as charge of the boat. He said
the captain's resolved we shan't leave the ship."

"It's an infamous shame," said Frank. "I declare I've half a mind to
swim ashore. It can't be very far."

"No," said Nick, "but it wouldn't be pleasant to land soaking wet, to
say nothing of the chance of ground sharks. Even Lion had better not
try that dodge. But I'll tell you what--if the boat is lying off the
ship's side, with a lot of ankers in her, why shouldn't we creep in
among them, and go ashore unbeknown to the first lieutenant?"

"We should be seen getting aboard," said Frank.

"No, we shouldn't. The men are at dinner just now, and we can slip in
when the backs of the fellows on deck are turned."

"I forgot that," said Frank; "but we should be certain to be seen when
we landed."

"Ay, no doubt. But that will be too late, won't it? Once ashore, I
guess they must be pretty nimble to catch us; and besides, old Jennings
is too good-natured to do anything against us, which he isn't obliged to
do."

"Well, that's true, certainly," returned Wilmore. "What do you say,
Warley? Are you game to make the trial?"

"Yes, I am," returned Ernest. "I think it is regular tyranny to oblige
us to stay in the ship, when there is no reason for it, except the
captain's caprice. But if we mean to try this, we must make haste."

The three lads hurried on deck; and a glance showed them they were just
in time. There were only two or three men to be seen, and they were at
the other end of the ship. They skimmed nimbly down the ladder, and
found no difficulty in concealing themselves at the bow end of the boat,
which was completely hidden from sight by the empty casks. They had not
been in their hiding-place very long, before the old quartermaster and
his men were heard coming down the side. The shore was soon reached,
and the keel had no sooner grated on the sand, than the boys sprang out
and ran up the beach, saluting old Jennings with a parting cheer as they
went.

"Well, I never," muttered the old man. "The cap'en 'ull be in a nice
taking when he hears of this! And there ain't no chance but what he
_will_ hear of it. We've Andy Duncan in the boat, and he carries
everything to the first lieutenant, as sure as it happens. Well, I
ain't bound to peach, anyhow--that's one comfort!"

Meanwhile the captain had gone on shore, his temper not improved by the
report of the doctor which had been brought to him as he was leaving the