t without trepidation.

Frank and Jack were now becoming somewhat restless, for they had begun
to fear that the night's venture would not bear fruit. However, each
remembered what Lord Hastings had said regarding a "tip," so they knew
that their commander had some object in view. Also, since leaving port,
_The Hawk_ had held steadily to her course.

Now and then the commander of _The Hawk_, by the faint glare of his
searchlight, shielded by his hand, consulted a chart and several times
muttered low directions to the man at the wheel.

Suddenly there came a subdued command from Lord Hastings, and in
response the engines were stopped. Lord Hastings placed a hand to his
ear and listened intently.

"Did any of you hear anything?" he asked in a low voice.

No one had.

"Strange," muttered Lord Hastings; "I could have sworn I heard something
moving through the water."

He gave the command to go ahead again; but less than five moments later
once more brought _The Hawk_ to a pause.

"I am sure I heard something," he said to Frank, who stood near him.

"I thought I did myself, that time," replied the lad. "Sounded like a
boat, and not a great distance away."

"We shall have to be careful," said his commander. "I know that there is
not another British vessel in these waters to-night. If there is a
second craft out here, it must be an enemy."

"Shall we flash our light about?" asked Frank.

"And betray our own presence? Not much. No; we shall just remain here
for half an hour and see if we can't pick up the other fellow in the
darkness."

Again the silence of death hung over _The Hawk_.

Then, suddenly, Jack, aft, gave a subdued exclamation.

Lord Hastings hurried to his side.

"What is it?" he demanded.

"Small craft of some kind bearing down on us, sir," he replied quickly.
"She'll bump us!"

Lord Hastings took in the situation at a glance. Less than 150 yards
away a small object was coming toward _The Hawk_.

Lord Hastings gave a quick command.

"Full speed ahead!" he cried, and in response to this command, _The
Hawk_ leaped forward.

Lord Hastings hurled a second quick command to the man at the wheel, and
_The Hawk_ came about in a broad circle; and at the same instant a
blinding glare flashed into the faces of all aboard.

A searchlight from the other craft had been turned upon them, lighting
_The Hawk_ up like day, while all those aboard could see was the
blinding glare, the other boat being shie