“Well, I’m hanged if he doesn’t take it coolly enough!” muttered Frank, perplexed.

Frank felt an interest to know how Sport Harris was getting along.  He walked forward and found the captain near the steps that led to the bridge.

In reply to Merry’s inquiry, the captain said: 

“Oh, don’t worry about him.  There are rats down there in the hold, but I guess he’ll be able to fight them off.  He’ll have bread and water the rest of the voyage.”

After that Merry could not help thinking of Harris all alone in the darkness of the hold, with swarms of rats around him, eating dry bread, washed down with water.

Frank felt that the youthful villain did not deserve any sympathy, but, despite himself, he could not help feeling a pang of pity for him.

When he expressed himself thus to his friends, however, they scoffed at him.

“Serves the dog right!” flashed Diamond.  “He is getting just what he deserves, and I’m glad of it!”

“He will get what he deserves when we reach the other side,” grunted Browning.

“No,” said Merry; “he is an American, and he’ll have to be taken back to the United States for punishment.”

“Well, he’ll get it all right.”

“Well, I don’t care to think that he may be driven mad shut up in the dark hold with the rats.”

This feeling grew on Frank.  At last he went to the captain and asked liberty to see Harris.

The request was granted, and, accompanied by two men, Frank descended into the hold.

Down there, amid barrels and casks, they came upon Harris.  Frank heard the irons rattle, and then a gaunt-looking, wild-eyed creature rose up before them, shown by the yellow light of the lanterns.

Frank Merriwell had steady nerves, but, despite himself, he started.

The appearance of the fellow had changed in a most remarkable manner.  Harris looked as if he was overcome with terror.

“There he is,” said one of the men, holding up his lantern so the light fell more plainly on the wretched prisoner.

“Have you come to take me out of here?” cried Harris, in a tone of voice that gave Frank a chill.  “For God’s sake, take me out of this place!  I’ll go mad if I stay here much longer!  It is full of rats!  I could not sleep last night—­I dare not close my eyes for a minute!  Please—­please take me out of here!”

Then he saw and recognized Frank.

“You?” he screamed.  “Have you come here to gloat over me, Frank Merriwell?”

“No,” said Frank; “I have come to see if I can do anything for you.”

“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Harris, in a manner that made Frank believe madness could not be far away.  “You wouldn’t do that!  I know why you are here!  You have triumphed over me!  You wish to see me in all my misery!  Well, look at me!  Here I have been thrown into this hellish hole, amid rats and vermin, ironed like a nigger!  Look till you are satisfied!  It will fill your heart with satisfaction!  Mock me!  Sneer at me!  Deride me!”