"They're not using that steamer of theirs, mates," averred Dick.

"The steamer might have torpedo tubes," answered Glennie.

"Ay, so she might; but she couldn't lie along within seventy-five feet of us without making noise enough to wake the dead. The Sons of the Rising Sun have changed boats—and how have they had time to do that, and reach this part of the coast almost at the same time as ourselves? We've plugged right along ever since leaving the strait."

"That gives me an idea," said the ensign, "and you fellows can take it for what it's worth. Our knowledge of the Sons of the Rising Sun is a trifle hazy, but we know them to be a secret organization whose aim is to help Japan. The organization is not sanctioned by the Japanese government, for its members commit deeds which would plunge the nation into war if it sanctioned them. Now, this secret society is probably quite extensive. Perhaps we are not dealing with the branch of it that kept us busy most of the way to the Horn, but with another outfit of the Sons of the Rising Sun that has been laying for us here."

"That's possible," agreed Matt. "The question is, shall we put into Lota and try to find out something more regarding our enemies, or keep on to Valparaiso, as we had originally intended?"

"I'm for putting in at Lota," said Dick. "We can't tow that infernal Whitehead all the way to Valparaiso."

"It will be just as well to stop there, in my opinion," seconded Glennie. "If we're dealing with another branch of the Sons of the Rising Sun, perhaps we can get some information about them in Lota."

"Meppy," ventured Carl, "ve could lay in a sooply oof gasoline in Lota, und vouldn't haf to shdop at Valparaiso, huh? Dot vould safe dime, und I am gedding hungry for a look at der Unidet Shtates again. Der more I see of odder gountries, der more vat I like my own."

"His own!" laughed Dick, who, now that Motor Matt had been safely recovered, was feeling in fine fettle. "You could tell he was a Yank, just by the way he talks, eh?"

"I peen an American mit a Dutch agsent," protested Carl, "und I t'ink so mooch oof der Shdars und Shdripes as anypody. I vould schust as soon shtep on der Pritish lion's tail as anyt'ing vat I know."

"If you step on the British lion's tail, and I find it out, matey," laughed Dick, "I'll have you hauled up and fined for cruelty to animals. One of these days I'm going to write to the kaiser and tell him about you."

"Vat I care for der kaiser?" snorted Carl. "He iss a pooty goot feller, aber he ain'd so big like der Bresident oof der land oof der free und der home oof Modor Matt."

"Fine-o!" chuckled Dick.

"A dandy sentiment, Carl!" exclaimed Glennie. "What do you think of that, Matt?"

"Why," returned Matt, "I think that if the lot of us don't stop joshing and attend more to watching our immediate neighborhood that the land of the free and the home of the brave is liable to be minus one submarine and a lot of motor boys. That Jap boat is a particularly noiseless craft; she came close enough to us to launch a torpedo, and close enough to tangle me up in a rope and pull me into the ocean. If she did it once, she can do it again. We've got to keep sharp eyes forward, aft, and on both sides. Dick, you'll be the bow lookout, and Glennie can go aft; you watch the port side, Carl, and I'll watch the starboard. Can you steer for the rest of the night, Speake?" he added to the man in the conning tower.

"I guess I can stand this extra duty if you can, Matt," replied Speake, "considering what you've been through."

"A dip in the ocean and a ride on a torpedo doesn't count," said Matt, dropping his wet clothes down the hatch; "it's what may happen to us if we don't keep on our guard that bothers me. This boat is going to be delivered at Mare Island, Japs or no Japs."

"Und righdt site oop mit care, you bed you!" cried Carl, dropping down on the port side of the conning tower. "I feel so easy in my mindt as oof I vas alretty pack in der best gountry vat efer vas."

"Carl is full of patriotism to-night, mates," observed Dick, from the bow.

"I vas dickled pecause Matt is alife und kicking. Dot inshpires me mit batriotic sendiment, und odder feelings oof choy. Be jeerful, eferypody."

Weighing the evidence offered by the torpedo attack, and the snaring and dragging of Matt into the water, had not resulted in bringing out very much that was of importance. It served, however, to emphasize the need of vigilance by developing the resourcefulness and malevolence of a wily foe.

At 4 a. m. the submarine was close to the land lying south of the Bay of Lota, and, as the mist was still too thick to make out the distance and bearing of the coast, Matt thought it advisable to stop the motor and wait for the fog to clear with the sun.

Advantage was taken of this stop to prepare breakfast. While all hands were eating, Gaines and Clackett, who had been at their posts during the exciting occurrences of the night, were duly informed of all that had taken place.

At 6 a. m. the morning was bright enough so that Matt felt they could proceed with safety.

The passage into the Bay of Lota, between the island of Santa Maria and Lavapié Point, is narrow and difficult, abounding with sunken rocks and other hidden dangers that have not been surveyed and charted.

Luck, however, was with the motor boys, and the passage into the bay was succesfully accomplished. Just as the sun broke through the mist and brought out the beauties of the bay, the Grampus nosed her way into it.

On three sides the bay is surrounded by wooded hills, which shelter it in every direction except on the north.

"Dowse me," muttered Dick; "this coast looks like that of Cornwall and Devonshire, with that red earth, those granite cliffs, and the trees running down to the water's edge. What are those chimneys and all that smoke over there?"

"Smelting works and potteries," explained Glennie. "They are owned by a woman, Madam Cousiño, one of the richest women in Chili."

The Grampus, being of light draught, was able to go close inshore. Anchor was dropped within a couple of cables' length of the wharf. The "mud hooks" had hardly taken hold before a man in a tawdry blue uniform came off from the shore in a boat. He was rowed by two negroes, and appeared to be very much excited.

When his boat was laid alongside, the official stood up, flourished his arms, and spouted a stream of language. It was Spanish, and came in such a torrent that Matt, who knew something of the lingo, could make nothing of it. Glennie was better versed in the tongue, and listened attentively and with growing concern.

"Here's a go, Matt!" exclaimed the ensign, as soon as the official paused to catch his breath. "This man is the captain of the port, and he has placed us all under arrest."

"Arrest?" cried Matt incredulously. "What for?"

"He says we're thieves, and that we have stolen this submarine boat."

"Dot's aboudt der lasht t'ing vat I oxpected!" muttered Carl. "Take der uniform off dot feller, und ve vill find he iss a Son oof der Rising Sun, I bed you. Led's go to der pottom oof der pay und infite him to come down und ged us."

CHAPTER V.

A SURPRISING SITUATION.

"Sink me!" growled Dick. "Here's a rum go, if anybody asks you. It's bobs to sovereigns that those Japs are mixed up in this."

"We can very soon convince the captain of the port that he's made a mistake," said Matt quietly. "Get your written instructions, Glennie, and we'll go ashore with him. There's something queer about this, and it may be a good thing for us to get to the bottom of it."

"How aboudt Tick und me?" inquired Carl. "Ain'd ve going along mit you?"

"You and Dick and the rest of the crew," Matt answered, "will stay here