e watch.

"At all events, I hope to ascertain our latitude if the weather clears,
and perhaps we may get an observation in the afternoon, or a lunar at
night," said Tom. "But a good look-out must be kept ahead, for I know
that there are numerous small islands and reefs, one of which may bring
us up if we are not careful."

The doctor assisted the midshipmen to search for a sextant and nautical
almanack, but, to their surprise, neither were to be found. "The
chronometer was," the doctor said, "he knew, in the captain's cabin;"
and they at last began to suspect that the boatswain had managed to get
hold of the mate's as well as the captain's sextant and charts, and had
shut them up in the cabin he had appropriated. What his object was in
so doing it was difficult to say, unless he thought that he should keep
the midshipmen more in his power by preventing them from knowing
whereabouts they were.

Just before breakfast the boatswain came out of his cabin, carefully
locking the door behind him. After remaining on deck some time, he
returned and took his seat without uttering a word either to the surgeon
or to the midshipmen, although he swore away at Peter for not being
quick enough in bringing him what he asked for. Tom took no notice of
this, but after waiting some time, said in his usual polite way--

"I should be much obliged to you, Mr Betts, if you can supply me with a
sextant, and the use of the chronometer, as I should like to ascertain
our position."

"Then you won't be obliged to me, for I don't intend to let you have
them," answered the boatswain. "I can take care of this ship, and I
won't have any one interfering with me."

"I do not wish to interfere," said Tom. "I only desire to take an
observation for my own satisfaction."

"Then you won't have the satisfaction," said the boatswain. Desmond bit
his lip, and Tom expected to hear him every moment say something, which
would be sure to enrage the boatswain.

"At all events, if I can get a look at a chart, I shall be able to
calculate where we are although that may not prevent this obstinate
fellow from running the ship on a reef, and it will be a mercy if that
is not her fate," thought Tom.

"I believe the man has gone out of his mind," said Desmond, when he
found himself alone with his two messmates. "It is a pity we did not
put him in irons at first, and we might now have been on our way to
Hong-kong."

"We did what was right," observed Tom