o the Perdita lagoon,
and Ensign Darrin to the Acunda lagoon. Forty minutes after Dalzell
and Darrin have steamed away, Lieutenant Cantor will run in to
the Alvarez mill. Our launches are not likely to be observed
from shore, where the '_Long Island_,' if she remained in these
waters, would be sure to be seen and recognized.

"Therefore, after dropping the steamers, we shall go ahead at
cruising speed and not return opposite the Alvarez mill until
called by a rocket, which Lieutenant Cantor will send up as soon
as the rescue has been accomplished---or has failed. But,
gentlemen"---here Captain Gales' voice sank low, yet vibrated with
intense earnestness---"all of you will realize the extreme
importance of your mission, and the awful consequences of failure.
Therefore, I feel certain that none of you will break the Navy's
long list of traditions for zealous, careful, successful
performance of duty. Lieutenant Cantor will be in command of the
expedition, as a whole."

For some minutes the officers remained in the captain's quarters,
discussing further the important work of the coming night.

As no instructions for secrecy had been asked or expected, Commander
Bainbridge soon told the news to a few of the "_Long Island's_"
ranking officers, who, in turn passed it on.

"Of all the luck that some officers have!" groaned Lieutenant
Trent, as he passed Dave Darrin. "How did you work it, Darrin,
to secure one of the details for to-night that any subordinate
officer on this ship would have been delighted to see come his
way?"

"I don't know," Dave laughingly admitted.

"Darrin, are you hard up?" asked Lieutenant Holton, five minutes
later.

"I have a few dollars left," Dave smiled.

"If you can get me shifted to your detail for to-night I'll reward
you with a month of my pay," promised the lieutenant.

"Thank you," Dave smiled, gravely. "Even if the change could
be easily arranged, I'm afraid I wouldn't give up my chance for
six months' pay."

"No chance for me, then," sighed Holton. "I can't remember that
I ever had six months' of my pay together at one time."

"Darrin," exclaimed Lieutenant Commander Denton, still a little
later, "I never realized that you had so much impudence! The
idea of a mere ensign leading such an expedition ashore to-night!
I wanted that myself."

"I am not at all sure that my performance will be one of glory,"
smiled Darrin.

"It won't, if Cantor can manage to queer you in a