ing her, for it strikes me that will be the last thing that they
will expect."

He moved away the next moment, leaving the boys together once again, to
talk in whispers about the exciting episode that was to come.

"I say, Fitz," whispered Poole excitedly, "isn't this better than being
on board your sleepy old _Tonans_?"

"You leave the sleepy old _Tonans_ alone," replied the middy. "She's
more lively than you think."

"Could be, perhaps; but you never had a set-out like this."

"No," said Fitz stiffly, "because the _Tonans_ never runs away."

"That's one for me," said Poole, laughing. "There are times when you
must run, my lad, and this is one. Hullo, they're shaking out more
canvas. It's going to be yachting now like a race for a cup. It's
'bout ship too."

"Yes, by the way one can feel the wind," replied Fitz; "but I don't
believe your people can see which way to steer."

"Nor I neither," said Poole coolly. "Father is going to chance it, I
believe. He'll make straight for where he saw the gunboat last, as he
thinks, and take it for granted that we can't run on to her. Besides,
she is pretty well sure to be on the move."

"Most likely," said Fitz; "but it's terribly risky work."

The rippling of the water under the schooner's bows came very plainly
now, as the boys went right forward, where two men were on the look-out.
These they joined, to find that they had the sternest instructions, and
these were communicated by the men to the two lads.

"Mustn't speak, gentlemen," they said.

"Just one word," whispered Fitz. "What are you going to do if you make
out that you are running right on to the enemy?"

"Whistle," said the man addressed, laconically.

"What, for more wind?" asked Fitz.

"No, sir," said the man, with a low chuckle; "for the man at the wheel.
One pipe means starboard; two pipes, port. See?"

"No," said Poole, "but he can hear."

As they were whispering, the louder rippling beneath the schooner's
cut-water plainly told of the rate at which they were gliding through
the dark sea. The stars were clear enough overhead, but all in front
seemed to be of a deep transparent black, whose hue tinged even the
staysail, jib, and flying-jib, bellying out above their heads and in
front. As far as the lads could make out they had been running in
towards the city, taken a good sweep round, and then been headed out for
the open sea, with the schooner careening over and rushing through the
w