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Code walked idly to his windows and peered out, but could not see

the vessel that the men were talking about.

"She wants us to heave to, boys," sang out Nat suddenly. "Stand

by to bring her up into the wind. Hard down with your wheel,

John!"

As the schooner's head veered Code caught a glimpse of a

schooner-rigged vessel half a mile away with uniformed men on her

decks and two gleaming brass cannon forward. Then she passed out

of vision.

"She's sending a cutter aboard," said one man.

CHAPTER XXIII

SURPRISES

Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors

in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the

Nettie B. At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one

vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so

that she brought up without a scratch.

A young man in dark blue sprang out of the stern-sheets upon the

deck.

"Nettie B. of Freekirk Head?" he asked. "Captain Burns

commanding?"