"I guess we're sure of him," said Sam, "but we'd better look out for our sticks and canvas, first." That was what every vessel in that neighborhood was compelled to do during the gale which began to blow. "She stands it first-rate," said Guert to Up-na-tan, an hour or so later. "Tell you what, though, I feel a good deal better than I did on shore." "Boy talk Spanish," replied the Manhattan. "Talk him all while. Learn how. Boy not know much, anyhow." The red man had all along deemed it his duty to impress upon the mind of his young friend the idea that he was only a beginner, an ignorant kind of sea apprentice with all his troubles before him. After that there followed a watch below, another on deck, and then the morning sun began to do what he could with the flying rack of clouds and spray and mist that was driving along before the gale. "Vine," asked Guert, "has anything more been seen of that trader!" "Can't you see?" said Vine. "There she is. We're to wind'ard of her, now. She's answering father's signals, first-rate. We owe all that luck to Luke Watts and his private signal-book." Nevertheless, the skipper of the bark was even then expressing much perplexity of mind as to what the _Noank_ might be and where from. He did not exactly like her style. It was peculiar, he said, as the morning went on and the gale began to subside, that the seemingly friendly schooner, answering signals so well, should keep the same course with himself, all the while drawing nearer. "She outsails us," he remarked. "We can't get away from her. I wish the corvette or the frigate were in sight." Both of them had vanished. They had tacked toward Porto Rico and the officers of the _Tigress_, in particular, were keeping a sharp lookout for the newly arrived British man-of-war that had burned rockets so very promisingly in the night. "It's all right, Lieutenant," remarked Captain Frobisher. "The gale has carried her along finely. We shall find her in port when we get there." "I wish we may!" growled the very sharp lieutenant, "but I don't like it. I didn't exactly make out the reading of that second rocket. Perhaps a lubber sent it up. We'll see." On went the schooner and the bark without any outside observers. Down sank the tired-out gale, and the sun broke through the clouds. "Coco!" shouted Captain Avery, at last, "haul down that lobster flag and run up the stars and stripes. Vine, give 'em that forward starboard gun. All hands to quarters! 'Bout ship! Men! she's our prize!" A ringing sound of cheers answered him, and the report of the gun followed. It was a signal for the Englishman to heave to, and her captain dashed his hat upon the deck. "Caught!" he groaned. "Taken by the rebels! I wish they were all sunk a hundred fathoms deep."