engines were
constantly in need of repair, much to the disgust of Captain Titorsky,
her commander.

"Well, Rosey, how goes this war?" asked Luke, pleasantly, as the petty
officer came around to give them something to eat.

"Big fight all der dime," answered Rosenvischpoff. "Russians kill all
der Japs--sink all der Jap ships, yes!"

"You're winning right along, eh?"

"Yes, Russians win--Japs no do noddings, no!" And the petty officer left
the food on the bench and hurried away again.

"Do you believe that?" asked Larry.

"No, I don't," came from Grandon. "He told us that simply to scare us,
or else he doesn't know the real truth."

"Exactly what I think."

"These Russians are a lot of blowers," growled Luke. "Just look at
Semmel. He was forever tooting his horn, and yet he couldn't do much of
anything."

"He got us into trouble," said Larry, quickly.

"That's true, but he had to have this warship with all on board to help
him."

The food which had been brought to them consisted of a big bowl of stew,
with three spoons, and three chunks of black bread.

"They are going to treat us to the best," said Grandon, sarcastically.
He lifted one of the spoons and tasted the stew. "Phew, it's hot enough!
Pepper, garlic, and hot water!"

"Does beat all how these fureigners do love their garlic," grumbled
Luke. "'Twas the same way with them Spaniards in the Philippines."

"Garlic and grease," added Larry. "And this bread is hard enough to
build a wall with," he continued. "However, we have got to eat or go
hungry." And he partook of just enough to stay his stomach. Luke and
Grandon were not so particular and despite their grumbling managed to
make away with all that remained.

They saw nothing of the captain, or of the sailors who had been taken
below, and the time hung heavily on their hands. At night they were
given three hammocks and these they slung from one side of the prison to
the other and rested as well as could be expected. The Russian sailors
often came to the pen to gaze at them, but they had been warned not to
attempt to converse with the prisoners, so nothing was said.

On the afternoon of the third day aboard of the _Pocastra_, those in the
pen heard a loud shouting on deck, followed by a rush of feet. Larry,
who was resting in the corner for the want of something better to do,
leaped up.

"Something is doing!" he cried to his companions.

"Here comes Captain Ponsberry," ejaculated Tom Grandon.