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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: The Cruise of the Training Ship - Or, Clif Faraday's Pluck - - -Author: Upton Sinclair - - - -Release Date: August 14, 2021 [eBook #66062] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRUISE OF THE TRAINING SHIP*** - - -E-text prepared by Tim Lindell, Martin Pettit, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images digitized by the -Google Books Library Project (http://books.google.com) and generously made -available by HathiTrust Digital Library (https://www.hathitrust.org/) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustration. - See 66062-h.htm or 66062-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/66062/66062-h/66062-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/66062/66062-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - HathiTrust Digital Library. See - https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uiug.30112037304059 - - - - - -[Illustration: “Ship ahoy! Look! She is almost on us!” - -(See page 79)] - - -THE CRUISE OF THE TRAINING SHIP - -Or - -Clif Faraday’S Pluck - -by - -ENSIGN CLARKE FITCH, U. S. N. - -Author of -“From Port to Port,” “Clif, the Naval Cadet,” “Bound -for Annapolis,” etc. - - -[Illustration: Logo] - - - - - - -Philadelphia -David McKay, Publisher -610 South Washington Square - -Copyright, 1903 -by Street & Smith - -The Cruise of the Training Ship - - - - -CONTENTS - -CHAPTER PAGE - I.--Nanny in Trouble 7 - - II.--Clif On a Scout 15 - - III.--Turning the Tables 26 - - IV.--More Hazing 39 - - V.--Nanny Sends a Message 51 - - VI.--The Fight 60 - - VII.--A Hail in the Night 68 - - VIII.--The Mysterious Ship 80 - - IX.--A Fight On the Derelict 88 - - X.--Sail Drill at Sea 100 - - XI.--Talking It Over 107 - - XII.--Judson Receives a Setback 113 - - XIII.--Preparing for the Entertainment 119 - - XIV.--The Minstrel Show 126 - - XV.--The Night Drill 137 - - XVI.--Friends in Adversity 148 - - XVII.--A Welcome Find 163 - - XVIII.--Judson Greene’s Treachery 175 - - XIX.--The Mystery Solved 190 - - XX.--Diving for Rewards 205 - - XXI.--The Conspiracy 218 - - XXII.--And Then Silence! 226 - - XXIII.--“Cutter Ahoy!” 233 - - XXIV.--The Englishman With a “Haw!” 242 - - XXV.--Saving a King 248 - - XXVI.--Audience With a King 259 - - XXVII.--The Broken Tree Branch 266 - -XXVIII.--The Midnight Marauder 273 - - - - -The Cruise of the Training Ship. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -NANNY IN TROUBLE. - - -“Handsomely there! Not so fast. One more pull and we’ve got----” - -“Ow-w! Wow-w-w!” - -“Blazes! Clap your hand over his mouth. Quick! The officer of the deck -will be down in a jiffy.” - -“Murder! Let go, you little imp! Let go or I’ll----” - -Thud! Smack! - -“You will bite my finger, eh? Take that, you miserable plebe. I say, -Crane, just hold his head while I beat a reveille on his mug.” - -“Wait a bit until we get him served and spliced, Dodge. He’s kicking -like a steering wheel in a nor’east gale. There, that’s it. Another -turn about his arms and we’ll have the rat dead to rights. Now, Mr. -Nanny Gote, how do you like it?” - -The speaker, a tall, heavily-built youth in a naval cadet uniform, -grinned complacently into the upturned face of a youngster lying -stretched out upon the orlop deck of the Naval Academy practice ship -_Monongahela_. - -The victim, for such his uncomfortable position and bound arms -proclaimed him to be, was much younger than his chief tormentor, and -was, moreover, slight and rather delicate in appearance. - -His white face indicated his alarm, and he looked up pleadingly at the -group surrounding him. He could not speak, perforce, for a wad of spun -oakum filled the cavity of his mouth, fastened there by a tarry length -of rope. - -“Nanny,” as he was called by his companions, was a member of the plebe -class at the United States Naval Academy. Those tormenting him were of -the third, or hazing, class at the same institute. There were six in -the group, and they represented about the most vicious element in their -class. - -Crane, the ringleader, “had it in,” to use his own words, for all -plebes, and he had started out that night to haze a few just to keep -his hand in. - -The _Monongahela_ was lying at anchor twenty miles below the academy, -from which she had sailed early that morning on the usual summer -practice cruise, as already related in another volume, entitled “Clif, -the Naval Cadet.” - -Early the following morning the tug from the academy would take her in -tow again to complete the trip down the broad Chesapeake to the open -sea. - -It was a few moments after three bells (nine-thirty o’clock) in the -night. The three classes of cadets making up the crew were supposed, -with the exception of a small anchor watch, to be reposing peacefully -in their hammocks. - -Some were, and some were not. - -When the watchful officer of the deck went his rounds after taps he -found all well, and the deck echoing to the more or less melodious -snoring of the occupants. - -He was an officer shrewd in his generation. He had passed through the -academy himself, and he had made more than one practice cruise in the -old ships used for that purpose. And he remembered just such a night -when, in his second year, he had started on plebe hazing expeditions -with kindred spirits. - -After leaving the berth deck he paused at the head of the ladder and -listened. It seemed as if the chorus of snores below had slackened -somewhat. - -The officer chuckled and then quietly slipped down the steps again. He -had no desire to catch any one in wrongdoing, but the memory of old -cadet days was too strong to resist. - -The berth deck lamps were burning brightly, but the major part of the -great deck was in deep gloom. - -Over in one corner where a jumble of hammocks made a haphazard patch of -dark and light shades, several pairs of legs appeared underneath the -swinging beds. - -A low laugh came through the gloom, but it was speedily checked by a -warning hiss. Several hammocks stirred uneasily, then came a snap and a -thud, the latter followed by a howl of alarm. - -The officer discreetly withdrew, unseen. - -As he stepped out on the spar deck he chuckled again, and said: - -“By Jove! the plebes will get it hot and heavy to-night. Humph! It -won’t do them a bit of harm. I was hazed and thousands before me. A -little trouble makes a man of one. Let ’em go it.” - -With this philosophical speech, addressed to the moon which beamed -brightly overhead, he calmly walked aft, and the plebes, luckless and -endangered, were left to their fate. - -When Crane and his associates sallied forth, they had one object in -view, and that was to make it an exceedingly torrid night for a certain -fresh “function” or plebe. - -Hazing to them was a delicious and edifying sport at any time, but on -this particular occasion they had extra inducements to spur them on. - -That evening, just before pipe down, the ringleader passed the word to -his cronies that he had something in the wind. Six choice spirits met -in the starboard gangway and went into executive session. - -“I guess you fellows know what we ought to do to-night,” began Crane, -without further preliminary. - -“Devil plebes?” spoke up a cadet from Georgia. - -“Correct. It is not only our pleasure, but our bounden duty,” said -Crane, pompously. “It’s a duty we owe our country--er--I mean our -shipmates and ourselves. You all know the present state of affairs -and how the very foundation of the old academy is tottering to its -fall. How every tradition has been shattered, every shred of cadet -etiquette--er----” - -“Shredded,” suggested a thin middy, with a deep voice. - -“Don’t be funny, Maxwell,” growled Crane. “This is a serious business.” - -“Then come down to business. Why don’t you say that it’s about time to -haze the stuffing out of that gang in the new fourth and be done with -it. What’s the use of getting off a lot of confounded rot and----” - -Crane reached out and caught the speaker by the neck. He gave him a tug -and a shove, but before the two could come to blows they were separated. - -“If you fools want to scrap, why don’t you go up in the fo’c’sle and -have it out?” demanded one of the remaining four, in disgust. “Crane, -take a tumble, and let’s arrange this evening’s sport. I, for one, say -we ought to get up a scheme to teach that gang a lesson. There are only -six of ’em, counting the Jap, and we ought to be able to handle them.” - -“That’s right. And the first we must tackle is the freshest of the lot.” - -“Clif Faraday?” - -“Yes. Confound him, I wish Kelley had kept him ashore. He’s got more -nerve and downright gall than all the rest of the gally functions -together. Come, Crane, what can you offer?” - -“I’ve got a scheme, but I’ll tell it in my own way or not at all,” -replied the big cadet, sulkily. - -“Go ahead, then.” - -“It’s this in a nutshell: We’ll yank Faraday and the rest down into the -orlop deck and give ’em a coat of varnish. There’s a whole pot down -there, and paint, too. Then we’ll rig ’em out in spun yarn whiskers and -set ’em adrift on the spar deck with some tin mess pans tied to their -tails, that is, their ankles. It’ll be great sport.” - -“Yes, and a tough job, too,” remarked the Georgian cadet. - -“I’d like to know why?” exclaimed a sallow-faced youth. “He’s not so -warm, this Faraday. He can be whipped.” - -“Yes, but I’ve got five dollars which says you can’t do it, Morgan. -Kelley could lay over you, and Faraday licked him.” - -“Let’s quit talking,” growled Crane. “Pipe down will sound in a moment. -Are you fellows satisfied with the scheme or not.” - -The “fellows” were, and it was agreed to start the hazing as soon as -possible after taps. - -Presently the long, low notes of the last call sounded, echoing and -winding through the rigging and hull in melancholy cadence. There was a -momentary bustle, then quiet settled over the old frigate. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -CLIF ON A SCOUT. - - -“Clif! I say, Clif! Wake up.” - -“What’s the matter?” - -“Wake up, will you. There’s something in the wind.” - -“Oh, go away, Toggles. Can’t you let a fellow sleep?” - -“All right, if you want to see a chum hazed by----” - -“Hazed! Gorry! Who is it? Where--what----” - -Clif Faraday swung lightly from his hammock, and confronted a tall, -slim youth clad picturesquely in a long nightshirt. - -Clif himself was similarly attired, and the single garment revealed to -advantage his erect, muscular figure. He was not over large for his -seventeen years of age, but there was grace and strength in every line -of his compact body. - -“What is it, Toggles?” he queried, hastily. “Did you say some one was -getting hazed?” - -“Yes. It’s Nanny.” - -“Nanny? Gorry! Have they tackled that little chap? Who’s got him?” - -“It’s Crane and his gang.” - -Clif’s handsome teeth came together with a snap, and a queer, grim -smile crossed his lips. - -“Crane, eh?” he said. “He’s broke out again. And he has tackled Nanny -as a starter. What do you know, Toggles?” - -T. Oggles Andrews, or “Toggles,” as he was familiarly called by his -plebe associates, made haste to reply. - -Throwing one long, skinny leg over a convenient mess chest, he -explained: - -“White, that young landsman who has taken such a shine to you, told me -a few minutes ago that he saw Crane and five others drag Nanny down -the orlop deck ladder. They had the kid choked so he couldn’t resist -or make a noise. I met White on deck and he put me onto the racket. He -said he overheard them say they were going to raise merry hurrah with -certain gally plebes.” - -Clif laughed ominously. - -“I suppose they meant us,” he replied. “Well, we won’t wait until they -look us up.” - -While speaking he had taken his trousers from beneath the hammock -mattress and was donning them. - -“Call Trolley and the rest,” he added. “We will make a night of it -ourselves. Methinks the old _Monongahela_ will see some queer doings -before the sun rises again.” - -Toggles gave a chuckle and slipped under the hammocks to the other side -of the deck. While he was away summoning reinforcements, Clif made a -hurried scout in the direction of the orlop deck hatchway, an opening -in the forward part of the berth deck. - -The orlop on board a man-of-war of the _Monongahela_ type is, it may be -well to know, a place in the bow below the level of the berth deck. It -is subdivided into small storerooms and has a narrow hallway into which -the rooms open. - -As it is down in the extreme lower part of the ship, away from the -sleeping crew, it is an ideal place for certain ingenious ceremonies -known in colleges as hazing. - -When Clif reached the edge of the hatchway, Nanny was just in the act -of making the vociferous objections described at the beginning of this -chronicle. His subsequent quieting at Crane’s hands, and that cadet’s -remarks on the subject came plainly to Clif’s ears. - -The latter, in his momentary anger, made a step down as if for the -purpose of rescuing Nanny, but he thought better of it. - -“They can’t do much harm to the youngster,” he murmured, “and if I -interfere now it’ll spoil our scheme. It’s a good chance to teach those -brutes another lesson. They have had more than one from us, but it -seems they need more.” - -He bent over the hatch and listened again. The berth deck was as quiet -as the tossing and mumbling and snoring of several hundred sleeping -lads could permit, and Clif heard plainly the conversation being -carried on below. - -“He’s fixed now, the measly plebe,” growled a voice which Clif easily -recognized as Crane’s. “He’s number one, and the smallest of the gang. -I only wish it was Faraday.” - -“You do, eh?” muttered the unseen listener, grimly. “Well, you’ll have -me pretty soon, but not in the way you think.” - -“I say, Crane,” spoke up another muffled voice, “don’t you think your -scheme a little too risky? It’ll stir up the whole ship and raise Cain -generally. You know what the first luff said about hazers before we -sailed.” - -“Oh, bother the first luff. He’s an old woman. He forgets what he did -in his second year. I’ve heard that he made a plebe eat tallow candles -until he nearly died. Why, my plan is mild. What does varnishing and -painting a few measly plebes amount to, anyway. If you don’t like to -take chances skip back to bed.” - -“I’m not afraid, but I wouldn’t care to get fired this early in the -course. What if Faraday or some of his chums split on us?” - -“No fear of that,” quickly exclaimed the Georgia cadet. “Faraday may be -fresh, but he’s not carrying tales.” - -“Thanks,” murmured Clif, starting to leave the hatch. “I’m glad to see -that I have one virtue. I’ll bear that remark in mind, masters. Humph! -so they intend to make living oil paintings of us, eh? Well, we’ll see -who comes out best in the---- Gorry!” - -Rumble! thud! - -A slippery spot near the hatchway sent Clif reeling against a -stanchion. Before he could recover his equilibrium he fell into the -opening. - -The hubbub created was enough to arouse the seven sleepers of Ephesus. -Bang! went poor Clif’s heels against the sides of the passageway, and -thud! he landed flat on his back at the bottom of the ladder. - -He remained there half-stunned amid silence deep and profound for the -space of a minute. Then he felt himself grasped by the back of the neck -and yanked unceremoniously to his feet. - -“Who in thunder is it?” gasped a frightened voice. - -“Blamed if I know, but he’s spoiled our fun, whoever it is,” was the -angry response. “Scoot, fellows, the officer of the deck will be down -on us like a thousand of brick.” - -Clif, fully recovered and in possession of his wits, heard a scrambling -near by, and the creaking of a ladder. It was too dark for him to see -anything, but he knew that the would-be hazers were stampeding from the -orlop deck. - -He realized that his unfortunate mishap would cause an alarm--in fact, -there was already a bustling above--but he was in no hurry to get back -to bed or to let any of the Crane gang seek the seclusion of their -hammocks. - -The rough treatment given little Nanny and the cool proposition to -varnish and paint several of the plebes had aroused a feeling of -resentment in Clif. - -And he proceeded forthwith to make things warm for his enemies--the -hazing committee of the third class. - -Reaching out haphazard in the darkness he grasped something soft and -yielding. It was a leg. It was Clif’s turn to give something a yank, -and he did so with a will. - -“Let go! What do you mean, confound it! Let go, I say, or I’ll break -your head.” - -Clif calmly gave a second yank, and his victim sprawled back upon the -deck. - -“Stop that racket down there,” whispered a voice halfway up the ladder. -“Sh-h! keep quiet and we’ll be all right. I don’t think they heard it -on the quarter-deck.” - -Clif released his hold of the leg. He saw it was time to retreat. As he -started to slip up the ladder he remembered Nanny. - -“It’ll never do to leave him in their hands,” he murmured. - -Stepping back, he felt around for the little prisoner. It was all -guesswork in the profound darkness, and he met with small success. At -last he stumbled over some object which gave a muffled groan, but -before he could investigate further he heard several cadets descending -the ladder. - -“Everything all right?” whispered a voice near him. - -“Yes,” came from Crane. “The officer of the deck is snoozing, I guess. -The racket woke up the berth deck, but the fellows won’t bother us. I -ran across that Jap, Trolley, near the hatch. He was prowling about as -if he was onto us. We’ll have to wait now until things quiet down.” - -“Who was the duffer who fell down the ladder?” asked another of the -gang. - -“Blamed if I know. Wonder if he got away?” - -“Let’s search.” - -Clif crouched back in the darkness, and prepared to give a good account -of himself. He knew he was no match for the six, third class cadets, -but he trusted to receive reinforcements from his chums. - -Then he felt assured the enemy would not resort to anything calculated -to create confusion and alarm. Such a course would only result in their -own undoing. - -“Trolley and Toggles and the rest would come down here in a jiffy if -they knew where I was,” he muttered. “As it is, I’ll have to go to -them.” - -Clif felt that he could escape by making a bold dash, but he wished to -leave without revealing his identity to the hazers. - -He had a scheme of his own, the very thought of which made him chuckle. - -“I wonder if all these doors are locked,” he mused, slipping back away -from the searchers. They were perilously near and he had little time to -spare. - -Directly opposite him was a door leading into the medical storeroom. -It was supposed to be locked, but Clif, in desperation, felt for the -padlock. - -It was unsnapped. - -As quick as a flash he threw open the door, crept through and closed it -behind him, all but a slight crack, which he left for the purpose of -keeping in touch with the outside. - -“I guess we must have been dreaming,” he heard Masters grumble. - -“I guess not,” promptly contradicted another cadet. “It was no dream -nor nightmare, either. My leg is sore yet where the fellow gripped it. -And then the racket he made----” - -“Oh, shut up!” growled Crane, who was evidently angry and discomfited. -“What’s the use of wasting time talking like that. Some one fell -down here, of course. And I’ll bet a dollar it was that fresh plebe, -Faraday. He’s always prowling around. The question is, where did he go? -He couldn’t have passed me on the ladder.” - -“I wonder if any of the storerooms are unlocked?” queried Masters. - -Clif listened eagerly for the reply. It was reassuring. - -“Rats! Of course they are locked. Don’t talk nonsense, Masters.” - -It was plainly evident Crane’s temper had not been sweetened by the -experience of the past few moments. - -“We won’t waste any more time looking for the beggar,” he added. “Let’s -get up to the berth deck and find another plebe. Dodge, you stay and -keep guard over Nanny. While we are gone you might amuse yourself -decorating him for the grand appearance on the quarter-deck. You will -find paint and varnish and oakum back of the ladder.” - -A stifled groan from the prisoner indicated that he had heard the -instructions. - -“You don’t like the prospect, eh?” grinned Crane. “Just wait, my fresh -youngster. You’ll like it still less before we get through with you. -Come, fellows, we’ll----” - -Crane never finished the sentence, for a light suddenly appeared at the -top of the ladder and a stern voice called out: - -“Below there, what are you doing in the orlop? Come up here and report -for investigation.” - -Clif, peering through the crack in the door, saw the cadets fall over -each other in their sudden panic. He felt the door snatched from his -grasp, thrown back, a figure slipped in, then it was hastily closed -again. - -“Jumping Moses! what a snap,” came to Clif’s ears in a familiar tone. -“What a snap to find this place open. That’s the officer of the watch!” - -It was Crane! - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -TURNING THE TABLES. - - -Clif could hardly repress a chuckle, although he fully realized the -gravity of their position. With his ever-present sense of humor, he saw -that he could have a “high old time” at Crane’s expense. - -“I’ll give him the scare of his life,” he grinned. “He’ll think he’s -got some old sea dog of Revolutionary times for a roommate.” - -As a prelude he rattled several bottles on a shelf near his elbow, and -gave a deep sigh. - -Crane gasped, and a noise like chattering teeth came through the -darkness. - -“Wh-wh-what’s that?” demanded the third class cadet. - -Another sigh and more rattling of bottles. Then Clif jumped twice upon -a tin cannister. After that he groaned. - -This last was too much for Crane. With a half-suppressed howl he broke -for the door and burst into the orlop passage, Clif, shaking with -laughter, peeped out. - -As he did so he looked almost into the face of a youth clad in cadet’s -trousers, and a naval officer’s blouse and cap. - -It was Toggles! - -“Gorry!” cried Clif in amazement. “He’s been masquerading as the -officer of the deck, and he’s fooled the fellows nicely. Hurray!” - -He stepped from the storeroom in a hurry, and just in time to see -Toggles, Trolley and Joy seize Crane. The latter tried to escape, but -he was bound and gagged in a jiffy. - -Clif first assisted in the operation, then he slapped Toggles on the -back and said, gleefully: - -“You are a brick, old fellow. It’s a great scheme, and it came just in -time. How did you do it?” - -“Got one of the wardroom boys to loan me a coat and cap,” replied -Toggles, in his quick, jerky way. “Got a lantern. Came down here. -Scared fits out of those third class fellows. Sent them up to report on -the quarter-deck.” - -“Sent them up to report on the quarter-deck?” gasped Clif, ready to -explode with laughter. “You don’t mean to say----” - -“He’s a cuckoo,” chimed in a swarthy, black-haired youth, whose face -proclaimed him a Japanese. It was Motohiko Asaki, whose distinguished -name had long since been converted into the more easily pronounced -appellation, “Trolley.” - -“Him’s a cuckoo, a bully boy with eyeglasses,” he reiterated, giggling -placidly. “Him got great head. Him fooled third class cadets and -ordered them to quarter-deck. Officer up there will think they dream, -and he----” - -“Stow it, Trolley!” interrupted a lean, solemn-faced lad named Joy. -“Your tongue is wound up like a Waterbury watch. We are losing valuable -time.” - -“I guess that’s right,” agreed Clif, finally recovering from his -amazement at Toggles’ clever trick. “We have work to do, and lots of -it. Let’s release poor Nanny first. He must be half dead by this time.” - -He bent over and quickly freed the little lad, who had remained -forgotten in one corner of the passage. Straightening up, Clif -continued: - -“I’ve got a little scheme, but it must be worked at once. This fellow -here,” he touched Crane with his foot, “intended to paint us a rosy -red and adorn our respective faces with oakum whiskers.” - -“He did, eh,” growled Joy. “If I wasn’t a peaceable man by nature I’d -adorn his mug with lumps and bruises.” - -“He! he!” giggled Trolley. - -“My plan is even better than that,” resumed Clif. “What’s the matter -with giving him a dose of his own medicine?” - -“Paint him red?” queried Toggles, delightedly. - -“Sure thing.” - -“Hurray!” cheered Nanny, but in a dutifully low voice. “That’s out of -sight. And we’ll turn him loose on the quarter-deck.” - -“Yes; with whiskers.” - -The prisoner, who had heard all, writhed about the deck and made an -inarticulate sound. - -“He’s pleased with the prospect,” said Clif, sweetly. “If there is -anything Crane likes on this mundane sphere, it is to be painted red, -decorated with oakum whiskers, and turned loose with an appropriate -chorus of tin pans. My, oh, my! Won’t the captain be pleased to meet -him!” - -“I don’t think,” muttered Joy. - -“Get the paint ready, Nanny,” added Faraday, briskly. “You will find -it behind the ladder. Pick out a bright carmine, and a good scratchy -brush. Toggles, see what you can do in the shape of an artistic -whisker. Make it long and imposing as befits his exalted station. I’ll -take a peep on deck.” - -The lamp was shaded so its rays would fall upon the victim’s face, and -Nanny and Toggles fell to work. Trolley and Joy held Crane prostrate -upon the floor. - -Clif slipped up the ladder to the berth deck, and made a careful survey -of the situation. He found everything quiet. Proceeding to the gun -deck he listened carefully to see if anything was astir. Finding all -apparently undisturbed, he glided up the hatchway ladder leading to the -spar deck. - -As Clif stepped from the top of the ladder he saw a lieutenant and five -very unhappily looking third class cadets approaching from aft. - -He just had time to dodge into the shadow of the bulwarks when they -halted at the hatch. The officer was speaking in a stem voice: - -“Now, go below and behave yourselves,” he said, addressing them -collectively. “If I hear any more of this nonsense I’ll put you on -report for punishment. Fancy five sensible cadets with two years of -service being silly enough to believe an order like that. I’m ashamed -of you. Some plebe has fooled you. And he did it cleverly, too. Go -below and turn in at once. Remember, I’ll be down there in a minute or -so. If you are not in your hammocks you will get demerits enough to -swamp you.” - -The five dolefully filed down the ladder and disappeared in the gloom -below. Clif saw the lieutenant shake as if with suppressed laughter. It -was evident he keenly enjoyed the situation. - -A moment later he turned away and went back to his post on the -quarter-deck, leaving Clif to hasten below. - -He found his chums awaiting him. Trolley silently held up the lantern -so the rays would fall upon Crane’s face. Clif gave one glance, then he -fairly doubled up with mirth. - -“Gorry! there’s the worse looking phiz I ever saw,” he gasped. “Ha! ha! -ha! his own mamma wouldn’t know him. He’s a picture.” - -Inarticulate noises came from behind the gag in Crane’s mouth. He fumed -and struggled with impotent rage. But it only added to the joy of the -group of plebes. - -Nanny and Toggles had done their work well. Crane’s face was painted -in great streaks of red, with an artistic relievo of green spots. -Suspended from his chin was a shock of yellow oakum whiskers, the ends -of which trailed impressively far down his breast. - -As a last touch cunning little curls of the same material adorned his -hair. And, taking it all in all, he was a spectacle to make Neptune -weep. - -“Examine his fastenings and see that they are secure,” said Clif, -between chuckles. “We must take him to the quarter-deck by way of the -gun deck and steerage. And he mustn’t kick.” - -“That’s rather risky,” continued Toggles. - -“It no cut ice,” grinned the Japanese youth, recklessly. “I go to -captain’s cabin to see fun like this. It out of sight plenty much. -Hurray!” - -“Nanny, you collect several stewpans and three or four strings of tin -cups,” continued Clif. “And be careful you don’t wake up the deck in -getting them. Go through the mess chests forward. Come along, Mr. -Crane, hazer-in-chief of the U. S. Naval Academy. You are about to play -the most striking _rôle_ of your eventful life.” - -“And may the stewpans have mercy on your head,” added Joy, grimly. - -Crane, still making desperate efforts to escape, was trussed anew with -a length of rope, then the four plebes lifted him up the ladders to the -gun deck. - -This part of the _Monongahela_ was occupied by the regular enlisted -crew who assisted the cadets in working the ship. Nothing was to be -feared from them, as they had no desire to interfere with cadet pranks. - -Cautiously and with very little noise the quartet carried the victim -aft to a door leading into the steerage, or junior officers’ quarters. -It was a large apartment, containing several berths and space for -hammocks. - -In the center was the ladder leading to the quarter-deck, and it was up -this ladder the daring plebes intended to take Crane. - -Nanny, armed with pans and cups, was met at the door. The tins were -fastened to various parts of Crane’s body and held tightly to avoid the -making of unwelcome noise. - -“We will carry him up the ladder and place him on the top step,” -explained Clif, in a low whisper. “Then while you fellows are scooting -out of the way I’ll cut the ropes and give him a shove over the -coaming.” - -“And he’ll fall flat in the midst of all those tins,” grinned Nanny. -“By Jinks! this is the greatest fun I’ve had in a year of Sundays.” - -“But we won’t see the fun,” complained Toggles. - -“Oh, if you want to wait and take in the show do so by all means,” -chuckled Clif. “The officer of the deck will be glad to oblige you with -a box.” - -“Yes,” added Joy, “a box ’tween decks, some time called the ‘brig,’ or -ship’s prison.” - -“I guess I don’t care to be a spectator,” admitted Toggles, with a -grin. “The price is too high.” - -The five lads carried their burden through the door to the ladder. -The steerage was unlighted save by a single lamp behind the swinging -hammocks. Heavy breathing and an occasional snore indicated that -nothing need be anticipated from the junior officers. - -“Up now,” whispered Clif. “Slowly and carefully. Steady; that’s it. Now -lower him to the step.” - -While he was getting his knife in readiness, the other plebes silently -retreated and vanished into the gloom of the gun deck. - -Clif placed his left hand under Crane’s body, braced himself for a -brisk shove, then he slashed away with the knife. - -There was a ripping noise as the ropes parted, a sudden clatter of the -cups and pots, then, as Clif started to slip away, Crane threw both -arms about his neck and the two rolled over upon the quarter-deck at -the feet of the officer of the watch, amid a terrific din! - -Clif had ever been a lad of quick resources, and of cool-headedness -in times of emergency. His mind, intelligent and apt, worked rapidly -and he was seldom at a loss for action. But in the present instant his -surprise and stupefaction was so great that he could only stare from -Crane to the officer of the watch, and back to Crane again. - -This mental and physical paralysis lasted only a few seconds, however. -Then Clif, with incredible agility, leaped to his feet and sprang -toward one of the open gun ports. - -As quick as a flash he vanished through the aperture, leaving Crane and -the officer staring at him in open-mouthed wonder. The latter was the -first to recover. - -Leaping to the gangway, he glanced over the side, fully expecting to -see the lad struggling in the water. The moon, which had been obscured -by a passing cloud, burst forth in all its refulgence. - -The clearly illuminated expanse of water revealed nothing, not even a -ripple. - -The lad had completely disappeared. - -Dumfounded, and imagining that he was the victim of a nightmare or -dream, the lieutenant turned inboard once more. - -“What in the name of all that’s wonderful does this----” - -He stopped short. The other apparition--the marvelously-bedecked and -painted figure--the other cadet, had also vanished. - -The officer rubbed his eyes, and administered unto himself a severe -pinch. Then he glared suspiciously at the figure of the quartermaster -on duty on the bridge. - -Approaching him, he asked, cautiously: - -“I say, Johnson, did you--er--hear or see anything just now?” - -Johnson was an old seaman, and he had made many a cruise on board -academy practice ships. He knew and liked the cadets and found their -pranks a source of infinite fun. He was not the man to tell tales out -of school. Concealing a grin, he answered, with a fine assumption of -surprise: - -“See anything, sir? Hear anything, sir? No, indeed, sir. Was it a hail?” - -“A hail? No. It seemed to me”--the lieutenant hesitated, glanced -nervously about the deck, then added: “I guess it was simply a fancy. -I’ve lost considerable sleep lately, Johnson, and probably I am a -little unstrung.” - -He moved aft, and spent the rest of his watch signing imaginary pledges -not to take another drop of anything stronger than lemonade. - -In the meantime a scene unusual at that hour was being enacted on the -forward part of the berth deck. - -Over in one corner a cadet was cleaning his face of red paint and oakum -whiskers. He was in a rage, and shook his fist at Clif and his crowd. - -“Oh, but this is funny,” cried Clif. “It’s worth a year’s pay to see -Crane do the circus act. Isn’t he a beauty in his war paint?” - -“Him what you call one chromo,” giggled the Japanese youth. “I glad I -woke all the fellows to see the sport. Hurray!” - -“How did you get away from that mixup on the quarter-deck, Clif?” -queried Toggles. “When I reached the main deck ladder you had -disappeared over the side. How was it?” - -“Easy enough, chum. When I saw how scared the lieutenant was a bright -idea struck me. I crawled through the nearest port to the starboard -main chains and swung down against the ship’s side. I saw the officer -look over, then, when he turned away, I reached the gangway and slipped -forward. Now let us turn in and give Crane a rest.” - -And they did. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -MORE HAZING. - - -“That isn’t a clew line, you lubber.” - -“I--I thought----” - -“What’s that? Thought? How dare you think? Shade of Farragut! What’s -the service coming to? A confounded measly plebe--a worm of a -function--thinking! It’s dreadful to contemplate.” - -“Please, sir, I didn’t mean----” - -“You didn’t mean? Why didn’t you mean? Say, is it possible you say -things without meaning them? Then you don’t tell the truth. Ergo--you -can’t be trusted. A pretty naval officer you will make. I’ll just mark -you down for report to the commanding officer.” - -And Cadet Corporal Sharpe made an elaborate flourish of his pencil as -he pretended to enter the item in his notebook. - -Standing before him in evident fear and trembling was Nanny. Clif was -also present. - -“Did you ever hear the beat of that, Trolley?” whispered Clif. “It’s -simply outrageous, the way Sharpe is carrying on. What does he take -us for, a lot of dummies? I think we’ll have to give him and the rest -another lesson in manners.” - -“I think so very much, Clif,” replied Trolley, in the same tone. “He -what you call one dead-sure crank, eh? He bluffer from--from----” - -“Bluffersville,” prompted Joy. - -“Yes, him from Blufftown, eh? Him get a curve off him.” - -There was a smile at this attempt of the Japanese youth to use American -slang--a smile that was observed and sternly checked by the corporal. - -“What’s that,” he exclaimed, sarcastically. “Grinning during drill? -Mean it as an insult to the service, I suppose.” - -“Not exactly,” mildly replied Clif. - -“Who told you to speak, Mr. Faraday. How dare you make remarks. Want -to get swamped with demerits before this practice cruise of the -_Monongahela_ is over, I suppose. You haven’t nerve enough to run away, -and you are afraid to resign, so you think you will misbehave yourself -and get fired. I’m on to your little game, and, by Jupiter! I’ll help -you.” - -Out came the book, and the pencil was placed in action once more. As he -closed his little book with a snap, he added: - -“That means ten demerits at the very least. I see your finish, Mr. -Faraday.” - -Clif coolly shrugged his shoulders and glanced across the deck toward -another group of plebes that was likewise being hazed by a cadet -officer. - -It was drill hour in the morning watch on board the _Monongahela_. The -vessel was still anchored near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. It was -considered necessary to allow the three classes on board to become -accustomed to their new surroundings before venturing to sea, and for -that reason progress was slow. - -Cadet Corporal Sharpe, in charge of Clif and his chums was an expert -“plebe deviler.” He had been known to drive timid and credulous -plebes to resign in desperation. And he had driven new fourth class -men with more backbone, to open revolt, which ultimately resulted in -divers demerits for the said “mutineers.” All this to the unbounded -satisfaction and joy of the hazer and his cronies. - -That morning when orders were given to teach the plebe class the -various ropes and their uses, Corporal Sharpe was assigned to the group -composed of Clif, Trolley, Toggles, Joy, Nanny Gote, Chris Spendly, and -Judson Greene. - -The two last were not chums of Clif. In fact, they hated him most -cordially, and, since their entrance into the academy, had tried in -many underhand ways to “down” him. - -Each attempt had resulted in their own discomfiture, and of late they -had kept rather quiet. Fate had placed them in the same squad with Clif -this day, and they were eager to see if he would get into trouble with -the cadet corporal. - -From the appearance of affairs at the commencement of the lesson it -certainly seemed that their desires would be gratified. Clif viewed -with displeasure the young officer’s deviling of Nanny, as the little -lad was an especial favorite of his. - -The morning lesson was to consist of instruction in the different -running ropes. At the very outset Cadet Corporal Sharpe had held up -a manilla line leading aloft amid a perfect maze of others and had -sharply demanded of Nanny its name. - -The lad hazarded a guess and was immediately pounced upon as outlined -at the commencement of this chapter. After noting down Clif’s offense -in his book, the corporal proceeded with the lesson. And it was evident -from his air of complacent satisfaction that he thoroughly enjoyed the -situation. - -He took Clif in hand. - -“You have put on more airs than an admiral since the academy was -unfortunate enough to admit you,” he snarled, “and it’s about time you -found out that you do not run the whole show. You have raised the Old -Nick in your own estimation, and, simply because you and your gang came -out ahead in hazing once or twice you think you can do as you please. -What’s that--talking back to a superior officer, eh?” - -Out came the book once more. Making an entry, the corporal restored it -to his pocket. - -Clif had not spoken, but that fact made little difference. The hazer -was out for trouble. - -Those standing near Clif saw two round, red spots appear upon his -cheeks, but he was still apparently cool. - -Trolley and Toggles looked their disgust, but they had too wholesome a -respect for discipline to interfere. - -Little Nanny--he was barely within the limits of size at the entrance -examination--seemed troubled and excited. He was not a lad of very -strong character, but he had one attribute, and that was faithful -affection. - -He liked Clif exceedingly. He admired him for his manliness, and looked -upon him as ideal in every particular. His friendship for the sturdy -plebe was that of the faithful dog for his master. - -Now, while the cadet corporal was doing his utmost to provoke Clif into -some breach of discipline, Nanny watched and listened with a growing -purpose in his heart. - -Cadet Corporal Sharpe finally exhausted his vocabulary of invectives, -and was forced to resume the instruction. The group was gathered about -the forward pin rail to which a portion of the running rigging leads. - -The young non-commissioned officer knew his business, however -overbearing and tyrannical he might be. The maze of ropes leading here -and there was not a maze to him. - -Placing his hand on one he said, abruptly, still addressing Clif: - -“This is the fore-to-’gallant halliards. What is it’s use, sir?” - -“To hoist the fore-to-’gallant yard, sir,” was Clif’s prompt reply. - -“Humph! it’s a wonder you knew that. Who told you? Where did you read -it? Humph! I guess you don’t know much more. Now, what’s this?” - -He touched a thin manilla rope apparently twisted with several others. -Clif looked aloft trying to follow it with his eye. - -“What are you gaping about?” snapped the corporal. - -Greene and Spendly exchanged grins. Clif’s face reddened slightly, and -a peculiar smile, ominous and dangerous, crossed his lips. - -“I must confess I do not recognize it,” he began. “But I think----” - -“Think!” Corporal Sharpe cried. “We want no thinking here. You confess, -eh? Why don’t you confess the truth--that you are a dunce, a blamed -idiot. A----” - -There was a startling interruption. - -Before he could finish the sentence Nanny sprang from the group and -flung himself upon the young officer. There was a sharp clasp, a second -blow, then the corporal staggered back with his assailant clinging to -his throat. - -The sudden attack was conceived and made in the twinkling of an eye. -It was a complete surprise to Cadet Corporal Sharpe and to all who -witnessed it. Clif and his friends stared in open-mouthed wonder for a -moment, then the former sprang forward to separate the two. - -By that time, however, the cadet corporal, who was much stronger than -Nanny, had shaken him off. Sharpe was white with rage. - -“What do--do you mean, you fool?” he gasped. “How dare you lay hands on -me? I’ll----” - -He drew back his clinched fist to strike the younger lad, but his wrist -was grasped firmly, and a cool voice said: - -“Don’t touch him, sir. If he is to be punished, let the proper persons -attend to it.” - -“Mind your own business, Faraday,” snapped Sharpe, jerking his wrist -from Clif’s grasp. “I’ll have you soaked for interfering. As for that -crazy plebe, he’ll be fired for this.” - -Just then the officer of the deck and Lieutenant Watson, the executive -officer, who had been attracted by the commotion, came hurrying forward. - -Nanny, who seemed in a daze, caught sight of them. Fear for his rash -action and a vague idea of the punishment he had incurred, sent the -color from his cheeks. - -He gave one appealing glance toward Clif, then he made a spring for the -port foremast shrouds. - -“Hi! Stop!” called out the first lieutenant. - -“Catch him, some one,” ordered the officer of the deck. - -A rush was made after the lad, in which both Spendly and Judson Greene -took active part, but they were a second too late. - -Nanny’s lack of experience was more than overbalanced by his fear, and -he flew up the ratlines like a reefer. - -The pursuers were on the point of crowding into the rigging when a -stern command came from Lieutenant Watson. - -“Stop! What is the meaning of this uproar? Who is that cadet, Corporal -Sharpe?” - -“It is a new fourth class man, sir. His name is Gote, Mr. Nanny Gote, -sir.” - -As “Nanny” was simply a nickname given the lad by the cadets, this -method of putting it provoked a laugh among the spectators. But -Lieutenant Watson quickly checked it. - -“This is no variety show,” he exclaimed. “I want to know the meaning of -this disgraceful scene. What is that cadet doing up there?” - -“He ran away, sir.” - -“Why?” - -“Because--because he was afraid, sir,” stammered the Cadet corporal, -growing red in the face. - -“Afraid of what?” - -Only small persons in this world--small in nature--bully those under -them. Corporal Sharpe was possessed of an extremely small and narrow -spirit, and he delighted in showing his petty authority and in doing -his utmost to make life unpleasant for those over whom he could -exercise his will. - -His reputation as a “plebe hazer” was well established among the -cadets themselves, but it had not reached the ears of his superior -officers. He knew that, and he lost no time in taking advantage of the -fact. - -“I’ll tell you all about it, sir,” he said, boldly. “I was giving this -squad of plebes--er--new fourth class men instructions in seamanship -when Mr. Gote, not liking a rebuke caused by his own inattention, made -an entirely unprovoked assault on me.” - -A murmur, faint but distinct, ran through the group of plebes, and Clif -stepped forward as if with the intention of speaking. Before he could -commence, Sharpe pointed him out, and added, triumphantly: “And that -cadet helped him, sir. His name is Mr. Faraday, and he is as guilty as -the other.” - -The speaker glanced toward Judson Greene and Chris Spendly as if -seeking confirmation. Their hatred of Clif was an old story to -the cadets of the Naval Academy. He was not disappointed in his -anticipations. - -“That’s right,” said Greene, audibly. - -“Sure thing,” spoke up Spendly. - -“Do you mean to tell me they actually attacked you while you were on -duty over them?” exclaimed the executive officer, in amazement. - -“Yes, sir. And it was entirely unprovoked,” glibly replied Corporal -Sharpe. “They are troublesome pupils, sir. This isn’t the first time -they have broken the rules.” - -“Nor is it the first time you have told a deliberate lie, Cadet -Corporal Sharpe!” - -The words came like the snap of a whip from Clif’s lips. Stepping -forward, he placed himself directly before the young non-commissioned -officer. - -His face was calm, but a peculiar, mirthless smile hovered about the -corners of his mouth. It was a smile known to his intimate friends as a -certain indication of strong emotion. - -“What is that, sir?” cried the executive officer. “How dare you give -the lie to a superior officer? Lieutenant Masters, place him under -arrest, and notify the captain!” - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -NANNY SENDS A MESSAGE. - - -As the officer of the deck advanced to obey the command a cry came from -overhead. All eyes were turned in that direction. - -In the excitement Nanny had been temporarily forgotten. The little lad -had ran up the rigging to the foretop, then seeing that his friend was -in trouble, he descended midway to the deck. - -There he paused, and when Clif was ordered under arrest he made an -exclamation of consternation. - -The executive officer was angry. He believed the corporal’s story, and -the very idea of such a gross breach of discipline was too much for his -temper. - -“Come down, sir!” he roared, shaking his spyglass at poor Nanny. “Come -down at once or it will be the worse for you.” - -A cadet first class man named Blakely, the captain of the academy -football team, involuntarily leaped into the rigging, thinking the -pursuit of the fugitive was desired by Lieutenant Watson. - -The latter’s stern voice and Blakely’s action proved the last straw, -and Nanny fled upward again in dismay. - -The rigging swayed under his hurrying feet and several times he came -dangerously near falling. But fear lent confidence, and he gained the -top without mishap. - -Lieutenant Watson watched his progress with mingled amazement and rage. -In all his experience he had never known a cadet to run aloft to escape -punishment. - -“The boy is crazy,” he muttered. - -“Shall we send several men after him, sir?” asked the officer of the -deck. - -Before a reply could be given the commander of the _Monongahela_, who -had been in his cabin, walked forward attracted by the commotion. - -“What is the matter?” he asked, glancing at the cadets. - -“A little trouble between Cadet Corporal Sharpe and two new fourth -class men, sir,” replied Lieutenant Watson, saluting. “Cadets Faraday -and Gote attacked Cadet Corporal Sharpe and struck him while he was in -pursuit of his duty.” - -“What’s that?” exclaimed the captain, severely. “Striking a superior -officer is a grave offense.” - -Turning upon Clif, he added: - -“Young man, it seems that you intend to keep yourself before the -public. It was all right for you to create disturbances at the academy -and be kidnaped, but when you assault a superior officer, you go too -far. Your time as a cadet will be short if you persist in such actions.” - -Clif attempted to speak, but he was cut short with a gesture. - -“Where is the other culprit?” asked the captain, addressing Lieutenant -Watson. - -The latter pointed aloft. - -“He fled to escape punishment, sir.” - -“What?” - -“He’s in the foretop.” - -“Have him brought down at once and placed under arrest. I’ll -court-martial both for this breach of discipline,” thundered the -_Monongahela’s_ commander. - -At a signal from the executive officer, four nimble first class men -sprang into rigging and began to run aloft. - -The crowd around the spot had increased until it numbered almost the -entire crew. All the officers off duty had left the wardroom and -steerage, and many comments were made. - -“Never seen anything like it in all my experience,” exclaimed the -navigator. - -“Think he’s temporarily insane, doctor?” the paymaster asked, gazing -curiously aloft. - -“Maybe a touch of sunstroke,” was the surgeon’s cautious reply. - -He stepped over to the captain said something in a low voice. - -Clif, who was standing a few feet away, between the master-at-arms and -the ship’s corporal, heard the commander reply, incredulously: - -“Nonsense, sir. It’s simply a spirit of deviltry. He thinks he can do -as he pleases. He must be taught a lesson.” - -Clif glanced aloft, where, indeed, all eyes were turned, and saw that -the four cadets had almost reached the top. - -Suddenly Nanny’s face, strained and eager, appeared over the edge of -the wide top. He gave the pursuing cadets one rapid glance, then he -scrambled into the rigging leading above and started to ascend. - -“Stop! Come down out of that,” bellowed the executive officer, waving -his spyglass. - -The fugitive’s feet slipped and he was seen to sway outward. A frantic -clutch at a stay saved him, however, and he continued upward. - -“He will fall as sure as fate,” cried the paymaster, hoarsely. - -Again Nanny slipped, and again did he regain his foothold. But it was -evident his lack of experience would bring him into serious peril, and -the spectators watched his uncertain progress with bated breath. - -“He’ll never reach the crosstrees,” said Lieutenant Watson. “He is -crazy. He will---- Oh! I thought he was gone then.” - -“Mr. Blakely, don’t follow any farther,” he shouted. “Come back to the -top.” - -The senior cadet and his three companions halted instantly and slowly -descended. Nanny quickly observed their change of action, and halted, -swinging nervously from the ratlines. - -A sigh of relief went up. - -“Proper move,” muttered the surgeon. “Should have stopped them before. -Guess I’ll try a trip to the top and see if I can coax him down.” - -He made the suggestion at once, and the commander gave prompt consent. -It was a ticklish task for his unaccustomed feet, but he finally -arrived within speaking distance of the young fugitive. - -The two held a very brief conversation, then the surgeon returned to -the deck. His face wore a queer expression. - -“That boy is no more crazy than I am,” he reported. “But he’s simply -scared out of his wits. He declares he won’t come down until a certain -cadet is sent up to him.” - -“Who, in Heaven’s name?” demanded the captain. - -“Mr. Clif Faraday.” - -“Why does he wish to see him?” - -The surgeon shook his head. - -“I don’t know, sir,” he replied. “He insists on it. Possibly it would -be a good idea to humor him.” - -“I’d like to humor his back with a rope’s end!” exclaimed the captain. -“This is the most ridiculous experience I ever had. Fancy a cadet -skipping aloft and defying the whole ship’s company. It is simply -outrageous. Mr. Faraday!” - -“Yes, sir.” - -Clif stepped forward and saluted respectfully. He appeared calm, but a -gleam in his eyes indicated that he labored under some excitement. - -“Run aloft and persuade that silly boy to come down,” ordered the -captain, gruffly. “Tell him we won’t hang him to the yardarm to-day. -And just add that he is making a fool of himself and that it will have -a bad effect on his future record.” - -Clif saluted again and sprang into the shrouds. As he passed Cadet -Corporal Sharpe he gave that youth a look that spoke volumes. - -“He’s the cause of all this trouble,” muttered Clif, as he nimbly -ascended the rigging. “If any harm comes to poor Nanny I’ll square -accounts with him as sure as fate.” - -It did not take him long to reach the foretop. Climbing through the -lubber’s hole, he stood up and looked aloft. Nanny was midway to the -crosstrees. - -His face was rather pale, and the hands grasping the ratlines trembled -perceptibly. It was evident that he was still badly frightened. Clif -motioned him to come down to the top. - -“Drop down here, Nanny,” he said, kindly. “Everything is all right. -Just descend carefully, and I’ll help you to the deck.” - -“Oh, Clif, I’m afraid,” was the piteous reply. “I--I--struck an -officer, and they’ll send me to prison.” - -“Nonsense, chum. We are both in trouble on account of that ‘plebe -deviler,’ Sharpe, but they can’t do much to us. I expect we will be -court-martialed, but we’ve plenty of witnesses on our side. Come down, -that’s a good boy.” - -“You are not fooling me?” - -Clif laughed encouragingly. - -“That’s a nice thing to say,” he replied. “I am ashamed of you.” - -Nanny smiled also, and prepared to descend. He cautiously lowered -one foot and then started to follow with the other. As he did so he -stepped, swayed outward, and after one frantic grasp at the rigging, -fell down, down from the dizzy height. - -A cry of horror came from the spectators. - -“He will be killed!” - -“Heavens! what a fall!” - -Then came a sickening splash as Nanny’s body, bounding from the -rigging, struck the water and disappeared beneath the surface. - -Several cadets, among them Trolley, Joy and Toggles, sprang to the top -of the hammock netting, but before they could leap overboard after the -little plebe a figure was seen to cleave the air from above. - -Amid the echoes of the second splash a shout went up in a regular -torrent of voices: - -“It’s Faraday!” - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE FIGHT. - - -“Gently, men, lift him up gently. That’s it. Now, help in the other. -What a dive that was!” - -“Clean as a whistle. Best I ever saw. And think of the distance. Say, -Masters, he’s a hero from Heroville.” - -The lieutenant in charge of the cutter smiled and nodded his head. - -“Ready! Pull away, men!” he ordered. “Take us back to the ship, -coxswain.” - -The first cutter of the _Monongahela_ swept over the tumbling waters of -Chesapeake Bay under the steady impulse of four pairs of oars. - -Lying insensible in the forward part was Nanny. Near him reclined -Clif, fully aware of all that was going on about him, but thoroughly -exhausted. - -Trolley and Joy, members of the boat’s crew, were paying much less -attention to their oars than to their chum. - -Talking among the men is generally prohibited, but in this case the -rule was entirely lost sight of, and the crew conversed freely. - -“Him should be Japan,” said Trolley, genuine admiration in his voice. -“If boy do that in Japan navy they make him hero. Mikado give medal and -all people sing songs.” - -“But that is in Japan,” said Clif, with a return of his old winning -smile. “Such little tricks are of common occurrence in this country. It -happens every day.” - -“Indeed it doesn’t,” broke in Joy. “Person might jump overboard, but -not from the foretop. It was a lulu of a dive. And then when you -touched water you didn’t stay under the surface five seconds.” - -A rousing cheer and a tiger greeted the cutter as it swept alongside -the gangway. Nanny was passed up and immediately taken to the sick bay. -But when it came Clif’s turn, he rejected all aid and climbed up the -side as nimbly as of yore. - -On reaching the top of the gangway he glanced down upon a sea of -enthusiastic, youthful faces. Grouped near the bulwark were twenty -plebes. In the front rank were Toggles, Walters and others of Clif’s -friends. - -“Whoop! here he is!” shouted the former. “Up with him, fellows.” - -Clif made an effort to escape, but he was seized and borne in triumph, -wet as he was, about the deck. - -At the procession passed the mainmast, the captain, who had been -smilingly watching the scene with the other officers, stepped forward. -Clif was immediately lowered to the deck. - -“Mr. Faraday,” said the commander, “an act such as yours deserves all -praise. I will mention you in my reports, and will also keep an eye on -you in the future. As for that little trouble we will forget it. But I -may as well add that it would be better for you and Mr. Gote to obey -the rules as you find them. That will do.” - -Clif bowed and went forward with the other cadets. He still felt, -however, that he was laboring under an unjust cloud. - -As he reached the gun deck hatch the apothecary came up and said as he -hurried aft: - -“Your friend has just recovered consciousness, Mr. Faraday. The surgeon -says he’ll be all right in a day of two.” - -“Thank God for that!” was Clif’s heartfelt comment. “Poor little chap! -He has suffered enough for what he did.” - -The words were overheard by Joy. The latter touched him on the shoulder -and whispered: - -“There’s that ‘plebe deviler,’ Cadet Corporal Sharpe, over there -talking with Greene and Spendly. He looks disappointed.” - -“He’ll look worse than that in a moment,” replied Clif, grimly. - -Joy thrust out his lean, tanned face and gaped at him. - -“You--you don’t mean----” he gasped. - -Just then Cadet Corporal Sharpe sauntered past and descended the ladder -leading below, with a swagger. Clif followed at his heels, and Joy, -after a delirious signal to all standing near, followed him. - -As the plebe from Nebraska reached the gun deck he saw Clif confront -Sharpe. - -“You are too contemptible to talk to,” he heard the former say; then -Clif reached out and, catching Sharpe’s nose between his fingers, gave -it a disdainful tweak! - -The effect upon the cadet corporal was much as if the deck overhead had -suddenly been lifted off and the blue canopy of heaven exposed to view. - -He staggered back, glaring at Clif in stupefied amazement. - -The latter’s face wore a grim look of determination; and that strange -smile, which was a signal of danger to all who knew him, hovered about -his mouth. - -He was resting lightly upon his feet, poised for the attack he knew -would follow. - -Sharpe attempted to speak, but the words came in a stuttering stream. -He was wild with rage. - -Leaping forward, he aimed a blow, but before Clif could parry it, -Blakely, the big first class man, intervened. - -“Not here, you fool,” said the latter, warningly. “This is no place -for a scrap. If you want to fight the cheeky plebe go forward to the -washroom.” - -“If I want to fight?” cried Sharpe, struggling to free himself from -Blakely’s detaining hands. “He pulled my nose, and I’ll kill him.” - -“Then do it in the proper place,” was the cool reply. “Go to the -washroom.” - -“I’m perfectly willing to fight him there or here, or any old where,” -announced Clif. “And I’ll do my best to give him a thrashing he won’t -forget in a hurry.” - -“You may receive one yourself,” said the big senior. “Get those wet -clothes off and meet us forward. Be quick about it. We get up anchor at -five bells.” - -Clif was attended by Joy and Trolley, and five minutes later he entered -the washroom to find it almost packed with cadets. - -A space was cleared in the center and preliminaries arranged by Joy and -a second class man. Blakely was to act as referee. - -When Clif stepped out, stripped and ready for the fray, Sharpe advanced -to meet him. The hazer’s face was not pleasant to contemplate. - -He was naturally a bully at heart, and his disposition was mean -and small. The two attacks upon him that morning--attacks by two -“miserable” plebes at that--had brought out all the vindictiveness of -his petty nature. - -Faraday confronted him calmly, but that old smile was very pronounced. -Trolley and Joy, who knew it well, gleefully rubbed their hands. - -“Time!” called Blakely. “Are you ready?” - -“Yes,” clearly replied Clif, standing on the defensive. - -Sharpe barely nodded. - -The signal came, and the two enemies--for such they were, in -truth--began to spar cautiously. - -But this caution lasted not a minute. Sharpe, plainly wild with anger, -made a furious attack and succeeded in beating down Clif’s guard. The -result was a stiff tap upon Faraday’s chin which sent him reeling -against the bulkhead. - -A subdued howl of delight came from the members of the upper classes. -The plebes looked glum, but Trolley and Joy, who were attending Clif, -showed no signs of discouragement. - -Time was again called. - -Sharpe advanced confidently, and Clif saw him wink at several friends. - -The “plebe deviler” essayed the same tactics, but he did not succeed so -well as before. The round ended with a furious exchange of blows which -left several angry blotches upon Sharpe’s face. - -When the two faced each other for the third time, Clif instantly made -a feint with his left and let drive with all his force with his right -directly into Sharpe’s face. - -There was a crunch and a thud, a gasping cry and the cadet corporal -found himself upon the hard deck, his head dancing amid a whole galaxy -of stars. - -He scrambled erect and fairly tore himself from the hands of those -about him. He was seen to tear something from his pocket and spring at -Clif. - -There was a flash, a warning cry from the spectators, then Faraday shot -out both hands, landing with terrible force upon the chin and neck of -the infuriated cadet. - -Sharpe fell like a log, and at the same moment something dropped from -his grasp with a metallic clatter. - -“He’s knocked out, and pretty badly, too,” announced Blakely, amid a -confused murmur of voices. - -“He deserved to be killed!” exclaimed Joy, picking up something from -the deck. “Look at this!” - -It was a claspknife, open and ready for use. - -“That lets him out,” muttered Blakely, grimly. “He’ll not suffer from -too much companionship this cruise.” Raising his voice, he added: - -“We may have differences with plebes, but we are gentlemen. Any person -who associates with Sharpe hereafter is a cad.” - -And Blakely’s decisions were always respected. - -“Hurray!” cheered Trolley, embracing Clif. “You bully boy from backway. -You do plenty for plebes to-day. Hurray!” - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -A HAIL IN THE NIGHT. - - -For several days nothing of importance happened. Then came a storm and -Clif was placed on the lookout. - -“Sail O! Ship dead ahead! Look out, she’s----” - -The startling cry, wafted aft from the forecastle by a sudden shifting -of the gale, came to an end just as the officer on watch awakened to -the fact that something was wrong. - -Grasping his trumpet more firmly, he peered through the gloom -enshrouding the ship like a damp mist, and then bawled, lustily: - -“Foc’s’le, ahoy! What have you sighted?” - -There was a commotion about the wet, littered decks. Crew and cadets -slipped from their shelters and glanced anxiously out into the -storm-tossed waste of waters. The executive officer, who had just -retired, hastily reappeared, armed with his nightglass, and silently -took his station on the quarter-deck. - -All waited breathlessly for the answer from forward. It was tardy in -coming, and the executive officer snapped out: - -“Forward, there! Why don’t you answer?” - -A tall, slim figure, swathed in oilskins, swayed up to the speaker from -beyond the foremast, and saluted as well as plunging deck would permit. - -“I have investigated the matter, sir. The cry was given by a new fourth -class cadet, acting as lookout on the starboard cathead. He fancied he -saw a ship directly in front, and he gave the alarm.” - -“What is his name?” - -“Clifford Faraday, sir.” - -“Humph! was he asleep?” - -“I do not think so, sir.” - -“He’s a bright lad, Mr. Watson,” interposed the officer of the watch. -“I stationed him up there for that reason. He’s not the one to sleep on -duty.” - -“But he must have been dreaming to act in that manner,” impatiently -replied the executive officer. “What did the other lookouts----” - -“Ship ahoy! She’s dead ahead! Watch----” - -The cry rang out sharply above the roaring of the gale, and, as before, -it came to a sudden ending. There was a moment of silence, then the -cadet officer of the forecastle, who had just made a report, exclaimed -wonderingly: - -“It’s Faraday again!” - -Brandishing his telescope like a sword, the executive officer sprang -forward, followed by the other officers and a score of men and cadets. - -On reaching the forecastle they found Clif leaning far out over the -rail, hanging with one hand from a stay. - -He was peering eagerly through the gloom at a point just off the -starboard bow. - -“What is the matter here?” harshly exclaimed Lieutenant Watson. “Who -gave that alarm?” - -Clif turned and leaped lightly to the deck. One hand came up to the rim -of his cap in prompt salute, then he replied, in a clear, strong voice: - -“I gave the alarm, sir.” - -“What for?” - -“Because I sighted a ship dead ahead, sir. We were almost on top of her -when she disappeared.” - -The executive officer made a gesture of impatience. - -“This is sheer nonsense, Mr. Faraday,” he exclaimed. “You have been -dreaming.” - -“Dreaming, sir?” - -Clif drew himself up. His face, seen in the light cast by a hand -lantern, reddened. - -“Yes, dreaming. You have been asleep, sir,” insisted Lieutenant Watson, -whose temper was not the best. “It is a grave breach of discipline, and -I warn you to keep awake on watch in the future.” - -“I beg your pardon, sir,” replied Clif, respectfully, but with -firmness. “I must deny having been asleep. I have walked back and forth -across decks during the whole watch. I passed the call at each bell, -and I know I saw what I have claimed.” - -“Where is it, then?” - -Clif glanced out across the water, which foamed and leaped in giant -billows under the force of the gale. The air was filled with flying -spume, and rain beat downward with steady persistency. It was a wild -night. - -The thick mist hemmed the ship in a black horizon, and naught was -visible to the curious eyes of the group on the forecastle. Several of -the cadets laughed, and one said in a tone plainly audible: - -“He saw the _Flying Dutchman_, I guess.” - -The words did not escape Clif, but he gave no sign of having heard -them other than one quick glance at the speaker. - -“I do not know where the ship is now, sir,” he replied, steadily, to -the executive officer’s question, “but I am certain I saw one. It was -nothing but a hulk with two masts having curious round cages at the -top. There weren’t any yards or sails visible.” - -“You are describing a lightship, Faraday,” said Lieutenant Watson, -smiling incredulously. “And there are none within fifty miles of us. -Take my advice and do not cultivate the habit of riding nightmares on -watch.” - -With this last bit of sarcasm the officer walked aft and rejoined the -officer of the deck. - -“It is hard to believe such a manly, clever cadet as Faraday would lie -deliberately to get out of a scrape,” he said, “but it certainly looks -as if he has been trying it. Fancy a lightship out here. Better take -him off watch, or he’ll be keeping us awake all night. When do you -change the course?” - -“At eight bells, sir. It is almost that time now. Good-night, sir.” - -“Rather good-morning. There would be a glimpse of dawn in the sky if it -wasn’t for this confounded gale.” - -Lieutenant Watson crossed the slippery, tossing deck to the break of -the cabin, and glanced at the clock back of the wheel. - -The hands indicated ten minutes of four. - -With a sigh for the sleep he had lost, he went below to turn in. Five -minutes later he was buried in a slumber. - -In the meantime Clif had been relieved from his post on the forecastle. -When the cadet officer in charge, a first classman, curtly bade him -give way to another plebe, he silently obeyed, but it was evident he -felt the disgrace keenly. - -“Don’t you care, Clif,” spoke up Joy, who had formed one of the group. -“Such mistakes are common.” - -“But it wasn’t a mistake, Joy,” replied Faraday, earnestly. “I am as -certain I saw that ship twice as I am that I stand here.” - -“Did it look like a lightship?” queried a smaller lad. - -“I guess so, Nanny. The first luff said I described one. Whew! it was a -peculiar experience. My flesh is creepy yet. I thought we would plump -into her for certain.” - -“Tell us all about it, old fellow,” chorused several plebes of the -watch. - -“It bad here,” spoke up Trolley. “Me think we blow away pretty soon. -This one lulu of a gale. It peacherine.” - -“Right you are, Trolley,” laughed Clif. “The strength of the wind is -only equaled by the force of your slang. We will take refuge in the lee -of the bulwarks down below.” - -The rest scurried to the main deck, but he remained a moment clinging -to the railing, and searchingly swept the sea with his eyes. - -“I can’t make it out to save me,” he murmured. “I was not asleep or -dreaming. I saw that vessel as sure as fate. But why didn’t the others -see it, too? Spendly was on watch on the other side of the deck. He---- -Why, by Jove! probably he was asleep! It’s certainly mysterious.” - -The old _Monongahela_ pitched and rolled heavily in the seas. The gale -shrieked unceasingly through the taut rigging. Monster waves, wind -blown and angry, leaped against the stout wooden hull as if eager to -drag it apart. Flying masses of vapor, dank and salty, scudded through -the air, and in the midst of it all the driving rain poured with a -sleet-like sharpness against the faces of the watch on deck. - -Ten hours previous the practice ship passed the capes of the Chesapeake. - -Moderately fair weather had suddenly given way to a sharp squall -shortly before dark, and this had changed by midnight to a gale which -promised to last until morning. - -Clif, with several of his plebe friends, had gone on watch at four -bells--two o’clock--and it was while he was acting as lookout on the -starboard side of the forecastle that he insisted he had sighted a -vessel dead ahead. - -He felt rather downcast when he finally left the forecastle and -rejoined his chums under the lee of the port bulwarks. Lieutenant -Watson’s sarcastic words hurt him. And especially so, as he considered -them entirely undeserved. - -That he had really seen a vessel almost within a cable’s length of the -_Monongahela_ he was positive. But why had not others seen it? And why -did the ship disappear so mysteriously and suddenly? - -Clif was not superstitious, nor did he place any faith in the tales of -the old sailors, but his flesh crept as he cast one last glance at the -raging seas, and he welcomed with gladness Nanny’s cheery voice. - -“Hello, chum! See anything more of your _Dutchman_?” laughed the little -lad. - -“That’s what Judson Greene called it,” said Joy, gloomily. “He’s always -trying to say mean things. Why can’t he be peaceful, and not always -attempt to stir up trouble? Why ain’t he like me? When I have it in for -a fellow, do I go around casting sneering remarks? No, indeedy! I act -like a peaceful man and a Christian. I simply swat him one with a club, -or beat the blooming head off him.” - -“Hurray!” giggled the Japanese youth. “You bully boy after my own--my -own--what you call him?” - -“Liver!” suggested a lad named Toggles, gravely. - -“Perhaps he means after his own gizzard?” slyly observed Nanny. - -There was a general laugh at Trolley’s expense, and he laughed the -loudest of all. Nothing could shake his good nature. - -Clif stooped down and, leaning upon a broadside gun, glanced -thoughtfully through the crack of the port shutter. - -“Still looking for your ship?” asked Toggles, sympathetically, at his -elbow. - -“Yes. But, to tell the truth, I don’t know whether I care to see it -again or not,” was the grave reply. - -“Why not, chum? It seems to me that if it was sighted again it would -clear you of any suspicion. What is your reason for not wanting to see -it?” - -Clif did not reply at once. Resting against the polished breech of the -heavy gun, he continued to gaze into the dark wall of mist. Presently -he spoke, and his serious tone surprised his hearers. - -“Chums,” he said, “do you know I believe there is some mystery -connected with that strange-looking ship?” - -“A mystery?” echoed Nanny, wonderingly. - -“Yes. I am positive I saw it just as I described it to Lieutenant -Watson. I was standing near the heel of the bowsprit looking ahead, -when, suddenly there came a flash of lightning, and before the glare -died away, I saw a peculiar-looking hull, battered and worn, with two -masts clear of yards and sails. At each top was a queer, round object -shaped like a barred cage. As far as I could see there was no one on -board, and the vessel seemed---- Heavens! what was that?” - -Clif’s description ended in an exclamation of profound amazement. -There was good cause for it. Suddenly, and without warning, a horrible -scream, blood-curdling in its intensity, sounded through the length and -breadth of the practice ship. - -It was not uttered by any on board, but seemed to come from off the -port beam. There was an instant of breathless silence, then, just as -the crew, aroused and horrified, rushed from below, a second terrible -cry arose above the whistling of the gale. - -The men at the wheel were so startled that, stanch seamen though they -were, they involuntarily released the spokes. There was not much -canvas exposed to the wind, merely the topsails and storm staysails, -close-reefed, but there was enough spread to send the ship almost aback. - -The captain, hurrying from his cabin, grasped the situation at once. -A sharp word of command brought the sailors to a sense of their duty, -and they hurled themselves upon the wheel just in time to keep the -_Monongahela_ from broaching to. - -As she staggered around, trembling under the force of the gale, there -suddenly came a startling cry from amidships. - -“Ship abeam! Look! She is almost on us!” - -The voice was Clif’s, and the lad, dimly revealed in the faint light -of dawn, was standing upon the lower port main shrouds, pointing with -shaking hand to where, lurching wildly toward the practice ship, was -a grim, weather-beaten hull, with two bare masts, having cage-like -objects in the tops. - -The next moment there was a terrific crash and grinding of timbers; -then, as the _Monongahela_ reeled with the shock, the strange ship -staggered away, that weird scream echoing from her deck. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE MYSTERIOUS SHIP. - - -Discipline is brought to an excellent state of perfection on all -warships as a rule, and the practice cruiser was no exception. - -Naval officers are trained to exercise instant discretion in time of -danger, and it is considered a sign of incompetency if one should lose -his wits under such circumstances. - -Lieutenant Watson, the executive officer of the _Monongahela_, aroused -from a sound sleep by the indescribable pandemonium, lost no time in -heedless inquiries, but rushed on deck clad only in his nightclothes. - -By the time he had cleared the companion ladder the officer of the -watch and the captain of the ship were thundering orders right and left. - -Under their instructions the old _Monongahela_ was again before the -wind, and an immediate examination of damages being made. - -But in the midst of it all, over on the port side of the main deck, -Trolley, excited and happy, was dancing about Clif, and shouting half -in Japanese and half in English: - -“You right, you right! Hurray! Hiko boto, cli jara. You see ship after -all. Hurray! You bully boy. No sleep, but see ship all the time. You -are great peach. Hurray!” - -“I knew he was right all the time,” exclaimed Toggles. - -“So did I,” chimed in little Nanny. - -“The first luff was evidently of a different opinion,” said Clif, -grimly. “But what can be the matter aboard that ship, and what is she?” - -“There is something wrong on board,” spoke up Joy. “Those screams were -horrible. My blood is running cold. Yet--look! there she is again!” - -He pointed excitedly to leeward, where, dimly visible through the -lightening mist, was the peculiar craft with which the _Monongahela_ -had just been in collision. - -She lurched and pitched and rolled with the wild irresponsible motion -of a vessel at the mercy of the waves. The dawn was not far enough -advanced to enable those on board the practice ship to distinguish more -than vague outlines. - -Every glass on board was directed toward the strange craft as soon as -it was ascertained that little damage had been done the _Monongahela_ -by the collision, but nothing indicating the presence of human beings -on board could be seen. - -Clif and his friends were wild with curiosity, but not more so than -their shipmates. The peculiar experiences of the night, the sighting -and sudden disappearance of the stranger, the collision, and above all -those weird, half-human cries, had created intense interest. - -The captain, Lieutenant Watson and other officers were gathered in the -gangway near where the carpenter and his assistants were making hasty -repairs. - -The gale was giving promise of lessening. The wind had died down with -the coming of the sun, but the seas were still running high. Nothing -had been done to increase the spread of canvas, and the old frigate -lurched along at a reduced speed. - -“I would give a great deal to learn what ship that is, and the meaning -of those horrible cries,” said Captain Brookes, gravely. “There’s some -mystery about it.” - -“She looks like an old-time lightship,” spoke up the executive officer, -working his spyglass. - -“Hardly of this century though,” remarked the surgeon, who was a -student of naval architecture from choice. “See! the mist is clearing -now. The sun is shining on her. By Jove, what a queer-looking craft she -is.” - -“I’ve a notion,” began the captain, reflectively. - -Standing at a respectful distance, but within earshot, were Clif and -his companions. They edged eagerly toward the group of officers, -and Faraday’s intelligent face lighted up with excitement and keen -anticipation. - -“He’s going to send a boat,” he whispered to Trolley. “If he does I’ll -be one of the crew or break a leg.” - -“Me, too,” chattered the Japanese youth. “I no miss that for----” - -“I have a notion, gentlemen,” repeated the captain, “to send over there -and investigate.” - -“It’s our duty, sir,” said Lieutenant Watson, emphatically. “If you say -the word, sir, I will take a boat now.” - -“Any room for me?” asked the paymaster, earnestly. - -“I can pull an oar, sir,” insinuated the marine officer. - -“As navigator, I consider it my duty to make the visit,” spoke up a -tall, fine-looking lieutenant. - -The captain laughed. - -“If it wasn’t against the rules I’d go myself,” he said. “As it is, the -first deck officer shall make the trip. Mr. Jones,” turning to another -officer, “take the whaleboat and a good crew, and see what you find on -board that vessel. Better go armed. There’s no telling what you will -encounter. Make haste, and bring me a detailed report.” - -The practice ship’s course was changed, and in less than an hour she -was hove to within a half-mile of the mysterious vessel. - -The latter was in plain view now, and she presented a sight that -brought exclamations of wonder and amazement from the _Monongahela_’s -crew. - -She was unlike anything in the shape of a vessel they had ever before -seen. She was high forward and aft, with a curious house-shaped -structure amidships. The masts were mere poles, guiltless of yards, -ropes or sails. There was no regular bowsprit forward, but in its place -was a queer, stumpy bow. - -At the top of each mast were small, circular, wooden cages. The sides -of the hull seemed to be painted green at first, but the surgeon’s -sharp eyes soon ascertained that it was not paint, but a luxuriant -growth of marine grass. - -The decks were littered with _débris_, and trailing over the stern was -apparently a mass of tangled ropes and sails. - -This much was made out when the shrill notes of the boatswain’s whistle -calling away the whaleboat echoed through the practice ship. Clif was -disconsolate. His boat was the gig. He stood in the gangway watching -the work of lowering the narrow, double-ended craft, wishing with all -his heart and soul that he was one of the lucky crew. - -Suddenly the coxswain poked his head above the hammock netting and -called out that he was a man short. - -The lieutenant who had been selected to go, glanced about the deck -inquiringly. His eyes fell upon Clif, and that youth sprang forward, -hopped nimbly up the main shrouds, and was descending the boatfalls -before the officer could make up his mind to select him. A few moments -later the whaleboat was clear of the _Monongahela_, and being propelled -across the heaving sea by her sturdy crew. - -Once, while the boat was swung around by a wave, Clif sighted the -strange ship. Something moving near the bow caught his eye, and he gave -a start and almost dropped his oar. - -“Steady, there! What is the matter with you?” came sternly from the -lieutenant. - -Clif said nothing, but his hands trembled as they clasped the oar -again. His brain was in a whirl. He longed to rub his eyes to see if he -was still awake, or if that which he had just seen or fancied he had -seen, was real or a phantom. - -The cadet behind him said as he leaned forward: - -“Did you sight anything? You look white and scared.” - -Clif compressed his lips, and maintained an uncompromising silence. -He was not certain of his own senses, and he had no desire to expose -himself to ridicule. - -The whaleboat swept on and finally gained a position on the lee side of -the tossing hulk. A weather-beaten rope dangling over the side promised -a means of ascending to the deck. - -“Catch it, one of you,” shouted the officer. “Shin up the side and take -the painter.” - -The position of the boat brought the rope within reach of Clif’s hands, -and he lost no time in obeying the order. - -Fortunately the black tarry strands were strong enough to bear his -weight, and he was soon climbing agilely toward the high railing. - -Slipping and sliding, up, up he went, the pressure of his feet -dislodging masses of the strange, slimy green marine vegetation -adhering to the storm-beaten planks. - -Finally he grasped the rail and crawled over. Then, just as he -disappeared, those below heard a strangling, unearthly cry, followed by -the sounds of a desperate struggle. - -Then came one shrill, agonizing appeal for help, and--silence! - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE FIGHT ON THE DERELICT. - - -The lieutenant and the crew of the whaleboat, at first aghast with -horror and amazement, speedily recovered their wits. - -Springing to his feet, the officer made a grasp for the dangling rope. -Before he could reach it, a long wave swept along the rolling hull and -caught the whaleboat upon its crest. - -There was a surge and a violent wrench, and over went the luckless -officer headlong into the sea. The frail craft was swept under the -sloping stem, dashed once against the hull, and then it capsized, -throwing the whole crew into the water. - -All this was witnessed by the _Monongahela’s_ crew, and excitement -reigned on board. - -Captain Brookes took personal charge of affairs, and under his able -direction two boats, the cutter and sailing launch, were lowered and -manned. - -In the latter went Trolley and Joy, both managing to slip aboard during -the excitement. - -As yet the full extent of the tragedy was not known. Clif had been seen -to climb over the railing, but the unearthly cry and the appeal for -help had not reached the practice ship. Then came the capsizing of the -whaleboat, and the instant necessity of action. - -Lieutenant Watson took command of the cutter, which was the faster of -the two. He was an able man, and he soon had the crew bending to their -oars. - -The gale was now a thing of the past; and the sea was rapidly -subsiding. Clear skies overhead, and a brightly shining sun robbed the -scene of much of its former grewsomeness. - -In the sailing launch Trolley and Joy were laboring with might and -main, as indeed all were. But the two young plebes had an added -interest in reaching the strange derelict from the fact that Clif -Faraday, their friend and chum, was on board the craft whence those -horrible cries had come. - -It was not long before the cutter reached the capsized whaleboat. -Clinging to the keel were five of the crew. They were instantly -dragged on board and a start made for the stern of the derelict. - -The lieutenant and the rest of the crew were either swimming in that -vicinity or holding on to the rudder. - -The rather clumsy launch dashed up in time to rescue the officer, who -had managed to keep himself afloat by strenuous efforts. As he was -lifted over the side by willing hands, he gasped, hurriedly: - -“Quick! board that vessel. Faraday is there, and he is in trouble.” - -Trolley exclaimed something in Japanese, and sprang to his feet. Nimbly -stepping forward, he made a flying leap from the launch’s bow, and -caught the rope dangling from the derelict’s stern. - -“Stop!” sternly cried the officer in charge. “Wait until you are -ordered to leave the boat.” - -But the young Japanese paid no heed to the words. The impetus caused -by the leap sent him swinging and scraping along the slimy side of the -strange craft, but he drew himself up inch by inch, and finally gained -the rail. - -“Stand by to catch a rope,” called out the lieutenant, making the best -of the situation. “Make it fast to---- What’s the matter?” - -Splash! - -It was Trolley. The Japanese youth had suddenly turned, and, with a -shriek of fear, had plunged headlong into the sea. - -The crews of the cutter, launch and whaleboat exchanged glances of -undeniable terror. Several seamen began shoving the boats away from the -derelict with their oars. - -“Belay that!” shouted Lieutenant Watson, in a rage. “Aboard the launch! -pick up that cadet, and stand by to board. Here, Brown, steady this -rope. I’ll see what’s up on this confounded craft.” - -The last words were addressed to the coxswain, who instantly grasped -the lower bight of the line and held it while the fearless officer -ascended. Halfway to the top he held himself with one hand, and -loosened his sword in its scabbard with the other. Then he began again -to draw himself upward. - -His progress was watched with breathless interest below. Suddenly the -officer in charge of the sailing launch gave a muttered order. The crew -fell to the oars and the launch dashed ahead toward the bow. - -In the meantime, Trolley, dripping wet and evidently badly frightened, -had been dragged from the water. His teeth were chattering, and his -face had assumed a grayish pallor. - -“For Heaven’s sake, what’s the matter up there?” queried Joy, in a -frenzy of excitement. “Speak! where is Clif?” - -The Japanese youth crouched in the bottom of the boat and muttered and -shook his head like one demented. - -Suddenly all eyes were drawn to the railing above by the horrible, -unearthly cry first heard during the gale. It rang out with such -blood-curdling intensity that the faces of the listeners blanched. - -“We haven’t any business fooling here!” hoarsely muttered one of the -oarsmen. “This consarned _Flying Dutchman_ is ha’nted. I move we git as -fast as we can.” - -“And leave Faraday and Lieutenant Watson behind?” fiercely demanded -Joy. “That’s a fine suggestion.” - -Just then the sailing launch reached the bow. A quick scrutiny revealed -several broken bolts and beam ends where the bowsprit and stays had -been torn away. A fragment of chain was hanging down and swinging with -a harsh, grating sound against the side. - -“Climb up there, one of you,” called out the officer in charge. - -Joy, who was nearest started to obey, but before he could leave the -boat a prodigious hubbub came from aft. - -Looking in that direction he saw Lieutenant Watson striking fiercely -with his sword at something behind the rails. - -An indescribable pandemonium came from the deck. Harsh cries and -groans, wild shrieks, moans and a queer grunting sound which seemed -more unearthly than all the rest. - -One of the cutter’s crew was climbing the rope as fast as his arms -could lift him, and another was preparing to follow. - -Almost frantic with excitement, Joy fairly scaled the bow of the -derelict. As his hand touched the broken rail, he heard the heavy -breathing beneath him. A familiar voice gasped: - -“Hurry, hurry, Joy! Me want to come, too. Hurry! I no afraid any more, -even if I see plenty devil. Quick!” - -The next moment Joy threw one leg over the bulwark and dropped to the -deck. Then, with eyes bulging and face whitened to the color of chalk, -he turned to spring back over the side. - -Trolley grasped him by the arms and held him against the rail. A sailor -appeared above the level of the deck, took one glance, then vanished. A -sullen splash proclaimed his destination. - -Joy’s fright faded by degrees. Finally he again looked down the deck -over the little house-like structure amidships. What he saw was this: - -Up on the high after, or cabin deck, were four horribly grotesque -figures. One was a giant negro, coal black in color, and almost devoid -of clothing. - -Tied around his middle was a simple strip of some animal’s skin. His -hair was long and matted. His mouth savage in its brutal gaping. His -narrow eyes fierce and bloodshot. He was bleeding from a great wound, -evidently just given him by Lieutenant Watson, who had retreated to the -extreme after rail. - -With the maniac, for such he seemed to be, were three monster apes, -almost as large as a man. They were leaping about with appalling -nimbleness, and uttering strange, blood-curdling, half-human cries. - -Lying huddled in the port scupper was Clif, apparently dead. His -uniform had been rent in tatters, and a little rivulet of blood -trickled back and forth upon the deck near him as the derelict pitched -and rolled. - -This much Joy and Trolley saw, then one of the apes caught sight of -them. - -The monster uttered a cry of rage, and, snatching up a fragment of spar -from the deck, advanced upon them. It leaped with great agility, from -the high after deck to the midship house, and then, still uttering its -horrible screams, sprang upon the forecastle. - -But by that time the two plebes had received reinforcements. The -lieutenant in charge of the launch appeared over the railing, and, -after the first gasp of surprise, ordered his men on board. - -When the latter caught sight of the giant, gorilla-like ape advancing, -there was a panic, but a stern word from the officer held the seamen -and cadets to their duty. - -Joy let fly with a belaying pin he had picked up, and it caught the -monster squarely in the face, staggering him. The advantage was -followed by the lieutenant without loss of time. - -Springing forward with drawn sword, he lunged out, sending the point of -the sharp blade into the ape’s breast. - -There was a horrible scream of agony as the animal fell to the deck, a -snap of the sword as it broke, then, after a few convulsive shudders, -there was one foe the less. - -In the meantime a prodigious hubbub from aft indicated action in that -direction. - -When the victorious crew of the launch started aft they saw that -Lieutenant Watson had also received reinforcements. But it was plain -that still others were needed. - -The giant negro was fighting with maniacal fury. And the two apes were -following his example so fiercely that the executive officer and his -six companions were hard pressed to keep their ground. - -The appearance of the launch’s crew changed affairs at once, however. -Armed with cutlasses, belaying pins and cudgels, they fell upon the -negro and his animal companions and, after a brief but desperate -combat, forced them to retreat. - -The maniac fought his way forward. As he was being pursued he sprang -upon the port bulwark and, with a wild, chattering cry, leaped -overboard. - -A rush was made to the side, but all that remained to reveal the fate -of the negro were a few bubbles and a widening circle of ripples. He -had gone to his death. - -The two apes were writhing upon the deck in their last agony. As the -men turned back, they expired. - -Trolley and Joy quickly kneeled at the side of Clif. Their faces showed -their grief and anxiety. A hasty examination brought a whoop of joy -from the Jap. - -“He live,” he shouted. “Hurray! he no dead. Get water. Clif no die yet. -Whoop!” - -Lieutenant Watson, bleeding and exhausted, bent over the unconscious -lad, and, with the aid of a flask of whiskey, from the launch’s -medicine chest, soon brought a sigh from Clif’s lips. - -He came to with a start and a gasp of terror. The latter emotion was -so real that it required considerable effort to soothe him. When he at -last realized the true state of affairs, his relief was manifest. - -“Trolley,” he said, tremulously, “I--I thought it was the other world, -and I had taken the toboggan slide by mistake.” - -“You all right,” grinned the Japanese youth. “Hurray! It take plenty -kill you.” - -Clif managed to stand erect after his wound, a lacerated incision in -the shoulder given by one of the apes, had been attended to. - -Lieutenant Watson and the other officers made an inspection of the -strange craft, and found evidences to prove that she had originally -done duty as a primitive lightship in some southern Mediterranean port, -presumably in Algeria. - -“I am more inclined to think so from the fact that we found that -African negro and the apes on board,” said the executive officer, as -they returned from below. “I think I understand matters now. This negro -was evidently an attendant on board, and the apes were pets.” - -“It’s customary to have them on ships in those ports,” spoke up one of -the officers. - -“Yes. Well, the lightship evidently got adrift during a storm and was -blown to sea, through the Gut of Gibraltar.” - -“And afterward became a derelict in the Sargasso Sea. I noticed certain -marine fungi and seaweed on the hull which are only found in the -Sargasso.” - -“True. This ship probably drifted back and forth for months. All the -crew died except the negro, and he was made insane by his surroundings. -It’s a strange story.” - -“Only another mystery of the sea,” said the lieutenant in charge of -the launch, looking about decks. “Now the question is, what will we do -with her?” - -“Have a little target practice and send her down to where all derelicts -belong--the bottom,” replied Lieutenant Watson, grimly. - -“I may add one thing,” he continued. “I hope never to have such a -terrible experience again.” - -“Amen!” muttered Clif, tenderly feeling his wounds. - -Three hours later a well-aimed shot from one of the _Monongahela’s_ -guns sent the shattered hull of the mysterious derelict down to its -last resting place. - -The practice ship stood away on her course, and her crew of naval -cadets speedily forgot the episode in the excitement of other -experiences. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -SAIL DRILL AT SEA. - - -“I don’t believe a word of it!” - -“It’s true, nevertheless, Payne.” - -“But think what it means, my dear fellow. Why, such a thing has never -been dreamed of before on a naval academy practice ship. Plebes give an -entertainment! Pshaw! you’re crazy!” - -“Here comes Blakely. He’ll tell you whether I am right or not.” - -The speaker pointed along the starboard part of the _Monongahela’s_ -spar deck. Blakely was sauntering forward. - -He halted in front of the two and glanced inquiringly at Naval Cadet -Payne, who had beckoned to him. - -“What’s up?” he asked. - -“Why, this chump here has been telling me a ghost story. He says -the old man has given the new fourth class permission to hold an -entertainment on the gun deck.” - -“That’s straight, Ferguson.” - -“Wh-what!” - -“The plebes, headed by that very gally function, Faraday, sent in a -request this morning asking Captain Brookes’ permission to give a -minstrel entertainment on the forward gun deck. The old man gave his -consent at once, and it is to be held Saturday night.” - -“Well, that beats the nation!” exclaimed Ferguson, with a prolonged -whistle. “Fellows, the service is going to the bowows. I’ve been a -naval cadet in the service of these great and glorious United States -almost four years, and never have I dreamed of such a state of affairs.” - -“It’s all the fault of that Faraday,” muttered Payne. “He’s kicked up -more rows than enough since he entered the academy last month.” - -“He’s too fresh.” - -“That’s what.” - -Blakely looked over the side at the vast stretch of shimmering water -surrounding the practice ship, and smiled. - -He was a young man of very fair and even temper, was Walt Blakely, -member of the first class, and captain of the Naval Academy football -team. He rather liked “that cheeky plebe,” Clif Faraday, and he -secretly admired him for that cheekiness, but he also believed firmly -in the divine right of the upper classes. - -Therefore when Payne and Ferguson broke out in loud remonstrance he -added his voice to theirs. - -“The truth of the matter is,” said Ferguson, resentfully, “the old man -thinks the sun rises and sets in Faraday’s vicinity.” - -“Sure thing,” agreed Payne. “Ever since Faraday jumped from the top and -saved Nanny Gote from drowning, he’s in luck.” - -“It was a splendid act,” commented Blakely. - -“Yes, but it’s no reason for letting the plebes upset all the academy -traditions. Why----” - -“There’s Faraday now,” interrupted Payne, nodding his head toward an -approaching figure. - -Clif glanced quizzically at the little group as he passed, and then -joined several fourth class men gathered on the forecastle. - -Payne and Ferguson reddened slightly. - -“He looked as if he knew we were talking about him,” sniffed the -latter. - -“He probably does,” said Blakely, dryly. “He’s no fool. He knows his -new move will make more row than a bunch of magpies.” - -“I’d like to punch his head.” - -“Don’t try it, dear boy. He’s good at that work himself. He knocked -Sharpe out about as neatly as a prize fighter could. What’s that call?” - -The shrill blast of a boatswain’s whistle sounded along the deck. As -the tremulous piping died out, a hoarse voice called out: - -“All-l hands reef topsails!” - -“More drill,” grumbled Ferguson, moving off. “We’ve had nothing but -drill since we left Annapolis.” - -“Practice makes perfect,” grinned Blakely, as he started toward his -station. - -The quiet decks of the old _Monongahela_ speedily became a scene of -bustling activity. The boatswain’s call brought the watch tumbling aft. -The hatches poured forth a steady stream of active, healthy lads clad -in snowy duck. - -The first lieutenant and his assistant, the officer of the deck, took -their stand upon the break of the after deck. The captain sauntered -from his cabin prepared to watch proceedings with a critical eye. - -All was ready. - -“Aloft topmen!” shouted the first lieutenant, sonorously, through his -trumpet. - -At the words a number of nimble cadets, members of the first and third -classes, run up the rigging in a mad race for the top. - -On board a vessel like the _Monongahela_ there generally exists a -strong rivalry between the three tops--the fore, main and mizzen. - -In all drills, each tries to defeat the others. In making sail it is -the nimble crew that gets all taut first. There are no prizes offered, -but a smile or nod of commendation from the executive officer or -captain is worth more than medal or money. - -In making, or furling, or reefing sail a certain number of men--in this -case cadets--are selected as topmen. It is their duty to run aloft and -to man the yards. To lay out and reef or furl, or to handle ropes in -the top. - -At the first warning command they spring upon the nettings and mount -the lower part of the shrouds. - -They are supposed to wait patiently and in line for the word of -command, but do race horses wait patiently at the post! - -They slyly creep up several ratlines until the vigilant eye of the -first lieutenant catches them, then they reluctantly drop back, only to -spring aloft again at the first word from the trumpet. - -Once given they risk their necks to gain the top. Arriving there, they -stand ready and wait like champing steeds for the command: - -“Lay out!” - -In the meantime those below stationed at the fife and pin rails are -to do all in their power to ease off the different halliards and clew -lines and the various running gear. - -This latter task, under the careful supervision of several trained -first class men, belongs to the plebes. - -It is too soon in the cruise for the latter to trust their precious -lives above the deck, so they pull and haul and try their inexperienced -best to bring their part of the ship in first in this race of knowledge -and brawn. - -The topsails are reefed and spread again to the breeze. The sea is -calm, and the blue sky overhead holds no threatening cloud. - -The drill goes on until the captain cries “enough.” Then the ship is -made trim once more, and the cadets listen longingly for the sound of -the boatswain’s whistle piping “Mess gear,” for that means dinner, and -if there is anything a naval cadet likes to do at sea, after the salty -breeze and active work has toned his stomach, it is to eat. - -And eat he does, rest assured of that. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -TALKING IT OVER. - - -“I play plenty times in my country. I was bully boy with eyeglass. -Hurray! all Japan girls think I good thing.” - -“Did they push you along?” - -“He! he! you try be funny, Clif. Yes, they push me along. They say I -good actor and know how to make laugh. Say, Clif, we no do one thing -to other cadets when we have show. Hurray! they die with what you -call--a----” - -“Chills and fever?” suggested a lean, solemn-faced lad. - -“No. It----” - -“Measles?” - -“You quit fooling, Joy, or I fracture your face. I mean the cadets die -with envy.” - -The group of plebes gathered about the speaker, laughed. - -When quarters were over on this morning in question, the exciting news -circulated throughout the ship that Clif Faraday, the cheekiest plebe -of the lot, had boldly asked Captain Brookes for permission to give a -minstrel show. - -And the captain had actually consented. - -Deep was the wrath on board, and many the dire threats made that the -entertainment would come to an untimely end. - -Clif was no fool. He knew that trouble would ensue. But he was looking -for trouble. - -The show was simply one link in a chain of reprisals against the common -enemy--the first and third classes. - -After drill the six chief conspirators gathered in their usual meeting -place, the port side of the forecastle. - -Trolley’s remarks were laughed at, then after a period of bantering, -Clif proceeded to more serious work. - -“We are not going to give an entertainment with the ease of an eastern -and peaceful city,” he said, glancing aft at Ferguson, who was in the -center of an animated group of third class men. “We will find our lines -laid out in troublous places, let me tell you. I prophecy that an -earthquake will strike this ship around Saturday night.” - -“Hurray!” exclaimed the irrepressible Jap. “Me like earthquakes. That -is the way we settle our coffee in Japan every morning. He! he!” - -“Trolley,” said Joy, eying him sadly, “it is time for you to go home. -When a foreigner begins to crack bad jokes he should be given his -passports. As we haven’t any such papers on board, I’ll try my best to -teach you the error of your ways.” - -While speaking he had edged slyly toward the Japanese youth. With the -last word he made a spring for him, but Trolley slipped under his arm -and dashed across the forecastle. - -Standing near the railing were Judson Greene and Chris Spendly. - -Into the former ran Trolley, the shock sending him reeling against the -rail. As Judson grasped at the empty air to steady himself, his cap -fell overboard and was carried astern. - -Greene was not a very pleasant-looking youth, despite his rather -handsome face, and now he seemed positively ferocious with rage. - -“What do you mean, you yellow nigger?” he howled, making a pass at -Trolley. “How dare you ran into me like that? I’ll give you a lesson -you won’t forget in a hurry.” - -But he didn’t. The blow he aimed at the Japanese youth inflicted -no damage. Trolley caught the extended arm by the wrist, and with -apparently little effort, held it in midair. - -“I sorry I knock your cap into water,” he said, quietly. “I get you one -for it. But I no let you hit me.” - -Judson struggled wildly but he was simply a child in the Jap’s grasp. -Chris Spendly stepped forward to interfere, but Joy confronted him with -such a menacing gesture that he discreetly withdrew. - -Clif and the others hurried across the deck, as did a cadet officer who -had espied the conflict from afar. - -“What’s up?” asked Clif, endeavoring to separate the two combatants. - -“He knocked my----” began Greene, then he added, sullenly: “None -of your confounded business, Clif Faraday! What right have you to -interfere?” - -Clif laughed. - -“Still as sweet as ever, I see, Greene,” he replied, coolly. “Got the -same angelic temper.” - -“Here, what’s this row?” demanded the cadet officer, arriving -breathlessly on the scene. “Fighting, eh? That means the mast to-morrow -morning.” - -He produced a book from his blouse and read aloud as he noted: - -“On board U. S. S. _Monongahela_, at sea, June 22d. Fourth class -cadets, Judson Greene and Motohiki Asaki, fighting on forecastle. Cadet -Greene without cap and evidently the aggressor.” - -“I was not the aggressor!” indignantly cried Judson. “That chump -ran----” - -“Cadet Greene proved insolent, and used slang,” continued the cadet -officer, calmly making the entry in his book. - -“Guess we’d better get out of this or we’ll be marked for breathing,” -muttered Joy. - -“If you will permit me to explain,” spoke up Clif, respectfully. “I saw -the whole affair. It was an accident, and----” - -“Cadet Faraday of the fourth class interfered with me in the -performance of my duties, and failed to use ‘sir’ when addressing me,” -monotonously added the officer, writing away. - -The plebes exchanged glances and then beat a hasty retreat to the -other side of the forecastle. The senior cadet grinned to himself, and, -restoring his book to its place, swaggered aft. - -“Well, that’s certainly one way of keeping even,” exclaimed Clif, with -a whistle. “Did you ever see anything worse than that?” - -“Humph!” grunted Joy. “It won’t be a circumstance to what we’ll do to -those fellows next Saturday night. Just let them wait and see.” - -“And I do no thing to Judson Greene some days,” said Trolley, doubling -his fist. “I knock him eye into last Sunday. Hurray!” - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -JUDSON RECEIVES A SETBACK. - - -That evening after supper Cadets Blakely and Ferguson were slowly -pacing up and down the port side of the spar deck talking over the -all-engrossing subject--the plebe’s minstrel show. - -“To tell you the honest truth, Ferguson,” said the big senior, after a -pause, “I don’t see how we can stop the thing without raising a lot of -trouble.” - -“Oh, there is more than one way to kill a cat,” replied the other. “You -just promise that you will lend a hand, and I’ll furnish any amount of -schemes.” - -“But the old man has given his consent, you know.” - -“That doesn’t cut any ice. What right has he to break a cadet rule? He -was a cadet himself once, and I’ll bet anything he was just as strict -against the plebe class as we are. Why, how was it yourself? Did you -kick and refuse to be--er--to be----” - -“Hazed?” smiled Blakely. “Yes, hazed.” - -“Humph! I was too scared.” - -“The proper feeling. So was I. Why, they made me eat a yard of red -ribbon I brought home to remember my girl by. Yes, made me eat the -whole blamed thing. And it put me in the hospital for a week, too. But -I didn’t kick or squeal either.” - -“You can’t say Faraday ever squealed,” said Blakely, quickly. - -“No, I won’t say that,” replied Ferguson, reluctantly. “But he’s done -everything else. He’s a fool. Why, the whole plebe class is as impudent -as you please. Yesterday I told that little fellow, Nanny Gote, to do -something for me, and he actually refused.” - -“You don’t say! That’s bad. But what was it?” - -Ferguson reddened. - -“Why, I--it--I just asked him to overhaul my bag and give the clothes -an airing.” - -“And----” persisted the big senior, smiling shyly. - -“Oh, nothing more--that is, I believe I asked him to wash all the -soiled things.” - -“And he refused? The impudent beggar! He’s certainly unreasonable.” - -The sarcasm in the words made Ferguson uncomfortable, and he said -nothing for several moments. As they slowly paced up and down the deck -a cadet emerged from the forward hatch and eyed them. - -He waited until they had made a turn toward the mainmast, then he -slipped into a dark spot near one of the broadside guns. - -As they passed him on their way back he called out in a cautious voice: - -“I say, Blakely. Look here a moment, will you?” - -The two stopped and faced the speaker, Ferguson with an exclamation of -surprise. - -“Hello, it’s a plebe!” he said. - -“Judson Greene,” added Blakely, not very cordially. “Well, what do you -want, plebe?” - -“I’d like to say a word or two in private,” replied Greene, nervously. - -He cast a furtive glance forward as he spoke, and drew farther into the -deepening shadows. - -“A word with me? What about?” asked the big senior, coldly. - -Judson hesitated and looked at Ferguson. The latter started to go away, -then he stopped and said, significantly: - -“If you have anything to say about the plebe entertainment, I can hear -it also. I guess I am as much interested as Blakely.” - -“Yes, it’s about the show,” was Judson’s eager reply. “I sympathize -with you fellows and I’ll put you on to a scheme to down Clif Faraday -and his gang.” - -Blakely made a gesture of disgust. - -“What do you think we are, confound you?” he demanded, angrily. “We -haven’t any use for traitors, and that is what you are. Get out of here -with your dirty propositions. Come, Ferguson.” - -Judson slunk away without a word, and the honest-hearted big senior -resumed his walk with Ferguson. A few minutes later he was called on -duty. - -As soon as he was alone Ferguson promptly hunted up Greene. Taking him -to a secluded spot, he held a long and earnest conversation with him, -the result of which was evidently satisfactory to both. - -In the meantime the object of their conspiracy was busily engaged in -preparing the details of the coming entertainment. - -He had secured permission to partition off the forward part of the gun -deck as a hall for rehearsals, and, as only three days intervened -before Saturday, he ordered one held that night. - -Curious upper class men, attracted by the unwonted sounds of music, -gathered about the spot, but they were kept in order by a special -detail of plebes, reinforced by the master-at-arms and his assistant. - -Shouts of laughter, a confused murmur of voices, an occasional snatch -of song, and the rattling of bones and banging of tambourines only -added zest to the curiosity of the hearers outside the canvas partition. - -Among the latter were Ferguson and a sallow, thin cadet named Bryce. -The two were discussing the scene in low tones when Judson Greene -slipped up to them. - -“Well?” asked Ferguson, espying him. - -“Everything settled,” was the reply, given guardedly. “I’ve prepared -the stuff. It’ll work like a charm.” - -“Well, have it ready,” said Ferguson, briefly. - -As the youthful traitor glided away, he added to Bryce: - -“I hate to dabble in such dirty work, but we must put a stop to this -insolent attempt to give a show. That fellow Greene is a sneak and a -scoundrel, and I wish Faraday would lick him for keeps.” - -“After the entertainment is busted up, eh?” laughed his companion. - -Ferguson nodded, and the two presently went on deck, the music and -laughter and songs following them like a mocking chorus. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -PREPARING FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT. - - -When Saturday dawned, the weather was promising and the members of the -plebe class on board the old _Monongahela_ were as happy as hearty, -good-natured boys can be. - -On board a vessel of war Saturday is regarded as a holiday. Only the -necessary work, such as cleaning decks and bright work, is done. - -Quarters are held at the usual hour, then Jack’s time is his own. The -“smoking lamp” is lighted, and those who care to indulge in a pipe are -permitted to do so. In passing it may as well be understood that naval -cadets are forbidden to smoke, a wise government deeming it unnecessary -for their health or pastime. - -Clif and his friends set to work immediately after quarters. The -forward part of the gun deck was turned over to them, and a stage -prepared by the ship’s carpenter. A curtain was extemporized of bunting -and canvas, and the space about the stage tastefully decorated with -flags of all nations. - -“Now, fellows,” said the young leader, cheerfully, “we must have just -one more rehearsal before the grand event.” - -“I thought we had the last one yesterday,” grumbled Toggles. - -“We did until this morning. Come, Toggles, exert yourself. Remember the -importance of the occasion. We’ve got to do our level best and turn out -a good show or the upper classes will have the laugh on us. Get out -your big horn and try that solo again.” - -The affair was to be on the lines of a minstrel performance, but with -novel features. Instead of the familiar, old-time black faces and negro -costumes, Clif had provided different ideas. - -“We’ll make it a deep-sea combination,” he had said; “something more -appropriate to the raging main than nigger minstrelsy. We’ll have -Father Neptune and his suite.” - -The idea captured the plebes at once, and they had lost no time in -settling on a programme. - -Clif, disguised as Neptune, was to occupy the center of the circle. At -the ends were to be Trolley, Toggles, Joy, and another plebe named Grat -Wallace. They were to take the parts of bones and tambo, but to be clad -in the fantastic garb of sea wolves. - -Eight other plebes, dressed in cadet uniforms, were to occupy the other -chairs. They were supposed to represent eight mortals captured by -Neptune and compelled to assist in entertaining him. - -The plan was novel, and Clif was very anxious to conceal it from -outsiders until the curtain rose on Saturday night. - -His efforts had proved successful and he was doubly concerned at this -last moment to keep the secret. While the company was preparing for -the final rehearsal he carefully examined the curtain and saw that the -plebe sentries were alert. - -But he totally forgot several deadlights and two gun ports which opened -from the gun deck. They overlooked the sea, and for that reason it -probably never occurred to him that they could be utilized by prying -eyes. - -When he returned from his tour of investigation he found the “Naval -Academy Plebe Minstrel Troupe” in their places in full costume. - -The orchestra was rather weak. It consisted of two asthmatic fiddles, a -brass horn, an old drum, and a peculiar instrument Trolley had rigged -out of a dishpan and a variety of strings. - -In addition Clif was to perform on musical glasses, an accomplishment -he had learned at home. This was to come in the olio, or second, part, -together with juggling by Trolley, tumbling by Toggles, an alleged -humorous address from Joy, and a boxing match between Nanny Gote and -Walters, two of the smallest plebes on board. - -The entertainment was to wind up with a skit on life at the Naval -Academy, which promised to create no end of fun. - -Clif and Grat Wallace were the joint authors and they had incorporated -sly hits and jokes calculated to drive the upper classes into a frenzy. - -The rehearsal proceeded without a hitch until the end of the first part. - -Clif was just in the act of rising and ordering his sea wolves to take -the unhappy mortals to the darkest coral cavern in his realm when he -suddenly caught sight of a face at one of the ports. - -Clif was shrewd. He knew that it was a spy, and that the slightest -alarm would frighten the fellow away. His plan was formed in an instant. - -“Let’s try that last song and chorus again, fellows,” he exclaimed, -cheerily. “I think one more practice would not hurt it. Now, ready! Let -’er go!” - -The drum banged, the violins squeaked, and Grat Wallace’s rich tenor -voice rang out in the refrain of “The Cumberland’s Crew.” - -While the music was echoing Clif quietly leaned over and whispered to -Joy: - -“There’s a spy peeping in the port. I think it is Judson Greene. He -must not be allowed to get away. See if you can’t nip him.” - -Joy gave an extra blast on his bass horn, then sprang to his feet and -began to caper around as if it were part of a grotesque dance. - -“Good boy!” applauded Clif. “That’s right. That will catch the -audience. Now give us the long slide and that will wind it up.” - -Joy did give the “long slide,” and it brought him to the port. He was -lean and lank and agile, and in the twinkling of an eye had reached out -and grasped the spy by the hair. - -Clif sprang to his aid, and the two dragged Judson, yelling and -struggling, through the port where he was dangling from a rope leading -to the top of the forecastle. The rope was cut and the end used to make -Master Greene secure. - -“Now, you confounded traitor!” cried Clif, “we’ve got you in a place -from which you won’t escape in a hurry. You will spy on us, eh?” - -“I’ve got the right to look in a port if I want to,” sullenly retorted -the prisoner. “Let me go, or I’ll tell the captain.” - -“Let him go? Not much!” chattered Nanny, excitedly. “He’s in the pay of -the upper classes. I know it because I saw him talking to Ferguson and -his gang. Let’s lick him.” - -“No. A whipping would be altogether too good for him,” replied Clif, -sternly. “We’ll gag the traitor and stow him under the stage until the -performance is over.” - -Judson set up a yell, but he was effectually squelched by Trolley and -Toggles. A couple of towels were brought into use and he was speedily -gagged and thrust into a corner. - -“Nanny, you and Walters can stand guard over him until evening,” -directed Clif, “then we’ll stow him under the stage. He won’t be missed -without Ferguson tumbles to the racket.” - -If Judson Greene had the power of speech he might have said something -that would have made Clif rather uneasy. He could think, though, and he -did. And his thoughts took this form. - -“Clif Faraday, you think you are clever, but you’ll find out there are -others on earth. Before ten o’clock you will not only have your show -busted up, but you’ll be in disgrace, too!” - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE MINSTREL SHOW. - - -All afternoon and until after supper time Clif and the rest continued -their preparations for the entertainment which was destined to prove -(so they fondly hoped) the crowning triumph in their successful -campaign against the higher classes. - -The clever young leader and his clever companions had every reason to -anticipate success, for had they not beaten the hazing third class at -its own game many times? - -They had caught the spy (one of their own class, more shame to him) -sent out by the enemy, and now he was stretched, bound and gagged, in -one corner of the stage with little Nanny doing valiant sentry-go over -him. - -Clif was tactician enough to send out scouts among the other cadets to -ascertain if there were signs of a plot to break up the entertainment, -but all he learned was that a number of the upper cadets had secured -certain articles of a vegetable nature, also several ancient specimens -of hen fruit. - -Whereat Clif chuckled. - -“They think this is a barn-storming troupe, eh?” he said. “Well, we -will fool them.” - -It was an exceedingly warm evening. A light breeze which had been -previously blowing from the northeast, died out entirely by dusk, -leaving the old _Monongahela_ rolling sluggishly upon a long heaving -swell--the after effect of a gale in some quarter of the ocean. - -The “Naval Academy Plebe Troupe” found it very sultry and close on the -gun deck, and when the boys donned their heavy costumes they were a -very warm set of youngsters indeed. - -Shortly before the hour set for the performance one of the wardroom -stewards came forward with a large wooden pail of lemonade and said it -was a present from aft. - -The plebes were delighted, and they lost no time in refreshing -themselves. - -“Tell them we are exceedingly obliged,” said Joy, emptying his third -glass. “This is great, simply great.” - -The man grinned and withdrew. Five minutes later the seats in front of -the improvised stage began to fill up. - -“To your places, fellows,” ordered Clif, who was acting as stage -manager. “Now, remember, we’ve got a reputation to maintain. The eyes -of the--er--whole world are upon us. So behave yourselves and act -like--er--like----” - -“James Owen O’Connor,” grinned Wallace. - -A stamping of feet came from the audience. It was time for the curtain. - -At a signal from Clif, the boys at the ropes promptly hauled up the -canvas exposing to view the expectant audience. - -In the front row were the captain and all the officers off duty. Back -of them, seated upon benches, chairs, and ditty-boxes were the cadets -and part of the crew. - -As the curtain rose above the stage a low whistle was heard, and then -came a perfect hail of soft potatoes, cabbages and wads of oakum soaked -in slush. - -But these testimonials from the envious upper classmen never reached -their intended destination. Clif, with commendable foresight, had -provided a second curtain of netting. - -The offering of decayed vegetables fell harmlessly to the deck and a -wail of disappointment came from the throwers. - -“This tomfoolery must stop right now,” exclaimed the captain, rising -from his chair and addressing the senior classmen. “If you cannot act -as gentlemen you can leave this deck.” - -He sat down, looking red and indignant. - -The nondescript band upon the stage broke out into a tune which bore a -distant resemblance to the “Star Spangled Banner.” The alleged music -wound up at last, and Clif rose to his feet. - -Those in the audience saw him pass one hand across his forehead in a -half-dazed manner. He swayed slightly and was seen to grasp the arm of -his chair. - -“Captain and officers, and cadets of the _Monongahela_,” he began, -speaking indistinctly, “it gives me--me the greatest pleasure to -in--introduce to your favorable consid--consideration this talented -ag--ag----” - -He turned and glanced at Joy, and that youth, ordinarily solemn and -mournful in appearance, broke into a hysterical giggle. - -Two members of the audience--Ferguson and Bryce--exchanged glances, and -covered their mouths with their hands. - -“Glory! it’s working,” whispered the former. - -“Just watch the old man,” was Bryce’s reply. “He smells a rat already. -This is great.” - -Down in front the commander of the _Monongahela_ was eying the stage -with a puzzled expression on his face. One or two of the officers were -smiling. - -Suddenly Nanny began to chuckle and hold his sides as if highly amused. -He attempted to leave his chair, but toppled over against Trolley. - -“That will do,” shouted Clif, thickly. “We’ll go on with the -performish. Ladies an’ gemmen, the firsh number on the pro--gramish -will be rendered by the whole troupe. I’m supposed to be Father -Nepchune. You all know ’m. He ish patron father of all shailors. Thatsh -me. Those pecuyliar-looking animalish at each end are shea-wolves. And -in th’ middle on each side--ha! ha! how’s that for Irish bull?--in -the middle on each side are supposed to be mortals. Everyday ord’nary -mortalish. They came down in m’--my reals--no, my realms, and now they -got to amuse me before they go back to the Naval Academy.” - -He sat down abruptly and laughed vacantly. - -A titter ran through the audience. It quickly grew into a roar, and -then the gun deck resounded with shouts of laughter, catcalls, and -vociferous applause. - -The captain was plainly growing angry, but he managed to keep his -temper. - -“Is this part of the show?” he whispered to the first lieutenant, who -sat next to him. “If so, those boys are excellent actors.” - -“I can’t make up my mind,” replied the executive officer, watching the -stage narrowly. “That youngster, Faraday, is very clever. He’s apt to -spring most any kind of surprise. But, as you say, if it’s part of the -play----” - -He was interrupted by a wild howl. Trolley had suddenly leaped to -his feet and was giving a grotesque Japanese dance. His eyes were -glittering and he giggled and yelled incessantly. - -“Go it, Jap!” cried Grat Wallace, clapping his hands. “Let’s show ’em -wh--what we can do. Whoop! we’re the bes’ plebes ever entered the ol’ -academy! We’ve licked the third class fellows every round. Whoop! We’ll -do ’em up every time.” - -An answering shout came from several upper classmen in the audience at -this challenge. A small coil of rope, fastened with yarn, was hurled at -the stage. It struck the netting, tore a great hole in it, and landed -with a thump upon Toggles, who was evidently asleep in his chair. - -Clif was seen to stagger to his feet and attempt to speak, but the -uproar was too great. The pandemonium was brought to an abrupt ending, -however, by the captain and first officer, who rose from their chairs -and faced the audience. - -“Go on deck, all of you,” shouted the former, sternly. - -“I’ll court-martial any cadet caught down here within three minutes.” - -The order had an immediate effect. The deck was cleared in the time -specified, then the officers, including the surgeon, took possession of -the stage. - -Trolley and a plebe from California had gotten into a fight over in one -corner. They were quickly separated. Then the captain turned upon Clif, -who was swaying back and forth with the greater part of his Neptune -costume still on him. - -“Mr. Faraday, what is the meaning of this?” demanded the commander, -authoritatively. “You are drunk, sir, outrageously drunk.” - -Something like a startled expression passed over Clif’s face. He rubbed -his forehead vaguely and muttered: - -“Beg your pardon, I guess I--I feel queer. My head is all dizzy.” - -“I don’t doubt it!” snapped the first lieutenant. “You have made a -beast of yourself. This is intolerable.” - -“Doctor, examine him,” said the captain, curtly. - -The surgeon placed his head close to Clif’s mouth, examined his pulse -and eyes, then reported, briefly: - -“He is certainly under the influence of some strong stimulant, but I -can’t detect any odor of liquor.” - -Captain Brookes turned to the executive officer, and said: - -“Place all of them under close arrest. See that they do not----” - -He was interrupted by a faint knocking under his feet. A couple of -planks were lifted and Judson Greene, perspiring and miserable, was -lifted into view. - -The rope and gag removed, he explained that he had been brutally set -upon by Faraday and the other plebes, and thrown under the stage. - -Just as he concluded his doleful tale, the surgeon, who had been poking -about, discovered the pail which had contained the lemonade. A few -cupfuls still remained in the bottom. - -“What’s this?” he exclaimed, excitedly. “Hum! traces of chloral, and -gin, and beer. Ye gods! what a combination! I must test the devilish -mixture. Hum! no wonder the lads went crazy. Captain!” - -That officer hastily joined him. Holding the pail at arm’s length, much -as if it were a charge of dynamite, the surgeon continued: - -“Here’s the solution to the secret, sir. I can see it plainly. It’s a -trick, a dastardly trick to disgrace these poor lads.” - -The worthy surgeon was not a graduate of the academy, had not been an -upper classman, therefore he could feel for the “miserable plebes.” - -“You say the lemonade has been drugged?” asked the captain, -incredulously. - -“Undoubtedly. Just smell this peculiar odor. Can’t you trace the -characteristic scents of gin and chloral?” - -The captain could not, but he was willing to believe the surgeon, -knowing that he was a very capable man who had made a hobby of drugs -and narcotics. - -“If that is true, it certainly alters the case,” he said, -reflectively, glancing at the members of the late “Naval Academy Plebe -Troupe,” who were either asleep or showing every indication of becoming -so, with the exception of Clif. - -The latter was evidently making a desperate effort to throw off the -effect of the drugs. His eyes were brightening, and he stood erect. - -“Just take them to the sick bay, doctor, and keep them there until -morning. I’ll hold a strict investigation then,” said Captain Brookes. - -Clif attempted to speak, but the kind-hearted officer told him to -keep his story until the next day. The “troupe” was escorted by the -master-at-arms and assistants to the surgeon’s quarters and a number of -the crew placed at work clearing away the stage. - -It was some time after pipedown before the excitement died out. -Ferguson, Bryce and several others in the secret, discussed the affair -rather gloomily. They were not afraid of discovery, as they felt -assured neither Clif nor the others concerned would turn informer; but -they were disappointed at the outcome of the plot. - -Ferguson voiced the sentiments of his companions when he said, with -emphasis: - -“I wish that confounded sawbones had kept his poky nose out of that -pail. If he hadn’t smelled the gin and stuff we’d had Faraday dead to -rights. As it is now, they’ll clear him and shelve the affair among the -other hazing mysteries.” - -And that is just what happened. Captain Brookes held a consultation -with the executive officer and surgeon; sent for Clif and asked him -a few questions, which the lad cleverly evaded, then the affair was -dropped. - -The gallant commander had passed through the mill himself, so to speak, -and he had no intention of pressing the matter. For which all concerned -were truly thankful. - -For several days, Clif and his fellow-plebes were compelled to endure -many sly allusions to their escapade. - -Upper class cadets would give elaborate imitations of the various -stages of intoxication on seeing them; and cadet corporals would speak -thickly when giving orders. - -To all of which Clif would grimly compress his lips and nod his head as -if intimating that the war was not yet over. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE NIGHT DRILL. - - -It was one night of many since the shores of America had faded astern. -It was the early hours when time hangs heavy. - -Back and forth marched the officer in charge of the ship. He had paced -the stretch between rail and rail of the slender bridge fully fifty -times. He was thinking longingly of the approaching hour when his -relief would report, and he would be free to forget the monotony of -ship life in the seclusion of sleep. - -Suddenly, as he neared the ladder leading to the quarter-deck, he -almost collided with a dark figure. - -There was a brief interchange of words, then the lieutenant leaned over -the railing and called, softly: - -“Messenger boy!” - -“Ay, ay, sir.” - -A lad in a sailor’s uniform emerged from the gloom, and knuckled his -forehead with one hand. - -The lieutenant gave him a whispered order, and the messenger hastily -descended the ladder and disappeared forward. A few moments later the -oppressive stillness of the night gave way with startling abruptness to -a most prodigious clatter. - -R-r-rat-a-tat! R-r-rat-a-tat! - -The sharp roll of the drum awoke the echoes of the old frigate, sending -an infernal din of noise through decks and rigging and hull. It was -caught up and hurled about from sail to sail; it burst upon the ears -of the watch below, sending men from their hammocks in alarm. And it -changed the scene from one of peaceful quiet into a pandemonium of -hurrying figures and excited voices. - -“Silence fore and aft!” came the stern command from the bridge. There -were three figures there now. And one was the captain. - -The noise ceased as if by magic. Several lights flashed fore and aft, -and revealed in the faint light were a number of grim black cannon, -each surrounded by motionless sailors, every group being as rigid as -the iron itself. - -An officer, half clad, but girdled with belt and sword scabbard, leaves -one of the groups and hurries to the space in front of the bridge. His -sword flashes as he salutes. - -“First division ready, sir.” - -The words came crisp and sharp. He had scarcely finished when another -officer hastens up and makes a similar report, then another and another. - -This scene just described, which to an inexperienced eye would have -seemed strange and warlike, was a drill, pure and simple. - -It was general quarters--a ceremony where the ship is ready to fight, -when the crew is ready to work the guns, and battle to the death -with the foes of their country. It was a night alarm, too, entirely -unexpected by the crew, and therefore a fine practical test of the -resources of the frigate in moments of hasty peril and attack. - -The captain smiled grimly as he glanced at his watch by the light of -the hand lantern. Turning to the first lieutenant, he said, in a low -voice: - -“Fair time, pretty fair. Ship ready for action in seven minutes. -Could be better, though,” was the reply. Then the officer added, -questioningly: - -“Shall I order retreat from quarters, sir?” - -Captain Brookes gave a quick glance into the darkness enshrouding the -frigate, and replied: - -“No. It’s a good night for further drill. We’ll try ‘abandon ship.’” - -“Man the boats only, sir?” - -“No; lower them. The sea is rather quiet. It might be a good idea to -send the boats out half a mile. It will give the cadets a taste of -actual experience.” - -Lieutenant Watson, the executive officer of the _Monongahela_, was too -well trained to offer an objection, or even advice, but he glanced -askance at the black wall surrounding them, as he called out: - -“Bugler, sound abandon ship.” - -There was a quick, lively blast of a bugle, then the men and cadets -melted away from their stations and swarmed about the boats secured in -the davits. - -The frigate was hove to, and when her way was checked the small boats -were lowered and brought alongside the sea gangway. - -It was ticklish work descending into the frail crafts as they pitched -and rolled under the lee of the towering hull, but the various crews -were embarked without mishap. - -“Pull away to sea, and await signal to return,” bawled the executive -officer from the bridge. - -“Ay, ay, sir,” came faintly through the darkness. - -“Officers of boats will examine stores and equipments,” was the next -order. “Also ascertain proficiency of crews.” - -Again came the obedient replies, then the captain, first lieutenant and -the men kept on board as a precaution, settled down to wait. - -“We will give them ten minutes,” said the former, presently. “They -can’t pull far in that time. Nothing like actual experience to----” - -He paused abruptly and glanced out to windward. A chill blast had -suddenly come from that direction. The old _Monongahela_ gave an uneasy -roll. - -“That means wind and plenty of it, sir,” exclaimed Lieutenant Watson. -“Shall I----” - -“Hoist the recall at once,” broke in Captain Brookes. - -A moment later a cluster of lights swung aloft from the main truck of -the frigate. - -And leaning out over the lee railing of the bridge were the two -officers, both watching for answering signals, but neither confessing -to the other the anxiety caused by that threatening puff of wind. - -On vessels of war each separate boat, from the sailing launch to -the dingy, has its own crew, and coxswain. In certain drills and -ceremonies, such as abandon ship, every man on board ship is ticketed -to a certain boat. To that craft he promptly repairs when the signal is -given. Constant practice makes every member of the crew familiar with -his duties, and drill, or the real action, passes without confusion. - -The sailing launch of the _Monongahela_ was a large seaworthy boat, -capable of safely carrying twenty men. When it was rowed away from the -frigate on this dark night it contained that number in its crew. - -The officer in charge was a lieutenant, and he had under his command -five seamen, a coxswain and thirteen cadets. - -Among the latter were Clif, Trolley and Joy. - -“I say, Trolley, isn’t this nice work for Christians to be laboring -at?” asked Joy. “Didn’t I tell you that war causes all the trouble in -this world? Here we are out in the bosom of the mighty deep, working -away like a lot of slaves when we might be comfortable starving at -home. I tell you peace is the thing.” - -The Japanese youth laughed softly. - -“You fool me one time, my Joy,” he replied. “I think when I first know -you that you great boy for peace. But----” - -He chuckled, and added, with evident zest: - -“You no like to eat more than you like fight. You whip three upper -class boys, and not half try. When Clif Faraday say we do more things -to third class fellows you roll your eyes and you lick your chop. You -what American boys call one big bluff.” - -The object of this arraignment laughed and gave an added spurt with his -long ashen oar. The launch pitched and rolled in the seas, and steadily -forced its way through the blackness. - -Far astern twinkled the lights of the practice ship, seeming no larger -than star points in the distance. - -Overhead the darkness increased, the expanse of sea being banked in -by gathering clouds. A breeze, cool and moist with a salty dampness, -sprang up, giving a fleeting spray to the edge of the waves. - -It was a strange experience to the young naval cadets, this tossing -about in an open boat upon a heaving sea whose broad bosom sparkled and -glowed with the sheen of phosphorescent lights. - -There was something fascinating in it all, something so peculiarly -attractive that all wished the signal of recall would be long in coming. - -They had been aroused from slumber, the majority of them, and had -plunged from the peacefulness of their hammocks into the midst of -bustle and wild excitement. They had worked the guns in imitation -of battle attack, then, as a fitting climax to all, here they were -launched away from the ship with only a few frail planks between them -and the remorseless ocean. - -There was no thought of danger in their minds, however. It was all -play--a jolly good game in which the boats, and the sea, and the -freshening wind were the toys. - -So they laid to the oars and forced the boats over the waves farther -and still farther from the ship. And the breeze came in stronger puffs -and the clouds gathered overhead in the darkness, and at last there -came a time when the experienced officers in charge of the little -flotilla received the same sudden shock as did Captain Brookes and his -first lieutenant. - -The shock was the icy blast. It sent the light crafts rolling, and -called forth muttered exclamations of consternation from those who were -experienced in the treachery of old ocean. - -Then came the recall. A cluster of lanterns swung aloft bidding the -boats return. They had barely started on the back track when a deep, -sullen boom echoed across the water. - -“By George! it’s time,” muttered the lieutenant in charge of the -sailing launch. “The old man sees his mistake and he’s hurrying us up.” -He added, aloud: - -“Pull away, men. Bend to it. That’s the recall gun.” - -“We know that all right,” said Clif to his seatmate. “It’s the recall -gun, and it is not a minute too soon.” - -Twelve oars dipped and rose in steady cadence, the dripping blades -flashing with phosphorescent fire. Twelve sturdy backs were bent and -twelve pairs of arms labored lustily, sending the launch from wave -crest to wave crest like a thing of life. - -Twinkling here and there were the lanterns of other boats, but the -launch’s light had blown out. - -The blackness of the night was appalling. It rested upon the water like -a thick blanket. The men in the boats could hardly see the backs of -those in front of them. The coxswains faced an impenetrable wall. - -“Pull away!” again called out the lieutenant of the launch. “See if -you can’t get more speed out of her, boys.” - -He spoke coaxingly, trying to hide even from himself his intense -anxiety. - -His words were not needed. The launch’s crew understood the peril as -well as he. One old sailor exclaimed to his mates: - -“It’s the ship in five minutes or Davy Jones’ locker forever, boys. -There’ll be a living gale down on us in a jiffy. If ye love life break -your backs.” - -A fresh spurt--made against an increasing sea--followed this -admonition. One of the oars cracked ominously and it was speedily cast -aside. There were spare ones, and the progress of the boat suffered -little. - -Clif, Joy and Trolley labored like heroes. They were inexperienced in -the ways of the weather, but they realized that their position was one -of great danger. All three were cool, however. - -“It make good incident for book I am going to write on navy,” said the -Japanese youth. “I like this. It plenty fun.” - -“You would laugh in a cyclone or dance in a burning crater,” remarked -Joy, with a grim chuckle. “If all Japs are as brave as----” - -“Back oars!” suddenly interrupted the lieutenant. “Back for your----” - -Crash! - -High above the whistling of the wind came the grinding of shattered -timbers and the startled cries of a score of excited men. Then came a -series of quick splashes, more shouts, and finally one long appealing -cry for help. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -FRIENDS IN ADVERSITY. - - -During his brief career as a cadet at the United States Naval Academy, -Clif had not been placed in many very startling and dangerous -situations, but he was a youth of natural coolness of character, and -one quick to act in cases of emergency. - -In the present situation all his coolness was needed. - -When the sudden and entirely unexpected crash came, Clif and the other -members of the crew were bending all their energies forward, forcing -the launch back to the practice ship. - -With head bent low and arms tugging at the oar he worked away, knowing -full well that their very lives depended upon their reaching the -_Monongahela_ before the sudden gale increased. - -Clif heard Joy and Trolley talking, then came the lieutenant’s fierce -interruption, and then chaos seemed to come, and overwhelm boat and -crew in one mighty crash. - -The lieutenant’s warning cry came too late for preparation. Clif felt -himself thrown headlong from his seat upon the man in front. There was -a wild scramble, then the waters of the ocean rolled up and engulfed -all. - -When Clif regained the surface he at once instinctively struck out. In -no general direction, but with a natural desire to keep afloat. - -He heard cries about him, and a splashing and floundering as if a score -of men were making a desperate fight for their lives. And mixed in with -the hubbub was the keen whistling of the growing gale. - -Suddenly the lad came in contact with some yielding body. He heard a -gasp and a gurgle, then two arms were thrown about his neck and down -went his head beneath the surface. - -It is not in the duty of man to drown without making an effort for -life. Neither should one go down at the frantic assault of another -until all means of aiding both have been exhausted. - -Clif instantly realized that he was in the clutches of one whom peril -had rendered frantic. He also knew that he must release himself right -speedily if he expected to save himself. - -Calling all his power into play, he threw off the strangling arms, at -the same time gasping hoarsely: - -“Strike out, man. Do something for yourself.” - -He received no answer. The fellow faded away in the blackness, leaving -Clif to swim unencumbered. Luckily, the lad was at home in the water, -else he would have found sore trouble in keeping above the buffeting -waves. - -He struggled on, striving his best to see aught of hope in the -prospect. The wind swept the crests of the seas into a thousand -stinging lances. The roar of the increasing storm sounded like a -mocking chorus of demons. Occasional cries for help echoed above the -brawling of the elements. - -Suddenly the lights on the practice ship, which Clif had kept before -his eyes as well as he could, began to grow dim. - -“Surely they will not leave us to perish miserably,” groaned the lad. -“They will stand by until some of the boats report.” - -Wild with fear he struck out savagely, and in the act drove plump -against some hard object. - -The sudden shock sent him under the surface once more. When he emerged -gasping and half stunned, he heard the sound of a familiar voice -nearby in the darkness. - -“Come up higher, Trolley, the boat can stand it. That’s it; give me -your hand. Steady, steady, ah-h!” - -“It’s Joy, and he has found help,” hopefully muttered Clif. - -He swam in the direction whence the words had come, and speedily -reached what proved to be the launch, floating capsized at the mercy of -the waves. - -Upon the upturned bottom were two dark smudges just visible against the -black background of the night. - -Grasping the end of the keel, Clif drew himself up and sat panting upon -the bottom planks. - -“Who is that?” called out Joy. - -“It’s what is left of me,” replied Clif. - -“Hurray, it’s Faraday!” shouted the Japanese youth. “Hurray, Clif, me -glad you saved. Shake!” - -“This is a dreadful business,” exclaimed Faraday, as he wrung the -proffered hand. “Seen anything of the other fellows?” - -“Not a sign,” replied Joy. “We have heard lots of cries, but we are the -only ones who have reached this launch.” - -“What was the trouble? A collision?” - -“Yes. I think we ran into one of the cutters. Whew! how this blamed -thing does roll.” - -It required all the efforts of the three to retain their position upon -the tossing launch. The sweep of the waves sent a perfect deluge of -water over them at times, and they were compelled to cling with tooth -and nail. - -The force of the wind continued unabated, but it was evident from the -suddenness of its coming and its very fierceness that it would not last. - -The lights of the _Monongahela_ were no longer visible. Immediately -after gaining the comparative safety of the capsized launch, Clif -eagerly scanned the horizon. - -“I am afraid she has been driven off before the gale, fellows,” he -said, anxiously. - -“It certainly looks that way,” agreed Joy. “I guess we can say good-by -to the old _Monongahela_.” - -“It say good-by to us,” chimed in Trolley. “It go away; we no want to.” - -He spoke lightly, but he fully understood the extreme gravity of the -situation. All three realized that their lives were in deadly peril. - -With only the frail planks of an overturned boat between them and -the depths of the angry sea, it was plainly evident that little hope -remained. - -And what of the others who had left the practice ship? - -Clif shuddered and his eyes moistened as he recalled the names of his -shipmates. Some there were who had not been friendly to him. Many had -sworn undying vengeance because he had led the plebes on more than one -successful resistance to the hazing of the upper classes. In that very -launch Judson Greene had pulled an oar. - -All animosity was forgotten now, however; in the presence of such an -awful tragedy only heartfelt sympathy and regret could live. - -“Haven’t you seen anything of the others?” he asked again. - -“Nary sign,” replied Joy, gloomily. - -“I guess they gone down,” muttered Trolley. “Poor boys! Me very sorry.” - -A realization of their own situation was suddenly brought home to them. -A curling wave, higher than the rest, abruptly broke over the launch -with such force that all three lads were hurled bodily from the keel. - -Clif was thrown a dozen feet away from the boat, and when he regained -the surface after the violent plunge he found himself buffeted about in -a smother of foam. - -He struck out blindly, and at the same time called lustily for his -companions. An answering cry came at once. - -“Clif! Clif! where are you?” - -Guided by the voice, he reached the boat once more, but only after a -most desperate struggle. - -He felt himself clutched by the collar and dragged against the gunwale. -Then he saw to his infinite surprise that the sailing launch had -righted. - -“All present and accounted for, and better off than before.” - -These cheery words came from Clif as he scrambled into the boat and saw -that both Joy and Trolley were there. - -“Yes, but if we want to continue to be present we’d better commence to -bail,” replied the former. - -Trolley felt about under the submerged seats and brought up a bailer -which had been wedged in one corner. With this he set industriously to -work. - -Clif and Joy did what they could to help, and before long the water in -the launch was materially decreased. The boys labored with lighter -hearts. Hope was not so far distant after all. - -In this world many things are measured by circumstances. To the -drowning man a straw is worth clutching for. - -After ten minutes of incessant labor Clif straightened up and announced -what was patent to his companions. - -“Only a foot of water left, fellows. We can stand that for a time.” - -“If we only had oars or something to keep the blessed craft before the -wind we’d stand a show of living until morning,” said Joy. - -“We look for things,” announced the Japanese youth, suiting the action -to the words. - -Clif continued bailing as a heavy wave had thrown more water over the -side. Joy and Trolley started to search the boat forward. - -There were speedy results. An eager cry came from Joy, and he called -back: - -“Here’s a find, Clif. The boat’s mast and sails are still fastened -to the seats where they were before she capsized. Hurrah! We can do -something now.” - -Clif ceased bailing in a jiffy and scrambled forward. He found his -companions tugging away at a long, shapeless mass, which resolved -itself into a mast and a damp, soggy leg-o’-mutton sail. - -“This is great,” he exclaimed, exultantly. “It means that we can manage -to keep afloat and make a little headway, anyway. It can’t be far to -the coast of Portugal, and if the old _Monongahela_ don’t turn up we’ll -take a cruise of our own.” - -“We’ve got to have rudder,” said the ever practical Trolley. “Sail no -good without rudder.” - -“Sure thing,” replied Joy. “Don’t worry, we’ll get one all right. -There’s a spare oar wrapped up with this sail.” - -He had made the welcome discovery while unfolding the canvas. - -The three castaways set to work without delay, and after half an hour’s -hard labor, during which they were compelled to stop and bail a dozen -times, they finally had the mast stepped, and a closereefed sail spread. - -By degrees the launch worked around until it at last fell off before -the wind. It was a change from the constant, dangerous rolling in the -trough of the sea, but the pitching caused by the enormous waves was -anything but pleasant. - -The three lads took turns at steering. The solitary oar found with the -sail answered the purpose well enough. - -The night dragged slowly. As time passed, however, it became apparent -that the gale was abating. The sea still ran high, but the wind -lessened, until at last, just before dawn, it died down to an ordinary -breeze. - -And how the miserable, water-soaked, poor castaways waited for the -first gray streaks of the coming day! - -Light would mean much for them. It would reveal either the welcome -outlines of the practice ship, or a dreary expanse of desolate ocean. -It would tell at once whether they were destined to find hope or be -condemned to an uncertain fate. - -Small wonder then, that Clif and Joy and Trolley stood up and watched -and watched as the first faint rays of the sun drew the expanse of -ocean from its pall of darkness. - -Trolley was the first to make a discovery. Grasping the swaying mast -with one hand, he leaned far out and pointed a shaking finger to an -almost shapeless object just visible on the port beam. - -A cry in a strange tongue--his own language--came from his lips, then -he added, excitedly: - -“Look! It ship or something. Look there, quick!” - -“It is not a ship,” replied Clif, slowly. “It seems to be a capsized -hull or something. Perhaps it is a dead whale.” - -There was bitter disappointment in his voice. - -“It no whale,” insisted the Jap. “It too big. I think it as you say, a -turned over ship. Maybe----” - -“I say, there’s something floating over there,” hastily interrupted Joy. - -He indicated a spot some distance off the port quarter. It was merely a -speck tossing about at the mercy of the waves. - -Clif watched it long and earnestly, then he said, with more excitement -than he had yet shown: - -“Do you know, I believe it is a body tied to a bit of wreckage.” - -“Let’s investigate. Perhaps the person may be still alive, if it is a -person.” - -Clif sprang to the stem and grasped the steering oar, which had been -abandoned with the coming of daylight. Joy and Trolley handled the -sail, and the launch was soon lumbering along on the opposite tack. - -The sea was subsiding with each passing moment. The breeze was just -strong enough to allow of the free handling of the boat. In the east -the sun was climbing into a sky almost cloudless. It promised to be a -perfect day. - -Under other circumstances the cadets would have felt light-hearted and -happy. But the memory of the recent night and its tragedy, and of their -present desperate situation attuned no merry song for them. - -As they approached the object floating at the mercy of the waves, they -became more and more excited. Finally Trolley sprang up with a shout. - -“It two bodies, and they tied to spar,” he cried. “They no dead. I see -one move.” - -As if to prove the truth of his words, one of the objects feebly waved -an arm. - -A faint shout came across the water. - -“Help! Help!” - -Clif glanced at Joy in amazement. - -“That voice is familiar,” he exclaimed. “Can it be----” - -“It is Judson Greene,” hastily interrupted the lanky lad. “He was in -the launch with us last night.” - -“I am heartily glad he is saved,” said Clif, sincerely. “Poor fellow, -what a terrible time he must have had last night.” - -“No worse than us,” muttered Trolley. “He no good anyway. Why he saved -instead of good man?” - -“Trolley never forgives an enemy,” said Joy. “He has it in for Judson -Greene. And I don’t blame him, either. The fellow is a cad of the first -water, and very dirty water at that.” - -“We can’t bear animosity under present circumstances,” replied Clif. “I -don’t like the fellow any more than you do. He’s tried to injure me in -a thousand ways, but I am willing to forget it.” - -The Jap and Joy exchanged glances, and the latter said, softly: - -“That’s Clif all over. He’s as generous as he is brave and good, bless -his old heart!” - -The launch crept nearer and nearer to the strange bit of flotsam. The -body of the other castaway was presently brought into view; then, as -the sailboat swept alongside, a simultaneous cry of joy came from the -trio: - -“It’s Nanny!” - -The other boy had fallen back, evidently from sheer exhaustion. He half -rose again, and cried wildly: - -“Help me into the boat, Faraday. Please hurry; I’m nearly dead. Quick!” - -“The same old Judson,” muttered Joy. “Always thinking of himself. From -the looks of things, he’s not half as bad as Nanny. The poor youngster -is wounded. There’s blood all over his face and head.” - -“Keep up your spirits,” cheerily called out Clif. “We’ll have you with -us in a jiffy. Stand by, fellows. Steady! that’s it. Now, Judson, give -us a hand with Nanny.” - -But Greene cast off the rope binding him to the spar--evidently a -fragment of some wrecked mast--and unceremoniously scrambled over the -launch’s gunwale. - -“Thank God!” he gasped, sinking into the bottom. “I thought I’d never -see daylight again.” - -“Still the same old Judson,” muttered Joy again, assisting Clif and -Trolley to transfer Nanny’s insensible form to the launch. - -When it was finally accomplished, the little cadet lay like one dead. - -Clif, by a hasty examination, found that his heart was still beating, -however. He applied water to the poor bruised face, and tried every -means in his power to revive the lad. He worked with infinite -tenderness, as he had great sympathy and affection for little Nanny. - -At last the boy gasped and opened his eyes. He was still dazed, and he -stared at those about him in a strangely terrified manner. - -There was fear in his eyes and his actions--a deadly and unexplainable -fear. Placing his arms before his face as if warding off a blow, he -moaned: - -“Please don’t throw me off, Judson. I’ll only hold to the edge. -Don’t--don’t! Have mercy! I--I--don’t want to die. Mercy! mercy!” - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -A WELCOME FIND. - - -“Judson Greene, what is the meaning of this?” - -Stern and accusing Clif faced the boy cowering at the bottom of the -launch. Judson’s face was white and he showed every evidence of guilt. - -“What do you mean?” he stammered. “I don’t know what the little fool is -talking about.” - -“You tell lie,” broke in Trolley, hotly. “You try do something to that -boy. You beat him.” - -“Worse than that,” added Joy, equally angry. “Look at the poor kid’s -face. I’ll bet anything Greene tried to throw him off the spar to make -more room for his own worthless carcass.” - -Judson maintained a sullen silence. Clif fell to soothing Nanny and -soon had him more composed. - -When the youngster at last realized the truth, and saw that he was -surrounded by friends, and one of those friends Clif Faraday, he cried -for very joy. - -“Oh, Clif, I can’t believe it’s true,” he sobbed. “It must be a dream, -and I will wake up and--and----” - -“And you will find that it’s the finest dream you ever had, youngster,” -laughed Clif, cheerily. “You are all right, Nanny,” he added. “You -haven’t gone to Davy Jones’ locker yet. But tell us how you happened to -get on that spar, you and Greene.” - -Nanny glanced at Judson and shuddered. The latter slyly threatened him -with his clinched right fist, but the action did not escape Faraday’s -eye. - -Pouncing upon Greene he grasped him by the collar and jerked him to his -feet. Then forcing him against the gunwale he cried, savagely: - -“If I see you do that again I’ll heave you overboard, you miserable -scamp. You have been ill treating Nanny and I’ll have the truth of it.” - -“Pitch him to the sharks,” exclaimed Joy, also laying violent hands -upon the shrinking lad. - -Judson was badly frightened. - -“I--I--didn’t do anything to him, Faraday,” he cried, struggling to -free himself. - -“Yes, you did, too,” spoke up Nanny. “When I tried to get on that spar -last night, you struck and kicked me in the face, and did your best to -make me let go. And you only stopped because you fell into the water. -Then I helped you out.” - -“We throw him overboard for that,” exclaimed Trolley, fiercely. “He no -right to live.” - -He advanced upon Judson so menacingly that the fellow fairly bellowed -for help. - -“I’ll do anything if you spare my life,” he moaned. “Oh, Faraday, don’t -kill me. I’ll be your servant and----” - -“Shut up,” roughly interrupted Clif. “We can’t execute you, you fool. -This is no time or place for heroics. None of us may live another day.” - -Judson crept whimpering to the bow of the launch and lay there huddled -in a heap. - -Clif glanced curiously at the fragment of spar, which was still bobbing -and tossing alongside. - -“It’s not part of the _Monongahela_,” he said. “It’s from some wrecked -merchantman. What a lucky thing it happened along as it did.” - -“That’s true,” agreed Nanny, earnestly. “When the collision happened I -thought I was a goner. I floundered about and was almost drowned when -I bumped against that spar.” - -“There is one queer thing about it,” said Joy, reflectively. “How is it -we came across it when we have been sailing before a gale for several -hours?” - -“There’s an explanation for that, chum,” replied Clif. “The wind -shifted and we followed it. I remember distinctly having to put the -launch almost about last night.” - -“We go now and see if that thing is capsized ship or dead whale,” spoke -up Trolley, pointing to where the first object sighted by the boys was -still pitching sluggishly upon the long swell. - -“It will not be much help to us, but we might as well sail over and -see what it is,” consented Clif, grasping the steering oar. “Shake the -reefs out and set all canvas. Judson, do something for your passage. -Haul taut that forward stay.” - -While the others were at work Clif stood up in the stern of the launch -and made a careful survey of the horizon. - -The sun was now fairly on its way toward the zenith, and the whole -expanse of ocean was bathed in a flood of light. Overhead a cloudless -sky spread from horizon to horizon in one glorious canopy of blue. - -It was all very beautiful, but the lad turned away with a sigh. He -instinctively felt that the others looked up to him as a leader, and -the responsibility weighed heavily upon him. - -That the practice ship had been driven to a considerable distance by -the gale was evident. That Captain Brookes would return and institute -a thorough search for the lost boat was equally evident. But what -hope was there that the launch--a microscopical dot on the infinite -ocean--would be found? - -And if the _Monongahela_ did not turn up, what then? - -There was not an ounce of food in the boat nor a drop of fresh water. -The stores with which all man-of-war crafts are supplied, had been lost -during the collision. - -Clif looked toward the bow. It was shattered in the upper part and the -timbers were slightly strained. The launch was fairly seaworthy still, -but could it survive another gale? - -Clif’s face was very grave as he turned his attention inboard again. -The sail was set and everything ready for proceeding onward. A course -was shaped for the distant object. - -Clif glanced listlessly at it. He felt assured that it would prove to -be either a capsized hull--a grim relic of some ocean tragedy--or a -dead whale. - -“We won’t lose much time in investigating,” he said to Trolley, who had -come aft. “If it turns out to be what we expect, we’ll make tracks for -the coast of Portugal.” - -Half an hour later they were within fair sight of the object. As they -neared it the five boys began to show signs of surprise and eager -curiosity. - -“Surely that isn’t the bottom of a ship,” said Joy. - -“And him no whale, either,” chimed in Trolley. - -“What’s that thing sticking up a little aft of midships?” queried -Nanny, excitedly. - -“By gum, it looks like a broken smokestack or funnel.” - -“The thing is iron or steel,” cried Judson, crawling aft. “See how the -sides glisten.” - -Clif said nothing, but the expression upon his handsome face indicated -his lively interest. Carefully handling the steering oar he brought the -launch around within a dozen yards of the tossing object. - -And then a simultaneous cry of amazement burst from the cadets. - -“Great Scott!” added Clif. “It’s a torpedo boat and it has been -abandoned at sea!” - -To Clif this remarkable discovery was welcome indeed. - -He saw at once that the craft must be seaworthy, else it would not have -survived the gale. It was far better than the open sailing launch, -and a transfer to its comparatively roomy interior would certainly be -appreciated. - -Then again, there might be food and water on board, and the lack of -those necessary articles was a subject of much anxiety to the youthful -leader. - -“Stand by to grasp that ringbolt, Joy,” he called out from his position -at the steering oar. - -The cadet he addressed leaned out from the bow of the launch in -readiness to obey the order. - -The other occupants busied themselves in lowering the sail and in -assisting Joy to bring the boat alongside the strange derelict. - -As the launch slipped alongside the torpedo boat, Joy cleverly caught -the ringbolt and thrust the end of the painter through it. The sail was -lowered, then all hands scrambled up the sloping side of the craft. - -The iron surface was rusty and tarnished by wind and weather, but a -bright spot of paint here and there gave evidence that the derelict -could not have been long abandoned. - -The deck sounded hollow under the footsteps of the boys, and the water -lapped against the cylindrical hull with a strange weird sound not -altogether pleasant. - -The little door leading into the forward conning tower was tightly -closed, as was also that giving entrance to the after tower. - -At intervals along the deck were hatches all hermetically sealed. Clif -and his companions were puzzled. - -“I don’t understand this,” murmured the former. “If the crew was -compelled to leave, why did they close all the doors and hatches?” - -“There’s some mystery about it,” said Joy, shaking his head doubtfully. - -“Maybe crew all dead below,” suggested Trolley. - -“Ow-w! Let’s go back to the launch!” cried Nanny, eying the conning -tower apprehensively. “I don’t want to be where there are lots of dead -men.” - -“Nonsense! it wouldn’t make any difference if the craft was loaded with -them,” replied Clif. “We can throw them overboard, can’t we? Now that -the _Monongahela_ has apparently abandoned us to our fate”--he glanced -at the distant horizon--“we’ve got to make the best of things. We must -find something to eat----” - -Trolley rubbed his stomach yearningly. - -“And some water----” - -Judson wet his parched lips with his tongue. - -“And also a better and more seaworthy craft than the launch.” - -“But we can sail the launch,” remarked Joy. - -“That’s true enough, and we may do it after all, but now we must see -about food and water.” - -Clif advanced to the forward conning tower and tried the door. It -resisted his efforts. He examined the edge carefully, and ran his -finger along the crack. - -“I don’t believe it is locked inside,” he concluded. “Perhaps it has -been slammed violently and jammed. I’ll just----” - -He sprang back in alarm. A hollow moaning cry came from forward. It -ended abruptly in a gurgle like that of a man in his last moments. - -Little Nanny gave a gasp and moved toward the sailing launch, which was -still fastened alongside. - -“Wh-wh-what was that?” he chattered. - -“Somebody is down there,” exclaimed Joy, “and he needs help.” - -“We go see,” said Trolley, quietly. “We break open door.” - -“We’ll make a few inquiries first,” said Clif. - -Stamping upon the steel deck, he bawled lustily: - -“Below there! Ahoy the ’tween decks!” - -The quintet waited expectantly, but the stillness remained unbroken. -Clif repeated the hail, and Joy pounded the deck with the oar from the -launch, but with the same result. - -“I guess we imagined it,” said Nanny, evidently relieved. “It -wasn’t--wow!” - -He ended with a cry of dismay. The moan again sounded forward, ending, -as before, with the unearthly gurgle. - -Trolley darted past the conning tower, and, throwing himself flat upon -the sloping deck, leaned out over the bow. He had hardly taken his -position when the torpedo boat pitched sullenly into the trough of the -sea, and the uncanny noise was repeated. - -The Japanese youth returned aft with a grin upon his face. - -“We plenty fools,” he said. “That moan no come from man, it caused by -waves under bow. The cutwater is bent, and sea slap into it. Hurray!” - -“That’s a jolly sell on us,” laughed Clif. “We are a lot of old women, -getting scared at the slightest noise. Come on; give me a hand with -this door. We can’t wait on deck all day. I want to see if there are -any stores on board. Nanny, are you hungry?” - -The little cadet hastened to answer in the affirmative. - -“Then I’ll get you to crawl down one of those broken funnels if we -can’t get in this way,” continued Clif, winking at Joy. - -“Oo! I wish we were on the _Monongahela_,” complained Nanny, not at all -pleased at the prospect. “I don’t want to go down the funnel.” - -“You are a big baby,” sneered Judson Greene. - -“We may give you a chance to prove that you are full-grown,” said Clif, -coldly. “You are not too large for the funnel.” - -“I am not afraid,” retorted Judson, walking aft. - -A combined onslaught was made on the conning tower door. At first it -resisted the efforts of the four boys, but finally, after Trolley had -pounded the edges with the oar handle, it yielded slightly. - -“All together now,” said Clif, bracing his feet against the curved side -of the conning tower. “One! two--three, pull!” - -The four cadets tugged sharply on the rope that had been passed through -the handle, there was a complaining of strained hinges, then the door -flew back with a crash. - -And out through the opening tumbled the body of a man, half-clothed and -ghastly in death! - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -JUDSON GREENE’S TREACHERY. - - -For one moment the five cadets stared in horror at the body, then with -one accord they broke for the launch. As they did so the torpedo boat -lurched abruptly to one side, tossed by a wave, and the dead man slid -gently after them. - -As it rolled over on reaching the curve it was brought up against -Judson’s legs. With a shriek of horror the lad sprang into the sea. - -The splash was almost instantly followed by a second. The dead man had -rolled after him. - -Clif quickly regained his senses. - -“Throw us a rope!” he cried, hurriedly, then over he went in a neat -dive that placed him within reach of Judson as he bobbed into sight. - -The two were speedily hauled on board. Judson cowered on deck, -completely unstrung. Clif was still pale, but he had recovered his -usual composure. - -“Whew! excuse me,” he said, wringing the water from his blouse. “I -don’t want any more scares like that. My teeth are chattering yet. Can -you see any--anything of it, Trolley?” - -The Japanese youth turned back from where he had been gazing into the -sea. His swarthy face was a shade lighter, and he shook as if from cold. - -“I no see him, Clif,” he replied. “And I no want to any more. By Jim! I -no think him in there.” - -“It has gone down,” reported Joy, grimly. - -“Maybe there are more inside,” wailed Nanny. “Let’s go back to the -launch. I’d rather starve than stay on this spooky old thing.” - -Clif laughed in his old, merry way. - -“We are children, every one of us,” he said, lightly. “Fancy being -afraid of a dead man. Come; we’ll resume our investigating.” - -“You don’t g-g-get me to leave th-this deck,” chattered Judson. “I know -when I--I have had enough.” - -He moved toward the launch as he spoke. - -“Where are you going?” asked Clif. - -“Into the boat.” - -“If you do, I’ll cut the painter and let you slide,” continued Faraday. -“What a coward you are!” - -Judson grumbled something, but he remained on board the torpedo boat. -He knew that Clif would keep his word. - -“We’ll tackle it again, fellows,” announced that youth, cheerily. -“If there are any more dead men below we will give them a decent sea -burial.” - -“Nanny,” he added, “suppose you inspect the after part while we----” - -“Not on your life,” hastily interrupted the little lad. “I go where you -do.” - -“Well, come ahead, then,” laughed Clif, leading the way to the open -door of the conning tower. - -He paused before leaving the deck and cast a glance around the horizon. -There was nothing in sight. With a sigh he stepped over the threshold. - -The interior of the conning tower was fitted up with the usual objects -found in such places. There was a steam steering wheel, a set of -electric calls, a compass and a number of loose articles scattered -about the deck. - -At one side was an iron ladder leading forward into the officer’s -quarters. Looking down this Clif saw that the apartment was empty. -The deck was littered with broken chairs, clothing and a riffraff of -articles. Everywhere were signs of disorder and wreck. - -“I believe I understand matters now,” said Clif, slowly. - -“For goodness’ sake, tell us!” exclaimed Nanny. - -“I think something must have happened on board this boat to frighten -the crew, and they abandoned it in a desperate hurry.” - -“But that dead man?” said Joy. - -“He was caught in the conning tower by the slamming of the door, and -was left behind.” - -“But what kill him?” spoke up Trolley. “This boat no been long -abandoned, and he no die by starvation.” - -Clif laughed. - -“You stump me, Trolley,” he confessed. “I guess we are no nearer the -solution than before. We’ll have to search further for clews.” - -“And grub,” put in Nanny. - -“Yes, and grub.” - -Clif led the way into the officers’ mess-room, which was at the foot of -the iron ladder. Picking up a coat, he examined it critically. - -“We haven’t thought about the nationality of this craft,” he said. “I -do not believe it is an American or English torpedo boat.” - -“I guess you are right,” called out Joy, holding up a bundle of -periodicals. “These are certainly not English.” - -Clif took them from his hand and glanced at the first. - -“It’s a French newspaper,” he announced. “And the others are also -French.” - -“Here’s a book on navigation in the same language,” spoke up Nanny from -one corner of the apartment. - -“This settle it,” cried Trolley, triumphantly waving a tricolored flag -he had found in an open drawer. “This is French torpedo----” - -Bang! - -The boys started and exchanged glances of consternation. The sharp -clang of an iron door closing violently came from aft. - -Nanny made a leap for the short flight of stairs leading to the deck -and disappeared before Clif could stop him. - -“What----” began Joy. - -Before he could finish the sentence a loud cry came from above and -Nanny reappeared in the opening. He was greatly excited. - -“Come on deck!” he gasped, swinging his arms. “Quick! there’s a ship in -sight, and Judson has stolen the launch to go to it!” - -The three cadets dashed through the conning tower, and on reaching the -upper deck saw instantly that Nanny had spoken the truth. - -Just barely visible above the rim of the sea off the port beam were the -upper topsails of a ship. And standing away toward it was the sailing -launch with Judson in the stern. - -“Oh, the miserable villain!” cried Clif, shaking his fist after the -recreant lad. - -“Hi! come back you----” Trolley ended with a string of Japanese -expletives. - -The launch was not too far distant for Judson to hear, but he paid no -heed. - -“If I have gun I make him come back,” said Trolley, savagely. “Some day -I beat him head off.” - -Clif remained silent. Leaning against the conning tower he watched the -launch skim over the dancing waves. But there was an expression upon -his handsome face that bodied ill for the traitor. - -In the excitement of the moment the mysterious slamming of the door -below had been forgotten, but it soon recurred to Clif. - -“We’ve got to find out what’s aft,” he said, after a pause. “Nanny, you -remain on deck and keep watch while Trolley, Joy and I go below.” - -“Do you think it’s the old _Monongahela_?” asked the lanky plebe, -staring at the distant sail. - -“Hard to say. It may be. I wish we could make some kind of a signal.” - -“Why not start a smoke?” suggested Nanny, brightly. “We can make a fire -on this iron deck and----” - -“We’ll do it in the furnaces,” hastily interrupted Clif. “It’s a good -idea.” - -He ran along the sloping top of the torpedo boat and was soon tugging -away at the door of the after conning tower. He knew from previous -study on the subject that crafts of that class have the crew’s quarters -in the stern. - -The hull is too narrow for passage from one end to the other, and all -communications must necessarily be made by way of the upper deck. The -mysterious noise had come from this part of the craft, Clif reasoned, -so if there were any one on board they would be found in the after -apartments. - -The combined efforts of the three boys finally sprung the door open. As -it yielded they hastily jumped aside. Their experience with one dead -man was sufficient. - -“I guess the supply has run short,” said Clif, grimly, as he peered -into the circular room. - -“Everything looks shipshape down there,” remarked Joy, pointing to -where a glimpse of the lower interior could be seen. “Come on.” - -He made one step over the threshold, then he stopped with a gasp. From -some spot below came a weird, shrill voice. - -“_Au secours! au secours!_” it said. “_J’ai faim. Au secours!_” - -Joy hastily sprang back. His face had paled and his hands trembled as -he pointed behind him. - -“There’s a man below there,” he cried. “Did you hear that?” - -“I heard him,” replied Clif, eagerly. “It’s a Frenchman, sure enough. -He is calling for help.” - -Leaping past his companions, he disappeared down the ladder leading to -the lower deck. Joy and Trolley tumbled after him. - -They found themselves in a much larger apartment than that forward. -It was not furnished so comfortably, containing only a few benches, a -swinging table and half a dozen hammocks. - -A pile of broken crockery occupied one corner, and swinging from hooks -were several pans, and strings of tin cups. - -Forward of the larger apartment was another, also containing hammocks. -In this latter room were several chests, one being marked with a name -in black letters. It was evidently the name of the torpedo boat. It ran: - - - “_Le Destructeur_,” - - -and after it was the word “Havre.” - -“That settles the nationality,” said Clif. - -He peered about the apartments, but nowhere could he see a man or -anything resembling a man. The voice had surely come from this part of -the ship. - -“Hello! hello!” called out Joy, stamping his foot. “_Qui, qui, monseer, -avec vous_ in here anywhere?” - -Clif was compelled to smile at the lanky cadet’s attempt at French. He -had studied it at home himself sufficiently to read and understand, but -he could not speak it correctly. - -“This is certainly strange,” he said, poking behind the chests. “Where -in the deuce is the fellow?” - -“Maybe he in fire-room,” suggested Trolley. - -“That’s so. Let me see, the only way to get in there is by way of the -hatch on deck. We’ll try it.” - -After another thorough search the three boys started to ascend the -ladder. Just as Clif, who was last, reached the conning tower, a -shrill, queer voice broke out behind him: - - - “C’est epatant qu’en Angleterre. - Y’ait des Anglais.” - - -It was a snatch of a recent popular Parisian air! - -The cadets stood as if turned to stone. The voice came from almost -directly under their feet. And the tone! And the words! - -Clif felt his hair tingle, and a cold shiver run down his back. It was -uncanny, to say the least. - -Trolley, ordinarily jolly, had an expression much like that of a man -who had met a ghost in a dark wood. And Joy was not a whit better. - -“Guess the d-d-darned thing’s too much for me,” he said, shakily. -“Suppose we go on deck and th-think it over?” - -“Not much,” replied Clif, but with no great emphasis. “There’s a man -down there somewhere, either sick or crazy, and it’s our duty to find -him.” - -“Where in thunder is he? We’ve searched the confounded place from deck -to ceiling.” - -“He not in fire-room,” said Trolley. - -“No. That voice----” - -“_De l’eau! de l’eau! de l’eau!_” - -The words floated up the opening as plainly as words can be spoken. But -this time they seemed to come from the after end of the crew’s quarters. - -Clif sprang down the ladder at great risk to his neck. - -When the others followed they found him tumbling the hammocks about. - -Trolley and Joy assisted him, but the three had only their labor for -their pains. Not a sign of the mysterious stranger could they find. - -“You fellows can do as you please,” suddenly announced Joy, “but this -child is going on deck. Excuse me; I don’t want any French shades in -mine. The old tank is--oh, lud!” - -He broke for the ladder and scrambled from sight. From almost over his -head had come a groan. - -This time Clif was thoroughly startled. The place, the circumstances -and the voice was too much for him, and he hastened after Joy with -Trolley a close third. - -On reaching the deck they found the lanky cadet leaning against the -conning tower and looking rather foolish. He evaded their gaze and -pointed astern. - -The action of the waves had brought the distant sail in that direction. - -Clif gave an exclamation of keen disappointment. - -“She’s passing!” he said. “She’s much further away. We must do -something if we want to attract her attention.” - -He paused only to see that the sailing launch was still in view, then -he began to tug away at the iron hatch leading to the after fire-room. -It required considerable effort to open it, but the iron hatch yielded -at last, revealing a perpendicular ladder leading into a dark space -below. - -Clif’s anxiety to start a signal caused him to forget his previous -fears. With a cheery “come on, fellows,” he dropped down the ladder. - -It was the after of the two fire-rooms with which _Le Destructeur_ was -provided. The small furnace--small in comparison with the general run -of men-of-war furnaces--occupied the greater part of the compartment. - -The fire-box door swung open, clanging back and forth with each roll -of the hull. Scattered about were heaps of coal and ashes. Over in one -corner was a pile of oily waste. - -Seizing an armful, Clif thrust it into the fire-box, then he began -to search his pockets. He looked up with a laugh as Trolley and Joy -descended the ladder. - -“If you want to see a first-class chump, just look at me,” he said. - -“What’s up?” asked Joy. - -“Been looking for matches in a pocket that’s soaked with salt water. We -must have something to light this fire with. Joy, run down aft and see -if you can find a match.” - -“Excuse me,” hastily objected the lanky cadet. “Send Trolley.” - -“Not much,” exclaimed that youth. “I no like French ghosts.” - -“Then I’ll go myself,” replied Clif, moving toward the ladder. - -“I say,” interrupted Joy, stopping him. “Why not send Nanny? The kid -didn’t hear the voice. Perhaps he’ll solve the mystery.” - -Clif chuckled. - -“We’ll try it,” he decided, and forthwith began to shout for the -youngster. - -Presently Nanny’s head and shoulders darkened the opening. - -“What’s the matter?” he asked. - -“Where is the ship now?” - -“Almost disappeared. Can just see a smudge.” - -“And the launch?” - -“Judson is still sailing in that direction.” - -“I say, Nanny,” said Clif, sweetly, “just drop down into the crew’s -quarters and see if you can find a match. I want to start a smoke. -Hurry, that’s a good fellow. We haven’t any time to lose.” - -Nanny vanished. The boys exchanged grins, and awaited results. - -“If he survives the shock he’ll be an invalid for a week,” chuckled Joy. - -“I am rather sorry I sent him,” said Clif, regretfully. “He’s such a -timid little chap that it may----” - -A shrill yell interrupted him, then came a distant rattling and -banging, then another wild shriek. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE MYSTERY SOLVED. - - -The three middies raced to the upper deck just in time to see Nanny, -white-faced and trembling, emerge from the after conning tower. - -“Murder! help! help!” he wailed. “Oh, Clif, some one is down there. I -heard a voice singing. Oh, let’s go away.” - -“What is the matter?” demanded Joy, striving hard to conceal a laugh. -“What in thunder did you see?” - -“N-nothing, but I heard a cracked kind of a voice,” whimpered the -little lad, almost in tears. “It--it seemed to come from the roof. Oh, -the old tub is haunted! Let’s leave.” - -“Never mind, youngster,” said Clif, kindly. “We heard the voice, too. -There’s some mystery about it, but it isn’t ghosts. That’s silly. Did -you get the matches?” - -Nanny shook his head vigorously. Trolley went forward and presently -returned with a box he found in the captain’s cabin. Five minutes -later a dense smoke was pouring from the after funnel. - -“I am afraid it is too late,” remarked Clif, watching the distant speck -on the horizon. “That craft is bound south, and we are way to the -eastward of her.” - -“There is one thing we forgot when we were down aft,” suddenly observed -Joy, placing one hand in the region of his fifth button. “We clean -forgot the grub.” - -“That’s true,” agreed Trolley. - -“I won’t go down there if I starve,” came from Nanny, his face paling. - -“We will have to do something,” said Clif, decisively. “There must be -food on board, and water, too. I saw several boxes and tanks below. I -don’t like the shades of departed Frenchmen, but I’ll do a great deal -to keep from starving.” - -“Suppose we go down and make plenty noise,” suggested Trolley. “We take -clubs and--wait a bit.” - -He hurried forward, and presently reappeared from the officers’ -quarters with one hand clutching a pistol and the other a long, -wicked-looking sword. Flourishing the latter, he cried: - -“I cut the neck of any ghost now. Come! we march down right away.” - -“He! he!” laughed Nanny; “Trolley, you have a different class of ghosts -in Japan than those in other countries, I guess. Swords and guns are no -good.” - -“We try, anyway,” placidly replied the Japanese youth. “Who come with -me?” - -“All of us,” promptly announced Clif. - -“Who go first?” was Trolley’s next question. - -“You, confound your thick head!” retorted Joy. “Haven’t you got the -weapons?” - -Seeing no loophole, the Jap gingerly approached the door of the conning -tower. Clif, who was close behind, suddenly uttered a deep groan. - -Trolley dropped the sword and made a wild leap backward. A series of -weird Japanese expletives came from his lips, then his jaw dropped when -he caught sight of Clif’s laughing face. - -“Oh, you fool me, eh?” he said, slowly. “Well, I go down and fool -ghost.” - -With that he vanished through the open door of the conning tower. - -“We can’t let him have all the fun,” declared Clif. “Come on.” - -When the three--Nanny accompanied them--reached the lower deck they -found Trolley seated upon a chest, calmly surveying the field. He held -the revolver in one hand, and the sword at a parry in the other. - -“No hear anything yet,” he said, grinning. “I guess----” - -“Jose! Jose!” - -“Gosh! there it is again,” ejaculated Nanny. “Let’s go back. I don’t -want----” - -“_Jose! tengo hombre! Dame un galleta._” - -The words ended in a wail that sent cold chills through the cadets. For -a moment it was in the minds of all to beat a hasty retreat, but Clif -set his teeth, and said, determinedly: - -“I won’t be frightened away from here again. Some one is playing us a -scurvy trick. That wasn’t French; it was Spanish. If any chump----” - -“_Ach, du lieber!_” - -Clif sat down upon a pile of hammocks and held up both hands in -disgust. - -“And German, too!” he exclaimed. “Now what on earth does it mean? Where -is the fellow, anyway?” - -Joy was hungrily overhauling a locker which seemed filled with -inviting-looking cans and jars. - -“Don’t ask any foolish questions,” he said. “Here’s potted meats and -jams and ship biscuit. Nanny, you half-sized idiot, get some water out -of that breaker, and be durned quick about it.” - -It was well on toward noon, and the boys were beginning to feel the -gnawing of their naturally healthy appetites. They were also growing -accustomed to the mysterious voice, so without more ado they joined Joy -in his onslaught on the contents of the locker. - -They were not disturbed while they attended to the pleasant business -before them, so they made out fairly well. - -“For this make us truly thankful,” said Joy, with a satisfied sigh as -he polished off the last morsel before him. - -“I say,” spoke up Nanny, “we’re better off than that cad, Judson -Greene, even if we have a polyglot ghost in our midst.” - -“Judson is bound to return,” said Clif, grimly. “When he does we’ll -have a reckoning.” - -Trolley lazily threw himself back upon a bench and observed: - -“What we do now, fellows? We no can stay out here. Maybe ship no come.” - -“What do you propose, your highness?” asked Joy, with fine sarcasm. -“Shall we walk or take a cake of soap and wash ourselves ashore?” - -“It’s a pity we can’t carry _Le Destructeur_ into some port,” said -Clif, musingly. “She seems to be seaworthy, and I guess the coal supply -is all right.” - -Trolley sat up and brought his hands together with an emphatic gesture. - -“We do it; we do it,” he cried, excitedly. “I know how to run marine -engine. I learn a little in Japan. Hurray! you be captain, and I be -engineer. Hurray!” - -Clif stared at him for a moment, then his face brightened. - -“By George, Trolley, that’s the very ticket,” he exclaimed. “If you can -run an engine we’ll take the old tank into the nearest port. There are -charts and instruments in the captain’s cabin. And there are four of -us--five if that chump comes back--and we ought to do it.” - -Clif began to pace up and down the narrow room. That he was greatly -taken with the idea was plainly evident. Suddenly while he chanced to -be near the extreme after end, the mysterious voice wailed: - -“_Ach, du lieber! Carramba! Dame agua pronto!_” - -With a bound Clif reached the spot whence the sound seemed to come. He -grasped the knob of a small trap-door in the wooden lining of the hull, -and gave a quick wrench. - -Something fluttered out and fell to the floor with a flapping of wings. - -It was a parrot! - -“Ha! ha! ha!” - -“Ho! ho! This is rich!” - -“Ha! ha! If I d-don’t stop laughing I’ll die!” gasped Clif. “Fancy -being--ha! ha!--fooled by a pet parrot.” - -The four boys were rolling upon the floor in an ecstasy of mirth. And -over in the corner, eying them solemnly, was the parrot. - -The poor bird was thin and its feathers hung down in a bedraggled -manner. It looked as if it had undergone a siege with a cage full of -monkeys. - -“He! he!” it suddenly cackled. “_Povre Juanito! Tengo sed. Ach, du -lieber! Sacre!_” - -Clif moistened several sea biscuit in water and fed the starved bird. -Then the boys enjoyed another fit of laughing and went on deck. - -Their relief was manifest. The discovery of the parrot, which had -evidently been shut in by accident, explained a great deal, and it -drove away all uncanny suspicions. - -After a brief consultation it was decided that Clif should act as -captain and steersman, Trolley as engineer, and Joy and Nanny as -firemen. - -“If Judson turns up,” said Clif, glancing at the distant speck which -represented the launch, “we’ll make him shovel coal all night.” - -Trolley hurried below into the after engine-room to overhaul the -machinery, while the three others prepared to start fires. - -Blouses were stripped off and the trio fell to work with a will. The -oily waste lighted before had died out, but another fire was soon -ignited, and within half an hour the furnace was roaring. - -Presently Trolley, greasy and black, joined them. There was a satisfied -smile on his face. - -“I find everything shipshape,” he said. “The engine in fine condition.” - -He glanced at the steam gauge and added: - -“Hurray! we soon be ready to start. You better look up charts and -things, Clif.” - -Faraday thought the advice good, so he hurried to the conning tower. -He found the compass in its usual place; and stowed away in a little -locker were two sextants and a chronometer. - -The latter had stopped, however, and it was useless to him. A log-book -written in French, bore as the last date the tenth of June. The -observation for that noon was a degree of longitude near the coast of -France. - -“The boat has been driven to sea by some severe gale,” he reasoned. -“That’s plain enough. But why did the crew leave her so abruptly, and -what killed that man in the conning tower?” - -These thoughts occupied his mind as he rummaged about the little -apartment. He was in search of a chart. Finding none, he descended to -the room used as the officers’ mess. Forward of this was the captain’s -cabin, and directly aft the stateroom occupied by the other officer, -who, on vessels of the _Le Destructeur_ class, does duty both on deck -and in the engine-room. - -Noticing a heap of _débris_ in the center consisting of clothing, -bedding and riffraff of every description, Clif raked it aside. - -To his surprise, he saw undeniable traces of fire. The flooring was -eaten away or charred, and a hole gaped beneath his feet. Upon part of -a wooden hatch was stamped a word which sent a flood of light through -the lad. It was: - - - “_Magasin._” - - -“The magazine!” Clif exclaimed, aloud. “It is where they kept the -torpedo charges. And it has been on fire! Gorry! no wonder they fled.” - -It was plain enough now. The boat had caught fire while at sea. An -attempt had been made to extinguish the flames, but without success. - -The dread belief that the flames would reach the powder and gun cotton -had sent the crew away in a panic. - -And the dead man? - -“There is only one explanation,” muttered Clif. “He was caught in the -conning tower by the jamming of the door, and the fright killed him. -Gorry! no wonder. Waiting for a ton of gun cotton to explode under -one’s feet is enough to kill anybody.” - -That the fire did not reach the explosives was evident. The rolling -and pitching of the boat had probably tossed a lot of dunnage upon the -flames and extinguished them. - -Clif hastened forward to acquaint his companions with the discovery. He -found the steam whistling merrily from the exhaust pipes. Trolley was -trying the engine, and the other two were still feeding the furnace. - -Clif’s explanations were received with wonder. Nanny anxiously inquired -if the fire was really out and, on being assured that it was, he -returned to his task of shoveling. - -Twenty minutes later the Japanese youth announced with a triumphant -blast of the whistle that all was in readiness for a start. - -Clif had succeeded in finding a book of charts. After careful figuring, -he decided on a course. It was more or less guesswork, but he believed -that he could at least take _Le Destructeur_ into the path of vessels -bound to the Mediterranean. - -Taking his place at the wheel, the young captain signaled the -engine-room. Trolley responded gallantly, and the torpedo boat’s screw -began to revolve. - -An enthusiastic cheer came from the fire-room force which had hastened -to the upper deck to see the start. - -Clif found the steering rather difficult at first, but he soon learned -the wheel and brought the bow around toward the speck on the distant -horizon which represented the launch. - -“We can’t leave Judson out here even if he is a double-dyed-in-the-wool -traitor,” he announced. - -When the launch was brought within plain view it was seen that Greene -had tacked, and it was evident he wished to regain the torpedo boat. - -It did not take long to bring him alongside. He glanced sheepishly at -the occupants of the deck when he finally crawled aboard. - -The engines had been stopped and the four cadets were prepared to meet -him. - -Clif had his blouse off and his sleeves rolled up. Stepping forward, he -said, peremptorily: - -“Shed that blouse of yours, Greene.” - -“What for?” demanded Judson, in evident alarm. - -“You’ve got to whip me or take the worst hiding you ever received. Off -with it. I’ll sail in, in about five seconds.” - -“But----” - -“Off with it.” - -Judson sullenly obeyed, and stood on the defensive. Clif proceeded to -business at once, and the two were soon dealing blows right and left. -The other cadets looked on with grins of delight. - -Clif had not only might but right on his side, and in a very short -period Judson was crying “enough.” Then Trolley whacked him several -times, and Joy added his share. To wind up the punishment, little Nanny -administered a few well-directed kicks. - -“Now, sir,” said Clif, sternly, “just thank your lucky stars that we -didn’t leave you to the sharks. Go below and get something to eat.” - -The engine was kept going until midnight, then as the boys were tired -out, the fires were banked and watches arranged. - -At daybreak little Nanny, who had the last tour of duty, espied a sail -off the starboard bow. - -He aroused the others, and steam was started at once. In time it became -apparent to the excited boys that there was something familiar about -the outlines of the ship. - -“Hurray! hurray! it is the old _Monongahela_,” shouted Trolley, at -last. “She come to look for us. Hurray!” - -“I don’t think it is anything to cheer about,” sighed Joy, gloomily. -“Ain’t we all right aboard here? Huh! now we’ll be plebes again, when -we’ve been captains, and engineers, and--and coal heavers. I think it’s -a shame.” - -The rest rather agreed with him, nevertheless they were glad to see the -practice ship. - -When it became known on board the _Monongahela_ who the occupants of -the torpedo boat were the wildest excitement ensued. - -A boat was lowered and the castaways--not forgetting the parrot--were -carried back in triumph. - -Clif and his companions were the heroes of the hour, and they were -received with special distinction on the quarter-deck. They were -delighted to learn that the other boats had been picked up and no -lives lost in the catastrophe. - -The torpedo boat was manned by a picked crew from the _Monongahela_ and -convoyed by that vessel to the mouth of the Tagus River. - -The French Government was advised at once and word presently came that -_Le Destructeur’s_ former crew had been long since rescued. - -By the time the _Monongahela_ was ready to proceed up the Tagus to -Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, a French gunboat was on hand to tow -the torpedo boat back to Havre. - -And so ended Clif’s first command. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -DIVING FOR REWARDS. - - -“There goes the little beggar again!” - -“What a clean dive!” - -“Yes; he is grace itself. But say, Clif----” - -“He’s got it. Hurray! He catch dime plenty well. Hi! here another.” - -“You are getting mighty liberal with your money, Trolley.” - -“I no care. It worth dollar to see diving like that. Hi! you little -boy, here some more.” - -The group of naval cadets were leaning over the port railing on the -forecastle of _Monongahela_. - -It was shortly after quarters on a Saturday morning, and the trim old -frigate was riding easily at anchor in the Tagus River just off the -main landing dock of Lisbon, Portugal. - -After a truly eventful voyage from Annapolis she had finally arrived in -port, and the one hundred and sixty odd cadets on board were waiting -eagerly for the time when they could have a run ashore. - -The necessary formalities of port inspection had been gone through -with, and the ship was in a gala attire aloft and alow in anticipation -of the visit always paid an American vessel by the youth and beauty of -quaint old Lisbon. - -Boats filled with merry parties were coming from the dock even now, and -the appearance of many pretty girls in them was beginning to take the -cadets’ attention away from a previous attraction. - -That attraction was the diving of a number of native boys after coins -thrown from the ship. Alongside were half a dozen small and rickety -boats occupied by the agile young divers. - -They were continually importuning the cadets to toss bits of silver or -copper money into the water. - -One, a lithe, clean-limbed lad of about sixteen, was the leader of -the party, and it was his clever diving which had wrung the words of -admiration from Trolley, given at the commencement of this chapter. - -The diversion of watching the divers began to grow monotonous after a -while. - -“The little beggars are pretty good, but their act palls on one,” -yawned Toggles, stretching his arms. - -“Did you hear anything about the liberty list, Clif?” asked Grat -Wallace, with a yearning glance ashore. - -“It isn’t made up yet, I believe. We won’t touch the dock until -afternoon anyway.” - -“And we have got to be back by ten o’clock,” grumbled Nanny. - -“Always kicking, always finding trouble,” sighed Joy, with a doleful -shake of the head. “Why can’t you be peaceable and contented like me, -youngster? It’s painful to a man of meek and lowly spirit to see such -contention and strife. If you don’t like the way they conduct liberty -on this ship, why don’t you knock the blooming head off the executive -officer? Act with due humility and beat the face off the captain.” - -The others laughed. They understood Joy. - -“I say, Clif, look there,” suddenly spoke up Trolley. “Here comes what -you call peach.” - -He nodded his head toward a couple of young ladies who were approaching -from aft. They had formed part of a visiting party from shore and were -strolling about the deck intent on inspecting the ship after their own -fashion. - -Both were very pretty, but one, a tall and rather willowy brunette, -was particularly handsome. A wealth of lustrous black hair fell to -her shoulders; her eyes were large and sparkling, and her lips, half -parted, showed two rows of regular, pearly teeth. - -She was smiling at something her companion had said as they neared the -group of plebes, and the boys fairly gasped at her loveliness. - -Clif eyed her furtively, his heart beating more rapidly than usual. His -expressive countenance proclaimed his strong admiration, and that must -have been the reason why the beautiful girl blushed slightly as she met -his ardent gaze. - -The girls stopped at the forecastle railing and looked over at the -diver boys below. - -They laughed, and one--the lovelier of the two--held up a small coin. - -All the youthful divers prepared to spring into the water as soon as -the bit of money left her hand. The lithe young leader poised himself -upon the very edge of his boat. - -“Ready!” called out the girl in Portuguese. “It is a hundred _reis_ -piece, so do your best.” - -She gleefully waved her hand back and forth, then, just as she was -about to release the coin, something bright and glittering slipped from -her wrist and fell into the water. - -It was a bracelet. - -A little scream came from the girl, there was a commotion among the -group of plebes, then one was seen to vault lightly over the rail and -strike the water in a neat dive. - -It was Clif! - -In an instant there was great excitement on board the practice ship. -The loud splash was heard fore and aft, and a rush was made for that -side. - -Some one raised a cry of “Man overboard!” - -The officer of the deck sprang upon the gangway with a life-preserver, -and the crew detailed to the lifeboat ran to their stations at the -boatfalls. - -And in the meantime the cause of all this commotion was experiencing a -rather peculiar adventure. - -Clif possessed to a remarkable degree the power of quick decision and -action in cases of emergency. He seldom required more than a few -seconds to make up his mind. - -In the present case he was upon the rail and preparing to dive almost -before the bracelet had touched the water. With all his promptness, he -was not alone, however. - -The young Portuguese boy--the chief spirit among the youthful -divers--had also seen the flash of metal. - -To him it meant a coveted reward, and his brown heels twinkled in the -air just a second after Clif’s body left the top of the forecastle rail. - -The two went under the water together. - -Clif’s eyes opened after he vanished below the surface. He saw, -glittering below him, the bespangled bracelet. And he also saw the dark -shadow cast by his antagonist. - -Of the two the native lad was probably more at home in the water, but -Faraday had a store of determination and grit which made up for it. - -As soon as he espied the youngster he realized the true state of -affairs, and he sent his feet up with a spurt that shot him toward the -glittering bauble. - -It was a race beneath the surface of the old Tagus. - -The Portuguese boy had as an incentive two things. One was the hope -of a pecuniary reward, and the other an overwhelming desire to defeat -this insolent visitor from a foreign country who dared to try his skill -against a native diver of Lisbon. - -As for Clif, what was his incentive? - -A smile, that was all. - -The bottom of the Tagus is easily reached by a few vigorous strokes. -The bracelet had settled upon the bottom where it glittered and gleamed -as if mocking the two lads. - -Clif, by his spurt, had obtained a slight advantage, but he suddenly -felt himself grasped about the waist. - -He was just in the act of reaching for the bracelet when the -interruption came. - -The touch of the Portuguese lad’s hand acted like a spur upon him, and -he made a desperate clutch downward. - -His fingers closed over the bit of jewelry, then with a wriggle and a -savage kick he freed himself and shot toward the surface. - -As he rose, gasping and spluttering, his rival was close beside him. -Through the water streaming from his hair Clif caught sight of the -boy’s face, and he marveled at the intensity of hatred it expressed. - -“I pay you for dis!” almost screamed the Portuguese. “You come ashore -and I kill you. Dog of a Yankee, you hear from Pedro! You see.” - -“Calm yourself, my friend,” drawled Clif, coolly, as he struck out for -the gangway. “Don’t get excited; it is bad for the health. Ta! ta!” - -Pedro swam to his little boat and crouched sullenly in the stern. His -companions crowded around him and chattered like so many monkeys, but -he waved them off, and watched with burning eyes the progress of the -American lad toward the gangway ladder. - -A loud cheer burst from the plebes on the forecastle as Clif held up -the bracelet. The two pretty girls clapped their hands, and the one who -had dropped the piece of jewelry seemed overwhelmed with confusion. - -When Clif reached the deck he found both the first lieutenant and the -officer of the watch awaiting him. - -“What is the meaning of this, Mr. Faraday?” demanded the former, -peremptorily. - -Clif held up the bracelet, and replied, quietly: - -“A young lady visiting the ship dropped this overboard, sir.” - -The officers were compelled to smile. - -“And you dived for it?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Which young lady was it?” - -Faraday turned and indicated the owner of the bracelet, who was walking -aft with her companion. - -“Jove! I don’t blame the young rascal,” muttered the first lieutenant. -“She’s a beauty.” - -Extending his hand, he added, aloud: - -“It was a gallant act, Mr. Faraday, and it does you credit, but it -probably would have been better if you had left the job to one of those -boy divers. I will return the bracelet to the young lady.” - -But Clif hung back. - -“Want the pleasure yourself, eh?” laughed Lieutenant Watson. “Well, you -deserve it.” - -That was Clif’s opinion also, and he lost no time in claiming his -reward. He did not present a very prepossessing appearance in his -dripping uniform, but he held his head jauntily and advanced to meet -the girl. - -His fear that she spoke only Portuguese was speedily dissipated. -Extending her hands impulsively, she exclaimed, with an accent which -added to the charm of her silvery voice: - -“Oh, how I thank you for your kindness, señor! You have dared so much -to save my poor bracelet. It was so good of you.” - -“I am amply repaid,” replied Clif, gallantly. Then he added, with a -smile: “You must pardon my rather moist appearance. The water was not -altogether dry.” - -“We will not keep you,” said the girl, hurriedly. “You should change -your clothing.” - -As Clif bowed and started to walk away, she blushed slightly and said: - -“My parents will consider it a pleasure if you should call upon them. -My name”--she extended a neat card--“and address. Can we not hope to -see you soon?” - -“I will be pleased to call when I go ashore,” replied the handsome -young cadet. “Until then--good-by.” - -As he walked forward he saw Judson Greene standing near the spot where -the conversation had taken place. - -“So Judson has been listening, eh?” thought the latter as he walked -past. “He don’t look particularly pleased. Jealous, I suppose.” - -He glanced at the bit of pasteboard in his hand and read: - - - JUANITA WINDOM, - Ruo Ferdinand No. 78. - - -“Windom?” he muttered. “Why, that’s an English name. Her father must be -either English or American. That accounts for her excellent command of -the language. This is getting more interesting.” - -His thoughts were interrupted by a shout, and he found himself -surrounded by his friends. They were all laughing gayly except Joy, -whose funereal cast of countenance seemed to have increased. - -“Hi, Clif!” cried Trolley, slapping him upon the back, “by Jim, you -great hero. Hurray! you save bracelet and win beautifulist girl in -Lisbon. You one dandy.” - -“Slowly there, Trolley,” laughed Clif; “I don’t see where I have won a -girl.” - -“She likes you; I saw her blush,” put in Nanny Gote. “Just you wait, -Clif Faraday. I’ll tell Tess Herndon back in Annapolis all about this -affair. I’d be ashamed of myself if I were you.” - -“That’s straight,” chuckled Grat Wallace. “He’s getting to be a -regular masher. He’s not content to keep the upper classes guessing -about hazing, and saving torpedo boats at sea, and such little things, -but he needs must----” - -He dodged to escape a blow from Clif’s hand, and darted in high glee to -the forecastle. - -“Better go down and get those wet duds off,” advised Toggles. “You’ll -look better.” - -“Clif Faraday, what is the matter with the diver boy?” demanded Joy, -solemnly. “He’s looking at this ship as if he would like to eat it.” - -Clif glanced out through the nearest port. Pedro was still crouched in -the stern of his little boat. - -He gave a howl of anger on catching sight of Faraday, and added, with a -choice collection of Portuguese epithets: - -“Wait till I catch you on shore. I fix you. I make you sorry you dive. -You see, dog of a Yankee.” - -“He seems excited,” observed Clif, calmly. “His mind must have given -way under the strain, poor fellow----” - -Nanny stooped and snatched up a wet swab. Flung with unerring aim, it -caught the vociferous lad in the face and bowled him over with neatness -and dispatch. - -A laugh greeted the shot. It was followed by cries of rage from the -half-dozen diver boys in their little boats alongside the ship. - -Pedro, the leader, gave a signal, and the flotilla paddled toward the -dock. Clif went below to change his clothing, after a last glance in -Juanita Windom’s direction, and the episode was closed save for one -thing. - -Standing near one of the open ports was Judson Greene. With him was -Spendly. - -“Did you see that Portuguese, Spendly?” asked Judson, in an eager voice. - -“Yes.” - -“Hear what he said?” - -“He threatened Faraday.” - -“Yes. Well, there’s a chance for us, I think.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“We’ll go ashore and see if we can’t use that fellow, Pedro, to help us -get square.” - -An hour later word was passed that the liberty party would leave for -shore at once. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -THE CONSPIRACY. - - -When liberty is given on a man-of-war the whole crew does not go -ashore, but only a watch, or part of a watch. - -The liberty party from the old _Monongahela_ was composed of one-half -of the port watch, and the forty odd cadets composing it glanced back -in gleeful triumph at their less fortunate mates, who were watching -their progress with lugubrious faces from the forward deck. - -Conspicuous among the latter were Grat Wallace and Trolley, neither of -whom were member of that half of the port watch. - -They were doubly sorry that their names had not been included. They -regretted that they were not going ashore and also that Clif, whom they -liked and admired more than words could tell, would not be able to go -with them on the morrow. - -For Clif was in one of the boats speeding ashore, and naval cadets on -a practice cruise are not permitted liberty two days in succession. - -With Clif in the leading cutter were Joy and Nanny. And in the -whaleboat following were Judson Greene and Chris Spendly. - -Judson was very thoughtful on the way to the beach. He replied only in -monosyllables to the chatter of his crony. He was evolving in his mind -a scheme by which the boy Pedro’s newly developed hatred of Clif could -be worked to the latter’s undoing. - -And he was also going over in his mind the reasons why he, himself, -hated Clif so bitterly. The thoughts carried him back to Annapolis and -beyond. - -There was a long list of little plots and conflicts and rather shady -schemes Judson had originated, but he always had been worsted in all -these conflicts. - -This enmity started in Hartford, Conn., from which city both had -entered the academy, and it had continued until the present moment. - -When the cadets landed at the main dock they found a crowd of idlers -gathered there, possibly attracted by the rumor that a number of -American naval cadets would pay a visit ashore. - -Curious spectators, beggars, small boys, boatmen, and all that go to -make up the water-front population of a city like Lisbon, thronged the -street outside the gate and made complimentary and other remarks as the -boys passed from the dock. - -In the background, partially concealed behind a group of spectators, -was a lean, brown-skinned boy with shifty, furtive eyes and a shock of -black hair. - -He was clad only in a light shirt and trousers, both of which showed -signs of recent contact with water. As the naval cadets trouped past he -watched them eagerly until three walking together and laughing merrily -came into view. - -Then his little eyes contracted, his face darkened with rage, and the -nails of his clinched fists bit deep into the flesh. - -He drew back, but not before he was observed by two cadets who had -loitered behind their companions. They walked on a few paces, then -dropped back and approached the barefoot boy. - -“I say, aren’t you the chap who was diving for pennies alongside the -ship this morning?” asked one, with assumed carelessness. - -The boy glared at them defiantly, and made a reply in Portuguese. - -“Drop that lingo,” sharply exclaimed the cadet. “I know you can speak -English because I heard you. Your name is Pedro, and you were defeated -in a dive by one of our fellows.” - -Pedro made an inarticulate sound in his throat and moved away as if -with the intention of leaving the newcomers. - -“I guess you had better wait a while if you care to get square with -that fellow,” said Judson Greene--for it was he--placing one hand upon -the lad’s shoulder. “We know all about the affair, and we are ashore to -help you out a little if we feel like it. Any place about here where we -can get a drink and have a quiet chat?” - -Pedro eyed them for a moment from under his black brows, then he gave a -little nod, and without a word, trotted off. - -A brief period later the three precious rascals, Judson, Chris Spendly -and Pedro were busily talking in the back room of a low _fonda_, or -drinking resort, on one of the side streets leading from the water -front. - -In the meantime the rest of the liberty party was merrily proceeding -toward the center of the city, attracting favorable greetings from -shopkeepers, and glances of admiration from the pretty girls along -the way, for the American naval cadet ashore is both liberal with his -money, and gallant in his personal appearance. - -Clif, Joy and Nanny were walking together and their hearts were light -within them. - -Three weeks on board ship with tumbling decks, close quarters and -stormy winds made good dry land very attractive. - -Joy alone looked gloomy. He was a human paradox. When his spirits were -lightest his face showed the deepest depression. - -“It’s worth while spending a long time at sea to get such an -appreciation of mother earth,” laughed Clif, executing the first steps -of a hornpipe. “Eh, Joy, old boy?” - -“Oh, I don’t know; there are other pleasures,” sighed the lanky plebe. -“And this isn’t such a great place after all. It looks nice enough from -the ship, but----” - -“‘Distance lends enchantment to the view,’” quoted Nanny, sagely. -“You are right there. These houses that seemed so pretty with their -different colors are not so much after all. The most of them are -simply baked mud whitewashed or bluewashed or greenwashed, as the case -may be. And look at the streets. Humph! they aren’t as wide as an alley -at home.” - -“I am sorry you boys are not pleased with the state of affairs,” said -Clif, gayly. “I’ll see the king and have things attended to. There is -one thing you must acknowledge though--the girls are handsome.” - -“You noticed that quick enough,” sniffed Nanny, who had rather a -contempt for the opposite sex. “You got a girl in Annapolis before -you’d been there two days, and you picked up another here before the -anchor chain had finished rattling through the hawse pipes. It’s a -wonder you didn’t run across a couple of durned mermaids on the way -over.” - -Clif laughed. - -“How can I help it, kidlets?” he replied, with a wink at Joy. “Don’t I -try to keep the girls off? But they will fly to me like--like----” - -“Niggers to a watermelon patch,” suggested Joy, gravely. - -By this time the cadets had reached one of the main thoroughfares. As -usual in such cases, they paired off and went in different directions. - -Clif and his two chums remained together. - -“We will take a look at the town and then I’ll leave you for a while,” -announced the former. - -“Going to call on Miss Juanita Windom, I suppose?” said Joy. - -“Yes.” - -“I think you might stay with us instead of chasing after a girl you -never saw until this morning,” complained Nanny. - -“I am not due there until four,” laughed Clif. “It’s now one, and we -will have almost three hours in which to do the city. What more do you -want, youngster?” - -Nanny was compelled to acknowledge contentment, and the trio of friends -strolled about the streets and visited the great cathedral, and -conducted themselves much as boys do under similar circumstances. - -At half-past three Clif called a carriage in front of the Praça do Dom -Pedro, the principal square of Lisbon, and gave the driver a card upon -which he had written Miss Windom’s address. - -“I’ll meet you at six or thereabouts on the dock, chums,” he called -back to Joy and Nanny. “Take care of yourselves and don’t get into any -scrapes.” - -“I have a contract to punch Judson Greene’s head if I run across him,” -growled Joy. “He’s ashore, you know.” - -“Yes. I saw him. But don’t waste any time getting into a row with the -fellow,” replied Faraday. “He isn’t worth it. Ta! ta!” - -They stood for a moment, and watched him whirl away, then they sadly -turned and sauntered across the square. - -If either had continued watching the carriage a trifle longer they -might have seen something rather surprising. - -While the vehicle was rumbling past the northern corner of the plaza, -a lithe, brown-limbed, barefooted boy darted from behind a group of -chattering beggars and swung on behind the carriage. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -AND THEN SILENCE! - - -The top was down, but Clif was too engrossed in thought to discover the -fellow. On went the conveyance through the miserably paved streets, -on past churches and stores and residences, and away from the main -portion of the city to a quiet, highly respectable suburb where the -houses rested in detached grounds abloom with a wealth of semi-tropical -verdure. - -When the carriage finally slackened up a short distance from a pretty -villa, the unbidden passenger was still swinging behind, but he leaped -nimbly to the ground and darted into the shadow of a tree in time to -escape notice. - -The driver placidly overcharged Clif fourfold, and drove away, leaving -the cadet to enter the grounds, where he received a hearty and blushing -welcome from Juanita and her friend. - -An hour later another carriage entered the street. It was of the -same class as the first, but the box was occupied by a stalwart, -black-browed native with a scowling face. - -He drove slowly through the street, then turned back again, as if -awaiting a call. - -Time passed; the sun touched the western hills and disappeared, and -the mist of an early twilight gathered over the city. A distant clock -sounded the hour of six. From the great cathedral came a mellow chiming -of bells, followed by a discordant clatter from some less favored -church. - -Suddenly the ornamented gate in front of the Windom villa opened and -Clif emerged, gallantly lifting his naval cap to those inside. - -He glanced hastily at his watch, then with a half-suppressed -exclamation of surprise, looked about for a conveyance. - -The carriage which had been loitering in the vicinity was coming -briskly toward him. He hailed it, leaped inside, and was soon leaving -the vicinity. - -While passing a nearby corner Clif chanced to look over toward a -barefoot lad standing under a wall lamp. - -“Gorry! it’s that little beggar, Pedro,” he muttered. “What’s he doing -out here, I wonder? Guess he saw me from the expression on his face.” - -He fell to musing over the diving episode of the morning. From that -to his extremely pleasant afternoon with Juanita was but a step, and -Pedro’s scowling face speedily gave way to the beautiful, attractive -countenance of the girl. - -It was growing dark very rapidly. - -The carriage rattled along over the rough cobbles and through streets -entirely unfamiliar to the young cadet. - -Presently it drew up with a jerk and Clif, aroused from a reverie, -looked about him. He saw the façade of a large church on one side, and -a small garden, inclosed by an iron railing, on the other. - -It was high ground and through the trees of the park could be seen the -spires of a number of chapels in the lower part of the city. - -The street was apparently deserted, but lights here and there indicated -the presence of inhabited residences. - -Clif looked questioningly at the driver. - -“Why did you stop here?” he asked at a venture. - -“Me wanta show you fine view, señor,” replied the man, respectfully. - -“View? I don’t care to see any view. Drive on; I want to reach the dock -at once.” - -“But, señor, it take you one minute. It ver’ fine view. All visitor -come here at this time night. It no good any other time. You like-a it -ver’ much. You no regret.” - -Clif liked nature, especially in the shape of picturesque scenery. -He knew that he would be late in meeting his chums, but he could not -resist the temptation. - -“Hurry up, then,” he said, springing from the carriage. - -He did not see the triumphant gleam in the driver’s eyes as the fellow -prepared to follow him, nor would he have understood the meaning if he -had. Suspicion of evil was very far from Clif’s mind just then. - -The horses were drawn up to the side of the street and left standing. -As Clif and the driver entered the little park, which seemed -untenanted, a brown-limbed lad, lithe and sinewy, hastily entered by -another gate. - -He was panting for breath as if from a long and hard run, but he did -not slacken speed among the trees and bushes a few paces behind the -others. - -The driver glanced back once and saw him, but Clif continued on -unsuspectingly to where the park ended abruptly at a low stone rampart. - -Beyond this was a steep declivity--a stone precipice--which extended -down with scarcely a break to the roofs of the houses one hundred feet -below. - -The face of the precipice was of rock with here and there a tuft of -scraggly vegetation growing in the small crevices. - -Clif paid little attention to these details. He was lost in admiration -of the really beautiful view stretched out before him. - -Darkness was almost at hand, but away in the east, a soft rosy glow -still lingered above the hills. Down below at his feet was a panorama -of lights and shadows, twinkling sparks of fire, and black objects -grotesque in their vagueness. - -The river flowed beyond the town, lighter in color and bearing smudges -which on nearer view would have resolved themselves into steamers and -ships and fishing craft of many sizes. - -This much Clif saw and admired, then he remembered the lateness of the -hour and was on the point of turning to go when suddenly he felt a -pair of sinewy arms clasped about his body. - -A low voice hissed some command in Portuguese, then a soft object, -evidently a coat, was thrown over his head and wound tightly. - -He struggled, of course, and tried to cry out, but the muffled sounds -went no further than his lips. - -He writhed and tugged and fought madly to free himself, but those -inflexible arms did not yield. - -A hand snatched away his watch, another went through his pockets with -practiced deftness, then came a muttered exclamation, and the lad found -himself being lifted from the ground. - -This last movement wrung a cry of terror from his lips. He knew the -intention of his assailants. - -They meant to hurl him from the wall! - -Crying frantically for help, Clif made one final, desperate effort to -escape. - -He struggled to free his arms until the muscles stood out in great -bands; he kicked and butted, fought with hand and knee and teeth, but -he was slowly and surely forced back against the hard stone rampart. - -Then came the end. There was a last mighty effort, then a wild cry rang -out into the night echoing down, down, down until a soft, crouching -thud placed an abrupt period to the horrible shriek. - -And then, silence! - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -“CUTTER AHOY!” - - -In a back room of a disreputable drinking resort on a narrow street -leading from the water front were seated two youths clad in the uniform -worn by United States naval cadets. - -On the table between them were a bottle and two glasses. Both youths -were smoking cigarettes, and both appeared ill at ease. - -“I can’t stand this much longer, Chris,” said one, nervously flipping -the ash from his cigarette. “If that little beggar don’t turn up pretty -soon----” - -“You’ll go and look for him,” interrupted the other, with a sneer. - -“Don’t be a fool. How could I find him in this confounded city?” - -He snapped open his watch and added, abruptly: - -“Almost seven. Confound it! what can be keeping him?” - -“Probably had trouble finishing---- What’s the matter?” - -The other had banged the table with his clinched fist. - -“Shut up, will you?” he snarled. “Haven’t you any sense, talking like -that? Do you want to get us--us hanged? People may be listening. It -isn’t so anyway. Nothing was to be done except giving--except giving -Far--him a scare.” - -Chris Spendly slowly sent a cloud of smoke toward the ceiling. He -smiled grimly. “We won’t argue that question, Judson,” he drawled. “But -when you cough up fifty dollars and promise fifty more, it’s not for -the purpose of giving people a scare. And that’s true enough.” - -Before his companion could reply there was a sound at a door leading -to the rear yard. Both sprang to their feet, Judson white-faced and -trembling. - -A lithe, sinewy, barefooted lad hurriedly entered the room. He was -breathing heavily, and his face was mottled white as if from deadly -fear. - -He tried to speak, but before the words could form themselves an -interruption came in the shape of a loud knock at the door opening into -the bar. - -With a gasping cry, the lad vanished in the direction whence he had -come. The cry was echoed by Judson, who stood cowering near the table. - -“We are suspected,” he moaned. “It has been done, and they are -after----” - -“Stop that, you fool!” grated Spendly. “How can they suspect us?” - -He strode to the door and fumbled at the key unsteadily. He was pale, -but there was desperate determination written in his face. - -At last the lock yielded and the door flung open revealing--the man in -charge of the place. - -“You want more drink?” he asked, in broken English, bowing humbly. - -“No!” snarled Chris, tossing him a piece of money. - -“Come on,” he added to Judson. “It’s time we were at the dock.” - -They had presence of mind enough to saunter forth leisurely, but once -free of the ill-favored resort they quickened their steps almost to a -run. - -“It won’t do for you to be seen looking like that,” exclaimed Spendly, -roughly, passing under a street lamp. “Brace up, you fool. You would -give yourself away to a blind man.” - -Judson pulled himself together with an effort. He was ghastly pale, but -he walked steadily as they resumed their way toward the dock. - -They found the majority of the liberty party gathered there awaiting -the hour set for returning on board. - -It was on the stroke of eight and the boats were already on their way -ashore. - -Shortly after Judson and Chris reached the dock, a carriage drove up -and Joy and Nanny leaped out close to where the former were standing. - -Joy glanced anxiously from one to the other of the group of cadets. His -face was even more grave than usual. And Nanny looked as if tears were -not far away from his eyes. - -“I say,” called out the lanky plebe, “has any one seen Faraday?” - -Judson and Spendly shrank back into the shadows. - -“No,” replied a first class cadet named Blakely. “He ought to be here. -Why, what’s up? You fellows look worried.” - -“We can’t understand why Clif isn’t here, that’s all. He went out to a -place in the suburbs at four o’clock and was to meet us on the dock at -six. We’ve been up to the house where he called and they said he left -there in a carriage shortly before dark.” - -“He may have stopped somewhere on the way back.” - -“No. Clif is not the fellow to break a promise if he could help it.” - -“Oh, I don’t know,” came from the shadows back of Blakely. “He’s not so -much. I guess he’d break more than a promise if it came to the point.” - -“You wouldn’t dare to say that to his face, Chris Spendly,” retorted -Nanny, warmly. “He’d make you shake in your boots.” - -Chris discreetly remained silent. His malignant nature had caused him -to revile the boy whom he knew in his vicious heart was lying mangled -and bleeding at the foot of the bluff, but he had sense enough not to -carry it too far. - -And Judson was frantically plucking at his sleeve and begging him to -remain quiet for Heaven’s sake. - -“I think you will see Faraday showing up in ample time, youngsters,” -said Blakely, kindly, addressing Joy and Nanny. “There isn’t any reason -why he shouldn’t.” - -“Here come the boats!” suddenly exclaimed a cadet. - -Three men-of-war cutters dashed in from the darkness and rounded to -alongside the landing steps. - -An officer sprang out, glanced at his watch, then cried briskly: - -“The liberty party will fall in and answer promptly as the names are -called.” - -He produced a paper and rapidly read from it by the light of a boat -lantern held by the coxswain. - -“Mr. Andrews.” - -“Present, sir.” - -“Mr. Blakely.” - -“Present, sir.” - -“Mr. Caldwell.” - -“Here, sir.” - -“Donovan.” - -“Present, sir.” - -“Mr. Faraday.” - -No reply. The line of cadets shifted uneasily and a subdued murmur -arose. - -“Mr. Faraday,” repeated the ensign, in a louder voice. - -Still no answer. - -“Any one seen Mr. Faraday?” was the next question, given impatiently. - -“Not since four o’clock, sir,” replied Joy, glumly. “He went visiting -and has probably been detained.” - -“He knows the hour. We can’t wait longer than three minutes.” - -The officer’s watch snapped with a determined click. The time passed -slowly. Many anxious eyes were directed toward the gate at the end of -the dock, for Clif, by his manliness and sturdy independence, won more -than one friend even among the enemy. - -“Time’s up! Get into the boats,” at last came from the ensign. - -Joy and Nanny obeyed with evident reluctance, but Chris Spendly and -Judson Greene seemed surprisingly eager to shake the dust of the city -from their feet. - -“I do not like to report Mr. Faraday absent,” said the young officer, -as he took his place in the stern of the first cutter, “but duty is -duty. Up oars! Ready! Let fall----” - -“Cutter, ahoy!” - -The hail, clear and sharp, came from the other end of the dock. The -gate swung back and a youth clad in a naval cadet uniform ran toward -the boats. - -As he passed under a light a cry came from one of the cutters: - -“Clif Faraday!” - -The cry was followed by a commotion in the boat. - -“What’s the matter there?” called out the ensign, sternly. - -“Judson Greene has fainted, sir.” - -A little later a group composed of the majority of the plebes and a -sprinkling of upper class cadets was gathered around Clif as he leaned -against the pivot gun on the _Monongahela’s_ forecastle. - -The faces of all save the central figure were expressive of the -liveliest interest and excitement. - -“And they got you against the stone rampart in the park, you say?” -eagerly questioned Grat Wallace. - -“Yes,” replied Clif. “There were two of them, the driver of the -carriage and that scoundrelly little diver, Pedro. I thought my end had -come. In fact, to use a common expression, I saw my finish. I had no -intention of giving up, though.” - -“Not you,” broke out Nanny. - -“Thanks,” laughed Clif; then he continued: - -“I don’t know how it happened without”--his voice grew soft and -reverend--“the Almighty interposed and aided me. All I know is that we -were struggling on the very edge of the stone rampart when the driver -slipped over the edge and”--Clif shuddered--“fell down to a horrible -death.” - -“Served him right!” exclaimed more than one voice. - -“I whipped the coat from my head just in time to see Pedro disappear -among the trees. I gave chase, but he escaped me. I was pretty well -shaken up, I tell you, but I managed to reach the central police -headquarters and told my story to an interpreter.” - -“And the driver?” - -“They found him an hour later on the roof of a house at the foot of the -bluff. He was a mass of broken bones.” - -“And all this was done simply because you made that little Portuguese -diver angry this morning?” said one of the group. - -“I suppose so,” replied Clif, thoughtfully; “but it does seem the -fellow must have had some other reason than petty revenge and robbery. -If so, it’s bound to come out some day.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE ENGLISHMAN WITH A “HAW!” - - -“Haw, ye don’t mean to say the blawsted thing will fire a shot forty -miles?” - -“Thirty-nine miles, two hundred and fifty yards, fifty-six feet and -eleven inches is the exact record, sir.” - -“But, don’t ye know, that’s almost as far as it is from Lun’nun to -Oxford, bah Jove!” - -“Just thirteen feet, three inches further, sir.” - -“Haw!” - -“The charge is the most peculiar part of it, sir.” - -“Ya-as?” - -“Very peculiar. In fact, you would hardly believe it.” - -Clif, who was the speaker, leaned confidentially toward his companion, -and added, in an impressive whisper: - -“We use green Holland cheese, sir.” - -“What! Bah Jove, you cawn’t use cheese to fire a gun, don’t you know?” - -“Fact, sir. I’m not supposed to give the secret away, but I know you -won’t repeat it. The American Government is very progressive, sir. And -the American naval officer is great on inventions. It was a cadet that -invented the ‘cheesite,’ as the new explosive is called. He made the -discovery in a very queer way.” - -Clif paused a second for breath, then he continued in the same -impressive tone: - -“He was a shipmate of mine at the academy, sir. His name was Mudd. -Funny name, eh? Well, Mudd was very fond of Dutch cheese. Ate it all -the time. One day he brought a pound or two into our room--I bunked -with him, you know--and hid it in the stove. There happened to be a -little fire in it, and bless me if the cheese and heat didn’t generate -gas and blow the room into the middle of the Severn River. I was nearly -drowned trying to swim ashore.” - -“Haw! Most extraordinary. Must make a note of it.” - -“Great, isn’t it? Well, Mudd--when he left the hospital, had three ribs -broken and lost a piece of his solar plexus--he experimented on the -‘cheesite,’ found the gas, and is now worth a million. Great, isn’t it?” - -Clif’s companion was an Englishman of about twenty-three. He had a -full, round red face with a pair of pronounced “mutton-chop” whiskers. -A single glass, or monocle, was screwed tightly in one eye; and he was -dressed in tweeds of the loudest patterns. - -There was a vacant, open-mouthed expression on his face that seemed -peculiarly appropriate to his general appearance. - -The young naval cadet finished his remarkable description of the -discovery of “cheesite” without the slightest indication of mirth. - -“Haw! Most extraordinary invention!” exclaimed the Englishman. “But you -Americans, don’t ye know, are extraordinary creatures, anyway. Haw! I -had a cousin who went across the pond a few years ago. Landed in Ohio -or some other town, I believe, and started the most peculiar business. -Haw! it was really remarkable.” - -He stopped to give his glass another twist, and continued, with a yawn: - -“Haw! the cousin was a queer fellow. He ran away to--aw!--Africa or -Iceland when he was a youngster, and had a wild time of it. Then he -settled down in Lun’nun, and----” - -“What was the queer business he was in?” - -“Yas. He settled in the town of Ohio and started a shop, don’t you -know. Haw! haw! It was deuced comical. I split me sides every time I -think of it, don’t ye know.” - -“But the business?” - -“The business? Haw! I forgot what it was, ye know. But it was a blasted -peculiar thing. Haw!” - -Clif laughed. - -“I am deuced obliged to you for your trouble, don’t ye know,” resumed -his companion, extracting an elaborate case from his coat. “Here’s me -pasteboard. I--aw--would be delighted to see you again.” - -“Thanks. I haven’t a card with me, but my name is Faraday, Clifford -Faraday, and I am a naval cadet of the new fourth class on board this -practice ship, the _Monongahela_. We left Annapolis, Maryland, where -our naval academy is situated, several weeks ago, and have been here in -Lisbon three days.” - -Clif read the card. The words, finely engraved, were: - - - “J. CHESIRE-CHESHIRE CATE, - “London, England.” - - -It was shortly before noon. The presence of the old American frigate, -which, despite her age, was trim and neat aloft and alow, had -attracted a number of visitors from the city. - -The officers of the ship and the naval cadets forming the crew, always -gallant and hospitable, had welcomed them heartily, and were showing -the vessel. - -To Clif’s lot had fallen this exaggerated specimen of the genus Briton, -and the cadet’s delight was great. - -He proceeded to spin yarns that even the proverbial marine would not -listen to, but J. Chesire-Cheshire Cate simply looked vacant and said -“Haw!” - -The day was bright and pleasant, and the crowd of visitors was -constantly increasing. The _élite_ of the city had evidently selected -this day on which to inspect the “Yankee” practice ship, as the -visitors were altogether of the better class. - -The broad spar deck was thronged with handsome girls and well-dressed -gentlemen. The gay European costumes, interspersed here and there with -the attractive uniforms of the officers and the natty dress of the -cadets, formed an inspiring scene. - -A band, made up of naval cadets, discoursed sweet music from a -tastefully decorated stand on the quarter-deck. From the spanker-gaff -floated the Stars and Stripes resplendent in new bunting. - -While Clif was reading the inscription on the card given him, Nanny -hurriedly approached him, and said, in a stage whisper: - -“She’s coming, Clif. She’s in a boat alongside.” - -“Who? Not----” - -“Yes. It’s the girl. It’s Miss Juanita. She’s got another girl with -her.” - -“Thanks,” replied Clif, hurriedly. Turning to J. Chesire-Cheshire Cate, -he added: - -“Please excuse me, sir. I wish to meet a friend.” - -“Certainly, by all means, deah boy,” drawled the Englishman, waving his -monocle. “I am deuced obliged to you for your--aw!--kindness, don’t ye -know. Pray consider my rooms ashore your--aw--home. Glad to see you -again, don’t ye know.” - -As Clif hurried toward the gangway something very like a scowl came -into J. C.-C. Cate’s previously vacant face, and he muttered beneath -his breath: - -“Miss Windom coming aboard here? And she knows this young cub of an -American. What complications will this lead to?” - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -SAVING A KING. - - -Clif reached the gangway ladder just as Juanita Windom stepped down to -the deck, accompanied by another girl of her own age. - -When she espied the young cadet she blushed slightly, and held out her -hand, with a winning smile. - -“This is indeed a pleasure, Miss Windom,” he said, with even more -earnestness than the remark warranted. - -“To me, Mr. Faraday,” the fair young girl replied, laughingly. “I have -been longing for the time when I could return your visit of--of--when -was it, Elna?” - -“Such a long, long time ago,” responded her companion, mischievously. -“It was day before yesterday.” - -“Only day before yesterday,” laughed Juanita Windom, with a shy glance -at Cliff, who looked extremely self-conscious under the battery of such -eyes. “Why, it seems months since you called at the house. And the -dreadful adventure you had at the upper plaza when that horrid driver -tried to rob you, and throw you down the cliff. It was in the papers -yesterday. You must tell me all about it, Mr. Faraday.” - -“I will be delighted----” - -“Haw!” - -The little group turned at the sound. The Englishman, monocle screwed -tightly in his eye, was making a profound bow to Juanita. - -“Haw! delighted, Miss Windom. Delighted to see you on board, don’t -ye know. Beautiful--aw!--day; lovely weather, lovely girls, and -you--aw!--the fairest of them all.” - -“Haw!” - -The exclamation did not come from the Briton, and he looked at Clif, -finding that youth apparently engaged in the innocent occupation of -arranging the strap of his cap. - -Juanita and her friend repressed their laughter with difficulty. - -“Haw! it must have been an echo, don’t ye know. Fawncy hearing one’s -own voice when you didn’t speak. Deuced good joke, eh?” - -And the Englishman burst into a hearty laugh. But there was something -in it that did not ring true to Clif. - -By skillful maneuvering Clif succeeded in bringing Juanita’s friend -and J. Chesire-Cheshire Cate together, then he boldly walked off with -the fair beauty of Lisbon. - -“There is a splendid view of the river from the other side of the deck, -Miss Windom,” he said, leading the way past the mainmast. “I fancied -you did not care to remain with that gentleman,” he added, frankly, -when they were alone. “And, anyway, I wished to tell you all about my -adventure of the day before yesterday.” - -“And I am eager to hear it,” replied the girl. She continued gravely: -“As for Mr. Cate, I do not like him. There is something about the man -that repels me. He is a business acquaintance of father, and I met him -while he was dining at our home.” - -“A business acquaintance,” smiled Clif. “One would never connect -business with--aw!--J. Chesire-Cheshire Cate, don’t ye know.” - -Juanita laughed. - -“It is not what you would call business exactly,” she replied. “Father -is interested in pearls. It is a hobby and he has spent a long time and -a great deal of money in collecting them. He has one of the largest -collections in the world, I believe. This Mr. Cate is trying to -complete a certain necklace, and he came all the way from London to -see if father has one of the required size. He has, but I do not think -he will part with it.” - -“So that is the story of Mr. Cate, eh?” said Clif. “Well, we’ll talk on -a more pleasant subject.” - -“Tell me about your adventure with----” - -She was interrupted by a commotion at the gangway. A splendidly -equipped barge, glittering with brass and polished wood, dashed -alongside, and an officer fairly covered with gold lace ascended to the -deck. - -He was met by the executive officer and conducted to the cabin. A few -minutes later he reappeared and was rowed ashore. - -Then orderlies ran here and there, officers hurried below, and a -general air of excitement prevailed. - -“Something is in the wind,” said Clif. “That officer brought an -important message. Ah! there goes the boatswain’s mate to pass a call.” - -A sturdy old sailor, with the insignia of a petty officer upon his -sleeve, rolled to the vicinity of the mainmast and gave a long, shrill -whistle, adding in a deep, salty voice that had been trained in many a -gale: - -“A-a-all hands-s-s, dress ship! And st-stand by to man yards. Look -lively!” - -Like wildfire the word went along the deck: - -“The king is coming on board!” - -“I believe that is right,” Clif said to Juanita. “They are certainly -excited enough. Well, I must leave you for a little while. Duty calls -me up on one of those yards. Please do not go away until I see you -again.” - -“I am afraid I must,” the girl replied. “I promised to lunch with -father in the city. I’ll stay a moment to see the king, though. By the -way, Mr. Faraday, father would be pleased to have you call at the house -this evening if you come ashore.” - -“And you?” asked the lad, softly. - -“What a question!” murmured Juanita, her eyes falling under his ardent -gaze. “Why, I--I--that is--my father’s wish is law, you know. I must -coincide with what he says.” - -“No, that is not enough,” persisted Clif. - -“Well, if you insist,” laughed the girl, “I’ll say----” - -“Haw! here you are, my dear Miss Windom. Ha! ha! you quite escaped us. -Deuced cruel of you, don’t ye know.” - -The Englishman sauntered up, twirling his monocle in an affected -manner. Turning to Clif, he added: - -“What’s the row, dear boy? Are you going to bombard the blooming town?” - -“No,” shortly replied Faraday. “The king is coming on board.” - -The effect of this commonplace announcement upon the Englishman was -remarkable. - -He started as if struck; his face became ashen in color, and he -appeared to breathe with difficulty. - -“What is the matter?” asked Clif, startled. “Are you ill?” - -“No--no, a little attack, that’s all, don’t ye know,” replied Cate, -recovering himself with an effort. Another moment and he had regained -his usual composure. - -“Haw! bah Jove, Richard is himself again,” he drawled, carefully -adjusting his eyeglass. “So his royal highness is coming aboard? I’ll -be glad to--aw--meet him, don’t ye know.” - -“And so will he be glad to meet you--not,” replied the cadet, the last -word _sotto voce_. - -With a low bow and a smile to Juanita, he hurried away to his station. - -The two girls strolled to the other side of the quarter-deck as if -unconscious of the Englishman’s presence. - -Once alone, the latter’s face again took on that hunted expression -noticed by Clif. He leaned against one of the broadside guns and stared -absently through the port. - -“It is fate,” he muttered; “grim fate. It is ordered and must be done. -It’s a pity, too. The other chance was so good. Just think of it; -strings of them, and each worth a fortune. And the girl, too. If I had -the opportunity and that cub of a boy was out of the way--but what’s -the use of dreaming? Duty first, then pleasure. Yes, pleasure, if”--he -laughed mirthlessly--“if I live to enjoy it.” - -A shrill piping of the boatswain’s whistle interrupted his soliloquy, -and he turned to see a rainbow of gay bunting flaunt bravely from a -line stretched over the three mast trucks. - -Some one near him pointed in the direction of the shore, and exclaimed -that the king was putting off in the royal barge. - -There was a rush for the side, but J. Chesire-Cheshire Cate remained -in his former position, the expression upon his face becoming more and -more pronounced. - -In the meantime Clif had joined the other cadets in the work of -preparing the ship for the royal visitor. - -Being a plebe, Clif’s duty did not carry him above the deck, but he -found plenty to do elsewhere. - -Shortly after he left Juanita the crew were called to quarters. Each -cadet hurried to his station at one of the guns and stood at attention -with military precision. - -A moment later the saluting battery opened fire and thundered forth the -national salute of twenty-one guns. - -The sulphurous vapor from the last discharge had barely lifted above -the hammock netting when the cannon in the fort ashore began. - -The distant booming of artillery, the smoke enshrouding the old -practice ship, the scores of bright flags fluttering from the masts, -and the silent groups of uniformed men and cadets lined up on each side -of the snowy decks formed an inspiriting scene--one to tarry long in -the memory. - -Clif with Joy, Trolley and Nanny were stationed at the after starboard -broadside gun. - -From where he stood Faraday could see the visitors grouped on the port -side of the deck. He managed to catch a fleeting gleam from Juanita’s -sparkling eyes, then his gaze wandered to a figure clad in the loudest -of loud English checks. - -It was J. Chesire-Cheshire Cate. - -The doughty Briton had dropped his eyeglass and was staring eagerly -toward the gangway. To Clif, who was not more than fifteen feet away, -his face seemed absolutely transfigured. - -He no longer wore the vacuous, simpering expression, but into his -face had crept an air of desperate determination so intense that Clif -marveled at the sight. - -“I say, Trolley,” he whispered to the Japanese youth, who stood next to -him, “just look at that blooming Englishman.” - -“He sick?” - -“No, but he seems greatly excited. That fellow is a mystery to me. I -thought at first he was an empty-headed dude, but, by George, I believe -he is playing a part.” - -“What for?” queried Joy, who had overheard him. - -“I don’t know,” replied Clif, “but I’ll keep my eyes on him just the -same.” - -Joy winked at Trolley. - -“It’s a case of jealousy,” he said. “Clif doesn’t like the way he is -hanging around Miss Windom.” - -Faraday laughed easily. - -“If you knew her you would see the ridiculousness of your remark,” he -retorted. “She----” - -“Silence there,” sharply called out the gun captain. “Attention!” - -There was a rattle of drums, a blare of bugles, then a stout, -dark-featured man with a heavy, curled mustache and a full sweeping -beard stepped down from the gangway. - -The side was manned by a number of officers who raised their caps in a -salute as the visitor passed them. - -It was Dom Carlos the First, King of Portugal. - -He was accompanied by a gayly uniformed suite composed of naval and -military officers, but he, himself, was attired in simple civilian -clothes. - -Captain Brookes, at the head of his staff, advanced to meet the royal -visitor. Bowing profoundly he uttered a few words of welcome and led -the way toward the cabin. - -Clif, after one quick glance at the king, again turned his attention to -Cate, the Englishman. - -The fellow had stepped back, crouching behind the group of absorbed -spectators, but his face was plainly visible. - -The expression of implacable hatred upon it sent a flood of light -through Clif’s mind, and he involuntarily advanced a pace from the gun. - -“Get back there,” came sternly from the petty officer in charge. “What -do you mean by----” - -He stepped back aghast. - -There was a sharp cry, a shrill note of warning, then a clamor of -excited voices sounded through the ship. - -A figure clad in cadet blue was seen to leave the after starboard gun -and with one great leap reach the side of Dom Carlos. - -It was Clif! - -At the same moment a man, who had bounded from among the spectators, -sprang upon the king. - -There was a glitter of steel, then as the threatened monarch staggered -back to avoid the blow, a pair of little arms were thrown about the -would-be assassin’s body! - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -AUDIENCE WITH A KING. - - -The excitement that ensued was intense. There was a rush for the spot -by visitors, officers and crew. A chorus of screams from the feminine -visitors, a quick word of command, and an excited jumble of English and -Portuguese. - -The crowd suddenly swayed, and a man in civilian clothing--a suit with -a loud check pattern--was seen to savagely force his way to the ladder -leading to the after deck. - -A score of hands clutched at him, but he eluded them and gained the -top. As he paused for a second, bareheaded, disheveled, breathing -heavily, a cry came from the frantic mob below. - -“It’s the Englishman!” - -“Yes, the Englishman!” he flung back, fiercely. “I defy you, slaves of -a royal master. I have tried to strike a blow for your liberty, hounds, -a blow for the world’s liberty, and have failed. I----” - -A bullet whistled past his head, but he never flinched. As the crowd -below surged up the ladder eager to tear him limb from limb, he -retreated slowly and with magnificent courage to the railing. - -As the foremost of his pursuers reached the deck, he sent a curse at -them, then turned and sprang over the side into the swiftly moving -waters of the Tagus. - -“After him! Quick! Five thousand _milreis_ to the man who captures him -alive!” - -These words, in broken English, came from one of the royal suite. - -A rush was made for the side, and eager glances were cast down toward -the river. A dozen excited sailors and cadets recklessly leaped into -the water and began a search, but nothing was seen of the desperate -fugitive. - -The Tagus in the immediate vicinity of the practice ship was thronged -with vessels of all classes, attracted to the spot by the royal visit, -and it was observed at once that the assassin’s chances for escape, if -he was an expert swimmer, were good. - -There was commotion on board the neighboring craft, and many false -alarms, but no certain sign of the Englishman’s presence. - -When the excited crowd on the _Monongahela_ turned inboard again, they -found a group of officers and cadets surrounding Clif, who was calmly -standing in the center while the surgeon fastened a temporary bandage -round a bleeding cut in his right arm. - -The king had been hurried to the cabin by his suite and Captain -Brookes. A moment later he emerged and joined the group surrounding -Clif. - -“I want to see the brave American boy who saved my life,” he insisted. -“It was he who foiled that assassin and he shall have my heartfelt -thanks.” - -“But, your majesty,” implored one of his military staff, in Portuguese, -“there may be other wretches on board. They may make another attempt on -you.” - -“Then keep every one at a distance,” was the retort. “Act rather than -talk. It is strange you and your comrades did not prevent that man from -making his attempt. What has been done to capture him?” - -“Word was sent ashore at once, sire. A launch is even now on the way -with instructions to the chief of police and the general in charge of -the district. The assassin will be in prison before dark.” - -“See that he is!” exclaimed the king, imperiously. - -Turning to Clif he extended both his hands and added in excellent -English: - -“My brave lad, I thank you. I deplore the wound you have received in my -service.” - -“It is nothing, sir,” replied Clif, simply. - -“A king’s life nothing?” smiled his majesty. “Ah, that is a democratic -principle. It is American. I admire your cleverness and bravery. You -will hear from me.” - -He turned away, after learning from the surgeon that Clif’s wound was a -mere scratch, and, surrounded by his suite, left the ship. - -A wild cheer greeted him as he entered the barge, and there was every -sign of joy at his escape. - -As soon as the barge was clear of the _Monongahela_, Captain Brookes, -ever mindful of his duty, gave orders to man yards and fire a second -salute. - -In the meantime the search for the Englishman had been prosecuted with -vigor. - -The news that a reward of five thousand _milreis_, about six thousand -dollars, had been offered for the fugitive, dead or alive, had spread -like wildfire. - -In a remarkably short space of time the surface of the river in front -of the city was literally covered with boats, large and small. - -As the minutes passed and no sign of the Englishman was discovered, the -belief that he had perished became prevalent. - -When Clif went forward after an interview with the captain and officers -of the _Monongahela_--an interview that caused his heart to beat with -unaccustomed rapidity--he found an ovation awaiting him. - -He tried to escape, and dodged down the forward ladder for that -purpose, but a number of new fourth class cadets, headed by the lanky -Joy, captured him, and he was borne in triumph about the decks. - -“Hurray for the Yankee who saved a king,” shrieked little Nanny. “Three -cheers and--and a whole cageful of tigers.” - -The cheers were given and the tigers, too, but in subdued tones. It is -not considered the proper thing to make much noise on board an American -war vessel. - -“You make one good speech now,” insisted Trolley, grinning broadly. - -“Not much,” was Clif’s flat refusal. “I draw the line at that. What’s -all this row about, anyway? One would think war had been declared at -the very least.” - -“Something more important than that, dear boy,” drawled Toggles. “I’ll -wager anything the news is being cabled about the world this very -minute. And the name of Clifford Faraday, new fourth class plebe, -function, and rescuer of kings in general, will be in everybody’s -mouth before dinner. Clif, your fortune is made. I see you Lord High -Muck-a-Muck of Portugal before you are a day older.” - -Clif laughed carelessly. - -“I am content to remain a cadet in the United States Naval Academy,” he -replied. “That’s honor enough for me.” - -“What did the girl say?” asked Nanny, slyly. “I saw you talking to her -after your great act.” - -“If you want to know, youngster, she asked me to tea to-night and I -accepted the invitation. She also said she would like to have me bring -another cadet.” - -A hubbub broke out at once. Every plebe within hearing was eager to be -selected. - -Clif finally decided to take Joy, much to the disappointment of the -others. The liberty party was called away at one o’clock, and, shortly -after that hour, the two chums found themselves ashore. - -They little suspected as they carelessly walked toward the main plaza -that they were destined to experience some very thrilling adventures -before they again saw the old _Monongahela_. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -THE BROKEN TREE BRANCH. - - -The pedestrians in the streets taken by Clif and Joy little thought as -they glanced carelessly at the two cadets that the sturdy youth with -the intelligent, manly face was he who had saved their beloved ruler, -Dom Carlos the First, from death that day. - -It was well for Clif’s peace of mind and comfort that this was true, -and he inwardly rejoiced thereat. - -The city was in an uproar. All Lisbon seemed to be hunting for the -fugitive and hoping against hope that he had escaped from the river. - -The large reward was not the sole cause of this feverish activity. The -people far and wide respected and loved their ruler and they thirsted -more for the assassin’s blood than for the fortune his body represented. - -The streets and plazas were filled with excited groups discussing the -event. Platoons of mounted police and companies of soldiers kept the -air ringing with the tread of galloping hoofs. - -“It takes something like an attack on the king to stir up these -people,” said Joy. He added, with a sigh: “Isn’t it enough to make a -peaceful man sorrow to see so much strife and contention and--and pomp -of war? Woe!--woe!” - -“Oh, shut up, you fraud,” laughed Clif. “There isn’t a plebe in the -academy, nor a cadet, who likes fighting more than you do. You would -rather fight than eat.” - -The two cadets spent some time looking about the city, then they -engaged a carriage and ordered the driver to take them to the suburb in -which lived the Windoms. - -“This has been a day of events, chum,” remarked Clif as he leaned back -in the vehicle. “Who would ever take that blooming ‘haw’ Englishman to -be an anarchist, and one of the very worst type, too. Why, I guyed him -for half an hour this morning and thought all the time he was a fool.” - -“He was a fool,” replied Joy, grimly. - -“Yes, otherwise he would never have tried such a preposterous trick. I -wonder if he came here to make the attempt on Dom Carlos’ life?” - -“Like as not. I read in a paper the other day that considerable -activity existed in anarchistic circles. Sort of getting ready to -slay a few monarchs, I suppose. They drove a lot of ’em from Paris and -London. Perhaps this J. Chesire-Cheshire Cate was one of them.” - -“No doubt,” yawned Clif, stretching his arms. - -“D’ye think he was drowned?” - -“Yes. He remained under water too long. Small loss to the community at -large. I guess Miss Windom won’t wear mourning. She couldn’t bear the -sight of him.” - -“I don’t blame her. Was he a friend of the old man?” - -“No. Merely a business acquaintance, I believe. Said he was looking for -a certain-sized pearl to finish a necklace. Mr. Windom is a collector -of pearls, you know. He has a fortune in them.” - -Joy sighed. - -“Wonder if the pearls go with the girl,” he sighed. - -“Let’s talk on some sensible subject,” retorted Clif, shortly. - -It was within an hour of dusk when they finally reached the pretty -villa occupied by the Windoms. - -The house was situated in the center of an extensive park, well-kept, -and shaded by fine old trees. There was a small lodge at the gate, -presided over by an elderly native, who admitted the cadets with every -mark of respect. - -He had evidently learned of Clif’s gallant deed that morning. - -Juanita and her girl friend were awaiting them when they reached the -house, and the cordial welcome the two lads received made them very -happy. - -Shortly before tea, Mr. Windom arrived from business. His greeting of -Clif was characteristic of the man whose sole hobby in life was the -collection of rare and valuable pearls. - -“I am proud to know you, sir,” he exclaimed, wringing the lad’s hand. -“Proud to know that you are a guest under my roof to-night. The whole -city--the whole world, in fact--is ringing with your name. It was -great, it was magnificent! It was a deed worthy of an American. - -“But you are wanted at the palace, my dear boy. The king has sent -messenger after messenger to the _Monongahela_ in search of you. The -old ship is fairly surrounded by steamers and tugs and small craft -bearing bands of music and visitors. They call for you in vain. How can -you remain in my poor house while the whole city is eager to see you.” - -“If it is all the same to you, sir,” laughed Clif, “I’d much rather -remain here.” - -He glanced slyly at Juanita, and was gratified to see a soft, rosy -flush overspread her fair cheeks. - -Kindly-hearted Mr. Windom seemed greatly pleased at Faraday’s -diplomatic answer, and carried both boys off to look at his pearls, -which were kept in a small iron box in one corner of his private room. - -After duly praising the really magnificent collection, some of which -were almost priceless in value, Clif and Joy returned to the girls. - -Three very pleasant hours were spent after tea, then the stern rules of -naval discipline which had decreed that the ship must be gained before -midnight, caused the two cadets to announce their departure. - -Juanita and her friend were left at the house, but Mr. Windom -hospitably started to see his guests to the gate. - -“It is not often we have the honor of entertaining the rescuer of a -ruling monarch, Mr. Faraday,” he smiled, as they walked down the tiled -path. “So I must make the most of it.” - -“I wish the king hadn’t come on board to be rescued, sir,” laughed -Clif. “Especially in a country where so much---- Gorry!” - -He stopped and placed both hands to his head. His cap had fallen to the -ground, together with a large twig from a tree under which they had -just passed. - -“What is the matter?” asked Mr. Windom, hastily. “Are you hurt?” - -“No. It startled me, that’s all,” replied Clif. “It was just a branch, -rotten, I suppose.” - -He picked up his cap and the twig, the latter more out of curiosity -than anything else, and walked on after his companions. - -“I must have those branches clipped again,” said Mr. Windom. “I did not -know the trees were in such condition.” - -Cordial farewells were exchanged at the gate, and the two cadets -entered a carriage which had been ordered for that hour. - -“I must be getting nervous,” laughed Clif as they rolled away from the -villa. He held up the twig and added: - -“When I jump on being struck by such as this, it is time----” - -He ceased speaking abruptly, and uttered a low whistle. The carriage -was passing close to a street lamp at that moment, and the light fell -full upon the object in his hand. - -“What’s up?” queried Joy. - -“Do you see the end of this bit of wood?” replied Clif. - -“Yes.” - -“Well, it’s broken sharp and clean.” - -“What of it.” - -Clif glanced at the lanky plebe for a moment before replying, then he -said, slowly: - -“This twig is not rotten, chum. Neither did it break of its own weight.” - -Joy showed more excitement than his wont. - -“Then you think----” he began. - -“There was some one up that tree,” finished Clif, impressively. “And he -was there for no good.” - -“Driver, let us out,” he added to the coachman. - -The latter promptly drew up his horses and received his fare without -a word of comment. He was too much accustomed to the vagaries of -passengers in general to feel surprised. - -A minute later Clif and Joy were hurriedly making their way back to the -Windom villa. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -THE MIDNIGHT MARAUDER. - - -“What do you think of it, chum?” asked Joy, as they rapidly retraced -their steps. - -“Hard to say,” replied Clif, briefly. “Perhaps a plot to rob the house.” - -“Valuable pearls, eh?” - -“Yes.” - -“We may be mistaken after all,” persisted the lanky plebe. “Limbs have -a habit of dropping from trees, you know. We would feel rather foolish -if we aroused the house, and found only a cat or something like that. -Miss Windom would laugh.” - -“I’ll take the risk of that. I’d take any risk rather than see----” - -“See the pearls stolen,” interrupted Joy, with an internal chuckle. - -“Confound the pearls.” - -“Oh, I meant girl. Excuse me.” - -By this time the villa was reached. The extensive grounds were -separated from the street by a stone wall ten feet in height and -surmounted by an ornamental iron railing. - -Clif halted near one end of the wall and announced that he would try to -enter there. - -“No use arousing the lodge-keeper,” he added. “There may be nothing in -it after all, and I don’t want to raise an alarm without proof. You can -stay here and I’ll take a peep through the grounds on the quiet.” - -Joy protested, but Clif was firm. - -“Well, it won’t be long until I follow you,” muttered the former as he -gave his friend a “boost” to the top of the wall. “You are altogether -too fond of getting into danger. I’ll have to look after you, sonny.” - -Clif found it an easy matter to drop into the grounds. Once inside he -crouched close to the wall and took his bearings. - -The night had assumed that depth of blackness usual before the rise of -a full moon. The villa grounds presented one smudge of darkness with -no alternating patches of light and shade. A cool breeze came from -the direction of the river, bringing occasional bursts of noise and -commotion from the central portion of the city. - -Clif moved away from the wall, stepping carefully and with hands -outstretched. - -He had not covered a dozen feet when he plumped squarely into a -depressed flower bed, and sprawled headlong, creating what seemed to -him a prodigious clatter. - -He lay quiet for a brief period, then not hearing any sounds, rose to -his feet and once more moved in the general direction of the house. - -He knew that somewhere in the blackness in front was the tree, but of -its exact location he was ignorant. - -Suddenly a twinkling light appeared through the gloom. - -It gleamed for a moment, then vanished. - -“Guess they have gone to bed,” muttered Clif. - -The thought gave him confidence, and he proceeded with less caution. -The cadet had no desire to be discovered prowling about the Windom -grounds. Explanations would be awkward, especially if the robber up the -tree proved to be some marauding cat or restless fowl. - -Clif was not so positive in his belief now. The simple fact that the -limb had been snapped from the tree was no longer a convincing evidence -that something underhand was in progress, and he proceeded in a -half-hearted manner, almost decided to turn back. - -Presently his feet touched gravel, and he knew that he had gained the -path leading to the gate. - -He paused and glanced about, at the same time listening intently. The -only sounds came from Nature’s voice in the chirping of night insects -and the distant murmuring of the city. - -“Everything seems all right here,” muttered Clif. “I guess I was -mistaken after all. I think I will----” - -He ceased speaking and glanced upward, attracted by a rustling among -the leaves of a tree under which he was standing. - -Before he could move or cry out, a heavy object dropped swiftly upon -him, and he sprawled headlong upon the path unconscious! - -Out in the street Joy paced up and down impatiently in the shadows of -the trees. - -As the minutes passed without sign or sound of Clif, the lanky plebe -became uneasy, and he reproached himself for permitting his friend to -make the venture alone. - -“There was no sense in it, anyway,” he muttered. “I could have gone -along just as well as not. If he don’t come out in three seconds, I’ll -follow.” - -Joy’s “three seconds” soon elapsed, and the plebe made good his word -by boldly scaling the wall. This he did by propping a piece of wood -against the brick barrier, thus gaining the ironwork at the top. - -Dropping lightly upon the soft earth on the other side, he started -across the grounds. - -He had barely taken a dozen steps when there came through the night air -a crash of splintering glass, then a scream of terror. - -A moment of breathless silence, then a hoarse murmuring of excited -voices, interspersed by occasional shouts. By that time Joy, armed with -a stout stick, was bounding in the direction of the uproar. - -The intense blackness of the night had given way to a subdued light -from the rising moon, whose silvery rim was even then showing above the -city. - -Suddenly, outlined in this faint illumination, Joy saw the figure of a -man dash away from the house. - -As the plebe turned to follow, shouting at the top of his voice, -another figure rose up in front of the fugitive and grappled with him. - -The two were struggling fiercely when Joy reached the spot. There was -light enough for him to recognize in one of the combatants his chum, -Clif. - -That was enough for the brave lad. Calling out encouragingly, he sprang -upon the back of the other. - -The cadets found their hands full. The stranger fought like one -possessed. He bit and kicked and rained blows upon his antagonists, but -they clung to him with unswerving courage until he at last sank to the -ground exhausted. - -“Bring a rope here, quick!” gasped Clif, as Mr. Windom, accompanied by -a number of servants, ran up. “Bring a rope to tie this fellow. We’ve -got a prize.” - -“My pearls, my pearls!” wailed the old merchant, wringing his hands. -“They are gone. I tried to save them, but the robber----” - -“We’ve got the robber all right,” interrupted Clif, cheerily. “And -there are your pearls over yonder.” - -He inclined his head toward an indistinct object lying upon the path. -Mr. Windom snatched it up with a cry of joy. It was a bag containing -his priceless collection. - -The servants returned with a rope and several lanterns. Several of the -men assisted the cadets to bind the prisoner, then he was turned over -with his face to the light. - -Cries of amazement came from all save Clif. - -“Great guns!” gasped Joy, “it’s the Englishman! It’s J. -Chesire-Cheshire Cate!” - -“The would-be assassin!” cried Clif. “Seize him!” - -There was a desperate struggle, in the midst of which several neighbors -and two mounted policemen arrived. - -It was decided not to reveal the identity of the prisoner, for this -would have aroused the citizens to the fury of a lawless mob. - -So the would-be assassin was locked up as a common burglar. - -From Juanita, Clif and Joy learned that it was she who had discovered -the presence of the Englishman. She had gone into the library for -something, after her father had retired, and had been just in time to -see a strange man tiptoeing from her father’s apartments. - -She screamed, and the intruder made a dash for the nearest window, and -leaped boldly through the sash. It was plain the desperate man had -worked quickly. - -Clif explained the arousing of his suspicions by the broken tree -branch, then he and Joy took their departure. - -It was long after midnight before they reached the ship, and they had -already been marked in the log as “absent without leave.” - -Clif’s story speedily caused the erasing of the entry, and on every -hand he and Joy were hailed as heroes of the first water. - -The authorities failed to get any account from Cate of how he had -escaped from the river. The man was locked up in a dungeon, and there -remained a long time. - -During the balance of the stay at Lisbon, Clif was made a social lion -to such an extent that he was glad when the announcement came that the -training ship would up anchor and away for the island of Madeira. Clif -hated to part with Juanita, but she promised to write often, and with -this he had to be content. - -As the gallant old _Monongahela_ left the port of Lisbon, all the river -craft saluted her with a prodigious din of whistles and cannon shots. -It was a time never to be forgotten, and it must be admitted that the -plebes enjoyed it immensely. - - - - -+-------------------------------------------------+ -|Transcriber’s note: | -| | -|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | -| | -+-------------------------------------------------+ - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRUISE OF THE TRAINING SHIP*** - - -******* This file should be named 66062-0.txt or 66062-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/6/0/6/66062 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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