e a chance to go aboard of a Japanese ship while we
stop at Nagasaki. There must be a number of them at that port, coaling
up and taking war supplies aboard."

"How long do you think it will be before we reach that port?"

"That will depend entirely upon the wind, as you know. If we get just
what we need we may reach there inside of four or five days," answered
Captain Ponsberry.

As Peterson and Shamhaven were now behaving themselves they were allowed
to come out of the brig and do some work on the deck every morning and
afternoon. Both begged the captain to forgive them, but the master of
the _Columbia_ would promise nothing.

"You went into this with your eyes wide open," he said. "Now you can
line up and take your medicine."

Semmel was exceedingly bitter at not being allowed his liberty for at
least a few hours a day and said he would denounce the captain at the
first opportunity. But Captain Ponsberry soon cut him short.

"You keep a civil tongue in your head," he said, sternly. "Unless you
do, I'll put you down on hard-tack and water." And thereupon Semmel
became sullenly silent.

Towards evening of the day upon which Larry had the conversation about
warships with Captain Ponsberry a Chinese junk, heavily laden with
grass-covered boxes, was passed. Nobody on board could speak English, so
the hail that was sent over the water brought no results.

"We are getting closer to the coast shipping," said the master of the
_Columbia_. "I suppose we'll meet quite a few vessels from now on."

During the night an unexpected gale came up and the schooner was blown
far out of her course. The gale came from the westward, so the vessel
was blown to the east.

"This will make the trip a day or two longer," grumbled Grandon, after
the gale had spent itself.

"Yes, but as we didn't lose a spar or a rag of canvas we can be thankful
that it is no worse," responded Larry, who was always ready to look on
the bright side.

The gale subsided after a blow of twenty-four hours and then the bow of
the _Columbia_ was once more set towards her destination. Only a few
knots had been covered when the lookout reported a vessel in sight.

"It's a steamer!" cried Larry, for the smoke from the craft's funnels
was plainly to be seen.

"Maybe she's a warship," returned Tom Grandon, who was beside him. "If
so, I hope she's a Japanese."

The steamer was coming along at a good rate of speed and soon they made
her out to be a British v