unctory order, since every man from the
jack-of-the-dust to the captain was already on deck.

"Mr. Seymour," said Jones to the first lieutenant, who had taken the
trumpet at the call of all hands, "we must dress for the ball, and our
best disguise for the present will be that of a merchantman. I don't
suppose that the English imagine that we have a ship afloat in these
waters, and possibly they can't see us, against this cloud bank in this
twilight, as we can see them against the setting sun; but we will be on
the safe side for the few moments of daylight left us. They may be
looking at us over there, so we will hoist the English flag at once;
and as we are nearing them a little too rapidly, better brail up the
fore and main sails, and take in the royals and the fore and mizzen
topgallantsails for the present, and slack off the running gear. Then
beat to quarters, and have the guns run in and double shotted, close
the ports, and have the arms distributed; clear the forecastle too,
except of two or three men, and bid everybody observe the strictest
quiet, especially when we get in among the convoy," he continued
rapidly.

"You can see them now from the deck, sir," said Lieutenant Simpson,
handing the glass to the captain.

"Ay, so you can, but not well. Mainroyal there! Can you make them out
any better?"

"Yes, sir. There's eighteen sail of them; one is a frigate and one
looks like a sloop of war, sir; the rest is merchantmen, some of 'em
armed."

"Very good. Have they seen us yet?"

"Don't appear to take no notice on us so far, sir."

"Come down from aloft then, and get your grog and guinea, Jack; we
won't need you up there any more; it is getting too dark to see
anything there, anyway. Beat to quarters, Mr. Seymour. Ah, there go
the lights in the convoy."

For the next few moments the decks presented a scene of wild confusion,
which gradually settled down into an orderly quiet, the various
directions of the captain were promptly carried out, and the ship was
speedily prepared for the conflict, though outwardly she had lost her
warlike appearance, and now resembled a peaceful trader.

While the Ranger had been slowly drawing nearer to the sluggish fleet
of merchantmen and their convoy, the early twilight of the late season
faded away and soon gave place to darkness; the night was cloudy, the
sky being much overcast, and there was no moon, all of which was well
for their present purpose.

The men t