he ship is now adrift, and
driving slowly stern-foremost toward the outer basin. So long as we see
no sign of alarm from the people on shore I shall let her drive; that
will increase our chances of a good start. But the moment you see any
indication of an attempt to launch a boat give me the word; and we must
then get the jib on the ship and put her head round. There is a fine
breeze blowing, and if we can only get outside the heads without being
overtaken, I have no fears whatever."

So saying, Ned ran aft and placed himself at the wheel, which he
manipulated in such a way as to keep the ship head to wind with her bows
pointing toward the shore, thus keeping up the appearance that she was
still riding to her anchor. Price meanwhile posted himself on the
forecastle, and kept the telescope levelled at the shore.

For some time all went well. The ship, under the influence of the fresh
breeze, which effected her with increasing power as she lengthened her
distance from the land, drove steadily astern; and still no warning word
came from Price. At length, however, when she had drifted about a mile,
and had arrived within about a mile and three-quarters of the contracted
channel between the north and south bluffs which divided the inner from
the outer basin, the steward cried out:

"They are after us, Mr Damerell; I can see the flash of oars in the
moonlight!"

"All right!" answered Ned, sending the wheel hard over with a spin, and
leaving it to rush forward. "Now, Price, aft with the starboard jib-
sheets, and belay them--not too flat, man; let them flow a bit--so,
that's well! Now tail on here to the halliards with me and let us set
the sail. Up with it! that's your sort! Now take it under the
belaying-pin and let me browse it up. Yo-ho; ho-hip; ho-ho! Belay
that! Now, the main-topmast staysail. Let go the down-haul; that is
it, that rope you have your hand on--cast it off! That's right. Here
are the sheets; hook the clips into that ring-bolt there close to the
second gun. That is all right. Now take a turn with the running part
round that cleat! Capital! Now wait a moment."

The ship was by this time broadside-on to the wind and gathering headway
under the powerful influence of the jib, necessitating a hand at the
wheel. Ned therefore ran aft, and, summoning the astonished Sibylla
from her cabin, where she was making her preparations for passing
another night on board, he sent her to the wheel, w