"And they may do that even if we stay out here--and then they'll have more of an advantage than ever. No, I think the best thing we can do is to turn back to the coast and make the safest landing we can find." When Dick heard of this, however, he shook his head. "Don't go back yet," he pleaded. "See if you can't make out the _Flyaway_ somewhere. She won't dare to sail very far without a light." "I don't go for giving up just yet," put in Martin Harris. "As the lad says, she'll show a light very soon now--for there is a coastwise steamer a-coming," and he pointed in the direction of Sandy Hook. He was right, and soon the many lights from the big steam vessel could be plainly seen. She was heading almost directly for them, but presently steered to the eastward. "She must be almost in the track of the _Flyaway_," went on Martin Harris. "Just wait and see if I ain't right." They waited and watched eagerly, and thus five minutes passed. Then from a distance they saw a light flash up. "There she is!" cried Tom. "Let us head for her at once. They won't keep that light out long--just long enough to let that steamer go by." Martin Harris was already at the tiller, and soon the _Searchlight_ was thrown over and was again dipping her nose in the long ocean swells. The wind had died away only to freshen more than ever, and the chase now became a lively one. The enemy seemed to know that the exposure of their light had given those on the _Searchlight_ the cue, and they were sailing as rapidly as all of their canvas permitted. But Harris was now handling his craft better than ever before, and slowly but surely the distance between the two craft was diminished, until the _Flyaway_ could be made out faintly even without a light. "Don't lose her again," said Dick. "We must keep at it until we run them down completely." And Harris promised to do his best. It was now past midnight, and the police officers said they were tired out and dropped into the cabin to take a nap. Dick likewise remained below, trying to get up some circulation in the lamed arm. "Can't you feel anything?" queried Tom. "I think I can," answered his big brother. "Yes, yes, it's coming now!" he went on. "Thank God!" and he suddenly raised the arm and bent the fingers of his hand. By daylight that member of his body was nearly as well as ever. But this experience was one which Dick has not forgotten to the present day. Sam had bound up his burn with a rag saturated with oil and flour, and announced that he felt quite comfortable. "But just let me get hold of those Baxters," he added. "I shan't stand on any ceremony with them." "I don't believe any of us will," said Tom. "But as anxious as I am to have this over, I would just as lief have the chase last until morning. Then we'll be better able to see what we are doing." "Or trying to do," said Sam with a faint smile. CHAPTER XXVI A FLAG OF TRUCE