In a couple of hours it will be dark, and our movements can all be made without being seen.

As the Proserpine is, perhaps, the fastest ship"-- at this remark Sir Frederick smiled ironically, while Lyon raised his eyebrows like one who saw a marvel--"as the Proserpine is, perhaps, the fastest ship, she ought to go the furthest to leeward; and I will get under way and stand off to sea, keeping well to the northward and eastward, as if I were running for the Straits of Bonifacio, for instance, until it gets to be dark, when I will haul up south for a couple of hours or so; then come up as high as southeast until we are to the southward of the Gulf of Salerno.

This will be before daylight, if the wind stand.

At daylight, then, you may look out for me off Piane, say two leagues, and to seaward, I hope, of the lugger.

You shall follow, Sir Frederick, just as the sun sets, and keep in my wake, as near as possible, heaving to, however, at midnight.