I wonder if they mean
to obey?"
"Worse for them, if they don't," replied Ensign Fullerton, grimly. "A
solid shot across the bows, and a shot through their rigging after that.
What schooner has any chance to defy a ship of war?"
"There they go around," cried Jack, barely above his breath, "They'll
heave to."
"Of course," smiled Fullerton. "Your orders, sir?"
"Lower the power launch. Send a corporal and four marines, and six
sailors, armed, beside the boat-handlers. Mr. Somers will take command,
as he's the only one of us who knows the fellow Gray by sight."
Ensign Fullerton accordingly transmitted the orders, also ordering
Midshipman Drake up to the bridge to serve as watch officer in Eph's
absence. Hal Hastings was asleep in his cabin at the time.
In the meantime the schooner continued "hove to," several men lining
her starboard rail.
"Somehow, Mr. Fullerton," muttered Lieutenant Jack, after Eph had
departed in the power launch with his boarding crew, "I'm not much
inclined to think that's our schooner."
"Somers seemed to think so."
"Mr. Somers said it looked like the 'Juanita.' He's too careful to
commit himself to more than that.
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