkness.
+The man talked incessantly, answering all Frank's questions, and going
+so fully into the particulars of the accident that had befallen the
+boatswain's mate, and telling so straight and reasonable a story, that
+not a shadow of a doubt entered Frank's mind. He remarked that the ship
+was a long way from the wharf, and that the two men who were pulling
+the oars looked more like "dock rats" than sailors; but still he
+scarcely bestowed a second thought upon these matters, for his mind was
+fully occupied with the injured man to whose relief he was hastening.
+At last the hull and rigging of a ship loomed up through the darkness,
+and a hoarse voice hailed the yawl.
+
+"Sunrise!" replied the man at the helm.
+
+The answer was perfectly right and proper. It conveyed to them on board
+the ship the information that their captain was in the approaching
+boat; but it seemed to Frank that his presence brought very little show
+of respect from the officer in charge of the deck, for he ordered no
+lanterns to light him aboard. Indeed there were no lights to be seen on
+the deck, as Frank found when he clambered over the side, the only ones
+visible being those in the rigging, which were placed there to point
+out the position of the ship, so that passing vessels might not run
+into her.
+
+The captain, who was the first to board the ship, talked rapidly in a
+low tone to some one who hurried aft to meet him, and when Frank came
+up, he said aloud:--
+
+"Take this gentleman into the forecastle and give him all the help he
+needs to remove that man. This one," he added, pointing to Dick, "can
+go with a couple of you to get a stretcher."
+
+"Ay! ay! sir," replied a voice. "Step right this way, sir."
+
+Frank followed the speaker toward the forecastle, and when he came
+within sight of the ladder that led into it, was surprised to see that
+it was as dark as a dungeon below. Then for the first time the thought
+that things did not look just right began to creep through his mind.
+His companion descended the ladder, but Frank halted at the top. "Look
+here, my friend," said he; "if you want to get me below there you had
+better light up first."
+
+"Come on," said the man, in a tone of command.
+
+"Where's that sailor with the broken leg?" demanded Frank.
+
+"Are you going to come on?" asked the man.
+
+"Well, that depends---- I want to hear from that man of ours first. If
+you are down there, Lucas, sing out!"
+
+There was no response. In an instant it flashed upon Frank that he and
+Dick had been led into a trap. The man in the battered plug hat was
+no captain at all. Probably he was a shipping-agent. Having persuaded
+Frank and the trapper to accompany him on board the ship, he made
+a very plausible excuse for separating them for a moment, so that
+they could not assist each other, and now they were to be overpowered
+and confined until the vessel was well out to sea, when they would
+be brought out and compelled to act with the crew. While Frank was
+thinking about it, his conductor, who had gone half way down the
+ladder, turned around and started to come back. Frank's ears told him
+this and not his eyes, for they were of no use to him in that intense
+darkness. "Avast, there!" he cried, with emphasis. "If you come a step
+nearer to me I'll send you down that ladder quicker than you ever went
+down before. You have picked up the wrong men this time. Where is that
+scoundrel who called himself the master of this ship?"
+
+"Here I am," replied that worthy, in tones very different from those he
+had thus far used in addressing Frank.
+
+"Well, if you are wise, you will undo this half-hour's work with the
+least possible delay. Call away that boat and leave us a clear road to
+get to it, or----"
+
+Frank was interrupted by the sounds of a fierce struggle which just
+then arose from the quarter-deck. He heard the sound of stamping and
+scraping feet, muttered oaths and blows, and then Dick's voice rang out
+clear above the tumult. "Keep off, the hul on you," said he, "fur I'm a
+leetle wusser nor a hul parsel of wild-cats!" And then followed a sound
+such as might be made by somebody's head coming in violent contact with
+the deck.
+
+"Stand your ground, Dick!" shouted Frank. "I'll be there in a minute!"
+
+With these words he sprang forward, intending to run to his friend's
+assistance; but before he had made half a dozen steps his heels flew
+up and he was sent at full length on the deck, which he no sooner
+touched than two men, whom he had not yet seen, sprang up from behind
+the windlass and threw themselves across his shoulders. He had been
+entirely deceived as to the number of enemies with whom he had to deal.
+He had seen but four men on deck and there proved to be a dozen of
+them--more than enough to render resistance useless. Almost before
+he realized the fact he was powerless, a pair of irons being slipped
+over his wrists and another about his ankles. When he was helped to his
+feet, he found that the struggle on the quarter-deck had ended in the
+same way. Dick Lewis was led up, and by the light of a lantern which
+one of the crew drew from under a tarpaulin, Frank saw that he was
+ironed like himself.
+
+The man who carried the lantern held it up so that its rays fell full
+on the prisoners, and gave them a good looking over, bestowing his
+attentions principally upon their arms and shoulders, as if trying to
+judge of the amount of muscle they might contain. "They'll do," said
+he, at last, "and now we're all ready to be off. Can you pull an oar?"
+he added, flashing his lantern in Frank's face.
+
+"I can," was the reply.
+
+"I can! Is that the way you talk to me? I am mate of this vessel and
+there's a handle to my name."
+
+"I did not know that you were an officer," replied Frank, "and neither
+am I aware that I am under any obligations to put a handle to your
+name."
+
+"Well, you'll find it out pretty sudden. It shall be my first hard work
+to teach you manners, my fine gentleman. Take 'em below."
+
+The mate handed the lantern to one of the crew, who moved toward the
+forecastle, followed by the prisoners, who never uttered a word of
+complaint or remonstrance. Frank knew it would do no good, and Dick
+was so bewildered that he could not have spoken if he had tried. He
+kept as close to his young companion as he could. He seemed to think
+that Frank, powerless as he was, could in some way protect him. They
+followed their conductor into the forecastle, and the latter, after
+hanging the lantern to one of the carlens, went on deck again, closing
+the hatch after him.
+
+Frank and the trapper looked about them before they spoke. The very
+first objects their eyes rested on were the two missing seamen, the
+coxswain and the boatswain's mate, who lay side by side in one of the
+bunks, snoring at the rate of ten knots an hour. They were there,
+sure enough--the bogus captain told the truth on that point--and
+Frank was glad to see that they were all right, or would be as soon
+as the effects of the drug they had swallowed had been slept off.
+There were three other men in the forecastle, and they were in irons
+like themselves. They lay in their bunks and looked sullenly at the
+new-comers. "What's the matter with you?" asked Frank. "What have you
+been doing to get yourselves in this fix?"
+
+"Trying to desert," growled one of the sailors, in reply. "What's the
+matter with _you_?"
+
+"Shanghaied," answered Frank. "What ship is this, and where is she
+bound?"
+
+"She's the Tycoon, and I expect she's off for the Japan station."
+
+Frank's heart seemed to stop beating. His situation was even worse than
+he had supposed. He recalled the story of the man he had seen desert
+that same ship on that very day, and shuddered when he thought of what
+might be in store for him.
+
+"What did you say was the matter with us, Master Frank?" asked the
+trapper, leaning against a bunk by his friend's side and speaking in a
+low voice.
+
+"I say we have been shanghaied--that is, kidnapped," replied Frank.
+
+"But what fur?" said Dick, who did not understand the matter at all.
+"We hain't been a doin' of nothing."
+
+"I know that; but you see--in the first place, Dick, there's no use
+in denying that we are in serious trouble. You might as well know it
+first as last and make up your mind to stand it, for there is no way
+of escape. This is the same ship that that man we picked up to-day
+deserted from, and that red-faced man in gray whom we saw in the
+whale-boat is the captain of her. He and his officers treat their men
+so harshly that they run away every chance they get. The captain must
+have men to handle his vessel, and as he can't get them in the regular
+way, he kidnaps them."
+
+"But what do I know 'bout a ship?" exclaimed Dick.
+
+"Nothing whatever; but that is no matter. You have good strong arms,
+and it will not take long to break you in."
+
+"Whar--whar----"
+
+The trapper could not ask the question he was most anxious to have
+answered. It seemed to stick in his throat.
+
+"I know what you mean," said Frank. "This man says we are bound for
+Japan, and that is nearly three thousand miles from here."
+
+Dick was frightened almost out of his senses. His face grew as pale as
+death, great drops of perspiration stood on his forehead, and he tugged
+and pulled at his irons with the strength of desperation. But they
+had been put on him to stay, and all his efforts to free himself were
+unavailing. Frank knew what he stood in fear of, and he knew, too, that
+anything he could say would not set the poor fellow's mind at rest.
+The wrong ideas he had formed of things and the ridiculous stories he
+had heard in the forecastle of the Stranger, had made an impression
+on him so deep and lasting that even Frank, in whom the trapper had
+every confidence, could not remove it. The real dangers he was
+likely to encounter would be but small things comparatively; but the
+imaginary evils which he would look for every day, would cause him much
+suffering. Frank thought more of his friend than he did of himself.
+How would Dick behave when he found himself dancing over the waves of
+the Pacific in a small boat in pursuit of a whale? What would he think
+if he saw one of those monsters of the deep--as Lucas, the boatswain's
+mate, said he had often seen them--come up on a breach, shoot up forty
+or fifty feet into the air, and then fall down into the water with
+a noise like the roar of Niagara? No doubt he would refuse duty. No
+doubt, too, when the captain or his officers attempted to punish him
+for disobedience there would be a desperate fight--for Dick stood not
+in fear of anything that walked on two feet--which would not end until
+the trapper had been severely injured and perhaps permanently disabled.
+
+"Human natur'! What'll I do?" cried Dick, after he had exhausted
+himself in his efforts to pull off his irons.
+
+"Watch, me and do as I do, as nearly as you can," replied Frank. "We
+are completely in the power of these men, and there is no way to get
+out of it. While on our voyage from Bellville, I took particular pains
+to learn all I could of a seaman's duties, and perhaps I shall be able
+to be of some assistance to you. What we don't know Lucas and Barton
+will teach us. But, whatever you do, don't refuse duty or talk back, no
+matter what is said or done to you. It will only be worse for you if
+you do."
+
+"And bear another thing in mind," said one of the sailors, who had been
+listening to this conversation, "and that is, you take rank next below
+the cap'n's dog, and hain't got no rights of your own!"
+
+The trapper looked toward Frank, and while the latter was explaining
+that, according to a sailor's creed, those who follow the sea take rank
+in this way: first the captain, then the mates, then the captain's
+dog, and lowest of all, the foremast hands--while Frank was explaining
+this, there was the sound of a commotion on the deck over their heads,
+and after listening a moment the sailors declared that the vessel was
+about to be taken to sea. And so it proved. The anchor was hove up, the
+sails spread one after the other, and finally the prisoners below began
+to feel the increasing motion of the ship. Just then the hatch was
+thrown open and the first mate came down the ladder. He walked straight
+up to Dick, unlocked his irons and slapping him on the back ordered him
+to go on deck and lend a hand. Even this simple order was Greek to the
+honest trapper; but he understood the word "go," and he went, delighted
+to find himself in possession of his liberty once more. Frank would
+have been glad to go with him, for it was anything but agreeable to his
+feelings to be confined below like a felon; but the officers wanted to
+get a little farther away from shore before they allowed too many of
+their unwilling crew the free use of their hands and feet.
+
+The first order Dick heard when he reached the deck was: "Let fall and
+sheet home;" and the mate giving him a push by the shoulder and a kick
+at the same time, commanded him to "Grab hold of that rope and pull as
+if the sweetheart he left in the backwoods was at the other end of
+it." Or, we ought rather say that that was the order the mate intended
+to give, but he never finished it, for he was knocked down so promptly
+that it seemed as if his foot and the trapper's right arm were both
+put in motion at the same instant. Dick's hot blood, which was already
+at fever heat, boiled over completely when he felt the weight of the
+mate's boot, and he wiped out the insult as soon as it was given.
+
+Of course there was a tumult at once. The second mate caught up a
+handspike and the captain descended from his quarter-deck, flourishing
+a rope's end as he came. They advanced upon the trapper from opposite
+sides, but he was ready and waiting, and they must have been astonished
+at the rough reception they met at his hands. With one single twist,
+which was so sudden and powerful that it almost dislocated the second
+mate's shoulder, Dick wrenched the handspike out of his grasp and threw
+it to the deck. Then his long arms swung in the air like the shafts
+of a windmill, one huge clenched hand, as heavy as a sledgehammer,
+fell full in the captain's face, the other alighted on the top of the
+mate's head, and both these worthies sank to the deck on the instant.
+
+The first mate by this time recovered his feet, and picking up a
+handspike looked all around for the trapper; but he was not to be seen
+anywhere on deck. Nor indeed was he to be found about the ship. He was
+gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE TRAPPER'S ADVENTURE.
+
+
+"WHAT time is it now, Eugene?"
+
+"Just nine o'clock. What do you suppose is the matter, Uncle?"
+
+"I wish I knew. They are all of them old enough and large enough
+to take care of themselves, but I can't help thinking that there's
+something wrong."
+
+"I have half a mind to go ashore and look for them."
+
+"I don't know what good that would do. You don't know where to look,
+and if they should happen to come aboard while you were gone, we should
+have to send some one in search of you, and that would cause another
+delay."
+
+The stores were all aboard, the Stranger was ready to sail, and had
+been for more than an hour, but three of her company were missing,
+and so was the trapper. Uncle Dick and the boys had been impatient
+at first, but this gradually gave way to a feeling of uneasiness and
+anxiety. Everybody had some explanation to offer for Frank's absence,
+and the prevailing opinion seemed to be that the sailors, having got
+themselves into trouble during the day, had been arrested, and that
+Frank was trying to effect their release. Old Bob was more uneasy than
+the rest, and couldn't make up his mind what to think about it, not
+knowing the dangers which one might encounter while roaming about the
+city after dark. His kit and Dick's were packed and lying at the head
+of the companion-way, and the old fellow was in a hurry to be off. Had
+they been in the mountains the trapper's absence would have caused
+him no anxiety. There Dick knew all about things, and was abundantly
+able to take care of number one; but in the settlements he was like a
+child, and almost as incapable of looking out for himself. Old Bob was
+afraid something had happened to him or Frank, and the others began to
+think so too as the hours wore away and their missing friends did not
+appear. Uncle Dick finally gave up all hopes of seeing them that night,
+and ordering one watch below, went to bed himself, leaving instructions
+with the officer of the deck to call him the moment Frank arrived. The
+impatient boys remained on deck an hour or two longer; but at last they
+also grew weary and turned in and went to sleep.
+
+Just at daylight they were awakened by hasty steps on the
+companion-ladder, and the officer of the watch hurried into the cabin
+and pounded loudly on the captain's door. "Ay! ay!" replied Uncle Dick.
+
+"That trapper is coming back, sir," said the officer, "and he's having
+a fuss out there on the dock."
+
+"He is having what?" asked Uncle Dick.
+
+"He's in a rumpus of some kind, sir. He's got somebody on his back and
+is lugging him along as if he were a bag of potatoes."
+
+"It isn't Captain Nelson or one of the men, is it?" asked Uncle Dick,
+anxiously.
+
+"O no, sir. It is a landsman and a stranger."
+
+This conversation was carried on in a tone of voice loud enough to
+be heard by all the boys, who were out on the floor in an instant. It
+was but a few seconds' work to jump into their trowsers and boots, and
+catch up their coats and hats, and they were on deck almost as soon as
+the officer himself. A strange sight met their eyes. A short distance
+up the dock was Dick Lewis, running at the top of his speed, and
+carrying on his shoulder a man almost as large as himself, who kicked
+and struggled in vain to escape from the strong grasp that held him.
+The load was undoubtedly a heavy one, but the trapper moved with it
+plenty fast enough to leave behind two ill-looking fellows, who carried
+bludgeons in their hands, and who were trying to overtake him. About
+two hundred yards farther up the dock were two more men, one supporting
+the other, who was limping along half doubled up as if in great pain.
+
+The boys, wondering greatly, sprang ashore and ran up the wharf to meet
+Dick. The latter, to quote from Featherweight, looked as though he had
+been somewhere. His buckskin suit, soaked with water, clung close to
+his person; his hat was gone, and his face wore an expression that the
+old members of the club had never seen there before. Archie had seen
+it, however, and that was on the day when, seated at the camp-fire near
+the Old Bear's Hole, years before, Frank related to himself and Uncle
+James the particulars of his meeting with Black Bill and his party, and
+the manner in which he had been treated by them.
+
+Dick grinned the delight he felt at meeting the boys once more, but did
+not stop to speak to them. He went straight on board the schooner and
+threw off his burden, at the same time seizing his man by the collar
+and jerking him upon his feet in front of Uncle Dick Gaylord, who
+looked at him in amazement.
+
+"Here's the mean chap that done it all," said the trapper, throwing his
+full strength into his arm and giving the bogus captain--for it was
+he--such a shaking that his teeth fairly rattled. "Now if thar's any
+law in the settlements set it a-going."
+
+"What did he do?" demanded the boys, who had followed close at his
+heels. "Where's Frank?"
+
+"He's round on the other side of the 'arth by this time, I reckon,"
+replied Dick, drawing his hand across his forehead and looking about as
+if he were overjoyed to find himself among friends once more.
+
+"I hope they've got a horse-shoe big enough to hold 'em on, but I'm
+'most afeard, 'cause she's a heap bigger nor this little boat o'
+your'n."
+
+"What is?" asked the captain, and the boys grew anxious when they saw
+the expression that settled on his face. "Begin at the beginning and
+tell us all about it."
+
+Thus adjured, the trapper launched at once into his story, without
+wasting any time in explanatory remarks, and for ten minutes held his
+auditors spellbound. He told how he and Frank had been enticed on board
+the Tycoon, described the manner in which they had been overpowered and
+confined, repeated the conversation that took place between Frank and
+himself in the forecastle, and ended by relating the particulars of his
+"scrimmage" with the officers of the ship, with all of which the reader
+is already acquainted; but he does not know what happened afterward,
+so from this point we will tell the story in our own words.
+
+The reason Dick could not be found on board the ship after his fight
+with the officers was ended, was because he was not there--he had
+jumped overboard; and what was rather singular, none of the crew on
+deck had seen him when he did it. The last time they saw him he was
+clambering into one of the bowboats, and that was the first place they
+looked for him, his concealment being pointed out to the officers by
+a man who was looked upon as the "black sheep" of the crew, and of
+whom we shall probably hear more as our story progresses. But when the
+officers came to search the boat, Dick was not there; he had dropped
+unseen into the water.
+
+The trapper was a famous swimmer, and entertained no doubt of his
+ability to reach the shore; but even had the vessel been twenty miles
+at sea, he would have trusted himself to the waves rather than run the
+risk of encountering the terrible dangers that awaited the ship and
+her crew on the "under side of the earth." The worst thing he would
+have to contend with in case he were recaptured, would be the tyranny
+of the captain and his brutal officers; but the sturdy trapper gave
+not one thought to that, for during a life of excitement and adventure
+he had more than once demonstrated his ability to protect himself;
+but he _did_ think of that ghostly ship, the Flying Dutchman, the big
+cuttle-fish, the mermaids and sea-dragons, the whale that swallowed
+Jonah, and which was still roaming about seeking whom he might devour,
+and, worse than all, the awful danger of the ship falling off when she
+came to the under side of the earth and was sailing along with her
+masts pointing downward and the crew walking with their feet upward.
+Dick thought of all these dangers and swam as if he saw them looming up
+close behind him; but with all his exertions he could not make headway
+fast enough to suit him. His wet clothing hung upon him like lead and
+deadened his progress through the water; so the first thing he did when
+the ship was out of sight, was to stop and relieve himself of this
+encumbrance. He took off moccasins and all, and wrapping them up in
+his hunting-shirt put the bundle on his back and tied it around his
+neck with the sleeves of the shirt. After that he made better headway.
+
+It is hard to tell what would have been the result of the trapper's
+adventure, had it not been for some assistance which fortunately came
+in his way. Had there been light enough so that he could see to direct
+his course, the swim would have been nothing; but there was danger of
+moving in a circle in the darkness, and so tiring himself out without
+making any headway at all. There were no lights in front to guide him,
+but there were some behind, and after looking at them two or three
+times the swimmer became convinced that they were coming toward him.
+There was a vessel of some kind approaching, and Dick, changing his
+course a little to intercept her, had the satisfaction of hearing his
+hail answered, and of seeing the little fishing-smack which carried the
+lights thrown up into the wind within a few yards of him.
+
+"Hello, there!" cried a gruff voice.
+
+"Hello, you!" shouted Dick. "Here I am."
+
+"Well, what do you want?" asked the captain of the fishing boat,
+peering out into the darkness and trying to discover whence the hail
+came.
+
+"Is civilized folks human enough to lend a sufferin' feller-man a
+helpin' hand?" asked Dick, who after his recent experience had some
+serious doubts on this point.
+
+This question was not immediately answered, for the skipper did not
+quite understand it. He held a consultation with one of his men and
+then called out--
+
+"If you want help, pull this way. I've got no boat to send out after
+you!"
+
+Dick was pulling that way with all his might, and guided by the
+lanterns that were held over the side, at last reached the boat,
+which sat so low in the water that he could lay hold of her rail. The
+astonishment of her crew as they hauled aboard a man who carried all
+his wearing apparel around his neck, was unbounded. They gave him time
+to put on his clothes and then directed him to the captain who was
+waiting to see him.
+
+The very first question that gentleman propounded to him aroused a
+thousand fears in Dick's mind. The skipper wanted to know where he
+came from, and how he happened to be out there in the water, five
+miles from land; and the trapper, fearful that if he told the truth
+and acknowledged himself to be a deserter, the captain might follow
+the Tycoon and compel him to go aboard of her again, whether he wanted
+to or not, did something he had never done before--he made up a story
+all out of his own head, as he told Uncle Dick Gaylord, and queer work
+he made of it. He entered into the particulars of a fearful shipwreck
+that had just occurred. The waves were as high as the Rocky Mountains,
+he said, the wind blew so hard that the sailors had to stop all work
+and hold their hair on (this was a quotation from one of the stories
+the trapper had heard in the forecastle of the Stranger); his ship
+was capsized no less than three times, always coming right side up
+again, and doing it so quickly that she did not even wet her sails
+or her deck, and none of the crew had a chance to drop off into the
+water (another quotation); but finally the wind came in such furious
+gusts that it took the masts right out by the roots (still another
+quotation), and the ship filled and went down like lead. The trapper
+said that all this happened not five minutes before, and that set the
+crew of the fishing-boat into a roar of laughter, for they had been
+out all day, and knew there had scarcely been wind enough to raise any
+white caps. The captain used some hard words, and called Dick anything
+but a truthful man; but the latter affirmed so solemnly that it was all
+so, that the skipper thought that perhaps something had happened after
+all, and spent a long time in cruising about the place where Dick had
+been picked up.
+
+This delay added to the trapper's fears. What if the Tycoon should
+come back in search of him? Alarmed by the thought, he labored hard to
+convince the captain that every soul on board the wrecked ship, except
+himself, had gone down with her; but finding that the skipper paid no
+attention to him, he changed his story altogether, and declared that he
+had jumped overboard on purpose, and that he had done it because he
+had taken passage on the wrong vessel. He wanted to go to Sacramento,
+he said, but by mistake had boarded a craft bound for the "under side
+of the earth;" and as she would not turn back and put him ashore, he
+had no alternative but to take to the water and get back as best he
+could. Then the skipper was angry in earnest. Ordering Dick to get as
+far forward as the length of the little vessel would allow, and not to
+open his head again as long as he remained on board of her, he filled
+away for the city.
+
+The trapper was very glad to be let off so easily. He had induced the
+captain to turn his vessel toward the shore, and that was all he cared
+for. He crouched down in the bow and meekly submitted to the jokes and
+tricks of the sailors, who never allowed him a moment's peace. He was
+too completely cowed to take offence at anything. He had seen enough of
+civilized life and people to take all the courage out of him.
+
+The moment the fishing boat touched the dock he was out and ashore.
+Then he was himself again. When he felt something solid under his feet
+his courage all returned, and he was in just the right mood to carry
+out the exploit he afterward performed. Almost the first man he saw on
+the dock was the bogus captain, who had enticed Frank and himself on
+board the Tycoon. Dick's blood began to boil as soon as his eyes rested
+on him. His first thought was to take summary vengeance on him, but he
+was checked in time by the reflection that he was not in the mountains
+now, and that there were laws in the settlements strong enough to
+punish evil-doers of every description. He did not know how to set the
+law in motion, but the captain of the Stranger did, and he would take
+the culprit before him at once.
+
+The bogus captain, whose business was that of shipping-agent and
+boarding-house keeper, was standing in the midst of a group of friends,
+half a dozen of them perhaps, and all men like himself; but this did
+not deter the trapper, who strode up and confronted him. The talking
+and laughing were hushed at once, and all eyes were turned upon the
+new-comer, who stood before them with dripping garments, his tall
+figure drawn up to its full height, his eyes flashing and his bony
+fingers working nervously. He looked dangerous. The bogus captain
+stared at him a moment doubtfully and then a gleam of intelligence
+crossed his face and he tried to smile.
+
+"Why, I thought I had seen you before," said he, thrusting out his
+hand. "Come in! come right into the house. Where you been?"
+
+"Whar do you reckon you seed me last?" demanded Dick, holding his arms
+behind his back, for the man seemed determined to shake hands with him
+whether he wished it or not. "You can't shut up my eyes with none of
+your palaverin', now. Whar do you reckon you seed me last, I axes you?"
+
+"Why, let me think a minute," said the man, pulling off his plug hat
+and digging his fingers into his head, at the same time backing away
+from the enraged giant. "I see so many of you fellows that I can't call
+you all by name the minute I meet you."
+
+"My name's--my name's----" Dick stopped and looked all around, trying
+to think what he should call himself. He did not have a very extensive
+circle of acquaintances, and he couldn't make up a name "all out of
+his own head," as he made up the story he told the captain of the
+fishing-smack. "My name's Colonel Gaylord," said he, giving the first
+one that came into his mind.
+
+"Ah! yes; I know you now," said the bogus captain, making another
+effort to take the trapper by the hand. "You're the chap I found a good
+berth for a few days ago, ain't you? Seems to me--you know----"
+
+"Yes," roared Dick, who could control himself no longer, "I know, an'
+'tain't likely I'll ever forget, nuther. I'm the man you wanted to send
+round to the other side of the 'arth, to be chawed up by whales an'
+dropped off into the clouds, consarn you--that's who _I_ am, an' you'll
+remember me afore you see the last of me, I tell you. Human natur'! I
+wish I could tote you out to the mountains fur about ten minutes. But
+I'll set the law a-goin' agin you afore you see another day; that's
+what I'll do. Come along here, you meanest man the 'arth ever saw, not
+even exceptin' Black Bill--come along! Stand out o' the way, the rest
+on you, or I'll claw you all up like a painter!"
+
+With these words the trapper seized the bogus captain by the collar
+and began pushing him toward the Stranger, which he could see still
+lying in her berth where he had left her. The man remonstrated and
+threatened, but all to no purpose. Then he resisted and called upon
+his companions for help. One of them responded, but was disposed of so
+quickly and effectually that the others thought it best to keep at a
+safe distance.
+
+Finding that his man was possessed of more strength, activity and
+determination than he had calculated on, the trapper seized him with
+both hands, and swinging him upon his shoulder started for the schooner
+at a rapid run. He brought his prisoner in triumph, and stood him up on
+the deck where all could see him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A SCAMP ON HIS DIGNITY.
+
+
+"THIS yere is the mean chap that done it all," continued the trapper.
+"Thar's none of us that'll ever see Frank ag'in. He's gone round on
+t'other side of the 'arth, an' some dark night, when he's sailin' along
+thinkin' of nothing, one of them big quids (the sailors had called the
+cuttle-fish 'squids') will rise outen the water all on a sudden, wrap
+his arms, two hundred feet long, all about the ship, an' that'll be the
+last of Frank. When be you goin' to hang this feller, cap'n?"
+
+Dick had an interested and anxious crowd of listeners. The officers of
+the schooner and the boys stood ranged in a circle in front of him, and
+behind were the sailors, who at first invaded the sacred precincts
+of the quarter-deck with much hesitation, holding their caps in their
+hands and momentarily expecting an order to retire; but growing bolder
+by degrees, when they found that the captain, although he looked their
+way now and then, had nothing to say to them, they crowded up close
+behind the trapper, so that they could hear every word. There were also
+two other listeners--the men with the bludgeons, who had followed Dick
+Lewis in the hope of rescuing his prisoner. When these two worthies
+first came up, they acted as if they were about to board the vessel
+without ceremony; but changed their minds when they saw half a dozen
+broad-shouldered seamen, in obedience to a sign from the officer of the
+deck, move up into the waist to receive them. The sailors, who had a
+pretty good idea of what had been going on, even before they had heard
+the trapper's story, would have been delighted to have the opportunity
+to toss these men ashore neck and heels; and the latter must have seen
+it in their countenances, for they backed away from the edge of the
+wharf and took up a position from which they could hear and see all
+that passed on the Stranger's deck.
+
+Had Frank been as safe out of his troubles as Dick Lewis was, the boys
+would have been highly amused by the latter's description of the scenes
+through which he had passed; but it was far from being a laughing
+matter now. Frank had been kidnapped ("shanghaied" the sailors called
+it) by the captain of the Tycoon or his agent, and there was no knowing
+what might become of him. Perhaps the hard fare and harder treatment
+he was certain to receive, might drive him to do something desperate.
+Uncle Dick Gaylord, however, was not troubled by any such misgivings.
+He knew that Frank possessed courage and prudence in no ordinary
+degree, and besides there were Lucas and Barton, the coxswain, on the
+same vessel. The former was an old whaleman, and the assistance he
+could render Frank in the way of teaching him his duties, might enable
+the boy to keep out of any very serious difficulties. But could he help
+him in any way? That was the momentous question, and Uncle Dick walked
+up and down his quarter-deck with his hands behind his back while he
+pondered upon it.
+
+"Every word this man has uttered, as far as it concerns me and my
+doings, is false from head to tail," declared the bogus captain.
+
+This was the first time he had spoken since he was brought on board
+the vessel. At first he was badly frightened, but while the trapper
+was telling his story, he had time to think over his situation and
+determine upon his line of defence.
+
+"I don't know anything about this man and the other fellow he speaks
+of," he continued; "I never seen him before this morning, and I never
+tried to pass myself off as the captain of any ship."
+
+Dick Lewis eyed him savagely while he was speaking, and when he ceased
+drew back his clenched hand. In a moment more the man would have
+measured his length on the deck, had not the captain interposed.
+
+"Get ashore!" said he, shortly.
+
+"O no, cap'n," replied the man, with an impudent smile. "This is a
+nice way you have of doing business, I do think! One of your friends
+commits an assault on me and drags me away from my peaceful home, and
+then you wash your hands of the matter by telling me to go ashore. That
+won't go down, by no means. Twenty dollars for damages will get rid of
+me, but not a cent less!"
+
+"I can bring a dozen witnesses to prove that that man wasn't once
+outside of his house last night," said one of the ruffians on the dock.
+"I'm one of 'em, for I was with him all the evening and know everything
+he done."
+
+"Rodgers!" exclaimed Uncle Dick.
+
+"Here, sir," came the prompt response.
+
+A stalwart sailor stepped quickly out from among his companions, and
+dashing his cap upon the deck stood behind the bogus captain pushing
+back his sleeves. A simple look from Uncle Dick would have sent the
+man flying over the schooner's side as if he had been thrown from a
+catapult.
+
+"This is the last time I shall speak to you," continued Uncle Dick.
+"Get ashore!"
+
+The bogus captain thought it best to obey, and that too without a
+moment's hesitation. Once on the dock he was safe, and there he stopped
+long enough to say a parting word to Uncle Dick. "This matter will be
+settled in the court-room," said he, with a threatening shake of his
+head. "That man shall be arrested before he is an hour older."
+
+With these words he walked off, followed by his companions. The boys
+looked first at him, then at the captain and finally at Dick Lewis, who
+stood the very picture of astonishment. "Why didn't you set the law
+a-goin'?" the trapper managed to ask at last.
+
+"It would have been of no use," answered the master of the schooner.
+"Didn't you hear what that man on the dock said? That indicated the
+defence they would bring up. We would find a court-room full of
+witnesses to prove an alibi--that is, that this man was somewhere else
+when the kidnapping was done."
+
+"But it wouldn't be true, Uncle Dick," said Archie, who, like all
+the rest of the Club, invariably addressed the old sailor by this
+affectionate title. "If they swore to that, they would be guilty of
+perjury, and that is a state prison offence. Dick has told the truth."
+
+"I know it. I am just as certain that everything he has described to us
+really happened, as I would be had I seen it all with my own eyes; but
+a justice would not take his unsupported word against that of a dozen
+men. And as for perjury, how would you fasten the crime upon these
+false witnesses that would be produced? If Frank, Lucas and Barton were
+here, we would have the game in our own hands; but they are miles away.
+This man knows we can prove nothing, and that is what makes him so
+impudent."
+
+"I wish you had told Rodgers to throw him overboard, or else let Dick
+knock him down," said Eugene.
+
+"And afterward had the satisfaction of paying a fine and costs," said
+the old sailor, with a laugh. "By the time your hair is as white as
+mine, Eugene, perhaps you will have learned something. I've got one
+fine to pay now."
+
+"Why, how is that?" asked all the boys at once.
+
+"Didn't you hear what that man said just as he went away? There'll be a
+policeman down here directly."
+
+The boys looked toward the trapper. The expression of alarm which they
+had so often seen of late, had settled on his face again. He backed up
+against the rail for support, and looked wildly about as if he had half
+a mind to take to his heels. He stood more in fear of the law than he
+did of a grizzly bear. He had always thought that there was something
+wrong about it, and now he was firmly convinced of the fact. The law,
+as he understood it, was to restrain bad people, who were disposed to
+take advantage of their neighbors whenever an opportunity was offered;
+but he found that it was likely to prove a means of punishment to the
+innocent. It would have been just as impossible to give him a clear
+idea of its workings, as it would to make him understand the causes of
+the trade-winds or the theory of the ocean-currents.
+
+"I've said a million times, an' Frank says that more'n a thousand,
+that I'd never put my old moccasins inside a city again, an' now I
+say it onct more an' I'll stick to it," said the trapper, solemnly,
+raising his hand toward the mast-head to give emphasis to his words.
+"I get skeared to death by cars an' steamboats, an' something's allers
+happenin'."
+
+"Shoulder your rifle an' kit, Dick, an' let's be off," said old
+Bob, who up to this time had been a silent and amazed spectator and
+listener. "I'm afeared."
+
+"So am I, Bob, but I dasen't. I dasen't go; the law will ketch me.
+I wish I was to the ole Bar's Hole, so't I could crawl in an' hide
+myself."
+
+Dick leaned back against the rail again, rubbing his hands together and
+groaning as men sometimes do when they are sadly troubled in spirit.
+The boys tried hard to set his mind at rest. They assured him that no
+harm should come to him, for they and Uncle Dick were not only able but
+ready and willing to stand between him and all difficulties; but the
+trapper said he didn't want them to do it. If anybody was to go to jail
+(thrusting people into jail and hanging them Dick thought were the only
+punishments in vogue in civilized communities) it should be himself
+and nobody else. Furthermore, he did not see why it was necessary that
+any one should be called upon to stand between him and difficulty. He
+had only been following out his natural impulses in trying to bring
+the bogus captain to justice, and now he must suffer for it. He shook
+his head, refusing to be comforted, and showed a desire to be alone
+with his own thoughts; so the boys left him and turned to Uncle Dick,
+who was once more pacing his quarter-deck, after holding a short
+consultation with his officers.
+
+"I know what you want," said the old sailor, as the boys approached him
+in a body. "You are anxious to know what I am going to do for Frank. I
+can only guess at the best plan, and follow it out to the best of my
+judgment. What do you think ought to be done?"
+
+The boys had no suggestions to offer. One thing was certain, and that
+was that Frank would not long submit to harsh treatment. A young man
+who had commanded a fine vessel in Uncle Sam's navy would not consent
+to take rank next below the captain's dog, as the sailors in the
+Tycoon's forecastle had assured him he would do as long as he remained
+in that ship. If the opportunity were ever offered, he would lay his
+case before the consul of the first port at which the vessel touched;
+and failing that he would probably be driven to desert. In either case
+the boys did not expect to see him again. If the consul protected him,
+he would be sent to the nearest port in the United States free of
+expense, and he had money enough in his pocket--about twenty dollars,
+Archie thought--to support him until he could receive a remittance from
+home. If he was compelled to desert he would probably ship on the first
+vessel he could find, just as Chase had done, and she might take him to
+the remotest corner of the earth. All this would sadly interfere with
+the Club's arrangements. They thought as much of Frank as his cousin
+did--so much that they one and all declared that they did not care to
+continue their voyage without him. They couldn't enjoy themselves,
+for they would worry about him all the while, and if they were to be
+separated from him they would rather go home and stay there. If their
+pleasant party and their cruise were to be broken up, they had the
+boarding-house keeper to thank for it, and Walter declared that there
+was no punishment known to the law half severe enough for him.
+
+Uncle Dick listened while the boys were talking, and said he fully
+agreed with them. "Even if Frank should succeed in escaping from the
+Tycoon, and had a vessel at his command or money enough to take him
+just where he wanted to go, he would not know which way to steer to
+find us," said he, "for you boys will remember that you did not decide
+upon anything definite, and Frank doesn't know whether we are going to
+Alaska or Japan."
+
+"And all through my foolishness," said Eugene, bitterly. "I wish I had
+given up, and gone where the others wanted to go."
+
+"So do I," said Bab.
+
+"Don't reproach yourselves," replied Uncle Dick. "You had plenty of
+sport during your debates, and you were not supposed to know that
+such an emergency as this was about to arise. But perhaps we can do
+something by following the Tycoon."
+
+"Yes, if we only knew where she is going."
+
+"I have an idea that I do know. She is bound for the Japan station,
+so the sailors in her forecastle told Dick Lewis. Well, now, she is
+short-handed. She must be, for her mate released Dick from his irons
+and brought him on deck to help make sail. She'll never go on her
+station without a full crew, and the nearest place at which she can get
+it is the Sandwich Islands. There she will undoubtedly ship Kanakas
+enough to make up her complement. Then she'll go out for a three or
+four months' cruise, and come back and fit out for the Japan station.
+Now, if we can reach Honolulu before she leaves, we shall probably be
+able to effect the release of our men. If it were not for this incident
+that has just happened I would sail at once."
+
+"Why can't you do it any way?" asked Walter, who did not like to waste
+even a moment.
+
+"Because we must see Lewis out of his trouble. If he goes ashore
+without some one to protect him, he will be sure to fall into the
+hands of those sharpers, who will frighten him out of the last article
+of value he's got."
+
+"Cap'n," said Dick, suddenly, "will you take us with you--me and Bob?"
+
+The old sailor looked in astonishment, and so did the boys.
+
+"I'm afeared to go ashore," continued the trapper, who had been holding
+a council of war with his chum, "an' so is Bob. 'Sides it's a thing we
+never done yet--run off an' leave Frank in trouble, an' we've knowed
+him too long to do it now!"
+
+"My good fellow," said Uncle Dick, with a smile, "if Frank were lost
+in the woods, you and Bob would be just the men to assist him; but you
+can't help him in any way now."
+
+"Mebbe we can, cap'n. An' even if we can't, we don't want to go back
+hum without knowing what's come on him. We shouldn't see no peace of
+mind."
+
+Uncle Dick did not speak for several minutes. He knew just how much
+these rude men thought of Frank, and told himself that their desire to
+see him safe among friends again before they took leave of him for
+ever, was perfectly natural; but there were the dangers they expected
+to meet on the "under side of the earth"--the Flying Dutchman, the
+whales, the monstrous "quids"--could they stand all these? "Lewis,"
+said he, suddenly, "have you and your companion fully made up your
+minds on this point?"
+
+"Yes, an' we won't never change 'em nuther. We allers stand to what we
+say."
+
+"That settles the matter. Mr. Baldwin, while I am gone to the custom
+house, hail the first tug you see and stand by to get under way."
+
+The boys would have been delighted by this arrangement a few hours
+before, but their feelings were different now. They had something to
+think of besides the amusement they expected the trappers to furnish
+them.
+
+Uncle Dick went ashore and walked rapidly away, leaving the boys to
+themselves. Although they were impatient to be off, the time did not
+hang heavily on their hands, for they had much to talk about. They
+fully expected the trappers to change their minds when they saw the
+preparations that were being made for getting under way, but Dick
+and Bob were not that sort. There was a dogged expression on their
+faces, such as might have been seen there had the backwoodsmen been
+in the power of savage foes who were making ready to torture them at
+the stake. It said that they fully realized the dangers before them,
+and were prepared to meet them like men who had never shown the white
+feather.
+
+"Now, if Frank were only here, and if Dick and Bob would get rid of
+some of their foolish notions, we could look forward to some fun,
+couldn't we?" said Eugene.
+
+"_If_ and _if_!" said Walter. "It is surprising how often that little
+word stands in our way."
+
+"I have been thinking that Dick's short sojourn on the Tycoon has made
+matters worse for Frank than they would otherwise have been," said Bob,
+anxiously. "The three principal officers have felt the weight of his
+arm, and of course they'll have to take satisfaction out of somebody."
+
+"Dick," said Archie, suddenly, "why don't you encourage us by saying
+that Frank will be sure to come out all right? That's what you used to
+tell us whenever he got into trouble."
+
+"But he was on the prairie then, an' now he's among civilized folks,"
+replied the trapper.
+
+"Which means, I suppose, that this is the worst scrape he ever got
+into."
+
+Dick nodded his head.
+
+"I don't know about that," said George Le Dell. "I think if he had
+his choice, he would rather be where he is now than in the prison
+at Shreveport, if he had to go through what he did when he made his
+escape. Frank has been in some tight places, but somehow he has always
+managed to squeeze through without much trouble."
+
+"And he never was hurt that I remember, except when he burned that
+house in which Colonel Harrison made his headquarters," said Archie.
+
+"When _you_ burned it, you mean," said George. "_You_ did that, and
+if you had been a line instead of a staff officer, you would have got
+another stripe around your arm for it, too. I told the Colonel all
+about it after you left our house."
+
+"Why did you do that?" exclaimed Archie, hastily. "Now I shall never
+dare to meet him again."
+
+"Ha! ha!" laughed George. "Why, he is one of your warmest friends. I
+told him because I wanted him to know that the boy who killed that bear
+and beat Somers in a fair race through the woods, had something in him.
+The Colonel scolded me for not telling him before. He said if he had
+known it while you were in our neighborhood, you wouldn't have got away
+from his house for one good long month at least. He would have kept you
+if he'd had to put a guard over you."
+
+"Well, I shouldn't have enjoyed the visit."
+
+"You couldn't have helped yourself, if plenty of hunting, riding and
+good company are aids to enjoyment."
+
+From this subject the boys gradually got back to the one that occupied
+the most of their minds and thoughts, and that was Frank's sudden
+disappearance. They asked the trapper a multitude of questions, but
+learned nothing new, for he had already told his story in detail. While
+they were talking Uncle Dick returned, and the tug being alongside and
+the pilot aboard, the lines were cast off and the Stranger swung slowly
+around until her bow pointed toward the headlands at the entrance to
+the bay. In the bustle and hurry that followed the boys found time to
+turn an eye toward the trappers now and then, but they saw no signs
+of regret or alarm on their faces; and when the lines that held the
+tug were let go, and the steamer with a farewell shriek of her whistle
+turned back toward the city, and the schooner unfolded her white
+wings one after the other, and the Golden Gate was passed, and the
+broad expanse of the Pacific was fairly spread out before them, there
+were still no signs of backing out. But it was too late now. The die
+was cast, and Dick and old Bob were bound for the "under side of the
+earth!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+TOO LATE.
+
+
+THE very presence of Uncle Dick was enough to infuse new life and
+comfort into the boys, who were disposed to make themselves miserable
+over the absence of their genial companion. The old sailor believed in
+looking on the bright side of things, and thought there was no use in
+worrying over the matter that they could not just then better in any
+way. His example made a great change in the feelings of the Club.
+
+"Now, Walter," said he, briskly, "we are fairly afloat again, and our
+sailing-master having deserted us, we are compelled to call on you to
+fill his place. Suppose you work out a course for us. We're bound for
+the Sandwich Islands, Eugene; which way are they from here?"
+
+"Oh, you can't catch me on that," replied the boy, "for I posted myself
+only a few days ago. The twentieth parallel runs through them. They're
+in the same latitude as Vera Cruz, in Mexico."
+
+"Well, I want to make the run in as short a time as may be, so what
+shall I do?"
+
+"Stand to the southwest to get the benefit of the northeast trades,
+and the equatorial current. The same route would take you to China or
+Japan."
+
+"Suppose, now, we were in China and wanted to come back to the States:
+would I follow the same course?"
+
+"No, sir. You would steer in a northerly direction until you got
+between the parallels of thirty-five and forty-five degrees north
+latitude, and there you would find strong westerly winds to help you
+along. Perhaps you'd get some assistance from the North Pacific drift
+current, but on that point I am not sure."
+
+"Well, it is just as well you are not," shouted Walter from the cabin,
+where he was busy with his chart. "The North Pacific drift current
+might help you if you wanted to go to Alaska from China. When it
+strikes the shores of our continent it divides, part of it flowing on
+down the coast and forming the California coast current, and the rest
+bending back across the Pacific again; so it would retard your progress
+rather than help you."
+
+"Well, I am not the sailing-master of this craft, am I?" replied
+Eugene. "If I was, I'd keep posted. Besides, almost anybody with a
+chart before him, could clatter away as though his tongue was hung
+in the middle. Wait till Frank gets back if you want to talk about
+navigation."
+
+"He's a good one, that's a fact," said Uncle Dick. "He's as fit to
+command a vessel as I am."
+
+Just then Walter came up, having worked out a course, which being
+approved by the captain and given to the officer of the deck, the bow
+of the Stranger was brought around a point or two, and the voyage
+was fairly begun. There was nothing to be done now, but to await
+developments with all the patience they possessed.
+
+But few incidents worthy of record happened during the voyage,
+which, after they struck the trade winds became monotonous enough.
+The schooner bowled along before a fine breeze, and as it was never
+necessary to change the sails, there was no work to be done except
+ordinary ship's duty. The Club passed the time mostly in reading and
+conversation with the trappers, who, as soon as they fully recovered
+from their sea-sickness, kept a constant lookout for some of those
+terrible dangers which had been so graphically described to them. By
+dint of much talking and argument the boys finally succeeded in making
+them take a more sensible view of their situation, and as the days wore
+away without bringing with them any of the perils they had expected to
+encounter, the backwoodsmen began to act a little more like themselves.
+But when an ignorant person once gets hold of an idea it is almost
+impossible to make him let go of it, and the trappers' minds could not
+be set wholly at rest. They steadily refused to go into the forecastle
+at night, and always slept on deck. The boys found the reason for this
+in a remark they heard Bob make to his companion. They wanted plenty
+of elbow room when they reached the under side of the earth, the old
+fellow said, so that when the schooner dropped off among the clouds,
+they could take to the water. They saw sharks, dolphins and flying-fish
+(the trappers began to put more faith in what the boys said after they
+had seen one of the latter rise from the water and sail through the air
+like a bird on the wing), and one day the sailors pointed out to them
+an object which made them believe that their time had come. It first
+showed itself while the boys were at dinner. They were summoned on deck
+by the officers of the watch, and found themselves close alongside
+the first whale they had ever seen. The monster was taking matters
+very leisurely, moving along about a hundred yards from the schooner,
+lifting his huge head out of the water now and then and spouting a
+cloud of spray into the air, and although the vessel was running at a
+rate of eight miles an hour, he kept pace with her without the least
+exertion. The boys were all disappointed.
+
+"This must be a small one," said George.
+
+"Small!" echoed Uncle Dick. "How big do you think a whale is, any
+how--as big as the Rocky Mountains?"
+
+"No, sir; but I have read that they have been found sixty and seventy
+feet long," replied George.
+
+"Well, this fellow is every inch of eighty, and I shouldn't wonder if
+he was ninety feet in length."
+
+"I wish some whaler would come along and pitch into him," said Eugene.
+"I'd like to see the operation of catching a whale."
+
+"If fifty whalers should come along they would not trouble this
+fellow," said Uncle Dick.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because he is neither a sperm nor a right whale. He belongs to the
+species known as finbacks. He would not yield oil or bone enough to pay
+for the trouble of lowering the boats, and besides he is so swift and
+strong that it would be dangerous to meddle with him."
+
+The finback kept alongside the schooner for nearly a mile, and during
+that time the boys had ample opportunity to take a good view of him.
+He sank and rose at regular intervals, executing the manoeuvre with
+an ease and grace that was astonishing, and now and then he showed so
+much of his huge bulk above the water that the boys opened their eyes
+in amazement, and Featherweight declared that there was no end to him.
+The longer they looked at him the larger he seemed to grow. At length
+he began to edge away from the schooner, and finally disappeared. Then
+each boy turned and looked at his neighbor to see what he thought about
+it.
+
+"What makes you look so sober?" demanded Featherweight of Archie, who
+stood by pulling his chin, and gazing fixedly at the spot where the
+whale had last been seen.
+
+"I was just thinking," was the reply.
+
+"And I'll warrant we can all tell what you were thinking about," said
+George. "I guess there is no one in this small party who would like to
+be ordered into a small boat to attack a beast of that size, and you
+were wondering what Frank's feelings will be the first time he tries
+it. Well, I don't want to know them by experience."
+
+Archie walked to the side and looked over into the water, while George
+turned to Dick and Bob, who just then came up. Their faces were very
+white.
+
+"Well, Dick," said George, "you have seen your first whale, and it
+isn't such a terrible looking object after all, is it?"
+
+"I dunno," replied the trapper. "If the babies look like that, what
+must the ole ones be?"
+
+"The babies?" repeated George.
+
+"One of the fellows showed that thing to me when it fust come in sight,
+and I showed it to Rodgers, but he couldn't see it. Rodgers, he called
+another of the sailors, and he said he could see something, but it was
+so small he couldn't tell whether it was a whale or not."
+
+"Now, Dick, don't you believe a word those men in the forecastle say
+to you," said Eugene, indignantly. "Uncle Dick says that is one of the
+largest whales he ever saw."
+
+"Wal, Rodgers he couldn't see it at fust 'cause it was so small, but
+when he _did_ see it, he said mebbee it was a baby. He said the ole one
+will be along purty soon lookin' fur it, an' then we'll see a whale. If
+the ole one don't find the baby, she'll think we've done something to
+it, an' she'll brush us off'n the 'arth like a feller would brush a fly
+off his Sundy trowsers."
+
+The trappers were frightened again, and for the rest of the day kept
+close company with their young friends, no doubt feeling safer in their
+presence than anywhere else. The boys, one and all, exerted themselves
+to correct the wrong impressions they had received, but the foremast
+hands had had the first chance at them, as Fred remarked, and it was
+a matter of impossibility to set their fears at rest. For a week
+afterward Dick and his companion kept a sharp lookout, expecting every
+minute to see the old whale coming in search of her young one; but
+she did not appear, and the next thing that happened to relieve the
+monotony of the voyage, was the discovery of land, dead ahead. Walter
+had been anxiously looking for it for the last twenty-four hours.
+Having taken Frank's place as sailing-master, he was eager to earn a
+reputation as a navigator, and he was not a little elated to find that
+he had made no mistake.
+
+The discovery of land set the sailors going again. Rodgers and a
+few of his companions, who, when the trappers were in hearing, were
+continually talking about mermaids and dragons and other sea monsters,
+and the awful sights that would be presented when they came to the
+under side of the earth, looked through their hands at the dim outline
+in advance, and after comparing notes in a tone of voice loud enough
+for Dick and Bob to hear, declared that it wasn't land after all--that
+the man at the mast was mistaken.
+
+"That's no more land nor I be," declared Rodgers. "If my head is worth
+a tar-bucket, it is the old whale. She can't find her baby, and so
+she's coming down to ask the skipper what he's done with it. She's
+coming like lightning too. Can't you see the water a boiling up under
+her bows? I can."
+
+"Now, mate, I think it's a squid," said another, "and he's waiting
+there to gobble up something. I can see his long arms resting on the
+water, and ready to catch the first moving thing that comes within
+reach. I hope the cap'n 'll keep away a few points."
+
+"Mebbe he don't know what it is," said a third, "and I think Lewis had
+better go aft and tell him about it--I do indeed!"
+
+"'Taint a whale nor a squid neither," said an old gray-headed seaman,
+who, using his hands for a spy-glass, had been looking at the island
+ever since they first came in sight of it. "It's the equator. I can see
+the waves rolling over it!"
+
+"Well, Jack, you've been to sea longer nor me and ought to know about
+these things," said Rodgers. "I seen the waves, but I thought they was
+the bone the whale was carrying in her teeth. When we get over it, if
+we ever do, we're on the under side of the earth, ain't we?"
+
+"That's what's the matter," said the gray-headed sailor.
+
+Dick fairly jumped, as each one of these opinions was solemnly
+advanced, and hurried off to speak to the boys. The latter, especially
+Eugene and Archie, could hardly refrain from laughing outright at his
+ludicrous display of terror, but they quieted his fears as well as
+they could, and by giving him a solemn promise that they would see him
+safely through any danger that might arise if he would remain close by
+them, they succeeded in keeping him out of the company of the foremast
+hands all the rest of the day. But it was not until nearly sunset that
+the fears the sailors had conjured up were entirely banished. By that
+time the object that had excited his alarm was so plainly visible that
+Dick could see for himself that it was land and nothing else.
+
+The boys did not see many of the new and novel sights that were
+presented to their gaze, as the Stranger made her way through the
+strait that runs between the islands of Hawaii and Mani. They had eyes
+for nothing but the whale ship they expected to find there. The huge
+fishing canoes they saw the next day; the natives that came aboard
+in swarms while they were running about in the light, baffling winds
+they found under the lee of the land, the fruits they offered for
+barter--none of these things possessed the interest for them that they
+would under almost any other circumstances. They paid little attention
+to anything but the vessels that now and then passed them. But the
+Tycoon was not among them.
+
+Uncle Dick took time, as he passed along, to look into every bay and
+inlet where the Tycoon was likely to be, and it was not until nearly a
+week after they first sighted the Sandwich Islands that the Stranger
+dropped anchor outside the coral reef that marks the entrance to the
+harbor of Honolulu. As the wind came strong down the mountain gorges,
+everything was made snug, and then the gig was called away and the
+captain set out for the town, leaving the boys to enjoy themselves as
+best they could during his absence. But it was dull business, this
+trying to pass away the time when they were so impatient and anxious.
+They kept up their spirits by telling one another that something would
+surely happen to restore their friend Frank to them, but the face that
+Uncle Dick brought back with him, when he returned six hours later,
+dashed all their hopes to the ground. No sooner was the gig fairly
+hoisted at the davits, than he gave the order to heave up the anchor
+and go to sea. The boys stood around and looked at one another in
+silence while these orders were being executed, and when Uncle Dick
+went into the cabin, they followed him.
+
+"Too late, boys," said he.
+
+"Has the Tycoon been here?" asked Walter.
+
+"Yes; she has done just what I thought she would do. She shipped a crew
+of natives and has gone out for a three months' cruise. When that is
+ended she will come back and fit out for Japan."
+
+"And what about Frank?"
+
+"Haven't heard a word of him. The consul saw only the captain, and he
+was here just long enough to ship his crew. We missed our object by
+just three days."
+
+"I don't understand how we missed it at all," said Eugene. "We
+certainly lost no time."
+
+"But you must remember that the Tycoon is a large ship, and that she
+probably carries as much canvas in her courses and spanker as we can
+spread on all our masts and yards. We can't expect to sail with her."
+
+"What are we going to do now?" asked Bab.
+
+"We are going to see if we can find her. It will be almost like
+searching for a needle in a haystack, but we don't want to remain here
+idle for three months."
+
+"Of course not," said Eugene, quickly. "That would never do. While we
+are moving about we shall feel that we are doing something for Frank,
+even if we don't find him."
+
+"Exactly," said Uncle Dick.
+
+"What will you do if we find the Tycoon?" inquired Walter.
+
+"I shall probably be able to present the matter to her captain in such
+a way that he will be willing to release Frank and make him some amends
+for what he has done--I _think_ I shall be able to do so," said the old
+sailor, with a look in his eye that spoke volumes. "But if I should
+fail, he will be arrested as soon as he comes back here."
+
+This was all Uncle Dick had to say, and it afforded the boys very
+little satisfaction. They had confidently expected that Frank would be
+restored to them when they reached the Sandwich Islands, and this was
+a sore disappointment. Where was he now? Where was he while the Tycoon
+was lying in the harbor of Honolulu? What was the reason he had not
+done as he advised the deserter to do--insisted on seeing the American
+consul? The boys could only speculate upon these points, and they had
+ample leisure to do it--almost six weeks. During that time every ship
+they could come up with was spoken, but the Tycoon was not among them,
+and neither could they gain any information concerning her. The boys
+were getting discouraged and very down-hearted, and had it not been
+for Uncle Dick there is no telling how they would have lived through it.
+
+One night the officer of the deck reported that there was a whaler
+a few miles distant "trying out"--that is, rendering out the oil of
+a whale she had recently captured. The Stranger's bow was at once
+pointed toward her, and at sunrise the two vessels were within speaking
+distance.
+
+"Now just listen to me a minute and I'll tell you what's a fact," said
+Perk, who with the rest of the Club stood in the waist, attentively
+regarding the ship as she came toward them carrying a huge bone in her
+teeth, "there's something about that craft that looks familiar."
+
+"I was just thinking so myself," said Eugene.
+
+He glanced toward Uncle Dick, who, during the last quarter of an hour
+had kept his glass levelled at the ship, and edged away toward the
+officer of the deck. "It can't be that that is the vessel we're looking
+for, is it, Mr. Baldwin?" said he.
+
+"If it isn't her, it's her sister," replied the officer, with some
+excitement.
+
+Before Eugene could carry this news to his companions the ship
+backed her main topsail, and as Uncle Dick, with an exclamation of
+astonishment that had a good deal of meaning in it, seized his trumpet,
+her captain appeared upon her bulwarks. The boys, through their
+glasses, had a plain view of him, and the general verdict was that he
+was a rough-looking fellow--one who, judging by his appearance, was
+capable of almost anything.
+
+"It is the same man we saw in the whale-boat," declared Eugene, his
+voice rendered husky by excitement. "I know him, even if he hasn't got
+his gray suit on."
+
+"I confess that I can't see any resemblance," said Bab, taking his
+glass down from his eyes long enough to bring it to a better focus.
+
+It would have required a person with a very lively imagination to
+recognise anybody at that distance, especially in such clothes as those
+in which the captain was dressed. He wore a tarpaulin on his head, a
+red shirt open at the throat, and a pair of coarse trowsers, which were
+thrust into the tops of heavy sea boots; and as some of these articles
+had been made for larger, and others for smaller men than himself, they
+fitted him oddly enough.
+
+"Ship ahoy!" roared Uncle Dick.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" shouted the captain of the whaler.
+
+"What ship is that?" asked Uncle Dick.
+
+The answer was given in a loud tone of voice, but the words were
+indistinct. The captain talked as if he had a mouthful of something.
+The only part of the reply that the Stranger's crew understood was that
+the ship was seventeen months out of Nantucket, and that she had nine
+hundred barrels of oil in the hold.
+
+"What does he say is the name of his ship, Mr. Baldwin?" asked Uncle
+Dick.
+
+"I understood him to say Eli Coon, sir," said the officer.
+
+"That sounds wonderfully like Tycoon, doesn't it?" whispered George.
+
+"And what does he call himself, Mr. Baldwin?" continued Uncle Dick.
+
+"Captain Hank Wilson, were the words I caught, sir."
+
+"What schooner is that?" shouted the captain of the whaler.
+
+"The Stranger, Captain Richard Gaylord, just out of Honolulu," answered
+Uncle Dick; and the words were so plain and distinct that the master of
+the whaler could have heard them if he had been twice as far away.
+
+"I'll send a boat aboard of you."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied Uncle Dick. "There is something strange about
+this, Mr. Baldwin," he added. "That is the Tycoon if I ever saw her,
+but that isn't the scoundrel who commanded her while she was in the
+harbor of San Francisco. Stand by, now, and if any of our men come off
+in his boat we'll see that they don't go back."
+
+There was no confusion on board the Stranger--there never was, for the
+discipline was too perfect for that--but everybody was highly excited.
+And the excitement was increased when the second mate went forward with
+the order, which he gave in a low voice: "All hands stand by, and
+be ready to jump when you hear the word." The sailors knew what that
+meant, and while some pushed back their sleeves, others laid handspikes
+where they could find them again at a moment's warning; and having
+thus prepared for any emergency, they moved to the side in a body, and
+awaited the coming of the whaler's boat with no little impatience. She
+came in sight at length, rounding the stern of the ship. Presently one
+of the men whispered something, which was passed along from one to
+another, until it reached the ears of the boys in the waist:
+
+"I see Lucas in that boat, and Barton too!"
+
+"But where is Frank?" said Archie, anxiously. "If he is aboard that
+ship now is his time to jump overboard and swim out to us."
+
+"Look at Dick Lewis," whispered Bab, suddenly.
+
+The boys with one accord turned their eyes toward the trapper. He stood
+on the forecastle with his hands on the rail, over which he was leaning
+as far as he could without losing his balance, and his eyes were
+fastened upon the approaching boat with a gaze such as a hawk might
+bestow upon the prey it was about to seize. As the boat approached
+nearer and veered round to come alongside, Dick gradually drew back out
+of sight and walked toward the stern to meet her.
+
+"If that is the captain of the Tycoon standing in the stern of that
+boat," said Archie, "he will be a well-thumped man before he gets
+fairly on deck, unless Uncle Dick interferes in time."
+
+"It isn't he," said Eugene. "I was mistaken. But he's a hard-looking
+customer all the same."
+
+The boat came nearer with every stroke of its crew, but the boys could
+not see any one in it whom they recognised. The backs of the oarsmen
+were turned toward them, and the captain kept his tarpaulin drawn low
+over his forehead, while the wind had turned the collar of his shirt up
+about his ears, so that his face was most effectually concealed.
+
+With a few strokes more the boat was alongside, and the red-shirted
+captain's head appeared above the Stranger's rail. Then Dick began
+to bestir himself. With a bound like a tiger he sprang forward and
+grasped the captain by the shoulders.
+
+"Avast there, Lewis!" roared Uncle Dick. "What are you about? If you
+attempt any violence I'll throw you over to the whales!"
+
+"No, I reckon not," replied the trapper. "This feller can't fool ole
+Dick Lewis, no matter what sort o' clothes he's got onto him!"
+
+As he said this he dragged the captain bodily over the rail, and
+lifting him in his arms as he would an infant, carried him toward the
+quarter-deck.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+GENTLEMAN BLACK.
+
+
+"GO on deck now, and let me give you fair warning that if you don't
+behave yourselves you'll go overboard before you can think twice!"
+
+It was the mate of the Tycoon who spoke, and who gave this order to
+Frank and the three sailors in the forecastle, after he had released
+them from their irons. The officer did not look much as he did the last
+time Frank saw him. He wore a handkerchief about his head and over
+his left eye, but it did not wholly conceal his face, which was badly
+swollen and discolored. He was in a fair way to remember his meeting
+with the trapper for some time to come.
+
+During the hour that Frank was confined in the forecastle his mind
+was exceedingly busy. His companions in trouble civilly answered all
+the questions he asked them, but did not seem inclined to talk, so
+Frank had opportunity to think over his situation and try to determine
+upon some course of action. The first thing he did was to congratulate
+himself on the fact that none of his companions were with him on the
+Tycoon. Had Walter, Bab, Archie or any of the rest gone ashore with
+him when he went after his rifle, they would now have been in the same
+predicament as himself; and according to Frank's way of thinking that
+would have been a calamity indeed. He expected to suffer--his mind was
+fully made up to that,--but he was strong and healthy and better able
+to endure hardship than any of the young friends he had left on board
+the Stranger. He had no fears for Dick Lewis. The trapper was as tough
+as a pine knot--nothing seemed to make any impression on him--and if
+he could only be induced to keep his temper under control, and pay no
+attention to the blows and insults he was sure to receive, he would get
+on well enough. Still he thought more of him than he did of Lucas and
+Barton, who were sleeping soundly in their bunk. These two were old
+sailors and could stand anything. They were not likely to have as easy
+times as they had had on board the Stranger, but they were accustomed
+to hard work and hard treatment, and when safe off the Tycoon they
+would have another story to help while away the lonely hours of the mid
+watch.
+
+Thus it will be seen that Frank was disposed to make the best of his
+misfortunes, and to look on the bright side of things. But there was
+one fact that troubled him not a little, and that was, his connection
+with the Club was severed. He did not expect to see any of its members
+again, not even Archie, for years to come. He would be released from
+the Tycoon some day--just as soon as he could gain the ear of some
+American consul for a moment--but he would not know which way to
+turn to find the Stranger, and so would have nothing left him but
+to make the best of his way back to Lawrence. That would be a great
+disappointment to him. He had anticipated much pleasure from his
+visit to foreign countries, and it was hard to abandon the voyage,
+just as his expectations were about to be realized, and go back to
+the monotonous, hum-drum routine of village life. But as there was no
+help for it, it was useless to repine, Frank told himself. He would do
+his duty as well as he could while he remained on board the Tycoon,
+but he was under no obligations to stay with her any longer than he
+was compelled to do so; and the first time she dropped anchor in port
+there would be one of her crew missing, unless the officers took the
+precaution to deprive him of his liberty.
+
+While Frank was meditating in this way the mate came into the
+forecastle, and after taking off his irons, ordered him on deck.
+Ascending the ladder he found a small crew engaged in setting things
+to rights. The third mate, who met him as he came up, put him to work
+with the rest, and for the next hour Frank was kept so busy that he did
+not have time to see much of his surroundings. He took a look around
+now and then for Dick Lewis, and wondered what sort of work the clumsy
+trapper would make in doing sailor's duty.
+
+"Was you looking for your pardner, sir?" asked a seaman who was busy
+at his side. (The "sir" came out almost involuntarily, as if the man
+instinctively felt that Frank was in some way entitled to that show of
+respect.)
+
+"Yes; I was looking for that tall, broad-shouldered man in buckskin who
+came aboard with me."
+
+"Well, sir, he's gone!"
+
+"Gone! Where?"
+
+"I don't know, for he can't be found alow nor aloft. He must have
+jumped overboard."
+
+"O, I hope not!" said Frank anxiously.
+
+"If he has, it is all right, sir, because he'd a done it sooner or
+later. I'll not stay aboard here much longer, unless there's a great
+change for the better. Things couldn't be worse."
+
+"Don't do anything desperate," said Frank. "It won't pay. But what made
+this man of whom we were speaking jump overboard?"
+
+"I don't know, sir. I was busy when he came up. The first thing I knew
+there was a rumpus; the cap'n and two of the mates were laid out as
+flat as slap-jacks, and the man hasn't been seen since."
+
+"Were we far from shore?"
+
+"Only about three or four miles."
+
+"O, then it is all right. Dick is safe. He can swim double that
+distance."
+
+"Well, I can't; but I wish I could have gone with him. I've seen two
+men go overboard since I've been on this craft, and if I was with 'em
+now among the sharks, my troubles would all be over."
+
+Here was direct confirmation of the story the deserter had told on
+board the Stranger. Frank drew a long breath, and from that moment a
+settled determination took possession of him.
+
+The work was all done at last, the watches told off and one of them
+ordered below. The one to which Frank belonged remained on deck to
+handle the ship, which was making long boards to gain an offing. Two
+or three times every hour they were called upon to trim the sails as
+the ship changed her course and stood off on another tack, and the rest
+of the time the crew lounged about the windlass. But there was none
+of that story-telling in which the crew of the Stranger engaged on
+such occasions, to make the time hang less heavily on their hands. The
+men sat sullen and silent, and as they were no company for Frank, he
+strolled aft to make an inspection of the craft which was likely to be
+his home for long weeks and perhaps months to come. She was different
+from other ships he had seen only in the number of boats she carried
+at her davits, and in her try-works, which were fitted up amidships.
+These were built of masonry, contained three large kettles, and were
+so constructed that a body of water could be kept under the furnace to
+prevent the fire from burning the deck.
+
+Having seen all he cared to see, Frank went forward again, and leaning
+over the windlass thought of the friends he was fast leaving behind
+him and of the trapper. He hoped from the bottom of his heart that
+Dick had jumped overboard. If such was the case he had saved himself
+many an hour of suffering, and had placed himself in no danger. It was
+but a short distance to the shore for such a swimmer as he knew the
+trapper to be, and besides there were vessels constantly passing in
+and out of the harbor, so that on a calm night like that he had only
+to call for help to get it. The trapper had learned enough from the
+three men in the forecastle, if he could only remember it, to put Uncle
+Dick Gaylord on the track of the Tycoon, and perhaps matters might not
+turn out so badly after all. If the Stranger followed the Tycoon to
+Japan, his release would certainly be effected; but how would he fare
+in the meantime? He wished that some discontented boy who had read
+yellow-covered novels until he had become thoroughly disgusted with
+home and all its surroundings, and sighed for the wild, free, romantic
+life of a sailor, could be in his place just then.
+
+A short time before Frank's watch on deck was ended, he heard a
+rustling in one of the bunks below, and looking into the forecastle
+saw that the boatswain's mate, having come to his senses, was sitting
+up and staring about him in great bewilderment. The old-sea dog did
+not know where he was, but he quickly became aware that he was aboard
+some craft that was in motion, and catching up his cap he sprang out
+of his bunk and ran up the ladder. At the top he found Frank, whom he
+recognised at once.
+
+"Where are we, cap'n?" he exclaimed; "and how long have we been under
+way?"
+
+The sailors belonging to the Stranger's crew were pretty well
+acquainted with the history of their captain and his passengers. They
+conceived a great respect for Frank when they learned that he had been
+all through the late war, and that he had, by his own unaided efforts,
+worked his way from the forecastle to the quarter-deck, and falling
+into Uncle Dick's habit, they invariably addressed him by his old naval
+title, and were as careful to salute him whenever they passed him as
+they were to salute their commander.
+
+Before Frank had time to reply, the boatswain's mate had glanced about
+the deck of the whaler, and some faint suspicions seemed to creep into
+his mind. "This ain't the Stranger, cap'n!" said he.
+
+"Who are you talking to?" demanded the first mate, who just then came
+forward.
+
+"I was speaking to Cap'n Nelson, sir," was the reply.
+
+"Who is he? Where is he?" asked the mate, roughly.
+
+"There he stands, sir."
+
+"Well, you just drop all that," said the officer, who was plainly very
+much surprised, "and hereafter bear in mind that there is only one
+captain aboard this ship and only one first mate. Get on deck, here.
+You belong to this watch!"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," replied Lucas. "Now here's a lubberly go, cap'n," he
+added in a low tone, as the mate went aft out of earshot.
+
+"Be careful," said Frank, quickly. "Remember the mate's order and drop
+that title and all others when you speak to me. Just recollect that I
+occupy a lower position aboard this craft than you do, for you are an
+able seaman and I am not."
+
+"But what craft is this and what's happened us?" asked the boatswain's
+mate, earnestly--"shanghaied?"
+
+"Yes, and this ship is the Tycoon."
+
+"I knew it," said the old sailor, striking his open palm with his
+clenched hand. "Serves me right."
+
+"I don't know how you came here. Perhaps you can tell."
+
+"I took a drink, sir," said Lucas, hanging his head.
+
+"Ah! yes; and you didn't get it out of the scuttle-butt either, did
+you? Pure water would not have robbed you of your senses."
+
+Then Frank went on to tell of his meeting with the bogus captain and
+the manner in which he and the trapper had been enticed on board the
+whaler. The old sailor was greatly distressed to know that it was
+through him that Frank had been brought into trouble. He offered to
+make amends by jumping overboard, and seemed to be hurt because Frank
+would not consent to it. While he was trying to comfort the mate the
+watch was called and Frank and the rest ordered below.
+
+Thus far things seemed to be working as well as could be expected under
+the circumstances. Frank had heard a few hard words from the officers,
+but he had seen no blows struck. This, however, was only the calm that
+preceded the storm. The next morning the captain made his appearance on
+deck, just as the crew were ordered to turn to, and then the trouble
+began. Frank recognised him at once, for he wore the same clothes he
+had on when he passed the Stranger in the whale-boat. He proved to be
+quite as brutal as he looked, and a constitutional grumbler. He found
+fault with everything. Nothing could be done to suit him. He swore at
+the officers, and they in turn swore at the men, and struck right and
+left with whatever came first to their hands--that is, the first and
+second mates did. The third mate, whom Frank had heard addressed as
+Mr. Gale, took no part in the swearing and striking. He did not speak
+to the men as if they were dogs, but his orders were just as emphatic,
+just as readily understood and quite as promptly obeyed. Frank took a
+liking to the man at once. Like himself, he seemed very much out of
+place on board the Tycoon.
+
+The captain was anxious to get his small crew into shape for work
+before he reached the fishing-grounds, and almost the first thing he
+did was to order out a "dummy whale," which was a spar towed over the
+stern. Then the boats' crews were selected. There proved to be enough
+to man two boats, leaving a sufficient number of the crew on board to
+act as ship-keepers. Frank and Lucas were assigned to the captain's
+boat, the former being seated at the bow oar. This was a position of
+responsibility, as Frank very soon learned. A whale when struck by a
+harpoon sometimes starts to run; and in such a case it is the duty of
+the bow oar to seize the line, draw the boat up alongside the whale,
+and hold it there while the captain uses his lance.
+
+Everything being in readiness, the boats were lowered, and for the
+next three hours were manœuvred about the spar, until it seemed to
+Frank that the inside of his hands was all in a blaze. To make matters
+worse, the captain swore at him for his awkwardness, and took him to
+task for answering "Very good, sir!" in response to an order, when he
+should have said "Ay, ay, sir!" An officer in the navy is required to
+answer "Very good, sir," when receiving a command from a superior, to
+show that he understands it; but Frank was not in the navy now, and
+neither was he an officer. He was a foremast hand on board a whaler,
+occupying a position a good deal lower than the captain's dog, he began
+to think.
+
+The boats were finally ordered back to the ship, and after they had
+been hoisted at the davits, the falls laid down in Flemish coil on
+deck, and the spar hauled aboard, Frank heard the order passed--
+
+"Send that gentleman in the black suit aft here."
+
+Frank knew in a moment that he was the one designated. He claimed to be
+a gentleman and he wore a suit of black clothes--he was the only one
+on board who did--so he promptly answered to the summons. "Here, sir,"
+said he.
+
+When he reached the quarter-deck he removed his hat and waited for the
+captain to speak to him.
+
+"So you know your name, do you?" exclaimed the skipper, gruffly.
+
+"My name is Nelson, sir."
+
+"But it suits me to call you Gentleman Black."
+
+"Very--ay, ay, sir," replied Frank, who knew that he was expected to
+say something.
+
+"Shoulder that handspike," continued the captain, pointing out the
+implement, "and march up and down the deck like a soger as you are.
+Carry it until you learn not to say 'very good' to me. What business is
+it of yours whether my orders are very good or very bad? I'll soon take
+them airs out of you."
+
+Frank picked up the handspike, and placing it on his shoulder, began
+walking up and down the deck like a sentry on his beat. A landsman
+would have seen no significance in this punishment, but the sailors
+did, and the boatswain's mate and the coxswain (the latter had
+recovered his senses and gone to work with the rest) were highly
+indignant. A seaman regards it as an insult to be called a soldier. It
+implies that he is a "skulker"--that he shirks his duty.
+
+This was the second time that Frank had been punished on board ship.
+His first offence, as we know, was committed while he was in the navy,
+on board the receiving ship. He spilled some water on deck, and was
+obliged to wipe it up and carry a swab about the vessel until he saw
+some one else doing the same thing. He might have carried that swab
+all day, had not Archie taken pity on him and effected his release.
+His jolly little cousin was not at hand to help him now. Frank was
+glad that he was far away, and in no danger of ever being placed in a
+situation like his own.
+
+Frank found that even a handspike grows heavy after a while, and when
+he had carried it four long hours, he would have been glad to put it
+down and rest; but his release did not come until his watch was called
+at twelve o'clock that night. From noon until midnight he paced the
+deck without a moment's pause, a bite to eat or a drop to drink. He
+was tired and sleepy, but was obliged to remain on deck four hours
+longer, or until the watch to which he belonged was ordered below.
+It was pretty hard, Frank told himself, and provoking, too, to find
+somebody ready to make sport of him, as one of the sailors in his watch
+did when he went forward. It was the "black sheep" of the crew--the
+same one who pointed out the trapper's supposed hiding-place in the
+bow-boat. His name was Gardener, but some one had christened him
+Calamity, and that was what he was generally called. Some of the crew
+had warned Lucas and Barton to be very careful what they said in this
+man's presence. He was the captain's pet. He was never punished like
+the rest, and the reason probably was because he made it his business
+to keep the officers posted in everything that was said and done in the
+forecastle.
+
+"Well, Gentleman Black," said Calamity, as Frank approached the
+windlass around which the watch were gathered, "how do you like
+the taste you have had of the Tycoon's discipline? You can't come
+soldiering aboard here with your airs and your graces----"
+
+"Belay that!" cried the coxswain, jumping to his feet. "You're a
+soldier yourself and a tale-bearer besides, Calamity, and any more such
+language as that will breed a row that'll have to be settled by you and
+me the very first time we get ashore. That's a word with a bark on it!"
+
+Calamity, like the coward he was, slunk back out of sight immediately,
+and in a few minutes got up and walked away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+"THERE SHE BLOWS."
+
+
+IT soon became evident to all on board the Tycoon that Captain
+Barclay--that was the name of the master of the ship--was in a great
+hurry. Whaling captains, while on fishing-grounds, generally try to
+get over as much space as they can while daylight lasts, and to remain
+as nearly in one spot as possible during the night. By following this
+plan they can hunt over every mile of the ground, and lose no chance
+of finding the game of which they are in search. Captain Barclay,
+however, carried all the sail he could crowd, both night and day. The
+old sailors, Lucas and Barton among the rest, knew where he was going,
+and when Frank heard them express their opinions he had new cause for
+uneasiness.
+
+"He's bound for the Sandwich Islands," said Lucas, one day. "He hasn't
+got men enough aboard here to do anything, and he's going after a crew."
+
+"Then we can make up our minds that we have seen the last of the
+Stranger," said Frank.
+
+"Why, bless you," said Lucas, "I never did expect to see her again. I
+never said so before because I saw that you kept hankering after her,
+and I wanted you to keep your spirits up as long as you could."
+
+Frank's last hope was gone now, and it was only by a great effort of
+will that he kept himself from giving away utterly to his despondent
+feelings. "I have seen the last of my friends," thought he. "I have no
+one to rely on except myself. I must drag out a miserable existence
+here till I see a chance to escape, and then get home as best I can. I
+might just as well make up my mind to it."
+
+And he did. He accepted what he believed to be the inevitable, as
+gracefully as he could, and worked hard to keep his thoughts from
+wandering back to the pleasant little cabin of the Stranger, in which
+he had spent so many happy hours. He learned rapidly when once he made
+up his mind to it, and won many a word of praise and encouragement from
+Lucas and Barton, who declared that he was as handy as a pocket in a
+shirt. His services speedily attracted the attention of the mate, who
+one day addressed him something after this fashion, only using much
+stronger language--
+
+"I have half a mind to trice you up, Gentleman Black!"
+
+It happened just after a sudden squall, which struck the ship and
+threw her over almost to her beam ends. The topsails were clewed up,
+and when the crew were ordered aloft, Frank was the first to mount the
+rigging. He made his way to the main royal, and stowed it as quickly
+and neatly as if he had been accustomed to the business all his life.
+He had learned this part of a seaman's duty more readily than the
+rest, because he took the most interest in it. He felt excited and
+exhilarated when he found himself clinging to the swaying yard, with
+the wind whistling about his ears and the white-caps rolling beneath
+him, while the ship lay over at such an angle that, had he lost his
+hold, he would have fallen into the water thirty feet from her side.
+He was always among the first to respond to an order to reef or furl
+topsails, and perhaps he liked this duty best because there was danger
+in it.
+
+Having performed the work of stowing the royal, Frank descended to the
+deck, where he was met by the first officer, who had kept his eye on
+him while he was aloft. "Yes, sir, I've the best notion in the world to
+trice you up!" he repeated.
+
+"What for, sir?" asked Frank, opening his eyes in great surprise.
+
+The young sailor was well satisfied with the work he had just
+performed, and wondered what he had done that was wrong. By strict
+attention to his work he had thus far succeeded in keeping out of any
+serious difficulty since the affair of the handspike. True, he had been
+sworn at, had been sent aloft several times to slush down the masts,
+and had worked industriously for three hours knocking the rust off the
+anchor, and all because the mate thought he was a trifle too "airy"
+sometimes; but these were light punishments compared with those which
+some of the men received. He had seen a sailor knocked down with a
+belaying pin as fast as he could get up, and another hauled up by the
+wrists until he swung clear of the deck, and a fifty-pound snatch-block
+made fast to his feet.
+
+"I am not conscious of having done anything out of the way," continued
+Frank.
+
+"O, your conscience don't trouble you, then," angrily exclaimed the
+officer, who did not understand Frank's fine language. "Well, your back
+will trouble you in less than a minute if you use any jaw to me."
+
+"I meant, sir, that I didn't know I had done anything wrong," exclaimed
+Frank.
+
+"Then why didn't you say so?" growled the mate. "You're a nice lad, I
+do think, to come aboard here with your smooth, oily tongue, and talk
+us all into believing that you are a landsman! You told me that you
+didn't know anything about a ship."
+
+"Yes, sir, and I told you the truth. I have had time to learn something
+since then."
+
+"So have I," said the mate. "Now listen to me, my hearty," he added,
+shaking his finger at Frank. "You can't soldier any longer. You'll
+stand your trick at the wheel and do an able seaman's duty from this
+hour, or I'll haze you till you'll be glad to jump overboard. Go
+forward, where you belong."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir! Now I have got myself into a scrape, sure enough,"
+thought Frank. "The very first time I receive an order I don't
+understand, I shall catch it. I wish I had let that royal alone."
+
+Frank went forward and shortly afterward the first mate followed him,
+holding in his hand two short pieces of rope. "Gentleman Black," said
+he, "I need something to larrup these fellows with, when they don't
+act like men, and I want you to put a long splice in these ropes and a
+Turk's head at each end."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Frank. "You can't catch me in this way, my
+man," he added, as the mate went aft again. "If it should ever become
+necessary to send down the topmasts, you will find out just how much
+I know about a sailor's work. I expect I shall be the first one to be
+'larruped' with this when it is done."
+
+Frank knew that such a rope as that he was at work upon, could not be
+used anywhere about the ship, unless it was for the purpose of beating
+the men. The mate gave him the task merely to try him; and he stationed
+himself, too, where he could watch Frank in order to make sure that he
+did the work himself. If he had been unable to do it, the officer would
+have accused him of soldiering, and that would have furnished him with
+an excuse for punishing Frank in some way. But he missed his object
+that time. The work was neatly and quickly performed, and Frank carried
+it to the mate, who, after closely examining it, grasped it with both
+hands and raised it in the air. "Let me see how it will answer the
+purpose for which it is intended," said he.
+
+If Frank had flinched or dodged, it is probable that he would have felt
+the weight of the rope over his shoulders; and it is probable, too,
+that the mate would have been flat on his back the very next instant.
+The deck of the Tycoon was never so near being the scene of a mutiny as
+it was that day; and just so surely as the rope fell, just so surely
+would there have been trouble, and serious trouble, too--Frank did not
+know how serious until afterward. He little dreamed that he had eight
+good men to back him up. He thought he would have to depend entirely on
+himself, but he stood his ground as if he had had the whole crew of his
+old vessel, the Boxer, at his command.
+
+The mate eyed him savagely for a moment, and then lowering the rope and
+telling Frank that he thought he was a very nice lad to come soldiering
+aboard there, when he was as able to do seaman's duty as anybody,
+called him some hard name and ordered him to go forward. The young
+sailor obeyed, glad indeed to be let off so easily; but his heart beat
+rapidly for a long time after that, and now and then he cast toward the
+officer a glance that was full of meaning.
+
+That night all sail was made again, and while Frank was at work on the
+topsail yard, Lucas, who was busy at his side, poked him with his elbow
+and whispered hurriedly--
+
+"Why didn't you knock him down, cap'n?"
+
+"Be careful," whispered Frank, in reply.
+
+"No harm done, sir," answered the boatswain's mate. "There's nobody
+near us except good men and true, and I'd as soon they would hear me
+as not. Why didn't you knock that mate down when he raised the rope on
+you?"
+
+"I had no reason for doing it," replied Frank; "but I believe I should
+have tried it if he had struck me. I don't think I could take a blow
+without resenting it. I came pretty near going in the brig that time."
+
+"No, you didn't, not by a long sight, sir, begging your pardon for
+speaking so plainly," said the old sailor, with a knowing shake of
+his head. "If you'd a done it, you'd a been walking up and down the
+quarter-deck now with your thumbs in the arm-holes of your vest. You'd
+a been master of the Tycoon, sir!"
+
+Frank looked at Lucas in amazement.
+
+"Fact, sir," said the old boatswain's mate, earnestly. "Me and Barton
+got you into this scrape, all unbeknown to us who did it, and we're
+bound to bring you out with flying colors, I tell you!"
+
+"Look here, Lucas," said Frank. "Now don't you or anybody else
+attempt----"
+
+"Belay what I have told you and listen to more," interrupted the
+sailor, hastily; "and don't be breaking in on me in that way, if you
+please, sir, because we hain't got much time to talk. You'll never be
+struck, sir, I don't think, but if you are, you'll see a tidy row. The
+officers know who you are--me and Barton told it to the other fellows
+in Calamity's hearing, and he carried it back to the cabin, as we knew
+he would--and the cap'n would give all his old boots and throw in a
+pair of new ones into the bargain, if he was well rid of you. He don't
+want you here; you know too much."
+
+"Well, he can easily be rid of me and you and Barton, too," said Frank.
+"Let him put us ashore at the Sandwich Islands. We are willing to go."
+
+"He'll never do that, sir. You wouldn't go ashore with a stopper on
+your jaw, would you?"
+
+"No, I would not," replied Frank, emphatically. "I'd tell the consul
+all I know about this ship and the way men are treated here, and have
+the captain and all his officers, except Mr. Gale, arrested. I could
+not be hired to keep my mouth shut."
+
+"Ah, ha! I thought so. The cap'n knows it, too."
+
+"What is he going to do with us?"
+
+"None of us know. The men don't want you to leave if they've got to
+stay, because they say that things ain't half as bad as they were
+before you came aboard. We know what we're going to do, and I've been
+waiting for a good chance to tell you. We're going to take the ship
+out of the hands of these villains, and put you in command. Hold on a
+bit, sir," he added, seeing that Frank was about to speak; "I know just
+what I am saying, and it is too late to find fault, for everything is
+fixed. Me and Barton spoke to some of the men about it, and there's
+six good men besides us that you can depend on every time. We know that
+you've got the brains and the book-learning to see us safe through the
+consul's court, and we'll do just whatever you say, all except one
+thing: when we get the ship, Calamity and the first mate have got to go
+overboard. That we've struck hands on. Lay in from the yard now, sir.
+Keep a stiff upper lip, and don't take no slack from nobody. When you
+get a good ready, sing out; and while me and Barton makes a dash for
+the cap'n's pistols--Calamity told us where he keeps 'em--the other six
+will take care of the officers on deck. We've got everything fixed, as
+I told you, and we're just aching to begin the work."
+
+The old boatswain's mate followed his remarks with sundry winks, nods
+and contortions of his face which Frank could not understand, but which
+no doubt meant a good deal.
+
+Frank descended to the deck and went through the rest of his duties
+like one in a dream. He had told his friends on board the Stranger
+that, had he been in the deserter's place, he would not have been
+restrained, by any fear of falling into the clutches of the law, from
+joining with his companions and taking the vessel out of the control of
+her officers. Now he was placed in a similar situation, and had only to
+"sing out" to make himself monarch of all he surveyed. Eight sturdy,
+determined men stood ready to obey his orders--a sufficient number to
+overpower the captain and his two tyrannical mates before they could
+think twice. Lucas did not have time to tell him who his friends were,
+but Frank believed that he could pick them all out. He had wondered
+at the respect which the foremast hands had shown him ever since his
+advent among them, and rightly attributed it to the influence of Lucas
+and Barton. Frank wondered if the third mate, Mr. Gale, was one of
+them. That officer always treated him with the utmost consideration,
+and once, while he was serving Frank with some clothing from the
+slop-chest, he so far forgot himself as to address him as "sir." He
+noticed the mistake as soon as he made it, but he did not recall the
+word. The old boatswain's mate and coxswain were indeed resolved to
+bring him out of his troubles with flying colors. They meant to promote
+him rapidly. Did anybody ever hear of a person creeping in at the
+hawsehole, and working his way into the captain's berth in three weeks?
+Frank laughed at the idea.
+
+"I'm a nice specimen to be put in command of a ship," he thought. "I
+hardly know the topsail halliards from the jib downhaul. But I feel
+better than I did an hour ago. If my presence here really acts as a
+restraint upon the captain, I am glad of it. As long as that state of
+affairs continues he and his officers are secure in their positions;
+but now that I have the power to prevent it, no one shall be triced
+up by the wrists with a fifty-pound weight at his feet, or beaten as
+unmercifully as that man was beaten the other day."
+
+Frank carried a light heart from that day forward, and often wondered,
+when he saw the captain in one of his angry, swearing moods, what that
+gentleman would think if he knew that he was treading on a mine that
+was liable to be exploded at any moment. He did not have a chance to
+talk to Lucas again, but the sailor looked whole volumes at him every
+time they met, and Frank thought the old fellow meant to reproach him
+because he did not "sing out."
+
+Frank by this time began to feel and look like a sailor. He had
+discarded his black suit and drawn a full seaman's rig from the
+slop-chest--red shirts, coarse trowsers, woollen stockings, heavy boots
+and tarpaulin. His hands were becoming hardened, so that he could
+haul on the ropes or take a three hours' pull about the ship, without
+setting his palms on fire as he had done at first. There was one thing
+he could not bring himself to do, and that was to go barefooted, like
+the rest of the crew. There was something too slovenly about that to
+suit Frank, who, during his experience on ship-board, had always been
+accustomed to see men neatly and completely dressed.
+
+Although Captain Barclay was in a great hurry, he did not neglect to
+keep himself and crew in readiness to seize upon the first opportunity
+that was presented for adding to his stock of oil in the hold. The
+boats were always ready for lowering, the mast-head had been manned
+for two weeks; and Frank took his turn with the rest. He did his
+duty faithfully while acting as lookout, hoping to be the first to
+discover a whale. He wanted to see one; but when it came to getting
+into a small boat and pulling out to attack him--well, Frank wasn't
+so anxious for that. He drew a long breath and his heart would beat a
+little faster than usual whenever he thought of it. He had heard many
+thrilling stories related during the night-watches, and had come to the
+conclusion that a sperm whale was made to be looked at from a distance
+and not to be approached in a small boat.
+
+One bright day Frank was sitting on the fore-royal yard, his back
+braced against the shroud-stay, one hand grasping the halliards and his
+feet swinging in the air a hundred feet above the deck. There was not
+a sail in sight--nothing but the ocean beneath and the blue sky above.
+The old boatswain's mate, who now held the position of boat-steerer,
+was sitting on the main-royal yard behind him, and both were keeping a
+bright lookout for whales. A prize of a pair of boots had been offered
+to the first man who raised a whale, and that to a sailor who, out of
+small wages, has to pay high prices for everything he draws from the
+slop-chest, is an object worth working for. Frank did not care for the
+boots--he hoped to be safely off the Tycoon long before the pair he
+then had on was worn out--but he did care for the honor of discovering
+the first spout, so he kept his eyes roaming everywhere. But half his
+watch had expired and he had seen nothing yet.
+
+"Hem! hem!" said a voice behind and above him.
+
+Frank looked around, and saw the old boatswain's mate winking and
+nodding at him as he always did both before and after making any
+confidential communication. More than that, he was holding his clenched
+hand against his breast, and pointing with his thumb out over the
+water. His meaning flashed upon Frank in an instant. His eyes scanned
+almost every inch of the watery waste that lay between him and the
+horizon, but he could see nothing that he thought looked as a spout
+ought to look.
+
+"Sing out, sir!" whispered the old sailor, excitedly. "There's grease!"
+
+"I don't see it," whispered Frank, in reply.
+
+"What's the odds? I do. Sing out, sir!"
+
+"There she blows!" shouted Frank, taking the old sea-dog at his word.
+
+The flapping of the sails below him showed that his wild yell
+had reached the ears of at least one of the sailors on deck--the
+wheelsman--and that it had excited him so that he forgot for a moment
+to attend to his business. Then the captain's hoarse voice was heard.
+"Keep her steady there, can't you? Where away?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know," said Frank, in a low tone, as he looked
+impatiently around.
+
+"Three points off the weather bow!" shouted the boatswain's mate.
+"Three miles off and coming this way. Sperm whale. Flukes! flukes!" he
+added, as the whale went down with a farewell flourish of his tail.
+
+"Dear me, I wish I could see it," thought Frank.
+
+"Lay down from aloft!" commanded the captain. "See the boats all clear
+and stand by to lower."
+
+When Frank descended to the deck in obedience to this order, he found
+the captain and all his mates in the rigging, the former sweeping the
+horizon with his glass. "There she blows!" he cried, gleefully. "Close
+aboard! Back the main topsail and lower away!"
+
+Frank sprang to the falls of the boat to which he belonged, and by
+the time it was fairly settled in the water, he was in his seat with
+his oar in his hand. Much scrambling and confusion followed; but a
+few oaths from the captain restored order, and almost before he knew
+it Frank was flying over the waves in pursuit of his first whale--the
+whale he had raised, but which he had not yet seen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+FRANK'S FIRST WHALE.
+
+
+ALL this happened in much less time than we have taken to describe it.
+To Frank, whose brain was in a great whirl, it seemed that scarcely
+half a minute had elapsed after the raising of the whale, before he was
+in the boat and pulling for dear life. He afterwards recalled every
+exciting incident of that hour, and wondered that he did not feel any
+fear. Perhaps it was because he was too busy to think. He was not so
+busy, however, but that he could take note of and marvel at one thing,
+and that was the great change that had suddenly come over the captain.
+He looked and acted like a different man. He even smiled, and that was
+something Frank had never seen him do before. Holding the steering-oar
+with one hand and assisting the stroke-oar with the other, he kept up
+a running fire of small-talk to encourage his men.
+
+"Now, my good sons," said he, in a low voice and in much such a tone
+as an affectionate father might use, "all my 'lay' in that whale will
+go straight to your credit just as soon as we get back to the ship, if
+you will only put me alongside of him so that I can get one chance at
+him with the lance. I declare, it has been so long since I used a lance
+that I don't know how it seems, and I shall get all out of practice if
+you don't take pity on me. We must beat that other boat anyhow, and if
+you pull this way, you are sure to do it. That's it; pick her right up
+out of the water and walk along with her. She isn't a feather's weight
+to such long-armed, broad-shouldered fellows as you are. That's the way
+to do it; only raise her just an inch higher, my lads. She touched that
+wave; I felt it, didn't you? There! she didn't touch that one and I
+know it. Keep her there, my good lads. She's in the air now. Talk about
+your balloons! Give me this boat and crew and I'll go anywhere they
+can!"
+
+For the first time since he came on board the Tycoon, Frank felt like
+laughing. The captain reminded him of Hans Breitman's velocipede,
+which, even before it became frightened and started to run away with
+its rider, went so fast that it
+
+  "----didn't touch the dirt, by shinks,
+        Not once in half a mile."
+
+"Bless me, what muscles those two fellows in the bow have got!"
+continued the captain, still working at the stroke-oar with all his
+strength. "And how they do twist them oars about, just as if they were
+feathers! I've got to have stronger and heavier oars made for them, I
+can see that, for they're bound to break them they've got now. Ah! she
+touched that wave. Lift her up in the air again, where she belongs, and
+hold her there. You fellows in the bow needn't think you can pull your
+end of the boat so fast that we in the stern can't keep up with you. By
+the way, is that sharp-eyed, good-looking son of mine, who raised this
+whale, in the boat?"
+
+"Yes, sir. It was Nelson," replied Lucas, promptly.
+
+Frank, who did not believe in sailing under false colors, was about
+to protest that it wasn't he at all--that Lucas himself was the lucky
+man--but knowing the captain's uncertain disposition, and fearing that
+there might be some after-settlement that would prove unpleasant for
+the old boatswain's mate if the truth were known, he kept silent and
+heard himself praised for an act that he did not perform.
+
+"Ah! it is just like him," said the captain. "I knew there was lots in
+him the first time I saw him. You can't fool me in a man. I can look
+in his eye and read him like an open book. There's a boatsteerer's
+berth ahead for you, Nelson," continued the captain, too excited and
+impatient to think of the name he always applied to Frank in derision.
+"Those boots belong to you, and when we get back to the ship you go
+straight down to the slop-chest--I'll give you the key--and pick out
+whatever you want. Take everything you find there--boots, breeches,
+shirts and--no, no! Take the ship. She's yours! That's the way Daddy
+Barclay treats his sons when they do their duty by him. Now, my lads,"
+he added, in a thrilling whisper, "he's right here somewhere below us.
+Lay on your oars now; keep your eyes peeled and don't let me hear so
+much as an eye-wink from any of you."
+
+Frank's heart fairly came up into his mouth. The captain's harangue
+being ended (he had a suspicion that the skipper had kept it up on
+purpose to divert the minds of his crew, one of whom was as green as
+Frank himself), there was nothing to occupy his attention, and he had
+leisure to ponder upon the dangers he was about to encounter. Of course
+all the stories he had heard in the Tycoon's forecastle concerning the
+perils to which whalemen are constantly exposed, came into his mind,
+and to save his life he could think of nothing else. He felt as he had
+often felt on going into action. After the crew are called to quarters
+there is almost always a delay, sometimes longer and sometimes shorter,
+before the first gun is fired, and to most men that is worse than the
+battle itself. They are glad when it is over and the fight begins. The
+interval of inactivity that came now gave the boat's crew a chance to
+rest after their long, hard pull, but Frank could scarcely endure it.
+He wanted the whale to show himself at once. If he was going to cut the
+boat in two with his jaw or smash it into kindling wood with his tail,
+Frank wished he would be about it and not keep him in suspense.
+
+The whale was down a long time--so long that even the captain became
+impatient. He and the boat's crew, Frank among the rest, arose to their
+feet one after the other to obtain a wider view, and holding their oars
+in their hands, kept a bright lookout in every direction. The first
+mate's boat was lying about half a mile to windward, and her crew were
+also standing up. The Tycoon had come to directly in the path the whale
+was pursuing, and the third officer was at the mast-head, ready to
+signal to the boat's crews if the whale arose beyond the range of their
+vision. Frank's eyes were everywhere, and at last something induced him
+to turn them into the water close alongside the boat. He saw something
+there--an immense dark-blue object, which contrasted plainly with the
+paler blue of the water. He looked again, and then glanced into the
+water on the opposite side of the boat to make sure that his eyes had
+not deceived him. The sea on that side was all the same color, and
+that proved that there was something under the boat. He nudged Lucas
+with his elbow and pointed to it. The old sailor looked, and instantly
+every particle of color fled from his face. But he had nerve, if he was
+frightened, plenty of it, too, and it showed itself in the firm grasp
+he laid upon his harpoon. The time for action had arrived.
+
+"He's coming," thought Frank, while the oar he held in his grasp seemed
+to turn into lead, so heavy did it feel to his weakened arm. "I always
+supposed a whale was black."
+
+The boat header's action attracted the attention of the captain, who,
+following the direction of his gaze gave a sudden start and waved his
+hand to the crew. The men quickly seated themselves and dropped their
+oars softly in the row-locks. The temptation to look over his shoulder
+was almost irresistible, but fearing that if he did, his courage, which
+was rapidly oozing out at the ends of his fingers, would give away
+altogether, Frank resolutely controlled himself and kept his eyes fixed
+on the captain's face.
+
+"There he is," cried the skipper, a moment afterward. "Throw it at him
+and go overboard if you miss him."
+
+The old sailor obeyed the order to the very letter. He threw his
+harpoon, missed his object and went overboard. Whether it was for the
+reason that the boat was unsteady, or because the seaman was too badly
+frightened to stand firmly on his feet, or because his hand had lost
+its skill during the years that had passed since he struck his last
+whale, it is hard to tell. Perhaps all these things combined operated
+to bring about the events that followed. At any rate the iron went wild
+and the old boatswain's mate turned a complete back somersault and
+disappeared over the side. He rose immediately, however, and Frank
+catching sight of him as a wave carried him past the boat, promptly
+thrust his oar out to him.
+
+The captain was almost beside himself with fury. He did not act or
+talk quite so much like an affectionate father as he did a short time
+before. He tore off his hat, trampled it under his feet and shook all
+over with rage. "He missed him as sure as I'm a sinner," he sputtered,
+hardly able to speak plainly. "If I had him aboard the ship I would
+trice him up for a week. Let the fool go," he roared with a long string
+of heavy adjectives, as Frank tried to place the blade of his oar in
+the old sailor's grasp. "A man that'll get up on his legs and tumble
+overboard while the boat is standing still, is of no use aboard a
+vessel of mine; so let him go down among the sharks, where he belongs.
+We're well rid of--Stern all! Stern for your lives! Well done, my son.
+You've been in this business before, and you are my boat-header from
+this day out."
+
+The change in the captain's tone was brought about by an action on
+Frank's part that was unexpected, even to himself. He scarcely knew he
+did it until after it was done. Lucas, having missed his first throw
+and gone overboard, had no chance for a second attempt, and unless
+somebody took his place on the instant, the game was likely, if he did
+not escape altogether, to lead them a long, hard race before they could
+come up with him again. It required an emergency to show what Frank was
+made of. He never waited to take a second thought, but throwing his oar
+to the boatswain's mate--he knew it would keep him afloat until the
+boat could pick him up--he jumped to his feet, catching up the extra
+harpoon as he arose.
+
+When his face was turned toward the bow of the boat, Frank saw a sight
+that was well calculated to shake stronger nerves than his--a sperm
+whale coming up on a breach almost within an oar's length of him. His
+huge bulk was shooting up into the air, and he did not even make a
+ripple in the water as he arose. But when he fell on his side, as he
+did a moment later, he created something more than a ripple. He raised
+waves that threatened to swamp the boat, and made a noise that would
+have given Frank some idea of the immense weight of the monster, if he
+had not been too highly excited and alarmed to have any ideas at all.
+
+As the whale fell into the water--fortunately he fell away from the
+boat--Frank's harpoon was launched into the air, and being thrown
+with all the force his sinewy arms could give it, and flying true to
+its aim, was buried to the socket in the side of the whale. The next
+instant the young harpooner was thrown flat among the thwarts by the
+sudden start backward which the crew gave the boat in obedience to the
+captain's order "Stern all!" He heard something whistling through the
+air, and looked up just in time to see the whale's flukes disappearing
+in a pile of foam. How he opened his eyes at the sight of them! They
+would have measured more feet across than the boat measured in length.
+The whale gave the water an angry slap, raising a sea that would have
+filled the boat had not the bow been promptly brought around toward
+it, and then started down into the depths at the rate of a mile in six
+minutes, the line fairly smoking as it whizzed through the lead-lined
+groove. Frank held his breath while he gazed at it. It looked like
+a streak of blue flame, so swiftly did it run out. If it caught on
+anything, the boat and all her crew would be a hundred feet under water
+in an instant's time.
+
+The young harpooner did not hear any of the words of praise and
+promises of reward which the delighted skipper shouted at him. He did
+not hear anything but the hissing of the line as it ran through the
+groove in the bow. He lay on the bottom perfectly stupefied, until he
+was aroused by the touch of somebody's hand.
+
+When the captain gave the order to "Stern all," the crew sent the boat
+within reach of Lucas, who laid hold of the gunwale, and worked his
+way along to the bow, where he belonged. Attracting Frank's attention
+by a pull at his trowsers, he was hauled into the boat, and took his
+seat, looking not a little crestfallen. He caught up a hatchet lying
+near, and held it in his hand in readiness to cut the line in case it
+fouled while running out. Frank also seated himself, and then began to
+think about what he had done. No one in the boat could have been more
+surprised at it.
+
+"I don't want any more of this," said he, mentally. "It is just awful.
+I can't stand it. While that fellow was shooting up toward the clouds
+he looked like a church-steeple turned wrong end up. He must be a
+hundred and fifty feet long--perhaps more. Who would have thought that
+I had courage enough to send that harpoon at him?"
+
+Here Frank looked over his shoulder as if to satisfy himself that he
+had really performed the feat. There could be no mistake about it. The
+line was still running out, and Lucas was watching it while hauling in
+the harpoon with which he had missed the whale.
+
+"I believe I did do it," thought Frank. "He is black after all. It was
+the water that made him look so blue. I wouldn't do it again to be made
+owner of the finest fleet of ships that ever floated!"
+
+"Nelson," said the captain, and now that Frank's mind was settled a
+little he was able to pay attention to him, "whatever I've got that you
+want, just ask for it and it is yours. Don't be bashful or stand on
+ceremony with your Daddy Barclay. Take a big bite if you want to."
+
+"I have only one favor to ask, captain," replied Frank, suddenly
+tempted to strike while the iron was hot, although he knew it would be
+quite useless, "and that is----"
+
+"Well, slack away lively, and let it come out on the run," said the
+captain, as Frank hesitated a moment, wondering how he could word the
+request so that the skipper would not get angry at him. "Speak it out."
+
+"I should be greatly obliged if you would set me and the two men who
+were shanghaied with me, ashore at the first port we make," said Frank.
+"We shall use the right the law gives us, and ask to see the consul as
+soon as we get there."
+
+Frank's only motive in saying this was to let the captain know that he
+understood the law applying to the rights of seamen; and he said it
+at that time because he did not know that he would ever have another
+chance, this being the first opportunity he had ever had to exchange
+a word with the master of the Tycoon. If there is anything an officer
+thoroughly detests it is a "sea lawyer" among his crew. One of these
+gentry will keep a ship's company in hot water from the time the voyage
+begins until it is ended; and his presence acts as a restraint upon
+the captain and his mates, who, if they are disposed to be tyrannical,
+expect to escape the consequences through the sailor's ignorance of
+their rights. Frank knew this, and he was in hopes that if he let the
+captain see that he knew what his privileges were, and that he intended
+to insist on having them, the skipper would be glad to get rid of him
+with as little delay as possible.
+
+The master of the Tycoon had not a word to say in reply to this
+request, but the look he gave Frank satisfied the latter that if he
+had not spoken at the right time to further his own interests, he had
+spoken at the right time to make the captain angry. He did not offer
+Frank any more rewards after that.
+
+The line continued to run out with great rapidity for a few minutes,
+then the speed gradually decreased until it remained motionless, and
+the actions of the captain and his crew indicated that the whale was
+soon expected to make his appearance at the surface again. He came very
+speedily, and much too close to the boat for the comfort and safety of
+its crew. Seen through Frank's frightened eyes, his head looked like
+a small mountain rising out of the water. His mouth was wide open,
+showing a milk-white cavity large enough to take in the boat and all
+its crew, and Frank gathered from something Lucas said that he was
+ugly and had made up his mind to do some mischief. The sequel proved
+that the old sailor was right. The monster began operations at once
+by striking out with his long, sword-like jaw, which to Frank's great
+amazement he worked sideways, instead of up and down, and followed
+it up with a tremendous sweep of his tail that, had he succeeded in
+planting the blow where he wanted it, would have made an end of his
+enemies in a hurry. But both these dangers were escaped. His jaw just
+touched the bow of the boat, and the blow from his flukes was avoided
+by the vigilance of the captain and the prompt obedience of the crew,
+who quickly backed the boat out of his reach. Apparently satisfied with
+the demonstrations he had made, the whale got under way and made off at
+an astonishing rate of speed, the harpoon which Frank had planted still
+fast in his side.
+
+The bow-oarsman now had a duty to perform, and he set about it without
+waiting for orders. It was to overhaul the line and draw the boat up
+alongside the whale, so that the captain, who stood ready to change
+places with the harpooner, could use his lance. He rapidly drew in the
+line, taking care to lay it down clear of everything, so that it would
+not kink or get foul in case the whale sounded again, and soon had the
+slack all in. Then he felt a strain upon it, and an instant afterward
+the line was whipped out of the water with such force that it was
+drawn as tight as a bow-string, and the spray flew from it in a perfect
+shower.
+
+"Hold fast to it, my son," yelled the captain. "Keep every inch you
+get, and get every inch you can. We'll have a sleigh-ride now, and such
+a one as landsmen know nothing about."
+
+For a moment the strain was fearful, and Frank's power of muscle was
+tested to the utmost. It seemed to him that if the harpoon did not
+draw or the line break, his arms would be pulled off. Letting go was
+something he did not think of; but he knew he could not retain his hold
+much longer, so in spite of the old mate's warning gestures, he passed
+a bight of the line around a thwart and held it there. By this time the
+boat began to move, and the strain was somewhat lessened.
+
+Now began a novel ride, which Frank thought he could have enjoyed if he
+had only had leisure to give his attention to it. A whale can move at
+tremendous speed for a short distance, and this one went at such a rate
+that the boat buried her bow in the waves, and rolled back great masses
+of foam, which, spreading out over the surface of the water, gave it
+the appearance of a bank of snow. Perhaps it was this that first caused
+the sailors to call a ride of this kind a sleigh-ride. But Frank had no
+time to see what was going on around him. He had work to perform; and
+it _was_ work to haul a heavy boat containing six men through the waves
+against such resistance as the whale created by the high rate of speed
+he kept up. The line was wet and slippery, and Frank's hands, which he
+had fondly hoped were pretty well hardened by this time, soon began to
+feel the effects of it.
+
+In the first lesson he received while manœuvring about the "dummy
+whale," Frank had been instructed how to adjust the line to make the
+boat move side by side with a running whale and at a short distance
+from it, and he struggled hard to bring the boat in that position; but
+the line came in very slowly, and sometimes when he was almost on the
+point of accomplishing his object, an unusually large wave striking the
+bow or a sudden spurt on the part of the frantic beast in front, would
+tear the line from his hands in spite of all he could do to prevent it.
+
+At length, after Frank had worked his best for nearly an hour without
+once pausing for breath, and the line had been drawn through his hands
+for the third time, the captain's small stock of patience was all
+exhausted, and he began to relieve his mind by uttering heavy oaths.
+"Coward!" he yelled, stamping his feet as if he were trying to knock
+a hole through the bottom of the boat. "If you are afraid to put me
+alongside that whale, jump overboard and give place to a better man.
+You're fixing your back for a rope's end as soon as you get aboard the
+ship!"
+
+Frank and the old boatswain's mate exchanged quick glances, one
+elevating his eye-brows, and the other drawing his down. The first
+meant: "If he tries it will you sing out?" and Frank by his answering
+scowl meant: "I will." Not a word was passed, but each understood the
+other perfectly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+CUTTING IN AND TRYING OUT.
+
+
+THE high-spirited Frank, smarting under a sense of injustice, and
+hardly able to bear the pain occasioned by his lacerated hands,
+suddenly became very reckless. The captain had no excuse for talking to
+him in that style after what he had done. A coward would not have been
+likely to take a defeated harpooner's place and plunge an iron into the
+first whale he had ever seen, and neither would he have worked as hard
+as Frank did to bring the boat into position; and that he _did_ work,
+the crimson stains his hands left on the rope abundantly proved.
+
+"I have had this boat alongside that whale three times," said Frank, to
+himself, "and if I get her there again she'll stay, unless something
+breaks. I'll make all fast; and if the whale goes down and takes us to
+the bottom with him, it can't be helped. I'll see who will be the first
+to act like a coward, the captain or I."
+
+Had Frank carried this reckless resolve into execution, and had the
+whale sounded as soon as the line was made fast, the boat would not
+have been emptied of her crew more quickly than she was a moment later.
+The whale threw his flukes about in the most spiteful manner, but
+finding that he could not reach the boat with them, he gave signs of a
+change of tactics which created a panic among all the crew except Frank
+and the old boatswain's mate. Frank was not frightened because he did
+not understand them--in his case ignorance was bliss--but the sailor
+did, and he did not turn white this time either. He was about to be
+given an opportunity to make amends for his previous defeat, and he was
+ready to improve it.
+
+"He's going to 'mill,'" said he in a low tone as he picked up his
+harpoon. "Don't slack an inch till I get a dart at him."
+
+Before Frank could ask an explanation the whale raised his huge head
+from the water, dropped his jaw at right angles with his body and
+turning as quickly as a flash, started off across the course he had
+been pursuing. Frank, who was sitting with face forward so that he
+had a fair view of the whale and could see every move he made, stared
+at him in amazement; and while awaiting the issue of events with a
+calmness that surprised himself, eagerly responded to the harpooner's
+entreaty to haul in faster, although he believed that certain death
+awaited him. It seemed as if the boat would run squarely into the
+whale's mouth.
+
+"Slack that line!" roared the captain, suddenly stopping his swearing
+and speaking in an imploring tone of voice. "Slack that line, and may
+Heaven have mercy on us! Stern all, for life!"
+
+[Illustration: THE AIR SEEMED TO BE LITERALLY FILLED WITH PIECES OF
+PLANKS, HARPOONS, ROPES, AND LANCES.]
+
+Frank dropped the line, which seemed like a coal of fire in his hands,
+and the men laid out their strength on the oars till they fairly
+snapped. The first stroke stopped the boat's headway and the second
+started her on the back track, but not in time to escape the danger
+that threatened her. Before Lucas could throw his harpoon the whale's
+jaw swept around like a scythe, and striking the boat in the side
+overturned her in an instant, smashing in the planks as if they had
+been pasteboard, and tumbling those of the crew who did not jump out
+into the water.
+
+From the crest of a wave on which he struck, Frank turned to look at
+the whale and see what had become of his companions. The monster was
+bringing his tail into play now. With one fierce upward sweep of his
+huge flukes he lifted the battered boat out of the water, and the
+captain, who had clung to the wreck, was going up with it. The air
+seemed to be literally filled with pieces of planks, harpoons, ropes
+and lances. The crew had all escaped without injury--at least they
+were all able to swim, for Frank counted four frightened faces bobbing
+about on the waves near him. He had some idea now of the strength and
+ferocity a whale could display when he once set about it. He made
+up his mind, too, that men must be simply foolhardy to willingly
+follow any such business as whaling. Otherwise how could they bring
+themselves to engage with such a monster as this, against whose
+tremendous power, which he had just seen exerted with such telling
+effect, their strength was as nothing?
+
+To say that Frank was frightened would not begin to tell how he felt.
+How helpless he was! How completely the waves baffled his mad efforts
+to get out of the reach of his dangerous foe, and how like straws they
+seemed in the path of the whale which skimmed through them as easily as
+a bird passes through the air! Then how frightened everybody else was,
+if he might judge by the pale faces he saw about him, and the frantic
+attempts the men made to swim away. If those who were accustomed to
+such scenes and such dangers were so nearly overcome with terror, it
+was time for a novice to show signs of fear.
+
+"Look out, Nelson!" cried Lucas, suddenly. "Look out! He's----"
+
+The old boatswain's mate no doubt meant to say something else, but he
+did not stay on top of the water long enough to say it. He ducked
+his head and went down like lead, making desperate struggles to go
+faster. Frank cast one frightened glance over his shoulder and went
+down too. The whale had turned again and was coming directly toward
+him, rolling from side to side and slashing from right to left with his
+jaw, describing at each stroke a circle thirty-two feet in diameter.
+There was no time to swim out of his reach. His only chance for life
+was to go below him. How Frank blessed his lucky stars at that moment
+that deep diving and swimming long distances under water were two of
+his accomplishments! He went as far down as he could, stayed under as
+long as he could hold his breath, and came up almost strangled. He was
+out of danger. The battered boat was twenty feet away and the whale a
+hundred feet still farther off, and moving rapidly toward the ship. The
+men were all clinging to the boat to keep themselves afloat, and Frank
+swam up and joined them.
+
+All this while the men in the mate's boat had been doing their best
+with sail and oars to get near enough to the whale to take part in
+the fight, but without success. Now, however, they had an opportunity
+offered them, for the whale had doubled on his course, and if he did
+not take it into his head to turn again, he would pass their boat
+at such a distance that they would have a chance at him with their
+harpoons. The mate prepared for it by ordering one man to take down
+the sail while the rest still tugged at the oars. He did not even look
+toward the disabled boat or ask if the crew wanted assistance.
+
+"These whalemen are a heartless lot," thought Frank. "If I were in
+command of that boat I think I should save my shipmates first; but I
+suppose that officer thinks we are not worth as much as the whale. Men
+can be had any day for the asking, and if a few of them lose their
+lives what's the odds? Nobody misses them. But whales are not as plenty
+as they used to be, and if one of them is lost it is something to be
+sorry for."
+
+Frank's meditations were interrupted and his attention called from the
+chase by the actions of one the men near him, who suddenly began to
+make desperate efforts to climb into the boat. He persisted in spite of
+the angry orders and oaths of the skipper, who stormed and threatened
+to no purpose. The man was almost beside himself with fear.
+
+"What has come over him all at once?" asked Frank, of the man at his
+side. "He was quiet enough a moment ago."
+
+"He had a narrow escape from a shark once," replied the sailor, "and I
+guess he has just thought of it."
+
+"Well, I wish from the bottom of my heart that he hadn't thought of it
+at all," said Frank, "or else that I had not asked you any questions,
+for I have new cause for alarm now. I wonder if a sailor can turn in
+any direction without finding himself confronted by some deadly peril?"
+
+"He might if he's a merchantman, but not if he is a whaler," was the
+comforting reply.
+
+"If I had thought of sharks I never could have dived under that whale,"
+continued Frank.
+
+"O, 'tain't time for 'em to be on hand yet; but you'll see 'em coming
+like a flock of sheep just as soon as that fellow begins to spout
+blood."
+
+"Ay, that you will," said another. "I was hanging on to a stove boat
+once, just as we are now, and the sharks, I never see the beat of 'em
+in all my born days, come up----"
+
+"Well, if they got hold of anybody, I don't want to know it,"
+interrupted Frank, with a shudder. "Can't you talk about something
+else?"
+
+"Take that!" shouted the captain, who was narrowly watching the chase.
+"And that!" he added, a moment afterward. "He's fast again, and we are
+sixty barrels of grease ahead."
+
+Frank looked up to see what had called forth these exclamations from
+the captain, and was just in time to catch a glimpse of the mate's
+harpooner as he threw his second iron into the whale. He had three
+harpoons in him now, and Frank gathered from the remarks the men made
+that his capture was considered certain. He lashed the water furiously
+with his tail, raising an immense pile of spray and foam, and when it
+disappeared he was out of sight.
+
+"Now look out for breakers," said Lucas, "for there's no knowing where
+he will come up, and he's ugly if he is little. We know that, don't we?"
+
+"Little!" repeated Frank, who remembered that he had compared the beast
+to a church-steeple, and estimated his length at one hundred and fifty
+feet; "how big is he?"
+
+"The cap'n says sixty barrels."
+
+"I mean, how long is he?"
+
+"O, I don't know. I never took the measure of one. I ain't a tailor."
+
+"Did you ever know of one larger than this?"
+
+"Many a one. I heard of one once that ran a hundred and thirty-five
+barrels, but I didn't see him. The biggest one I ever struck or saw
+struck turned out a hundred and fifteen barrels."
+
+"Almost twice as large as this one," thought Frank, hardly able to
+believe his ears. "Whew! I will never sail another foot in the Tycoon
+after we reach the Sandwich Islands. If a youngster can kick up a row
+like this, what could a full grown one do? What _wouldn't_ he do if he
+got mad?"
+
+Frank was greatly relieved to hear one of the men say at that moment
+that the ship was coming down to pick them up. It was anything but
+pleasant to be placed in such a situation as that in which he and his
+companions were placed just then, immersed to their necks in salt
+water, every wave making a clean breach over them, nothing but a
+battered boat to keep them afloat, an enraged and ugly whale in close
+proximity, and a school of hungry sharks expected to arrive every
+moment. On the contrary, it was a situation well calculated to inspire
+terror.
+
+The good ship never seemed to move so slowly before, but she came up
+with them at last, a boat pulled by two men came out to their relief,
+and in ten minutes more the wrecked boat was on deck in possession of
+the carpenter, and the exhausted men were in the forecastle, exchanging
+their wet clothes for dry ones. When Frank went on deck again the whale
+was in his "flurry," which, upon inquiry, he found to be a sailor's
+way of saying "death struggle." The mate and his crew had made short
+work of him, and Frank came up too late to see the lance used. The
+whale was swimming in a circle at a surprising rate of speed, pounding
+the sea with his flukes, spouting blood from his blow-hole, and rolling
+from side to side as if trying to reach his enemies with his jaw. His
+fury increased for a few seconds, then gradually lessened, and finally
+the captured monster rolled over and lay motionless on the water.
+"Fin out!" cried all the sailors on the Tycoon, which was equivalent
+to saying, "he is dead." Then all joined in a yell of triumph, except
+Frank. He could not help feeling sorry for the conquered leviathan, who
+had battled so strongly for his life, and told himself that it was a
+mean business altogether.
+
+"Men who can torture a beast like that to death and feel no remorse
+over it, would serve their fellow creatures the same way if they had
+a good chance," was what he said to himself. "I know now how it comes
+that the captain and his two mates are so brutal. They have practiced
+on whales so long that they have no feeling left."
+
+Now came the work of making fast to the whale, which was begun as soon
+as the ship was brought alongside of it. Frank did not see how it was
+done, for he was kept busy at something else. When he had leisure to
+look over the side he found the game secured by a chain, one end of
+which was fastened just above the tail, and the other led through a
+hawsehole to the bitts. He could see the whole length of him now, and
+had it not been for the three harpoons sticking in his back and side,
+he could hardly have brought himself to believe that it was the same
+whale that smashed his boat. He looked very much smaller, and the
+reason was because he had something to compare him with.
+
+And now came the most disagreeable part of a whaleman's duties--the
+cutting in and trying out. The first consists in removing the blubber
+from the body of the whale, cutting off the head and bailing out the
+spermaceti; and the next in rendering out the oil in the try-kettles.
+Lucas said that, as the day was far spent, the work ought not to be
+commenced until the next morning. The crew could then have a good
+night's sleep after their hard work in the boats, and be fresh and
+ready for the laborious duties before them; but Captain Barclay thought
+differently. He never cared for the comfort of his men, so he ordered
+them to begin at once.
+
+How long it took to do the work Frank never knew, for he was too busy
+and too completely tired out to keep track of the days. The crew was
+so small that every man was required to handle the blubber as it was
+hauled aboard by the tackles; and when that was all stowed, and the
+carcass cut adrift, the watches were lengthened into six (they were
+often nearer eight) hours each, and the trying out began. Frank did
+not wonder that the men grew quarrelsome, and that more than one of
+them had to be driven to his work with a rope's end, being compelled,
+as they were, to work almost twenty hours out of the twenty-four. He
+thought often of what he had read concerning the fiendish ingenuity
+displayed by the Chinese in inventing modes of torture for those who
+disobey their laws, and told himself that some of them must have served
+their time in a whale-ship, and there learned by experience the misery
+to which a person is subjected when deprived of sleep. Frank would not
+have resented a blow himself now, he was too weak and dispirited; but
+he would have given all he ever hoped to possess, if he could have lain
+down in all the oil and dirt of the blubber-room, and had a good sound
+nap. The work was made harder by the captain's great desire to fill up
+the hold as soon as possible. He kept the mast-head manned all day by
+some of the crew who ought to have been allowed to go below to rest,
+and swore at them roundly because they did not raise another whale;
+although it is hard to tell what good it would have done if they had
+discovered a school of them, for in their exhausted condition they
+never could have endured a lengthened struggle with one. Frank often
+thought, after it was all over, that the only thing that sustained him
+during that week, was the sweet, sound sleep he had every time he
+acted as lookout. Seated on the royal yard, a hundred and more feet
+in the air, with his back against the stay and a rope passed about
+his waist to keep him from falling off, he would slumber like a log,
+leaving the whales, if there were any, to spout in peace. The rest of
+the crew being equally sleepy and careless, no more whales were raised,
+and Frank was glad of it.
+
+"I can't stand this, Mr. Gale," said Frank one day, when the third
+officer came into the blubber-room where he was at work, "and I won't."
+
+"You won't?"
+
+"No, sir. I have never done any soldiering since I have been aboard
+here, but I shall do it hereafter."
+
+"Do you know that you are talking to the third mate of this ship?"
+demanded Mr. Gale, who seemed surprised at Frank's strong language.
+
+"I do, sir, and I am not afraid to speak to you more plainly still."
+
+"Why ain't you?"
+
+"Because I know that you will neither get angry at what I say nor
+repeat it."
+
+"Well, I suppose I ought to give you a good blowing-up for your
+impudence," said the mate, who had to smile in spite of himself, "but I
+can't."
+
+"No, of course you can't. You know I have cause to be down on every
+officer of this ship except you, and that I will some day be in a
+position to make them smart for it. You know what they have done."
+
+"Well, we'll drop that. It ain't for me to talk about the doings of my
+superiors. I came down here to tell you something that'll liven you up
+a bit, may be. We shall sight the Islands in a few days, and the old
+man is going to put you ashore."
+
+"Good for him," exclaimed Frank, who was wide awake in an instant. "How
+about Lucas and Barton?"
+
+"Don't talk so loud. The masts, bulkheads and everything else have ears
+in this ship. I don't know about them. He didn't say."
+
+"They must go if I go," said Frank. "I shall need them for witnesses."
+
+"But you mustn't call any witnesses. If you go ashore at Honolulu, you
+must keep still and say nothing."
+
+"O, I must! Do you think that's the sort of fellow I am? Must I let a
+man kidnap me, carry me away from my friends to some out-of-the-way
+part of the world, and then, in order to gain the liberty of which
+he has deprived me and which rightfully belongs to me, promise him
+that he shall go scot free? Must he be allowed to run at large to try
+the same game upon somebody else, and perhaps abuse and maltreat him
+until he jumps overboard, as those two men did shortly before you
+reached Fr'isco? No, sir! He be jerked as high as the strong arm of
+the law can lift him, and that's pretty high. A thousand dollars fine
+and a long term in the penitentiary are the rewards that surely await
+him, and perhaps he can be tried for manslaughter. I am bound to have
+my liberty, Mr. Gale, and I shall get it without entering into any
+such agreement as that. If anybody makes promises, it will be Captain
+Barclay."
+
+Frank, being thoroughly aroused, clattered away in spite of all the
+officer's attempts to interrupt him. He could not have told why he said
+what he did toward the last. Perhaps he had a prophetic vision, during
+which the thrilling scenes that were so soon to be enacted were plainly
+portrayed. At any rate the words came into his mind, and he uttered
+them regardless of consequences. He was about to say something more,
+but an emphatic and warning gesture from the mate stopped him.
+
+Frank looked up and saw Calamity's sinister face peering down the
+hatchway. His first impulse was to knock him over with the handle of
+the blubber-knife for playing eavesdropper; but the vacant expression
+on the man's countenance induced the hope that perhaps he had only just
+come there, and had heard nothing he could make use of.
+
+"Look here," exclaimed Mr. Gale suddenly, doubling up his huge fist
+and shaking it at Frank, "I am an officer of this ship and you must
+respect me, or I'll teach you manners. Put a 'sir' in when you speak
+to me. As for Cap'n Barclay promising you them boots, I reckon you'll
+get 'em when this work is done; and if I hand 'em to you you'll get 'em
+over your head for your impudence!"
+
+"O, is that you down there, Mr. Gale?" exclaimed Calamity. "It is so
+dark I couldn't see you. The captain wants you on deck."
+
+The officer lingered a moment to add a few words to what he had already
+said, and then mounted the ladder leading to the deck, while Frank went
+on separating the fleshy fibres from the blubber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+HOW FRANK SAW THE CONSUL.
+
+
+FRANK knew why it was that Mr. Gale changed his tone and manner so
+suddenly. It was Calamity's presence that made him do it. The mate knew
+that if this man had overheard any of the conversation between himself
+and Frank he would go straight to the captain with it; and it would
+never do to let the skipper know that one of his officers had been so
+familiar with a foremast hand. It would not only make it unpleasant
+for himself, but Frank would most likely be punished for daring to
+express himself so plainly. Mr. Gale hoped that by speaking roughly and
+flourishing his fists in the most approved quarter-deck style, he could
+put Calamity on the wrong scent, and make him believe that he had been
+taking Frank to task for something. But the eavesdropper understood
+all that, and was much too smart to be deceived by any such artifice.
+
+"They can't shut up my eyes in no such way as that," said he, with
+a knowing shake of his head. "I heard it all, and see through their
+backing and filling as plainly as they do. I've got a chance to square
+yards with both of them now, and I knew it would come if I only waited
+long enough and kept my eyes and ears open. That Gentleman Black is so
+stuck up that he won't notice a common fellow like me, and Mr. Gale
+jawed me the other day and called me a soldier and a lubber. Won't
+there be a healthy old row here directly? I guess yes."
+
+There certainly would be if this man was able to bring it about, for
+he took great delight in such things, especially when he knew that he
+was out of danger himself. He hunted up the captain without delay, and
+the latter saw at a glance that he had something to tell him. "What is
+it, Gardner?" said he. (Behind his back the captain always called him
+Calamity, and in his heart despised him as cordially as any of the crew
+did.) "Your face is full of news."
+
+"You said you would put Nelson ashore at the Sandwich Islands if he'd
+keep still and say nothing, didn't you, cap'n?" began Calamity.
+
+"Yes, I did," replied the skipper, interested at once. "Have you been
+pumping him?"
+
+"No, but Mr. Gale has, and he says he'll hang you as high as the strong
+arm of the law can hist you. He can't be hired to keep his mouth shut.
+He told Mr. Gale so, and him and Mr. Gale were talking mighty familiar
+and friendly like--too much so, for it don't look well for an officer
+to do such things."
+
+"What did Mr. Gale say?"
+
+"I didn't hear what he said at first, but I saw him winking and
+nodding, and when he saw me looking down the hatchway, he began to jaw
+Nelson about them boots you promised him for raising that whale. But he
+did it just to fool me."
+
+"Then Nelson is going to hang me, is he?"
+
+"Yes, and he wants Barton and Lucas for witnesses. He says he'll tell
+the consul everything that's been done aboard this ship, and you shan't
+be let loose any longer to haze men till they jump overboard."
+
+"Go for'ard; go for'ard," said the captain, hastily.
+
+"Aha!" thought Calamity, as he returned to his duties, "that was a
+home-thrust. I must say he took it easier than I thought he would.
+I must say this too for Gentleman Black, that since he's been on
+board, there haven't been so many men triced up or knocked down with
+handspikes, and the grub has been better than it ever was before. Now
+I'll tell you what's the truth," added Calamity, slapping his knee
+as he leaned over and looked under the try-pots, "Gentleman Black is
+master here, if he is nothing but a foremast hand, and that's what's
+the matter. That's the reason the old man takes things so easy, and
+don't go ripping and tearing around the way he used to. I wonder if I
+hadn't better make friends with him!"
+
+Meanwhile the work of trying-out went slowly on, and contrary to
+Calamity's expectations, though not much to his surprise, the captain
+took no steps to punish Mr. Gale and Frank for the conversation they
+had had in the blubber-room. Indeed he thought he could see a change
+in the skipper and in the two mates. The former very rarely went off
+into one of his fits of rage now, and the mates seemed to treat the
+men a trifle more like human beings. Every one of the crew noticed it,
+and Lucas, after sundry winks and nods, told Frank in confidence that
+something was going to happen very shortly. And sure enough, something
+did happen, but it was not just what the old sailor thought it would be.
+
+Finally the last barrel of oil was lowered into the hold, and the
+captain, to the surprise of his men, who had never known him to be
+guilty of an act of kindness before, sent all the crew except a
+boatsteerer's watch below to sleep. And a glorious sleep they had too
+after their days and nights of labor. Frank felt like another person
+when he came on deck in the morning, and went to work with a light
+heart to assist in cleaning up the ship. This required perseverance and
+the outlay of a good deal of strength, but it was done in good time,
+and when the deck was wiped down and the brightwork cleaned, the Tycoon
+looked as though she had never been near a whale. By this time land was
+in plain sight, and Frank and Lucas found opportunity to hold several
+whispered consultations as to the course they ought to pursue to secure
+their release. On two points Frank had made up his mind: If he went
+ashore, Lucas and Barton must be permitted to go also; and he would not
+purchase his freedom by entering into any agreement whatsoever with the
+captain of the Tycoon. The last one of these consultations was broken
+up by the sudden appearance of the third mate.
+
+"Nelson," said he, "the old man wants to see you in the cabin."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" replied Frank.
+
+"And you had better take a friend's advice," continued the officer, in
+a low tone, as the young sailor was about to pass him, "and agree to
+what he has to propose."
+
+Frank did not say whether he would or not. He wanted first to hear what
+it was that the captain had to propose. He went into the cabin and
+found the skipper and his two mates seated at a table there. The former
+had some shipping articles before him, and the first mate was reading
+a well-thumbed copy of Bowditch. This was encouraging. If the three
+officers had been examining the law, they no doubt learned that they
+were liable to some heavy penalties for what they had done.
+
+"Nelson," said the captain, as Frank came in, "you haven't signed
+articles yet."
+
+"No, sir," said Frank.
+
+"Well, just put your name to them now," continued the captain, pushing
+them across the table. "There's a chair and there's a pen."
+
+"I beg to be excused, sir," replied Frank.
+
+"Won't you do it?"
+
+"I'd rather not, sir."
+
+"Suit yourself," said the captain indifferently. "I am only advising
+you as a friend. You will lose your work if you don't. You can't
+collect a cent from the ship if you stay aboard of her ten years."
+
+"I am sorry to differ with you, sir, but I know better than that."
+
+
+"Be careful how you speak," said the captain, starting up in his chair.
+"I have stood a good deal from you, and you don't want to say too much.
+You are not talking to Mr. Gale now."
+
+"You haven't stood more than I have, sir," returned Frank. "It is high
+time I should speak plainly, as I never had the chance before and may
+never have it again. I know that when seamen are shipped on American
+whaling vessels without the rate of their pay being specified, they are
+entitled on their discharge in a foreign port, to the sum of twenty
+dollars a month as extra wages."
+
+"How do you happen to know so much about law, Nelson?" asked the first
+mate.
+
+"The way I happen to know so much about these matters is because I read
+up, expecting at one time to go as consul's clerk to some port in the
+Mediterranean."
+
+The captain and his mates opened their eyes and looked at one another.
+Here was a foremast hand who must hold a high social position when he
+was ashore, else he would not number among his friends those who had
+influence enough to secure government appointments.
+
+"Then you won't sign these articles?" continued the captain, after
+thinking a moment.
+
+"By no means, sir. I don't want to go to sea for two or three years. I
+want to go ashore."
+
+"I am willing you should go, if you will promise not to enter any
+complaints."
+
+"If I should promise that, captain, I should tell a falsehood, and that
+is something I'll not do."
+
+"Will a hundred dollars be any inducement to you?"
+
+"Not the slightest."
+
+"A hundred dollars besides your wages, I mean."
+
+"No, sir," repeated Frank. "You are liable for two hundred dollars for
+every foremast hand aboard this vessel, except Calamity."
+
+"How do you make that out?"
+
+"You carried them to sea without making a contract with them."
+
+"That'll do. You can go on deck," said the captain.
+
+"But before I go, sir, I demand to see the American consul of the first
+port at which we touch," said Frank.
+
+"Very well, you can see him, but you can't go ashore. If one goes all
+must go, and the first thing I know the ship will be deserted. I'll
+bring the consul aboard to see you."
+
+"That will be perfectly satisfactory, sir. Victory!" whispered Frank
+to himself as he went up the ladder. "The people triumphant! The ring
+broken all to smash! A captain cowed in his own cabin by a foremast
+hand! Hurrah for sailors' rights! We're going to see the consul, Lucas!"
+
+"Aha!" exclaimed the old sailor, with an admiring glance at Frank. "I
+knew you had the brains, sir. But I'm sorry we're going to get off so
+easy. Me and the rest wanted to see you on that quarter-deck."
+
+"And a pretty figure I'd make up there, wouldn't I?" returned Frank.
+"I'm glad you didn't have a chance to carry out your plans."
+
+"What do you think of him, any how?" asked the first mate, after Frank
+had left the cabin.
+
+"I think I've got an elephant on my hands," answered the captain. "I
+don't want to keep him, and I don't know how to get rid of him. I wish
+Billings had been in Guinea before he brought him aboard here."
+
+"You don't intend to let him see the consul?"
+
+"Am I as green as that?" cried the skipper. "He's got too smooth a
+tongue in his head and swings it about too loose and reckless. He and
+them two men who were shipped with him must be kept close while I am
+ashore after a crew."
+
+"And what will you do with them then? They can raise a row with one
+consul as well as another."
+
+"I know it. Shall I turn them adrift in a boat or put them on some
+vessel bound for the States, or set them ashore on some island, and let
+them shift for themselves?"
+
+"You might transfer them to Gale's boat, and some day when they are off
+after a whale, clear out and leave them," suggested the third mate.
+"Gale is a milk-and-water fellow, and not the man at all to get along
+with a hard crew."
+
+"Well, I must put one of those plans into execution," said the captain,
+"and circumstances shall decide which it shall be. I am in as great a
+hurry to see the last of Nelson as he is to see the last of me. I'd
+knock him overboard if I had a good chance."
+
+"Don't do that, cap'n," said the mate, hastily. "The first one of us
+who lays an ugly hand on him is booked for Davy's Locker, sure!"
+
+"That's what I am afraid of," said the captain, who being unable to
+control himself any longer, began to relieve his mind by swearing. "I
+know how things are going, and besides, Calamity has kept his eyes and
+ears open."
+
+Two days after this conversation took place between the captain and
+his mates, the Tycoon dropped her anchor near the spot where the
+Stranger lay three days afterward. One of the boats was called away at
+once, a crew selected for her, and the captain started for the shore.
+Frank felt jubilant when he saw him go off, but Lucas looked rather
+down-hearted. "He hasn't got a single one of our friends in that boat,
+sir," said the sailor.
+
+"Of course not," replied Frank. "He wouldn't take them if he knew who
+they were, for he wants the first chance at the consul himself."
+
+"Yes, and he'll have the last chance too, sir. We'll never see him."
+
+"Very well, if he doesn't bring him off as he promised, I'll jump
+overboard and swim ashore. I can make the island very easily. You won't
+pull a boat in pursuit of me."
+
+"No, sir, and nobody else shall. Neither shall the mudhook be hove up
+till you've had a chance to say a word for us."
+
+"Nelson, the first mate wants to see you in the cabin," said Mr. Gale,
+coming forward at this moment. "He is going to offer you something to
+keep still, and you had better take it."
+
+"If that is all he wants it will be of no use for me to go," answered
+Frank, "for my mind is made up."
+
+"Go and talk to him, anyhow," said the officer. "Perhaps you can strike
+some sort of a bargain. I want to see you safe off this craft, and now
+is your chance, if ever."
+
+"Nelson!" shouted the mate, from the top of the companion ladder.
+
+"Coming, sir," replied Frank.
+
+He went, and was not a little astonished at the reception he met as he
+entered the cabin. The door was suddenly closed behind him, and before
+he could think twice he was powerless, his ankles and wrists being
+heavily ironed. "Not a word out of you," said the first mate, covering
+Frank's head with a cocked revolver. "You'll find out now who controls
+this ship--you or her proper officers."
+
+"You ain't as smart as some folks seem to think," said the second
+mate, with a grin. "If you were bound to blab, why didn't you take the
+hundred dollars the cap'n offered you, and wait till you got ashore
+before you began to swing your chin?"
+
+Frank made no reply, and could offer no resistance, as the two mates
+dragged him out of the cabin along a narrow passageway that led to
+the hold. They stowed him away among the oil casks and left him to
+his meditations. This was the way Frank saw the consul at the port of
+Honolulu.
+
+Having disposed of Frank, the officers made their way back to the
+cabin, and one of them mounting the companion ladder, called out: "Mr.
+Gale, tell Lucas that Nelson has got his money, and ask him to come
+down and get his!"
+
+Lucas came, wondering what arguments the mates had brought to bear
+upon Frank to work so great a change in his feelings all at once, and
+when he reached the foot of the ladder he found out what they were--a
+revolver and a pair of handcuffs. The former held him passive while the
+irons were slipped on, and then he also was carried to the hold and
+stowed away, but at such a distance from Frank that the two could hold
+no conversation. Barton was served in the same manner, and the officers
+having secured the men of whom they stood the most in fear, breathed
+freely once more, and told each other that they were still masters of
+the Tycoon.
+
+The prisoners were kept in the hold almost twelve hours--long enough
+for the captain to bring his crew of natives on board and get his
+vessel well out to sea. Then they were released and ordered on deck.
+Frank was disposed to make the best of his disappointment, knowing that
+he could not help himself, but Lucas was inclined to smash things. He
+hunted up his friends as soon as he could--those who had promised to
+stand by him and Frank through thick and thin--and laid down the law
+to them in stronger language than we care to quote. "Why, what's the
+matter?" asked the sailors, as soon as their angry mate gave them a
+chance to speak. "Where have you been so long?"
+
+"That's what's the matter," replied Lucas, showing his wrists.
+
+"That's where I've been so long," he added, tapping the marks the irons
+had left. "Sailed the blue water, man and boy for thirty-five years,
+I have, and never had the darbies on me before. Me and Cap'n Nelson's
+both been there, and Barton too; and here you chaps stood around like
+so many bumps on a log, and never lifted a hand to help us!"
+
+"What could we have done, even if we had known that you were in
+trouble, while the mates were walking around with their pistols
+strapped to their waists and holding us tight to our work?" asked one
+of the sailors.
+
+Lucas opened his eyes at this. Did the mates know of the plans that had
+so often been discussed in the forecastle? It looked like it.
+
+"Somebody's been talking while Calamity was about," said the
+boatswain's-mate. "Never mind; we've missed one chance, but we'll have
+better luck next time. The ship's going to Japan, and she'll have
+another man on her quarter-deck when she comes back."
+
+And so she did, but Lucas did very little toward bringing about the
+change. It was Captain Barclay himself; but of course he did not intend
+to do it.
+
+Almost the first man Frank saw when he came on deck after his release
+was the third mate. "Nelson," said he, earnestly, "I had no hand in
+this business. If I had known what those men intended to do, I should
+have warned you."
+
+"I believe you, sir," replied Frank. "I lay nothing to your charge, as
+you will find when the day of settlement comes."
+
+Frank looked toward the Islands which the ship was fast leaving behind,
+then at the dusky, muscular Kanakas who thronged the deck, and went
+to work with a heavy heart. He had already had more than enough of
+whaling. He did not mind the dangerous, laborious duties he had to
+perform so much as he did the life he led in the forecastle. Of course
+it was kept neat and clean, like the rest of the ship, but it smelled
+horribly of tar and bilge water, and the men into whose company he
+was thrown there, were not just the sort he would have selected for
+associates had he been permitted to choose. It was bad enough before,
+but now here were a score and more of heathen with whom he had to bunk.
+Frank did not know how he could stand it. The only thing that had kept
+him up thus far was the belief that all this would end very shortly;
+but that hope was gone now, and time only would show what was in store
+for him.
+
+Frank worked hard while on duty and talked a good deal when on watch,
+to keep himself from thinking too much. He had the satisfaction of
+seeing that the captain and his two mates did not treat the crew with
+any more severity than they had always done, and some of the old
+members of the ship's company were often heard to declare that they did
+not act like the same men. As for the natives, Frank very soon found
+reason to change the opinions he had formed of them. They had all seen
+service in whalers, and proved to be the neatest and most peaceable
+portion of the crew. More than that, they did not swear, and it was
+some relief to work by the side of men who could talk without putting
+an oath or two in every sentence they uttered.
+
+As soon as the ship was fairly under way the mast-head was manned, and
+the sailors set about preparing themselves for the real business of the
+voyage. A complete change was made in the boats' crews, and Frank, to
+his delight, found himself with Lucas, Barton, and two other foremast
+hands, assigned to the third mate's boat. Frank held his old position
+as bow-oarsman, and Lucas was boat-steerer. He soon proved himself to
+be a good one too. He did not fall overboard again, or give Frank any
+more opportunities to take his place and strike a whale he had missed.
+During the next three weeks nine whales were added to the stock already
+in the hold, and of this number four were captured by Mr. Gale's boat.
+Frank very soon got over his nervousness, and as a consequence went
+just as far the other way, and was inclined to be a little too daring.
+He had an uncomfortable habit of wrapping a line about a thwart when he
+could not hold it, and Lucas, after repeatedly telling him never to do
+it again, got out of patience, and Frank was moved toward the other end
+of the boat--"promoted backward." He was seated at the stroke-oar, and
+the bow-oar given into the hands of Barton, who knew too much of the
+nature of the game they were hunting to run any risks.
+
+Meanwhile the Tycoon was rapidly approaching her cruising grounds, and
+one morning the captain told his officers that the Mangrove Islands lay
+directly in their course two hundred miles distant, and that it was
+his intention to stop there for water and terrapins. That same day a
+whale was raised, and the captain and the third mate set off to capture
+it. The two boats pulled side by side for a mile or more, and then the
+whale took the alarm and made off. "Never mind, Mr. Gale," shouted the
+captain. "You keep on after him, and I'll follow you with the ship."
+
+Mr. Gale promptly hoisted his sail and went in pursuit. The whale led
+them a long chase, but getting a little over his fright at last, he
+allowed the boat to approach within striking distance, and gave Lucas
+a chance to throw his harpoons into him. Then a most terrific fight
+ensued, which was so long and so stubbornly contested that Frank began
+to think he had never seen an ugly whale before. The monster seemed
+determined to destroy his enemies; but the mate kept at him, and by his
+excellent management succeeded in taking his boat through the struggle
+without the loss of any of her crew, and with so little damage that an
+hour's work by the ship's carpenter would make her fit for sea again.
+When it was ended and the whale rolled over with his fin out, the mate
+seized one of the flags, and turned to signal his triumph to the ship.
+
+"It's lucky you wasn't in the bow," said Lucas, drawing his hand across
+his dripping forehead and nodding to Frank. "If you'd been here with
+the line wrapped around a thwart when he sounded the last time, there
+wouldn't have been one of us left to tell the story of this fight!"
+
+"Pass that bucket aft and I'll bail her out," said Frank, drawing a
+long breath and glad that the danger was over. "He hit us a pretty
+hard blow with his jaw, and the water is running in here like a small
+Niagara. What's the matter, Mr. Gale?"
+
+This question was called forth by an exclamation of wonder from the
+third mate. When he turned to signal the ship he stopped suddenly,
+looked all around the horizon, and then the flag dropped from his
+hands. The Tycoon was almost hull down--nothing but her topsails were
+visible. During the five hours that the brave officer had been pursuing
+and battling with the whale, the ship was standing away from him
+instead of coming to his relief, and he had been too busy to see it
+until this moment.
+
+"What's the matter, sir?" repeated Frank.
+
+Mr. Gale sat down, his face whiter now than it had been at any time
+during the deadly fight he and his men had just passed through, and
+pointed toward the Tycoon's receding topsails.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+TURNED ADRIFT.
+
+
+FRANK looked, and was not a little surprised to find that the Tycoon,
+which he had all the while supposed was following the boat, was almost
+out of sight. He did not understand it at first, but a single glance at
+the faces of his companions explained it all. Even Lucas, who had shown
+so much courage a few minutes before, betrayed the utmost consternation
+now.
+
+"Well, Nelson," said Mr. Gale, in a tone of resignation, "Captain
+Barclay has got rid of you at last."
+
+"Why, you don't suppose that he intends to desert us!" cried Frank.
+
+The mate shrugged his shoulders and pointed with his thumb toward the
+ship, as if to say that Frank could see what she was doing as well as
+he could, and might interpret her actions to suit himself.
+
+"It can't be possible!" said Frank. "No man on earth could be guilty of
+an act of treachery like this."
+
+"A captain who will allow his men to be abused until they jump
+overboard to put themselves out of his way, will do anything," returned
+Mr. Gale, quietly. "Hoist the sail, Lucas; you had better bail her out,
+Nelson. We must keep her afloat until she carries us two hundred miles."
+
+"Is there any water, sir?" asked Barton.
+
+"Yes, the keg is full, and we need a taste of it after our hard work;
+but we must touch it lightly, for there is no telling when we shall get
+any more. The Mangrove Islands are the nearest land, and, as I said,
+they are two hundred miles away. It is lucky that I know the course."
+
+The sail having been hoisted, the men took a refreshing drink all
+around, and settled back on their seats to think over their situation.
+Frank could not yet believe that Captain Barclay had sent them out
+there alone, with no other object in view than to desert them. He kept
+telling himself that the ship must have raised another whale and gone
+in pursuit of it, and he watched her closely, expecting every moment
+to see her shorten sail and come-to to wait for them; but she kept on,
+with all her canvas spread, and very soon nothing but her royals were
+visible above the horizon. Frank was obliged to believe it now, and
+shuddered when he thought of what was yet to come. With a leaky boat
+under them, not a mouthful of anything to eat, and with only a very
+small supply of water to allay the raging thirst caused by their five
+hours' work under a broiling sun, their situation was one calculated
+to frighten anybody. But still it might have been worse, and in this
+thought Frank found a little consolation. The mate knew which way
+to steer to find land, and if they could only keep the boat afloat
+twenty-four hours they would be safe. But suppose the boat had been
+stove during the fight with the whale! Suppose he had cut it in two
+with his jaw, or smashed it in pieces with his flukes, as he had tried
+so hard to do, and left the crew struggling in the water: what then!
+Captain Barclay would have deserted them all the same, and they would
+have been left powerless. Surrounded by an army of hungry sharks (Frank
+now and then caught a momentary glimpse of a sharp fin cutting the
+water as one of these voracious monsters hurried toward the whale they
+had just left, being attracted no doubt by the blood he had spouted
+during his flurry), their sufferings would have been ended, and there
+would have been none left to tell the story of the captain's treachery.
+
+"Come, come, boys! This will never do in the world," said Mr. Gale,
+suddenly breaking the silence that had reigned for the last half hour.
+"Wake up, there! What's the matter with you that you look so sober? If
+we were eight or nine hundred miles out at sea, we'd have something to
+worry over; but if the wind holds this way, we shall be all right by
+to-morrow at this time. The Tycoon is going to the Mangrove Islands for
+water, and maybe we shall be lucky enough to catch her there. If we
+can't stand it to do without food for that length of time we had better
+jump overboard at once, for we've no business to be sailors. Come,
+Lucas, begin there in the bow, and sing a song or tell a story!"
+
+"I can't, sir!" replied the sailor.
+
+"All right. You shan't have any water the next time it is passed
+around. Go on, Barton. Sing a song or tell a story--a lively one, mind."
+
+"Hold on a bit, sir!" exclaimed Lucas. "I'll do almost anything to get
+another drink of that water."
+
+This order soon brought about a great change in the feelings of the
+men. Their minds being diverted from the dangers of their situation,
+something like merriment soon began to prevail. As it was understood
+that each one must do his share toward entertaining his companions,
+and that the first one who failed to tell a story or sing a song when
+his turn came, should forfeit his next drink of water, this trial of
+memory and ingenuity was kept up until far in the night. It would seem
+as though men who had spent their lives amid scenes of danger and
+excitement could never be at a loss for something to talk about, but
+even the oldest among the sailors ran short of stories at last, and
+when this happened they did not hesitate to make up one as they went
+along; and some of those they told were as ridiculous as the story
+Dick Lewis told the captain of the fishing boat. Frank drew on his
+experience among the mountains and in the woods, and his stories must
+have been worth listening to, for when his turn came the men were all
+wide awake.
+
+At last when the crew began to show signs of drowsiness, Mr. Gale
+ordered four of them to make themselves as comfortable as they could
+and go to sleep, while he and Frank looked out for the boat. Mr. Gale
+steered by a compass, the face being lighted up by a small lantern
+with which whale-boats are always provided, and Frank talked to him
+to keep him awake, and bailed out the water as fast as it ran in. He
+did not learn anything encouraging during the four hours that he and
+Mr. Gale kept watch. The mate said they were sure to reach the Islands
+unless a storm blew them out of their course or swamped them, but he
+did not like to think of the way they would fare after they got there.
+The largest of the Islands was often visited by whalers, he continued,
+but it was almost a land unknown. It was a good place to go to get
+water and fresh meat in the shape of terrapins, but he had never yet
+heard of a boat's crew, who, leaving the beach to explore the island,
+had ever returned to tell what they saw there. Many a fine whale ship
+which, when last spoken, had her hold nearly filled with oil and was
+almost ready to set out on her return voyage, had suddenly disappeared,
+leaving no trace behind. It was supposed that some of them had gone to
+the Islands for water, and had either been wrecked on the treacherous
+shoals and reefs with which they were surrounded, or been captured and
+plundered by the natives. He had seen men who had been held captive
+there for years, and had only escaped at last by smuggling themselves
+on board some vessel whose crew was too strong to be successfully
+attacked. But if they succeeded in getting there they would find an
+abundance to eat and plenty of water to drink, and that was better
+than being tossed about on the waves of the Pacific in an open boat.
+
+Frank now began to understand Captain Barclay's plans. There was more
+in them than he had at first supposed. The skipper wanted to be rid
+of Frank and his friends, and the whale they had killed and deserted,
+furnished him with an excuse for sending the boat away from the ship.
+When he arrived in port he could say that she had been smashed in
+pieces by the whale, and all her crew sent to the bottom. He took his
+chances on this. If the event really happened, so much the better; but
+if they came through the fight in safety, and succeeded in reaching the
+Islands, the natives would detain them as prisoners. In either case he
+was clear of them, and they could never appear against him in a court
+of justice.
+
+"I can understand all that," said Frank, after he had explained this to
+the mate, "but there is one thing I can't quite see through: Why did he
+send you off with us? You never said you would prosecute him, did you?
+And there are two other men in the boat who never made any threats of
+that kind. I am very sorry that the friendship you have exhibited for
+me should have brought you into this trouble. I shall never be able to
+repay you."
+
+"It wasn't that at all," said the mate, in reply. "The captain has
+always been afraid of me, and he was just as anxious to get me off the
+vessel as he was to get you off. I'm not the sort of officer that suits
+him. I have been a foremast hand myself, and I can't see the beauty of
+banging men about as if they had no more feeling than so many logs of
+wood. As for sending these two other men with us, he had to give the
+boat a full crew, you know, and he put in those against whom he had a
+grudge."
+
+Frank and the mate talked in this way until almost daylight, and then
+the former called Lucas and Barton, who steered the boat and kept her
+bailed out, while Frank and Mr. Gale lay down on the thwarts and slept
+until the sun grew too warm for them. It was then nine o'clock. As they
+had no breakfast to serve up they took a drink of water all around,
+which seemed to aggravate rather than relieve their thirst, the supply
+the mate allowed them being so small; and at one o'clock by Mr. Gale's
+watch, when the Mangrove Islands were in plain sight, they emptied the
+keg.
+
+Propelled by a favorable breeze the boat rapidly approached the land,
+and finally the outlines of the shore and the trees on the hill-sides
+could be easily distinguished. Suddenly Mr. Gale arose, and standing
+erect in the stern-sheets, gazed steadily into the little bay toward
+which the boat was heading. "She's there!" said he, a moment later.
+
+"The Tycoon?" asked Frank, running his eye along the shore in the vain
+effort to find the object that had attracted the officer's attention.
+
+"Yes, the Tycoon!"
+
+"Will we go aboard of her, Mr. Gale?" asked one of the crew.
+
+"Certainly, just as straight as we can go. We belong to her, don't we?"
+
+The men said nothing in reply, but their actions told what was passing
+in their minds. Some seemed delighted, while others beat their open
+palms with their clenched hands, and banged the oars violently down
+on the thwarts. It was plain that Captain Barclay had some men in his
+ship's company who would give him serious trouble if they ever found
+the opportunity.
+
+"There's something wrong with her," continued the mate, still gazing
+earnestly at the ship, which Frank had at last been able to discover.
+
+"So I was thinking," said the latter. "She's close in shore and has her
+topsails aback. She can't be lying-to in there."
+
+"No, she's aground," replied the mate, "and they are trying to work her
+off."
+
+All eyes were now turned toward the ship which came rapidly into view
+as the boat approached the shore. It was plain that she was hard and
+fast aground. The crew were running about the deck, pulling the yards
+first one way and then the other, in the hope of getting the sails full
+enough to work her off; but the breeze was not sufficiently strong,
+and besides the tide was running out, so that the ship was every moment
+sinking more firmly into her bed on the sand bar. Presently one of the
+crew discovered the approaching boat. It was one of the Kanakas. He
+gazed at it a moment, then jumped up and clapped his hands, calling
+out "Galickhee!" or some such tongue-twisting name which he and his
+people had bestowed upon the third officer. That brought all the crew
+to the side, where they stood waving their hats and shouting out words
+of welcome. Frank and the rest were astonished at this reception. Where
+were Captain Barclay and his mates that they permitted the crew to act
+in this way?
+
+"O, Mr. Gale, you're just in time," cried one of the men, who answered
+to the name of Boson, "only I wish you had come a little sooner. We're
+up to our necks in trouble."
+
+"Not an officer aboard--all gone--the ship a thousand miles from
+water--or she might as well be, she's so hard a-ground, six men dead
+and the niggers thicker than blackberries," chimed in Tully, another
+of the crew, stamping about the deck and swinging his arms wildly in
+the air.
+
+The men in the whale-boat were greatly amazed. They clambered over
+the side with all possible haste, each one demanding to know what was
+the matter. The crew shook each of them by the hand as if they were
+overjoyed to meet them once more, and then silently directed their
+attention to different parts of the deck, as if telling them to see
+for themselves what was the matter. Frank stood speechless while he
+looked. The deck was in the greatest confusion. Harpoons, spades,
+lances and handspikes were scattered about, and with them were mingled
+curious weapons and ornaments that he had never seen before, and
+blubber-knives, cutlasses and muskets with the bayonets attached. These
+last came from the ship's armory, and their presence on deck was enough
+to prove that there had been a fight, even had other indications been
+wanting.
+
+A feeble attempt had been made to clear up things a little, but the
+traces that were left of the recent contest proclaimed that it had been
+a severe and by no means a bloodless one. Frank ran his eye hastily
+over the crew gathered about him, and saw that there were some familiar
+faces missing--among them those of the captain, his two mates and his
+old enemy, Calamity. What if he had been there when the fight came
+off? Might not he also have been among the missing? Perhaps Captain
+Barclay's attempt to get him off his vessel had been the means of
+saving his life.
+
+"What's been going on here, any how?" demanded the mate, as soon as he
+could speak.
+
+A chorus of hoarse voices arose in reply, each one trying to give his
+version of the story, and to make himself heard above his companions;
+but Mr. Gale, finding that there was nothing to be learned in that way,
+commanded silence, and pointing to one of the crew ordered him to speak
+for all. The man complied, telling his story in regular sailor lingo
+which we put into English as follows:--
+
+The Tycoon arrived at the island that morning about three o'clock,
+and came to anchor two miles outside the bar. The captain, knowing
+the treacherous character of the natives, kept one watch on deck
+until morning, but nothing suspicious being seen, the ship stood close
+in at daylight, and came to; after which the water-barrels were got
+overboard, and the captain and first mate set out in their boats to tow
+them ashore. No sooner had the crews touched the beach than they were
+assailed by a swarm of natives, who had been lying in ambush waiting
+for them. Almost at the same moment two large war canoes filled with
+savages made their appearance, coming from one of the numerous little
+inlets which set into the land from the bay. They headed straight for
+the ship, their crews brandishing their lances and clubs, and yelling
+at the top of their lungs.
+
+The sailors on board the Tycoon, who had witnessed the massacre of
+their shipmates without the power to aid them, now found themselves
+called upon to provide for their own safety. The second mate, who
+was in command, made an effort to bring the ship about and run out
+of the bay; but she struck the bar in going around, running on with
+sufficient force to knock all the crew off their feet. They could not
+run, and their only chance for life was to beat off their assailants,
+who outnumbered them five to one. The weapons that were left in the
+arm-chest were quickly brought up, muskets, pistols and cartridges to
+put into them were distributed among the crew, lances, harpoons and
+spades placed about the deck in convenient nooks, so that they could
+be readily seized, and by the time these preparations were completed,
+their foes were upon them. They made the attack at two different
+points, one canoe running under the bow and the other coming alongside
+at the starboard quarter. The sailors met them at both places, and
+the first assault was repulsed. The seamen, having the advantage of
+position, knocked their assailants over the side as fast as they could
+climb to the top of the bulwarks, but the natives persevered, and
+overwhelming numbers began to tell. They succeeded in gaining a footing
+on deck, and drove the sailors before them toward the waist.
+
+Almost in the beginning of the fight the second mate had been struck
+down by a lance, and as there was no one to direct the movements of the
+sailors, each man fought on his own hook, and did just what he thought
+best, without paying any attention to his neighbors. Boson probably
+saved the day. While the sailors were retreating he caught up the
+mate's revolver, which was lying on deck, and turning fiercely on his
+foes fired all the barrels in quick succession, every shot striking a
+native and bringing him dead or wounded to the deck. That was more than
+the enemy could endure. Appalled by the havoc the six-shooter created,
+they beat a hasty retreat, followed by the sailors, who thinned their
+ranks very perceptibly before they could clamber over the side into
+their boat. As they were about to push off, Boson and Tully added a
+grand finale to the victory. The former threw a harpoon at one of the
+natives, which, missing its object, passed through the bottom of the
+boat, knocking a hole in her that would have caused her to sink long
+before she could reach the shore, even had Tully not followed it up,
+as he did, with the heavy snatch-block, which made a complete wreck of
+her.
+
+The enemy being beaten at the quarter, the sailors who defended that
+part of the ship ran to the assistance of their friends in the bow; but
+the fight was over there, also. The natives, failing to gain the deck,
+became discouraged, and dropping back into their boat, made all haste
+to reach the shore. Some succeeded, others did not. The sailors rushed
+for their muskets and pistols, which they had thrown to the deck after
+firing their contents at the foe, and hastily ramming down cartridges,
+opened fire on the natives. Those of their companions who were not
+provided with these weapons, employed themselves in clearing the deck
+of the dead and wounded the savages had left behind them, tumbling them
+all unceremoniously over the side, and never looking to see what became
+of them afterward.
+
+The battle being ended, the crew began to look about them and make
+an estimate of their losses. They found that six of their number had
+fallen beneath the war-clubs and lances of their assailants, which,
+counting in the twelve that had gone ashore in the boats, made eighteen
+men they had lost out of thirty-five. Greatly alarmed, disheartened by
+the loss of all their officers, and afraid to risk another encounter
+with their diminished numbers, they hastily committed the bodies of
+their dead companions to the deep, and set to work to get the ship
+afloat. They had kept hard at it for more than six hours. They had
+moved her a little, but the tide began to fall just at the wrong time,
+and there she was as fast as if she had been nailed to the ground.
+
+The new-comers listened to this story with breathless attention. If any
+evidence was needed to convince them of its truthfulness, they found
+it in the frightened faces of the men and the disordered state of the
+deck, which bore unmistakable signs of the conflict. Their assailants
+had left some of their property behind them in the shape of lances,
+war-clubs and head-dresses, and close alongside the ship floated the
+wreck of the canoe, which was slowly moving out to sea with the tide. A
+moment later additional and most unexpected evidence was produced. A
+warning exclamation uttered by Lucas, under his breath, drew all eyes
+toward him. Frank saw him pick up a lance that happened to be lying
+near, and following the direction of his gaze, saw that it was fastened
+upon a head which was slowly rising above the combings of the fore
+hatch--a head covered with a mass of shaggy hair. It was one of the
+natives, who had no doubt been knocked into the hold during the fight,
+and was now coming up to see if the coast was clear, so that he could
+make his escape. Not a man moved. Every one held his breath as Lucas
+raised the long, slender whale-lance in the air and held it poised in
+both hands.
+
+The head was raised slowly, cautiously, inch by inch, above the
+combings of the hatchway, and presently a dark-brown forehead and then
+a pair of eyes appeared. At that instant the lance whistled through
+the air. Thrown by a practised hand and flying true to its aim, its
+keen point was buried in the combings exactly in range with the spot
+where the head had been a second before. Its owner had seen the weapon
+coming and dodged just in time, but his escape was a narrow one.
+
+"Avast, there!" cried a voice from the hold. "Ain't you Christians
+enough to give a white man a chance for life and liberty?"
+
+The sailors stood and looked at one another without speaking.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+OLD TIMES REVIVED.
+
+
+"I SAY! on deck, there!" continued the voice. "Don't throw any more of
+them things at me, and I'll come up!"
+
+These words aroused the crew. They made a rush for the fore-hatch,
+and when they reached it found the owner of the head crouching among
+the oil barrels. Frank looked at him in astonishment, and could
+scarcely believe that he was a white man. His only clothing was a pair
+of tattered trowsers, and those portions of his person which were
+unprotected were as brown as sole-leather, made so, no doubt, by long
+exposure to the sun and weather. Moreover, his body was profusely
+tattooed, so that at the distance Frank stood from him, he looked as
+though he had on a tight-fitting under-shirt of some dark-colored
+material, with light blue slashings.
+
+"Who are you, and where did you come from?" demanded the mate.
+
+"I'm Chips," replied the man. "I used to be carpenter of the whale-ship
+Mary Starbuck, that was wrecked here long ago. It was so long ago," he
+added, putting his hand to his forehead in a bewildered sort of way,
+"that I have almost forgot how it happened."
+
+"Come on deck," said the mate, in a very different tone of voice, "and
+tell us all about it."
+
+A dozen pairs of ready hands were stretched down to the prisoner--for
+such Frank now knew him to be--and in a moment more he was hoisted out
+of the hold to the deck. Frank had a good view of him then, and saw
+that he really was a white man. His long, matted beard, which hung down
+nearly to his waist, had afforded some protection to his breast, and
+the skin beneath it was almost as white as his own. The man pulled his
+forelock when he found himself standing in the presence of the mate,
+and gave his trowsers a regular sailor hitch.
+
+"I remember hearing of the loss of the Starbuck," said Mr. Gale. "The
+news reached Nantucket just before I sailed; but it wasn't so very long
+ago--not quite two years."
+
+"Is that all, sir? It seems a longer time to me," said the man, whom we
+will call by the name he had given. "You're the first white men I've
+set eyes on since then, except those on the island, and you can't call
+them white now. Some of them are blacker than I am."
+
+"Do you mean to say that there are men on that island held as
+prisoners?" asked Frank.
+
+"Four more of 'em, sir, and one has been here, as near as he can
+calculate, about ten years. I hope you won't sail without trying to do
+something for 'em, sir. They lead a hard life here."
+
+"How do you happen to be aboard my ship?" asked the mate.
+
+"I came off in one of the canoes, sir, and watching my chance jumped
+into the hold. I was willing to fight for my liberty, but I was afraid
+that if I tried to join in with you, you would kill me, not knowing who
+I was, and if you didn't the natives would, when they saw me trying to
+desert 'em; and I was so anxious to see my home and family once more
+that I didn't dare run any risks."
+
+Chips then went on to tell how he came to be a prisoner in the hands
+of the islanders. His narrative would make an interesting chapter
+by itself; but as it has no bearing on our story, and nothing to do
+with the events that happened afterward, we condense it into a few
+sentences. The ship to which he belonged was wrecked while lying at the
+island to fill up with water. A furious storm first disabled her, so
+that she could not make an offing, and then drove her high and dry upon
+the bar. Only two of the crew succeeded in reaching the shore, Chips
+and another, and they were immediately pounced upon by the natives, who
+carried them in triumph to their principal village, which was hidden
+away among the rocky gorges in the interior of the island. They found
+four other prisoners there, and it was owing to their influence that
+Chips was so well received. He was a carpenter, and just the man the
+natives wanted. His companion, however, was nothing but a foremast
+hand, and not being of any particular use, he was harshly treated,
+and was often in danger of his life. Being driven desperate at last,
+he seized the first opportunity for escape that presented itself, and
+succeeded, at very great risk, in swimming off to a ship that came
+there for water. He warned the captain off, most likely, for the vessel
+went away at once, and it was probably through him that the news of the
+loss of the Mary Starbuck was carried to Nantucket. The five prisoners
+who were left were constantly on the alert to elude the vigilance of
+their captors, but this was the first opportunity that Chips had ever
+found. He and his companions were allowed the freedom of the island
+until a vessel hove in sight, and then they were hurried to the village
+and kept under guard as long as she remained.
+
+Being satisfied at last that there was but one way to accomplish his
+object, Chips made himself perfectly at home on the island, acted
+quite contented, and finally succeeded in making the natives believe
+that he had no desire to leave them. He became a savage to all intents
+and purposes. He took part in their dances and pow-wows, joined in
+their debates, tried to teach them the use of the fire-arms they found
+on the vessels that fell into their hands, and so won their confidence
+that they permitted him to take part in the attack on the Tycoon.
+Watching his chance, while the fight was in progress, he slipped into
+the hold, and there he was among his own kind once more.
+
+"And now I hope you'll lend a hand to them poor fellows I left behind,
+sir," said Chips, in conclusion. "It can be easy done now, but
+to-morrow it'll be too late. There ain't more'n a hundred fighting men
+on the island, but to-night they'll send off canoes after help, and in
+the morning, if you're here, you will have an army of 'em howling about
+you."
+
+"How far is it to the village?" asked Mr. Gale.
+
+"O, you'll not have to go back to the principal town, sir," answered
+Chips. "There's a little fishing village right here on the beach, and
+the natives will all be there to-night, holding a grand pow-wow and
+waiting for the help that's coming to-morrow. If we can get close to
+them and give them a volley before they know it, they'll run like deer!"
+
+"Why I thought you said they had fire-arms," exclaimed the mate.
+
+"So they have, sir, but it would make you laugh to see them use them,"
+said Chips. "They take the butt of a gun under their arms, shut their
+eyes and turn away their heads before they pull the trigger. They
+seem to think it is the noise that does the damage. All we want, you
+understand, sir, is to drive 'em at the start. They won't run far
+before they'll turn on us, and then they'll fight; but by the time
+they do that, the prisoners will have had a chance to take care of
+themselves, and we can be back to our boats. I know just where the
+village is, and can lead you to it in ten minutes after we touch the
+beach."
+
+"I suppose you don't know anything about those boats' crews that went
+ashore?" said the mate.
+
+"No, sir. Those who were not killed are prisoners, and we'll find them
+at the village."
+
+The man's proposition was well worth thinking over, the mate told
+himself. He felt that he had a duty to perform toward the prisoners
+in the hands of the savages, and he was not the one to shrink from
+it. True, he had a small force to work with, but if he acted with
+promptness and decision when the time for action arrived, much might be
+done. "Boys, turn to and straighten up here," said he, after a moment's
+reflection. "Let's make the old Tycoon look a little more like herself.
+Nelson, come with me."
+
+The men went to work with a will--all except Lucas, Barton and Chips,
+who disappeared in the forecastle for a few minutes. When they came on
+deck again Chips could hardly have been told from the rest of the crew,
+his tattooed body being clothed in a full sailor's rig, and his matted
+hair covered with a new tarpaulin. He lent a hand with the rest, and
+soon proved that he had not forgotten how to do a seaman's duty.
+
+Frank followed Mr. Gale to the quarter-deck. "What do you think of
+this?" asked the mate. "Shall we risk it?"
+
+"By all means," answered Frank, quickly. "How would you and I feel if
+we were held captives by these heathen, and some of our own countrymen
+should come here, and, after learning our situation, go off without
+making an effort to help us? We may be able to rescue the captain or
+some of his men, if they are still alive."
+
+Mr. Gale looked at his companion a little doubtfully.
+
+"O, I mean it," said Frank, who knew what was passing in the officer's
+mind. "I have no reason to like Captain Barclay, and if I could once
+bring him before a court of justice he would suffer for what he has
+done. But this is a different thing. If I get the chance, I'll try just
+as hard to help him as I would to help you."
+
+"Well, I suppose that is the right sort of feeling," said the mate,
+"but it isn't my style, I am free to say. A man who has the heart to
+turn a boat's crew adrift on the ocean, doesn't deserve any help when
+he's in difficulty. It's the others I want to work for, but here's the
+trouble: I don't know anything about this fighting business."
+
+"I've had a little experience in it," said Frank, "and so have Lucas
+and Barton. They are old men-of-war's men, and I know you can depend on
+them. I'll give you all the help I can."
+
+"Won't you boss the job?"
+
+"No, I'd rather not. The men will yield you more prompt obedience."
+
+"I know a story worth two of that, sir. I ain't blind or deaf, either."
+
+After some more conversation it was decided that the Tycoon's crew
+could not leave the island with clear consciences unless they made some
+sort of a demonstration in favor of the captives, and Frank was finally
+prevailed upon to take command of the expedition. This being settled,
+the first thing the young sailor did was to call Chips aft. He and Mr.
+Gale spent an hour in conversation with him, and when the man went
+forward again Frank held in his hands a map of the island, on which
+the position of the fishing village, the situation of every hut in it,
+the shape of the jungle that surrounded it, and the location of all
+the paths that led to it were plainly marked. Frank also had a short
+consultation with Lucas, who, when it was over, made his way forward
+again, winking and nodding as he always did when he had anything on his
+mind. His companions tried hard to find out what had passed between him
+and the captain, as everybody called Frank now; but Lucas, while he
+seemed to grow in size under the pressure of the secret that had been
+committed to his keeping, remained as dumb as a tar-bucket.
+
+Everything had now been done that could be done before dark--except
+getting the boats and weapons in readiness--and Frank recollected
+that he had been at sea for twenty-four hours in an open boat without
+anything to eat, and that he was very hungry. Perhaps the savory odors
+that now and then came from the galley recalled this fact to his mind.
+At any rate they brought his appetite back to him, and he did ample
+justice to the abundant meal that was soon served up. The captain was
+not there now to superintend the drawing of the provisions, so the
+doctor went into the store-room and helped himself. The consequence
+was that some articles which rightfully belonged to the men, but which
+they had never tasted since leaving port, such as beans, flour, dried
+apples and molasses, found their way into the forecastle. Each man got
+an extra cup of coffee--strong coffee, too--an extra tablespoonful of
+sugar in it, and all he wanted to eat besides. Mr. Gale and Frank dined
+in the cabin and the captain's steward waited on them.
+
+"That's all right," said Lucas, when the steward told him of it
+afterward. "Cap'n Nelson's a cap'n just as much as Cap'n Barclay, and
+just as good a one, too. Don't I know? He belongs in the cabin and at
+the head of the table, and he's got to stay there now. He shan't never
+come into this forecastle again!"
+
+After dinner two of the boats were overhauled and put in readiness for
+the expedition, which was to leave the ship as soon as darkness settled
+down to hide her from the watchful eyes of those on shore, the muskets
+and pistols were loaded, and a dozen rounds of cartridges provided
+for each man. Of course these preparations did not escape the notice
+of the sailors, who knew by them that there was work to be done. It
+soon got abroad that Frank was at the head of the affair, and that set
+Lucas and Barton in ecstacies. This made them think of old times; and
+so eager were they for the fight, that they almost got up a row with
+Boson and Tully just to get their hands in. They did not neglect, too,
+to make sundry little arrangements with their companions in regard to
+the treatment the captain and first mate were to receive in case they
+were found among the prisoners. They would do their best to rescue
+the friends of Chips, but Captain Barclay should not come back to the
+ship, no matter what happened. All this, however, was upset by a simple
+order from their wide-awake leader, who seemed to see everything, know
+everything and who neglected nothing.
+
+The boats and weapons being in readiness, all the crew were ordered
+below to rest and sleep, except a boatsteerer's watch, who remained on
+deck to look out for the ship. Even these were permitted to lie down on
+deck, with the exception of one man, whose duty it was to keep an eye
+on the shore, and report anything suspicious that he might see going on
+there.
+
+The men were allowed to sleep until nine o'clock, when they were called
+on deck to prepare for action. An abundant and well-cooked supper was
+served up and eagerly devoured by the grateful foremast hands, who
+told one another that if Captain Nelson and Mr. Gale were the officers
+of the ship, they'd never have any trouble with their crew, but they
+wouldn't catch much grease. They'd feed their men so high that they
+would get too fat to see a spout or pull an oar.
+
+Supper over, the men were mustered on the quarter-deck to listen to
+Frank's plan of the campaign. He had made up his mind what ought to be
+done and assigned each man a particular duty, giving him his orders so
+plainly that there was no possible chance for a misunderstanding. One
+order was, that every hut in the village was to be set on fire--they
+wanted a light to fight by--but it must first be searched to make
+sure that it contained no prisoners. Some of the boats' crews might
+be bound or severely wounded and unable to help themselves; and
+such unfortunates needed especial care and must be looked after by
+trustworthy men. If any wounded were discovered, they must be turned
+over to Lucas and Barton, who would assist them back to the boats and
+remain there to guard them. The men thus designated raised their hands
+to their caps and said, "Ay, ay, sir!" but when Frank turned to another
+sailor to give him his orders, they looked at each other and scowled
+fiercely.
+
+"Now here's a go," muttered Barton. "Suppose we find the first mate
+with a lance or something through his leg! Eh?"
+
+"Or the cap'n," whispered Lucas, in great disgust.
+
+"Must we bring him to the boat, carry him like he was a blessed little
+baby, and then watch to see that the niggers don't slip around and send
+him to Davy's Locker, where he belongs?" added Barton.
+
+"Them's the orders."
+
+"I don't care. I won't do it."
+
+"Avast, there! Better not go agin orders when they come from _him_,"
+whispered Lucas, jerking his thumb towards Frank. "Besides, didn't he
+say we was men as could be trusted?"
+
+"Ay, so he did," answered Barton, after thinking a moment. "So he did.
+We can't go back on him after that."
+
+Having given his instructions in the plainest language he was master
+of, Frank went back to the head of the line and made each man repeat
+what he had said to him, to make sure that he fully understood what
+was required, and then he distributed the weapons and ammunition. The
+Kanakas, although as eager for the fight as their white companions,
+declined to accept the muskets that were offered them, preferring to
+use the lances and war-clubs the natives had left behind them. It was a
+motley-looking company altogether, Frank told himself, after they were
+all armed and stood awaiting his orders--very unlike the well-provided
+and well-disciplined bluejackets he had been accustomed to command on
+expeditions similar to this.
+
+Everything being in readiness, Frank nodded to Mr. Gale, who ordered
+the boats to be lowered away and the crews to tumble into them. Frank
+took every man, knowing that the natives would not attack the ship
+while their homes were in danger. When every one was in his place he
+clambered down into one of the boats, Mr. Gale having charge of the
+other, and led the way toward the beach. Arriving within a few rods
+of it the boats were brought to a stand still, and Chips slipped
+noiselessly into the water and struck out for the beach, accompanied by
+Lucas, who carried a blubber-knife between his teeth. Chips might have
+been astonished to know that Lucas had orders to use the blubber-knife
+at the very first sign of treachery. This was the secret the old
+boatswain's mate had been carrying all the afternoon. Frank believed
+the story Chips had told him, but he was so wary that he neglected no
+precautions to insure the success of the expedition and the safety of
+the men composing it.
+
+At the end of half an hour the two men made their appearance again,
+coming alongside so silently that Frank did not see them until they
+laid hold of the gunwale. They reported the coast clear. The natives,
+not dreaming of danger, were all at the village, going through some
+sort of a ceremony intended to bring them success in the next attack
+they made on the ship, and which Chips said would not be delayed longer
+than daylight. Frank breathed easier now. Chips was not trying to lead
+him into an ambush, and that was one thing off his mind.
+
+Slowly and noiselessly the boats approached the shore, and when their
+bows touched the sand the crews disembarked. The two men selected
+to guard them promptly took their positions, and the rest fell in
+behind Chips, who led them along a narrow path through darkness so
+intense that Frank, who followed close at his heels, was obliged to
+take hold of his clothing in order to keep track of him. Ten minutes'
+walk brought them within sight of a bright fire, which they could see
+shining through the trees in front of them. There they stopped. Frank
+whispered to the men as they came up one after another, showed them
+the position of the village, and they lost no time in taking up the
+positions he assigned them. When they had all moved off to the right
+and left, Frank, Mr. Gale and Chips were left alone. They waited and
+listened for a few minutes, and then moved down the path until they
+obtained a view of the fire. It was a large one, and threw out so
+much light that every hut in the village could be distinctly seen.
+There were about two hundred of the natives in sight, men, women and
+children, and some were seated in a circle about the fire, while others
+stood erect, looking intently toward the jungle where Frank knew the
+right of his line was taking up its position. Their quick ears warned
+them of the approach of an enemy.
+
+At this moment Frank caught the gleam of a bayonet on the extreme left
+of the line. That told him that some of his men were in position, and
+he decided to begin operations at once. He nodded to his companions,
+and instantly three muskets were levelled and belched forth their
+contents in quick succession. This was the signal for the attack, and
+it was promptly obeyed. Muskets and pistols roared all along the line,
+and such a chorus of hoarse voices arose from the jungle that Frank,
+had he not known just how many men he had at his command, would have
+supposed that there was a small army hidden there.
+
+The natives behaved just as Chips said they would. The most of them
+took to their heels at once, while the bravest among them lingered long
+enough to fire their muskets. But they discharged them any how--just
+as they happened to pick them up--and Frank saw that the muzzles of
+the most of them were pointed into the air. No sooner were the weapons
+emptied than the owners threw them down and ran for life.
+
+In two minutes' time the sailors were all in the now deserted village,
+and two of the huts had been fired by Chips, who showed himself as
+active as a cat. He ran about with a fire-brand in each hand, calling
+loudly on the captives to make all haste to reach the beach, telling
+them they would find boats there and men to protect them.
+
+Frank remained in the centre of the line, so that he could see all
+that was going on and direct the movements of his men, and it was with
+no little satisfaction that he noted the care with which each member
+of his small company took to carry out the instructions given him.
+Frank did not see that any of the natives were killed, but he did see
+one prisoner rescued. He did not get a glimpse of his face or of his
+clothing, but a remark Lucas made as he and Barton carried him by in
+their arms, told him who it was. "This ain't such a nice piece of
+business as it might be, sir," said the former, touching his cap.
+
+"It's the captain," thought Frank. "That was a lucky thought of mine,
+appointing two of his worst enemies to take care of him, for they
+wouldn't injure him now for the world. He's badly hurt, too. Will he
+act more like a man now, or be a worse tyrant than ever?"
+
+In a very short space of time the whole village was in a blaze. The
+huts being built of bamboo and their cone-shaped roofs thatched with
+dry grass, they burned like so much tinder. There was nothing more to
+be done now--nothing more they could do. They had rescued one prisoner,
+given the others a chance to run if they were able to do it, and now
+he must take care of his own men before the natives turned on them.
+The signal to retreat, a long, shrill whistle, was as promptly obeyed
+as the signal to attack. The men hurried toward him, and throwing
+their weapons on their shoulders fell in behind Chips, who led the way
+toward the beach at a dog trot. Frank ran his eye over the line as it
+moved passed him to see if there was anybody missing, and found to his
+delight that not only were the men all there, but also two more rescued
+prisoners, the captain's harpooner and bow-oarsman, who saluted him
+as they went by. When the last man was in the path, Frank and Mr. Gale
+fell in and brought up the rear. A few minutes' rapid run brought them
+to the beach, and after seeing the wounded captain stowed away as
+comfortably as circumstances would permit, Frank ordered the crews into
+the boats, which were pushed off toward the ship. There was no pursuit
+attempted, the natives being too badly frightened to rally immediately.
+By the time their expected reinforcements arrived, the Tycoon was safe
+out of their reach.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+FRANK ON THE QUARTER-DECK.
+
+
+THE expedition was ended and well ended too, Frank told himself. Three
+men were rescued, and that was something to feel glad over. The attack
+was so well planned, and all the details carried out so faithfully
+and energetically, that it was entirely successful, and there was not
+a man missing. All the ship's company could be accounted for except
+Gardner--Frank could not bring himself now to think of him by the
+name he generally bore--and he had doubtless been killed and thrown
+overboard when the natives made their attack on the vessel.
+
+While on the way back to the Tycoon Frank had much to think about, the
+principal object of his thoughts being the wounded captain. Frank was
+sorry to see him in his present situation, and he reproached himself
+when he reflected that he had so long cherished feelings of revenge
+toward him. He had all the while told himself that his feelings were
+not actuated by any desire for vengeance--that he wanted to have the
+skipper shut up for a while, merely to prevent him from serving others
+as he had served himself; but now he knew that behind all this was the
+belief that the captain deserved punishment for the offences of which
+he had been guilty, and that he would breathe a good deal easier if he
+could assist in bringing it about. That was all past now, however. The
+skipper needed assistance, and that was enough for the generous Frank,
+who felt almost as tender toward him as he would have felt toward his
+cousin Archie, had he been in the same situation.
+
+Meanwhile an animated conversation was going on between Mr. Gale and
+Lucas, who were in the other boat with Barton, the coxswain. The third
+mate had been silent and thoughtful for a long time, and Lucas asked
+the reason for it.
+
+"I was just thinking of what's to come," replied Mr. Gale. "Here we
+have been risking our lives to free these men, and what are we going to
+do with them now that we have got them?"
+
+"Take them aboard the ship, sir," said Lucas.
+
+"And what's to be done with the ship? The cap'n is of no use now, the
+first and second mates are gone, and so, of course, the ship falls to
+my hands; but she's a bigger load than I can carry."
+
+"Don't worry about that, sir," returned Lucas, quickly. "Cap'n Nelson's
+shoulders are broad, and he can carry her."
+
+"Was he ever master of a vessel?" asked Mr. Gale.
+
+"Of course he was, sir. Didn't you know it?"
+
+"I heard something about it, but I didn't believe it. He don't look
+like a sailor."
+
+"No more'n he looks like a lawyer or a fighting man, sir; but he's
+all three. When the war was going he commanded as fine a brig as ever
+sailed in Farragut's fleet."
+
+"A brig!" echoed Barton. "A ship, you mean. Haven't I seen her often?
+Didn't I see her and him too down there in Mobile Bay, the time we had
+the fight with the forts and gunboats? You're right I did. The Admiral
+was going to put him in command of a frigate, only the war closed and
+Cap'n Nelson wouldn't stay in the navy."
+
+"I knew it was something of that kind," said Lucas, who knew just
+nothing at all about it. He and Barton were working to put Frank on the
+Tycoon's quarter-deck, and they did not care how many falsehoods they
+told or what means they used to get him there. "He went into a fight
+once and licked the rebels three to one," continued Lucas.
+
+"Five to one, you mean," corrected Barton, who did not think his friend
+was saying quite as much as could be said in Frank's favor.
+
+"I knew it was big odds," returned Lucas, "and under them
+circumstances, sir, you mustn't feel hard if we say that we won't serve
+on the Tycoon under nobody but Cap'n Nelson."
+
+"I don't feel hard toward you," said the mate, "for I don't want to
+command her. I am not fit."
+
+"No more you be, sir," said Barton, bluntly; "but Cap'n Nelson is. We
+can call him cap'n now, and nobody can't say no to us without getting
+his head broke."
+
+Frank, little dreaming of what was passing in the other boat, was being
+carried rapidly ahead by the stalwart Kanakas who pulled him, and
+reached the ship a long distance in advance of Mr. Gale. As he came
+alongside he saw two men looking over the rail, both of whom Chips
+recognised, dark as it was. They proved to be two wrecked sailors who
+had been held prisoners by the natives, and who had taken advantage
+of the attack on the village to run to the beach and swim off to
+the vessel. They were overjoyed to find themselves among their own
+countrymen once more, and almost overwhelmed Frank by their exhibition
+of gratitude. But he had no time to listen to them. He simply shook
+hands with them, and then turned his attention to the captain.
+
+The wounded man groaned whenever any one touched him; but a whip being
+quickly rigged he was hoisted aboard as tenderly as possible, and in
+obedience to Frank's directions was carried into the cabin and placed
+in his bunk. When the steward lighted the lamp Frank had a good view of
+him for the first time, and he could hardly bring himself to believe
+that this wreck of humanity was the same man he had so often seen on
+the quarter-deck. He was no surgeon, but knowing that something ought
+to be done at once to relieve the captain and stop the flow of blood,
+he set to work to do what he could. He cut off the sufferer's coat and
+shirt with his knife, and found three gaping wounds, which were enough
+to have left the life out of any but a man of iron, as the captain was.
+While he was bathing them with warm water brought from the galley the
+third mate came in, and Frank was surprised to see him remove his hat.
+
+"Is it necessary for me to apologize for coming in here under such
+circumstances as these, without an invitation?" asked the amateur
+doctor.
+
+"I guess not, sir," answered the officer, with a smile. "From all I can
+learn you've got the best right here."
+
+"How is that? I don't understand you."
+
+"Why, the men have put you in as cap'n, and say they won't do duty
+under anybody else."
+
+"Well, they have no right to do anything of the kind. They don't know
+what they are talking about."
+
+"No, they don't. I'm master of this ship," murmured the wounded man,
+looking about with the old savage glare in his eyes and trying to raise
+his head. "Trice 'em all up, and hang the snatch-block to their--Mr.
+Gale!" he ejaculated, recognising the third mate.
+
+"Yes, sir; it's Mr. Gale, come back safe and sound, and just as ready
+to do duty as he was before you turned him adrift in that boat,"
+replied the officer.
+
+"Send the first mate here," said the captain, sinking back on his
+pillow and closing his eyes.
+
+"I can't, sir. He went ashore with you and hasn't come back yet. The
+natives made an end of him, most likely."
+
+"The second mate, then."
+
+"Can't send him either, sir, because he and the first are keeping
+company now somewhere besides on board this ship. The natives harpooned
+him. There's nobody left but me."
+
+"And you ain't worth nothing. You don't know how to flog a man."
+
+"If I did, I couldn't do it now, sir. The men have taken the ship and
+put Cap'n Nelson in command. I looked for 'em to do it long ago."
+
+"Nelson!" groaned the captain, opening his eyes again. "I sent him----"
+
+He seemed to recognise the face bending over him, and stopped suddenly.
+
+"I know you did, sir," said Mr. Gale, "You sent him adrift with me; but
+he's back again, and so are Lucas and Barton and all the rest of the
+boat's crew. But I say, cap'n, if you are able to do duty, you'd best
+be giving some orders, for the tide is about turning, and if the ship
+is to be worked off the bar, now's the time."
+
+The captain made no reply, and neither could Mr. Gale induce him to
+speak again. He lay with his eyes closed, and groaned every time
+a question was asked him. The mate scratched his head in great
+perplexity. "What shall I do, sir?" said he, looking at Frank.
+
+"Do just what you think best," was the reply. "This man is in no
+condition to give orders. Go ahead on your own hook."
+
+The mate clapped his hat on his head and hurried up the ladder. He
+found the crew gathered in the waist waiting, no doubt, to hear from
+some one in the cabin. "Turn to, lads," said Mr. Gale, briskly. "Bear a
+hand, and get up that small kedge for'ard."
+
+"Who give them orders, sir, begging your pardon for being curious?"
+said Lucas. "Did Cap'n Barclay or Cap'n Nelson?"
+
+"Cap'n Nelson," replied the mate. "Cap'n Barclay ain't fit to command
+now."
+
+"No more was he ever fit to command, sir!" said Lucas, who was speaking
+for all of the men. "But, asking your pardon again, sir, I'd just like
+to have a peep at Cap'n Nelson, and see why he don't come up and give
+his own orders, like the master of a ship had ought to do. You know
+that he went into that cabin once and didn't come out again very soon,
+don't you? We don't think as much of you, by no means, as we did before
+you had a hand in that business."
+
+The mate made no reply. He had set himself right with Frank, who was
+perfectly satisfied that he was not to blame for anything that had
+happened, and he would leave him to make the matter straight with the
+men. He stepped aside to allow Lucas to pass, and the latter, running
+down the companion-ladder, was amazed to find Frank acting the part of
+Good Samaritan to one whom he had hitherto regarded as an enemy. He
+opened his eyes wide at the sight, and Frank thought he was displeased.
+"It's all time wasted, sir," said he.
+
+"Well, we must do the very best we can for him," was Frank's reply.
+"If he can only hold out till we fall in with some ship carrying a
+surgeon, he will perhaps pull through all right."
+
+"Did you give orders to have the ship worked off the bar, cap'n?" asked
+the boatswain's mate.
+
+"We want to get her off, don't we?" answered Frank. "She musn't lie
+here and be pounded to pieces, as she will be if the wind rises."
+
+Lucas went out of the cabin satisfied. He knew what ought to be done
+as well as anybody, but he wanted to be sure that the orders came from
+the right source. The men were satisfied too, and went to work to get
+the ship out of her dangerous situation, while Frank kept busy with his
+patient, although he believed, with Lucas, that his efforts to save the
+captain's life would be useless. He had nothing to work with--no lint
+or bandages, and no medicine to allay the fever. But the sequel proved
+that Frank did not know what the old sailor meant by his remark. The
+wounded skipper was threatened by another danger from which no one on
+board the Tycoon but Frank could protect him--- the fury of the men he
+had wronged.
+
+At the end of two hours the Tycoon was in deep water and standing away
+from the inhospitable Islands with all her canvas spread. Frank had
+been equally successful with the work to which he had devoted himself,
+and now the captain was in a sound sleep. While Frank stood watching
+him, wondering; what was to be done when he awoke, since there were no
+medicines aboard except calomel and salts, nothing to eat except coarse
+ship's fare, and nothing to drink but the miserable stuff called tea
+and coffee which the cook served up twice each day--while Frank was
+thinking about this, and wishing he could get inside the Stranger's
+pantry long enough to secure some of the delicacies he knew to be
+stowed away there, he was aroused by a great hubbub which suddenly
+arose on deck. He heard the stamping of feet and loud yells of triumph,
+mingled with cries of, "Here's one of 'em. Pitch him overboard!" A
+moment later the mate's voice was heard in tones of remonstrance, to
+which some one replied: "If you don't go aft where you belong and mind
+your own business, you'll go over too!"
+
+Mr. Gale evidently thought that the man, whoever he was that said this,
+was in earnest, for Frank heard him running along the deck, and saw his
+pale face appear at the top of the companion ladder. "Come up, cap'n,"
+he cried, in great excitement; "the men are going to throw Calamity
+overboard!"
+
+Frank lingered just long enough to slap his pockets, to make sure that
+the pistols he had carried during the attack on the village were still
+there, and then went up the stairs in three jumps. He saw a group of
+men in the waist, who were pushing and crowding one another about, and
+caught just one glimpse of the pale face of Gardner, who was in the
+midst of them, and resisting to the utmost the efforts that were being
+made to drag him to the side. He saw at a glance that Boson and Tully
+were the ringleaders, and the ones who had seized the frightened man;
+and he was sorry to see, too, that Lucas and Barton were there and
+making no effort to restrain their companions, although they took no
+part in the proceeding. The peaceable Kanakas were standing in a body
+on the forecastle and looking on in great amazement.
+
+With three jumps more Frank was in the waist, standing between the men
+and the rail, and Mr. Gale was at his side. "Lucas! Barton!" he cried,
+"come over to this side the deck."
+
+"Why, cap'n?" began Lucas.
+
+"No words," interrupted Frank. "You and Barton come over to this side
+of the deck, and be quick about it."
+
+The sailors obeyed, and the change in their positions seemed to make a
+corresponding change in their feelings, for the next order Frank gave
+was responded to without an instant's hesitation. "Lucas, take hold
+of Boson. Barton, grab Tully and drag him away. Gardner, go into the
+cabin!"
+
+It was wonderful how quickly and easily one calm, determined spirit
+controlled those angry men. The trouble was ended at once. Boson let
+go his hold and slunk away at the sight of Lucas's big fist, which was
+brandished before his eyes, and Tully was equally active in giving
+ground before the broad-shouldered Barton. Gardner, finding himself at
+liberty, went down the companion-ladder like a flash, banging the door
+behind him.
+
+"I am surprised at you, men," said Frank, sternly, and there was not
+one among them who could look him in the eye. "If you had succeeded in
+accomplishing your object, what would you have said for yourselves when
+you got ashore? Boson, you are the largest and strongest man in the
+crew. Take your stand at the top of that ladder and knock the first one
+down who attempts to go into the cabin without Mr. Gale's permission."
+
+This stroke of policy on Frank's part won him a fast friend on the
+spot--one who might otherwise have been an enemy, and kept the crew
+in a constant uproar. He was a turbulent fellow, this Boson, and one
+of the few sailors Frank had met who seemed to need a handspike or
+belaying-pin over his head about once a day to keep him in order. His
+appearance was enough to frighten some men, and was a good index of his
+character. He had a most repulsive countenance, a small bullet-shaped
+head, always kept closely cropped and set on a thick, muscular neck,
+and a form betokening immense physical power. And indeed he possessed
+it. He could handle an eighteen-foot oar as if it were a feather, and
+when he laid out his strength, he fairly made things snap. His whole
+body was seamed and scarred by wounds he had received in fights and
+from the officers he had sailed under, and Frank had seen him knocked
+flat with a handspike which seemed to make no more impression on his
+thick skull than it would on the mast. This was the man of whom Frank
+had been wise enough to make a friend.
+
+Boson looked at him in amazement, evidently at a loss to decide whether
+Frank was in earnest or not; but making up his mind at last that he
+was, he marched off, and taking the position assigned him, looked
+defiantly at the crew, as if daring them to come on.
+
+Frank was surprised at the ease with which the disturbance had been
+quelled, and so was Mr. Gale. It leaked out afterward that the
+former's prompt action had prevented serious trouble. Lucas made no
+idle threat when he said that the captain and Calamity were both to
+go overboard. The latter had been hiding in the hold among the oil
+barrels. He went there when he saw the natives approaching to make
+their attack on the ship, and no one missed him until the fight was
+over, and the sailors began to look around to see how many they had
+lost. Not finding Calamity among the slain, they concluded that he had
+either jumped overboard, or been wounded and thrown over; but he had
+been safely concealed in the hold all the while. Finding at last that
+the ship was in motion, he came out of his hiding-place to see what
+was going on, and must have been astonished at the reception extended
+to him. After he had been disposed of, the skipper's turn was to come
+next. The desperate men counted on meeting with opposition and perhaps
+resistance from Mr. Gale and Frank, but expected to overcome it very
+easily. They knew Mr. Gale, but found they did not know Frank. Had the
+latter been as easily cowed as the third mate was, something certainly
+would have happened.
+
+Quiet being restored, Mr. Gale and Frank walked aft together, and the
+crew seeing them in earnest conversation, leaned over the rail and
+waited to learn what would come next. "I suppose the first business is
+to decide who we want for officers," said Frank.
+
+"I suppose so, sir," replied Mr. Gale.
+
+"You are entitled to the captain's berth, of course. That's settled."
+
+"No it ain't, sir," returned the mate, quickly. "This is the first
+voyage I ever made as an officer, and I know no more about navigation
+than I do about the moon."
+
+"Then let me act as your sailing-master."
+
+"The men won't agree to it, sir. They said so."
+
+Then the mate went on to repeat the conversation that had taken place
+between Lucas, Barton and himself, at which Frank laughed heartily.
+"Why they are very much mistaken," said he. "The largest sailing
+vessel I ever commanded was a pleasure yacht."
+
+"No odds, sir. They've got it in their heads that you must command them
+now that the old man is done for, and there'll be a row if you don't.
+You have seen what they are when they get started."
+
+"Then I'll tell you what we'll do," said Frank, after thinking a
+moment. "We'll leave it to them; and after they have selected their
+officers we'll draw up a paper containing a full history of everything
+that has happened since leaving Honolulu, and ask them to sign it.
+These matters must be looked into by the consul, and we want to be all
+right in law, you know."
+
+In accordance with this suggestion, the mate mustered the men on the
+quarter-deck and made them a little speech. He told them that there
+must be somebody at the head of affairs, and that as the officers were
+all gone except himself, others must be selected. In the first place
+they must all agree to be bound by the decision of the majority, and
+faithfully promise to obey those placed over them.
+
+"We'll all obey Cap'n Nelson," exclaimed Boson, before the mate was
+fairly done speaking.
+
+"Yes, Cap'n Nelson! Cap'n Nelson!" cried a chorus of hoarse voices.
+"Nobody else!"
+
+There was not a dissenting voice; so Frank could no longer refuse to
+accept the responsibility. He was amused to see that Lucas and Barton,
+while supporting Boson's nomination, looked savagely at him, as if they
+would have been glad to knock him down for speaking in such a hurry.
+They wanted to bring Frank forward themselves.
+
+"Cap'n Nelson, I give place to you, sir," said Mr. Gale.
+
+The men greeted the young commander with cheers as he stepped forward,
+no doubt expecting him to make them a speech; but Frank did nothing of
+the kind. He told them that the next business was to select a first
+mate, and at his suggestion Mr. Gale was chosen by a unanimous vote.
+Lucas was put in for second, and Boson, who was a fine sailor, if
+he was a quarrelsome fellow, for third mate; and when the men were
+dismissed every one of them seemed satisfied.
+
+[Illustration: FRANK CHOSEN CAPTAIN OF THE TYCOON.]
+
+Frank at once went below to look at his patient, leaving Mr. Gale in
+charge of the deck. The captain lay with his eyes closed, rolling his
+head from side to side, and Calamity was fanning him with his hat. The
+latter started up in alarm as Frank entered.
+
+"It is no one who is going to harm you," said he. "I hope you see now
+what you have brought upon yourself by your way of doing business. Let
+it be a lesson to you."
+
+"I shall never dare to go into the forecastle again," whined Calamity.
+
+"You needn't go in there. You will stay here as the captain's nurse."
+
+This order seemed to relieve the frightened man. Through the open
+skylights he had heard all that passed on deck, and he was afraid that
+Frank, having the authority to do so, would order him to go forward
+where he belonged.
+
+Frank slept but little that night. The responsibilities of his new
+position weighed on his mind, and he came on deck every hour to see
+that things were going straight. The first real duty he performed as
+captain was to ascertain whereabouts in the wide world the ship was,
+and this he did the next day by an observation. She was directly in
+the track of vessels bound from Australia to the Pacific ports of the
+United States, and he decided to cruise about for a few days in the
+hope of meeting some ship that carried a surgeon. Without medical
+assistance he was afraid that the captain might not live until the ship
+reached Honolulu, which, according to his calculations, was more than
+fifteen hundred miles distant.
+
+The observation made, dinner over and the table cleared away, Frank
+busied himself for an hour or two in drawing up papers for the men
+to sign; and when that was done, he took a few minutes to think over
+the various incidents that had operated to place him in his present
+position. The most exacting old sea-dog could hardly have found
+fault with the way affairs were going now. The weather-side of the
+quarter-deck was reserved for the captain, who for an hour paced up and
+down there with his hands behind his back, and as free from intrusion
+as a monarch on his throne. The officers were alert and watchful, the
+crew seemed to have settled down to the new order of things as if they
+had been accustomed to them all their lives, and never in her best days
+under her old commander had the Tycoon looked more ship-shape. Frank
+wished the crew had put Mr. Gale in his place, and left him to act
+as sailing-master; but since they had seen fit to do differently, he
+would perform his duty as best he could. He knew every rope and sail
+in the ship, was possessed of excellent judgment, which was the one
+great thing needed, and the captain's sextant came as handy to him as
+a fishing-rod or double-barrel; so he was not so very unfit for the
+position he held after all. How Archie and the rest of the friends he
+had left on the Stranger would open their eyes if they could see him in
+that dress and know that he was the master of that fine ship! For the
+first time in a long while Frank allowed his thoughts to wander back to
+them, and the consequence was he became homesick. Yes, homesick; for
+the cabin of the Stranger had been his home for almost eight months,
+and had he kept out of the way of the bogus captain, it might have been
+his home yet. Where was the schooner now, and what were those aboard
+of her doing? Perhaps she was sailing about over the Pacific in search
+of the Tycoon! This thought aroused Frank from his reverie, and caused
+him to straighten up and look about as if he expected to see something.
+If the Stranger followed the Tycoon to the Sandwich Islands, would not
+Uncle Dick ascertain when he got there that she had shipped a crew and
+started for the Japan station? And would he not sail again immediately
+and try to find her?
+
+"Sail ho!" shouted the man at the mast-head. "Where away?" demanded the
+captain, greatly excited.
+
+"Two points off the lee bow, sir. Steamer."
+
+"Dear me! why did he say steamer?" thought Frank. "I'd rather he'd have
+said topsail schooner."
+
+No doubt he would, especially if the schooner proved to be the
+Stranger. Still he was glad to know that there was a steamer near,
+for he would be relieved of one cause of anxiety if he could only
+intercept her. He would bring her doctor aboard, and perhaps he could
+do something for the captain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+Frank went aloft with his glass, and after watching the steamer for a
+few minutes made up his mind that if he held on his way she would cross
+his path at such a distance that he could not speak her; so he altered
+the Tycoon's course a few points, and for several miles ran almost
+parallel with the approaching craft. This manœuvre was successful, and
+by sunset the two vessels were within hailing distance. After seeing
+one of the boats cleared for lowering and the crew ready to tumble into
+her, Frank came to while the steamer was yet a half a mile away; and
+this attracting the attention of her captain, he ran under a slow bell
+until within speaking distance, when he stopped his engines. His vessel
+was a fine large mail steamer, and her promenade deck was crowded with
+passengers.
+
+"Steamer ahoy!" yelled Frank, through his trumpet. "Will you wait for
+me to send a boat aboard of you? We are in need of medical assistance."
+
+A reply in the affirmative promptly came back, and five minutes
+afterward a whale-boat, manned by a sturdy crew steered by Frank, was
+pulling toward the steamer.
+
+Up to this time Frank's mind was fully occupied with thoughts of the
+wounded captain; but now it occurred to him that he was not in just
+the right dress to present himself before a company of ladies and
+gentlemen. Clothed in a red shirt, coarse trowsers, heavy boots, all
+plentifully spattered with oil, a tarpaulin, which, although but a
+short time out of the slop-chest, began to show signs of wear, and with
+hands and face browned by exposure, he was not the most attractive
+looking young man in the world, and he thought he looked worse when in
+the presence of the dapper young officer who met him at the gangway.
+The well-dressed people on deck gave him plenty of room as he walked
+along, but the gray-headed captain came forward and greeted him
+cordially. "What did you say you wanted, sir?" said he. "A doctor?"
+
+"Yes, sir. There's a man aboard that ship in a critical condition. We
+had some trouble with the natives at the Mangrove Islands, and he's
+badly wounded."
+
+A chorus of ejaculations and questions arose from the passengers who
+crowded eagerly forward, and Frank could have told his story to a
+most attentive and interested audience if he had only had time; but
+the captain sent off at once for the surgeon, who made his appearance
+before he was fairly begun. To him Frank described the nature of the
+captain's injuries as well as he could, and when he had heard all Frank
+could tell him, he provided himself with medicine and instruments, got
+into the whale-boat and was taken on board the Tycoon. He remained
+there nearly three hours--so long that some of the gentlemen among the
+steamer's passengers became impatient at the delay, called on Frank
+for a boat, and came off to see what the "blubber-hunter" looked like.
+The young captain met them as they came over the side, and was amused
+at the look of astonishment that settled on their faces when they found
+themselves fairly on her deck.
+
+"Why, if I had known that you kept your craft as neat as this, I should
+have brought my wife and daughter along," said one of the gentlemen,
+running his finger over the rail and closely examining it to make sure
+that there was no oil on it. "I expected to find myself knee-deep in
+grease. I have seen whalers come into port before now, and they were
+such horrible looking things outside, that I supposed, they could not
+be very tidy on deck."
+
+"They are not always, sir," said Frank, "especially when they are
+cutting in and trying out. They often spend eight months and more out
+of sight of land, and the men are so busy with other work that they
+can't find time to keep the ship as neat and trim as a merchantman or
+man-of-war."
+
+The visitors having satisfied themselves that they were in no danger
+of soiling their good clothes, began to exhibit a lively interest in
+what they saw about them. Frank showed them over the ship, explained
+the use of the try-works, harpoons, lances and all the other implements
+connected with a whaler's calling, and related the particulars of
+the fight they had had with the natives at the Mangrove Islands; and
+so engrossed did his listeners become that they were sorry when the
+doctor came out of the cabin and announced that he was ready to depart.
+He told Frank what he had done for the wounded man, and said that,
+although he was so badly used up that it might take him some months to
+fully recover from the effects of his injuries, there were no bones
+broken, and his life was in no danger, if the remedies he left for him
+were faithfully administered according to the directions he had given
+the captain's attendant. The doctor and the passengers were then taken
+on board their vessel by one of the whale-boats, and when it returned
+and was hoisted at the davits, the Tycoon filled away for the Sandwich
+Islands.
+
+It was wonderful what a change the doctor's visit made in the wounded
+man! He seemed to grow better immediately. Frank found him in earnest
+conversation with Calamity. When it was ended the latter came out with
+the request that Mr. Gale might be sent to the captain when he was off
+duty, if Frank had no objection. Of course he had none. The first mate
+was sent for at once, and remained in conversation with the captain for
+more than an hour. When he came out he went straight to Frank, who was
+pacing the quarter-deck. "How is he now?" asked the latter.
+
+"O, he's all right that is, his tongue is as lively as ever. He wants
+me to act as mediator between you and him."
+
+"There is no occasion for it," answered Frank. "There are no hard
+feelings on my part."
+
+"I was sure of it, sir. Calamity has told him everything, and he would
+be perfectly satisfied with the way matters have been arranged, if it
+wasn't for the fear that you helped rescue him from the natives, and
+brought the doctor off to save his life, so that you might have the
+chance to take him before the court at Honolulu."
+
+"Perhaps if he knew me better he would not have so poor an opinion of
+me," returned Frank. "I don't deny that if I could have got him there
+two days ago, I should have made trouble for him. Indeed I told him so
+to his face. But that is all over now."
+
+"He has been punished enough, hasn't he, sir?"
+
+"I think he has. You may assure him for me, in the plainest language
+you can command, that I shall not trouble him in any way. On the
+contrary, I will do what I can to make him comfortable."
+
+"I'll tell him, sir. He wanted me to ask two favors of you: one is,
+that you will put him on board the first ship you meet bound for the
+States. He's afraid of the men, sir. Calamity told him that they were
+going to throw him overboard."
+
+"He has nothing to fear from them, but I'll respect his wishes all the
+same. What else does he want me to do?"
+
+"He hopes that while you are looking out for a sail, you will keep
+an eye open for whales and lose no chance for filling up. We stow
+twenty-five hundred barrels, and here we have been out nearly seventeen
+months and haven't taken a quarter of that quantity. It looks now as
+though we were not going to make a paying voyage."
+
+"I'll do the best I can," replied Frank.
+
+And he did. The ship lay-to that night with only a boatsteerer's watch
+on deck, and the next morning business began in earnest. A whale was
+discovered before breakfast, and three boats in command of Mr. Gale,
+Lucas and Boson were sent out after him, Frank remaining in charge
+of the ship. The prize was secured without much trouble, and while
+it was lying alongside, and the men, having prepared themselves for
+work by eating a good breakfast, were about to begin the cutting in,
+another was raised, and by three o'clock that also was alongside, and
+the carpenter was at work on a stove boat. This whale fought hard, but
+there was nobody hurt.
+
+This was only the beginning. The blubber-room was never entirely
+empty, and during the next three weeks four hundred barrels of oil were
+added to those in the hold. Of course the labor was severe, the crew
+being small, but the men had plenty to eat, were kindly treated and
+the amount of work they turned off was surprising. Calamity kept the
+captain posted in all that was going on, and he growled lustily--being
+an old sailor he couldn't help it--and wondered why he had not been
+blessed with such luck, and why the crew had not worked as well for him
+as they did for the new captain.
+
+One bright morning, following a hard night's work at trying-out, while
+Frank was leaning over a water-bucket, rubbing his hands and face with
+a piece of hard soap, the man at the mast-head announced that there was
+a sail in sight, and in response to the usual inquiry, added: "Broad
+off the wheather beam. Topsail schooner. Sets low in the water and
+spreads lots of canvas."
+
+"Do you hear that, Lucas?" cried Frank, gazing about through eyes that
+were almost hidden in soap suds. "Jump up there, quick!"
+
+The latter cleared his eyes by the aid of a piece of canvas that served
+him for a towel, and watched the movements of the old boatswain's mate
+as he hurried aloft. He saw him level his glass, hold it to his eye for
+a moment and then begin to scramble down again. That was enough for
+Frank. "Mr. Gale," said he, so delighted and excited, that he could
+hardly stand still, "my connection with the Tycoon is nearly ended now.
+My friends are close by."
+
+"I am glad for your sake, sir, and sorry for my own," replied the mate.
+"We've had a pleasant ship and the best of luck since you've been on
+the quarter-deck."
+
+"And I have been very well contented," said Frank; "but I wasn't while
+I was in the forecastle, I tell you. It isn't often that a shanghaied
+man becomes master of the ship that runs away with him, is it?"
+
+"I never heard the like before, sir."
+
+"And probably you never will again. Well, Lucas!"
+
+"It's the Stranger, sir! I can tell her among a million!" replied the
+second mate, no less delighted than his captain.
+
+"Breakfast is on, sir," announced the steward.
+
+Frank did not want any, but he made a show of eating nevertheless. He
+drank a cup or two of a decoction of parched beans which the steward
+called coffee, swallowed a few mouthfuls of salt horse and hard-tack,
+and then hurried on deck to tell the officer on watch to see one of
+the boats clear for lowering, and to have a crew, whom he mentioned by
+name, ready to pull him off to the schooner. After that he gave his
+black suit a good overhauling; but it had seen pretty hard service
+before he drew any clothing from the slop-chest, and he decided that it
+would not do to put on. Then he took a look at himself in the little
+mirror that was screwed fast to one of the bulkheads in the cabin, and
+told himself that Boson was a beauty compared to him.
+
+"Well, what's the difference?" thought Frank. "If any of those boys had
+been in my boots they would look just as rough and weather-beaten as I
+do."
+
+With this reflection to console him Frank hurried on deck again, and
+taking the glass Lucas offered him, levelled it at the schooner, which
+was now close aboard. Almost the first man he saw was Dick Lewis.
+Frank's heart leaped at the sight of him. He had supposed that the two
+trappers were safe in the mountains long before this time, but now he
+would have a chance to shake them by the hand once more before he bade
+them good-by for ever. He wondered how they had conquered their fears
+sufficiently to venture out to sea. He saw Uncle Dick Gaylord and his
+two officers on the quarter-deck, and the Club gathered in the waist,
+every one of them with his field-glass in his hand.
+
+"Of course they will recognise the ship, but they will never know me in
+this dress," thought Frank. "And I don't think they'll be able to make
+much out of my hail either."
+
+Frank kept out of sight until the ship's main yard was backed and the
+schooner thrown up into the wind; then he showed himself.
+
+"What ship is that?" yelled a stentorian voice, that Frank could have
+recognised anywhere.
+
+"The whale ship Eli Coon, Hank Wilson master. Seventeen months out
+of Nantucket and nine hundred barrels of oil in the hold. I think
+that bothered them a little, Mr. Gale. I see they are talking very
+earnestly. Is that crew ready? I'll send a boat aboard of you," he
+added, hailing the schooner.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Uncle Dick, in a tone of voice which indicated
+that he did not understand the matter at all.
+
+Lucas, Barton, Boson and Tully, all good oarsmen, comprised the boat's
+crew, and they were not long in taking their captain alongside the
+schooner. Seeing that the Club and Uncle Dick kept their glasses
+levelled at him, Frank drew his hat low over his forehead, and thanked
+the wind for turning the collar of his shirt up around his ears. He
+laughed to himself when he thought how amazed his friends would be
+to see him in those clothes and learn that he was the captain of the
+Tycoon--he who had been shanghaied and thrust into her forecastle to
+do duty as a common sailor! He thought he could have some sport with
+the schooner's company, and run no risk of being recognised. After
+comparing his reckoning with Uncle Dick's, he would slap the boys on
+the back and take all sorts of liberties with them, and see what they
+would do about it. But Dick Lewis upset all these calculations in short
+order. His sharp eyes penetrated Frank's disguise, and no sooner did
+his head appear above the schooner's rail than he was hauled aboard,
+lifted bodily from the deck and carried aft. He struggled hard to free
+himself, but the trapper held him fast, and finally stood him on his
+feet in front of Uncle Dick, just as he had done with the bogus captain.
+
+"What do you mean?" demanded Frank, in a gruff voice. "If this is the
+way you treat your visitors, sir, I'll go back where I belong!"
+
+Uncle Dick stared at Frank, who tried to look angry, but his eyes
+laughed in spite of himself. "Nelson!" he exclaimed, at a venture.
+
+"That's jest who he are, cap'n," cried the trapper, bringing his heavy
+hand down on Frank's shoulder with such force that he shook all over.
+"Whiskers and all, that's him."
+
+It was all out now, and Frank's little plan was exposed. Of course
+a great hubbub arose at once, and Frank judged by the greeting he
+received that his friends were just as glad to see him as he was to see
+them. Lucas and Barton met with an equally cordial reception from their
+friends in the forecastle, who were not a little surprised to find that
+one of them had worked his way to the quarter-deck during his absence.
+
+Frank had a long story to tell, and it took him a long time to tell it.
+When it was ended, Uncle Dick and the Club had a good many questions to
+ask, and it took a long time to answer them; so that the two vessels
+remained alongside the greater part of the day. During that time boat's
+crews were exchanged, some of the schooner's company going off to
+visit the ship, and some of her crew coming back to visit the Stranger.
+
+As soon as the conversation began to flag Frank spoke of the needs of
+the wounded captain, asking for some of the good things with which the
+Stranger was so amply provided; but Uncle Dick had something better
+to propose. "Write an order to your mate to send him off here," said
+he. "I have a medicine-chest, plenty of lint and bandages, and long
+experience has made me a passable physician and surgeon. I can take
+better care of him than you can, and perhaps he will feel easier when
+he is out of reach of his men."
+
+Frank was only too glad to accept this kind offer, for he knew that the
+wounded man would be benefited by the change. He sent off an order to
+Mr. Gale, and half an hour afterward Captain Barclay was comfortably
+settled in the Stranger's cabin. He was delighted with his elegant
+quarters, and repeatedly declared that he did not deserve the treatment
+he received. If he was ever able to take the quarter-deck again he
+would be a different man.
+
+His story told and all questions asked and answered, the young captain
+made ready to return to his ship. Of course all the boys went with
+him. Frank warned them that he could not give them such food or such
+quarters as they had on board the Stranger, but they didn't care for
+that. They wanted to see the Tycoon, and they made Frank promise, over
+and over again, that if the opportunity were offered, he would show
+them the operation of catching a whale. The Club tried to induce the
+trappers to go with them, but their entreaties and arguments fell on
+deaf ears. Dick and Bob knew that the Stranger was a safe boat, but
+they did not like to trust the Tycoon, and so thought it best to remain
+where they were.
+
+"Brace for'ard main yard," said Frank, when all the whaler's boats had
+been hoisted at the davits. "Eugene, you said you couldn't understand
+how it came that you reached the Sandwich Islands three days after we
+did. Now I'll show you. Set studding sails, Mr. Gale."
+
+Eugene very soon found out why it was. The Stranger was considered to
+be remarkably swift for a small vessel, but the big Tycoon sailed two
+miles to her one, and at daylight the next morning the schooner was out
+of sight.
+
+Frank being impatient to reach Honolulu, did not go out of his way to
+find whales. According to promise he kept the mast-head manned, but
+to no purpose. The boys watched and waited in the hope of hearing the
+welcome cry, "There she blows!" but not a whale was to be seen. Mr.
+Gale told them that the reason was because they offered no inducement.
+It was the practice of whalers under such circumstances as these, he
+said, to put up a prize of some kind to go to the man who discovered
+the first spout. He had known a whale to rise in less than two minutes
+after a pair of trowsers had been hung up in the rigging.
+
+"O, if that's the trouble, we'll raise so many that you won't know
+which to go after first," said Archie; "who's got any money?"
+
+All the boys happened to have a little in their pockets, and by
+clubbing together they raised sufficient to purchase one of the best
+suits of clothing in the slop-chest--hat, boots and all--which was hung
+up in plain view of the crew. But the offer of a dozen suits would not
+have enabled the men to see whales where there were none, and Frank
+took the ship into Honolulu without having the opportunity to gratify
+his friends, who were greatly disappointed. The Stranger was not in
+port, but she came shortly afterward, and by that time the Tycoon's
+business was settled. She passed through the consul's hands, the crew
+were paid off and discharged and a new captain assumed command and made
+ready to take her to the States. As soon as the Stranger came in, Uncle
+Dick's charge was carried to the hospital, and Frank never heard of him
+afterward. He never heard of Mr. Gale either after he took leave of
+him. The last time he saw him he was second mate of the Tycoon.
+
+One incident happened on board the Stranger that is worth recording. It
+was noticed that after Captain Barclay was brought on board, Dick Lewis
+acted more like himself than he had done for many a day.
+
+It was observed, too, that he often went through a most expressive
+pantomime, which was easily understood by those who witnessed it. One
+morning the captain came out of his cabin and found him standing at the
+top of the companion ladder, where he had been often seen of late. "Why
+do you hang around here so much?" asked Uncle Dick.
+
+The trapper pushed his hat on the back of his head, shoved up his
+sleeves until his brawny arms were bare to the elbow, spread out his
+feet, placed his hands on his hips and looked at the captain. "When is
+that mean varmint comin' up?" said he. "I owe him a leetle something,
+an' I'm in an amazin' hurry to pay it!"
+
+"Now, Lewis, you needn't worry about him," said Uncle Dick. "He's
+having as much punishment as he can stand. Frank heaped hot coals of
+fire on his head every day for three weeks, and I am following up the
+same treatment."
+
+"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper, looking doubtfully at Captain Gaylord.
+
+"It is as true as gospel."
+
+Dick could not refuse to believe it after so strong an affirmation as
+this. He grinned all over with delight, and taking the sailor's sturdy
+palm in his long, bony fingers, gave it a shake and a squeeze that made
+the captain wince and lift one of his feet a little way from the deck.
+Then Dick hurried off to find his chum.
+
+"It's all right, Bob," said he, gleefully. "I didn't know civilized
+folks done sich things, but the cap'n's scalpin' that feller in a way
+the Injuns never thought of. He's pilin' fire on his head every day."
+
+This piece of news, while it greatly surprised both the trappers,
+afforded them the liveliest satisfaction. The kidnapper was being
+fearfully punished for what he had done, and they told one another
+that he deserved it. Dick did not hang around the cabin door any more,
+but he kept his eyes open, and as he never saw any fire carried below,
+he began to grow suspicious.
+
+When the Stranger arrived in the port of Honolulu and he saw
+preparations being made to take the captain ashore, he resolved to
+investigate things a little, just to satisfy himself. Watching his
+chance, while the wounded man was being carried across the deck to be
+lowered into the boat, he dashed forward and lifted the hat from his
+head. To his intense surprise and chagrin the captain's scalp was all
+there, and his hair did not look as if it had ever been near a fire.
+Knowing nothing of the Christian principle of returning good for evil,
+the trapper supposed that Captain Gaylord had been piling literal coals
+on his patient's head every day. It took Uncle Dick a long time to
+explain things, and the backwoodsman never had as much faith in him
+after that.
+
+Having restored Frank to the society of his friends once more, we will
+take leave of him for the present, promising to say more of him soon
+in the concluding volume of this series, which will be entitled: "THE
+BOY TRADERS; OR, THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE BOERS."
+
+
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+—Obvious errors were corrected.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE***
+
+
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+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Frank Nelson in the Forecastle, by Harry
+Castlemon</h1>
+<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States
+and most other parts of the world 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 <a
+href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>.  If you are not
+located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the
+country where you are located before using this ebook.</p>
+<p>Title: Frank Nelson in the Forecastle</p>
+<p>       Or, The Sportman's Club Among the Whalers</p>
+<p>Author: Harry Castlemon</p>
+<p>Release Date: October 31, 2016  [eBook #53420]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h4>E-text prepared by Giovanni Fini, David Edwards,<br />
+    and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br />
+    from page images generously made available by<br />
+    Internet Archive<br />
+    (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10">
+  <tr>
+    <td valign="top">
+      Note:
+    </td>
+    <td>
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      <a href="https://archive.org/details/franknelsoninforcast">
+      https://archive.org/details/franknelsoninforcast</a>
+    </td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="limit">
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+ <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="350" height="591" alt="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+     <img src="images/fr.jpg" width="400" height="579"
+         alt=""
+         title="" />
+     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">Archie, Fred, and Eugene on the Main-cross-trees<br />
+of the Stranger.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p class="pc4 large"><i>FRANK NELSON SERIES.</i></p>
+
+<hr class="d1" />
+
+<h1 class="p4">FRANK NELSON<br />
+<span class="mid">IN THE FORECASTLE;</span></h1>
+
+<p class="pc4 reduct">OR, THE</p>
+
+<p class="pc2 large">SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE WHALERS.</p>
+
+<p class="pc4 lmid"><span class="smcap">By</span> HARRY CASTLEMON,</p>
+
+<p class="pc1 reduct">AUTHOR OF "THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES," "GUNBOAT SERIES," "ROLLING<br />
+STONE SERIES," &amp;C.</p>
+
+<p class="pc4 lmid">PHILADELPHIA:<br />
+<span class="mid"><span class="ls1">PORTER &amp; COATE</span>S.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pc1">CINCINNATI:<br />
+R. W. CARROLL &amp; CO.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p class="pc4 large">FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.</p>
+
+<hr class="d2" />
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>GUNBOAT SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated. 6 vols.
+16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><span class="smcap">Frank the Young Naturalist.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank on a Gunboat.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank
+in the Woods.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank before Vicksburg.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank on the Lower
+Mississippi.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank on the Prairie.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>.
+Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Frank among the Rancheros.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">Frank in the Mountains.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>.
+Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club Afloat.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">The Sportsman's Club among the Trappers.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>GO-AHEAD SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated. 3
+vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p class="pn"><span class="smcap">Tom Newcombe.</span> <span class="smcap">Go-Ahead.</span> <span class="smcap">No Moss.</span></p>
+
+<p><b>FRANK NELSON SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated.
+3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Snowed Up.</span> <span class="smcap">Frank in the Forecastle.</span> <span class="smcap">Boy Traders.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>BOY TRAPPER SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated.
+3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Buried Treasure; or, Old Jordan's Haunt.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">The Boy Trapper; or, How Dave Filled the Order.</span></p>
+<p><span class="smcap">The Mail-Carrier.</span></p>
+
+<p class="pa1"><b>ROUGHING IT SERIES.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Castlemon</span>. Illustrated.
+16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">George in Camp.</span></p>
+
+<hr class="d2" />
+
+<p class="pc mid"><i><b>Other Volumes in Preparation.</b></i></p>
+
+<hr class="d1" />
+
+<p class="pc reduct">
+Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876 by<br />
+R. W. CARROLL &amp; CO.,<br />
+in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4">CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+<hr class="d2" />
+
+<table id="toc" summary="ont">
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER I.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">A Backwoodsman's Ideas</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c5">Page 5</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER II.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">"Man Overboard"</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c24">24</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER III.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">A Sea Lawyer</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c41">41</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER IV.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">"Shanghaied"</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c61">61</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER V.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">The Trapper's Adventure</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c82">82</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER VI.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">A Scamp on his Dignity</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c99">99</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER VII.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Too late</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c118">118</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER VIII.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Gentleman Black</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c141">141</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER IX.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">"There she Blows"</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c159">159</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER X.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Frank's first Whale</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c178">178</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XI.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Cutting In and Trying Out</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c198">198</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XII.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">How Frank saw the Consul</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c218">218</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XIII.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Turned Adrift</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c241">241</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XIV.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Old Times Revived</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c262">262</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XV.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Frank on the Quarter-deck</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c285">285</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td colspan="2" class="tdc">CHAPTER XVI.</td>
+ </tr>
+
+ <tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Conclusion</td>
+  <td class="tdr"><a href="#c310">310</a></td>
+ </tr>
+
+</table>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p class="pc4 elarge">FRANK NELSON</p>
+
+<p class="pc1 xlarge">IN THE FORECASTLE;</p>
+
+<p class="pc2 reduct">OR, THE</p>
+
+<p class="pc1 large">SPORTSMAN'S CLUB AMONG THE WHALERS.</p>
+
+<hr class="d2" />
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c5" id="c5">CHAPTER I.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">A BACKWOODSMAN'S IDEAS.</p>
+
+
+<p class="drop-cap00">"I DECLARE this is almost like coming into another
+world, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I, for one, am glad to get back. I
+like a good horse, and no one enjoys a few days'
+shooting and fishing better than I do; but when I
+get tired of the saddle and the woods, I like to see
+the blue water and feel the solid planks of a yacht's
+deck under my feet once more. We had a good
+time though, in spite of all our adventures and mishaps."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We certainly did. I am like Perk, who, after
+he had been down into the Cave of the Winds, under
+Niagara Falls, said he would do it again for no
+money, but seeing that he <i>had</i> been down, he would
+not sell his experience at any price. I couldn't be
+hired to make that same trip to Fort Bolton again&mdash;being
+"snowed up" was the worst part of it to me&mdash;but
+since it is all over and we are safely out of it, I
+am glad we went."</p>
+
+<p>This was a portion of the conversation carried on
+by our friends Archie, Fred and Eugene, as they
+sat in the main-cross-trees of the Stranger, swinging
+their feet in the air and looking out over the shipping
+anchored off North Point Dock, in the harbor
+of San Francisco. They had only just arrived that
+day, their trip across the mountains being happily
+ended. They had discarded the half-savage, half-civilized
+costumes they had worn during their sojourn
+in the wilderness and substituted pea-jackets
+for their hunting-shirts, light shoes for their high-top
+boots, and natty tarpaulins for their slouch hats.
+They looked as though they had just come out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>
+some lady's band-box, and one and all declared that
+it was most refreshing to find themselves dressed up
+like white folks once more.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing these three uneasy youngsters did
+after they had donned their "shore clothes," and put
+the suits they had worn in the mountains carefully
+away in their trunks for safe-keeping, was to run all
+over the vessel, looking into every locker and corner,
+just as they had done when they first saw her on
+the stocks at New Orleans, and the next to mount to
+the cross-trees to survey the harbor. Here they had
+sat for half an hour, enjoying the prospect spread
+out before them, and talking over their recent adventures
+and exploits. The other members of the Club,
+Walter, Frank Nelson, George Le Dell and the rest,
+were seated on the quarter-deck with Uncle Dick,
+talking to Dick Lewis and old Bob Kelly.</p>
+
+<p>Dick and Bob were objects of great interest to
+the sailors who composed the Stranger's crew. They
+stared at everything with wide-open eyes, and were
+as much out of place on the schooner's deck as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>
+jolly tars would have been in the mountains from
+which the backwoodsmen had just arrived.</p>
+
+<p>The Club had had a varied and eventful experience
+during the comparatively short time that they
+had been absent from the Stranger, and even now
+the hearts of some of them would beat a trifle faster
+whenever they thought of what they had passed
+through. Walter drew a long breath every time he
+recalled his experience in Potter's rancho; Fred
+and Eugene shivered and drew their collars up
+around their ears when they thought of the sight
+presented to their gaze on the day they set out from
+their camp under the cliffs, to show the Pike and his
+family the way to Fort Bolton, and imagined that
+they could see the air filled with driving snow, and
+could hear the roaring of the wind as it swept the
+prairie, just as they had seen it and heard it on that
+long-to-be-remembered afternoon. Archie grew excited
+and elated whenever he thought of the way he
+had captured the wild horse, and then exasperated
+when he remembered how he had lost him before he
+had had a chance to try even one race with his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>
+cousin. Frank shrugged his shoulders when any of
+his companions called him "Chinny Billy," as they
+often did, and thanked his lucky stars that he was
+well out of the predicament which the genuine
+Chinny Billy had so nearly got him into, when he
+denounced him as an impostor and spy in the presence
+of all the members of Potter's gang; and even
+Uncle Dick Gaylord, hardened as he was by a long
+life of adventure, did not like to recall the feelings
+of anxiety and suspense that he had experienced on
+more than one occasion, during the journey to
+Bolton and back. The two trappers were probably
+the only ones in the party for whom the last few
+months had no especial interest. Their lives were
+made up of just such scenes and incidents, and they
+never thought of them again, unless something
+happened to bring them vividly to their recollection.</p>
+
+<p>The last night that the friends passed at Fort
+Bolton was given up to enjoyment. The colonel
+and major entertained Uncle Dick at their quarters,
+and the younger officers took charge of the boys.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>
+After supper it was noticed that some of the officers
+and their guests distributed themselves in little
+groups about the room, that the members of each
+group carried on a very earnest conversation in a
+low tone of voice, and that various little keepsakes
+were passed from one to the other, which each
+promised to preserve in remembrance of the giver.
+The gifts that passed between Frank and Lieutenant
+Gaylord were the most valuable of any. These two
+young fellows had been fast friends and almost
+constant companions ever since the night on which
+the lieutenant recaptured Dick Lewis after his
+flight from the guard house, and arrested Frank for
+assisting him to make his escape. Frank had something
+he knew the lieutenant wanted, and that was
+the splendid horse which Potter had given him.
+Frank could not take the animal around the world
+with him, and besides he was already the happy
+owner of a steed which was just as handsome and
+swift, and which held a much higher place in his
+affections. That was Roderick. It was Uncle
+Dick's intention to travel on horseback until the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>
+party reached a point from which they could continue
+their journey by stage or railroad, and then
+sell off their stock&mdash;their wagon, which would have
+been an almost useless encumbrance to them, now
+that the roads were blocked with snow, having been
+exchanged for pack mules&mdash;Frank would then have
+no further use for his horse, so he offered him to the
+lieutenant, who was glad to accept him.</p>
+
+<p>The journey to San Francisco was made without
+the occurrence of any exciting or noteworthy incidents.
+Among them all they managed to shoot a
+few black-tails, and one grizzly bear, whose skin and
+claws were preserved by the old members of the
+Club as trophies. They found the snow fully as
+deep as they expected, the travelling difficult, and
+the weather extremely cold; but their progress was
+steady, although slow, until they reached the railroad,
+and then in a few hours they found themselves
+in an almost tropical climate.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached the railroad, Dick and Old
+Bob would have taken leave of them, but the boys
+would not listen to it. They were determined that,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+if they could have their own way, the trappers
+should remain with them for a long time to come.
+They owed much to these two men, and as they
+could not repay them in any other way, they would
+take them around the world, introducing them to
+scenes and people of which they had never dreamed.
+Of course this idea originated with rattle-brained
+Eugene Gaylord, and Uncle Dick, who could not
+find it in his heart to refuse his nephews anything
+they asked for, consented to the arrangement,
+though not without a good deal of grumbling.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll only be in the way, Eugene," said the
+old sailor. "They just fit the mountains and the
+prairie&mdash;they were made for them; but how will
+they look on the deck of the Stranger? There
+isn't room enough aboard our little craft for that
+giant, Louis."</p>
+
+<p>"O, Uncle, there are two or three empty bunks
+in the forecastle, and they can sleep there as well
+as not," replied Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>"But they will be so uneasy that they'll not
+enjoy themselves in the least," continued Uncle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
+Dick. "They will be frightened to death when
+they find themselves out of sight of land, and the
+men will be playing tricks on them all the while."</p>
+
+<p>"But the men mustn't play tricks on them. We
+won't let them; and besides it would be dangerous.
+As for being out of sight of land, that need not
+trouble them. They'll not be in half as much danger
+as they were while they were with Potter's
+gang. Then think of the fun we'll have, Uncle!
+Didn't you notice how they opened their eyes the
+other night when Bab was telling them of the
+elephants we expect to see in India?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well! do as you please," said the old
+sailor. "If they are foolish enough to go, I shall
+have a fine time of it among you all; I can see
+that plainly." And then he turned away to hunt
+up Frank Nelson, to whom he always went when
+he had anything on his mind.</p>
+
+<p>Eugene having gained his point went straight to
+Archie and Fred, who declared that it was the best
+thing they ever heard of. The matter was laid
+before the trappers with as little delay as possible,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+and the proposition almost took their breath away.
+They opened their mouths and eyes and looked
+wonderingly at each other, but said nothing. Archie
+thought that was enough for one day, and although
+his friends wanted an immediate answer, he succeeded
+in inducing them to retire and leave the
+trappers to themselves. He thought it best to give
+them leisure to turn the matter over in their minds
+(it seemed to be more than they could grasp at
+once) and go to them for an answer at some future
+time.</p>
+
+<p>Dick and old Bob seemed to grow timid as they
+approached the confines of civilization, but they
+were coaxed on board the train, and when the party
+reached San Francisco, they were taken off to the
+Stranger. The matter of the voyage around the
+world had been brought for up discussion a few times,
+but Dick had found his tongue at last, and declared
+that it was not to be thought of. The boys knew
+better than to press the subject, and hoped that
+time would accomplish what arguments could never
+do. A few hours on board the Stranger in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+harbor, where vessels were constantly coming and
+going, might increase their confidence, while it
+familiarized them in some slight degree with life on
+ship-board, and perhaps they could then be induced
+to change their minds. Archie had tried to persuade
+Dick to follow him and his companions to the cross-trees;
+but the trapper, after glancing down at his
+colossal proportions, and then up at the ratlines,
+which looked no larger than so many threads, declared
+that the ropes wouldn't bear his weight, and
+remained below.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, this feels natural!" exclaimed Featherweight
+swinging back and forth on his dizzy perch
+with such apparent recklessness that Dick Lewis,
+who now and then looked up at him, fairly shook in
+his moccasins; "and I am ready for new adventures
+and new sights beyond the seas. Our fellows
+can say, what the books tell us comparatively few
+American travellers can say, and that is, we have
+seen the most of the wonders of our own country.
+I never expect to see anything grander than the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
+Yo Semite Valley. I wonder how long it will be
+before Uncle Dick will hoist the signal for sailing?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just as soon as the stores are aboard," said
+Eugene. "We may get off to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Will Dick and Bob go with us?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Archie. "We might as well give
+that up. And since I have come to think of it, I
+don't want them to go unless they are perfectly
+willing to do so."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I," said Eugene. "If it frightens them so
+badly to travel on a railroad train, what would be
+their feelings when they found the schooner tossing
+about on such waves as we saw coming around the
+Horn? I shall urge them no more."</p>
+
+<p>"They have been talking to Frank about it,"
+continued Fred. "They always go to him and
+believe every word he says&mdash;that is, almost every
+word."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! yes; I was going to put that in," said
+Archie. "They don't like to believe that the
+world is round. They don't say so with their
+mouths, but they do with their eyes."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And they don't know what to think about elephants
+as large as that house of Potter's, and lions
+and tigers, and snakes twenty feet long," said
+Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"And a whale bothers them," chimed in Eugene;
+"and Dick laughed the other day when I told him
+about a flying-fish."</p>
+
+<p>"What's going on down there?" asked Archie,
+as the sound of voices in animated conversation
+came up from the deck.</p>
+
+<p>The boys looked below and saw that the group,
+which they had last seen scattered over the quarter-deck,
+were gathered about Dick Lewis, who appeared
+to be making them a speech. Now and then he
+illustrated his remarks by pointing to something he
+had placed at his feet; but the boys could not see
+what it was, for the Club were crowded about it and
+hid it from view. They were missing something,
+that was evident; but they did not intend to miss
+any more of it, and it was but the work of a few
+seconds to swing themselves out of the crosstrees
+on to the ratlines, and descend to the deck. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+ran up to the group, and found that the object over
+which the trapper was holding forth was simply a
+mess-pan filled with water.</p>
+
+<p>"Them stories you've been a tellin' seems wonderful
+to me an' ole Bob, who never heard the like
+afore," Dick was saying as the boys came up.
+"We don't conspute 'em, 'cause bein' unedicated
+men, we never had no book larnin', an' don't know
+nothing outside the mountains an' the prairy. Now,
+you tell me that thar's three times as much water
+on the 'arth as thar is ground; that you're goin' to
+start from Fr'isco an' sail clean around it in this
+yere little boat, an' that if me an' ole Bob'll go
+with you, we won't even know that we're sailing
+round the world. Won't we know when we come to
+the edge?"</p>
+
+<p>"There isn't any edge to it," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Sho! Thar can't help bein' an edge if the
+world is round, can thar? This yere," said Dick,
+pointing to the pan of water, "is the sea; an' this
+yere," he continued, fumbling in the pockets of his
+hunting shirt, "is the 'arth."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he drew out a piece of hard tack,
+which he had rudely shaped with his knife to represent
+his idea of the rotundity of the earth. The
+corners were cut off, making the biscuit nearly
+round, and there was a piece clipped out of the side
+of it, in shape something like a bottle with a very
+short neck and wide body, to represent the Golden
+Gate and the harbor of San Francisco. This miniature
+world Dick placed in the middle of the pan of
+water, and then straightened up and looked triumphantly
+at his audience. Eugene glanced at it,
+choked back a laugh and then rushed off to find the
+steward, while the trapper went on with his illustration.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, thar's the 'arth," said he, placing his
+finger on the biscuit, "flat like a pan-cake, as anybody
+can see it is, that's ever been out on the prairy,
+an' round like <i>you</i> say it is. Here is the sea all
+around it, an' here's Fr'isco. Now, after you go
+out of the Golden Gate an' start to sail round the
+'arth," said Dick, moving his long finger through
+the water around the biscuit, "can't you see the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>
+edge all the way round? I can understand that,
+which wasn't so very plain to me a few days ago,
+but now comes something I can't see into. You say
+the 'arth turns over onct every day, but that don't
+by no means stand to reason, 'cause jest see what
+would happen,"&mdash;he went on, placing his finger
+under the biscuit and raising one edge of it out of
+the water. "If it turned over, one side of it would
+keep gettin' higher an' higher all the time, an'
+finally the houses, an' trees, an' mountains, an' folks
+would get to slidin' an' slidin', an' when they come
+to the edge, they'd all slip off into the water; an'
+when the 'arth turned <i>cl'ar</i> over"&mdash;here he flopped
+the biscuit up side down in the pan&mdash;"whar would
+we all be?"</p>
+
+<p>None of his auditors had attempted to interrupt
+the trapper, and the reason was because there was
+not one among them who could trust himself to
+speak, not even Uncle Dick. Believing from their
+silence that he had got the better of all of them,
+the trapper said he was more firmly convinced than
+he had ever been before, that all the learning in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+world was not to be found in books, and was about
+to throw the contents of his mess-pan over the side,
+when Eugene came elbowing his way into the group,
+carrying an apple in one hand and a small magnet in
+the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Dick," said he, "let me talk a minute.
+You haven't quite got the idea. In the first place,
+that piece of hard tack doesn't represent the shape
+of the earth, but this apple does, pretty nearly.
+In the next place, the globe doesn't revolve through
+water, for the water forms part of the earth and
+turns with it."</p>
+
+<p>"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper. "It would all
+spill out."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on a minute, and I'll show you that it
+can't spill out. The world revolves through the
+air. Don't you fellows criticise now," continued
+Eugene, turning to his companions. "If, when I
+get through, you want to explain that the earth
+really revolves through space, and that the air goes
+with it, except such portions as are left behind and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+form the trade-winds, you are welcome to do it; but
+it is quite beyond me."</p>
+
+<p>Eugene handed the magnet to Archie to hold
+until he was ready to use it, and with the point of
+his knife rudely traced upon the apple the shape of
+the continents and the principal oceans. This
+done, he went on with his explanation, which was
+simply a repetition of what every boy learns when
+he first begins the study of geography. He
+described the motions of the earth as well as he
+could, and used the magnet to illustrate the attraction
+of gravitation. Dick listened attentively, and
+when Eugene finished, took the apple from his hand
+and looked at it with a great deal of interest. He
+turned it over several times, and appeared to be
+meditating upon something.</p>
+
+<p>"They're goin' to sail round the 'arth this way,"
+said he, moving his finger slowly around the circumference
+of the apple, and talking more to himself
+than to the boys standing about, "an' when they
+get around here"&mdash;he stopped and thought a
+moment, holding the end of his finger under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+apple&mdash;"when they get around here, they'll be&mdash;Human
+natur'!" he cried suddenly, as if frightened
+at the discovery he had made. "When you get
+around here, on the under side of the 'arth, you'll
+be walkin' with your heads downwards, won't you?
+Bob can do as he likes, but <i>I</i> won't go. Mebbe
+that little red hoss-shoe aint strong enough to hold
+the boat fast to the 'arth&mdash;don't look as if it was&mdash;an'
+some dark night she'll get to fallin' an' fallin'&mdash;Whew!
+I'm as near that place now as I want to be,
+an' I'm off fur the mountains to-morrow, bright an'
+'arly."</p>
+
+<p>Dick turned away, fairly trembling with excitement,
+and the boys scattered as if some one had
+suddenly sent a charge of bird-shot among them.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c24" id="c24">CHAPTER II.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">"MAN OVERBOARD."</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE trappers were badly frightened, there could
+be no doubt about that, and it was a spectacle
+the Club had never expected to witness. That
+these two men, who had time and again faced death
+in almost every shape in which he presents himself
+on shore, who had lived in the very midst of danger
+from their youth up, and who sought and delighted
+in perilous exploits, should be so nearly overcome
+with terror by hearing of things with which every
+schoolboy is familiar, was surprising; and there was
+something so ludicrous in the manner in which they
+exhibited their alarm, that the boys could scarcely
+restrain their laughter until they could get out of
+sight. Old Bob glared wildly about him, seemingly
+on the point of jumping overboard and swimming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+ashore, and Dick Lewis leaned against the
+rail, drawing his breath in quick gasps and looking
+altogether as if he did not yet fairly understand the
+startling discovery he had made. Uncle Dick Gaylord
+took one glance at him and then went to the
+stern and looked over into the water, while the boys
+dived down into the cabin and threw themselves into
+chairs, or leaned up in corners, holding their handkerchiefs
+over their mouths&mdash;all except Archie, who
+never could control himself when he wanted to
+laugh. He ran into his state-room, shut the door
+and buried his head in the pillows. The funny
+part of it was, that Dick should suppose, that those
+who attempted the reckless task of sailing around
+the world, should be obliged to take a magnet with
+them, in order to keep themselves and their vessel
+from falling off when they reached the "under side
+of the earth."</p>
+
+<p>At the end of five minutes Archie made an
+attempt to come out into the cabin, but he was still
+bubbling over with laughter, and the sight of him
+created a fresh explosion, and set Archie himself to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>
+going again at such a rate that he was obliged to
+go back. It is hard to tell how long it would have
+been before the boys could have controlled themselves
+sufficiently to talk the matter over, had it not
+been that a commotion which suddenly arose on
+deck, drew their attention to other affairs.</p>
+
+<p>"Fore rigging, there," exclaimed Uncle Dick.
+"What do you see?"</p>
+
+<p>"A man overboard, sir," replied the voice of the
+boatswain's mate. "He jumped off that whaler,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>"And he's swimming this way, sir," said another
+voice, "and making signals of distress."</p>
+
+<p>"Have the cutter called away, Mr. Baldwin,"
+said Uncle Dick, to his first mate, "and send a
+crew out to pick him up."</p>
+
+<p>The boys waited to hear no more. They crowded
+up the companion ladder with such haste that they
+ran some risk of sticking fast in the narrow passageway,
+and reached the deck just as the crew of the
+cutter were tumbling into their boat which lay along
+side moored to a swinging boom, man-of-war fashion.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Where is Mr. Parker?" said Uncle Dick, looking
+around for his second officer.</p>
+
+<p>"O, let me go in charge of the boat, Uncle,"
+exclaimed Eugene, snatching Fred's hat from his
+head, for he had left his own in the cabin.</p>
+
+<p>"Away you go, then," said the old sailor.
+"Don't let him sink before you reach him."</p>
+
+<p>"They're sending out a boat from the whaler,
+sir," said the foremast hand, who was at work in the
+forward rigging, and who had been the first to discover
+the man in the water.</p>
+
+<p>"Does he appear to be all right?"</p>
+
+<p>"O, yes, sir. He swims like a duck, but he's
+waving his hand to us."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on a minute, Eugene."</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick sprang upon the rail and supporting
+himself by the shrouds looked towards the man, and
+then toward the boat that was coming out to pick
+him up, while the boys, all except Eugene, who
+stood ready to take his place in the cutter at a moment's
+warning, swarmed up the rigging and looked
+on with no little interest. They saw at once that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>
+the man had no trouble in keeping afloat, for he
+swam over the waves as buoyantly as a cork. They
+saw, too, that he did not want to be overtaken by
+the whaler's boat, if he could help it, for he looked
+back at her occasionally to see if she was gaining
+on him, and then redoubled his efforts to reach the
+schooner.</p>
+
+<p>"He is trying to desert," said Uncle Dick,
+"and I think we had better have nothing to do
+with him."</p>
+
+<p>"Quartermaster, pass up that spy-glass," said
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The petty officer handed the instrument to
+Featherweight, who happened to be lowest in the
+shrouds, and he passed it to George Le Dell, who
+handed it up to Frank. The latter mounted to the
+crosstrees and levelled the glass at the swimmer.
+He held it to his eye for a few minutes, and then
+passing it back to George, said:</p>
+
+<p>"That man has either met with a severe accident,
+or been roughly handled. His face is bleeding."</p>
+
+<p>"Help! help!" cried a faint voice.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Go and pick him up," said Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"Shove off," commanded Eugene, before he was
+fairly seated in the stern-sheets of the cutter.
+"Remember, men, that you are racing with a whale-boat,
+and that you don't want to be beaten."</p>
+
+<p>The cutter swung around with her bow toward
+the swimmer, and propelled by eight strong oarsmen,
+who seemed to lift her fairly out of the water
+at every stroke, flew over the waves like a duck.
+A boat race was something in which Eugene took
+especial delight, but the one that came off that
+morning between the cutter and the whale-boat was
+not as exciting or as closely contested as he had
+hoped it would be. In fact it was no race at all;
+for when the officer, whoever he was, who had
+charge of the deck of the whaler, saw that the
+cutter was likely to reach the swimmer first, he
+hailed his boat, which turned around and went back.</p>
+
+<p>"In bow," commanded the coxswain of the
+cutter, who was sitting just behind Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>The two sailors who were seated in the bow raised
+their oars from the water, placed them on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>
+thwarts between them, and then one stood up with
+the boat-hook in his hand, while the other threw
+himself flat on his face and extended his arm out
+over the water.</p>
+
+<p>"Way enough! Toss, and stand by," said the
+coxswain.</p>
+
+<p>The other oars were all thrown up into the air at
+the same moment, laid upon the thwarts, and every
+man leaned over the side to be ready to seize the
+swimmer as the cutter moved past him. She
+retained steerage-way enough to carry her within a
+few feet of him, and then the coxswain, with one
+movement of the tiller, turned the bow aside, and
+the boat-hook was thrust out within reach of his
+hands. It was a matter of some difficulty to haul
+the rescued man aboard, for he was too nearly
+exhausted to help himself, and his clothing, being
+thoroughly saturated with water, was as heavy as
+so much lead. Besides, his forehead was badly cut
+and bruised, and no doubt he was suffering from the
+hurt.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+     <img src="images/ill-030.jpg" width="400" height="277"
+         alt=""
+         title="" />
+     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">Rescuing the Deserter.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Did you fall overboard?" asked Eugene, after
+the man had been pulled into the boat and had
+taken his seat in the bow.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; I jumped overboard on purpose."</p>
+
+<p>"You hit your head against something, didn't
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"The cap'n hit it for me, sir. It was a belaying
+pin that made that mark."</p>
+
+<p>Eugene looked wonderingly at the coxswain, who
+nodded his head, as if to say that he didn't doubt it
+at all.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the officers aboard our vessel don't find it
+necessary to do such things," said Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>"But all vessels ain't like the Stranger, sir, nor
+are all shipmasters like Cap'n Gaylord," said the coxswain.
+"Do you s'pose there's a sailorman aboard
+of us that would do what this chap has done&mdash;try
+to desert? No, sir, you couldn't kick 'em off if
+you wanted to. When we get back to Bellville
+we'll have every man we brought away with us,
+unless some of 'em are in Davy's locker."</p>
+
+<p>The cutter was soon alongside the schooner, and
+the rescued man, by dint of hauling from above and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>
+pushing from below, was got upon the deck. He
+was a pitiable object when one came to look at him,
+and Uncle Dick's first order was: "Take him
+below, some of you, and give him something fit to
+put on. Be in a hurry about it."</p>
+
+<p>The sailors were only too glad to obey. They
+led the dripping man into the forecastle, from which
+he emerged a few minutes later with a clean face, a
+suit of dry clothes, and a handkerchief bound about
+his forehead. In his appearance, which was very
+much improved, he would have compared favorably
+with any of the seamen on board the Stranger, and
+they were the very best that Uncle Dick could find
+in the port of New Orleans. He had evidently had
+plenty of time to tell at least a portion of his story,
+for the faces of the sailors were as black as so many
+thunder clouds.</p>
+
+<p>The rescued man at once made his way aft, accompanied
+by the boatswain's mate, who, presuming for
+this once upon his captain's good-nature, and his
+own position as ranking petty officer on board the
+Stranger, took the liberty to go where he knew he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+had no right except he was in performance of his
+duties. The men saluted, removed their caps and
+waited for Uncle Dick to speak to them.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Lucas, what do you want here?" asked
+the old sailor.</p>
+
+<p>"I ax your pardon, cap'n, for coming on the
+quarter-deck at this time without an invite," replied
+the boatswain's mate, "but I just wanted to say to
+you, sir, that this man is black and blue from his
+head to his feet, so he is."</p>
+
+<p>"How did he get that way?" asked Uncle Dick,
+while the boys ranged themselves behind him so that
+they could hear all that passed, "and why is he
+trying to desert?"</p>
+
+<p>The mate stepped back and moved his hand
+toward the rescued man, as if to say that he would
+tell his own story, and the latter said:</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to desert my ship, cap'n. I am
+an able seaman, know my duty and am ready to do
+it, if I can only have plenty to eat and am allowed
+a wink of sleep now and then. I am trying to get
+ashore for protection ag'in' them tyrants aboard the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+Tycoon, and I hope you won't send me back to
+them, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Go on," said Uncle Dick. "What has happened
+aboard that ship?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is nearly two years out of Nantucket, on a
+whaling course, sir," said the man, "and there
+isn't a foremast hand aboard of her that she brought
+out with her. They've all deserted. She has to
+get a new crew at every port, and when she can't
+get 'em honest, she kidnaps 'em, sir. I shipped
+aboard of her, along with a lot of others, at Callao.
+We've been out only four months, and two of the
+men jumped overboard rather than stand the hard
+treatment they received. On the first day out the
+officers began on us and never let up. They kept
+us at work till we were ready to drop, brought us
+out of bed at night and made us walk the deck, and
+if we fell asleep as we walked, they knocked us
+down with a handspike or belaying-pin. They
+starved us almost to death, and then, because my
+boat's crew were too weak to save a whale we made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+fast to, they put us all in irons and pounded us with
+ropes' ends till we were insensible."</p>
+
+<p>This was only the introduction to the long story
+the man had to tell, and to which his auditors listened
+with breathless interest. According to his
+account, the Tycoon was a horrible place, and the
+cruelties that were practised by the officers upon the
+defenceless seamen, were shocking. The man certainly
+bore unmistakable evidence of brutal treatment,
+and added weight to his story by declaring
+that he was not only willing but anxious to meet his
+persecutors in a court of justice. Everybody who
+listened to him was indignant.</p>
+
+<p>"The men on board that vessel have a remedy in
+their own hands&mdash;two of them, if they only knew
+it," said Frank. "Why didn't they demand an
+interview with the American consul at the first port
+at which they touched?"</p>
+
+<p>"It wouldn't have done no good, sir," said the
+sailor. "The cap'n wouldn't never let 'em see him,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>"He couldn't help himself," returned Frank.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
+"The law compels him to allow his men to go
+ashore at every port at which the ship may touch
+to lay their complaints, if they have any, before
+our representative; or, if there is any good reason
+why the men cannot go ashore, the captain must
+bring the consul aboard to see them, if they demand
+it."</p>
+
+<p>If there was anything in which Frank was particularly
+well posted, it was the law governing the
+duties of consuls, as some of our representatives in
+foreign countries are called. The attorney with
+whom he had been studying in Lawrence, had political
+aspirations, and had at one time expected to be
+appointed consul for some port in the Mediterranean.
+If he had succeeded in his object Frank would have
+gone with him as assistant and clerk. He did not
+wish to accept any situation with whose duties and
+responsibilities he was not familiar, and in order to
+fit himself for it, he had obtained a copy of the
+Consular Regulations, which he had thoroughly
+mastered. It is a part of the consul's duty to care
+for destitute, discharged and deserting seamen, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
+stand between foremast hands and tyrannical officers,
+to protect officers from and punish mutinous sailors,
+and Frank knew the law bearing upon every case
+that could possibly arise.</p>
+
+<p>"The consul is obliged to listen to any and all
+complaints," continued Frank. "He measures
+them by the law bearing upon them, and he can
+discharge the crew on complaint of the officers, or
+he can discharge the officers themselves on a well-founded
+complaint from the crew."</p>
+
+<p>The sailors opened their eyes and looked at one
+another. They had never dreamed that they had
+so many rights, or that there was a law enacted on
+purpose to protect them.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the whale-boat came in sight again, rounding
+the stern of the Tycoon. She turned her bow
+toward the Stranger, and the quartermaster, after
+looking at her through his spy-glass, said there was
+a man in the stern-sheets dressed in gray. "That's
+the cap'n," exclaimed the deserter, in great alarm.
+"You won't let him take me back, sir?" he added,
+in a pleading voice.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I can't prevent your lawful captain from taking
+you wherever he may find you," answered Uncle
+Dick; "but hold on, now, till I get through," he
+added, as the man began to back toward the rail
+as if he were about to take to the water again. "I'll
+give you a chance to save yourself. Call away the
+cutter, Mr. Baldwin, and send this man ashore."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, cap'n, thank you," said the sailor
+gratefully, and with tears in his eyes. "A prosperous
+and pleasant voyage to you and your mates,
+sir. What shall I do when I get ashore, sir?" he
+continued, looking at Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Go to the nearest justice and take out a warrant
+against those officers for assault and battery," was
+the reply.</p>
+
+<p>The boatswain's mate and the rescued man looked
+as if they did not quite understand. "You must
+know, sir," said the latter, doubtfully, "that all
+this beating and pounding was done on the high
+seas."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what of it? When one man, without any
+provocation, handles another as roughly as you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>
+have been handled, he is answerable to the law, no
+matter whether the offence was committed on the
+high seas or on the land."</p>
+
+<p>"Come now, off you go, my man," said Uncle
+Dick. "The cutter is ready, and you've no time
+to lose. Yes, go with him and take charge of the
+boat, Lucas," he added, anticipating the request
+that the old boatswain's mate was about to make.</p>
+
+<p>"And whatever you do, don't let those blubber-hunters
+catch you," said Eugene, in a low voice.
+He wanted to say it aloud, so that the cutter's crew
+could hear it; but knowing that Uncle Dick did
+not allow any interference with his men, he checked
+himself just in time.</p>
+
+<p>The cutter's crew were all in their places, and
+there was a determined look on each man's face
+which said as plainly as words that the "blubber-hunters,"
+even if they succeeded in overhauling
+them&mdash;which was not at all unlikely, seeing that
+the whale-boat was built for speed, and was pulled
+by a crew who were kept in excellent training by
+almost daily practice at the oars&mdash;the deserter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>
+should never be taken from them. Uncle Dick
+seemed to read the thoughts that were passing
+through their minds, and as he looked at the sturdy
+fellows, who had thrown off their caps and rolled up
+their sleeves in preparation for a long, hard pull, he
+remarked to Frank that he would not care to be in
+that whale-boat if she succeeded in coming up with
+the cutter.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c41" id="c41">CHAPTER III.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">A SEA LAWYER.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE cutter's bow swung away from the schooner
+as soon as the boatswain's mate and the
+rescued man were fairly seated, the oars dropped
+into the water, and then began a race that promised
+to be as exciting as even Eugene could have wished
+it. The boys once more ran up the rigging, so that
+they could watch both contestants. The whale-boat
+certainly had the better crew, and, although she was
+propelled by only five oars to the cutter's eight, she
+seemed to move two feet to the other boat's one.
+Especially was this the case when the man in gray,
+who was standing in the stern-sheets holding the
+steering-oar, became aware of what was going on.
+As soon as he saw the cutter moving away from the
+Stranger he comprehended the situation, and giving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>
+utterance to some heavy adjectives, which by the
+time they came to the boys' ears sounded a good
+deal like oaths, ordered his crew to "Pick her up
+and run right along with her." They responded
+promptly, and sent their boat through the water at
+such a rate that Uncle Dick became uneasy at the
+prospect of a collision between her crew and the
+cutter's.</p>
+
+<p>"I shouldn't think there would be any danger,"
+said Frank. "There are eleven men in our boat,
+counting the deserter, and only six in his."</p>
+
+<p>"But there is no officer in our boat," said Uncle
+Dick, "and this man being a captain, will expect
+our crew to obey his orders. I am really afraid he
+will be disappointed."</p>
+
+<p>Frank, remembering the savage and determined
+expression he had seen on the face of every one of
+the cutter's crew, was quite sure he would be.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes the whale-boat came close
+aboard the schooner, and dashed by under her
+bows. Her captain was furious, his face showed
+that. He ran his eye over the men on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>
+Stranger's deck, and picking out Uncle Dick at
+once as the commanding officer, said, as he nodded
+his head to him&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Fine business you're in, sir! helping men to
+desert. If there is a law on shore I'll see you
+again, my good fellow!"</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick simply smiled and touched his hat,
+and the whale-boat passed on. As she was going
+by, the sailors enacted a little pantomime of their
+own. They had clambered out on the bowsprit to
+see the race, and when the captain of the whaler
+was through threatening Uncle Dick, they glanced
+toward the quarter-deck, to make sure that none of
+their officers were observing them, and then leaned
+over and shook their fists at the angry man. One
+of them hugged his cap under his arm and beat it
+furiously with his clenched hand, nodding pleasantly
+to the captain the while, as if to indicate that
+it would have afforded him infinite satisfaction if
+the captain's head had been in the place of the cap.
+The boys, from their lofty perch in the main rigging,
+saw all that passed, and smiled at one another,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+but said nothing; for they knew that if the performance
+came to the ears of Uncle Dick, who was a
+very strict disciplinarian, every one of the sailors
+who took part in it would be sent to the mast.</p>
+
+<p class="pbq p1">[The "mast" is to a sailor on board ship, what the
+"library" is to a refractory boy on shore. It is there that
+culprits are sent to be reprimanded, if their offence be a
+slight one, or sentenced if they have done something deserving
+of punishment.]</p>
+
+<p class="p1">Although he might laugh over it afterward in the
+privacy of his cabin, he was not the one to pass
+lightly over an insult to a shipmaster when in performance
+of his duty, no matter how great the
+provocation.</p>
+
+<p>All this while the cutter's crew had been exceedingly
+busy, and now loud calls were heard from the
+boys on the cross-trees for their field-glasses. They
+did not want to miss a single incident of the race.
+Frank, who up to this time had remained below with
+Uncle Dick, went into the cabin after the glasses,
+and mounting the rigging, joined the group on the
+cross-trees. "Who's ahead?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"O, the cutter," replied George Le Dell. "There
+is more in that crew than I thought. They'll land
+their man safe enough."</p>
+
+<p>And George was right. The cutter reached the
+wharf while the whale-boat was yet twenty yards
+away, and no sooner did she swing broadside to it
+than the deserter was lifted in the strong arms of
+the coxswain and boatswain's mate and fairly thrown
+ashore. He jumped to his feet and disappeared in
+less time than it takes to tell it. A few seconds
+later the whale-boat landed and the captain sprang
+out and started in pursuit, not, however, without
+saying a few words to the cutter's crew, which he
+emphasized by shaking his fist at them. If any of
+the men replied, our young friends at the cross-trees
+saw nothing to indicate it.</p>
+
+<p>The sailors pulled back slowly, for their long,
+hard pull had wearied them, and when they reached
+the schooner and clambered over the side, the boys
+saw that their faces were flushed, and that some
+portions of their clothes looked as though they had
+been dipped in the bay. The boatswain's mate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>
+went aft demurely enough to report the safe return
+of the boat, but when he made his way forward
+again, and glanced up at the boys, with whom he
+was an especial favorite, they saw that his jolly
+countenance was wreathed with smiles, and that his
+broad shoulders were shaking with suppressed mirth.
+He and the cutter's crew were proud of the exploit
+they had performed. The fun and excitement
+being all over now, the boys seated themselves in a
+circle on the cross-trees to discuss the incidents
+that had just transpired.</p>
+
+<p>"Now just listen to me a moment, Frank, and
+I'll ask you a question," said Perk. "Can that
+brutal fellow do anything to Uncle Dick for assisting
+his man to escape?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you should see me assaulted by ruffians who
+were getting the better of me, and should rescue me
+from their clutches, could they do anything to you
+in law?" asked Frank, in reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not."</p>
+
+<p>"The same law holds good on the sea. Some
+people have a very mistaken idea of things. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+insist on a landsman's right of self-defence, but
+deny the same to a sailor. Even sailors themselves
+think that because they follow the sea for a livelihood,
+they are debarred from exercising the very
+first law of our nature."</p>
+
+<p>"Hear! hear!" cried Archie.</p>
+
+<p>"Silence in the court-room!" exclaimed Featherweight,
+assuming a fierce frown. "Hurrah for free
+trade and sailors' rights, the motto on&mdash;on&mdash;somebody's
+flag! Proceed, brother Nelson. State the
+case to the jury."</p>
+
+<p>Frank laughed as heartily as the rest for a few
+minutes, and continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Sailors know that resistance to an officer, or
+even an attempt to spread dissatisfaction among the
+crew of a vessel, is called mutiny; and they know,
+too, that men have been hanged in the American
+navy for that very offence."</p>
+
+<p>"See Cooper's Naval History for an account of
+the mutiny on board the United States brig-of-war
+Somers, in 1842," said Bab.</p>
+
+<p>"That was the very circumstance I had in my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+mind," returned Frank. "Sailors know all this, as I
+was saying, and consequently they are afraid to call
+their souls their own. They suffer in silence, unless
+they are driven to commit suicide during the voyage,
+and when they get ashore forget it all, or make a
+feeble attempt to punish their tyrants by process of
+law, but they soon give it up, for at the very outset
+they find an insurmountable obstacle in their way.
+Before they can convict they must prove three
+things&mdash;that the punishment they received was cruel
+and unusual; that it was inflicted without any just
+cause; and that the occasion of it was malice, hatred,
+or a desire for revenge on the part of the officer who
+punished them. Now, no living being can prove
+this last accusation against another, for in order to
+do it he must be able to read his fellow-men as he
+would an open book, and see what is passing in their
+minds; and even that would do him no good unless
+he possessed the power to make the judge and jury
+who try the case see the matter just as he does."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose this deserter could prove his complaints<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>
+against the master of that whaler," said Walter;
+"what would be the penalty?"</p>
+
+<p>"One thousand dollars fine and five years in the
+state prison."</p>
+
+<p>"And I hope he will get it all," said Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if it is so hard for a seaman to obtain
+satisfaction at law, what ought he to do when he is
+abused at sea?" asked Bab. "I understood you to
+say he had two remedies, and you have given only
+one."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, there is another," said Frank. "He and
+his companions ought to club together, take the ship
+out of the hands of her officers, confine them in the
+cabin, and make for the nearest port, if they are
+navigators enough to find their way there."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," exclaimed Archie, "and swing for it the
+moment they reach the shore."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. The case has been tried in the courts
+more than once, and would be tried oftener if sailors
+only knew their rights. As far as any risk I might
+run is concerned, I would not be afraid to belong to
+such a crew and take part in just such a proceeding."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't want you to get into any such
+scrape," said Archie; "I should never expect to see
+you again."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no desire to win notoriety as a mutineer,
+I assure you," replied Frank, with a laugh. "As
+his Honor remarked"&mdash;here he waved his hand
+towards Featherweight, who bowed gravely&mdash;"I was
+only discoursing on sailors' rights."</p>
+
+<p>"There," said George, as the boatswain's whistle
+rang through the schooner, followed by the order,
+given in a very hoarse voice, "Away, you gigs,
+away!"&mdash;"the captain is going ashore. Hadn't we
+better go down and keep Dick Lewis and Bob company?
+The old fellows will be lonely."</p>
+
+<p>"That means business," said Eugene. "Uncle
+Dick is going ashore to see about the stores. It
+will not be long now before we take leave of Fr'isco."</p>
+
+<p>"And what will be our next port?" asked George.</p>
+
+<p>This was something that had not yet been decided,
+and if one might judge by what the boys said while
+they were descending to the deck, there was a prospect
+of a lively debate if the matter were left to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
+them. Eugene wanted to go straight to Alaska.
+Bab, who had lately been reading "Reindeer, Dogs
+and Snow-shoes," was in favor of that, provided they
+could afterward go across to some port in Siberia
+and stay there long enough to see a little of the wild
+life in which he had been so much interested. Perk
+would agree to all that, in case they could stop on
+the way and give him a chance to try his hand at
+salmon-fishing in the tributaries of the Columbia
+river. Fred had seen quite enough of snow and ice,
+and thought he could have more sport in a warm
+country. He wanted to go to Japan. Walter said
+he was strongly in favor of that, for after they had
+seen all the sights in that country they would probably
+go to India, and that was what he wanted. He
+was impatient to ride on an elephant and see the
+famous Indian jugglers and serpent-charmers. Every
+boy wanted to go somewhere, but the trouble was
+that no two of them wanted to go to the same place;
+and Frank wondered how the matter would be decided.
+How astonished he would have been to know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+that the man in gray, who had just gone by in the
+whale-boat, was destined to decide it for them!</p>
+
+<p>The boys spent the rest of the day in company
+with the trappers. Nothing more was said on the
+subject which had for a long time been uppermost
+in their minds, for the tone in which Dick's answer
+had been given satisfied them that it was final.
+The boys were all sorry, for they had become
+greatly attached to these two good-natured, ignorant
+fellows. They had been of great service to them&mdash;beyond
+a doubt they had saved Walter's life&mdash;and
+they could not but miss them when they were
+gone. The cousins especially would have been
+glad to postpone the parting moment had they
+possessed the power. It was not at all likely that
+they would ever see the mountains or the prairie
+again, and even if they did, the chances that they
+would find their old friends, the trappers, were not
+one in a thousand. Their meeting with them had
+been purely accidental this time, and it was not
+probable that such a combination of circumstances
+would ever occur again.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>About supper-time Uncle Dick returned and
+reported that all arrangements had been made.
+The schooner was to be hauled alongside the dock
+in the morning, and they would go out with the
+turn of the tide. Where were they going? He
+didn't care. The world was before them, and when
+the boys had made up their minds what portion of
+it they wanted to see first, they could come to him
+with their decision. He wasn't going to bother his
+head about it, for he had other matters to think of.
+Eight o'clock the next evening would see the
+Stranger under way, and if the boys had any business
+ashore they had better attend to it the first
+thing in the morning.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick retired at an early hour, as he
+always did, and the boys had the quarter-deck all
+to themselves until eleven o'clock&mdash;or rather they
+had it in company with the second mate and the
+quartermaster on watch. A few "primary meetings"
+had been held immediately after supper, but
+they amounted to nothing. Each boy knew upon
+whom he could rely to second any motion he might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>
+make, but he was not so certain of the number of
+votes he could raise in support of it. During the
+two hours' conversation that took place after Uncle
+Dick went to bed, Fred Craven arose six times&mdash;that
+is, once every twenty minutes&mdash;and said
+gravely,</p>
+
+<p>"I move you, Mr. President, that the captain of
+this schooner be requested to take her directly to
+some port in Japan."</p>
+
+<p>"I second the motion," said Frank, who was
+speaking for Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen, you have heard the motion," said
+Walter. "Are you ready for the question?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. President," said Eugene, "I move to
+amend by striking out Japan and substituting
+Alaska."</p>
+
+<p>"Second the motion," said Bab.</p>
+
+<p>"You have heard the amendment. Are you
+ready to take action upon it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Now just listen to me a minute, Mr. President,
+and I'll tell you what's a fact," said Perk. "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>
+move to amend by striking out Alaska and substituting
+Astoria in Oregon."</p>
+
+<p>"I second the motion," said George, who, being
+a devoted disciple of old Izaac Walton, was as fond
+of fishing as he was of sailing.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. President," said Archie, "I move to
+amend&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"The gentleman is out of order. An amendment
+to an amendment is proper, but not an amendment
+of an amendment to an amendment."</p>
+
+<p>When affairs reached this pass a hearty roar of
+laughter would come up through the open cabin
+windows, showing that there was an interested and
+amused listener in the person of Uncle Dick, who
+having gone to bed, leaving his state-room door ajar,
+could hear all that was said. Then speeches were
+made, some long and others witty, and all showing
+the training the boys had received in their debating
+societies. Eugene was particularly long-winded.
+According to Featherweight "he talked all manner
+of what," and spouted away on subjects that had
+not the slightest connection with the question under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>
+discussion. He talked eloquently about the American
+eagle, the war of 1812, and the stars and stripes,
+and dwelt long on the rights of sailors and other
+free-born citizens. He said afterward that if he
+couldn't gain his point any other way, he would
+tire his audience out, and compel them to vote for
+his amendment just to get rid of him. But the
+boys listened patiently and without once interrupting
+him, except by applause when he grew particularly
+eloquent, and the young orator finally tired
+himself out and took his seat in disgust. Everything
+was voted down; so they were no nearer a
+decision than they were before. There was one
+point, however, on which they were all agreed when
+the meeting broke up at eleven o'clock, and that
+was, that they had enjoyed themselves, and that
+their jaws and sides would be sure to ache for a
+week to come.</p>
+
+<p>During the afternoon the boys had held a consultation
+with the boatswain's mate, who had promised
+to take the trappers under his especial charge during
+the night, and to report the first man who attempted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>
+to play any tricks upon them. After the meeting
+broke up the boys went forward with their friends
+to see them safely stowed away in the forecastle.
+The sailors were all up and waiting for them&mdash;not
+a man had yet turned in. The best bunks in the
+forecastle had been given up for their use, and the
+beds that were made up in them would have looked
+very inviting to almost anybody except our two backwoodsmen.
+Having been all their lives accustomed
+to sleeping on the hard ground, with nothing but a
+blanket or the spreading branches of some friendly
+tree for protection, they wanted plenty of air and
+elbow-room. They hesitated when they looked into
+the little forecastle, and drew back and shook their
+heads when invited to enter. Archie finally effected
+a compromise by bringing up a couple of blankets
+and spreading them on the deck near the windlass.
+This being perfectly satisfactory, the boys bade the
+trappers good-night, and went away, leaving them
+to the tender mercies of the sailors.</p>
+
+<p>There was not much sleeping done among those
+foremast hands that night. They did not play any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
+tricks upon their guests&mdash;indeed there were not
+many among them who would have had the hardihood
+to attempt it, after taking a good look at the
+stalwart fellows&mdash;but they crammed them "chock-a-block"
+with such wild stories of the sea that the
+trappers grew more alarmed than ever, and wondered
+greatly at the recklessness of the men who would
+willingly encounter such dangers. They told about
+mermaids, sea-dragons and serpents; of Vanderdecker's
+ghostly ship, the Flying Dutchman, which
+was rushing about the ocean with the speed of a
+railroad train, running down and sinking every craft
+that came in her way; of monstrous cuttle-fish which
+would sometimes arise suddenly out of the depths,
+and twining their long arms about a ship, sink with
+it and all the crew to the bottom; and one of the
+men declared that he had actually met and been
+swallowed by the same whale that took Jonah in out
+of the wet, hundreds and thousands of years before,
+and to prove it, exhibited the tobacco-box which had
+dropped out of Jonah's pocket when the whale threw
+him ashore. This is a staple forecastle yarn, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+every one who has had an hour's conversation with
+a sailor, has probably heard it; but it was new to
+the trappers, who listened with all their ears and
+with unmistakable signs of terror on their faces.
+The simple-hearted fellows believed every word, and
+when the conversation lagged for a moment, spoke
+of the magnet Eugene had shown them, and the use
+for which they supposed it was intended.</p>
+
+<p>This started the sailors on a new tack, and the
+stories that followed were more wonderful than those
+which had just been told. There was not a sailor
+on board the Stranger who had not seen some unlucky
+vessel tumble off the under side of the earth,
+her magnet proving too weak to sustain her weight;
+and there were two or three who had belonged to the
+crews of those very vessels, and who had been saved
+by a miracle.</p>
+
+<p>The night was passed in this way, and it was
+daylight before the trappers lay down on their
+blankets to rest, but not to sleep. They could not
+sleep after hearing of such wonderful adventures and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>
+talking face to face with the men who had taken
+part in them. If they had not already made up
+their minds to lose no time in seeking safety among
+their native mountains, they would have done so
+now.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c61" id="c61">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pc">"SHANGHAIED."</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE morning broke bright and clear, and all
+hands were astir at an early hour. The first
+thing was to hoist the anchor and haul the schooner
+alongside the dock. This being done, breakfast was
+served, and the boys having put on their shore-clothes,
+started out to take a good look at the city
+which they might never see again, and to make purchases
+of various articles they needed. Fred and
+Eugene each wanted a rifle and a brace of revolvers,
+their own weapons having been stolen from them by
+the hunters who robbed the Pike. Some of the
+others needed a few articles of clothing, and Frank's
+Maynard required some repairs. They set out together,
+but before an hour had passed, were scattered
+all over the city. Fred, Archie and Eugene<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>
+hired a carriage and went for a ride, taking old Bob
+with them, while Dick Lewis stuck close to Frank
+and Walter. Knowing that the time for parting
+was not far distant, he did not seem willing to allow
+them out of his sight.</p>
+
+<p>A few years before men like Dick were often met
+with in the streets of the city; but now a genuine
+trapper was not seen every day, and he created
+something of a sensation wherever he went. Almost
+every one he met stared at him and turned to look
+at him after he had passed; and Dick, finally becoming
+nettled by the interest and curiosity his appearance
+excited, begged the boys to take him back
+to the schooner and leave him there. He would
+stay on board until she was ready to sail, he said,
+and then he and Bob would bid a long farewell to
+civilization, and make the best of their way back to
+Fort Bolton. He hoped that neither of them would
+ever see a paved street or a brick house again.</p>
+
+<p>At six o'clock in the evening the boys, and the
+few sailors who had been allowed shore liberty, began
+to retrace their steps toward the dock where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>
+the Stranger was lying. At seven they were all on
+board except two&mdash;Lucas, the boatswain's mate, and
+Barton, the coxswain of the cutter. These men
+had not been seen since noon, and they were to have
+been back at three o'clock. Preparations were
+already being made for getting under way, and
+Uncle Dick began to grow impatient. "I don't
+see what keeps those fellows," said he to Frank.
+"I have always found them trustworthy, and I hope
+they will not fail me now."</p>
+
+<p>"I must go ashore again after my rifle, you know,"
+replied Frank&mdash;"it was to be done at half-past
+seven&mdash;and I'll go along the dock and keep an eye
+out for them."</p>
+
+<p>"All right. Hurry them up, if you see them,
+and be sure that you are in time yourself."</p>
+
+<p>Frank went ashore accompanied by the trapper&mdash;Dick
+was not afraid of attracting so much attention
+now that it was growing dark&mdash;and hurried
+away toward the gunsmith's. He followed the
+wharves as long as they led him in the direction he
+wanted to go, looking everywhere for the missing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+sailors, but without finding them. The actions of
+himself and his companion attracted the attention of
+two men, who were walking along the dock behind
+them. They watched them for some time, and then,
+after whispering together a few minutes, one of
+them came up and tapped Frank on the shoulder.
+"Who are you looking for?" said he.</p>
+
+<p>Frank turned and fastening his eyes on the man
+took a good survey of him before he answered. He
+was a flashily-dressed person, with a sneaking, hang-dog
+cast of countenance, and the grimy hand he
+placed upon Frank's shoulder, and which the latter
+promptly shook off, was heavily loaded with bogus
+jewelry.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be quite so familiar, if you please!" said
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Beg pardon," said the man, stepping back and
+straightening up his battered plug hat which he had
+thus far worn cocked over his left ear. "I thought
+you belonged to the Stranger."</p>
+
+<p>"And what if I do?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I thought maybe you were looking for them two
+men."</p>
+
+<p>"What two men?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, one of 'em is a short, thick-set fellow, and
+carries a silver whistle in the breast pocket of his
+shirt. The other is tall and slender, wears some
+kind of a badge on his arm&mdash;a petty officer's badge
+I took it to be&mdash;and has light hair and whiskers."</p>
+
+<p>The man gave an accurate description of the
+missing sailors of whom Frank was in search. No
+doubt they had got into trouble and found their way
+into some station-house; and this fellow was some
+little pettifogger, who hoped to make a few dollars
+by helping them out.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought maybe you were looking for 'em,"
+continued the man, as he turned to go away;
+"but seeing you ain't, I am sorry I pestered you."</p>
+
+<p>"One moment, please," said Frank. "Where
+are these men now?"</p>
+
+<p>"They're aboard my ship."</p>
+
+<p>"O, you're a sailor, are you?" exclaimed Frank,
+again running his eye over the man, who looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>
+about as much like a sailor as Dick Lewis did.
+"What is the name of your ship, and where is she?"</p>
+
+<p>"She's the Sunrise, and she is at anchor out here
+in the bay."</p>
+
+<p>"How came our men aboard of her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see, they've got some friends and
+acquaintances among my crew, and when we were
+lying alongside the dock they came aboard to see
+them. While they were skylarking about, one of
+them, the boatswain, fell into the hold and broke his
+leg. We hauled out into the bay just after that,
+and did it in such a hurry&mdash;you see there was another
+ship waiting to take our berth at the dock as
+soon as we were out of it&mdash;that we didn't have time
+to put him ashore. We've had a doctor to see him,
+and maybe it would be a good plan to get an ambulance
+and take him back where he belongs."</p>
+
+<p>"I think so too," said Frank, who became interested
+at once; "that is, if he can bear removal.
+But whatever we do, must be done at once. Our
+vessel is all ready to sail."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess he can stand it to be moved. You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+might come aboard and see&mdash;you and your pardner
+here. I've got a boat close by."</p>
+
+<p>Frank assenting to this proposition, he and Dick
+Lewis followed the man, who led the way along the
+wharf, and finally showed them a yawl manned by
+two oarsmen. They climbed down into it, their
+companion took his seat at the helm, and the boat
+was pushed off into the darkness. The man talked
+incessantly, answering all Frank's questions, and
+going so fully into the particulars of the accident
+that had befallen the boatswain's mate, and telling
+so straight and reasonable a story, that not a shadow
+of a doubt entered Frank's mind. He remarked
+that the ship was a long way from the wharf, and
+that the two men who were pulling the oars looked
+more like "dock rats" than sailors; but still he
+scarcely bestowed a second thought upon these matters,
+for his mind was fully occupied with the injured
+man to whose relief he was hastening. At last the hull
+and rigging of a ship loomed up through the darkness,
+and a hoarse voice hailed the yawl.</p>
+
+<p>"Sunrise!" replied the man at the helm.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The answer was perfectly right and proper. It
+conveyed to them on board the ship the information
+that their captain was in the approaching boat; but
+it seemed to Frank that his presence brought very
+little show of respect from the officer in charge of
+the deck, for he ordered no lanterns to light him
+aboard. Indeed there were no lights to be seen on
+the deck, as Frank found when he clambered over
+the side, the only ones visible being those in the
+rigging, which were placed there to point out the
+position of the ship, so that passing vessels might
+not run into her.</p>
+
+<p>The captain, who was the first to board the ship,
+talked rapidly in a low tone to some one who hurried
+aft to meet him, and when Frank came up,
+he said aloud:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Take this gentleman into the forecastle and
+give him all the help he needs to remove that man.
+This one," he added, pointing to Dick, "can go
+with a couple of you to get a stretcher."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay! ay! sir," replied a voice. "Step right
+this way, sir."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank followed the speaker toward the forecastle,
+and when he came within sight of the ladder that
+led into it, was surprised to see that it was as dark
+as a dungeon below. Then for the first time the
+thought that things did not look just right began
+to creep through his mind. His companion descended
+the ladder, but Frank halted at the top.
+"Look here, my friend," said he; "if you want to
+get me below there you had better light up first."</p>
+
+<p>"Come on," said the man, in a tone of command.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's that sailor with the broken leg?"
+demanded Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to come on?" asked the man.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that depends&mdash;&mdash; I want to hear from that
+man of ours first. If you are down there, Lucas,
+sing out!"</p>
+
+<p>There was no response. In an instant it flashed
+upon Frank that he and Dick had been led into a
+trap. The man in the battered plug hat was no
+captain at all. Probably he was a shipping-agent.
+Having persuaded Frank and the trapper to accompany
+him on board the ship, he made a very plausible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
+excuse for separating them for a moment, so
+that they could not assist each other, and now they
+were to be overpowered and confined until the vessel
+was well out to sea, when they would be brought
+out and compelled to act with the crew. While
+Frank was thinking about it, his conductor, who had
+gone half way down the ladder, turned around and
+started to come back. Frank's ears told him this
+and not his eyes, for they were of no use to him in
+that intense darkness. "Avast, there!" he cried,
+with emphasis. "If you come a step nearer to me
+I'll send you down that ladder quicker than you
+ever went down before. You have picked up the
+wrong men this time. Where is that scoundrel who
+called himself the master of this ship?"</p>
+
+<p>"Here I am," replied that worthy, in tones very
+different from those he had thus far used in addressing
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you are wise, you will undo this half-hour's
+work with the least possible delay. Call away
+that boat and leave us a clear road to get to
+it, or&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank was interrupted by the sounds of a fierce
+struggle which just then arose from the quarter-deck.
+He heard the sound of stamping and scraping feet,
+muttered oaths and blows, and then Dick's voice
+rang out clear above the tumult. "Keep off, the
+hul on you," said he, "fur I'm a leetle wusser nor
+a hul parsel of wild-cats!" And then followed a
+sound such as might be made by somebody's head
+coming in violent contact with the deck.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand your ground, Dick!" shouted Frank.
+"I'll be there in a minute!"</p>
+
+<p>With these words he sprang forward, intending to
+run to his friend's assistance; but before he had
+made half a dozen steps his heels flew up and he
+was sent at full length on the deck, which he no
+sooner touched than two men, whom he had not yet
+seen, sprang up from behind the windlass and threw
+themselves across his shoulders. He had been entirely
+deceived as to the number of enemies with
+whom he had to deal. He had seen but four men
+on deck and there proved to be a dozen of them&mdash;more
+than enough to render resistance useless.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+Almost before he realized the fact he was powerless,
+a pair of irons being slipped over his wrists and
+another about his ankles. When he was helped to
+his feet, he found that the struggle on the quarter-deck
+had ended in the same way. Dick Lewis was
+led up, and by the light of a lantern which one of
+the crew drew from under a tarpaulin, Frank saw
+that he was ironed like himself.</p>
+
+<p>The man who carried the lantern held it up so
+that its rays fell full on the prisoners, and gave them
+a good looking over, bestowing his attentions principally
+upon their arms and shoulders, as if trying
+to judge of the amount of muscle they might contain.
+"They'll do," said he, at last, "and now we're all
+ready to be off. Can you pull an oar?" he added,
+flashing his lantern in Frank's face.</p>
+
+<p>"I can," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I can! Is that the way you talk to me? I am
+mate of this vessel and there's a handle to my
+name."</p>
+
+<p>"I did not know that you were an officer," replied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>
+Frank, "and neither am I aware that I am under
+any obligations to put a handle to your name."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you'll find it out pretty sudden. It shall
+be my first hard work to teach you manners, my
+fine gentleman. Take 'em below."</p>
+
+<p>The mate handed the lantern to one of the crew,
+who moved toward the forecastle, followed by the
+prisoners, who never uttered a word of complaint or
+remonstrance. Frank knew it would do no good,
+and Dick was so bewildered that he could not have
+spoken if he had tried. He kept as close to his
+young companion as he could. He seemed to think
+that Frank, powerless as he was, could in some way
+protect him. They followed their conductor into the
+forecastle, and the latter, after hanging the lantern
+to one of the carlens, went on deck again, closing
+the hatch after him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank and the trapper looked about them before
+they spoke. The very first objects their eyes rested
+on were the two missing seamen, the coxswain and
+the boatswain's mate, who lay side by side in one
+of the bunks, snoring at the rate of ten knots an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>
+hour. They were there, sure enough&mdash;the bogus
+captain told the truth on that point&mdash;and Frank
+was glad to see that they were all right, or would
+be as soon as the effects of the drug they had swallowed
+had been slept off. There were three other
+men in the forecastle, and they were in irons like
+themselves. They lay in their bunks and looked
+sullenly at the new-comers. "What's the matter
+with you?" asked Frank. "What have you been
+doing to get yourselves in this fix?"</p>
+
+<p>"Trying to desert," growled one of the sailors,
+in reply. "What's the matter with <i>you</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>"Shanghaied," answered Frank. "What ship is
+this, and where is she bound?"</p>
+
+<p>"She's the Tycoon, and I expect she's off for the
+Japan station."</p>
+
+<p>Frank's heart seemed to stop beating. His situation
+was even worse than he had supposed. He
+recalled the story of the man he had seen desert
+that same ship on that very day, and shuddered
+when he thought of what might be in store for him.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you say was the matter with us, Master<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>
+Frank?" asked the trapper, leaning against a bunk
+by his friend's side and speaking in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>"I say we have been shanghaied&mdash;that is, kidnapped,"
+replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"But what fur?" said Dick, who did not understand
+the matter at all. "We hain't been a doin' of
+nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that; but you see&mdash;in the first place,
+Dick, there's no use in denying that we are in
+serious trouble. You might as well know it first as
+last and make up your mind to stand it, for there is
+no way of escape. This is the same ship that that
+man we picked up to-day deserted from, and that
+red-faced man in gray whom we saw in the whale-boat
+is the captain of her. He and his officers treat
+their men so harshly that they run away every
+chance they get. The captain must have men to
+handle his vessel, and as he can't get them in the
+regular way, he kidnaps them."</p>
+
+<p>"But what do I know 'bout a ship?" exclaimed
+Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing whatever; but that is no matter. You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
+have good strong arms, and it will not take long to
+break you in."</p>
+
+<p>"Whar&mdash;whar&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The trapper could not ask the question he was
+most anxious to have answered. It seemed to stick
+in his throat.</p>
+
+<p>"I know what you mean," said Frank. "This
+man says we are bound for Japan, and that is nearly
+three thousand miles from here."</p>
+
+<p>Dick was frightened almost out of his senses.
+His face grew as pale as death, great drops of perspiration
+stood on his forehead, and he tugged and
+pulled at his irons with the strength of desperation.
+But they had been put on him to stay, and all his
+efforts to free himself were unavailing. Frank knew
+what he stood in fear of, and he knew, too, that anything
+he could say would not set the poor fellow's
+mind at rest. The wrong ideas he had formed of
+things and the ridiculous stories he had heard in the
+forecastle of the Stranger, had made an impression
+on him so deep and lasting that even Frank, in whom
+the trapper had every confidence, could not remove<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>
+it. The real dangers he was likely to encounter
+would be but small things comparatively; but the
+imaginary evils which he would look for every day,
+would cause him much suffering. Frank thought
+more of his friend than he did of himself. How
+would Dick behave when he found himself dancing
+over the waves of the Pacific in a small boat in pursuit
+of a whale? What would he think if he saw one
+of those monsters of the deep&mdash;as Lucas, the boatswain's
+mate, said he had often seen them&mdash;come up
+on a breach, shoot up forty or fifty feet into the air,
+and then fall down into the water with a noise like
+the roar of Niagara? No doubt he would refuse duty.
+No doubt, too, when the captain or his officers
+attempted to punish him for disobedience there
+would be a desperate fight&mdash;for Dick stood not in
+fear of anything that walked on two feet&mdash;which
+would not end until the trapper had been severely
+injured and perhaps permanently disabled.</p>
+
+<p>"Human natur'! What'll I do?" cried Dick,
+after he had exhausted himself in his efforts to pull
+off his irons.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Watch, me and do as I do, as nearly as you can,"
+replied Frank. "We are completely in the power
+of these men, and there is no way to get out of it.
+While on our voyage from Bellville, I took particular
+pains to learn all I could of a seaman's duties,
+and perhaps I shall be able to be of some assistance
+to you. What we don't know Lucas and Barton
+will teach us. But, whatever you do, don't refuse
+duty or talk back, no matter what is said or done to
+you. It will only be worse for you if you do."</p>
+
+<p>"And bear another thing in mind," said one of
+the sailors, who had been listening to this conversation,
+"and that is, you take rank next below the
+cap'n's dog, and hain't got no rights of your own!"</p>
+
+<p>The trapper looked toward Frank, and while the
+latter was explaining that, according to a sailor's
+creed, those who follow the sea take rank in this way:
+first the captain, then the mates, then the captain's
+dog, and lowest of all, the foremast hands&mdash;while
+Frank was explaining this, there was the sound of a
+commotion on the deck over their heads, and after
+listening a moment the sailors declared that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>
+vessel was about to be taken to sea. And so it proved.
+The anchor was hove up, the sails spread one after
+the other, and finally the prisoners below began to
+feel the increasing motion of the ship. Just then
+the hatch was thrown open and the first mate came
+down the ladder. He walked straight up to Dick,
+unlocked his irons and slapping him on the back
+ordered him to go on deck and lend a hand. Even
+this simple order was Greek to the honest trapper;
+but he understood the word "go," and he went,
+delighted to find himself in possession of his liberty
+once more. Frank would have been glad to go
+with him, for it was anything but agreeable to his
+feelings to be confined below like a felon; but the
+officers wanted to get a little farther away from
+shore before they allowed too many of their unwilling
+crew the free use of their hands and feet.</p>
+
+<p>The first order Dick heard when he reached the
+deck was: "Let fall and sheet home;" and the mate
+giving him a push by the shoulder and a kick at the
+same time, commanded him to "Grab hold of that
+rope and pull as if the sweetheart he left in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+backwoods was at the other end of it." Or, we
+ought rather say that that was the order the mate
+intended to give, but he never finished it, for he was
+knocked down so promptly that it seemed as if his
+foot and the trapper's right arm were both put in
+motion at the same instant. Dick's hot blood, which
+was already at fever heat, boiled over completely
+when he felt the weight of the mate's boot, and he
+wiped out the insult as soon as it was given.</p>
+
+<p>Of course there was a tumult at once. The second
+mate caught up a handspike and the captain
+descended from his quarter-deck, flourishing a rope's
+end as he came. They advanced upon the trapper
+from opposite sides, but he was ready and waiting,
+and they must have been astonished at the rough
+reception they met at his hands. With one single
+twist, which was so sudden and powerful that it
+almost dislocated the second mate's shoulder, Dick
+wrenched the handspike out of his grasp and threw
+it to the deck. Then his long arms swung in the
+air like the shafts of a windmill, one huge clenched
+hand, as heavy as a sledgehammer, fell full in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>
+captain's face, the other alighted on the top of the
+mate's head, and both these worthies sank to the
+deck on the instant.</p>
+
+<p>The first mate by this time recovered his feet, and
+picking up a handspike looked all around for the
+trapper; but he was not to be seen anywhere on
+deck. Nor indeed was he to be found about the
+ship. He was gone.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c82" id="c82">CHAPTER V.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">THE TRAPPER'S ADVENTURE.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">"WHAT time is it now, Eugene?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just nine o'clock. What do you suppose
+is the matter, Uncle?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I knew. They are all of them old enough
+and large enough to take care of themselves, but I
+can't help thinking that there's something wrong."</p>
+
+<p>"I have half a mind to go ashore and look for
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what good that would do. You
+don't know where to look, and if they should happen
+to come aboard while you were gone, we should have
+to send some one in search of you, and that would
+cause another delay."</p>
+
+<p>The stores were all aboard, the Stranger was
+ready to sail, and had been for more than an hour,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>
+but three of her company were missing, and so was
+the trapper. Uncle Dick and the boys had been
+impatient at first, but this gradually gave way to a
+feeling of uneasiness and anxiety. Everybody had
+some explanation to offer for Frank's absence, and
+the prevailing opinion seemed to be that the sailors,
+having got themselves into trouble during the day,
+had been arrested, and that Frank was trying to
+effect their release. Old Bob was more uneasy than
+the rest, and couldn't make up his mind what to
+think about it, not knowing the dangers which one
+might encounter while roaming about the city after
+dark. His kit and Dick's were packed and lying at
+the head of the companion-way, and the old fellow
+was in a hurry to be off. Had they been in the
+mountains the trapper's absence would have caused
+him no anxiety. There Dick knew all about things,
+and was abundantly able to take care of number one;
+but in the settlements he was like a child, and almost
+as incapable of looking out for himself. Old Bob
+was afraid something had happened to him or Frank,
+and the others began to think so too as the hours<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+wore away and their missing friends did not appear.
+Uncle Dick finally gave up all hopes of seeing them
+that night, and ordering one watch below, went to
+bed himself, leaving instructions with the officer of
+the deck to call him the moment Frank arrived.
+The impatient boys remained on deck an hour or
+two longer; but at last they also grew weary and
+turned in and went to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>Just at daylight they were awakened by hasty
+steps on the companion-ladder, and the officer of the
+watch hurried into the cabin and pounded loudly on
+the captain's door. "Ay! ay!" replied Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"That trapper is coming back, sir," said the
+officer, "and he's having a fuss out there on the dock."</p>
+
+<p>"He is having what?" asked Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"He's in a rumpus of some kind, sir. He's got
+somebody on his back and is lugging him along as
+if he were a bag of potatoes."</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't Captain Nelson or one of the men, is it?"
+asked Uncle Dick, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"O no, sir. It is a landsman and a stranger."</p>
+
+<p>This conversation was carried on in a tone of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>
+voice loud enough to be heard by all the boys, who
+were out on the floor in an instant. It was but a
+few seconds' work to jump into their trowsers and
+boots, and catch up their coats and hats, and they
+were on deck almost as soon as the officer himself.
+A strange sight met their eyes. A short distance
+up the dock was Dick Lewis, running at the top of
+his speed, and carrying on his shoulder a man almost
+as large as himself, who kicked and struggled in
+vain to escape from the strong grasp that held him.
+The load was undoubtedly a heavy one, but the trapper
+moved with it plenty fast enough to leave behind
+two ill-looking fellows, who carried bludgeons in
+their hands, and who were trying to overtake him.
+About two hundred yards farther up the dock were
+two more men, one supporting the other, who was
+limping along half doubled up as if in great pain.</p>
+
+<p>The boys, wondering greatly, sprang ashore and
+ran up the wharf to meet Dick. The latter, to quote
+from Featherweight, looked as though he had been
+somewhere. His buckskin suit, soaked with water,
+clung close to his person; his hat was gone, and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>
+face wore an expression that the old members of the
+club had never seen there before. Archie had seen
+it, however, and that was on the day when, seated
+at the camp-fire near the Old Bear's Hole, years
+before, Frank related to himself and Uncle James
+the particulars of his meeting with Black Bill and
+his party, and the manner in which he had been
+treated by them.</p>
+
+<p>Dick grinned the delight he felt at meeting the
+boys once more, but did not stop to speak to them.
+He went straight on board the schooner and threw
+off his burden, at the same time seizing his man by
+the collar and jerking him upon his feet in front of
+Uncle Dick Gaylord, who looked at him in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's the mean chap that done it all," said the
+trapper, throwing his full strength into his arm and
+giving the bogus captain&mdash;for it was he&mdash;such a
+shaking that his teeth fairly rattled. "Now if
+thar's any law in the settlements set it a-going."</p>
+
+<p>"What did he do?" demanded the boys, who had
+followed close at his heels. "Where's Frank?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He's round on the other side of the 'arth by this
+time, I reckon," replied Dick, drawing his hand
+across his forehead and looking about as if he were
+overjoyed to find himself among friends once more.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope they've got a horse-shoe big enough to
+hold 'em on, but I'm 'most afeard, 'cause she's a
+heap bigger nor this little boat o' your'n."</p>
+
+<p>"What is?" asked the captain, and the boys grew
+anxious when they saw the expression that settled
+on his face. "Begin at the beginning and tell us
+all about it."</p>
+
+<p>Thus adjured, the trapper launched at once into
+his story, without wasting any time in explanatory
+remarks, and for ten minutes held his auditors spellbound.
+He told how he and Frank had been enticed
+on board the Tycoon, described the manner
+in which they had been overpowered and confined,
+repeated the conversation that took place between
+Frank and himself in the forecastle, and ended by
+relating the particulars of his "scrimmage" with the
+officers of the ship, with all of which the reader is
+already acquainted; but he does not know what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>
+happened afterward, so from this point we will tell
+the story in our own words.</p>
+
+<p>The reason Dick could not be found on board the
+ship after his fight with the officers was ended, was
+because he was not there&mdash;he had jumped overboard;
+and what was rather singular, none of the crew on
+deck had seen him when he did it. The last time
+they saw him he was clambering into one of the bowboats,
+and that was the first place they looked for
+him, his concealment being pointed out to the officers
+by a man who was looked upon as the "black
+sheep" of the crew, and of whom we shall probably
+hear more as our story progresses. But when the
+officers came to search the boat, Dick was not there;
+he had dropped unseen into the water.</p>
+
+<p>The trapper was a famous swimmer, and entertained
+no doubt of his ability to reach the shore;
+but even had the vessel been twenty miles at sea,
+he would have trusted himself to the waves rather
+than run the risk of encountering the terrible dangers
+that awaited the ship and her crew on the "under
+side of the earth." The worst thing he would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>
+have to contend with in case he were recaptured,
+would be the tyranny of the captain and his brutal
+officers; but the sturdy trapper gave not one thought
+to that, for during a life of excitement and adventure
+he had more than once demonstrated his ability
+to protect himself; but he <i>did</i> think of that ghostly
+ship, the Flying Dutchman, the big cuttle-fish, the
+mermaids and sea-dragons, the whale that swallowed
+Jonah, and which was still roaming about seeking
+whom he might devour, and, worse than all, the
+awful danger of the ship falling off when she came to
+the under side of the earth and was sailing along
+with her masts pointing downward and the crew
+walking with their feet upward. Dick thought of
+all these dangers and swam as if he saw them looming
+up close behind him; but with all his exertions
+he could not make headway fast enough to suit him.
+His wet clothing hung upon him like lead and deadened
+his progress through the water; so the first
+thing he did when the ship was out of sight, was to
+stop and relieve himself of this encumbrance. He
+took off moccasins and all, and wrapping them up in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
+his hunting-shirt put the bundle on his back and
+tied it around his neck with the sleeves of the shirt.
+After that he made better headway.</p>
+
+<p>It is hard to tell what would have been the result
+of the trapper's adventure, had it not been for some
+assistance which fortunately came in his way. Had
+there been light enough so that he could see to direct
+his course, the swim would have been nothing; but
+there was danger of moving in a circle in the darkness,
+and so tiring himself out without making any
+headway at all. There were no lights in front to
+guide him, but there were some behind, and after
+looking at them two or three times the swimmer
+became convinced that they were coming toward him.
+There was a vessel of some kind approaching, and
+Dick, changing his course a little to intercept her,
+had the satisfaction of hearing his hail answered,
+and of seeing the little fishing-smack which carried
+the lights thrown up into the wind within a few
+yards of him.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, there!" cried a gruff voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, you!" shouted Dick. "Here I am."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, what do you want?" asked the captain of
+the fishing boat, peering out into the darkness and
+trying to discover whence the hail came.</p>
+
+<p>"Is civilized folks human enough to lend a sufferin'
+feller-man a helpin' hand?" asked Dick, who
+after his recent experience had some serious doubts
+on this point.</p>
+
+<p>This question was not immediately answered, for
+the skipper did not quite understand it. He held
+a consultation with one of his men and then called
+out&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"If you want help, pull this way. I've got no
+boat to send out after you!"</p>
+
+<p>Dick was pulling that way with all his might,
+and guided by the lanterns that were held over the
+side, at last reached the boat, which sat so low in
+the water that he could lay hold of her rail. The
+astonishment of her crew as they hauled aboard a
+man who carried all his wearing apparel around his
+neck, was unbounded. They gave him time to put
+on his clothes and then directed him to the captain
+who was waiting to see him.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The very first question that gentleman propounded
+to him aroused a thousand fears in Dick's mind.
+The skipper wanted to know where he came from,
+and how he happened to be out there in the water,
+five miles from land; and the trapper, fearful that if
+he told the truth and acknowledged himself to be a
+deserter, the captain might follow the Tycoon and
+compel him to go aboard of her again, whether he
+wanted to or not, did something he had never done
+before&mdash;he made up a story all out of his own head,
+as he told Uncle Dick Gaylord, and queer work he
+made of it. He entered into the particulars of a
+fearful shipwreck that had just occurred. The waves
+were as high as the Rocky Mountains, he said, the
+wind blew so hard that the sailors had to stop all
+work and hold their hair on (this was a quotation
+from one of the stories the trapper had heard in
+the forecastle of the Stranger); his ship was capsized
+no less than three times, always coming right
+side up again, and doing it so quickly that she did
+not even wet her sails or her deck, and none of the
+crew had a chance to drop off into the water (another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>
+quotation); but finally the wind came in such furious
+gusts that it took the masts right out by the roots
+(still another quotation), and the ship filled and went
+down like lead. The trapper said that all this happened
+not five minutes before, and that set the crew
+of the fishing-boat into a roar of laughter, for they had
+been out all day, and knew there had scarcely been
+wind enough to raise any white caps. The captain
+used some hard words, and called Dick anything
+but a truthful man; but the latter affirmed so solemnly
+that it was all so, that the skipper thought
+that perhaps something had happened after all, and
+spent a long time in cruising about the place where
+Dick had been picked up.</p>
+
+<p>This delay added to the trapper's fears. What
+if the Tycoon should come back in search of him?
+Alarmed by the thought, he labored hard to convince
+the captain that every soul on board the wrecked
+ship, except himself, had gone down with her;
+but finding that the skipper paid no attention to
+him, he changed his story altogether, and declared
+that he had jumped overboard on purpose, and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>
+he had done it because he had taken passage on the
+wrong vessel. He wanted to go to Sacramento, he
+said, but by mistake had boarded a craft bound for
+the "under side of the earth;" and as she would
+not turn back and put him ashore, he had no alternative
+but to take to the water and get back as best
+he could. Then the skipper was angry in earnest.
+Ordering Dick to get as far forward as the length
+of the little vessel would allow, and not to open his
+head again as long as he remained on board of her,
+he filled away for the city.</p>
+
+<p>The trapper was very glad to be let off so easily.
+He had induced the captain to turn his vessel toward
+the shore, and that was all he cared for. He crouched
+down in the bow and meekly submitted to the jokes
+and tricks of the sailors, who never allowed him a
+moment's peace. He was too completely cowed to
+take offence at anything. He had seen enough of
+civilized life and people to take all the courage out
+of him.</p>
+
+<p>The moment the fishing boat touched the dock he
+was out and ashore. Then he was himself again.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>
+When he felt something solid under his feet his
+courage all returned, and he was in just the right
+mood to carry out the exploit he afterward performed.
+Almost the first man he saw on the dock
+was the bogus captain, who had enticed Frank and
+himself on board the Tycoon. Dick's blood began
+to boil as soon as his eyes rested on him. His first
+thought was to take summary vengeance on him, but
+he was checked in time by the reflection that he was
+not in the mountains now, and that there were laws
+in the settlements strong enough to punish evil-doers
+of every description. He did not know how to set
+the law in motion, but the captain of the Stranger
+did, and he would take the culprit before him at once.</p>
+
+<p>The bogus captain, whose business was that of
+shipping-agent and boarding-house keeper, was
+standing in the midst of a group of friends, half a
+dozen of them perhaps, and all men like himself;
+but this did not deter the trapper, who strode up and
+confronted him. The talking and laughing were
+hushed at once, and all eyes were turned upon the
+new-comer, who stood before them with dripping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
+garments, his tall figure drawn up to its full height,
+his eyes flashing and his bony fingers working nervously.
+He looked dangerous. The bogus captain
+stared at him a moment doubtfully and then a gleam
+of intelligence crossed his face and he tried to smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I thought I had seen you before," said he,
+thrusting out his hand. "Come in! come right into
+the house. Where you been?"</p>
+
+<p>"Whar do you reckon you seed me last?" demanded
+Dick, holding his arms behind his back,
+for the man seemed determined to shake hands with
+him whether he wished it or not. "You can't shut
+up my eyes with none of your palaverin', now.
+Whar do you reckon you seed me last, I axes you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, let me think a minute," said the man,
+pulling off his plug hat and digging his fingers into
+his head, at the same time backing away from the
+enraged giant. "I see so many of you fellows that
+I can't call you all by name the minute I meet you."</p>
+
+<p>"My name's&mdash;my name's&mdash;&mdash;" Dick stopped and
+looked all around, trying to think what he should
+call himself. He did not have a very extensive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>
+circle of acquaintances, and he couldn't make up a
+name "all out of his own head," as he made up the
+story he told the captain of the fishing-smack. "My
+name's Colonel Gaylord," said he, giving the first
+one that came into his mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! yes; I know you now," said the bogus
+captain, making another effort to take the trapper
+by the hand. "You're the chap I found a good
+berth for a few days ago, ain't you? Seems to me&mdash;you
+know&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," roared Dick, who could control himself
+no longer, "I know, an' 'tain't likely I'll ever forget,
+nuther. I'm the man you wanted to send round to
+the other side of the 'arth, to be chawed up by whales
+an' dropped off into the clouds, consarn you&mdash;that's
+who <i>I</i> am, an' you'll remember me afore you see the
+last of me, I tell you. Human natur'! I wish I
+could tote you out to the mountains fur about ten
+minutes. But I'll set the law a-goin' agin you afore
+you see another day; that's what I'll do. Come
+along here, you meanest man the 'arth ever saw,
+not even exceptin' Black Bill&mdash;come along! Stand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>
+out o' the way, the rest on you, or I'll claw you all
+up like a painter!"</p>
+
+<p>With these words the trapper seized the bogus
+captain by the collar and began pushing him toward
+the Stranger, which he could see still lying in her
+berth where he had left her. The man remonstrated
+and threatened, but all to no purpose. Then
+he resisted and called upon his companions for help.
+One of them responded, but was disposed of so
+quickly and effectually that the others thought it
+best to keep at a safe distance.</p>
+
+<p>Finding that his man was possessed of more
+strength, activity and determination than he had
+calculated on, the trapper seized him with both hands,
+and swinging him upon his shoulder started for the
+schooner at a rapid run. He brought his prisoner
+in triumph, and stood him up on the deck where all
+could see him.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c99" id="c99">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">A SCAMP ON HIS DIGNITY.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">"THIS yere is the mean chap that done it all,"
+continued the trapper. "Thar's none of us that'll
+ever see Frank ag'in. He's gone round on t'other
+side of the 'arth, an' some dark night, when he's
+sailin' along thinkin' of nothing, one of them big
+quids (the sailors had called the cuttle-fish 'squids')
+will rise outen the water all on a sudden, wrap his
+arms, two hundred feet long, all about the ship, an'
+that'll be the last of Frank. When be you goin' to
+hang this feller, cap'n?"</p>
+
+<p>Dick had an interested and anxious crowd of
+listeners. The officers of the schooner and the boys
+stood ranged in a circle in front of him, and behind
+were the sailors, who at first invaded the sacred precincts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>
+of the quarter-deck with much hesitation,
+holding their caps in their hands and momentarily
+expecting an order to retire; but growing bolder by
+degrees, when they found that the captain, although
+he looked their way now and then, had nothing to
+say to them, they crowded up close behind the trapper,
+so that they could hear every word. There were
+also two other listeners&mdash;the men with the bludgeons,
+who had followed Dick Lewis in the hope of rescuing
+his prisoner. When these two worthies first came
+up, they acted as if they were about to board the
+vessel without ceremony; but changed their minds
+when they saw half a dozen broad-shouldered seamen,
+in obedience to a sign from the officer of the
+deck, move up into the waist to receive them. The
+sailors, who had a pretty good idea of what had
+been going on, even before they had heard the trapper's
+story, would have been delighted to have the
+opportunity to toss these men ashore neck and heels;
+and the latter must have seen it in their countenances,
+for they backed away from the edge of the
+wharf and took up a position from which they could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>
+hear and see all that passed on the Stranger's
+deck.</p>
+
+<p>Had Frank been as safe out of his troubles as
+Dick Lewis was, the boys would have been highly
+amused by the latter's description of the scenes
+through which he had passed; but it was far from
+being a laughing matter now. Frank had been
+kidnapped ("shanghaied" the sailors called it) by
+the captain of the Tycoon or his agent, and there
+was no knowing what might become of him. Perhaps
+the hard fare and harder treatment he was
+certain to receive, might drive him to do something
+desperate. Uncle Dick Gaylord, however, was not
+troubled by any such misgivings. He knew that
+Frank possessed courage and prudence in no ordinary
+degree, and besides there were Lucas and
+Barton, the coxswain, on the same vessel. The
+former was an old whaleman, and the assistance he
+could render Frank in the way of teaching him his
+duties, might enable the boy to keep out of any very
+serious difficulties. But could he help him in any
+way? That was the momentous question, and Uncle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>
+Dick walked up and down his quarter-deck with his
+hands behind his back while he pondered upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"Every word this man has uttered, as far as it
+concerns me and my doings, is false from head to
+tail," declared the bogus captain.</p>
+
+<p>This was the first time he had spoken since he
+was brought on board the vessel. At first he was
+badly frightened, but while the trapper was telling
+his story, he had time to think over his situation and
+determine upon his line of defence.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know anything about this man and the
+other fellow he speaks of," he continued; "I never
+seen him before this morning, and I never tried to
+pass myself off as the captain of any ship."</p>
+
+<p>Dick Lewis eyed him savagely while he was
+speaking, and when he ceased drew back his clenched
+hand. In a moment more the man would have
+measured his length on the deck, had not the captain
+interposed.</p>
+
+<p>"Get ashore!" said he, shortly.</p>
+
+<p>"O no, cap'n," replied the man, with an impudent
+smile. "This is a nice way you have of doing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+business, I do think! One of your friends commits
+an assault on me and drags me away from my
+peaceful home, and then you wash your hands of
+the matter by telling me to go ashore. That won't
+go down, by no means. Twenty dollars for damages
+will get rid of me, but not a cent less!"</p>
+
+<p>"I can bring a dozen witnesses to prove that
+that man wasn't once outside of his house last night,"
+said one of the ruffians on the dock. "I'm one of
+'em, for I was with him all the evening and know
+everything he done."</p>
+
+<p>"Rodgers!" exclaimed Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, sir," came the prompt response.</p>
+
+<p>A stalwart sailor stepped quickly out from among
+his companions, and dashing his cap upon the deck
+stood behind the bogus captain pushing back his
+sleeves. A simple look from Uncle Dick would
+have sent the man flying over the schooner's side as
+if he had been thrown from a catapult.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the last time I shall speak to you," continued
+Uncle Dick. "Get ashore!"</p>
+
+<p>The bogus captain thought it best to obey, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>
+that too without a moment's hesitation. Once on
+the dock he was safe, and there he stopped long
+enough to say a parting word to Uncle Dick. "This
+matter will be settled in the court-room," said he,
+with a threatening shake of his head. "That man
+shall be arrested before he is an hour older."</p>
+
+<p>With these words he walked off, followed by his
+companions. The boys looked first at him, then at
+the captain and finally at Dick Lewis, who stood the
+very picture of astonishment. "Why didn't you set
+the law a-goin'?" the trapper managed to ask at last.</p>
+
+<p>"It would have been of no use," answered the
+master of the schooner. "Didn't you hear what that
+man on the dock said? That indicated the defence
+they would bring up. We would find a court-room
+full of witnesses to prove an alibi&mdash;that is, that this
+man was somewhere else when the kidnapping was
+done."</p>
+
+<p>"But it wouldn't be true, Uncle Dick," said
+Archie, who, like all the rest of the Club, invariably
+addressed the old sailor by this affectionate title.
+"If they swore to that, they would be guilty of perjury,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>
+and that is a state prison offence. Dick has
+told the truth."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it. I am just as certain that everything
+he has described to us really happened, as I would
+be had I seen it all with my own eyes; but a justice
+would not take his unsupported word against that of
+a dozen men. And as for perjury, how would you
+fasten the crime upon these false witnesses that
+would be produced? If Frank, Lucas and Barton
+were here, we would have the game in our own hands;
+but they are miles away. This man knows we can
+prove nothing, and that is what makes him so impudent."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you had told Rodgers to throw him overboard,
+or else let Dick knock him down," said
+Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>"And afterward had the satisfaction of paying a
+fine and costs," said the old sailor, with a laugh.
+"By the time your hair is as white as mine, Eugene,
+perhaps you will have learned something. I've got
+one fine to pay now."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, how is that?" asked all the boys at once.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you hear what that man said just as he
+went away? There'll be a policeman down here
+directly."</p>
+
+<p>The boys looked toward the trapper. The expression
+of alarm which they had so often seen of
+late, had settled on his face again. He backed up
+against the rail for support, and looked wildly about
+as if he had half a mind to take to his heels. He
+stood more in fear of the law than he did of a grizzly
+bear. He had always thought that there was
+something wrong about it, and now he was firmly
+convinced of the fact. The law, as he understood
+it, was to restrain bad people, who were disposed to
+take advantage of their neighbors whenever an opportunity
+was offered; but he found that it was
+likely to prove a means of punishment to the innocent.
+It would have been just as impossible to give
+him a clear idea of its workings, as it would to make
+him understand the causes of the trade-winds or the
+theory of the ocean-currents.</p>
+
+<p>"I've said a million times, an' Frank says that
+more'n a thousand, that I'd never put my old moccasins<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>
+inside a city again, an' now I say it onct more
+an' I'll stick to it," said the trapper, solemnly, raising
+his hand toward the mast-head to give emphasis
+to his words. "I get skeared to death by cars an'
+steamboats, an' something's allers happenin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Shoulder your rifle an' kit, Dick, an' let's be
+off," said old Bob, who up to this time had been
+a silent and amazed spectator and listener. "I'm
+afeared."</p>
+
+<p>"So am I, Bob, but I dasen't. I dasen't go; the
+law will ketch me. I wish I was to the ole Bar's
+Hole, so't I could crawl in an' hide myself."</p>
+
+<p>Dick leaned back against the rail again, rubbing
+his hands together and groaning as men sometimes
+do when they are sadly troubled in spirit. The boys
+tried hard to set his mind at rest. They assured
+him that no harm should come to him, for they and
+Uncle Dick were not only able but ready and willing
+to stand between him and all difficulties; but the
+trapper said he didn't want them to do it. If anybody
+was to go to jail (thrusting people into jail and
+hanging them Dick thought were the only punishments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+in vogue in civilized communities) it should
+be himself and nobody else. Furthermore, he did
+not see why it was necessary that any one should be
+called upon to stand between him and difficulty.
+He had only been following out his natural impulses
+in trying to bring the bogus captain to justice, and
+now he must suffer for it. He shook his head, refusing
+to be comforted, and showed a desire to be
+alone with his own thoughts; so the boys left him
+and turned to Uncle Dick, who was once more
+pacing his quarter-deck, after holding a short consultation
+with his officers.</p>
+
+<p>"I know what you want," said the old sailor, as
+the boys approached him in a body. "You are
+anxious to know what I am going to do for Frank.
+I can only guess at the best plan, and follow it out
+to the best of my judgment. What do you think
+ought to be done?"</p>
+
+<p>The boys had no suggestions to offer. One thing
+was certain, and that was that Frank would not long
+submit to harsh treatment. A young man who had
+commanded a fine vessel in Uncle Sam's navy would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>
+not consent to take rank next below the captain's
+dog, as the sailors in the Tycoon's forecastle had
+assured him he would do as long as he remained in
+that ship. If the opportunity were ever offered, he
+would lay his case before the consul of the first port
+at which the vessel touched; and failing that he
+would probably be driven to desert. In either case
+the boys did not expect to see him again. If the
+consul protected him, he would be sent to the
+nearest port in the United States free of expense,
+and he had money enough in his pocket&mdash;about
+twenty dollars, Archie thought&mdash;to support him
+until he could receive a remittance from home. If
+he was compelled to desert he would probably ship
+on the first vessel he could find, just as Chase had
+done, and she might take him to the remotest corner
+of the earth. All this would sadly interfere with
+the Club's arrangements. They thought as much
+of Frank as his cousin did&mdash;so much that they one
+and all declared that they did not care to continue
+their voyage without him. They couldn't enjoy
+themselves, for they would worry about him all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>
+while, and if they were to be separated from him
+they would rather go home and stay there. If their
+pleasant party and their cruise were to be broken up,
+they had the boarding-house keeper to thank for it,
+and Walter declared that there was no punishment
+known to the law half severe enough for him.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick listened while the boys were talking,
+and said he fully agreed with them. "Even if
+Frank should succeed in escaping from the Tycoon,
+and had a vessel at his command or money enough
+to take him just where he wanted to go, he would
+not know which way to steer to find us," said he,
+"for you boys will remember that you did not
+decide upon anything definite, and Frank doesn't
+know whether we are going to Alaska or Japan."</p>
+
+<p>"And all through my foolishness," said Eugene,
+bitterly. "I wish I had given up, and gone where
+the others wanted to go."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," said Bab.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't reproach yourselves," replied Uncle Dick.
+"You had plenty of sport during your debates, and
+you were not supposed to know that such an emergency<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>
+as this was about to arise. But perhaps we
+can do something by following the Tycoon."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if we only knew where she is going."</p>
+
+<p>"I have an idea that I do know. She is bound
+for the Japan station, so the sailors in her forecastle
+told Dick Lewis. Well, now, she is short-handed.
+She must be, for her mate released Dick from his
+irons and brought him on deck to help make sail.
+She'll never go on her station without a full crew,
+and the nearest place at which she can get it is the
+Sandwich Islands. There she will undoubtedly ship
+Kanakas enough to make up her complement. Then
+she'll go out for a three or four months' cruise, and
+come back and fit out for the Japan station. Now,
+if we can reach Honolulu before she leaves, we shall
+probably be able to effect the release of our men.
+If it were not for this incident that has just happened
+I would sail at once."</p>
+
+<p>"Why can't you do it any way?" asked Walter,
+who did not like to waste even a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"Because we must see Lewis out of his trouble.
+If he goes ashore without some one to protect him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>
+he will be sure to fall into the hands of those
+sharpers, who will frighten him out of the last
+article of value he's got."</p>
+
+<p>"Cap'n," said Dick, suddenly, "will you take us
+with you&mdash;me and Bob?"</p>
+
+<p>The old sailor looked in astonishment, and so did
+the boys.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afeared to go ashore," continued the trapper,
+who had been holding a council of war with his
+chum, "an' so is Bob. 'Sides it's a thing we never
+done yet&mdash;run off an' leave Frank in trouble, an'
+we've knowed him too long to do it now!"</p>
+
+<p>"My good fellow," said Uncle Dick, with a smile,
+"if Frank were lost in the woods, you and Bob
+would be just the men to assist him; but you can't
+help him in any way now."</p>
+
+<p>"Mebbe we can, cap'n. An' even if we can't, we
+don't want to go back hum without knowing what's
+come on him. We shouldn't see no peace of mind."</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick did not speak for several minutes.
+He knew just how much these rude men thought of
+Frank, and told himself that their desire to see him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>
+safe among friends again before they took leave of
+him for ever, was perfectly natural; but there were
+the dangers they expected to meet on the "under
+side of the earth"&mdash;the Flying Dutchman, the
+whales, the monstrous "quids"&mdash;could they stand
+all these? "Lewis," said he, suddenly, "have you
+and your companion fully made up your minds on
+this point?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, an' we won't never change 'em nuther.
+We allers stand to what we say."</p>
+
+<p>"That settles the matter. Mr. Baldwin, while I
+am gone to the custom house, hail the first tug you
+see and stand by to get under way."</p>
+
+<p>The boys would have been delighted by this
+arrangement a few hours before, but their feelings
+were different now. They had something to think
+of besides the amusement they expected the trappers
+to furnish them.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick went ashore and walked rapidly away,
+leaving the boys to themselves. Although they
+were impatient to be off, the time did not hang heavily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
+on their hands, for they had much to talk about.
+They fully expected the trappers to change their
+minds when they saw the preparations that were
+being made for getting under way, but Dick and
+Bob were not that sort. There was a dogged expression
+on their faces, such as might have been
+seen there had the backwoodsmen been in the power
+of savage foes who were making ready to torture
+them at the stake. It said that they fully realized
+the dangers before them, and were prepared to meet
+them like men who had never shown the white
+feather.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, if Frank were only here, and if Dick and
+Bob would get rid of some of their foolish notions,
+we could look forward to some fun, couldn't we?"
+said Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>If</i> and <i>if</i>!" said Walter. "It is surprising
+how often that little word stands in our way."</p>
+
+<p>"I have been thinking that Dick's short sojourn
+on the Tycoon has made matters worse for Frank
+than they would otherwise have been," said Bob,
+anxiously. "The three principal officers have felt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>
+the weight of his arm, and of course they'll have to
+take satisfaction out of somebody."</p>
+
+<p>"Dick," said Archie, suddenly, "why don't you
+encourage us by saying that Frank will be sure to
+come out all right? That's what you used to tell
+us whenever he got into trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"But he was on the prairie then, an' now he's
+among civilized folks," replied the trapper.</p>
+
+<p>"Which means, I suppose, that this is the worst
+scrape he ever got into."</p>
+
+<p>Dick nodded his head.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know about that," said George Le Dell.
+"I think if he had his choice, he would rather be
+where he is now than in the prison at Shreveport, if
+he had to go through what he did when he made his
+escape. Frank has been in some tight places, but
+somehow he has always managed to squeeze through
+without much trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"And he never was hurt that I remember, except
+when he burned that house in which Colonel Harrison
+made his headquarters," said Archie.</p>
+
+<p>"When <i>you</i> burned it, you mean," said George.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
+"<i>You</i> did that, and if you had been a line instead
+of a staff officer, you would have got another stripe
+around your arm for it, too. I told the Colonel all
+about it after you left our house."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you do that?" exclaimed Archie,
+hastily. "Now I shall never dare to meet him
+again."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed George. "Why, he is one
+of your warmest friends. I told him because I
+wanted him to know that the boy who killed that
+bear and beat Somers in a fair race through the
+woods, had something in him. The Colonel scolded
+me for not telling him before. He said if he had
+known it while you were in our neighborhood, you
+wouldn't have got away from his house for one good
+long month at least. He would have kept you if
+he'd had to put a guard over you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I shouldn't have enjoyed the visit."</p>
+
+<p>"You couldn't have helped yourself, if plenty of
+hunting, riding and good company are aids to enjoyment."</p>
+
+<p>From this subject the boys gradually got back to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>
+the one that occupied the most of their minds and
+thoughts, and that was Frank's sudden disappearance.
+They asked the trapper a multitude of
+questions, but learned nothing new, for he had
+already told his story in detail. While they were
+talking Uncle Dick returned, and the tug being
+alongside and the pilot aboard, the lines were cast
+off and the Stranger swung slowly around until her
+bow pointed toward the headlands at the entrance
+to the bay. In the bustle and hurry that followed
+the boys found time to turn an eye toward the trappers
+now and then, but they saw no signs of regret
+or alarm on their faces; and when the lines that
+held the tug were let go, and the steamer with a
+farewell shriek of her whistle turned back toward
+the city, and the schooner unfolded her white wings
+one after the other, and the Golden Gate was passed,
+and the broad expanse of the Pacific was fairly
+spread out before them, there were still no signs of
+backing out. But it was too late now. The die
+was cast, and Dick and old Bob were bound for the
+"under side of the earth!"</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c118" id="c118">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">TOO LATE.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE very presence of Uncle Dick was enough
+to infuse new life and comfort into the boys,
+who were disposed to make themselves miserable
+over the absence of their genial companion. The
+old sailor believed in looking on the bright side of
+things, and thought there was no use in worrying
+over the matter that they could not just then better
+in any way. His example made a great change in
+the feelings of the Club.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Walter," said he, briskly, "we are fairly
+afloat again, and our sailing-master having deserted
+us, we are compelled to call on you to fill his place.
+Suppose you work out a course for us. We're
+bound for the Sandwich Islands, Eugene; which
+way are they from here?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you can't catch me on that," replied the
+boy, "for I posted myself only a few days ago.
+The twentieth parallel runs through them. They're
+in the same latitude as Vera Cruz, in Mexico."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I want to make the run in as short a time
+as may be, so what shall I do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Stand to the southwest to get the benefit of
+the northeast trades, and the equatorial current.
+The same route would take you to China or Japan."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose, now, we were in China and wanted
+to come back to the States: would I follow the
+same course?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. You would steer in a northerly
+direction until you got between the parallels of
+thirty-five and forty-five degrees north latitude, and
+there you would find strong westerly winds to help
+you along. Perhaps you'd get some assistance from
+the North Pacific drift current, but on that point I
+am not sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it is just as well you are not," shouted
+Walter from the cabin, where he was busy with his
+chart. "The North Pacific drift current might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>
+help you if you wanted to go to Alaska from China.
+When it strikes the shores of our continent it
+divides, part of it flowing on down the coast and
+forming the California coast current, and the rest
+bending back across the Pacific again; so it would
+retard your progress rather than help you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am not the sailing-master of this craft,
+am I?" replied Eugene. "If I was, I'd keep
+posted. Besides, almost anybody with a chart before
+him, could clatter away as though his tongue
+was hung in the middle. Wait till Frank gets back
+if you want to talk about navigation."</p>
+
+<p>"He's a good one, that's a fact," said Uncle
+Dick. "He's as fit to command a vessel as I am."</p>
+
+<p>Just then Walter came up, having worked out a
+course, which being approved by the captain and
+given to the officer of the deck, the bow of the
+Stranger was brought around a point or two, and the
+voyage was fairly begun. There was nothing to be
+done now, but to await developments with all the
+patience they possessed.</p>
+
+<p>But few incidents worthy of record happened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>
+during the voyage, which, after they struck the
+trade winds became monotonous enough. The
+schooner bowled along before a fine breeze, and as
+it was never necessary to change the sails, there
+was no work to be done except ordinary ship's duty.
+The Club passed the time mostly in reading and
+conversation with the trappers, who, as soon as they
+fully recovered from their sea-sickness, kept a constant
+lookout for some of those terrible dangers
+which had been so graphically described to them.
+By dint of much talking and argument the boys
+finally succeeded in making them take a more sensible
+view of their situation, and as the days wore
+away without bringing with them any of the perils
+they had expected to encounter, the backwoodsmen
+began to act a little more like themselves. But
+when an ignorant person once gets hold of an idea
+it is almost impossible to make him let go of it, and
+the trappers' minds could not be set wholly at rest.
+They steadily refused to go into the forecastle at
+night, and always slept on deck. The boys found
+the reason for this in a remark they heard Bob<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>
+make to his companion. They wanted plenty of
+elbow room when they reached the under side of the
+earth, the old fellow said, so that when the schooner
+dropped off among the clouds, they could take to
+the water. They saw sharks, dolphins and flying-fish
+(the trappers began to put more faith in what
+the boys said after they had seen one of the latter
+rise from the water and sail through the air like a
+bird on the wing), and one day the sailors pointed
+out to them an object which made them believe that
+their time had come. It first showed itself while the
+boys were at dinner. They were summoned on
+deck by the officers of the watch, and found themselves
+close alongside the first whale they had ever
+seen. The monster was taking matters very leisurely,
+moving along about a hundred yards from
+the schooner, lifting his huge head out of the water
+now and then and spouting a cloud of spray into the
+air, and although the vessel was running at a rate
+of eight miles an hour, he kept pace with her
+without the least exertion. The boys were all disappointed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"This must be a small one," said George.</p>
+
+<p>"Small!" echoed Uncle Dick. "How big do
+you think a whale is, any how&mdash;as big as the Rocky
+Mountains?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir; but I have read that they have been
+found sixty and seventy feet long," replied George.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, this fellow is every inch of eighty, and
+I shouldn't wonder if he was ninety feet in length."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish some whaler would come along and pitch
+into him," said Eugene. "I'd like to see the
+operation of catching a whale."</p>
+
+<p>"If fifty whalers should come along they would
+not trouble this fellow," said Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because he is neither a sperm nor a right whale.
+He belongs to the species known as finbacks. He
+would not yield oil or bone enough to pay for the
+trouble of lowering the boats, and besides he is so
+swift and strong that it would be dangerous to meddle
+with him."</p>
+
+<p>The finback kept alongside the schooner for
+nearly a mile, and during that time the boys had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>
+ample opportunity to take a good view of him. He
+sank and rose at regular intervals, executing the
+manoeuvre with an ease and grace that was astonishing,
+and now and then he showed so much of his
+huge bulk above the water that the boys opened
+their eyes in amazement, and Featherweight declared
+that there was no end to him. The longer
+they looked at him the larger he seemed to grow.
+At length he began to edge away from the schooner,
+and finally disappeared. Then each boy turned
+and looked at his neighbor to see what he thought
+about it.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you look so sober?" demanded
+Featherweight of Archie, who stood by pulling his
+chin, and gazing fixedly at the spot where the whale
+had last been seen.</p>
+
+<p>"I was just thinking," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"And I'll warrant we can all tell what you were
+thinking about," said George. "I guess there is
+no one in this small party who would like to be
+ordered into a small boat to attack a beast of that
+size, and you were wondering what Frank's feelings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>
+will be the first time he tries it. Well, I don't want
+to know them by experience."</p>
+
+<p>Archie walked to the side and looked over into
+the water, while George turned to Dick and Bob,
+who just then came up. Their faces were very
+white.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Dick," said George, "you have seen your
+first whale, and it isn't such a terrible looking object
+after all, is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I dunno," replied the trapper. "If the babies
+look like that, what must the ole ones be?"</p>
+
+<p>"The babies?" repeated George.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the fellows showed that thing to me
+when it fust come in sight, and I showed it to Rodgers,
+but he couldn't see it. Rodgers, he called
+another of the sailors, and he said he could see something,
+but it was so small he couldn't tell whether
+it was a whale or not."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Dick, don't you believe a word those men
+in the forecastle say to you," said Eugene, indignantly.
+"Uncle Dick says that is one of the largest
+whales he ever saw."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Wal, Rodgers he couldn't see it at fust 'cause
+it was so small, but when he <i>did</i> see it, he said
+mebbee it was a baby. He said the ole one will be
+along purty soon lookin' fur it, an' then we'll see a
+whale. If the ole one don't find the baby, she'll
+think we've done something to it, an' she'll brush
+us off'n the 'arth like a feller would brush a fly off
+his Sundy trowsers."</p>
+
+<p>The trappers were frightened again, and for the
+rest of the day kept close company with their young
+friends, no doubt feeling safer in their presence than
+anywhere else. The boys, one and all, exerted
+themselves to correct the wrong impressions they
+had received, but the foremast hands had had the
+first chance at them, as Fred remarked, and it was
+a matter of impossibility to set their fears at rest.
+For a week afterward Dick and his companion kept
+a sharp lookout, expecting every minute to see the
+old whale coming in search of her young one; but
+she did not appear, and the next thing that happened
+to relieve the monotony of the voyage, was
+the discovery of land, dead ahead. Walter had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>
+been anxiously looking for it for the last twenty-four
+hours. Having taken Frank's place as sailing-master,
+he was eager to earn a reputation as a navigator,
+and he was not a little elated to find that
+he had made no mistake.</p>
+
+<p>The discovery of land set the sailors going again.
+Rodgers and a few of his companions, who, when
+the trappers were in hearing, were continually
+talking about mermaids and dragons and other sea
+monsters, and the awful sights that would be presented
+when they came to the under side of the
+earth, looked through their hands at the dim outline
+in advance, and after comparing notes in a tone
+of voice loud enough for Dick and Bob to hear, declared
+that it wasn't land after all&mdash;that the man
+at the mast was mistaken.</p>
+
+<p>"That's no more land nor I be," declared Rodgers.
+"If my head is worth a tar-bucket, it is the
+old whale. She can't find her baby, and so she's
+coming down to ask the skipper what he's done
+with it. She's coming like lightning too. Can't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>
+you see the water a boiling up under her bows? I
+can."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, mate, I think it's a squid," said another,
+"and he's waiting there to gobble up something.
+I can see his long arms resting on the water, and
+ready to catch the first moving thing that comes
+within reach. I hope the cap'n 'll keep away a few
+points."</p>
+
+<p>"Mebbe he don't know what it is," said a third,
+"and I think Lewis had better go aft and tell him
+about it&mdash;I do indeed!"</p>
+
+<p>"'Taint a whale nor a squid neither," said an old
+gray-headed seaman, who, using his hands for a
+spy-glass, had been looking at the island ever since
+they first came in sight of it. "It's the equator.
+I can see the waves rolling over it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Jack, you've been to sea longer nor me and
+ought to know about these things," said Rodgers.
+"I seen the waves, but I thought they was the bone
+the whale was carrying in her teeth. When we get
+over it, if we ever do, we're on the under side of the
+earth, ain't we?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's what's the matter," said the gray-headed
+sailor.</p>
+
+<p>Dick fairly jumped, as each one of these opinions
+was solemnly advanced, and hurried off to speak to
+the boys. The latter, especially Eugene and Archie,
+could hardly refrain from laughing outright at his
+ludicrous display of terror, but they quieted his
+fears as well as they could, and by giving him a
+solemn promise that they would see him safely
+through any danger that might arise if he would
+remain close by them, they succeeded in keeping
+him out of the company of the foremast hands all
+the rest of the day. But it was not until nearly
+sunset that the fears the sailors had conjured up
+were entirely banished. By that time the object
+that had excited his alarm was so plainly visible
+that Dick could see for himself that it was land and
+nothing else.</p>
+
+<p>The boys did not see many of the new and novel
+sights that were presented to their gaze, as the
+Stranger made her way through the strait that runs
+between the islands of Hawaii and Mani. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>
+had eyes for nothing but the whale ship they expected
+to find there. The huge fishing canoes they
+saw the next day; the natives that came aboard
+in swarms while they were running about in the
+light, baffling winds they found under the lee of the
+land, the fruits they offered for barter&mdash;none of
+these things possessed the interest for them that
+they would under almost any other circumstances.
+They paid little attention to anything but the vessels
+that now and then passed them. But the Tycoon
+was not among them.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick took time, as he passed along, to look
+into every bay and inlet where the Tycoon was likely
+to be, and it was not until nearly a week after they
+first sighted the Sandwich Islands that the Stranger
+dropped anchor outside the coral reef that marks the
+entrance to the harbor of Honolulu. As the wind
+came strong down the mountain gorges, everything
+was made snug, and then the gig was called away
+and the captain set out for the town, leaving the
+boys to enjoy themselves as best they could during
+his absence. But it was dull business, this trying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>
+to pass away the time when they were so impatient
+and anxious. They kept up their spirits by telling
+one another that something would surely happen to
+restore their friend Frank to them, but the face
+that Uncle Dick brought back with him, when he
+returned six hours later, dashed all their hopes to
+the ground. No sooner was the gig fairly hoisted
+at the davits, than he gave the order to heave up the
+anchor and go to sea. The boys stood around and
+looked at one another in silence while these orders
+were being executed, and when Uncle Dick went
+into the cabin, they followed him.</p>
+
+<p>"Too late, boys," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Has the Tycoon been here?" asked Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; she has done just what I thought she
+would do. She shipped a crew of natives and has
+gone out for a three months' cruise. When that is
+ended she will come back and fit out for Japan."</p>
+
+<p>"And what about Frank?"</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't heard a word of him. The consul saw
+only the captain, and he was here just long enough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>
+to ship his crew. We missed our object by just
+three days."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand how we missed it at all,"
+said Eugene. "We certainly lost no time."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must remember that the Tycoon is a
+large ship, and that she probably carries as much
+canvas in her courses and spanker as we can spread
+on all our masts and yards. We can't expect to
+sail with her."</p>
+
+<p>"What are we going to do now?" asked Bab.</p>
+
+<p>"We are going to see if we can find her. It will
+be almost like searching for a needle in a haystack,
+but we don't want to remain here idle for three
+months."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not," said Eugene, quickly. "That
+would never do. While we are moving about we
+shall feel that we are doing something for Frank,
+even if we don't find him."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," said Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"What will you do if we find the Tycoon?"
+inquired Walter.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall probably be able to present the matter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
+to her captain in such a way that he will be willing
+to release Frank and make him some amends for
+what he has done&mdash;I <i>think</i> I shall be able to do so,"
+said the old sailor, with a look in his eye that spoke
+volumes. "But if I should fail, he will be arrested
+as soon as he comes back here."</p>
+
+<p>This was all Uncle Dick had to say, and it
+afforded the boys very little satisfaction. They
+had confidently expected that Frank would be
+restored to them when they reached the Sandwich
+Islands, and this was a sore disappointment. Where
+was he now? Where was he while the Tycoon
+was lying in the harbor of Honolulu? What was
+the reason he had not done as he advised the deserter
+to do&mdash;insisted on seeing the American consul?
+The boys could only speculate upon these
+points, and they had ample leisure to do it&mdash;almost
+six weeks. During that time every ship they
+could come up with was spoken, but the Tycoon
+was not among them, and neither could they gain
+any information concerning her. The boys were
+getting discouraged and very down-hearted, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
+had it not been for Uncle Dick there is no telling
+how they would have lived through it.</p>
+
+<p>One night the officer of the deck reported that
+there was a whaler a few miles distant "trying
+out"&mdash;that is, rendering out the oil of a whale she
+had recently captured. The Stranger's bow was
+at once pointed toward her, and at sunrise the two
+vessels were within speaking distance.</p>
+
+<p>"Now just listen to me a minute and I'll tell you
+what's a fact," said Perk, who with the rest of the
+Club stood in the waist, attentively regarding the
+ship as she came toward them carrying a huge bone
+in her teeth, "there's something about that craft
+that looks familiar."</p>
+
+<p>"I was just thinking so myself," said Eugene.</p>
+
+<p>He glanced toward Uncle Dick, who, during the
+last quarter of an hour had kept his glass levelled
+at the ship, and edged away toward the officer of
+the deck. "It can't be that that is the vessel
+we're looking for, is it, Mr. Baldwin?" said he.</p>
+
+<p>"If it isn't her, it's her sister," replied the officer,
+with some excitement.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Before Eugene could carry this news to his companions
+the ship backed her main topsail, and as
+Uncle Dick, with an exclamation of astonishment
+that had a good deal of meaning in it, seized his
+trumpet, her captain appeared upon her bulwarks.
+The boys, through their glasses, had a plain view
+of him, and the general verdict was that he was a
+rough-looking fellow&mdash;one who, judging by his appearance,
+was capable of almost anything.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the same man we saw in the whale-boat,"
+declared Eugene, his voice rendered husky by excitement.
+"I know him, even if he hasn't got his
+gray suit on."</p>
+
+<p>"I confess that I can't see any resemblance,"
+said Bab, taking his glass down from his eyes long
+enough to bring it to a better focus.</p>
+
+<p>It would have required a person with a very
+lively imagination to recognise anybody at that
+distance, especially in such clothes as those in which
+the captain was dressed. He wore a tarpaulin on his
+head, a red shirt open at the throat, and a pair of
+coarse trowsers, which were thrust into the tops<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>
+of heavy sea boots; and as some of these articles
+had been made for larger, and others for smaller
+men than himself, they fitted him oddly enough.</p>
+
+<p>"Ship ahoy!" roared Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" shouted the captain of the whaler.</p>
+
+<p>"What ship is that?" asked Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>The answer was given in a loud tone of voice,
+but the words were indistinct. The captain talked
+as if he had a mouthful of something. The only
+part of the reply that the Stranger's crew understood
+was that the ship was seventeen months out
+of Nantucket, and that she had nine hundred barrels
+of oil in the hold.</p>
+
+<p>"What does he say is the name of his ship, Mr.
+Baldwin?" asked Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"I understood him to say Eli Coon, sir," said
+the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"That sounds wonderfully like Tycoon, doesn't
+it?" whispered George.</p>
+
+<p>"And what does he call himself, Mr. Baldwin?"
+continued Uncle Dick.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Captain Hank Wilson, were the words I caught,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>"What schooner is that?" shouted the captain
+of the whaler.</p>
+
+<p>"The Stranger, Captain Richard Gaylord, just
+out of Honolulu," answered Uncle Dick; and the
+words were so plain and distinct that the master of
+the whaler could have heard them if he had been
+twice as far away.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll send a boat aboard of you."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir," replied Uncle Dick. "There
+is something strange about this, Mr. Baldwin," he
+added. "That is the Tycoon if I ever saw her, but
+that isn't the scoundrel who commanded her while
+she was in the harbor of San Francisco. Stand by,
+now, and if any of our men come off in his boat
+we'll see that they don't go back."</p>
+
+<p>There was no confusion on board the Stranger&mdash;there
+never was, for the discipline was too perfect
+for that&mdash;but everybody was highly excited. And
+the excitement was increased when the second mate
+went forward with the order, which he gave in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
+low voice: "All hands stand by, and be ready to
+jump when you hear the word." The sailors knew
+what that meant, and while some pushed back their
+sleeves, others laid handspikes where they could
+find them again at a moment's warning; and having
+thus prepared for any emergency, they moved to
+the side in a body, and awaited the coming of the
+whaler's boat with no little impatience. She came
+in sight at length, rounding the stern of the ship.
+Presently one of the men whispered something, which
+was passed along from one to another, until it
+reached the ears of the boys in the waist:</p>
+
+<p>"I see Lucas in that boat, and Barton too!"</p>
+
+<p>"But where is Frank?" said Archie, anxiously.
+"If he is aboard that ship now is his time to jump
+overboard and swim out to us."</p>
+
+<p>"Look at Dick Lewis," whispered Bab, suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>The boys with one accord turned their eyes
+toward the trapper. He stood on the forecastle with
+his hands on the rail, over which he was leaning as
+far as he could without losing his balance, and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>
+eyes were fastened upon the approaching boat with
+a gaze such as a hawk might bestow upon the prey
+it was about to seize. As the boat approached nearer
+and veered round to come alongside, Dick gradually
+drew back out of sight and walked toward the
+stern to meet her.</p>
+
+<p>"If that is the captain of the Tycoon standing
+in the stern of that boat," said Archie, "he will be
+a well-thumped man before he gets fairly on deck,
+unless Uncle Dick interferes in time."</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't he," said Eugene. "I was mistaken.
+But he's a hard-looking customer all the same."</p>
+
+<p>The boat came nearer with every stroke of its
+crew, but the boys could not see any one in it whom
+they recognised. The backs of the oarsmen were
+turned toward them, and the captain kept his tarpaulin
+drawn low over his forehead, while the wind
+had turned the collar of his shirt up about his ears,
+so that his face was most effectually concealed.</p>
+
+<p>With a few strokes more the boat was alongside,
+and the red-shirted captain's head appeared above
+the Stranger's rail. Then Dick began to bestir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
+himself. With a bound like a tiger he sprang forward
+and grasped the captain by the shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"Avast there, Lewis!" roared Uncle Dick.
+"What are you about? If you attempt any violence
+I'll throw you over to the whales!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I reckon not," replied the trapper. "This
+feller can't fool ole Dick Lewis, no matter what sort
+o' clothes he's got onto him!"</p>
+
+<p>As he said this he dragged the captain bodily over
+the rail, and lifting him in his arms as he would an
+infant, carried him toward the quarter-deck.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c141" id="c141">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">GENTLEMAN BLACK.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap08">"GO on deck now, and let me give you fair warning
+that if you don't behave yourselves you'll
+go overboard before you can think twice!"</p>
+
+<p>It was the mate of the Tycoon who spoke, and
+who gave this order to Frank and the three sailors
+in the forecastle, after he had released them from
+their irons. The officer did not look much as he did
+the last time Frank saw him. He wore a handkerchief
+about his head and over his left eye, but it did
+not wholly conceal his face, which was badly swollen
+and discolored. He was in a fair way to remember
+his meeting with the trapper for some time to come.</p>
+
+<p>During the hour that Frank was confined in the
+forecastle his mind was exceedingly busy. His
+companions in trouble civilly answered all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>
+questions he asked them, but did not seem inclined
+to talk, so Frank had opportunity to think over his
+situation and try to determine upon some course of
+action. The first thing he did was to congratulate
+himself on the fact that none of his companions
+were with him on the Tycoon. Had Walter, Bab,
+Archie or any of the rest gone ashore with him
+when he went after his rifle, they would now have
+been in the same predicament as himself; and
+according to Frank's way of thinking that would
+have been a calamity indeed. He expected to suffer&mdash;his
+mind was fully made up to that,&mdash;but he
+was strong and healthy and better able to endure
+hardship than any of the young friends he had left
+on board the Stranger. He had no fears for
+Dick Lewis. The trapper was as tough as a pine
+knot&mdash;nothing seemed to make any impression on
+him&mdash;and if he could only be induced to keep his
+temper under control, and pay no attention to the
+blows and insults he was sure to receive, he would
+get on well enough. Still he thought more of him
+than he did of Lucas and Barton, who were sleeping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>
+soundly in their bunk. These two were old sailors
+and could stand anything. They were not likely
+to have as easy times as they had had on board the
+Stranger, but they were accustomed to hard work
+and hard treatment, and when safe off the Tycoon
+they would have another story to help while away
+the lonely hours of the mid watch.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it will be seen that Frank was disposed to
+make the best of his misfortunes, and to look on the
+bright side of things. But there was one fact that
+troubled him not a little, and that was, his connection
+with the Club was severed. He did not expect
+to see any of its members again, not even
+Archie, for years to come. He would be released
+from the Tycoon some day&mdash;just as soon as he could
+gain the ear of some American consul for a moment&mdash;but
+he would not know which way to turn
+to find the Stranger, and so would have nothing
+left him but to make the best of his way back to
+Lawrence. That would be a great disappointment
+to him. He had anticipated much pleasure from
+his visit to foreign countries, and it was hard to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>
+abandon the voyage, just as his expectations were
+about to be realized, and go back to the monotonous,
+hum-drum routine of village life. But as there was
+no help for it, it was useless to repine, Frank told
+himself. He would do his duty as well as he could
+while he remained on board the Tycoon, but he was
+under no obligations to stay with her any longer
+than he was compelled to do so; and the first time
+she dropped anchor in port there would be one of
+her crew missing, unless the officers took the precaution
+to deprive him of his liberty.</p>
+
+<p>While Frank was meditating in this way the mate
+came into the forecastle, and after taking off his
+irons, ordered him on deck. Ascending the ladder
+he found a small crew engaged in setting things to
+rights. The third mate, who met him as he came
+up, put him to work with the rest, and for the next
+hour Frank was kept so busy that he did not have
+time to see much of his surroundings. He took a
+look around now and then for Dick Lewis, and
+wondered what sort of work the clumsy trapper
+would make in doing sailor's duty.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Was you looking for your pardner, sir?" asked
+a seaman who was busy at his side. (The "sir"
+came out almost involuntarily, as if the man instinctively
+felt that Frank was in some way entitled to
+that show of respect.)</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I was looking for that tall, broad-shouldered
+man in buckskin who came aboard with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir, he's gone!"</p>
+
+<p>"Gone! Where?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, for he can't be found alow nor
+aloft. He must have jumped overboard."</p>
+
+<p>"O, I hope not!" said Frank anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"If he has, it is all right, sir, because he'd a
+done it sooner or later. I'll not stay aboard here
+much longer, unless there's a great change for the
+better. Things couldn't be worse."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't do anything desperate," said Frank.
+"It won't pay. But what made this man of whom
+we were speaking jump overboard?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, sir. I was busy when he came
+up. The first thing I knew there was a rumpus;
+the cap'n and two of the mates were laid out as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>
+flat as slap-jacks, and the man hasn't been seen
+since."</p>
+
+<p>"Were we far from shore?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only about three or four miles."</p>
+
+<p>"O, then it is all right. Dick is safe. He can
+swim double that distance."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I can't; but I wish I could have gone
+with him. I've seen two men go overboard since
+I've been on this craft, and if I was with 'em now
+among the sharks, my troubles would all be over."</p>
+
+<p>Here was direct confirmation of the story the
+deserter had told on board the Stranger. Frank
+drew a long breath, and from that moment a settled
+determination took possession of him.</p>
+
+<p>The work was all done at last, the watches told
+off and one of them ordered below. The one to
+which Frank belonged remained on deck to handle
+the ship, which was making long boards to gain an
+offing. Two or three times every hour they were
+called upon to trim the sails as the ship changed
+her course and stood off on another tack, and the
+rest of the time the crew lounged about the windlass.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>
+But there was none of that story-telling in
+which the crew of the Stranger engaged on such
+occasions, to make the time hang less heavily on
+their hands. The men sat sullen and silent, and as
+they were no company for Frank, he strolled aft to
+make an inspection of the craft which was likely to
+be his home for long weeks and perhaps months to
+come. She was different from other ships he had
+seen only in the number of boats she carried at her
+davits, and in her try-works, which were fitted up
+amidships. These were built of masonry, contained
+three large kettles, and were so constructed that a
+body of water could be kept under the furnace to
+prevent the fire from burning the deck.</p>
+
+<p>Having seen all he cared to see, Frank went
+forward again, and leaning over the windlass thought
+of the friends he was fast leaving behind him and
+of the trapper. He hoped from the bottom of his
+heart that Dick had jumped overboard. If such
+was the case he had saved himself many an hour of
+suffering, and had placed himself in no danger. It
+was but a short distance to the shore for such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>
+swimmer as he knew the trapper to be, and besides
+there were vessels constantly passing in and out of
+the harbor, so that on a calm night like that he had
+only to call for help to get it. The trapper had
+learned enough from the three men in the forecastle,
+if he could only remember it, to put Uncle Dick
+Gaylord on the track of the Tycoon, and perhaps
+matters might not turn out so badly after all. If
+the Stranger followed the Tycoon to Japan, his
+release would certainly be effected; but how would
+he fare in the meantime? He wished that some
+discontented boy who had read yellow-covered
+novels until he had become thoroughly disgusted
+with home and all its surroundings, and sighed for
+the wild, free, romantic life of a sailor, could be in
+his place just then.</p>
+
+<p>A short time before Frank's watch on deck was
+ended, he heard a rustling in one of the bunks below,
+and looking into the forecastle saw that the
+boatswain's mate, having come to his senses, was
+sitting up and staring about him in great bewilderment.
+The old-sea dog did not know where he was,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>
+but he quickly became aware that he was aboard
+some craft that was in motion, and catching up his
+cap he sprang out of his bunk and ran up the ladder.
+At the top he found Frank, whom he recognised
+at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are we, cap'n?" he exclaimed; "and
+how long have we been under way?"</p>
+
+<p>The sailors belonging to the Stranger's crew were
+pretty well acquainted with the history of their
+captain and his passengers. They conceived a
+great respect for Frank when they learned that he
+had been all through the late war, and that he had,
+by his own unaided efforts, worked his way from the
+forecastle to the quarter-deck, and falling into Uncle
+Dick's habit, they invariably addressed him by his
+old naval title, and were as careful to salute him
+whenever they passed him as they were to salute
+their commander.</p>
+
+<p>Before Frank had time to reply, the boatswain's
+mate had glanced about the deck of the whaler, and
+some faint suspicions seemed to creep into his mind.
+"This ain't the Stranger, cap'n!" said he.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Who are you talking to?" demanded the first
+mate, who just then came forward.</p>
+
+<p>"I was speaking to Cap'n Nelson, sir," was the
+reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is he? Where is he?" asked the mate,
+roughly.</p>
+
+<p>"There he stands, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you just drop all that," said the officer,
+who was plainly very much surprised, "and hereafter
+bear in mind that there is only one captain aboard
+this ship and only one first mate. Get on deck,
+here. You belong to this watch!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir," replied Lucas. "Now here's a
+lubberly go, cap'n," he added in a low tone, as the
+mate went aft out of earshot.</p>
+
+<p>"Be careful," said Frank, quickly. "Remember
+the mate's order and drop that title and all others
+when you speak to me. Just recollect that I occupy
+a lower position aboard this craft than you do, for
+you are an able seaman and I am not."</p>
+
+<p>"But what craft is this and what's happened us?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>
+asked the boatswain's mate, earnestly&mdash;"shanghaied?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and this ship is the Tycoon."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it," said the old sailor, striking his open
+palm with his clenched hand. "Serves me right."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know how you came here. Perhaps you
+can tell."</p>
+
+<p>"I took a drink, sir," said Lucas, hanging his
+head.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! yes; and you didn't get it out of the scuttle-butt
+either, did you? Pure water would not
+have robbed you of your senses."</p>
+
+<p>Then Frank went on to tell of his meeting with
+the bogus captain and the manner in which he and
+the trapper had been enticed on board the whaler.
+The old sailor was greatly distressed to know that
+it was through him that Frank had been brought
+into trouble. He offered to make amends by jumping
+overboard, and seemed to be hurt because Frank
+would not consent to it. While he was trying to
+comfort the mate the watch was called and Frank
+and the rest ordered below.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Thus far things seemed to be working as well as
+could be expected under the circumstances. Frank
+had heard a few hard words from the officers, but
+he had seen no blows struck. This, however, was
+only the calm that preceded the storm. The next
+morning the captain made his appearance on deck,
+just as the crew were ordered to turn to, and then
+the trouble began. Frank recognised him at once,
+for he wore the same clothes he had on when he
+passed the Stranger in the whale-boat. He proved
+to be quite as brutal as he looked, and a constitutional
+grumbler. He found fault with everything.
+Nothing could be done to suit him. He swore
+at the officers, and they in turn swore at the men,
+and struck right and left with whatever came first
+to their hands&mdash;that is, the first and second mates
+did. The third mate, whom Frank had heard
+addressed as Mr. Gale, took no part in the swearing
+and striking. He did not speak to the men as if
+they were dogs, but his orders were just as emphatic,
+just as readily understood and quite as
+promptly obeyed. Frank took a liking to the man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>
+at once. Like himself, he seemed very much out
+of place on board the Tycoon.</p>
+
+<p>The captain was anxious to get his small crew
+into shape for work before he reached the fishing-grounds,
+and almost the first thing he did was to
+order out a "dummy whale," which was a spar
+towed over the stern. Then the boats' crews were
+selected. There proved to be enough to man two
+boats, leaving a sufficient number of the crew on
+board to act as ship-keepers. Frank and Lucas were
+assigned to the captain's boat, the former being
+seated at the bow oar. This was a position of
+responsibility, as Frank very soon learned. A
+whale when struck by a harpoon sometimes starts
+to run; and in such a case it is the duty of the bow
+oar to seize the line, draw the boat up alongside
+the whale, and hold it there while the captain uses
+his lance.</p>
+
+<p>Everything being in readiness, the boats were
+lowered, and for the next three hours were manœuvred
+about the spar, until it seemed to Frank that
+the inside of his hands was all in a blaze. To make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
+matters worse, the captain swore at him for his
+awkwardness, and took him to task for answering
+"Very good, sir!" in response to an order, when he
+should have said "Ay, ay, sir!" An officer in the
+navy is required to answer "Very good, sir," when
+receiving a command from a superior, to show that
+he understands it; but Frank was not in the navy
+now, and neither was he an officer. He was a foremast
+hand on board a whaler, occupying a position
+a good deal lower than the captain's dog, he began
+to think.</p>
+
+<p>The boats were finally ordered back to the ship,
+and after they had been hoisted at the davits, the
+falls laid down in Flemish coil on deck, and the
+spar hauled aboard, Frank heard the order passed&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Send that gentleman in the black suit aft
+here."</p>
+
+<p>Frank knew in a moment that he was the one
+designated. He claimed to be a gentleman and he
+wore a suit of black clothes&mdash;he was the only one
+on board who did&mdash;so he promptly answered to the
+summons. "Here, sir," said he.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When he reached the quarter-deck he removed
+his hat and waited for the captain to speak to him.</p>
+
+<p>"So you know your name, do you?" exclaimed
+the skipper, gruffly.</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Nelson, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"But it suits me to call you Gentleman Black."</p>
+
+<p>"Very&mdash;ay, ay, sir," replied Frank, who knew
+that he was expected to say something.</p>
+
+<p>"Shoulder that handspike," continued the captain,
+pointing out the implement, "and march up
+and down the deck like a soger as you are. Carry
+it until you learn not to say 'very good' to me.
+What business is it of yours whether my orders are
+very good or very bad? I'll soon take them airs
+out of you."</p>
+
+<p>Frank picked up the handspike, and placing it on
+his shoulder, began walking up and down the deck
+like a sentry on his beat. A landsman would have
+seen no significance in this punishment, but the
+sailors did, and the boatswain's mate and the coxswain
+(the latter had recovered his senses and gone
+to work with the rest) were highly indignant. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>
+seaman regards it as an insult to be called a soldier.
+It implies that he is a "skulker"&mdash;that he shirks
+his duty.</p>
+
+<p>This was the second time that Frank had been
+punished on board ship. His first offence, as we
+know, was committed while he was in the navy, on
+board the receiving ship. He spilled some water
+on deck, and was obliged to wipe it up and carry a
+swab about the vessel until he saw some one else
+doing the same thing. He might have carried that
+swab all day, had not Archie taken pity on him and
+effected his release. His jolly little cousin was not
+at hand to help him now. Frank was glad that he
+was far away, and in no danger of ever being placed
+in a situation like his own.</p>
+
+<p>Frank found that even a handspike grows heavy
+after a while, and when he had carried it four long
+hours, he would have been glad to put it down and
+rest; but his release did not come until his watch
+was called at twelve o'clock that night. From noon
+until midnight he paced the deck without a moment's
+pause, a bite to eat or a drop to drink. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>
+tired and sleepy, but was obliged to remain on
+deck four hours longer, or until the watch to which
+he belonged was ordered below. It was pretty hard,
+Frank told himself, and provoking, too, to find
+somebody ready to make sport of him, as one of the
+sailors in his watch did when he went forward. It
+was the "black sheep" of the crew&mdash;the same one
+who pointed out the trapper's supposed hiding-place
+in the bow-boat. His name was Gardener, but some
+one had christened him Calamity, and that was
+what he was generally called. Some of the crew had
+warned Lucas and Barton to be very careful what
+they said in this man's presence. He was the captain's
+pet. He was never punished like the rest,
+and the reason probably was because he made it his
+business to keep the officers posted in everything
+that was said and done in the forecastle.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Gentleman Black," said Calamity, as
+Frank approached the windlass around which the
+watch were gathered, "how do you like the taste
+you have had of the Tycoon's discipline? You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>
+can't come soldiering aboard here with your airs and
+your graces&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Belay that!" cried the coxswain, jumping to his
+feet. "You're a soldier yourself and a tale-bearer
+besides, Calamity, and any more such language as
+that will breed a row that'll have to be settled by
+you and me the very first time we get ashore.
+That's a word with a bark on it!"</p>
+
+<p>Calamity, like the coward he was, slunk back out
+of sight immediately, and in a few minutes got up
+and walked away.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c159" id="c159">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">"THERE SHE BLOWS."</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">IT soon became evident to all on board the Tycoon
+that Captain Barclay&mdash;that was the name
+of the master of the ship&mdash;was in a great hurry.
+Whaling captains, while on fishing-grounds, generally
+try to get over as much space as they can while
+daylight lasts, and to remain as nearly in one spot
+as possible during the night. By following this
+plan they can hunt over every mile of the ground,
+and lose no chance of finding the game of which
+they are in search. Captain Barclay, however, carried
+all the sail he could crowd, both night and day.
+The old sailors, Lucas and Barton among the rest,
+knew where he was going, and when Frank heard
+them express their opinions he had new cause for
+uneasiness.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He's bound for the Sandwich Islands," said Lucas,
+one day. "He hasn't got men enough aboard
+here to do anything, and he's going after a crew."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we can make up our minds that we have
+seen the last of the Stranger," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, bless you," said Lucas, "I never did expect
+to see her again. I never said so before because
+I saw that you kept hankering after her, and I wanted
+you to keep your spirits up as long as you could."</p>
+
+<p>Frank's last hope was gone now, and it was only
+by a great effort of will that he kept himself from
+giving away utterly to his despondent feelings. "I
+have seen the last of my friends," thought he. "I
+have no one to rely on except myself. I must drag
+out a miserable existence here till I see a chance to
+escape, and then get home as best I can. I might
+just as well make up my mind to it."</p>
+
+<p>And he did. He accepted what he believed to
+be the inevitable, as gracefully as he could, and
+worked hard to keep his thoughts from wandering
+back to the pleasant little cabin of the Stranger, in
+which he had spent so many happy hours. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>
+learned rapidly when once he made up his mind to
+it, and won many a word of praise and encouragement
+from Lucas and Barton, who declared that he
+was as handy as a pocket in a shirt. His services
+speedily attracted the attention of the mate, who
+one day addressed him something after this fashion,
+only using much stronger language&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I have half a mind to trice you up, Gentleman
+Black!"</p>
+
+<p>It happened just after a sudden squall, which
+struck the ship and threw her over almost to her
+beam ends. The topsails were clewed up, and when
+the crew were ordered aloft, Frank was the first to
+mount the rigging. He made his way to the main
+royal, and stowed it as quickly and neatly as if he
+had been accustomed to the business all his life.
+He had learned this part of a seaman's duty more
+readily than the rest, because he took the most interest
+in it. He felt excited and exhilarated when
+he found himself clinging to the swaying yard, with
+the wind whistling about his ears and the white-caps
+rolling beneath him, while the ship lay over at such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>
+an angle that, had he lost his hold, he would have
+fallen into the water thirty feet from her side. He
+was always among the first to respond to an order
+to reef or furl topsails, and perhaps he liked this
+duty best because there was danger in it.</p>
+
+<p>Having performed the work of stowing the royal,
+Frank descended to the deck, where he was met by
+the first officer, who had kept his eye on him while
+he was aloft. "Yes, sir, I've the best notion in the
+world to trice you up!" he repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"What for, sir?" asked Frank, opening his eyes
+in great surprise.</p>
+
+<p>The young sailor was well satisfied with the work
+he had just performed, and wondered what he had
+done that was wrong. By strict attention to his
+work he had thus far succeeded in keeping out of
+any serious difficulty since the affair of the handspike.
+True, he had been sworn at, had been sent
+aloft several times to slush down the masts, and
+had worked industriously for three hours knocking
+the rust off the anchor, and all because the mate
+thought he was a trifle too "airy" sometimes; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>
+these were light punishments compared with those
+which some of the men received. He had seen a
+sailor knocked down with a belaying pin as fast as
+he could get up, and another hauled up by the wrists
+until he swung clear of the deck, and a fifty-pound
+snatch-block made fast to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not conscious of having done anything
+out of the way," continued Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"O, your conscience don't trouble you, then," angrily
+exclaimed the officer, who did not understand
+Frank's fine language. "Well, your back will
+trouble you in less than a minute if you use any
+jaw to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I meant, sir, that I didn't know I had done anything
+wrong," exclaimed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Then why didn't you say so?" growled the mate.
+"You're a nice lad, I do think, to come aboard here
+with your smooth, oily tongue, and talk us all into
+believing that you are a landsman! You told me
+that you didn't know anything about a ship."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, and I told you the truth. I have had
+time to learn something since then."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"So have I," said the mate. "Now listen to
+me, my hearty," he added, shaking his finger at
+Frank. "You can't soldier any longer. You'll stand
+your trick at the wheel and do an able seaman's
+duty from this hour, or I'll haze you till you'll be
+glad to jump overboard. Go forward, where you
+belong."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir! Now I have got myself into a
+scrape, sure enough," thought Frank. "The very
+first time I receive an order I don't understand, I
+shall catch it. I wish I had let that royal alone."</p>
+
+<p>Frank went forward and shortly afterward the
+first mate followed him, holding in his hand two short
+pieces of rope. "Gentleman Black," said he, "I
+need something to larrup these fellows with, when
+they don't act like men, and I want you to put a
+long splice in these ropes and a Turk's head at each
+end."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Frank. "You can't
+catch me in this way, my man," he added, as the
+mate went aft again. "If it should ever become
+necessary to send down the topmasts, you will find<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>
+out just how much I know about a sailor's work. I
+expect I shall be the first one to be 'larruped' with
+this when it is done."</p>
+
+<p>Frank knew that such a rope as that he was at
+work upon, could not be used anywhere about the
+ship, unless it was for the purpose of beating the
+men. The mate gave him the task merely to try
+him; and he stationed himself, too, where he could
+watch Frank in order to make sure that he did the
+work himself. If he had been unable to do it, the
+officer would have accused him of soldiering, and
+that would have furnished him with an excuse for
+punishing Frank in some way. But he missed his
+object that time. The work was neatly and quickly
+performed, and Frank carried it to the mate, who,
+after closely examining it, grasped it with both hands
+and raised it in the air. "Let me see how it will
+answer the purpose for which it is intended," said
+he.</p>
+
+<p>If Frank had flinched or dodged, it is probable
+that he would have felt the weight of the rope over
+his shoulders; and it is probable, too, that the mate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
+would have been flat on his back the very next instant.
+The deck of the Tycoon was never so near
+being the scene of a mutiny as it was that day; and
+just so surely as the rope fell, just so surely would
+there have been trouble, and serious trouble, too&mdash;Frank
+did not know how serious until afterward.
+He little dreamed that he had eight good men to
+back him up. He thought he would have to depend
+entirely on himself, but he stood his ground as if he
+had had the whole crew of his old vessel, the Boxer,
+at his command.</p>
+
+<p>The mate eyed him savagely for a moment, and
+then lowering the rope and telling Frank that he
+thought he was a very nice lad to come soldiering
+aboard there, when he was as able to do seaman's
+duty as anybody, called him some hard name and ordered
+him to go forward. The young sailor obeyed,
+glad indeed to be let off so easily; but his heart
+beat rapidly for a long time after that, and now and
+then he cast toward the officer a glance that was
+full of meaning.</p>
+
+<p>That night all sail was made again, and while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>
+Frank was at work on the topsail yard, Lucas, who
+was busy at his side, poked him with his elbow and
+whispered hurriedly&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you knock him down, cap'n?"</p>
+
+<p>"Be careful," whispered Frank, in reply.</p>
+
+<p>"No harm done, sir," answered the boatswain's
+mate. "There's nobody near us except good men
+and true, and I'd as soon they would hear me as not.
+Why didn't you knock that mate down when he
+raised the rope on you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I had no reason for doing it," replied Frank;
+"but I believe I should have tried it if he had struck
+me. I don't think I could take a blow without resenting
+it. I came pretty near going in the brig
+that time."</p>
+
+<p>"No, you didn't, not by a long sight, sir, begging
+your pardon for speaking so plainly," said the old
+sailor, with a knowing shake of his head. "If
+you'd a done it, you'd a been walking up and down
+the quarter-deck now with your thumbs in the arm-holes
+of your vest. You'd a been master of the
+Tycoon, sir!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank looked at Lucas in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Fact, sir," said the old boatswain's mate, earnestly.
+"Me and Barton got you into this scrape,
+all unbeknown to us who did it, and we're bound to
+bring you out with flying colors, I tell you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, Lucas," said Frank. "Now don't
+you or anybody else attempt&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Belay what I have told you and listen to more,"
+interrupted the sailor, hastily; "and don't be breaking
+in on me in that way, if you please, sir, because
+we hain't got much time to talk. You'll never be
+struck, sir, I don't think, but if you are, you'll see
+a tidy row. The officers know who you are&mdash;me
+and Barton told it to the other fellows in Calamity's
+hearing, and he carried it back to the cabin, as we
+knew he would&mdash;and the cap'n would give all his
+old boots and throw in a pair of new ones into the
+bargain, if he was well rid of you. He don't want
+you here; you know too much."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he can easily be rid of me and you and
+Barton, too," said Frank. "Let him put us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+ashore at the Sandwich Islands. We are willing
+to go."</p>
+
+<p>"He'll never do that, sir. You wouldn't go
+ashore with a stopper on your jaw, would you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I would not," replied Frank, emphatically.
+"I'd tell the consul all I know about this ship and
+the way men are treated here, and have the captain
+and all his officers, except Mr. Gale, arrested. I
+could not be hired to keep my mouth shut."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, ha! I thought so. The cap'n knows it,
+too."</p>
+
+<p>"What is he going to do with us?"</p>
+
+<p>"None of us know. The men don't want you to
+leave if they've got to stay, because they say that
+things ain't half as bad as they were before you
+came aboard. We know what we're going to do,
+and I've been waiting for a good chance to tell you.
+We're going to take the ship out of the hands of
+these villains, and put you in command. Hold on
+a bit, sir," he added, seeing that Frank was about
+to speak; "I know just what I am saying, and it is
+too late to find fault, for everything is fixed. Me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>
+and Barton spoke to some of the men about it, and
+there's six good men besides us that you can depend
+on every time. We know that you've got the
+brains and the book-learning to see us safe through
+the consul's court, and we'll do just whatever you
+say, all except one thing: when we get the ship,
+Calamity and the first mate have got to go overboard.
+That we've struck hands on. Lay in from the yard
+now, sir. Keep a stiff upper lip, and don't take no
+slack from nobody. When you get a good ready,
+sing out; and while me and Barton makes a dash
+for the cap'n's pistols&mdash;Calamity told us where he
+keeps 'em&mdash;the other six will take care of the
+officers on deck. We've got everything fixed, as I
+told you, and we're just aching to begin the work."</p>
+
+<p>The old boatswain's mate followed his remarks
+with sundry winks, nods and contortions of his face
+which Frank could not understand, but which no
+doubt meant a good deal.</p>
+
+<p>Frank descended to the deck and went through
+the rest of his duties like one in a dream. He had
+told his friends on board the Stranger that, had he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>
+been in the deserter's place, he would not have been
+restrained, by any fear of falling into the clutches
+of the law, from joining with his companions and
+taking the vessel out of the control of her officers.
+Now he was placed in a similar situation, and had
+only to "sing out" to make himself monarch of all he
+surveyed. Eight sturdy, determined men stood
+ready to obey his orders&mdash;a sufficient number to
+overpower the captain and his two tyrannical mates
+before they could think twice. Lucas did not have
+time to tell him who his friends were, but Frank
+believed that he could pick them all out. He had
+wondered at the respect which the foremast hands
+had shown him ever since his advent among them,
+and rightly attributed it to the influence of Lucas
+and Barton. Frank wondered if the third mate,
+Mr. Gale, was one of them. That officer always
+treated him with the utmost consideration, and once,
+while he was serving Frank with some clothing from
+the slop-chest, he so far forgot himself as to address
+him as "sir." He noticed the mistake as soon as
+he made it, but he did not recall the word. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>
+old boatswain's mate and coxswain were indeed resolved
+to bring him out of his troubles with flying
+colors. They meant to promote him rapidly. Did
+anybody ever hear of a person creeping in at the
+hawsehole, and working his way into the captain's
+berth in three weeks? Frank laughed at the idea.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a nice specimen to be put in command of
+a ship," he thought. "I hardly know the topsail
+halliards from the jib downhaul. But I feel better
+than I did an hour ago. If my presence here really
+acts as a restraint upon the captain, I am glad of it.
+As long as that state of affairs continues he and his
+officers are secure in their positions; but now that
+I have the power to prevent it, no one shall be
+triced up by the wrists with a fifty-pound weight at
+his feet, or beaten as unmercifully as that man was
+beaten the other day."</p>
+
+<p>Frank carried a light heart from that day forward,
+and often wondered, when he saw the captain
+in one of his angry, swearing moods, what that gentleman
+would think if he knew that he was treading
+on a mine that was liable to be exploded at any moment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>
+He did not have a chance to talk to Lucas
+again, but the sailor looked whole volumes at him
+every time they met, and Frank thought the old
+fellow meant to reproach him because he did not
+"sing out."</p>
+
+<p>Frank by this time began to feel and look like a
+sailor. He had discarded his black suit and drawn
+a full seaman's rig from the slop-chest&mdash;red shirts,
+coarse trowsers, woollen stockings, heavy boots and
+tarpaulin. His hands were becoming hardened, so
+that he could haul on the ropes or take a three
+hours' pull about the ship, without setting his palms
+on fire as he had done at first. There was one thing
+he could not bring himself to do, and that was to
+go barefooted, like the rest of the crew. There was
+something too slovenly about that to suit Frank,
+who, during his experience on ship-board, had
+always been accustomed to see men neatly and completely
+dressed.</p>
+
+<p>Although Captain Barclay was in a great hurry,
+he did not neglect to keep himself and crew in
+readiness to seize upon the first opportunity that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>
+was presented for adding to his stock of oil in the
+hold. The boats were always ready for lowering,
+the mast-head had been manned for two weeks;
+and Frank took his turn with the rest. He did his
+duty faithfully while acting as lookout, hoping to
+be the first to discover a whale. He wanted to see
+one; but when it came to getting into a small boat
+and pulling out to attack him&mdash;well, Frank wasn't
+so anxious for that. He drew a long breath and
+his heart would beat a little faster than usual whenever
+he thought of it. He had heard many thrilling
+stories related during the night-watches, and
+had come to the conclusion that a sperm whale was
+made to be looked at from a distance and not to be
+approached in a small boat.</p>
+
+<p>One bright day Frank was sitting on the fore-royal
+yard, his back braced against the shroud-stay,
+one hand grasping the halliards and his feet swinging
+in the air a hundred feet above the deck. There
+was not a sail in sight&mdash;nothing but the ocean beneath
+and the blue sky above. The old boatswain's
+mate, who now held the position of boat-steerer, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>
+sitting on the main-royal yard behind him, and both
+were keeping a bright lookout for whales. A prize
+of a pair of boots had been offered to the first man
+who raised a whale, and that to a sailor who, out of
+small wages, has to pay high prices for everything
+he draws from the slop-chest, is an object worth
+working for. Frank did not care for the boots&mdash;he
+hoped to be safely off the Tycoon long before the
+pair he then had on was worn out&mdash;but he did care
+for the honor of discovering the first spout, so he
+kept his eyes roaming everywhere. But half his
+watch had expired and he had seen nothing yet.</p>
+
+<p>"Hem! hem!" said a voice behind and above
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked around, and saw the old boatswain's
+mate winking and nodding at him as he always did
+both before and after making any confidential communication.
+More than that, he was holding his
+clenched hand against his breast, and pointing with
+his thumb out over the water. His meaning flashed
+upon Frank in an instant. His eyes scanned almost
+every inch of the watery waste that lay between him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>
+and the horizon, but he could see nothing that he
+thought looked as a spout ought to look.</p>
+
+<p>"Sing out, sir!" whispered the old sailor, excitedly.
+"There's grease!"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see it," whispered Frank, in reply.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the odds? I do. Sing out, sir!"</p>
+
+<p>"There she blows!" shouted Frank, taking the
+old sea-dog at his word.</p>
+
+<p>The flapping of the sails below him showed that
+his wild yell had reached the ears of at least one
+of the sailors on deck&mdash;the wheelsman&mdash;and that it
+had excited him so that he forgot for a moment to
+attend to his business. Then the captain's hoarse
+voice was heard. "Keep her steady there, can't
+you? Where away?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I don't know," said Frank, in a low
+tone, as he looked impatiently around.</p>
+
+<p>"Three points off the weather bow!" shouted the
+boatswain's mate. "Three miles off and coming
+this way. Sperm whale. Flukes! flukes!" he
+added, as the whale went down with a farewell
+flourish of his tail.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Dear me, I wish I could see it," thought
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Lay down from aloft!" commanded the captain.
+"See the boats all clear and stand by to
+lower."</p>
+
+<p>When Frank descended to the deck in obedience
+to this order, he found the captain and all his mates
+in the rigging, the former sweeping the horizon
+with his glass. "There she blows!" he cried, gleefully.
+"Close aboard! Back the main topsail and
+lower away!"</p>
+
+<p>Frank sprang to the falls of the boat to which he
+belonged, and by the time it was fairly settled in
+the water, he was in his seat with his oar in his
+hand. Much scrambling and confusion followed;
+but a few oaths from the captain restored order,
+and almost before he knew it Frank was flying
+over the waves in pursuit of his first whale&mdash;the
+whale he had raised, but which he had not yet
+seen.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c178" id="c178">CHAPTER X.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">FRANK'S FIRST WHALE.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap16">ALL this happened in much less time than we
+have taken to describe it. To Frank, whose
+brain was in a great whirl, it seemed that scarcely
+half a minute had elapsed after the raising of the
+whale, before he was in the boat and pulling for
+dear life. He afterwards recalled every exciting
+incident of that hour, and wondered that he did not
+feel any fear. Perhaps it was because he was too
+busy to think. He was not so busy, however, but
+that he could take note of and marvel at one thing,
+and that was the great change that had suddenly
+come over the captain. He looked and acted like
+a different man. He even smiled, and that was
+something Frank had never seen him do before.
+Holding the steering-oar with one hand and assisting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>
+the stroke-oar with the other, he kept up a running
+fire of small-talk to encourage his men.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, my good sons," said he, in a low voice and
+in much such a tone as an affectionate father might
+use, "all my 'lay' in that whale will go straight to
+your credit just as soon as we get back to the ship,
+if you will only put me alongside of him so that I
+can get one chance at him with the lance. I declare,
+it has been so long since I used a lance that
+I don't know how it seems, and I shall get all out
+of practice if you don't take pity on me. We must
+beat that other boat anyhow, and if you pull this
+way, you are sure to do it. That's it; pick her
+right up out of the water and walk along with her.
+She isn't a feather's weight to such long-armed,
+broad-shouldered fellows as you are. That's the
+way to do it; only raise her just an inch higher, my
+lads. She touched that wave; I felt it, didn't you?
+There! she didn't touch that one and I know it.
+Keep her there, my good lads. She's in the air
+now. Talk about your balloons! Give me this
+boat and crew and I'll go anywhere they can!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>For the first time since he came on board the
+Tycoon, Frank felt like laughing. The captain
+reminded him of Hans Breitman's velocipede, which,
+even before it became frightened and started to run
+away with its rider, went so fast that it</p>
+
+<p class="pp6q p1">"&mdash;&mdash;didn't touch the dirt, by shinks,</p>
+<p class="pp8">Not once in half a mile."</p>
+
+<p class="p1">"Bless me, what muscles those two fellows in the
+bow have got!" continued the captain, still working
+at the stroke-oar with all his strength. "And how
+they do twist them oars about, just as if they were
+feathers! I've got to have stronger and heavier
+oars made for them, I can see that, for they're
+bound to break them they've got now. Ah! she
+touched that wave. Lift her up in the air again,
+where she belongs, and hold her there. You fellows
+in the bow needn't think you can pull your end of
+the boat so fast that we in the stern can't keep up
+with you. By the way, is that sharp-eyed, good-looking
+son of mine, who raised this whale, in the
+boat?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. It was Nelson," replied Lucas,
+promptly.</p>
+
+<p>Frank, who did not believe in sailing under false
+colors, was about to protest that it wasn't he at all&mdash;that
+Lucas himself was the lucky man&mdash;but
+knowing the captain's uncertain disposition, and
+fearing that there might be some after-settlement
+that would prove unpleasant for the old boatswain's
+mate if the truth were known, he kept silent and
+heard himself praised for an act that he did not perform.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! it is just like him," said the captain. "I
+knew there was lots in him the first time I saw him.
+You can't fool me in a man. I can look in his eye
+and read him like an open book. There's a boatsteerer's
+berth ahead for you, Nelson," continued the
+captain, too excited and impatient to think of the
+name he always applied to Frank in derision.
+"Those boots belong to you, and when we get back
+to the ship you go straight down to the slop-chest&mdash;I'll
+give you the key&mdash;and pick out whatever you
+want. Take everything you find there&mdash;boots,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>
+breeches, shirts and&mdash;no, no! Take the ship. She's
+yours! That's the way Daddy Barclay treats his
+sons when they do their duty by him. Now, my
+lads," he added, in a thrilling whisper, "he's right
+here somewhere below us. Lay on your oars now;
+keep your eyes peeled and don't let me hear so much
+as an eye-wink from any of you."</p>
+
+<p>Frank's heart fairly came up into his mouth.
+The captain's harangue being ended (he had a suspicion
+that the skipper had kept it up on purpose
+to divert the minds of his crew, one of whom was
+as green as Frank himself), there was nothing to
+occupy his attention, and he had leisure to ponder
+upon the dangers he was about to encounter. Of
+course all the stories he had heard in the Tycoon's
+forecastle concerning the perils to which whalemen
+are constantly exposed, came into his mind, and to
+save his life he could think of nothing else. He
+felt as he had often felt on going into action.
+After the crew are called to quarters there is almost
+always a delay, sometimes longer and sometimes
+shorter, before the first gun is fired, and to most men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>
+that is worse than the battle itself. They are glad
+when it is over and the fight begins. The interval
+of inactivity that came now gave the boat's crew a
+chance to rest after their long, hard pull, but Frank
+could scarcely endure it. He wanted the whale to
+show himself at once. If he was going to cut the
+boat in two with his jaw or smash it into kindling
+wood with his tail, Frank wished he would be about
+it and not keep him in suspense.</p>
+
+<p>The whale was down a long time&mdash;so long that
+even the captain became impatient. He and the
+boat's crew, Frank among the rest, arose to their
+feet one after the other to obtain a wider view, and
+holding their oars in their hands, kept a bright
+lookout in every direction. The first mate's boat
+was lying about half a mile to windward, and her
+crew were also standing up. The Tycoon had come
+to directly in the path the whale was pursuing, and
+the third officer was at the mast-head, ready to
+signal to the boat's crews if the whale arose beyond
+the range of their vision. Frank's eyes were everywhere,
+and at last something induced him to turn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>
+them into the water close alongside the boat. He
+saw something there&mdash;an immense dark-blue object,
+which contrasted plainly with the paler blue of the
+water. He looked again, and then glanced into the
+water on the opposite side of the boat to make sure
+that his eyes had not deceived him. The sea on
+that side was all the same color, and that proved
+that there was something under the boat. He
+nudged Lucas with his elbow and pointed to it.
+The old sailor looked, and instantly every particle
+of color fled from his face. But he had nerve, if he
+was frightened, plenty of it, too, and it showed
+itself in the firm grasp he laid upon his harpoon.
+The time for action had arrived.</p>
+
+<p>"He's coming," thought Frank, while the oar he
+held in his grasp seemed to turn into lead, so heavy
+did it feel to his weakened arm. "I always supposed
+a whale was black."</p>
+
+<p>The boat header's action attracted the attention
+of the captain, who, following the direction of his
+gaze gave a sudden start and waved his hand to the
+crew. The men quickly seated themselves and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>
+dropped their oars softly in the row-locks. The
+temptation to look over his shoulder was almost
+irresistible, but fearing that if he did, his courage,
+which was rapidly oozing out at the ends of his fingers,
+would give away altogether, Frank resolutely
+controlled himself and kept his eyes fixed on the
+captain's face.</p>
+
+<p>"There he is," cried the skipper, a moment afterward.
+"Throw it at him and go overboard if you
+miss him."</p>
+
+<p>The old sailor obeyed the order to the very letter.
+He threw his harpoon, missed his object and went
+overboard. Whether it was for the reason that the
+boat was unsteady, or because the seaman was too
+badly frightened to stand firmly on his feet, or because
+his hand had lost its skill during the years that
+had passed since he struck his last whale, it is hard
+to tell. Perhaps all these things combined operated
+to bring about the events that followed. At any
+rate the iron went wild and the old boatswain's mate
+turned a complete back somersault and disappeared
+over the side. He rose immediately, however, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>
+Frank catching sight of him as a wave carried him
+past the boat, promptly thrust his oar out to him.</p>
+
+<p>The captain was almost beside himself with fury.
+He did not act or talk quite so much like an
+affectionate father as he did a short time before.
+He tore off his hat, trampled it under his feet and
+shook all over with rage. "He missed him as sure
+as I'm a sinner," he sputtered, hardly able to speak
+plainly. "If I had him aboard the ship I would
+trice him up for a week. Let the fool go," he
+roared with a long string of heavy adjectives, as
+Frank tried to place the blade of his oar in the old
+sailor's grasp. "A man that'll get up on his legs
+and tumble overboard while the boat is standing
+still, is of no use aboard a vessel of mine; so let him
+go down among the sharks, where he belongs.
+We're well rid of&mdash;Stern all! Stern for your lives!
+Well done, my son. You've been in this business
+before, and you are my boat-header from this day
+out."</p>
+
+<p>The change in the captain's tone was brought
+about by an action on Frank's part that was unexpected,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>
+even to himself. He scarcely knew he did
+it until after it was done. Lucas, having missed
+his first throw and gone overboard, had no chance
+for a second attempt, and unless somebody took his
+place on the instant, the game was likely, if he did
+not escape altogether, to lead them a long, hard
+race before they could come up with him again. It
+required an emergency to show what Frank was
+made of. He never waited to take a second
+thought, but throwing his oar to the boatswain's
+mate&mdash;he knew it would keep him afloat until the
+boat could pick him up&mdash;he jumped to his feet,
+catching up the extra harpoon as he arose.</p>
+
+<p>When his face was turned toward the bow of the
+boat, Frank saw a sight that was well calculated to
+shake stronger nerves than his&mdash;a sperm whale
+coming up on a breach almost within an oar's
+length of him. His huge bulk was shooting up
+into the air, and he did not even make a ripple in
+the water as he arose. But when he fell on his
+side, as he did a moment later, he created something
+more than a ripple. He raised waves that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>
+threatened to swamp the boat, and made a noise
+that would have given Frank some idea of the immense
+weight of the monster, if he had not been
+too highly excited and alarmed to have any ideas at
+all.</p>
+
+<p>As the whale fell into the water&mdash;fortunately he
+fell away from the boat&mdash;Frank's harpoon was
+launched into the air, and being thrown with all the
+force his sinewy arms could give it, and flying true
+to its aim, was buried to the socket in the side of
+the whale. The next instant the young harpooner
+was thrown flat among the thwarts by the sudden
+start backward which the crew gave the boat in
+obedience to the captain's order "Stern all!" He
+heard something whistling through the air, and
+looked up just in time to see the whale's flukes disappearing
+in a pile of foam. How he opened his
+eyes at the sight of them! They would have measured
+more feet across than the boat measured in
+length. The whale gave the water an angry slap,
+raising a sea that would have filled the boat had not
+the bow been promptly brought around toward it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>
+and then started down into the depths at the rate
+of a mile in six minutes, the line fairly smoking as
+it whizzed through the lead-lined groove. Frank
+held his breath while he gazed at it. It looked like
+a streak of blue flame, so swiftly did it run out. If
+it caught on anything, the boat and all her crew
+would be a hundred feet under water in an instant's
+time.</p>
+
+<p>The young harpooner did not hear any of the
+words of praise and promises of reward which the
+delighted skipper shouted at him. He did not hear
+anything but the hissing of the line as it ran through
+the groove in the bow. He lay on the bottom perfectly
+stupefied, until he was aroused by the touch
+of somebody's hand.</p>
+
+<p>When the captain gave the order to "Stern all,"
+the crew sent the boat within reach of Lucas, who
+laid hold of the gunwale, and worked his way along
+to the bow, where he belonged. Attracting Frank's
+attention by a pull at his trowsers, he was hauled
+into the boat, and took his seat, looking not a little
+crestfallen. He caught up a hatchet lying near, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>
+held it in his hand in readiness to cut the line in case
+it fouled while running out. Frank also seated himself,
+and then began to think about what he had done.
+No one in the boat could have been more surprised
+at it.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want any more of this," said he, mentally.
+"It is just awful. I can't stand it. While
+that fellow was shooting up toward the clouds he
+looked like a church-steeple turned wrong end up.
+He must be a hundred and fifty feet long&mdash;perhaps
+more. Who would have thought that I had courage
+enough to send that harpoon at him?"</p>
+
+<p>Here Frank looked over his shoulder as if to satisfy
+himself that he had really performed the feat.
+There could be no mistake about it. The line was
+still running out, and Lucas was watching it while
+hauling in the harpoon with which he had missed
+the whale.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe I did do it," thought Frank. "He is
+black after all. It was the water that made him
+look so blue. I wouldn't do it again to be made
+owner of the finest fleet of ships that ever floated!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Nelson," said the captain, and now that Frank's
+mind was settled a little he was able to pay attention
+to him, "whatever I've got that you want, just
+ask for it and it is yours. Don't be bashful or stand
+on ceremony with your Daddy Barclay. Take a big
+bite if you want to."</p>
+
+<p>"I have only one favor to ask, captain," replied
+Frank, suddenly tempted to strike while the iron
+was hot, although he knew it would be quite useless,
+"and that is&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, slack away lively, and let it come out on
+the run," said the captain, as Frank hesitated a
+moment, wondering how he could word the request
+so that the skipper would not get angry at him.
+"Speak it out."</p>
+
+<p>"I should be greatly obliged if you would set me
+and the two men who were shanghaied with me,
+ashore at the first port we make," said Frank.
+"We shall use the right the law gives us, and ask
+to see the consul as soon as we get there."</p>
+
+<p>Frank's only motive in saying this was to let the
+captain know that he understood the law applying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>
+to the rights of seamen; and he said it at that time
+because he did not know that he would ever have
+another chance, this being the first opportunity he
+had ever had to exchange a word with the master
+of the Tycoon. If there is anything an officer thoroughly
+detests it is a "sea lawyer" among his crew.
+One of these gentry will keep a ship's company in
+hot water from the time the voyage begins until it
+is ended; and his presence acts as a restraint upon
+the captain and his mates, who, if they are disposed
+to be tyrannical, expect to escape the consequences
+through the sailor's ignorance of their rights.
+Frank knew this, and he was in hopes that if he let
+the captain see that he knew what his privileges
+were, and that he intended to insist on having them,
+the skipper would be glad to get rid of him with as
+little delay as possible.</p>
+
+<p>The master of the Tycoon had not a word to say
+in reply to this request, but the look he gave Frank
+satisfied the latter that if he had not spoken at the
+right time to further his own interests, he had
+spoken at the right time to make the captain angry.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>
+He did not offer Frank any more rewards after
+that.</p>
+
+<p>The line continued to run out with great rapidity
+for a few minutes, then the speed gradually decreased
+until it remained motionless, and the actions
+of the captain and his crew indicated that the whale
+was soon expected to make his appearance at the
+surface again. He came very speedily, and much
+too close to the boat for the comfort and safety of its
+crew. Seen through Frank's frightened eyes, his
+head looked like a small mountain rising out of the
+water. His mouth was wide open, showing a milk-white
+cavity large enough to take in the boat and
+all its crew, and Frank gathered from something
+Lucas said that he was ugly and had made up his
+mind to do some mischief. The sequel proved that
+the old sailor was right. The monster began operations
+at once by striking out with his long, sword-like
+jaw, which to Frank's great amazement he
+worked sideways, instead of up and down, and followed
+it up with a tremendous sweep of his tail that,
+had he succeeded in planting the blow where he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>
+wanted it, would have made an end of his enemies
+in a hurry. But both these dangers were escaped.
+His jaw just touched the bow of the boat, and the
+blow from his flukes was avoided by the vigilance
+of the captain and the prompt obedience of the
+crew, who quickly backed the boat out of his reach.
+Apparently satisfied with the demonstrations he had
+made, the whale got under way and made off at an
+astonishing rate of speed, the harpoon which Frank
+had planted still fast in his side.</p>
+
+<p>The bow-oarsman now had a duty to perform, and
+he set about it without waiting for orders. It was
+to overhaul the line and draw the boat up alongside
+the whale, so that the captain, who stood ready to
+change places with the harpooner, could use his
+lance. He rapidly drew in the line, taking care to
+lay it down clear of everything, so that it would not
+kink or get foul in case the whale sounded again,
+and soon had the slack all in. Then he felt a
+strain upon it, and an instant afterward the line
+was whipped out of the water with such force that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>
+it was drawn as tight as a bow-string, and the spray
+flew from it in a perfect shower.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold fast to it, my son," yelled the captain.
+"Keep every inch you get, and get every inch you
+can. We'll have a sleigh-ride now, and such a one
+as landsmen know nothing about."</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the strain was fearful, and Frank's
+power of muscle was tested to the utmost. It
+seemed to him that if the harpoon did not draw or
+the line break, his arms would be pulled off. Letting
+go was something he did not think of; but he
+knew he could not retain his hold much longer, so
+in spite of the old mate's warning gestures, he
+passed a bight of the line around a thwart and held
+it there. By this time the boat began to move, and
+the strain was somewhat lessened.</p>
+
+<p>Now began a novel ride, which Frank thought he
+could have enjoyed if he had only had leisure to give
+his attention to it. A whale can move at tremendous
+speed for a short distance, and this one went at
+such a rate that the boat buried her bow in the
+waves, and rolled back great masses of foam, which,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>
+spreading out over the surface of the water, gave it
+the appearance of a bank of snow. Perhaps it was
+this that first caused the sailors to call a ride of this
+kind a sleigh-ride. But Frank had no time to see
+what was going on around him. He had work to
+perform; and it <i>was</i> work to haul a heavy boat
+containing six men through the waves against such
+resistance as the whale created by the high rate of
+speed he kept up. The line was wet and slippery,
+and Frank's hands, which he had fondly hoped were
+pretty well hardened by this time, soon began to
+feel the effects of it.</p>
+
+<p>In the first lesson he received while manœuvring
+about the "dummy whale," Frank had been instructed
+how to adjust the line to make the boat
+move side by side with a running whale and at a
+short distance from it, and he struggled hard to
+bring the boat in that position; but the line came
+in very slowly, and sometimes when he was almost
+on the point of accomplishing his object, an unusually
+large wave striking the bow or a sudden
+spurt on the part of the frantic beast in front,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>
+would tear the line from his hands in spite of all
+he could do to prevent it.</p>
+
+<p>At length, after Frank had worked his best for
+nearly an hour without once pausing for breath,
+and the line had been drawn through his hands for
+the third time, the captain's small stock of patience
+was all exhausted, and he began to relieve his mind
+by uttering heavy oaths. "Coward!" he yelled,
+stamping his feet as if he were trying to knock a
+hole through the bottom of the boat. "If you are
+afraid to put me alongside that whale, jump overboard
+and give place to a better man. You're fixing
+your back for a rope's end as soon as you get
+aboard the ship!"</p>
+
+<p>Frank and the old boatswain's mate exchanged
+quick glances, one elevating his eye-brows, and the
+other drawing his down. The first meant: "If
+he tries it will you sing out?" and Frank by his
+answering scowl meant: "I will." Not a word
+was passed, but each understood the other perfectly.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c198" id="c198">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">CUTTING IN AND TRYING OUT.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE high-spirited Frank, smarting under a sense
+of injustice, and hardly able to bear the pain
+occasioned by his lacerated hands, suddenly became
+very reckless. The captain had no excuse for talking
+to him in that style after what he had done. A
+coward would not have been likely to take a defeated
+harpooner's place and plunge an iron into the first
+whale he had ever seen, and neither would he have
+worked as hard as Frank did to bring the boat into
+position; and that he <i>did</i> work, the crimson stains
+his hands left on the rope abundantly proved.</p>
+
+<p>"I have had this boat alongside that whale three
+times," said Frank, to himself, "and if I get her
+there again she'll stay, unless something breaks. I'll
+make all fast; and if the whale goes down and takes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span>
+us to the bottom with him, it can't be helped. I'll
+see who will be the first to act like a coward, the
+captain or I."</p>
+
+<p>Had Frank carried this reckless resolve into execution,
+and had the whale sounded as soon as the
+line was made fast, the boat would not have been
+emptied of her crew more quickly than she was a
+moment later. The whale threw his flukes about
+in the most spiteful manner, but finding that he
+could not reach the boat with them, he gave signs
+of a change of tactics which created a panic among
+all the crew except Frank and the old boatswain's
+mate. Frank was not frightened because he did
+not understand them&mdash;in his case ignorance was
+bliss&mdash;but the sailor did, and he did not turn white
+this time either. He was about to be given an opportunity
+to make amends for his previous defeat,
+and he was ready to improve it.</p>
+
+<p>"He's going to 'mill,'" said he in a low tone
+as he picked up his harpoon. "Don't slack an
+inch till I get a dart at him."</p>
+
+<p>Before Frank could ask an explanation the whale<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>
+raised his huge head from the water, dropped his
+jaw at right angles with his body and turning as
+quickly as a flash, started off across the course he
+had been pursuing. Frank, who was sitting with
+face forward so that he had a fair view of the whale
+and could see every move he made, stared at him in
+amazement; and while awaiting the issue of events
+with a calmness that surprised himself, eagerly responded
+to the harpooner's entreaty to haul in
+faster, although he believed that certain death
+awaited him. It seemed as if the boat would run
+squarely into the whale's mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"Slack that line!" roared the captain, suddenly
+stopping his swearing and speaking in an imploring
+tone of voice. "Slack that line, and may Heaven
+have mercy on us! Stern all, for life!"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+     <img src="images/ill-201.jpg" width="400" height="278"
+         alt=""
+         title="" />
+     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">The Air seemed to be literally filled with pieces<br />
+of Planks, Harpoons, Ropes, and Lances.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank dropped the line, which seemed like a coal
+of fire in his hands, and the men laid out their
+strength on the oars till they fairly snapped. The
+first stroke stopped the boat's headway and the
+second started her on the back track, but not in
+time to escape the danger that threatened her.
+Before Lucas could throw his harpoon the whale's
+jaw swept around like a scythe, and striking the
+boat in the side overturned her in an instant,
+smashing in the planks as if they had been pasteboard,
+and tumbling those of the crew who did not
+jump out into the water.</p>
+
+<p>From the crest of a wave on which he struck,
+Frank turned to look at the whale and see what had
+become of his companions. The monster was
+bringing his tail into play now. With one fierce
+upward sweep of his huge flukes he lifted the battered
+boat out of the water, and the captain, who
+had clung to the wreck, was going up with it. The
+air seemed to be literally filled with pieces of planks,
+harpoons, ropes and lances. The crew had all escaped
+without injury&mdash;at least they were all able
+to swim, for Frank counted four frightened faces
+bobbing about on the waves near him. He had
+some idea now of the strength and ferocity a whale
+could display when he once set about it. He made
+up his mind, too, that men must be simply foolhardy
+to willingly follow any such business as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>
+whaling. Otherwise how could they bring themselves
+to engage with such a monster as this, against
+whose tremendous power, which he had just seen
+exerted with such telling effect, their strength was
+as nothing?</p>
+
+<p>To say that Frank was frightened would not begin
+to tell how he felt. How helpless he was! How
+completely the waves baffled his mad efforts to get
+out of the reach of his dangerous foe, and how like
+straws they seemed in the path of the whale which
+skimmed through them as easily as a bird passes
+through the air! Then how frightened everybody
+else was, if he might judge by the pale faces he saw
+about him, and the frantic attempts the men made
+to swim away. If those who were accustomed to
+such scenes and such dangers were so nearly overcome
+with terror, it was time for a novice to show
+signs of fear.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out, Nelson!" cried Lucas, suddenly.
+"Look out! He's&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The old boatswain's mate no doubt meant to say
+something else, but he did not stay on top of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>
+water long enough to say it. He ducked his head
+and went down like lead, making desperate struggles
+to go faster. Frank cast one frightened glance over
+his shoulder and went down too. The whale had
+turned again and was coming directly toward him,
+rolling from side to side and slashing from right to
+left with his jaw, describing at each stroke a circle
+thirty-two feet in diameter. There was no time to
+swim out of his reach. His only chance for life
+was to go below him. How Frank blessed his
+lucky stars at that moment that deep diving and
+swimming long distances under water were two of
+his accomplishments! He went as far down as he
+could, stayed under as long as he could hold his
+breath, and came up almost strangled. He was out
+of danger. The battered boat was twenty feet away
+and the whale a hundred feet still farther off, and
+moving rapidly toward the ship. The men were all
+clinging to the boat to keep themselves afloat, and
+Frank swam up and joined them.</p>
+
+<p>All this while the men in the mate's boat had
+been doing their best with sail and oars to get near<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span>
+enough to the whale to take part in the fight, but
+without success. Now, however, they had an opportunity
+offered them, for the whale had doubled
+on his course, and if he did not take it into his head
+to turn again, he would pass their boat at such a
+distance that they would have a chance at him with
+their harpoons. The mate prepared for it by ordering
+one man to take down the sail while the rest
+still tugged at the oars. He did not even look
+toward the disabled boat or ask if the crew wanted
+assistance.</p>
+
+<p>"These whalemen are a heartless lot," thought
+Frank. "If I were in command of that boat I
+think I should save my shipmates first; but I suppose
+that officer thinks we are not worth as much
+as the whale. Men can be had any day for the
+asking, and if a few of them lose their lives
+what's the odds? Nobody misses them. But
+whales are not as plenty as they used to be, and if
+one of them is lost it is something to be sorry
+for."</p>
+
+<p>Frank's meditations were interrupted and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>
+attention called from the chase by the actions of
+one the men near him, who suddenly began to make
+desperate efforts to climb into the boat. He persisted
+in spite of the angry orders and oaths of the
+skipper, who stormed and threatened to no purpose.
+The man was almost beside himself with fear.</p>
+
+<p>"What has come over him all at once?" asked
+Frank, of the man at his side. "He was quiet
+enough a moment ago."</p>
+
+<p>"He had a narrow escape from a shark once,"
+replied the sailor, "and I guess he has just thought
+of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I wish from the bottom of my heart that
+he hadn't thought of it at all," said Frank, "or
+else that I had not asked you any questions, for I
+have new cause for alarm now. I wonder if a sailor
+can turn in any direction without finding himself
+confronted by some deadly peril?"</p>
+
+<p>"He might if he's a merchantman, but not if he
+is a whaler," was the comforting reply.</p>
+
+<p>"If I had thought of sharks I never could have
+dived under that whale," continued Frank.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"O, 'tain't time for 'em to be on hand yet; but
+you'll see 'em coming like a flock of sheep just as
+soon as that fellow begins to spout blood."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that you will," said another. "I was
+hanging on to a stove boat once, just as we are
+now, and the sharks, I never see the beat of 'em in
+all my born days, come up&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if they got hold of anybody, I don't
+want to know it," interrupted Frank, with a
+shudder. "Can't you talk about something else?"</p>
+
+<p>"Take that!" shouted the captain, who was
+narrowly watching the chase. "And that!" he
+added, a moment afterward. "He's fast again, and
+we are sixty barrels of grease ahead."</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked up to see what had called forth
+these exclamations from the captain, and was just
+in time to catch a glimpse of the mate's harpooner
+as he threw his second iron into the whale. He had
+three harpoons in him now, and Frank gathered
+from the remarks the men made that his capture
+was considered certain. He lashed the water furiously
+with his tail, raising an immense pile of spray<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>
+and foam, and when it disappeared he was out of
+sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Now look out for breakers," said Lucas, "for
+there's no knowing where he will come up, and he's
+ugly if he is little. We know that, don't we?"</p>
+
+<p>"Little!" repeated Frank, who remembered that
+he had compared the beast to a church-steeple, and
+estimated his length at one hundred and fifty feet;
+"how big is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"The cap'n says sixty barrels."</p>
+
+<p>"I mean, how long is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"O, I don't know. I never took the measure of
+one. I ain't a tailor."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever know of one larger than this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Many a one. I heard of one once that ran a
+hundred and thirty-five barrels, but I didn't see
+him. The biggest one I ever struck or saw struck
+turned out a hundred and fifteen barrels."</p>
+
+<p>"Almost twice as large as this one," thought
+Frank, hardly able to believe his ears. "Whew!
+I will never sail another foot in the Tycoon after we
+reach the Sandwich Islands. If a youngster can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span>
+kick up a row like this, what could a full grown
+one do? What <i>wouldn't</i> he do if he got mad?"</p>
+
+<p>Frank was greatly relieved to hear one of the
+men say at that moment that the ship was coming
+down to pick them up. It was anything but pleasant
+to be placed in such a situation as that in
+which he and his companions were placed just then,
+immersed to their necks in salt water, every wave
+making a clean breach over them, nothing but a
+battered boat to keep them afloat, an enraged and
+ugly whale in close proximity, and a school of
+hungry sharks expected to arrive every moment.
+On the contrary, it was a situation well calculated
+to inspire terror.</p>
+
+<p>The good ship never seemed to move so slowly
+before, but she came up with them at last, a boat
+pulled by two men came out to their relief, and in
+ten minutes more the wrecked boat was on deck
+in possession of the carpenter, and the exhausted
+men were in the forecastle, exchanging their wet
+clothes for dry ones. When Frank went on deck
+again the whale was in his "flurry," which, upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span>
+inquiry, he found to be a sailor's way of saying
+"death struggle." The mate and his crew had
+made short work of him, and Frank came up too
+late to see the lance used. The whale was swimming
+in a circle at a surprising rate of speed,
+pounding the sea with his flukes, spouting blood
+from his blow-hole, and rolling from side to side as
+if trying to reach his enemies with his jaw. His
+fury increased for a few seconds, then gradually
+lessened, and finally the captured monster rolled
+over and lay motionless on the water. "Fin out!"
+cried all the sailors on the Tycoon, which was
+equivalent to saying, "he is dead." Then all joined
+in a yell of triumph, except Frank. He could not
+help feeling sorry for the conquered leviathan, who
+had battled so strongly for his life, and told himself
+that it was a mean business altogether.</p>
+
+<p>"Men who can torture a beast like that to death
+and feel no remorse over it, would serve their fellow
+creatures the same way if they had a good
+chance," was what he said to himself. "I know
+now how it comes that the captain and his two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>
+mates are so brutal. They have practiced on
+whales so long that they have no feeling left."</p>
+
+<p>Now came the work of making fast to the whale,
+which was begun as soon as the ship was brought
+alongside of it. Frank did not see how it was done,
+for he was kept busy at something else. When he
+had leisure to look over the side he found the game
+secured by a chain, one end of which was fastened
+just above the tail, and the other led through
+a hawsehole to the bitts. He could see the whole
+length of him now, and had it not been for the
+three harpoons sticking in his back and side, he
+could hardly have brought himself to believe that it
+was the same whale that smashed his boat. He
+looked very much smaller, and the reason was
+because he had something to compare him with.</p>
+
+<p>And now came the most disagreeable part of a
+whaleman's duties&mdash;the cutting in and trying out.
+The first consists in removing the blubber from
+the body of the whale, cutting off the head and
+bailing out the spermaceti; and the next in rendering
+out the oil in the try-kettles. Lucas said that,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span>
+as the day was far spent, the work ought not to be
+commenced until the next morning. The crew
+could then have a good night's sleep after their hard
+work in the boats, and be fresh and ready for the
+laborious duties before them; but Captain Barclay
+thought differently. He never cared for the comfort
+of his men, so he ordered them to begin at
+once.</p>
+
+<p>How long it took to do the work Frank never
+knew, for he was too busy and too completely tired
+out to keep track of the days. The crew was so
+small that every man was required to handle the
+blubber as it was hauled aboard by the tackles; and
+when that was all stowed, and the carcass cut adrift,
+the watches were lengthened into six (they were
+often nearer eight) hours each, and the trying out
+began. Frank did not wonder that the men grew
+quarrelsome, and that more than one of them had
+to be driven to his work with a rope's end, being
+compelled, as they were, to work almost twenty
+hours out of the twenty-four. He thought often of
+what he had read concerning the fiendish ingenuity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span>
+displayed by the Chinese in inventing modes of torture
+for those who disobey their laws, and told himself
+that some of them must have served their
+time in a whale-ship, and there learned by experience
+the misery to which a person is subjected when
+deprived of sleep. Frank would not have resented
+a blow himself now, he was too weak and dispirited;
+but he would have given all he ever hoped to
+possess, if he could have lain down in all the oil
+and dirt of the blubber-room, and had a good sound
+nap. The work was made harder by the captain's
+great desire to fill up the hold as soon as possible.
+He kept the mast-head manned all day by some of
+the crew who ought to have been allowed to go
+below to rest, and swore at them roundly because
+they did not raise another whale; although it is
+hard to tell what good it would have done if they
+had discovered a school of them, for in their exhausted
+condition they never could have endured a
+lengthened struggle with one. Frank often thought,
+after it was all over, that the only thing that sustained
+him during that week, was the sweet, sound<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span>
+sleep he had every time he acted as lookout. Seated
+on the royal yard, a hundred and more feet in the
+air, with his back against the stay and a rope passed
+about his waist to keep him from falling off, he
+would slumber like a log, leaving the whales, if
+there were any, to spout in peace. The rest of
+the crew being equally sleepy and careless,
+no more whales were raised, and Frank was glad
+of it.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't stand this, Mr. Gale," said Frank one
+day, when the third officer came into the blubber-room
+where he was at work, "and I won't."</p>
+
+<p>"You won't?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. I have never done any soldiering
+since I have been aboard here, but I shall do it
+hereafter."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know that you are talking to the third
+mate of this ship?" demanded Mr. Gale, who
+seemed surprised at Frank's strong language.</p>
+
+<p>"I do, sir, and I am not afraid to speak to you
+more plainly still."</p>
+
+<p>"Why ain't you?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Because I know that you will neither get angry
+at what I say nor repeat it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose I ought to give you a good
+blowing-up for your impudence," said the mate,
+who had to smile in spite of himself, "but I
+can't."</p>
+
+<p>"No, of course you can't. You know I have
+cause to be down on every officer of this ship except
+you, and that I will some day be in a position to
+make them smart for it. You know what they have
+done."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we'll drop that. It ain't for me to talk
+about the doings of my superiors. I came down
+here to tell you something that'll liven you up a bit,
+may be. We shall sight the Islands in a few days,
+and the old man is going to put you ashore."</p>
+
+<p>"Good for him," exclaimed Frank, who was wide
+awake in an instant. "How about Lucas and
+Barton?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't talk so loud. The masts, bulkheads and
+everything else have ears in this ship. I don't
+know about them. He didn't say."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"They must go if I go," said Frank. "I shall
+need them for witnesses."</p>
+
+<p>"But you mustn't call any witnesses. If you go
+ashore at Honolulu, you must keep still and say
+nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"O, I must! Do you think that's the sort of
+fellow I am? Must I let a man kidnap me, carry
+me away from my friends to some out-of-the-way
+part of the world, and then, in order to gain the
+liberty of which he has deprived me and which
+rightfully belongs to me, promise him that he shall
+go scot free? Must he be allowed to run at large
+to try the same game upon somebody else, and perhaps
+abuse and maltreat him until he jumps overboard,
+as those two men did shortly before you
+reached Fr'isco? No, sir! He be jerked as high
+as the strong arm of the law can lift him, and that's
+pretty high. A thousand dollars fine and a long
+term in the penitentiary are the rewards that surely
+await him, and perhaps he can be tried for manslaughter.
+I am bound to have my liberty, Mr.
+Gale, and I shall get it without entering into any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>
+such agreement as that. If anybody makes promises,
+it will be Captain Barclay."</p>
+
+<p>Frank, being thoroughly aroused, clattered away
+in spite of all the officer's attempts to interrupt him.
+He could not have told why he said what he did
+toward the last. Perhaps he had a prophetic vision,
+during which the thrilling scenes that were so soon
+to be enacted were plainly portrayed. At any rate
+the words came into his mind, and he uttered them
+regardless of consequences. He was about to say
+something more, but an emphatic and warning
+gesture from the mate stopped him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked up and saw Calamity's sinister face
+peering down the hatchway. His first impulse was
+to knock him over with the handle of the blubber-knife
+for playing eavesdropper; but the vacant expression
+on the man's countenance induced the hope
+that perhaps he had only just come there, and had
+heard nothing he could make use of.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here," exclaimed Mr. Gale suddenly,
+doubling up his huge fist and shaking it at Frank,
+"I am an officer of this ship and you must respect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>
+me, or I'll teach you manners. Put a 'sir' in when
+you speak to me. As for Cap'n Barclay promising
+you them boots, I reckon you'll get 'em when this
+work is done; and if I hand 'em to you you'll
+get 'em over your head for your impudence!"</p>
+
+<p>"O, is that you down there, Mr. Gale?" exclaimed
+Calamity. "It is so dark I couldn't see you.
+The captain wants you on deck."</p>
+
+<p>The officer lingered a moment to add a few words
+to what he had already said, and then mounted the
+ladder leading to the deck, while Frank went on
+separating the fleshy fibres from the blubber.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c218" id="c218">CHAPTER XII.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">HOW FRANK SAW THE CONSUL.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap06">FRANK knew why it was that Mr. Gale changed
+his tone and manner so suddenly. It was
+Calamity's presence that made him do it. The
+mate knew that if this man had overheard any of the
+conversation between himself and Frank he would
+go straight to the captain with it; and it would
+never do to let the skipper know that one of his
+officers had been so familiar with a foremast hand.
+It would not only make it unpleasant for himself,
+but Frank would most likely be punished for daring
+to express himself so plainly. Mr. Gale hoped that
+by speaking roughly and flourishing his fists in the
+most approved quarter-deck style, he could put
+Calamity on the wrong scent, and make him believe
+that he had been taking Frank to task for something.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>
+But the eavesdropper understood all that,
+and was much too smart to be deceived by any such
+artifice.</p>
+
+<p>"They can't shut up my eyes in no such way as
+that," said he, with a knowing shake of his head.
+"I heard it all, and see through their backing and
+filling as plainly as they do. I've got a chance to
+square yards with both of them now, and I knew
+it would come if I only waited long enough and
+kept my eyes and ears open. That Gentleman
+Black is so stuck up that he won't notice a common
+fellow like me, and Mr. Gale jawed me the other
+day and called me a soldier and a lubber. Won't
+there be a healthy old row here directly? I guess
+yes."</p>
+
+<p>There certainly would be if this man was able to
+bring it about, for he took great delight in such
+things, especially when he knew that he was out
+of danger himself. He hunted up the captain without
+delay, and the latter saw at a glance that he
+had something to tell him. "What is it, Gardner?"
+said he. (Behind his back the captain always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>
+called him Calamity, and in his heart despised him
+as cordially as any of the crew did.) "Your face
+is full of news."</p>
+
+<p>"You said you would put Nelson ashore at the
+Sandwich Islands if he'd keep still and say nothing,
+didn't you, cap'n?" began Calamity.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I did," replied the skipper, interested at
+once. "Have you been pumping him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but Mr. Gale has, and he says he'll hang
+you as high as the strong arm of the law can hist
+you. He can't be hired to keep his mouth shut.
+He told Mr. Gale so, and him and Mr. Gale were
+talking mighty familiar and friendly like&mdash;too much
+so, for it don't look well for an officer to do such
+things."</p>
+
+<p>"What did Mr. Gale say?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't hear what he said at first, but I saw
+him winking and nodding, and when he saw me
+looking down the hatchway, he began to jaw Nelson
+about them boots you promised him for raising
+that whale. But he did it just to fool me."</p>
+
+<p>"Then Nelson is going to hang me, is he?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and he wants Barton and Lucas for witnesses.
+He says he'll tell the consul everything
+that's been done aboard this ship, and you shan't
+be let loose any longer to haze men till they jump
+overboard."</p>
+
+<p>"Go for'ard; go for'ard," said the captain,
+hastily.</p>
+
+<p>"Aha!" thought Calamity, as he returned to his
+duties, "that was a home-thrust. I must say he
+took it easier than I thought he would. I must
+say this too for Gentleman Black, that since he's
+been on board, there haven't been so many men
+triced up or knocked down with handspikes, and
+the grub has been better than it ever was before.
+Now I'll tell you what's the truth," added Calamity,
+slapping his knee as he leaned over and looked
+under the try-pots, "Gentleman Black is master
+here, if he is nothing but a foremast hand, and
+that's what's the matter. That's the reason the
+old man takes things so easy, and don't go ripping
+and tearing around the way he used to. I wonder
+if I hadn't better make friends with him!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the work of trying-out went slowly
+on, and contrary to Calamity's expectations, though
+not much to his surprise, the captain took no steps
+to punish Mr. Gale and Frank for the conversation
+they had had in the blubber-room. Indeed he
+thought he could see a change in the skipper and
+in the two mates. The former very rarely went
+off into one of his fits of rage now, and the
+mates seemed to treat the men a trifle more like
+human beings. Every one of the crew noticed it,
+and Lucas, after sundry winks and nods, told Frank
+in confidence that something was going to happen
+very shortly. And sure enough, something did
+happen, but it was not just what the old sailor
+thought it would be.</p>
+
+<p>Finally the last barrel of oil was lowered into the
+hold, and the captain, to the surprise of his men,
+who had never known him to be guilty of an act of
+kindness before, sent all the crew except a boatsteerer's
+watch below to sleep. And a glorious
+sleep they had too after their days and nights of
+labor. Frank felt like another person when he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>
+came on deck in the morning, and went to work
+with a light heart to assist in cleaning up the ship.
+This required perseverance and the outlay of a
+good deal of strength, but it was done in good time,
+and when the deck was wiped down and the brightwork
+cleaned, the Tycoon looked as though she had
+never been near a whale. By this time land was
+in plain sight, and Frank and Lucas found opportunity
+to hold several whispered consultations as to
+the course they ought to pursue to secure their
+release. On two points Frank had made up his
+mind: If he went ashore, Lucas and Barton must
+be permitted to go also; and he would not purchase
+his freedom by entering into any agreement whatsoever
+with the captain of the Tycoon. The last one
+of these consultations was broken up by the sudden
+appearance of the third mate.</p>
+
+<p>"Nelson," said he, "the old man wants to see
+you in the cabin."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"And you had better take a friend's advice,"
+continued the officer, in a low tone, as the young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>
+sailor was about to pass him, "and agree to what
+he has to propose."</p>
+
+<p>Frank did not say whether he would or not. He
+wanted first to hear what it was that the captain had
+to propose. He went into the cabin and found the
+skipper and his two mates seated at a table there.
+The former had some shipping articles before him,
+and the first mate was reading a well-thumbed copy
+of Bowditch. This was encouraging. If the three
+officers had been examining the law, they no doubt
+learned that they were liable to some heavy penalties
+for what they had done.</p>
+
+<p>"Nelson," said the captain, as Frank came in,
+"you haven't signed articles yet."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, just put your name to them now," continued
+the captain, pushing them across the table.
+"There's a chair and there's a pen."</p>
+
+<p>"I beg to be excused, sir," replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'd rather not, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Suit yourself," said the captain indifferently.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span>
+"I am only advising you as a friend. You will lose
+your work if you don't. You can't collect a
+cent from the ship if you stay aboard of her ten
+years."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry to differ with you, sir, but I know
+better than that."</p>
+
+
+<p>"Be careful how you speak," said the captain,
+starting up in his chair. "I have stood a good
+deal from you, and you don't want to say too
+much. You are not talking to Mr. Gale now."</p>
+
+<p>"You haven't stood more than I have, sir," returned
+Frank. "It is high time I should speak
+plainly, as I never had the chance before and may
+never have it again. I know that when seamen are
+shipped on American whaling vessels without the
+rate of their pay being specified, they are entitled
+on their discharge in a foreign port, to the sum of
+twenty dollars a month as extra wages."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you happen to know so much about
+law, Nelson?" asked the first mate.</p>
+
+<p>"The way I happen to know so much about these
+matters is because I read up, expecting at one time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>
+to go as consul's clerk to some port in the Mediterranean."</p>
+
+<p>The captain and his mates opened their eyes and
+looked at one another. Here was a foremast hand
+who must hold a high social position when he was
+ashore, else he would not number among his friends
+those who had influence enough to secure government
+appointments.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you won't sign these articles?" continued
+the captain, after thinking a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"By no means, sir. I don't want to go to sea
+for two or three years. I want to go ashore."</p>
+
+<p>"I am willing you should go, if you will promise
+not to enter any complaints."</p>
+
+<p>"If I should promise that, captain, I should tell
+a falsehood, and that is something I'll not do."</p>
+
+<p>"Will a hundred dollars be any inducement to
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not the slightest."</p>
+
+<p>"A hundred dollars besides your wages, I
+mean."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," repeated Frank. "You are liable for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>
+two hundred dollars for every foremast hand aboard
+this vessel, except Calamity."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you make that out?"</p>
+
+<p>"You carried them to sea without making a contract
+with them."</p>
+
+<p>"That'll do. You can go on deck," said the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"But before I go, sir, I demand to see the American
+consul of the first port at which we touch," said
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, you can see him, but you can't go
+ashore. If one goes all must go, and the first thing
+I know the ship will be deserted. I'll bring the
+consul aboard to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"That will be perfectly satisfactory, sir. Victory!"
+whispered Frank to himself as he went up
+the ladder. "The people triumphant! The ring
+broken all to smash! A captain cowed in his own
+cabin by a foremast hand! Hurrah for sailors'
+rights! We're going to see the consul, Lucas!"</p>
+
+<p>"Aha!" exclaimed the old sailor, with an admiring
+glance at Frank. "I knew you had the brains,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span>
+sir. But I'm sorry we're going to get off so easy.
+Me and the rest wanted to see you on that quarter-deck."</p>
+
+<p>"And a pretty figure I'd make up there, wouldn't
+I?" returned Frank. "I'm glad you didn't have a
+chance to carry out your plans."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think of him, any how?" asked
+the first mate, after Frank had left the cabin.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I've got an elephant on my hands,"
+answered the captain. "I don't want to keep him,
+and I don't know how to get rid of him. I wish
+Billings had been in Guinea before he brought him
+aboard here."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't intend to let him see the consul?"</p>
+
+<p>"Am I as green as that?" cried the skipper.
+"He's got too smooth a tongue in his head and
+swings it about too loose and reckless. He and
+them two men who were shipped with him must be
+kept close while I am ashore after a crew."</p>
+
+<p>"And what will you do with them then? They
+can raise a row with one consul as well as another."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it. Shall I turn them adrift in a boat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span>
+or put them on some vessel bound for the States, or
+set them ashore on some island, and let them shift
+for themselves?"</p>
+
+<p>"You might transfer them to Gale's boat, and
+some day when they are off after a whale, clear out
+and leave them," suggested the third mate. "Gale
+is a milk-and-water fellow, and not the man at all
+to get along with a hard crew."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I must put one of those plans into execution,"
+said the captain, "and circumstances shall
+decide which it shall be. I am in as great a hurry
+to see the last of Nelson as he is to see the last of
+me. I'd knock him overboard if I had a good
+chance."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't do that, cap'n," said the mate, hastily.
+"The first one of us who lays an ugly hand on him
+is booked for Davy's Locker, sure!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I am afraid of," said the captain,
+who being unable to control himself any longer,
+began to relieve his mind by swearing. "I know
+how things are going, and besides, Calamity has kept
+his eyes and ears open."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Two days after this conversation took place
+between the captain and his mates, the Tycoon
+dropped her anchor near the spot where the Stranger
+lay three days afterward. One of the boats
+was called away at once, a crew selected for her,
+and the captain started for the shore. Frank felt
+jubilant when he saw him go off, but Lucas looked
+rather down-hearted. "He hasn't got a single one
+of our friends in that boat, sir," said the sailor.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not," replied Frank. "He wouldn't
+take them if he knew who they were, for he wants
+the first chance at the consul himself."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and he'll have the last chance too, sir.
+We'll never see him."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, if he doesn't bring him off as he
+promised, I'll jump overboard and swim ashore. I
+can make the island very easily. You won't pull
+a boat in pursuit of me."</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, and nobody else shall. Neither shall
+the mudhook be hove up till you've had a chance
+to say a word for us."</p>
+
+<p>"Nelson, the first mate wants to see you in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span>
+cabin," said Mr. Gale, coming forward at this
+moment. "He is going to offer you something to
+keep still, and you had better take it."</p>
+
+<p>"If that is all he wants it will be of no use for
+me to go," answered Frank, "for my mind is made
+up."</p>
+
+<p>"Go and talk to him, anyhow," said the officer.
+"Perhaps you can strike some sort of a bargain. I
+want to see you safe off this craft, and now is your
+chance, if ever."</p>
+
+<p>"Nelson!" shouted the mate, from the top of the
+companion ladder.</p>
+
+<p>"Coming, sir," replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>He went, and was not a little astonished at the
+reception he met as he entered the cabin. The door
+was suddenly closed behind him, and before he
+could think twice he was powerless, his ankles and
+wrists being heavily ironed. "Not a word out of
+you," said the first mate, covering Frank's head
+with a cocked revolver. "You'll find out now who
+controls this ship&mdash;you or her proper officers."</p>
+
+<p>"You ain't as smart as some folks seem to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>
+think," said the second mate, with a grin. "If
+you were bound to blab, why didn't you take the
+hundred dollars the cap'n offered you, and wait till
+you got ashore before you began to swing your
+chin?"</p>
+
+<p>Frank made no reply, and could offer no resistance,
+as the two mates dragged him out of the
+cabin along a narrow passageway that led to the
+hold. They stowed him away among the oil casks
+and left him to his meditations. This was the way
+Frank saw the consul at the port of Honolulu.</p>
+
+<p>Having disposed of Frank, the officers made their
+way back to the cabin, and one of them mounting
+the companion ladder, called out: "Mr. Gale,
+tell Lucas that Nelson has got his money, and ask
+him to come down and get his!"</p>
+
+<p>Lucas came, wondering what arguments the
+mates had brought to bear upon Frank to work so
+great a change in his feelings all at once, and when
+he reached the foot of the ladder he found out what
+they were&mdash;a revolver and a pair of handcuffs.
+The former held him passive while the irons were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>
+slipped on, and then he also was carried to the hold
+and stowed away, but at such a distance from Frank
+that the two could hold no conversation. Barton
+was served in the same manner, and the officers
+having secured the men of whom they stood the
+most in fear, breathed freely once more, and told
+each other that they were still masters of the Tycoon.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoners were kept in the hold almost
+twelve hours&mdash;long enough for the captain to bring
+his crew of natives on board and get his vessel well
+out to sea. Then they were released and ordered
+on deck. Frank was disposed to make the best of
+his disappointment, knowing that he could not help
+himself, but Lucas was inclined to smash things.
+He hunted up his friends as soon as he could&mdash;those
+who had promised to stand by him and Frank
+through thick and thin&mdash;and laid down the law to
+them in stronger language than we care to quote.
+"Why, what's the matter?" asked the sailors, as
+soon as their angry mate gave them a chance to
+speak. "Where have you been so long?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's what's the matter," replied Lucas, showing
+his wrists.</p>
+
+<p>"That's where I've been so long," he added,
+tapping the marks the irons had left. "Sailed the
+blue water, man and boy for thirty-five years, I
+have, and never had the darbies on me before. Me
+and Cap'n Nelson's both been there, and Barton
+too; and here you chaps stood around like so
+many bumps on a log, and never lifted a hand to
+help us!"</p>
+
+<p>"What could we have done, even if we had
+known that you were in trouble, while the mates
+were walking around with their pistols strapped to
+their waists and holding us tight to our work?"
+asked one of the sailors.</p>
+
+<p>Lucas opened his eyes at this. Did the mates
+know of the plans that had so often been discussed
+in the forecastle? It looked like it.</p>
+
+<p>"Somebody's been talking while Calamity was
+about," said the boatswain's-mate. "Never mind;
+we've missed one chance, but we'll have better luck
+next time. The ship's going to Japan, and she'll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span>
+have another man on her quarter-deck when she
+comes back."</p>
+
+<p>And so she did, but Lucas did very little toward
+bringing about the change. It was Captain Barclay
+himself; but of course he did not intend to
+do it.</p>
+
+<p>Almost the first man Frank saw when he came
+on deck after his release was the third mate.
+"Nelson," said he, earnestly, "I had no hand in
+this business. If I had known what those men intended
+to do, I should have warned you."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you, sir," replied Frank. "I lay
+nothing to your charge, as you will find when the
+day of settlement comes."</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked toward the Islands which the ship
+was fast leaving behind, then at the dusky, muscular
+Kanakas who thronged the deck, and went to work
+with a heavy heart. He had already had more than
+enough of whaling. He did not mind the dangerous,
+laborious duties he had to perform so much as
+he did the life he led in the forecastle. Of course
+it was kept neat and clean, like the rest of the ship,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>
+but it smelled horribly of tar and bilge water, and
+the men into whose company he was thrown there,
+were not just the sort he would have selected for
+associates had he been permitted to choose. It was
+bad enough before, but now here were a score and
+more of heathen with whom he had to bunk.
+Frank did not know how he could stand it. The
+only thing that had kept him up thus far was the
+belief that all this would end very shortly; but
+that hope was gone now, and time only would show
+what was in store for him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank worked hard while on duty and talked a
+good deal when on watch, to keep himself from
+thinking too much. He had the satisfaction of seeing
+that the captain and his two mates did not treat
+the crew with any more severity than they had
+always done, and some of the old members of the
+ship's company were often heard to declare that
+they did not act like the same men. As for the
+natives, Frank very soon found reason to change the
+opinions he had formed of them. They had all seen
+service in whalers, and proved to be the neatest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span>
+and most peaceable portion of the crew. More than
+that, they did not swear, and it was some relief to
+work by the side of men who could talk without
+putting an oath or two in every sentence they
+uttered.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the ship was fairly under way the
+mast-head was manned, and the sailors set about
+preparing themselves for the real business of the
+voyage. A complete change was made in the boats'
+crews, and Frank, to his delight, found himself with
+Lucas, Barton, and two other foremast hands,
+assigned to the third mate's boat. Frank held his
+old position as bow-oarsman, and Lucas was boat-steerer.
+He soon proved himself to be a good one
+too. He did not fall overboard again, or give Frank
+any more opportunities to take his place and strike
+a whale he had missed. During the next three
+weeks nine whales were added to the stock already
+in the hold, and of this number four were captured
+by Mr. Gale's boat. Frank very soon got over his
+nervousness, and as a consequence went just as far
+the other way, and was inclined to be a little too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span>
+daring. He had an uncomfortable habit of wrapping
+a line about a thwart when he could not hold
+it, and Lucas, after repeatedly telling him never to
+do it again, got out of patience, and Frank was
+moved toward the other end of the boat&mdash;"promoted
+backward." He was seated at the stroke-oar,
+and the bow-oar given into the hands of Barton,
+who knew too much of the nature of the game they
+were hunting to run any risks.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the Tycoon was rapidly approaching
+her cruising grounds, and one morning the captain
+told his officers that the Mangrove Islands lay
+directly in their course two hundred miles distant,
+and that it was his intention to stop there for water
+and terrapins. That same day a whale was raised,
+and the captain and the third mate set off to capture
+it. The two boats pulled side by side for a
+mile or more, and then the whale took the alarm
+and made off. "Never mind, Mr. Gale," shouted
+the captain. "You keep on after him, and I'll
+follow you with the ship."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Gale promptly hoisted his sail and went in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span>
+pursuit. The whale led them a long chase, but getting
+a little over his fright at last, he allowed the
+boat to approach within striking distance, and gave
+Lucas a chance to throw his harpoons into him.
+Then a most terrific fight ensued, which was so
+long and so stubbornly contested that Frank began
+to think he had never seen an ugly whale before.
+The monster seemed determined to destroy his enemies;
+but the mate kept at him, and by his excellent
+management succeeded in taking his boat
+through the struggle without the loss of any of her
+crew, and with so little damage that an hour's work
+by the ship's carpenter would make her fit for sea
+again. When it was ended and the whale rolled
+over with his fin out, the mate seized one of the
+flags, and turned to signal his triumph to the ship.</p>
+
+<p>"It's lucky you wasn't in the bow," said Lucas,
+drawing his hand across his dripping forehead and
+nodding to Frank. "If you'd been here with the
+line wrapped around a thwart when he sounded the
+last time, there wouldn't have been one of us left
+to tell the story of this fight!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Pass that bucket aft and I'll bail her out," said
+Frank, drawing a long breath and glad that the
+danger was over. "He hit us a pretty hard blow
+with his jaw, and the water is running in here like
+a small Niagara. What's the matter, Mr. Gale?"</p>
+
+<p>This question was called forth by an exclamation
+of wonder from the third mate. When he
+turned to signal the ship he stopped suddenly,
+looked all around the horizon, and then the flag
+dropped from his hands. The Tycoon was almost
+hull down&mdash;nothing but her topsails were visible.
+During the five hours that the brave officer had
+been pursuing and battling with the whale, the ship
+was standing away from him instead of coming to
+his relief, and he had been too busy to see it until
+this moment.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter, sir?" repeated Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Gale sat down, his face whiter now than it
+had been at any time during the deadly fight he
+and his men had just passed through, and pointed
+toward the Tycoon's receding topsails.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c241" id="c241">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">TURNED ADRIFT.</p>
+
+
+<p class="drop-cap06">FRANK looked, and was not a little surprised
+to find that the Tycoon, which he had all the
+while supposed was following the boat, was almost
+out of sight. He did not understand it at first, but
+a single glance at the faces of his companions explained
+it all. Even Lucas, who had shown so
+much courage a few minutes before, betrayed the
+utmost consternation now.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Nelson," said Mr. Gale, in a tone of
+resignation, "Captain Barclay has got rid of you
+at last."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you don't suppose that he intends to
+desert us!" cried Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The mate shrugged his shoulders and pointed
+with his thumb toward the ship, as if to say that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span>
+Frank could see what she was doing as well as he
+could, and might interpret her actions to suit himself.</p>
+
+<p>"It can't be possible!" said Frank. "No man
+on earth could be guilty of an act of treachery like
+this."</p>
+
+<p>"A captain who will allow his men to be abused
+until they jump overboard to put themselves out of
+his way, will do anything," returned Mr. Gale,
+quietly. "Hoist the sail, Lucas; you had better
+bail her out, Nelson. We must keep her afloat
+until she carries us two hundred miles."</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any water, sir?" asked Barton.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, the keg is full, and we need a taste of it
+after our hard work; but we must touch it lightly,
+for there is no telling when we shall get any more.
+The Mangrove Islands are the nearest land, and, as
+I said, they are two hundred miles away. It is
+lucky that I know the course."</p>
+
+<p>The sail having been hoisted, the men took a refreshing
+drink all around, and settled back on their
+seats to think over their situation. Frank could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span>
+not yet believe that Captain Barclay had sent them
+out there alone, with no other object in view than to
+desert them. He kept telling himself that the ship
+must have raised another whale and gone in pursuit
+of it, and he watched her closely, expecting every
+moment to see her shorten sail and come-to to wait for
+them; but she kept on, with all her canvas spread,
+and very soon nothing but her royals were visible
+above the horizon. Frank was obliged to believe it
+now, and shuddered when he thought of what was
+yet to come. With a leaky boat under them, not a
+mouthful of anything to eat, and with only a very
+small supply of water to allay the raging thirst
+caused by their five hours' work under a broiling sun,
+their situation was one calculated to frighten anybody.
+But still it might have been worse, and in
+this thought Frank found a little consolation. The
+mate knew which way to steer to find land, and if
+they could only keep the boat afloat twenty-four
+hours they would be safe. But suppose the boat
+had been stove during the fight with the whale! Suppose
+he had cut it in two with his jaw, or smashed it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span>
+in pieces with his flukes, as he had tried so hard to do,
+and left the crew struggling in the water: what
+then! Captain Barclay would have deserted them
+all the same, and they would have been left powerless.
+Surrounded by an army of hungry sharks
+(Frank now and then caught a momentary glimpse
+of a sharp fin cutting the water as one of these voracious
+monsters hurried toward the whale they had
+just left, being attracted no doubt by the blood he
+had spouted during his flurry), their sufferings would
+have been ended, and there would have been none
+left to tell the story of the captain's treachery.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, come, boys! This will never do in the
+world," said Mr. Gale, suddenly breaking the silence
+that had reigned for the last half hour. "Wake up,
+there! What's the matter with you that you look
+so sober? If we were eight or nine hundred miles
+out at sea, we'd have something to worry over; but
+if the wind holds this way, we shall be all right by
+to-morrow at this time. The Tycoon is going to
+the Mangrove Islands for water, and maybe we
+shall be lucky enough to catch her there. If we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span>
+can't stand it to do without food for that length of
+time we had better jump overboard at once, for we've
+no business to be sailors. Come, Lucas, begin there
+in the bow, and sing a song or tell a story!"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't, sir!" replied the sailor.</p>
+
+<p>"All right. You shan't have any water the next
+time it is passed around. Go on, Barton. Sing a
+song or tell a story&mdash;a lively one, mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on a bit, sir!" exclaimed Lucas. "I'll
+do almost anything to get another drink of that
+water."</p>
+
+<p>This order soon brought about a great change in
+the feelings of the men. Their minds being diverted
+from the dangers of their situation, something like
+merriment soon began to prevail. As it was understood
+that each one must do his share toward entertaining
+his companions, and that the first one who
+failed to tell a story or sing a song when his turn
+came, should forfeit his next drink of water, this
+trial of memory and ingenuity was kept up until
+far in the night. It would seem as though men
+who had spent their lives amid scenes of danger and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span>
+excitement could never be at a loss for something
+to talk about, but even the oldest among the sailors
+ran short of stories at last, and when this happened
+they did not hesitate to make up one as they went
+along; and some of those they told were as ridiculous
+as the story Dick Lewis told the captain of the
+fishing boat. Frank drew on his experience among
+the mountains and in the woods, and his stories
+must have been worth listening to, for when his turn
+came the men were all wide awake.</p>
+
+<p>At last when the crew began to show signs of
+drowsiness, Mr. Gale ordered four of them to
+make themselves as comfortable as they could and
+go to sleep, while he and Frank looked out for the
+boat. Mr. Gale steered by a compass, the face
+being lighted up by a small lantern with which
+whale-boats are always provided, and Frank talked
+to him to keep him awake, and bailed out the water
+as fast as it ran in. He did not learn anything
+encouraging during the four hours that he and Mr.
+Gale kept watch. The mate said they were sure to
+reach the Islands unless a storm blew them out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span>
+their course or swamped them, but he did not like
+to think of the way they would fare after they got
+there. The largest of the Islands was often visited
+by whalers, he continued, but it was almost a land
+unknown. It was a good place to go to get water
+and fresh meat in the shape of terrapins, but he
+had never yet heard of a boat's crew, who, leaving
+the beach to explore the island, had ever returned
+to tell what they saw there. Many a fine whale
+ship which, when last spoken, had her hold nearly
+filled with oil and was almost ready to set out on
+her return voyage, had suddenly disappeared, leaving
+no trace behind. It was supposed that some of
+them had gone to the Islands for water, and had
+either been wrecked on the treacherous shoals and
+reefs with which they were surrounded, or been
+captured and plundered by the natives. He had
+seen men who had been held captive there for years,
+and had only escaped at last by smuggling themselves
+on board some vessel whose crew was too strong to
+be successfully attacked. But if they succeeded in
+getting there they would find an abundance to eat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span>
+and plenty of water to drink, and that was better
+than being tossed about on the waves of the Pacific
+in an open boat.</p>
+
+<p>Frank now began to understand Captain Barclay's
+plans. There was more in them than he had at
+first supposed. The skipper wanted to be rid of
+Frank and his friends, and the whale they had killed
+and deserted, furnished him with an excuse for sending
+the boat away from the ship. When he arrived
+in port he could say that she had been smashed in
+pieces by the whale, and all her crew sent to the
+bottom. He took his chances on this. If the event
+really happened, so much the better; but if they
+came through the fight in safety, and succeeded in
+reaching the Islands, the natives would detain them
+as prisoners. In either case he was clear of them,
+and they could never appear against him in a court
+of justice.</p>
+
+<p>"I can understand all that," said Frank, after
+he had explained this to the mate, "but there is one
+thing I can't quite see through: Why did he send
+you off with us? You never said you would prosecute<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span>
+him, did you? And there are two other men
+in the boat who never made any threats of that
+kind. I am very sorry that the friendship you
+have exhibited for me should have brought you
+into this trouble. I shall never be able to repay
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't that at all," said the mate, in reply.
+"The captain has always been afraid of me, and he
+was just as anxious to get me off the vessel as he
+was to get you off. I'm not the sort of officer that
+suits him. I have been a foremast hand myself,
+and I can't see the beauty of banging men about as
+if they had no more feeling than so many logs of
+wood. As for sending these two other men with us,
+he had to give the boat a full crew, you know, and
+he put in those against whom he had a grudge."</p>
+
+<p>Frank and the mate talked in this way until
+almost daylight, and then the former called Lucas
+and Barton, who steered the boat and kept her bailed
+out, while Frank and Mr. Gale lay down on the
+thwarts and slept until the sun grew too warm for
+them. It was then nine o'clock. As they had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span>
+breakfast to serve up they took a drink of water all
+around, which seemed to aggravate rather than
+relieve their thirst, the supply the mate allowed
+them being so small; and at one o'clock by Mr.
+Gale's watch, when the Mangrove Islands were in
+plain sight, they emptied the keg.</p>
+
+<p>Propelled by a favorable breeze the boat rapidly
+approached the land, and finally the outlines of the
+shore and the trees on the hill-sides could be easily
+distinguished. Suddenly Mr. Gale arose, and
+standing erect in the stern-sheets, gazed steadily
+into the little bay toward which the boat was heading.
+"She's there!" said he, a moment later.</p>
+
+<p>"The Tycoon?" asked Frank, running his eye
+along the shore in the vain effort to find the object
+that had attracted the officer's attention.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, the Tycoon!"</p>
+
+<p>"Will we go aboard of her, Mr. Gale?" asked
+one of the crew.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, just as straight as we can go. We
+belong to her, don't we?"</p>
+
+<p>The men said nothing in reply, but their actions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span>
+told what was passing in their minds. Some seemed
+delighted, while others beat their open palms with
+their clenched hands, and banged the oars violently
+down on the thwarts. It was plain that Captain
+Barclay had some men in his ship's company who
+would give him serious trouble if they ever found
+the opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>"There's something wrong with her," continued
+the mate, still gazing earnestly at the ship, which
+Frank had at last been able to discover.</p>
+
+<p>"So I was thinking," said the latter. "She's
+close in shore and has her topsails aback. She
+can't be lying-to in there."</p>
+
+<p>"No, she's aground," replied the mate, "and
+they are trying to work her off."</p>
+
+<p>All eyes were now turned toward the ship which
+came rapidly into view as the boat approached the
+shore. It was plain that she was hard and fast
+aground. The crew were running about the deck,
+pulling the yards first one way and then the other,
+in the hope of getting the sails full enough to work
+her off; but the breeze was not sufficiently strong,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span>
+and besides the tide was running out, so that the
+ship was every moment sinking more firmly into
+her bed on the sand bar. Presently one of the
+crew discovered the approaching boat. It was one
+of the Kanakas. He gazed at it a moment, then
+jumped up and clapped his hands, calling out "Galickhee!"
+or some such tongue-twisting name which
+he and his people had bestowed upon the third
+officer. That brought all the crew to the side, where
+they stood waving their hats and shouting out words
+of welcome. Frank and the rest were astonished at
+this reception. Where were Captain Barclay and
+his mates that they permitted the crew to act in this
+way?</p>
+
+<p>"O, Mr. Gale, you're just in time," cried one of
+the men, who answered to the name of Boson, "only
+I wish you had come a little sooner. We're up to
+our necks in trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"Not an officer aboard&mdash;all gone&mdash;the ship a
+thousand miles from water&mdash;or she might as well be,
+she's so hard a-ground, six men dead and the niggers
+thicker than blackberries," chimed in Tully, another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span>
+of the crew, stamping about the deck and swinging
+his arms wildly in the air.</p>
+
+<p>The men in the whale-boat were greatly amazed.
+They clambered over the side with all possible haste,
+each one demanding to know what was the matter.
+The crew shook each of them by the hand as if they
+were overjoyed to meet them once more, and then
+silently directed their attention to different parts of
+the deck, as if telling them to see for themselves
+what was the matter. Frank stood speechless while
+he looked. The deck was in the greatest confusion.
+Harpoons, spades, lances and handspikes were scattered
+about, and with them were mingled curious
+weapons and ornaments that he had never seen
+before, and blubber-knives, cutlasses and muskets
+with the bayonets attached. These last came from
+the ship's armory, and their presence on deck was
+enough to prove that there had been a fight, even
+had other indications been wanting.</p>
+
+<p>A feeble attempt had been made to clear up things
+a little, but the traces that were left of the recent
+contest proclaimed that it had been a severe and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span>
+by no means a bloodless one. Frank ran his eye
+hastily over the crew gathered about him, and saw
+that there were some familiar faces missing&mdash;among
+them those of the captain, his two mates and his old
+enemy, Calamity. What if he had been there when
+the fight came off? Might not he also have been
+among the missing? Perhaps Captain Barclay's
+attempt to get him off his vessel had been the means
+of saving his life.</p>
+
+<p>"What's been going on here, any how?" demanded
+the mate, as soon as he could speak.</p>
+
+<p>A chorus of hoarse voices arose in reply, each one
+trying to give his version of the story, and to make
+himself heard above his companions; but Mr. Gale,
+finding that there was nothing to be learned in that
+way, commanded silence, and pointing to one of the
+crew ordered him to speak for all. The man complied,
+telling his story in regular sailor lingo which
+we put into English as follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>The Tycoon arrived at the island that morning
+about three o'clock, and came to anchor two miles
+outside the bar. The captain, knowing the treacherous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span>
+character of the natives, kept one watch on
+deck until morning, but nothing suspicious being
+seen, the ship stood close in at daylight, and came
+to; after which the water-barrels were got overboard,
+and the captain and first mate set out in
+their boats to tow them ashore. No sooner had the
+crews touched the beach than they were assailed
+by a swarm of natives, who had been lying in
+ambush waiting for them. Almost at the same
+moment two large war canoes filled with savages
+made their appearance, coming from one of the
+numerous little inlets which set into the land from
+the bay. They headed straight for the ship, their
+crews brandishing their lances and clubs, and yelling
+at the top of their lungs.</p>
+
+<p>The sailors on board the Tycoon, who had witnessed
+the massacre of their shipmates without the
+power to aid them, now found themselves called
+upon to provide for their own safety. The second
+mate, who was in command, made an effort to
+bring the ship about and run out of the bay; but
+she struck the bar in going around, running on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span>
+with sufficient force to knock all the crew off their
+feet. They could not run, and their only chance
+for life was to beat off their assailants, who outnumbered
+them five to one. The weapons that were
+left in the arm-chest were quickly brought up, muskets,
+pistols and cartridges to put into them were
+distributed among the crew, lances, harpoons and
+spades placed about the deck in convenient nooks,
+so that they could be readily seized, and by the
+time these preparations were completed, their foes
+were upon them. They made the attack at two
+different points, one canoe running under the
+bow and the other coming alongside at the starboard
+quarter. The sailors met them at both
+places, and the first assault was repulsed. The
+seamen, having the advantage of position, knocked
+their assailants over the side as fast as they could
+climb to the top of the bulwarks, but the natives
+persevered, and overwhelming numbers began to
+tell. They succeeded in gaining a footing on deck,
+and drove the sailors before them toward the waist.</p>
+
+<p>Almost in the beginning of the fight the second<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span>
+mate had been struck down by a lance, and as there
+was no one to direct the movements of the sailors,
+each man fought on his own hook, and did just
+what he thought best, without paying any attention
+to his neighbors. Boson probably saved the day.
+While the sailors were retreating he caught up the
+mate's revolver, which was lying on deck, and turning
+fiercely on his foes fired all the barrels in quick
+succession, every shot striking a native and bringing
+him dead or wounded to the deck. That was
+more than the enemy could endure. Appalled by
+the havoc the six-shooter created, they beat a hasty
+retreat, followed by the sailors, who thinned their
+ranks very perceptibly before they could clamber
+over the side into their boat. As they were about
+to push off, Boson and Tully added a grand finale to
+the victory. The former threw a harpoon at one
+of the natives, which, missing its object, passed
+through the bottom of the boat, knocking a hole in
+her that would have caused her to sink long before
+she could reach the shore, even had Tully not followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span>
+it up, as he did, with the heavy snatch-block,
+which made a complete wreck of her.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy being beaten at the quarter, the
+sailors who defended that part of the ship ran
+to the assistance of their friends in the bow;
+but the fight was over there, also. The natives,
+failing to gain the deck, became discouraged, and
+dropping back into their boat, made all haste to
+reach the shore. Some succeeded, others did not.
+The sailors rushed for their muskets and pistols,
+which they had thrown to the deck after firing their
+contents at the foe, and hastily ramming down cartridges,
+opened fire on the natives. Those of their
+companions who were not provided with these
+weapons, employed themselves in clearing the deck
+of the dead and wounded the savages had left
+behind them, tumbling them all unceremoniously
+over the side, and never looking to see what became
+of them afterward.</p>
+
+<p>The battle being ended, the crew began to look
+about them and make an estimate of their losses.
+They found that six of their number had fallen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>
+beneath the war-clubs and lances of their assailants,
+which, counting in the twelve that had gone ashore
+in the boats, made eighteen men they had lost out
+of thirty-five. Greatly alarmed, disheartened by
+the loss of all their officers, and afraid to risk
+another encounter with their diminished numbers,
+they hastily committed the bodies of their dead companions
+to the deep, and set to work to get the ship
+afloat. They had kept hard at it for more than six
+hours. They had moved her a little, but the tide
+began to fall just at the wrong time, and there she
+was as fast as if she had been nailed to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>The new-comers listened to this story with breathless
+attention. If any evidence was needed to convince
+them of its truthfulness, they found it in the
+frightened faces of the men and the disordered state
+of the deck, which bore unmistakable signs of the
+conflict. Their assailants had left some of their
+property behind them in the shape of lances, war-clubs
+and head-dresses, and close alongside the ship
+floated the wreck of the canoe, which was slowly
+moving out to sea with the tide. A moment later<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span>
+additional and most unexpected evidence was produced.
+A warning exclamation uttered by Lucas,
+under his breath, drew all eyes toward him. Frank
+saw him pick up a lance that happened to be lying
+near, and following the direction of his gaze, saw
+that it was fastened upon a head which was slowly
+rising above the combings of the fore hatch&mdash;a head
+covered with a mass of shaggy hair. It was one
+of the natives, who had no doubt been knocked into
+the hold during the fight, and was now coming up
+to see if the coast was clear, so that he could make
+his escape. Not a man moved. Every one held
+his breath as Lucas raised the long, slender whale-lance
+in the air and held it poised in both hands.</p>
+
+<p>The head was raised slowly, cautiously, inch by
+inch, above the combings of the hatchway, and presently
+a dark-brown forehead and then a pair of eyes
+appeared. At that instant the lance whistled through
+the air. Thrown by a practised hand and flying true
+to its aim, its keen point was buried in the combings
+exactly in range with the spot where the head had
+been a second before. Its owner had seen the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span>
+weapon coming and dodged just in time, but his
+escape was a narrow one.</p>
+
+<p>"Avast, there!" cried a voice from the hold.
+"Ain't you Christians enough to give a white man a
+chance for life and liberty?"</p>
+
+<p>The sailors stood and looked at one another without
+speaking.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c262" id="c262">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">OLD TIMES REVIVED.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap00">"I SAY! on deck, there!" continued the voice.
+"Don't throw any more of them things at me,
+and I'll come up!"</p>
+
+<p>These words aroused the crew. They made a rush
+for the fore-hatch, and when they reached it found
+the owner of the head crouching among the oil
+barrels. Frank looked at him in astonishment, and
+could scarcely believe that he was a white man.
+His only clothing was a pair of tattered trowsers,
+and those portions of his person which were unprotected
+were as brown as sole-leather, made so, no
+doubt, by long exposure to the sun and weather.
+Moreover, his body was profusely tattooed, so that
+at the distance Frank stood from him, he looked
+as though he had on a tight-fitting under-shirt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span>
+of some dark-colored material, with light blue
+slashings.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you, and where did you come from?"
+demanded the mate.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm Chips," replied the man. "I used to be
+carpenter of the whale-ship Mary Starbuck, that
+was wrecked here long ago. It was so long ago,"
+he added, putting his hand to his forehead in a
+bewildered sort of way, "that I have almost forgot
+how it happened."</p>
+
+<p>"Come on deck," said the mate, in a very different
+tone of voice, "and tell us all about it."</p>
+
+<p>A dozen pairs of ready hands were stretched
+down to the prisoner&mdash;for such Frank now knew him
+to be&mdash;and in a moment more he was hoisted out
+of the hold to the deck. Frank had a good view
+of him then, and saw that he really was a white
+man. His long, matted beard, which hung down
+nearly to his waist, had afforded some protection to
+his breast, and the skin beneath it was almost as
+white as his own. The man pulled his forelock
+when he found himself standing in the presence of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span>
+the mate, and gave his trowsers a regular sailor
+hitch.</p>
+
+<p>"I remember hearing of the loss of the Starbuck,"
+said Mr. Gale. "The news reached Nantucket
+just before I sailed; but it wasn't so very
+long ago&mdash;not quite two years."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all, sir? It seems a longer time to
+me," said the man, whom we will call by the name
+he had given. "You're the first white men I've set
+eyes on since then, except those on the island, and
+you can't call them white now. Some of them are
+blacker than I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to say that there are men on that
+island held as prisoners?" asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Four more of 'em, sir, and one has been here,
+as near as he can calculate, about ten years. I
+hope you won't sail without trying to do something
+for 'em, sir. They lead a hard life here."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you happen to be aboard my ship?"
+asked the mate.</p>
+
+<p>"I came off in one of the canoes, sir, and watching
+my chance jumped into the hold. I was willing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span>
+to fight for my liberty, but I was afraid that if I
+tried to join in with you, you would kill me, not
+knowing who I was, and if you didn't the natives
+would, when they saw me trying to desert 'em; and
+I was so anxious to see my home and family once
+more that I didn't dare run any risks."</p>
+
+<p>Chips then went on to tell how he came to be a
+prisoner in the hands of the islanders. His narrative
+would make an interesting chapter by itself;
+but as it has no bearing on our story, and nothing
+to do with the events that happened afterward, we
+condense it into a few sentences. The ship to
+which he belonged was wrecked while lying at the
+island to fill up with water. A furious storm first
+disabled her, so that she could not make an offing,
+and then drove her high and dry upon the bar.
+Only two of the crew succeeded in reaching the
+shore, Chips and another, and they were immediately
+pounced upon by the natives, who carried them
+in triumph to their principal village, which was
+hidden away among the rocky gorges in the interior
+of the island. They found four other prisoners<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span>
+there, and it was owing to their influence that Chips
+was so well received. He was a carpenter, and
+just the man the natives wanted. His companion,
+however, was nothing but a foremast hand, and not
+being of any particular use, he was harshly treated,
+and was often in danger of his life. Being driven
+desperate at last, he seized the first opportunity for
+escape that presented itself, and succeeded, at very
+great risk, in swimming off to a ship that came there
+for water. He warned the captain off, most likely,
+for the vessel went away at once, and it was probably
+through him that the news of the loss of the
+Mary Starbuck was carried to Nantucket. The
+five prisoners who were left were constantly on the
+alert to elude the vigilance of their captors, but
+this was the first opportunity that Chips had ever
+found. He and his companions were allowed the
+freedom of the island until a vessel hove in sight,
+and then they were hurried to the village and kept
+under guard as long as she remained.</p>
+
+<p>Being satisfied at last that there was but one
+way to accomplish his object, Chips made himself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span>
+perfectly at home on the island, acted quite
+contented, and finally succeeded in making the
+natives believe that he had no desire to leave them.
+He became a savage to all intents and purposes.
+He took part in their dances and pow-wows, joined
+in their debates, tried to teach them the use of the
+fire-arms they found on the vessels that fell into
+their hands, and so won their confidence that they
+permitted him to take part in the attack on the
+Tycoon. Watching his chance, while the fight was
+in progress, he slipped into the hold, and there he
+was among his own kind once more.</p>
+
+<p>"And now I hope you'll lend a hand to them
+poor fellows I left behind, sir," said Chips, in conclusion.
+"It can be easy done now, but to-morrow
+it'll be too late. There ain't more'n a hundred
+fighting men on the island, but to-night they'll send
+off canoes after help, and in the morning, if you're
+here, you will have an army of 'em howling about
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"How far is it to the village?" asked Mr. Gale.</p>
+
+<p>"O, you'll not have to go back to the principal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span>
+town, sir," answered Chips. "There's a little fishing
+village right here on the beach, and the natives
+will all be there to-night, holding a grand pow-wow
+and waiting for the help that's coming to-morrow.
+If we can get close to them and give them a volley
+before they know it, they'll run like deer!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why I thought you said they had fire-arms,"
+exclaimed the mate.</p>
+
+<p>"So they have, sir, but it would make you laugh
+to see them use them," said Chips. "They take
+the butt of a gun under their arms, shut their
+eyes and turn away their heads before they pull
+the trigger. They seem to think it is the noise that
+does the damage. All we want, you understand,
+sir, is to drive 'em at the start. They won't run
+far before they'll turn on us, and then they'll fight;
+but by the time they do that, the prisoners will have
+had a chance to take care of themselves, and we
+can be back to our boats. I know just where the
+village is, and can lead you to it in ten minutes
+after we touch the beach."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you don't know anything about those
+boats' crews that went ashore?" said the mate.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. Those who were not killed are prisoners,
+and we'll find them at the village."</p>
+
+<p>The man's proposition was well worth thinking
+over, the mate told himself. He felt that he had a
+duty to perform toward the prisoners in the hands
+of the savages, and he was not the one to shrink
+from it. True, he had a small force to work with,
+but if he acted with promptness and decision when
+the time for action arrived, much might be done.
+"Boys, turn to and straighten up here," said he,
+after a moment's reflection. "Let's make the old
+Tycoon look a little more like herself. Nelson,
+come with me."</p>
+
+<p>The men went to work with a will&mdash;all except
+Lucas, Barton and Chips, who disappeared in the
+forecastle for a few minutes. When they came on
+deck again Chips could hardly have been told from
+the rest of the crew, his tattooed body being clothed
+in a full sailor's rig, and his matted hair covered
+with a new tarpaulin. He lent a hand with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span>
+rest, and soon proved that he had not forgotten how
+to do a seaman's duty.</p>
+
+<p>Frank followed Mr. Gale to the quarter-deck.
+"What do you think of this?" asked the mate.
+"Shall we risk it?"</p>
+
+<p>"By all means," answered Frank, quickly.
+"How would you and I feel if we were held captives
+by these heathen, and some of our own countrymen
+should come here, and, after learning our
+situation, go off without making an effort to help
+us? We may be able to rescue the captain or some
+of his men, if they are still alive."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Gale looked at his companion a little doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"O, I mean it," said Frank, who knew what was
+passing in the officer's mind. "I have no reason to
+like Captain Barclay, and if I could once bring him
+before a court of justice he would suffer for what he
+has done. But this is a different thing. If I get
+the chance, I'll try just as hard to help him as I
+would to help you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose that is the right sort of feeling,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span>
+said the mate, "but it isn't my style, I am free to
+say. A man who has the heart to turn a boat's
+crew adrift on the ocean, doesn't deserve any help
+when he's in difficulty. It's the others I want to
+work for, but here's the trouble: I don't know anything
+about this fighting business."</p>
+
+<p>"I've had a little experience in it," said Frank,
+"and so have Lucas and Barton. They are old
+men-of-war's men, and I know you can depend on
+them. I'll give you all the help I can."</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you boss the job?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I'd rather not. The men will yield you
+more prompt obedience."</p>
+
+<p>"I know a story worth two of that, sir. I ain't
+blind or deaf, either."</p>
+
+<p>After some more conversation it was decided that
+the Tycoon's crew could not leave the island with
+clear consciences unless they made some sort of a
+demonstration in favor of the captives, and Frank
+was finally prevailed upon to take command of the
+expedition. This being settled, the first thing the
+young sailor did was to call Chips aft. He and Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span>
+Gale spent an hour in conversation with him, and
+when the man went forward again Frank held in his
+hands a map of the island, on which the position
+of the fishing village, the situation of every hut in
+it, the shape of the jungle that surrounded it, and
+the location of all the paths that led to it were
+plainly marked. Frank also had a short consultation
+with Lucas, who, when it was over, made his
+way forward again, winking and nodding as he
+always did when he had anything on his mind.
+His companions tried hard to find out what had
+passed between him and the captain, as everybody
+called Frank now; but Lucas, while he seemed to
+grow in size under the pressure of the secret that
+had been committed to his keeping, remained as
+dumb as a tar-bucket.</p>
+
+<p>Everything had now been done that could be done
+before dark&mdash;except getting the boats and weapons
+in readiness&mdash;and Frank recollected that he had
+been at sea for twenty-four hours in an open boat
+without anything to eat, and that he was very hungry.
+Perhaps the savory odors that now and then came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span>
+from the galley recalled this fact to his mind. At
+any rate they brought his appetite back to him, and
+he did ample justice to the abundant meal that was
+soon served up. The captain was not there now to
+superintend the drawing of the provisions, so the
+doctor went into the store-room and helped himself.
+The consequence was that some articles which rightfully
+belonged to the men, but which they had never
+tasted since leaving port, such as beans, flour, dried
+apples and molasses, found their way into the forecastle.
+Each man got an extra cup of coffee&mdash;strong
+coffee, too&mdash;an extra tablespoonful of sugar
+in it, and all he wanted to eat besides. Mr. Gale
+and Frank dined in the cabin and the captain's
+steward waited on them.</p>
+
+<p>"That's all right," said Lucas, when the steward
+told him of it afterward. "Cap'n Nelson's a cap'n
+just as much as Cap'n Barclay, and just as good a
+one, too. Don't I know? He belongs in the cabin
+and at the head of the table, and he's got to stay there
+now. He shan't never come into this forecastle
+again!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After dinner two of the boats were overhauled and
+put in readiness for the expedition, which was to
+leave the ship as soon as darkness settled down to
+hide her from the watchful eyes of those on shore,
+the muskets and pistols were loaded, and a dozen
+rounds of cartridges provided for each man. Of
+course these preparations did not escape the notice
+of the sailors, who knew by them that there was
+work to be done. It soon got abroad that Frank
+was at the head of the affair, and that set Lucas and
+Barton in ecstacies. This made them think of old
+times; and so eager were they for the fight, that
+they almost got up a row with Boson and Tully just
+to get their hands in. They did not neglect, too,
+to make sundry little arrangements with their companions
+in regard to the treatment the captain and
+first mate were to receive in case they were found
+among the prisoners. They would do their best to
+rescue the friends of Chips, but Captain Barclay
+should not come back to the ship, no matter what
+happened. All this, however, was upset by a
+simple order from their wide-awake leader, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span>
+seemed to see everything, know everything and who
+neglected nothing.</p>
+
+<p>The boats and weapons being in readiness, all the
+crew were ordered below to rest and sleep, except a
+boatsteerer's watch, who remained on deck to look
+out for the ship. Even these were permitted to lie
+down on deck, with the exception of one man, whose
+duty it was to keep an eye on the shore, and report
+anything suspicious that he might see going on there.</p>
+
+<p>The men were allowed to sleep until nine o'clock,
+when they were called on deck to prepare for action.
+An abundant and well-cooked supper was served up
+and eagerly devoured by the grateful foremast
+hands, who told one another that if Captain Nelson
+and Mr. Gale were the officers of the ship, they'd
+never have any trouble with their crew, but they
+wouldn't catch much grease. They'd feed their
+men so high that they would get too fat to see a
+spout or pull an oar.</p>
+
+<p>Supper over, the men were mustered on the
+quarter-deck to listen to Frank's plan of the campaign.
+He had made up his mind what ought to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span>
+done and assigned each man a particular duty, giving
+him his orders so plainly that there was no
+possible chance for a misunderstanding. One order
+was, that every hut in the village was to be set on
+fire&mdash;they wanted a light to fight by&mdash;but it must
+first be searched to make sure that it contained no
+prisoners. Some of the boats' crews might be bound
+or severely wounded and unable to help themselves;
+and such unfortunates needed especial care and
+must be looked after by trustworthy men. If any
+wounded were discovered, they must be turned over
+to Lucas and Barton, who would assist them back
+to the boats and remain there to guard them. The
+men thus designated raised their hands to their caps
+and said, "Ay, ay, sir!" but when Frank turned to
+another sailor to give him his orders, they looked
+at each other and scowled fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>"Now here's a go," muttered Barton. "Suppose
+we find the first mate with a lance or something
+through his leg! Eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Or the cap'n," whispered Lucas, in great disgust.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Must we bring him to the boat, carry him like
+he was a blessed little baby, and then watch to
+see that the niggers don't slip around and send
+him to Davy's Locker, where he belongs?" added
+Barton.</p>
+
+<p>"Them's the orders."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care. I won't do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Avast, there! Better not go agin orders when
+they come from <i>him</i>," whispered Lucas, jerking his
+thumb towards Frank. "Besides, didn't he say we
+was men as could be trusted?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, so he did," answered Barton, after thinking
+a moment. "So he did. We can't go back on
+him after that."</p>
+
+<p>Having given his instructions in the plainest language
+he was master of, Frank went back to the
+head of the line and made each man repeat what he
+had said to him, to make sure that he fully understood
+what was required, and then he distributed
+the weapons and ammunition. The Kanakas,
+although as eager for the fight as their white companions,
+declined to accept the muskets that were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span>
+offered them, preferring to use the lances and war-clubs
+the natives had left behind them. It was a
+motley-looking company altogether, Frank told himself,
+after they were all armed and stood awaiting
+his orders&mdash;very unlike the well-provided and well-disciplined
+bluejackets he had been accustomed to
+command on expeditions similar to this.</p>
+
+<p>Everything being in readiness, Frank nodded to
+Mr. Gale, who ordered the boats to be lowered away
+and the crews to tumble into them. Frank took
+every man, knowing that the natives would not
+attack the ship while their homes were in danger.
+When every one was in his place he clambered down
+into one of the boats, Mr. Gale having charge of
+the other, and led the way toward the beach. Arriving
+within a few rods of it the boats were brought
+to a stand still, and Chips slipped noiselessly into
+the water and struck out for the beach, accompanied
+by Lucas, who carried a blubber-knife between his
+teeth. Chips might have been astonished to know
+that Lucas had orders to use the blubber-knife at the
+very first sign of treachery. This was the secret<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span>
+the old boatswain's mate had been carrying all the
+afternoon. Frank believed the story Chips had
+told him, but he was so wary that he neglected no
+precautions to insure the success of the expedition
+and the safety of the men composing it.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of half an hour the two men made
+their appearance again, coming alongside so
+silently that Frank did not see them until they laid
+hold of the gunwale. They reported the coast
+clear. The natives, not dreaming of danger, were
+all at the village, going through some sort of a ceremony
+intended to bring them success in the next
+attack they made on the ship, and which Chips said
+would not be delayed longer than daylight. Frank
+breathed easier now. Chips was not trying to lead
+him into an ambush, and that was one thing off his
+mind.</p>
+
+<p>Slowly and noiselessly the boats approached the
+shore, and when their bows touched the sand the
+crews disembarked. The two men selected to guard
+them promptly took their positions, and the rest
+fell in behind Chips, who led them along a narrow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span>
+path through darkness so intense that Frank, who
+followed close at his heels, was obliged to take hold
+of his clothing in order to keep track of him. Ten
+minutes' walk brought them within sight of a bright
+fire, which they could see shining through the trees
+in front of them. There they stopped. Frank
+whispered to the men as they came up one after
+another, showed them the position of the village, and
+they lost no time in taking up the positions he
+assigned them. When they had all moved off to
+the right and left, Frank, Mr. Gale and Chips
+were left alone. They waited and listened for a few
+minutes, and then moved down the path until they
+obtained a view of the fire. It was a large one,
+and threw out so much light that every hut in the
+village could be distinctly seen. There were about
+two hundred of the natives in sight, men, women
+and children, and some were seated in a circle about
+the fire, while others stood erect, looking intently
+toward the jungle where Frank knew the right of
+his line was taking up its position. Their quick
+ears warned them of the approach of an enemy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>At this moment Frank caught the gleam of a
+bayonet on the extreme left of the line. That told
+him that some of his men were in position, and he
+decided to begin operations at once. He nodded to
+his companions, and instantly three muskets were
+levelled and belched forth their contents in quick
+succession. This was the signal for the attack, and
+it was promptly obeyed. Muskets and pistols
+roared all along the line, and such a chorus of hoarse
+voices arose from the jungle that Frank, had he not
+known just how many men he had at his command,
+would have supposed that there was a small army
+hidden there.</p>
+
+<p>The natives behaved just as Chips said they
+would. The most of them took to their heels at
+once, while the bravest among them lingered long
+enough to fire their muskets. But they discharged
+them any how&mdash;just as they happened to pick them
+up&mdash;and Frank saw that the muzzles of the most
+of them were pointed into the air. No sooner were
+the weapons emptied than the owners threw them
+down and ran for life.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In two minutes' time the sailors were all in the
+now deserted village, and two of the huts had been
+fired by Chips, who showed himself as active as a
+cat. He ran about with a fire-brand in each hand,
+calling loudly on the captives to make all haste to
+reach the beach, telling them they would find boats
+there and men to protect them.</p>
+
+<p>Frank remained in the centre of the line, so that
+he could see all that was going on and direct the
+movements of his men, and it was with no little
+satisfaction that he noted the care with which each
+member of his small company took to carry out the
+instructions given him. Frank did not see that any
+of the natives were killed, but he did see one
+prisoner rescued. He did not get a glimpse of his
+face or of his clothing, but a remark Lucas made
+as he and Barton carried him by in their arms, told
+him who it was. "This ain't such a nice piece of
+business as it might be, sir," said the former, touching
+his cap.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the captain," thought Frank. "That was
+a lucky thought of mine, appointing two of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span>
+worst enemies to take care of him, for they wouldn't
+injure him now for the world. He's badly hurt, too.
+Will he act more like a man now, or be a worse
+tyrant than ever?"</p>
+
+<p>In a very short space of time the whole village
+was in a blaze. The huts being built of bamboo
+and their cone-shaped roofs thatched with dry grass,
+they burned like so much tinder. There was nothing
+more to be done now&mdash;nothing more they could
+do. They had rescued one prisoner, given the
+others a chance to run if they were able to do it,
+and now he must take care of his own men before
+the natives turned on them. The signal to retreat,
+a long, shrill whistle, was as promptly obeyed as the
+signal to attack. The men hurried toward him, and
+throwing their weapons on their shoulders fell in
+behind Chips, who led the way toward the beach at
+a dog trot. Frank ran his eye over the line as it
+moved passed him to see if there was anybody missing,
+and found to his delight that not only were the
+men all there, but also two more rescued prisoners,
+the captain's harpooner and bow-oarsman, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span>
+saluted him as they went by. When the last man
+was in the path, Frank and Mr. Gale fell in and
+brought up the rear. A few minutes' rapid run
+brought them to the beach, and after seeing the
+wounded captain stowed away as comfortably as
+circumstances would permit, Frank ordered the
+crews into the boats, which were pushed off toward
+the ship. There was no pursuit attempted, the
+natives being too badly frightened to rally immediately.
+By the time their expected reinforcements
+arrived, the Tycoon was safe out of their reach.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c285" id="c285">CHAPTER XV.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">FRANK ON THE QUARTER-DECK.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">THE expedition was ended and well ended too,
+Frank told himself. Three men were rescued,
+and that was something to feel glad over. The
+attack was so well planned, and all the details
+carried out so faithfully and energetically, that it was
+entirely successful, and there was not a man missing.
+All the ship's company could be accounted for
+except Gardner&mdash;Frank could not bring himself
+now to think of him by the name he generally bore&mdash;and
+he had doubtless been killed and thrown overboard
+when the natives made their attack on the
+vessel.</p>
+
+<p>While on the way back to the Tycoon Frank had
+much to think about, the principal object of his
+thoughts being the wounded captain. Frank was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span>
+sorry to see him in his present situation, and he
+reproached himself when he reflected that he had
+so long cherished feelings of revenge toward him.
+He had all the while told himself that his feelings
+were not actuated by any desire for vengeance&mdash;that
+he wanted to have the skipper shut up for a
+while, merely to prevent him from serving others as
+he had served himself; but now he knew that
+behind all this was the belief that the captain
+deserved punishment for the offences of which he
+had been guilty, and that he would breathe a good
+deal easier if he could assist in bringing it about.
+That was all past now, however. The skipper
+needed assistance, and that was enough for the
+generous Frank, who felt almost as tender toward
+him as he would have felt toward his cousin Archie,
+had he been in the same situation.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile an animated conversation was going
+on between Mr. Gale and Lucas, who were in the
+other boat with Barton, the coxswain. The third
+mate had been silent and thoughtful for a long time,
+and Lucas asked the reason for it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I was just thinking of what's to come," replied
+Mr. Gale. "Here we have been risking our lives
+to free these men, and what are we going to do with
+them now that we have got them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Take them aboard the ship, sir," said Lucas.</p>
+
+<p>"And what's to be done with the ship? The
+cap'n is of no use now, the first and second mates
+are gone, and so, of course, the ship falls to my
+hands; but she's a bigger load than I can carry."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't worry about that, sir," returned Lucas,
+quickly. "Cap'n Nelson's shoulders are broad, and
+he can carry her."</p>
+
+<p>"Was he ever master of a vessel?" asked Mr.
+Gale.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course he was, sir. Didn't you know it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I heard something about it, but I didn't believe
+it. He don't look like a sailor."</p>
+
+<p>"No more'n he looks like a lawyer or a fighting
+man, sir; but he's all three. When the war was
+going he commanded as fine a brig as ever sailed in
+Farragut's fleet."</p>
+
+<p>"A brig!" echoed Barton. "A ship, you mean.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span>
+Haven't I seen her often? Didn't I see her and
+him too down there in Mobile Bay, the time we had
+the fight with the forts and gunboats? You're
+right I did. The Admiral was going to put him in
+command of a frigate, only the war closed and Cap'n
+Nelson wouldn't stay in the navy."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it was something of that kind," said
+Lucas, who knew just nothing at all about it. He
+and Barton were working to put Frank on the Tycoon's
+quarter-deck, and they did not care how
+many falsehoods they told or what means they used
+to get him there. "He went into a fight once
+and licked the rebels three to one," continued
+Lucas.</p>
+
+<p>"Five to one, you mean," corrected Barton,
+who did not think his friend was saying quite as
+much as could be said in Frank's favor.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it was big odds," returned Lucas, "and
+under them circumstances, sir, you mustn't feel hard
+if we say that we won't serve on the Tycoon under
+nobody but Cap'n Nelson."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't feel hard toward you," said the mate,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span>
+"for I don't want to command her. I am not
+fit."</p>
+
+<p>"No more you be, sir," said Barton, bluntly;
+"but Cap'n Nelson is. We can call him cap'n
+now, and nobody can't say no to us without getting
+his head broke."</p>
+
+<p>Frank, little dreaming of what was passing in
+the other boat, was being carried rapidly ahead by
+the stalwart Kanakas who pulled him, and reached
+the ship a long distance in advance of Mr. Gale.
+As he came alongside he saw two men looking over
+the rail, both of whom Chips recognised, dark as it
+was. They proved to be two wrecked sailors who
+had been held prisoners by the natives, and who
+had taken advantage of the attack on the village
+to run to the beach and swim off to the vessel.
+They were overjoyed to find themselves among
+their own countrymen once more, and almost overwhelmed
+Frank by their exhibition of gratitude.
+But he had no time to listen to them. He simply
+shook hands with them, and then turned his attention
+to the captain.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The wounded man groaned whenever any one
+touched him; but a whip being quickly rigged he
+was hoisted aboard as tenderly as possible, and in
+obedience to Frank's directions was carried into the
+cabin and placed in his bunk. When the steward
+lighted the lamp Frank had a good view of him for
+the first time, and he could hardly bring himself to
+believe that this wreck of humanity was the same
+man he had so often seen on the quarter-deck. He
+was no surgeon, but knowing that something ought
+to be done at once to relieve the captain and stop
+the flow of blood, he set to work to do what he
+could. He cut off the sufferer's coat and shirt with
+his knife, and found three gaping wounds, which
+were enough to have left the life out of any but a
+man of iron, as the captain was. While he was
+bathing them with warm water brought from the
+galley the third mate came in, and Frank was surprised
+to see him remove his hat.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it necessary for me to apologize for coming
+in here under such circumstances as these, without
+an invitation?" asked the amateur doctor.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I guess not, sir," answered the officer, with a
+smile. "From all I can learn you've got the best
+right here."</p>
+
+<p>"How is that? I don't understand you."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the men have put you in as cap'n, and
+say they won't do duty under anybody else."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they have no right to do anything of the
+kind. They don't know what they are talking
+about."</p>
+
+<p>"No, they don't. I'm master of this ship,"
+murmured the wounded man, looking about with the
+old savage glare in his eyes and trying to raise his
+head. "Trice 'em all up, and hang the snatch-block
+to their&mdash;Mr. Gale!" he ejaculated, recognising
+the third mate.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; it's Mr. Gale, come back safe and
+sound, and just as ready to do duty as he was
+before you turned him adrift in that boat," replied
+the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Send the first mate here," said the captain,
+sinking back on his pillow and closing his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't, sir. He went ashore with you and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span>
+hasn't come back yet. The natives made an end
+of him, most likely."</p>
+
+<p>"The second mate, then."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't send him either, sir, because he and the
+first are keeping company now somewhere besides
+on board this ship. The natives harpooned him.
+There's nobody left but me."</p>
+
+<p>"And you ain't worth nothing. You don't know
+how to flog a man."</p>
+
+<p>"If I did, I couldn't do it now, sir. The men
+have taken the ship and put Cap'n Nelson in command.
+I looked for 'em to do it long ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Nelson!" groaned the captain, opening his eyes
+again. "I sent him&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He seemed to recognise the face bending over
+him, and stopped suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"I know you did, sir," said Mr. Gale, "You
+sent him adrift with me; but he's back again, and
+so are Lucas and Barton and all the rest of the
+boat's crew. But I say, cap'n, if you are able to
+do duty, you'd best be giving some orders, for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span>
+tide is about turning, and if the ship is to be worked
+off the bar, now's the time."</p>
+
+<p>The captain made no reply, and neither could
+Mr. Gale induce him to speak again. He lay with
+his eyes closed, and groaned every time a question
+was asked him. The mate scratched his head in
+great perplexity. "What shall I do, sir?" said
+he, looking at Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Do just what you think best," was the reply.
+"This man is in no condition to give orders. Go
+ahead on your own hook."</p>
+
+<p>The mate clapped his hat on his head and hurried
+up the ladder. He found the crew gathered
+in the waist waiting, no doubt, to hear from some
+one in the cabin. "Turn to, lads," said Mr. Gale,
+briskly. "Bear a hand, and get up that small
+kedge for'ard."</p>
+
+<p>"Who give them orders, sir, begging your pardon
+for being curious?" said Lucas. "Did Cap'n Barclay
+or Cap'n Nelson?"</p>
+
+<p>"Cap'n Nelson," replied the mate. "Cap'n Barclay
+ain't fit to command now."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No more was he ever fit to command, sir!" said
+Lucas, who was speaking for all of the men. "But,
+asking your pardon again, sir, I'd just like to have
+a peep at Cap'n Nelson, and see why he don't come
+up and give his own orders, like the master of a ship
+had ought to do. You know that he went into that
+cabin once and didn't come out again very soon,
+don't you? We don't think as much of you, by no
+means, as we did before you had a hand in that
+business."</p>
+
+<p>The mate made no reply. He had set himself
+right with Frank, who was perfectly satisfied that
+he was not to blame for anything that had happened,
+and he would leave him to make the matter straight
+with the men. He stepped aside to allow Lucas to
+pass, and the latter, running down the companion-ladder,
+was amazed to find Frank acting the part of
+Good Samaritan to one whom he had hitherto regarded
+as an enemy. He opened his eyes wide at
+the sight, and Frank thought he was displeased.
+"It's all time wasted, sir," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we must do the very best we can for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span>
+him," was Frank's reply. "If he can only hold
+out till we fall in with some ship carrying a surgeon,
+he will perhaps pull through all right."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you give orders to have the ship worked
+off the bar, cap'n?" asked the boatswain's mate.</p>
+
+<p>"We want to get her off, don't we?" answered
+Frank. "She musn't lie here and be pounded to
+pieces, as she will be if the wind rises."</p>
+
+<p>Lucas went out of the cabin satisfied. He knew
+what ought to be done as well as anybody, but he
+wanted to be sure that the orders came from the
+right source. The men were satisfied too, and went to
+work to get the ship out of her dangerous situation,
+while Frank kept busy with his patient, although he
+believed, with Lucas, that his efforts to save the
+captain's life would be useless. He had nothing to
+work with&mdash;no lint or bandages, and no medicine to
+allay the fever. But the sequel proved that Frank
+did not know what the old sailor meant by his
+remark. The wounded skipper was threatened by
+another danger from which no one on board the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span>
+Tycoon but Frank could protect him&mdash;- the fury of
+the men he had wronged.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of two hours the Tycoon was in deep
+water and standing away from the inhospitable Islands
+with all her canvas spread. Frank had been
+equally successful with the work to which he had
+devoted himself, and now the captain was in a sound
+sleep. While Frank stood watching him, wondering;
+what was to be done when he awoke, since there
+were no medicines aboard except calomel and salts,
+nothing to eat except coarse ship's fare, and nothing
+to drink but the miserable stuff called tea and
+coffee which the cook served up twice each day&mdash;while
+Frank was thinking about this, and wishing
+he could get inside the Stranger's pantry long
+enough to secure some of the delicacies he knew to be
+stowed away there, he was aroused by a great hubbub
+which suddenly arose on deck. He heard the
+stamping of feet and loud yells of triumph, mingled
+with cries of, "Here's one of 'em. Pitch him
+overboard!" A moment later the mate's voice was
+heard in tones of remonstrance, to which some one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span>
+replied: "If you don't go aft where you belong and
+mind your own business, you'll go over too!"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Gale evidently thought that the man, whoever
+he was that said this, was in earnest, for Frank
+heard him running along the deck, and saw his pale
+face appear at the top of the companion ladder.
+"Come up, cap'n," he cried, in great excitement;
+"the men are going to throw Calamity overboard!"</p>
+
+<p>Frank lingered just long enough to slap his
+pockets, to make sure that the pistols he had carried
+during the attack on the village were still there, and
+then went up the stairs in three jumps. He saw a
+group of men in the waist, who were pushing and
+crowding one another about, and caught just one
+glimpse of the pale face of Gardner, who was in the
+midst of them, and resisting to the utmost the efforts
+that were being made to drag him to the side. He
+saw at a glance that Boson and Tully were the
+ringleaders, and the ones who had seized the frightened
+man; and he was sorry to see, too, that Lucas
+and Barton were there and making no effort to
+restrain their companions, although they took no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span>
+part in the proceeding. The peaceable Kanakas
+were standing in a body on the forecastle and looking
+on in great amazement.</p>
+
+<p>With three jumps more Frank was in the waist,
+standing between the men and the rail, and Mr.
+Gale was at his side. "Lucas! Barton!" he cried,
+"come over to this side the deck."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, cap'n?" began Lucas.</p>
+
+<p>"No words," interrupted Frank. "You and
+Barton come over to this side of the deck, and be
+quick about it."</p>
+
+<p>The sailors obeyed, and the change in their positions
+seemed to make a corresponding change in
+their feelings, for the next order Frank gave was
+responded to without an instant's hesitation.
+"Lucas, take hold of Boson. Barton, grab Tully
+and drag him away. Gardner, go into the cabin!"</p>
+
+<p>It was wonderful how quickly and easily one
+calm, determined spirit controlled those angry men.
+The trouble was ended at once. Boson let go his
+hold and slunk away at the sight of Lucas's big fist,
+which was brandished before his eyes, and Tully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span>
+was equally active in giving ground before the
+broad-shouldered Barton. Gardner, finding himself
+at liberty, went down the companion-ladder like a
+flash, banging the door behind him.</p>
+
+<p>"I am surprised at you, men," said Frank,
+sternly, and there was not one among them who
+could look him in the eye. "If you had succeeded
+in accomplishing your object, what would you have
+said for yourselves when you got ashore? Boson,
+you are the largest and strongest man in the crew.
+Take your stand at the top of that ladder and knock
+the first one down who attempts to go into the
+cabin without Mr. Gale's permission."</p>
+
+<p>This stroke of policy on Frank's part won him a
+fast friend on the spot&mdash;one who might otherwise
+have been an enemy, and kept the crew in a constant
+uproar. He was a turbulent fellow, this Boson,
+and one of the few sailors Frank had met who
+seemed to need a handspike or belaying-pin over
+his head about once a day to keep him in order.
+His appearance was enough to frighten some men,
+and was a good index of his character. He had a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span>
+most repulsive countenance, a small bullet-shaped
+head, always kept closely cropped and set on a
+thick, muscular neck, and a form betokening immense
+physical power. And indeed he possessed
+it. He could handle an eighteen-foot oar as if it
+were a feather, and when he laid out his strength,
+he fairly made things snap. His whole body was
+seamed and scarred by wounds he had received in
+fights and from the officers he had sailed under, and
+Frank had seen him knocked flat with a handspike
+which seemed to make no more impression on his
+thick skull than it would on the mast. This was
+the man of whom Frank had been wise enough to
+make a friend.</p>
+
+<p>Boson looked at him in amazement, evidently at
+a loss to decide whether Frank was in earnest or
+not; but making up his mind at last that he was,
+he marched off, and taking the position assigned
+him, looked defiantly at the crew, as if daring them
+to come on.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was surprised at the ease with which the
+disturbance had been quelled, and so was Mr. Gale.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span>
+It leaked out afterward that the former's prompt
+action had prevented serious trouble. Lucas made
+no idle threat when he said that the captain and
+Calamity were both to go overboard. The latter
+had been hiding in the hold among the oil barrels.
+He went there when he saw the natives approaching
+to make their attack on the ship, and no one
+missed him until the fight was over, and the sailors
+began to look around to see how many they had
+lost. Not finding Calamity among the slain, they
+concluded that he had either jumped overboard, or
+been wounded and thrown over; but he had been
+safely concealed in the hold all the while. Finding
+at last that the ship was in motion, he came out of
+his hiding-place to see what was going on, and must
+have been astonished at the reception extended to
+him. After he had been disposed of, the skipper's
+turn was to come next. The desperate men counted
+on meeting with opposition and perhaps resistance
+from Mr. Gale and Frank, but expected to overcome
+it very easily. They knew Mr. Gale, but
+found they did not know Frank. Had the latter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span>
+been as easily cowed as the third mate was, something
+certainly would have happened.</p>
+
+<p>Quiet being restored, Mr. Gale and Frank walked
+aft together, and the crew seeing them in earnest
+conversation, leaned over the rail and waited to learn
+what would come next. "I suppose the first business
+is to decide who we want for officers," said
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so, sir," replied Mr. Gale.</p>
+
+<p>"You are entitled to the captain's berth, of course.
+That's settled."</p>
+
+<p>"No it ain't, sir," returned the mate, quickly.
+"This is the first voyage I ever made as an officer,
+and I know no more about navigation than I do
+about the moon."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let me act as your sailing-master."</p>
+
+<p>"The men won't agree to it, sir. They said so."</p>
+
+<p>Then the mate went on to repeat the conversation
+that had taken place between Lucas, Barton and
+himself, at which Frank laughed heartily. "Why
+they are very much mistaken," said he. "The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span>
+largest sailing vessel I ever commanded was a
+pleasure yacht."</p>
+
+<p>"No odds, sir. They've got it in their heads
+that you must command them now that the old man
+is done for, and there'll be a row if you don't.
+You have seen what they are when they get
+started."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll tell you what we'll do," said Frank,
+after thinking a moment. "We'll leave it to them;
+and after they have selected their officers we'll draw
+up a paper containing a full history of everything
+that has happened since leaving Honolulu, and ask
+them to sign it. These matters must be looked into
+by the consul, and we want to be all right in law,
+you know."</p>
+
+<p>In accordance with this suggestion, the mate
+mustered the men on the quarter-deck and made
+them a little speech. He told them that there must
+be somebody at the head of affairs, and that as the
+officers were all gone except himself, others must
+be selected. In the first place they must all agree
+to be bound by the decision of the majority, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span>
+faithfully promise to obey those placed over
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll all obey Cap'n Nelson," exclaimed Boson,
+before the mate was fairly done speaking.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Cap'n Nelson! Cap'n Nelson!" cried a
+chorus of hoarse voices. "Nobody else!"</p>
+
+<p>There was not a dissenting voice; so Frank could
+no longer refuse to accept the responsibility. He
+was amused to see that Lucas and Barton, while
+supporting Boson's nomination, looked savagely at
+him, as if they would have been glad to knock him
+down for speaking in such a hurry. They wanted
+to bring Frank forward themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"Cap'n Nelson, I give place to you, sir," said
+Mr. Gale.</p>
+
+<p>The men greeted the young commander with
+cheers as he stepped forward, no doubt expecting
+him to make them a speech; but Frank did nothing
+of the kind. He told them that the next business
+was to select a first mate, and at his suggestion Mr.
+Gale was chosen by a unanimous vote. Lucas was
+put in for second, and Boson, who was a fine sailor,
+if he was a quarrelsome fellow, for third mate; and
+when the men were dismissed every one of them
+seemed satisfied.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+     <img src="images/ill-304.jpg" width="400" height="279"
+         alt=""
+         title="" />
+     <div class="caption"><p class="pc"><span class="smcap">Frank chosen Captain of the Tycoon.</span></p>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank at once went below to look at his patient,
+leaving Mr. Gale in charge of the deck. The captain
+lay with his eyes closed, rolling his head from
+side to side, and Calamity was fanning him with
+his hat. The latter started up in alarm as Frank
+entered.</p>
+
+<p>"It is no one who is going to harm you,"
+said he. "I hope you see now what you have
+brought upon yourself by your way of doing business.
+Let it be a lesson to you."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall never dare to go into the forecastle
+again," whined Calamity.</p>
+
+<p>"You needn't go in there. You will stay here
+as the captain's nurse."</p>
+
+<p>This order seemed to relieve the frightened man.
+Through the open skylights he had heard all that
+passed on deck, and he was afraid that Frank,
+having the authority to do so, would order him to
+go forward where he belonged.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank slept but little that night. The responsibilities
+of his new position weighed on his mind, and
+he came on deck every hour to see that things were
+going straight. The first real duty he performed as
+captain was to ascertain whereabouts in the wide
+world the ship was, and this he did the next day by
+an observation. She was directly in the track of
+vessels bound from Australia to the Pacific ports
+of the United States, and he decided to cruise about
+for a few days in the hope of meeting some ship
+that carried a surgeon. Without medical assistance
+he was afraid that the captain might not live until
+the ship reached Honolulu, which, according to his
+calculations, was more than fifteen hundred miles
+distant.</p>
+
+<p>The observation made, dinner over and the table
+cleared away, Frank busied himself for an hour or
+two in drawing up papers for the men to sign; and
+when that was done, he took a few minutes to think
+over the various incidents that had operated to
+place him in his present position. The most exacting
+old sea-dog could hardly have found fault with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span>
+the way affairs were going now. The weather-side
+of the quarter-deck was reserved for the captain,
+who for an hour paced up and down there with his
+hands behind his back, and as free from intrusion
+as a monarch on his throne. The officers were alert
+and watchful, the crew seemed to have settled down
+to the new order of things as if they had been
+accustomed to them all their lives, and never in her
+best days under her old commander had the Tycoon
+looked more ship-shape. Frank wished the crew
+had put Mr. Gale in his place, and left him to act
+as sailing-master; but since they had seen fit to do
+differently, he would perform his duty as best he
+could. He knew every rope and sail in the ship,
+was possessed of excellent judgment, which was the
+one great thing needed, and the captain's sextant
+came as handy to him as a fishing-rod or double-barrel;
+so he was not so very unfit for the position
+he held after all. How Archie and the rest of the
+friends he had left on the Stranger would open their
+eyes if they could see him in that dress and know
+that he was the master of that fine ship! For the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span>
+first time in a long while Frank allowed his thoughts
+to wander back to them, and the consequence was
+he became homesick. Yes, homesick; for the
+cabin of the Stranger had been his home for almost
+eight months, and had he kept out of the way of
+the bogus captain, it might have been his home yet.
+Where was the schooner now, and what were those
+aboard of her doing? Perhaps she was sailing
+about over the Pacific in search of the Tycoon!
+This thought aroused Frank from his reverie, and
+caused him to straighten up and look about as if he
+expected to see something. If the Stranger followed
+the Tycoon to the Sandwich Islands, would
+not Uncle Dick ascertain when he got there that
+she had shipped a crew and started for the Japan
+station? And would he not sail again immediately
+and try to find her?</p>
+
+<p>"Sail ho!" shouted the man at the mast-head.
+"Where away?" demanded the captain, greatly
+excited.</p>
+
+<p>"Two points off the lee bow, sir. Steamer."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Dear me! why did he say steamer?" thought
+Frank. "I'd rather he'd have said topsail schooner."</p>
+
+<p>No doubt he would, especially if the schooner
+proved to be the Stranger. Still he was glad to
+know that there was a steamer near, for he would
+be relieved of one cause of anxiety if he could only
+intercept her. He would bring her doctor aboard,
+and perhaps he could do something for the captain.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2 class="p4"><a name="c310" id="c310">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h2>
+
+<p class="pch">CONCLUSION.</p>
+
+<p class="drop-cap04">Frank went aloft with his glass, and after
+watching the steamer for a few minutes made
+up his mind that if he held on his way she would
+cross his path at such a distance that he could not
+speak her; so he altered the Tycoon's course a few
+points, and for several miles ran almost parallel
+with the approaching craft. This manœuvre was
+successful, and by sunset the two vessels were
+within hailing distance. After seeing one of the
+boats cleared for lowering and the crew ready to
+tumble into her, Frank came to while the steamer
+was yet a half a mile away; and this attracting the
+attention of her captain, he ran under a slow bell
+until within speaking distance, when he stopped his
+engines. His vessel was a fine large mail steamer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span>
+and her promenade deck was crowded with passengers.</p>
+
+<p>"Steamer ahoy!" yelled Frank, through his
+trumpet. "Will you wait for me to send a boat
+aboard of you? We are in need of medical assistance."</p>
+
+<p>A reply in the affirmative promptly came back,
+and five minutes afterward a whale-boat, manned by
+a sturdy crew steered by Frank, was pulling toward
+the steamer.</p>
+
+<p>Up to this time Frank's mind was fully occupied
+with thoughts of the wounded captain; but now it
+occurred to him that he was not in just the right
+dress to present himself before a company of ladies
+and gentlemen. Clothed in a red shirt, coarse
+trowsers, heavy boots, all plentifully spattered with
+oil, a tarpaulin, which, although but a short time out
+of the slop-chest, began to show signs of wear, and
+with hands and face browned by exposure, he was
+not the most attractive looking young man in the
+world, and he thought he looked worse when in the
+presence of the dapper young officer who met him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span>
+at the gangway. The well-dressed people on deck
+gave him plenty of room as he walked along, but the
+gray-headed captain came forward and greeted him
+cordially. "What did you say you wanted, sir?"
+said he. "A doctor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. There's a man aboard that ship in a
+critical condition. We had some trouble with the
+natives at the Mangrove Islands, and he's badly
+wounded."</p>
+
+<p>A chorus of ejaculations and questions arose from
+the passengers who crowded eagerly forward, and
+Frank could have told his story to a most attentive
+and interested audience if he had only had time;
+but the captain sent off at once for the surgeon, who
+made his appearance before he was fairly begun.
+To him Frank described the nature of the captain's
+injuries as well as he could, and when he had heard
+all Frank could tell him, he provided himself with
+medicine and instruments, got into the whale-boat
+and was taken on board the Tycoon. He remained
+there nearly three hours&mdash;so long that some of the
+gentlemen among the steamer's passengers became<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span>
+impatient at the delay, called on Frank for a boat,
+and came off to see what the "blubber-hunter"
+looked like. The young captain met them as they
+came over the side, and was amused at the look of
+astonishment that settled on their faces when they
+found themselves fairly on her deck.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, if I had known that you kept your craft
+as neat as this, I should have brought my wife and
+daughter along," said one of the gentlemen, running
+his finger over the rail and closely examining it to
+make sure that there was no oil on it. "I expected
+to find myself knee-deep in grease. I have seen
+whalers come into port before now, and they were
+such horrible looking things outside, that I supposed,
+they could not be very tidy on deck."</p>
+
+<p>"They are not always, sir," said Frank, "especially
+when they are cutting in and trying out. They
+often spend eight months and more out of sight of
+land, and the men are so busy with other work that
+they can't find time to keep the ship as neat and
+trim as a merchantman or man-of-war."</p>
+
+<p>The visitors having satisfied themselves that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span>
+were in no danger of soiling their good clothes, began
+to exhibit a lively interest in what they saw
+about them. Frank showed them over the ship,
+explained the use of the try-works, harpoons, lances
+and all the other implements connected with a
+whaler's calling, and related the particulars of the
+fight they had had with the natives at the Mangrove
+Islands; and so engrossed did his listeners become
+that they were sorry when the doctor came out of
+the cabin and announced that he was ready to depart.
+He told Frank what he had done for the
+wounded man, and said that, although he was so
+badly used up that it might take him some months
+to fully recover from the effects of his injuries, there
+were no bones broken, and his life was in no
+danger, if the remedies he left for him were faithfully
+administered according to the directions he
+had given the captain's attendant. The doctor and
+the passengers were then taken on board their vessel
+by one of the whale-boats, and when it returned
+and was hoisted at the davits, the Tycoon
+filled away for the Sandwich Islands.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was wonderful what a change the doctor's visit
+made in the wounded man! He seemed to grow
+better immediately. Frank found him in earnest
+conversation with Calamity. When it was ended
+the latter came out with the request that Mr. Gale
+might be sent to the captain when he was off duty,
+if Frank had no objection. Of course he had none.
+The first mate was sent for at once, and remained
+in conversation with the captain for more than an
+hour. When he came out he went straight to
+Frank, who was pacing the quarter-deck. "How
+is he now?" asked the latter.</p>
+
+<p>"O, he's all right that is, his tongue is as lively
+as ever. He wants me to act as mediator between
+you and him."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no occasion for it," answered Frank.
+"There are no hard feelings on my part."</p>
+
+<p>"I was sure of it, sir. Calamity has told him
+everything, and he would be perfectly satisfied with
+the way matters have been arranged, if it wasn't
+for the fear that you helped rescue him from the
+natives, and brought the doctor off to save his life,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span>
+so that you might have the chance to take him before
+the court at Honolulu."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps if he knew me better he would not
+have so poor an opinion of me," returned Frank.
+"I don't deny that if I could have got him there
+two days ago, I should have made trouble for him.
+Indeed I told him so to his face. But that is all
+over now."</p>
+
+<p>"He has been punished enough, hasn't he, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think he has. You may assure him for me,
+in the plainest language you can command, that I
+shall not trouble him in any way. On the contrary,
+I will do what I can to make him comfortable."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell him, sir. He wanted me to ask two
+favors of you: one is, that you will put him on
+board the first ship you meet bound for the States.
+He's afraid of the men, sir. Calamity told him
+that they were going to throw him overboard."</p>
+
+<p>"He has nothing to fear from them, but I'll respect
+his wishes all the same. What else does he
+want me to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"He hopes that while you are looking out for a sail,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span>
+you will keep an eye open for whales and lose no
+chance for filling up. We stow twenty-five hundred
+barrels, and here we have been out nearly seventeen
+months and haven't taken a quarter of that quantity.
+It looks now as though we were not going to
+make a paying voyage."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do the best I can," replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>And he did. The ship lay-to that night with
+only a boatsteerer's watch on deck, and the next
+morning business began in earnest. A whale was
+discovered before breakfast, and three boats in
+command of Mr. Gale, Lucas and Boson were sent
+out after him, Frank remaining in charge of the
+ship. The prize was secured without much trouble,
+and while it was lying alongside, and the men, having
+prepared themselves for work by eating a good
+breakfast, were about to begin the cutting in,
+another was raised, and by three o'clock that also
+was alongside, and the carpenter was at work on a
+stove boat. This whale fought hard, but there was
+nobody hurt.</p>
+
+<p>This was only the beginning. The blubber-room<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span>
+was never entirely empty, and during the next three
+weeks four hundred barrels of oil were added to
+those in the hold. Of course the labor was severe,
+the crew being small, but the men had plenty to
+eat, were kindly treated and the amount of work
+they turned off was surprising. Calamity kept the
+captain posted in all that was going on, and he
+growled lustily&mdash;being an old sailor he couldn't
+help it&mdash;and wondered why he had not been blessed
+with such luck, and why the crew had not worked
+as well for him as they did for the new captain.</p>
+
+<p>One bright morning, following a hard night's
+work at trying-out, while Frank was leaning over
+a water-bucket, rubbing his hands and face with a
+piece of hard soap, the man at the mast-head
+announced that there was a sail in sight, and in
+response to the usual inquiry, added: "Broad off
+the wheather beam. Topsail schooner. Sets low
+in the water and spreads lots of canvas."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you hear that, Lucas?" cried Frank, gazing
+about through eyes that were almost hidden in soap
+suds. "Jump up there, quick!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The latter cleared his eyes by the aid of a piece
+of canvas that served him for a towel, and watched
+the movements of the old boatswain's mate as he
+hurried aloft. He saw him level his glass, hold it
+to his eye for a moment and then begin to scramble
+down again. That was enough for Frank. "Mr.
+Gale," said he, so delighted and excited, that he
+could hardly stand still, "my connection with the
+Tycoon is nearly ended now. My friends are close
+by."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad for your sake, sir, and sorry for my
+own," replied the mate. "We've had a pleasant
+ship and the best of luck since you've been on the
+quarter-deck."</p>
+
+<p>"And I have been very well contented," said
+Frank; "but I wasn't while I was in the forecastle,
+I tell you. It isn't often that a shanghaied man
+becomes master of the ship that runs away with
+him, is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I never heard the like before, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"And probably you never will again. Well,
+Lucas!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It's the Stranger, sir! I can tell her among a
+million!" replied the second mate, no less delighted
+than his captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Breakfast is on, sir," announced the steward.</p>
+
+<p>Frank did not want any, but he made a show of
+eating nevertheless. He drank a cup or two of a
+decoction of parched beans which the steward called
+coffee, swallowed a few mouthfuls of salt horse and
+hard-tack, and then hurried on deck to tell the
+officer on watch to see one of the boats clear for
+lowering, and to have a crew, whom he mentioned
+by name, ready to pull him off to the schooner.
+After that he gave his black suit a good overhauling;
+but it had seen pretty hard service before he
+drew any clothing from the slop-chest, and he decided
+that it would not do to put on. Then he took
+a look at himself in the little mirror that was
+screwed fast to one of the bulkheads in the cabin,
+and told himself that Boson was a beauty compared
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what's the difference?" thought Frank.
+"If any of those boys had been in my boots they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span>
+would look just as rough and weather-beaten as I
+do."</p>
+
+<p>With this reflection to console him Frank hurried
+on deck again, and taking the glass Lucas offered
+him, levelled it at the schooner, which was now
+close aboard. Almost the first man he saw was
+Dick Lewis. Frank's heart leaped at the sight
+of him. He had supposed that the two trappers
+were safe in the mountains long before this
+time, but now he would have a chance to shake
+them by the hand once more before he bade them
+good-by for ever. He wondered how they had conquered
+their fears sufficiently to venture out to sea.
+He saw Uncle Dick Gaylord and his two officers on
+the quarter-deck, and the Club gathered in the
+waist, every one of them with his field-glass in his
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course they will recognise the ship, but they
+will never know me in this dress," thought Frank.
+"And I don't think they'll be able to make much
+out of my hail either."</p>
+
+<p>Frank kept out of sight until the ship's main<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span>
+yard was backed and the schooner thrown up into
+the wind; then he showed himself.</p>
+
+<p>"What ship is that?" yelled a stentorian voice,
+that Frank could have recognised anywhere.</p>
+
+<p>"The whale ship Eli Coon, Hank Wilson master.
+Seventeen months out of Nantucket and nine hundred
+barrels of oil in the hold. I think that
+bothered them a little, Mr. Gale. I see they are
+talking very earnestly. Is that crew ready? I'll
+send a boat aboard of you," he added, hailing the
+schooner.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Uncle Dick, in a tone
+of voice which indicated that he did not understand
+the matter at all.</p>
+
+<p>Lucas, Barton, Boson and Tully, all good oarsmen,
+comprised the boat's crew, and they were not
+long in taking their captain alongside the schooner.
+Seeing that the Club and Uncle Dick kept their
+glasses levelled at him, Frank drew his hat low over
+his forehead, and thanked the wind for turning the
+collar of his shirt up around his ears. He laughed
+to himself when he thought how amazed his friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span>
+would be to see him in those clothes and learn that
+he was the captain of the Tycoon&mdash;he who had
+been shanghaied and thrust into her forecastle to
+do duty as a common sailor! He thought he could
+have some sport with the schooner's company, and
+run no risk of being recognised. After comparing
+his reckoning with Uncle Dick's, he would slap the
+boys on the back and take all sorts of liberties
+with them, and see what they would do about it.
+But Dick Lewis upset all these calculations in short
+order. His sharp eyes penetrated Frank's disguise,
+and no sooner did his head appear above the
+schooner's rail than he was hauled aboard, lifted
+bodily from the deck and carried aft. He struggled
+hard to free himself, but the trapper held him fast,
+and finally stood him on his feet in front of
+Uncle Dick, just as he had done with the bogus
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" demanded Frank, in a
+gruff voice. "If this is the way you treat your
+visitors, sir, I'll go back where I belong!"</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Dick stared at Frank, who tried to look<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span>
+angry, but his eyes laughed in spite of himself.
+"Nelson!" he exclaimed, at a venture.</p>
+
+<p>"That's jest who he are, cap'n," cried the
+trapper, bringing his heavy hand down on Frank's
+shoulder with such force that he shook all over.
+"Whiskers and all, that's him."</p>
+
+<p>It was all out now, and Frank's little plan was
+exposed. Of course a great hubbub arose at once,
+and Frank judged by the greeting he received that
+his friends were just as glad to see him as he was to
+see them. Lucas and Barton met with an equally
+cordial reception from their friends in the forecastle,
+who were not a little surprised to find that one of
+them had worked his way to the quarter-deck during
+his absence.</p>
+
+<p>Frank had a long story to tell, and it took him
+a long time to tell it. When it was ended, Uncle
+Dick and the Club had a good many questions to
+ask, and it took a long time to answer them; so
+that the two vessels remained alongside the greater
+part of the day. During that time boat's crews
+were exchanged, some of the schooner's company<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span>
+going off to visit the ship, and some of her crew
+coming back to visit the Stranger.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the conversation began to flag Frank
+spoke of the needs of the wounded captain, asking
+for some of the good things with which the Stranger
+was so amply provided; but Uncle Dick had something
+better to propose. "Write an order to your
+mate to send him off here," said he. "I have a
+medicine-chest, plenty of lint and bandages, and
+long experience has made me a passable physician
+and surgeon. I can take better care of him than
+you can, and perhaps he will feel easier when he is
+out of reach of his men."</p>
+
+<p>Frank was only too glad to accept this kind offer,
+for he knew that the wounded man would be benefited
+by the change. He sent off an order to Mr.
+Gale, and half an hour afterward Captain Barclay
+was comfortably settled in the Stranger's cabin.
+He was delighted with his elegant quarters, and
+repeatedly declared that he did not deserve the
+treatment he received. If he was ever able to take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span>
+the quarter-deck again he would be a different
+man.</p>
+
+<p>His story told and all questions asked and
+answered, the young captain made ready to return
+to his ship. Of course all the boys went with him.
+Frank warned them that he could not give them
+such food or such quarters as they had on board the
+Stranger, but they didn't care for that. They
+wanted to see the Tycoon, and they made Frank
+promise, over and over again, that if the opportunity
+were offered, he would show them the operation of
+catching a whale. The Club tried to induce the
+trappers to go with them, but their entreaties and
+arguments fell on deaf ears. Dick and Bob knew
+that the Stranger was a safe boat, but they did not
+like to trust the Tycoon, and so thought it best to
+remain where they were.</p>
+
+<p>"Brace for'ard main yard," said Frank, when
+all the whaler's boats had been hoisted at the davits.
+"Eugene, you said you couldn't understand how it
+came that you reached the Sandwich Islands three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span>
+days after we did. Now I'll show you. Set studding
+sails, Mr. Gale."</p>
+
+<p>Eugene very soon found out why it was. The
+Stranger was considered to be remarkably swift for
+a small vessel, but the big Tycoon sailed two miles
+to her one, and at daylight the next morning the
+schooner was out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>Frank being impatient to reach Honolulu, did
+not go out of his way to find whales. According to
+promise he kept the mast-head manned, but to no
+purpose. The boys watched and waited in the hope
+of hearing the welcome cry, "There she blows!"
+but not a whale was to be seen. Mr. Gale told
+them that the reason was because they offered no
+inducement. It was the practice of whalers under
+such circumstances as these, he said, to put up a
+prize of some kind to go to the man who discovered
+the first spout. He had known a whale to rise in
+less than two minutes after a pair of trowsers had
+been hung up in the rigging.</p>
+
+<p>"O, if that's the trouble, we'll raise so many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span>
+that you won't know which to go after first," said
+Archie; "who's got any money?"</p>
+
+<p>All the boys happened to have a little in their
+pockets, and by clubbing together they raised sufficient
+to purchase one of the best suits of clothing
+in the slop-chest&mdash;hat, boots and all&mdash;which was
+hung up in plain view of the crew. But the offer
+of a dozen suits would not have enabled the men to
+see whales where there were none, and Frank took
+the ship into Honolulu without having the opportunity
+to gratify his friends, who were greatly disappointed.
+The Stranger was not in port, but she
+came shortly afterward, and by that time the Tycoon's
+business was settled. She passed through
+the consul's hands, the crew were paid off and discharged
+and a new captain assumed command and
+made ready to take her to the States. As soon as
+the Stranger came in, Uncle Dick's charge was carried
+to the hospital, and Frank never heard of him
+afterward. He never heard of Mr. Gale either
+after he took leave of him. The last time he saw
+him he was second mate of the Tycoon.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>One incident happened on board the Stranger
+that is worth recording. It was noticed that after
+Captain Barclay was brought on board, Dick Lewis
+acted more like himself than he had done for many
+a day.</p>
+
+<p>It was observed, too, that he often went through
+a most expressive pantomime, which was easily
+understood by those who witnessed it. One morning
+the captain came out of his cabin and found
+him standing at the top of the companion ladder,
+where he had been often seen of late. "Why
+do you hang around here so much?" asked Uncle
+Dick.</p>
+
+<p>The trapper pushed his hat on the back of his
+head, shoved up his sleeves until his brawny arms
+were bare to the elbow, spread out his feet, placed
+his hands on his hips and looked at the captain.
+"When is that mean varmint comin' up?" said he.
+"I owe him a leetle something, an' I'm in an amazin'
+hurry to pay it!"</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Lewis, you needn't worry about him,"
+said Uncle Dick. "He's having as much punishment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span>
+as he can stand. Frank heaped hot coals
+of fire on his head every day for three weeks, and
+I am following up the same treatment."</p>
+
+<p>"Sho!" exclaimed the trapper, looking doubtfully
+at Captain Gaylord.</p>
+
+<p>"It is as true as gospel."</p>
+
+<p>Dick could not refuse to believe it after so strong
+an affirmation as this. He grinned all over with
+delight, and taking the sailor's sturdy palm in his
+long, bony fingers, gave it a shake and a squeeze
+that made the captain wince and lift one of his feet
+a little way from the deck. Then Dick hurried off
+to find his chum.</p>
+
+<p>"It's all right, Bob," said he, gleefully. "I
+didn't know civilized folks done sich things, but the
+cap'n's scalpin' that feller in a way the Injuns
+never thought of. He's pilin' fire on his head
+every day."</p>
+
+<p>This piece of news, while it greatly surprised both
+the trappers, afforded them the liveliest satisfaction.
+The kidnapper was being fearfully punished for
+what he had done, and they told one another that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span>
+he deserved it. Dick did not hang around the cabin
+door any more, but he kept his eyes open, and as he
+never saw any fire carried below, he began to grow
+suspicious.</p>
+
+<p>When the Stranger arrived in the port of Honolulu
+and he saw preparations being made to take the
+captain ashore, he resolved to investigate things a
+little, just to satisfy himself. Watching his chance,
+while the wounded man was being carried across
+the deck to be lowered into the boat, he dashed
+forward and lifted the hat from his head. To his
+intense surprise and chagrin the captain's scalp was
+all there, and his hair did not look as if it had
+ever been near a fire. Knowing nothing of the
+Christian principle of returning good for evil, the
+trapper supposed that Captain Gaylord had been
+piling literal coals on his patient's head every day.
+It took Uncle Dick a long time to explain things,
+and the backwoodsman never had as much faith in
+him after that.</p>
+
+<p>Having restored Frank to the society of his
+friends once more, we will take leave of him for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span>
+present, promising to say more of him soon in the
+concluding volume of this series, which will be entitled:
+"<span class="smcap">The Boy Traders; or, The Sportsman's
+Club among the Boers</span>."</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+<div class="transnote p4">
+<p class="pc large">TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:</p>
+<p class="ptn">&mdash;Obvious print and punctuation errors were corrected.</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK NELSON IN THE FORECASTLE***</p>
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