Part 4 (2/2)
”h.e.l.lo!” the boy cried excitedly, his arm extended still in the act of indicating the s.h.i.+p, ”there goes our friend Mackinder in a launch!”
”Where?” asked Ned eagerly, turning about in his seat.
”Right astern of us!” replied Jimmie. ”I wonder what he was doing aboard this s.h.i.+p. He seems to be in a hurry to get ash.o.r.e.”
”Maybe he wasn't on this s.h.i.+p at all,” was Harry's objection. ”He might have been out on the harbor for a pleasure ride.”
”Sure, he's just the chap to take a pleasure ride on the harbor with a storm brewing! I've got a picture of that chap joy-riding!”
”I hope he doesn't see us,” declared Jack. ”He might have enough influence with the captain to prevent our securing pa.s.sage on this s.h.i.+p.”
The conversation was interrupted by the advent of the captain, who looked over the rail at the little craft riding alongside.
”What do you want?” he inquired in a business-like tone.
”We want to arrange pa.s.sage on your s.h.i.+p to New York, Captain,” stated Ned respectfully. ”We understand you are to sail soon. We are citizens of the United States homeward bound. Can you help us out?”
”Not this trip!” decided the captain instantly.
”We are able to pay well for our accommodations,” continued the boy. ”It is rather important that we get home as quickly as possible.”
”Possibly,” returned the captain shortly.
Nonplussed, Ned was at a loss to find words with which to urge his request further. The captain's distant manner gave him no encouragement.
”We'll not be the slightest trouble, Captain,” the lad presently continued. ”We understand you'll be loaded in a few days and will sail for New York direct. Cannot you arrange to accommodate us?”
”This isn't a pa.s.senger vessel,” stated the captain.
”Well, then, couldn't we sign articles and work our way over? We'd be willing to pay whatever you think is right for that privilege.”
”You want to get me into trouble with the authorities, don't you?”
replied the other, preparing to move away.
”But, Captain, just think a moment. There must be some way in which you can arrange it. Don't leave us in a foreign country!”
”You seem to have done pretty well in foreign countries as it is! If you can pull off the stunts you have just done I guess you'll get over to New York all right--if that's where you want to go!”
”What do you mean? I don't understand you!”
”Oh, you don't, eh? Well, to put it plainly, this is a peaceable, neutral s.h.i.+p doing honest trading. I carry freight, not spies!”
With these words the captain disappeared. The boys gasped in astonishment at the words and looked at each other speechless.
Ned motioned to the boatman to return to the dock. His puzzled frown showed plainly that the boy was at a loss to understand the situation.
”I've got it!” almost shouted Jimmie, as the lads were once more on land.
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