that would draw set to catch the first whiff of the
breeze that was bringing the corvette slowly within range.

Less than three miles separated the vessels, while the yawl, scarcely
four hundred yards from the schooner, was lessening the distance
rapidly. But the breeze traveled faster.

Ralph could see Gary in the rigging watching the cruiser through a
glass. No attention seemed to be paid to the boat.

Three hundred yards--then two hundred--one hundred; and as the distance
lessened their spirits rose. They were, however, half a cable length
away, when a sullen boom was heard, and a solid shot came skipping
along the surface of the sea to the left of the schooner.

"That is an order to 'stay where you are'," remarked Duff. "Ah! here
comes our wind," he added, as a cool, refreshing whiff fanned their
brows. "Any other time and I would welcome it; but--come down on her,
Ben!"

Ralph, fancying that he saw the Wanderer's sails beginning to fill,
sprang forward, seized an extra oar and pulled with all his might. The
tired muscles were strained in a final effort, and the moist veins
bulged about their temples.

"Boat ahoy!" came from the schooner. "Look alive or we'll leave you."

"Leave----" the rest of Duff's exclamation was lost as he threw his
whole effort into a last spurt.

The shadow of the lofty sails was towering over the yawl when the
Wanderer began to glide ahead. Another gun from the cruiser, and the
ball drove between boat and schooner, missing the first by but a few
yards.

"Boat there! Make ready for a rope!"

A sailor sprang upon the taffrail and the next instant a slim line
uncoiled itself over the water. Duff, springing up, caught the end on
his oar blade, and by a dexterous twist brought it within reach.

As he rose from making it fast, the yawl was spinning through the water
in the schooner's wake, as the latter, heeling to the wind, responded
like a thing of life to the wishes of those on board.

Hand over hand the mate drew the heavily laden boat under the
Wanderer's lee, made fast the davits as they were lowered, and a moment
or two later the three tired boatmen found themselves safely on deck.

When the ample supply of meat and vegetables was hoisted over the
bulwarks, the few who had time to look were loud in their expressions
of approval. Captain Gary hardly vouchsafed them more than a glance.
To Duff, however, he briefly said:

"We had warning in the night that the Adam