e whistling wind. "Wonder how long we
are going to keep this up?"

"Don't know," responded Jack. "But I don't feel very comfortable. This
is too fast for me."

"Particularly when you can't see where you are going," Frank agreed.

Both became silent and peered into the intense darkness ahead.

For possibly half an hour the motorboat continued its terrific speed;
and then it slowed down abruptly. The two boys heard Lord Hastings call
them. They felt their way to where he stood by the wheel, for it was
impossible to see.

"Here," said their commander, "take this searchlight and flash it ahead.
See if you can pick up anything."

He passed a small but powerful searchlight to Jack, who again moved to
the bow.

Jack pressed the little button and a tiny but brilliant light flashed
over the water before the boat. There was nothing in sight, so far as
the boy could see.

"Nothing ahead, sir," he reported to Lord Hastings.

"Guess we had better remain about here, anyhow," muttered Lord Hastings,
half to himself.

Although the lads had no idea of the nature of their present mission,
they had asked no questions of their commander. They knew he would tell
them whatever he deemed necessary when the time was ripe; and until that
time they were satisfied to await whatever might transpire.

But one thing the boys had noticed which had given them much food for
thought. In the prow was mounted a small but heavy gun, and a second one
of the same size loomed up formidably astern. Plainly they were there
for a purpose, and Frank and Jack both realized that there was serious
work ahead of them.

Lord Hastings himself had examined both guns carefully and announced
that they were in first-class condition.

"All ready for use," he had said.

And now, although neither lad knew it, the time was fast approaching
when they were to be greatly needed.

Several times in the course of the next hour Lord Hastings ordered Jack
to see what he could pick up ahead; but each time the result had been
the same. There was nothing to disturb the calm peacefulness of the
night.

And then they were spared the need of another look, for there suddenly
loomed up less than a hundred yards ahead a dull-glowing white light.

"To the forward gun, Mr. Templeton," ordered Lord Hastings, thus, for
the first time on this mission, falling into old aboard-ship terms.

Jack sprang forward.

"Man the gun astern."

Frank obeyed this command with alacrity.