This is our company's vessel, and we've found enough unstamped stuff in
the cabin to give 'em a good long rest in jail. We've got Davis, the
captain, but the other fellow is over on the other shore, unless he has
made his escape by this time. Come on board, boys."

The boys quickly accepted the invitation, and went on board where they
found Davis and his men prisoners.

There was not a large crew, and some of them had been asleep at the time
of the surprise, these being captured before they knew what was going on.

"Go aboard with the boys and all the men you need," said the captain to
the mate. "I am going with the pilot. Follow us and do exactly as we do.
I've got this fellow under my thumb. He knows he'll get a good long term
for smuggling, but I can get some of it taken off if he pilots us out, and
I've promised him to do my best for him. It'll be as hard as finding a
needle in a haystack to get a pilot and we have him, so what's the use of
looking?"

"Quite right, sir."

The captain stood in the pilot house with a pistol at the head of the
pilot, and told him to give his orders, and to give wrong ones at his
peril.

"If you sink us you'll sink yourself," he added, "so mind your chart and
steer straight."

"All right, Captain," said the other. "I'll do as you say. I am not over
fond of Davis, who has done me many a dirty turn, and as for Rollins,
there is no more trusting him than there is a wolf, and I shall be glad to
be shut of both of them and the business at the same time."

The boats were sent back to the yacht, which was put in charge of the
first officer, and followed in the wake of the _Circe_.

In this case she proved to be worthier of trust than her beautiful
namesake of the days of Ulysses, and she not only made her way safely out
through the tortuous channel among the reefs, but led the yacht with the
boys on board to the open water outside.

More than once as Captain Storms saw the waters bubbling and boiling
around them, and saw how close they were to the rocks he thought that they
were doomed, but as he watched the face of the pilot he saw that the man
was to be trusted, and held his peace.

When they were outside, and a great cheer went up from the Hilltop boys,
they proceeded to the end of the island in search of the cutter and at
last saw her smoke in the distance.

Sending her a wireless message they at length had the satisfaction of
seeing her approach, and at last the captain