oskeeters had got here ahead of us, ready to stick in their little
bills when they get a chance."

It was a clear night, brilliant with stars. In contrast with the
twinkling and pure lights of the heavens, there were dim reds and greens
and yellow-white lights on the surface of the ocean. These lights rocked
and oscillated and tossed as the giant surges swept past.

"I make out half a dozen sail--little fellers--and two tugs," said
Captain Candage. "But get your eye on the main squeeze!"

Mayo looked in the direction of the extended mittened hand.

"Some iceberg, hey?" commented the skipper.

A short half-mile away, a veritable ghost ship, loomed the wrecked
_Conomo_. Spray had beaten over her and had congealed until she seemed
like a mass of ice that had been molded into the shape of a ship. She
gleamed, a spectral figure, under the starry heavens.

A single red light, a baleful blob of color, showed from her main
rigging.

They surveyed her for some time.

"I should say she was spoke for," was Captain Candage's opinion. "It's
high tide now, and a spring tide at that, and them tugs is just loafing
out there--ain't making a move to start her. We can tell more about the
prospect in the morning."

Then the two captains turned in, for the _Ethel and May_ lay to docilely
with a single helmsman at the wheel.

The crisp light of morning did not reveal anything especially new or
important. There were half a dozen small schooners, fishermen, loafing
under shortened canvas in the vicinity of the wreck. One of the tugs
departed shoreward after a time.

Mayo had assured himself, through the schooner's telescope, that the
remaining tug was named _Seba J. Ransom_.

"The captain of that fellow went mate with me on a fishing-steamer
once," he informed Captain Candage. "Jockey me down in reaching distance
and I'll go aboard him in a dory. He may have some news."

Captain Dodge was immensely pleased to see his old chum, and called him
up into the pilot-house and gave him a cigar.

"It's only a loafing job," he said. "I've got to stand by and take off
her captain and crew in case of rough weather or anything breaks loose
more'n what's already busted. They are still hanging by her so as to
deliver her to the buyer."

"Buyer?"

"Yep! To whatever junkman is fool enough to bid her in. She's stuck
fast. Underwriters have gone back on that tug, and are going to auction
her. I'm here to help keep off pirates and take her men