“We’ll not be the slightest trouble, Captain,” the lad presently continued. “We understand you’ll be loaded in a few days and will sail for New York direct. Cannot you arrange to accommodate us?”
“This isn’t a passenger vessel,” stated the captain.
“Well, then, couldn’t we sign articles and work our way over? We’d be willing to pay whatever you think is right for that privilege.”
“You want to get me into trouble with the authorities, don’t you?” replied the other, preparing to move away.
“But, Captain, just think a moment. There must be some way in which you can arrange it. Don’t leave us in a foreign country!”
“You seem to have done pretty well in foreign countries as it is! If you can pull off the stunts you have just done I guess you’ll get over to New York all right—if that’s where you want to go!”
“What do you mean? I don’t understand you!”
“Oh, you don’t, eh? Well, to put it plainly, this is a peaceable, neutral ship doing honest trading. I carry freight, not spies!”
With these words the captain disappeared. The boys gasped in astonishment at the words and looked at each other speechless.