He grasped the glass, and stared out through it in silence for several minutes.  Then he thrust it into a pocket and settled back out of sight behind the canvas screen.

“You have called the turn,” he said quietly, “and the dance is about to begin.  Unship your rudder and let it go.  Let them think you are wrecked, helpless to escape, and they will be more careless.  You men there, loosen your guns, and be ready to scale a ship’s side in a jiffy, but lie perfectly still until I give the word.”  He turned his head.

“You understand what you are to do, Craig, you and the lady?”

“I think so.  We are to obey Henley’s orders, and go on board.”

“Yes, but do something as soon as you reach the deck to attract attention, and get them away from the rail.  Try and get the lady as far astern as possible, for there is likely to be some fighting.  Are you frightened, miss?”

“No,” although her voice trembled from excitement.  “You need not worry about me.”

I caught the gleam of admiration in the Lieutenant’s eyes as he looked at her, but almost instantly his thought centered on his own work.

“All right, then; I shall not wait for any signal.  Now listen, men; these are my last orders.  When I say go, get up any way you can, and hit the first man you see.  Hit hard, but no shooting unless they use firearms.  But fight like devils, and do it quick.  They outnumber us three to one.  Marston, you and Simms take the stoke hold and the forecastle.  Keep those fellows below down with your revolvers.  Shoot if you need to.  The rest of you stick close to me.  All clear, lads?”

“Aye, aye, sir,” returned the muffled voices from beneath the canvas.

I unshipped the rudder, letting it disappear noiselessly beneath the waves, and the boat’s head swung slowly around, and we drifted helplessly, the jib flapping.  With our eyes on the approaching vessel we remained motionless in the stern, our hands clasped.  The flush had faded from out her cheeks, yet once she turned toward me and smiled.  Forward not so much as the twitch of a muscle revealed any other presence in the boat, the only visible thing a jumble of ropes and canvas, apparently dragged hastily from the water by inexperienced hands.  The waves tossed us about so that any seaman would recognize instantly our predicament.  The manner in which the jaunty Sea Gull bore down upon us was proof that those on board had already grasped the situation, and had no remaining suspicion of treachery.  She was under steam, with no sail set, and the rapidly increasing light gave me a fairly clear view.  In low monotone, without turning my head, I managed to convey my observations to the motionless officer.

“She ’s heading straight toward us under low pressure.  There are two men on the bridge, and a lookout on the bow.  Now she ’s swinging to port to bring up close.  There ’s a group at the rail near the starboard gangway.  About ten, I should say.  Can you see, Viola?”