ense fog outside the
harbor. As Captain Gordon had been particularly cautioned to incur no
needless risks, he positively refused to leave the harbor, though the
boys had teased him from sunrise to do so. Even Henry and Paul were
vexed at the delay. They had thoroughly exhausted Portsmouth, Kittery
Point, and the Navy Yard; had visited Fort Constitution, Fort McClary,
and the Lighthouse; in fact, there was not a single point of interest
left to be visited.

All the forenoon the boys did not intermit their persuasions to induce
the captain to proceed on the cruise; but he was as firm as a rock, and
declared that, if they all went down on their knees before him, he would
not "budge an inch."

After dinner, Captain Gordon, probably to escape the importunities of
his crew, announced his intention to walk up to Portsmouth, and called
for volunteers to accompany him. Captain Briskett, Henry, and Edward
were all that were disposed to go with him, and he departed, leaving the
rest of the crew to amuse themselves in the best way they could.

Hardly had they disappeared behind the hill on shore, before Paul
noticed that Tom Nettle and the other mutineers on the first day out
were gathered in a group around the heel of the bowsprit. They were
engaged in earnest conversation, but in tones so low that he could not
understand them. Presently Tom called one of the boys who were fishing
over the port rail, and then another, and another, till all on board but
himself had been admitted to the conference. Even John Duncan was
permitted to share the confidence of the party.

Paul at once came to the conclusion that they were plotting mischief;
but he could form no idea of the nature of the plot--whether it was to
rob a hen-roost on shore, or capture the wooden fort that frowned upon
them from the heights above. He was sorry to see John permitted to enter
this conclave of mischief; but because his brother apparently acquiesced
in the plan, he hoped that no serious roguery was intended.

The details of the mysterious scheme seemed to have been all arranged,
for presently the boys separated into groups; but Paul heard Tom say the
tide would begin to run out in half an hour. What this meant he could
not possibly imagine, unless the boys intended to run away in the
Tenean, and wanted the ebb tide to help them out of the river.

"John," said Paul, when the conspirators separated.

"Well, what do you want, Paul?" demanded John, in rather su