CHAPTER XII.
ENGLAND AND FRANCE COME TO BLOWS.
The Baldwins returned to their home shortly after the departure of the discomfited officer, and listened with intense interest to Cabot's report of all that had taken place during their absence.
"So one but a Yankee would have thought of such a plan!" exclaimed White, "or had the cheek to carry it out.

But it makes me feel as mean as dirt to have run away and left you to face the music alone." "You needn't," replied Cabot, "for your absence was one of the most important things, and I couldn't possibly have carried out the programme if you had been there.

Now, though, we've got to hustle, for I expect that navy chap will be back again to-morrow, and whatever we can accomplish between now and then will probably end the lobster-packing business so far as this factory is concerned." That night the workers received a reinforcement, as unexpected as it was welcome, from the crew of the Yankee schooner, who, led by Captain Bland, came to assist their fellow countryman in his struggle against foreign oppression.

With this timely and expert aid, the canning business was so rushed that by ten o'clock of the next morning, when the lookout again reported a launch to be approaching, every can was filled and the pack was completed.

More than half of it had also been removed from the factory and stowed aboard the "Sea Bee," ready for delivery to the St.Johns purchaser.
"I wish he were here now," said White, "so that we might settle up our business with him before those chaps arrive." "Well, he isn't," replied Cabot, "and we must protect the goods as best we can until he comes.