A bit chilly, but I guess things will be warm enough for me in a few minutes.

I'm ready.

Go on!" A dark form was standing beside the cuddy.

But for his certainty that the men were deaf, or nearly so, Merriwell would not have indulged in even this whispered conversation.

He crept now toward this man, with Hodge crawling at his heels, and when near enough, leaped on the man with a sudden and disconcerting pounce.
Though the surprise must have been great, the man, who was large and strong, wheeled round to resist the attack, and the large dog, which had before been seen, sprang up from the deck and flew at Merriwell's throat.