In the dark.
“Silence there!” came in a stern, deep voice. “Sound travels in a night like this.”
It was the speaker’s ultra caution spoken in a moment of intense excitement in which he hardly realised how far they had left the gunboat behind. But his orders were obeyed, utter stillness ruling on board the schooner till they had visual proof that there was no necessity for such care.
“What’s that? Look!” whispered Fitz, as there was a faint lambent glare far astern, one which gradually increased, and Poole whispered back—
“They are burning a blue light.”
“Yes,” said the skipper, who was still close at hand. “Know what that means, my boy?”
“Well, I suppose it’s to try if they can see us, father.”
“Not it,” said the skipper sharply. “You know, Mr Burnett?”
“I should say it’s a signal, sir, to recall their boats.”
“Right, my lad; that’s it; and that will take some little time, for I dare say they are spread all over the bay. She’s not likely to have a consort; eh, Burgess?”