Presently a ruddy star appeared inshore of us, and seemed to draw near unsteadily.
This was the anticipated signal; and we made haste to show the countersign, lowering a white light from the quarter, extinguishing the two others, and laying the schooner incontinently to.

The star approached slowly; the sounds of oars and of men's speech came to us across the water; and then a voice hailed us.
"Is that Mr.Dodd ?" "Yes," I returned.

"Is Jim Pinkerton there ?" "No, sir," replied the voice.

"But there's one of his crowd here; name of Speedy." "I'm here, Mr.Dodd," added Speedy himself.

"I have letters for you." "All right," I replied.