The Boy Scouts on Picket Duty | Page 2

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 must want to speak the Arrow. That's plain. I'm goin' to ease in more and see who's aboard. Look! the dinged old boat is comin' out from behind the bar now."
Pondering some contingency which he did not explain to the boys, Vinton shifted the helm; and his sloop, hitherto heading