uch
was the case. He was wondering how long it would be ere the old
schooner would take a plunge to the bottom of the ocean.

"It must be a long way to the bottom," decided the Battleship Boy. "I
shan't know when we reach there, anyway, so what's the odds how far it
is? Perhaps it would be better for me to jump overboard and put a
quick end to it. Yet," he reflected, "while I am alive I am alive. I
guess that's good sense, and it gives me an idea."

For several moments the boy was lost in deep thought.

"If the rudder is still in place I may be able to do something that
will ease matters a little. Of course I do not know how much water
there is in the hold. Perhaps the bottom has been burst open, and all
that is keeping us together is the lumber. I'm going to make an
investigation, at any rate. I wonder if they have discovered my
absence on board the battleship?"

* * * * *

They had not discovered his absence. In boarding the battleship with
the rescued crew the whaleboat had been wrecked, as had its mate in
starting out. One of the rescued men was drowned in the sea just as he
was reaching for a rope that had been cast to him by a sailor on the
deck of the warship.

For a time there was great excitement on board the battleship. At
last, however, all hands were hauled aboard. The cutter's crew and
passengers were landed without disaster, the daughter of the master of
the "Oriole" looking upon the whole affair as a most delightful
experience.

After the rescued sailors had been cared for by their comrades on the
battleship, and the master's family made comfortable in one of the
cabins of the captain, the latter made his way to the bridge.

"Let us get under way now, Coates," said the captain, addressing the
executive officer. "I don't like to lie near that floating hulk there
any longer than I am obliged to."

The ship began to move.

"I'll tell you what, Coates, I believe we had better break her up,
don't you?"

"The schooner, sir?"

"Yes."

"An excellent idea. Shall I do it?"

"Yes. Use the seven-inch port battery."

"Boatswain's mate!" roared the executive officer.

"Aye, aye, sir."

"Turn out the seven-inch starboard gun crews. Order them to take their
stations and stand ready with six rounds of solid shot."

"Aye, aye, sir."

The orders were quickly transmitted to the gun crews by the mate. The
men went to their stations on a run. This was an o