g a bit."

I was some time gaining the proper focus, but when I once had the
distant vessel caught fairly in the lens, I recognized her instantly.

"That's the _Sea Gull_, and, by heavens, they are keeping a sharp
lookout on board. See! she is swinging on her heel already; they've
sighted us."

He grasped the glass, and stared out through it in silence for several
minutes. Then he thrust it into a pocket and settled back out of sight
behind the canvas screen.

"You have called the turn," he said quietly, "and the dance is about to
begin. Unship your rudder and let it go. Let them think you are
wrecked, helpless to escape, and they will be more careless. You men
there, loosen your guns, and be ready to scale a ship's side in a
jiffy, but lie perfectly still until I give the word." He turned his
head.

"You understand what you are to do, Craig, you and the lady?"

"I think so. We are to obey Henley's orders, and go on board."

"Yes, but do something as soon as you reach the deck to attract
attention, and get them away from the rail. Try and get the lady as
far astern as possible, for there is likely to be some fighting. Are
you frightened, miss?"

"No," although her voice trembled from excitement. "You need not worry
about me."

I caught the gleam of admiration in the Lieutenant's eyes as he looked
at her, but almost instantly his thought centered on his own work.

"All right, then; I shall not wait for any signal. Now listen, men;
these are my last orders. When I say go, get up any way you can, and
hit the first man you see. Hit hard, but no shooting unless they use
firearms. But fight like devils, and do it quick. They outnumber us
three to one. Marston, you and Simms take the stoke hold and the
forecastle. Keep those fellows below down with your revolvers. Shoot
if you need to. The rest of you stick close to me. All clear, lads?"

"Aye, aye, sir," returned the muffled voices from beneath the canvas.

I unshipped the rudder, letting it disappear noiselessly beneath the
waves, and the boat's head swung slowly around, and we drifted
helplessly, the jib flapping. With our eyes on the approaching vessel
we remained motionless in the stern, our hands clasped. The flush had
faded from out her cheeks, yet once she turned toward me and smiled.
Forward not so much as the twitch of a muscle revealed any other
presence in the boat, the only visible thing a jumble of ropes and
canvas, apparently