“Don’t thank me, Stark. After all, it’s more hard work than honor, for it cannot be mentioned in the dispatches. I shall rely on you, however, to bring back the information we require as to the destination of the arms, and if you can do it without detection the arms themselves. Will you require any more men than Strong, Taylor and Stanley?”
“No, sir, the fewer the better, but we ought to have some one to handle the engine.”
“That’s right. I will get the engineer to detail a man to look after that.”
How that afternoon passed the boys could never tell. If ever hours were leaden-footed, those were. The consul’s launch came off during the afternoon, but immediately returned. During the time the diplomat had been on board, however, the plan had been explained to him, and he had enthusiastically placed his craft at the disposal of the Beale’s commander.
It grew toward dusk at last, however, and the boys ceased their impatient pacing of their cramped quarters. As for Stanley, he was as cool as the proverbial cucumber. Like several of the other men, he had borrowed a fish-line and was bobbing for red snappers most of the afternoon. Quite a number of lines were cast overboard from the Beale, and, though it cannot be said that much fish was caught, a wonderful amount of patience was displayed, so a good end was served after all.
The sun was disappearing behind the high mountains, beyond which a part of the insurgent forces were supposedly encamped, when Ned, who was standing forward gazing at the sunset, gave an exclamation.
“There’s a picture!” he said.
Tacking rapidly toward them across the glowing water was a small fishing craft. She moved swiftly as the evening breeze filled her single leg-o’-mutton sail.
“She’s coming out to us,” cried Herc suddenly.
Indeed, it looked like it, and presently it was seen that Herc was right. The little craft drew almost alongside the grim-looking destroyer before the figure at her helm hauled his sheet and put her about. As she shot away on the other tack there was a sudden splash from the Beale’s side, and a man went floundering into the water.