"What authority have you over us, I'd like to know?" in an angry tone.
"See that masthead light? That means to look out for the enemy. We are here to see that the enemy are looked out for. That's my authority! Pull ahead, my men!"
The middy in the other boat saw just enough blue and gold lace to mistake Dick for a naval officer, and the young patriot's tone of authority did the rest.
"Very good, sir!" promptly, and the boats containing the boys went on, the names painted on the sterns being seen, and no one supposing that any one but British bluejackets would be in them.
"Keep a sharp lookout below there, Midshipman!" said Dick, in a commanding tone. "There is no use of that light. You are only giving the rebels warning."
The other boat went on, and the masthead light was presently extinguished, much to Bob's delight.
"The thing has burned out, I suppose," he muttered, "and they will not renew it. Good thing, too!"
"Keep on steady, boys, and make as little noise as possible," said Dick. "We are not out of danger yet, and no one knows what may happen before we get up to the obstructions."
"We may be able to go ashore there, Captain," observed Harry, "in place of having to get through them."
"Yes, if there are no lines drawn across the island at that point. We can tell better when we get there."