sted the ensign to the flagstaff.

"Now, sir," he remarked, as he gathered up his tools and paint pot,
"she's a government craft again."

"I see," commented Denman; and then to Florrie as King went forward:
"They're getting foxy. We're steaming into the crowd again, and they
want to forestall inspection and suspicion. I wonder if our being
allowed on deck is part of the plan? A lady and an officer aft look
legitimate."

At noon every man was dressed to the regulations, in clean blue, with
neckerchief and knife lanyard, while Jenkins and Forsythe appeared in
full undress uniform, with tasteful linen and neckwear.

That this was part of the plan was proven when, after a display of
bunting in the International Signal Code from the yard up forward, they
ranged alongside of an outbound tank steamer that had kindly slowed down
for them.

All hands but one cook and one engineer had mustered on deck,
showing a fair semblance of a full-powered watch; and the one
cook--Billings--displayed himself above the hatch for one brief
moment, clad in a spotless white jacket.

Then, just before the two bridges came together, Jenkins hurried down
the steps and aft to Denman to speak a few words, then hasten forward.
It was sufficiently theatrical to impress the skipper of the tanker, but
what Jenkins really said to Denman was: "You are to remember your
parole, sir, and not hail that steamer."

To which Denman had nodded assent.

"Steamer ahoy!" shouted Forsythe, through a small megaphone. "You are
laden with oil, as you said by signal. We would like to replenish our
supply, which is almost exhausted."

"Yes, sir," answered the skipper; "but to whom shall I send the bill?"

"To the superintendent of the Charlestown Navy Yard. It will very likely
be paid to your owners before you get back. We want as much as a hundred
tons. I have made out a receipt for that amount. Throw us a heaving line
to take our hose, and I will send it up on the bight."

"Very well, sir. Anything else I can do for you, sir?"

"Yes; we want about two hundred gallons of water. Been out a long time."

"Certainly, sir--very glad to accommodate you. Been after that runaway
torpedo boat?"

"Yes; any news of her on shore? Our wireless is out of order."

"Well, the opinion is that she was lost in the big blow a few days ago.
She was reported well to the nor'ard; and it was a St. Lawrence Valley
storm. Did you get any of it?"

"Very little," answered Forsyth