“Oh, captain, you don’t mean that?” pleaded Larry quickly.
“But what is the Columbia to do without her second mate?” asked Captain Ponsberry quizzically.
“I’ll find you another hand—just as good as myself.”
“Well, we are not going to war just yet,” put in Ben. “We want to know a little more about what is taking place first.”
“Right you are,” came from Gilbert. “And I must make some arrangements about the Columbia’s cargo.”
The ex-lieutenant learned from Captain Ponsberry that several agents of the Japanese Government had been inquiring after the Columbia’s cargo and had left their names and addresses. Gilbert decided to look these people up on the following day, and did so, in company with the master of the ship.
It happened that the vessel carried a number of things much needed by Japan just at that moment, and feeling free to sell the cargo as he pleased, Gilbert was not long in striking a bargain which was very advantageous to the Richmond Importing Company and incidentally to himself. More than this, he took orders for more goods of a similar sort, the same to be delivered at Nagasaki as soon as possible. These goods the Richmond Importing Company had stored at its new warehouse at Manila, and Captain Ponsberry was directed to make the run to Luzon and back without delay.
“The company will clear six thousand dollars on that order,” said Gilbert to the captain, “and if you hurry it through O. K. you can depend upon it that you will not be forgotten.”
“I’ll do my best,” answered Captain Ponsberry.
“Of course you understand the risk to be run. If a Russian warship catches you, she’ll sink you sure.”