know. It's rather awkward
for me, seeing how I am placed."

"Yes--very; but I don't believe you would think so if you knew what sort
of a character this usurping mongrel Spaniard is. There is more of the
treacherous Indian in his blood than of the noble Don. Perhaps under
the circumstances I had better make you a prisoner in your cabin with
the dead-light in, so that you can't make a signal to the enemy with
lamp or match."

"It would be safer, sir," said Fitz.

"But most unpleasant," continued the skipper. "But there, my lad,
situated as you are, I don't think you need strain a point. Give me
your parole that you will content yourself with looking on, and I won't
ask you to go below."

"Oh, he will, father. I'll answer for that," cried Poole.

"Answer for yourself, my boy. That's enough for you to do. Let Mr
Burnett give me his own assurance. It would be rather mean, wouldn't
it, Mr Burnett, if you did betray us?"

"Yes, sir; horrible," cried Fitz quickly. "But if it were one of our
ships I should be obliged."

"Of course," said the skipper; "but as it is you will hold your tongue?"

"Yes, sir; I shall look on."

"That's right. Now then," continued the skipper, "the game's going to
begin. There is sure to be some firing, so keep well down under the
shelter of the bulwarks. Of course they will never have a chance to
take aim, but there is no knowing what a random shot may do."

"Want me to do anything, father?" said Poole eagerly.

"No, my boy. There is nothing you can do. It will all lie with Mr
Burgess; Butters, who will be at the wheel; myself, and the men who trim
the sails."

"You are going to sail right away then; eh, father?"

"That all depends, my boy--just as the chances come."

"But as the schooner draws so little water, sir," said Fitz eagerly,
"won't you sail close in under the shore?"

"No, my lad. That's just what the enemy will expect, and have every
boat out on the _qui vive_. I don't mind telling you now what my plans
will be."

He was silent for a few minutes, and they dimly made out that he was
holding up his left hand as a warning to them not to speak, while he
placed his right behind his ear and seemed to be listening, as if he
heard some sound.

"Boat," he said, at last, in a whisper, "rowing yonder right across our
stern. But they didn't make us out. Oh, I was about to tell you what I
meant to do. Run right by the gunboat as closely as I can without
touch