"Well, I guess we can sit down, and spill some soup in our laps," remarked the young yacht owner, looking around at his chums. "But, hold on, where's Tim?" "He was here a while ago," volunteered Henry Darby. "I saw him going toward the engine room." "Yes, he likes to see the machinery," added Frank Bender. "I'll call him." But Frank presently returned to report that Tim had not been in the engine compartment. "Look in his stateroom; maybe he's asleep," suggested Beeby. "I had a nice nap myself." But Tim was not there, and by this time Dick was becoming a bit worried. He and Paul made a search in various parts of the yacht, but Tim was not seen, nor did he answer their calls. "That's rather odd," mused Dick, with a puzzled air. "Did you look in the pilot house?" asked Frank. "Maybe he's in there with Captain Barton, who hasn't come out yet to get his dinner." "Tim's not here," was the commander's report a little later, and on his face there came an anxious look, as Dick mentioned the newsboy's absence. "Did you try the forecastle?" But Tim was not in the crew's quarters, though he was a general favorite with the men forward, and often spent much time in their company. "Let's get this down to a system," suggested Dick. "Who saw him last--and where?" It developed that they had all seen the newsboy quite recently, but when it came to saying where there was a conflict of opinion. "Well, this yacht isn't such a big place," remarked the owner. "If he's on board we ought to find him." "Maybe he's fallen overboard," spoke Henry Darby, almost before he thought of the significance of his words. "I saw him with his oilskins on," volunteered Widdy, who had been called into the general conference. "Was this before or after we all had them on, and were on deck?" asked Paul Drew. "Afterward. In fact, it wa'n't more'n an hour ago. He come up on deck in 'em, an' then went below." "Are you sure he went below?" asked Dick, quickly. "Well, no; not exactly. I saw him start for the companionway, but just then we struck a big wave, and I had to grab a lifeline myself. So I didn't notice, but I think he went below." A curious hush fell upon them all. They were all thinking of the same direful thing. Another hasty, but thorough search of the yacht was made, and there was no trace of Tim. "He _can't_ have fallen overboard!" cried Dick. "We'd have heard him cry." "Not in the noise of this storm," spoke Captain Barton, solemnly. "I'm afraid he's gone, boys. We were boarded by some big waves," and a gloomy silence followed his words. "Poor Tim," murmured Dick, "and to think I urged him to make this voyage. It's all my fault!" "Don't give up so soon," urged Beeby, who was the most hopeful person in the group. "Let's have another look. Dinner can wait. We'll find Tim Muldoon, if he's aboard. He's a New Yorker, and they're hard to lose anywhere. We'll find him yet," and the search was begun again. CHAPTER XVI UNCLE EZRA AS A SAILOR