CHAPTER II
SOME OF THE MYSTERY UNRAVELED
“IF we can come alongside safely,” echoed Hank, disgustedly. “I’ll show ’em—and in a smooth swell of sea like this, too!”
As the big steamship lay to, Hank steered in until Captain Tom, boathook in hand, made fast 27 temporarily. Then Hank hurried up with a line with which he took a fast hitch.
“Hey, there, you’ll pull away our side gangway,” roared down a mate, whose head and uniform cap showed over the rail above.
“You don’t know us,” grinned Joe Dawson, quietly.
By this time Tom Halstead was running lightly up the steps of the gangway. He reached the small platform above, then passed to the deck.
He was met by Captain Hampton, who inquired:
“Where’s your sailing master, young man?”
“Right before you, Captain.”