The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Wizard of the Sea, by Roy Rockwood This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: The Wizard of the Sea A Trip Under the Ocean Author: Roy Rockwood Release Date: December 19, 2006 [eBook #20132] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 ***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WIZARD OF THE SEA*** E-text prepared by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Emmy, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/) THE WIZARD OF THE SEA or A Trip Under the Ocean By ROY ROCKWOOD Author of "A Schoolboy's Pluck," Etc. Title page A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS NEW YORK Copyright, 1900 by THE MERSHON COMPANY IN FRONT OF HIM WAS A HUGE OCTOPUS. IN FRONT OF HIM WAS A HUGE OCTOPUS. P. 112 Contents I. INTRODUCING OUR HEROES. 1 II. A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION. 8 III. THE GREAT FIGHT. 14 IV. ON THE ROAD. 20 V. HOKE UMMER'S TREACHERY. 26 VI. OUT ON THE BAY. 32 VII. A LIVELY ENCOUNTER. 46 VIII. MONT IS PUNISHED. 51 IX. DOCTOR HOMER WODDLE. 55 X. THE SUBMARINE TERROR. 61 XI. ON THE BACK OF THE MONSTER. 67 XII. INSIDE OF THE "SEARCHER." 74 XIII. THE OWNER OF THE SUBMARINE MONSTER. 81 XIV. THE ATTACK. 86 XV. PRISONERS. 91 XVI. THE MYSTERIES OF THE "SEARCHER." 98 XVII. THE DEVIL FISH. 106 XVIII. MONT IS LOST. 113 XIX. MONT'S PERIL. 120 XX. THE WRECKS. 128 XXI. ON LAND ONCE MORE. 132 XXII. FIGHTING THE SAVAGES. 141 XXIII. ELECTRIFYING THE SAVAGES. 149 XXIV. A PEARL WORTH A FORTUNE. 159 XXV. THE MAN OF MYSTERY. 169 XXVI. THROUGH THE EARTH. 177 XXVII. THE ESCAPE—CONCLUSION. 183 THE WIZARD OF THE SEA. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCING OUR HEROES. "Hip, hurrah! Hip, hurrah!" [1] "Well, I declare; Mont Folsom, what is the matter with you?" "Matter? Nothing is the matter, Tom, only I'm going to a boarding school—just the best place on the face of the earth, too—Nautical Hall, on the seacoast." "Humph! I didn't know as how a boarding school was such a jolly place," grumbled old Tom Barnstable. "They'll cane ye well if ye git into mischief, lad." "Will they, Tom? What for? I never do any wrong," and Mont Folsom put on a very sober face. "Jest to hear the lad! Never do no mischief! Ha! ha! Why you're the wust boy in the town fer mischief, Mont—an' everybody knows it. A nautical school, did ye say. Maybe they'll take ye out in a ship some time in that case." "They do take the pupils out—every summer, so Carl Barnaby was telling me. He goes there, you know, and so does Link Harmer." "Then you an' Carl will make a team—an' Heaven help the folks as comes in your way," added Tom Barnstable decidedly. "But we are not so bad, I tell you, Tom," said Mont, but with a sly twinkle in his bright eyes. "Oh, no, not at all. But jest you tell me who drove the cow into Squire Borden's dining room and who stuffed the musical instruments of the brass band with sawdust at the Fourth of July celebration? You never do anything, you little innocent lamb!" And with a loud guffaw the old character sauntered down the street toward his favorite resort, the general store. Montrose Folsom continued on his way. He was a handsome youth of fifteen, tall and square-shouldered, with a taking way about him that had made him a host of friends. He was the only son of Mrs. Alice Folsom, a rich widow. A moment after leaving Tom Barnstable, Mont reached the home of his particular chum, Lincoln Harmer. Throwing open the gate, he espied Link in the barnyard, and made a rush forward. "Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!" "That settles it, Mont, you're going with me next term!" exclaimed Link, a bright fellow of our hero's age. "If I wasn't I'd sing a dirge instead of shouting, Link. Yes, it's all settled, and I'll be ready to start with you Monday." "Your mother has written to Captain Hooper?" "Yes, and got word back in to-day's mail." "Good!" "I'm to buy a lot of things down to Carley's store and then go home and start to pack up. Come on." Arm in arm, the two chums made their way to the large general store, where Tom Barnstable was again encountered. Here Mont purchased some extra underclothing his mother said he needed. While he was at this Tom Barnstable came close to him. "When are ye goin' away?" he asked. "Monday morning, six o'clock." "Don't fergit the old man, Mont. We've had lots of good times—fishin' an' huntin', ye know." That was Tom Barnstable, good-natured and willing to do, but an absolute beggar at the slightest chance. "I won't forget you, Tom, not I," said the merry-hearted lad. "Here you are," and he slipped a shining dollar into the man's hand. A moment later he called one of the store clerks aside. "Have you any of those April-fool cigars left?" he whispered. "Yes—just four." "I'll take them." The cigars bought and paid for, the boy put three of them in an inside pocket and then turned the fourth over to Tom Barnstable. "Here, Tom, put the pipe away and have a real Havana to celebrate the parting," he said, and the old man immediately did as requested. The cigar burnt all right for just half a minute. Then something began to bulge at the end. It kept growing larger and larger, forming into what is called a Pharaoh's serpent, three or four feet long. [2] [3] [4] [5] Tom Barnstable's eyes began to blaze. He stared at Mont wildly. "Who—what—what is that?" he stammered. "Great Scott! I've got 'em!" And, dashing the weed to the floor, he rushed from the country store, with the boys' laugh ringing in his ears. "He'll remember you now, no doubt of that!" said Link merrily. The day was Saturday, and it was a busy one for both Mont and Link, with packing trunks and bags, and getting ready otherwise. The Sabbath passed quietly enough, and five o'clock Monday morning found the two boys on their way to Nautical Hall. The run of the train was to New York, and here they fell in with their mutual chum, Carl Barnaby, a rich young fellow from their town, and several others who will be introduced as our story progresses. From the Metropolis the boys took another train directly for the seacoast. At Pemberton they had to change cars, and here they met several more scholars of Nautical Hall. "There is Ike Brosnan and Hoke Ummer!" cried Link. "Two of our fellows." The newcomers were quickly introduced. Ike Brosnan looked a whole-souled fellow and full of fun. Hoke Ummer, on the other hand, seemed of a decidedly sour turn of mind. "Hoke is a good deal of a bully," whispered Link, later on. "You want to steer clear of him." "Thanks; he'll not step on my toes," returned Mont firmly. "The first man who tries to haze or bully me will get his fingers burnt." "Oh, the boys will be sure to want a little fun. You mustn't be too particular." "I don't mean that—I mean they mustn't go too far," replied Mont. Little did he dream of all the hazings and larks to be played ere that school term should be over. The journey to the seacoast was devoid of any special incident. The ride on the train was magnificent, and all enjoyed it thoroughly. Towards nightfall a landing was made not many miles from Eagle Point. Here at the dock a long stage was in waiting to take them to the Hall. The four boys, along with a dozen others, got aboard, and they moved off rapidly for Nautical Hall, two miles distant. CHAPTER II. A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION. Nautical Hall was a large building of brick, stone, and wood situated at the top of a small hill. In front was a level parade ground, and to one side the grounds sloped down to the edge of a small bay, while at the other they were flanked by a heavy wood. The institution was owned and managed by Captain Hooper, an ex-army and -navy officer, who looked to the military drill of the boys and left the educational department to an able corps of assistants. With the assistants and the gallant captain himself we will become better acquainted as our tale proceeds. Mont soon became acquainted with nearly all of the one hundred and odd boys who attended Nautical Hall, and became the leader of a set composed of himself, Link Harmer, Barry Powell, another lively lad, Carl Barnaby, his old- time chum, Piggy Mumps, a fat youth, and Sam Schump, a German pupil, as good-natured as can possibly be imagined. As soon as the boys arrived they were assigned to their places. Mont was put in the room with the crowd above mentioned. This room connected with another, in which were installed the bully, Hoke Ummer; Bill Goul, his toady, and half a dozen of the bully's cronies. "This room will get into a free fight with that gang some day," was Barry Powell's comment, after Schump, the German boy, had related how the bully had treated him. "Dot's it, mine gracious," replied Sam Schump. "Ve vill git togedder an' show dem vot ve can do, aint it!" Several days were spent in getting ready for the term. Mont was placed in the first class, with twenty others, and he was likewise put in an awkward squad to learn the steps and manual of arms, for the boys had regular military and naval [6] [7] [8] [9] exercises. As luck would have it, our hero was placed under one of the assistant teachers, and fared very well, but poor Piggy Mumps was put in a squad under Hoke Ummer, who did all he could to make the fat boy miserable. "Eyes right! Eyes left! Front!" shouted Hoke. "Why don't you mind, you clown!" he added to poor Piggy, who was in a sweat to do as ordered. "Vot you say, eyes right an' den eyes left, ven da vos right?" asked Piggy innocently. "Silence! Eyes right! Eyes left! You clown, can't you twist your eyes, or are you too fat?" roared Hoke. "Ton't vos call me a clown, you—you unchentlemanly poy!" cried Piggy wrathfully, when without warning Hoke fell upon him and hit him a blow on the neck. This was too much for Piggy, and he ran out of the line and closed with the bully. But he was no match for the big boy, and Piggy would have been severely punished had not Hoke been caught by the shoulder and hurled backward against a wall. "Let him alone!" came in the voice of Mont. "You have no right to touch him, Hoke Ummer." "Haven't I, though?" sneered the bully. "Do you suppose I'm going to be made a fool of by a lump of fat like that? You clear out, or I'll give you a dose, too!" "You can try it on any time you please," replied our hero quietly. "A fight! A fight!" exclaimed half a dozen at once, and the awkward squad was broken up on the instant. "A fight?" repeated the bully. "He'll get a thrashing—that's all it will amount to. Come on down to the woods if you want to have it out." "I'm willing to meet you," returned Mont, and started along, followed by Piggy, Link, and a dozen others. But scarcely had the boys gone a rod before the belfry bell rang out loudly five times. That was the signal for assembly on the parade grounds. "Hullo, we can't go now!" cried Link. "Boys, you'll have to postpone that mill till later." "I'll meet you after assembly," growled Hoke Ummer, under his breath, as Captain Hooper put in an appearance. "I'll be ready any time," rejoined our hero. "Boys, we are to have visitors in fifteen minutes!" shouted out Captain Hooper. "Attention! The captains will form their companies on the campus and a salute will be fired as the visitors enter the grounds." Orders were quickly passed, and inside of five minutes the boy cadets were drawn up in long lines, with the officers of the two companies in their proper places. The visitors were old friends of the captain who had come to the Hall merely out of curiosity. As their carriages approached, a cannon was run out, and Link and several others were detailed to fire it off. Link chose Mont to assist, and before long all was in readiness to touch her off. "Here they come!" shouted somebody. "Stand ready to fire!" sang out Captain Hooper, in true military style. "Steady, boys, now—I expect all to make the best possible appearance. Fire!" Link touched the cannon off, while our hero and several others stood close at hand. Bang! The report was terrific. The old cannon was overcharged, and was blown into a thousand pieces, which flew in all directions. Both Link and Mont were hurled flat, and while the former was seen to stagger up again, our hero lay as one dead! CHAPTER III. THE GREAT FIGHT. "He is dead!" [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] "Run for the doctor!" "A piece struck me, too!" "The cannon must have been overloaded!" Such were some of the cries which went up after the awful explosion. Captain Hooper stood close at hand, and instantly went to our hero's assistance. He caught the youth up in his arms and carried him to a shady spot. "Bring some water," he commanded, but water was already at hand. With it he bathed Mont's head. For a minute there was an intense silence. Then, with a quiver, the lad opened his eyes. "Wha—what—— Did the cannon burst?" he asked feebly. "Hurrah! He's all right!" shouted Link joyfully, and inside of five minutes more Mont stood up and gazed about him in wonder. But he was too weak to take part in the review, and while this went on sat in a rustic chair under the oak tree, with several of the lady visitors by his side. The reception to the guests over, the cadets were dismissed, and the crowd lost no time in dispersing. Link remained with his chum, and both walked towards the lake. "How do you feel?" asked Link anxiously. "Rather faint in the legs, to tell the truth," was the reply. "But I guess I'll soon get over it." "Ready to do that fighting?" demanded a rough voice at their elbow, and Hoke Ummer ranged up at their side. "For shame, Hoke, Mont isn't in condition, and you know it," said Link. "Oh, nonsense!" growled the bully. "That cannon affair was only a fake. He wasn't hurt a bit." This remark angered our hero, and, stepping up, he faced the bully defiantly. "I will fight you whenever you say," he said stoutly. A boy standing near heard the remark, and the news spread like magic. "A fight between Hoke and Mont. Come on down to the woods." The schoolboy cadets needed no second invitation. A score started from the campus instantly. They were about evenly divided as to who would win. The bully was known to be heavy and strong. Yet our hero had shown lots of pluck. In a corner of the grounds, shut out from view from the school windows by a belt of trees, the boys assembled to witness the conflict. Mont prepared for the encounter, assisted by Link. Ummer, satisfied of an easy victory, placed himself in the hands of his toady and backer, Bill Goul. When the combatants were declared ready they faced each other. As Hoke looked into the unflinching eyes of his opponent the smile of satisfaction he had worn for the past few hours suddenly faded. He could see he must do his best to win. "But I'll mash him, see if I don't," he said to his toadies. "That's right, Hoke!" "Show him what you can do." Mont said nothing. "He's a tough one," whispered Link. "Beware of a foul." "I'll have my eyes open." [15] [16] [17] The boys took off their coats and vests. A ring was formed and our hero and the bully got into position. "Time!" cried one of the older boys, and the great fight began. At first Mont was cautious, for he wanted to take his opponent's measure, so to speak. Sure of victory, the bully rushed at him, and aimed a blow at Mont's nose. Our hero ducked, and Hoke's fist only sawed the air. "That was a clean duck." "Land him one, Hoke!" "Go for him, Folsom!" Around and around the ring went the two boys. Then the bully aimed another blow at our hero. As quick as a flash our hero warded it off. Then out shot his fist, and the bully of Nautical Hall got a crashing blow in the chin that knocked him clean off his feet. What a yell went up! "Hoke is knocked out!" "Did you ever see such a blow?" Wild with rage, the bully was assisted to his feet by several friends. The blood flowed from his chin and from a cut lip. "I'll show you yet!" he hissed, and again went at Mont. But our hero was cool and collected, while the bully was excited. The bully got in one little body blow, but that was all, while our hero fairly played all over his face. "Better give it up, Hoke!" "You are outclassed against Mont Folsom!" "Let me be!" howled the bully. With every blow that our hero delivered Ummer's anger increased. His reputation, he felt, was at stake. If he was beaten that would be the end of him, so far as bossing the boys was concerned. At last Mont hit him a stinging blow on the ear that caused him to roll over and over. CHAPTER IV. ON THE ROAD. The bully was knocked out completely, and had to acknowledge Mont the victor of the encounter. This he did with very bad grace, and a minute later sneaked off with his toady. "I'll get even for that," he growled. "He'll be sorry he ever tackled me." "You'll have to watch Hoke Ummer," said Link, some time later, when the crowd had dispersed. "He is a treacherous fellow." "I'll have my eyes open," returned our hero. Yet little did he dream of the dastardly way in which the bully would try to get even. It did not take Mont long to settle down at Nautical Hall. The fight had made him many friends, and established him as a sort of leader among a certain set. [18] [19] [20] On the following Saturday Link proposed that he, Barry Powell, and Mont take a stroll down to the village. The others were willing, and soon the party was on the way. "I'll get some stuff for a midnight feast while I am at it," said Mont. Soon the school was left behind, and they came out on the village highway. "Hark!" cried Barry suddenly. "What is it?" demanded Mont. Barry was listening intently to a dull, heavy tramping sound, which was wafted faintly toward them on the breeze. "Do you hear that?" he asked excitedly. Link and Mont listened, and could distinctly hear a low thud, thud, thud in the distance. "What does it mean?" Link asked. "It means that a pair of ponies, or horses, have run away, and are coming along at a tearing gallop." As if in corroboration of Barry's words, at that moment a light phaeton, drawn by two high-spirited ponies, which were pounding along at the top of their speed, burst round the bend of the road. The vehicle was rocking from side to side, and every moment threatened to hurl it into one of the deep ditches which lined the road. As the boys gazed at the approaching carriage Mont's heart seemed to stand still. "Fellows!" he cried, "there is someone in the phaeton—a lady, I believe." "So there is!" gasped Link, in tones of horror. "What shall we do?" "We must stop them." With his face whiter than usual, and his lips tightly compressed, our hero ran down the road. "He is courting death," said his chum, beneath his breath, "but we may be of some use." And both started after their companion. Mont was running at the top of his speed, for he saw that the occupant of the carriage was only a young girl, and utterly helpless, and that every second's delay endangered her life. On and on he went, until he was within a score of yards of the maddened steeds. Then he planted himself firmly in the middle of the road and prepared for a spring. Fiercely the ponies dashed onward. Nearer and nearer they came, until it seemed they must inevitably trample him beneath their iron-shod hoofs. But our hero never wavered. Motionless he crouched there until the end of the pole almost touched his cheek. Then he leaped up and caught both the bridles in his strong, nervous grip. The ponies, with loud whinnies of rage, tossed up their heads and lifted him from his feet, but he clung tenaciously to them. They dragged him along the ground for a few yards, and then their speed began to slacken. Link now came up, and the vicious little brutes were brought to a standstill. Then Mont, thoroughly exhausted, sank in a heap upon the ground. As soon as the carriage was stopped in its wild career, a fair and beautiful girl sprang out. "Oh, is he very much hurt?" she cried, as she raised her clasped hands in despair. Our hero staggered to his feet, and as he gazed on the fairy-like form and sweet, delicate face his cheeks flushed and his heart beat quickly. "I am not hurt at all," he said stoutly, although his arms and legs and every portion of his body ached as though he had been upon the rack. "How can I thank you?" she exclaimed. "If it had not been for you, I shudder to think what might have happened. [21] [22] [23] [24] You saved my life." At this praise our hero blushed more than ever. "I require no thanks," he said. "I am rewarded enough by knowing I have been of some service to you, but I think you are scarcely strong enough to be trusted with such high-spirited animals." "My father would never have thought of such a thing," she replied. "He alighted at a cottage to visit one of his old friends, and while he was inside the ponies bolted. But here he comes, and I know he will be better able to thank you than I am." She pointed to the figure of a tall, elderly gentleman, of upright carriage and aristocratic bearing, who was coming up the road at a rapid pace. "It's Judge Moore," whispered Link; "he owns a fine place a couple of miles from here." In another moment our hero found himself being presented to the judge, who overwhelmed him with praise. "You must come and dine with us, you and your friends," said the judge; "there will only be myself and my daughter Alice. Nay, you must make no excuses. I shall call upon Captain Hooper and tell him all about it, and if ever you require a friend do not forget to come to me." Mont would have respectfully declined the invitation, but a glance from Alice Moore prevented him from doing so. He therefore thanked the judge for his kindness, and then the boys took their leave. Our hero simply raised his cap, but Alice put out her hand. "You will be certain to come?" she asked in a low tone. "Certain," he replied. The news of Mont's heroism spread through Nautical Hall, and he speedily found himself a decided hero. CHAPTER V. HOKE UMMER'S TREACHERY. Our hero succeeded on the following Monday in getting a quantity of cake, pie, and other stuff from town and hiding them in an unoccupied bedroom. He was also promised a dozen bottles of root beer and soda water, but these he was unable to smuggle into the school, owing to the watchfulness of Captain Hooper and his assistants. Accordingly, he hid the stuff in the bushes near the lake, and decided to go after it late at night. He unfolded his plan to Link, Barry, and Carl Barnaby, and this plan was overheard by Hoke Ummer. Next to the empty bedroom was a window overlooking the side playground. From this window Mont decided to reach the ground by aid of a long rope. This was the only way to get out, as after nine o'clock all the doors and windows below were locked in such a fashion they could not be opened. That evening our hero, with a light heart, repaired to the empty bedroom. Opening the boxful of stuff, he spread out upon a tablecloth of newspapers a prettily decorated ham, a couple of cold roast chickens, a fine apple pie, a quantity of mince pies, and a varied assortment of choice fruits and cake. All these arranged to his satisfaction, he looked at his watch, and then sat down and waited. It was just half-past eight, and in another half-hour servants and masters would all have retired for the night. After what appeared to the watcher to be an age the great school clock tolled solemnly out the hour of nine. Then Mont drew out a thick rope from beneath the bed and left the room. Soon he was at the window. Throwing up the lower sash, our hero fastened one end of the rope securely and threw the other out. "Just the right length," he said, and then he swung himself over the window sill. "I'll soon have the rest of the stuff up." The door of one of the spare bedrooms was opened, and Ummer stepped into the corridor. [25] [26] [27] [28] As the light of the moon fell upon his face it looked strangely white and ghastly. His lips were tightly compressed and his eyes had in them a horrible glare as he stepped stealthily but quickly to the window. Arrived there, he crouched low down that he might not be seen by any person outside. Then, with deft fingers, he untied the knot by which the rope was secured. There was heard a loud, wild cry, followed by a dull, heavy thud. Then all was still. The bully crept away along the corridor and down the stairs, his heart beating as though it would burst its bounds. A little before twelve o'clock that night several dark figures might have been seen stealing cautiously along the corridors. All these figures made their way to one common spot. This was the bedroom Mont had mentioned. Arrived there, they found everything prepared for the feast, but no host. "What a strange thing for Mont to do," said Carl Barnaby; "to invite us all here and not be present." "It isn't very gentlemanly of him," submitted Barry. "You talk like a fool," said Link. "Something must have happened to him." "I saw him at supper, and he was all right then." "Perhaps some of the tramps have waylaid him on the road," suggested another boy, who had been sitting very white and very quiet, in one corner of the room. Everyone turned to the speaker. "Mine cracious, dot's so," put in Sam Schump. "Besser we go an' see?" Without delay a search was begun. A rope was procured, and Link was the first person out of the window. "Hullo!" "What's up?" asked those above. "Bring a light. Mont has fallen and hurt himself." A light was quickly procured, and one after another the boys came down the rope. Our hero lay at the foot of a large lilac bush. It was this bush which had saved his life. When the rope gave way, had he fallen on the ground he would most likely have been killed. Link brought some water, and he was soon revived. In the meantime, from another window, overhead, Hoke Ummer watched proceedings. When he saw Mont get up his hateful face plainly showed his chagrin. "How was it you didn't fasten the rope tightly?" asked Link. "I thought I did," returned our hero. "In fact, I am certain I did," he added. "But it gave way and let you down." Our hero shook his head. He couldn't understand it at all. In a few minutes he was able to go with his friends and show them where the root-beer and soda-water bottles were hidden. Loaded down with the stuff, the crowd returned to the Hall, and the feast began. Nearly all of the boys of Mont's age had been invited in a general way, and a lively time was had for fully an hour. Hoke Ummer could not stand it to see his rival triumph over him, and so slipped down to the room occupied by [29] [30] [31] Moses Sparks, one of the under teachers. "Mont Folsom and his crowd are having a feast in one of the upper rooms," he said. At once Moses Sparks prepared to investigate. The feast was at its height when a footstep was heard. "Scatter!" whispered Carl Barnaby, who caught the sounds first, and all of the boys hurried from the bedroom by side doors and managed to get to their own rooms. When Moses Sparks came up they seemed to be sleeping like so many lambs. "Ummer has been fooling me," muttered the under teacher. "Or else he was mistaken." And he went off and left the boys to finish the feast in peace. CHAPTER VI. OUT ON THE BAY. In a general way Mont suspected Hoke Ummer, not of the dastardly trick he had played, but of playing the sneak and telling Moses Sparks. "I'll get square," he said to Link and Carl. Out in the fields he had picked up a dead snake, and he now resolved to make use of it in a truly original manner. As soon as it was time to retire that night Mont slipped upstairs and into the dormitory occupied by Hoke Ummer, Goul, and their chums. He had the dead snake with him, and put the reptile in the bully's bed. Five minutes later he was in his own room awaiting developments. They were not long in coming. A murmur of voices ended in a wild shriek of terror. "A snake!" yelled Hoke. "It's in my bed! Save me! I'm a dead boy!" His cry aroused everyone, and soon Nautical Hall was in a commotion. "What's the matter with Hoke?" "He's got 'em bad!" "A snake!" roared the bully. "Take it away." He ran out into the corridor, and soon a crowd began to collect. In the meantime Mont slipped into the room and threw the dead reptile out of the window. Captain Hooper tried to get at the bottom of the affair, but failed. "You must have been dreaming, Ummer," he said at last, and sent all of the boys off to bed. During the following week Nautical Hall was closed up, and the schoolboy cadets marched to the head of the bay. Here they went into camp for a month, part of the time being spent on the bay and the ocean beyond in learning how to sail both large and small boats. The sailing of the boats particularly interested Mont and Carl Barnaby. Link did not care very much for the water, for when the sea was rough he was inclined to grow seasick. One day Mont and Carl obtained permission to hire a sloop at the town, and go out for an all-day cruise over the bay and back. They took with them a young fellow from Nautical Hall named John Stumpton, a handy lad who generally went by the name of Stump. Since Mont had arrived at the Hall, Stump had taken to him greatly, and would do almost anything that Mont asked of him. Stump was also a great friend to Carl. They sailed out of sight of the camp, and gradually crept up to a large excursion boat which was just leaving one of the docks of the town. The steamboat was overcrowded, every deck being full of humanity bent on having a good time. [32] [33] [34] Some musicians were playing on the forward deck, and they drew quite close to hear what was going on. Suddenly a cry of horror arose. A young girl had been standing close to the rail on a camp chair at the bow of the boat. It was Alice Moore. As the steamboat swung around the girl lost her balance. She tried to save herself, and, failing, pitched headlong into the water. Our hero saw her go under the waves. "She'll be struck by the paddle wheel," he yelled, and then, splash! he was overboard himself. Bravely he struck out to save the maiden. The order was given to back the steamboat. The wheels churned up the water into a white foam, but still the momentum carried the large craft on. In the meantime our hero came up and struck out valiantly for the girl, who was now going down for a second time. "Save her! Save her!" shrieked Judge Moore, who was with his daughter. Half a dozen life-preservers were thrown overboard, but none came to where the girl could reach them. The judge wanted to join his daughter in the water. Strong hands held him back. "The young fellow will save her, judge." "He's a true hero!" Life-lines were thrown over, but even these did no good. The steamboat swung around, but the run of the water washed the girl closer and closer to the paddle wheel. She now came up a second time. Should she sink again all would be over. Mont was swimming with all the strength and skill at his command. At last he was within a yard of the struggling girl. The maiden threw up her hands and went under. As quick as a flash our hero dove down. A second passed. Then up came our hero with the girl clinging to his shoulder. But now the current was apparently too strong for both of them. "Help us—quick!" Carl and Stump heard the cry, and immediately put about in their sloop. Mont was swimming along on his side. The girl was too weak to support herself, and he was holding her up well out of the water. It took the sloop but a moment to run up alongside of the pair. Carl reached over and caught hold of the girl and placed her on deck. In the meantime our hero caught hold of a rope thrown by the old boatman and pulled himself up. A cheer arose from those on the excursion boat. "She is safe now, sure!" The girl was too exhausted to move, and Carl rubbed her hands and did what he could for her. Stump ran up alongside of the steamboat, and a little later the girl was placed on board. The judge clasped his child to his breast. "Go ahead," said Mont in a low voice. "I don't want the crowd to stare at me." [35] [36] [37] "But the judge wants to thank you," began Carl; but our hero would not listen. He was too modest, and made Stump actually run away from the excursion boat. But five hundred people cheered Mont and waved their handkerchiefs. And this was not the end of the matter. The next day Judge Moore called at the camp, and insisted on presenting Mont with a gold watch and chain. With this gift came a sweet letter from Alice Moore which made our hero blush a good deal when he read it. After this, nearly a week passed without special incident. Link was called home on account of the death of a relative, and Mont and Carl became closer chums than ever. One day Hoke Ummer was caught abusing one of the small boys so greatly that the boy had to be placed under a doctor's care. The boy's father had Hoke arrested. The case, however, never came to trial. The consequence of the arrest was that the bully was dismissed from the school; and that was the last Mont saw of him. "We are well rid of him," he said, and Carl and the others agreed with him. One day Mont and Carl went out for an all-day cruise on the bay, taking John Stumpton with them. When the two schoolboys started out with the hired lad they did not intend to remain away longer than sunset, and not one of them dreamed of the marvelous adventures in store for each ere he should be permitted to see his native land again. The start was made in a fair breeze, and it looked so nice overhead that Mont proposed they take a short run directly into the ocean. "All right—I'll go you," answered Carl slangily, and away they skimmed. By noon they were almost out of sight of land, and while they were eating the repast Stump had prepared Carl proposed that they turn back. This was hardly accomplished when it suddenly grew dark, and they found themselves caught in a squall. "By gracious! I didn't bargain for this!" cried Carl. "If we don't take care, we'll go to the bottom!" "Don't worry—yet," answered Mont. "I guess we'll get back all right." Blacker and blacker grew the sky, until absolutely nothing could be seen. Every sail was closely reefed, and the boys strained their eyes to pierce the gloom which hung over them. Suddenly Stump set up a yell. "Look out; there is a ship!" He got no further. A large form loomed up in the darkness. There was one grinding, smashing crash, and then came a shock that split the light-built sloop from stem to stern. All of the boys were hurled into the boiling sea. But none was hurt; and, coming to the surface, all struggled to cling to the wreckage floating about, meanwhile crying loudly for help. When they were picked up they were thoroughly exhausted, and Carl lost his senses completely. The ship that had run them down was the Golden Cross. The captain's name was Savage, and he was bound for the Bermudas. He refused to stop anywhere to put the boys off, saying he had not the time to do so. In reality he was afraid he would be brought to account for wrecking the sloop. He would not believe that Mont and Carl were rich, and that their parents would willingly pay him for any trouble he might take on their behalf. "I'll keep 'em on board and make 'em work their passage," he said to his mate, a mean chap by the name of Slog. "We are rather short of hands." A night's rest did wonders for the boys. By morning the storm cleared off, and the Golden Cross proceeded swiftly on her way, favored by a good breeze. Mont found himself in the ill-smelling forecastle. He was awfully hungry, and the first thing he did was to make his [38] [39] [40] [41] way to the cook's galley. The cook smiled as Mont appeared. "Got around, eh?" he said. "Good for you. I thought you would be sick for the rest of the trip after such an adventure." "I am pretty tough," answered Mont. "You look a bit like a sailor." "Oh, I know a thing or two about the water," replied Mont modestly. "But tell me," he went on, "what sort of a captain have you?" "Oh, he's a caution, and so is Slog, the first mate," laughed the cook. "The captain is the toughest man this line of ships ever had." "Humph! That's not encouraging," mused our hero. "Why do the owners keep him?" "Because he's clever. He may be out in all weather, but he's never lost a ship." "This seems like an old tub," observed Mont, looking around him. "Yes, she isn't worth much. She pitches and tosses in a gale awful. It's the oldest ship the firm's got." "Is it insured?" "Yes. I know the insurance is very heavy, and it wouldn't be a bad job for the owners if she went down," replied the cook. "Bad job for us, though," remarked Mont. "I don't want to be drowned." "Have you had any breakfast?" asked the cook good-naturedly. "Not a bit." "I don't expect the regular hands will give you a chance of getting much. There's Sam Holly and Jerry Dabble. One's a bully and the other's a sneak." "I haven't seen them yet." "Fight shy of both of them. They're no good. They'll make you and your chums do all the work, now you've come on board." "I'll bet a dollar they won't get a stroke of work out of me," returned Mont decidedly. "You will?" "Yes." "Well, you're a plucky lad," exclaimed the cook admiringly, "and from your size and looks I should think you could box." "Just a little bit," answered Mont smilingly. "The captain favors Jerry Dabble, and listens to all he says. He's a regular sneak. You look out for him." "I will." "Will you have a bit of breakfast along with me? I can give you a nice bit I've cut off the skipper's ham and a couple of eggs." "I'm with you," said Mont readily, "and I'll return your kindness on the first opportunity." In a moment our hero was supplied with a good breakfast, which was washed down with a cup of coffee. The sea was rather high, although the wind had gone down. It was not difficult to perceive, when Mont came to examine her, that the ship was a very old one and had seen her best days. Mont thought a trip to the Bermudas would be very nice, but at the same time he did not mean to be the captain's slave, or the first mate's either. He had not shipped with them, and they could not legally make him work, though he did not mind lending a hand if he was asked in a friendly manner. His mother would pay for his passage if she was asked. The officers evidently took him, Carl, and Stump to be three sons of fishermen, and had made up their minds to treat them accordingly. [42] [43] [44] When he left the galley, Mont went to where the regular hands slept and messed, and where he and his companions had slept. There was a great outcry as he came in. "Leave off, I say," Carl was exclaiming; "I won't have it. Two of you onto me at once isn't fair." In a moment Mont was there. He found the two young men, Sam Holly and Jerry Dabble, standing over his chum with two ropes' ends, with which they were hitting him. "What are you licking him for?" asked Mont, his eyes flashing. "Because he won't get the breakfast," said Holly. "He's not your servant—why should he?" "He'll have to do it, or you will," said Sam the bully, setting his arms akimbo and staring impudently at Mont. "My good fellow," said the latter, "don't you make any error. Neither my friend nor myself means to do anything on board this ship unless we're asked civilly." Jerry Dabble laughed. "You're a fool to talk that way!" he roared. Mont immediately gave him a cuff on the ears which sent him rolling over a bunk. CHAPTER VII. A LIVELY ENCOUNTER. The two sailors were astonished beyond measure at Mont's quick action. "Good for you, Mont!" cried Carl Barnaby, while Stump grinned with intense delight. "I'll go and tell the captain," growled Jerry, as he got up slowly. Sam Holly, who was a thick-set, heavy-looking fellow, turned to Mont. "I have had enough of this nonsense. Do you mean to do your work or not?" "Certainly not; do it yourself." "Do you want a good hiding?" "You can't give it to me." "I can try, can't I?" said Holly. "So can any other fool; but it doesn't follow he will do it." "Look here, I've been two voyages before this. You're a green hand compared to me, and I'm boss here. We are short-handed. Do the work, and I'll make things easy for you; if not, it will be worse for you." "I'll chance that," said Mont. "Do you mean to risk a sound thrashing?" "Oh, yes, I'm game for a rough-and-tumble. It's sure to come sooner or later, and we may as well get it over at once." "Mind your eye, then," yelled Holly. His ugly face glowed with passion, and his great, stupid-looking ears seemed to stick out like cabbage leaves. "Come on," he said. "I'm ready," returned Mont. The fight commenced in the little cabin, and it was evident that the combatants were in earnest. Our hero found his opponent as strong as a young bull, but he had not very much skill. Parrying his blows and hitting hard when he had a good chance, Mont punished him severely. But he was knocked down first. "Will that do for you," said Holly, "or do you want any more?" [45] [46] [47]