d and hurried for the
cabin, to tell the news to Captain Ponsberry.

CHAPTER V

SIGNS OF A MUTINY

"I've found out something important, Captain Ponsberry," said Larry, as
he entered the cabin. "I now know what's the matter with the grub." To
all salt-water sailors food is grub and nothing else.

"Well, what is the matter with it?" questioned the master of the
_Columbia_, quickly.

"It's being doctored, that's what's the matter."

"Doctored?"

"Yes, sir,--doctored by Semmel, too."

"Will you explain what you mean, Larry?" demanded the captain, intensely
interested.

"I just saw that rascal go into the cook's galley. Jeff wasn't there,
and Semmel took the lid off of a big pot on the stove and sprinkled
something inside."

"What!" Captain Ponsberry leaped to his feet "Are you certain of this?"
he demanded.

"I am--for I saw it with my own eyes."

"What was that stuff he put into the pot?"

"I don't know."

"Did he touch anything else?"

"No. He was in a tremendous hurry and wasn't in the galley more than a
minute at the most."

"The scoundrel!" Captain Ponsberry clenched his fists. "Larry, you are
positive you are making no mistake?"

"I saw the thing done just as I told you. The stuff was in a bit of
white paper. When he went forward he threw the paper overboard."

"Did anybody else see this?"

"I don't think so. But----"

At that moment came a knock on the cabin door and Luke Striker appeared.

"Excuse me, sir," he said, touching his cap. "But I've got something
important to report."

"What is it, Striker?"

"I jess see that air Semmel go in and out o' the cook's galley."

"That is just what I am reporting!" cried Larry. "Did you see what he
did, Luke?"

"No. He wasn't in there only a minit. It looked suspicious to me,
though--with all hands gittin' sick from the grub."

"This is all the evidence I want," said Captain Ponsberry. "We'll soon
make an end of this. Larry, send Semmel to me."

The young second mate left the cabin with Luke and both hurried toward
the bow, where Semmel and Peterson were conversing in low tones.

"The captain wants to see you at once," said Larry to the bearded
sailor.

His tone was so sharp it made Semmel start.

"Vat he vants?" he queried.

"Go and find out for yourself."

"Maybe you git me in droubles, hey?" and the bearded sailor scowled.

"I reckon as how you're gittin' yourself into trouble," drawled Luke,
dryly.

"You keep your mou