"Well, that's hot stuff when it's burning," said Merriwell, grimly.
"Rather!" grunted Browning.
"If I'd known what the old boat carried, I think I'd hesitated some about shipping on her," declared Jack. "What if she did get on fire?"
"We'd all go up in smoke," said Merriwell, with absolute coolness. "That is about the size of it."
"Well," said Jack, "I heard two of the sailors talking in a very mysterious manner. They say the 'Eagle' is hoodooed and the captain knows it. They say he has not slept any to speak of since we left New York."
"Sailors are always superstitious. They are ignorant, as a rule, and ignorance breeds superstition."
"Do you consider Mr. Slush ignorant?" asked Bruce.
"Didn't have time to size him up, but he's queer."
"I shall feel that I am over a volcano during the rest of the voyage," said Jack. "What if there was somebody on board who wished to destroy the ship?"
"It wouldn't be much of a job," grunted Browning. "A match touched to a powder keg would do the trick in a hurry."