"How do you know?" inquired Joe. "She looks almost exactly like her."
"Yah, but der 'Neddie Nelsen' had a green stripe round her bulvurks. Dis schooner has a vite line."
"Maybe they've changed the color. I've heard of such things being done."
The remark came from Captain Akers. Presently he took the glasses from Captain Nelsen and in his turn focused them on the oncoming schooner which seemed to be plunging along at a great rate.
"Well, dash my buttons, that's queer!" he exclaimed, after a minute or two of close observation. A puzzled look crept over his face as he spoke.
"What's queer?" inquired Nat.
"Why, I can't seem to see any one on her decks."
"Not even a man at the wheel?" asked Nat, in an astonished tone.
"No; not a soul. Here, you take the glasses and observe her. Your eyes are younger than mine."
With this he handed the binoculars to the boy. But Nat, and the others in their turn, were unable to spy any living being on the schooner's decks.