thing against us, they won't dare to touch us. They know what Old
Glory means, and Russia has no desire just now to get into trouble with
Uncle Sam."

"The worst of it is, our cargo may look too suspicious to them. Under
ordinary circumstances they know that the _Columbia_ wouldn't be
carrying such a line of goods in these waters."

"That's true, too."

"Besides that, they may have had an agent at Nagasaki and at Manila
spying on us. They may know just what is being done. The Czar's
followers are mighty slick, I can tell you."

Captain Ponsberry now came on deck and gave quick orders that the
sailors should be lined up, to receive the visitor in a befitting
manner.

"A little goose grease may help," he drawled, with a knowing glance at
Grandon and Larry.

The foremast hands did not know much about lining up, but took the
places assigned to them, on the forward deck. Over the side a rope
ladder was thrown, and then Captain Ponsberry, Tom Grandon, and Larry
awaited the arrival of the Russian naval officer with keen interest.

CHAPTER XII

TAKEN AS A PRIZE OF WAR

Slowly but surely the small boat came closer to the schooner. She rode
the long swells of the Pacific with full grace, and Larry could not help
but admire the long, sturdy strokes of the jackies, as they bent to
their task.

"I don't know but that they can handle a small boat as well as our own
jackies," said Larry.

"Why shouldn't they? Russian naval training ought to be first-class,"
answered Tom Grandon. "They have been at it longer than Uncle Sam."

"True, but that doesn't always count. Spain had been at it longer than
we had, too, but when it came to war we beat her in double-quick order."

As the small boat came closer they saw that the jackies were mostly men
of middle age. But the coxswain was younger and so was the naval
officer, who was gazing rather anxiously toward the schooner, as if
wondering what the result of his mission would be.

"Wonder if that chap can talk English?" queried the first mate. "If he
can't the old man will be up a tree, for none of us can talk Russian."

"I reckon Peterson and Semmel can talk it," answered Larry. "But we
don't want either of those rascals to open his mouth."

At last the small boat came up alongside of the _Columbia_. It was no
easy matter to catch the rope ladder without getting bumped, but it was
successfully accomplished, and then the Russian officer lost no time in
coming on board