_ leading the
double line, the fleet steamed away into the offing until they were
hidden from the sight of Callao behind San Lorenzo Island. But here, in
response to a signal, the fleet anchored, thus departing from its usual
custom of cruising to and fro during the hours of darkness.

But even before the ships had lost their way prior to dropping their
anchors, the _Janequeo_ was seen to sheer out of her place in the line;
and presently she raced up alongside the _Blanco Encalada_, where she
came to a standstill. The _Blanco's_ side-ladder was then lowered, and
Jim went down it on to the small craft's deck. Then a number of seamen
took their places on the accommodation-ladder, one on every step, from
the top to the bottom, and a group of Chilians likewise formed up on the
_Janequeo's_ deck.

Then a man made his appearance at the _Blanco's_ gangway, carrying
something heavy, which he handled with quite exceptional care. This
object he handed to the man at the top of the ladder, who passed it to
the next man, and so on until it reached the _Janequeo_, when it was
taken aboard and stowed away below with every sign of the utmost
precaution. This process was repeated again and again, until a dozen of
the mysterious packages had been placed on board; when, in profound
silence, the torpedo-boat sped away from the flagship, to visit each of
the other craft of the squadron in turn; receiving two men from one,
half a dozen from another, and so on, until her complement was complete.
All her lights were then extinguished, and she slid off into the
darkness without a sound. There was no cheering from the fleet, not
even so much as a shout of "Farewell!" but in his heart every man in
every ship silently wished success to the daring young Englishman and
his crew. The _Janequeo_ was out of sight in half a minute; and when
she had vanished the squadron got under way once more, and continued its
usual nightly cruise on and off the port; while Admiral Riveros,
standing on the navigating bridge, strained his ears in an attempt to
catch the sounds which should tell him that Jim's effort had been
unsuccessful, and that he and his gallant crew were no more.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

JIM IS TAKEN PRISONER.

Douglas's plan was, indeed, a sufficiently daring one; for he had
resolved upon the accomplishment of no less a task than that of blowing
into the air every ship in the Peruvian fleet then lying at Callao; and
to do this he had