shout, followed by a yell, the report of a
revolver, succeeded by the deep booming roar of a fog-syren which had
been set going by the funnel, and then as Fitz Burnett felt that the
crash was upon them, the roar of the fog-horn was behind, for the _Teal_
had as nearly as possible scraped past the gunboat's stern, and was
flying onward towards the open sea.

For a few moments no one spoke, and then it was one of the look-out men.

"About as near as a toucher, that, messmate."

"Ay, and I seemed to have no wind when I wanted to blow. Once is quite
enough for a job like that."

"Is it true, Poole?" whispered Fitz, and his voice sounded hoarse and
strange.

"I don't quite know yet," was the reply as the lad walked aft. "It
seemed so impossible and queer--but it is, and, my word, how close!"

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

IN THE DARK.

"Silence there!" came in a stern, deep voice. "Sound travels in a night
like this."

It was the speaker's ultra caution spoken in a moment of intense
excitement in which he hardly realised how far they had left the gunboat
behind. But his orders were obeyed, utter stillness ruling on board the
schooner till they had visual proof that there was no necessity for such
care.

"What's that? Look!" whispered Fitz, as there was a faint lambent glare
far astern, one which gradually increased, and Poole whispered back--

"They are burning a blue light."

"Yes," said the skipper, who was still close at hand. "Know what that
means, my boy?"

"Well, I suppose it's to try if they can see us, father."

"Not it," said the skipper sharply. "You know, Mr Burnett?"

"I should say it's a signal, sir, to recall their boats."

"Right, my lad; that's it; and that will take some little time, for I
dare say they are spread all over the bay. She's not likely to have a
consort; eh, Burgess?"

"I should think not," was the reply. "No, I don't think we need trouble
ourselves about that."

"Right, then. Get well out into the offing, and then sail for
south-east by south."

The mate grunted, gave an order or two, with the result that a
gaff-topsail was run up, and the schooner heeled over more and more,
while now the dim light that had been thrown down on the binnacle was
increased a little, and the skipper took his place beside the steersman.

"That means that he is not afraid of our being seen," said Poole
quietly. "I say, what an escape we had! Don't you call this exciting?"

"Yes," s