hile a number of
others looked on with interest.

"I'll tell you what it means, sir," said Larry, and did so. "He has got
to give up my money belt and my money, and give up Captain Ponsberry's
money, too."

At this moment Peterson came up and was promptly collared by Luke.

"Stop! Don't you vos touch me!" cried Peterson. "I ain't noddings done,
no."

"You helped Shamhaven to rob me," came from Larry.

"No, he done it all alone! I no touch noddings!"

"Oh, shut up!" roared Shamhaven, in disgust. "I never robbed anybody. If
you lost your money Peterson must have taken it."

A quarrel ensued between the evildoers, in the midst of which came a cry
from the _Shohirika_.

"An enemy is in sight!"

At once all attention was turned to the warship. Scarcely a minute
elapsed when a signal was displayed:

"A battleship, and she is trying to escape up the coast!"

"To the boats!" roared the Japanese officer on the deck of the brig. "To
the boats at once! This investigation will have to be postponed. We
shall expect you to remain as you are"--the latter words to the captain
of the big brig.

"As you will," was the smooth answer.

A rush was made for the two small boats, Larry and Luke being hustled
along with the crowd. Soon they put off for the warship, which was
already preparing to follow the Russian battleship that had been seen.

"I didn't get my money, after all," grumbled the youth. "But perhaps
I'll get it later--if that ship of the enemy doesn't sink us," he added.

As soon as they were on board of the _Shohirika_ again, the cruiser
started after the battleship. But the enemy had a good lead, and it was
some time before the Japanese warship could command a full head of
steam, which meant everything to her. Then, when steam was to be had in
plenty, there came a breakdown in the engine room, causing a delay of
twenty minutes.

"We'll never catch her,--at least, not to-day," said Luke, and he was
right. Darkness found the battleship still three miles away. Half a
dozen shots were fired at her, but none took effect. Then night ended
the pursuit.

In the morning nothing was to be seen of the enemy and those on the
Japanese warship were much depressed, for they had fancied that an
encounter might add greatly to their laurels. But shortly before noon
the lookout announced the approach of another ship.

"A Russian cruiser!" was the cry.

This was correct--the vessel was the auxiliary cruiser, _Pontomuk_,
fo