The Boy Chums in the Gulf of Mexico / or, On a Dangerous Cruise with the Greek Spongers

y had set over Manuel approached the captain, and by signs an

entirely disappeared and he

ught over my hasty actions with shame and regret. You were right and I wrong. I will work hard at whatev

fellow's eyes and his vo

you are sure that you've learned your lesson an' won't try to act smart again, I'll set yo

risoner, the strange sailor burst

rstand a word of it, but Charley, who was watching closely

e lad said, as they returned to the deck. "I believe it would have been wiser

guess it will make the crew feel better tempered to have him set free. I'm going to put him ashore at t

s and put him to work at the pump," Wa

tance, the lad did not trust him in the least and thought it wisest that h

eemed to show the sincerity of his repentance. At first, he seemed inclined to talk overm

ring the noon hour rest. "Yesterday and the day before we got lots of

out, perhaps," Walter replied. "I've noticed severa

many of the fleet passed them headed North. Evidentl

m to the schooner with a signal previously agr

ners seem to be getting under sail. I've noted the course they are takin' an' with this wind they'll be a long ways from us if we wait

ith so many boats around them every caution must be taken to avoid running one down, or being run down themselves. The crew was divided into three watches. Of which Walter was to have charge of the fi

ong and the night passed away

ing boat as soon as the sun arose. But, when they gained the deck, they found the "Beaut

e exclaimed as he caught sight of the lads. "I don't understand

mainmast cross trees, but, although he gazed all around, his eye

g the night," he suggested when he regained

"Some of those schooners were ten miles ahead of us when we started. Besides, I sho

aid, but the others knew that that was impossible. The "

ten miles," he said. "Do you reckon either of you boys c

e during my four hours," Charley declared. "I kept watch of the

Walter said. "We were headed exa

fleet must have changed their course during the night. We'd better heave-to until noon when I can take the sun an' tell exactly where we a

l and in a few minutes the little ship was lyi

ts on deck and prepared to take an observation of the sun. As soon as

ression. "Heave the lead and find out how deep the

nd. Filling the hollow end with soft soap, he dropped the lead over the side and let it sink until it struck the bottom. Then he pulled

36 feet) bottom, soft

e compass and stared at it wi

d as the boys gathered around him, "Sure neither of

ared both la

for several minutes. Then the captain with his knife lo

t got there," he

the magnetic needle West of No

eclared, excitedly. "It must have been put there

towards Manuel who, standing a little ways off was watching them closely. The Greek, a

at last. "If we held on that course long it would only have carried us fur

he fleet," Charley declared. "Do you t

d, gloomily, "we might hunt for days without coming across them. If that fel

do, captain?" Walt

ng to take an oath that the compass was true when we left port. Thar ain't much chance of picking up the fleet again an' I don't reckon we'd better waste time

g. As soon as that was done, the boys ordered their crew into the diving boat and, runni

ich in sponges and the lads watched with satisfac