"No, it's Jack Jepson they're after. Some old charge, I believe."
"Ha! I knew something would happen on this voyage!" exclaimed Mr. Pepper Sneed. "I felt it in my bones all along."
"Good thing you're not disappointed," murmured Alice.
"Oh dear!" sighed her sister. "It's too bad. And I liked Jack so."
"So did I," returned Alice. "But they're a long while sending that boat."
It did seem so, for there were no signs yet, of one being lowered over the side, though Captain Brisco, after the command to lay to, had ordered his accommodation ladder lowered to receive the visitors.
Then came another hail from the steamer.
"Mary Ellen ahoy!"
"Aye, aye!"
"We won't send a boat right away. A hurricane is sweeping up fast, and this is a bad locality in which to be caught," called one of the steamer's officers through a megaphone. "We'll have to get out of here, and so had you better. There's no sea-room here. We'll pick you up later, and don't forget you are in English waters, and subject to our orders. We're going to have that man!"