Commander Tazewell readily agreed with the lad’s suggestions. “I’ll see you before you shove off to-night,” he said. “And don’t get hurt. Scott and his schooner aren’t worth it.” Phil found Sydney and told him all the good news, and then sent for O’Neil and Stump. The mate gleefully volunteered to go along. “Can I navigate a schooner!” he exclaimed. “Didn’t I bring her into Ukula harbor on the darkest tropical night I ever saw with only the white line of surf as buoys? I’ll sail her back for you, and sit on old ‘Bully’ Scott’s face while I’m doing it.” “He’d be handy to show us where the gear is located, sir,” O’Neil said approvingly, “and besides, he knows the crew and can speak their ‘lingo.’” The two midshipmen after having been interviewed by the executive officer, who had come to think highly of the activity of his two young subordinates, were set on shore and at once sought their friend, Alice Lee, to find out what news she had gathered from her native friends. They found her in the hammock in the “lanai,” deep in a book. She greeted them without reserve. “It’s about time you came,” she exclaimed. “I’ve been bursting with news for you.” “What is it?” they both asked eagerly. “I tried to go up on Mission Hill this afternoon and was refused,” Alice declared excitedly. “The count has established a ‘lookout’ station there. I saw half a dozen Herzovinian sailors with a long spy-glass mounted on a tripod; and I saw signal flags too,” she added. The midshipmen exchanged glances. “Looking for the ‘Sacramento,’” Sydney exclaimed. Then they told Alice of the conversation Stump had overheard and of their mission for that evening. “That isn’t all my news,” Alice said proudly. “One of the ‘Talofa’s’ crew, a Fiji Islander, arrived in Ukula, and Klinger rode away with him toward Saluafata. Mary Hamilton came and told me that an hour ago.” The two lads shook hands with each other in boyish excitement and joy, while Alice looked on thinking they had suddenly gone crazy. “Don’t you see,” Phil explained to Alice’s inquiry. “Scott and his schooner are back, and Klinger is going to get the lease and explain that Stump will come later. We’ll catch the schooner anyway, and maybe Scott and the lease will also be on board.” CHAPTER XVIII A “CUTTING OUT” EXPEDITION Four bells was struck on board the “Sitka,” as the steam launch quietly shoved off from the gangway. The launch had been stripped of its bulky canopy and lay lean and low in the water. No lights were shown, and in the darkness the little craft hoped to leave the harbor unobserved. “What’s that for?” Sydney suddenly exclaimed in alarm. The “Sitka” had turned on all her search-lights and was sweeping them in small arcs over the shipping and along the shore line. Phil chuckled.