must wait till toward morning, and then
quietly row close to the ship, climb on board, and make a brave attack,
and hope to succeed."

"Yes," said Mr Preddle, "and if we fail we shall have done our duty.
Yes, we must fight."

"But you've got nothing to fight with," I said, for no one spoke now.

"Except the oars," said Mr Preddle.

"Why, you couldn't climb up the ship's side with an oar in your hand," I
cried. "Look here, wouldn't it be best for one of us to get on board in
the dark, and try to get some guns or pistols?"

"Will you go and try, Dale?" said Mr Brymer, eagerly. "That was what I
meant."

I was silent.

"You are right," he said sadly; "it would be too risky."

"I didn't mean that," I said hastily; "I was only thinking about how I
could get on board. I don't mind trying, because if he heard me and
tried to catch me, I could jump over the side, and you'd be there
waiting to pick me up."

"Of course," cried Mr Brymer. "I know it is a great deal to ask of
you, my lad, and I would say, do not expose yourself to much risk. We
should be, as you say, ready to pick you up."

"I don't see why he shouldn't go," drawled Mr Preddle. "One boy stole
the arms and ammunition away, so it only seems right that another boy
should go and steal--no, I don't mean steal--get them back."

"Will you go, Mr Preddle?" said the mate.

"If you like. I'll do anything; but I'm afraid I couldn't climb on
board, I'm so fat and heavy, and, oh dear! I'm afraid that all my poor
fish are dead."

At any other time I should have laughed, but our position was too grave
for even a smile to come upon my face. Instead of feeling that Mr
Preddle was an object to excite my mirth, I felt a sensation of pity for
the pleasant, amiable gentleman, and thought how helpless he must feel.

"You will have to go, Dale," said Mr Brymer.

"Yes," said Mr Frewen; "Dale will go for all our sakes."

"When shall he go?" said the mate; "to-morrow night, after we have
thrown Jarette off his guard by sailing right away?"

"It would not throw him off his guard," cried Mr Frewen, excitedly.
"The man is too cunning. He would know that it was only a ruse, and be
on the watch. Dale must go to-night--at once. Who knows what
twenty-four hours may produce?"

"Exactly," said Mr Preddle.

"I quite agree with you," replied the mate; "but I did not wish to urge
the lad to attempt so forlorn a hope without giving him a little time
for plan and prep