"Stop rowing," the lieutenant in
command of the boat ordered, "and don't move."

In about three minutes a large rowing-boat, manned by a number of oars,
could be made out passing across ahead of them. The ship's boat, however,
was so small an object in comparison that it remained unnoticed. They
waited till the beat of oars ceased in the distance and then rowed on
again.

"That was a narrow escape," the lieutenant muttered. "Evidently she was
lying in wait to catch you, and if she had been fifty yards nearer to us
she must have made us out. I think we are safe now, for the course she was
taking will not carry her anywhere near the frigate. At any rate we have a
good start, and I have a lantern here to show in case we are chased."

They had rowed two miles farther when they again heard the sound of oars.

"We must row for it now," the lieutenant said. "The frigate is not much
more than a mile away."

The men bent to their oars, and the lieutenant raised and lowered his
lantern three times. This signal was almost immediately answered by the
boom of a gun from the frigate. For a time the enemy continued the
pursuit, but on a second gun being fired they ceased rowing.

"They must know that the frigate can't see them," the lieutenant said,
"but they have no doubt come to the conclusion that they cannot overtake
us before we get to her. Anyhow it is certain that they have given it up
as a bad job."

In ten more minutes they were alongside the frigate.

"Is Mr. Gilmore with you?" a voice asked from above.

"Yes, I am here, sir, safe and sound."

"That is good news," the first lieutenant said, as Will stepped on deck.
"The captain was afraid, after he had let you go, that he had sacrificed
you, and that, going as you did in your uniform, you would be certain to
be captured."

"No, sir; I had two narrow escapes, but got off all right, and have
brought you the list of gun-boats and row-boats that you required. I am
afraid, though, that it will require careful opening, for I had to swim
off to the boat."

"That will not matter as long as we can read it," the lieutenant said.
"Now you had better come to the captain and hand it to him."

"I am heartily glad to see you, Mr. Gilmore," the captain said. "I have
been very uneasy about you, and I really hardly expected you to return
to-night. We knew that the boat was being chased, by the lights Lieutenant
Falcon showed, but I feared that she was coming back without you.