was a sense of
discomfort and uneasiness in the atmosphere which communicated itself to
man and beast, for in the stillness of the night, in the pauses in the
singing and uproar, the horses in their stalls on board the transports
could be heard whinnying and neighing, as though not altogether at ease.
Little balls of electricity came and went on the yards and at the
mastheads, like mysterious signals, presenting a very weird and uncanny
effect; and some of the superstitious Chinese sailors, who had had no
previous experience of "Saint Elmo's fire", burnt joss-sticks and
twisted their prayer-wheels, in the hope of scaring away the evil
spirits which they averred were hovering round the ships.

From the moment of joining the _Chih' Yuen_, Frobisher had been working
early and late to get his ship into proper fighting trim; and being
thoroughly tired out by the time that the fleet anchored, he had turned
in for a few hours' well-earned repose. He seemed, however, to have
been asleep only a few short minutes, instead of some four or five
hours, when he was aroused by a gentle but persistent knocking on his
door.

In a moment he was broad awake, out of his bunk, and across to the door,
being too cautious, in face of the stealthy character of the summons, to
call a question as to who was there.

Opening the cabin door, he found Drake, who, with a worried and
mysterious air, proffered the request that the captain would come up on
deck for a few minutes, if convenient.

"Why, what's the matter, Drake?" asked Frobisher. "Are there any signs
of the storm bursting?"

"Well," was the reply, "it certainly does not look any too healthy. But
it is not on that account that I have disturbed you. I believe there is
some hanky-panky work going on, sir, and that's why I want you to come
on deck and see for yourself."

"I'll be up in a minute," replied the captain; and in less than the time
specified he had pulled on his trousers, flung a greatcoat over his
shoulders, and was standing by Drake's side at the taffrail. "Now, what
is the business?" he said.

"It's got something to do with that Prince chap, or I'm a Dutchman," was
Drake's reply. "I was leaning over the rail here, a little while ago,
thinking of nothing in particular--for Lieutenant Sing is on duty until
midnight--when I saw a light appear suddenly away in that direction,"
pointing. "There was nothing out of the way in that, you'll say; but
this light was a red o