enough, as in reality did Paul, that a
vessel much inferior in size might so far cripple them and impede their
progress as to allow the more powerful ships to come up. Still the
_Ruby_ was well ahead when the sun went down. As twilight rapidly
deepened into the gloom of night, the spirits of all on board increased.
A light was now shown at the cabin window. There was no moon, and the
night became very dark. Meantime, a cask had been prepared with a
bright light on the top of it. The loftier sails were handed, the cask
was lowered, and at the same instant the after-ports were closed. The
light was seen floating brightly and calmly astern. The helm was then
put down, the yards braced up, and the frigate stood away on a bowline
close-hauled to the westward.

For some hours she tore on with her hammock nettings almost in the
water; but it was a race for freedom, and what Briton would not undergo
any risk for that? No one, not even the idlers, thought of turning in.
Dawn came at length. Eager and sharp eyes were on the lookout at the
mastheads, but not a sign of the enemy was perceived. Once more the
helm was put up, and the frigate stood to the north-west.

Never did a ship's company turn to at their breakfast with more hearty
goodwill than did that of the _Ruby_. The only person missing at his
mess was Gregory Gipples; and this convinced Tim Fid that he must have
thrown himself overboard. True Blue and Harry Hartland, however,
differed with him, and argued the point. "If he was such a coward and
so afraid of shot, surely he would not deliberately go and destroy
himself," said they.

Fid insisted that his great fear of being shot made him dread less the
idea of drowning.

"He wasn't quite such a fool as all that," said Harry. "Here comes Sam
Smatch. Let's ask him what he thinks about it."

"What do I think about it?" exclaimed Sam, after they had laid the state
of the case before him. "I'll tell ye, boys. Big Gipples, him no fool.
He's stowed his fat carcase away somewhere down in de hold. Let's you
all and me go and look for him, and we soon rouse him up like one great
rat with rope's end."

"Set a thief to catch a thief!" whispered Harry to Fid. "I thought he
would know where Gipples was likely to be found."

Sam had been known on more than one occasion to stow himself snugly away
during action. When discovered, he had boldly avowed the wisdom of his
conduct. "For why?" he argued. "Suppose no