"That's pretty near talking, Jack!" Tom stated.

With a knowing look Jack assented and pointing with his thumb toward the
newcomer's direction nodded his head once or twice. Securing a length of
small line Jack made Rowdy fast to a ring bolt in the pilot house floor
and then went into the cabin for his dinner.

He had no better success in his effort at conversation with the stranger
than his chums had met and shortly gave over trying to be pleasant.
Making a hurried meal he again hastened to the pilot house where he
assumed charge of the craft, for the fog was still thick.

Arnold in an effort to be friendly asked Carlos to inspect the Fortuna
from the interior, which offer was quickly accepted.

"Here," explained Arnold, standing near the bulkhead separating the
pilot house from the cabin, "is the forward part of the vessel. I
suppose you'd call it the forecastle, but we have the fuel tanks, chain
locker and lazarette here. On occasion we can use this space for extra
bunks, but with the Pullman berths in the cabins we don't often need the
room for anything but storage."

"Where is your gasoline?" asked Carlos displaying some interest.

"In tanks right up in the eyes of her," replied Arnold glad that he was
interesting his visitor. "Then you see the engines amidships here with a
berth on each side. The switchboard is in the center of the pilot house
so the stairways are on each side of the engines. In the next
compartment aft are more berths. Then still further aft, you see are the