lads got on to the secret about a week ago, and I'll be very much
disappointed if they don't give 'em tit for tat."

When the band on the "Consternation" ceased playing, all lights went
out on the American squadron, and then on the flagship appeared from
mast to mast a device with the Union Jack in the corner, a great red
cross dividing the flag into three white squares. As this illumination
flashed out the American band struck up the British national anthem,
and the outline lights appeared again.

"That," said the captain, "is the British man-o'-war's flag."

The "Whip-poor-will" speedily whisked the party and others across the
sparkling waters to the foot of the grand stairway which had been
specially constructed to conduct the elect from the tide to the deck.
It was more than double as broad as the ordinary gangway, was carpeted
from top to bottom, and on every step stood a blue-jacket, each as
steady as if cast in bronze, the line forming, as one might say, a
living handrail rising toward the dark sky.

Captain Kempt and his wife went first, followed by Sabina and her
young man with the two girls in their wake.

"Aren't those men splendid?" whispered Katherine to her friend. "I
wish each held an old-fashioned torch. I do love a sailor."

"So do I," said Dorothy, then checked herself, and laughed a little.

"I guess we all do," sighed Katherine.