We soon learned that this was Block Island.

The gig was lowered, and the captain and mail orderly went ashore.

"Now we'll get our real orders," said Potter. "Ho! for the Spanish
main," he shouted, forgetting his narrow escape of the day before.

"It will be Ho! for the ship's brig, and Ho! for five days on bread and
water, if you don't look out," said "Stump," dryly.

About dark, the gig came back again, bringing the captain in it and the
mail orderly--but no mail, and how we did long for a word from home. A
scrap of newspaper, even, would be a blessing.

We had just sat down to evening mess when the order, "All hands on the
gig falls!" was given, and the master-at-arms chased us off the gun
deck. Soon the measured tread of many feet could be heard, and then the
order was given by the officer of the deck to the coxswain of the
gig, "Secure your boat for sea."

[Illustration: "THE GIG WAS LOWERED"]

[Illustration: "THE MEN ON THE STAGES"]

So we were to go off again. Where?

Within a short time we were under way again. The usual watches were set,
but very few of the boys went below. The mere rumor that the enemy was
prowling along the coast was enough to prevent sleep. My watch went on
duty at four o'clock. We were not called in the usual way, by the