you?"

"Yes," shouted Poole.

"Then that's what they're about; trying to clear her again; and when
they do they've got to get their vessel off the rocks. I'm going to
stop and see; but you had better row up stream as hard as you can, so as
to let the skipper see that you have not all gone to the bottom. He
told me he was sure you had."

The men's oars dipped again, and they rowed with all their might,
passing the dinghy with the man in charge moored at the foot of the
cliff, while soon after they had turned one of the bends and came in
sight of the schooner a loud hail welcomed them from those who were on
board. Then Poole stood up in the stern, after handing the rudder-lines
to his companion, and began waving his hat to the skipper, who made a
slight recognition and then stood watching them till they came within
hail.

"Well," he said, through his speaking-trumpet, "what luck?"

"The gun's done for, father, and the gunboat's ashore," shouted Poole,
through his hands.

"Oh. I heard that the enemy had gone on the rocks. And what about the
propeller?"

"Oh, we fouled it, father," said Poole coolly. "That's right," said the
skipper, in the most unconcerned way. "I thought you would. There,
look sharp and come aboard. There's some breakfast ready, but I began
to think you didn't mean to come. What made you so long?"

He did not wait to hear the answer, but began giving orders for the
lowering of another boat which he was about to send down to communicate
with the mate.

"I say," said Fitz, grinning, "your dad seems in a nice temper. He's
quite rusty."

"Yes," said Poole, returning the laugh. "I suppose it's because we
stopped out all night. There, get out! He's as pleased as can be, only
he won't make a fuss. It's his way."

The day glided on till the sun was beginning to go down. Messages had
passed to and fro from the watchers, who had kept an eye upon the
gunboat, which was still fast.

Fitz, after a hearty meal, being regularly fagged out, had had three or
four hours' rest in his bunk, to get up none the worse for his night's
adventure, when he joined Poole, who had just preceded him on deck.

He came upon the skipper directly afterwards, who gave him a searching
look and a short nod, and said abruptly--

"All right?"

"Yes, quite right, thank you, sir."

"Hah!" said the skipper, and walked on, taking no notice of Poole, who
was coming up, and leaving the lads together.

"I say,"