Longsword promptly extinguished all the lanterns; shouts from the Drake came ever more dimly through the night; a drum throbbed dully. “They are beating to quarters,” said Ethan. “Let them,” laughed Longsword. “Sure if they begin firing in a fog like this it’s only waste good powder they’ll be doing.” Ethan had changed the course of the Condor until she stood as before the meeting; the wind blew briskly once more and the fog began to lift before it. The schooner had made some little distance before this died away, and the mist settled once more. Nothing was seen of the British ship. “We have eluded them very nicely,” laughed Ethan, as he gazed into the gray wall behind them, vainly endeavoring to catch a glimpse of the Englishman. He had no sooner uttered these words than a shout rang out from Longsword in the bow. Whirling about, his hand upon the butt of a pistol, he was dumbfounded to see the red and green bow lights glaring at the schooner for the second time that night. “The Drake once more,” cried Longsword in amazement. “It can’t be,” answered Ethan, easing the schooner a trifle. “We left the Drake behind us.” “You’ve been sailing in a circle,” shouted one of the English seamen, exultantly. “The Drake is a smart craft, and she’s got you now.” “Ahoy!” came through the gloom of the misty morning. “What craft is that?” “British schooner Condor,” cried the sailor before he could be prevented. “What ship is that?” Ethan heard the man chuckle as he waited for the expected answer. But the chuckle died in the British tar’s throat when the voice from the newcomer shouted, “The American sloop-of-war Ranger; heave to, or I’ll blow you out of the water!” CHAPTER XVI HOW THE RANGER FOUGHT THE DRAKE With cries of joy both Ethan and Longsword heard these welcome words. Ethan brought the schooner to; in a few moments a boat was lowered and rowed away from the American ship. When Wallingford, third lieutenant of the Ranger, climbed over the schooner’s rail he was astonished to find himself grasped by the hand. “What, Carlyle,” he cried in amazement. “None other,” laughed the boy. “You aren’t rid of me yet, you see.” “We thought you taken by the enemy on St. Mary’s Isle.” “So I was; but it’s a long story and will keep. You’d better have some men sent on board to take charge of this craft. It’s a prize that Longsword and I took some distance up the coast.” Lieutenant Wallingford looked his surprise, but said nothing. A crew was soon placed on board the Condor, and Ethan and the Irish dragoon were taken to the Ranger. John Paul Jones was undisguisedly delighted at the unexpected return of the two adventurers. He shook their hands and expressed his pleasure warmly. “We are headed for Carrickfergus,” he said. “We understand that the frigate Drake has orders to come out after us.” “She is already out,” said Ethan eagerly. “We met her and slipped away from her less than an hour ago.”