"Look here, Mr. Schneider, you've come to the wrong box. If you've any complaint, why not lay it before the captain himself? If as you say the captain is a wizard he might be listening now to what you are saying. You understand? Well, then, clear out."
"A bright specimen of a sneaking waster," remarked Jack, as the cabin door closed on the retreating figure of the professor. "I wonder if there's any truth in his tale, eh?"
"I don't think the skipper will go to that extent," replied Gerald; as he prepared to turn in. "Anyway, we're here, so let's make the best of things. By George! old chap, to tell the truth, I'm jolly glad we came."
[Illustration: CHAPTER VIII]
TREACHERY
FOR several days the Olive Branch continued her headlong course southwards, bound for the Magellan Straits, the gateway to the Pacific.
During that time Tregarthen had little opportunity of speaking to Captain Brookes. The little man was literally working night and day.
At length the line was crossed, without the observance of the time-honoured custom of receiving Father Neptune and his court. Then, as if the classic Sea God smarted under the slight, the Olive Branch encountered a terrific hurricane ere she had run clear of the Doldrums.