Yet no one cared to linger at the table; and when all had finished their repast they quickly repaired to the deck to watch the movements of the squadron. But for a while there seemed to be none, the vessels all riding quietly at anchor.
"Dear me!" Rosie at length exclaimed, "I wish they'd begin to do something!"
"I think they are going to," said Max. "See, there's a boat leaving the flag-ship; I suppose to carry a message to one of the others."
"Oh, I'll go and ask Papa about it!" exclaimed Lulu.
"About what, daughter?" asked the Captain's voice close at her side.
"That boat that has just left the flag-ship, sir," she answered. "Do you know where it's going, and what for?"
"I can only conjecture that it carries some message, probably from the Admiral to the commander of one of the other vessels."
"It's pulling for the 'Wanita,'" said Max; "and see, there are other boats going about from one vessel to another."
"Yes," his father said, "and see yonder are several boats filled with marines, pulling for the shore of Gardiner's Island. Evidently there is to be a sham fight."
"I'm ever so glad it won't be a real one, Papa," said Grace. "It would be so dreadful to see folks killed."