“No.  Well, I guess they can look out for themselves.”

“I guess so,” answered the mate with a smile.  Later that day Captain Spark instructed Bob in some simple duties which would be his to perform during the voyage.  He was to act in the capacity of cabin boy.

Now that Bob was in his usual spirits he began to feel an inclination to be at some of his pranks.  He thought, with a sigh, that he had not played a good joke since the affair of the step-ladder, the cook and the hired man.  So he began to look about and consider the possibilities of indulging in some pranks,

But Bob had about made up his mind not to bother the sailors.  He was a little afraid of them, as they were big, strong men, and he had a suspicion that they were only waiting for him to begin operations before they would do something on their own account.  Bob had an idea they might tie him to a rope, throw him overboard and duck him.

That, he thought, would be pretty harsh treatment.

“I wish Mr. Tarbill would come from his stateroom,” Bob mused.  “I guess it would be safe to play a little joke on him.  I’ve simply got to have some fun.”

Mr. Tarbill had suffered very much from seasickness, though he was now recovered.  He came on deck the next day, but he was more nervous than ever.

“Oh, my!” he exclaimed as a big wave struck the Eagle, heeling her over considerably.  “Are we going down?”

“Oh, I guess not,” replied Bob confidently.  He and Mr. Tarbill were together on the quarterdeck.  The nervous passenger’s fears gave Bob an idea.

“I’ll give him a real scare,” thought the boy.  “Maybe it will cure him of being nervous.”

My reader can easily understand that Bob had one thought for Mr. Tarbill and two for himself.

The boy considered matters a few minutes, during which time the nervous passenger seemed to grow more and more frightened of the big waves, which had been piled up by quite a heavy blow the previous night.

Presently Bob went to the after-rail and looked intently into the water.  Then he uttered an exclamation.

“Oh!  Oh!” he cried.  “It’s coming right after us!  Have you a revolver, Mr. Tarbill?”

“A revolver?  What for?  What is coming after us, my dear young friend?”

“A big whale!  He’s just under the surface of the water!  He’s trying to break off the rudder!  Quick, give me your revolver!”

“I haven’t any!  Oh, dear!  I’m so nervous!  Do you think he will damage the ship, my dear young friend?”

“I’m afraid so!  Look out!  Hold on!  Here he comes!”

Bob pretended to grasp the rail to prevent being tossed overboard by the expected shock.  Mr. Tarbill did the same, and with anxious fears waited for what would happen next.  Then the ship seemed to give a great shiver as a big wave struck under the port bow.

“He’s hit us!” cried Bob, trying not to laugh.