that, therefore, is the
direction in which I propose to steer. Let us make the craft snug, and
stand away to the southward and eastward, full and by, and at eight
o'clock to-morrow morning we will go about and make a leg to the
northward and eastward for perhaps twenty-four hours. This will place
us well to windward, and in about the last spot in the world where he
would think of looking for us. What do you think of the plan, Bob?"

"Fust rate," responded that worthy; "a reg'lar traverse, and about the
most in-and-out bit of carcumvention as the ingenuity o' man could
invent. Let's set about it at once, my lad; and by the time as we've
cleared up a bit, and made things comfortable, it'll be time to see
about gettin' tea."

We accordingly set about "making things comfortable" forthwith. The
balloon-topsail was carefully rolled up and put away, the spinnaker
(which we had only allowed to run in close to the mast, and had hastily
secured with a stop or two) ditto, and our topmast housed; the
spinnaker-boom was run in, unrigged, and secured, and we then gibed the
mainsail over, and stood away, close-hauled, about south-east, the
little _Lily_ staggering along in regular racing style under whole lower
canvas, when by rights, with the amount of wind we had, we ought to have
had at least _one_ reef down, and the Number 1 jib shifted for Number 2.

However, we were used to carrying on by this time, and had become so
thoroughly intimate with the cutter's sail-carrying powers that we knew
we might safely give her all the canvas her spars would bear.

By the time that all was done, and our gun (which we did not think it
worth while to dismount and stow away again for the present) carefully
covered over with its painted canvas coat, the sun was on the verge of
the horizon, the weather having a settled appearance, with a promise of
the breeze holding good through the night.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE WRECK OF THE "COPERNICUS."

At eight o'clock next morning, nothing having occurred during the night
worthy of record, we went about and stood away about north-east on the
starboard tack. The wind continued fresh, but steady, and we averaged
quite thirteen knots during the whole of the next twenty-four hours.

Having carried out our plan for eluding the brig, and being by this time
well to windward of the spot where we parted company with her, I
considered we might now with safety bear away upon our course, which we
accordi