m perfectly willing to sign it," replied Cabot, "because I have no
ownership in the property, but I shouldn't think Baldwin would care to
give such a release."

"I guess he will, though," said the skipper.

And he was right, for White readily consented to sign the paper, saying
that the property would have been lost anyhow if it had been left
behind. "I have also full faith that Captain Bland will do the right
thing about it," he added, "for, while I have always found you Yankees
sharp as knives in a trade, I have yet to meet one whom I wouldn't
trust."

"Thank you, Mr. Baldwin," said the skipper, "and I shall try my best
not to be the first to abuse your confidence."

So the paper was signed, and White had barely laid down his pen when
the occupants of the cabin were startled by a loud cry from above,
followed almost immediately by a distant shot. Hurrying on deck they
found that the schooner had reached open water and was beginning to
feel the influence of an offshore breeze. At the same time the man
whom White had left at the tiller was pointing up the coast, where they
caught sight of a steam launch that had just cleared South Head.

"He fired a shot at us," announced the steersman.

"That's all right 'long's he didn't hit us," replied Captain Bland.
"It is our French friend, and he only took that way of hinting that he
wished us to wait for him. I don't think we can afford the time just
now, though--leastways, I can't. Hello there in boats! Drop your tow
lines and come alongside."

"Do you think there is any chance of our getting away from him?" asked
Cabot.

"Dunno. Mebbe, if the breeze freshens, as I believe it will. Anyhow,
I'm going to give him a race for his money. Good-bye! Good luck, and
I hope we'll meet again before long."

So saying Captain Bland, taking the steersman with him, stepped into a
dory that had come alongside and was rowed towards his own schooner.
He had hardly gained her deck before she set main and jib topsails and
a big main staysail. Our lads also sprang to their own sails, and
spread to the freshening breeze every stitch of canvas that the "Sea
Bee" possessed. When they next found time to look at the "Ruth," White
uttered an exclamation of astonishment, for she had already gained a
good half mile on them and was moving with the speed of a steam yacht.

"There's no chance of the Yankee being caught," he said enviously, "but
there's a mighty big one that we will."