"What are those?" asked the boys in chorus.
"They are signal flags. Now let's find the code and then we can signal some passing ship."
"Here's the code," announced Harry, who, as soon as Mason had spoken had gone to a little book shelf on the wall of the cabin. "But how are we to get the flags up without attracting attention?"
"Easy. We will make up our signal and then take the flags necessary to show it and conceal them where we can get them at any moment. Then when we sight a vessel we can bend them onto the halliards and have them aloft before anyone can interfere. It would be a minute or two before they could haul them down, even if they discovered them at once, and in that time it is likely that the other ship would have read them. Anyway, it is worth trying."
"I think you are right," said Harry. "Nothing venture, nothing have. Let's make the signal."
He took the code book from the shelf and opened it on the table.
"In the first place, it is necessary to know what you want to say before you pick out your flags. Now what shall the message be?"
"Say we have been kidnapped by a pirate ship and want assistance," suggested the Midget, wisely.
"Nonsense," replied Bert, "we don't want to say anything about the ship. We have nothing against her, nor her captain. Didn't they save our lives? All that we want is to be taken off and if that is not possible to have word sent home that we are all right, and then we can see the thing out comfortably. In fact, I for one, would much prefer staying aboard if it were possible to get word ashore. We do not know what interesting adventures may be in store for us aboard this strange craft."
"Well, anyway, let's frame a message."