Part 38 (1/2)

”All ready now,” warned Steve.

”All ready,” answered the men.

Steve cast a final look about, taking careful note of the knots which were ready to be unfastened at the word.

”Let go!” he shouted.

With a roar Mr. Bruin went rolling, b.u.mping and scratching down the stairs into the lazaret.

Steve crept down the stairs.

”Everyone stay back,” he warned.

None needed the advice. None of the s.h.i.+p's company felt the least inclination to climb into that dark hole where the angry bear was floundering about.

”Throw on a light,” called Rush.

A solitary light gleamed in the darkness of the lazaret. About that time the bear smelled the fresh meat in the cage. With a grunt and a growl he went in search of it, nosing here and there. At last he found it.

Steve, crouching on the stairway was watching the beast with keen eyes.

The bear entered the cage. With a bound Rush dropped to the floor of the lazaret.

Bang! The door of the cage swung to, the padlock securing it, quickly slipped through the staple and locked.

Mr. Bear was a prisoner.

”There, you may all come down now, children,” called the Iron Boy.

”Is he in?” demanded a voice at the head of the stairs.

”He is. Bruin is having the rest of his breakfast now.”

”Three cheers for Steve Rush,” cried the captain, pulling off his cap.

”Hip-hip-hurrah!” yelled the sailors. ”Hip-hip-hurrah! Hip-hip-hurrah!

T-i-g-e-r!” added Bob Jarvis.

Steve came up from the lower deck, his face flushed with triumph.

”Well, we got him, didn't we?” he demanded.

”You mean _you_ got him,” answered the captain.

”We all got him.”

”It is my opinion,” added the skipper, ”that you ought to be the captain of this boat. You've got more horse sense than all the rest of us together.”

CHAPTER XXIII