cruisers. No, no; there ain't many lights shown now, not in these
waters. Folks prefer to risk the chance of running into each other
rather than that of being caught by a French privateer."

Now that the trawls were out there was no occasion for any one to
attend to the helm, consequently when Joe announced that the fish were
ready Ralph went down and joined him in the cabin. The first hours of
the night passed quietly. Once an hour a trawl was hauled in and got
on board, and as the catches were satisfactory Joe was in capital
spirit.

"You have brought good luck, Master Conway; and I notices I generally
do well when you are out with me. I am getting more fish to-night than
I have any night for weeks, and if it goes on like this till morning I
shall make a good thing of it. I wants it bad enough, for I am in
arrears a bit with my rent. The war has made everything so terrible
dear that it is as much as a poor man can do to keep his head above
water.

"What time is it now, Joe, do you think?"

"About two o'clock, I reckon. It will begin to get light in a couple
of hours, and at five we will up nets and make our way back."

He had scarcely spoken when he shouted "Ship ahoy! Look out for
yourself, lad!" Startled by the suddenness of the cry Ralph looked
round. He saw a crest of white foam a few yards away in the darkness.
A moment later something dark passed over his head and a rope brushed
his cheek, and as it did so a black mass struck the boat. There was a
crash, a shock, and the Heartsease, after first heeling deeply over