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

t nothing amiss in his manner or actions. He did his work willingly and cheerfully, h

lanced at the handsome sailor, they found him gazing intently at the suspected

ned outbreak on their part. But the men seemed so cheerful, will

m, spoke rapidly in a low voice. The lads shook their heads to show that they did not under

Charley said, wistfully. "He, evidently, ha

before long," Walter said, cheerfully. "We

, "but we are not picking up the language near as well a

friends and Chris, naturally quick witted, was learn

returned to the schooner in the evening. "We have got as m

he said. "We've stumbled upon a mighty rich part of the banks, an' I reckon, we ain't lo

they were plainly visible but the eager watchers could not recognize any of them, they seemed larger schooners than any they had seen

disappointment. "They're Spanish smacks from Cuba.

id, cheerfully. "I can speak Spanish if I can't Greek, we can go over and call on

el approached Captain W

permit," he requested. "We are nearly out of tobacco an

aid, shortly, "you an' one man. Take the dingy. I don't want

lling one of his shipmates, the two got the schooner's littl

har was enough sent aboard at Tarpon to last them for months. I reckon he's figuring on deserting,

as correct for when eight o'clo

ne," the captain said as the boys prepared to retire to their bunks. "One of us

to twelve, and, leaving him pacing back and fort

orous shaking and his chum's

ed the lad sleepily, "Seem

ery drunk. He must have brought liquor with him for they are all raising merry Ned in the forec

ee companions with revolvers in their hands were ranged across the deck just aft of the

it," he exclaimed, "Auguident is cheap as water in Cuba an' those smacks alw

we do?" Ch

ding aft on us. Our lives wouldn't be worth a pinch of snuff if we went down

urst out of the forecastle and came running aft follow

ol and took deliberate aim

ll shoot," h

et him pass," he cried, "it's the strange

ing short and heavily. As he reached the little party of chums, he turned

minute they seemed about to dash forward regardless of consequences, but, after a moment's hesitation, with a volley o

lief. "They ain't drunk enough for that yet, an' I reckon they've about dran

the boys to guard the deck, the Captain and Chris carried him below,

om loss of blood. I didn't take time to look him over close, but I counte

l him if we sent him back to the forecastle, for he is unable to

gradually subsided. Evidently, the crew had disposed of th

of chums remained on deck until the sun rose, ready for any violence from the dr

They have all quieted down and there is no danger of trouble for the

ngs," declared Charley, grimly. "My crew have got to turn to and

, looking pale and frightened, Cha

task but he went, and, after a long ti

discolored from a blow he had received. He was ready, however, with an excuse for the night's dis

en you came aboard

drink. It was foolish, for I am unused to liquor and it went to my

was really the author of all the trouble, but they could not prove

ct of the liquor and many were the black eyes and bruised faces. Their fighting humor seemed

ey ordered his crew into the diving boat and set ou