fear. The situation warranted even the latter
emotion. The dim light cast by the nickering battle lanterns sent
fantastic shadows dancing over deck and bulkhead, and caused the men at
the guns to resemble, in their stained white working clothes, so many
gaunt spectres.

But they were spectres with a grim purpose in view, and as the officer
of the division strode back and forth, alert and watchful, they followed
his movements with their eyes, eager for the word that would set them in
action. They were not veterans, and their experience in war could have
been measured by days, but they were honestly ready to fight and to shed
the last drop of their blood for the flag waving over the taffrail.

It was a ticklish situation. Even the "Kid," with his careless,
happy-go-lucky mind, would have admitted that; but as time passed
without bringing a break in the monotony of waiting, we began to feel
restless. The tension was still great, but the first sense of
apprehension was gone.

"I do wish something would happen," muttered "Hay," after a while. "Can
you see anything from that port, 'Morrie'?"

"A wall of blackness, that's all," replied the Rochester man.

"We've changed our course several times," spoke up Flagg. "I think the
'old man' is scooting for cover."

"Fool if he didn't," growled Tommy. "They have a pretty habit of
court-martialling naval officers when they risk their ship
unnecessarily. If Captain Brownson should fail to do all in his power
to escape from what his judgment tells him is overwhelming odds, he'd
find himself in trouble. Discretion is the better part of valor, even in
the navy."

Suddenly we began to notice a peculiar glow tinging the darkness, and
reflecting from the polished parts of the gun. It came suddenly and with
a spurt of ruddy light unmistakable.

"It's a fire somewhere," exclaimed Flagg. "Look! it's getting brighter."

"It comes from this ship," cried "Stump," edging toward the port. "Is it
possible the old hooker is on fire?"

We waited for the ringing of the alarm bell, or the call to "fire
quarters," but the minutes slipped by without the summons. Outside, the
ruddy glare tinged the surface of the sea, sparkling from foam-crested
waves, and forming a circle of dancing light through which the "Yankee"
speeded on in her flight for safety.

Our curiosity increased apace, and we watched eagerly for passing
messengers or for some stray word that would explain the peculiar
phenomeno