"What did you come out for?"
"I couldn't help myself. I went up in the scoop, which caught me when the lights went out down there. Something is the matter with your electric arrangements down there, I guess."
Mr. Major gasped.
"You don't mean you went up in that thing?"
"I guess I do."
"He got dumped on an ore car," added Jarvis by way of explanation. "And he lives to tell the tale."
"Get down in the hold. The ship is listing to port. They are taking too much out on that side. Jarvis, you run back and tell the engineer to have his electrician find out what is the matter with the lights in the hold. Look out for yourself, Rush, this time. I am beginning to think you are a hoodoo."
"And I am beginning to hold the same opinion," answered the Iron Boy.
"If you keep on we won't be able to get a sailor to ship on the same craft with you."
"I don't know that I should blame them much for feeling that way. Trouble is tied to my heels, but somehow I manage to get through on a pinch," laughed the boy, hurrying for the stairway that led down into the entrance to the ore hold.