t
arrived. "It will not do to go too far--in case we find everything as it
should be. We want no trouble with the Yankee government."

Captain Ponsberry was asked to have the mizzen hatch opened, and this
work was done by Luke Striker and several others. Then two of the
Russian sailors were sent below, and one of the officers went along.

In the meantime, Peterson, unknown to anybody on board, had slipped off
to the brig. Here he found Ostag Semmel in solitary confinement.

"Semmel, a Russian warship is close at hand," he said, hurriedly. "An
officer and some men have just boarded us."

"Release me, Peterson!" returned the Russian sailor. "Release me and I
will show Captain Ponsberry what I can do!"

"You will not get me into trouble?" questioned Peterson, anxiously.

"No. Quick--I am sure we can make money out of this."

With an iron bar, Peterson pried off the lock which had been put on the
door of the brig, and drew back the bolt. Then Semmel came out of his
prison, with his hands linked together.

As he was making his way to the stern deck Larry caught sight of him.

"Stop!" he called out, in alarm, realizing what Semmel might do. "Stop,
Semmel!" and he ran to capture the rascal.

"Get out da vay!" roared the Russian and aimed a blow at Larry's head.
But the young second mate dodged and then caught the Russian by the
legs, hurling him flat on his breast. But now Peterson came behind and
gave Larry a vicious kick in the side, which made the youth let go his
hold.

"What's the row there?" called out Captain Ponsberry, and looked much
disturbed to see the escaped prisoner. "Put him back where he came
from!"

"Help!" yelled Semmel, in Russian. "Help, in the name of the Czar! I am
a Russian subject! This ship is in the employ of the Japanese
Government!"

"He speaks the truth!" called out Peterson, also in Russian. "Help us
and protect us and we will prove it!" And he ran forward to where the
Russian officer on deck was standing.

"You are Russians?" asked the officer, quickly.

"We are."

"Then I shall certainly assist you." He raised his voice. "Let that man
go!" And he pointed at Semmel, now surrounded by Larry, Luke, and Cal
Vincent.

The latter words were uttered in English, so all of our friends
understood them. The two sailors looked inquiringly at the young second
mate.

"He is nothing but a mutineer," said Larry. "We locked him up for it. He
ought to have been strung up on the yardarm," h