, we haven't any engineer," said the professor. "That's awkward. I
suppose we shall have to lose a lot of time while we hunt up another."

"Why not Mr. Berwick?" suggested Jim. "He's a first class engineer, and
he wants to go with us anyway."

"Why, of course," replied the professor. "Never thought of that. How
stupid of me. How is it, Mr. Berwick, will you take the place?"

"Suits me to the dot," replied the engineer. "Wanted to go along, and
glad to be of use."

"All right, Mr. Berwick. Suppose you take hold at once and look things
over."

"Very well, sir," replied Berwick. "Lucky I brought my traps along."
Picking up his bag he descended into the engine room followed by Juarez.

"Well, how is it?" inquired the professor, when Berwick came on deck
again a little later. "Everything all right?"

"Indeed no," replied Berwick. "Looks as if somebody had been tampering
with the engine. Lot of loose bolts and nuts. If she had been started
up there would have been a pretty smash-up. However, I think two or
three hours' work will put it all right."

"That must be some of Broome's work, I suppose," commented the
professor. "Bribed the engineer. You see what we have ahead of us, boys.
Go ahead and do the best you can, Mr. Berwick. But I suppose we had
better have breakfast first. Got anything to eat on board, captain?"

"Fully provisioned, sir," replied the captain. "I told your steward that
you would want breakfast and I think he has it ready."

"Very well, then," said the professor. "That seems to be the next thing
in order."

A handsome, and what was more important, a very competent man, the
steward proved to be. The professor explained that ever since his early
youth Pedro had been in his employ, and his father before him for many
years.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS.

"Well, boys," said the professor, "have you had enough breakfast?"

"I don't know whether I have had enough or not," responded Jo. "But I'm
afraid I can't eat any more."

"That's bad," remarked the professor. "I'm afraid there is something
wrong with you. Still, if you go on deck, perhaps you will be better by
dinner time. But while we are down here you might pick out your
staterooms. This is the captain's room, and this is mine. That is the
engineer's room. But you can take any of the others you want."

Looking over the rooms about which there was really little choice, Jo
and Tom selected one to their liking, and Juarez decid