How this was to be accomplished, especially in the somewhat congested waters of the Straits of Gibraltar, through which he must pass in order to gain the Eastern Mediterranean--since the passage of the Suez Canal was out of the question--required careful forethought. News having been received by wireless from one of his agents that several of the Russian Volunteer Fleet were making the passage from Libau to Sevastopol gave Captain Brookes his opportunity; nor was he slow to act. The _Olive Branch_ was to be disguised as a Russian vessel. Accordingly, two huge canvas funnels were rigged up; an additional mast with a dummy wireless installation was erected; a calm day afforded the opportunity of painting the ship a greenish hue, similar to that adopted in the Imperial Russian Navy; the name Ekaterinoslav, conspicuously written in Slavonic characters, graced her stern, while the blue cross of St. Andrew on a white field floated from the ensign staff. "I think that will pass muster," observed Captain Brookes. "But, by Jove! I hope we won't encounter a stiff breeze, or our make-believe funnels will sweep the deck." "It will give the show away if they do," rejoined Lieutenant Sinclair. "We've guyed them as firmly as it is possible to do, and even now they are whipping before the wind." "We must ease down a bit. I intended to in any case, so that we can slip through the Straits in a decorous manner. Will you please tell the engine-room to slow down to fifteen knots, and then stow and secure the windshields." At sunset the _Olive Branch_, which was running in a northerly direction off the southwest coast of Spain, altered her course to S.E., and boldly stood in towards the historic Straits, so as to pass midway betwixt the batteries of Gibraltar on the north and Ceuta on the south, or African, shore. The evening being warm, Gerald Tregarthen appeared on deck accompanied by Jack Stockton. The latter was making rapid progress under the skilful care of Dr. White, and though the wound had proved a severe one, no complications had arisen. "That's Cape Tarifa," observed Gerald, as a fixed red light became visible on the port bow. "We ought soon to pick up the white light on Europa Point. But, by Jove! Jack, I hardly like this phase of the proceedings. Once we are in the Mediterranean, how are we to get out again if this blockading business is continued? It's all very well dodging a few cruisers, though, mind you, it was a fine performance; but when it comes to having to tackle the whole of the British Mediterranean Fleet, that's a rather tall order." "But we seem to be slipping through unobserved." "After the fashion of a crab entering a crab-pot--it's on the return trip that we have to pay toll. This disguise will serve us for the present, but the first appearance of the _Olive Branch_ in her natural guise will set the whole of the Mediterranean Fleet about our ears." "If they----"