t a time, and I will answer them if I can. In the first place, captain,
I am not running away from the pirate; I am pursuing him. I thought I
had cornered him in the cove, but he has got out, and how he did it is a
mystery to me."

"Escaped!" exclaimed the major, in disgust.

Without noticing the interruption, Harry went on to tell Captain Steele
what he had done, and to describe to him the movements of the phantom
schooner, which filled every body with astonishment. The major and his
officers listened attentively to all that was said, and exchanged
significant winks with one another. The chase after the pirates promised
to be interesting, and to afford them full scope for the exercise of all
the judgment and foresight they possessed, and if the skipper of the
Sweepstakes continued to show the skill he had thus far exhibited, he
might succeed in getting safely on the sea in spite of all their efforts
to capture him. They hoped to obtain some clue to his intended
movements, but the officers of the yacht were as much in the dark as
themselves.

"I might have known better than to ask any information of you," said the
major. "If you could put your finger on Tom Newcombe at this moment you
wouldn't tell me."

"Indeed I would," replied Harry, honestly. "If the Crusoe men were
simply runaway students, and were guilty of no more serious offense than
deserting the academy, perhaps I should decline to give you any
assistance in the way of advice or information. If they escaped, there
would be no great harm done. But Tom Newcombe must not be allowed to
remain at liberty after trying to burn our vessel, and if we don't catch
him I hope you will. If you are smart enough to do it, you will simply
be performing an act of justice, and you can claim the honors."

"Well, we'll be off," said the major. "If you want some help we'll make
fast to you and tow you down the narrows."

Harry looked at the captain, but the latter had not yet assumed the
command, and had nothing to say, so the lieutenant replied that he was
much obliged for the offer of assistance, but, if it was all the same to
the major, he would use his own motive power.

"All right," said Williams. "We wish you the best of luck, but that
won't help you any; and so you might as well go back to the academy. You
have had the 'pirates,' as you call them, twice within your grasp, and
allowed them to escape. Just let us put our eyes on them once! The next
time you see us we'