heavier and heavier as the night came on.

Burke and Burdette stood together in the pilot house. "Suppose she gets
away from us in the night?" said the mate.

"I don't intend to let her do it," replied his Captain. "Even if she
douses every glim on board, I'll keep her in sight! It will be
starlight, and I'm not afraid, with a vessel as easily managed as this
yacht, to lie pretty close to her."

"Then there's another thing," said Burdette.

"You're thinking they may get rid of him?" asked Burke.

"Yes," said the other, "I was thinking of that!"

The Captain did not reply immediately. "That came across my mind too,"
said he, "but it's all nonsense! In the first place, they haven't got
any reason for wanting to get rid of him that way, and besides, they
know that if they went into Rio Janeiro without Shirley, we could make
it very hot for them!"

"But he's a queer one--that Captain Hagar!" said Burdette. "What was he
doing on that easterly course? I think he's a scaly customer, that's
what I think!"

"Can't say anything about that," answered Burke. "But one thing I
know,--I'm going to stick to him like a thrasher to a whale!"

Very early the next morning Mr. Hodgson came aft where Captain Burke was
standing with the sailing-master. "Sir," said he, "I am a clergyman and
a man of peace, but I declare, sir, that I do not think any one, no
matter what his profession, should feel himself called upon to submit to
the outrageous conduct of the Captain of that vessel! Is there no way in
which we could approach her and make fast to her, and then boldly press
our way on board in spite of objection or resistance, and by force, if
it should be necessary, bring away Mr. Shirley, whose misfortune has
made us all feel as if he were not only our friend, but our brother.
Then, sir, I should let that vessel go on to destruction, if she chooses
to go."

Burke shook his head. "You may be sure if I considered it safe to run
the two vessels together I would have been on board that craft long ago!
But we couldn't do it,--certainly not with Mrs. Cliff on the yacht!"

"No indeed!" added Mr. Portman. "Nobody knows what damage they might do
us. For my part, I haven't any faith in that vessel. I believe she's no
better than a pirate herself!"

"Hold on!" exclaimed Burke. "Don't talk like that! It wouldn't do for
the women to get any such notions into their heads!"

"But it is in your head, isn't it, sir?" said Mr. Hodgson.

"Yes," s