“Where did he get you two?”

“In a bayou off the Alabama coast.”

“And you got away last evening—­how?”

“By imprisoning the Captain and steward below; I was obliged to knock the first mate overboard, but we were unseen by any others.  Let me tell you the whole story; it will scarcely require five minutes.”

He nodded his head, walking back and forth as I reviewed the events swiftly.  I hardly think he asked so much as a single question, his eyes upon my face and then upon the face of the girl.

“A rather strange tale,” he commented when I had concluded, “and, perhaps, the whole is not told.  However that is none of my affair.  Now listen; this is a revenue cutter.  We were ordered out of Pensacola four days ago to intercept this boat on which you two were prisoners.  We have n’t even sighted the vessel, and if we did would be perfectly helpless; as she can steam three knots to our one.  Only some streak of wonderful good luck would ever enable us to capture her.  I half believe you are the good luck, if you do what I suggest.”

“What?” I asked.  “I will be willing.  Would you need Mrs. Henley also?”

“Yes,” he turned to the officer who was still standing.

“How large was the boat, Mr. Smith?”

“Capable of transporting about fifteen, sir.”

“Hardly enough; still I don’t know; we could afford to take a chance.  What crew did the Sea Gull carry?”

“I do not know how many were below, sir,” I answered, beginning dimly to conceive his purpose.  “I never saw to exceed a dozen on deck in a watch.”

“Any evidence they were armed?”

“I know they were not; the officers carried weapons, but would never trust the crew.”

“And only two officers remaining?”

“There may be an engineer, sir.”

He pondered a moment, grave-faced, and silent.

“It is not a very complicated plan, but we will try It.  I don’t think Henley will leave these waters without an effort to recover his boat, and prisoners.  He will want those papers, and revenge on Craig here.  He has no warning that we are after him.  I believe the fellow will cruise about in the same neighborhood until daylight.  What do you say, Smith?”

“I agree with you, sir.”

“Good; then all we have got to do is lay a trap; the boat’s the trap.”

“You mean conceal a squad of men in the bottom, and send it adrift again?”

“Exactly; lower the mast, as though Craig here had been unable to step it; or, better still, heave it overboard; the loss of weight will give room for another man.  Then cover the lads over with the canvas.  They will never suspect the ruse on the Sea Gull, or study it out through glasses.  They ’ll simply recognize their boat, and steer for it.”

“The fighting odds will be pretty heavy, sir,” said Smith soberly.

The Captain’s smile lit up his stern features.