n't interfere
with the running of the vessel. I want you to give us our ball back."
And Tom stepped up and looked the mate squarely in the eyes.

"What! you dare to dictate to me!" roared the mate, and raised his hand
as if to strike Tom. He thought the youth would retreat in fear, but
Tom never budged.

"I am not trying to dictate, but I have rights as well as you. I want
that ball."

"You can't have it."

"If you don't give it to me I shall report the matter to Captain
Barforth."

At this threat the mate glared at Tom as if he wanted to eat the boy
up.

"If I give you the ball you'll be throwing it at me again," he growled.

"I didn't throw it at you. But as for catching on the deck--I shall ask
the captain if that is not allowable. I am quite sure it is, so long as
we do no damage."

"Going to sneak behind the captain for protection, eh?" sneered Asa
Carey. He did not like the outlook, for that very morning he had had
some words with the commander of the steam yacht and had gotten the
worst of it.

"I want that ball."

The mate glared at Tom for a moment and then threw the ball to him.

"All right, take your old ball," he muttered. "But you be mighty
careful how you use it after this or you'll get into trouble," and with
this the mate walked away.

"Are you going to speak to the captain?" asked Sam, in a low tone.

Tom thought for a moment.

"Perhaps it will be better to let it go, Sam. I don't want to stir up
any more rows than are necessary. But after this I am going to keep my
eye on that fellow."

But if the lads did not mention it to the captain they told their
brother and their chums of it, and a long discussion followed.

"I noticed that the mate and the assistant engineer are quite thick,"
observed Fred. "It seems they were friends before they came aboard."

"And they are two of a kind," remarked Dick. "I feel free to say I do
not like them at all."

It was growing warmer, and for the next few days the girls and the boys
were content to take it easy under the awnings which had been spread
over a portion of the deck. Once the lads amused themselves by fishing
with a net and bait, but were not very successful. In the evening they
usually sang or played games, and often Songbird would favor them with
some of his poetry. For the most of the time Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs.
Laning did fancywork.

"Captain says there is a storm coming up," announced Sam, one evening.

"Oh, dear! I hope it doe