n below Dave produced a tape measure.

"Get the distance from the hatchway to the after end of this hold," he
directed.

Then, wheeling, he noted that the mate's face had turned to a greenish
color.

"What ails you, man?" Darrin demanded, eyeing the fellow sharply.

"N-n-nutten, sir," stammered the mate.

One of the seamen reported the measurement he had taken.

"Now, go on deck and measure aft from the hatchway," Dave commanded.

The instant that Darrin was left alone with the mate a pair of muscular
arms encircled the throat of the young American naval commander from
behind. In the same instant the mate sprang at him. The two assailants,
taking him so by surprise, overcame Darrin with comparative ease. In the
same moment they backed him through a small doorway opening into the hold
forward.

Down on his back Dave Darrin was thrown, the skipper sitting on his
chest, while the mate swiftly drew the door to and securely bolted it. In
this stuffy apartment, lighted only by two swinging lanterns, Darrin
realized that he must fight promptly if he expected to escape.

A steel tube was pressed against one of Dave's temples, while a hoarse,
low voice proclaimed:

"Say a vord, and you die shall!"

It was the skipper who was holding a revolver to Darrin's head, and the
returning mate bent over with an iron hatch bar in his right hand.

"You do vill vat we tell you--yes!" insisted the skipper, his breath
coming fast.

CHAPTER II

"THE ACCURSED POWER OF GOLD!"

DAVE made no struggle.

"You're a pair of fools!" he declared, somewhat hoarsely, for the effects
of the severe choking were still present.

"Fools, maybe," assented the skipper of the "Olga." "But if ve must
trouble have den you die shall."

"What do you want me to do?" Darrin demanded.

"You send your men to your ship back," declared the big fellow. "Den your
ship it must out of sight go yet. Ve shall sail back vonce. If your ship,
or any udder ship to stop us try, den you die shall already--on deck, in
sight your friends of."

"You big chump!" uttered Darrin.

"Vy you call me dot?"

"Because, no matter what you do or don't do to me, you are going to be
taken and punished. Do you think my ship would sail without me?"

"Maybe, sooner dan see you killed vonce," glowered the skipper of the
"Olga."

"You idiot, my subordinates, their suspicions aroused, are bound to take
this craft, no matter what happens to me. They must do their duty