"It isn't as risky as you might think," answered Lieutenant Walling,
with a smile. "As I said, the smugglers are now divided. One-half
is already to turn on the other half. Once they are commanded to
surrender, in the name of the government, I fancy they'll be only too
glad to"
"And what of the passengers--our folks?" asked Cora.
"Well, they are still aboard, as far as can he learned," was the
revenue officer's reply. "If we have luck, you may be with them
before another day passes. But we need luck," and as he said this,
he glanced around the horizon, as if to judge how much the elements
might figure in the odds against him.
Truly they seemed likely to make the chances anything but easy. The
wind was constantly increasing in force, and from a low moan had
changed to a threatening whine and growl. The seas were running high
and the swells were breaking into foam. As yet the Tartar rode
easily, being now under way again, but though she might stand even
heavier waves than those now rolling after her, it would not be very
comfortable for those aboard.
"Will you take command?" asked Jack in answer to a look from his
sister. "We'll turn this boat over to you, though we're United
States subjects and you're--"
"British--you needn't be afraid to say it," frankly laughed the
lieutenant. "But I fancy we can strike up a, friendly alliance. No,
I don't wish to take command.
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