CHAPTER XV.

AN UNWARRANTED SEARCH.

Bob gave an expressive look to the boys when the repast had been placed on the table, and all three understood that he meant for them to leave the cabin rather than run any chance of another encounter with the men.

A quarrel just now, however trivial the cause, might lead to very serious consequences, because the guests were unscrupulous and stronger than the Bonita's crew; therefore this precaution of the old sailor's was a wise one. Jim and Harry not only realized the fact, but they were more than eager to be beyond the reach of these quarrelsome strangers, whose blows were bestowed without provocation, and they went into the galley, closely followed by Walter.

"I've sailed along of some pretty tough customers," Jim said with the air of one who has had many and varied experiences, as he seated himself on an empty keg just outside the galley door, "but I never run across anybody like them duffers. They're worse'n old Mose Pearson, an' folks used to say he was the ugliest skipper that ever hove a mackerel-line."

"They act as if the brig belonged to them, and we were the ones who had been taken off the key," Harry said bitterly. "I wish Bob never'd allowed them aboard!"

"So do I!" And Jim spoke very emphatically. "There'll be a heap of trouble before we get rid of that crowd, or else I don't know anything about sich fellers. If they put on many more airs us three will have to sleep aboard of the tug, where we won't run the risk of bein' knocked down."

What are the answers to this following set of questions:

1. What would be a problem if it were to happen?
2. What would happen if it did?
3. Who was weaker?
4. Was the warning necessary?
5. How many boys are there?
6. Were they told to remain where they were?
7. What were they to do?
8. Why were they to leave the cabin?
9. Had they done something to cause them to be angry?
10. Where did they go that someone trailed them?
1. a quarrel would occur
2. it would cause very serious consequences
3. Jim and Harry
4. Yes
5. Two boys
6. No
7. to get rid of that crowd
8. to avoid any encounter with the men
9. They quarreled
10. into the galley