to see if they can pick up a few men out of them."

"Oh, that's a false alarm, captain," said Uncle Paul. "My papers and
the work we're upon with a grant from Government would clear us."

"Ought to, sir," said the skipper gruffly, "but I wouldn't trust them.
If a King's ship wants men, good smart sailors such as ours, men who
have served, her captain wouldn't be above shutting his eyes and making
a mistake. Anyhow I'm going to crack on as hard as I can till she
brings us up with a gun, and then I suppose I shall have to heave to or
risk the consequences."

"Hadn't you better risk the consequences, Captain Chubb?" said Rodd, in
a half-whisper.

"Here you, Rodney, mind what you are saying, sir! It's the duty of
every Englishman to respect the law, and I feel perfectly certain,
Captain Chubb, that there is nothing to fear in that direction, so go
quietly on as you are, unless you are obliged to heave to. Seeing how
little wind there is, and how distant that sloop, I think it's very
probable that she'll not overhaul us before it grows dark."

"Oh, uncle," cried Rodd, "she'll have plenty of time. The sun won't go
down for an hour or so."

"Well, how long will it be before it's dark afterwards?" cried Uncle
Paul. "You forget that we are in the tropics, and how short a time it
is between sunset and darkness."

"Yes, sir; you are quite right there," said the skipper, "and that's
what I'm hoping for. If we can only get the bit of time over 'twixt
this and the dark, I shan't care, for she won't see us in the morning."

By this time one of the sailors forward had noticed the skipper using
the glass, seen what took his attention, and communicated it to his
messmates, with the result that all who had been below gathered forward
and stood anxiously watching the beautiful vessel, whose sails glistened
in the sunshine as if their warp was of silver and their woof of gold.

Rodd noticed at once what a change had taken place amongst the men. All
listlessness had gone, and they were watching the King's ship, for such
Captain Chubb had declared her to be at once, and were talking in
excited whispers together, their manner showing that whatever the
captain's opinion might be, theirs was, as sailors, that they would not
trust a King's ship that was in want of men.

After a time Rodd was attracted towards them, and he strolled up, Joe
Cross turning to him at once, to begin questioning him in a low tone.

"What does the sk