purchase on an iron ring. Jo grabbed him and
held on.

"Stay anchored, you idiot," said Jo in a hoarse whisper. "You will
give us away if you aren't careful."

"Can't help it," growled Tom. "The old ship rolls so."

"Now is our chance, come," whispered Jo.

The next dash brought them to a temporary safe anchorage directly
underneath the bridge. So far the practical jokers had rather had it
put on them, for they had been badly scared and an occasional wave
that came over the bow of the _Sea Eagle_ threatened the two gallant
Frontier Boys with a severe ducking.

"Skylarking is all right," whispered Jo to his comrade in mischief,
"but this sealarking is different."

"If you were going to be hung you would try to pun," growled Tom.

By stealthy observation they found that there was no chance for them
to reach the hood of the forecastle on the forward deck without being
seen by the keen-eyed captain.

"Think up some scheme, Jo," urged Tom, "to distract the old boy's
attention or he will spot us sure."

Jo thought a minute, then he discovered what he imagined would be a
fine scheme.

"You stay here, Tom," he whispered, and sped back towards the cabin.

"He need not have told me that," grumbled Tom. "I wouldn't be apt to
stay anywhere else."

Meanwhile, Jo had reached his cabin, and he hastily pushed the sliding
door open and went in. He was not long in getting what he was after.
It was a ship's bell, with a history to it, that he had picked up in
Hawaii--the bell, not the history. Holding the clapper tight so that
it would not betray him, Jo made his way quickly to the ladder-like
stairs leading to the quarter deck and tied it underneath, in such a
way that it was sure to ring.

This promised to be a double-barreled joke, and they would be lucky if
the recoil did not kick them over. When it was properly fastened Jo
let go of it and sped back to Tom. Scarcely had he reached his fellow
conspirator than there came the clear metallic ring of a ship's bell.
Weird and uncanny it sounded through the stormy darkness of the night.
The old captain could scarcely believe his ears. Then came that
startling vibration again.

"By Thundas, what's that?" he cried.

"It sounded to me like a ship's bell," said Jim. "I'd soon find out,
if you would take the wheel, sir." Growling something, the old fellow
made in the direction of the sound, and Jo and Tom scudded for the
forecastle, which they reached without being discovere