place, and had heard the
officer's angry words, respecting which they talked in a low tone, Billy
Waters more than once saying that he didn't like the lookout forrard--
the "forrard" being the future, and not the sea beyond the cutter's
bows.

As the night wore on the officer had become very friendly. "I was
wrong, Mr Leigh. Put it down, please, to my anxiety. I beg your
pardon."

"Granted," said Hilary frankly. "I would not oppose you, sir, if I did
not feel that I was right."

"I am glad I am in the company of so clever a young officer," the other
replied. "Now about rest. I am too anxious to lie down to sleep. I
will take charge of the deck while you go and get a few hours' rest."

"Thank you, no," said Hilary quietly; "I, too, am anxious, and I shall
not be able to sleep till we are in port and the despatches are
delivered."

"But there is no need for both of us to watch, my dear sir," said the
other blandly.

"Then pray go below, sir," said Hilary. "You may depend on me."

The officer did not reply, but took a turn or two up and down, and as
the time glided on he tried again and again to persuade Hilary to go
below, which, in his capacity of chief officer, holding his first
command on a dark night and upon an important mission, he absolutely
refused to do.

Towards morning on two occasions the officer brought him glasses of
spirits and water, which Hilary refused to take; and at last, fearing to
make him suspicious, the officer desisted and stood leaning with his
back against the side, wrapped in a cloak, for it was very cold.

The light in front of the wheel shone faintly upon him as Hilary walked
slowly fore and aft, visiting the lookout man at the bows and the man at
the wheel; and at last, in the gloomy darkness of the winter's morning,
Hilary saw the Dunkerque lights.

"We're in sight of port, Mr Anderson," he said as he walked aft.

"Indeed!" said the other starting, and the wind gave his cloak a puff,
showing for a moment what Hilary saw was the butt of a pistol.

"What does he want with pistols?" said Hilary to himself; and after a
short conversation he again went forward, feeling curiously suspicious,
though there seemed to be no pegs upon which his suspicions could hang.

But he was not long kept in suspense and doubt. When they were about a
couple of miles from the entrance to the port a boat manned by eight
rowers came towards them, and Hilary noticed it directly.

"What does