"Get that big craft afloat and manage it. Why, Phil, if we could--I say, it must be loaded with important military stores. Oh, say! if we could sneak them away, get them into loyal hands--what an exploit, what a feather in our cap!" "Andy," said Phil steadily, "we are going to try just that." Ten minutes later Phil spoke a single expressive word: "Now!" And then, one after the other, the two dauntless lads dropped into the water. CHAPTER XVI A DASH FOR LIBERTY Phil floated until he was sure that Andy had landed all right. Then both struck out for the sailboat, dimly outlined in the night mists at a short distance. They did not look back, but bent all their energies towards reaching the sailboat. They clambered aboard of this, out of breath, dripping, and chilled through. Their first glance was toward the _Vixen_. "Not seen so far," chattered Andy. "What next, Phil?" "Cut the rope," ordered his comrade, passing to Andy the big-bladed jackknife that had been of such service to him in their prison room. "I'll see to the sail." Phil knew all about a sailboat. He had never handled one so large as the craft they now seemed to have in their control. He immediately, however, saw that all he had to do was to raise the big sail and use caution and judgment in its manipulation. The craft gave a sudden jerk. It was caused by the taut cable parting at the final strand into which Andy had cut. Almost simultaneously Andy uttered a low, expressive cry. "Phil," he gasped, "they're coming!" "Who? I see. Get to the tiller, Andy, and simply obey orders." Phil did not raise the sail. That near to the _Vixen_, its wide surface outspread, would be a prominent object. To his entire satisfaction he noticed that the sailboat was drifting away from the _Vixen_. Glancing back at the war vessel, Phil discerned what had attracted Andy's attention. Lights were being prepared near the forecastle, and descending into the yawl at the side of the ship was a boy bearing a lantern. A man followed him. "Andy," said Phil, "Burt Noble and a sailor are starting out to place a light on the boat here." "And won't find us!" chuckled Andy. "I hope they don't even see us. Two minutes more, and they won't be able to do it. Clever Burt Noble!" "Hello! what's happened?" exclaimed Andy, his glance riveted, as was that of Phil, on the yawl at the side of the _Vixen_. "The light has gone out." "Yes," said Phil. "Burt has accidentally dropped it overboard. He must know we have escaped, and is causing all the delay he can with the yawl." The sailboat drifted away so rapidly, that by the time a new light was lowered into the yawl it was a mere speck in the distance. "Phil, we've made it!" cried Andy in exultant tones. "I fancy we have," acquiesced Phil complacently. "Now then, watch your knitting, and heave yo! up goes the sail."