“What’s the matter out there?” demanded a voice from one of the staterooms.
“Oh! my young cockney friend, is that you?” exclaimed Archie. “We’ve got something to show you; here it is.”
Once more Frank had occasion to wonder at the forethought displayed by his cousin. The latter raised one corner of the cloth that covered the table, and brought out a pair of handcuffs, with which he went into the clerk’s stateroom. At the sight of the irons Fowler bounded out of his bunk, and made an effort to thrust Archie aside so that he could run out into the cabin.
“Easy, easy,” exclaimed Archie, standing his ground in spite of the clerk’s efforts to push him away; “it will do no good to raise a rumpus now.”
“What’s the meaning of this, and where’s Waters?” demanded Fowler, as soon as he could speak.
“It means that you have had charge of the vessel long enough,” answered Archie. “Our little pleasure trip is ended now, and we are going back to Hobart Town. If you want to see Waters, there he is.”
Archie stepped aside so that Fowler could look out into the cabin. The latter was almost overwhelmed by the sight that met his gaze.
“You might as well give in, Gus,” said the giant. “The Yankees have the upper hand.”
“Don’t put those things on me,” cried the clerk. “I won’t do a thing. I—I—”
“Of course,” interrupted Archie. “I know all about it; but you can’t be trusted, and it must be done.”