"You are right," replied Jack, "and the thing do now is to try and reach land." Standing up in the boat and shading his eyes with one band he looked eastward across the water for a long time. Then he sat down. "See anything?" Frank asked. "No." "Have you any idea how far we are from shore?" "I don't believe we can be very far away. With clear weather and steady rowing I believe we should make land within twenty-four hours, at least." "Well," said Frank, "when we get ashore, what then?" "Why," replied Jack, "we must return to London if we can and report to the Admiralty." "And then what?" "Then," said Jack slowly, "I hope we shall once more be assigned to a ship that is going into battle, that we may avenge ourselves for the loss of the Lena, and, yes, the death of Lord Hastings!" CHAPTER XV UNDER THE TRICOLOR It was to be many a long day before Frank and Jack were destined to see London again. All day, following the loss of the Lena, the little boats bobbed up and down on the smooth sea, as they headed eastward as fast as strong British arms could drive them. All day the sun shone brightly, but as night drew on the air became cold and penetrating. The men wrapped themselves up as tightly as they could but even this did not keep out the chill. Frank and Jack took turns sleeping and in keeping watch. At length the darkness began to give way to light; and, in the cold gray dawn of another day Jack, standing watch in the first boat, made out something in the distance that caused him to utter a loud cry. Because of the intense darkness they had approached thus close without having gained a glimpse of what Jack now saw. It was land. Frank, aroused by Jack's cry, was on his feet in an instant and echoed his friend's cry of joy. "Where do you suppose we are?" he asked. "At a rough guess, I should say off the coast of France," was Jack's reply. "Good! Then we should be perfectly safe." "I wouldn't be too sure of that," said Jack. "You never can tell what is going to happen in times like these. However, we will land as soon as possible." The sun was high in the sky when the first of the little boats, rounding a sharp promontory, came in sight of a large vessel. She was plainly a ship of war, anchored a mile off the coast in a little bay. Beyond the lads could make out the houses of what appeared to be a small town. "Wonder what place that is?" said Frank. "I don't know," replied Jack, "but we'll soon find out. See! Our presence has been discovered." Frank looked in the direction Jack pointed. It was true. They were close enough to the vessel now for the lads to make out several figures standing upon the deck, pointing toward them and gesticulating. A moment later and the guns on the vessel shone in the sunlight, as the ship came about. They were pointed squarely at the little British flotilla.