She rapidly overhauled the schooner, and almost before her careless people were aware of it, she was alongside.
"Schooner ahoy!" called out the captain of the ship, standing on the rail, trumpet in hand.
"Ahoy, there!" came back from the schooner; "what ship is that ?" "His Britannic majesty's sloop of war Southampton, Captain Sir James Yeo.

I have a message from the admiral for this convoy, which we have been expecting.

Send a boat aboard." "Ay, ay, sir.

Will you heave to for us ?" "Yes, swing the main-yard there, Mr.Seymour, and heave to." In a few moments the splash of oars was heard, and a small boat drew out of the darkness to the starboard gangway of the Ranger.

A man stood up in the stern sheets, and seizing the man ropes thrown to him climbed up on the deck.
"Ah, Sir James," he commenced, taking off his hat, "how do you do?
How dark you are! Why, what's all this ?" he exclaimed in surprise and terror, as he made out the strange uniforms in the dim light.