and soon the young mate was similarly
provided. Wind and rain were increasing, and presently there came a
flash of lightning and a clap of thunder that made everybody jump. The
thunder brought Captain Ponsberry to the deck in a hurry.

"Did that hit us?" he questioned, looking around anxiously.

"No, sir, but it was pretty close," replied Grandon.

"Is everything secure?" went on the commander, to Larry.

"Yes, sir."

It was difficult to converse further, for the wind was now whistling
through the rigging, driving the rain in sheets across the deck. All had
to hold fast for fear of being swept overboard. On every side the sea
was lashing itself into a foam and the waves were growing higher and
higher. At one instant the _Columbia_ would seem to be riding on top of
a mountain, the next she would sink down and down into the trough of the
sea.

"Well, Larry, how do you like this?" questioned Captain Ponsberry, as he
took a position beside the second mate.

"Oh, I don't mind it at all," was the cheery answer. "I used to mind the
storms, but I've got used to them."

"This isn't a plaything we are getting."

"Oh, I know that--you can see it by the way the wind is driving us. But
we are not near any land, are we?"

"No."

"Then we'll be sure to outride it. I feel I can bank on the old
_Columbia_ for almost anything."

At this Captain Ponsberry laid an affectionate hand on his second mate's
shoulder.

"Reckon you love the old craft about as well as I do," he said.

"I don't know about that--you've been on board so many more years than
myself. But to me she is a second home."

"I see. Well, let us hope we get through with this trip in safety."

"Don't you imagine we'll do it?" questioned Larry, quickly.

"Certainly. But you must remember that we may have trouble if we fall in
with any Russian warship." Captain Ponsberry lowered his voice. "Did you
have trouble with Semmel?"

"A little. I ordered him to coil up some ropes and he didn't obey me
right away. But he stowed them away afterwards."

Captain Ponsberry drew a long breath. "The more I see of that chap the
less I like him."

"I never liked him from the start," answered Larry, frankly. "But you'll
have to give him credit for being a good all-round sailor."

"There is no doubt but what he is that, Larry. But he has a bad eye."

"What do you think he could do to harm us?"

"Nothing--unless we fell in with a Russian warship. In that case, if he
was