The Boy Scouts on Picket Duty | Page 2

the Esperanza of Captain Bego,
in waters which were supposed to be debarred to the enemy. All this
had tended to make him more alert and wary than ever, even suspicious;
and he had resolved to lose no time in reporting his most recent
discovery.
"You boys might as well heave them old tarpon poles overboard now,"
he said seriously, as he shifted the helm. "That there craft I seen las'

night ain't Yankee built, I'll swear; and if she should take a notion to
foller us, we want to be light and shipshape, without no signs o'
lubberliness that the squall may have brought to the surface. How's
everything in the cabin, Dave? Tight and neat?"
The Seminole grunted, nodding his head in affirmation. Apparently he
was too disturbed in mind to reply verbally; besides, like most of his
kind, he was a poor sailor, and he did not enjoy the speed at which the
Arrow was now sailing. It upset his mental balance as well as his bodily
equilibrium.
Obeying the captain's instructions, the boys tossed overboard their
heavy poles, saving only the lines and reels.
"When we get back to Key West, what's the first thing to do, Captain?"
inquired Alec.
"Report seeing that steamer to the naval authorities," was Vinton's
prompt answer.
"I didn't know there were any-----"
"There's likely to be some there now, waiting for orders."
"And will they search for the strange vessel?"
"You bet they will! We ain't goin' to let no sneakin' furrin tub show us
her heels,---are we, lads?"
"Not if we can help it!" exclaimed Hugh. "I guess one of Uncle Sam's
revenue cutters will give chase to that steamer, or gunboat, or whatever
she may be."
"Not if she's a gunboat, I reckon!" quoth Vinton with a chuckle. "Cripes!
that vessel was certainly a clipper for goin'! Her cap'n was wise enough
to keep to wind'ard, for he seemed to know where the rough water
begins to rise and how to make the most o' them keys. Never mind; off
Nor'west Cape he'll have to come out like a seaman and take his duckin'!

H'ist that there jib, Billy, and make Dave move his carcass where it'll
do some good."
But Dave did not want to bestir himself from his position on the
weather gunwale, where he crouched dejectedly, letting the stiff breeze
dry his spray-soaked garments. He groaned, protested, grunted, and
finally swore volubly as Alec prodded him, while Billy hoisted the
flying jib.
"What for so much hurry?" he grumbled. "Get to Key West by
afternoon, anyhow. Dave want plenty sleep."
"You slept like a top for six hours last night!" declared Alec.
"No-o; Dave watch, saw steamer,---no more sleep, no forty winks."
"Oh, come!" laughed Billy. "I heard you snoring, Dave; you woke me
up! I thought it was thunder!"
"Nothing less than thunder or a cannon firecracker would wake you up,
Billy,---as a general rule," said Hugh, flinging one arm over his chum's
shoulders and giving him a vigorous hug.
"Look yonder, boys!" shouted Captain Vinton at the helm. He pointed
aft, and the four lads sprang to their feet and hurried toward him, alert
and eager for a new surprise.
Some distance behind them, toward the mainland, a thin trail of smoke
which had not been seen for two or three hours was now visible inside
the keys. Could there be any reason for the reappearance of that smoky
blur against the sky? Was it made by the mysterious steamer? If so, was
she following the _Arrow_?
"By the shades o' shad, I orter know that boat!" exclaimed Vinton in
puzzled chagrin. "See? She's coaled up, goin' for all she's worth. Alec,
git out my glass from the cabin, take a look, and see if there's many
men aboard."

Alec ran to do the captain's bidding. Descending into the cabin, he took
from a locker an old-style marine telescope with which he hurriedly
returned to the deck. After some focusing he managed to catch a
glimpse of the steamcraft, just before she partially disappeared from
sight behind one of the sandy reefs that fence off the sound.
"The crew of the steamer seem to be quite excited," Alec said, as he
trained the telescope upon them. "I can see sailors running across her
deck, and two of them have just hoisted an American flag. Some others
are waving signals and---"
"What?" shouted the captain. "American flag, did you say?"
"Yes. What do you think of that?"
"Reckon she wants to speak us."
"Why?" asked Chester.
"Looks like this is the first time she's seen us," said Vinton, taking the
marine glass from Alec. "But it can't be the same craft we sighted back
yonder, last night. Anyhow, if they're wavin' signal flags,---and they are,
sure enough!---they