“What--who--what shall we do?” he demanded of the first passenger he met, a rather fussy old gentleman who did not like boys. “Do?” demanded the old gentleman. He adjusted his eyeglasses and stared at Hockley. “Why, young man, what is the matter with you? Have you gone crazy?” “Ain’t the ship sinking?” gasped Hockley. “Not that I am aware of.” “But--er--” The youth gazed around him in amazement. Nobody appeared to be excited, and some folks were even at the piano, playing and singing. Then he caught sight of Darry and the other boys, who were behind a nearby column and laughing heartily. “Hi! what are you laughing at?” he roared, rushing toward the crowd. “I want to know----” “Glummy must have been dreaming the ship was going to sink,” came from Mark. “And he wasn’t going to leave his shoes behind either,” put in Frank, pointing to the pair the bully carried in his hand. “Nor his collar and tie,” added Sam. “Nothing like being dressed up, even if you’re swimming for your life.” “I won’t stand this--I’ll fix all of you, see if I don’t!” howled Hockley, shaking his fists at them and dropping half of his wearing apparel in his excitement. “I’ll--I’ll----” And then he suddenly thought of the figure he cut, and the crowd that was beginning to gather, and ran for his stateroom with as much speed as he had used in leaving it. He was in too much of a rage to retire again, and as soon as he had dressed he came out to hunt up the boys. They were waiting for him, fearful that he would inform Professor Strong of the affair. Fortunately the professor had been in the smoking room at the time and he as yet knew nothing of what had occurred. “See here,” began Hockley. “I want to know who played that trick on me.” “I don’t think you’ll find out,” answered Mark. “I’m going to tell the professor. My berth is soaked with water and I came pretty close to cutting my foot on a piece of glass on the floor.” “Didn’t step into any pitch, did you?” asked Sam, dryly. “I say I am going to tell the professor,” went on Hockley, working himself up into a magnificent rage. “I don’t think you will tell him,” answered Darry, steadily. “You thought it a fine thing to put off that pitch joke on my shoulders, didn’t you? Now I guess I’ve paid you back, so we are quits.” “So you did it?” howled Hockley. “I’m going to Professor Strong this minute and show him the berth----” “If you do I’ll show him something else.” “What?” “The can you had full of pitch. We found it, and all can testify it was under your berth. Maybe the professor won’t be angry at your duplicity in that affair, Glummy. The best thing you can do is to drop the matter and call it square.” At these words Hockley’s face grew dark and full of resentment. “I’ll never drop it, never!” he exclaimed, vehemently. “You are all against me! But I shan’t stand it. Just wait until we are on shore and I’ll show you what I can do!” And with this he turned off on his heel and left them. CHAPTER XIX