“Great Scott!” ejaculated Frank, “It’s a girl!”
THE BOY ALLIES ON THE NORTH SEA PATROL
CHAPTER I.
SHANGHAIED.
“Help! Help!”
Frank Chadwick, strolling along the water-frontin Naples, stopped suddenly in his tracks and gazedin the direction from whence had come the cry ofdistress.
“Help! Help!” came the cry again, in English.
Frank dashed forward toward a dirty-lookingsailors’ boarding house, from the inside of whichhe could distinguish the sounds of a struggle.
As he sprang through the door, at the far endof the room he saw a little man in a red sweater,unmistakably an American, apparently battling forhis life with two swarthy Italians, both armed withgleaming knives.
Frank jumped forward with a cry, and as he didso, the Italians turned and fled. The little Americanwiped his face on his sleeve, and then turned toFrank with outstretched hand.
“You came just in time,” he declared. “I thoughtit was all up with me.”
“I’m glad I did,” replied the lad, grasping theother’s hand.
“Yes, sir,” continued the little man. “If youhadn’t-a-come, them dagos would-a-done for mesure.”
He led the way to an adjoining room, Frank followinghim. He sat down at a table and rappedloudly upon it.
“Let’s have a drink,” he said, as a greasy-lookingItalian in an even more greasy apron entered theroom.
“Thanks,” replied Frank; “but I don’t drink.”
“Oh, come on now,” urged the other; “take something.”
“No,” said Frank with finality. “I must go,” hecontinued, turning toward the door. “I am glad tohave been of some assistance to you.”
But even as he turned the American in the redsweater stamped twice upon the floor and a trapdoor fell away beneath Frank’s feet. The ladcaught a glimpse of water below.
His elbow struck the floor as he went down, andhe fell head-first into a small rowboat. His headstruck the bottom of the boat with sickening force,stunning him.
It was almost an hour later when his wits beganto return to him. He took in the scene around him.He stood on the deck of a small schooner, and agreat hulk of a man with an evil face stood nearhim, arguing with his friend of the red sweater.
“What is this thing you’ve brought me?” s