The motor instantly took up its tune, and, with the muffler almost silencing the noises of the motor’s explosions, they glided into the velvety darkness illumined only by the bright tropical stars. The headland, in the shadow of which they were to wait, was soon reached, and then followed a long period of silence and watching. At last, however, out of the blackness lying harborward, came a motor-boat’s sharp cough. It grew rapidly nearer and louder. “Here they come!” breathed Stark, in a low, tense voice. CHAPTER X. A BATTLE IN THE DARK. Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor. Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory. “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft. At last the command came. The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started. Loaded down as she was, the revolutionaries’ craft was making but slow time. It was evident, though, from the rapid beat of her exhaust that her engine was being pressed to the uttermost. “All right, go ahead!” Like a ferret in pursuit of its prey, the naval party’s launch glided out of its obscurity and set off on what was to prove an eventful chase. “They’re heading north, sir,” whispered Ned. “Just as I thought,” came Midshipman Stark’s voice in the darkness. Luckily the wind was out of that quarter, and while the sound of the other craft’s exhaust was clearly borne back to them, of their own progress it would have been manifestly impossible to hear a sound on the leading launch. “Speed her up a bit,” ordered the middy. “We don’t want them cutting in shore on us before we’ve a chance to intercept them.” The launch leaped forward in obedience to his command. She was making a good ten knots now, while her adversary could not at the highest estimate have achieved more than seven. The hearts of all on board beat exultingly. Gradually they could make out a phosphorescent gleam on the water ahead and catch the fleeting glimpse of a dim lantern, which marked the whereabouts of the quarry. “Good, we’ll be up with her in half an hour now,” muttered Stanley, his eyes burning in his head as he riveted them greedily on the chase. The man-of-war’s man was on the work he loved best. The hot blood raced through his veins in the excitement of the chase, as was the case, in fact, with all the party, with one exception. Who that was we shall presently see. For an hour the steady pursuit was kept up, the naval party keeping as close as they dared to the stern of the other craft. Evidently their plan was working to perfection. It was clear that those on the leading boat had no idea that they were being pursued. Once or twice a snatch of song floated back to those behind her.