When sailing order had been restored and Captain Vinton had ceased to rage and swear at the mischance, his one idea was to return to the waters where he knew the Petrel was cruising.  Strange to say, he was the only one who guessed that Hugh had fallen into the hands of “coast-prowlers” as he called them,—–­with adjectives too lurid to mention!—–­and was, being held captive lest he betray their plans.  With this idea in mind, he was determined to bring the revenue cutter to Hugh’s rescue; he knew the Petrel could cope with the situation.

By an unlooked-for stroke of fortune, he had not gone very far down the coast before he sighted the cutter, and soon he brought the Arrow within hailing distance.  He communicated the news to the officers on board, and a sort of council of war took place immediately.  Together, they were not long in forming a plan of reprisal.

It was decided that they should proceed forthwith to a small fortress a few miles southward, where a squad of regulars was stationed.  The place was called Fort Leigh, but it scarcely deserved the name, being in reality only a temporary camp located on the site of an old fortification which had been a military headquarters during the Seminole wars.  Its nearness to the vicinity in which, according to the Petrel’s reliable information, the smugglers were operating was the reason why all decided to go there for assistance.

Lieutenant Driscoll was in command at the fort and he could be counted on to bring the smugglers to terms.

“Why, it’s the most high-handed piece of knavery I’ve heard of for many a long day!” he exclaimed when the information formation was brought to him by Vinton and the others.  “Those scoundrels must have their nerve, all right, to kidnap a young fellow merely because they didn’t want him to tell tales!”

“It’s an outrage!” agreed Norton emphatically.  “But we’ve got to get busy right away, Lieutenant.  What are we going to do about it?”

“You’re right.  We must lose no time,” replied Driscoll directly.  “We’ll set out this very hour and invade the haunts of gang.  They’re not many miles from here, I’m told, hiding in the Everglades.  Come with me; I’ll have my men ready in half an hour.

“You boys’ll go along, of course,” he added.  “If we have to pitch camp for a night or two, while we’re hunting them, we’ll need you for signalers or scouts, or for picket duty.”

“Picket duty?” echoed Chester.

“Yes, both in camp and along the line of march.  I presume you all are willing to serve?”

“Yes, sir; we certainly are!” came the eager chorus.  Then, abashed at their lack of military formality, the speakers saluted in more soldierly fashion and stood at attention, awaiting orders.

These were soon given, and after a hurried preparation the whole party—–­with the exception of three privates who remained at the fort—–­sallied forth against “Bego’s gang.”  It was decided not to go on board the Petrel for the few miles’ trip back along the coast, but to use the Arrow, instead; for the latter would not be so easily recognized by the smugglers.