was a burly German, with the blackest of
hair and a heavy black beard and beady black eyes. He had a coarse
voice and manners that put one in mind of a bull. Hans tried to get
friendly with him, but soon gave it up.

"He vos von of dem fellers vot knows it all," explained Hans to his
chums. "He makes some of dem, vot you call him--bolitical talks, yah.
He dinks eferypotty should be so goot like eferypotty else, und chust
so rich, too."

"Must be an Anarchist," said Tom. "He looks the part."

"Norton told me he was a first-class engineer," said Dick, "but when I
asked him if he was a good fellow he merely shrugged his shoulders in
answer."

One day the first mate was in command, the captain having gone below to
study his charts and work out the ship's position. Tom had brought a
baseball to the deck and was having a catch with Sam. The boys enjoyed
the fun for quite a while and did not notice the mate near them.

"Can you throw it up over that rope?" asked Sam, pointing to a stay
over his head.

"Sure thing!" cried Tom.

"Look out you don't throw it overboard."

"I'll take care," answered the fun-loving Rover, and launched the
baseball high into the air. Just then the steam yacht gave a lurch, the
ball hit the mainmast, and down it bounced squarely upon Asa Carey's
head, knocking the mate's cap over his eyes and sending him staggering
backwards.

"Hi, hi! you young rascals!" roared the mate. "What do you mean by such
conduct?"

"Excuse me," replied Tom, humbly. "I didn't mean to hit you. It was an
accident."

"I think you did it on purpose, you young villain!"

"It was an accident, Mr. Carey--and I'll thank you not to call me a
rascal and a villain," went on Tom rather warmly.

"I'll call you what I please!"

"No, you won't."

"Yes, I will. I am in command here, and I won't have you throwing
baseballs at me."

"I just told you it was an accident. If the yacht hadn't rolled just as
I threw the ball it would not have hit you."

"Bah! I know boys, and you especially. You love to play tricks on
everybody. But you can't play tricks on me." And as the mate spoke he
stopped, picked up the rolling ball, and put it in his pocket.

"Are you going to keep that ball?" demanded Sam.

"I am."

"It is our ball."

"See here, Mr. Carey, we didn't mean to hit you, and we were only
amusing ourselves catching," said Tom. "We have hired this yacht and we
have a right to do as we please on board so long as we do