the deck--I shall
ask the captain if that is not allowable. I am quite sure it is, so
long as we do no damage."

"Going to sneak behind the captain for protection, eh?" sneered Asa
Carey. He did not like the outlook, for that very morning he had had
some words with the commander of the steam yacht and had gotten the
worst of it.

"I want that ball."

The mate glared at Tom for a moment and then threw the ball to him.

"All right, take your old ball," he muttered. "But you be mighty
careful how you use it after this or you'll get into trouble," and
with this the mate walked away.

"Are you going to speak to the captain?" asked Sam, in a low tone.

Tom thought for a moment.

"Perhaps it will be better to let it go, Sam. I don't want to stir up
any more rows than are necessary. But after this I am going to keep my
eye on that fellow."

But if the lads did not mention it to the captain they told their
brother and their chums of it, and a long discussion followed.

"I noticed that the mate and the assistant engineer are quite thick,"
observed Fred. "It seems they were friends before they came aboard."

"And they are two of a kind," remarked Dick. "I feel free to say I do
not like than at all."

It was growing warmer, and for the next few days the girls and the
boys were content to take it easy under the awnings which had been
spread over a portion of the deck. Once the lads amused themselves by
fishing with a net and bait, but were not very successful. In the
evening they usually sang or played games, and often Songbird would
favor them with some of his poetry. For the most of the time Mrs.
Stanhope and Mrs. Laning did fancywork.

"Captain says there is a storm coming up," announced Sam, one evening.

"Oh, dear! I hope it doesn't get very rough!" cried Mrs. Stanhope. "I
detest a heavy storm at sea."

"Well, mamma, we'll have to expect some storms," said Dora.

"Oh, I shan't mind, if it doesn't thunder and lightning and blow too
much."

But this storm was not of the thunder and lightning variety, nor did
it blow to any extent. It grew damp and foggy, and then a mist came
down over the ocean, shutting out the view upon every side. At once
the engine of the steam yacht was slowed down, and a double lookout
was stationed at the bow, while the whistle was blown at regular
intervals.

"This isn't so pleasant," remarked Songbird, as he and Dick tramped
along the deck in their raincoats. "Ugh! what a nasty nig