Part 4 (1/2)

For a moment the boys gazed at one another in amazement after the two men had left the room. They were excited and puzzled.

”Well, this is a stunner!” declared Ned at length.

”Who is this Mackinder, who is Norton, what is in this 'U-13' package that he wants, how did it get into our baggage, why was it put there, where are we going, when do we eat!” demanded Jimmie in a breath.

”That's the way to talk, Jimmie!” cried Harry, laughing in spite of the situation that the boys all felt to be a serious one.

”The last question is the most important!” stated Jack. ”I'm in favor of the eats part and that without further delay.”

”Come on, boys,” suggested Ned. ”Let's eat first and talk things over afterward. I'm nearly famished myself, and Jimmie is hungry, too!”

In a short time the lads were seated in a quaint restaurant ordering strange dishes. They were hungry, as only healthy, active boys can be.

The food was well cooked and appetizing. They ate heartily.

”Now, I'm in favor of getting to the docks as quick as possible,”

announced Jimmie, pus.h.i.+ng his plate away. ”Let's get our pa.s.sage settled.”

All were in favor of this arrangement. After paying for their breakfast the lads set out in search of a s.h.i.+p upon which they might secure pa.s.sage to the United States. But they were not to secure this easily.

Extended inquiry during the forenoon elicited the information that there was no vessel clearing from the port of Amsterdam for any place in America. Although they made every effort to find a steamer which would afford them the accommodations they sought none was found.

Inquiry at the railway station disclosed the fact that their airs.h.i.+p, the Grey Eagle, now dismantled and packed in boxes, was at the freight sheds waiting a claimant. Until they could find a vessel to carry it home the boys preferred to let it remain in its present location.

After dinner they continued their inquiries for a vessel. At length they learned of a full-rigged three-masted s.h.i.+p that was to clear in a few days for New York. Regretting even this short delay the lads decided to attempt to secure pa.s.sage, although the journey would be a long one.

Ned secured the services of a boatman, who offered to row them out to the s.h.i.+p, which lay at anchor in the harbor. The man charged them what the boys considered an extraordinary price for the service, but explained that the weather was unfavorable and that at any moment a storm might break. To this the boys could but agree. A glance at the sky convinced them that a storm of rather unusual violence was gathering.

”Take him up, anyhow, Ned!” urged Harry. ”We want to get home!”

”All right, then, here goes!” declared Ned, stepping aboard the waterman's craft. ”Pull away, my friend, we're all aboard.”

In a short time the man was threading his way amongst the s.h.i.+pping in the harbor. From their position so low upon the water the masts and spars of the vessels looked to be of extraordinary height to the boys, who viewed every object with keen interest.

A hail from the boatman was answered by a man from the deck of the s.h.i.+p.

He thrust his head over the rail inquiringly.

”Where's your captain?” asked Ned, as the man appeared.

”What do you want of the captain?” asked the man in a surly voice.

”We want to talk with him,” replied Ned. ”We'll explain to him.”

”He's busy now and don't want to be disturbed. Tell me what you want and I'll give him your message. Maybe he'll see you!”

”We want to arrange pa.s.sage on your s.h.i.+p to the United States.”

”I'll see what he's got to say,” replied the man, moving away.

While he was gone the boys examined the vessel closely. Jimmie p.r.o.nounced the vessel very much to his liking. He admired the lines and pointed with pride to the modeling of the stern.