t away from us!"

"It certainly looks that way. Now I can see men setting the studding
sails on the booms. They are putting on every rag the old hooker will
carry!" cried the lad excitedly.

"I know why," stated Harry. "They think we're a German submarine chasing
them and they're trying to get away!"

"Let's run up a white flag, then," urged Ned. "They ought to know what
that means. They'll stop for that!"

In response to this suggestion the lads quickly overhauled the flag
locker finding just what they sought. The white flag was at once brought
to the deck where it was bent on to the halliards. It fluttered gaily at
the top of the short flagstaff. Some difficulty was experienced in
securing the staff because of an improperly fitting socket.

"Do they seem to be making any change?" inquired Harry presently.

"Yes," answered Ned. "They're crowding on more sail!"

"Then we might as well give it up!" stated the other. "They'll never stop
for us. Our only hope is to dive and come up close to some vessel so they
can't get away before we ask the questions."

"Maybe that would be a good idea," admitted Ned. "Anyhow, we'll have to
take down this flag. The signal staff don't fit!"

Disappointed because their efforts had been unavailing, the lads
regretfully folded the flag. It was restored to its proper place.

Harry, however, continued to urge the engines forward in the hope of
eventually overhauling the ship. This seemed to be within the range of
possibilities, but the boys all knew the maxim concerning a stern chase,
and were somewhat discouraged. Knowing that their intentions were of the
best, they felt slightly aggrieved that the other did not stop.

"I see a smoke away ahead of the ship!" announced Frank after a few
moments. "I can't tell which way they are headed, though!"

"At this rate of traveling, we'll soon find out!" declared Jack.

Evidently the smoke had been discovered by those aboard the sailing
vessel, for the course was altered slightly in that direction.

This change was noted by the boys. Jimmie shifted the helm slightly in
order to keep the submarine directly in the track of the ship.

"I wonder what that other vessel can be," puzzled Ned. "Let me take the
glasses a moment, Frank. I wish we were higher in the water," he added,
"then we could get a better range of vision."

Long and earnestly the boy inspected the strange vessel. Presently he
returned the glasses to Frank with a sigh.

"Wh