dollars. The money was mostly in
gold,--for he had found that gold could be used no matter where he went.

CHAPTER XVIII

A CLEVER RUSE

As soon as Captain Ponsberry was in charge of the _Columbia_ once more
he set about without delay to put the schooner in proper condition for
the run to Nagasaki. The broken-off foremast was allowed to remain as it
was, but a temporary bowsprit was set into place, and the damage to the
forecastle and to the stern repaired. A temporary rail was also nailed
up, so that there might be no danger of anybody slipping overboard.

In all this work the sailors and the ship's carpenter did their best,
and the captain and his mates helped. Sails were also sewed up, or
replaced, and inside of forty-eight hours the old _Columbia_ was once
more on her way. The water taken aboard was pumped out, and the pumps
were kept going two hours each morning and two hours each afternoon.

"She will do now," said the captain, after the heaviest of the work was
over. "But when we reach Nagasaki I'll have to put her in the dock for
regular repairs. I shouldn't dare to take her to Manila or to San
Francisco in such a condition."

"It will take a long time to have the repairs made in Japan," said
Larry. "All the shipyards are busy on government work."

"True, lad, but that cannot be helped. The law would not allow me to
sign a crew with a ship that was not seaworthy."

"Then we'll have a long lay-off when we reach Nagasaki."

"Exactly, Larry. But I shan't keep you. If you want to go elsewhere----"

"Not on another sailing vessel, Captain Ponsberry. But you know how it
is with Luke Striker and myself. Ever since we were in our own navy we
have had a hankering after warships, and----"

"And you think of joining the Japanese navy?" put in the master of the
schooner, quickly.

"That's it. You know how I spoke of joining the army with Ben and
Gilbert."

"To be sure--and I told you I couldn't spare you."

"But now, if you haven't any use for me any longer----"

"Why, Larry, if you want to fight for Japan, go ahead and fight!"
ejaculated Captain Ponsberry. "I don't blame you. I'd fight myself if I
was a younger man and hadn't any obligations on my shoulders. I suppose
Ben is doing great things in the army and you'd like to match him in the
navy, eh?"

"If I join the navy I'll do my best."

"Will Striker go with you?"

"Oh, yes, Luke and I always go together, if we can. He was my chum when
we