hurriedly returned to the deck. After some focusing he managed to
catch a glimpse of the steamcraft, just before she partially
disappeared from sight behind one of the sandy reefs that fence off
the sound.

"The crew of the steamer seem to be quite excited," Alec said, as he
trained the telescope upon them. "I can see sailors running across
her deck, and two of them have just hoisted an American flag. Some
others are waving signals and---"

"What?" shouted the captain. "American flag, did you say?"

"Yes. What do you think of that?"

"Reckon she wants to speak us."

"Why?" asked Chester.

"Looks like this is the first time she's seen us," said Vinton, taking
the marine glass from Alec. "But it can't be the same craft we
sighted back yonder, last night. Anyhow, if they're wavin' signal
flags,---and they are, sure enough!---they must want to speak the
_Arrow_. That's plain. I'm goin' to ease in more and see who's
aboard. Look! the dinged old boat is comin' out from behind the
bar now."

Pondering some contingency which he did not explain to the boys,
Vinton shifted the helm; and his sloop, hitherto heading in a
southwesterly direction, now began to edge closer to the line
of keys. Had Vinton not known his course so thoroughly from long