For the first instant I was afraid that the police from New York had found me, but I as quickly gave up this idea. They would never treat me in this strange fashion, I felt certain. But who were my strange assailants, and what did they intend to do with me?
I felt myself lifted out of the boat and into another craft. Then I was thrown on my back and something that felt like a piece of canvas was spread over me.
The boat, with me and my captors moved off and kept moving for perhaps ten minutes or quarter of an hour. I tried to struggle to my feet, but strung hands held me down.
"Better keep still!" I heard a voice cry. "You can't escape, no matter how hard you try."
When the boat finally came to a standstill I was nearly suffocated for the want of fresh air, and I wondered if I had not been chloroformed when first assaulted. I was hoisted up by several men and placed upon my feet, and then the cords which bound me were cut and the bag was removed.
I looked around with a start. I was on shipboard, with the great ocean all around me.
"Down with him!" shouted a voice behind me.
Before I could turn to face the speaker a big black hole loomed up in front of me, and I was tumbled down into utter darkness. The hatch above was closed, and I was left a prisoner!
As I have said, I was tumbled into the black hole, and the hatch was closed over me. Luckily I fell upon a pile of loose sailing, so my fall was broken and did me no harm.
But I was so completely bewildered by what had taken place that for a moment I did not know what had happened. Then I gradually became wide awake, and realized that I had been entrapped on board the vessel, which was probably short of sailors.
I had read of men who were thus pressed into the service, but never dreamed that such a thing could occur so close to the great metropolis, and in broad daylight.
Who my captors were or where they were taking me was a mystery. For an instant I thought the affair might be my uncle's work, but soon dismissed that idea as being too dime-novelish altogether.
With some difficulty I rose to my feet, but the motion of the vessel, as the sailors got her under way, was too strong for me, and I was forced to lie down.
The place was intensely dark, and even after my eyes became accustomed to the blackness, I could see little or nothing. On all sides not a light was to be seen, and overhead only a single streak of brightness around the hatch was visible. I was indeed a prisoner, and must make the best of it.
I crawled about the hold for quite a while, feeling everywhere for a place to escape, but none came to hand. Meanwhile I heard the creaking of the blocks as the sails were being hoisted, and the tramp of the sailors as they hurried around obeying orders. I could hear the murmur of voices, but try my best, could not make out a word of what was being said.
Presently, by the motion beneath me, I knew we were fully under way. The cargo below me groaned as it shifted an inch or two this way and that, and for an instant I was alarmed lest a case of goods should by some chance break loose and crush me. But nothing of the kind happened, and after a while all became comparatively quiet.
I knew not what time of the day it was, but judged it must be about the middle of the afternoon. How much longer would my captivity last?
If I could have found something with which to do so, I would have climbed up to the hatch, or shoved it open. But nothing was at hand, and the opening was fully five feet above my head.
The air in the hold was stifling and soon I breathed with difficulty. I longed for a drink of water, and wondered how long I could stand being in the place should those on deck forget I was there.
But those on deck had not forgotten me, as I soon saw. Presently the hatch was raised, letting in a flood of sunshine, and then a man's head was bent low.
"Below there!" he called out.
"Let me out," I replied.
"Will you be easy if we do?" he went on.
"That all depends. Why was I brought on board?"
"Because you belong here."
"Belong here!" I ejaculated. "I don't belong to this vessel."
"Well, that's what I was told; I don't know anything about it myself. Here, catch the rope and I'll haul you up."
As the sailor spoke he lowered a piece of heavy rope. Thinking anything would be better than remaining in the hold, I complied with his request, and a moment later stood upon the deck of the vessel.
As I came up, a man, whom I took to be the captain, came towards me. He was a tall, lank individual, with a red beard and hair. The look on his face was a sour one, and it was easy to see that he was not of a kindly nature.
"Hello, my hearty!" he exclaimed. "So you're up at last. Had quite a nap, didn't you?"
"Why was I brought on this ship?" I demanded.
"Why was you brought on board? Well, now, that's a mighty good one, smash the toplight if it isn't."
"You have no right to bring me on board," I went on, "and I want you to put me ashore at once."
The captain gave a scowl.
"See here, youngster, I don't allow any one on board to speak to me in that fashion. You've got to keep a civil tongue in your head."
"Why was I brought on board?"
"Because you belong here."
"I don't belong here."
"Oh, yes, you do."
"I'd like to know why. I never saw or heard of this vessel before."
"Come now, that's a good one. Didn't you sign papers with Lowell yesterday morning?"
This question astonished me in more ways than one. First, because I had not signed papers with any one, and second, because Lowell was the name of one of the men I had overheard talking in the lumber shed in the morning. Was it possible I had been kidnapped upon the same ship the two had been discussing?
"I don't know what you mean," I replied. "I don't know Lowell, and never signed any papers."
"Nonsense. Lowell!"
"Aye, aye, sir!"
And the same man I had seen upon the dock in Brooklyn came forward.
"Isn't this Luke Foster that signed with you yesterday?"
"Aye, captain."
I was more astonished than ever. How had they come to know my name!
"So you see there is no mistake," went on the captain, turning to me. "Now I want you to go forward with Lowell. He'll show you the ropes. Come, step lively. We allow no skulking on board the Spitfire. You've signed articles, and you've got to abide by the deed."
"I didn't sign any articles, and if he says so he lies!" I burst out in deep anger at the way I was being treated. "It is true my name is Luke Foster, but how you came by it I don't know."
"Well, you're on the book, and that's all there is to it. Perhaps you were drunk when you signed, but I have nothing to do with that."
"I don't drink," I replied, and such was and is a fact. "This is all a put-up job."
"Hold your tongue!" cried the captain. "Hold your tongue, or I'll crack your head open with a marlinspike! I don't allow any one to talk back to me. Lowell, take him forward."
"Come along," said the sailor. "If the old man gets his dander up it will be all day with you," he added in a whisper.
For a moment I stood irresolute. I had a momentary idea of jumping overboard and swimming for liberty. But land could be seen fully a good half-mile away, and no vessels of consequence were near, so I was forced to give such a course up.
I walked forward, but my mind was in a whirl. Never before had I been so completely taken in. Surely this was escaping from the law with a vengeance!
"Who owns this boat?" I asked, as we reached the forecastle.
"Captain Hannock. She's just as good a two-masted schooner as sails, is the Spitfire; so you have no reason to complain."
"Where are we bound?"
"On an eight months' cruise, up the Down East coast, and then to England."
An eight months' cruise! What a time to stay on shipboard! But perhaps I might escape before the end of the period.
"What's the first landing?"
"New Bedford."
That was not so bad. If I could leave the vessel at that place I could easily find my way up to Boston, and a sojourn in that city would just suit me. All trace of my going there would be lost, and it was not likely that my uncle would look for me so far from New York.
"Here's your bunk, and here's some old clothes to put on," went on Lowell, as he pointed the things out. "You had better save your good clothes for shore. Knocking around the ship will wear them out in no time."
"What am I to do on board?" I asked, as I surveyed the greasy shirt and trousers with some dismay.
"Learn to do your duty as a foremast hand. If you obey orders and don't kick up any muss you'll have a first-class time of it," was his reply.
I was somewhat doubtful of the truth of this statement, but as nothing was to be gained by refuting it, I bit my lips and said nothing.
"You can take your time about changing your clothes," went on Lowell. "There ain't much to do at present. When it storms is the time all hands work lively, for their own sake as much as for the sake of any one else. When you're in working rig come to the bow, and I'll give you a pointer or two about how to tackle things."
With these words the boatswain—for such Lowell was—left me to myself.
I found the forecastle of the Spitfire a dark and rather unwholesome place. The ventilation was bad, and the smell of tar and oakum was so strong that for a moment I had to turn away to catch my breath.
Luckily my bunk was close to the doorway, so I had the best light the place afforded. Close to me was a chest, and upon this I sat down to think.
It would be hard to express my feelings at this moment. Had I gone on board the Spitfire of my own will I would not have considered the matter as bad. True, I had no great fancy for a life on the ocean wave, such as most boys are supposed to cherish. I knew that at best it was little better than a dog's existence.
"Hello, there!"
I looked up. A boy several years younger than myself stood near me. He was thin and pale, and his eyes had a frightened look.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"I'm Polly Jones," he replied.
"Polly Jones," I repeated. "That's a girl's name."
"'Tain't my right name. They used to call me Phil at home, but the sailors all call me Polly here, because they say I act like a girl."
"What do you do on board?" I asked with some curiosity.
"I'm the cabin boy and the cook's help. What are you?"
"I don't know what I am yet. I didn't come on board of my own free will."
"You didn't?" Phil Jones's eyes opened to their widest. "You don't look like a sailor."
"Come down here," said I. "I want to have a talk with you."
The cabin boy gave a sharp look about the deck and then hurried into the forecastle.
"I don't want Captain Hannock to see me down here," he explained. "If he did he'd thrash the life out of me."
"Is the captain such a hard man?"
"Is he? Just you wait until something goes wrong and you'll find out quick enough. See here," the cabin boy bared his arm and exhibited several bruises that made me shudder, "he gave me those day before yesterday, just because I wasn't spry enough to suit him."
"He must be a brute!" I exclaimed. "He shall not treat me like that, I can tell you."
"I'd like to see some one stand up against him," said Phil. "None of the men dare to do it."
"What makes you stay on board?"
"I have to. Captain Hannock has charge of me until I'm twenty-one."
"He is your guardian?"
"Yes."
"He ought to treat you better. Did you ever try to run away?"
"Once; while we were at Baltimore. But Lowell caught me, and the captain nearly killed me when I got back. I could have got away, only I had no money."
"Doesn't the captain allow you anything for your services?" I asked, at the same time wondering if I would be paid for what I was called upon to do.
"Not a cent. To tell the truth he even takes away what the passengers—if we have any—give me."
"He must be mighty mean," said I.
"If you've any money you had better hide it," went on the cabin boy. "'Tain't safe here."
"Thank you, Phil, I'll take your advice. I've got four dollars and a half, and I don't want to lose it."
As I spoke I felt in my pocket to make sure that the amount was still safe.
To my chagrin the money was gone!
I must confess that I felt quite angry when I discovered that my hard-earned savings had been taken from me. To be sure, four dollars and a half was not a large sum, but it had been my entire capital and I had calculated upon doing a great deal with it.
"What's the matter?" asked Phil Jones, as he stood by, watching me turn my pockets inside out to make sure that there was no mistake.
"My money is gone!" I exclaimed. "I have been robbed."
"Where did you have it?"
"Right here, in my vest pocket."
"You're foolish to carry it loose. Any one could take it from you," said the cabin boy, with a knowing shake of his head.
"I didn't take every one for a thief. Who do you suppose took the money?"
"The captain or Lowell. He's only boatswain, but the two work hand in hand."
I had already surmised this from the conversation I had overheard. The two were well mated, and no doubt the sailor was the captain's ready tool on all occasions.
"What are you going to do about it?" asked Phil curiously.
"Get it back if I can," I replied with determination. "I'm not going to be fleeced in this manner."
"You'd better let it go," said the cabin boy, with a grave shake of his head. "You'll only get yourself into trouble, and it won't do a bit of good."
Phil Jones's advice was good, and I would have saved myself considerable trouble by following it.
But I was angry, and, as a consequence, did not stop to count the cost.
I searched my other pockets, and soon learned that everything I had had about my person was gone, including the letter from England. No doubt it was through this letter that Captain Hannock had found out my name.
The loss of the letter worried me even more than the loss of the money. In the exciting events that had transpired since I had received it I had forgotten the writer's name and his address. I remembered the name was something like Noddington, and that the address was a number in Old Fellows Road, but that was all.
This was deeply to be regretted, for I had expected to put myself into immediate communication with my father's friend, having any reply addressed to the post-office of the place I might be then stopping at.
But now this scheme could not be carried out. To send a letter haphazard would probably do no good.
I was so worked up over my discovery that I left the forecastle without taking the trouble to don the clothing Lowell had pointed out to me. I looked around the deck, and seeing the boatswain at the bow, hastened towards him.
His brow contracted when he saw me.
"Why didn't you put on the suit I gave you?" he demanded.
"Because I first wanted to speak to you," I returned. "What have you done with my money?"
"Your money? I haven't seen any money," he returned coolly.
By his manner I could easily tell that his statement was untrue.
"I had four dollars and a half and some letters in my pockets," I went on. "I want them back."
"Why you good-for-nothing landlubber!" he roared. "Do you mean to say I'm a thief?"
"Well, where's my money?"
"How do I know? Come, do as I ordered you to."
And he shook his fist at me savagely.
"I want my stuff and I'm going to have it," I went on, as stoutly as I could.
"You're going to obey orders, that's what you're going to do," he cried. "I take no back talk from any one."
"If you don't give up that money I'll have you arrested as a thief the first time I get the chance," was my reply; and I meant just what I said.
"You will, will you?" he roared. "Just wait till I get a rope's end and we'll see who is boss here."
I was somewhat startled at his words, but I stood my ground. Lowell ran to the starboard side of the schooner, and presently returned with a stout rope some three feet long.
"Now, are you going to do as I told you?" he asked, as he advanced towards me.
"Don't you dare to touch me!" I cried. "If you do you will have to take the consequences!"
"Don't talk to me!" he cried. "Just wait till I tan your back for you!"
He swung the rope's end over his head, and brought it down with all force. I sprang aside, and received the blow squarely on my shoulder. Had I not done so the rope would have cut my neck deeply.
"You big coward!" I cried; and the next instant I gave him one strong blow from the shoulder that sent him staggering against the rail.
I do not know to this day how I came to deliver that blow as I did. Perhaps it was that my temper was at its highest, and I put all my force into it. I was surprised at my own power.
But if I was surprised Lowell was more so. The rope's end fell from his hand, and his face took on a sickly green color. A number of the sailors who had seen my action gathered around in amazement, and one of them winked his eye in a most knowing manner.
"I'll have your life for that!" yelled Lowell, as soon as he could recover.
"Don't you come near me," I replied.
"I'll flay you alive!"
"No, you won't. I'm not used to such treatment, and I won't stand it."
I stood my ground, and for a moment the boatswain did not appear to know what to do next.
"Catch him from behind, Crocker," he said finally, addressing the sailor I had seen with him in the lumber shed. "I'll give him a lesson he won't forget as long as he remains on board the Spitfire, or else my name ain't Lowell."
Crocker advanced upon me to do as he had been ordered. Evidently he did not relish the job, for he came on slowly.
Not to be caught in this manner I sprang aside, and retreated rapidly towards the stern of the schooner. I did not know anything about the vessel, and finally found myself near the cabin, and face to face with Captain Hannock.
"Here, what's the row about?" he demanded.
"I want Lowell to give up the money and letters he took from me," I replied; and a moment later the boatswain came up.
"He won't mind orders, captain," he exclaimed.
"You've got to mind orders while you're on board, Foster."
"Well, perhaps I will if I'm treated fairly," I replied.
"You'll be treated fair enough, never fear. If Lowell has anything of yours I'll get it and keep it for you until you need it. Now go forward, and do as you are told."
For a moment I hesitated. This was not a very satisfactory settlement; but evidently it was the best I could get, and so I retired.
"Bully for you," said Phil Jones, as he followed me into the forecastle. "My, how you did pitch into him!"
"And I'll do it again if he abuses me," I returned, hotly, for I was not yet calmed down over the recent encounter.
"You look able to," went on the cabin-boy. "My, don't I wish I was as strong as you!"
"You will be some day, Phil."
Phil shook his head.
"I reckon not—leastwise, not while I have to live such a dog's life as this on the Spitfire. Say, are them your clothes?" he went on, pointing to the articles of wearing apparel Lowell had given me.
"I presume they are—for this trip. But I don't fancy them much."
And the smell of grease on them was decidedly unpleasant.
"You'll get used to them after a while. Things on the Spitfire ain't as clean as they might be, although the captain keeps me hustling to keep the cabin tidy. Can I help you any?"
Before I could decline Phil's kind offer a dark form appeared at the entrance to the forecastle.
"Hi, Phil, you rat, come out of that!" roared Captain Hannock, savagely. "What business have you got in there? Git into the cabin and lively, or I'll warm you good!"
Phil made a break for the deck. As he passed the captain, that brute raised his brawny hand and boxed him on the side of the head.
"Take that to teach you a lesson!" the captain stormed; and then he and his victim moved out of sight and hearing.
This assault made me madder than ever. But I was powerless to assist Phil, much as I wished to do so. I could well understand the bully-like nature of Captain Hannock, and I resolved to be well on my guard against him.
After some consideration, I put on the suit of ship's clothing. It fitted fairly well, and after I had given the trousers several hitches I felt quite at home in them, and then I went on deck.
By the time the sun went down we were well out of sight of land. Here the breeze was even stronger; and at last several of the sailors prevailed upon the man at the wheel to send down word to the captain that sail must be shortened.
Lowell came on deck with the captain, and both had been drinking heavily.
"Shorten sail!" roared the captain. "Not a bit of it. If the mast goes, let her go."
Nevertheless, the wind soon freshened so much that several of the sails were reefed. I watched the performance from the bow.
"Here you, why don't you get to work?" cried Lowell savagely, as he came forward.
"I don't know what to do," I replied quietly.
"Don't know what to do? You're too lazy to do anything. Get aloft there!"
"Where?"
"There."
He pointed up to one of the masts. I looked in the direction indicated.
As I did so he caught me by the waist.
"I'll teach you to hit me!" he hissed.
"Here, hold up!" I cried, in alarm.
"Shut up!"
He placed one of his brawny hands over my mouth, thus endeavoring to silence me, but with an effort I cast the hand aside.
"Let me go!"
"I'll let you go when I'm done with you!" he whispered.
He was evidently in a very ugly mood, and I saw that he did not intend to treat me with any show of gentleness. Nevertheless, I was hardly prepared for what followed.
Once again he placed his hand over my mouth, and this time, in spite of my struggles, he managed to keep it there. Then he gradually forced me close to the rail.
In vain I tried to break away from him. He exerted all of his strength, and being but a boy, I was no match for him. In another moment he had me hard against the rail.
I endeavored to turn my head to see if our struggle was not noticed by some of the others. But Lowell kept my eyes turned seaward, and now he caught me about the arms and the waist.
"I'll fix you!" he went on, with a hiccough. "I'll teach you to hit me!"
"Let—let me go!" I managed to gasp.
"Oh, I'll let you go!" he went on, sarcastically. "I'll let you go quicker than you expect, you imp! How do you like that, eh?"
And the next instant he had hurled me bodily over the side. I went spinning through the air, and then fell with a splash into the waters of Long Island Sound!
Lowell's attack had been so unexpected that I hardly had time to realize what was taking place, and did nothing to stop the catastrophe.
But once in the water I regained my presence of mind. I reached the surface as soon as possible, and then shouted lustily for help.
By this time the Spitfire had gone on a considerable distance ahead, and as the wind was blowing little short of a gale, I was doubtful if my voice could be heard. Nevertheless I continued to call for assistance, and at the same time did all in my power to keep afloat.
This would have been an easy matter had I not been weighed down by any clothes. But the shirt and trousers I wore were heavy, and once soaked with water they felt like lead. I tried to get them off and also to unloosen my shoes; but, as is usual in such cases, succeeded in doing neither.
At the same time I watched the Spitfire and was not a little alarmed to see that the vessel was still forging ahead. Was it possible that those on board were going to leave me behind?
It certainly seemed so, and for a few moments I was thoroughly alarmed. I was out of sight of land, and the darkness of night was fast approaching.
As I moved about in an endeavor to rid myself of some of my clothing, my arm came in contact with something which proved to be a short spar. I grasped it at once, and its buoyancy helped greatly to keep me afloat.
By this time the Spitfire was far ahead, and I had about concluded that I had seen the last of her. I noticed that some of the sails were lowered, and finally that the schooner swung around and began to tack back.
It took some time for the old craft to come within hailing distance, and once or twice she stopped, as if those on board were about to give up the search.
But finally she tacked to my right, and I raised my voice to the top of its power.
"Help! Help!"
For a moment no answer was returned, and I repeated the cry.
"Ahoy! I see you!" was the answer.
Five minutes more and the schooner was alongside. A rope was thrown over, and, thoroughly exhausted, I crawled on board.
"You rascal!" roared Captain Hannock. "Thought you could escape that way, did you? I had half a mind to let you go to Davy Jones's locker!"
And he shook his fist at me savagely.
At these words I was almost too dumfounded to speak. Did he really imagine I had jumped overboard?
"What do you mean?" I gasped. "I didn't go over on purpose. Lowell pitched me over."
"What's that?" thundered the boatswain. "That's the biggest whopper I ever heard in my life."
"It's the truth."
"Stuff and nonsense," cried the captain. "Lowell seems to worry you altogether too much. Go forward, and don't you try any more such monkey tricks again, or I'll take the rope's end over you myself!"
And Captain Hannock advanced upon me so savagely that I was glad enough to retreat.
I went down into the forecastle, and here Tony Dibble, a hand, managed to hunt me up some dry clothing. While I was putting it on the old sailor stood by, and presently said:
"I'm afraid you're going to have a hard time of it, my lad. I was thinking Lowell pushed you over, though he stood by it that you had fallen. I saw you just as you reached the water and I flung a stick after you, thinking it might keep you afloat."
"And it did," I replied. "If it hadn't been for that I might have been at the bottom by this time."
"The old man didn't want to turn back at first when he heard you were overboard," went on the old sailor. "He said it was bad luck."
"You don't mean to say he would have let me go to the bottom!" I cried.
"That's it; and me and Goller and Sampson wouldn't have it, and told him so, and then he turned back."
"I shall never forget what you have done for me," said I. And I never have to this day.
With dry clothes on I went on deck with the old sailor. Lowell did not come near me, and I saw nothing of him until the next day.
The sky was overcast, and Dibble said that a storm was brewing.
"Will it be a bad one?"
"I can't say. Sometimes a little storm outside is a bad one in the Sound, and then again it's just the opposite. I remember six years ago, sailing from Boston to Norwalk that we struck a little storm that didn't look like more than a puff of wind, and yet when we were done with it we hadn't any main-topmast worth speaking of."
"I should like to see a real storm," I said.
The old sailor shook his head.
"They're nicer to sit by a good fire and read about than to be in. You never know what to expect. Besides the Spitfire's best days are over."
Presently I saw the captain and Lowell go below together. I was satisfied that they intended to talk matters over, especially when, a little later, Crocker was called to join them.
If only I could hear what was said, both about myself and about the plan to be carried out! By hook or by crook I must get within hearing distance.
Presently Phil Jones came up the companionway to throw something over the side. I immediately approached him.
"Say, Phil, do you want to do me a favor?"
"Certainly I do," replied the cabin boy readily. "I'm always ready to do a favor for any one who stands up before Lowell."
And Phil Jones gave a grin.
In a few words I told him what I wanted, stating that I wished to hear whatever the trio in the cabin had to say about me.
"Tell you what I'll do," said he. "I'll take you down to the pantry. There is a door there that connects with the cabin, and by looking through the keyhole you can see all that is going on, and hear everything, too."
This just suited me, and under pretext of getting something to eat, I went aft with him, and was soon within the pantry he had mentioned.
It was not a large place, and I had some difficulty in turning about in it without knocking down the dishes that it contained. But at last I felt that I was in a good position, and then after making me promise not to tell who had let me in if I was discovered, Phil Jones closed the door and left me to myself.
At first I could see and hear but little, but as I grew accustomed to the place I discovered the captain, Lowell and Crocker seated around the cabin table, drinking.
"It's going to be a stormy night, and no mistake," remarked Crocker, as he helped himself to some more of the liquor that stood on the table.
"Guess you're right," said Lowell. "If it's bad enough we might let the old tub go down here without going any further."
Captain Hannock shook his head.
"It won't do," he said. "We want her to sink in deep water where the insurance people can't find her. You must remember that a good part of the cargo is bogus, and if that was ever found out we wouldn't get a penny."
"How far do you calculate to sail?" asked Lowell.
"I've been thinking I'd better wait till we're about three days out from Cape Cod. We can sail a little north of the regular track, and so have things all our own way."
"Don't go too far," said Crocker. "Remember we've got to get back. Money won't do us any good if we lose our lives on the ocean."
"Don't get chicken-hearted!" cried the captain angrily.
"I ain't chicken-hearted," replied Crocker. "But what's the use of taking too much risk?"
"I ain't going to risk being sent to prison for ten years or more," cried Captain Hannock, in a rising voice. "If you——"
"Hush, not so loud," put in Lowell. "We don't want any of the others to know of what's going on. If they did they'd make short work of the three of us."
"Now don't you get afraid, Lowell. Reckon your row with that boy has taken the nerve out of you."
Lowell muttered something under his breath.
"I'll fix him yet," he said.
"Don't do it so openly," said Captain Hannock. "If you do, those who see it may get you into trouble."
"Leave me to manage the affair."
This last remark was followed by a brief spell of silence. What I had heard interested me greatly. These three men were plotting the destruction of the Spitfire with a view of getting the insurance on the vessel and her cargo. How it was to be done I did not know, but I surmised that they intended to either sink the vessel or burn her up; perhaps they intended to try both.
While I was yet thinking over what I had heard, and wondering what was to follow, there came a loud knock on the cabin door, and Tony Dibble appeared.
"Excuse me, Captain, but the storm is coming up fast from the southeast," he said, touching his cap.
"Confound you and the storm!" howled Captain Hannock.
"It's getting ready for a heavy blow," added Dibble. "We all thought we ought to tell you."
"Get to the deck! I know my business. I'll be up when it's necessary."
"Yes, sir."
Touching his hat again Dibble withdrew. The captain brought his fist down on the table with a bang.
"Dibble knows too much!" he cried. "I wish we had left him behind."
"He's a good sailor," put in Lowell. "Maybe the storm is a bad one."
"Don't croak, Lowell; I know my business."
By this time the glasses were empty, and the three men filled them up again.
I was considerably alarmed by what Tony Dibble had said. I was sure he would not have spoken had there not been good cause. If I had not been so interested in what was going on in the cabin I would have gone on deck at once.
Yet what followed enchained my attention so deeply that I was glad I remained.
"Say, Lowell, did you read the letter you took from the lad?" asked the captain, after he had drained his glass.
"I glanced over it," was the reply. "I didn't have time to read it through."
"Well, there's a surprise in it."
"What is it?" asked Lowell; and eagerly I bent forward to catch what might follow.
"The boy is Felix Stillwell's nephew."
"What!"
"It is a fact. You could have knocked me down with a feather," said the captain. "How he should come on board the Spitfire is the strangest thing I ever heard of."
"I reckon Stillwell would be mightily surprised if he knew his nephew was with us," observed Lowell.
"And I reckon you'd treated the lad differently if you'd known who he was."
And Captain Hannock gave a loud laugh.
This bit of conversation puzzled me not a little. What did these men know about my uncle? Could it be possible that he had anything to do with the Spitfire?
I knew that he occasionally made a venture in lumber from down East. On one occasion I knew him to invest several thousand dollars in a raft from Maine, although whether it paid or not I never found out.
I had always believed my uncle straightforward and honest, but now, since receiving the letter from England, my confidence in him was shaken. He had not treated me rightly, and this being so, who knew where his wrongdoing ended?
"It don't make a bit of difference if he is the president's son," replied Lowell savagely. "I won't allow any boy to square up to me. And besides, Felix Stillwell is no great friend of mine."
"Nor of me, for the matter of that," said the captain. "But still, we must keep on the right side of him. Remember he has us where the hair is short."
"When do I get my pay?" spoke up Crocker, who was fast becoming the worse for liquor.
"That will be safe, never fear," said the captain, as he staggered to his feet, "only remember to keep a mum tongue in your head. If any one hears of our plans they may blow us sky high."
"I'm all right: only—What was that?"
As Crocker asked the last question all sprang to their feet in alarm.
I could have answered the question with ease. My position had become too cramped for me, and I had tried to change it. In doing so I dislodged several dishes from the rack, and they fell with a crash to the pantry floor.
"Some one's spying on us!" cried the captain. "Lowell, see who it is!"
I was greatly alarmed at Captain Hannock's order to Lowell to investigate the cause of the crash in the pantry. If discovered I knew my punishment would be severe. These three men were playing a desperate game, and there was no telling what they would do if cornered.
"Oh, it was only a few dishes in the closet," said Lowell, as he helped himself to more liquor.
"It gave me quite a shock," declared Crocker, and he, too, took another drink.
These remarks relieved me somewhat. Perhaps they would not search the pantry after all. But the next words of the captain caused a chill to run down my back.
"I've lived in this cabin going on sixteen years," he said, "and I never yet knew them dishes to jump themselves down. I'm going to see what it was. If it's a spy I'll string him up, mark my words!"
I was now flat on the pantry floor, and to move would cause quite a noise. What was I to do? It did not become necessary for me to decide the question. The elements did it for me.
For at that moment the schooner gave a fearful lurch, first to the weather side and then over, and an instant later there was a tremendous crash on the deck.
For a moment the three men stood as if paralyzed, then all of them made a bolt for the companionway.
"Something's gone by the board!" I heard the captain exclaim, and then all of them passed out of hearing.
As soon as they were gone I sprang to my feet, and passing out of the pantry, made my way after them to the deck. None of the men saw me, and I lost no time in going forward.
The storm was now upon us, and, as Tony Dibble had reported, it was a heavy one. The sky was one mass of black, angry clouds, and the wind blew a perfect gale.
The schooner pitched and tossed to such a degree that I had great difficulty in reaching the forward deck, where I presently saw my sailor friend hard at work clearing away the remains of the boom of the mainmast, which had swung around and snapped off.
"Hello, there you are," he sang out. "I was afraid you had gone overboard again."
"Not if I can help it," I replied. "That is, unless it becomes necessary."
"The old man's a fool," went on Dibble. "He has no business to sit in the cabin when there's a storm on. We might all go to the bottom."
"Will we weather it, do you think?"
"We can try," replied the old sailor, as cheerfully as he could.
Meanwhile Captain Hannock was shouting at the top of his voice. But the wind was so great that little could be heard, excepting such expressions as would have been better unuttered. He was now thoroughly awake to the danger that threatened us, and did all in his power to make up for the time he had lost.
Guided by the mate, the sailors were already taking in what little sail was still spread. In the wind this was no easy matter, and some of it was torn to shreds.
"This storm will cost the captain a neat penny," said Dibble, after the work was done.
"I don't know if it will or not," I replied. "He doesn't expect to lose anything on this trip."
"How can he help it?"
"He has a way. Maybe I'll tell you when we are alone."
"Thought the old man acted awfully careless," said Dibble, as he went off.
Instead of abating, the storm increased in violence, until I could hardly keep my feet upon the deck. At first I thought of retiring to the forecastle, but concluded that if anything happened I would rather be on deck, and so remained, and held on tightly to the ropes.
Fortunately a few familiar lights from the shore were still to be seen, or otherwise we would have been driven upon the rocks. But the wheelman kept us in deep water, and just enough sail was carried to keep the schooner head up.
The storm kept on nearly the entire night, and no one on board the Spitfire had a moment's sleep. I remained on deck the entire time, and kept close to Dibble and the other sailors.
I noticed that Crocker had little to say, and concluded that he was thinking over the scheme by which he was to make a thousand dollars. I thought it rather strange that Captain Hannock and Lowell had taken such a man into their confidence, but made up my mind that it was necessary in order to do what they desired.
As I stood upon the bow of the vessel a sudden flash of light revealed to me a sight that made my heart give a bound. It was a wreck not a hundred feet ahead of us, and driving onward at a furious rate!
For an instant I was spellbound; then I gave a wild cry that brought all the sailors to my side.
"What is it?" asked Dibble anxiously. "Are you hurt?"
"No, no. Didn't you see the wreck ahead?"
"No."
"Thought I saw something," said one of the others. "But I wasn't sure."
"What kind of a wreck?" asked the mate peering forward.
I pointed in the direction in which it had disappeared.
"A small sailboat of some kind," I returned. "I didn't see—Look! Look there!"
As I spoke there was another flash of light. For an instant all hands beheld a small sloop with a broken mast, kiting before the wind.
"You're right," cried Dibble. "Wonder if there is any one on board?"
"Can't we hail her?" I asked.
"We might try, although the wind is pretty strong."
Both of us cried at the same time, and then the mate joined in.
"Boat ahoy!"
For a moment there was no reply, and we repeated the cry.
And then came the faint answer:
"Help! Where are you? Help!"
It was a man's voice, and by its sound we could tell that he was well-nigh exhausted.
"What can we do for him?" I asked anxiously.
"We'll be on him in a moment," said Dibble. "Let's throw him a rope or two."
In an instant he had a stout rope ready. Seeing what he intended to do I also procured a rope.
During this time the mate went to the man at the wheel, and told him to steer a little to the starboard. This brought the schooner somewhat around, and gave us a chance to take in the man, should he be fortunate enough to grasp one or the other of the ropes.
"I'm afraid we'll lose him in the darkness," said Dibble.
"Let us do all we can," I said, thinking how I would feel if placed in a position similar to that occupied by the man on the wreck.
"Help! Help!" repeated the unfortunate, in lower tones.
"He's almost done for," said the old sailor, with a shake of his head.
"There he is!" I cried, as another flash of light came.
"Sure enough. Stand to catch the rope!"
"Stand to catch the rope!" I repeated.
"I will! Throw it to me!" came back the cry.
In an instant both of us threw our ropes. By an unfortunate twist Dibble's went spinning from his hands, and, before he could catch it, went over the side.
"My rope's gone!" he groaned. "Yours must do the work, boy, or the man will be lost!"
I made no reply. I had felt the rope in my hands growing tighter.
"I have the rope!" came the cry. "Pull in!"
"He's got it!" I repeated. "Help me land him."
Dibble readily complied; and slowly but surely we drew in on the rope.
"Hurry up!" called the man. "I can't hold on much longer!"
"You'll be all right in a minute!" I called back. "Don't let go."
Dibble took hold of the rope with me, and held it up so that the man might have no difficulty in climbing over the rail.
Presently the unfortunate individual came in sight. I could see that he was completely exhausted.
"Give me your hand," I said to him and leaned far over the side to reach it.
With one remaining effort he threw up his arm, at the same time letting the rope slip from his grasp.
I caught his hand and held on to it with all my power. The man's weight was a tremendous strain on my muscles, but fortunately they stood the test, and then I began to drag him over the rail.
It was no easy task. The schooner having lost part of her headway, tossed and pitched dreadfully, and once the water poured over me in a perfect deluge.
But I had made up my mind to save the man, and I did not give up. I braced myself against the rail, and then Dibble gave me his hand; and a moment later the unfortunate was safe upon the deck.
"Thank God, I'm saved!" he murmured, and then he sank back unconscious.
By this time Captain Hannock had come forward to see what had taken place.
"Humph! only another mouth to feed!" he ejaculated. "Who saved him? Did you, Dibble?"
"I tried to, but Foster was the one to do it, brave lad that he is!" replied the old sailor.
"Foster seems to carry himself high!" sneered the captain. "Well, take him to the forecastle, some of you, and let him get over it. We'll carry him to New Bedford, providing he pays for his passage."
I was utterly disgusted with Captain Hannock's brutal words, but came to the conclusion that they were due in great part to the liquor he had drunk. I helped Dibble carry the rescued man to the forecastle, and here the old sailor and myself did all in our power to bring him to his senses.
It was quite a job; but finally it was accomplished, and the man sat up.
"Where am I?" he asked, in a dazed manner.
"Safe on board the Spitfire," I replied.
"And the Dora?"
"The Dora?" asked Dibble.
"Yes; my boat."
"Gone to the bottom of the Sound," said the old sailor. "I saw her founder just as you sprang for the rope."
"You did? Well, let her go. She wasn't worth much. I'm glad I'm safe. Phew! but wasn't it an awful storm?"
"Yes, indeed," said I.
The man wanted to know how we had come to see him, and all particulars, and we told him.
He was a tall and fine-looking gentleman, about forty years of age. He gave his name as Oscar Ranson, and said he was a lawyer in New York.
"I have been spending a few weeks at Port Jefferson on Long Island, and yesterday set out for a two days' cruise up the shore," he explained. "But I've had enough of it," he added with a shudder.
We made Mr. Ranson as comfortable as possible, and, while he was sipping a cup of hot coffee, he asked me about myself, saying that I didn't look much like a sailor.
And then I told him my story. Of course he was surprised.
"I wouldn't have believed it possible!" he exclaimed. "But you have done me a good turn, and now I'll do as much for you."
"Do you know Mr. Ira Mason, a lawyer?" I asked.
"Quite well."
"He is a friend of mine. He has an office in the same building with my uncle."
"Yes? What is your uncle's name?"
"Mr. Felix Stillwell."
At the mention of my uncle's name, Mr. Oscar Ranson jumped to his feet.
"Felix Stillwell your uncle!" exclaimed Mr. Oscar Ranson, as he stepped up to me.
I was amazed at his reception of the news.
"Yes, sir," I replied.
"I know him quite well," went on Mr. Ranson slowly.
"You do?"
"Yes; in fact I have had some dealings with him, but—but——"
And here the gentleman hesitated.
"But what, sir?"
"Well, I don't know as I ought to tell," was the reply. "You just saved my life, and I don't want to hurt your feelings."
These words puzzled me not a little, and I said so.
"Well, the fact is, your uncle and I could never agree on some business matters. I did not think his actions were right, and I told him so, and we had quite a quarrel. But of course this has nothing to do with you."
"It will not have," I returned. "My uncle has not treated me fairly, and we parted on bad terms, so I do not care what opinion you have of him."
"Indeed!"
"Yes, sir. I used to live with my uncle."
"Are your parents living?"
"No, sir; they were killed in a railroad accident in England, and my uncle became my guardian."
At this Mr. Ranson was quite interested. He asked me several questions; and I ended up by telling him my whole story, even to the missing money.
"It's too bad!" he exclaimed, when I had finished. "I can well understand how a man of Mr. Stillwell's manner would act under such circumstances. He is a very unreasonable man."
"I suppose I made a mistake in running away," I said.
"It would have been better to have faced the music. But you had no one to advise you, and did not know but that you would be sent to jail without a fair trial, I suppose."
"What would you advise me to do?"
"Go back and stand trial. You have done me a good turn, and I will stand by you."
Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Crocker, who said Captain Hannock wanted to know if the rescued man could come to the cabin. Mr. Ranson rose at once.
"You'll find the captain a very mean man," I whispered, as he prepared to leave. "When we get a chance I wish to tell you something very important about him."
"All right: I'll remember."
Mr. Ranson left the forecastle. For a moment I was alone; then Lowell came in.
"Well, what are you doing now?" he asked savagely.
"Nothing," I replied, as calmly as I could.
"Think you're going to have a picnic of it, I suppose?" he sneered.
"I'll take things as they come," was my quiet reply.
"Well, just get on deck and help clear things up," he said. "The storm is over."
I obeyed his orders. I found the sky was now almost clear of clouds, and the moon was just sinking in the horizon. Dibble and the rest were hard at work mending the broken boom, and I turned in with a will.
It took nearly an hour to repair the damage that had been done through the captain's carelessness. When at last we had finished I followed Dibble below, and we retired.
I did not sleep well during that night on board the Spitfire. The place was strange to me, and, besides, my mind was busy with the many things that had happened to me since I had left my uncle's home.
I could not help but wonder what my uncle had done after I escaped him. Had he put the police upon my track? It was more than likely. He was not the man to let six thousand dollars slip through his hands without making a great effort to get it back.
Then I wondered, too, if my Cousin Gus had really taken the sum. I knew Gus to be a mean fellow but had not dreamed that he would turn thief. Had not the evidence been so strong against him, I would have felt sure an outside party had done the deed.
For the present I felt myself perfectly safe from capture. It was not likely the police had traced me to Brooklyn, and if so, seen me taken on board the Spitfire, which Lowell must have done as slyly as possible.
I did not much like the idea of giving myself up after having once taken the trouble to run away, but finally concluded to be guided by my newly-found friend's advice, satisfied that if he would stand by me I would be safe.
"Wake up there, Foster!"
It was Dibble arousing me. I was not long in obeying his summons. I hopped out of my bunk and rubbed my eyes.
"Time to get on deck, unless you want Lowell after you with the rope's end again."
"I don't think Lowell will trouble me much again," I replied, as I began to dress. "If he does I'll do what I can to defend myself."
"I like your grit. It does my heart good to see a boy stand up to a man like him."
"At the bottom I think he is a coward," I said. "Most all brutes are."
When I came on deck the sun was shining brightly. Captain Hannock was up, and he appeared quite a different man from what he had been the day before. His face was still flushed from the liquor he had taken, but he was sober, and, consequently, much milder in his speech.
"Take him around, Dibble," he said to the old sailor, "and show him the ropes. I guess you've got the making of a good sailor in you if you only set your mind down to learn," he continued to me.
"I'm willing to work, but I expect pay for it," was my reply.
He frowned slightly.
"We'll talk about that another time, when I've seen what you're worth, Foster," he returned, and walked aft.
Dibble took me in hand at once. He was a pleasant man to explain things, and he said I learned rapidly. By noon I knew many of the more important parts of a ship, and how the sails were raised and lowered; and as the weather was fine and we were bowling merrily along, I fancied that a life on the rolling deep wasn't half so bad after all.
As we walked around I cast many a glance about for Mr. Ranson, but could see nothing of him. Finally I asked Phil Jones concerning him, and was told he was not well and was resting in the cabin.
During my conversation with the gentleman I had made up my mind to tell him what I knew of Captain Hannock's plot. I felt sure that he would know exactly what to do. Moreover, being a lawyer, he could perhaps take steps to nip the thing in the bud.
Dinner on board the Spitfire was not an elaborate affair. The variety of food was not extensive, and the cook was not highly experienced in the culinary art. Nevertheless, I was hungry, and did full justice to what was placed before me.
"It's good, hearty stuff," said Dibble, "and that and the sea air will make you strong—not but what you're pretty strong already."
Late in the afternoon Mr. Ranson came on deck. He looked pale, and he had his head bound up in a handkerchief, which, however, he presently took off.
It was some little time before I had a chance to speak to him. But finally he saw me and came forward.
"Why didn't you come and see me?" he asked, after I had asked him how he felt, and was told that he was fast recovering.
"Foremast hands are not allowed in the cabin," I laughed. "We are expected to stay where we belong."
"I found the captain a very disagreeable man last night," he went on. "But this morning he was much pleasanter."
"He is sober now."
"Yes, and that makes a great difference in any one."
"I have something of importance to tell you," I said in a lower tone.
"So you said last night. What is it?"
"It concerns the captain and this vessel. I don't want any one to overhear it," I returned.
"Then let us go still further forward. If any one comes near we can drop the subject and pretend to talk about the ship's course."
I thought this advice good, and we acted on it at once.