THE SCHOONER
The Polipheme with outstretched sails sped swiftly after the schooner. Soliviac turned the telescope upon her, remarking to the mate:
"She seems to be lying to."
The mate took the instrument and looked also.
"Not only lying to," he said, "but she is also drawing in sails."
"What can that mean?" mused the captain.
"It means good luck to us, for within another quarter of an hour she will be within our reach. Then we may send her a salute. There is no necessity of announcing our intentions to the high seas: therefore, lower the French flag and hoist the Dutch, in case there be witnesses to our fray."
These orders were silently executed. The crew never commented upon the captain's acts. Besides, having been habituated by their long campaigns against England to piracy and lust for booty, they chafed at the restrictions of a normally organized commerce and enthusiastically welcomed the approaching struggle. The schooner's graceful form, floating the English flag, was easily discernible. Her crew appeared like ants, moving to and fro.
"Captain," exclaimed the pilot, "do you not see them signal? They have just fired off a sky rocket."
"Let us give them a sample of our rockets!" answered Soliviac.