“O’Neil, you take the watch until twelve o’clock. The compass course set is S. by W. I don’t trust Impey’s influence over Captain Bailey; so watch the steering. If anything is sighted call us all at once,” he said, turning to the boatswain’s mate. “Can we depend upon these men, Wells and Randall, in case of an attempt by Impey to regain the control of the yacht?” Phil added questioningly. “They ain’t very strong on Impey just now,” the boatswain’s mate replied. “I told them of his intention of getting asylum on the ‘Alaska’ and they felt sore to think he would have left them here to be pinched by the Japanese, which would have happened certain enough if it hadn’t been that we broke away before they could stop us. All the same, sir, I didn’t give either of them a gun, and I’ve collected all the loose firearms in the ship, and have ’em locked up tight.” “We’ll watch them,” Phil said decidedly. “There’ll be lots they won’t approve of before we are through with this adventure.” All three listened eagerly, for they saw in Phil’s face that he was about to unfold his plan. “There’s a bay in the northwest coast of Paragua Island,” he continued. “If we can pilot the Chinese ships safely in there and anchor them we can hold the attention of the world on us without their knowing where on earth we are. “I don’t know how long it will be necessary to keep the location of the ships secret,” he added. “That will depend upon the persuasive powers of Ambassador Tillotson and Captain Rodgers, armed with the President’s letter, which I feel sure is the key that will unlock the door of this misunderstanding.” Sydney regarded his companion admiringly. “I guessed as much,” he cried joyfully, “when you were interrupted by the sight of the steamer a short time ago. Phil, you are a schemer. It’s the very thing; if it will only be possible,” he added as the risks which must be taken first crossed his mind. He remembered this bay. It was large enough inside to anchor a fleet of battle-ships. O’Neil quietly nodded his head--silent eloquence which meant much from the sailor. Marley opened his mouth wider, as if by so doing the complications might more readily be heard and elucidated. “Of course if we find the Japanese vessels are farther south than it seems safe for them to be, then we cannot run this risk, and must wire Manila,” Phil explained earnestly. The night slipped by quietly. The sea, stirred to life by the gentle trade wind, caused the yacht to roll easily but did not lessen her speed. “In weather like this she’s as fast as a Cunarder,” Phil exclaimed to Sydney, as they prepared to go below to their cabins. The next morning Phil was awakened by a loud knock on his door and O’Neil’s excited face appeared at the threshold. “They’re somewhere about.” The boatswain’s mate imparted his information hurriedly. “I’ve been trying to tune down to them on the wireless all morning, since four o’clock, and I’ve just found ’em.”