“We’ll have Buck watch their rooms and open the foul air exhausts when it’s necessary,” suggested Ned. “Bob can watch the lower compartments—”
“How about the temperature? If we get down below freezing, they’ll know that something is wrong,” Alan exclaimed.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we reach it,” argued Ned.
This decided, Ned hastened below to advise Bob of the desperate chance to be taken. Together the two boys overhauled the heavy clothing in the store room and got it into the pilot house.
“I hope it won’t get too cold,” Bob said in the midst of their efforts. “I’m workin’ on my story of the trip across and back.” He showed Ned a bunch of neat copy. “I’m keepin’ it down but it’s a pretty big story.”
When Buck was summoned from Mr. Ballard’s stateroom, he received the notification of what was to be done, with no excitement. It was apparent that his present work almost wholly engrossed his thoughts.
“How’s your patient?” asked Alan laughing.
“Mr. Ballard? Oh, he’s all right. I mean he’s all wrong. That is, he’s still sick. He’s been asleep.”
“Asleep?” exclaimed Ned. “And what have you been doin’ meanwhile? Holdin’ his hands?”
“Why, I’m writin’ his story.”