The noise increased, and Jerry and Ned peered forward expecting to see some one approaching out of the darkness. Then came a series of shrill cries.
“Rats!” exclaimed Jerry with a laugh. “I forgot that all vessels are full of them.”
“Are you sure?” asked Bob, who had grabbed hold of the rope.
“Sure; can’t you see them?” asked Jerry, and, moving his candle back and forth close to the floor, he pointed out where several big gray rodents were huddled in one corner.
“Only rats, eh,” muttered Bob. “Well I wouldn’t want a lot of them to get after me. They’re as big as cats.”
But the animals were probably more frightened than Bob had been, for the next instant they all disappeared down some hole. The boys began a systematic search of the hold of the vessel. It did not take long to show that no booty was contained in it, unless, as Ned suggested, there was a secret hiding place.
“Well, we’ll try the fo’castle now,” said Jerry as he blew out the candle to save it, and ascended the rope. Bob and Ned followed.
By opening bull’s-eyes in the forecastle the place was made light enough to see fairly well in. There were several bunks, and a small table which could be folded against the side out of the way. The bunks were provided with bed clothes, and a hasty examination of them showed nothing to be hidden among them. The whole place was well looked through, but there was no sign of the goods stolen from Mr. Slade’s store.
“I guess that tramp must have had a dream,” said Ned, “or else he wanted to write some poetry.”
“Looks that way,” admitted Jerry, who was idly looking at a figure of Neptune carved in the middle of a panel on the forward bulkhead. “Still I don’t believe—”