n doubt.

But this scene had lasted long enough.

"O, nonsense!" said Bart, suddenly pulling up his line, and coming
forward; "see here--it's all right," said he to the officer. "We're not
fishermen. It's as he says. We're only out on a short cruise, you
know, for pleasure, and that sort of thing."

As Bart turned, the others did the same. Bruce lounged up, dragging
his line, followed by Arthur and the others.

"We're responsible for the schooner," said Bruce, quietly. "It's ours
for the time being. We don't look like foreign fishermen--do we?"

The officer looked at the boys, and saw his mistake at once. He was
afraid that he had made himself ridiculous. The faces and manners of
the boys, as they stood confronting him in an easy and self-possessed
manner, showed most plainly the absurdity of his position. Even the
mysterious flag became intelligible, when he looked at the faces of
those over whom it floated.

"I suppose it's all right," he muttered, in a vexed tone, and descended
into the boat without another word.

"Sorry to have troubled you, captain," said Corbet, looking blandly
after the officer; "but it wan't my fault. I didn't have charge of
that thar injine."

The officer turned his back without a word, and the men pulled off to
the steamer.

The captain looked after the boat in silence for some time.

"I'm sorry," said he, at length, as he heaved a gentle sigh,--"I'm
sorry that you put in your oars--I do SO like to sass a revonoo
officer."

III.

Solomon surpasses himself.--A Period of Joy is generally followed by a
Time of Sorrow.--Gloomy Forebodings.--The Legend of Petticoat
Jack.--Captain Corbet discourses of the Dangers of the Deep, and puts
in Practice a new and original Mode of Navigation.

This interruption put an end to their attempts at fishing, and was
succeeded by another interruption of a more pleasing character, in the
shape of dinner, which was now loudly announced by Solomon. For some
time a savory steam had been issuing from the lower regions, and had
been wafted to their nostrils in successive puffs, until at last their
impatient appetite had been roused to the keenest point, and the
enticing fragrance had suggested all sorts of dishes. When at length
the summons came, and they went below, they found the dinner in every
way worthy of the occasion. Solomon's skill never was manifested more
conspicuously than on this occasion; and whether the repast was judged