Hopalong gazed at him in astonishment and sudden pity took possession of
him as his pallid companion left the porthole and faced him.

"You ought to have something to eat, Kid--I'm purty hungry myself--what
the blazes!" he exclaimed, for Johnny's protesting wail was finished
outside the port. Then a light broke upon him and he wondered how soon
it would be his turn to pay tribute to Neptune.

"Mr. Wilkins!" shouted a voice from the deck, and Hopalong moved back
a step. "Mr. Wilkins!" After a short silence the voice soliloquized:
"Guess he changed his mind about it; I'll get 'em up for him," and feet
came into view. When halfway down the ladder the second mate turned his
head and looked blankly down a gun barrel while a quiet but angry voice
urged him further: "Keep a-coming, keep a-coming!" The second mate
complained, but complied.

"Stick 'em up higher--now, Johnny, wobble around behind the nice man an'
take _his_ gun--you shut yore yap! I'm bossing this trick, not you. Got
it, Kid? There's the rope--that's right. Nobody'd think you sick to see
you work. Well, that's a good draw; but it's only a pair of aces against
a full, at that. Wonder who'll be the next. Hope it's the foreman."

Johnny, keeping up by sheer grit, pointed to the rear wall. "What about
that?"

For reply his companion walked over to it, put his shoulder to it and
pushed. He stepped back and hurled his weight against it, but it was
firm despite its squeaking protest. Then he examined it foot by foot and
found a large knot, which he drove in by a blow of the gun. Bending, he
squinted through the opening for a full minute and then reported: