“’Farnum,’ ahoy!”

“I half believe, sir,” Eph rattled on, “that my two comrades, Mr. Benson
and Mr. Hastings have been tricked, in some way, and carried out to sea on
that knockabout. They’d have been back from shore by this time, if nothing
had happened.”

“What do you want to do, Mr. Somers?”

“Want to do, sir?” retorted Eph. “I know what I’m going to do. I’m going
to slip moorings and chase after that knockabout. What I wish to know from
you, sir, is whether you’ll send another marine or two on board, so that I
can back up my demand to find my friends?”

“I’ll have to ask the lieutenant commander about that, Mr. Somers.”

“Can you do it, now, sir?” asked Eph, energetically.

“Instantly. I’ll let you know the decision as soon as it’s made.”

Eph, hanging at the rail in the silence that followed, had no notion of
whether his request had been a correct one. All he knew was that his
suspicions had surged to the surface, and were threatening to boil over.
It was a huge relief to the boy when Mr. Mayhew’s voice sounded from the
rail of the gunboat. Somers swiftly answered all questions.

“Your craft and crew are in a measure under our protection and orders,”
decided Mr. Mayhew. “I think we may properly extend you some help. I will
send some men to you, and a cadet midshipman who will have my