h a back door opened close at hand. So intent were they
upon what was taking place that they did not notice the approach of a
third person until he was close beside them and had addressed White by
name. He was the St. Johns travelling man, who had engaged the Baldwin
pack for his firm, and now he said in low, hurried tones:

"You fellows want to skip out of this while you can, for that British
officer has got orders to arrest you both and carry you to St. Johns
for trial. Charges--contempt of court and carrying on an illegal
business. Awfully sorry I can't take your goods, but order has been
issued that any one handling them will also be arrested and subject to
heavy fine. Hurry up. They are making a move, and he'll be looking
for you directly. Don't let on that I gave you the tip."

With this the man moved away, and without exchanging a word our lads
slipped out of the nearby door.

So fully was the British officer occupied in getting his men back to
their launch without making another attack upon their hated rivals,
that not until all were safely on board did he remember that he had
been charged to bring off two prisoners. Now he was in a quandary.
Those whom he desired were nowhere to be seen, and he dared not leave
his men, whose fighting blood was still at fever heat, long enough to
go in search of them. Also the French launch was about to depart, and
it would never do for the captain of the "Isla" to be informed of the
recent unfortunate encounter in advance of his own commander. So, with
a last futile look ashore, he reluctantly gave the order to shove off,
and side by side, their crews screaming taunts at each other, the two
launches raced out of the harbour.

As Cabot and White watched them from a place of snug concealment, the
latter heaved a sigh of relief, saying:

"Well, I'm mighty glad they're gone, and haven't got us with them; but
I do wish that fight could have lasted a few minutes longer."

"Wasn't it lovely!" retorted Cabot, "and isn't the lobster industry on
this coast just about the most exciting business in the world!"

CHAPTER XIII.

A PRISONER OF WAR.

With the disappearance of the launches our lads realised that it was
time to make new plans for immediate action. So, as they walked slowly
back towards the village, they earnestly discussed the situation.

"It is too bad that I have drawn you into such a scrape," said White,
"and the very first thing for me to do is to