"Look, Phil," he added, staring at the yawl, now coming back to the _Vixen_. "Sure as you live, that boy is our old friend, Burt Noble!" CHAPTER XV A FRIEND IN NEED Both Phil and Andy stood breathlessly regarding the lad who had been the starting point in all their recent, varied adventures. Burt Noble did not look their way. He appeared more comfortably fed than when they had last seen him. He seemed at home with his companion. The latter was of course a Britisher, but that did not disturb Phil or Andy. "Back in his old line," observed Andy, as the yawl passed beyond their range of vision. "Never dreams we're here, does he?" "I don't know about that," responded Phil. "Burt is a smart boy. He is in the confidence of the Tories. Why mayn't he have an inkling of our dilemma? He may not know in exactly what part of the _Vixen_ we are under lock and key. He may not even know as yet we are aboard at all, but he'll find out, trust him for that. Andy, I feel someway that somehow we are going to hear again from Burt Noble soon." In the course of the next half-hour there seemed to be quite a jollification on board of the ship. There was heavy trampling, as if some persons were dancing, some singing, boisterous shouts, and these continued less audibly to the boys as all hands apparently adjourned to the cabin. "It's easy to figure it out," said Andy. "That keg of spirits is the centre of a general jollification. They're all having a gay time. What a big chance to get away, if we were only through one of those barred windows, Phil." "Yes indeed, Andy. There is probably little discipline on deck just at this present time." About half an hour before dusk the man who brought them their meals was heard by his captives approaching the door of their prison place. His gait they could trace was somewhat stumbling. The eyes of the comrades met, and expressed a mutual thought. "Phil, I have half a mind to tackle him and make a rush for it," whispered Andy. "Not this time, Andy, for some one is with him." "Too bad--that's so." They could hear their jailer speaking. The door was unlocked, the usual supply of food and water passed in. "There's the young rebels," spoke the man. "They look pretty desperate, don't they?" said a voice that thrilled the captives. "Must be sort of lonesome for them to look out of those windows about dark and see nothing but sky and water." "Burt Noble!" exclaimed Andy, as the door was closed and relocked. "He's found us," added Phil quite excitedly. "It won't rest there." "Say Phil, did you hear his funny remark about looking out of those windows at dark?" "I did." "He meant something by that."