ong by the north coast and probably mean escape.

"Schooner captain doesn't know his way through the Narrows, then," said
Vince thoughtfully, as they stood watching the now distant schooner.

"I suppose not. Why, he could easily have got round and saved all
that."

"I say," cried Vince, "never mind about old Jacques: smugglers are
blackguards, and ought to be caught."

"Yes, of course."

"Well, then, let's tell the cutter captain how to get through the
narrows and cut the schooner off."

"I couldn't. I should send him on the rocks. Could you?"

"Oh, I could," said Vince. "Here he comes. You'll hail the boat as
soon as you're near enough, sir?"

"Eh?--the boat to set you ashore? I'd almost forgotten. Well, I
suppose I must. Mr Johnson! Bah, I forgot: he's prize-master aboard
the lugger. By the way, you think there's no fear of that craft
sinking, my lad?"

"I feel sure, sir. The powder all exploded upward."

"Good. Here, Mr Roberts, hoist a flag for a pilot: that may bring yon
fellow."

The little flag was hoisted; old Joe took no heed, however, but went on
in his boat, and the lieutenant grew impatient.

"Do you think that man understands the signal?"

"I'm sure of it, sir, for he's the best pilot we have, and knows every
rock."

"Then it's obstinacy. By George, I'll sink the scoundrel if he doesn't
heave to;" and, giving the order, a shot was sent skipping along just in
front of old Daygo's boat, when the sail was lowered directly, hoisted
again, and the boat's head turned to run towards the cutter.

"Understands that, my lads," said the lieutenant; "but you must jump
down quickly--I am losing a deal of time."

"Never mind, sir," said Vince; "I've been sailing all about here ever
since I was quite a little fellow, and I know the rocks too. The
schooner must tack round in half an hour's time, and then run east."

"Yes, I know that."

"Well, sir, you can run from here right across, and save miles."

The officer looked at him keenly.

"The passage is called the Narrows, and it's all deep water. You see
the big gull rock away yonder--the one with the white top?"

"Well!"

"Make straight for that, and go within half a cable's length. Then
tack, keep the south point right over the windmill for your bearings,
and sail due east too. Then you can cut the smuggler off."

"Hah! yes; it's down on the chart, but I did not dare to try it. Thank
you, my lad; that is grand. Ah! here's t