After supper that evening the fog cleared away and a breeze sprang up from the northward. The yacht kept up its rapid pace and the midshipmen decided that a watch should be kept by one of them at all times in order to see that nothing was done either to change the course or run the yacht into unnecessary danger. O’Neil was called and the plan of watches was told him, Marley continuing upon his duty of guarding Lieutenant Takishima.
“We must keep our eyes open for the Japanese ships,” Phil explained, “and yet not get too close to them. We are running without lights and should see them sooner than they will us, for they are not expecting us, while we are seeking them. They know that we have eluded the destroyer sent after us, but not knowing the high speed of the yacht, probably think that we are much to the northward and eastward.
“O’Neil, you take the watch until twelve o’clock. The compass course set is S. by W. I don’t trust Impey’s influence over Captain Bailey; so watch the steering. If anything is sighted call us all at once,” he said, turning to the boatswain’s mate.
“Can we depend upon these men, Wells and Randall, in case of an attempt by Impey to regain the control of the yacht?” Phil added questioningly.
“They ain’t very strong on Impey just now,” the boatswain’s mate replied. “I told them of his intention of getting asylum on the ‘Alaska’ and they felt sore to think he would have left them here to be pinched by the Japanese, which would have happened certain enough if it hadn’t been that we broke away before they could stop us. All the same, sir, I didn’t give either of them a gun, and I’ve collected all the loose firearms in the ship, and have ’em locked up tight.”
“We’ll watch them,” Phil said decidedly. “There’ll be lots they won’t approve of before we are through with this adventure.”
All three listened eagerly, for they saw in Phil’s face that he was about to unfold his plan.
“There’s a bay in the northwest coast of Paragua Island,” he continued. “If we can pilot the Chinese ships safely in there and anchor them we can hold the attention of the world on us without their knowing where on earth we are.
“I don’t know how long it will be necessary to keep the location of the ships secret,” he added. “That will depend upon the persuasive powers of Ambassador Tillotson and Captain Rodgers, armed with the President’s letter, which I feel sure is the key that will unlock the door of this misunderstanding.”
Sydney regarded his companion admiringly.