en who crossed
his path as he advanced to meet the officer. The three boys, who did not
now act like prisoners, flocked off the _Manhattan_ and gathered around
Ned and Frank. Their faces, however, still showed anxiety rather than
joy at the success of their efforts to bring the gunboat to the island.

"I presume you have your instructions regarding the _Manhattan_ and her
crew?" Lieutenant Carstens said, after the formalities had been gone
through with.

"I understand that the boys took the boat out without permission," was
the reply. "I am ordered to return her to Manila and to place the boys
under arrest."

This was encouraging, for Ned knew that they would be safer under the
guard of the captain of the gunboat than that of Carstens. Everything
could be explained if they were taken back to Manila, and not shot like
dogs, without a trial.

"Since leaving Manila," Carstens went on, "they have attacked several
native settlements and murdered several persons. I already have them
under arrest for piracy."

"What is the proposition?" asked the other.

"In my judgment they should be tried here, and, if convicted, executed
at the scene of their latest crime."

"I protest against that," said the other.

"See here, Curtis," Carstens said, roughly, "these fellows are my
prisoners, and I am here with special orders. That will be all."

"Hardly all," was the cool reply, "for I have my gunboat in the harbor."

Encouraged by this statement, Ned stepped forward and raised his bound
hands.

"May I speak a word?" he asked.

"Certainly not!" said Carstens.

"Go ahead!" the captain of the gunboat, Frederick Curtis, said.
"George," he added, addressing an officer, "go to the boat and train her
guns on this delightful party."

Carstens turned deadly pale but smiled, and saluted.

"I'm sure you will do nothing rash," he said.

"I shall not overstep my instructions," was the reply. "What have you to
say?" he continued, facing Ned.

"I want a few words with you in private," was the reply.

"I protest!" shouted the Lieutenant.

"Best speak here," was the decision of the captain.

At this moment the senator's son made his appearance on the Tusk with a
steel box under his arm. He advanced quickly to the group and passed the
box to Lieutenant Carstens.

"First," Ned began, "I ask you, Captain Curtis, to take charge of the
box just given to Lieutenant Carstens."

Captain Curtis extended his hand for the box, but the Li