“Happy is he who brings young men to his council table,” the admiral quoted. With Phil on board, the “Talofa” lost no time in squaring away for Ukula. The “Sacramento” was seen to turn and head out to sea, so as not to be in danger of discovery from shore. Phil told the plan to his shipmates. “That’s a corker!” O’Neil exclaimed gleefully. “There’s just one thing you haven’t mentioned,” he added seriously. “They’ll see the ‘Sacramento’ coming in from the pilot station and maybe from Mission Hill. The Herzovinian war-ship will also be on the lookout.” Phil nodded. “Yes,” he said questioningly. “Then, sir,” the sailorman declared, “we must prevent those at the pilot station sending the news, and blind the other two. A couple of our men can fix the pilot station, and our search-lights can do the rest. They can’t see the cruisers with those big glims in their eyes.” “Fine suggestion, O’Neil,” Phil exclaimed. “I’ll certainly give it to the captain. And by the way, I have a thought,” he added eagerly, as the “Talofa” raced toward the distant land, all sails spank full and sheets straining. “We’ll get on board the launch, leaving the ‘Talofa’ outside to come in later after dark. It will create less curiosity. Stump and a couple of men can hold her.” He looked at Sydney questioningly. “I reckon, Syd,” he said apologetically, “you’ll have to miss the fun on shore and stand by the schooner.” Although the midshipman felt somewhat disappointed he did not show it. “That’s natural,” he said. “I’ll bring her in after dark, all right, and be in time in case there’s a row.” They found the steam launch awaiting them about fifteen miles from the harbor, and quickly transferred to her all but Sydney, Stump and two sailors, who remained to sail the schooner into Ukula. “Don’t pile her on the reef,” Phil cautioned banteringly, as the steam launch shoved off from the “Talofa’s” side and headed at full speed for Ukula. “We should be in by five o’clock,” Phil said as he looked at his watch. “Now,” he added, “these are going to be exciting times, eh, O’Neil? I wonder what’s coming out of it all?” “It looks as if that count was getting cold feet,” the boatswain’s mate replied. “If he’d had more nerve the Herzovinian flag would have been flying on the flagstaff at Kulinuu right now.” Phil shook his head. “It’s a pretty big undertaking to annex a kingdom unless you are sure you’re going to be backed up,” he said. “It didn’t take our admiral long to make up his mind,” O’Neil reminded. “And he doesn’t know he’s going to be backed up, either.” “That’s different,” Phil replied. “He is only restoring a king to a throne under a law that he considers yet binding. And he has sufficient force to do it.”