upon his knees so as to face the submarine boy. "Not the jail! Not
the prison! Me! I have always been as free as the birds of the air.
I would die in prison."

"I can't see where much loss will come in if you do," retorted Jack,
coldly. "Hal, you brought the handcuffs out with you?"

He held up both pairs.

"No, no, no!" pleaded Gaston, almost tearfully. "Not such disgrace
as that!"

"Let me have a pair of the bracelets," requested Hickey, holding out
one of his hands. "Now, my tine bird, let me clip yer wings."

Gaston submitted meekly enough, then was dragged to his feet.

While Hal had brought out the lantern and the handcuffs, famished,
thirst-tormented Jack Benson had looked after the water bottle and the
sandwiches. Now, as all hands trudged along toward the beach the
young skipper ate and drank to his full content.

Arrived in town, they roused a cottager. From him they learned where
to find the police station. Gaston was thrown into a cell, and Jack
entered formal complaint against the fellow.

Jacob Farnum still awake, was found at the hotel. When Hickey and Jerry
returned aboard the gunboat neither felt so sorry about not having
located a smuggler's camp in full operation. Jacob Farnum had taken
the sailor pair apart, presenting each with a hundred-dollar bill.