The Radio Boys Under the Sea

seat of the Pullman. "I can hardly believe that my plans are reall

of the craft," grinned Phil. "I suppose you'll get so haughty th

wager that you all will have learned a

into our heads with a belaying

rong persuasion," smiled Benton. "Still, tha

the crew are part owners in th

the ex-marine. "If I get rough, I suppose you'd fire me at

l. "We may get to be experts a

ave a bucket over the side and scrub down the decks. Step lively, you sl

landed on Tom and proceeded to shove his head into the soft seat c

of the seat, and at last Tom struggled free with a

tone. "I was just trying to get you a little familiar with nautical language, and tha

Dick assured him. "We can't al

the aisle as he saw Dick getting ready to jump for him again. For a few sec

p and we'll soon find out how much you

apt to know too much about nau

more anyway," said Phil. "Come on an

though at the same time keeping a cautious watch on the others. "I wish I were going to be

'd never step again," grinned Phil,

rk night he'd go over the rail so fast he'd think he wa

the rail," laughed Benton. "You fellows seem

ftily. "They wouldn't have the ner

get another dose of th

" Tom serenely assured them, with such

etings were over he was introduced to their new friend, with whom he was soon on the most cordial terms. Steve in

nd themselves steaming past the Statue of Liberty, out

the keenest interest and pleasure to the Radio Boys, w

they were lolling in their steamer chairs close to the starboard rail wh

in time to see a scared black face with rolling eye

ght. He tore off his coat, leaped to the rail, balanced himsel

om his eyes and made for the woolly black head

dge, and in a few seconds the steady beat of the engines ceased, and then the whole ship shuddered and shook as they went into re

de of the struggling figure. Not a second too soon either, as the negro's eyes were glassy and he was evidently at

is head was well above the surface. For a moment he trod water, an

for haste. For the keen eyes of the mate standing in the bow had

e dorsal fin of a shark. The pirate of the seas had sce

. "A shark! For God's sake, row!

y at their work and the

us fin, and for an instant his heart stood still. But he never dreamed of relinquishing his burden.

hoped would keep the enemy at bay. For an instant it did daunt him, but only for an instant. He was too near victo

wny arms of the mate. At the same instant, ready hands reached over and dra

eir satisfaction and relief. "You've never been so near deat

, so exhausted that he could only speak haltingly. "It was your hard work

as one from the grave by his pale and rejoicing companions, and lioni

nineteen or twenty years old, he had soon so far recovered as to be able

leanin' too fur ovah de rail. Ole ship guv a roll an' Ah fin's mahself tryin' ter drink de whol

llow hadn't jumped over for you," said one of the ship's

as his eyes fell on Phil's dripping clothes. "Dah's de young gemmun whut saved mah life,

the murmur of admiration and appl

for simply doing what anyone else might have done.

ky wud hev been shark's meat by dis time ef ut hedn't been fur you. Ah doan' kn

nd hung around Phil and the rest of his party, much after the manner of a faithful dog. At first they were in a quandary, but after considerable discussion they decided to include the negro in their trip. According to his own account, h

impromptu buck and wing dance that gave them a new idea of his quality as an entertainer. From the very first he ma

on called the boys together on a deserted part of the deck. They

nner he had been strolling along the decks when suddenly, in a group of

thought had flashed across his mind and caused him to desist. Apparently, Ramirez had not seen him, and Benton withdrew to think the matter over. It seemed

which he knows that I always carry with me," concluded Benton. "From now on we must all be on the alert, for he will know that you are wit

ile move, and for a time they believed that Benton must have mistaken his man. Life on

s on board ship, and once Phil stood an entire watch in the radio room, receiving and

d and the superintendent of the mill sent out a radio call for help that Phil caught. He summoned the ship's doctor, and at his dictation told the superintendent just what to do in order to save the man's life. The interchange of m

leasantly. The hours passed quickly until one day a speck appeared on the horizon that grew into