Ned secured the services of a boatman, who offered to row them out to the ship, which lay at anchor in the harbor. The man charged them what the boys considered an extraordinary price for the service, but explained that the weather was unfavorable and that at any moment a storm might break. To this the boys could but agree. A glance at the sky convinced them that a storm of rather unusual violence was gathering.
“Take him up, anyhow, Ned!” urged Harry. “We want to get home!”
“All right, then, here goes!” declared Ned, stepping aboard the waterman’s craft. “Pull away, my friend, we’re all aboard.”
In a short time the man was threading his way amongst the shipping in the harbor. From their position so low upon the water the masts and spars of the vessels looked to be of extraordinary height to the boys, who viewed every object with keen interest.
A hail from the boatman was answered by a man from the deck of the ship. He thrust his head over the rail inquiringly.
“Where’s your captain?” asked Ned, as the man appeared.
“What do you want of the captain?” asked the man in a surly voice.
“We want to talk with him,” replied Ned. “We’ll explain to him.”
“He’s busy now and don’t want to be disturbed. Tell me what you want and I’ll give him your message. Maybe he’ll see you!”
“We want to arrange passage on your ship to the United States.”