He came to with a start and a gasp of terror. The latter emotion was so real that it required considerable effort to soothe him. When he at last realized the true state of affairs, his relief was manifest.
“Trolley,” he said, tremulously, “I--I thought it was the other world, and I had taken the toboggan slide by mistake.”
“You all right,” grinned the Japanese youth. “Hurray! It take plenty kill you.”
Clif managed to stand erect after his wound, a lacerated incision in the shoulder given by one of the apes, had been attended to.
Lieutenant Watson and the other officers made an inspection of the strange craft, and found evidences to prove that she had originally done duty as a primitive lightship in some southern Mediterranean port, presumably in Algeria.
“I am more inclined to think so from the fact that we found that African negro and the apes on board,” said the executive officer, as they returned from below. “I think I understand matters now. This negro was evidently an attendant on board, and the apes were pets.”
“It’s customary to have them on ships in those ports,” spoke up one of the officers.
“Yes. Well, the lightship evidently got adrift during a storm and was blown to sea, through the Gut of Gibraltar.”
“And afterward became a derelict in the Sargasso Sea. I noticed certain marine fungi and seaweed on the hull which are only found in the Sargasso.”
“True. This ship probably drifted back and forth for months. All the crew died except the negro, and he was made insane by his surroundings. It’s a strange story.”
“Only another mystery of the sea,” said the lieutenant in charge of the launch, looking about decks. “Now the question is, what will we do with her?”
“Have a little target practice and send her down to where all derelicts belong--the bottom,” replied Lieutenant Watson, grimly.
“I may add one thing,” he continued. “I hope never to have such a terrible experience again.”
“Amen!” muttered Clif, tenderly feeling his wounds.
Three hours later a well-aimed shot from one of the _Monongahela’s_ guns sent the shattered hull of the mysterious derelict down to its last resting place.
The practice ship stood away on her course, and her crew of naval cadets speedily forgot the episode in the excitement of other experiences.