We'll starve, an' we ain't got no water. I can drink about a bucketful
right now," moodily replied his companion.

"Well, yo're right; but mebby we can find food an' water."

"Don't see no signs of none. Hey!" Johnny exclaimed, smiling faintly
in his misery. "Let's get busy an' burn the cussed thing up! Got any
matches?"

"First you want to drown yoreself swimming, an' now you want to roast
the pair of us to death," Hopalong retorted, eyeing the rear wall of the
room. "Wonder what's on the other side of that partition?"

Johnny looked. "Why, water; an' lots of it, too."

"Naw; the water is on the other sides."

"Then how do I know?--sh! I hear somebody coming on the roof."

"Tumble back in yore bunk--quick!" Hopalong hurriedly whispered. "Be
asleep--if he comes down here it'll be our deal."

The steps overhead stopped at the companionway and a shadow appeared
across the small patch of sunlight on the floor of the forecastle.
"Tumble up here, you blasted loafers!" roared a deep voice.

No reply came from the forecastle--the silence was unbroken.

"If I have to come down there I'll--" the first mate made promises in no
uncertain tones and in very impolite language. He listened for a moment,