“Chess, gentlemen, is an excellent game. It teaches the resources and stratagems of warfare. You will find the men and a board in a locker on the port side there. I should advise you to employ your leisure in studying the various methods of checkmating your opponent.” As he spoke the captain gave a low bow and, followed by his officers--for such the Americans now were--made for the deck. The cabin door, which, of course, was of steel, with hermetically closing devices, was shut. Below were several impotently raging captives, who, as a matter of fact, had only their own gullibility to blame for the predicament. “Now for the next move!” exclaimed Captain Gomez, as they once more gained the bridge. “We must get out of the range of the forts as soon as possible. We are not out of danger here.” Way was put on the _Barrill_, and she was headed southward. The _Calvo_, deprived of her chief officers, lay motionless as she had hove to. No doubt, those on board were wondering what was the meaning of this new move. “She will follow in a few minutes,” said the captain. “That will be time enough to fire on her.” “Why not hurry her up a bit, sir?” inquired Ned. “How, my lad?” “By hoisting a signal to proceed after us.” “Capital!” exclaimed Stark. “Stanley, will you set the signal?” “Ay, ay, sir, and then I’m thinking I’d better be circulating among my gun crews. They look to be getting nervous.” He spoke no more than the truth. Gazing down from the stumpy bridge, it was easy to see that the men of the _Barrill’s_ crew were ill at ease. Their native officers, one of whom had drilled a hole through the bottom of the _Calvo’s_ whale boat, were doing their best to keep them quiet, but the nearness of a naval engagement was evidently worrying them. A few moments after Stanley reached the deck, however, a wonderful difference set in. The men dispersed to their posts, chatting and laughing as if they were about to take part in some pleasurable athletic contest. By this time the signal to follow had been seen and lowered, and the _Calvo_ obediently began to follow the _Barrill_ seaward. “Hooray. We’ll get her without firing a shot!” exclaimed Ned exultingly. Indeed, it appeared as if such might be the case. The other ship was practically without officers, and, no doubt, those on board could be easily demoralized. Thus the two vessels proceeded for some miles. The _Barrill_ had, in the meantime, taken in her deceptive ensign, and was now proceeding without colors. Possibly it was this fact that aroused the suspicions of the _Calvo_. Perhaps they noted the vanishment of the whale boat. At any rate, they set a fresh signal. “Show your colors!” “All right, we’ll do that,” snapped the middy. “I would advise, sir, that we set the flag of the republic.” “Just what I was about to order, my boy. We’ll fight under our own colors or not at all.”