I know you always liked me," cried the midshipman, between the mouthfuls he was taking.

"But never mind the being prisoner, sir.

I know all the scoundrels' secrets now, and you can capture them, and make some good hauls.

You must send a strong party ashore as soon as it's day." "But--but--" Archy answered those buts to such an extent that Gurr's report was needless, and the master was terribly disappointed.
By that time the cutter was slowly gliding away seaward, with every eye on the watch, for, as the lieutenant explained, after telling his recovered officer how he had searched in all directions, he had that night seen lights shown far up on one of the cliffs--lights which might mean a warning to some vessel to keep off, or just as likely might have the other intention, and be an invite to some lugger to land her cargo.
In any case the lieutenant meant to be on the alert, and hence the sailing of the cutter.
The lieutenant had hesitated a little at first after hearing his midshipman's report, but he now decided how to act.
"No," he said; "not to-night, my lad.

I'm inclined to think the signal was a warning to keep off.