hundred apiece,
even should the craft fall into our hands."

"By the way, gents," put in Sir Frederick, gaping--"suppose we toss up
or throw the dice to see which shall have all, on supposition we get her
within the next twenty-four hours, timing the affair by this ship's
chronometers. You've dice on board, I dare say, Cuffe, and we can make a
regular time of it here for half an hour, and no one the wiser."

"Your pardon, Captain Dashwood; I can suffer no such amusement. It is
unmilitary and contrary to regulations; and, then, hundreds are not as
plenty with Lyon and myself as they are with you. I like to pocket my
prize-money first and sport on it afterward."

"You're right, Captain Cuffe," said Lyon; "though there can be no great
innovation in sporting on Sir Frederick's portion, if he see fit to
indulge us. Money is an agreeable acquisition beyond a doubt, and life
is sweet to saint and sinner alike; but I much question your facility in
persuading this Monshure Rawl to tell you his secret consairning the
lugger, in the manner ye anticipate."

This opinion met with no favor; and after discussing the point among
themselves a little longer, the three captains were on the point of
separating, when Griffin burst into the cabin without even knocking and
altogether regardless of the usual observances.

"One would think it blew a typhoon, Mr. Griffin," said Cuffe, coldly,
"by the rate at which you run before it."

"It's an ill wind that blows no luck, sir," answered the lieutenant,
actually panting for breath, so great had been his haste to communicate
what he had to say. "Our lookout, on the heights above Campanella, has
just signalled us that he sees the lugger to the southward and
eastward--somewhere near the point of Piane, I suppose, sir; and what
is better, the wind is coming off shore earlier than common
this evening."

"That _is_ news!" exclaimed Cuffe, rubbing his hands with delight. "Go
on deck, Griffin, and tell Winchester to unmoor; then make a signal to
the other ships to do the same. Now, gentlemen, we have the game in our
own hands, and let us see and play it skilfully. In a couple of hours it
will be dark, and our movements can all be made without being seen. As
the Proserpine is, perhaps, the fastest ship"--at this remark Sir
Frederick smiled ironically, while Lyon raised his eyebrows like one who
saw a marvel--"as the Proserpine is, perhaps, the fastest ship, she
ought to go the furthest to leeward