"Lie to and stand by to be inspected."
"Vat?" demanded the foreign skipper, in evident amazement.
Dave repeated the order.
"But ve all right are," insisted the skipper, "vot I told you iss our cargo."
"Lie to, just the same," Dave commanded. "We'll be aboard at once."
That made the skipper angry, but he dared not resist. The muzzles of two of the "Grigsby's" three-inch guns were pointed straight at him now, so the clumsy craft stopped and lay tossing on the choppy sea.
Ensign Burton and a boarding crew were told off for one of the power launches. At the last instant Dave decided to go with the party and took his place in the launch. He was first aboard the stranger when the launch had been made fast alongside.
It was now a younger officer who met him at the rail.
"Where is your skipper?" Darrin demanded.
"He me has given der papers to you show," replied the younger officer. "Come mit me to der cabin, please."