Darkness came early that evening, and by six the lights on the _Adventurer_ and _Follow Me_ showed wanly across the surly, shadowy sea.

Han and Perry had already prepared the two lanterns they had found on board and as soon as the cruisers set the fashion they placed them fore and aft, one where it could be plainly seen from the boats ahead and the other on the roof of the deck-house.

While they were at that task the darkness settled down rapidly, and by the time they had finished the cruisers were only blotches against which shone the white lights placed at the sterns for the guidance of the _Catspaw's_ navigators.
The boys ate their suppers in relays about half-past six.

Bert had prepared plenty of coffee and cooked several pans of bacon and eggs, and had done very well for a tyro.

Later the _Adventurer_ turned on her searchlight and against the white path of it she was plainly visible.