horoughly appreciated the hazardous nature of this advance
upon the unsuspecting fleet, protected by two heavy vessels of war,
either of which was probably much stronger than their own ship; but the
very audacity and boldness with which the affair was being carried out
thoroughly suited the daring crew.

Most of them had stripped to the waist in anticipation of the coming
conflict, for they felt confident that the fleet would not escape
without a battle; and during the next hour they clustered about the
guns, quietly whispering among themselves, and eagerly waiting the
events of the night. The nervous strain appeared to affect everybody
except the imperturbable captain, but the deep silence was unbroken
save by low-voiced commands from the first lieutenant. All sail had
been made as soon as it had become thoroughly dark, the yards properly
braced, and the guns run out again.

CHAPTER XIV

_A Surprise for the Juno_

The Ranger, a new and swift-sailing ship, and going free also, rapidly
edged down upon the slow moving convoy on the wind. The frigate, it
was noticed, was several miles ahead in the van; the other ships were
carelessly strung out in a long line, probably not suspecting the
existence of any possible enemy in those waters. The sloop of war
appeared to be among the rear ships, while the nearest vessel to the
Ranger was a large schooner, whose superior sailing qualities had
permitted her to reach several miles to windward of the square-rigged
ships; she appeared to be light in ballast also. All of the convoy
showed lights. The Ranger, on the contrary, was as dark as the night,
not even the battle lanterns being lighted. She rapidly overhauled the
schooner, and almost before her careless people were aware of it, she
was alongside.

"Schooner ahoy!" called out the captain of the ship, standing on the
rail, trumpet in hand.

"Ahoy, there!" came back from the schooner; "what ship is that?"

"His Britannic majesty's sloop of war Southampton, Captain Sir James
Yeo. I have a message from the admiral for this convoy, which we have
been expecting. Send a boat aboard."

"Ay, ay, sir. Will you heave to for us?"

"Yes, swing the main-yard there, Mr. Seymour, and heave to."

In a few moments the splash of oars was heard, and a small boat drew
out of the darkness to the starboard gangway of the Ranger. A man
stood up in the stern sheets, and seizing the man ropes thrown to him
climbed up on the d