in that direction looked misty and mysterious, though Capri loomed up, dark and grand, a few miles to leeward, and Ischia was visible, a confused but distant pile on the lee-bow.  An order from Cuffe, however, set everybody in motion.  Yard and stay-tackles were overhauled and hooked on, the boatswain’s-mate piped the orders, and the first cutter was hoisted over the waist cloths, and lowered into the water.  “Away, there, you first cutters,” had been hoarsely called on the berth-deck, and the crew were ready to enter the boat by the time the latter was lowered.  The masts were stepped, Roller appeared, in a pea-jacket, to guard against the night air, and Cuffe gave him his instructions.

“Set your sails and stretch over under the north shore, Mr. Roller,” said the captain, who stood in the lee-gangway, to give a last word.  “You will fetch in about Queen Joan’s Palace.  There, you had better take to your oars and pull up along the land.  Remember, sir, to join us by the first ship that comes out; and, if none is sent, to come down with the morning breeze in the boat.”

Roller gave the customary “Aye, aye, sir”; the boat shoved off; as soon as from under the lee of the ship the lugs were set, and half an hour later the night had swallowed up her form.  Cuffe remained an hour longer, walking the deck with his first-lieutenant; and then, satisfied that the night would prove propitious, he went below, leaving orders to keep the ship lying-to until morning.

As for Roller, he pulled alongside of the Foudroyant just as the bells of the fleet were striking eight, or midnight.  Nelson was still up, writing in his cabin.  The despatch was delivered, and then the secretary of the admiral and a clerk or two were called from their berths, for nothing lagged that this active-minded man had in charge.  Orders were written, copied, signed, and sent to different ships by two o’clock, that the morning breeze might not be lost; and not till then did the employes think of rest.

Roller left the flag-ship at two, having eaten a hearty supper in Nelson’s own cabin, and repaired on board the Terpsichore, a smart little frigate of thirty-two guns, twelve pounders, with instructions to her captain to receive him.  Two hours later this ship, in company with another still smaller, the Ringdove, 18, left her anchorage, under a cloud of canvas, and stood down the bay, carrying studding-sails on both sides, with a light wind at northwest, heading toward Capri.

CHAPTER XVII.

     “Speak to the business, Master Secretary: 
     Why are we met in council?”

     King Henry VIII.