uxion glanced at the boats, and gave a few hasty orders, by which
the Josephine was headed towards the shore. The cooks and stewards in
the forecastle were released, and the chase commenced.

"I did not think they were quite so bold as this," said Dr. Carboy.

"They will do anything. Cleats thinks more of his stomach than of his
duty, or it would not have happened," replied Mr. Fluxion. "I have seen
the boys talking together a great deal on this cruise, and I was sure
something was brewing. I charged all the officers not to leave the deck
for a single instant. Probably the young rascals have been watching for
this opportunity during the whole cruise."

"It is a very foolish movement on their part," added Dr. Carboy.

"Yet if they had kept us in the cabin half an hour longer, it might
have succeeded, for the boats would have been out of sight. If they had
tied Bitts's arms behind him, it might have been half an hour before we
could have broken out of the cabin."

Mr. Fluxion questioned the watch officers very closely in regard to the
conduct of the crew on deck, and he soon understood the whole matter.
He was very severe upon Cleats for leaving the deck, declared that he
could not be trusted, and that he should be discharged. The latter was
very humble, acknowledged his error, and made no attempt to palliate
it. He had always been faithful, so far as was known, and probably had
never been guilty of any graver offence than that of leaving the deck
for a few minutes during his watch. But he had been expressly cautioned
not to do this, and had sent a hand below for his lunch, until the
present time.

In the boats the runaways were pulling with all their might to get out
of sight of the Josephine before the officers should set themselves at
liberty. Perth urged the oarsmen in the captain's gig to the most
tremendous exertion. But in less than ten minutes, and before they had
made a single mile, they saw the Josephine fill away, and stand towards
them.

"Did you fasten Bitts?" said Perth, to Phillips, who was in the gig
with him.

"I did. He couldn't get away, I know," replied Phillips.

"They are after us, and I'm afraid the game is up," added Perth. "The
Josephine can make two knots to our one in this breeze."

The leader was very anxious for the result. The plan had really failed
because the officers had released themselves so much sooner than was
expected. But Perth hoped to make it partially successful. Standi