Fitz the Filibuster, by George Manville Fenn. 

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Another well-written book of nautical adventure by a writer who is amaster of suspense. Our hero is a young midshipman called FitzgeraldBurnett, but always known as Fitz. The warship in which he serves is onChannel Patrol, and they are on the lookout for a smuggler who isrunning arms to a friendly Central American small Republic. They getmore caught up in the struggle that is going on in that country, and sotake part in several small fights and other tense situations. 

The book is full of well-drawn characters, especially some of the oldseamen that Fitz has to deal with. NH

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FITZ THE FILIBUSTER, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

ABOARD A GUNBOAT. 

"Well, Mr Burnett, what is it?"

"Beg pardon, sir. "

"Now, my good boy, have I not told you always to speak out in a sharp, business-like way? How in the world do you expect to get on in yourprofession and become a smart officer, one who can give orders promptlyto his men, if you begin in that stammering, hesitating style? Here, I'm busy; what do you want?"

"I beg pardon, sir, I--"

"Will--you--speak--out!"

"Yes, sir; Mr Storks is going off to-night with an armed boat's crew--"

"Thank you, Mr Burnett, I am much obliged; but allow me to tell youthat your news is very stale, for I was perfectly aware of that fact, and gave the orders to Mr Storks myself. "

"Yes, sir; of course, sir; but--"

"My good boy, what do you want?"

"To go with them, sir. "

"Oh! Then why didn't you say so at first?"

"I didn't know how you'd take it, sir. "

"Then you know now: very badly. No; the boat's going on importantbusiness, and I don't want her packed full of useless boys. What gooddo you expect you could do there?"

"Learn my profession, sir. "

"Oh! Ah! H'm! Well--that's smart. Yes, I like that, Mr Burnett, much better. Well, I don't know what to say. There's no danger. Perhaps you will be away all the night and get no sleep. "

"Shouldn't mind that, sir. Mr Storks said that he wouldn't mind. "

"Doesn't matter whether Mr Storks minds or not. Well--yes; you may go. There, there, no thanks; and--er--and--er--don't take any notice, MrBurnett; I am a little irritable this evening--maddening toothache, andthat sort of thing. Don't get into mischief. That'll do. "

Commander Glossop, R. N. , generally known as Captain of H. M. Gunboat_Tonans_, on special duty from the Channel Squadron, went below to hiscabin, and Fitzgerald Burnett--Fitz for short--midshipman, seemedsuddenly to have grown an inch taller, and comparatively stouter, as heseemed to swell out with satisfaction, while his keen grey eyesliterally sparkled as he looked all a boy. 

"Thought he was going to snap my head off, " he mattered, as he began towalk up and down, noticing sundry little preparations that were inprogress in connection with one of the quarter-boats, in which, as sheswung from the davits, a couple of the smart, barefooted sailors, whosetoes looked very pink in the chill air, were overhauling andre-arranging oars, and the little mast, yard and sail, none of whichneeded touching, for everything was already in naval apple-pie order. 

Fitz Burnett ended his walk by stopping and looking on. 

"Going along with us, sir?" said one of the sailors. 

"Yes, " said the lad shortly, and sharply enough to have satisfied hissuperior if he had overheard. 

"That's right, sir, " said the man, so earnestly that the boy lookedpleased. 

"Know where we are going, sir?" the other man ventured to ask. 

"Is it likely?" was the reply; "and if I did know do you suppose that Iwould tell you?"

"No, sir, of course not. But it's going to be something desperate, sir, because we have got to take all our tools. "

"Ah, you'll see soon enough, " said the boy, and full of the importanceof being one in some expedition that was to break the monotony of theeveryday routine, as well as to avoid further questioning, and anyapproach to familiarity on the part of the men, Fitz continued his walk, to come in contact directly after with another superior officer in theshape of the lieutenant. 

"Hullo, Mr Burnett! So you are to go with us to-night, I hear. "

"Yes, sir, " cried the boy eagerly. "Would you mind telling me what weare going to do?"

"Then you don't know?"

"No, sir. "

"Then why did you ask the captain to let you go?"

"I wanted to be there, sir. Armed boat's crew going off! It sounded soexciting. "

"I don't think that you will find much excitement, Mr Burnett; but waitand see. If you want more information I must refer you to the captain. "

This last was accompanied by a nod and a good-humoured smile, as theofficer moved away to look at the boat, but turned his head to add--

"Better put on a warm jacket; I dare say we shall have a cold night'swork. "

"I don't care, " said the boy to himself. "Anything for a change. I doget so tired of this humdrum steaming here and steaming there, and goinginto port to fill up the coal-bunkers. Being at sea isn't half so jollyas I used to think it was, and it is so cold. Wish we could get ordersto sail to one of those beautiful countries in the East Indies, or toSouth America--anywhere away from these fogs and rains. Why, we haven'tseen the sun for a week. "

He went forward, to rest his arms on the bulwark and look out to sea. The sight was not tempting. The mouth of the Mersey is not attractiveon a misty day, and the nearest land aft showed like a low-down dirtycloud. Away on the horizon there was a long thick trail of smoke beingleft behind by some outward-bound steamer, and running his eyes alongthe horizon he caught sight of another being emitted from one of twohuge funnels which were all that was visible of some great Atlanticsteamer making for the busy port. 

Nearer in there were two more vessels, one that he made out to be abrig, and that was all. 

"Ugh!" ejaculated the boy. "I wish--I wish--What's the use of wishing?One never gets what one wants. Whatever are we going to do to-night?It must mean smuggling. Well, there will be something in that. Goingaboard some small boat and looking at the skipper's papers, and if theyare not right putting somebody on board and bringing her into port. Butthere won't be any excitement like one reads about in books. It's aprecious dull life coming to sea. "

Fitz Burnett sighed and waited, for the evening was closing in fast, andthen he began to brighten in the expectation of the something fresh thatwas to take place that night. But knowing that it might be hours beforethey started, he waited--and waited--and waited. 

There is an old French proverb which says, _Tout vient a point a quisait attendre_, and this may be roughly interpreted, "Everything comesto the man who waits. " Let's suppose that it comes to the boy. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

BRAVO, BOY!

The dim evening gave place to a dark night. The _Tonans_ had for sometwo or three hours been stealing along very slowly not far from land, and that something important was on the way was evident from thecaptain's movements, and the sharp look-out that was being kept up, andstill more so from the fact that no lights were shown. 

The gunboat's cutter had been swung out ready for lowering down at amoment's notice, the armed crew stood waiting, and one man was in thestern-sheets whose duty it was to look after the lantern, which was keptcarefully shaded. 

Fitz, who was the readiest of the ready, had long before noted withintense interest the fact that they showed no lights, and his interestincreased when the lieutenant became so far communicative that he stoodgazing out through the darkness side by side with his junior, and saidsoftly--

"I am afraid we shall miss her, my lad. She'll steal by us in thedarkness, and it will all prove to be labour in vain. "

Fitz waited to hear more, but no more came, for the lieutenant moved offto join the captain. 

"I wish he wouldn't be so jolly mysterious, " said the midshipman tohimself. "I am an officer too, and he might have said a little more. "

But it was all waiting, and no farther intercourse till close upon eightbells, when Fitz, feeling regularly tired out, said to himself--

"Bother! I wish I hadn't asked leave to go. I should have beencomfortably asleep by now. "

He had hardly thought this when there was a quick movement behind him, and simultaneously he caught sight of a dim light off the starboard-bow. An order was given in a low tone, and with a silence and method learnedon board a man-of-war, the boat's crew, followed by their officers, tooktheir places in the cutter, and in obedience to another command the boatwas lowered down, kissed the water, the hooks were withdrawn, she waspushed off, the oars fell on either side, and away they glided over thedancing waters in the direction of the distant light. 

"Now we are off, Fitz, " said the lieutenant eagerly, speaking almost ina whisper, but without the slightest necessity, for the light was faraway. 

"Yes, sir, now we are off, " replied the boy, almost resentfully, and histone suggested that he would have liked to say, Why can't you tell mewhere we are going? Possibly the officer took it in this light, for hecontinued--

"This ought to be a bit of excitement for you, Burnett. We are after aschooner bound for somewhere south, laden with contraband of war. "

"War, sir?" whispered the lad excitedly. 

"Well, some petty Central American squabble; and the captain has hadinstructions that this schooner is going to steal out of port to-night. Some one informed. We got the information yesterday. "

"Contraband, sir?"

"Yes; guns and ammunition which ought not to be allowed to be shippedfrom an English port against a friendly state. --Give way, my men!"

The rowers responded by making their stout ashen blades bend, and thecutter went forward in jerks through the rather choppy sea. 

"Then we shall take the schooner, sir?"

"Yes, my lad, if we can. "

"Then that means prize-money. "

"Why, Burnett, are you as avaricious as that?"

"No, sir; no, sir; I was thinking about the men. "

"Oh, that's right. But don't count your chickens before they arehatched. "

"No, sir. "

"We mayn't be able to board that vessel, and if we do, possibly it isn'tthe one we want. It's fifty to one it isn't. Or it may be anything--some trading brig or another going down south. "

"Of course, sir. There are so many that pass. "

"At the same time it may be the one we want. "

"Yes, sir. "

"And then we shall be in luck. "

"Yes, sir. "

"They must surrender to our armed boat. "

Fitz Burnett had had little experience of the sea, but none as connectedwith an excursion in a boat on a dark night, to board a vessel whosesailing light could be seen in the distance. 

They had not gone far before the lieutenant tabooed all talking. 

"Still as you can, my lads, " he said. "Sound travels far over the sea, and lights are very deceptive. "

The midshipman had already been thinking the same thing. He had oftenread of Will-o'-the-Wisps, but never seen one, and this light seemed toanswer the description exactly, for there it was, dimly-seen for a fewmoments, then brightening, and slowly going up and down. But the greatpeculiarity was that now it seemed quite close at hand, now far distant, and for the life of him he could not make out that they got any nearer. He wanted to draw his companion's attention to that fact, but on turningsharply to the lieutenant as if to speak, he was met by a low "Hist!"which silenced him directly, while the men rowed steadily on for quite aquarter of an hour longer, when all at once the lieutenant uttered in anangry whisper--

"What are you doing, you clumsy scoundrel?"

For there was a sudden movement behind where they sat in thestern-sheets, as if the man in charge of the lantern had slipped, withthe result that a dull gleam of light shone out for a few moments, before its guardian scuffled the piece of sail-cloth by which it hadbeen covered, back into its place, and all was dark once more. 

"Why, what were you about?" whispered the lieutenant angrily. 

"Beg pardon, sir. Slipped, sir. "

"Slipped! I believe you were asleep. "

The man was silent. 

"You were nodding off, weren't you?"

"Don't think I was, sir, " was the reply. 

But the man's officer was right, and the rest of the crew knew it, beingready to a man, as they afterwards did, to declare that "that there BillSmith would caulk, " as they termed taking a surreptitious nap, "even ifthe gunboat were going down. "

"Put your backs into it, my lads, " whispered the lieutenant. "Now then, with a will; but quiet, quiet!"

As he spoke the speed of the boat increased and its progress made itmore unsteady, necessitating his steadying himself by gripping Fitz bythe collar as he stood up, shading his eyes and keeping a sharp look-outahead. 

A low hissing sound suggestive of his vexation now escaped his lips, forto his rage and disgust he saw plainly enough that their light must havebeen noticed. 

Fitz Burnett had come to the same conclusion, for though he strained hiseyes with all his power, the Will-o'-the-Wisp-like light that they werechasing had disappeared. 

"Gone!" thought the boy, whose heart was now beating heavily. "Theymust have seen our light and taken alarm. That's bad. No, " he added tohimself, "it's good--capital, for it must mean that that was the lightof the vessel we were after. Any honest skipper wouldn't have taken thealarm. "

"Use your eyes, Burnett, my lad, " whispered the lieutenant, bendingdown. "We must have been close up to her when that idiot gave thealarm. See anything?"

"No, sir. "

"Oh, tut, tut, tut, tut!" came in a low muttering tone. 

"Look, boy, look; we must see her somehow. How are we to go back andface the captain if we fail like this?"

The boy made no reply, but strained his eyes again, to see darknesseverywhere that appeared to be growing darker moment by moment, exceptin one spot, evidently where the land lay, and there a dull yellowishlight glared out that seemed to keep on winking at them derisively, nowfairly bright, now disappearing all at once, as the lantern revolved. 

"Hold hard!" whispered the lieutenant, and the men lay on their oars, with the boat gradually slackening its speed till it rose and fell, rocking slowly on the choppy sea, and the eye-like lantern gave anotherderisive wink twice, and then seemed to shut itself up tight. 

"It's of no use to pull, Burnett, " whispered the lieutenant. "We may begoing right away. See anything, my lads?"

"No, sir, " came in a low murmur, and the culprit who had gone to sleepsat and shivered as he thought of the "wigging, " as he termed it, thatwould be his when he went back on board the gunboat; and as the boatrocked now in regular motion the darkness seemed to grow more profound, while the silence to the midshipman seemed to be awful. 

He was miserable too with disappointment, for he felt so mixed up withthe expedition that it seemed to him as if he was in fault, and thatwhen they returned he would have to share in the blame that CaptainGlossop would, as he termed it, "lay on thick. "

"Oh, Mr Bill Smith, " he said to himself, "just wait till we get back!"

And then a reaction took place. 

"What's the good?" he thought. "Poor fellow! He'll get it hot enoughwithout me saying a word. But how could a fellow go to sleep at a timelike this?"

"It's all up, Burnett, " came in a whisper, close to his ear. "Themilk's spilt, and it's no use crying over it, but after all thesepreparations who could have expected such a mishap as that?--What's thematter with you?" he added sharply. "You'll have me overboard. "

For the midshipman had suddenly sprung up from where he sat, nearlyoverbalancing his superior officer as he gripped him tightly by thechest with the right hand, and without replying stood rigidly pointingover the side with his left, his arm stretched right across thelieutenant's breast. 

"You don't mean--you can see--Bravo, boy!--Pull, my lads, for all youknow. "

As he spoke he dropped back into his seat, tugging hard with his righthand at one of the rudder-lines, with the result that as the cutterglided once more rapidly over the little waves she made a sharp curve tostarboard, and then as the line was once more loosened, glided onstraight ahead for something dim and strange that stood out before themlike a blur. 

As the men bent to their stout ash-blades, pulling with all their might, a great thrill seemed to run through the cutter, which, as it were, participated in the excitement of the crew, boat and men being for thetime as it were one, while the dark blur now rapidly assumed form, growing moment by moment more distinct, till the occupants of thestern-sheets gradually made out the form of a two-masted vessel glidingalong under a good deal of sail. 

She had so much way on, as the cutter was coming up at right angles thatinstead of beating fast, Fitz Burnett's heart now continued itspulsations in jerks in his excitement lest the schooner should glide bythem and leave them behind. 

It was a near thing, but the lieutenant had taken his measurescorrectly. He was standing up once again grasping the rudder-lines tillalmost the last moment, before dropping them and giving two orders, tothe coxswain to hook on, and to the crew to follow--unnecessary orders, for every man was on the _qui vive_, knew his task, and meant to do itin the shortest possible time. 

And now a peculiar sense of unreality attacked the young midshipman, forin the darkness everything seemed so dream-like and unnatural. It wasas if they were rowing with all their might towards a phantom ship, amisty something dimly-seen in the darkness, a ship-like shape that mightat any moment die right away; for all on board was black, and thesilence profound. There was nothing alive, as it were, but the schooneritself, careening gently over in their direction, and passing silentlybefore their bows. 

One moment this feeling strengthened as Fitz Burnett dimly made out thecoxswain standing ready in the bows prepared to seize hold with theboat-hook he wielded, while the men left their oars to swing, while theyplayed another part. 

"The boat-hook will go through it, " thought the lad, as, following thelieutenant's example, he stood ready to spring up the side. The nextmoment all was real, for the cutter in response to a jerk as thecoxswain hooked on, grated against the side and changed its course, gliding along with the schooner, while, closely following, theirofficers, who sprang on board, the little crew of stout man-of-war's mensprang up and literally tumbled over the low bulwarks on to the vessel'sdeck. 

For a short period during which you might have counted six, there wasnothing heard but the rustle of the men's movements and the _pad, pad, pad_ of their bare feet upon the deck. 

"Where's the--"

What the lieutenant would have said in continuation was not heard. Surprised by the utter silence on board, he had shared with Fitz thefeeling that they must have boarded some derelict whose crew, perhaps ingreat peril, had deserted their vessel and sought safety in the boats. 

But the next moment there was a sudden rush that took every one bysurprise, for not a word was uttered by their assailants, the thud, thud, thud of heavy blows, the breathing hard of men scuffling, followedby splash after splash, and then one of the schooner's masts seemed togive way and fall heavily upon Fitz Burnett's head, turning thedimly-seen deck and the struggling men into something so black that hesaw no more. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

WAKING UP. 

It is a curious sensation to be lying on your back you don't know where, and you can't think of the reason why it should be so, but with yourhead right off, completely detached from your body, and rolling roundand round like an exceedingly heavy big ball, that for some inexplicablereason has been pitched into a vast mill on purpose to be ground, but, probably from its thickness and hardness, does not submit to thatprocess, but is always going on and on between the upper stone andnether stone, suffering horrible pain, but never turning into powder, nor even into bits, but going grinding on always for a time that seemsas if it would never end unless the millstones should wear away. 

That is what seemed to be the matter with Fitz Burnett, for how long hecould not tell. But a change came at last, with the gnawing, grindingpain becoming dull. Later on it did not seem that his head was detachedfrom his body, and he had some undefined idea that his hands were wherehe could move them, and at last, later on still, he found himself lyingin comparative calmness and in no pain, but in a state something betweensleeping and waking. 

Then came a time when he began to think that it was very dark, that hewas very tired, and that he wanted to sleep, and so he slept. Thenagain that it was very light, very warm, and that something seemed to bethe matter with his berth, for he was thinking more clearly now. Heknew he was lying on his back in his berth, and curiously enough he knewthat it was not his berth, and while he was wondering why this was, something tickled his nose. 

Naturally enough as the tickling went on, passing here and there, heattributed it to a fly upon his face, and his instinct suggested to himto knock it off. He made a movement to do this quickly and suddenly, but his hand fell back upon his chest--whop! It was only a light touch, but he heard it distinctly, and as the movement resulted in dislodgingthe fly, he laughed to himself, perfectly satisfied. He felt verycomfortable and went to sleep again. 

Hours must have passed, and it was light once more. He turned his headand looked towards that light, to see that it was dancing and flashingupon beautiful blue water all rippled and playing under the influence ofa gentle breeze. He could not see much of it, for he was only lookingthrough a round cabin-window. This was puzzling, for there was no suchwindow as that in the gunboat, and the mental question came--where washe?

But it did not seem to matter. He was very comfortable, and thatdancing light upon the water was one of the most lovely sights he hadever seen. He thought that it was a beautiful morning and that it wasvery nice to lie and watch it, but he did not think about anybody elseor about whys or wherefores or any other puzzling problems, not evenabout himself. But he did think it would be pleasant to turn himself alittle over on his side with his face close to the edge of the berth, and take in long breaths of that soft, sweet air. 

Acting upon this thought, he tried to turn himself, and for the firsttime began to wonder why it was that he could not stir; and directlyafter he began to wonder what it was he had been dreaming about;something concerning his head aching horribly and going round and roundin a mill. 

It was while he was obliged to give this up as something he could notmaster that he heard a click as of a door opening, and the next momentsome one came softly in, and a face was interposed between his and thecabin-window. 

It was a rather rough but pleasant-looking face, with dark brown eyesand blackish curly hair, cut short. The face was a good deal sunburnttoo. But he did not take much notice of that; it was the eyes thatcaught his attention, looking searchingly into his, and Fitz waited, expecting the owner of the eyes would speak; and then it seemed to himthat he ought to ask something--about something. But about what? Hedid not quite know, for he felt that though he was wide-awake he couldnot think as he should. It was as if his apparatus was half asleep. 

But the owner of the eyes did not say anything, only drew back anddisappeared, and as he did so, Fitz found that he could think, for hewas asking himself how it was that the fellow who had been looking athim had disappeared. 

He came to the conclusion directly afterwards that it was a dream. Thenhe knew it was not, for he heard a gruff voice that seemed to comethrough the boards say--

"All right, Poole. Tumble up directly. What say?"

"He's awake, father, and looks as if he had come to himself. "

"Eh? Oh, that's good news. Come and see him directly. "

Now Fitz began to think fast, but still not about himself. 

"Father, eh?" he thought. "Whose father is he? He said he was comingto see some one directly. Now I wonder who that may be. "

That was as much as Fitz Burnett could get through upon this occasion, for thinking had made his eyelids heavy, and the bright flashing waterat which he gazed seemed to grow dull and play upon the boards of hisberth just over his head and close at hand. 

From growing dull, this rippling water grew very dark indeed, and thenfor some time there was nothing more but sleep--beautiful sleep, Nature's great remedy and cure for a heavy blow upon the head that hasbeen very close upon fracturing the bone, but which in this case fell sofar short that Fitz Burnett had only had severe concussion of the brain. 

CHAPTER FOUR. 

ANOTHER BOY. 

It was either sunrise or sunset, for the cabin was full of a rich warmglow, and Fitz lay upon his back listening to a peculiar sound whichsounded to him like _fuzz, whuzz, thrum_. 

He did not attempt to turn his head for some moments, though he wantedto know what made those sounds, for during some little time he felt toolazy to stir, and at last he turned his head gently and remembered theeyes that had looked at him once, and recalled the face now bent downover something before him from which came those peculiar sounds. 

Fitz felt interested, and watched the busy ringers, the passing andre-passing needle, and the manipulation of a mesh, for some time beforehe spoke. 

"How quick and clever he is!" he thought, and then almost unconsciouslya word slipped out. 

"Netting?" he said. 

Needle, string and mesh were thrown down, and Fitz's fellow-occupier ofthe cabin started up and came to his side, to bend over and lay a browncool hand upon his forehead. 

"Feel better?" he said. 

"Better?" said Fitz peevishly. 

"Yes, of course. "

"Why--Here, stop a moment. Who are you?"

"No doubt about it, " was the reply. "That's the first time you havetalked sensibly. "

"You be hanged!" said Fitz sharply. 

But as he spoke it did not seem like his own voice, but as if somebodyelse had spoken in a weak, piping tone. He did not trouble himselfabout that, though, for his mind was beginning to be an inquiring one. 

"Why don't you answer?" he said. "Who are you? What's your name?"

"Poole Reed. "

"Oh! Then how came you in my cabin?"

"Well, " said the lad, with a pleasant laugh, which made his rather plainface light up in the warm sunset glow and look almost handsome; not thatthat was wonderful, for a healthy, good-tempered boy's face, no matterwhat his features, always has a pleasant look, --"I think I might saywhat are you doing in my cabin?"

"Eh?" cried Fitz, looking puzzled. "How came I--your cabin--your cabin?Is it your cabin?"

The lad nodded. 

"I don't know, " said Fitz. "How did I come here?"

"But it is my cabin--rather. "

"Yes, yes; but how did I come here?"

"Why, in the boat. "

"In a boat?" said Fitz thoughtfully--"in a boat? I came in a boat?Yes, I suppose so, because we are at sea. But somehow I don't know howit is. I can't recollect. But I say, hasn't it turned _very_ warm?"

"Yes. Getting warmer every day. "

"But my head--I don't understand. "

"Don't you? Well, never mind. How do you feel?"

"Oh, quite well, thank you. But I want to know why I am here--in yourcabin. "

"Oh, you will know soon enough. Don't worry about it now till you getstrong again. "

"Till I get strong again? There, now you are beginning to puzzle meonce more. I am strong enough now, and--No, I am not, " added the lad, rather pitifully, as he raised one hand and let it fall back. "That armfeels half numbed as if it had been hurt, and, " he added, ratherexcitedly, "you asked me how I was. Have I been ill?"

"Yes, very, " was the reply. "But don't fret about it. You are comingall right again fast. "

Fitz lay back with his brow wrinkled up, gazing at his companion andtrying to think hard; but all in vain, and with a weary gesticulation--

"I can't understand, " he said. "I try to think, but my head seems to gorolling round again, and I can only remember that mill. "

"Then take my advice about it. Don't try to think at all. "

"But I must think; I want to know. "

"Oh, you'll know soon enough. You can't think, because you are veryweak now. I was just the same when I had the fever at Vera Cruz--feltas if my head wouldn't go; but it got better every day, and that's howyours will be. "

"Did I catch a fever, then?" said Fitz eagerly. 

"No, " was the reply. "You caught something else, " and the speakersmiled grimly. 

"Caught something else? And been very bad?"

The lad nodded. 

"Then--then, " cried Fitz excitedly, "Captain Glossop had me sent aboardthis ship to get me out of the way?"

"Well, not exactly. But don't you bother, I tell you. You are gettingright again fast, and father says you'll be all right now you haveturned the corner. "

"Who's `father'?" said Fitz. 

"That's a rum question. Why, my father, of course--the skipper of thisschooner. "

"Oh, I see; the skipper of this schooner, " said Fitz thoughtfully. "Isit a fast one?"

"Awfully, " said the lad eagerly. "You will quite enjoy seeing how wecan sail when you are well enough to come on deck. Why, if you go onlike this we ought to be able to get you up in a day or two. Theweather is splendid now. My father is a capital doctor. "

"What!" cried Fitz. "Why, you told me just now that he was the skipperof this schooner. "

"Well, so he is. But I say, don't you worry about asking questions. Couldn't you drink a cup of tea?"

"I don't know; I dare say I could. Yes, I should like one. But nevermind about that now. I don't quite understand why Captain Glossopshould send me on board this schooner. This is not the LiverpoolHospital Ship, is it?"

"Oh no. "

"How many sick people have you got on board?"

"None at all, " said the lad, "now you are getting well. "

Fitz lay looking at the speaker wistfully. There was something abouthis frank face and manner that he liked. 

"I don't understand, " he said sadly. "It's all a puzzle, and I supposeit is all as you say through being so ill. "

"Yes, of course. That's it, old chap. I say, you don't mind me callingyou `old chap, ' do you?"

"Well, no, " said Fitz, smiling sadly. "You mean it kindly, I suppose. "

"Well, I want to be kind to you, seeing how bad you've been. I thoughtone day you were going to Davy Jones's locker, as the sailors call it. "

"Was I so bad as that?" cried Fitz eagerly. 

"Yes, horrid. Father and I felt frightened, because it would have beenso serious; but there, I won't say another word. I am going to get yousome tea. "

The invalid made an effort to stay him, but the lad paid no heed--hurrying out of the cabin and shutting the door quietly after him, leaving Fitz deep in thought. 

He lay with his white face wrinkled up, trying hard, in spite of whathad been said, to think out what it all meant, but always with histhoughts tending towards his head rolling round in a mill and getting nofarther; in fact, it seemed to be going round again for about the nthtime, as mathematicians term it, when the cabin-door once more opened, and his attendant bore in a steaming hot cup of tea, to be closelyfollowed by a bluff-looking, middle-aged man, sun-browned, bright-eyedand alert, dressed in semi-naval costume, and looking like a well-to-doyachtsman. 

He smiled pleasantly as he gave a searching look at the invalid, and satdown at once upon a chair close to the lad's pillow, leaning over totouch his brow and then feel his pulse. 

"Bravo!" he said. "Capital!--Humph! So you are thinking I don't looklike a doctor, eh?"

"Yes, " replied Fitz sharply. "How did you know that?"

"Because it is written in big letters all over your face. Why, you aregetting quite a new man, and we will have you on deck in a day or two. "

"Thank you, " said Fitz. "It is very good of you to pay so muchattention to an invalid. I knew you were not a doctor because your sonhere said so; but you seem to have done me a great deal of good, and Ihope you think I am grateful. I am sure Captain Glossop will be verymuch obliged. "

"Humph!" said the skipper dryly. "I hope he will. But there, try yourtea. I dare say it will do you good. "

As he spoke the skipper passed one muscular arm gently under the boy'sshoulders and raised him up, while his son bent forward with the tea. 

"Thank you, " said Fitz, "but there was no need for that. I could have--Oh, how ridiculous to be so weak as this!"

"Oh, not at all, " said the skipper. "Why, you have been days and dayswithout any food--no coal in your bunkers, my lad. How could you expectyour engines to go?"

"What!" cried Fitz. "Days and days! Wasn't I taken ill yesterday?"

"Well, not exactly, my lad, " said the skipper dryly; "but don't youbother about that now. Try the tea. "

The cup was held to his lips, and the lad sipped and then drank withavidity. 

"'Tis good, " he muttered. 

"That's right, " said the skipper. "You were a bit thirsty, I suppose. Why, you will soon be ready to eat, but we mustn't go too fast; mindthat, Poole. Gently does it, mind, till he gets a bit stronger. --Come, finish your tea. --That's the way. Now let me lay you down again. "

This was done, and the boy's face wrinkled up once more. 

"I am so weak, " he said querulously. 

"To be sure you are, my lad, but that will soon go off now. You've gotnothing to do but to lie here and eat and drink and sleep, till you comesquare again. My boy Poole here will look after you, and to-morrow ornext day we will carry you up on deck and let you lie in a cane-chair. You will be able to read soon, and play draughts or chess, and have afine time of it. "

"Thank you; I am very much obliged, " said the young midshipman warmly. "I want to get well again, and I will try not to think, but there is onething I should like to ask. "

"Well. So long as it isn't questions, go on, my lad. "

"I want you to write a letter home, it doesn't matter how short it is, about my having been ill--so long as you tell my mother that I amgetting better from my attack. Your son said when I asked him, that Igot it on the head, and I am afraid my mother would not understand that, so you had better say what fever it was, for I am sure she'd like toknow. What fever was it, Captain? You might tell me that!"

"Eh, what--what fever?" said the skipper. "Ah, ah, " and he gave apeculiar cock of his eye towards his son, "brain-fever, my lad, brain-fever. It made you a bit delirious. But that's all over now. "

"And you will write, sir? I'll give you the address. "

"Write?" said the captain. "Why not wait till you get into port? Youwill be able then to write yourself. "

"Oh, but I can't wait for that, sir. If you would kindly write theletter and send it ashore by one of the men in your boat, it will be somuch better. "

"All right, my lad. I'll see to it. But there, now. You've talked toomuch. Not another word. I am your doctor, and my orders are that younow shut your eyes and go to sleep. "

As he spoke the skipper made a sign to his son, and they both left thecabin, the latter bearing the empty cup. 

CHAPTER FIVE. 

AGHAST. 

As the cabin-door closed Fitz lay back, trying to think about hisposition, but he felt too comfortable to trouble much. There had beensomething so soft and comforting about that tea, which had relieved theparched sensation in his throat and lips. Then the skipper and his sonhad been so kind and attentive. It was so satisfactory too aboutgetting that letter off, and then that evening glow rapidly changinginto a velvety gloom with great stars coming out, was so lovely that hefelt that he had never seen anything so exquisite before. 

"There, I won't think and worry, " he said to himself, and a minute laterhe had fallen into a sleep which proved so long and restful, that thesun had been long up before he unclosed his eyes again to find hisyounger attendant once more netting. 

"Morning, " said the lad cheerily. "You have had a long nap, and nomistake. "

"Why, I haven't been asleep since sunset, have I?"

"You have, and it seems to have done you a lot of good. You can eat agood breakfast now, can't you?"

"Yes, and get up first and have a good wash. I long for it. "

"You can't. I shall have to do that. Here, wait a minute. I will goand tell the cook to get your breakfast ready, and then come back andput you all a-taunto. "

The lad hurried out of the cabin, leaving Fitz wide-awake now in everysense of the word, for that last rest had brought back the power ofcoherent thought, making him look wonderingly out of the window at theglorious sea, so different from anything he had been accustomed to formonths and months, and setting him wondering. 

"Why, this can't be the Irish Channel, " he thought, "and here, when wasit I was taken ill? I seem to have been fast asleep, and only just wokeup. Where was I? Was that a dream? No, I remember now; the lieutenantand the cutter's crew. That schooner we were sent to board in thedarkness, and--"

Here his young attendant re-entered the cabin with a tin-bowl in onehand, a bucket of freshly dipped sea-water in the other, and a towelthrown over his shoulder. 

"Here, hullo, midshipman!" he cried cheerily. "My word, you do lookwide-awake! But there's nothing wrong, is there?"

"Yes! No! I don't know, " cried Fitz excitedly. "What's the name ofthis schooner?"

"Oh, it's all right. It's my father's schooner. "

"And you sailed from Liverpool?"

"I haven't come here to answer your questions, " said the lad, almostsulkily. 

"That proves it, then. I remember it all now. We boarded you in thedark, and--and--"

Before the speaker could continue, the cabin-door was thrust open andthe bluff-looking skipper entered. 

"Hullo!" he said sternly, "what's the matter here?"

"Your son, sir, won't answer my questions, " cried Fitz excitedly. 

"Quite right, my lad. I told him not to until you get better, so don'task. "

"I am better, " cried the boy, trying to spring up, but sinking back witha groan. 

"There, you see, " said the skipper, "you are not. You are far too weak. Why not take my word for it, my lad, as a bit of a doctor? Now, lookhere! You want to know how it is you came on board my craft--waitpatiently a little while, and when I think you are well enough to bearit I will tell you all. "

"But I don't want to be told now, " cried the boy passionately--"notthat. I boarded with our men, and I can remember I felt a heavy blow. I must have been knocked down and stunned. What has become of ourlieutenant, the boat and men?"

"Oh, well, my lad, if the murder must out--"

"Murder!" cried Fitz. 

"Murder, no! Nonsense! That's a figure of speech. I mean, if thestory must come out, here it is. I was going peacefully down channelwhen your boat boarded us. "

"As she had a right to, " cried Fitz, "being from one of the Queen'sships on duty. "

"Oh, I am not going to argue that, my lad, " said the skipper coolly. "Iwas sailing down channel, interfering with nobody, when I was boarded bya lot of armed men in the dark, and I did what any skipper would dounder the circumstances. The boat's crew meant to capture my craft andmy valuable cargo, so after a scuffle I had them all pitched overboardto get back to their boat, and gave them the go-by in the darkness, andI haven't seen anything of them since. "

"Oh!" exclaimed Fitz. "Resisting one of Her Majesty's crews! Do youknow, sir, what it means?"

"I know what the other means, my lad--losing my craft and valuablecargo, and some kind of punishment, I suppose, for what I have done. "

"But you have taken me prisoner, then?" cried Fitz. 

"Well, not exactly, my lad, " said the skipper, smiling. "I shouldn'thave done that if I had known. Nobody knew you were on board till thenext morning, for we were all too busy clapping on all sail so as togive your gunboat a clean pair of heels. "

"Never mind me, " cried Fitz excitedly. "What about the boat's crew?"

"Oh, they'll be all right. They got back to their boat. We could hearplainly enough the shouting one to the other, and your officer hailingtill the last man was picked up. They were showing their lantern thenwithout stint, not giving us a mere glimpse like they did when we saw itfirst. "

"Oh!" ejaculated Fitz, drawing his breath between his teeth as herecalled the dropping off to sleep of poor Bill Smith. 

"It was not till sunrise, my lad, that I knew you were on board. Youhad had an unlucky crack on the head which sent you down thecompanion-ladder, and when my lads brought and laid you up on deck itseemed to me the worst part of the night's business. "

"Then why didn't you put me ashore at once?" cried Fitz. "You werekeeping me a prisoner here, " and he looked from father to son, theformer where he had seated himself quietly by the head of the middy'sberth, the other standing leaning against the bulkhead folding andunfolding the clean towel, with the bucket of water and tin-bowl at hisfeet. 

"Why didn't I put you ashore at once?" replied the skipper. "Say, whydidn't I put myself and men all in prison for what I had done? Well, hardly likely, my lad. I couldn't afford it, between ourselves. There!It was your people's fault. You may call it duty, if you like. Minewas to save my schooner if I could--and I did. So now you know theworst. Come; be a good boy and let Poole there wash your face. "

"Oh, this is insufferable, " cried Fitz. "You are insulting a Queen'sofficer, sir. "

"I am very sorry, sir, " said the skipper coolly, "but I have got anotherduty to do now, and that is to make you quite well. This is only a fasttrading schooner, but in his way a skipper is as big a man as thecaptain of a Queen's man-of-war. He is master, and you have got toobey--the more so because it is for your own good. Why don't I set youashore? Because I can't. As soon as I safely can, off you go, but tillthen just you take it coolly and get well. "

"Put me aboard the first ship you see. "

"I shall put you where I like, my boy; so once more I tell you that youhave got to obey me and get well. If you go on like this, excitingyourself, we shall have the fever back again, and then, mark this, thewords of truth, you will be too ill to ask me to write to your motherand tell her how bad you are. "

Poor Fitz's lips parted, and he lay back upon his pillow speechless andstaring with a strange, wistful look in his eyes, making not theslightest resistance, not even attempting to speak again, as the skipperlaid a hand once more upon his forehead, keeping it there a few minutesbefore he removed it. 

"Not so hot, " he said, "as I expected to feel it. Go on, Poole, my boy, and get him his breakfast as soon as you can. "

The lad took his father's place as he vacated it and moved towards thecabin-door, but only to return directly, step to the side of the berth, and take one of the middy's hands and hold it between his own. 

"There, there, " he said, "I am sorry to be so hard with you, my lad, foryou have spoken very bravely and well. Come! A sailor has to take theups and downs of his profession. You are all in the downs now, and are, so to speak, my prisoner; but we shan't put you in irons, eh, Poole?"

"No, father, " said the lad addressed, smiling; "not quite. "

"And I shall be disgraced--disgraced!" groaned the midshipman. 

"Disgraced! Nonsense! What for? Why, my lad, your captain when heknows all ought to put a big mark against your name; and I have no doubthe will. "

As he spoke he left the cabin without another word, and the silence wasjust as great within; but it was a busy silence all the same, while Fitzlay back, unable to avoid feeling how cool and pleasant was the touch ofthe water, and how gentle were his attendant's hands. 

He was still miserable, but there was something very satisfying later onin being propped up with a great locker-cushion and a well-stuffedpillow, feeling the deliciously warm morning air float through the opencabin-window, what time, by the help of the skipper's son, he partook ofa capital breakfast, at first feeling that every mouthful was chokinghim, then with eager appetite, Poole smiling pleasantly at him all thewhile. 

It was annoying too, for the middy felt that, to use his own term, heought to hate this "filibustering young ruffian" with all his heart. Asfor speaking to him unless it were to give him some imperious order, hementally vowed he would not do that. 

But that coffee was newly roasted, and though they were far at sea, thefresh bread-cakes were nice and warm, and the butter not in theslightest degree too salt. Fitz had been long without any food tosignify, returning health was giving him the first instalments of aravenous appetite, and somehow it seems to be one of Nature's rules that_one_ fasting has his temper all on edge, while when he is satisfied itdoes not take much to make him smile. 

So it was that before the breakfast was over, Fitz Burnett had forgottenhis mental vow. Curiosity got the better of him. 

"How far are we from land?" he said. 

"The nearest?"

Fitz nodded. 

"Oh, about eight hundred miles. "

"And where's that? Somewhere south?"

"No, north by east. "

"Do you mean it?"

It was Poole's turn now to nod. 

The young midshipman sank back aghast, trying to mentally fill up theblank between that night off the dark waters near Liverpool, and thebright sunny sea before him now. 

It was a thorough failure, for before many minutes had passed, histhinking powers seemed to be rendered misty by a sunny glow throughwhich he was wafted back to England, Kent, and his own old pleasanthome. 

His head had sunk back, and he was sleeping peacefully and well, not inthe least disturbed by his attendant as the breakfast-things wereremoved and the cabin touched up. This done, Poole stood beside him, examining his position. 

"Seems comfortable enough, " he said, "and I don't think he can rollover. Poor old chap! It does seem a nasty turn, but it was not ourfault. I hope he'll soon settle down, because he seems to be the sortof fellow, if he wasn't quite so cocky, that one might come to like. "

CHAPTER SIX. 

ON TWO SIDES. 

Fitz Burnett slept on during the greatest part of that day and most ofthe next; each time that he woke up he seemed better, and ready for thefood that he had missed for so long and which was now so carefullyprepared for him. 

Very little had been said; the skipper's son attended upon himassiduously, and was ready to enter into conversation, but his advanceswere met so shortly and snappishly, that he soon contented himself withplaying the nurse seriously, while the invalid frowned and kept his eyesfixed upon the sea through the open cabin-window, rarely glancing at hisattendant at all. 

It was on the fourth day after the lad had recovered his senses andlearned the truth of his position, that Poole made a remark about thischange in their passenger to his father, who had come into the cabin tofind the midshipman fast asleep. 

"Is it right, father, that he should sleep so much?" said the lad. 

"Certainly. He's getting on fast. Let him sleep as much as he can. His wound is growing together again as quickly as it can. Can't you seehow much better he is?"

"Well, I thought I could, dad, " was the reply; "but every now and then Ithink he's getting worse. "

"Eh? What makes you think that, lad? Does he begin to mope for hisliberty?"

"I dare say he does, dad. It's only natural; but that isn't what Imeant. What I thought was that though he seemed rather nice at first, he keeps on growing more and more disagreeable. He treats me sometimesjust as if I were a dog. "

"Well, you always were a precious young puppy, Poole, " said the skipper, with a twinkle of the eye. --"Ah! No impudence now! If you dare to saythat it's no wonder when I am such a rough old sea-dog, I'll throwsomething at you. "

"Then it won't be thrown, " said the lad, laughing. "But really, father, he is so stuck up and consequential sometimes, ordering me about, andsatisfied with nothing I do, that it makes me feel peppery and ready totell him that if he isn't satisfied he'd better do the things himself. "

"Bah! Don't take any notice of him, boy. It's all a good sign, andmeans he's getting well fast. "

"Well, it's not a very pleasant way of showing it, father. "

"No, my boy, no; but we can't very well alter what is. Fellows who havebeen ill, and wounded men when they are taking a right turn, are weak, irritable, and dissatisfied. I think you'll find him all right by andby. Take it all calmly. He's got something to suffer, poor fellow, both mentally and from that hurt upon his head. Well, I'll go back ondeck. I did come down to examine and dress his sconce again, but I'llleave that till another time. "

He had hardly spoken before Fitz opened his eyes with a start, saw whowas present, and turned pettishly away. 

"Oh, it's you, doctor, is it?" he said. "I wish you wouldn't be alwayscoming in here and bothering and waking me up. What do you want now?"

"I was only coming to bathe and re-plaster your head, squire, " repliedthe bluff skipper good-humouredly. 

Fitz gave himself an angry snatch round, and fixed his eyes frowninglyupon the speaker. 

"Look here, " he said, "let's have no more of that, if you please. Havethe goodness to keep your place, sir. If you don't know that you have agentleman on board, please to learn it now, and have the goodness to beoff and take that clumsy oaf with you. I want to sleep. "

"Certainly, " said the skipper quietly, and his son gave him a wonderinglook. "But as I am here I may as well see to your head. It is quitetime it was done again. "

"Look here, " cried Fitz, "am I to speak again? I told you to go. WhenI want my head bandaged again I will send you word. "

"All right, my lad, " said the skipper good-humouredly. 

"All right, _what_?" cried Fitz. "Will you have the goodness to keepthis familiar way of speaking to people of your own class!"

"Oh, certainly, " said the skipper. "Very well, then; send for me whenyou feel disposed to have it dressed; and I'll tell you what, you canlet Poole wait till the cool of the evening, and he can bathe it and doit then. "

"Bah!" cried the lad angrily. "Is it likely I am going to trust myselfin his clumsy hands? There, stop and do it now, as I am awake. Here, stop, get some fresh cool water and hold the basin. Pish! I mean thatnasty tin-bowl. "

Poole got what was necessary without a word, and then stood by while theinjury was carefully bathed and bandaged, the patient not uttering asingle word of thanks, but submitting with the worst of graces, and justgiving his doctor a condescending nod when with a word of congratulationthe latter left the cabin. 

There was profound silence then, saving a click or two and a rustle asPoole put the various things away, Fitz lying back on his pillow andwatching him the while, till at last he spoke, in an exacerbating way--

"Here, you sir, was that doctor, skipper, or whatever he calls himself, trained before he came to sea?"

Poole flushed and remained silent. 

"Did you hear what I said, boy?" cried Fitz. 

"Yes, " was the short reply, resentfully given. 

"Yes, _sir_. Impudent scoundrel! Do you know whom you are addressing?_Sir_ to an officer in Her Majesty's service, whatever his rank. "

"Oh, yes, I know whom I am talking to. "

"Yes, _sir_, you oaf! Where are your manners? Is that fellow asurgeon?"

"No; he is captain of this ship. "

"Ship! Captain!" sneered the boy, in a contemptuous tone which made hislistener writhe. "Why, it's a trading schooner, isn't it?"

Poole was about to speak out sharply, when a glance at the helplesscondition of the speaker disarmed him, and he said quietly--

"Oh, yes, of course it's a trading schooner, but it was originally agentleman's yacht, and sails like one. "

"Indeed!" said the boy sneeringly. "And pray whose is it?"

Poole looked at him open-eyed as if expecting to see him suffering froma little deliriousness again; but as no sign was visible he merely saidquietly--

"My father's. "

"And pray who's your father?"

Poole looked at him again, still in doubt. 

"That is. "

"Oh!"

There was silence for a few moments, before Fitz turned himself wearilyand said in a careless, off-hand tone--

"And what's the name of the craft?"

"The _Silver Teal_. "

"Silver Eel--eh? What a ridiculously slippery name for a boat!"

"_Silver Teal_, " said Poole emphatically. 

"Silver Grandmother! A nice set you must be to give your gimcrack craftsuch a name as that! But you may take my word for it that as soon asever you are caught in your slippery eel you will all either be hung orgo to penal servitude for life--though perhaps you'll be let off, as youare nothing better than a boy. "

"Oh yes, I am only a boy, " said Poole, rather bitterly; "but the _SilverTeal_, or Silver Eel as you call it, has to be caught yet. Your peopledid not make a very grand affair of it the other night. "

"Pooh! That's only because one of our stupid fellows who had been onthe watch the night before dropped to sleep. They'll soon have you. You'll have the _Tonans_ thundering on your heels before you know whereyou are. I am expecting to hear her guns every minute. "

"That's quite possible, " said Poole quietly; "but our little schoonerwill take some catching, I can tell you. "

"So you think, " said Fitz, "but you in your ignorance don't knoweverything. You only sail, and what's the use of that against steam?Just let our gunboat be after you in a calm, and then where are yougoing to be?"

"I don't know, and I don't think it's worth while to argue about it whenwe are out here in mid-ocean, and I suppose your gunboat is hangingabout somewhere off the port of Liverpool. But look here, hadn't youbetter take father's advice and not talk so much? I don't mind what yousay to me, and it doesn't hurt a bit, but you are rather weak yet, andafter all you have gone through I shouldn't like to see you go backinstead of forward. Why not have another nap?"

Fitz gave a contemptuous sniff, held his tongue as if his companion inthe cabin were not worthy of notice, and lay perfectly still gazing outto sea, but with his face twitching every now and then as he laythinking with all his might about some of the last words Poole had saidconnected with the possibility of the gunboat being so far away, and healone and helpless among these strangers, his spirits sank. How was itall going to end? he thought. What a position to be in! The skipperhad said something about putting him aboard some vessel, or ashore;--buthow or when? The position seemed hopeless in the extreme, and the poorweak lad thought and thought till his tired brain began to grow dizzyand ache violently, when kindly Nature led him to the temporary way outof the weary trouble which tortured him, and he fell fast asleep. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

GETTING THE WORST OF IT. 

Another morning passed, and the schooner was once more sailing awaythrough the beautiful calm blue see, heaving in long slow rollers whichseemed to be doing their best to rock the injured prisoner back to astate of health. 

He had breakfasted and been dressed by his sea-going attendant, and wasso much better that he was more irritable than usual, while theskipper's son met all his impatient remarks without the slightestresentment. 

The result was that the sick middy in his approach to convalescence wasin that state called by Irish folk "spoiling for a fight, " and the morepatient Poole showed himself, the more the boy began to play the lord. 

It was not led up to in any way, but came out in the way of aggravation, and sounded so childish on this particular occasion that Poole turnedhis head and crossed to the cabin-window to look out, so that Fitzshould not see him smile. 

"I have been thinking, " he said, with his back to the boy's berth, "thatwhile we are sailing along here so gently, I might get some of oldButters' tackle. "

"Who's Butters?" said Fitz shortly. 

"Our bo'sun. "

"But what do you mean by his tackle? You don't suppose that I am goingto do any hoisting, or anything of that sort, do you?"

"No, no; fishing-tackle. I'd bait the hooks and throw out the line, andyou could fish. You'd feel them tug, and could haul in, and I'd takethem off the hook?"

"What fish would they be?" cried the boy, quite eagerly, and with hiseyes brightening at the idea. 

"Bonito or albicore. "

"What are they?"

"Ah, you have never been in the tropics, I suppose?"

"Never mind where I've been, " snapped out the boy. "I asked you whatfish those were. "

"Something like big mackerel, " replied Poole quietly, "and wonderfullystrong. You would enjoy catching them. "

The way in which these words were spoken touched the midshipman'sdignity. 

"Hang his impudence!" Fitz thought. "Patronising me like that!"

"Shall I go and ask him for some tackle?"

"No, " was the snappish reply. "I don't want to fish. I have otherthings on my mind. I have been thinking about this a good deal, youngman, and I am not going to put up with any of your insolence. I am anofficer in Her Majesty's service, and when one is placed in a positionlike this, without a superior officer over one, it is my duty to takethe command; and if I did as I should do, I ought to give orders to'bout ship and make sail at once for the nearest port. "

"That's quite right; and why don't you?"

"Well--er--I--er--that is--"

"Here, I say, old chap, don't be so cocky. What's the good of making awindbag of yourself? I've only got to prick you, and where are youthen? You don't think you are going to frighten my dad with bluster, doyou?"

"Blus-ter, sir?"

"Yes, b-l-u-s-t-e-r. You can't call it anything else. I know how youfeel. Humbled like at being caught like this. I'm sorry for you. "

"Sorry! Bah!"

"Well, I am, really; but, to tell the truth, I should be more sorry ifyou could get away. It's rather jolly having you here. But you are abit grumpy this morning. Your head hurts you, doesn't it?"

"Hurts? Horrid! It is just as if somebody was trying to bore a hole inmy skull with a red-hot auger. "

Poole sprang up, soaked a handkerchief with water, folded it into asquare patch, and laid it on the injured place, dealing as tenderly withhis patient as if his fingers were those of a woman, with the resultthat the pain became dull and Fitz lay back in his bunk with his eyeshalf-closed. 

"Feel well enough to have a game of draughts?" said Poole, after apause. 

"No; and you haven't got a board. "

"But I have got a big card that I marked out myself, and blackened someof the squares with ink. "

"Where are your men?"

"Hanging up in that bag. "

"Let's look. "

Poole took a little canvas bag from the hook from which it hung andturned out a very decent set of black and white pieces. "You didn'tmake those?"

"Yes, I did. "

"How did you get them so round?"

"Oh, I didn't do that. Chips lent me his little tenon-saw, and I cutthem all off a roller; he helped me to finish them up with sandpaper, and told me what to soak half of them in to make them black. "

The invalid began to be more and more interested in the neat set ofdraughtsmen. "What did you soak them in--ink?" he asked. "No; guessagain. "

"Oh, I can't guess. Ship's paint, perhaps, or tar. "

"No; they wouldn't have looked neat like that. Vitriol--sulphuricacid. "

"What, had you got that sort of stuff on board the schooner?"

"The governor has in his big medicine-chest. "

"And did that turn them black like this?"

"Yes; you just paint them over with it, and hold them to the galleyfire. I suppose it burns them. They all come black like that, and youpolish them up with a little beeswax, and there you are. "

"Well, it was rather clever for a rough chap like you, " said Fitzgrudgingly. "Can you play?"

"Oh, just a little--for a rough chap like me. One has so much time outat sea. "

"Oh, well, we'll have just one game. How many pieces shall I give you?"

"Oh, I should think you ought to give me half, " was the reply. 

"Very well, " said Fitz cavalierly; "take half. I used to be a prettygood fist at this at school. Where's your board?"

Poole thrust his hand under the cabin-table and turned a couple ofbuttons, setting free a stiff piece of mill-board upon which a sheet ofwhite paper had been pasted and the squares neatly marked out andblacked. 

The pieces were placed, and the game began, with Fitz, after his bandagehad been re-moistened, supporting himself upon his left elbow to movehis pieces with his right hand, which somehow seemed to have forgottenits cunning, for with double the draughts his cool matter-of-factadversary beat him easily. 

"Yes, " said Fitz, rather pettishly; "I'm a bit out of practice, and myhead feels thick. "

"Sure to, " said Poole, "knocked about as you were. Have some morepieces this time. "

"Oh no!" said Fitz, "I can beat you easily like this if I take morecare. "

The pieces were set once more, and Fitz played his best, but he oncemore lost. 

"Have some more pieces this time, " said Poole. 

"Nonsense!" was snapped out. "I tell you I can beat you this way, and Iwill. "

The third game was played, one which took three times as long as thelast, and as he was beaten the middy let himself sink back on his pillowwith a gesture full of impatience. 

"Yes, " he said; "I know where I went wrong there. My head burns so, andI wasn't thinking. "

"Yes, I saw where you made that slip. You might as well have given upat once. "

"Oh, might I?" was snapped out. 

"Here, let me give that handkerchief a good soaking before we beginanother. "

"Yes, you didn't half wet it last time. Don't wring it out so much. "

"All right. Why, it's quite hot. It must have made your head so muchthe cooler. There, does that feel more comfortable?"

"Yes, that's better. Now make haste and set out the men. "

Poole arranged the pieces, and Fitz sat up again. 

"Here, what have you been doing?" he cried. "You have given me twomore. "

"Well, " said the skipper's son, smiling, "it'll make us more equal. "

"Don't you holloa till you're out of the wood, " cried Fitz haughtily, and he flicked the two extra pieces off the board. "Do you think I'mgoing to let you beat me? My head's clearer now. I think I know how toplay a game of draughts. "

The sick boy thought so, but again his adversary proved far stronger, winning easily; and the middy dropped back on the pillow. 

"It isn't fair, " he cried. 

"Not fair. "

"You didn't tell me you could play as well as that. "

"Of course not. I wasn't going to brag about my playing. Let's haveanother game. I think we're about equal. "

"No, I'm tired now. I say, " added Fitz, after a pause, as he laywatching the draughtsmen being dropped slowly back into the bag, "don'ttake any notice of what I said. I don't want you to think me cocky andbragging. My head worries me, and it makes me feel hot and out oftemper, and ready to find fault with everything. We'll have anothergame some day if I'm kept here a prisoner. Perhaps I shall be able toplay better then. "

"To be sure you will. But it doesn't matter which side wins. It isonly meant for a game. "

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

A BASIN OF SOUP. 

Fitz had just finished his semi-apology when the fastening of the doorclicked softly; it was pushed, and a peculiar-looking, shaggy head wasthrust in. The hair was of a rusty sandy colour, a shade lighter thanthe deeply-tanned face, while a perpetual grin parted the owner's lipsas if he were proud to show his teeth, though, truth to tell, there wasnothing to be proud of unless it was their bad shape and size. But themost striking features were the eyes, which somehow or another possesseda fiery reddish tinge, and added a certain fierceness to a physiognomywhich would otherwise have been very weak. 

Fitz started at the apparition. 

"The impertinence!" he muttered. "Here, I say, " he shouted now, "whoare you?"

"Who am I, laddie?" came in a harsh voice. "Ye ken I'm the cook. "

"And what do you want here, sir? Laddie, indeed! Why didn't youknock?"

"Knock!" said the man, staring, as he came right in. 

"I didna come to knock: just to give you the word that it's all hot andready now. "

"What's hot and ready?"

"The few broth I've got for you. Ye didna want to be taking doctor'swash now, but good, strong meaty stuff to build up your flesh andbones. "

Fitz stared. 

"Look here, you, Poole Reed; what does this man mean by coming into mycabin like this? Is he mad?"

"No, no, " said Poole, laughing. "It's all right; I'd forgotten. Heasked me if he hadn't better bring you something every day now for a bitof lunch. It's all right, Andy. Mr Burnett's quite ready. Go andfetch it. "

The man nodded, grinned, in no wise hurt by his reception, and backedout again. 

"Rum-looking fellow, isn't he, Mr Burnett?"

"Disgusting-looking person for a cook. Can anybody eat what heprepares?"

"We do, " said Poole quietly. "Oh, he keeps his galley beautifullyclean, does Andy Campbell--Cawmell, he calls himself, and the ladsalways call him the Camel. And he works quite as hard. "

He had only just spoken when the man returned on the tips of his baretoes, looking, for all the world, like the ordinary able seaman from aman-of-war. He bore no tray, napkin, and little tureen, but just anordinary ship's basin in one hand, a spoon in the other, and carefullybalanced himself as he entered the cabin, swaying himself with the basinso that a drop should not go over the side. 

"There y'are, me puir laddie. Ye'll just soop that up before I comeback for the bowl. There's pepper and salt in, and just a wee bit onionto make it taste. All made out of good beef, and joost the pheesic tomake you strong. "

"Give it to me, Andy, " cried Poole, and the man placed it in his hands, smiled and nodded at the prisoner, and then backed out with his kneesvery much bent. 

Poole stood stirring the broth in the basin slowly round and round, andspreading a peculiar vulgar odour which at first filled the invalid withannoyance; but as it pervaded the place it somehow began to have adecided effect upon the boy's olfactory nerves and excited within him astrange yearning which drove away every token of disgust. 

"It's too hot to give you yet, " said Poole quietly. "You must wait afew minutes. "

Fitz's first idea had been that he would not condescend to touch what hewas ready to dub "a mess. " It looked objectionable, being of a strangecolour and the surface dotted with yellowish spots of molten fat, whilemingled with them were strange streaky pieces of divided onion. Butanimal food had for many days been a stranger to the sick lad's lips--and then there was the smell which rapidly became to the boy's nostrilsa most fascinating perfume. So that it was in a softened tone that hespoke next, as he watched the slow passage round and round of the bigmetal spoon. 

"It doesn't look nice, " he said. 

"No. Ship's soup never does, " replied Poole, "but the proof of thepudding is in the eating, you know. The Camel's about right, though. This is the best physic you can have. Will you try it now?"

This was an attack that the boy could not stand. He wanted to say No, with a gesture of disgust, but Nature would not let him then. 

"I dunno, " he said dubiously. "Did he make it?"

"Of course. "

"But he looks like a common sailor; not a bit like a cook. "

"He is a foremast-man, and takes his turn at everything, like the rest;but he does all the cooking just the same. "

"But is he really clean?"

"He made all those bread-cakes you have eaten, " was the reply. 

"Oh, " said Fitz quickly, for the soup smelt aggravatingly nice. "Wouldyou mind tasting it?"

Poole raised the spoon to his lips, and replaced it. 

"Splendid, " he said. "You try. "

He carefully placed the basin in his patient's lap, with the spoon readyto his hand, and drew back, watching the peculiar curl at the corners ofthe boy's lips as he slowly passed the spoon round and then raised it tohis mouth. 

A few seconds later the spoon went round the basin again and wasfollowed by an audible sip, on hearing which Poole went to the window, thrust out his head, and began to whistle, keeping up his tune as if hewere playing orchestra to a banquet, while he watched the dart andsplash of a fish from time to time about the surface, and the shadowyshapes of others deep down below the schooner's stern-post, clearlyenough seen in the crystal sunlit water set a-ripple by the gentlegliding through it of the vessel's keel. 

After waiting what he considered a sufficient time, Poole said loudly, without turning round--

"There's plenty of fish in sight. "

But there was no reply, and he waited again until in due time he heard asharp click as of metal against crockery which was followed by a deepsigh, and then the lad turned slowly, to see the midshipman leaning backin the berth with his hands behind his head, the empty basin and spoonresting in his lap. 

Poole Reed did not say what he would have liked, neither was there anysound of triumph in his voice. He merely removed the empty vessel andasked a question--

"Was it decent?"

And Fitz forgot himself. For the moment all his irritability seemedgone, and the natural boy came to the surface. 

"Splendid!" he cried. "I never enjoyed anything so much before in mylife. "

And all that about a dingy basin of soup with fragments of onion andspots of fat floating therein. But it was the first real meal ofreturning health. 

CHAPTER NINE. 

A MON FRAE THE NORTH. 

Poole looked as solemn and calm as a judge as he raised the soup-basinand listened to his patient's words, while all at once a suspiciousthought glanced through Fitz's brain, and he looked at the lad quicklyand felt relieved, for no one could have imagined from the grave, stolidface before him that mirth like so much soda-water was bubbling andtwinkling as it effervesced all through the being of the skipper's son. 

"I couldn't have held it in any longer, " said Poole to himself, with asigh of relief, for just then the door clicked and the Camel's head cameslowly in with the red eyes glowing and watchful. 

Then seeing that the meal was ended he came right in, and took basin andspoon from Poole as if they were his own special property. 

"Feel better, laddie?" he said, with a grin at the patient. 

"Oh yes, thank you, cook, " was the genial reply. "Capital soup. "

"Ay, " said the Camel seriously, "and ye'll just take the same dose everymorning at twa bells till you feel as if you can eat salt-junk like amon. Ah weel, ah weel! They make a fine flather about doctors andtheir stuff, but ye mind me there isn't another as can do a sick mon saemuch good as the cook. "

"Hear that, Mr Burnett?"

"Oh yes, I hear, " said Fitz, smiling, with a look of content upon hisfeatures to which they had for many days been strangers. 

"I am not going to say a word the noo aboot the skipper, and what he'sdone. He's a grand mon for a hole or a cut or a bit broken leg. He'sgot bottles and poothers of a' kinds, but when the bit place is mendedit's the cook that has to do the rigging up. You joost stick to AndyCawmell, and he'll make a man of you in no time. "

"Thank you, cook, " said Fitz, smiling. 

"And ye'll be reet. But if ye'd no' mind, ye'll joost kindly say `Andymon, ' or `laddie' when you speak to me. It seems more friendly than`cook. ' Ye see, cook seems to belang more to a sonsy lassie than a mon. Just let it be `Andy' noo. "

"All right; I'll mind, " said the middy, who looked amused. 

"Ah, it's a gran' thing, cooking, and stands first of all, for it keepsevery one alive and strong. They talk a deal about French cooks andtheir kickshaws, and about English cooks, and I'm no saying but thatsome English cooks are very decent bodies; but when you come to Irish, Ould Oireland, as they ca' it, there's only one thing that ever camefrom there, and that's Irish stew. "

"What about taters, Andy?"

"Why, isna that part of it? Who ever heard of an Irish stew withouttaters? That's Irish taters, my lad, but if you want a real good Irishstew you must ha'e it made of Scotch mutton and Scotch potatoes, same aswe've got on board now. And joost you bide a wee, laddies, till we getacross the ocean, and if there's a ship to be found there, I'll justshow you the truth of what I mean. Do ye mind me, laddie?" continuedthe cook, fixing Fitz tightly with his red eyes. 

"Mind you? Yes, " said Fitz; "but what do you want with a ship to make astew in?"

"What do I want with a ship?" said Andy, looking puzzled. "Why, tocook!"

"Cook a ship?"

"Ah, sure. Won't a bit of mutton be guid after so much salt and tinnedbeef?"

"Oh, a sheep!" cried Fitz. 

"Ay, I said so: a ship. Your leg of mutton, or a shouther are all verygood in their way, but a neck makes the best Irish stew. But bide a weetill we do get hold of a ship, and I'll make you a dish such as willmake you say you'll never look at an Irish stew again. "

"Oh!" cried Poole. "He means one of those--"

"Nay, nay, nay! Let me tell him, laddie. He never ken'd such a thingon board a man-o'-war. D'ye ken the national dish, Mr Burnett, sir?"

"Of course, " said Fitz; "the roast beef of old England. "

"Pugh!" ejaculated the Scot. "Ye don't know. Then I'll tell ye. Joostgi'e me the liver and a few ither wee bit innards, some oatmeal, pepper, salt, an onion, and the bahg, and I'll make you a dish that ye'll saywill be as good as the heathen deities lived on. "

"Do you know what that was?" said Fitz. 

"Ay, laddie; it was a kind of broth, or brose--ambrose, they called it, but I dinna believe a word of it. Ambrose, they ca'ed it! But howcould they get hahm or brose up in the clouds? A'm thinking that theheathen gods didn't eat at all, but sippit and suppit the stuff they gotfrom the top of a mountain somewhere out in those pairts--I've read itall, laddies, in an auld book called _Pantheon_--mixed with dew, mountain-dew. "

"Nonsense!" cried Fitz, breaking into a pleasant laugh. 

"Nay, it's no nonsense, laddie. I've got it all down, prented in abook. Ambrosia, the chiel ca'ed it, because he didn't know how tospell, and when I came to thenk I see it all as plain as the nose onyour face. It was not ambrose at all, but Athol brose. "

"And what's that?" cried Fitz. 

"Hech, mon! And ye a young laird and officer and dinna ken what Atholbrose is!"

"No, " said Fitz; "we learnt so much Greek and Latin at my school that wehad to leave out the Scotch. "

"Hearken to him, young Poole Reed! Not to know that! But it is Greek--about the Greek gods and goddesses. And ye dinna ken what Athol broseis?"

"No, " said Fitz; "I never heard of it in my life. "

"Weel, then, I'll just tell ye, though it's nae good for boys. It'sjoost a meexture half honey and half whisky, or mountain-dew; and noo yeken. "

"But you are not going to make a mess like that when you get a sheep. "

"Ship, laddie--ship. If ye ca' it like that naebody will think ye meana mutton that goes on four feet. "

"Well, pronounce it your own way, " said Fitz. "But what is thiswonderful dish you mean to make?"

"He means kidney-broth, made with the liver, " said Poole. 

"Nay, nay. Dinna you mind him, laddie. He only said that to make youlaugh. You bide a wee, and I'll make one fit for a Queen. You've nevertasted haggis, but some day you shall. "

Andy Cawmell closed one eye and gave the convalescent what was intendedfor a very mysterious, confidential look, and then stole gravely out ofthe cabin, closed the door after him, and opened it directly after, tothrust in his head, the basin, and the spoon. 

"D'ye mind, laddie, " he whispered, tapping the basin, "at twa bellsevery day the meexture as before. "

He closed the door again, and this time did not return, though Fitzwaited for a few moments before speaking, his eyes twinkling now withmerriment. 

"Haggis!" he cried. "Scotch haggis! Of course, I know. It's mincemeatboiled in the bag of the pipes with the pipes themselves chopped up forbones. You've heard of it before?"

"Oh yes, though I never tasted it. Andy makes one for the lads wheneverhe gets a chance. "

"Do they eat it?"

"Oh yes, and laugh at him all the time. I dare say it's very good, butI never felt disposed to try. But he's a good fellow, is Andy, and asfine a sailor as ever stepped. You'll get to like him by and by. "

"Get to like him?" said Fitz, pulling himself up short and stiff. "Humph! I dunno so much about that, young fellow. Look here, how longdo you expect it's going to be before I am set aboard some ship?"

"Ah, that's more than anybody can say, " replied Poole quietly. 

Fitz was silent for a few moments, and then said sharply--

"What's the name of the port for which you are making sail?"

"Name of the port?" said Poole. 

"Yes; you heard what I said, and I want to know. "

"Yes; it's only natural that you would, " said Poole. "I say, shall Iget the tackle now?"

"No; I want an answer to my question, " replied Fitz, firing up again. 

"Well, I can't tell you. That's my father's business. We are sailingunder what you would call sealed orders on board a Queen's ship. "

"That's shuffling, " cried Fitz angrily, with the black clouds comingover the little bit of sunshine that lit up his face after his soup. "Now, sir, I order you to tell me, an officer in the Queen's service, where this schooner is bound. "

Poole was silent. "Do you hear me, sir?"

"Oh yes, I hear, " said Poole, "but I am in a state of mutiny, and I'mgoing to ask old Butters to lend me his long line and hooks. "

He moved towards the door as he spoke, but Fitz shouted to him to stop. 

It was all in vain, for the lad closed the door and shut in themidshipman's angry face. 

"Gone!" ejaculated Fitz. "He's too much for me now; but only just waittill I get well and strong!"

CHAPTER TEN. 

WHAT FITZ WANTED. 

"What do you think of this for weather?" said Poole, one morning. "Isn't it worth sailing right away to get into such seas as this?"

"Yes, " said Fitz dreamily, as he lay on one side in his berth with hishand under his cheek, gazing through the cabin-window at the beautifulglancing water; "it is very lovely. "

"Doesn't it make you feel as if you were getting quite well?"

"I think it would, " said the boy, almost as if speaking to himself; "itwould be all right enough if a fellow could feel happy. "

"Well, " said Poole, "you ought to begin to now. Just see how you'vealtered. Father says you are to come up this afternoon as soon as theheat of the day has passed. "

"Come on deck?" cried Fitz, brightening. "Ah! That's less like being aprisoner. "

"A prisoner!" said Poole merrily. "Hark at him! Why, you are only avisitor, having a pleasant cruise. Father's coming directly, " he addedhastily, for he saw the look of depression coming back into the boy'sface. "He says this is the last time he shall examine your head, andthat you won't want doctoring any more. Come, isn't that good newsenough for one morning?"

Fitz made no reply, but lay with his face contracting, evidentlythinking of something else. 

"As soon as he's gone, " continued Poole, "I am going to bring the linesand some bait. Old Butters said you could have them as much as youliked. Don't turn gruff again this time and say you don't want to try. "

Fitz appeared to take no notice, and Poole went on--

"There are shoals of bonito about, and the Camel can dress them fine. You don't know how good they are, freshly caught and fried. "

Fitz made an impatient gesture. 

"How soon is your father coming below?" he said. 

"Oh, he may be down any moment. He and Mr Burgess are takingobservations overhead and calculating our course. "

"Then he won't be very long, " said Fitz. 

"Oh no. Want to speak to him?"

"Yes, particularly. "

Poole gave the speaker a sharp look, which evidently meant, I wonderwhat he wants to say. 

At that moment the boys' eyes met, and Fitz said, as if to evade aquestion--

"Don't you learn navigation--take observations, and that sort of thing?"

"Oh yes, lots of it; but I have been having a holiday since you've beenon board. So have you. It must be quite a change after your busy lifeon board a gunboat, drilling and signalling, and all that sort ofthing. "

Fitz was hearing him speak, but listening intently all the time, so thathe gave an eager start and exclaimed--

"Here's your father coming now. "

For steps were plainly heard on the companion-ladder, and the nextminute the door was thrust open, and the bluff-looking skipper enteredthe cabin. 

"Morning, sir, " he cried. "How are we this morning? Oh, it doesn'twant any telling. You are getting on grandly. Did Poole tell you Iwanted you to come up on deck this afternoon?"

"Yes, sir; thank you. I feel a deal better now, only my legs are veryweak when I try to stand up holding on by my berth. "

"Yes, I suppose so, " said the skipper, sitting down by the boy's headand watching him keenly. "You are weak, of course, but it's moreimaginary than real. Any one who lays up for a week or two would feelweak when he got out of bed. "

"But my head swims so, sir. "

"Exactly. That's only another sign. You are eating well now, andgetting quite yourself. But I am going to prescribe you another dose. "

"Physic?" said Fitz, with a look of disgust. 

"Yes, fresh air physic. I want you to take it very coolly for the nextfew days, but to keep on deck always except in the hottest times. Inanother week you won't know yourself. "

"Hah!" ejaculated the boy. "Then now, sir--don't think me ungrateful, for nobody could be kinder to me than you and Poole here have shownyourselves since I have been aboard. "

"Thank you, my lad, for both of us, " said the skipper, smilinggood-humouredly. "I am glad you give such ruffians as we are so good acharacter. But you were going to say something. "

"Yes, sir, " said the boy excitedly, and he cleared his voice, which hadgrown husky. 

"Go on, then. You are beating about the bush as if you had some favourto ask. What is it?"

"I want, " cried Fitz excitedly, and his cheeks flushed and eyesflashed--"I want you, sir, " he repeated, "now that you say I'm betterand fit to get about--"

"On deck, " said the skipper dryly. 

"Oh yes, and anywhere as soon as this giddiness has passed off. . . Iwant you now, sir, to set me ashore. "

"Hah! Yes, " said the skipper slowly. "I knew we were coming to that. "

"Why, of course, sir. Think of what I must have suffered and felt. "

"I thought Poole here had done his best to make you comfortable, mylad. "

"Oh yes, and he has, sir, " cried the boy, turning to look full in hisattendant's eyes. "He has been a splendid fellow, sir. Nobody couldhave been kinder to me than he has, even at my worst times, when I wasso ill and irritable that I behaved to him like a surly brute. "

"It's your turn now, Poole, " growled the skipper, "to say `Thank you'for that. "

"But you must feel, sir, how anxious and worried I must be--how eager toget back to my ship. In another day or two, Captain Reed, I shall bequite well enough to go. Promise me, sir, that you will set me ashore. "

The skipper had pursed up his lips as if he were going to whistle forthe wind, and he turned his now frowning face to look steadfastly at hisson, who met his eyes with a questioning gaze, while the midshipmanlooked anxiously from one to the other, as if seeking to catch anencouraging look which failed to come. 

At last the boy broke the silence again, trying to speak firmly; but, paradoxically, weakness was too strong, and his voice sounded cracked ashe cried, almost pitifully--

"Oh, Captain Reed! Promise me you will now set me ashore!"

The skipper was silent for a few moments, before turning his face slowlyto meet the appealing look in the boy's eyes. 

"Set you ashore?" he said gruffly. 

"Yes, sir, please. Pray do!"

And the answer came--

"Where, my boy? Where?"

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

THOUGHTS OF HOME. 

Fitz Burnett looked wonderingly at the skipper as if he did notcomprehend the bearings of the question. "Where?" he faltered. "Yes;you asked me to set you ashore. I say, where?"

"Oh, at any American or English port, sir. "

"Do you know how far we are from the nearest?"

"No; I have no idea how far we have come. "

"Never mind that, " said the skipper gravely. "Let's take it fromanother way of thinking. Do you know what it means for me to set youashore at some port?"

"Oh yes, sir: that I shall be able to communicate with any Englishvessel, and get taken back to Liverpool. "

"Well, " said the skipper grimly, "you are a young sailor, but I amafraid that you have very small ideas about the size of the world. Idare say, though, that would be possible, sooner or later, for you go tovery few ports now-a-days without coming across a ship flying Britishcolours. It would be all right for you; but what about me?"

Fitz looked at him wonderingly again. "What about you, sir?" hestammered. "I was not thinking about you, but about myself. "

"That wanted no telling, my lad. It's plain enough. You were notthinking about me, but I was. Look here, my boy. Do you know what mysetting you ashore means just now?"

"Yes, sir, " said the boy sharply. "Getting rid of a very troublesomepassenger. "

"Oh, you think so, do you? Well, I'll tell you what I think. It wouldmean getting rid of one troublesome passenger, as you call yourself, andtaking a dozen worse ones on board in the shape of a prize crew. Why, young Burnett, it would mean ruin to me and to my friends, whose moneyhas been invested in this cargo. "

"Oh no, _no_, sir. I am alone out here, and my captain's vessel is faraway. I couldn't go and betray you, even if I wanted to. You could setme ashore and sail away at once. That's all I want you to do. "

"Sweet innocency!" said the skipper mockingly. "But I won't set it downto artfulness. I think you are too much of a gentleman for that. Butdo you hear him, Poole? Nice ideas he has for a beardless young officerin Her Majesty's Navy. Why, do you mean to tell me, sir, you knownothing about international politics, and a peculiar little way thatthey have now-a-days of flashing a bit of news all round the world in afew minutes of time? Don't you think that after that bit of a turn upoff Liverpool way, a full description of my schooner and her probabledestination has been wired across the Atlantic, and that wherever Iattempted to land you, it would be for the port officials to step onboard and tap me on the shoulder with a kindly request to give anaccount of myself?"

"I didn't think of that, " said Fitz, slowly. 

"No, " said the skipper. "You thought that I could hail the first ship Isaw, or sail up to the side of a quay, pitch you ashore, and sail offagain. Why, Fitz Burnett, as soon as I came in sight I should beoverhauled, seized, delayed for certain, and in all probability end bylosing schooner, cargo, and my liberty. "

"Surely it would not be so bad as that, sir?"

"Surely it would be worse. No, my lad; I am sorry for you. I regretthe ugly accident by which you were knocked over; but you are thinking, as we said before, about your position, your duty. I have got to thinkof mine. Now, here's yours; you came on board here, unasked and unseenuntil the next morning when we had put a good many knots between us andyour gunboat. It was impossible to land you, and so we made the best ofit and treated you as well as we could. Time is money to me now, and mycoming up punctually means something much more valuable than hard cashto the people I have come to see. To be plain, I can't waste, even if Iwere so disposed, any time for sailing into port to put you ashore. "

"Never mind that, then, sir, " cried Fitz excitedly. "Speak the firstvessel you see, of any country, under any flag, and put me aboardthere. "

"No, my lad, " said the skipper sternly. "And I can't do that. I amgoing to speak no ships. My work is to sail away and hold communicationwith no one. I have no need to make all this explanation to you, myboy, but I am doing it because we are sorry for you, and want to makethings as easy as we can. Now, look here, you are a sensible lad, andyou must learn to see your position. I can do nothing for you beyondtreating you well, until I have made my port, run my cargo ofknick-knacks, and cleared for home. By that time I shall have a cleanbill of health, and be ready to look all new-comers in the face. "

"But how long will that be, sir?" cried Fitz excitedly. 

"Dunno, my lad. It depends on what's going on over yonder. If all goessmooth it may be only a month; if all goes rough, perhaps two, or three. I may be dodging about a long while. Worse still, my schooner may betaken, condemned, and my crew and I clapped in irons in someSpanish-American prison, to get free nobody knows when. "

"Oh!" groaned Fitz excitedly. 

"I am being very plain to you, my lad, now that the cat's out of thebag, and there's nothing to hide. I am playing a dangerous game, onefull of risk. It began when I was informed upon by some cowardly, dirty-minded scoundrel, one who no doubt had been taking my pay till hethought he could get no more, and then he split upon me, with the resultthat your captain was put upon the scent of my enterprise, to play dogand run me down in the dark. But you see I had one eye open, and gotaway. Now I suppose the telegraph will have been at work, and the folksover yonder will be waiting for me there, so that I shall have to hangabout and wait my chance of communicating with my friends. So there, you see, you will have to wait one, two, perhaps three months, before, however good my will, I can do anything for you. "

"But by that time, " cried Fitz, "I shall be disgraced. "

"Bah! Nonsense, my lad! There can be no disgrace for one who boarded avessel along with his crew, and had the bad luck to be struck down. Now, my boy, you know I'm a father. Let me speak like a father to you. Your real trouble is this, and I say honestly I am sorry, and so's Poolethere, not so much for you as for your poor relatives. There, it's bestI should speak quite plainly. It's as well to know the worst that canhave happened, and then it generally proves to have been not so bad; andthat's what clever folks call philosophy. The real trouble in your caseis this, that by this time your poor relatives will probably know thatyour number has been wiped off your mess; in short, you have beenreported--dead. "

"What!" cried the boy, in a tone full of anguish. "They will have sentword home that I am dead?"

"I am afraid so, " said the skipper. "It's very sad, but you have got tobear it like a man. "

"Sad!" cried the boy passionately. "It's horrible! It will break herheart!"

"You mean your mother's, " said the skipper gravely, and he laid his handkindly on the boy's shoulder. "But it's not so bad as you think, mylad. I have had a little experience of women in my time--wives andmothers, boy--and there's a little something that generally comes tothem in cases like this and whispers in their poor ears. That littlesomething, my boy, is always very kind to us sea-going people, and it'scalled Hope. And somehow at such times as this it makes women thinkthat matters can't be so bad as they have been described, or that theycan't be true. Now I'd be ready to say that in spite of the bad newsthat's come to your mother about you, she won't believe it's true, andthat she's waiting patiently for the better news that will some timecome, and that it will be many, many months, perhaps a year, before shewill really believe that you are dead. "

"Oh, but it's too horrible!" cried the boy wildly. 

"No, no, no. Come! Pluck up your spirits and make the best of it. Look here, boy. You must bear it for the sake of the greater pleasure, the joy that will come when she finds that she was right in her belief, and in the surprise to all your friends when they see you come backalive and kicking, and all the better for your voyage. I say, look atthe bright side of things, and think how much better it has all beenthan if you had been knocked overboard to go down in the darkness at atime when it was every one for himself, and no one had a thought foryou. "

Fitz turned away his head so that neither father nor son could see theworkings of his face. 

"There, my lad, " said the skipper, rising, "I was obliged to speak outplainly. I have hurt you, I know, but it has only been like thesurgeon, to do you good. I am wanted on deck now, so take my advice;bear it like a man. Here, Poole, I want you for half-an-hour or so, andI dare say Mr Burnett would like to have a bit of a think to himself. "

He gave the boy a warm pressure of his hand, and then strode out of thecabin, his example being followed the next moment by Poole, whose actionwas almost the same as his father's, the exception being that he quicklycaught hold of the middy's hand and held it for a moment before hehurried out. 

Then and then only did Fitz's face go down upon his hands, while a lowgroan of misery escaped his lips. 

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

MAKING FRIENDS. 

"Well, what is it?" said the skipper gruffly, as his son followed him ondeck and touched him on the arm. 

"Don't you think it possible, father, that--"

"That I could turn aside from what I have got to do, boy? No, I don't. "

"But he's ill and weak, father. "

"Of course he is, and he's getting better as fast as he can. What'smore, he's a boy--in the depth of despair now, and in half-an-hour'stime he'll be himself again, and ready to forget his trouble. "

"I don't think he will, father. "

"Don't you? Then I do. I have had more experience of boys than youhave, and I have learned how Nature in her kindness made them. Lookhere, Poole, I believe for the time that boys feel trouble more keenlythan do men, but Nature won't let it last. The young twig will bendnearly double, and spring up again. The old stick snaps. "

The skipper walked away, leaving his son thinking. 

"I don't believe father's right, " he said. "Fitz doesn't seem like mostboys that I have met. Poor chap, it does seem hard! I don't think Iever felt so bad as he must now. I wish I hadn't had to come away, forit was only an excuse on father's part. He doesn't want me. It wasonly to leave the poor chap alone. "

Acting upon these thoughts, Poole tried to think out some excuse forgoing down to the cabin again as soon as he could. But as no reasonableexcuse offered itself, he waited till the half-hour was expired, andthen went down without one, opened the cabin-door gently, and gravelystepped in, to stop short, staring in astonishment at the change whichhad come over his patient, for he was sitting bent down with his handsupon his knees at the edge of his berth, swinging his legs to and fro, with every trace of suffering gone out of the eyes which looked upsharply. 

If Poole Reed was surprised at the midshipman's appearance, he was farmore so at his tones and words. 

"Hallo!" he cried. "Thought you'd gone to fetch those fishing-lines. "

"I--I--Oh, yes, I'll get them directly, " stammered Poole. 

"Look sharp, then. The fish are playing about here like fun. I saw onespring right out of the water just now after a shoal. The little oneslook like silver, and the big chap was all blue and gold. "

"All right; I won't be long, " cried Poole, and he hurried out, lettingthe door bang behind him. 

"Well, I was a fool to worry myself about a chap like that. Why, hedoesn't feel it a bit. "

But Poole Reed was not a good judge of human nature. He could not seethe hard fight that was going on behind that eager face, nor how thewell-trained boy had called upon his pride to carry him through thisstruggle with his fate. 

Poole thought no more of his patient's condition, but hurried to theboatswain, who scowled at him fiercely. 

"What!" he said. "Fishing-lines? Can't you find nothing else to do, young fellow, on board this 'ere craft, besides fishing?"

"No; there is nothing to do now. "

"Wha-a-at!"

"You know I spoke about them before. It is to amuse the sick middy. "

"Yah!" came in a deep growl. "Why didn't you say so before? Poor boy!He did get it hot that time. "

"Yes, " said Poole maliciously, "and I believe it was you who knocked himdown. "

The grim-looking, red-faced boatswain stared at the speaker with hismouth wide open. 

"Me?" he said. "Me? Why, I was alongside the chap at the wheel. "

"Were you?" said Poole, grinning to himself at the effect of his words. "Then it couldn't have been you, Butters. Come on and get me the line. "

"Gammon!" growled the boatswain. "You knew it warn't all the time. Come on. "

He led the way to his locker and took out a couple of square reel-frameswith their cord, hooks, and sinkers complete. 

"Ketch hold, " he said gruffly, and then giving Poole a tin box whichrattled loudly, he growled out, "Plenty of spare hooks in there. Butdon't lose more than you can help. Where are you going to fish? Offthe taffrail?"

"No; out of the stern-window. "

"What! How are you going to haul in your fish?"

"Oh, I don't know. "

"See what a mess you'll make, my lad. "

"I'll clean up afterwards, " said Poole. 

"I don't believe you will get any. If you hook one you'll knock it offin pulling it in. Why don't you bring the poor lad up on deck and lethim fish like a human being, not keep him cuddled up below there like agreat gal?"

"But he's so weak, he can hardly stand. "

"Set him down, then, in a cheer. Do him good, and he'll like it all themore. "

"Well, I never thought of that, " said Poole eagerly. "I will. But oh, I mustn't forget the bait. I must go and see the Camel. "

"Nonsense! Bait with a lask cut off from the first fish you catch. "

"Of course, " cried Poole; "but how am I to catch that first one first?"

"'M, yes, " said the boatswain, with a grim smile. "Tell you what; goand ask the Camel to give you a nice long strip of salt pork, fat andrind. "

"Ah, that would do, " cried Poole; and he hurried off to the galley, where he was welcomed by the cook with a nod and wink, as he drew alittle stew-pan forward on the hot plate, and lifted the lid. 

"Joost cast your nose over that, laddie, " he whispered mysteriously. 

"Eh? What for?"

"It's the middy laddie's soup fresh made, joost luvely. "

"Oh yes, splendid, " said the lad, and he hurriedly stated his wants, hadthem supplied, and went back to the cabin ready to prepare for catchingthe first fish. 

"Look here, Burnett, " he said, "it'll be very awkward fishing out ofthis window. How'd it be if I put a cane-chair close up under the rail?Don't you think you could manage if I helped you up there?"

"I don't know. I am afraid I couldn't walk, " said the boy dubiously. "I'd try. "

"Oh, never mind about your walking! If you'll come I'll run up and puta chair ready, and then come back for you. I could carry you easilyenough if I got you on my back. "

One moment Fitz had been looking bright and eager; the next a gloomyshade was passing over his face. 

"Like a sack, " he said bitterly. 

"Well, then, shall I make two of the lads carry you in a chair?"

"No, " said the boy, brightening up again. "If I put my arm over yourshoulder, and you get one round my waist, I think I could manage it ifwe went slowly. "

"To be sure, " cried Poole, and he hurried on deck, thrust a long canereclining chair into the place he thought most suitable, and had justfinished when his father came up. 

"What are you about, boy?" he said; and Poole explained. 

"Well, I don't know. I meant for him to come up this afternoon, but Ithought that it was all over after that upset. How does he seem now?"

"Just as if he were going to make the best of it, father. "

"Then bring him up. "

A minute later the tackle and bait were lying on the deck beside thechair, and Poole hurried down to the cabin to help his patient finishdressing, which task was barely completed when there was a tap at thedoor and the Camel appeared, bearing his morning "dose, " as he termedit. 

This was treated as a hindrance, but proved to be a valuable fillipafter what the boy had gone through, and the preparation for that whichwas to come, so that, with the exception of once feeling a little faint, Fitz managed to reach the deck, leaning heavily upon his companion; butnot unnoticed, for the mate caught sight of him from where he was on thelook-out forward, and hurried up to take the other arm. 

"Morning, Mr Burnett, " he said eagerly. "Come, this is fine! Comingto sit in the air a bit? Oh, we shall soon have you all right now. "

The boy flushed and looked pleased at the kindly way in which he wasreceived, and as he reached the chair there was another welcome for himfrom the hand at the wheel, who had the look of an old man-of-war's man, and gave him the regular salute due to an officer. 

"Feel all right?" said the mate. 

"Yes, much better than I thought. "

"Fishing, eh?" said the mate. "Well, good luck to you! Come, we shan'tlook upon you as an invalid now. "

"Lie back in the chair a bit, " said Poole, who was watching hiscompanion anxiously. 

"What for?"

"I thought perhaps you might feel a little faint. "

"Oh no, that's all gone off, " cried the boy, drawing a deep long breath, as he eagerly looked round the deck and up at the rigging of the smartschooner, whose raking taper masts and white canvas gave her quite thelook of a yacht. 

There was a look of wonder in the boy's eyes as he noted the trimnessand perfection of all round, as well as the smartness of the crew, whoseaspect suggested the truth, namely, that they had had their training onboard some man-of-war. 

From craft and crew the boy's eyes wandered round over the sea, sweepingthe horizon, as he revelled in the soft pure air and the glorious light. 

"How beautiful it seems, " he said, half aloud, "after being shut up solong below. "

"Come, that's a good sign, " said Poole cheerily. 

"What's a good sign?" was the sharp reply. 

"That you can enjoy the fresh air so much. It shows that you must bebetter. Think you can hold the line if I get one ready?"

"Of course, " said Fitz, rather contemptuously. 

"All right, then. "

Poole turned away and knelt upon the deck, laughing to himself thewhile, as he thought that if a big fish were hooked the invalid wouldsoon find out the difference. And then the boy's fingers moved prettyquickly as he took out his junk-knife and cut a long narrow strip fromthe piece of fatty pork-rind with which the cook had supplied him. 

Through one end of this he passed the point of the hook, and thenbrought it back to the same side by which it had entered, so that astrip about six inches long and one wide hung down from the barbed hook. The next process was to unwind twenty or thirty yards of the line withits leaden sinker, and then drop lead and bait overboard, running outthe line till the bait was left about fifty yards astern, but not tosink far, for there was wind enough to carry the schooner along at apretty good pace, trailing the bait twirling round and round behind, andbearing no small resemblance to a small, quickly-swimming fish, thewhite side of the bait alternating with the dull grey of the rind, andgiving it a further appearance of life and movement. 

"There you are, " said Poole, passing the line into the midshipman'shands. "I will unwind some more, have fished like this before, haven'tyou?"

"Only a little for whiting and codlings, " was the reply. "I never gothold of anything big. I suppose we may get a tidy one here?"

"Oh yes; and they are tremendously strong. "

"Not so strong but what I can hold them, I dare say, " said Fitzconfidently. 

But his confidence was not shared by his companion, who unwound the linetill there was no more upon the frame, and then gave the end two orthree turns about one of the belaying-pins, leaving a good many rings ofloose line upon deck. 

There was need for the foresight, as was soon proved. Fitz was sittingleaning right back with his eyes half-closed, thoroughly enjoying thechange; the trouble of the morning was for the moment numbed, and nocare assailed him. He was listening as he enjoyed the sensation thatthrilled the nerves of his arm as the bait and lead sinker were drawnthrough the water far astern with a peculiar jigging motion, andquestioning Poole about the kind of fish that they were likely toencounter as far south as they then were. 

"You have been across here, then, before?" he said. 

"Oh yes; four times. "

"Ever seen any sharks?"

"Lots; but not out here. I saw most close in shore among the islands. "

"What islands?"

"Oh, any of them; Saint Lucia, Nevis, Trinidad. Pretty big too, some ofthem. "

"Ever catch one?"

"No, we never tried. Nasty brutes! I hate them. "

"So does everybody, I suppose. But, I say, think we shall catchanything to-day?"

"Oh yes; but you mustn't be disappointed if we don't. Fish swarm oneday, and you can see as many as you like; another time--you go all daylong and you don't see one. "

"I say, this isn't going to be one of those days, is it? I haven't hada bite yet. Think the bait's off?"

"Not it. That tough skin closes up round the hook, and you would almosthave to cut it to get it over the barb. It makes a capital bait tostick on, but of course it isn't half so attractive as a bit of a brightsilvery fish. I'll change it as soon as I can. I wish we had got oneof those big silvered spoons. I think father's got two or three. Iwill go and ask him if you don't soon get a--"

"Oh! Poole! Here! Help! I--I can't--Oh, he's gone!" panted themiddy. 

For all at once his right arm received a violent jerk, and as the linewas twisted round his hand he was dragged sideways, and but for Poole'sready help would have been pulled off the chair helplessly on to thedeck. Fortunately for him the skipper's son was on the _qui vive_, andstopping the convalescent's progress with one hand, he made a snatch atthe line with the other. 

"He's too much for you, " cried Poole. "Here, shake your hand clear ofthe line. I've got him. That's the way. Has it hurt you?"

"It seemed to cut right into the skin, " panted Fitz. "He must be amonster. Oh, whatever you do, don't let him go!"

"No, I won't let him go, " was the reply; "not if I can help it. He is apretty good size. We will make a double job of it. Here, I'll haul himin a few feet, and then you can take hold in front of me, and we willhaul him in together. No, he won't come yet. I shall have to let himrun a little--I mean, we shall have to let him run a little. Now then, foot by foot. Let's let the line run through our hands. "

This was done steadily and slowly, till another fifty yards of line hadbeen given, the fish that had been hooked darting the while here andthere, and at a tremendous rate, and displaying enormous strength for acreature of its size. 

But it had to contend not only with the drag kept up by the boys, butthe motion of the schooner as well, with the result that its strengthsoon began to fail, till at last it was drawn behind the glidingschooner almost inert. 

"There, " cried Poole; "now I think we might have him in. I was afraidto haul before for fear of dragging the hook out of its jaws. Look atthat now!" he cried impatiently. 

"What's the matter? Don't say he has gone!"

"Oh no, he's not gone. Why, he is making a fresh dash for his liberty. But we can't lift him in by the hook, and I never thought about gettinga gaff. --Here, hi!" he cried. "Come here, Chips!"

One of the sailors sidled up--a dry-looking, quaint man with a wrinkledface, who broke out into a smile as he saw what was going on. 

"Fish, sir?" he said, and his hand made a movement toward his cap. "Want me to fetch my bag of tools?"

"Yes, " cried Poole. "I mean, get that long-handled gaff from downbelow. "

"Right, sir, " and the man trotted off, leaving the two lads slowly andsteadily hauling in yard after yard of the line. 

"Still fast on, sir?" cried the man to Fitz, as he stood what lookedlike a highly-educated boat-hook against the rail. 

Fitz made no reply, for his face was flushed and his teeth hard set inthe excitement of his task. 

"Oh yes, we've got him fast enough, Chips, " said Poole. "Be verycareful, for he's a heavy one, and Mr Burnett here wouldn't like tolose him now. "

"All right, sir, " said the man, taking up the long shaft again, andlowering it down over the side. "I don't know, though, whether I shallbe able to reach him from up here. It looks like being best to get downto the rudder-chains. No; it's all right. I shall manage him if youget him close up to the side. "

"Steady! Steady!" cried Poole. "He's making another flurry. Let himgo again. No, it's all right--all over; haul away. "

By this time the great drops of perspiration were standing upon Fitz'sbrow, joining, and beginning to trickle down the sides of his face; buthis teeth were still hard set, and intent upon the capture he kept onhauling away as hard as his weakness would allow. 

"There, " cried Poole, at last. "You caught him; but you had better letme have the line to myself now to get him closer in, so that Chips canmake a good stroke with the gaff and pull him right aboard. "

"Yes, " said Fitz, with a sigh; "I suppose I must, " and with hiscountenance beginning to contract with the disappointment he felt, heresigned the line and sat back in the chair, breathing hard, gentlyrubbing his aching muscles, and intently watching what was going on. That did not take long, but it was long enough to attract the other menwho were on deck, and they came round, to form a semi-circle behind themiddy's chair, while Poole hauled the fish closer and closer in beneaththe counter, and then stayed his hand. 

"Can you do it now?" he cried. 

"Not quite. I'll come round the other side, " replied the handler of thegaff, who, suiting the action to the word, changed his place, leanedright over the rail, almost doubling himself up, and then uttered awarning--

"Ready?"

"Yes, " was the reply. 

"Now then, half-a-fathom more. "

What followed was almost instantaneous. Poole made two fresh grips atthe line, pulled hard, and then with an ejaculation fell backwards on tothe deck with the hooks upon his chest. 

"Gone!" groaned Fitz; but his exclamation was drowned in a roar oflaughter from the men, and a peculiar flapping, splashing noise causedby the fish, in which the gaff had taken a good hold, bending itselfinto the shape of a half-moon as it was hauled over the side, giving theman saluted as Chips a violent blow with its tail, and then as itflopped down upon the deck slapping the planks with sounding blow afterblow. 

Following directly upon the laughter there was a loud cheer, and in themidst of his excitement at the triumphant capture, Fitz heard the mate'svoice--

"Well done, Mr Burnett! That's about the finest bonito I ever saw. Ithought you'd lost him, Chips. "

"Nay, sir; I'd got my hook into him too tight; but it was touch and go. "

"Yes, that's a fine one, " said Poole, taking hold of the detached hookand drawing the captive round in front of Fitz's chair. 

"Yes, " replied the boy, who sat back wiping his brow; "but it isn't sobig as I expected to see. "

"Oh, he's pretty big, " said the mate--"thick and solid and heavy; andthose fellows have got such tremendous strength in those thin half-moontails. They are like steel. Going to try for any more?"

The mate looked at Fitz as he spoke. 

"It's very exciting, " he said, rather faintly, "but I am afraid I am tootired now. "

"Yes, " said the mate kindly. "I wouldn't try to overdo it the firsttime you are up on deck. Lie back and rest, my lad. Send for theCamel, Poole, lad, when you have done looking at it. Now, my lads, twoof you, swabs. "

He turned away, and a couple of the men set to work to wash and dry theslimy deck, but waited until the little admiring crowd had looked theirfill, the foremost men seeming to take a vast amount of interest infishology, making several highly intellectual remarks about theconfiguration of the denizen of the deep. Before long though the realreason of their interest escaped them, for one made a remark or twoabout what a fine thick cut could be got from "just there, " whileanother opined that a boneeter of that there size ate tenderer boiledthan fried. 

By that time Fitz's excitement had died down, and he no longer tookinterest in the beautiful steely and blue tints mingled with silver andgold, that flashed from the creature's scales. In fact, in answer to awhispered query on the part of Poole, he nodded his head and let it lieright back against the chair. This was the signal for the Camel to befetched to help bear the big fish forward to the galley, ready forcutting up, while the two men with bucket and swab rapidly finishedcleaning and drying the deck, so that the damp patches began to turnwhite again in the hot rays of the sun. 

It was all very quickly done, and then Poole began to slowly wind up thelong line, giving every turn carefully and methodically so as to spreadthe stout hempen cord as open and separate for drying purposes as couldbe. 

He took his time, dropping in a word or two now and then, apparentlyintent upon his task, but keenly watching his companion all the while. 

"Hasn't been too much for you, has it?" he said. 

"No, " replied Fitz; "not too much, for it was very interesting; but itwas quite enough. I don't quite know how it is, but I have turned sosleepy. "

"Ah, you are tired. Sit quite back, and I will draw the chair over hereinto the shade. A nap till dinner-time up here in the air will do youno end of good, and give you an appetite for dinner. There; the sunwon't be round here for an hour. "

It was easily done, the cane legs gliding like rockers over thewell-polished deck, and the lad returned to his place to turn the winderwhere he had stood the line to dry. This process was going on rapidly, and he stopped bending over the apparatus to examine the hook and stoutsnood, to see that it had not been frayed by the fish's teeth. Thisdone, he turned to speak to Fitz again, and smiled to himself. 

"Well, " he said, "it doesn't take him long to go to sleep, " for thetired midshipman's eyes were tightly closed and he was taking anotherinstalment of that which was to give him back his strength. 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

A QUESTION OF DUTY. 

The wind was paradoxical. A succession of calms and light breezes fromadverse quarters--in short, as bad as could be for the schooner'sexpedition. 

But, on the other hand, the days grew into weeks in a climate that mightbe called absolutely perfect, and from his first coming on deck andhelping in the capture of the bonito, Fitz Burnett advanced by stepswhich became long strides on his journey back to health. 

With the disappearance of suffering, away went all bad temper with theirritation that had caused it. The boy had lain in his berth andthought every night before going to sleep about his position and hishelplessness, and had fully come to the conclusion that though thepeople among whom he was, skipper, officers and men, were in a wayenemies, he could not be held accountable for anything they did, and asthey had treated him throughout with the greatest kindness, it would beungracious on his part to go, as he termed it, stalking about on stiltsand making himself as disagreeable to them as he would be to himself. 

"Old Reed's quite right, after all, " he said, "though I don't like it abit. I must make the best of my position. But only let me get half achance, and I shall be off. "

The boy then, as he rapidly recovered his strength, went about the deckamongst the men, and became what he termed extremely thick with Poole. There were times when he felt that they were becoming great friends, forPoole was a thoroughly intelligent lad who had had a good deal ofexperience for one of his years; but in these early stages of hisrecovery, so sure as there was a little change in the weather, with thedamp or wind, twinges of pain and depression of spirits attacked themidshipman; the physical suffering introduced the mental, and for a fewhours perhaps Fitz would feel, to use his own words, as disagreeable ascould be. 

It was during one of these attacks that the idea came back very stronglythat he was not doing his duty as an officer. He worked himself up intothe feeling that he was behaving in a cowardly way now that he had greatopportunities, and that if he did not seize one of these it would be tohis disgrace. 

"I ought to do it, " he said, "and I will. It only wants pluck, for Ihave got right on my side. It is almost as good as having the gunboatand her crew at my back. It's one of those chances such as we read ofin history, where one fellow steps out to the front and carries allbefore him. I did not see it so clearly before as I do now. That'swhat I ought to do, and I am going to do it. Poole will think itabominably ungrateful, and his father will be horribly wild; but I havegot my duty to do, and it must be done, so here goes. "

But "here" did not go, for on second thoughts matters did not seem quiteso clear; but a day or two after, when the notion had been steadilysimmering in his mind it seemed at last to be quite done, and shuttinghis eyes to all suggestions regarding impossibility or madness, he madehis plunge. 

Fitz was not well. The weather had grown intensely hot, andunconsciously he was suffering from a slight touch of fever, which hecomplained about to Poole, who explained to him what it was, afterreference to his father, and came back to him with a tiny packet ofwhite crystals in some blue paper, and instructions that he was to takethe powder at once. 

"Fever, is it?" said Fitz, rather sourly. "One couldn't be catchingfever out here in the open sea. I shall see your father myself. Whydidn't he come on deck yesterday?"

"Because he isn't well. He's got a touch of fever too. He had got thebottle out of the medicine-chest, and was taking a dose when I went intohis cabin. "

"What!" cried Fitz. "Then he's caught the fever too?"

"Oh no; he caught it years ago, on the Mosquito Coast, and now and thenwhen we get in for a change of weather like we have just had, it breaksout again and he's very ill for a few days; but he soon comes round. "

"But I was never on the Mosquito Coast, " cried Fitz impatiently. "Inever caught a fever there, and I couldn't catch one like that of yourfather. "

"No, " said Poole; "father was talking about it, and he said yours was atouch due to your being susceptible after being so much hurt. That'show he said it was. Now then, come down to the cabin and take yourphysic like a good boy. "

"I am not going to do anything of the sort, " said Fitz shortly. "I tookplenty while I was ill and weak, and you could do what you liked withme. But I am strong enough now, and if what I feel is due to theweather, when it changes the trouble will soon go off. "

"I dare say it will, " said Poole, laughing; "but you needn't make a fussabout swallowing this little scrap of bitter powder. Come on and takeit like a man. "

"Don't bother, " said Fitz shortly, and he walked away right into thebows, climbed out on to the bowsprit, and sat down to think. 

"He's a rum chap, " said Poole, as he stood watching him, and putting thepowder back into his pocket. "He makes me feel as if I liked and coulddo anything for him sometimes, and then when he turns cocky I begin towant to punch his head. "

Poole turned and went down into the cabin, where his father was lying inhis berth looking flushed and weary, and evidently suffering a gooddeal. 

"Well, boy, " said the skipper; "did he take his dose?"

"No, father. He's ready to kick against everything now. "

"Well, " said the skipper shortly, "let him kick. "

Fitz was already kicking as he sat astride the bowsprit, looking out tosea and talking excitedly to himself. 

"Yes, " he said, "I like them, and we have got to be very good friends;but I have got my duty to do as a Queen's officer, and do it I will. Why, it's the very chance. Like what people call a fatality. That'sright, I think. Just as if it were made on purpose. Of course I knowthat I am only a boy--well, a good big boy, almost a man; but I am aQueen's officer, and if I speak to the men it is in the Queen's name. And look at them too. They are not like ordinary sailors. I have notbeen on board this schooner and mixing with them and talking to them allthis time for nothing. It was plain enough at first, and I was nearlysure, but I made myself quite. Nearly every one of them has been atsome time or other in the Royal Navy--men who have served their time, and then been got hold of by the skipper to sign and serve on board hiscraft. They are a regular picked crew of good seamen fit to serve onboard any man-of-war, and I wonder they haven't been kept. They weren'tall trained for nothing. See how well they obey every order, as smartas smart. That means training and recollecting the old discipline. Why, if I talk to them right they won't stop to think that I am only amiddy. I shall speak to them as an officer, and it will come natural tothem to obey--in the Queen's name. It is my duty too as an officer, andas an officer it means everything--midshipman, lieutenant, captain oradmiral--an admiral is only an officer, and at a time like this I amequal to an admiral--well, say captain. I don't care, I'll do it. --Allthese rough plucky chaps of course wouldn't be afraid of me as a boy;they'd laugh at me. Of course I know that; but it will be the officerspeaking--yes, the officer. "

The middy's head began metaphorically to swell out until it seemed togrow very big indeed, making him feel quite a man--and more. 

"Yes, " he said, "I'll do it. I must do it. Now's the time, and Ishould be an idiot if I neglected such a chance. "

Drawing a deep breath, he turned his head slowly, and assuming ascareless a manner as he could command, he looked back inboard beneaththe swelling sails, to see that several of the men were lying asleep inthe shade, while others were smoking and chatting together. Theboatswain was not visible, and the mate was apparently below, the afterpart of the vessel being vacant save that the man at the wheel wasstanding with outstretched hands resting upon the spokes, moving hislower jaw slowly as he worked at his succulent quid. 

Poole was still below with his father in the cabin, so that to themiddy's way of thinking he had the deck to himself. He took anotherdeep breath, and with his heart beating heavily, swung himself round, laid hold of a rope, and climbed inboard again, when assuming anonchalance he did not feel as he dropped upon the deck, he thrust hishands into his pockets, mastered the desire to run, and beginning towhistle, stalked slowly aft till he reached the companion-hatch, andbegan to descend the steps without a sound. 

Now was the critical time, for as he went down he could see that thecabin-door was shut, and hear the dull burr, burr, burr-like murmur ofthe captain's voice talking to his son. 

Half-way down Fitz stopped short, for he heard a movement as if Poolewere crossing the cabin, and if he came out now the opportunity wasgone. 

The middy felt the sensation as of a spasm attacking his chest, and ashe paused there, half suffocated, he trembled with anger against himselffor losing such a chance; but the sound within the cabin ceased, thecaptain's voice went murmuring on once more, and the suffocatingsensation passed away, leaving the boy ready to seize his opportunity, and quick as thought he descended the last few steps, paused at thecabin-entry, and raising his hand quickly and silently, secured theouter door. 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

A BOLD STROKE. 

Fitz Burnett did not pause to think of the rights or wrongs of hisproceedings, but smothered up everything in the belief that he was doinghis duty. 

He would not even pause to consider whether his ideas were possible orimpossible; everything was swallowed up in action, and with feverishenergy he hurried back on deck to make the most use of the flyingmoments while he could. 

Hurrying forward to where the men were dozing, smoking, and thinking, hesigned to those who noticed his approach, and called to the others. 

"Now, my lads!" he cried. 

The men sprang up wonderingly, apparently influenced by old traditions, and in no wise surprised to find the young officer about to give themsome order. 

"Look here, my lads, " he said, in a low, quick, excited voice; "a wordwith you! I know you were all ABs to a man. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" said the nearest sailor at whom he looked. 

"Old men-of-war's men, " continued Fitz to another. 

"Ay, ay, sir! That's right, " said the sailor. 

"It is my duty to make you, a crew of good men and true, know exactlyhow you stand. "

The listeners looked wonderingly at the excited boy, and then at oneanother, as if asking for the meaning of these unusual words. 

"Look here, " continued Fitz, "you have all been good fellows to me sinceI have been aboard. "

"Ay, ay, sir! Why not?" said one of the men, with his face broadeninginto a hearty grin. 

"And that's why I, an officer in the Navy, feel friendly disposed to aset of smart fellows who used to serve the Queen. "

"Ay, ay, sir! We served the Queen, " came in a murmur. 

"You did it in ignorance, no doubt, but in what you are doing you areoffenders against the law, and may at any time be taken, and perhaps bestrung up to the yardarm after a short trial. Certainly you will beseverely punished. "

A low murmur of dissent, almost derision, came from the little knot ofmen, and one of them laughed. 

"You don't believe me, " cried Fitz. "It is true. And now listen towhat I say, one and all; I call upon you in the Queen's name to obey myorders, for I take possession of this schooner as an officer in HerMajesty's service. In the Queen's name!"

There was a low murmur of mingled surprise and derision at this. 

"Silence, there!" cried Fitz. "I know that I am a very young officer tospeak to you, but I am in the Queen's Navy, and I order you in HerMajesty's name to obey all my commands. I am going to sail at once forKingston, where I have no doubt there will be a man-of-war on thestation, and if you behave well I shall speak to the captain and get himto make it easy for you, but of course I shall give up the skipper andhis son as prisoners. "

"Here, say something, Chips, " growled one of the men; and the carpenterspoke out. 

"Say, squire, won't that be rather hard on them?"

"Silence, sir! How dare you! That is not the way for a common sailorto address an officer. "

"Beg pardon, sir, but I am not a common sailor; I am a hartisan. Why, you know--the Chips. "

There was a titter here. 

"Attention!" roared Fitz. "This is no laughing matter, my lads. Perhaps each man's life, certainly his liberty, is at stake. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" came in a growl. 

"That's better, " said Fitz. "Now, I don't want to be hard on you, mylads. "

"Hear, hear! Thank you, sir, " cried the carpenter. 

"And I should be sorry to be harsh to any man; but once more, as anofficer in the Royal Navy, I have got my duty to do, and I mean to doit. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" came again, in a low acquiescent growl. "But he needn'tkeep on a-telling us. "

"Those men who stand by me and do their duty in navigating this vesselshall have ample pay and reward. "

"What about prize-money, sir?" shouted a voice. 

"There'll be no prize-money. "

The men groaned. 

"But there will be reward in the shape of salvage, my lads. I, single-handed, have taken this schooner as a prize to the gunboat_Tonans_, commanded by Captain Glossop, whose officer I am. She will becondemned and sold, and those who help me loyally will have theirreward. Now then, every man stand forward who is ready to do his dutyby me. "

At that moment there was a sharp tapping heard from below. 

"What's that?" cried Fitz sharply, though he perfectly well knew. 

"It's the skipper, sir, a-opening his eyes, I think, " said thecarpenter. "You've woke him up, talking like that, and he's coming ondeck with a pair of revolving bulldogs, to begin potting us all round. Here, who's coming below?"

"Silence, sir; and keep your places. "

The carpenter stepped back behind the rest, and the next moment thererang out a most perfect imitation of the crow of a bantam cock, whichwas followed by a roaring outburst of merriment from the men. 

Fitz turned scarlet with rage. 

"How dare--" he began. 

"Ahoy! On deck, there!" came faintly from the cabin, followed by aheavy sound of beating and kicking. 

One of the men made a start aft for the companionway, followed by twomore, but Fitz stepped before them. 

"Stop!" he shouted fiercely. 

"On deck, there! Do you hear? Open this door!" came from below. 

"Take no notice, " shouted Fitz, "until I give orders. Here, youcarpenter; where's the arm-chest?"

"Down in the cabin, sir. "

"No, no; I mean the other one--the men's. "

"Arn't no nother one, sir. We always goes to the captain's tool-chestwhen we've got anybody as wants killing, or any job of that kind onhand!"

"Ahoy, there!" came from below once more, and then the sharp report of apistol, a crash, and Poole came bounding up on deck, revolver in hand. 

Just as he came into sight the skipper's voice was heard distinctly--

"Lay hold of the first mutineer, Poole, and drag him down here. "

"That's meant for you, Mr Fitz, sir, " said the carpenter with achuckle, and the men roared again. 

Fitz turned upon him, white as ashes, like an angry dog about to bite. 

"Silence, you insolent scoundrel!" he shouted. 

"What's the meaning of this, Burnett?" cried Poole. 

"This, sir, " said the lad haughtily, stepping forward to meet him, laying one hand on his shoulder, and making a desperate snatch at therevolver; "I seize this schooner in the Queen's name. Now, my lads, make this boy your prisoner. "

Poole clapped the pistol behind him as he shook himself free. 

"Look here, sir, " he cried; "have you gone mad?"

"Do you hear, men?" cried Fitz, seizing him again. "Forward! You, Poole, in the Queen's name, surrender!"

Not a man stirred, all standing in a group looking on, some wonderingly, some thoroughly amused, while the carpenter whispered--

"All right, lads; let them fight it out. Of all the cheek!"

"Did you say, You Poole or You fool?" said the skipper's son quietly;"because one of us seems to be behaving very stupidly. Take your handoff my collar. This pistol's loaded in five chambers, and was in sixtill I blew the lock off the cabin-door. --Quiet, I tell you, beforethere's an accident. Why, you must have gone off your head. "

"Did you hear what I said, men?" shouted Fitz furiously. "In theQueen's name, make this boy your prisoner! Here, you, boatswain, takethe lead here and obey my orders. " For that individual had just madehis appearance on deck. 

"What's the row, young gentlemen? Here, you, Squire Poole, put awaythat six-shooter. If you and Mr Fitz here has fell out, none of thattommy-rot nonsense. Use your fists. "

"Boatswain, " cried Fitz haughtily, "I, as an officer, seize thisschooner in the Queen's name. "

"What, has she telled you to, sir? I never heared her come aboard. "

"No trifling, man. For your own sake, obey my orders. Seize this lad, and then make sail for the nearest British port. "

The boatswain took off his cap and scratched his head, looking at theboys in a puzzled way, while Poole made no further resistance, butresigned himself to being held, as he kept the pistol well behind hisback. 

"Do you hear me, men?" shouted Fitz, his heart sinking with despair thewhile, as he noted the smiling looks of every face before him, and feltwhat a miserable fiasco he had made. 

"Oh yes, I can hear you, sir, " said the boatswain. "I'd be preciousdeaf if I didn't; but you're giving rather a large order, taking a loton yourself now as the skipper's lying in dock. Any one would think asyou had got a gunboat's well-manned cutter lying alongside, and I don'tsee as it is. What was that there shot I heard?"

"I blew the lock off the cabin-door by my father's orders, " cried Poole. "We were locked in. "

"Ho!" said the boatswain. "Then this 'ere's been what they used to callaboard a ship I was in, a hen-coop _de main_. I don't quite exactlyknow what it means, but it's something about shutting up prisoners in acage. But don't you think, young gentleman, you have been making a bigmistake? But oh, all right--here's the skipper hisself coming on deck. "

Fitz turned sharply towards the companion-hatch, to see the head andshoulders of the skipper as he stood there holding on by the combings, and swaying to and fro, looking very ill and weak. His voice, too, sounded feeble as he said huskily, addressing the boatswain--

"Is there any boat alongside, Butters?"

"I arn't seen one, sir, " replied the boatswain. 

"Any cruiser within sight?"

"No, sir. "

"Where's Mr Burgess?"

"Down below, sir. I'm afraid he's got the fever too. "

"Tut-tut-tut!" ejaculated the skipper. "There, I needn't ask anyquestions. I have heard and seen enough. Mr Burnett, come here. No?Well, stay where you are. My good lad, have you been too much in thesun, to begin playing such a silly prank as this? There, no morenonsense!" he added sternly, and with his voice gathering in force. "Itis evident to me that you don't know what stuff my men are made of. ButI'm too weak to stand talking here. Come and lend me a hand, Poole. You, my young filibuster, had better come below with me, where you cantalk the matter over like a man. Ha, ha, ha!" he added, with a peculiarlaugh. "There, I'm not angry with you, my boy. I must say I admireyour pluck; but you must see how absurd all this is!"

The midshipman's hands had dropped to his sides, and a strange, hopeless, bitterly despondent look made his face display so manyincipient wrinkles, the germs, so to speak, of those which in manhoodwould some day mark his frank young features. 

"It's all over, " he groaned to himself; "they are all laughing at me. Iwish I were overboard! What an idiot I have been!"

The laugh was there all ready in the eyes of the crew, and ready toburst out in a roar, as, thrusting the revolver into his breast, Pooleran to his father's side, and steadied him as he went back into thecabin; but not a sound was heard till the way was quite clear and Fitzstood alone looking wildly about him like some hunted animal seeking aplace of refuge where he might hide. But the lad's choice was limitedto the cook's galley, the cable-tier, and the forecastle-hatch, none ofwhich would do. 

There were only two courses open, he felt, and one was to end histroubles by going overboard, the other to surrender like a man, obeyingthe skipper's orders and following him below--anywhere to be out ofsight of the jeering crew, whose remarks and mirthful shouts hemomentarily expected to hear buzzing about his devoted head. And henceit was that as soon as the companion-hatch was clear he drew himself upto his full height--it did not take much doing, for it is very hard workfor a boy to look like a man--and gazing straight before him, walkedhaughtily to the cabin-hatch and disappeared. 

The men seemed to have been holding their breath; their faces relaxedinto smiles and grins, and the carpenter exclaimed--

"Chips and shavings! Bantams aren't--"

In another moment there would have been a roar of derisive laughter, butButters growled out hoarsely and sternly--

"Stand by! D'y' hear? Steady, my lads! None of that 'ere! Grinninglike a set of Cheshire cats! What have you got to sneer at? My word!My word! And a boy like that! That's what I call genuine Britishpluck! What a hofficer he'd make!"

"Ay, ay!" cried the carpenter. "Right you are. All together, lads! Heis the right sort! Three cheers!"

They were given, with the boatswain pining in, and Fitz winced as heheard them down by the cabin-door; but he was himself again directly, for there was no jarring note of derision in the sound. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

A MISS-FIRE. 

Fitz Burnett felt the next moment as if it would be easier to do thatwhich had never fallen to his lot--board with an excited crew an enemy'sship, as he stood there for a few brief moments at the cabin-doorlistening to the heavy breathing and movements of the skipper, soundswhich he knew meant that he was being helped back into his berth. Forthe cabin-door had swung to, and he could see nothing of that which waspassing within. 

But the task had to be done, and the men's cheer, rightly interpreted, seemed to have heartened him up, so that feeling more himself, he waitedtill he heard a heavy sigh of relief which told its own tale, and thengiving the door a thrust, he stepped into the little cabin, to face itsowner lying extended upon his back. 

Seeing Poole standing by his father's head, facing him, he waitedmotionless for a few moments. 

"Hah! That's better!" sighed the skipper. "Get me the quinine-bottleout of the chest, my boy. This fever has made me as weak as a rat. "

Poole moved to one of the lockers at once, leaving the way clear for hisfather to see the young midshipman where he stood; and the boy set histeeth as the skipper's fierce fiery eyes seemed to look him through andthrough. 

"Now for it, " thought Fitz, as he held his breath. "What will he say?"

He was not long kept in doubt, for the skipper spoke at once, not withsome furious denunciation, not with mocking contempt of the childisheffort of which the lad had been the hero, but in a quiet, easy-goingtone, strangely contrasted with the fierce look in his eyes. 

"Oh, there you are, my lad, " he said. "Do you see what work thesetropic fevers can make of a strong man? Why, if you had only had me todeal with you would have had it all your own way. There, come and sitdown, and let's have a palaver. "

"I can stand, sir, thank you, " said the boy coldly, "and you needn'texert yourself to talk. I know all that you would say, and I confess atonce that I have failed. But, " he added excitedly, "I am not sorry, nota bit. I felt it my was duty under the circumstances, and I feel nowthat I might have succeeded, and that it would have been right. "

"Of course you do, " said the skipper quietly. "But there, come and sitdown here, all the same. That's right. We can talk more easily now. One moment; just open that window a little wider. This place is like anoven, and I want cool air. --Hah! That's better. "

He lay with his head thrown back and his eyelids half-closed. 

"Well, " he said at last, good-humouredly, and with a smile beginning toplay about his rugged face, with the effect of sending a thrill of angerthrough the boy's frame, as he flashed out furiously--

"Don't laugh at me, sir! Put me in irons; punish me as much as youlike; but don't jeer at me. I can't bear that. "

"Steady, my boy, steady!" said the skipper quietly. "You must cool downnow. Why, Burnett, my lad, you had better furl up all your romanticsails and let's talk like men. I am not going to put you in irons, I amnot going to punish you. What nonsense! Why, when I was your age andjust as thoughtless, if I had been placed in your position I mightlikely enough have tried on just such a trick. It will be a lesson foryou to follow out the old proverb, `Look before you leap. ' You can'tsee it now, but some day I have no doubt that you will feel that it wasa mad idea, attempted because you didn't know the people among whom youhad been cast, nor thought it out so as to see how impossible it all wasfor a boy like you--a lad like you, single-handed, but with all a man'spluck, and even unarmed, to make yourself master of my little craft. Itwas rather a big venture to make, my lad; don't you think it was?"

"No, sir, " said the lad firmly. "I had something else behind me. "

"What, the belief that my lads only wanted a leader to turn against me?"

"No, sir; that I was backed up, as an officer of the Queen, by the wholepower of the law. "

"Oh, I see, " said the skipper. "Yes. Exactly. That's all very big andgrand, and it might act sometimes and in some places, and especiallywhen there are men well-armed to back it up as well; but if you hadthought it out, my lad, I think you would have seen that it could havehad no chance here. --Oh, that my dose, Poole? Half or full?" hecontinued, as he raised his hand to take a little silver mug which hisson had brought. 

"Only half, father, " replied the lad. "You had a full dose just beforeyou went to sleep. "

"To be sure; so I did, " said the skipper, whose hand was trembling as hetook the cup. --"It's of no use to ask you to drink with me, MrBurnett?"

Fitz shook his head. 

"No, I suppose not, " continued the skipper; "but we are going to be goodfriends, all the same. "

Fitz watched the sick man as he drained the cup. 

"Ah! Bitter stuff! If you just think of the bitterest thing you evertasted and multiply it by itself, square it, as we used to call it atschool, you would only come near to the taste of this. But it's not anasty bitter, sickly and nauseous and all that, but a bitter that youcan get almost to like in time. --Thank you, Poole, " and he handed backthe cup. "It makes me feel better at once. Nasty things, these fevers, Squire Burnett, and very wonderful too that a man, a strong man, shouldbe going about hale and hearty in these hot countries, and then breathein something all at once that turns him up like this. And then morewonderful still that the savage people lower down yonder in SouthAmerica--higher up, I ought to say, for it was the folk amongst themountains--should have found out a shrub whose bark would kill the feverpoison and make a man himself again. They say--put the cup away, Poole--that wherever a poisonous thing grows there's another plant growsclose at hand which will cure the ill it does, bane and antidote, mylad, stinging-nettles and dock at home, you know. I don't know that itholds quite true, but I do know that there are fevers out here, andquinine acts as a cure. But there's one thing I want to know, and it'sthis, how in the name of all that's wonderful these South Americanpeople first found it out. "

Fitz looked at him in a puzzled way. "What does he mean, " he thought, "by wandering off into a lecture like this?" The skipper smiled at himas if he read his thoughts. "Hah!" he said. "I am beginning to feelbetter now. The shivers are going off. Not such a bad doctor, am I?You see, one always carries a medicine-chest, but one has to learn howto use it, and I have been obliged to pick up a few things. I shouldn'tbe at all surprised some day if I have to doctor you for something morethan a crack on the head. Look here, Poole, " he continued, with abroad, good-humoured smile crossing his features, "come intoconsultation. What do you think? Our friend here is a bit toohot-blooded. Do you think he need be bled? No, no; don't flush up likethat, my lad. It was only my joke. There, " he cried, holding out hishand, which had ceased to tremble--"shake. I'll never allude to itagain. You did rather a foolish thing, but it is all over now--dead andburied, and we are going to be just as good friends as we were before, for I like you, my lad, none the less for the stuff of which you aremade--the pluck you have shown. But take my advice; don't attemptanything of the kind again. Fate has put you into this awkwardposition. Be a man, and make the best of it. Some day or other youwill be able to say good-bye to us and go back to your ship, feelingquite contented as to having done your duty. Come now, let's shakehands and begin again. "

He held out his hand once more, and after a moment's hesitation, Fitz, who dared not trust himself to speak, placed his own within it, to haveit held in a firm, warm pressure for some moments before it wasreleased. 

"There, " said the skipper, smiling, "I am coming out in a nice softperspiration now, and I feel as if that bit of excitement has done megood. Here, Poole, I'm tired, and I think that I can sleep and wake upbetter. Burnett, my lad, perhaps you would like to stay below the restof the day. --Poole, mix Mr Burgess a dose. You know how many grains. Tell him I can't come to him myself, and see that he takes it. It's myorders, mind. These attacks are sharp but short. I'm half asleepalready. Oh, by the way--"

He stopped short, drawing a heavy breath. 

"By the way, I--"

He was silent again. 

"I--Poole. "

"Yes, father, " said the lad softly. 

"Are you there?"

"Yes, father. "

The boys exchanged glances. 

"I--I think--Hah!"

The skipper was fast asleep. 

The two lads remained silent for a few moments, watching the sleeper, and then Poole looked full in his companion's eyes and slowly took outthe revolver which he had thrust into his breast, before raising thehammer and bringing the cartridge-extractor to bear so that one afteranother the charges were thrust out, each to fall with a soft tap uponthe cabin-table, after which the chambers were carefully wiped out, andthe weapon put back into a holster close to the head of the berth, thecartridges being dropped into the little pouch attached to the belt. 

When all was done, steadily watched by Fitz the while, Poole raised hiseyes to his companion once again. 

"Shall we do as you and father did just now?" he asked. 

"Yes, " said Fitz slowly and sadly, "if you will. "

"Will?--Of course!"

The two lads shook hands. 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

LAND HO!

Two days passed, during which time Fitz kept to his cabin, and towardsevening Poole came down, to find the middy seated with his back to thedoor gazing through the cabin-window at what seemed to be a beautifulblue cloud low-down on the horizon. 

"Hullo!" cried Poole cheerily. "You can see it, then?"

"Yes, " said Fitz, without looking round. "That's land, I suppose. "

"Yes, that's one of the islands; but look here, what's the good of goingon like this?"

"If I choose to sit at my prison-window and look out for the islands, Isuppose I have a right to do so, " said Fitz coldly. 

"I say, take care. Recollect you have not quite got your strength upagain. Mind you don't fall. "

"May I inquire what you mean?" said Fitz haughtily. 

"Of course. I mean, take care you don't tumble off the stilts now youhave got on to them again. "

"Bah!" ejaculated the boy. 

"Well, what's the good of going on like that, sulking and pretending youare a prisoner?"

"There's no pretence in that, " said Fitz bitterly. 

"Yes, there is, " retorted Poole quickly. "It's all shammon and gam--Imean, gammon and sham. You are no more a prisoner than I am. Why, evenfather says you seem to be riding the high horse. I suppose you do feela bit awkward about coming on deck amongst the men, after going throughthat--I mean, after what happened. "

"Oh, say it!" cried Fitz angrily. "After going through thatperformance, you meant. "

"I am not going to argue and fence. Look here, you have got to face themen, so why not make a plunge and do it? You think the lads will bewinking and exchanging glances and whispering to one another, when allthe time there's only one body on board the _Teal_ who gives all thatbusiness a thought, and that's you. Tchah! Sailors have no time tothink about what's past. They have always got to keep a sharp look-outfor the rocks ahead. You are such a sensitive chap. Come on up, andlet's have a turn at fishing. "

"Is your father quite well again?" said Fitz, without heeding hiscompanion's proposal. 

"Oh yes; that was only one of his fits. They come and go. "

"And how's Mr Burgess?"

"Pretty well right again. Come up. Have the glass. You can seeanother island astern, one of the little ones, and I think we are goingto have one of these lovely tropic sunsets, same as we had last nightwhen you wouldn't come and see it. "

"How can a fellow situated as I am care for sunsets?"

"Just in the same way as he can care for sunrises if he's awake earlyenough. Oh, do pitch all that up! It has all gone by. But I see howit is. You think that you made a mistake, and that everybody will beready to laugh at you. "

"And so they will, " cried Fitz passionately. "I can never show my faceon deck again. "

"Ha, ha!" laughed Poole. "Well, you are a rum chap, fancying a thinglike that. Why, my father's too much of a gentleman ever to notice itagain, and I'm sure old grumpy Burgess wouldn't, from what he said to mewhen I was telling him all about it afterwards. "

"What!" cried Fitz, flashing out. "You went down tale-bearing to themate like that?"

"There you go again! I didn't go tale-bearing. He'd heard about itfrom one of the men, and next time I took him his quinine he beganquestioning me. "

"And what did he say?" cried Fitz fiercely. 

"Shan't tell you. "

"What!" cried Fitz. "And you profess to be my friend!"

"Yes; that's why I won't tell you, " said Poole, with his eyes twinkling. "I want to spare your feelings, or else it will make you so wild. "

"The insolent piratical old scoundrel!" cried Fitz. "How dare he!"

"Oh, don't ask me. He's a regular rough one with his tongue, as youknow by the way in which he deals with the men; gives the dad the raspyside of his palaver sometimes, but dad never seems to mind it. He nevertakes any notice, because Burgess means right, and he's such a splendidseaman. "

"Means right!" cried Fitz angrily. "Is it right to abuse a prisonerbehind his back when he's not in a position to defend himself?"

"Yes, it was too bad, " said Poole sympathetically. 

"What did he say?"

"Oh, you had better not know, " replied Poole, winking to himself. 

"I insist upon your telling me. "

"Oh, well, if you will have it--only don't blame me afterwards forletting it out. "

"What did he say?" repeated the boy. 

"It was while he had got a very bad fit of the shivers on, and the poorfellow's teeth were all of a chatter with the fever. "

"I think your teeth seem to be all of a chatter, " snarled the midshipmanfiercely. 

"Ha, ha! You are a wonderful deal better, Queen's man, " cried Poolemerrily. 

"Have you come down here like the rest to insult and trample on me?"cried Fitz, springing to his feet. 

"Ah, now you are getting yourself again. "

"I insist upon your telling me what that man Burgess said. "

"What he said? Well, he said you were a plucked 'un and no mistake. "

"Bah!" ejaculated Fitz, and there was silence for a few moments, duringwhich Poole thrust his head out of the cabin-window to give hiscompanion time to calm down. 

"Yes, " said the lad, looking round. "Clouds are gathering in the west, and we are going to have a grand show of such colours as I never sawanywhere else. Come on up, there's a good chap. "

Fitz remained silent, and the skipper's son winked to himself. 

"Where's Mr Burgess now?" said Fitz at last. 

"He's in his cabin, writing home to his wife. You would never think howparticular such a gruff old fellow as he is about writing home. Writesa long letter every week as regular as clockwork. Doesn't seem like apirate, does it?"

"Is your father on deck?"

"No. He's in his cabin, busy over the chart. We are getting prettyclose to the port now. "

"Ah!" cried Fitz eagerly. "What port are we making for?"

"San Cristobal. "

"Where's that?"

"In the Armado Republic, Central America. "

"Oh, " said Fitz. "I never heard of it before. Is there a BritishConsul there?"

"Oh, I don't know. There generally is one everywhere. I think thereused to be before Don Villarayo upset the Government and got himselfmade President. "

"And is it to him that you are taking out field-guns and ammunition?"

"I never said we were taking out field-guns and ammunition, " said Pooleinnocently. "There's nothing of that sort down in the bills of lading--only Birmingham hardware. Oh no, it is not for him. It is for anotherDon who is opening a new shop there in opposition to Villarayo, and fromwhat I heard he is going to do the best trade. "

"What's the good of your talking all this rubbish to me? Of course Iknow what it all means. "

"That's right. I supposed you did know something about it, or else yourskipper would not have sent you to try and capture our Birminghamgoods. "

"Birmingham goods!" cried Fitz. "Fire-arms, you mean. "

"To be sure, yes, " said Poole. "I forgot them. There are a lot offireworks ready for a big celebration when the new Don opens his shop!"

"Bah!" cried Fitz contemptuously; and then after a few moments' thought, "Well, " he said shortly, "I suppose I shall have to do it. I can't stopalways in this stuffy cabin. It will make me ill again; and I may justas well face it out now as at some other time. "

"Just, " said Poole, "only I am afraid you will be disappointed, for youwill find nothing to face. "

Fitz turned upon the speaker fiercely, looking as if he were going tomake some angry remark; but he found no sneer on the face of theskipper's son, only a frank genial smile, which, being lit up by thewarm glow gradually gathering in the west, seemed to glance upon andsoften his own features, till he turned sharply away as if feelingashamed of what he looked upon as weakness, and the incident ended byhis saying suddenly--"Let's go on deck. "

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

"OLD CHAP"--"OLD FELLOW. "

Days of slow sailing through calm blue waters, with quite an Archipelagoof Eden-like islands showing one or another in sight. 

Very slow progress was made on account of the wind, which was light andgenerally adverse. 

Fitz passed his time nearly always on deck with the skipper's glass inhand, every now and then close enough in to one of the islands to excitean intense longing to land, partly to end his imprisonment, as he calledit, partly from sheer desire to plunge into one or another of theglorious valleys which ran upward from the sea, cut deep into the sideof some volcanic mountain. 

"Lovely!" was always on the boy's lips. "I never saw anything like thisbefore, Poole. But where's the port we are sailing for? Are we nevergoing to land?"

"Oh, it's only a little farther on, " was the reply. "If this wind onlygets up a little more towards sundown I expect we shall soon be there. "

"That's what you always keep saying, " was the impatient retort. 

"Yes, " said Poole coolly; "but it isn't my fault. It's the wind. "

"Oh, hang the wind!"

"You should say, blow it!" said Poole, laughing. "But I say, old chap, I don't want to damp you, but you really had better not indulge in anyhope of seeing any consul or English people who will help you to getaway. San Cristobal is a very solitary place, where the people are allmongrels, a mixture of native Indians and half-bred Spaniards. Fathersays they are like the volcano at the back of the city, for when it isnot blowing up, they are. "

"Well, I shall learn all that for myself, " said Fitz coldly. 

"You will, old fellow, and before long too. "

"What do you mean by that?" said Fitz sharply. "Only that we shall bethere for certain to-night. " As it happened, the wind freshened alittle that evening, while the sunset that Poole had prophesied wasglorious in the extreme; a wondrous pile of massive clouds formed upfrom the horizon almost to the zenith, shutting out the sun, and Fitzwatched the resplendent hues until his eyes were ready to ache--purple, scarlet, orange and gold, with flashes in between of the most vividmetallic blue, ever increasing, ever changing, until the eye could bearno more and sought for rest in the sea through which they sailed, a seathat resembled liquid rubies or so much wine. 

But the end was coming fast, and like some transformation scene, theclouds were slowly drawn aside, the vivid tints began to pale till theydied away into a rich, soft, purple gloom spangled with drops of gold. And a deep sigh escaped from the middy's breast as he stood wonderingover the glories of the rapid change from glowing day into the soft, transparent, tropic night. 

"I never saw anything like that before, " sighed the boy. 

"No, I suppose not, " was the reply. "It was almost worth coming allthis way to see. Doesn't it seem queer to you where all the clouds aregone?"

"Yes, " said Fitz; "I was thinking about that. There is only one left, now, over yonder, with the sun glowing on it still. "

"That's not the sun, " said Poole quietly. 

"Yes, it is. I mean there, that soft dull red. Look before it diesout. "

"That's the one I was looking at, and it won't die out; if you like towatch you will see it looking dull and red like that all night. "

"Oh, I see, " cried Fitz mockingly; "you mean that the sun goes down onlya little way there, and then comes up again in the same place. "

"No, I don't, " said Poole quietly. "What you see is the glow from thevolcano a few miles back behind the town. "

"What!" cried Fitz. "Then we are as close to the port as that?"

"Yes. We are not above a dozen miles away. It's too dark to see now, or you could make out the mountains that surround the bay. "

"Then why couldn't we see them before the sun was set?" cried Fitzsceptically. 

"Because they were all hidden by the clouds and golden haze that gatherround of an evening. Yes, yonder's San Cristobal, and as soon as it isa little darker if you use the glass you will be able to make out whichare the twinkling electric lights and which are stars. "

"Electric lights!" cried Fitz. 

"Oh yes, they've got 'em, and tram-cars too. They are pretty wide-awakein these mushroom Spanish Republic towns. "

"Then they will be advanced enough, " thought Fitz, "for me to get helpto make my way to rejoin my ship. Sooner or later my chance must come. "

Within an hour the soft warm wind had dropped, and the captain gave hisorders, to be followed by the rattling out of the chain-cable throughthe hawse-hole. The schooner swung round, and Fitz had to bring theglass to bear from the other side of the deck to make out the twinklinglights of the semi-Spanish town. 

Everything was wonderfully still, but it was an exciting time for thelad as he leaned against the bulwarks quite alone, gazing through thesoft mysterious darkness at the distant lights. 

There were thoughts in his breast connected with the lowering down ofone of the boats and rowing ashore, but there was the look-out, and thecaptain and mate were both on deck, talking together as they walked upand down, while instead of the men going below and seeming disposed tosleep, they were lounging about, smoking and chatting together. 

And then it was that the middy began to think about one of the fourlife-buoys lashed fore and aft, and how it would be if he cut one ofthem loose and lowered himself down by a rope, to trust to swimming andthe help of the current to bear him ashore. 

His heart throbbed hard at the idea, and then he turned cold, for he wasseaman enough to know the meaning of the tides and currents. Suppose inhis ignorance instead of bearing him ashore they swept him out to sea?And then he shuddered at his next thought. 

There were the sharks, and only that evening he and Poole had counted noless than ten--that is to say, their little triangular back-fins--gliding through the surface of the water. 

"No, " he said to himself, "I shall have to wait;" and he startedviolently, for a voice at his elbow said--

"Did you speak?"

"Eh? No, I don't think so, " replied the boy. 

"You must have been talking to yourself. I say, what a lovely night!Did you notice that signal that we ran up?"

"No, " cried Fitz eagerly. 

"It was while you were looking at the sunset. Father made me run up aflag. Don't you remember my asking you to let me have the glass aminute?"

"Yes, of course. "

"Well--I don't mind telling you now--that was to the fort, and theyanswered it just in time before it was too dark to see. I think theyhoisted lights afterwards, three in a particular shape, but there wereso many others about that father couldn't be sure. "

"Then I suppose that means going into port at daylight?"

"Yes, and land our cargo under the guns of the fort. I say, listen. "

"What to?"

"That, " said Poole, in a whisper. 

"Oh yes, that splashing. Fish, I suppose. "

"No, " whispered Poole. "I believe it's oars. "

He had hardly spoken when the skipper's voice was heard giving ordersalmost in a whisper; but they were loud enough to be heard andunderstood, for there was a sudden rush and padding of feet about thedeck, followed by a soft rattling, and the next minute the middy wasaware of the presence of a couple of the sailors armed with capstan-barsstanding close at hand. 

Then all was silence once more, and the darkness suddenly grew moredense, following upon a dull squeaking sound as of a pulley-wheel in ablock. 

"They've doused the light, " whispered Poole. "It's a boat coming offfrom the shore, " he continued excitedly, with his lips close to themiddy's ear. "It's the people we expect, I suppose, but father isalways suspicious at a time like this, for you never know who they maybe. But if they mean mischief they will get it warm. "

Fitz's thoughts went back at a bound to the dark night when he boardedwith the cutter's crew, and his heart beat faster and faster still as, leaning outward to try and pierce the soft transparent darkness of thetropic night, he felt his arm tightly gripped by Poole with one hand, while with the other he pointed to a soft pale flashing of the water, which was accompanied by a dull regular _splash, splash_. 

"Friends or enemies, " whispered Poole, "but they don't see us yet. Iwonder which they are. "

Just then the lambent flashing of the phosphorescent water and the softsplashing ceased. 

It was the reign of darkness far and near. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

ANXIOUS TIMES. 

As the minutes glided by in the midst of that profound silence, a freshkind of feverish feeling began to steal over Fitz. There in thedistance, apparently beyond the dome of great stars which lit up theblackish purple heavens, was the dull glowing cloud which looked likeone that the sunset had left behind; beneath that were the twinklinglights of the town, and between the schooner and that, a broad blackplain of darkness, looking like a layer which extended as high as thetop of the masts. 

But as Fitz looked down, it was to see that the blackness below his feetwas transparent and all in motion with tiny glowing specks gliding hereand there as if being swept along by a powerful current. 

There were moments when he could have fancied that he was gazing into ahuge black mirror which reflected the vast dome of stars, but he knew byexperience that these moving greenish golden specks were no orbs oflight but the tiny phosphorescent medusas gliding in all directionsthrough the transparent water, and every now and then combining to emita pale green bluish flash of light, as some fish made the current swirlby giving a swoop with its tail. 

Moment by moment in the silence all seemed to grow more and more unreal, more dream-like, till he felt ready to declare that all was fancy, thathe had heard no splash of a coming boat, and that the next minute hewould start into wakefulness and find that it was all imagination. 

Then all at once he was listening with every nerve on the strain, wishing that he knew Spanish instead of Latin, for a low clear voicearose out of the darkness, saying, as he afterwards learned--

"Aboard the English vessel there! Where are you? I have lost my way. "

The skipper answered directly in Spanish. 

There was a quick interchange of words, and then the latter gave anorder in English which came as a relief to Fitz and made his heart jump, suggesting as it did that the next minute there was going to be a fight. 

"Get the lads all round you, Burgess, and be on the alert. It seems allright, but it may be a bit of Spanish treachery, so look out. "

As he was speaking Fitz with straining eyes and ear saw that the palegolden green water was being lifted from the surface of the sea andfalling back like dull golden metal in patches, with an interval ofdarkness between them, the bestirred water looking like so much moltenore as it splashed about. 

Then there was the scraping of a boat-hook against the side, close tothe gangway, and the dimly-seen figure of a man scrambling on board. 

No enemy certainly, for Fitz made out that the newcomer grasped both thecaptain's hands in his, and began talking to him in a low eager excitedtone, the captain's responses, given in the man's own tongue, soundingshort and sharp, interspersed too with an angry ejaculation or two. Theconversation only lasted about five minutes, and then the visitor turnedback to the side, uttered an order in a low tone which caused a littlestir in the boat below, and stepped down. Fitz could hear him crossingthe thwarts to the stern, and the craft was pushed off. Then the goldensplashes in the sea came regularly once more, to grow fainter andfainter, in the direction of the city lights; and then they were alonein the silence and darkness of the night. 

It was not Fitz's fault that he heard what followed, for the skippercame close up to where he was standing with Poole, followed by the mate, who had sent the men forward as soon as the boat was gone. 

"Well, " said the skipper, "it's very unfortunate. "

"Is it?" said the mate gruffly. 

"Yes. Couldn't you hear?"

"I heard part of what he said, but my Spanish is very bad, especially ifit's one of these mongrel half Indian-bred fellows who is talking. Youhad better tell me plainly how matters stand. "

"Very well. Horribly badly. Things have gone wrong since we leftEngland. Our friends were too venturesome, and they were regularlytrapped, with the result that they were beaten back out of the town, andthe President's men seized the fort, got hold of their passwords and thesignalling flags that they had in the place, and answered our signals, so that they took me in. If it had not been for his man's comingto-night with a message from Don Ramon, we should have sailed right intothe trap as soon as it was day, and been lying under the enemy's guns. "

"Narrow escape, then, " said the mate. 

"Nearly ruin, " was the reply. 

"But hold hard a minute. Suppose, after all, this is a bit of a trick, a cooked-up lie to cheat us. "

"Not likely, " said the skipper. "What good would it do the enemy tosend us away when they had all we brought under their hand? Besides, this messenger had a password to give me that must have been right. "

"You know best, " said the mate gruffly. "Then what next?"

"Up anchor at once, and we sail round the foreland yonder till we canopen out the other valley and the river's mouth twenty miles along thecoast. Don Ramon and his men are gathering at Velova, and they want ourmunition badly there. "

"Right, " said the mate abruptly. "Up anchor at once? Make a bigoffing, I suppose?"

"No, we must hug the coast. I dare say they will have a gunboatpatrolling some distance out--a steamer--and with these varying windsand calms we should be at their mercy. If we are taken, Don Ramon'scause is ruined, poor fellow, and the country will be at the mercy ofthat half-savage, President Villarayo. Brute! He deserves to be hung!"

"I don't like it, " said Burgess gruffly. 

"You don't like it!" cried the skipper. "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean? Why, from here to Velova close in it's all rock-shoaland wild current. It's almost madness to try and hug the coast. "

"Oh, I see. But it's got to be done, Burgess. You didn't takesoundings and bearings miles each way for nothing last year. "

"Tchah!" growled the mate. "One wants an apprenticeship to this coast. I'll do what you want, of course, but I won't be answerable for takingthe _Teal_ safely into that next port. "

"Oh yes, you will, " said the skipper quietly. "If I didn't think youwould I should try to do it myself. Now then, there's no time to waste. Look yonder. There's something coming out of the port now--a steamer, I believe, from the way she moves, and most likely it's in reply to oursignals, and they're coming out to give us a surprise. " The mate stoodfor a few moments peering over the black waters in the direction of theindicated lights. 

"Yes, " he growled, "that's a steamer; one of their gunboats, I shouldsay, and they are coming straight for here. "

"How does he know that?" whispered Fitz, as the skipper and the mate nowmoved away. 

"The lights were some distance apart, " replied Poole, "and they've swunground till one's close behind the other. Now look, whatever the steameris she is coming straight for here. Fortunately there is a nicepleasant breeze, but I hope we shall not get upon any of these fang-likerocks. "

"Yes, I hope so too, " said Fitz excitedly; and then Poole left him, andhe stood listening to the clicking of the capstan as the anchor wasraised, while some of the crew busily hoisted sail, so that in a fewminutes' time the schooner began to heel over from the pressure of thewind and glide away, showing that the anchor was clear of the soft oozein which it had lain. 

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

TICKLISH. 

Burgess the mate went forward, to stand for a few minutes looking intothe offing, before going back aft to say a word or two to the man at thewheel, as the schooner was now gliding rapidly on, and then walkedsharply to where the skipper was giving orders to the men, whichresulted in a big gaff sail being run up, to balloon out and increasethe schooner's rate of speed through the water. 

A short consultation ensued, another man was put on the look-outforward, and the mate went back to take the wheel himself. 

"Ah, that's better, " said Poole quietly. 

"What's better?" asked Fitz. 

"Old Burgess taking the wheel himself. It's a bad enough place here inthe daylight, but it's awful in the darkness, and we are not quite solikely to be carried by some current crash on to a rock. "

"Then why, in the name of common-sense, don't we lay-to till daylight?"

"Because it wouldn't be common-sense to wait till that steamer comesgliding up, and takes possession of the _Teal_. Do you know what thatmeans?"

"Yes; you would all be made prisoners, and I should be free, " criedFitz, laughing. "My word, Master Poole, I don't want you to have atopper first, but I'd let you see then what it is to be a prisoneraboard the _Silver Teal_. "

"Oh yes, of course, I know, " replied Poole mockingly. "But you don'tknow everything. When I asked you if you knew what it meant it wasthis, that our cargo would go into the wrong hands and about ruin DonRamon's cause. "

"Well, what does that matter?"

"Everything. Ramon, who has been striking for freedom and all that'sgood and right, would be beaten, and the old President Don Villarayowould carry on as before. He is as bad a tyrant as ever was at the headof affairs, and it's to help turn him out of the chair that my fatherand his Spanish friends are making this venture. "

"Well, that's nothing to me, " said Fitz. "I am on the side of right. "

"Well, that is the side of right. "

"Oh no, " said Fitz. "According to the rule of these things that's theside of right that has the strongest hold. "

"Bah!" said Poole. "That would never do, unless it is when we get thestrongest hold, and that we mean to do. "

"Well, I hope old Burgess, as you call him, won't run this wretchedschooner crash on to a rock. You might as well hand me out a life-belt, in case. "

"Oh, there's time enough for that, " said Poole coolly. 

"I'll take care of you. But I say, look! That gunboat is coming on twoknots for our one. Can't you see?"

"I can see her lights, of course, but it doesn't seem to me that she isgetting closer. "

"She is, though, and she's bound to overtake us, for old Burgess iskeeping right along the main channel. Why, if I didn't know who was atthe wheel, " cried the lad excitedly, "I should be ready to think thatthe steersman had proved treacherous, and was playing into the enemy'shands. Oh, here's father! I say, dad, do you see how fast that gunboatis overhauling us?"

"Oh yes, " said the skipper coolly. "It's all right, my boy; Burgessknows what he's about. He wants to get a little more offing, but it'sgetting nearly time to lie over on the other tack. "

He had hardly spoken when the mate at the wheel called out--

"Now!"

The skipper gave a short, sharp order or two, the men sprang to thesheets, the schooner was turned right up into the wind, the sails beganto shiver, and directly after they began to fill on the other tack, weresheeted home, and the _Teal_ lay so over to starboard that Fitz made asnatch at a rope so as to steady himself and keep his feet. 

"Why, he'll have the sea over her side, " whispered Fitz excitedly. 

"Very likely, " said Poole coolly. "Ah, you don't know how we can sail. "

"Sail! Why, you will have her lying flat in the water directly. "

"Make the sails more taut, " said Poole coolly. "I say, we are goingnow. I didn't see what he meant. We have just turned the South Rocks. Talk about piloting, old Burgess does know what he's about. We aresailing as fast as the gunboat. "

"But she's overhauling us. "

"Yes, but she won't try to pass those rocks. She will have to keep tothe channel. We are skimming along over the rocky shallows now. "

"Yes, with the keel nearly up to the surface, " panted Fitz excitedly. 

"All the better! Less likely to scrape the rocks. "

"Well, you are taking it pretty coolly, " continued the midshipman. "This must be risky work. "

"Yes, we don't want to be taken. You wait a few minutes and watch thegunboat's lights. You will see that she will be getting more distant asshe goes straight on for the open sea. Her captain will make for thenext channel, two or three miles south, to catch us there as we comeout--and we shan't come out, for we shall go right on in and out amongthe shallows and get clear off, so as to sail into Velova Bay. We shallbe all right if we don't come crash on to one of the shark's fin rocks. "

"And if we do?"

"Well, if we do we shan't get off again--only in the boats--but oldVillarayo's gang won't get the ammunition, for that will go down toamuse the sharks. "

"Well, this is nice, " said Fitz. "The schooner was bad enough before;now it's ten times worse. "

"Nonsense. See how we are skimming along. This is a new experience foryou. You will see more fun with us in a month than you would in yourold tea-kettle of a gunboat in twelve. "

"Phew!" ejaculated the skipper, coming up, straw hat in one hand, pocket-handkerchief in the other, and mopping his face. "This is ratherwarm work, Poole, my boy. Well, Mr Burnett, what do you think ofblockade running for a change?"

"What do I think of it, sir?" said Fitz, who was still holding on tightto one of the ropes. 

"Yes. Good as yachting, isn't it?"

"Well, I don't like it a bit, sir. I don't call it seamanship. "

"Indeed, young gentleman! What do you call it, then?"

"Utter recklessness, sir. "

"Oh!" said the skipper. "Well, it is running it rather close, but youcan't do blockade running without. Not afraid, are you?"

"Oh, I don't know about being afraid, sir, but I think that we shallhave to take to the boats. "

"Yes, that's quite likely, but the chances are about equal that we shallnot. Mr Burgess knows what he is about, and as likely as not we shallbe right into Velova Bay soon after sunrise, and the President's gunboattwenty miles away. "

Several times over during the rest of the night's run, Fitz observedthat there was a little anxious conference between the skipper and themate, the former speaking very sternly, and on one occasion the latterspoke out loud in a sharp angry voice, the words reaching the middy'sear. 

"Of course it is very risky, " he said, "but I feel as if I shall get herthrough, or I shouldn't do it. Shall we take soundings and drop anchorin the best bit we can find?"

"Where we shall be clearly seen as soon as day breaks? No! Go on. "

It was a relief then to both the lads when the day broke, showing them aline of breakers about half-a-mile away on the starboard-bow, and clearopen water right ahead, while as the dawn lifted more and more, it wasto show a high ground jungle and the beautiful curve of another bayformed by a couple of ridges about three miles apart running down intothe sea. 

"There, " cried Poole triumphantly; "we have been running the gauntlet ofdangerous rocks all night, and we've won. That's Velova Bay. You willsee the city directly, just at the mouth of the valley. Lovely place. It's the next city to San Cristobal. "

"Fetch my glass, Poole, " said the skipper; and upon its being broughtits owner took a long searching sweep of the coast as he stood by themate's side. 

"I can only make out a few small vessels, " he said; "nothing that weneed mind. Run straight in, and we can land everything before thegunboat can get round, even if she comes, which is doubtful, after all. "

"Yes, knowing how we can sail. "

The boys were standing near, and heard all that was said, for theirelders spoke freely before them. 

"What about choice of place for landing?" asked the mate. 

"Oh, we will go up as close as we can get. Ramon is sure to have astrong party there to help, and in a very short time he would be able toknock up an earthwork and utilise the guns as we get them ashore. Thatwould keep the gunboat off if she comes round. "

"Yes, " said the mate quietly, and he handed over the wheel to one of themen, the sea being quite open now between them and the shore a few milesaway. 

"Well, " said the skipper, "what do you make of it?" For the mate wasshading his eyes and looking carefully round eastward. 

"Have a look yourself, " was the gruff reply. 

The skipper raised the glass he had lowered to his side, and swept thehorizon eastward; knowing full well the keenness of his subordinate'seyes, he fully expected to see some suspicious vessel in sight, but thathad not taken the mate's attention, for as soon as the glass haddescribed about the eighth of a circle the skipper lowered it again andgave an angry stamp with his foot. 

"Was ever such luck!" he cried. 

"No, " replied the mate; "it is bad. But there is only one thing to bedone. "

"Yes, only one thing. We must get out while we can, and I don't knowbut what we may be too late even now. "

For the next few minutes all was busy on board the schooner. It was'bout ship, and fresh sail was set, their course being due east, whileas soon as Fitz could get Poole to answer a question, what had so farbeen to him a mystery was explained. 

"We are in for one of those hurricanes that come on so suddenly here, "said the lad, "and we are going right out to sea, to try and get undershelter of one of the isles before it breaks. "

"But why not stop here in harbour?" said Fitz sharply. 

"Because there is none. When the wind's easterly you can only expectone thing, and that is to be blown ashore. "

"But is there time to get under the lee of some island?"

"I don't know. We are going straight into danger now, for as likely asnot we shall meet the gunboat coming right across our bows to cut usoff. "

CHAPTER TWENTY. 

ON TWO SIDES. 

The speed they were able to get out of the schooner, and the admirableseamanship of her commander enabled them to reach the sought-for shelterbefore the fury of the West Indian hurricane came on. It was roughwork, but with two anchors down, the _Teal_ managed to ride out theblast, and fortunately for her crew the storm subsided as quickly as ithad risen, leaving them free to run in for Velova with a gentle breezeover a heavy swell, which as evening approached began to subside fast. 

It still wanted a couple of hours of sunset when the morning's positionwas reached, and with favourable wind and the signal flying they wererunning close in, when Fitz suddenly caught Poole by the arm. 

"Look yonder, " he said. 

"What at?--My word!"

The boy rushed aft to where his father was standing watching the distantcity through his glass; but that which he was about to impart wasalready clearly seen. From behind a wooded point about a mile behindthem the black trail of smoke rising from a steamer's funnel was slowlyascending into the soft air, and for a few moments the skipper stoodwith his teeth set and his face contracted with disappointment and rage. 

"Think they have seen us, Burgess?" he said at last. 

"Yes; they have been lying in hiding there, watching us till we werewell inside. "

"Can we get outside again?"

"Not a chance of it, " was the reply; "the wind will be dead in ourteeth, and we can only tack, while they are coming on full speed, andcan begin playing long bowls at us with heavy shot whenever they like. "

"What's to be done?" said the skipper, and without waiting for an answerhe added, "Keep on right in. There is one chance yet. "

"There, don't look so precious pleased, " Poole whispered to Fitz. "Weare not taken yet. "

"I--I wasn't looking pleased. "

"Yes, you were, " said Poole sourly; "but you needn't be, because youwould be no better off with them than you are with us. But you are notwith them yet. Father seems to be taking things very easily, and thatonly means that we are going to get away. "

It did not seem like it, though, for as the schooner sailed on into thebeautiful orange glow of the coming evening, the gunboat neared themswiftly, spreading a golden trail of light far behind her over the seawhich her screw churned up into foam, while overhead trailed backwardwhat seemed to be like a triumphant black feather of smoke. 

The city before them looked bright and attractive with its gaily-paintedhouses, green and yellow jalousies, and patches of verdure in thegardens, beyond which the mountains rose in ridge after ridge of greenand purple and grey. The bay in front of them was singularly devoid oflife. Probably on account of the swell remaining from the hurricanethere were no fishing-boats afloat save one, with a long white lateensail running up into the air like the pointed wing of some sea-birdgliding over the surface of the sea. 

No one paid any heed to the boat, which drew nearer and nearer from thefact that it was gliding across the bay right in the schooner's course. In fact, every eye was directed at the gunboat, which came steadily onwithout hurry, as if her commander felt that he was perfectly certain ofhis prize, while what went on upon her deck was plainly visible throughthe glass, the boys noting in turn that her heavy gun was manned andready to bring them to whensoever the gunboat captain pleased to makeher speak. 

"Oh, Fitz!" groaned Poole. "It does seem so hard. I did think we weregoing to do it now. "

"Well, I can't help being sorry for you, " said the middy. "Yes, it doesseem hard, though I suppose I oughtn't to speak like this. I say, though, look at those stupid niggers in that boat! Why don't they getout of the way? We shall run them down. "

"Murder! Yes, " cried Poole, and pulling out his knife he ran to one ofthe life-buoys to cut it free; but ere he could reach it there was asharp crack as the schooner seemed to glide right over the fishing-boat, the tall white lateen sail disappeared, and Fitz ran to the side, expecting to see those who manned the slight craft struggling in thewater. 

To his surprise, though, he saw that a dark-complexioned man was holdingon with a boat-hook, boat and trailing sail were being carried onward bythe schooner, and another man was climbing over the port bulwark. 

What followed passed very quietly. The man gained the deck and ran aftto where the captain and mate were hurrying to meet him. 

There was a quick passing of something white, and then the man almostglided over the bulwarks again into the boat, which fell astern, andthose who manned her began to hoist the long lateen sail once more. 

"A message from the shore, " whispered Poole excitedly, as he saw hisfather step into the shelter of one of the boats swinging from thedavits, to screen himself from any observant glass on the gunboat'sdeck, and there he rapidly tore open a packet and scanned the messagethat it contained. 

"Oh, I should like to know what it says, " whispered Poole, "but Imustn't ask him. It's lucky to be old Burgess, " he continued, for thecaptain walked slowly to his chief officer, who stood sulkily apart asif not paying the slightest heed to what was going on. 

The skipper stood speaking to him for about a minute, and the lad sawthe heavy-looking mate give a short nod of the head and then turn hiseyes upwards towards the white spread sails as they still glided onthrough the orange glow. 

_Boom_--_thud_! and Fitz literally jumped; the report, and its echo fromthe mountain-backed shore, was so sudden and unexpected. 

"Blank shot, " said Poole, looking at the white smoke curling up from oneof the man-of-war's small guns. 

"Order to heave-to, " said Fitz; "and you will have to, or a ball willcome skipping along next. "

"Yes, I suppose so, " said Poole, "across our bows; and if we didn't stopfor that I suppose they would open fire with their big gun. Think theycould hit us?"

"I don't know about them, " said Fitz, rather pompously, "but I know ourold _Tonans_ would send you to the bottom with her first shot. "

"Then I'm glad it isn't the _Tonans_" said Poole, laughing. "Here, weare not going to be sunk;" for in obedience to the summons the schoonerwas thrown up into the wind, the big sails shivering in the soft breeze, and gradually turning of a deeper orange glow. Meanwhile there was abustle going on aboard the gunboat, and an orange cutter manned byorange men glided down into the sea. Then oars began to dip and atevery stroke threw up orange and gold. So beautiful was the scene thatFitz turned from it for a moment to look westward for the source of thevivid colouring, and was startled for the moment at the curious effect, for there, balanced as it were on the highest point of the low ridge ofmountains at the back of the city, was the huge orange globe that lit upthe whole bay right away to sea, and even as he gazed the sun seemed totouch the mountains whose summit marked a great black notch like a cutout of its lower edge. 

"Here they come, " said Poole, making Fitz start round again. "Whatswells, " he continued bitterly. "The dad ought to go below and put onhis best jacket. Look at the golden braid. "

"I say, " cried Fitz, "he'll see my uniform. What will he say to me?"

"Take you for an English officer helping in a filibustering craft. "

"Oh, but I shall explain myself, " cried Fitz. "But it would be ratherawkward if they didn't believe me. Here, you, Poole, I don't understanda word of Spanish; you will have to stand by me and help me out of ahole. "

"And put my father in?" cried Poole. "You are a modest chap!--Why, lookthere, I am bothered if the dad isn't going to do it!" cried the ladexcitedly. 

"Do what?"

"Put on his best jacket. Look, he's going to the cabin-hatch. No, heisn't. What's he saying to old Butters?"

The lad had no verbal answer, but he saw for himself. The gunboat'scutter was still a couple of hundred yards away, and coming steadily on, when, as if by accident or from the action of the swell, the spokes ofthe wheel moved a little, with the consequence that the wind began tofill the schooner's sails, the man at the wheel turned it a little, andthe canvas shivered once more. 

But the schooner had begun to move, gliding imperceptibly along, and asthis manoeuvre was repeated, she moved slowly through the water, keepingthe row-boat almost at the same distance astern. A full minute hadelapsed before the officer noticed this, and he rose in the stern-sheetsand shouted an order in Spanish, to which the mate replied by seeming torepeat it to the man at the wheel, who hurriedly gave the spokes a turn, the sails filled, and the _Teal_ glided steadily on. 

"Yah!" roared Butters furiously. "Out of the way, you great clumsylubber!" And he made a rush at the man, who loosed his hold of thespokes and backed away as if to shelter himself from blows, while, swinging free, the rudder yielded to the pressure of the swell and theschooner glided along faster still. 

There was a threatening shout from the boat and a hostile movement ofweapons, to which Butters responded by roaring out in broad, plainEnglish--

"Ay, ay, sir! All right! Clumsy lubber! Break his head. "

As he spoke he moved slowly to the wheel, seized the spokes, rammed themdown as if confused, and then hurriedly turned them the other way, withthe result that the schooner still kept gliding slowly on, with thecutter at the same distance astern. 

"That'll do, " said the skipper; "drop it now, " and trembling withexcitement as he grasped the manoeuvres being played Fitz made a grab atPoole's arm, while Poole made a grab at his, and they stood as one, waiting for the result. 

In obedience to his orders, the boatswain now turned and held theschooner well up in the wind, her forward motion gradually ceasing, andthe gunboat's cutter now gaining upon them fast. 

"Why, the sun's gone down, " whispered Fitz excitedly. 

"Yes, " said Poole, "and the stars are beginning to show. "

"In another five minutes, " said Fitz, "it will be getting dusk. "

"And in another ten, " whispered Poole hoarsely, "it will be dark. Oh, dad, now I can see through your game. "

"So can I, " whispered Fitz, though the words were not addressed to him. "Why, Poole, he means to fight!"

"Does he? For a penny he doesn't mean to let them come on board. Why, look at Butters; he's lying down on the deck. "

"Yes, " whispered Fitz; "to be in shelter if they fire while he's workingthe spokes. Look, the sails are filling once again. "

"It's too soon, " whispered Poole hoarsely. "They'll see from thegunboat and fire, and if they do--"

"They will miss us, my boy, " said the skipper, who had approachedunseen. "Lie down, my lads--every one on deck. "

"And you too, father, " whispered Poole. "They may hit you with abullet. "

"Obey orders, " said the skipper sternly. "The captain must take hischance. "

_Crack, crack, crack_, and _whizz, whizz, whizz_!

The officer of the cutter saw through the manoeuvre at last, and firedat the retreating schooner's skipper, while a minute later, as the_Silver Teal_ was gliding rapidly into a bank of gloom that seemed tocome like so much solid blackness down the vale, there was a brightflash as of lightning, a deep boom as of thunder, which shook the veryair, and a roar of echoes dying right away, while the great starsoverhead now stood out rapidly one by one in the purple velvet archoverhead. 

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. 

BY THE SKIN OF THEIR TEETH. 

"When we have escaped, " cried Fitz excitedly, a few minutes later, avery brief time having sufficed to shut out the cutter and gunboat too. 

"Escaped!" said Poole, with a little laugh, as he clapped his companionon the shoulder. "Well, _we_ have. "

"Yes, yes, of course, " said Fitz; "I meant you. But what will be donenow? We are--you are regularly shut in this bay. The gunboat will keepguard, and her boats will begin patrolling up and down so that you can'tget away. It only means waiting till morning. "

"Waiting till morning, eh?"

"Of course. And then they'll sink you as sure as you are here. "

"Yes, " said Poole, laughing merrily; "not a doubt about it. "

"Well, " said Fitz, "I don't see anything to laugh at. "

"Don't you? Then I do. Why, you don't suppose for a moment that weshall be here? The fellows in that fishing-boat brought father somedespatch orders for a _rendezvous_ somewhere else, I should say. Justyou wait a little, my boy, and you will see what the _Teal_ can do. Shecan't dive, but she can dodge. "

"Dodge in a little bay like this--dodge a gunboat?"

"Of course. Just wait till it's a little darker. I dare say father hasgot his plans all ready made, just the same as he had when it seemed allover just now. If he and old Burgess were too much for the Spanish donsin broad daylight, you may depend upon it that they will give them thego-by in the dark. Quiet! Here he is. "

"Yes, here I am, my boy, " said the skipper quietly. "Look here, youtwo. Hear--see--as much as you can:--and say nothing. Everything onboard now must be quiet, and not a light seen. "

"All right, father, " replied Poole, "but I can't see anything of thegunboat's lights. "

"No, and I don't suppose you will. They will take care not to show any. Well, Mr Burnett, may I trust you not to betray us by shouting awarning when the enemy are near? We are going to play a game ofhide-and-seek, you know. We shall do the hiding, and the Spaniards willhave to seek. Of course you know, " he continued, "it would be very easyfor you to shout when we were stealing along through the darkness, andbring the enemy's boats upon us just when they are not wanted. "

"Well, yes, sir, I was thinking so a little while ago, " replied themiddy. 

"Well, that's frank, " said the skipper; "and is that what I am to expectfrom your sense of duty?"

Fitz was silent. 

"Well, sir, " he said at last, "I don't quite know. It's rather awkwardfor me, seeing how I am placed. "

"Yes--very; but I don't believe you would think so if you knew what sortof a character this usurping mongrel Spaniard is. There is more of thetreacherous Indian in his blood than of the noble Don. Perhaps underthe circumstances I had better make you a prisoner in your cabin withthe dead-light in, so that you can't make a signal to the enemy withlamp or match. "

"It would be safer, sir, " said Fitz. 

"But most unpleasant, " continued the skipper. "But there, my lad, situated as you are, I don't think you need strain a point. Give meyour parole that you will content yourself with looking on, and I won'task you to go below. "

"Oh, he will, father. I'll answer for that, " cried Poole. 

"Answer for yourself, my boy. That's enough for you to do. Let MrBurnett give me his own assurance. It would be rather mean, wouldn'tit, Mr Burnett, if you did betray us?"

"Yes, sir; horrible, " cried Fitz quickly. "But if it were one of ourships I should be obliged. "

"Of course, " said the skipper; "but as it is you will hold your tongue?"

"Yes, sir; I shall look on. "

"That's right. Now then, " continued the skipper, "the game's going tobegin. There is sure to be some firing, so keep well down under theshelter of the bulwarks. Of course they will never have a chance totake aim, but there is no knowing what a random shot may do. "

"Want me to do anything, father?" said Poole eagerly. 

"No, my boy. There is nothing you can do. It will all lie with MrBurgess; Butters, who will be at the wheel; myself, and the men who trimthe sails. "

"You are going to sail right away then; eh, father?"

"That all depends, my boy--just as the chances come. "

"But as the schooner draws so little water, sir, " said Fitz eagerly, "won't you sail close in under the shore?"

"No, my lad. That's just what the enemy will expect, and have everyboat out on the _qui vive_. I don't mind telling you now what my planswill be. "

He was silent for a few minutes, and they dimly made out that he washolding up his left hand as a warning to them not to speak, while heplaced his right behind his ear and seemed to be listening, as if heheard some sound. 

"Boat, " he said, at last, in a whisper, "rowing yonder right across ourstern. But they didn't make us out. Oh, I was about to tell you what Imeant to do. Run right by the gunboat as closely as I can withouttouching her, for it strikes me that will be the last thing that theywill expect. "

He moved away the next moment, leaving the boys together once again, totalk in whispers about the exciting episode that was to come. 

"I say, Fitz, " whispered Poole excitedly, "isn't this better than beingon board your sleepy old _Tonans_?"

"You leave the sleepy old _Tonans_ alone, " replied the middy. "She'smore lively than you think. "

"Could be, perhaps; but you never had a set-out like this. "

"No, " said Fitz stiffly, "because the _Tonans_ never runs away. "

"That's one for me, " said Poole, laughing. "There are times when youmust run, my lad, and this is one. Hullo, they're shaking out morecanvas. It's going to be yachting now like a race for a cup. It's'bout ship too. "

"Yes, by the way one can feel the wind, " replied Fitz; "but I don'tbelieve your people can see which way to steer. "

"Nor I neither, " said Poole coolly. "Father is going to chance it, Ibelieve. He'll make straight for where he saw the gunboat last, as hethinks, and take it for granted that we can't run on to her. Besides, she is pretty well sure to be on the move. "

"Most likely, " said Fitz; "but it's terribly risky work. "

The rippling of the water under the schooner's bows came very plainlynow, as the boys went right forward, where two men were on the look-out. These they joined, to find that they had the sternest instructions, andthese were communicated by the men to the two lads. 

"Mustn't speak, gentlemen, " they said. 

"Just one word, " whispered Fitz. "What are you going to do if you makeout that you are running right on to the enemy?"

"Whistle, " said the man addressed, laconically. 

"What, for more wind?" asked Fitz. 

"No, sir, " said the man, with a low chuckle; "for the man at the wheel. One pipe means starboard; two pipes, port. See?"

"No, " said Poole, "but he can hear. "

As they were whispering, the louder rippling beneath the schooner'scut-water plainly told of the rate at which they were gliding throughthe dark sea. The stars were clear enough overhead, but all in frontseemed to be of a deep transparent black, whose hue tinged even thestaysail, jib, and flying-jib, bellying out above their heads and infront. As far as the lads could make out they had been running intowards the city, taken a good sweep round, and then been headed out forthe open sea, with the schooner careening over and rushing through thewater like a racing yacht. 

There are some things in life which seem to be extended over aconsiderable space of time, apparently hours, but which afterwardsduring calmer thought prove to have taken up only minutes, and this wasone. 

Poole had just pointed out in a low whisper that by the stars they weresailing due east, and the man nearest to them, a particularlysharp-eared individual, endorsed his words by whispering laconically--

"Straight for the open sea. "

The water was gliding beneath them, divided by the sharp keel, with ahissing rush; otherwise all was still; for all they could make out thegunboat and her satellites, sent out to patrol, might have been milesaway. There was darkness before them and on either hand, while in frontapparently lay the open ocean, and the exhilaration caused by theirrapid motion produced a buoyant feeling suggesting to the lads that thedanger was passed and that they were free. 

Then in another moment it seemed to Fitz Burnett as if some giant handhad caught him by the throat and stopped his breath. 

The sensation was appalling, and consequent upon the suddenly-impressedknowledge that, in spite of the fact that there was about a mile and ahalf of space of which an infinitesimally small portion was occupied bydanger, they were gliding through the black darkness dead on to thatlittle space, for suddenly in front there arose the dull panting, throbbing sound of machinery, the churning up of water to their left, and the hissing ripple caused by a cut-water to their right. 

It was horrible. 

They were going dead on to the gunboat, which was steaming slowly acrosstheir bows, and it seemed to the breathless, expectant group that thenext moment they would be cutting into her side, or more likelycrumpling up and shivering to pieces upon her protecting armour. Butthere is something in having a crew of old man-of-war's men, disciplinedand trained to obey orders in emergencies, and thinking of nothing else. The skipper had given his commands to his two look-out men, and in theimminence of the danger they were obeyed, for as Fitz Burnett grippedhis companion's arm, involuntarily drawing him sideways in the directionof the bulwark, to make a leap for life, a sharp clear pipe, like thecry of some sea-bird, rang out twice, while the panting and quivering ofthe machinery and the churning rush of the gunboat's crew seemed rightupon them. 

Suddenly there was a loud shout, followed by a yell, the report of arevolver, succeeded by the deep booming roar of a fog-syren which hadbeen set going by the funnel, and then as Fitz Burnett felt that thecrash was upon them, the roar of the fog-horn was behind, for the _Teal_had as nearly as possible scraped past the gunboat's stern, and wasflying onward towards the open sea. 

For a few moments no one spoke, and then it was one of the look-out men. 

"About as near as a toucher, that, messmate. "

"Ay, and I seemed to have no wind when I wanted to blow. Once is quiteenough for a job like that. "

"Is it true, Poole?" whispered Fitz, and his voice sounded hoarse andstrange. 

"I don't quite know yet, " was the reply as the lad walked aft. "Itseemed so impossible and queer--but it is, and, my word, how close!"

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. 

IN THE DARK. 

"Silence there!" came in a stern, deep voice. "Sound travels in a nightlike this. "

It was the speaker's ultra caution spoken in a moment of intenseexcitement in which he hardly realised how far they had left the gunboatbehind. But his orders were obeyed, utter stillness ruling on board theschooner till they had visual proof that there was no necessity for suchcare. 

"What's that? Look!" whispered Fitz, as there was a faint lambent glarefar astern, one which gradually increased, and Poole whispered back--

"They are burning a blue light. "

"Yes, " said the skipper, who was still close at hand. "Know what thatmeans, my boy?"

"Well, I suppose it's to try if they can see us, father. "

"Not it, " said the skipper sharply. "You know, Mr Burnett?"

"I should say it's a signal, sir, to recall their boats. "

"Right, my lad; that's it; and that will take some little time, for Idare say they are spread all over the bay. She's not likely to have aconsort; eh, Burgess?"

"I should think not, " was the reply. "No, I don't think we need troubleourselves about that. "

"Right, then. Get well out into the offing, and then sail forsouth-east by south. "

The mate grunted, gave an order or two, with the result that agaff-topsail was run up, and the schooner heeled over more and more, while now the dim light that had been thrown down on the binnacle wasincreased a little, and the skipper took his place beside the steersman. 

"That means that he is not afraid of our being seen, " said Poolequietly. "I say, what an escape we had! Don't you call this exciting?"

"Yes, " said Fitz; "rather more so than I like. Let's go right forwardagain to where the look-out men are. "

"To help them keep a sharp look-out for rocks? There are none out here, or we shouldn't be going at this rate. "

"Think that they will come after us?"

"Sure to, " said Poole. "Full steam ahead. "

"Then they'll see us again at daylight. "

"Think so? Why, we have got all the night before us, and the gunboat'scaptain isn't likely to follow in our wake. "

"I suppose not. It would be a great chance if he did. How beautifulthe water is to-night!"

"Yes! One had no chance to admire it before. 'Tis fine. Just as iftwo rockets were going off from our bows, so that we seem to be leavinga trail of sparks behind. "

"Yes, where the water's disturbed, " said Fitz. "It's just as if the seawas covered with golden oil ready to flash out into light as soon as itwas touched. "

"Why, you seem quite cheery, " said Poole. 

"Of course. Isn't it natural after such a narrow escape?"

"Yes, for me, " replied Poole banteringly; "but I should have thoughtthat you would have been in horribly low spirits because you were notcaptured and taken on board the gunboat. "

"No, you wouldn't, " said Fitz shortly. "I know better than that. Isay, you will stop on deck all night, won't you?"

"Of course. Shan't you?"

"Oh yes. I couldn't go to sleep after this. Besides, who can tellwhat's to come?"

"To be sure, " said Poole quietly. "Who can tell what's to come? Inspite of what old Burgess says, the gunboat may have a consort, andperhaps we are running out of one danger straight into another. "

Perhaps due to the reaction after the excitement, the lads ceased tochat together, and leaned over the bows, alternately watching thephosphorescent sea and the horizon above which the stars appeared dimand few. 

Fitz looked more thoughtful as the time went on, his own words seemingto repeat themselves in the question--Who knows what might happen?

Once they turned aft, to look right astern at where they caught sightonce or twice of the gunboat's light. Then it faded out and they wentforward again, the schooner gliding swiftly on, till at last the mate'sharsh, deep voice was heard giving his orders for an alteration of theircourse. 

It was very dark inboard, and it was not until afterwards that the twolads knew exactly what had taken place. It was all in a moment, and howit happened even the sufferer hardly knew, but it was all due to a manhaving stepped in the darkness where he had no business to be; for justafter the giving of the order, and while the spokes were swingingthrough the steersman's hands, one of the booms swung round, there was adull thud, a half-uttered shout, and then a yell from one of theforemost men. 

"Man overboard!" was roared, and as the skipper ran forward, aftershouting to the steersman to throw the schooner up into the wind, another man answered his eager question with--

"It's Bob Jackson, sir. I saw him go. "

The captain's excited voice rang out mingled with the shrill whistle ofthe boatswain's pipe, and then to be half-drowned by his hoarse roar asthe men's feet pattered over the deck, now rapidly growing level as thepressure was taken off the sails. 

"Now then, half-a-dozen of you!" came hoarsely. "Don't stand staringthere! Are you going to be all night lowering down that boat? Sharp'sthe word! I am going to show you the way. "

As he spoke, Fitz had a dim vision of the big bluff fellow's action, as, pulling out his knife, he opened it with his teeth. 

"Sharks below there!" he roared. "'Ware my knife!" and running rightastern he sprang on to the rail, looked round for a moment, fixed hiseyes upon a luminous splash of light that had just taken Fitz'sattention, and then sprang overboard into the black water, whichsplashed up like a fountain of fire, and the bluff sailor's figure, looking as if clad in garments of lambent gold, could be seen glidingdiagonally down, forming a curve as it gradually rose to the surface, which began to emit little plashes of luminosity as the man commenced toswim. 

"Well done! Bravo!" panted Fitz, and then he rushed to the spot wherethe men were lowering down, sprang on to the bulwark, caught at thefalls, and slipped down into the boat just as it kissed the water. 

"You here!" cried a familiar voice. 

"Yes, " panted Fitz, "and you too!"

"Why, of course! Pull away, my lads. I'll stand up and tell you whichway to go. "

The falls were already unhooked and the oars over the side, the menpulling with all their might in the direction where the regular splashesmade by the motion of the boatswain's arm could be seen as he scoopedaway at the water with a powerful side stroke. 

"Pull, lads--pull!" roared the skipper's son, while in his excitementFitz scrambled over the oars to get right in the bows, where he strainedhis eyes to try and make out the man who had gone over first, and aterrible catching of the breath assailed him as he realised the distancehe had been left behind by the swiftly-gliding schooner. 

Even the boatswain was far away, swimming hard and giving out a heavypuff like some grampus just rising to breathe. 

"This way, boys!" he shouted. "Come along! Cheer up, my hearty! I amcoming fast. "

He ceased speaking now, as the boat followed in his track, and Fitz ashe knelt in the bows reached behind him to begin fumbling for theboat-hook, finding it and thrusting it out like a little bowsprit, readyto make a snatch when the time should come. But his effort seemed as ifit would be vain, for after what seemed in the excitement to be aterribly long row, the boat was brought abreast of the swimmingboatswain. 

"Can't you see him, Butters?" shouted Poole, who had now joined Fitz. 

"No, my lad, " came in a hoarse gasping tone. "Can't you?"

"No. I saw the water splash not a minute ago. It was just beyond whereyou were swimming. "

"No; more to the left, " cried Fitz. "Ah, there! There! There!" and hepointed out in the direction he had described. 

"Yes, that's it, " roared the boatswain, who seemed suddenly to haverecovered his breath, and throwing himself away from the boat, whoseside he had grasped, he splashed through the water for a few yardstowards where a ring of gold seemed to have been formed, and as the boatfollowed, and nearly touched his back, he seemed to be wallowing in anagitated pool of pale greenish fire, which went down and down for quitea couple of fathoms, the boat passing right above it with the menbacking water at a shout from Poole, so that they passed thedisappearing swimmer again. 

"Now, " shouted Fitz, as the golden light began to rise, and thrustingdown the boat-hook he felt it catch against the swimmer's side. 

The next moment the boatswain was up with a rush, to throw one arm overthe bows. 

"Got him!" he gasped. 

There was a quick scramble, the water almost lapped over the side as thestarboard-bow went down, and then, partly with the hauling of the boys, partly by the big sturdy boatswain's own efforts, the unfortunate BobJackson was dragged aboard, the boatswain rolling in after him with hismessmates' help, and subsiding between two of the thwarts with a hoarse, half-strangled groan. 

"Hooroar!" came from the men, the boys' voices dominating the shout witha better pronunciation of the word. 

"Hooroar it is!" gasped the boatswain. "Bravo, Butters! Well done!Well done!" cried Poole. 

"Well done? I am done, you mean. I thought I'd let him go. Keep back, some on you--give a fellow room to breathe. That's better, " came withmore freedom. "Now then, give your orders, Mr Poole, " panted the man;"I've lost my wind. Get him on his back and pump his into him. That'syour sort!" he continued, as in obedience to the young skipper'scommands two men began to row while the others set to work upon thefirst aid necessary in the case of a half-drowned man. 

"Ah!" sighed the boatswain, now sitting up in the bottom of the boat andshuffling himself aft a little so as to give more room. "I am as weakas a babby. Well done! Pump away, my lads. That's your sort! Porechap, he's all water and no wind now! I dunno what he'd been about. Had he been soaping his feet?--Think he's coming round, Mr Poole?"

"I hope so, " was the reply. "I am afraid, poor fellow, he must havebeen half-stunned. Come and look, Butters; I want you to feel hischest. " The boatswain came and leaned over. "Keep it up, my lads. Itwill be all right soon. Oh yes, his own pump's going on inside. Hiskit won't be for sale. But I don't believe he'd have taken his trick atthe wheel again if I hadn't gone down and fetched him up. "

"No; you saved his life, Mr Butters, " cried Fitz excitedly. "I neversaw anything so brave before. Would you mind--"

"Eh!--What, sir?--Shake hands?--Certainly, sir, hearty, and same toyou!"

"Oh!" ejaculated Fitz involuntarily. "I am very sorry, sir. Did Isqueege too hard?"

"Why, it was a scrunch, " said the boy petulantly. "But it's all rightnow. Your fingers, though, are as hard as wood. "

"Well, they arn't soft, sir. But hallo! I never shut up my knife. " Heclosed the keen blade with a sharp snap. "There! Now you see the vallyof a lanyard, " he continued, as he thrust the great clasp-knife into thewaist-band of his trousers. --"Keep it up, my lads. I'll take a turn assoon as I've got my own wind again. Ah, there's nothing like a lanyard. If it hadn't been for that my snickersee would have gone zigger-zaggingdown through the dark black water disturbing the little jellyfish andlighting the way for a snip, snap, swallow, all's fish that comes totheir net style, to go inside some shark. But I've got it safe. It's afine bit of Sheffield stuff, and I'll be bound to say it would havedisagreed with him as had swallowed it. Here, somebody--who's got amatch? Mine'll be all wet. Strike a light, will you; I want to see ifhe's beginning to wink yet. "

A match was struck, and as it burned steadily in the still air a faintlight was shown from the schooner far, far away. 

"See there, my lads? He's winking his eyes like fun; but go on pumpingslow and steady to keep him breathing--mustn't let him slip through yourfingers now. Pull away there, my lads; put your backs into it. Myword, there's a stiff current running here!"

"Yes, " said Poole; "we are much farther away than I thought. "

"But what an escape!" cried Fitz. 

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Look yonder; that streak of light gliding along and making the waterflash. You can just make out now and then something dark cuttingthrough it. "

"Ah, that's plain enough, " said the boatswain; "a jack shark's back fin, and a big un too. "

"Lucky for you both, " said Poole, "that you are safe on board. "

"Lucky for him, you mean, " said the boatswain. "That knife of mine's assharp as hands can make it. If I had let him have it he'd have shownwhite at daylight, floating wrong side up. "

"If you had hit him, " said Fitz. 

"If I'd hit him, sir! A man couldn't miss a thing like that. But ofcourse there wouldn't have been time to pick my spot. "

"Oh!" ejaculated Fitz, in a long-drawn sigh. "Seems to turn me quiteover! That's about the most horrible cry I know--Man overboard! It'sbad enough in the daylight, but on a night like this--"

"Ah, it would make you feel a bit unked, my lad, " said the boatswain, "if you had time to think; but it was a fine night for the job. I havebeen out in a boat after one of these silly chaps as didn't mind wherehe was going, when you couldn't make out his bearings at all. To-nightthe sea brimed so that you could tell where he was at every move. Splendid night for the job!"

"And it was a very brave act, Butters, " said Poole warmly. 

"What was, sir?"

"Why, to jump overboard on a dark night, not knowing whether you wouldever reach the schooner again. "

"Tchah! Nonsense, sir! You shouldn't talk stuff like that to a wetman! It was all charnsh, of course; but a sailor's life is all charnshfrom the moment he steps aboard. We are charnshing now whether they'llpick us up again, for they can't see us, and we don't seem to be makingno headway at all in this current. Here, you, Sam Boulter, get right inthe stem and stand by there with that there box of matches. Keep onlighting one and holding it up to let it shine out. Be careful anddon't burn your ringers. "

A low chuckle rose from the oarsmen, followed the next moment by a deepgroan and a low muttering from the reviving man. 

"Hah!" said the boatswain. "He's coming round now, and no mistake. "

Just then there was a sharp scratch, a pale light of the splint of woodstood out in the darkness, and mingled with a spluttering husky coughcame the voice of the half-drowned foremast-man. 

"Here, easy there! What are you doing? Hah! Boat! Boat! Help!"

This was consequent on the gleaming match shining out before the poorfellow's eyes. 

"Steady there!" roared out the boatswain. "What are you singing outlike that for? Can't you see you are safe aboard?"

"Eh? Eh? Oh, thank goodness! I thought it was the schooner's lights. That you, Mr Butters?"

"Me it is, my lad! All right now, aren't you?"

"Yes, yes; all right. But I thought it was all over with me that time. "

"So it ought to have been! Why, what were you about? Did you walkoverboard in your sleep?"

"I--no--I--I dunno how it was. I suppose I slipped. "

"Not much suppose about it, " said the boatswain, as the man sat up. "Here, I'll give you a dose that'll do you good. Take one of them oarsand pull. "

"Oh no!" cried Poole. "The poor fellow's weak. "

"'Course he is, sir, and that'll warm him up and put life into him. Titfor tat. We've saved him from what the old folks at home calls a waterygrave, and now it's his turn to do a bit of something to save us. "

"To save us, Mr Butters?" whispered Fitz, laying his hand on theboatswain's arm. "Why, you don't think--"

"Yes, I do, sir. I'm thinking all the time, as hard as a man can. Here, you'd better not handle me; I'm as wet as wet. "

"But we shall soon get alongside the schooner, shan't we?"

"Well, it don't seem like it, sir. Wish we could! I should just like agood old jorum of something warm, if it was only a basin of old Andy'sbroth as he makes so slimy with them little round wet barley knobs. I'mall of a shiver. Here, you number one, get up and I'll take your oar. I don't like catching cold when I'm at sea. "

"But surely they'll tack round, or something, so as to pick us up. "

"Here, hi! You look alive there with another of those matches. Youdon't half keep them going, so that they can see where we are. "

"Aren't any more, " said the man in the stem. "I held that one till itdid burn my fingers, and it was the last. "

"Humph!" grunted the boatswain. "Well, they can't see us, of course, and the sea's a bit big and wide out here; let's try if we can't makethem hear. "

He had scarcely spoken when there was a soft bellowing roar; but thesound took form and they made out--"Ahoy-y-y-y! Where away there?"breathed, it almost seemed, so distant and strange was the hail, througha speaking-trumpet. 

"Cease pulling!" shouted the boatswain. "Now then, all together. Takeyour time from me. One, two, three--Ahoy-y-y-y!"

Every lusty throat on board the boat sent forth the cry at once, and astrange chill ran through Fitz's breast as he noted not only how feeblethe cry sounded in the immensity of space, but how it seemed thrown backupon them from something it could not penetrate--something soft andimpervious which shut them in all round. 

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. 

BOATING. 

"Well, Mr Poole, sir, we seem to have got ourselves into a pretty jollysort of mess. I feel quite damp. You are skipper, sir; what's to bedone?"

"Shout again, " cried Poole; "all together, "--and another lusty yell wasgiven. 

"There, 'tarn't no use, sir, " said the boatswain, "if so be as I mayspeak. "

"Speak? Of course! I am only too glad of your advice. What were yougoing to say?"

"Only this 'ere, sir--that it aren't no use to shout. I am wet andcold, and hollering like this is giving me a sore throat, and the restof the lads too. There's Dick Boulter is as husky as my old uncle Tom'sCochin fowl. Here, I want to know why the skipper don't show a bluelight. "

"He dare not, " said Poole hastily. "It would be showing the gunboatwhere the schooner is. "

There was a sharp slap heard in the darkness, caused by the boatswainbringing his hand smartly down upon his sturdy thigh. 

"Right you are, my lad. I never thought of that. I oughter, but itdidn't come. 'Cause I was so wet, I suppose. Well, sir, what do youthink?"

"Try, every one of you, " said Poole, "whether you can make out a light. The _Teal_ oughtn't to be very far away. "

"Nay, sir, she oughtn't to be, but she is. Off shore here in these seasyou get currents running you don't know where. We don't know, but Iexpect we are in one of them, and it's carrying us along nobody knowshow fast; and like as not another current's carrying on the same gamewith the _Teal_. "

"Well, we must row, and row hard, " said Poole. 

"But that may be making worse of it, " put in Fitz, who had beenlistening and longing to speak. 

"Well done, " said the boatswain. "Spoke like a young man-o'-warofficer! He's right, Mr Poole, sir. I am longing to take an oar so asto get warm and dry; but it's no use to try and make what's as bad asever it can be, ever so much worse. "

"That would puzzle you, Mr Butters, " said Fitz, laughing. 

"Oh, I don't know, sir, " said the boatswain seriously, and perfectlyunconscious of the bull he had made. "We might, you know. What's to bedone, Mr Poole?"

"I can only see one thing to be done, " said the skipper's son, "and thatseems so horrible and wanting in spirit. "

"What's that?" said Fitz sharply. 

"Wait for daylight. "

"Oh!" cried Fitz impatiently. "Impossible! We can't do that. "

"Well, I don't know, Mr Burnett, sir, " growled the boatswain, gazinground. "Seems to me as if we must. Look here, you Bob Jackson, " healmost roared now, as he turned sharply on the shivering foremast-manwho had just been brought back to life, "what have you got to say foryourself for getting us all into such a mess as this? I always thoughtyou were a bit of a swab, and now I knows it. "

"Don't bully the poor fellow, " cried Poole hotly. "It was an accident. "

"Of course it was, sir, " cried the boatswain, in an ill-used tone, as hedrew off his jacket and began to wring it as tightly as he could; "andaccidents, as I have heared say, will happen in the best-manned vessels. One expects them, and has to put up with them when they comes; butpeople ought to have accidents at proper times and places, not just whenwe've escaped running ourselves down, and the Spanish gunboat's arterus. Now then, Bob, don't sit there hutched up like a wet monkey. Speakout like a man. "

"I haven't got nothing to say, Mr Butters, sir, only as I am verysorry, and much obliged to you for saving my life. "

"Much obliged! Sorry! Wuss and wuss! Yah! Look at that now! Wussand wuss. It never rains but it pours. "

"What's the matter?" cried Fitz, for the boatswain had made a suddendash with one hand as if striving to catch something that had eluded hisgrasp. 

"Matter, sir? Why, I squeeged my brass 'bacca-box out of myjacket-pocket. It was chock-full, and it would go down like lead. Here, I give up now. Give your orders, Mr Poole, and I'll row or doanything else, for I'm quite out of heart. "

"Never mind your tobacco-box, " said Fitz. "I'll give you a good new onethe first time I get the chance. "

"Thankye kindly, sir, " replied the man, "but what's the good of that?It aren't the box I mind. It's the 'bacca. Can you give me a mosselnow?"

"I am sorry to say I can't, " said Fitz. 

"I've got plenty of that, Mr Butters, sir, " said his wet companion, dragging out a box with some difficulty, for his wet hand would hardlygo into his tight breeches-pocket, and when he had forced it in, declined to come out. 

"You've got plenty, Bob, my lad?" cried the boatswain. "Then you are abetter man than I thought. There, I'll forgive you for going overboard. It were an accident, I suppose. --Hah! That's better, " he continued, opening his knife and helping himself to a quid, which completelyaltered the tone of his voice. "There you are, my lad; put that therebox back, and take care on it, for who knows but what that may be allour water and biscuit and other stores as will have to last us till weget picked up again? Now, Mr Poole, sir, what's it to be? I am atyour sarvice if you will give the word. "

"I think we had better keep pulling gently, Butters, and go by the starswestward towards the land. It will be far better, and the feeling thatwe are doing something will keep us all from losing heart. "

"Right, my lad. Your father the skipper couldn't have spoken wiserwords than them. Here, you Bob Jackson, get out of that jacket andshirt, and two of you lads hold the things over the side and one twistone way and t'other t'other, like the old women does with the sheets onwashing-day. I am going to do just the same with mine. And then we twowill do what bit of rowing's wanted till we gets quite dry. Say, MrFitz, sir, you couldn't get better advice than that, if you had beenhalf-drowned, if you went to the best physic doctor in Liverpool. "

Shortly after, steering by the stars, the boat was headed pretty welldue west, and a couple of oars were kept dipping with a monotonoussplash, raising up the golden water, which dripped in lambent globulesfrom the blades. All above was one grand dome of light, but below andaround it was as if a thick stratum of intense blackness floated on thesurface of the sea. 

So strangely dark this seemed that it impressed the boat's crew with asense of dread that they could not master. It was a condensation ofdread and despair, that knowledge of being alone in a frail craft at themercy of the sea, without water or supplies of any kind, and off a coastwhich the currents might never let them reach, while at any hour atempestuous wind might spring up and lash the sea into waves, in whichit would be impossible for the boat to live. 

"Don't sit silent like that, Burnett, " whispered Poole. "Say something, there's a good fellow. "

"Say? What can I say?" was whispered back. "Anything. Sing a song, ortell a story. I want to keep the lads in good heart. If we show thewhite feather they'll show it too. "

"That's right enough, " said Fitz gloomily; "but I don't feel as if Icould do anything but think. I couldn't sing a song or tell a story tosave my life. "

"But you must. It _is_ to save your life. "

"I tell you I can't, " cried Fitz angrily. 

"Then whistle. "

The middy could not even whistle, but the suggestion and the manner inwhich it was said did have a good effect, for it made him laugh. 

"Ah! That's better, " cried Poole. "I say, Butters, do you think if wehad a fishing-line overboard we should catch anything?"

"Like enough, lad, if we had a good bait on. Fish is generally on thefeed in the night, and there's no end of no-one-knows-whats off these'Merican coasts. Might get hold of something big as would tow us rightashore. "

"Yes, or right out to sea, " said Fitz. 

"Ay, my lad; but we should have to chance that. "

"But there's not likely to be a line in the locker, " said Poole. 

"And if there was, " said Fitz, "you have no bait. "

"'Cept 'bacca, " said the boatswain, "and they wouldn't take that. Andeven if they would, we couldn't afford to waste it on fish as mostlikely wouldn't be good to eat. You catches fishes off these coasts asis painted up like parrots--red, and green, and yaller, and blue; butthey are about as bad as pison. --Getting warmer, Bob?"

"Bit, " said the man addressed. 

"So'm I. --Tell the lads to keep their ears open, Mr Poole, forbreakers. There may be shoal water anywhere, and we don't want to runinto them. "

"You think it's likely, then, " said Fitz, "that we may reach the shore?"

"Oh yes, sir; we might, you know; and if we did I dare say you younggents would find it an uninhabited island where you could play atRobinson Crusoe till a ship come and took us off. What do you say tothat?"

"Nothing, " said Fitz. "I want the daylight to come, and a sight of the_Silver Teal_. "

"Same here, sir. My word, I'm beginning to feel like wishing we had gotthe Camel here, though he would be no good without the galley and histools. Not a bad chap to have, though, Mr Poole, if we was to land ina sort of Robinson Crusoe island. There's worse messmates at a timelike that than a chap as can knock up decent wittles out of nothing;make a good pot of soup out of a flannel-shirt and an old shoe, androast meat out of them knobs and things like cork-blocks as you findgrowing on trees. Some of them cookie chaps too, like the Camel, areprecious keen about the nose, long-headed and knowing. Old Andy is anout-and-out clever chap at picking out things as is good to eat. I hada ramble with him once up country in Trinidad. He was a regular wunnerat finding out different kinds of plants. `Look 'ere, ' he says, `if youpull this up it's got a root something like a parsnep whose grandfatherhad been a beet. ' And then he showed me some more things creeping upthe trees like them flowers at home in the gardens, wonvuluses, as theycall them, only he called them yams, and he poked one out with hisstick, and yam it was--a great, big, black, thick, rooty thing, like abig tater as had been stretched. Andy said as no fellow as had brainsin his head ought to starve out in a foreign land; and that's useful toknow, Mr Poole and Mr Burnett, sir. Come in handy if we have to dothe Robinson Crusoe for a spell. --Keep it up, young gents, " hewhispered; "the lads like to hear us talk. --`That's all very fine, Andy, ' I says, " he continued, aloud, "`but what about water? Whetheryou are aboard your ship or whether you are in a strange land, you musthave plenty of water in your casks!' `Find a river, ' he says. `Butsuppose you can't, ' says I. `Open your snickersee, ' says he, `and dig ahole right down till you come to it. And if there aren't none, then useyour eyes. ' `Why, you can't drink your eyes, ' I says, `and I'd ratherhave sea-water any day than tears. ' `Use them, ' he says; `I didn't saydrink 'em. Look about. Why, in these 'ere foreign countries there'sprickly plants with long spikes to them to keep the wild beasts frommeddling with them, so as they shall be ready for human beings; and thenall you have got to do is to rub or singe the spikes off and they'rechock-full of water--juice, if you like to call it so--only it's got notaste. Then there's plahnts with a spunful of water in their jynteswhere the leaves come out, and orkard plahnts like young pitchers orsorter shucks with lids to keep the birds off, and a lot of water in thebottom of them, besides fruits and pumpkin things. Oh, a fellow can rubalong right enough if he likes to try. I could manage; I know that. 'And I believe he could, gentlemen, and that's what makes me say as theCamel would be just the right sort of fellow to have with us now, himand old Chips, so long as old Chips had got his basket of traps; not ashe would stand still if he hadn't, for he's just the fellow, if he hasno tools, as would set to and make some. "

And the night gradually wore on, with the men taking their turns atrowing. The boatswain and Bob Jackson both declared themselves to be asdry as a bone, and what with talking and setting despair at defiance, they went on and on through the great silence and darkness that hoveredtogether over the mighty deep, till all at once the boatswain startledFitz by turning quite suddenly and saying to him--

"There aren't no farmyard and a stable handy, sir, to give us what wewant. Could you make shift to do it?"

"To do what?" said Fitz wonderingly. "Crow like a cock, sir. It's justthe right time now. "

"You don't mean to say it's morning, Butters?"

"No, sir; it's Natur' as is a-doing that. You've got your back to it. Turn round and look behind you. That's the east. "

Both lads wrenched themselves round upon the thwart where they sat, togaze back over the sea and catch the first glimpse of the faint dawnwith its promises of hope and life, and the end of the terrible nightthrough which they had passed. 

And after the manner of the tropics, the broad daylight was not long incoming, followed by the first glint of the sun, which, as it sent a longline of ruddy gold over the surface of the sea, lit up one little speckof light miles upon miles to the north of where they lay. 

Fitz Burnett was the first to make it out, but before he could speak theboatswain had seen it too, and broke out with--

"Three cheers, my lads. Put all you know into it, hearty. There liesthe _Teal_. Can you see the skipper, Mr Poole, sir?"

"See my father?" cried the lad. "No! What do you mean?"

"Ah, you want practice, sir. You ought to see him with your young eyes. He's there on deck somewhere with that double-barrelled spyglass ofhis, on the look-out for this 'ere boat. "

"Perhaps so, " said Poole quietly, "and I suppose that's one of the_Teal's_ sails; but it's only half as big as a pocket-handkerchieffolded into twenty-four. "

Two hours later they were on board, for it had not been long before thedouble-barrelled spyglass had picked them out. 

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. 

ON THE WRONG SIDE. 

An anxious look-out had been kept up all through those early hours onboard both schooner and boat, for during the long delay caused by theaccident, it seemed highly probable that as the gunboat did not come insight she must have passed them in the darkness, gone on, and hencemight at any moment come into view. 

A man was sent up to the cross-trees, and a sharp look-out was kept upas well from the deck for the missing crew who were got safely on board, and the schooner sailed away towards the south and west, and still withno danger in sight. 

"You've given me a bad night, young fellows, " said the skipper, as hestood looking on at the lads enjoying their morning meal, one over whichthe Camel seemed to have taken extra pains, showing his large frontteeth with a smile of satisfaction as he brought it in relays ofnewly-made hot cakes, before retiring to slip fresh slices of bacon inthe pan. 

"Yes, father, " said Poole; "but see what a night we had!"

"Ah, but yours was merely physical, my boy; mine was mental. "

"I thought ours was both; eh, Burnett?" said Poole, laughing. 

"Oh, yes, it was, " cried the middy. "You don't know what a night wehad, Captain Reed. "

"Well, I suppose you did not have a very pleasant time, my lads. --Oh, here's Mr Burgess. Well, they don't seem much the worse for it, dothey? Nothing in sight?"

"No, nothing. I don't think she could have followed us out. Have youany more to say to me about the course?"

"No, " said the skipper. "I think we pretty well understand about thebearings as given in the letter. The Don put it all down prettyclearly, and in very decent English too. "

Fitz looked up sharply, for the mention of the letter brought to mindthe light fishing-boat with the bird-wing-like lateen sail and therapidity with which the bearer of the despatch delivered it to theskipper and went overboard again. 

Captain Reed noticed the boy's inquiring look, and said quietly--

"Perhaps we had better say no more about that with an enemy present. "

Fitz was in the act of helping himself to some more of the hot bread, but at the skipper's words he flushed warmly, put down the cake withouttaking out of it a semi-circular bite, and rose from his seat. 

"I don't wish to play the spy, sir, " he said haughtily. "I will go ondeck till you have finished your business. "

"Sit down!" cried the skipper. "Sit down! What a young pepper-castoryou are! Mayn't a man think what he likes in his own cabin?"

"Certainly, sir; but of course I cannot help feeling that I am anintruder. "

"That's just what I feel, my boy, for coming in and disturbing you atyour meal. Sit down, I say. If anybody is going to leave the room, Iam that person; but I am not going to leave my cabin, so I tell you. "

The skipper gave his son a peculiar look, his eyes twinkling the while. 

"Think we can trust Mr Burnett here?" he said. 

Fitz gave a start. 

"Oh yes, father. He won't go and tell tales. He won't have a chance. What was in that letter?"

"Just a few lines, my boy, to say that everything was going very wrongat present, and begging me whatever I did to keep the schooner's cargoout of Villarayo's hands, and to join Ramon as soon as I possibly can. "

"But where, father? Both the towns are in the enemy's hands. "

"At his hacienda at the mouth of the Oltec River. "

"Hacienda?" said Poole. "That means a sort of farm, doesn't it, father?"

"Yes, my boy, and of course that's just the sort of place to deliver acargo of such agricultural implements as we have brought on board. Whatdo you say, Mr Burnett?"

"Agricultural implements, sir? Why, Captain Glossop had notice that youhad taken in guns and ammunition. "

"Oh yes; people do gossip so, " said the skipper dryly. "I didn'texamine them much myself, but I know there were things with wheels. "

"But there was a lot of powder, sir--kegs of it, I heard. "

"Chemical manure perhaps, my lad; potash and charcoal and sulphurperhaps to kill the blight. Must be innocent stuff, or else my oldfriend Don Ramon would not want it at his farm. "

"I don't understand, " said the middy. 

"Well, it doesn't matter, " cried Poole, laughing. "Go on, father. "

"That's what we are doing, my boy. But you go on with your breakfast, Mr Burnett, and make a good one while you have a chance. We may begetting news any minute that the gunboat is in sight; and if it is, there's no knowing when we shall get a square meal again. "

"But whereabouts is this Oltec River, father?"

"Well, as near as I can tell you, my boy, it's on the coast about thirtymiles by sea from Velova, though only about half the distance throughone of the mountain-passes by land. We ought to have been there now, and I dare say we should have been if Mr Burgess had not run us on to arock. But that fellow going overboard quite upset my plans. It was agreat nuisance, and I seemed to be obliged to heave-to, and wait to seeif you people would come back on board. "

"Yes, father, I suppose so, " said Poole coolly. 

"Done eating, you two?"

The lads both rose, and the whole party went on deck to scan theirposition, the lads finding the schooner gliding along southward before apleasant breeze, while miles away on the starboard-bow a dim line markedthe coast, which seemed rugged and broken up into mountain and vale; butthere was no sign of gunboat nor a sail of any kind, and Poole breathedmore freely. 

"One's so helpless, " he said to his companion, "on a coast like this, where one time you have a nice sailing wind, and the next hour it hasdropped into a calm, so that a steamer has you quite at its mercy. "

"Yes, " said Fitz dryly; "but I don't see that it matters when you havenothing on board but agricultural implements and chemical manures. Whatbusiness is it of the gunboat?"

"Ah, what indeed?" cried Poole, laughing. "It's a piece of impudence, isn't it, to want to interfere! But I say, Burnett, what father sayssounds well, doesn't it--a hacienda at the mouth of a river, and amountain-pass? That means going ashore and seeing something, if we arein luck. I do know that the country's glorious here, from the peep ortwo I once had. My word! People think because you go sailing about theworld you must see all kinds of wonders, when all the time you get apeep or two of some dirty port without going ashore, and all yourtravels are up and down the deck of your ship--and nothing else butsea. "

"I wish I could get landed at some big port, " said Fitz bitterly. "Iwouldn't call it dirty. "

"My word, what a fellow you are!" said Poole. "Grumbling again!"

"Grumbling!" cried Fitz hotly. "Isn't it enough to make any onegrumble, dragged off my ship a prisoner like this?"

"No, " cried Poole. "Why, some chaps would call it grand. Now you'vegot about well again it's all a big lark for you. Every one's trying tomake you comfortable. Look at the adventures you are going through!Look at last night! Why, it was all fine, now that we have got throughit as we did. You can't say you didn't like that. "

"Well, no, " said Fitz; "it was exciting. "

"So it is now. The gunboat's safe to be after us, and here we are, going to take refuge up a river in perhaps no end of a wild country atthe Don's hacienda. Who knows what adventures we are going to havenext!"

"Not likely to be many adventures at a muddy farm. "

"How do you know?"

"Because I pretty well know what a farm is. "

"Not a Central American one, my fine fellow. I dare say you will haveto open your eyes wider than you think. "

"Perhaps so, " said Fitz, who was growing more good-humoured over hiscompanion's frank, genial ways; "but I feel more disposed to shut myeyes up now, and to have a good sleep. "

"Oh, don't do that! There will be plenty of time when it gets dark, andbefore then I hope we shall be off the river. We are slipping alongpretty quickly now, and old Burgess is creeping closer in. That's hisartfulness; it means looking out for creeks and islands, places where wecould hide if the gunboat came into sight, or sneaking into shallowswhere she couldn't follow. The old man knows what he is about, and sodoes father too. Here, let's go and fetch a glass and get up aloft. Iwant to make out what the coast is like. "

The binocular was fetched from the cabin, and the lads mounted therigging as high as they could to get comfortably perched, and thenshared the glass, turn and turn, to come to the conclusion that everyknot they crept along through the shallow sea brought them more and moreabreast of a district that looked wild and beautiful in the extreme: lowmountain gorge and ravine, beautiful forest clothing the slopes, andparts where the country was green with the waving trees almost to thewater's-edge. 

And so the day slipped by, and the sun began to sink just as they glidedinto a narrow sheltered estuary, which, as far as they could make out, ran like a jagged gash inland; and an hour later the schooner was atanchor behind a headland which completely bid them from the open sea. 

"There, " cried Poole, turning to the middy, who was sweeping theforest-clad slopes on either hand, "what do you think of this?"

"Lovely!" cried Fitz enthusiastically, forgetting all his troubles inthe wondrous tropic beauty of the golden shores. 

"Come on, then. I don't know what Andy has got us for supper, but itsmells uncommonly good. "

"Supper!" said the middy, in tones of disgust. "Why, you can't leave ascene like this to go and eat?"

"Can't I?" cried Poole. "Do you mean to tell me that you are not hungrytoo?"

"Well, no, " said Fitz, slowly, closing the glass; "I don't think I can. I didn't know how bad I was until you spoke. "

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. 

A TROPIC RIVER. 

Strict watch was set, no lights were shown, and a quiet, uneventfulnight was passed, the boys sleeping so hard that it was with somedifficulty that they were awakened, to start up wondering that it wasday. 

"Why, " cried Fitz, "I feel as if I had only just lain down. "

It proved, though, that they had each had nine hours' solid sleep, andafter a hasty breakfast, preparations were made for ascending the river. The men were armed, the largest boat lowered, and Fitz hung aboutwatching eagerly all that was going on; but, too proud to ask questions, he waited to see how matters would shape themselves. 

As he expected, Poole came to him after a time, and in answer to themiddy's questioning looks said eagerly--

"The Don's hacienda is right up this river somewhere, and the dad isgoing up in a boat with about half the lads, to see how the land lies, while old Burgess stops at home and takes care of the _Teal_. And Isuppose he will have to take care of you too, you being a prisoner whodon't take any interest in what we do. What do you think?"

"Think? That I shouldn't do any harm if I came with you, should I?"

"Well, I don't know, " said Poole, with mock seriousness. "You wouldn'tlike to come too with me?" Fitz looked at him blankly. 

"It's going to be quite an expedition. The lads are going to haverifles and plenty of ammunition; revolvers too. I am going to have thesame, because there is no knowing what sort of fellows we may meet. But, as the dad says, if they see we are well-armed they won't meddlewith us. In these revolutionary times, though, every one is on therampage and spoiling for a fight. Pity you can't go with us. " Fitz wassilent. 

"You see, I could have arranged it nicely. We might have had old Andyto carry a couple of bags, and you could have had the governor's doublegun, and looked after the pot. We should have had you blazing awayright and left as we went up the river at everything that the Camel saidwas good to eat. You would soon have filled both the bags, of course. "

"Look here, " said Fitz, "none of your sneers! I dare say if I tried Icould shoot as well as you can. "

"Sneers!" cried Poole, with mock solemnity. "Hark at him! Why should Isneer about your filling the bags when you are not going? Of course youwouldn't. You'd think it wouldn't be right. I thought of all that, andsaid so to father. "

Fitz coughed, and then said huskily--

"What did he say?"

"What did he say? Well--"

"Why don't you speak?" cried Fitz angrily. 

"You might give a fellow time. What did father say?"

"Yes, of course!"

"Oh, he said he didn't like much shooting, because he did not want theenemy to know we were up the river, but that if I saw anything in theshape of a deer or a big bird, or anything else good to eat, I was tofire. "

"Hah!" sighed Fitz, as he saw himself spending a lonely day on board. 

"Hah!" sighed Poole, in imitation. "I wish you had been going too. "

Fitz looked at him searchingly. 

"There!" he cried. "You are gammoning me. "

Poole could not keep it in; his face expanded into a broad grin. 

"I knew you were, " cried Fitz. 

"Yes, it's all right, old chap. The governor said that you were tocome, for he didn't think that there would be any trouble, and it wouldbe a pleasant change for you. "

"Your father is a regular trump, " cried Fitz excitedly. "I say, though;I should have liked to have a gun. "

"Well, you are going to have his. I'll carry a rifle, so as to bringdown all the bucks. "

"How soon do we start?"

"Directly. Old Burgess is looking as blue as Butters' nose because hehas got to stop at home, and Butters himself is doing nothing else butgrowl. He didn't like it a bit when the dad said that he must be tiredafter the other night's work. But he's got to stop. "

Half-an-hour later the well-manned boat was being pulled vigorously upthe rapidly narrowing river, with the two boys in the bows, on thelook-out for anything worthy of powder and shot which might appear oneither bank; but there was nothing save beauty to recompense theirwatchful eyes. 

Birds were plentiful enough, and of the loveliest plumage, while everynow and then a loud splash followed the movement of what seemed to be alog of wood making the best of its way into deep water. And once highin a mighty tree which shot up its huge bole from the very mud of thebank, Poole pointed out a curious knot of purple, dull buff and brown, right in the fork where a large branch joined the bole. "Not a serpent, is it?" whispered Fitz. "It is, though, " was the reply; and the middyraised his piece. 

"No, no; don't shoot, " said Poole softly. "It isn't good to eat, and wemight be giving the alarm. "

Fitz lowered the double gun with a sigh, and the boat glided on, sendingthe rushing water in a wave to go lapping amongst the bushes thatoverhung from the bank, and directly after the serpent knot was hiddenby the leaves. 

The rapid little river wound here and there, and they went on mile aftermile, with the steamy heat growing at times almost unbearable. But themen did not murmur, tugging away at their oars and seeming to enjoy thebeauty of the many scenes through which they passed, for every now andthen the river widened out, to look like some shut-in lake. And so mileafter mile was passed, no spot where they could land presenting itselfin the dense jungle which covered the banks, and it was not tillafternoon that at a sudden turn they came upon an opening which hadevidently been produced by the axe, while a short distance farther on ata word from the skipper the progress of the boat was checked at aroughly-made pier of piles driven into the mud, to which were pinnedhuge sticks of timber, beyond which was a rough corduroy road leadingevidently to something in the way of civilisation. 

"It must be up here somewhere, boys, " said the skipper. "Two of youstop as keepers, my lads, while we land and go and see. The haciendamust certainly be hereabouts from the description Don Ramon gave;" andas all stepped on to the rough timber pier, the skipper instructed theboat-keepers to get well under shelter out of the sun and to keep strictwatch, before leading the way along the wooded road through the thickgrowth which had newly sprung up amongst the butts of the great treesthat had been felled or burned off level with the soil. 

It must not be judged from this, that it was any scene of desolation, for every stump and relic of fallen tree was ornamented with lovelyorchids, or wreathed with tangling vines. Butterflies of the most vividhues fluttered here and there in the glorious sunshine, whilehumming-birds literally flashed as they darted by. 

The clearing had evidently been the work of many men, and it was plainto see what the place must have been before the axe was introduced, bythe dense mass of giant trees that stood up untouched a couple ofhundred yards on either side--the primaeval forest in its glory, untouched by man. 

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. 

A NIGHT WATCH. 

It was not many minutes later when, attracted by a group of the lovelyinsects playing about the shrubs that were in full bloom, Fitz had hungback, making them an excuse while he rested, standing mopping his face, streaming with perspiration, while Poole, no less willing to enjoy a fewminutes' halt, stood looking back watching him. 

Meanwhile the skipper had gone on, closely followed by the men, andpassed out of sight. And then the few minutes became a few minutesmore, neither of the lads noting the lapse of time, for everythingaround was so beautiful that they had no thought for the task in hand, nor fear of being interrupted by any of the enemy who might be near. 

Everything was so dreamy and beautiful that Poole cast his eyes aroundin search of some fallen trunk, with the idea that nothing could be moredelightful than to sit down there in the shade and drowse the time away. 

Then he was awake again, for from somewhere ahead, but so far off thatit sounded quite faint, there came a shout--

"Ahoy! Poole!"

The lad ran, rifle in hand, to answer his father's call, but only tostop short to look round sharply, feeling that he was leaving Fitzbehind. 

"Oh, there you are, " he cried, as he caught sight of the lad followingswiftly after. "I thought that you were not coming. "

"I was obliged to. You don't suppose that I want to be left alone hereby myself?"

"No, I suppose not. 'Tis a wild spot. It wouldn't be very pleasant ifone of the enemy came upon you. You'd be rather safer along with us. Come on; we had better run. Mind how you come. These logs are ratherslippery where the sun doesn't shine. "

"Yes, and you had better mind, or some of this tangled stuff that'sgrowing up between will trip you up. Rather awkward if your gun wentoff. "

A few minutes later they came up to where the skipper was standingwaiting for them. 

"Found the place, father?"

"Yes; it's just over yonder in a clearing beyond those trees. "

"Where are the men?"

"Inside the house. "

"Has Don Ramon come?"

"No. There's not a soul in sight. I can't see any signs of a fight, but it looks to me as if the enemy had been destroying all they cameacross. I hope they didn't come upon him and take him prisoner, but itlooks very bad. "

"What shall you do, father?"

"What he told me, my boy: take possession, and hold it if the enemy comeback. I have told the men to try and knock up a breastwork and close upthe windows. To put it into a state of defence is not possible, butthey can make it look stronger, and it will be better than the openjungle if those mongrel scoundrels do come on. Winks is there withhalf-a-dozen men; join them and superintend. Make them stick to ithard. I am afraid of their thinking that there is no danger, and takingit too coolly. "

"All right, father, " said Poole, giving Fitz a glance as he stood readyfor starting off. 

"Oh, by the way, Mr Burnett, I am sorry to have got you into thistrouble. It doesn't seem the thing, does it? But I can't help myself. I daren't let you get into the hands of the enemy, for they are a shadylot. Only please mind this; you are a looker-on, and you are not tofight. "

"Of course not, sir, " cried Fitz. 

"Well, don't forget it. Let's have none of your getting excited andjoining in, if the row does begin. But it's hardly likely. If thescoundrels see a strong-looking place they will give it a wide berth. But if they do come, just bear this in mind; you are a spectator, andnot to fire a shot. "

"I shall not forget my position, sir, " said Fitz quietly. "That'sright. You can't be in a safer place than in the shelter of Ramon'sfarm. Off with you, Poole. I will join you soon. "

The two lads trotted off, and as they ran on side by side, Fitz saidrather testily--

"Your father needn't have talked to me like that. 'Tisn't likely that Ishould join in such a fight as this. "

"Of course not, " said Poole coolly; "only you look rather warlikecarrying that double gun. "

"Absurd! A sporting piece, loaded with small shot!" cried Fitz. 

"Not so very small, " said Poole, laughing. "I shouldn't like it to beloaded with them by any one firing at me. Oh, there's the haciendayonder. I heard of this place when I was here before. It's a sort ofsummer-house near the river and sea, where Don Ramon used to come. Myword, though, how it seems to have been knocked about! It looks as ifthere had been fighting here. The grounds have all been trampled down, and the porch has been torn away. "

"What a pity!" cried Fitz, as he trotted up, with his gun at the trail. "It must have been a lovely place. Oh, there are some of our men. "

"Yes, " said Poole, smiling to himself and giving a little emphasis toone word which he repeated; "there are some of `our' men. Look at oldChips scratching his head. "

For the carpenter on hearing their approach had stepped out into thewrecked verandah, and two or three of the sailors appeared at the longlow windows belonging to one of the principal rooms. 

"Oh, here y'are, Mr Poole, sir!" cried the carpenter, waving his navystraw hat and giving it two or three vicious sweeps at the flies. "Justthe very gent as I wanted to see. How are yer, Mr Burnett, sir? Warm, aren't it? Don't you wish you was a chips, sir?" he addedsarcastically, as Fitz gave him a friendly nod. 

"A chips? A carpenter, Winks?" said Fitz. "No; why should I?"

"Of course not, sir. Because if you was you would be every now and thenhaving some nice little job chucked at your head by the skipper. "

"Why, of course, " cried Poole. "What are you on board the schoonerfor?"

"Oh, nothing at all, sir--only to stop leaks and recaulk, cut sticks outof the woods to make new spars and yards, build a new boat now and then, or a yard or two of bulwark or a new keel. Just a few little trifles ofthat sort. It's just like so much play. Here's the very last of them. Nice little job ashore by way of a change. Skipper's fresh idea. Hedidn't say so, but seems to me as if he means to retire from business, and this 'ere's going to be his country house. "

"And a very nice place too, " said Fitz, laughing. "It only wants doingup. "

"That's right, sir, " cried the carpenter; "only just wants doing up, anda bit of paint, and then all you'd have to do would be to order a'technicum van or two of new furniture out of Totney Court Road, orelsewhere. And an other nice little job for me to lay down the carpetsand hang the picturs, and it would be just lovely. "

"Well, you seem in a nice temper, Chips, " said Poole. 

"Temper, Mr Poole! Why, I feel as soft and gentle as a baby. I arn'tgot nothing to grumble at. "

"And if you had you are the very last person in the world to say a word;eh, Chips?"

"Hear that, Mr Burnett, sir? That's Mr Poole, that is! He's known metwo years and a narf, which means ever since he come on his firstvoyage, when I teached him how to handle an adze without cutting off hispretty little toes. If ever I wanted my character, Mr Burnett, sir, Ishould refer captains and other such to Mr Poole Reed, as knows me fromthe top of my head down to the parts I put lowest in my shoes. "

"Look here, Chips, I want you to get to work. Whatever is the matternow?"

"Oh, nothing at all, sir; nothing at all! Carn't you see how I amsmiling all over my face?"

"Oh yes, I know your smile. Now then, speak out. What do you want?What is there wrong?"

"Oh, nothing worth speaking of, Mr Poole. I arn't the sort of fellowto grumble, Mr Burnett, sir; but now just look here, gentlemen. --Getout, will you! Bother the flies! I wish I could 'ford to keep a niggerwith a whisk made out of a horse's tail. They are regular tarrifying meto-day. I wouldn't keer if I could kill one now and then; but I carn't. Either they're too fast or I'm too slow. But now just look here, bothon you, gentlemen. Here's a pretty position for a fellow to be in!Nobody can't say even in this hot country as I arn't willing to work myspell, but here's the skipper says to me, he says, `I want you to doeverything you can, ' he says; `take what men you want, and make this'ere aitch--he--hay--ender as strong as you can. ' Now, I ask you, justgive your eyes a quick turn round the place and tell me, as orficers asknows what's what, how am I to make a thing strong as arn't strong, andwhere there arn't a bit of stuff to do it with? For what's the good ofa lot of bamboo-cane when what one wants is a load of good honestEnglish oak, or I wouldn't say no to a bit of teak. "

"Well, it is a ramshackle sort of place, certainly, Chips. "

"Ramshackle, sir? Why, a ramshackle shed is a Tower of London to it. It's just a bandbox, that's what it is--just one of them chip and bluepaper things the same as my old mother used to keep her Sunday bonnetin. Why, I could go to one end, shet my eyes, and walk through itanywhere. Why, it wouldn't even keep the wind out. Look at themwindows--jalousies, as they calls them, in their ignorant foreigntongue. Look at 'em; just so many laths, like a Venetia blind. What'sto be done to them? And then them doors. Why, they wouldn't keep a catin, let alone a Spaniel out. I dunno what's to be done; and before Iknow where I am the skipper will be back asking me what I have beenabout. Do you know what I'm about? About off my head. A man can'tmake something out of nothing. Where's my tools? says you. Aboard theschooner. Where's the stuff to work with? Nowhere. Why, I aren't gotso much as a tenpenny-nail. It's onreasonable; but I suppose it aren'tno use to talk. Come on, my lads, and let's see. Axes here. Get onein between them two floor-boards and wedge one of them out--that's thestyle!" And as he spoke, _rip, rip, crack_! the board was wrenched outof its place, leaving a long opening and easy access to the boards oneither side. "Steady there, mates; don't lose a nail. They are verypoor ones, and only rusty iron now, but just you handle them as if theywas made of gold. That's your sort. We'll just nail them boards upacross the lower parts of them windows, far enough apart for us to firethrough, and when that's done they'll make a show if they don't doanything else. It'll satisfy the skipper; but as to keeping the bulletsout, when the beggars begin to fire, why, Mr Poole, sir, I believe Icould take half-a-dozen of them little sugar-loaf-shaped bits of lead inmy mouth and stand outside and blow them through. --What do you say, Camel? Where's a hammer? There are dozens of them, mate, in HighStreet, Liverpool, at any price from one-and-six up to two bob. Did youleave your head aboard the schooner?"

"Did I leave my head aboard the schooner? What are you talking about?"growled the cook. 

"Thought perhaps you had left it in the galley, stood up in one of thepots to keep it safe till you got back. Turn the axe round and use thehead of that, stoopid. Chopper-heads was invented before hammers, Iknow. "

"Well, you needn't be so nasty, mon, " growled the cook. 

"Make you nasty if you was set to cook a dinner without any fire, and nomeat. "

Andy grunted and began hammering away, helped by two of his messmates, who held the floor-boards in place while such nails as had come out ofthe joists were driven in. 

Satisfied with this, the carpenter set to work at the end of one of thejoists, using a sharp axe so deftly that the great wedge-like chipsbegan to fly, and in a minute's time he had cut right through. 

"That's your sort!" he cried. "Now, lads, two on you hoist up. "

The men had hold of the freshly-cut end of the stout joist in aninstant, raised it up, its length acting as a powerful lever, and it waswrenched out of its place, to be used beneath its fellows so dexterouslythat in a short time there was no longer any floor to the principal roomof the hacienda, the joists being piled up on one side, and those whowere in it stood now a couple of feet lower with the window-sills juston a level with their chests. 

"Bravo! Splendid!" cried Fitz excitedly. "Why, that gives us a capitalbreastwork--bulwark, I mean--to fire over. "

"Yes, " cried Poole, "and plenty of stuff, Chips, for you to barricadethe doors. "

"Barricade the doors, sir? You mean stop 'em up, I suppose. But how?Arn't got a big cross-cut saw in your pocket, have you?"

"Go on, old chap, and don't chatter so, " cried Poole. "Break them inhalf. "

"Nice tradesman-like job that'll make, sir! It is all very fine totalk. Here, stand aside, some on you. I never was in a hurry but somethick-headed foremast-man was sure to get in the way. Let's see;where's my rule? Yah! No rule, no pencil, no square. Lay that therefirst one down, mates. What are they? About twelve foot. Might makethree out of each of them. "

One of the joists was laid on the earth close to a collection of dryleaves. 

"Looks like an old rat's nest, " said Fitz. "Like enough, sir, only wehaven't no time to hunt 'em. Sure to be lots in a place like this. "

"Yes, I can smell them, " said Poole--"that nasty musky odour they have!"

The carpenter paced along beside the joist, dividing it into three, andmade a notch in two places with his axe, to begin the next minutedelivering a sharp blow or two where he intended to break the joist. But at the first stroke the violent jar made the far end of the joistleap and come heavily down upon the gathered-together nest of leaves. 

"Wo-ho!" cried the carpenter. "Steady there!"

"Eh, mon! Look at that!" yelled the cook, as there was a scufflingrush, and a thickish snake, about seven feet long, dashed out from itsnest and made for the door. 

There was a yell of dismay, and the men rushed here and there for thewindows, to escape, the boys as eager as their companions. 

It was only the carpenter who stood firm, and he made a chop with hisaxe at the reptile's tail, but only to drive the blade into the dryearth a yard behind. 

"After him, Camel!" he roared. "Don't lose him, lad! He'd do to cooklike a big eel. Yah, butter-fingers! You let him go! Why didn't youtry and catch him by the tail? Here, come back, all of you. Take holdof a joist or two and stir up them nest-like places in the corners. Idare say there's some more. We shall be hungry by and by. Don't letgood dinners go begging like that. Here, Mr Burnett, sir, and you, MrPoole, never you mind them cowardly lubbers; come inside and have ahunt. It'll be a regular bit of sport. "

"Thanks, no, " said Fitz, who was looking in through one of the windows, Poole following his example at another. 

"You had better mind, Chips, " said the latter. "I dare say there areseveral more there, and they may be poisonous. "

"So am I, sir, " said the carpenter, grinning. "Just you ketch hold ofmy axe. "

"What are you going to do?" said Poole, as he took hold of the handle. 

"You stand by a moment, sir, " said the carpenter, picking up the joistupon which he had been operating, and holding it as if it were a lance. "I am going to poison them. "

As he spoke he drove the end right into a heap of Indian corn-husks thatlay in the first corner, the blow being followed by a violent rustling, and another snake made its appearance, not to dash for the door, butturning, wriggling, and lashing about as it fought hard till it wriggleditself free of the little beam which had pinned it into the corner, crushing its vertebra about a third of its length from the head, andending by tying itself in a knot round the piece of wood and holding on. 

"Below there!" shouted the carpenter. "Stand clear!"

He advanced towards Fitz with the joist, and as the boy leaped back hethrust out the piece of wood, resting the middle on the window-sill. 

"Here you are, Camel, " he cried; "fresh meat, all skewered for you likea bun on a toasting-fork. Look alive, old haggis, and take him off. He's a fine un, Master Poole. I can't abear to see waste. "

Fitz and Poole both stepped back, and at that moment with one quickwrithe the little serpent seemed to untie itself, dropping to the groundlimply, writhed again as if to tie itself into a fresh knot, and thenstretched itself out at full length. 

"Take care, Mr Burnett, sir, " cried the carpenter, hastily taking fromPoole and holding out the axe he had been using. "Don't go too near. Them things can be precious vicious. Ketch hold of this and drop it onto him just behind his head. "

"No, no, don't, Fitz!" cried Poole. "Look at its little fiery eyes. Itmay strike. "

"Not it, " cried Fitz. "Chips has spoiled all his fighting for good;"and taking a step or two forward with the axe he had snatched from thecarpenter's hand, he made one quick cut and drove it into the earth, forthe blade to be struck at once by the serpent's head, while the uglycoils were instantaneously knotted round the haft. 

Fitz involuntarily started back, leaving the axe-handle with its uglyload standing out at an angle, and the two lads stood watching theserpent's head as the jaws parted once or twice and then becamemotionless, while the folds twisted round the stout ash-handle graduallygrew lax and then dropped limply and loosely upon the earth, ending byheaving slightly as a shudder seemed to run from the bleeding neck rightto the tail. 

"He's as good as dead, gentlemen, " said the carpenter. "He won't huntno more rats under this place. Give me my chopper, please; I amthinking there are a few more here. Let's have 'em out, or they'll bein the way and get their tails trodden on when the fighting begins. "

"Yes, let's have them out, Chips, " cried Poole; "but be careful. Theymay be poisonous, and savage with being disturbed. "

"Oh yes, I'll be careful enough, " cried the carpenter; and raising thejoist again he stepped back from the window and drove it into anothercorner of the room, the boys peering in through the nearest window andeagerly watching for the result. 

"Nothing here, " cried the carpenter, after giving two heavy thrusts. "Yes, there is. Here's a little baby one. Such a little wriggler! Apretty one too; seems a pity to kill him. "

"No, no, " cried Fitz, as he watched the active movements of the littlesnake that suddenly raised itself like a piece of spiral spring, itsspade-shaped head playing about menacingly about a foot from the ground. 

"Yes, take care, " cried Poole. "I believe that's a viper. "

"So's this, " said the carpenter, letting one end of the joist rest uponthe ground and the other fall heavily right across the threateningsnake. "Hah! That's a wiper, and I wiped him out. "

Next moment he lifted the joist again, and used it pitchfork-fashion tojerk the completely crushed dangerous reptile out of another window, before advancing to the third corner, where a larger heap of Indiancorn-husks seemed to have been drawn together. 

"Anything there, Chips?" cried Fitz. 

"Oh yes, there's a big un here--two on 'em; and they're telling tales ofit, too, for they've left 'em hanging outside. Now, whereabouts willtheir heads be?"

"Take care, " cried Poole, "for you may cripple one and leave the otherto dart at you. "

"Yes, and that wouldn't be nice, " said the carpenter thoughtfully. "Idon't mind tackling one of them, but two at a time's coming it a bit toostrong. 'Tarn't fair like. "

"Look here, " cried Fitz, "we'll come in, and each have a joist. Weshould be sure to kill them then. "

"I dunno so much about that, gen'lemen. You might help, and youmoten't. If they made a rush you might be in my way, and you know, asold Andy says, Too many cooks spoil the snake-soup. Here, I know; I cansoon turn them out. "

"How?" cried Poole, as the man stood the joist up against the wall. 

"I'll soon show you, " cried the carpenter, pulling out a match-box. 

"You'll burn the place down. "

"Nay, " cried the man; "them corn-shucks will just flare up with a fizz;I can trample them out before they catch the wood. You two be on thelook-out, for there's no knowing which window my gentlemen will make foras soon as they find as it aren't the sun as is warming them up. "

He struck a match as he spoke, let the splint get well alight, and thenstepping forward softly he stooped down to apply it to the pale, dry, creamy-looking corn-leaves. 

"Look out!" cried Fitz excitedly. 

"Oh, my fingers are too hard to burn, " growled the carpenter, ignoringthe notion of the danger being from the serpents; and he applied theburning match to three places, letting the flame drop in the last, before he stepped quickly back, watching the bright crackling flarewhich rose in each spot where he had applied the match and then began torun together to form one blaze. 

"Why, there's nothing there, " cried Poole. 

"Oh, yes, there is, gen'lemen, and they're beginning to feel it. It'sso nice and warm that--Look, they are pulling their tails in under theblanket to get their share. Now they says it's too hot. Look out; herethey come. "

The warning was not needed, for there was a sharp, fierce hissing heardplainly above the spluttering crackle of the burning husks, the pile wasviolently agitated, and then the burning heap was heaved up andscattered about in various directions, while, half-hidden by the smoke, it seemed as if a couple of pieces of stout Manilla cable were beingfuriously shaken upon the earthen floor. 

"Murder!" shouted Poole, starting back from the window where he stood, his action being involuntarily imitated by Fitz, who just caught aglance of the snake that had startled his companion passing like a flashover the window-sill, and making at what seemed to be an impossiblespeed for a clump of bushes close at hand. 

"That's one of them, " cried Fitz breathlessly. "What about the other?"

_Bang! Bang! Thud! Thud_! came from inside the room, and then theanswer in the carpenter's gruff voice--

"I got him at last, " he said. "He was a lively one. Reg'lar dodger. Come and look here. It's all right; he's done. My! He is a whopper!"

The inclination to look in was not great, but the boys stepped back atonce to the windows they had left, to see that the burning heap was wellalight, but apparently all in motion, while the carpenter was standingnear, half-hidden by smoke, pressing the end of the joist he had useddown upon a writhing serpent which he was holding pinned against theearth in the middle of the flames. 

"Take care! Take care!" cried Poole. "It'll be furious if it gets fromunderneath that piece of wood. "

"He'd be clever if he did, sir. I got him too tight. It's all right, and I am making use of him at the same time. "

"Nonsense! Come out, man; you will have the place on fire directly. "

"Oh, no, I shan't, sir. Don't you see, I am letting him whack andscatter it all out. There won't be enough to do any mischief now. --Hah!He's quieting down; and he's the last on 'em. If there were any othersthey are smoked out. "

As he spoke the lads could plainly see that the reptile's efforts toescape were growing weaker, while the rest of the party, who had beenbusy at the other end of the hacienda, had collected at window and door, attracted by the rising smoke. 

"Just in time, mates! About another two minutes and he'll be done. Nowthen, " the speaker added, "I don't want to spoil him, " and raking outthe heaving reptile, he forked it to the door and tossed it a few yardsaway into the clearing. "All together!" he shouted. "Fair play!Knives out. Who's for a cut of hot roast?"

Chips's pantomime was at an end, for, rifle in hand, the skipper camerunning up. 

"What's the meaning of this?" he roared. "Why don't you put that fireout? Do you want to burn the place down? Who's been smoking here?"

"It's all right, father. There were snakes under the floor, but Chipshas burned them out. "

"Oh, that's it! Dangerous brutes! Here, Winks, how have you beengetting on?"

"Oh, tidy, sir, tidy, " said the carpenter, wiping his smarting eyes ashe tried to check a cough and made it worse. "You see, there was nostuff, and I had to tear up the floor. "

"Capital, " said the skipper, as he examined the preparations. "Couldn'tbe better, my man. Here, if there's time you shall serve those othertwo rooms the same. Axes here, my lads. Cut down those bushes and pilethem up under the windows. We mustn't leave them there for cover. "

"Take care, " cried Fitz. "There's a great snake in there. Here, Poole, let's each take a joist and beat him out. "

"Hadn't we better try a match, sir? Them there bushes are that ilyevergreen stuff as'll burn like fun. "

"Yes, " said the skipper. "We don't want the stuff for protection, andthe enemy might throw a light in and burn us out. But look here, Chips, are there any sparks inside there, likely to set the wood-work alight?"

"Nay, sir; it was all fluffy touch-and-go stuff. There's nothing therenow but smoke. "

The man moved as he spoke towards the clump of ornamental shrubs inwhich the big snake had taken sanctuary, the two lads, each armed with ajoist carried lance-fashion, following him up, while the skipper hurriedinto the building with one of the men, to satisfy himself that thecarpenter's words were correct. 

The remainder stood by to watch the firing of the clump of bushes, thenews that they hid a serpent putting all upon the _qui vive_. 

"Take care Chips, " said Poole anxiously. "They are dangerous, treacherous things. We don't want to get you bitten. "

"Of course you don't, my lad; but tchah! They aren't half so dangerousas I am with a box of matches in my hand. Here, wait a moment; whichway's the wind? Oh, this 'ere. Blest if I know whether it's northsouth, or east west, for I've quite lost my bearings. Anyhow, it don'tblow towards the house. Now then, I think I'll just have an armful ofthese 'ere plantain-leaves and them there bamboo. They're the things toburn. "

He hastily collected as many dry great ragged banana-leaves as he couldgrasp, laid them in a heap to windward of the clump, and jumped backquickly, grinning hugely as he turned to the boys. 

"He's there still, " he said; "I heard him whisper like a sick goose as Ipopped that stuff down. "

"We'd better look out, then, on the other side, " cried Fitz, "or he'llmake a bolt. Shall I get my gun?"

"No, no, " said Poole; "we must have no firing now. "

Fitz moved, joist in hand, towards the other side of the clump. 

"Nay, you needn't do that, sir, " cried the carpenter. "That's what wewant him to do. "

"Oh, I see; you don't want there to be any waste, " said Poole. 

"Ugh!" shuddered Fitz, and the carpenter grinned as he hurriedly snappedoff as many dead bamboos as he could secure from a waving, featherygroup, bore the bundle the next minute to the edge of the clump ofshrubs, laid them on the heap of banana-leaves, and then rapidly applieda burning match to the dry growth, which still retained a sufficiency ofinflammable oil to begin to flare at once, making the bamboos crackleand then explode with a series of little reports like those of arevolver. 

"That's right, " said the carpenter; "if we had only got a few dozencocoanut-shells to help it on, we should have a bonfire as'd beat a GuyFoxer all to fits. "

But there were no cocoanuts to be had without paying a visit to theseashore, so the fire was mended with the bushes that were cut down fromhere and there, blazing up so furiously that in a few minutes the clumpwas consumed, and the snake with it, for it was not seen again. 

"Now then, " said the skipper, "scatter those embers about, and put anend to that smoke, or it will attract the enemy and show them where weare. "

These orders were carried out, and the next hour was spent in adding tothe defences as far as was possible, in seeing to there being a supplyof water, and examining what there was in the shape of provisions instore. 

But other precautions were being taken at the same time, the skipperhaving sent out three of the men right and left along the forest-pathsand towards the shore, so as to ensure them against surprise. Then theafternoon wore away, and the evening approached, without alarm, andbefore the night could fall in its rapid, tropical way, the scouts wererecalled, sentries posted, and the defenders gathered-together in theirlittle fortress for their evening meal, by the light of the great stars, which seemed to Fitz double the size that they were at home. 

Every one had his arms ready for use at a moment's notice, and the twolads sat together nibbling the biscuit they had brought with them, andmoistening it from time to time with a draught of the water from the bigpannikin which they shared. That change from glowing sunset to darknesshad been wonderfully swift, and as the beauty of the surrounding jungle, with its wondrous tints of green, changed into black gloom, the aspectof the place affected the two young adventurers at once, Fitz givingvent to a long-drawn sigh. 

"What's the matter?" said Poole, in a low voice. 

"Oh, I don't know, " replied the middy. "It seems so strange and weirdhere in the darkness. It makes me feel quite low-spirited. "

"Do you know why that is?" asked Poole. 

"Of course I do. It is all dark and dangerous, and at any time we mayhave those mongrel Spaniels, as Chips calls them, rushing at us andfiring as they come. "

"Well, we should fire at them back again, " said Poole coolly. "But itisn't that that makes you nervous and dull. "

"Isn't it? Well, I suppose I am not so brave as you, " whispered themiddy. 

"Fudge! It's nothing to do with being brave. I don't feel brave. I amjust as low-spirited as you are. It's because we are tired and hungry. "

"Why, we are keeping on eating. "

"Yes; biscuit-and-water. But that only keeps you from starving; itdoesn't do you good. Why, if old Andy had a good fire and was roastinga wild turkey, or grilling some fish, we shouldn't feel dull, but be allexpectation, and sniffing at the cooking, impatient till it was done. "

"Well, I suppose there is something in that, " said Fitz, "for I feel asfaint as can be. I seem to have been so ever since I began to getbetter. Always wanting something more to eat. "

"Of course you do. That's right enough. "

"What's that?" cried Fitz, catching his companion by the arm; for therewas a loud slap, as if the water of the river had suddenly received asharp blow with the blade of an oar. 

"I d'know, " said Poole. "Boat coming, I think. Did you hear that, father?" And the speaker looked in the direction where the skipper hadlast been seen. 

"Oh yes, " was the reply, coming from outside one of the windows of theroom they had strengthened with a breastwork. 

"It's a boat coming, isn't it, father?"

"No, my lad, " said the skipper, in a deep-toned growl. "It's one of thecrocodiles or alligators fishing for its supper. "

"No, no, Mr Reed, " cried Fitz; "we mean that sound like a heavy slap onthe water. There it goes again! That!"

"Yes, that's the sound I meant, " said the skipper. "Sounds queer, doesn't it, in the darkness? But that's right. It's one of the greatalligator fellows thrashing the water to stun the fish. This makes themturn up, and then the great lizardly thing swallows them down. "

Fitz uttered a little grunt as if he thought it was very queer, and thenwent on nibbling his biscuit. 

"Poole, " he whispered, "what stupids we were not to go and fish beforeit got dark. "

"That's just what I was thinking, " was the reply. 

"Yes, " continued Fitz; "we hadn't as much sense as an alligator. I wishwe had a good fish or two here. "

"To eat raw?" said Poole scornfully. "Raw? Nonsense! We'd set oldAndy to work. "

"No, we shouldn't. How could we have a fire here? It would be likesetting ourselves up for the enemy to fire at. Why, they could creep inthrough the jungle till they were fifty or sixty yards away, and takepot-shots at us. But only let us get to-night over, and we will goshooting or fishing as soon as it's day. "

"Hark at that, " said Fitz, catching him by the arm. "Here they come atlast!" And not only the boys, but every one present but the skipper, felt a strange fluttering about the heart, as a curious hollow cry rosefrom somewhere at the edge of the jungle. 

And then from out of the darkness there was a sharp _click, click_! ofthe lock of a rifle, the force of example bringing out quite a series ofthe ominous little sounds, which came forth sharp and clear as every oneprepared to use his piece. 

"Steady there, my lads!" growled the skipper. "You don't think you canshoot that bird?"

"There, laddies; I kenned it was a bird--one of them long-legged, big-beaked chaps that stand out in the water spearing eels. Wish we hadgot him now. "

"Was that a bird, father?" whispered Poole. "Why, you ought to haveknown it was, my lad. There goes another, and another. If you listenyou can hear the cry dying right away in the distance--one of thosegreat cranes. "

"Fine bird to keep for singing, " said the cook, "only I want everythingfor the pot or the spit. There he goes again. What a rich voice, laddies! Sounds as if he were fat. "

The rifles were uncocked gently and carefully, and all sat listeningagain, thoroughly on the _qui vive_, for though fully expecting that thefirst warning of danger would be a shot from one of the sentries, allfelt that there was a possibility of the enemy stealing up in thedarkness and making a rush which would quite take them by surprise. 

It was depressing work to the wakeful, and as the hours stole slowly onfirst one and then another, tired out with the exertions of the day, lethis head sink upon his breast where he crouched and gave audible noticethat he had forgotten everything in the way of danger, in sleep. 

From time to time the boys kept up a desultory conversation, but at lastthis ceased, and Fitz suddenly lifted his head with a jerk and began tolook wonderingly round at the great stars. 

"What's the matter?" said Poole, in a startled way. 

"I dunno, " replied the middy. "It seemed to me that somebody got holdof me and gave me a jerk. "

"That's just how I felt. Look out!"

Fitz did look out as far as the darkness would allow, and his handsbegan to turn moist against the stock of his gun; but there was nothingto be heard but the heavy breathing of the sleepers, and both lads werebeginning to think that the start and jerk were caused by their havingbeen asleep themselves, when there was a familiar voice close at hand. 

"Well, lads, how are you getting on?"

"Not very well, father, " replied Poole. "Is it all right?"

"Yes, my boy; I have heard nothing but the cries of the night birds, andthe creeping of something now and then among the boughs. "

"Think the enemy will come to-night, Mr Reed?" said Fitz. 

"Can't say, my lad. They may, or they may not. If they knew how easilythey could get the better of us they would make a rush. Tut, tut, tut!Kick that fellow, Poole. Can't he sleep without snoring like that? Whois it?"

"I think it's Winks, father. "

"Rouse him up, then. "

"Eh? Hullo! All right! My watch?"

"No, no, " said Poole. "Be quiet; you are snoring away as if you weresawing wood. "

"Was I, my lad?" whispered the man. "Well, I believe I dreamed I was atthat game. Any fighting coming off?"

"No, not yet. "

"All right; then I'll have another nap. "

But at that moment from out of the darkness, at apparently the edge ofthe jungle beyond the hacienda clearing, there was a sudden crashing asof the breaking of wood, followed instantly by an exceedingly shrill andpiercing shriek, the rustle and beating of leaves, two or three lowpiteous sobs, and then silence for a few moments, followed by a softrustling which died away. 

"Steady there!" whispered the skipper, as he heard the click of a lock. "Don't fire, my lad. It would only be wasting a charge. "

"But the savage has killed somebody, Mr Reed, " whispered Fitz, in avoice he did not know as his own; and he crouched rigidly there with thebutt of his piece to his shoulder, aiming in the direction of thesounds, and with every nerve upon the strain. 

"Yes, " said the skipper coolly; "the savage has killed somebody and hascarried him off. There, you can hear the faint rustling still. "

"But a savage could not carry a man off like that, " said Fitzwonderingly. 

"No, " replied the skipper, with a low chuckle. "But that savage hasgone off with the body he seized. Don't you know what it was, my lad?"

"No, " replied Fitz wonderingly. 

"Then I'll tell you, as far as I know myself. I should say that was oneof those great cats, the tigers, as they call them here, the jaguars. He was prowling along in one of those big trees till he could see amonkey roosting, and then it was a leap like a cat at a rat, and hecarried him off. "

"Ah!" said Fitz, with a sigh. "I thought it was something worse. "

"Couldn't have been any worse for the monkey, " said Poole, laughing. 

"No, " continued Fitz thoughtfully; "but I didn't know there were jaguarshere. "

"Didn't you, my lad?" said the skipper quietly. "Why, we are just atthe edge of the impenetrable jungle. There is only this strip of landbetween it and the sea, and the only way into it is up that littleriver. If we were to row up there we should have right and left prettywell every wild creature that inhabits the South American jungles:tigers--you have had a taste of the snakes this afternoon--water-hogs, tapirs, pumas too, I dare say. There goes another of those greatalligators slapping the water with his tail. "

"Would there be any of the great serpents?" asked Fitz. 

"Any number, " replied the skipper, "if we could penetrate to where theyare; the great tree-living ones, and those water-boas that live amongthe swamps and pools. "

"They grow very big, don't they?" said Fitz, who began to find theconversation interesting. 

"All sizes. Big as you or me round the thickest part, and as long as--"

"A hundred feet?" said Poole. 

"Well, I don't know about that, my boy, " said the skipper. "I shouldn'tlike to meet one that size. I saw the skin of one that was over thirty, and I have heard tell by people out here that they had seen themfive-and-forty and fifty feet long. They may grow to that size in thesehot, steamy jungles. There is no reason why they shouldn't, when whalesgrow to seventy or eighty feet long in the sea; but I believe thosemonster anacondas of fifty feet long were only skins, and that eitherthey or the stories had been very much stretched. "

"What time do you think it is, father?"

"Well, by the feel of the night, my lad, I should say it's about three. "

"As late as that, father? Time seems to have gone very quickly. "

"Quickly, eh? That's proof positive, my boy, that you have had a nap ortwo. I have not, and I have found it slow. "

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. 

A JUNCTION. 

The skipper moved off into the darkness, and all was wonderfully stillonce more in the clearing. There was the dense jungle all round, butnot a sound broke the silence, for it was the peculiar period betweenthe going to rest of the myriad creatures who prey by night, and thewaking up of those expectant of the sun. 

Then there was a sound of about the most commonplace, matter-of-factcharacter that can be imagined. Fitz, as he lay half upon a heap of dryleaves and canes, opened his mouth very widely, yawned portentously andloudly, ending with, "Oh, dear me!" and a quickly-uttered correction ofwhat seemed to him like bad manners: "I beg your pardon!"

"Ha, ha!" laughed Poole, "I was doing just the same. Here, you are apretty sort of fellow, " he continued, "to be on the watch, and kick up ashindy like that! Suppose the enemy had been sneaking in. "

He had hardly finished speaking when Fitz caught him by the arm andsprang up, for there was a faint rustling, and the two lads felt morethan saw that some one was approaching them. Relief came directly, forinstead of a sudden attack, it was the skipper who spoke. 

"Silence!" he said softly. "Here, if you two lads are as sleepy asthat, lie down again till sunrise. "

"No, no, father, " said Poole; "I am all right now. You must be tiredout. Burnett and I will go your rounds now. "

"Thanks, my lad; but no, thank you. "

"But you may trust me, father, and I will call you at daybreak. "

"No, my boy; I couldn't sleep if I tried. "

"No more could I now, father. Let me help you, then; and go round tosee that the watch is all right. "

"Very well. You go that way, and have a quiet chat with the man onduty. It will rouse him up. I am going round here. "

The skipper moved off directly, and Poole, before starting off in theindicated direction, whispered to Fitz--

"You can have another snooze till I come back. "

"Thank you; but I am going along with you. "

Quite willing to accept his companionship, Poole led the way slowly andcautiously; but at the end of a few yards he stopped short. 

"What's the matter?" whispered Fitz. 

"Nothing yet; but I was just thinking. Is there any password?"

"I dunno, " whispered Fitz. 

"I didn't ask father, and it would be rather awkward if we werechallenged and shot at. "

"Oh, there's no fear of that. You'd know by the voice which of the menit was who spoke, and he'd know yours when you answered. "

"To be sure. False alarm. Come on. " It seemed darker than ever asthey went forward on what seemed to be the track, but proved to be offit, for all at once as they were going cautiously on, literally feelingtheir way, Poole caught his foot against a stump and nearly fellheadlong. 

"Bother!" he ejaculated loudly, to add to the noise he made, andinstantly a gruff voice from their right growled out, "Who goes there?"accompanying the question with a clicking of a rifle-lock. "Friends, "cried Fitz sharply. "The word. "

"_Teal_" cried Poole, as he scrambled up. "Aren't right, " growled thesame voice. "That you, Mr Poole?"

"Oh, it's you, Chips!" cried the lad, in a tone full of relief. 

"Winks it is, " was the reply; "but the skipper said I warn't to letanybody pass without he said Sponson. "

"Sponson, " cried Fitz, laughing. 

"Ah, you know now, " growled the carpenter, "because I telled you; but itdon't seem right somehow. But you aren't enemies, of course. "

"Not much, " said Poole. "Well, how are you getting on, Chips?"

"Oh, tidy, sir, tidy; only it's raither dull work, and precious damp. Abit wearisome like with nothing to do but chew. Thought when I heardyou that there was going to be something to warm one up a bit. Wonderful how chilly it gets before the sun's up. I should just like tohave a bit of timber here, and my saw. "

"To let the enemy know exactly where we are?"

"Ah, of course; that wouldn't do. But I always feel when I haven't gotanother job on the way that it's a good thing to do to cut up a bit oftimber into boards. "

"Why?" asked Fitz, more for the sake of speaking than from any desire toknow. 

"Plaisters, my lad. "

"Plaisters?"

"Ay; for sore hulls. A bit of thin board's always handy off a coastwhere there's rocks, and there's many a time when, if the carpenter hadhad plenty of sticking-plaister for a vessel's skin, a good ship couldhave been saved from going down. Nice place this. What a spot it wouldhave been if it had been an island and the schooner had been wrecked!"

"What do you want the schooner wrecked for?" cried Poole. 

"Me, sir? I don't want the schooner wrecked. I only said if it hadbeen, and because you young gents was talking the other day about beingon a desolate island to play Robinson Crusoe for a bit. "

"Oh yes, I remember, " said Fitz. 

"So do I, sir. It set me thinking about that chap a good deal. Somemen do get chances in life. Just think of him! Why, that fellow hadeverything a chap could wish for. Aren't talking too loud, are we, MrPoole?"

"Oh no. No one could hear us whispering like this. "

"That's right. I am glad you young gents come, for it was getting veryunked and queer all alone. Quite cheers a fellow up. Set down, both onyou. "

"Thanks, no, " said Fitz; "the ground's too wet. "

"Nay, I don't mean on the ground. Feel just behind you. There aren't aarm-chair, but a big bit of timber as has been cut down. --There, that'sbetter. May as well make one's miserable life happy, and I don'tsuppose we shall have anybody sneaking round now. --Ah, yes, that thereRobinson Crusoe did have a fine time of it. Everything his own, including a ship safely docked ashore full of stores, and nothing to dobut break her up and sort the bits. And there he'd got all the timbers, keel-knees, planks, tree-nails, ropes, spars and yards, and plenty ofsheet-metal, I'll be bound, for copper bottoming. Why, with plenty oftime on his hands, he might have built anything, from a yawl to aschooner. But he didn't seem to me to shine much in naval architecter. Why, at first he hadn't a soul much above a raft. "

"It was very useful, though, " said Fitz. 

"Nay; more trouble, sir, than it was worth. Better have built himselfsome kind of a boat at once. Look at his raft! Always a-sinking, orfouling, or shooting off its cargo, or trying to navigate itself. Idon't believe in rafts. They're no use unless you want to use one toget washed ashore. For my part--Pst!"

The boys sprang up at the man's whispered signal, Fitz the more activelyfrom the fact that the carpenter's horny hand had suddenly gripped hisknee so forcibly that he had hard work to restrain a cry of pain. 

"Somebody coming, " whispered Poole, quite unnecessarily, for a loudrustling through the bushes was announcing the approach of the expectedenemy. 

"Stand by!" roared the carpenter, and his rifle flashed a line of lightthrough the darkness as he fired in the direction of the sounds. "Now, my lads, " he whispered, "double back into the ship. "

As the words passed his lips a voice from out of the darkness shouted inbroken English, and with a very Spanish accent--

"Don't fire! Friends! Friends! Friends!"

The words checked the retreat on the hacienda, but they did not clearaway the watch's doubts. 

"Yes, " growled the carpenter, "so you says, but it's too dark to seeyour faces. " Then aloud, "Who are you? Give the word. "

"Friends!" was shouted again. 

"Well! Where's the word?--He don't say Sponson, Mr Poole, " added thecarpenter, in a whisper. 

"Captain Reed! Captain Reed!" cried the same voice, from where all wasperfectly still now, for the sounds of the advance had ceased. 

"Who wants Captain Reed?" shouted Poole. 

"Ah, yes, I know you, " came excitedly. "Tell your father Don Ramon ishere with his men. "

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. 

STRANGE DOINGS. 

All doubts as to the character of the new-comers were chased away by thecoming up of the skipper to welcome the Don, who had nothing but badnews to communicate. 

He had passed the night in full retreat with the remnant of hisfollowers before the forces of the rival President. 

"Everything has gone wrong, " he said. "I have lost heavily, and thoughtthat I should never have been able to join my friends. What about thehacienda? Have you done anything for its defence?"

"The best we could, " replied the skipper. "I suppose you know that theenemy had been here, that there had been a fight, and that they hadwrecked the place. "

"I? No!" cried the Don, in a voice full of despair. "I sent a party ofmy friends here to meet you, and this was the _rendezvous_. Don't tellme that they have been attacked and beaten. "

"I have as good as told you that, " said the skipper dryly. 

"Ah-h-h!" panted the Don. 

"We have put the place in as good a state of defence as there was timefor, but we have not seen a soul. "

"It is terrible, " groaned the Don. "My poor friends! prisoners, ordriven off! But you! You have your brave men. "

"I have about half my crew here, sir, " said the skipper sternly; "but wehaven't come to fight, only to bring what you know. "

"Ah! The guns, the ammunition, the store of rifles!" cried the Donjoyously. "Magnificent! Oh, you brave Englishmen! And you have themlanded safe?"

"No, " replied the skipper, as the middy's ears literally tingled at allhe heard. "How could I land guns up here? And what could you do withthem in these pathless tracts? Where are your horses and mules, even ifthere were roads?"

"True, true, true!" groaned the Don. "Fortune is against me now. But, "he added sharply, "the rifles--cartridges?"

"Ah, as many of them as you like, " cried the skipper, and Fitz Burnett'ssense of duty began to awaken once again as he seemed in some undefinedway to be getting hopelessly mixed up with people against whom it washis duty to war. 

"Excellent; and you have them in the hacienda?"

"No, no; aboard my vessel. "

"But where is this vessel? You could not get her up the river?"

"No; she is lying off the mouth. I came up here in a boat to meet youand get your instructions, after, as you know, being checked at SanCristobal and Velova, where your emissaries brought your despatches. "

"Brave, true fellows! But the gunboat! Were you seen?"

"Seen? Yes, and nearly taken. I only escaped by the skin of my teeth. "

"You were too clever, " cried the Don enthusiastically. "But you shouldhave sunk that gunboat. It would have meant life and success to me. Why did not you send her to the bottom?"

"Well, " said the skipper quietly, "first, because I am not at war, andsecond, because she would have sent me to the bottom if I had tried. "

"No, no, " cried the Don enthusiastically. "You English are too cleverand too brave. The captain of that gunboat is a fool. You could easilyhave done this thing. But you have the guns you brought all safeaboard?"

"Yes. "

"And you have some of your brave men with you?"

"Yes; more than half my crew. "

"Then I am saved, for you will fight upon my side, and every one of yourbrave Englishmen is worth a hundred of the miserable three parts Indianrabble bravos and cut-throats who follow Villarayo's flag. "

"Well, I didn't come here to fight, Don Ramon, and I have no right tostrengthen your force, " said the skipper sternly. "My duty is to landthe munitions of war consigned to you; and that duty I shall do. "

"But your men! They are armed?"

"Oh yes. Every one has his rifle and revolver, and knows how to usethem. "

"And suppose you are attacked?" said the Don, catching him by the arm. 

"Well, " said the skipper dryly, "we English have a habit of hitting backif we are tackled, and if anybody interferes with us in what we have todo, I dare say we shall give a pretty good account of ourselves. But atthe present moment it seems to me that it's my duty to get back to myship and wait until you show me where I can land my cargo. "

"Ah!" said the Don, and as he spoke Fitz had his first announcement thatday was near at hand, for he began to dimly see the eager, animatedcountenance of the Spaniard, and to make out the figures of hiswell-armed followers clustering round. 

"Well, sir, what is to be done?"

"One moment; let me think. It will be safest, perhaps, for you toreturn to the ship and wait. "

"Where?" said the skipper. "That gunboat is hanging about the coast, waiting to capture us if she can. "

"Yes, I know; I know. And ashore Villarayo's men are swarming. Theyhave hunted us through the pass all night, and hundreds of them arecoming along the coast to cut us off from reaching boats and escapingout to sea. "

"Then it's time we were off, " said the skipper sharply. 

"Too late, " replied the Don. 

"But my schooner?"

"Will they capture that?" cried the Don. 

"Well no, " replied the skipper. "There's not much fear, sir; my matewill look out too sharply. No. That will be safe. Don Ramon, if youwill take my advice, you and your party had better break up and take toflight for the present, while I will make for any port you like to nameand wait your orders, ready for when you can gather your friendstogether and make another attempt. "

"Ah, yes, Captain Reed, you mean well; but where shall I flee? This ismy last place of refuge! Here, at my own home! It is best perhaps thatyou and your men should get back to your ship. I and my friends arepretty well surrounded, and have but two ways open to us. The one is tosurrender to Villarayo's merciless cut-throats and die like dogs; theother, to stand at bay behind the walls of my poor home, fight to thelast, and die for our wretched country like soldiers and like men. Shake hands, captain, in your brave English way. I and my friends thankyou for all you have done, and for making, as you say you have, a littlestronghold where we can hold on to the last. It is not your fault, neither is it mine. I could have won the day, and brought happiness andpeace to my poor land; but it was not to be. Villarayo has been toostrong. That war-vessel with its mighty gun holds us at its mercy. Whoever has that to back him up can rule this place; for any fort thatwe could raise, even with the guns you have brought, would be crumbledinto the dust. There! Farewell! You have your boat. Save yourselfand your true, brave men. Quickly, while there is time!"

"Yes, Don Ramon; that must be so, " said the skipper, and Fitz Burnett'scheeks began to burn, heated with the spirit within him, as he listenedto the speaker's words, almost in disgust, for in his excitement itseemed as cowardly as cruel to leave these brave Spaniards to such afate. 

But then came the change, and his heart gave a leap, and his eyesflashed with pride. He thought no more of his own position in the RoyalNavy than he did of the complications that had placed him where he was. The British fighting spirit that has made our nation what it is wasstrong within him, and his fingers tingled to clasp the skipper's hand, and failing that, he tightly gripped Poole's arm, as the lad's fathersaid--

"No, Don Ramon, I can't leave you in the lurch like this. You and yourfellows must come with me. "

"No, " said the Don proudly; "my place is here, " and he drew himself up, looking every inch in the broadening light the soldier and the man. 

What more the skipper would have spoken remained unsaid, for _crack, crack, crack_! sounding smothered amongst the trees, came the reports ofthe rifles and the replies made by Don Ramon's vedettes as they weredriven in, and the skipper's eyes flashed as he placed a little whistleto his lips and blew shrilly, bringing his own men together at the run. 

Then taking in the position in one quick glance, he could see a puff ofsmoke arising from the direction of the river and the boat, telling onlytoo plainly that even had he wished to escape with his men, the way tosafety was cut off. 

But in those moments no such idea entered his head, any more than it didthat of Fitz or Poole. The way was open to the hacienda, and joininghands with the Spanish Don, he began to retire towards the defence hehad prepared, and in a very few minutes the house had been reached, andthe breastworks manned by the mingled force, consisting of Don Ramon'sfollowers and the schooner's crew, whose shots began to tell in such away that the enemy's advance was checked, and the bright sun rose abovethe distant jungle, lighting up the enemy at bay. 

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. 

THE NON-COMBATANT. 

"Here, you, Mr Burnett, you are a non-combatant, " said the skipper, suddenly coming upon Fitz, after going round the walls of the haciendawith Don Ramon, and seeing that they were manned to the best advantage. 

"Oh, yes, sir, I don't want to fight, " replied the boy carelessly, andwincing rather with annoyance as he saw the Spaniard give him a peculiarlook. 

"But you look as if you do, fingering that double-barrelled gun. "

"Do you wish me to give it up, sir?"

"No, certainly not. Keep it for your defence. You don't know how youwill be situated, and it may keep one of the enemy from attacking you. The sight of it will be enough. You, Poole, keep well in shelter. Idon't want you to be running risks. "

"I shan't run risks, father, unless you do, " replied Poole. "I shallkeep close beside you all the time. "

"No, " said the skipper sharply, "you will stop with Mr Burnett. Ileave him in your charge, and--Here! Who's that? Winks, you stop withmy son and Mr Burnett there. Be ready to help them if they are introuble. "

"Ay, ay, sir, " cried the carpenter, and he drew himself up with hisrifle-butt resting on his bare toes. 

"There, Fitz, " said Poole, grinning with delight; "you can't go back toyour old tea-kettle of a gunboat and say that we didn't take care ofyou. "

"Such nonsense!" cried Fitz, flushing. "Any one would think that I wasa child. I don't see anything to laugh at, " and as he spoke the boyturned sharply from Poole's mirthful face to look searchingly at thecarpenter, who was in the act of wiping a smile from his lips. 

"Oh, no, sir, I warn't a-laughing, " the man said, with his eyestwinkling. "What you see's a hecho like, or what you call a reflectionfrom Mr Poole's physiomahogany. This 'ere's a nice game, aren't it!I'm sorry for those pore chaps aboard, and our two mates in the boat. They'll be missing all the fun. "

"Why, Poole, " cried Fitz suddenly, "I forgot all about them. I supposethey'll have gone back to the schooner. "

"Not they!"

"Then you think the enemy's captured them?"

"That I don't, " replied Poole. "They'll have run the boat in, accordingto orders, in amongst the shade, and be lying there as snug as can be, waiting till they're wanted. "

"Well, I don't know so much about that, Mr Poole, sir, " put in thecarpenter. "Strikes me that as sure as nails don't hold as tight asscrews unless they are well clinched, when we have driven off these herevarmin, and go to look for them in that 'ere boat we shall find themgone. "

"What do you mean?" cried Poole. 

"Muskeeters will have eaten them up. They are just awful under thebushes and among the trees. "

"Look there, " said Fitz, interrupting the conversation. "Seem to bemore coming on. "

"That's just what I was thinking, Mr Burnett, sir. Reinforcement, don't you call it? My! How wild our lads will be, 'specially oldButters, when I come to tell 'em all about it. Makes me feel like beingon board a man-o'-war again, all the more so for having a young officerat my elber. "

"Don't you be insolent, " said Fitz. 

"Well!" cried the carpenter. "I say, Mr Poole, sir, I call that 'ard. I didn't mean cheek, sir, really. "

"All right, Chips, I believe you, " said Fitz excitedly. "Look, Poole;they're getting well round us. Look how they are swarming over yonder. "

"Yes, it means the attack, " replied Poole coolly. 

"Yes, " cried Fitz. "Oughtn't we to begin, and not let them get all thebest places? There's nothing like getting first blow. "

"Ha, ha!" laughed Poole, who did not seem in the slightest degreeimpressed by the serious nature of their position. "You're not aplayer, you know. This is our game. "

Fitz reddened, and turned away with an impatient gesture, so that he didnot see the carpenter give Poole a peculiar wink and his leg a silentslap, indicative of his enjoyment. 

Every one's attention was fully taken up the next moment, for it wasevident from the movements on the enemy's part that they were beingdivided into three bodies, each under a couple of leaders, who weregetting their ragged, half Indian-looking followers into something likemilitary form, prior to bringing them on to the attack in a rush. 

Fitz watched all this from behind one of the breastworks he had seen putup by the carpenter, who was going about testing the nailing of theboards, and as he did so giving Don Ramon's followers a friendly nodfrom time to time, as much as to say, Only seeing as it had got a goodhold, mate, --and then, once more forgetting Poole's reminder, the boysaid excitedly--

"Well, I don't think much of Don Villarayo's tactics. He's exposing hismen so that we might shoot half of them down before he got them up tothe astack. "

"Oh, they're no soldiers, nor sailors neither, " replied Poole. "It's asort of bounce. He thinks he's going to frighten us out of the place;and we are not going to be frightened, eh, Chips?"

"_We_ are not, Mr Poole, sir; I'll answer for that. But I don't knowhow Mr Ramon's chaps will handle their tools. "

"I should say well, " cried Fitz, still warming up with the excitement, and speaking frankly and honestly. "They'll take the example of you oldmen-of-war's men, and fight like fun. "

"Thankye, sir, " said the carpenter, brightening up. "Hear him, MrPoole? I call that handsome. That's your sort, sir! There's nothinglike having one of your officers to give you a good word ofencouragement before you start, and make the sawdust and shavings fly. "

Just at that minute Don Ramon, who had been hurrying from side to sideencouraging his followers, uttered a warning shout which was echoed byan order from the skipper to his men not to waste a single cartridge, and to aim low. 

"Bring 'em down, my lads, " he said. "Cripple 'em. We don't want tokill. "

He had hardly spoken when the nearest body of the enemy uttered a wildyell, which was taken up by the others, and all advanced clear of thebushes at a run, firing wildly and without stopping to re-load, dashingon, long knife in hand. 

But before they had accomplished half the distance, each party was metby a ragged volley from Don Ramon's men, whose instructions had beencarefully carried out. 

This staggered the enemy for the moment, but they came on, leaping overor avoiding their wounded comrades, and gaining confidence at thesilence within the hacienda, they yelled again. So far not one of theEnglishmen had fired a shot, but now at a word from the skipper, a slow, steady rifle fire began, with every shot carefully aimed, and seeming totell, so that ere they got close up to the walls of the hacienda, nearlya score had dropped, the skipper having used his rifle and then stoodwith the barrel of his revolver resting on the edge of a plank andpicking off man after man. 

In the brief space of time occupied by the advance the enemy had hadlittle time to think, but suddenly the fighting madness died out of oneof the rough-looking bravos as he saw a companion at his side throw uphis arms just in front of one of the windows and fall backwards. Thatstarted the panic, for the man turned with starting eyes, uttered a yellof dismay, and dashed back. 

"Look at that, " growled the carpenter. "Just like sheep. One goes forthe gap in the hedge, and all the rest will follow. Ah, you may shout, old chap--Don whatever your name is. You'll have to holloa louder thanthat to stop 'em now. "

For the whole of the attacking body was in retreat, racing for theshelter of the trees in a disorderly crowd whose paces were hastened byDon Ramon's men, now re-loaded, sending another ragged volley in theirrear. 

Their action was very different from that of the schooner's men, whocontented themselves with re-loading and breaking out under theleadership of Winks into a hearty British cheer, in which Don Ramon'smen now joined. 

"Well, " said Poole, taking out his pocket-handkerchief and carefullywiping the lock of his rifle, "what do you think of that?"

"Oh, " cried Fitz excitedly, "I wouldn't have missed it for--eh? I don'tknow, though, " he added, after breaking off short, his eyes having litupon the fallen men who were crawling back into shelter. "It is veryhorrid, though, all the same. "

"Yes, " said Poole; "but we didn't ask them to come, and it would havebeen twenty times as horrid if we hadn't stood fast and they had got inhere with those long knives. "

Fitz looked at him fixedly. 

"Think they'd have used them if they had got the day?"

"Think they'd have used them!" cried Poole scornfully. "Why, if theyhad been pure Spaniards I believe they would in the excitement; butfellows like those, nearly all of Indian blood, if they had got theupper hand, wounded or sound I don't believe they'd have left a manalive. "

"I suppose not, " said Fitz; "but it is very horrid, all the same. Where's your father? Oughtn't we to go and see to the wounded men?"

"We shall have to leave that to the enemy, " replied Poole. "If we wentout they'd begin firing from under cover. But here, I say--Here, youChips, go and ask my governor whether we ought to do anything aboutthose wounded men?"

"Ay, ay, sir, " replied the carpenter; "but I know what he'll say. "

"What?" said Fitz sharply. 

"Same as Mr Poole did, sir, for sartin, " and the man trotted away. 

"You sent him off because you wanted to speak to me. What is it? Isthere fresh danger?"

"Oh no; they'll think twice before they come again. But, I say, whathave you been about?"

"Been--about? What do you mean?"

"Look at that gun! Why, Fitz Burnett, you've been firing too!"

The boy's jaw dropped, and he stared at the speaker, then at the lock ofthe double fowling-piece, and then back, before raising the cocks, opening the blackened breech, and withdrawing a couple of emptycartridges. 

"I didn't know, " he said softly. "Had it been fired before?"

"It's kept warm a long time if it had, " said Poole, with his facewrinkling up with mirth. "Do you call this being a non-combatant?"

"Oh, but surely--" began Fitz. "I couldn't have fired without knowing, and--" He paused. 

"It seems that you could, " cried Poole mirthfully. "You've popped offtwo cartridges, for certain. Have you used any more?"

"Oh no! I am certain, quite certain; but I am afraid--in theexcitement--hardly knowing what I was about--I must have done as theothers did. "

"Yes, and you said you didn't mean to fight. I say, nice behaviour thisfor an officer in your position. How many anti-revolutionists do youthink you've killed?"

"Oh, Poole Reed, for goodness' sake don't say you think I've killedeither of these poor wretches?"

"Any of these poor wretches, " corrected Poole gravely, and looking assolemn as he could. Then reading his companion's horror in his face, hecontinued cheerily, "Nonsense, old chap! You couldn't have killedanybody with those cartridges of swan-shot unless they were close athand. "

"Ah!" gasped Fitz. "And I don't really think--"

"Oh, but you did. It was in the excitement. Every one about you wasfiring, and you did the same. It would have been rather curious if youhad not. Oh, here's my governor coming along with Chips. "

"I say, " began Fitz excitedly. 

"All right; I wasn't going to; but slip in two more cartridges and closethe breech. "

This was quickly done, and the skipper came up, talking to the carpenterthe while. 

"Yes, my lad, " he was saying, "I'd give something if you had a hammerand a bag of spikes to strengthen all the wood-work here. --Well, Poole, "he continued, "Don Ramon is in ecstasies. He says this is his firstsuccess, and I believe that if I were not here he'd go round and embraceall the lads. --But about those poor wretches lying out there. I'm notan unfeeling brute, my lads, " he continued, taking in Fitz with a glancethe while, "but all I can do I have done. "

"But there are those two men moving out there, sir, that you can't haveseen, " cried Fitz imploringly, "and it seems so horrid--"

"Yes, my lad; war is horrid, " said the skipper. "I saw them when theyfirst went down, and"--he added to himself--"I am afraid I wasanswerable for one. But, as I was saying, I have done all I could, andthat is, insisted upon Don Ramon ordering his men to leave them aloneand not fire at every poor wretch who shows a sign of life. "

"But, " began Fitz, "Poole and I wouldn't mind going out and carryingthem under shelter, one at a time. "

"No, my lad, " said the skipper, smiling sadly, "I know you would not;but I should, and very much indeed. You have both got mothers, and whatwould they say to me for letting two brave lads go to certain death?"

"Oh, but surely, sir, " cried Fitz, "the enemy would not--"

"Those worthy of the name of enemy, my boy, certainly would not; butthose fighting against us are most of them the bloodthirsty scum of ahalf-savage tropical city, let loose for a riot of murder, plunder, anddestruction. Why, my dear boy, the moment you and Poole got outside theshelter of these walls, a hundred rifles would be aimed at you, withtheir owners burning to take revenge for the little defeat they havejust now suffered. "

"Are you sure you are right, Captain Reed?"

"Quite, my lad; as sure as I am that it is not all ill that we have donethis morning, for San Cristobal and Velova will both be the better forthe absence of some of those who are lying dead out there. "

He stood gazing out between two boards for some few minutes, beforeturning back, and glancing round the room he said a few words to theEnglish defenders. 

"Splendid, my lads, " he said. "Nothing could have been cooler andbetter. We want no hurry at a time like this. "

"Think they'll come again, father?" asked Poole. 

"Sure to, my lad, and we shall drive them back again. After that, thisDon Villarayo will have his work cut out to get them to come up again, and I don't believe he will succeed. "

"Will they retreat then, sir?" asked Fitz. 

The skipper smiled. 

"I should like to give you a more encouraging reply, " he said, "but--Oh, here's Don Ramon. Let's hear what he says. "

"Ah, my friend, " cried the Don, coming up to grasp the speaker's handseffusively. "And you too, my brave lads, as you English people say. Ithas been magnificent, " and as he shook the boys' hands in turn, Fitzflushed vividly, feeling guilty in the extreme. "Oh, it has beenmagnificent--grand! Captain Reed, if I can only persuade you to joinhands with me here with your men, and make me succeed, I would make youAdmiral of my Fleet. Ah, yes, you smile. I know that it would only bea fleet of one, and not that till the gunboat was taken and become myown, but I would not be long before I made it two, and I would workuntil I made our republic one of which you would be proud. "

"Don't let's talk about this, sir, " said the skipper quietly, "until wehave gained the day. Do you think that the enemy will come on again?"

"The wretches, yes! But Villarayo--the coward!--will keep watching fromthe rear. He seems to lead a charmed life. "

"There, my lads; you hear. But we shall drive them back again, President?"

Don Ramon's eyes flashed at the compliment, and then he shrugged hisshoulders and said sadly--

"President! Not yet, my brave captain. There is much yet to do, andfate has been bearing very hard upon me lately. "

"It has, sir. But about the enemy; you think they will come on again?"

"Yes, for certain--and go back again like beaten curs. You and your menhave done wonders here in strengthening this place. "

Poole drove his elbow into the ribs of Chips, and winked at Fitz, whocould hardly contain his countenance at the carpenter's peculiar looks, for the big rough sailor seemed as bashful as a girl, and nodded andgesticulated at the lads in turn, while the next moment he looked as ifabout to bolt, for the skipper suddenly clapped him on the shoulder andexclaimed as he turned him round--

"You must thank this man, President, not me, for he was myengineer-in-chief. Weren't you, Chips?"

"Ah, my friend, " cried the Spaniard, "some day, when I get my own, believe me that I will pay you for all that you have done. "

"Oh, it's all right, sir. Don't you worry about that. 'Course you seeit warn't much of a job. "

He took off his straw hat and wiped the great drops from his sun-brownedbrow with the back of his hand. 

"You see, sir, it was like this 'ere. The skipper he puts me on thejob, and `Chips, ' he says, `make the best of it you can by way ofoffence. ' `Niver another word, sir, ' and off he goes, and here was Iwhen the young gents come up, all of a wax; warn't I, Mr Poole, sir? Iput it to you, sir. `Look here, sir, ' I says, `the skipper's put me onthis 'ere job with my kit of tools left aboard the schooner, and not abit of stuff. ' Didn't I, sir? Speak out straight, sir. I only asksfor the truth. "

"You did, Chips, " said Poole solemnly, and setting his teeth as hespoke; "didn't he, Burnett?"

"Oh yes, " replied the middy, "he did say something like that, " and thenas he caught Poole's eye he had to turn his back, looking out throughthe slit in the window and biting his tongue hard the while, while heheard the carpenter maunder on to the President something more about nothaving a bit of stuff, and every nail to straighten before he coulddrive it in again. 

"Yes, that's right. Winks, " said the skipper, bringing the speech to anend, and not before it was time, for the carpenter was beginning torepeat himself again and again. "You did splendidly, and if we had afew hundred feet of battens and boards, we could hold this place for amonth. --Well, President, " he continued, turning his back on his man, whosighed with relief and whispered to Fitz that that was a good job done, "and after we've driven them back again?"

"Ah! After! Treachery, fire, powder to blow us up! The fighting ofcowards. But with your help, my brave, as soon as they are coweringamong the trees we must attack in turn. "

"No, President, " said the skipper, laying his hand upon the other'sshoulders; "you are too brave and rash. This is your last stronghold, is it not?"

"Alas, yes!"

"Then you must hold it, sir, and tire the enemy out. "

"Yes, yes; you are right. But food--water? What of them?"

"Ah! There we must see what strategy will do. There is the river notfar away, and as soon as they grow thirsty, my lads will contrive thatwe have enough to drink. "

"To drink--ah, yes. But the food?"

"Well, perhaps they will contrive that too. Sailors are splendidfellows to forage, sir. "

"Yes. If I could only be a President of sailors!" cried the Presidentwarmly. "There seems to be nothing that the English sailor cannot do. But can they make powder-cartridges when their own is fired away?"

"Well, I don't say that, " said the skipper; "but they know how to savethem, and not fire good ammunition to waste; and that's what you musttry to teach your men. But look out yonder; while we are talking thereis something going on. "

Don Ramon looked out keenly, ran into the next room to look out inanother direction, and then came back. 

"They are coming on again, captain, " he said. "It may be an hour yet. But they mean attack, to leave more of their force behind. "

"Now is your time, then, sir, to speak to your men. Tell them to usethe cartridges as if each was the last he had and his life depended uponsending it home. "

"Yes, yes, " said the President. "I see; I see. But when my men arefighting and the blood is up they will not think; but we shall see. "

Within half-an-hour another and a fiercer attack was made--one more ablysustained and better met too by the defence; for the President's wordsto his followers went home, the men grasping their position, and thoughthe attack was more prolonged it ended by another panic and a roar ofcheers. 

"Now, President, " said the skipper, "what of the next attack?"

"I don't know, " was the reply. "If one is made it will be sometreachery with fire; but you see they have retired farther back, and itis all their leaders can do to keep them from breaking up into retreat. Villarayo must be mad, and will be thinking how to scheme my downfall tothe end. Captain, my heart is sick. What of the coming night? What ofthe darkness which will shroud them like a cloak?"

"It will not be dark for a couple of hours yet, " replied the skipper. "We can rest now, and refresh our men. After that we must plant ouroutposts with those whom we can trust the most. They will warn us ofany attack, and if one is made--well, we shall be stronger than we werethis morning. "

"Stronger! What do you mean? Do you see coming help?" replied DonRamon. 

"No, sir. We must help ourselves. But our men are more confident intheir strength, while the enemy is weakened by defeat. "

The hours went on and the darkness fell, with the men rested andrefreshed; every avenue by which danger could advance was carefullycommanded, and before half-an-hour of full darkness had passed one ofthe vedettes formed by Winks and Poole, with Fitz to keep him company, was alarmed by the approach of a stealthy figure, upon whom Winkspounced like a cat upon a mouse, and dragged him towards the hacienda, to be met directly after by the skipper, the prisoner protesting almostin a whisper that he was a friend, but covered by the barrel of arevolver the while. 

CHAPTER THIRTY. 

A CUNNING SCHEME. 

"Yes, " said the skipper sternly, speaking in very fair Spanish, "you maysay you are a friend, but a friend doesn't come crawling into a camplike a serpent. It seems to me you are a spy; and do you know what isthe fate of a spy at a time like this?"

"Yes, yes, senor; a spy would be shot. "

"Right--to save other people's lives. Where were you going?"

"I was coming here, senor, to the hacienda. "

"So I supposed; but what for?"

The man seemed to hesitate, and tried to speak, but no words would come, for he was either suffering from agitation, exhaustion, or utter fear, and Fitz Burnett's hands turned wet and cold at the thought of the sternjudgment that would be passed upon the trembling wretch if he could notprove his words. 

"Do you hear what I say?" said the skipper, in a stern, fierce voice. 

"Yes, yes, senor, " gasped the man at last, just when the two lads hadgrasped hands, each to deliver a speaking pressure to the other. 

"Tell me, then. Why were you coming here?"

"Because I believed that Don Ramon was here. "

"Do you know Don Ramon?"

"Yes, senor; he is an old friend. "

"We can soon prove that, " said the skipper. "Here, Poole, the Don islying down asleep, utterly worn out, but he must be awakened to see hisfriend, " he added meaningly. 

Poole gripped Fitz's hand tightly, as if to say, Come with me; and thetwo lads hurried off to where the Don was lying asleep, guarded by fourof his men, under the shelter of a shed. 

"I hope to goodness, " whispered Poole, "that the poor fellow's told thetruth. "

"Your father wouldn't have him shot if he had not, surely?"

Poole was silent for a few moments. 

"I don't know, " he said evasively. --"Yes, friends, " he said, in answerto a challenge in Spanish, "I want to speak to Don Ramon. "

"He is asleep, senor, and must not be awakened, " was the reply. 

"I know he is asleep, " said Poole sharply and authoritatively, "and hemust be awakened. It is a case of life or death. "

The awakening was already performed, for at the sound of the lad'shalf-angry voice the man he sought sprang up, revolver in hand, readyfor action. 

"Yes?" he said. "Are they coming on?"

"No, " replied Poole. "We have taken a spy, as we think, but heprofesses to know you, sir, and asks to see you at once. "

"I'll come, " said the Don; and then turning to the lads with a smile:"Friends are very scarce; I mustn't slight this one. "

In another minute he was where the prisoner was anxiously awaiting hiscoming, ready to utter a sigh of relief as the Don caught him in hisarms with--

"Miguel, my friend! What brings you here?"

"I knew you were in danger, " was the reply. 

"And you came to tell me--"

"Yes, and it was a risky task. What with your enemies and yourfriends, " he added meaningly, "I wonder that I am alive. "

"Forgive me!" cried Don Ramon. "I had been looking upon you as one whohad forsaken me in my distress. But yes, you are right; I am in danger, but still alive. Surely you have no worse news?"

"Yes, the worst. "

"Well, tell me; I can bear anything now. "

"You have beaten Villarayo off twice to-day. "

"Yes, with the help of my friends, " said the Don, turning in a courtlyway towards the English party. "And you have come to warn me that theyare just going to make another attack?"

"They are, but not yet. I have been with them at the risk of my life, and I know that the men were so horribly discouraged by their lossesthat they refused to attack again, and threatened to break up and returnto their homes; but at last Villarayo has prevailed upon them to stay, and messengers went hours ago along the passes to Velova. "

"Yes; what for?"

"With instructions that every fighting man from the fort and theearthworks facing the sea, is to be withdrawn, and come through themountains to Villarayo's help. They will be here some time to-morrow, and you must be overwhelmed, or flee at once. "

"It is impossible, " said Ramon coldly. "We are shut in here, and my sunmust rise or set to-morrow. This is my last stand. "

"But your wife--your children! Think of them. "

"I have thought of nothing else, waking and sleeping, " said the Doncoldly. "But my wife would not look upon me if I forsook my country, and my children shall not live with the knowledge that Ramon's is acoward's name. "

"Is this your decision?" said the messenger of bad tidings. 

"Yes. Captain Reed, my brave true friend, look at him. He is half-deadwith hunger and exhaustion. Can you give him water and food?"

"He shall share what we have, sir, and I am sorry that we cannot givehim better fare than biscuit and water; but the rations we brought withus were small, and they are nearly at an end. Don Miguel, I ask yourpardon for me and mine. You will forgive us our rough treatment? Wewere fighting for your friend. "

"I know, " said the visitor faintly, and he took and grasped thecaptain's hand. 

A few minutes later he was sharing Don Ramon's shelter, and strugglinghard to recoup nature with the broken biscuit he was soaking in apannikin of water, while Fitz and his companions returned to their oldstation to resume the watch. 

They sat for some time thinking, for nobody seemed disposed to talk, even the carpenter, the most conversational of the trio, seeming toprefer the society of the piece of dirty-looking black tobacco which hekept within his teeth; but the silence became so irksome, for somehowthe firing seemed to have driven every wild creature to a distance, thatFitz broke it at last. 

"I don't know when I felt so nervous, " he whispered. "I felt sure thatsomething that would have seemed far more horrible than the fight wasabout to occur. "

"What, my father ordering that poor fellow to be shot? Yes, it wouldhave been horrible indeed. "

"But would the skipper have ordered him to be shot, Mr Poole, sir?"said Winks thoughtfully. 

"I'm afraid so, Chips. "

"Humph! Don't seem like him. He bullies us chaps pretty sharpsometimes, and threatens, and sometimes the words he says don't smell ofviolets, nor look like precious stones; but I can't see him having achap shot because he was a spy. Why, it'd be like having an executionwithout a judge. "

"Yes, very horrible, " said Fitz, "but it's time of war; as in the Dukeof Wellington's time, --martial law. "

"Who's him, sir? You mean Blucher--him as got into trouble over theArmy boots?"

"No, no, " said Poole. "Mr Burnett means the law that is used infighting times when a Commander-in-chief acts as judge. "

"Oh! All right, sir. But it sounds a bit harbitrary, as they calls itin the newspapers. I should have thought a hundred dozen would havebeen punishment enough, without putting a stinguisher on a man rightout. I suppose it's all right, but I wouldn't have given it to him sohot as that. Well, I'm glad he come, because now we know what we've gotto expect to-morrow. Do you know what I should like if I could havethree wishes same as you reads of in the little story-books?"

"Camel to come up now with one of his hot steak-and-kidney puddingsboiled in a basin?"

"_Tlat_!" ejaculated the carpenter, with a smack of the lips. "And theinions a-smelling looshus a hundred yards away. Nay, it warn't that. "

"A carpenter's tools?" said Fitz. 

"Nay, but you ain't far off, Mr Burnett. What I was wishing for wasone of them barge-loads of neatly-cut timber as you see piled upon theMersey, run right up this 'ere little river ready for all our chaps tounload. My word! Talk about a fortification! Why, I'd make asixtification of it with them timbers, and so quickly that to-morrowwhen the enemy come they should find all our Spaniels sitting behind thelittle loop-holes like a row of monkeys cracking nuts, a-laughing andchaffing the enemy, and telling of them to come on. "

"Oh, bother!" said Poole. "Don't talk so much. It's enough to temptthe enemy to sneak up and begin potting at us. I know what I shouldlike to do. " And he relapsed into silence. 

"Well, what?" said Fitz, when he was tired of waiting. 

"Get all the men together and make a sally. "

"A what?" said the carpenter. "What for? Blest if ever I heard of sucha dodge as that before. What'd be the good of a she-male at a time likethis? I could make a guy, sir, if that would suit you. "

"Will you hold your tongue, you chattering old glue-pot!"

"All right, sir! Go it! Stick it on thick! Glue-pot, eh? What willyou call me next? But what would be the good of a Sally?"

"Sally! To issue forth all together, stupid, and surprise the enemy intheir camp. "

"Oh! Well, I suppose they would be surprised to have us drop upon themall at once; but if they heard us coming we should be surprised. No, sir; let them come to us, for they're about ten to one. We are safestwhere we are. "

"Yes; Chips is right, " said Fitz. "It would be very dangerous unless wecould get them on the run. I wouldn't do that. "

"What would you do, then?" said Poole. 

"Well, " said Fitz, "you told me I was not a player, and that it was yourgame. "

"Yes, but that was before you began peppering the beggars with thatdouble gun. "

"Now, that's too bad, " cried Fitz petulantly. "There, I've done now. "

"No, you haven't. You have got something on your mind, and if it's adodge to help us all out of this mess, you are not the fellow to keep itback. So come; out with it. "

"Well, I'll tell you what I've been thinking, " said Fitz, "almost eversince I heard what that Mr Miguel said about the reinforcements comingfrom Velova. "

"What, to crush us up?" said Poole. "Enough to make any one think! Butwhat about it?"

"Why, the fort and earthworks will be emptied and all the fighting menon the way to-morrow to come and fight us here. "

"Of course, and they'll be here some time to-morrow afternoon, and ifthey don't beat us they will be going back with sore heads; but I amafraid that those of us who are left will be going back as prisoners. Is that what you meant?"

"No, " said Fitz, and without heeding a faint rustling sound such asmight have been made by some wild creature, or an enemy stealing up tolisten to their words, he went on: "I was thinking that this is what weought to do--I mean your father and the Don--steal off at once withoutmaking a sound, all of us, English and Spaniards too, down to thattimber-wharf. "

"But suppose the enemy have got scouts out there?"

"I don't believe they have. After that last thrashing they drew offever so far, and that President is doing nothing but wait for the comingof his reinforcements. "

"That sounds right, Mr Poole, sir, " said the carpenter. 

"Well, it's likely, " said Poole, and the faint rustling went on unheard. "But what then?"

"Whistle up the boat. The men would know your signal. "

"Yes?"

"Load her up till the water's above the streak, and let her drop downwith the stream. I noticed that it ran pretty fast. Land the men atthe mouth; leave them to signal for the schooner to come within reach--they could do that with the lantern, or a bit of fire on the shore, ifthey didn't hear the captain's pipe--and while they are doing that, fourmen with oars row back as hard as ever they could go, to fetch anotherboat-load. "

"Boat-load?" said Poole. "Why, it would take about four journeys, ifnot more. "

"Very likely, " said Fitz. "But there would be hours to do it in. "

"And what then?"

"Get everybody on board the schooner and make sail for the north. Getinto Velova Bay, and you could take the town with ease. "

"And what about the gunboat?" said Poole. 

"Ah! That's the awkward point in my plan. But the gunboat is notobliged to be there, and even if she were you could take the town if youmanaged to get there in the dark; and once you've got the town you couldhold it, even if she knocked the fort to pieces. "

"Hum!" grunted the carpenter. 

"It'd be a tight fit getting everybody here on board our schooner. "

"Nonsense!" said Fitz. "I could get a hundred men on board easily; andbesides, we should all be saved. "

"And besides, we should all be saved, " said Poole, half aloud. "Yes, that's true. It does seem possible, after all, for there would be nodefenders hardly left at Velova, and we could fit up a defence of somekind to keep off the enemy when they found we had gone and old Villarayocame raging back; and that wouldn't be for another two days. Yes, there's something in it, if we could dodge the gunboat again. "

"Humph!" grunted the carpenter once more. "No; there's a hole in yoursaucepan, and all the soup is tumbling out. The enemy is bound to havesome fellows on the watch, and likely enough not a hundred yards fromhere, and they would soon find out that we were evacuating the place, come and take us at a disadvantage, and perhaps shoot the poor fellowscrowded up in the boat. Oh no, my lad; it won't do at all. "

"Humph!" grunted the carpenter again. 

"Don't you be in such a hurry, Mr Son-of-the-skipper, " said Fitz. "I'dthought of that, and I should keep the enemy from coming on. "

"How?" said Poole, rather excitedly now. 

"Light three or four watch-fires--quite little ones--and put up a stickor two amongst the bushes with blankets on them and the Spaniards'sombrero hats. They'd look at a distance like men keeping the fire, andwe could make these fires so that they would glow till daylight and goon smoking then; and as long as smoke was rising from these fires, Ibelieve not one of the enemy would come near until the reinforcementsarrived. And by that time, if all went well, we should be off VelovaBay. "

"Humph!" grunted the carpenter again. 

"It won't do, Burnett, " said Poole; "it's too risky. There's nothing init. "

"Humph!" grunted the carpenter once more. 

"And hark at that! You've set old Chips off snoring with your plot. "

"That he aren't!" growled the carpenter. "I've heared every preciousword. It's fine, Mr Poole, sir--fine! There's only one thing wantedto put it right, and that's them Sallies sitting round the fire. Iwouldn't have Sallies. I'd have guys. I could knock you uphalf-a-dozen with crossed bamboos, each on 'em looking liketatter-doolies looking after crows with a gun. I says the plan woulddo. "

"And so do I, carpenter, " said the skipper, in his quick short tones ashe stepped out from among the trees, making the three start to theirfeet. 

"And I, my friend, " cried Don Ramon excitedly catching the middy by thehand. 

"Poole, my lad, " continued the skipper, "get one of the other men and gocautiously down to the landing-place with every care, and if you reachit unhindered, whistle up the boat at once. Carpenter, get others tohelp you, and start fires as quickly as you can. _Very_ small. Theothers can do that, while you contrive your rough effigies. --Now, DonRamon, you'll take the covering of our efforts with your men while minework. Remember, it is for our lives, and our only chance. "

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. 

FITZ SHOWS PEPPER. 

"Here, Mr Burnett!" came out of the darkness, and Fitz stopped short. "Yes, sir. "

"Do you know that you are a great nuisance?"

It was invisible, but Fitz flushed and felt, after his fashion, peppery. 

"I don't understand you, sir, " he said hotly. 

"I spoke plainly, my lad. You are always in my way, and you never weremore so than at this minute. "

"Then why did you take me prisoner, sir?" said the boy angrily. 

"Why, in the name of thunder, did you come and tumble down my hatchwayinstead of stopping on the gunboat? I didn't ask you to come. Here, you are as bad as having a girl on board, or something made of wax, thatmustn't be spoiled. I can't stir without thinking of having to takecare of you. "

"Oh, " cried Fitz angrily. "This is adding insult to injury, sir. "

"Well, yes, it don't sound very pleasant, does it, my boy? But you area young nuisance, you know. I mustn't have you hurt. You see, Poole'smy own, and I can do what I like with him; but you--Now then, what wereyou going to do?"

"I was going with Poole, sir. "

"Of course!" cried the skipper angrily. "Just like a middy. I neverhad anything to do with one before, but I've heard times enough fromthose who have, that if there's a bit of mischief afloat, the first nosethat goes into it is a middy's. "

"I don't know what I've done, sir, that you should keep on insulting melike this. "

"Insult! Bah! Is it insulting you to stop you from going into the mostdangerous bit of to-night's work?"

"Poole's going, sir. "

"Yes; to do his duty as my son, in this emergency. But it's not yourduty, and you will be in the way. It's very risky, my lad. For aught Iknow there may be half-a-dozen scouts between here and thelanding-place, waiting to shoot down any one who tries to open upcommunication with the boats. "

"I know that, sir. "

"And yet you want to go?"

"Yes, " said the boy warmly. "You are going to send poor Poole, and Iwant to share his danger with him. I might help him. "

"I am going to send poor Poole? Yes, my boy, because I am obliged. That job has to be done, and I'd sooner trust him than any one here. Ican't spare my men, and I can't send one of these Spanish chaps. Itwon't do to have it muffed. But _poor_ Poole, eh? You seem to havegrown mighty fond of him all at once. "

"Oh no, I'm not, " said the boy haughtily; "but he has been very kind tome, and I'm not ungrateful. I might be able to help him if he gets intodanger. "

"Oh, " said the skipper; "and suppose you get into danger?"

"Oh, then he'd help me, sir, of course. I'm sorry for him. He can'thelp being a filibuster's son. "

"Filibuster, eh? So I'm a filibuster, am I? Upon my word, you're aboutthe most cheeky young gentleman I ever ran against in my life. Well, all right. You must chance it, I suppose. "

"Yes, please, " said Fitz eagerly. 

"Yes, please, eh? Well, keep your eyes well skinned, my lad. You twosharp-eyed youngsters ought to be able to take care of yourselves; butlook here, I don't want you to fight. This is our mess, not yours. "

"Well, I don't want to fight, " said Fitz. "I want to get back on boardsome English vessel. "

"Same here. That's what I want to do: get you on board the schooner. That's an English vessel. "

"But not the sort I want, sir. "

"Beggars mustn't be choosers, my lad; but there, I've no more time totalk. Just one word, though: I don't want you to fight, but I seeyou've got my double gun, and I'll just say this. If you see Poole indifficulties with any of those murderous mongrels, nine parts Indian andone part Spaniard, don't you flinch about using it. "

"I shouldn't, sir, then. "

"All right; then be off. "

The skipper turned away, and Poole hurried up. 

"What's my governor been saying to you?"

"Bullied me for being here, " replied Fitz; "but he said that I might gowith you. "

"He did!"

"Yes, and gave me orders to shoot all the niggers who attacked you. "

"Hooray! Then come on. "

The two lads hurried off together through the darkness, leaving thehacienda and its defenders behind as they began to retrace their stepsalong the rough track leading to the corduroy road. 

"Here, we mustn't talk, " whispered Poole. "There's pretty nearly sureto be a post of the enemy somewhere in front. We can't have such luckas to get down there to the river without something in our way. I'll goon first. "

"That you don't, " said Fitz. "If any one goes first I will. "

"Now, no nonsense!" cried Poole angrily. "I'm boss of this job, and ifyou don't do as I tell you I'll leave you behind. "

"I've got your father's orders to come and take care of you, " retortedFitz; "and if you come any of your bounce and cheek now there'll be arow, and it will end in my punching your head. "

"Poof! Cock-a-doodle-do!" whispered Poole. "There: come on! Let'swalk side by side. I'll settle all that with you when the work is done. I say, keep your eyes skinned, and both ears wide open. I'll look tothe right, you look to the left. We'll get on that wooden road andfollow it down to the wharf. "

"Pretty wharf it is! I say, I hope those poor fellows haven't beenmurdered. "

"Oh, don't talk like that. They've got the boat, and let's hope they'resafe. But it's been hard lines for them, waiting there all this time, with nothing to do but nibble their biscuits and kill flies. --Pst!"

Fitz imitated his companion's act and stopped short, his eyes strivinghard to pierce the gloom in front; but for nearly a minute both stood onthe strain. 

"Nothing, " said Poole. "Come on. It was some little animal escapingthrough the bushes; but make ready. "

The clicking of the locks of both pieces sounded painfully loud in thesilence as they went cautiously on, stopping again and again to listen, each wishing they could hear some sound to relieve the painful tensionfrom which they suffered; but everything living seemed to have beenscared away, and they kept on without interruption, while the riverinstead of getting nearer seemed to grow farther off, till at last Pooleslipped on one of the muddy logs which formed the road, and nearly wentheadlong, but was saved by his companion, who in his effort to hold himup, fetched him a sharp rap on the head with the barrel of his gun. 

"Thank you, " said Poole. 

"Oh, I only tried to keep you up, " said Fitz, breathing hard. 

"I meant for that affectionate crack you fetched me on the head. I say, this arn't sporting, you know. "

"What do you mean?" whispered Fitz. 

"I mean, don't shoot me so as to fill the bag. "

"Don't fool, " cried Fitz angrily. 

"All right; but don't hit me again like that. It hurts. "

"Pish! It was an accident. I am afraid--"

"So am I, " said Poole, taking him up sharply; "horribly. "

"I mean, that we have got on the wrong road. "

"I thought so; but we can't be. There is only this one, if you call ita road, leading straight down to the river--no, not straight;circumbendibus-y. "

"No, " said Fitz, "it must have branched off, or we should have been atthe river long enough ago. "

"No, we have come too slowly. "

"Where is the river, then?" said Fitz. 

_Plash! Quenk_!

At that moment some kind of waterfowl rose from its lair with a gooddeal of fluttering of its wings, and a plaintive cry of alarm. 

"Ah!" sighed Fitz, with a deep expiration of his breath. "At last!"

"Yes, at last. Mind how you come. The wharf must be just here. Canyou make out that bank of mist?"

"Yes; I can see the top of it cut off quite sharply, and with the starsabove it. That must be the river, then. "

"That's right, " said Poole. "Here, look out; we are quite close to theedge of the wharf. I say, what luck! We've got here safely, after all. Ah-h! What are you about?"

"Slipped, " said Fitz, with a gasp. "The wood's like ice. "

"Precious hot ice. I'm dripping. Do take care. If you go overboardyou'll be swept right away, and I'm bothered if I come after you. "

"I don't believe you, " said Fitz, with a little laugh. "But oh, I say!"

"What's the matter now? Smell crocs?"

"No, no. I was thinking about those poor fellows in the boat. It's sohorribly silent. Surely they have escaped. "

Poole was silent for a few moments, and it seemed to the middy that hewas breathing unusually hard. 

"Is anything the matter?" whispered Fitz, at last. "Oh, don't talk likethat!" came in an excited whisper. 

"Then why don't you give the signal? What is it?"

"I was listening, and fancied I heard some one coming behind us. Faceround, and if any one tries to rush us let 'em have it--both barrels. Those big shot of yours may check them, and I'll hold my bullet inreserve. "

Fitz made no answer, but breathed harder as he stood ready with hisfingers on the triggers. 

"Fancy, " said Poole at last. "Now then. "

"Are you going to shout?"

"No; I've got the dad's pipe, " and applying the little silver whistle tohis lips he made it give forth one little shrill chirrup, and thenwaited, while the stillness seemed to Fitz more awful than before, andhis heart sank lower with the dread lest the men were dead, the boatgone, and his project completely at an end. _Chirrup_!

Another what seemed to be a painfully long pause, and then _Chirrup_!once again. 

The pause seemed even longer than before to the listeners, but theinterval was short indeed before from out of the mist in front came alow hoarse "What cheer, oh!" followed by a sneeze and a grunt. "Teals?"cried Poole. 

"Ay, ay! Two on us, " came back. "Shall we pull ashore?"

"Yes; come on. "

"Right. That you, Mr Poole?"

"Yes! Look sharp!"

There was a loud rustling, apparently about a hundred yards away, followed by the scraping of an oar over the side of the boat, and thenthe sound of paddling coming nearer and nearer, till the dimly-seenforms appeared out of the mist, and the boat grated against the side ofthe rough pier. "How goes it, sir?" said one of the men. "All right sofar, " replied Poole. "But how is it with you two?"

"Offle, sir. "

"What do you mean?"

"Heads so swelled up with skeeters that we can't wear our hats. We'vefinished the grub, and to-morrow morning we was a-going to toss whetherI should eat him or him should eat I. "

"No nonsense, " said Poole. 

"No, sir; there arn't been none, " said the speaker, in a low growl. "This 'ere's been the roughest job I was ever on. We'd have givenanything to come and jine our mates so as to get a shot. Anybody lostthe number of his mess?"

"No, " said Poole. "No one even hurt. "

"'Cept us, sir, and we've each of us got ten hundred million wounds. "

"Wounds?"

"Yes, sir; skeeters. Trunks as big as elephants. They'd have suckedpoor Jem here quite dry, only he did as I did, made it up with water, and there was plenty of that. --But you've come to fetch us, haven'tyou?"

"No; only to set you on the alert. "

"On the which, sir? What ship's that?"

"Nonsense!" cried Poole. "We are all coming down to get on board theschooner as quickly as we can. "

"And a blessed good thing too, " growled the other man. "But you'dbetter stop where y'are, for this 'ere's an awful place. Anybody mighthave my job for me. "

"Yes, " said Poole, "I know it must have been terribly bad, but we areoff again directly with the news that you two are all right. "

"That we are which, sir?" said the first speaker. "Oh, I say, MrPoole, sir, don't go and tell the skipper a lie like that. "

"No, no; of course I'll tell him about how you have suffered; but wehaven't been lying in feather-beds up there. Here, I say, Fitz, don'tlaugh. "

"I couldn't help it, " cried Fitz. 

"No, sir, you couldn't, " said the first man. "We couldn't at first. Ilaughed at Jem to see him smacking his own face all over, and he laughedat me and said mine looked beastly. And we didn't either of us looknice when the sun rose this morning, not even when we'd had a good wash. But it's all over now, as you are coming down, and the first thing Jemand me's going to do as soon as we gets aboard the schooner is to go andhide our heads in the hold. Say, Jem, old lad, I wonder what Chips willsay to you when he sees your mug!"

"Just the same as he will say to you, messmate, about yourn. "

"Hush! Don't talk. Get back into hiding again, and be ready to pick upthe first load as soon as they come down. "

"What of, sir? Prisoners or plunder?"

"Spaniards, my lad. Come, be serious. We are in a queer fix up there, shut in by the enemy. Have you seen anything of them here?"

"Yes; about a couple of dozen ugly-looking beggars, sort ofmahogany-brown, come and had a look; but they didn't see us, and wentback. It was just afore that first firing began. "

"That's right, " cried Poole. "Back with you; but it won't be longbefore some one comes, and then you must drop down to the coast, signalthe schooner, land your load, and come back; but keep two men to helpyou. "

"Ay, ay, sir. "

"One word; you haven't seen any of the Teals, I suppose?"

"Oh yes, sir. Old Butters rowed up with the dinghy this evening. "

"Last evening, mate, " growled the other. 

"Yes, that's right, messmate. He just had a word with us. Mr Burgesssent him. He wanted news, but of course we had got none, only about theshooting. The bosun said that if the skipper didn't soon come back hewas afraid accidents would happen to the schooner--catch fire, orsomething--for old Burgess was making it so hot for everybody that hewas glad to get away in the little boat. "

"Off with you!" said Poole, and he and his companion hurried backthrough the gathering mist. 

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. 

WINKS'S SALLYS. 

The distance back to the hacienda seemed short enough, and inanticipation of his mission proving successful, the skipper had hisfirst boat's load told off ready for their start. 

"Well done! Splendid!" he said to the lads. "Off with you back. Takethe command, Poole. Are you going again, Mr Burnett?"

"Yes, sir; of course. "

Fitz turned sharply round when he was addressed, from where he wasstanding with the carpenter, after noting that here and there at adistance a tiny fire was burning, indicating the different posts betweenthem and the enemy, and just before Winks had come hurriedly up to himand given him a nudge. 

"I arn't got them set up yet, sir, " he whispered, "but I've made four. Not much to look at, but they will be all right. Two crossed sticks, bamboos, blankets, and them Spanish hats. There's two Sallys and twoGuys. The Sallys has got the blankets right over the tops with the hatsdown close. They looks just like old women a little way off. --Goingback again, sir?"

"Yes, " replied Fitz. "We shan't be very long this time. "

"All right, sir. I shall have the traps set by the time you come again. My word! I should like to be there when the Span'ls finds they arenothing but a set of paddies. I should like to hear the words theysaid. It would be something pretty in bad Spanish, I'll be bound. "

"Now, Mr Burnett, " cried the skipper sharply, and somehow feeling as ifhe were one of the schooner's officers, the middy hurried off, helpingto guide the party, consisting of Don Ramon's followers all but two, andsucceeding in reaching the wharf without an adventure, the boat comingup at once on hearing their approach, and in a very short time loadedgunwale down, gliding off along the swift stream. 

"That's one lot, " said Poole excitedly, as the stern of the boatdisappeared. "Well, we had no orders, but of course we've got to goback for another lot and bring them down. I suppose we shall have themhere long before the empty boat returns from the schooner. "

"It will be a stiff pull against the stream, " said Fitz. 

"Yes, but empty, and I made them fully understand that they were tostart back after shipping the men and communicating with old Burgess. Ithink that will turn out all right. "

It did, and in due time a second load was despatched to the schooner, forming half the human cargo she would have to bear. 

They were anxious times during these journeys in the boat. All wasgoing well, but at any moment the fiction of the watchers by the firesmight have been discovered, and the enemy come on to the attack upon aforce weakened first by one-fourth, then by half, and later on bythree-fourths of its number, the danger increasing at a terrific ratiofor those who were left. At last, still keeping manfully to theirposts, the last portion--the last quarter of the little force--stoodwaiting, nearly all English, those of Spanish descent consisting of DonRamon and his most staunch adherent. 

The skipper had urged him to go with the third party, but he hadscornfully refused. 

"What!" he cried. "Provide for my safety, and leave you braveEnglishmen to fight my battle all alone! Bah! You would never be ableto call me friend again. But tell me this: why did you not go yourselfand leave me to guard the hacienda till the boat came back?--Hah! Yousay nothing! You cannot. No, I shall stay, and we will escapetogether, ready to sail round, seize Velova, and meet mine enemies whenthey return. "

The peril seemed to increase minute by minute, as the little partywatched, straining their ears in the darkness to catch the slightestsound, while it seemed hours since the last party had left them, andthey awaited the coming of the two lads to announce that the boat hadreturned. 

It was weary work for these goers to and fro, but excitement andexertion kept them from feeling the agony of the Englishmen who, apparently calm, kept watch and ward at the hacienda, while from time totime the skipper and Winks went from fire to fire, mending them andarranging more fuel so that when they were left for good they mightstill keep burning. 

They had been round for the last visit, and returned to the hacienda, walking very slowly, and pausing from time to time to listen for anymovement in the enemy's lines, and at last they stopped short close tothe spot where the carpenter had destroyed the snake, when afterstanding for some time listening to a faint murmur of voices close athand, coming from the waiting crew, the carpenter uttered a peculiarhusky cough. It was so strange and unnatural that the skipper put theright interpretation upon it at once. 

"Yes?" he said. "You wanted to ask me something?"

"Yes, sir. It's this waiting makes me want to speak. I can't stand thedoing nothing at a time like this. I'd ten times rather be on thefight. "

"So would I, Winks, if you come to that. It's a cruel strain, my lad. Worse than being in the wildest storm. But go on; what did you want tosay?"

"Oh, only this, sir. I want you to give me orders to go round again andgive the fires a poke. You needn't come, sir. You are wanted here. You can trust me to do the lot. "

"Yes, I know that, " said the skipper sternly; "but that isn't all. Youwere thinking something else, and now it's come to the point you areafraid to speak. "

"How did you know that, sir?" said the man huskily. 

"By your manner and the tone of your voice. What is it you arethinking? Out with it at once. "

"Well, sir, I dunno how you come to know, but it has come over me justlately like a skeer. Aren't the young gents been much longer thistime?"

"Yes, much, " replied the skipper; "or else it seems to be. "

"I thought so, sir, and I've got so now that I feels as if I can't bearit. What are you going to do, sir? Follow 'em up and see what'swrong?"

"I shall give them ten minutes longer, Winks. I meant to stay here tothe very last, ready to give the enemy a volley and a check if theyshould come on; but now the time has come to hurry on to the wharf andwait there in the hope that the boat may still come and take us offwithout further waste of time. "

"But don't let me make you downhearted, sir, " said the carpenter, tryingto speak cheerily. "I'm a bit of an old woman in my ways sometimes. Maybe it's all right, after all. "

"Maybe it is, " said the skipper. "We are tired out and over-anxiousnow. It's quite possible that we shall have them back here soon. "

"Pst!" whispered the carpenter. "There's some one coming. "

It was from their rear, and the next moment they were joined by DonRamon. 

"Ah, you are here, " he said. "Is it not time that the boys came back?"

"Nearly, " said the skipper quietly. 

"No, no, " said Don Ramon; "they have been twice too long. Somethingmust have happened, or they would have come by now. "

"Pst! Look out!" whispered the carpenter, and he cocked his rifle. "No: all right, " he continued. "It's not from the enemy's side. "

He was quite right, for directly after the two boys trotted up. 

"All right, father, " cried Poole. "The boat's back. "

"We thought she would never have come, " added Fitz. "They have had avery hard pull up stream, for the water has risen, and they thought thatthey'd never get to the landing-place. "

"But they are there!" cried the skipper eagerly. "What about theothers? Have they got on board?"

"Everything was going right, father. I had a few words with Butters, and he was very eager to know how soon I could get you all down. "

"And you couldn't tell him?"

"No, father. --I think that's all. "

"Bravo! Magnificent!" cried Don Ramon. "You have both done wonders, "and to the lads' disgust he caught them in turn to his breast and kissedthem. "It is grand, and your fathers should be proud. My lads, it isthe grandest thing in life to be a Spaniard of pure Castilian descent, but next to that the greatest thing in the world is to be an Englishboy. "

"This is no time for compliments, Don Ramon, " said the skipper sternly. "They have done their duty; that is all. Now then, will you lead on atonce with half our party, and I with the rest will form the rear-guard. If even now the enemy come up we shall be able to hold them in check. We shall fire, and then double past you and your party, who will haltand fire, and then retire past us again. We are very few and they aremany, but I think we can reach the boat in safety after all. "

The Don made no reply, but put himself at the head of his little partyat once, leaving the skipper, the two lads, and the remainder facing theenemy's camp and watching the flickering fires between, the hardest taskof all when the way was open and they felt that with a good rush theymight reach the boat in safety. 

But discipline was master, and fighting down all desire to break away, the remnant of the little force stood waiting, while the carpenter madea last effort to find himself something to do, by suggesting that itwould be best perhaps to give them there fires just another touch. 

"No, " said the skipper sternly. "In another two minutes we shall followon. "

"Thank goodness!" whispered Fitz excitedly. "I don't feel as if I couldstand any more. "

"Not even one of Don Ramon's speeches and a hug?"

"Oh, don't talk about it, " whispered Fitz angrily. 

"What! Isn't it grand to be an English boy?"

"Bosh!" cried Fitz, and like an echo of his ejaculation came theskipper's command--

"Forward!" And directly afterwards, "Poole--Mr Burnett--will you watchwith me?"

The lads stepped to his side at once. 

"The last to turn our backs, Fitz Burnett, " whispered Poole. "The placeof honour after all. "

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. 

ABOARD AGAIN. 

The little party strained their ears as they tramped silently on towardsthe boat; but not a sound was heard suggesting that the enemy graspedthe fact that the strategy had been cleverly carried out. The dullreflection of the fires had from time to time been faintly discernibleupon the low-hanging mist; but this soon died out, and fortune seemed tobe smiling kindly upon their efforts now. 

"I'd give something to know what time it is, " whispered Poole, and hetook a step nearer to his father to ask him how long he thought it wouldbe before day. 

"I haven't the least idea, my boy, " he replied. "The night has seemedfar too short, but it must be nearly at an end. But if we can once getinto the boat and reach the schooner I shall begin to hope that we mayreach Velova before the enemy. "

"We have got much farther to go than they have, though, father. "

"Yes, and everything will depend upon how long it is before thereinforcements come and they make their advance. It may be hours yet, and it may be before the break of day. There, don't talk to me again, my lad; I want to think. "

So it was in silence and darkness that the corduroy road was traversed, and the rear-guard reached the little wharf to find the advancegathered-together, waiting to fire or descend at once into the boat. 

There was not a sound to be heard from the direction by which they hadcome, and the skipper giving the order to embark at once, the menstepped down carefully and well, till, dangerously packed, the order wasgiven to push off, Poole and Fitz being together in the stern, where theskipper passed out an oar to steer, and they began rapidly to descendthe flooded stream. 

"There must have been rain in the mountains, " he said quietly, and thenaloud, "Sit fast, my lads, and keep her well in trim. Two oars outthere, just to give me steering way, but you need hardly pull. Everything depends upon your keeping steady. There, boys, " he said, tothose at his side, "we are none too soon. It's lightening yonder in theeast. "

That morning the sun, as it rose high above the mist, shone down uponthe crowded decks of the schooner, her white sails glistening as theland was left behind, with Poole and Fitz Burnett using the glass inturn to watch the mouth of the little river; but they watched in vain, for there was no sign of enemy hurrying to the bank, nothing to disturbthe peace and beauty of the scene. 

Poole scuffled up to the masthead, glass in hand, and Fitz Burnettfollowed him, to stand as near as he could, with the ratlines cuttinginto his feet and a crick coming in the back of his neck, as he held ontightly, and leaned back watching his companion's action, longing to gethold of the glass and use it himself. In fact, he was suffering fromthat impatience which often attacks us all and makes us feel as we watchanother's action how much better we could do it ourselves, from thegreatest matter down to such a trifle us untying a knot in a piece ofstring. Meanwhile, with the white sails swelling out above and below, and the double glass to his eye, the skipper's son was slowly sweepingthe coast-line, letting nothing escape him, as he looked in vain forsome sign of the enemy. 

"See her, my boy?" came from the deck, and Fitz looked down, to see thatthe skipper and Don Ramon were watching them. 

"No, father, " cried Poole. "I wasn't looking out to sea. "

"Then why don't you?" cried the skipper angrily. "Are you trying to seecocoanuts on the trees? Sweep the horizon, sir, and give us the firstnotice of that gunboat's masts. "

"All right, father, " said the lad quietly, and he wrenched himself roundand made the lenses of the binocular slowly travel along thehorizon-line, as he rocked gently here and there with the action of theschooner riding swiftly over the long smooth swell; for there was apleasant breeze, all possible sail was set, and they were rapidlydiminishing the distance between them and Velova Bay. 

"See her?" said Fitz, as he noted that the skipper and his Spanishfriend had walked together forward--Don Ramon's followers, who crowdedthe deck and sent up scores of tiny films of smoke from theircigarettes, politely making way and forming quite a lane for theirleaders. 

They were idling, chattering, and laughing together, the very types of aparty of idlers out on a sea-trip, and their rifles were leaning againstthe bulwarks here and there, lying about the deck, or stuck in sheavestogether with their barrels appearing above the sides of the boatsswinging from the davits. 

No one could have imagined from their careless indolent bearing thatthey were posing as patriots, men who a short time before had escapedfrom a deadly peril, and were now for aught they knew sailing straightaway into one as great. 

They formed a strong contrast to the old men-of-war's men, who retainedtheir well-drilled bearing as the crew of the schooner, eager, alert, and ready at any moment to spring to sheet and brace at the mate'sorders when they went upon another tack. 

"No, " replied Poole, after a long interval. "There's a shoal of fishout yonder, and something sprang out farther to the east and went inagain with a splash, and there's a bad sign out yonder; cat's-paws onthe surface. "

"You don't mean to say that it looks like a calm coming?"

"Just like that, " said Poole slowly, with the glass still at his eye. 

"Well?" rose from the deck, as the two chiefs came slowly back. 

"Nothing, father--not a sign, " cried Poole. "Well, you needn't stop upthere, my lad. Come down, and go up again in a quarter of an hour'stime. "

Poole slipped the glass into the case slung from his left shoulder, laidhold of a rope, and looked at his companion, who did the same, and theyslid down together and dropped upon the deck, to begin walking forward. 

"I shan't be sorry, " said Poole quietly, "when all these fellows areashore. "

"Nor I neither, " replied Fitz, and then he turned his head sharply, fora familiar head was thrust out of the galley, where the stove was blackand cold. 

"Weel, laddies, " whispered the Camel, "I have had to put up the shuttersand shut up shop, for I canna pretend to feed all this lot; but ah'mthenking ye'll feel a bit hungry now and then, and when ye do, joost gobelow into the cahbin when there's naebody looking, and open the littlelocker. I dinna mean to say another word, but--" He closed oneferrety-looking red eye, laid a finger alongside of his nose, showed hisbig teeth, and drew his head in again. 

"A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse, " said Poole, laughing. "Well done, Camel! But that's all you, Fitz. "

"Nonsense! It was a hint for both. "

"No. He has taken a fancy to you. He told me himself he had, and thatit was his doing that you got up your strength so quickly. "

"Oh, gammon!" cried Fitz petulantly. 

"No, it was what he calls his pheesic. He told me that when a man wasin bad health--crenky, he called it--that the thing to pull him roundwas soup; and you know how he was always scheming something of the kindfor you. I shouldn't like to analyse too strictly what he made it of. "

"Why, meat, of course, " cried the middy. "I don't know, " said Pooledryly. "You see, it's not like being ashore; but you had soup prettywell every day, and you said yourself that it tasted all right. But itdoesn't matter. It did you good. "

"Don't you think we had better change the subject?" said Fitz sharply. "Yes; and we'll go up aloft again. Coming?"

"Of course, " was the reply. 

They turned back to go aft towards the mainmast-shrouds, Don Ramon'sfollowers making room for them to pass; but as they reached the part ofthe deck where they were going to ascend, they came upon the boatswainlooking as black as thunder. 

"Hullo, Butters! Anything the matter?" said Poole. "Matter!" growledthe copper-faced old fellow. "Look at my deck--I mean, as much of it asyou can see. I am pretty nigh sick of this! A set of jabberingmonkeys; that's about what they are. "

"Up aloft again, Poole?" cried the skipper. "Just going, " was thereply, and giving up his place by the starboard main-shrouds to Fitz, the lad ran across the deck to the port side, where he began to ascend, the pair meeting at the masthead upon equal terms. "Here, I'd give upthe glass to you, " cried Poole, "but father mightn't like it, thoughyour eyes are as sharp or sharper than mine. I'll give one sweep roundand report to the deck, and then you shall have a turn. "

Poole passed his arm round a stay and raised the glass to his eyes, while Fitz took a turn round the rope with one leg, and waited, thinking. 

"Isn't such a bad fellow, " he said to himself, as he watched thecaptain's son, "but he's getting a little too familiar. He seems toforget sometimes that I'm an officer; but there, it doesn't much matter, and it won't last long. "

"Well, my lad?" came from the deck. 

"All clear, father, " was the reply, and as Fitz glanced down he saw DonRamon place the cigarette he was holding between his teeth and clap hishands, while from his crowd of followers who were looking on thereascended a loud _Viva_!

And the hot day glided on. 

There was a fair breeze, and the schooner fairly danced over thelaughing waters, sending shoals of flying-fish skimming out before them, with their wing-like fins glistening like those of giganticdragon-flies, before they dropped back into the sea. 

Rations were served out to the eager crowd, and a buzz of conversationwas kept up, to ascend to the two lads, who spent most of their timealoft, watching, talking, and comparing notes about what a peaceful timeit seemed and how strange a contrast to the excitement of the previousday and night. 

"It's too good to be true, my lads, " said the skipper quietly, as theafternoon glided by. "We have made such a splendid run that it isn'treasonable to expect fortune will favour us much farther. "

"Ah, you think that?" said Don Ramon, who came up rolling a freshcigarette. 

"Yes, sir, I do. In another hour we shall be round that headland, andin sight of Velova if the mate keeps us clear of that long reef of rockswhich guards the bay. "

"Ah, and then you think Villarayo will be waiting for us with his men?"

"Oh no, " said the skipper; "I can't say for certain, but I should doubtwhether he has found out as yet that we are gone. I feel certain nowthat he would not stir till all his reinforcements had reached him. "

"That is right, " said the Don eagerly, "and even then--I know our peoplewell--they will fight bravely twice, but it is very hard to move themagain. But you spoke as if you _were_ in doubt. What is it youexpect?"

"I expect, sir, that as soon as we get round that headland we shall seethe gunboat waiting for us, and ready to open fire. And once she getswell within range--"

Reed stopped. "Yes, what then?" cried Don Ramon eagerly. The skippershrugged his shoulders. "What can we do, sir, with my schooner crowdedup like this?"

"Fly, " said the Don, with his eyes flashing. "Of course; there isnothing else to be done. But if they have decent men to work that gun, one well-placed shot or shell will wreck my rigging, and we shall lielike a wounded bird upon the water. "

The Don looked fixedly in the skipper's face for some moments beforegiving him a short nod and turning away to light his cigarette. 

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. 

NO BURGESS ABOARD. 

But the skipper's forebodings were needless. As they sailed round theheadland it was through a sea of golden light. There lay Velova withevery window flashing in the late afternoon sunshine. Small coastingvessels were at anchor, boats were putting out to sea to reach thefishing-grounds; and, save that through the glass a few figures could beseen about the little fort with its flagstaff flying the nationalcolours, and the rough earthworks could be made out mounting a few smallguns, all was calm and peaceful. 

"There, captain, " cried Don Ramon triumphantly, "what do you say now?"

"It is for you to speak, sir. What do you say now?"

"Sail right in as close up to the wharf as you can get; you can lay yourvessel alongside in these calm waters. "

"And if they open fire?"

"They will not dare, " cried the Don, his eyes flashing with excitement. "We must be first, and there will be scarcely any one there. "

"But if they did, sir?"

"If they did, my men would crowd into your boats, we should row ashoreand carry the fort and earthworks. We can do that with ease while youcome right on to where we will meet you, and help to land the guns. Captain Reed, our young friend's plans have opened the way to triumph. You will see that all the people in Velova now will declare for me. Ishall arm them with the rifles you have brought, strengthen the fort andearthworks, and plant three of the pieces upon the road leading to themountain-pass by which the enemy are bound to come. Let them attackthen if they dare. Do you see? Do you understand?" he added quickly. 

"Yes. Excellent. Nothing could be better than your plan, sir; and ifVillarayo should not arrive till morning the game would be your own. "

"Would be! Will be, " said the Spaniard fiercely. "What is to preventit now?"

The skipper glanced round as they stood together aft, and saving the twolads there was no one to overhear his words, as he leaned a littlenearer to the excited Spaniard and said, almost in a whisper--

"The gunboat. "

There was a faint click. Don Ramon had closed his teeth sharply, and heturned half round to gaze out to sea. The next minute he turned backwith his brow knit and his eyes half-closed. 

"Yes, my good friend, " he said quietly; "that is the great enemy. Ah!if you could show me how to get control of that it would mean all. Still I do not despair. She is not here now, and there is the land, thecountry all before me. Let her keep away till after Villarayo hasreturned, and I have scattered all his horde of ruffians, the sweepingsof the place--as I shall, for once I have landed with my warlikesupplies, all that is good and true in Velova will fight for me to thedeath--and then the march to San Cristobal will be an easy task. Thenews that Villarayo and his people are scattered will go before me, andthe people there will crowd to me for arms, the arms that I shall sendround by your vessel to meet me there. Oh, it will be all child's playnow, and in another few days my flag will be flying at San Cristobal, asit will be flying here. "

"If, " said Fitz quietly to Poole, as the Spaniard walked forward toaddress his men, "he is not counting his chickens before they arehatched. "

"Yes, " said the skipper, who had heard his words; "and if the gunboatdoes not return. "

"Well, father, there are some things in his favour, " said Poole, "evenabout the gunboat. "

"What?"

"This is a very rocky coast. That gunboat must draw a good deal ofwater. "

"True, my boy; true. "

"And, father, " said Poole, with a smile, "they haven't got a Burgess onboard. "

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. 

THE CONTRABAND. 

The evening was coming on fast as the schooner sailed on towards thelittle port with her overburdened decks. 

"Are we going to run right in, Poole?" asked Fitz, as he watched theexcitement of the crowd on deck, where every one of Don Ramon'sfollowers was busy polishing up his rifle, to the great amusement of thecarpenter, who slouched up to where the lads were standing. "Just lookat 'em, " he said. "They thinks they're soldiers; that's what they havegot in their heads. Rubbing up the outsides of them rifles! I've beenwatching of them this last half-hour. They're just like an old farmer Iused to know. Always werry pertickler, he was, to whitewash theoutsides of his pig-sties; but as to the insides--my!"

That last word sounded like a bad note on a clarionet, for, as he spoke, Winks was holding his nose tightly between his finger and thumb. 

Fitz laughed, and asked the question that begins the second paragraph ofthis chapter. 

"Seems like it, " said Poole, "but I don't know whether it's going to besafe. "

"Won't be safe for them, " continued the carpenter, "if they don't runtheir loading-rods and a bit of rag through them barrels. Soreshoulders for some of them. My word, how they will kick! Soldiers!" hechuckled. "I say, Mr Burnett, have you ever seen them thererecruiting-sergeants about Trafalgar Square, London?"

"Yes, often, " said Fitz. "Why?"

"Nice smart-looking, well-built chaps, as looks as if their uniformshad growed on 'em like their skins. "

"Yes, they are smart picked men of course, " said Fitz. 

"That's so, sir. What do you think they would say to thesetan-leather-coloured ragged Jacks, if they went up and offered to takethe shilling?"

"Well, they wouldn't take many of them, I think, " replied the middy. 

"Take many of them, sir? I seem to see one of the sergeants now. He'dhold that little walking-stick of his with both hands tight and close upunder his left arm, stand werry stiff, and drop his head a little on oneside as he looked down at them; and then he'd give a sniff, and thatwould be all. "

But Don Ramon did not despise his followers. He was bustling aboutamong them, addressing and exhorting and working them up to a tremendouspitch of excitement, making them shout and cheer till they were hoarse. Then they swarmed into the rigging and clustered in the shrouds, to wavetheir rifles and hats at the crowd gathering upon the shore and cheeringshrilly in reply, the men's voices being mingled with those of women andchildren, who seemed to be welcoming them as their deliverers. 

"Well, it's all right, Don Ramon, " said the skipper, who was standing byBurgess busily conning the schooner as she glided in now towards theshore. 

"Yes, " cried the Don proudly; "it is what you call all right. You seethere will be no fighting now. "

_Bang_! went a gun from the fort, and the lads started as they gazed atthe grey ball of smoke which began to turn golden as it rose in the air. 

"They're reckoning without the fort, " said Fitz excitedly, as hestrained his eyes in vain for the ball which he expected to see comeskipping over the smooth water. 

"Yes, " said Poole. --"No: it was a blank. Look, they are hauling downthe flag. Oh, it's all right. A regular walk-over. Three cheers forDon Ramon!"

"Yes, " shouted the skipper. "With a will, my lads! Three cheers forDon Ramon!" And they were given with such energy that the Don sprang upupon the cabin-light, to bow and press his hands to his breast. 

He was down again the next instant, to run to the skipper and catch andwring his hands. 

"You see, " he cried, "the people are with me. But you will help mestill?"

"As far as I can, " was the reply; "but you must not call upon me to landmy men and help you in your fight with Villarayo. "

"No?" said the Don, in a questioning way. 

"No, " replied the skipper. "The fight at the hacienda was an exception. I was driven to that. "

"But you will help me still? The arms--the ammunition?"

"Yes; it is our duty to land everything safely to your order. "

"Then I want the rifles and cartridges now. "

"Yes, " said the skipper. "You feel satisfied that it will be safe tohave them landed?"

"Quite. So as to arm my friends. "

"Then as soon as your men are ashore I will have the cases got up fromthe hold. "

"No, " said Don Ramon; "you must do it now. Have them up on deck so thatmy people can bear them ashore as soon as we reach the wharf. "

"It shall be done, " said the skipper quietly. "All that I require isyour authority, that you take them in charge. "

"I give you my authority before all your witnesses, " replied Don Ramonproudly; "and I take them in charge. Is that sufficient?"

"Quite, sir. Mr Burgess, you will lay the schooner alongside thewharf. Pass the word for the carpenter and eight or ten men. I wantthese tarpaulins and hatches off. Order your men back, Don Ramon. Iwant room for mine to work. "

It was a busy scene that followed. Sails were lowered, for they wereclose in now; hammers were ringing; the way down into the hold was laidbare; tackle was rigged up; and by the time the schooner lay alongside afairly-made wharf, a dozen long white cases bound with hoop-iron laypiled up upon the deck, while dozens more lay waiting to take theirplace. The excitement was tremendous; the wharf and its approaches werecrowded by an enthusiastic mob, eager and clamouring for arms, whichduring the next hour were lavishly supplied, along with a sufficiency ofammunition, with the result that Don Ramon's little force had grown intoa well-armed crowd, so full of enthusiasm that they gave promise, if notof victory, of making a desperate defence. 

At last, with the help of those who seemed to be among the chief peopleof the place, the little army, well-armed, was marched away from thewaterside to take up strategic positions under Don Ramon's instructions, after which he returned to where the skipper and his men had openedanother hatch and were busily hoisting up the little battery ofsix-pounder field-guns, with their limbers, everything being of thenewest and most finished kind. These, with their cases of ammunition, proving much heavier than they looked, were swung round from the deckwith the tackle necessary and landed upon the wharf, where they wereseized upon at once by the Don's roughly-selected artillery-men, and atlast dragged off by teams of mules to the places of vantage where theywere to be stationed; and all amidst a scene of the wildest enthusiasm. 

As the last gun was landed, hastily put together, and seized and draggedaway by a human team, Don Ramon came back from the shore, palpitatingwith emotion, and hurrying to where the skipper stood upon the deck withthe lads, wiping his face after superintending every part of thedelivery himself. 

"There, Don Ramon, " he cried, "my work's done, and you have goteverything safe. I hope your fellows will be careful with theammunition. "

"Yes, yes, " was the reply; "everything is being done. I have come backto thank you. If you do not see me again yet awhile, it is because I amover yonder--because I am wanted everywhere at once. Captain Reed, andyou, my brave young friends, I want to tell you of the gratitude I feel, but--but--my heart is too full. I cannot speak. But one word;to-morrow the enemy will be here, a great battle will rage, for mypeople will fight now to the very death. If I fall--" He stopped short. 

He truly could say no more, and waving his hands to them, he sprang backon to the wharf out of the light cast by the swinging lanterns, whichhad for some time past thrown their weird gleams upon the scene, and wasgone. 

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. 

REAL WAR. 

There was little sleep that night for those on board, for once hislittle cargo was discharged, the skipper had everything made snug andready for putting to sea if necessary at a moment's notice. 

Most of the men had been busy over the landing of the cases and guns, and Fitz had thoroughly enjoyed the looking on, feeling a strangelonging the while to go ashore and superintend the unpacking and puttingtogether of the gun-limbers, and the mounting of the pieces. Not thatthere was a great deal to do, for, in obedience to instructions, theBritish manufacturers had sent the little field-guns with everything sosimplified that the rough artillery-men from the Central American forthad few difficulties with which to contend. He saw little of Poole inthe darkness, but knew that he was busy over something with a couple ofmen at his beck, while a third had had a duty of his own where a brightlight had gleamed out and a little chimney had roared in a way whichmade Poole anxiously consult his father, who was superintending thelanding of cases, when in their brief conversation something was saidabout sparks, and then a couple of tarpaulins were rigged up with lines, in a way which entirely cut off the galley from the rest of the deck. 

The result of all this was, that when the deck was clear and hatchesreplaced, the Camel stood smiling, with glistening face, for his worktoo was done, and the fresh provisions that had been abundantly broughton board by the women of the place were in a most welcome form for thehalf-starved, weary crew, and about midnight there was something asnearly like a banquet as could be expected under the circumstances, andto the delight of all. 

There had been no form; the only ceremony had been for officers and mento sit down sailor or tailor fashion, cross-legged upon the deck, andeat as much as such men would. 

"Hah!" said the boatswain, turning towards the two lads, after beingvery silent for quite half-an-hour. "I call this something like; but Ido hope as the Camel's had time to pick a bit. "

So busy had the party on board been, that they had thought little aboutthe proceedings on shore, the less so that the excitement and noise ofshouting orders, trampling feet, and the buzz of chattering women andchildren had drifted farther and farther away to the opposite side ofthe town, where beyond the low houses and hovels of the poorer part ofthe population the long low valley commenced which rapidly became apass, the key, so to speak, of the little city. 

Here Don Ramon had mustered his force, and here during the rest of thenight his men worked by the light of the stars, making a wall of stoneswith openings for the field-pieces, and clearing the road behind betweenthem and the earthwork nearer to the fort, to which in case of emergencythey could be withdrawn ready for another stand. 

He was no novice in such matters, having passed his life as he hadamidst a volcanic people where revolutions came and went as ifindigenous to the countries bordering upon the Mexican Gulf. 

In his way he was no bad soldier, and in fact a better man than hisrival the tyrant and oppressor, whom he had been urged by the superiorpart of his fellow-countrymen to supplant. 

Hence it was that before morning, and without interruption, he made themost of the rough but enthusiastic and willing materials to his hand, sothat at last he could breathe more freely and accept the congratulationsof his friends over the knowledge they shared that Villarayo would findwhen he came up that not only had he a formidable nut to crack, but theprobability before him that the nutcrackers would give way first. 

All this was plain enough in the coming daylight, when the skipper andthe two lads made their way ashore in one of the boats from the spotwhere the _Teal_ was moored, floating more lightly now, and almost asgracefully in the pearly grey light as the beautiful little waterfowlafter which she was named. 

"Why, it looks almost like an anthill, " said Fitz, as they approachedthe mouth of the pass, whose sides were dotted with men, most of whomwere carrying rifles, while each displayed a formidable knife in hisbelt. "But there doesn't seem to be any sign of the enemy as yet. "

"No, " said Poole; "but I say, father, do you think that they will beable to manage those guns?"

"Yes, " said the skipper gravely. "The men who had the gumption to plantthem like that will be pretty sure to find out the way to use them witheffect. Besides, they have had some experience, of course, with theold-fashioned pieces in the fort. "

"There go their colours up!" cried Fitz excitedly, as the national flagwas run up to the head of the flagstaff that had been raised during thenight. "I hope they'll win, Captain Reed, for the Don's been veryplucky, and I suppose he is in the right. "

"If he hadn't been in the right I wouldn't have helped him as I have, "said the skipper gruffly. 

"No, " said Poole firmly, as if to endorse his father's words. "Butdon't you think, father, that if you brought all our chaps ashore to setthese men by the guns at liberty and leave our lads to work them, they'dmanage them much better--fire more regularly and twice as fast?"

"Yes, that they would, " cried Fitz excitedly. "There's hardly one ofthem who doesn't know his gun-drill. "

"How do you know that?" said the skipper grimly. 

"Oh, I asked them, " replied the lad, flushing. "They all talk to meabout their old life on board different Queen's ships. It was because Iwas a midshipman, I suppose. Why, " he continued, growing more excitedby what he saw, "our Chips--I mean, your Chips, " he said, hastilycorrecting himself--"would make a splendid captain for one of the guns;Mr Butters another, of course; and the Camel, though he's cook now. Oh, I could man all those guns easily. "

"Like to do it, perhaps, " said the skipper dryly, "and fancy thatbattery was the broadside of a ship?"

"Yes, of course, " said the lad; "I mean--" he stammered--"that is--Oh, it's nothing to do with me. "

"No, " said the skipper quietly, as he stood looking critically at thepreparations Don Ramon had made, while the scene around seemed to havehad the same peculiar exciting effect upon his son as it had upon themidshipman, for Poole said suddenly--

"Why, father, if you were to do that it would make all the difference, and be like turning the scale to Don Ramon's side. "

"Yes, my boy, " said the skipper, "and here he is;" for the Don suddenlyappeared, mounted upon a sturdy mule, cantering towards them, with hissteed making very light of the rugged stony ground, and stopping shortclose up to the group in response to a touch upon its rein, when itsrider sprang lightly to the ground, looking as wiry and fresh as thebeast he rode, in spite of the labours of the night. 

"Ah, my friend! Welcome!" he cried. "And you too, my braves. Now, " headded joyously, his eyes sparkling with excitement, "have not my bravefellows worked? Are we not ready for the enemy when he comes? Whathave you to say? There are the guns! Tell me, are they well-placed?You who have brought them know so much. If they are not right, tell mewhat to do, and it shall be done. "

"I would not alter anything now, " said the skipper gravely. 

"Why not, if they, are wrong? There is time, and plenty, for my scoutsare far enough away, and the enemy is not in sight. "

The skipper was silent, but his eyes were not idle, and he seemed to beexamining every disposition closely. 

"He does not speak, " continued Don Ramon. "Then you, my young Englishofficer; you come from a ship with guns, what have you to say?"

"I was wondering, " said Fitz, flushing, "not about the guns, for theyseem well-placed, but whether the enemy could come down that littlevalley up yonder or get round by the rear. "

"No, no, no, " cried the Don exultantly. "Velova can only be reached bythis pass, which my guns command. There is no other way--by land--butthere is the sea. "

"And the gunboat?" said Fitz. 

"Ah-h, yes, the gunboat!" cried the Don, with his face convulsed, as heclenched his hands. "The gunboat--yes. It is the key to thePresidency. "

"No, " said the skipper suddenly, "I would change nothing, Don Ramon. Asfar as I know, your position is magnificent. "

"Hah!" cried the Don, with his face smoothing once more, and his eyeslighting up with pleasure. "But you think my grand, my beautiful andperfect little guns that you have brought me are well-placed?"

"Capitally, " said the skipper sincerely. "But they are not perfect, "said the Don, with a peculiar smile, as he keenly watched the skipperthe while. "There is one thing wanting. "

"Surely not, " cried the skipper angrily. "I saw them packed myself, andI can answer for it that nothing was left out, unless it was in thehurry of the unpacking last night. Quick, while there is time! Whathas been left behind? Do you mean there is something still on board?"

"Yes, my good friend, " said the Don softly; "the crew. Captain Reed, "he continued excitedly, "with your brave fellows to man that battery theday must be my own. Villarayo's sun would set in blood and dust; mypoor oppressed country would rise in pride to happiness and peace; and Ishould be President indeed--my people's father--he who has saved themfrom slavery and chains. "

The skipper shook his head. 

"No, no, " continued the Don softly. "Listen. This country is rich inmines; there are precious stones; there is no reward you could ask meafterwards that I would not give. I care for nothing of these things, for I am fighting for my country and my people's homes. Captain Reed, you have always been my friend, my trusted friend, who brought me allthese in answer to my prayer. There is this one thing more. I ask itof my trusted friend. "

Poole glanced at his father's stern face, which seemed to turn colderand harder than he had ever seen it before, and then turned quickly tolook at Fitz, who was watching him with questioning eyes which seemed tosay, What will he reply?

But reply there was none, apparently for minutes, though the space oftime that elapsed could have been numbered in moments, before he spoke, and then it was in a low, softened and pained voice. 

"No, Don Ramon, " he said. "You ask me for what I cannot give. "

"Give!" cried the Don passionately. "I offer to pay you!"

"Yes, sir, " said the captain, without changing his tone, "and that makesit worse. I tell you my heart is with you in your project, and that Iwish you success, but I am answerable to those men, their friends, and Isuppose to my country's laws for their lives. I have no right to enterinto such an enterprise as this. "

"Why?" cried the Don passionately. "You fought with me before!"

"Yes--to save their lives and yours. It was in an emergency. This is adifferent thing. I cannot do it. "

"Then you forsake me?" cried the Don angrily. "That is neither true norfair, " replied the skipper sternly. "I have helped you truly and well, and run great risks in bringing you those munitions of war. With thatyou must be content. As for forsaking you, you know in your heart, through my help and the counsel you have received from my youngcompanion here, you never stood in a better position for dealing adeath-blow at your rival's position. Is that the truth, or is it not?"

"Ah!" cried the Don passionately, evading the question. "When your helpmeans so much you give me empty words. "

"That is no answer, sir, " replied the skipper. "Is what I have said thetruth, or is it not?"

Don Ramon turned upon him furiously, his eyes flashing and his handsclenched; but as he met the Englishman's stern questioning eyes hestopped short, fixed by them, as it were, and then tossing his openhands in the air with a gesture which seemed to say, There, I surrender!his angry countenance softened, and he supported himself by taking holdof the pommel of his saddle. 

"Yes, " he said wearily, "of course it is the truth. You always were theman in whom I could trust, and I suppose you are right. Forgive me forbeing so exacting. But, captain, I have so much at stake. "

"Then trust to the strength of your cause, your position, and thebravery of your people. But I am not going to forsake you, Ramon, "continued the skipper, in a graver and softer tone, "and I will tell youthis; if the day goes against you, the schooner will be lying a fewhundred yards from shore with her boats ready to take off you and asmany of your friends as you wish to bring. I will do that at any risk, but I can do no more. "

Don Ramon was silent for a few moments, before repeating the captain'slast words slowly. Then, after a pause--

"It may be different, " he said, "but if matters are as bad as that, itwill be because I have fired my last shot, and Villarayo has found thatanother lover of his country is in his way no more. No, Captain Reed, Ishall not have to put your hospitality to the test. I could not escape, and leave those who have been fighting for me to the death. There, " headded quickly, completely changing his tone, "I do not mean to die; Imean to win. Forgive me once again. You will after your fashion shakehands?"

"With all my heart, " cried the skipper, stretching out both his, whichwere eagerly caught and raised quickly to the Spaniard's lips. 

"Thank you, " he cried, "I am a man once more. Just now I talked like adisappointed woman who could not have her way. --What does that mean?" hesaid sharply as there was a shout from the distance. 

"People coming down the pass, " cried Fitz excitedly, and there was thereport of a rifle which ran reverberating with many echoes along therocks. 

Before the sounds had ceased Don Ramon had sprung upon his mule, to turnsmiling with a comprehensive wave of his hand to the trio, and thencantered off amongst the rugged stones, while they watched him till hereached the battery of field-pieces and sprang off to throw the rein toone of his men. 

"That shot was the opening of the ball, " said the skipper. "Now, mylads, back aboard the schooner, to make our arrangements, Poole, forkeeping my word with the Don if he and his people have to run. "

"No!" burst out both the boys in a breath. 

"No?" cried the skipper good-humouredly. "What do you mean? This isn'tgoing to be a show. You don't want to stop and see the fight?"

"Not want to stop and see it?" cried Fitz excitedly. 

"Well, I am not fond of fighting, father, " said Poole, "but I do. Iwant to see Don Ramon win. "

"Humph!" grunted the skipper. "Well, you must be disappointed. As foryou, Mr Burnett, the sooner you are out of reach of bullets thebetter. "

"Well, " cried Fitz, "I like that--coming from the skipper of a tradingschooner! Do you know what I am?"

"Of course, " was the answer, with a smile. 

"It doesn't seem like it, " cried Fitz. "I know I am almost a boystill--Don't laugh, Poole!" he added sharply, with a stamp of thefoot--"Well, quite a boy; but young as I am, I am a naval officer, and Iwas never taught that it was my duty to run away if ever I came underfire. "

"It's the safest way, " said the skipper mockingly. "`He who fights andruns away, will live to fight another day. ' That's it, isn't it?"

"I suppose so, " said Fitz, getting on his stilts--"to be laughed at fora coward as long as he lives. Look here, Captain Reed, I am yourprisoner, but you are not my captain, and I mean to stop and see thisfight. Why, I must. I shall have to tell. Captain Glossop all aboutthis some day, and I should look well if I owned that I had run away. --But you don't mean it, sir. It's all nonsense to talk of being indanger up here, all this distance off. Yes, he is joking, isn't he, Poole?"

"Well, there's not much joke about it, my lad, " said the skippergravely. "I must own that I don't want to go away myself. Seems to methat what we ought to do is to hurry back to where the women are, get agood supply of linen and bandages from them, and muster some bearersfor--Yes, the firing is going on, and I don't suppose that it will belong before some poor fellows will be falling out and crawling back tothe rear. "

"Yes, " said Fitz eagerly; "I never thought of that. Come on, then, andlet's make haste so as to get back in time. "

The skipper nodded, and they hurried away, but had very little distanceto go, for the sound of the firing was bringing the curious from out ofthe town, and it was not long before they had been furnished with thematerial for binding up wounds, and better still, with a doctor, whojoined hands with them at once in making the rough ambulancearrangements. 

Within half-an-hour they were back at the spot where the interview withDon Ramon had taken place, to find that which their ears had preparedthem for, the rattle of musketry going steadily on as the enemyadvanced, while they were just in time for the sharp dull thud andechoing roar of the first field-piece, whose shell was seen to burst andsend up its puff of smoke far along the rugged valley. 

This checked the advance for some minutes, scattering the enemy in alldirections, but it was plain to the lookers-on from their post ofobservation, that they were being rallied, and the speaking out of thesecond gun from the battery plainly told that this was the case. 

What followed in the next two hours was a scene of confusion andexcitement far up the valley, and of quiet steady firing from thebattery, whose shells left little for Don Ramon's advance posts to do. 

They lay low in their shelters, and built up rifle-screens, hastilymade, firing as they had a chance, but their work only helped to keepthe enemy back. It was to the guns that Don Ramon owed his success. There was no lack of bravery on the part of the enemy's officers, forthey exposed themselves recklessly, rallying their men again and again, and gradually getting them nearer and nearer to those who served theguns. 

But the rifle-firing was wild, and not a man among the gunners wentdown, or was startled from his task of loading and laying the shelteredpieces. All the same the enemy advanced, the rugged pass affording themplenty of places that they could hold, and at the end of three hoursthey had made such progress that matters were beginning to look seriousfor the defenders of Velova, and the time had come when it was evidentto the watchers that Don Ramon was making ready to retire his guns tohis next defence, for the teams of mules were hurried up and placed in ahollow beyond the reach of the enemy's rifles; and now too it was seenplainly enough that Villarayo or his captains were preparing for a rushto capture the guns, and in the excitement the skipper forgot about allrisks to him and his, and proposed that they should hurry to a spothigher up one side of the pass and fifty yards nearer to the battery. 

This proved to be an admirable point of vantage, and enlightened thelookers-on to far more than they had been before, for they were startledto see how much greater was the number of the attacking force than theyhad believed. 

The enemy were in two bodies, gathered-together and lying down on theopposite sides of the pass, and the lads had hardly raised their headsabove the shelter of some stones when they saw that the order had beengiven for the advance, and the men were springing to their feet. 

"I must go and warn him, " cried the skipper, beneath his breath, "or hewill lose his guns; and then--"

He said no more, but stood spellbound like his young companions at whatwas taking place, for Don Ramon was better supplied with informationthan he had believed, and as the attacking forces of the enemy sprangup, he found that the direction of the battery's fire had been alteredto left and right, and the attacking forces had barely commenced theircrowded charge when the six pieces burst forth almost together with sucha hurricane of grape that a way was torn through each rough column andthe fight was over, the smoke from the discharge as it rose showing theenemy scattered and in full flight, the steep sides of the little valleylittered with the wounded, and more and more faltering behind anddropping as their comrades fled. 

"_Viva_!" shouted the skipper, with all his might; but it was a feeblesound as compared with the roar of voices which rose from the batteryand beyond, while it only needed the rifle-shots of those lying in theshelters higher up the pass, and a shell dropped here and there till thefull range of the field-pieces had been reached, to complete Villarayo'sdiscomfiture for that day at least. 

"Now, " said the skipper quietly, "we must leave the succour of thewounded to Ramon's own people. I am sick of all this. Let's get backon board the schooner. "

It was about an hour afterwards that Poole went to his father on thedeck of the _Teal_. 

"Oughtn't we to have stopped a little longer, " he said, "and tried to beof some help?"

"I should have liked to, my boy, " said the skipper sadly, "but I didn'twant you and young Burnett to see what was bound to follow. The rougherportion of Don Ramon's followers have not the same ideas of mercy to afallen enemy that belong to a European mind, and so I came away. "

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. 

POLITICAL QUESTIONS. 

Happily for them, the boys saw little more of the horrors of the pettywar. Aboard the schooner what met their eyes were the triumphs ofpeace. The next day flags were flying, bells ringing, guns firing, andthe whole of the inhabitants of the town were marching in procession andshouting _Vivas_. 

Crowds gathered upon the shore nearest to where the schooner was moored, to shout themselves hoarse; and not content with this, they crowded intoboats to row out round the little English vessel and shout themselveshoarser there, many of the boats containing women, who threw flowerswhich floated round. 

"I am getting rather tired of this, " said Fitz, at last. "I supposeit's very nice to them, and they feel very grateful to your father forbringing the guns and ammunition to beat off this other Presidentfellow; but keeping on with all this seems so babyish and silly. Whycan't they say, `Thank Heaven!' and have done with it?"

"Because they are what they are, " said Poole, half contemptuously. "Why, they must have been spoiling their gardens to bring all theseflowers. They are no use to us. I should call that boat alongside--that big one with the flag up and all those well-dressed women onboard. "

"No, don't!" cried Fitz excitedly. "Why, they'd come and shout morethan ever, and begin singing again. What's the good of doing that?"

"I'll tell you, " said Poole; "and I should tell them that it would be adeal more sensible to go back and fetch us a boat-load of fruit andvegetables, and fowls and eggs. "

"Ah, to be sure, " cried Fitz. "It would please old Andy too; but--butlook there; they are more sensible than you think for. "

"Well done!" cried Poole, "Why, they couldn't have heard what I said. "

"No, " said Fitz, "and if they had there wouldn't have been time. Youmust have telegraphed your thoughts. Why, there are two boat-loads. "

"Three, " said Poole. 

And he was right, and a few minutes later that number of good-sizedmarket-boats were close alongside, their owners apparently bent upondoing a good stroke of trade in the edibles most welcome to a ship'screw after a long voyage. 

"Well, boys, " said the skipper, joining them, "who's going to do themarketing? You, Poole, or I?"

"Oh, you had better do it, father. I should be too extravagant. "

"No, " said the skipper quietly. "The owners of the _Teal_ and I don'twish to be stingy. The lads have done their work well, and I shouldlike them to have a bit of a feast and a holiday now. Here, boatswain, pass the word for the cook and get half-a-dozen men to help. We muststore up all that will keep. Here, Burgess, we may as well fill achicken-coop or two. "

"Humph!" grunted the mate surlily. "Want to turn my deck into a shop?"

"No, " said the skipper good-humouredly, "but I want to have thecabin-table with something better on it to eat than we have had lately. I am afraid we shall be having Mr Burnett here so disgusted with theprog that he will be wanting to go ashore, and won't come back. "

"All right, " growled the mate, and he walked away with the skipper, tofollow out the orders he had received. 

"I say, " said Fitz, "I wonder your father puts up with so much of themate's insolence. Any one would think that Burgess was the skipper; heputs on such airs. "

"Oh, the dad knows him by heart. It is only his way. He always seemssurly like that, but he'd do anything for father; and see what a seamanhe is. Here, I say, let's have some of those bananas. They do lookprime. "

"Yes, " said Fitz; "I like bananas. I should like that big goldenbunch. "

"Why, there must be a quarter of a hundredweight, " said Poole. 

"Do you think they'll take my English money?"

"Trust them!" said Poole. "I never met anybody yet who wouldn't. "

They made a sign to a swarthy-looking fellow in the stern of the nearestboat, and Fitz pointed to the great golden bunch. 

"How much?" he said. 

The man grinned, seized the bunch with his boat-hook, passed it over thebulwark, and let it fall upon the deck, hooked up another quickly, treated that the same, and was repeating the process, when Poole shoutedat him to stop. 

"Hold hard!" he cried. "I am not going to pay for all these. "

But the man paid no heed, but went on tossing in fruit, calling to thelads in Spanish to catch, and _feeding_ them, as we say, in a game, withgreat golden balls in the shape of delicious-looking melons. 

"Here, is the fellow mad?" cried Fitz, who, a regular boy once more, enjoyed the fun of catching the beautiful gourds. "We shall have tothrow all these back. "

"Try one now, " said Poole. 

"Right, " cried Fitz. "Catch, stupid!" And he sent one of the biggestmelons back. 

The man caught it deftly, and returned it, shouting--

"No, no, no! Don Ramon--Don Ramon!"

Something similar was going on upon the other side of the schooner, where, grinning with delight, the Camel was seizing the poultry handedin, and setting them at liberty upon the deck, while now an explanationfollowed. 

The three boat-loads of provisions were gifts from Don Ramon and hispeople to those who had helped them in their time of need, while theDon's messengers seemed wild with delight, eagerly pointing out the goodqualities of all they had brought, and chattering away as hard as everthey could, or laughing with delight when some active chicken escapedfrom the hands that held it or took flight when pitched aboard and madeits way back to the shore. It was not only the men in theprovision-barges that kept up an excited chorus, for they were joined bythose in the boats that crowded round, the delivery being accompanied bycheers and the waving of hats and veils, the women's voices risingshrilly in what seemed to be quite a paean of welcome and praise. 

"What time would you like dinner, laddies?" came from behind just then, in a familiar voice, and the boys turned sharply round to face theCamel, who seemed to be showing nearly all his teeth after the fashionof one of his namesakes in a good temper. "Ma word, isn't it grand!Joost look! Roast and boiled cheecan and curry; and look at thegarden-stuff. I suppose it's all good to eat, but they're throwing inthings I never washed nor boiled before. It's grand, laddies--it'sgrand! Why, ma word! Hark at 'em! Here's another big boat coming, andthe skipper will have to give a great dinner, or we shall never get itall eaten. "

"No, " cried Poole, "it's a big boat with armed men, and--I say, Fitz, this doesn't mean treachery? No, all right; that's Don Ramon coming onboard. "

The tremendous burst of cheering from every boat endorsed the lad'swords, every one standing up shouting and cheering as the President'scraft came nearer, threading its way through the crowd of boats, whoseoccupants seemed to consider that there was not the slightest risk of acapsize into a bay that swarmed with sharks. But thanks to themanagement of Don Ramon's crew, his barge reached the side of theschooner without causing mishap, and he sprang aboard, a gay-lookingobject in gold-laced uniform, not to grasp the skipper's extended hand, but to fall upon his neck in silence and with tears in his eyes, whiledirectly afterwards the two lads had to submit to a similar embrace. 

"Oh, I say, " whispered Fitz, as soon as the President had gone belowwith the skipper; "isn't it horrid!"

"Yes, " said Poole; "I often grumble at what I am, only a sort ofapprentice aboard a schooner, though I am better off through the dadbeing one of the owners than most chaps would be; but one is English, after all. "

"Yes, " said Fitz, with a sigh of content; "there is no getting overthat. "

Further conversation was ended by the approach of Burgess, the mate, whoat a word from the captain had followed him and the President below, andwho now came up to them with a peculiar grim smile about his lips, andthe upper part of his face in the clouds, as Poole afterwards expressedit, probably meaning that the mate's brow was wrinkled up into one ofhis fiercest frowns. 

"Here, " he growled, "you two young fellows have got to go below. "

"Who said so?" cried Fitz. "The skipper?"

"No, the President. "

"But what for?" cried the middy. 

"Oh, I dunno, " replied the mate grimly, and with the smile expanding ashe recalled something of which he had been a witness. "I thinks hewants to kiss you both again. "

"Then I'll be hanged if I go, " cried Fitz; "and that's flat!"

"Haw haw!" came from the mate's lips, evidently meant for a laugh, whichmade the middy turn upon him fiercely; but there was no vestige of evena smile now as he said gruffly, "Yes, you must both come at once. TheDon's waiting to speak, and he said that he wouldn't begin till you werethere to hear it too. "

"Come on, Burnett, " said Poole seriously, and then with his eyestwinkling he added, "You can have a good wash afterwards if he does. "

"Oh, " cried Fitz, with his face scarlet, "I do hate these people'sways;" and then, in spite of his previous remark about suspension, hefollowed the skipper's son down into the cabin, with Burgess closebehind, to find the President facing the door ready to rise with adignified smile and point to the locker for the boys to take theirseats. 

This done, he resumed his own, and proceeded to relate to the skipper asmuch as he could recall of what had been taking place, the main thingbeing that Villarayo's large force had completely scattered on its wayback through the mountains _en route_ to San Cristobal, while Velova andthe country round was entirely declaring for the victor, whose positionwas but for one thing quite safe. 

"Then, " said the skipper, as the President ceased, "you feel that if youmarched for San Cristobal you would gain an easy victory there?"

"I know my people so well, sir, " replied the President proudly, "that Ican say there will be no victory and no fight. Villarayo would not getfifty men to stand by him, and he would either make for the mountains orcome to meet me, and throw himself upon my mercy. And all this isthrough you. How great--how great the English people are!"

Poole jumped and clapped his right hand upon his left arm, while Fitzturned scarlet as he looked an apology, for as the middy heard thePresident's last words and saw him rise, a thrill of horror had runthrough him, and he had thrown out one hand, to give his companion amost painful pinch. 

But the President resumed his seat, and feeling that there was for themoment nothing to mind, the boy grew calm. 

"Ah, " said the skipper gravely. "Then but for one thing, Don Ramon, youfeel now that you can hold your own. "

"Yes, " was the reply bitterly. "But I shall not feel secure while thatgunboat commands these seas. It seems absurd, ridiculous, that thatsmall armour-plated vessel with its one great gun should have suchpower; but yet after all it is not absurd. It is to this little Statewhat your grand navy is to your empire and the world. While thatgunboat commands our bays I cannot feel safe. "

"But you don't know yet, " said the skipper quietly. "How will it bewhen her captain hears of Villarayo's defeat? He may declare for you. "

"No, " said the President. "That is what all my friends say. He isVillarayo's cousin, and has always been my greatest enemy. He knows toothat my first act would be to deprive him of his command. "

"Then why do so?" said the skipper. "He need be your enemy no longer. Make him your friend. "

"Impossible! I know him of old as a man I could not trust. The momenthe hears of the defeat he will be sending messages to Villarayo biddinghim fortify San Cristobal and gather his people there, while at any hourwe may expect to see him steaming into this bay. That is the mainreason of my coming to tell you now to be on your guard, and that I havebeen having the guns you brought mounted in a new earthwork on the pointyonder, close to the sea. "

"Well done!" cried the captain enthusiastically. "That was brave andthoughtful of you, Don Ramon, " and he held out his hand. "Why, you arequite an engineer. Then you did not mean to forsake your friend?"

"Forsake him!" said the Don reproachfully, and he frowned. But it wasfor a moment only. "Ah, " he continued, "if you had only brought me oversuch a gunboat as that which holds me down, commanded by such a man asyou, how changed my position would be!"

"Yes, " said the skipper quietly. "But I did not; and I had hard work tobring you what I did, eh, Mr Burnett? The British Government did notmuch approve of what it called my filibustering expedition, Don. "

"The British Government does not know Villarayo, sir, and it does notknow me. "

"That's the evil of it, sir, " replied the captain. "Unfortunately theBritish Government recognises Villarayo as the President of the State, and you only as the head of a revolution; but once you are the acceptedhead of the people, the leader of what is good and right, MasterVillarayo's star will set; and that is bound to come. "

"Yes, " said Don Ramon proudly; "that is bound to come in the future, ifI live. For all that is good and right in this little State is on myside. But there is the gunboat, captain. "

"Yes, " was the reply; "there is the gunboat, and as to my schooner, if Iventured everything on your side at sea, with her steaming power shewould have me completely at her mercy, and with one shot send me to thebottom like a stone. "

"Yes, I know, " said the Don, "as far as strength goes you would be likean infant fighting against a giant. But you English are clever. It wasdue to the bright thought of this young officer here that I was able toturn the tables upon Villarayo. "

The blood flushed to Fitz's forehead again--for he was, as Pooleafterwards told him, a beggar to blush--and he gave a sudden start whichmade Poole move a little farther off to avoid a pinch. 

"What say you, Don Burnett?"

If possible Fitz's face grew a deeper scarlet. 

"Have you another such lightning stroke of genius to propose?"

"No, sir, " said the boy sharply; "and if I had I must recollect that Iam a neutral, a prisoner here, and it is my duty to hold my tongue. "

"Ah, yes, " said the Don, frowning a little; "I had forgotten. You arein the Government's service, and my good friend Captain Reed has told mehow you happen to be here. But if the British Government knew exactlyhow things were, they would honour you for the way in which you havehelped me on towards success. "

"Yes, sir, no doubt, " said the lad frankly; "but the British Governmentdoesn't know what you say, and it doesn't know me; but Captain Glossopdoes. He's my government, sir, and it will be bad enough when I meethim, as it is. What will he say when he knows I've been fighting forthe people in the schooner I came to take?"

"Hah!" said the President thoughtfully, and he was silent for a fewmoments. Then rising he turned to the skipper. "I must go back, Captain Reed, " he said, "for there is much to do. But I have warned youof the peril in which you stand. You will help me, I know, if you can;but you must not have your brave little schooner sunk, and I know youwill do what is best. Fate may favour us still more, and I shall go onin that hope. "

Then without another word he strode out of the cabin, and went down intohis barge amidst a storm of cheers and wavings of scarves and flags, while those on deck watched him threading his way towards the littlefort. 

"He's the best Spaniard I ever met, Burgess, " said the skipper. 

"Yes, " said the mate. "He isn't a bad sort for his kind. If it was notfor the poor beggars on board, who naturally enough all want to live, Ishould like to go some night and put a keg of powder aboard thatgunboat, and send her to the bottom. "

"Ah, but then you'd be doing wrong, " said the skipper. 

"Well, I said so, didn't I? I shouldn't like to have it on myconscience that I'd killed a couple of score fellow-creatures likethat. "

"Of course not; but that isn't what I mean. That gunboat's too valuableto sink, and, as you heard the Don say, the man who holds command ofthat vessel has the two cities at his mercy. "

"Yes, I heard, " said Burgess; "and t'other side's got it. "

"That's right, " said the skipper; "and if we could make the change--"

"Yes, " said Burgess; "but it seems to me we can't. "

"It seems to me we can't. It seems to me we can't, " said Poole, repeating the mate's words, as the two lads stood alone watching thecheering people in the boats. 

"Well, " cried Fitz pettishly, "what's the good of keeping on sayingthat?"

"None at all. But don't you wish we could?"

"No, I don't, and I'd thank you not to talk to me like that. It's likeplaying at trying to tempt a fellow situated as I am. Bother thegunboat and both the Dons! I wish I were back in the old _Tonans_again. "

"I don't believe you, " said Poole, laughing. "You're having ten timesas much fun and excitement out here. I say, " he added, with a sniff, "Ican smell something good. "

And strangely enough the next minute the Camel came smiling up to them. 

"I say, laddies, " he said, "joost come for'ard as far as the galley. Idon't ask ye to come in, for, ma wud, she is hot! But just come andtake a sniff as ye gang by. There's a dinner cooking as would havesatisfied the Don. I thot he meant to stay, but, puir chiel, I supposehe dinna ken what's good. "

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. 

A NIGHT'S EXCITEMENT. 

Every one seemed bent on celebrating that day as a festival. The fightwas a victory, and all were rejoicing in a noisy holiday, while for somehours the crew of the schooner had their turn. 

Not all, for after a few words with the skipper, the two lads went aloftwith the binocular to keep a sharp look-out seaward, and more especiallyat the two headlands at the entrance to the bay, which they watched inthe full expectation of seeing the grim grey nose of the gunboat peeringround, prior to her showing her whole length and her swarthy plume ofsmoke. 

Arrangements had been made below as well, and the schooner was swingingto a big buoy--head to sea, the sails ready for running up or droppingdown from her thin yards. 

"A nice land wind, " the skipper had said, "and if she came it would notbe long before we were on equal terms with her. "

"But it won't last, " said Burgess gruffly. "It'll either drop to a deadcalm at sundown, or swing round and be dead ahead. "

"Well, I don't mind the last, " replied the captain, "but a dead calmwould be dangerous, and sets me thinking whether it wouldn't be betterto be off at once. "

"Well, that depends on you, " said the mate. "If it was me I should stoptill night and chance it. But where do you mean to go? Right awayhome?"

"I don't know yet, " was the reply. "For some reasons I should like tostop and see Don Ramon right out of his difficulties. Besides, I have alittle business to transact with him that may take days. No, I shan'tgo off yet. I may stay here for months, working for Don Ramon. It alldepends. "

"Very well, " said the mate coolly, as if it did not matter in theslightest degree to him so long as he was at sea. 

From time to time the skipper in his walk up and down the deck paused tolook up inquiringly, but always to be met with a quiet shake of thehead, and go on again. 

But about half-an-hour before sundown, just when festivities were attheir height on shore, and the men were for the most part idling about, leaning over the bulwarks and watching as much of the proceedings asthey could see, the two lads, after an hour's rest below, havingreturned to their look-out, Fitz suddenly exclaimed--

"There she is! But she doesn't look grey. "

"No, " replied Poole eagerly. "What there is of her looks as if turnedto gold. " Then loudly, "Sail ho!" though there was not a sail in sight, only the steamer's funnel slowly coming into sight from behind oneheadland and beginning to show her smoke. 

All was activity now, the men starting to their different places at thebulwarks, and eagerly listening to the skipper's "Where away?"

"Coming round the south headland, " replied Poole. 

"That's right, " said the skipper. "I can see her now. "

"Well?" said Burgess. 

"I shan't move yet. It will be pitch-dark in less than an hour. We cansee her plainly enough with the open sea beyond her, but like as notthey can't see us, lying close up here under the land. The chances arethat they won't see us at all, and then we can run out in the darkness;and I suppose you will have no difficulty in avoiding the rocks?"

"Oh, I don't know, " said the mate coolly. "Like as not I may run spangon to them in the dark. I shan't, of course, if I can help it. "

"No, " said the skipper dryly; "I suppose not. "

Their task ended, the boys slid down to the deck once more, and somehowthe thought of his anomalous position on board the schooner did nottrouble the middy for the time being, for he was seaman enough to beintensely interested in their position, and as eager as Poole for theirescape. 

"Do you think the sun's going down as quickly as usual?" he saidsuddenly; and his companion laughed. 

"What's that for?" said Fitz. "Did I say something comic?"

"Comic or stupid, whichever you like. "

"Bah!" ejaculated Fitz angrily, feeling more annoyed with himself thanwith Poole. 

"Why of course she is going down at her usual rate. "

"Sun's a he, " said Fitz. "It isn't the moon. "

"Thankye. You have grown wise, " replied Poole sarcastically. "Do youknow, I should have almost known that myself. But bother all this! Iwant to see the canvas shaken out ready for making a start. "

"Very stupid too, " said Fitz. 

"Why?"

"Because the people on board the gunboat mayn't see us now, with ourbare poles; and even if they could make us out they wouldn't be able todistinguish us from the other craft lying close in shore. "

"Right, " said Poole sharply. "I was getting impatient. I suppose weare going to run out through the darkness, same as we did before. "

"I hope not, " said Fitz meaningly. "Once was enough for a scrape likethat. "

Poole grunted, with agreement in his cones, and then they leaned overthe bulwarks together forward, following the example of most of the men, who were just as keenly on the look-out, and growing as excited in theexpectation of the coming adventure, all but two, who, in obedience to agrowl from the mate, lowered down the dinghy and then pulled herhand-over-hand by the mooring-cable to where it was made fast to the bigring in the buoy; and there they held on, ready to slip the minute theorder was given from the deck. 

Meanwhile the rejoicings were going on ashore, no one so far havingbecome aware of the approach of the enemy, till she was well clear ofthe headland, with her smoke floating out like an orange-plume upon agolden sky. 

"There's the signal, " cried Fitz suddenly, as a ball of smoke darted outfrom the front of the fort, followed by a dull thud. 

"Hah!" said Poole. "That's like the snap of a mongrel pup. By and byperhaps we shall hear the gunboat speak with a big bark like a mastiff. I wonder whether they will make us out. "

"So do I, " said Fitz. 

"It will be easy enough to sneak off if they don't. "

"Don't say sneak, " said Fitz. 

"Why?"

"It sounds so cowardly. "

"Well, this isn't the _Tonans_. The _Teal_ was made to sail, not tofight. "

"Yes, of course, " said Fitz; "but I don't like it all the same. "

"All right, then, I won't say it again. I wonder where the dad willmake for. "

"Well, that will depend on whether the gunboat sights us. I say, doesit make you feel excited?"

"Yes, awfully. I seem to want to be doing something. "

"So do I, " said Fitz, "instead of watching the sun go down so slowly. "

"Look at the gunboat, then. She's not moving slowly. My word, she isslipping through the water! Why, she's bound to see us if it don't soonget dark. "

The boys lapsed into silence, and as they ceased speaking they werealmost startled by the change that had taken place on shore. 

The shouting and singing had ceased; there was no sound of music, andthe bells had left off their clangour; while in place there came a low, dull, murmurous roar as of surf beating upon some rocky coast, a strangemingling of voices, hurrying foot-steps, indescribable, indistinct, andyet apparently expressive of excitement and the change from joy to fear. 

"It has upset them pretty well, " said Poole. "Why, I did hear that theywere going in for fireworks as soon as it was dark, and they fired thatgun like a challenge. I shouldn't wonder if they have fireworks of adifferent kind to what they expect. "

"Yes, " said Fitz excitedly. "The gunboat will begin firing shellsperhaps, and set fire to the town. "

"Bad luck to them if they do, " cried Poole earnestly, "for it's abeautiful old place with its groves and gardens. Here, I say, Burnett, I wish this wretched little schooner were your _Tonans_, and we weregoing to fight for poor old Don Ramon. Don't you?"

"There's the sun beginning to go down behind the mountain, " said Fitz, evading the question. "I say, how long will it be before it's dark?"

"Oh, you know as near as I do. Very soon, and the sooner the better. Oh, I say, she must see us. She's heading round and coming straightin. "

"For us or the fort?"

"Both, " said Poole emphatically. 

And then they waited, fancying as the last gleam of the orange sun sankout of sight that they could hear the men breathing hard with suppressedexcitement, as they stood there with their sleeves rolled up, waitingfor the first order which should mean hauling away at ropes and theschooner beginning to glide towards the great buoy, slackening the cablefor the men in the dinghy to cast-off. 

"Here, look at that!" cried Fitz excitedly, unconsciously identifyinghimself more and more with the crew. 

"What's the matter?" said Poole. 

"Wet your hand, and hold it up. "

"Right, " said Poole; "and so was old Burgess. I don't believe there's aman at sea knows more about the wind than he does. Half-an-hour ago, dead to sea; now right ashore. "

"Stand by, my lads, " growled the boatswain in response to a word fromthe mate; and a deep low sigh seemed to run all across the deck, as to aman the crew drew in a deep long breath, while with the light rapidlydying out, and the golden tips of the mountains turning purple and thengrey, the first order was given, a couple of staysails ran with jiggingmotion up to their full length, and a chirruping, creaking sound washeard as the men began to haul upon the yard of the mainsail. 

"Ah!" sighed Fitz. "We are beginning to move. "

As he spoke the man at the wheel began to run the spokes quickly throughhis hands, with the result that to all appearance the men in the dinghy, and the buoy, appeared to be coming close under their quarter. Thenthere was a splash, the dinghy grated against the side, and one of itsoccupants climbed aboard with the painter, closely followed by theother, the first man running aft with the rope, to make it fast to thering-bolt astern, while the stops of the capstan rattled as the cast-offcable began to come inboard. 

"Oh, it will be dark directly, " said Poole excitedly, "and I don'tbelieve they can see us now. "

The enemy would have required keen eyes and good glasses on board thegunboat to have made them out, for as the sails filled, the schoonercareened over and began to glide slowly along the shore as if making forthe fort, which she passed and left about a quarter of a mile behind, before she was thrown up into the wind to go upon the other tack, spreading more and more canvas and increasing her speed, as the gunboat, now invisible save for a couple of lights which were hoisted up, camedead on for the town, nearing them fast, and calling for all the mate'sseamanship to get the schooner during one of her tacks well out of theheavy craft's course, and leaving her to glide by; though as thedarkness increased and they were evidently unseen, this becamecomparatively easy, for the war-vessel's two lights shone out brighterand brighter at every one of the schooner's tacks. 

But they were anxious times, and Fitz's heart beat fast during the mostvital reach, when it seemed to him as they were gliding by the gunboat'sbows that they must be seen, even as he could now make out a few sparksrising from time to time from the great funnel, to be smothered in therolling smoke. 

But the next minute they were far away, and as they tacked it was thistime so that they passed well abaft under the enemy's stern. 

"Ah, " said a voice close to them; and as they looked round sharply itwas to see the skipper close at hand. "There, boys, " he said, "that wasrunning it pretty close. They can't have been keeping a very goodlook-out aboard that craft. It was much nearer than I liked. --Ah, Iwonder how poor Don Ramon will get on. "

That finished the excitement for the night, for the next hours werepassed in a monotonous tacking to and fro, making longer and longerreaches as they got farther out to sea; but they looked shoreward invain for the flashes of guns and the deep thunderous roar of the bigbreech-loading cannon. But the sighing of the wind in the rigging andthe lapping of water against the schooner's bows were the only soundsthat greeted them in the soft tropic night. 

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. 

"NEVER SAY DIE!"

As long as the excitement kept up, Fitz paced the deck with Poole, butfor two or three nights past regular sleep and his eyelids had been atodds. The consequence was that all at once in the silence and darkness, when there was nothing to take his attention, he became very silent, walking up and down the deck mechanically with his companion to keephimself awake, and a short time afterwards for no reason at all that hewas aware of, but because one leg went before the other automatically, his will having ceased to convey its desires to these his supporters, and long after Poole had ceased talking to him, he suddenly gave aviolent lurch, driving Poole, who was in a similar condition, sideways, and if it had not been for the bulwark close at hand they would bothhave gone down like skittles. For they were both fast asleep, sound asa top, fast as a church, but on the instant wide-awake and angry. 

"What did you do that for?" cried Fitz fiercely. "I didn't, " criedPoole angrily. "You threw yourself at me. "

"That I didn't! How could I?"

"How should I know? But you've made a great bruise on my elbow; I knowthat. "

"Quiet! quiet!" said the mate, in a deep low growl. "Do you want tobring the gunboat down on us, shouting like that?" And he seemed toloom up upon them out of the darkness. 

"Well, but he--" began Fitz. 

"Quiet, I tell you! I have been watching you lads these last tenminutes. You've both been rolling about all over the deck, and Iexpected to see you go down on your noses every moment. Snoring too, one of you was. "

"Well, that wasn't I, I'm sure, " cried Fitz shortly. 

"Oh, are you?" said the mate. "Well, I'm not. There, you are no use uphere, either of you. Go down and tumble into your bunks at once. "

"But--" began Poole. 

"You heard what I said, my lad. Go and have a good long snooze, anddon't make a stupid of yourself, bandying words like that. The watchhave all been laughing at you both. Now then, clear the deck. I amgoing to keep things quiet. "

The officer in charge of a deck is "monarch of all he surveys, " likeRobinson Crusoe of old, according to the poem, and as "his right thereis none to dispute, " both lads yielded to Burgesses sway, went down totheir berths, rolled in just as they were, and the next minute were fastasleep, breathing more loudly than would have been pleasant to anyneighbour. But there was none. 

Their sleep was very short but very solid all the same, and they wereready to spring up wide-awake and hurry on deck just before sunrise, upon hearing the trampling overhead of the watch going through themanoeuvres known as 'bout ship, and then proceeding to obey ordersangrily shouted at them by the mate, whose loud voice betokened that hewas in an unusual state of excitement, for his words were emphatic inthe extreme as he addressed the men after the cry of "all hands ondeck, " in a way which suggested to one who overheard that they were agang of the laziest, slowest slovens that ever handled a rope. 

"Here, rouse up!" cried Poole. "Hear him?"

"Hear him? Yes. What's the matter?"

"I dunno. Any one would think that we were going to run the gunboatdown. "

The lads ran up on deck, and stared in wonder, for instead of thecatastrophe that Poole had verbally portrayed, the reverse seemed theprobability. In fact, instead of their tacking against the adverse windhaving carried them well out to sea, the progress they had made in adirect line was comparatively small, and to the dismay of both thesleepers as they looked over the stern, there was the gunboat not threemiles away, foaming down after them under a full pressure of steam. 

"How do you account for this?" said Fitz. 

"I dunno, unless they went right in, got to know that we had just left, and came after us full chase. "

It was the idea of the moment, and to use the familiar saying, Poole hadhit the right nail on the head. It was morning, and Nature's signalswere in the east, announcing that the sun was coming up full speed, while the former tactics of tacking against the freshening wind had tobe set aside at once, for it was evidently only a question of an hourbefore the gunboat would be within easy range, and what she might do inthe interim was simply doubtful. But the skipper and his mate were hardat work; the course had been altered for another run southward, closealong the coast; studding-sail booms were being run out from the yardsready for the white sails to be hoisted; and a trial of speed was beingprepared between canvas and steam, proof of which was given from thegunboat by the dense clouds of black smoke rolling out of the funnel andshowing how hard the stokers were at work. 

It was a busy time then; sail after sail filled out till the schoonershowed as a cloud of canvas gilded by the rising sun, while sheliterally skimmed through the water dangerously near to a rocky coast. 

But as the sun rose higher that danger passed away, for as if by magicthe wind dropped, leaving the sails flapping, the graceful vessel nolonger dipping her cut-water low-down into the surface and covering thedeck with spray. 

Poole looked at his father and drew his breath hard, for he saw tooplainly the peril in which they stood. They were still gliding gentlythrough the water, but more slowly each minute, and riding now upon aneven keel, while the gunboat astern was tearing along, literallyploughing her way, and sending a diverging foam-covered wave tostarboard and port. 

"Pretty well all over, Burgess, " he said, in a low hoarse voice, andFitz stole out his hand to grip Poole's wrist and give a warmsympathetic pressure; and he did not draw it back, but stood holding on, listening the while to the mate's slow, thoughtful reply. 

"I don't know yet, " said the latter, half closing his eyes and lookingtowards the west. "The winds play rum games here sometimes, and youhardly know where you are. They may go through one of their manoeuvresnow. This is just about the time, and I shouldn't wonder if we had asharp breeze from the west again, same as we did yesterday and the daybefore. "

"No such luck, " said the skipper bitterly. "It won't be the wind offshore; it will be the _Teal_ on. You'll have to make for the firstopening you see as soon as there's wind enough, and run her right in. Don't hesitate a moment, Burgess; run her right ashore, and then we mustdo the best we can with the boats, or swim for it. "

"Run her right ashore!" said the mate grimly. 

"Yes--so that she's a hopeless wreck, impossible to get off. "

"Seems a pity, " growled the mate; and his words found an echo in FitzBurnett's breast. 

"Yes, but it would be a greater pity for my beautiful little schooner tofall a prize to that wretched tea-kettle there; and I won't have my ladstreated as prisoners. I'd sooner we all had to take to the woods. "

"All right, sir. You're skipper; I'm mate. It's you to give orders, meto carry them out. But I'm beginning to think that they'll have usbefore we get the wind. You see, it's nearly calm. "

"Yes, " said the skipper, "I see; and I wonder they haven't begun firingbefore. "

He walked right aft with the mate, leaving the lads alone, with Poolelooking five years older, so blank and drawn was his face. But itbrightened directly, as he felt the warm grip of the young middy's hand, and heard his words. 

"Oh, Poole, old chap, " Fitz half whispered, after a glance round to seeif they were likely to be overheard, but only to find that every seamanwas either intent upon his duty or watching the enemy in expectation ofa first shell or ball from the heavy gun. "Oh, Poole, old chap, " hesaid again, "I am sorry--I am indeed!"

"Sorry?" said Poole quietly. "Yes; for you've all been very kind tome. "

"Well, I am glad to hear you say so, for I tried to be, and the dadliked you because you were such a cocky, plucky little chap. But there:it's no use to cry over spilt milk. I suppose it isn't spilt yet, though, " he added, with a little laugh; "but the jug will be crackeddirectly, and away it will all go into the sea. But I say, can youswim?"

"Oh yes, I can swim. I learnt when I was a cadet. "

"That's right; and if we can't get off in one of the boats you keepclose alongside of me--I know the dad will like me to stick with you--and I'll get a life-belt, or one of the buoys, and we will share ittogether, one to rest in it while the other swims and tows. We'll getto shore somehow, never fear--the whole lot of us, I expect, for thelads will stand by, I am sure. "

"Yes, yes, " said Fitz, glancing round over the sunlit sea. "But whatabout the sharks?"

"Oh!" ejaculated Poole involuntarily, and he changed colour. 

It was just as the skipper and mate came walking sharply forward again. 

"There!" cried the latter triumphantly. "What did I say?"

"Splendid!" cried the skipper. "But will it last?"

"It did yesterday. Why not to-day?" cried the mate fiercely. 

For the wind had suddenly come in a sharp gust which filled the sails, making several of them snap with a loud report, laid the schooner on herbeam-ends, and sent her rushing through the water for some hundredyards, making it come foaming up through the scuppers in fountains, toflood the deck, before she was eased off by the man at the wheel androse again. 

But directly after the calm asserted itself once more; the greater partof the sea was like a mirror, with only cat's-paws here and there; andthe gunboat came pounding on as stern as fate. 

"All right, " said the mate cheerily; "it's coming again, " and he ran tothe man at the wheel. 

"Stand by, my lads, " cried the skipper, "ready to let go those stuns'ls. We mustn't be taken again like that. "

The men rushed to the sheets, and when the wind came again, it came tostay, striking the heavily-canvassed schooner a tremendous blow, towhich she only careened over, and not a drop of water came on board, forthe light studding-sails were let go to begin flapping and snapping likewhip-thongs until the violence of the gust had passed; and by that timethe men were busy reducing the canvas, and the schooner was flyingthrough the water like the winning yacht in a race. 

"Never say die!" cried Poole, with a laugh. "We are going faster thanthe gunboat now. "

"Yes, " replied Fitz thoughtfully; "but she has the command of the sea, and can cut us off. "

"As long as her coals last, " said Poole, "and they're burning thempretty fast over this. I'd give something to guess what old Burgessmeans to do. He's got something in his head that I don't believe myfather knows. "

"Oh, he'd be sure to know, " said Fitz, whose hopes were rising fast, hissympathies being entirely now with those who had proved such friends. 

"Oh, no, he wouldn't. Old Burgess can be as mute as a fish when helikes, and there's nothing pleases him better than taking people bysurprise. "

"But what can he do more than race right away?"

"Well, I'll tell you, Burnett, old chap. It's no use for him to thinkof racing right away. What he'll do is this. I have said something ofthe kind to you before. He knows this coast just like his ABC, the baysand rivers and backwaters and crannies all amongst the rocks. He'sspent days and days out in a boat sounding and making rough charts; andwhat he'll do, I feel certain, is this--make for some passage in amongstthe rocks where he can take the little _Teal_, run right in where thegunboat dare not come, and stay there till she's tired out. "

"But then they'll sink us with their gun. "

"Oh no; he'll get her right into shelter where she can't be seen. "

"Then the gunboat captain will send after us with his armed boats andboard us where we lie. "

"Let him, " said Poole grimly. "That's just what old Burgess and all thelads would like. Mr Don what's-his-name and his men would find theyhad such a hedgehog to tackle that they'd soon go back again faster thanthey came. "

"Do you think your father would do that?" said Fitz, after a glance aft, to note that they were leaving the gunboat steadily behind. 

"Why, of course, " cried Poole. "But it's resisting a man-of-war. "

"Well, what of that? We didn't boggle about doing it with one of theQueen's ships, so you don't suppose that dad would make much bones aboutrefusing to strike to a mongrel Spaniard like that?"

Fitz was silent, and somehow then in a whirl of exciting thoughts it didnot seem so very serious a thing, but brought up passages he had read inold naval books of cutting-out expeditions and brave fightings againstheavy odds. And then as they went flying through the water theexhilaration of the chase took up all his attention, and theconversation dropped out of his mental sight, for it lasted hours, andduring all that time the _Teal_ skimmed along, following out her oldtactics close to a lovely surf-beaten shore, passing bluff and valleyopenings where there were evidently streams pouring out from themountains to discolour the silver sea, and offering, as the middythought, endless havens of refuge, till about the hottest part of theday, when the pitch seemed to be seething in the seams. All at once thecaptain, after a short conversation with his mate, went forward with acouple of men, and Burgess went himself to take the wheel. "Now then, "said Poole, "what did I tell you?"

"Do you think we are going to turn in here?"

"That's just what I do think. Here, do you want a job?"

"Yes--no--of course--What do you want me to do?"

"Go and tell the Camel to get the oiliest breakfast he can all ready, for we are half-starved. "

"Don't talk nonsense!" cried Fitz angrily. "What do you mean?"

"Mean? Why, look! Old Grumbo's running us right in for the line ofsurf below that bluff. There's an opening there, I'll be bound. Lookat the coloured water too. There must be a good-sized river coming downfrom somewhere. Oh, the old fox! He knows what he's about. There'sone of his holes in there, and the hunt is nearly up. I mean, thelittle _Teal_ is going in to find her nest. "

"Well, I hope you are right, " said Fitz quietly; and then he stoodwatching while the little schooner seemed as if being steered to certaindestruction, but only to glide by the threatened danger into a wideopening hidden heretofore, and where the rocks ran up, jungle-covered, forming the sides of a lovely valley whose limits were hidden from thedeck. 

At that moment the middy became aware of the fact that one of the menwas busy with the skipper heaving the lead and shouting the soundingsloud enough for the mate to hear, while with educated ear Fitz listenedand grasped the fact how dangerously the water shoaled, till it seemedat last that the next minute they must run aground. 

For a few minutes it was as though something was clutching at the boy'sthroat, making his breath come hot and fast; and he glanced back to seewhere the gunboat was, but looked in vain, for a side of the valley roselike a towering wall between, and on glancing in the other directionthere was another stupendous wall running up to mountain height, and allof gorgeous greens. 

The next minute, when he looked forward, feeling that at any moment hemight have to swim, the voice of the man with the lead-line seemed toring out louder and more clear, announcing fathoms, as a short timebefore he had shouted feet. 

There was a curious stillness too reigning around. The roar of surfupon the rocky shore was gone; the wind had dropped; and the _Teal_ wasgliding slowly up the grand natural sanctuary into which she had beensteered, while the lad awakened to the fact that they had entered arushing stream, and as the feeling gained ground of all this beingunreal, their safety being, as it were, a dream, he was brought back tothe bare matter-of-fact by hearing an order given, the anchor descendingwith a splash, and Poole bringing his hand down sharply upon hisshoulder, to cry exultantly--

"There, old chap; what did I say!"

CHAPTER FORTY. 

"DEFENCE, NOT DEFIANCE. "

"What did you say? Oh yes, I remember. It has come out all right; butwe shall have them in here directly, after us. "

"What's that?" said the skipper, who overheard his words. "I hope not, and I doubt of their getting within shot. Here, Burgess. "

"Hallo!" growled the mate, and he came slowly up, looking, as Pooleafterwards said, like the proverbial bear with a sore head. 

"Here's Mr Burnett prophesying all kinds of evil things about us. "

"Ah!" growled the mate. "He didn't know any better. I never prophesytill after the thing has taken place. What did he say?"

"That we shall have the gunboat in here after us directly. What do yousay to that?"

The mate's sour countenance expanded into a broad smile, and he cameclose up to the middy and clapped him on the shoulder. 

"Good lad, " he said. "I hope you are right. "

"Hope I'm right!" said Fitz, staring. "Why, if she steams in withinshot they'll make such practice with that gun that we shall be knockedall to pieces. "

"You mean they would if they got well within sight; but look foryourself. Where could they lay her to get a shot? I can't see. "

"No, " said Fitz thoughtfully, as he looked anxiously back and saw thatthey were thoroughly sheltered by projecting cliff and headland. "Isuppose they couldn't get within shot. "

"No. That's right, my lad; and they couldn't come in anything like nearenough if it were all open water from here to where they are now. "

"What, is the water so shoal?" asked Fitz. 

"Shoal? Yes, " growled the mate, his face growing sour again. "We'venearly scraped the bottom over and over again. I only wish they'd tryit. They'd be fast on some of those jags and splinters, and most likelywith a hole in the bottom. My opinion, Captain Reed, is that if theskipper of that gunboat does venture in he'll never get out again; andthat would suit us down to the ground. Bah--bah! He knows this coasttoo well, and he won't be such a fool as to try. "

"No, " said the skipper confidently; "you are quite right, Burgess. Hewon't be such a fool as to try. But we must have a boat out at once togo back and watch, for I'm pretty sure that Don what's-his-name will belowering a couple of his with armed crews to come in and scuttle us ifthey can't tow us out. "

"Ah, well, they can't do that, " said the mate coolly. "They'd bemeeting us on equal terms then, and you won't let them. "

"No, " said the skipper, smiling, as he turned to Fitz; "I don't think weshall let them do that, Mr Burnett. My lads will be only too glad toreceive the gunboat's crew on equal terms and send them back with a fleain their ears. "

"Ay, " said the mate, with a grunt; "and quite right too. I think it isour turn to give them a bit of our mind, after the way in which theyhave been scuffling us about lately. Shall I go with the boat?"

"Yes, you'd better. Take the gig, and four men to row. "

"I can go, father?" cried Poole eagerly. 

"Well, I don't know, " said the skipper. "If you go, Mr Burnett herewill want to be with you, and I know how particular he is as a youngofficer not to be seen having anything to do with our filibustering, ashe calls it. "

Fitz frowned with annoyance, and seemed to give himself a regularsnatch. 

"You'd rather not go, of course?" continued the skipper dryly. 

"I can't help wanting to go, Mr Reed, " replied the lad sharply; "and ifI went just as a spectator I don't see how I should be favouring any ofyour designs. "

"Well, no, " said the skipper dryly, "if you put it like that. I don'tsee after all how you could be accused of turning buccaneer. But wouldyou really like to go?"

"Why, of course, " said Fitz. "It's all experience. "

"Off with you then, " said the skipper; "only don't get within shot. Idon't want to have to turn amateur doctor again on your behalf. I amclever enough at cuts and bruises, and I dare say if I were hard put toit I could manage to mend a broken leg or arm, but I wouldn't undertaketo be hunting you all over to find where a rifle-bullet had gone. Accidents are my line, not wounds received in war; and, by the way, while we are talking of such subjects, if we have to lie up here in thisriver for any time, you had better let me give you a dose or two ofquinine. "

"Oh, but I am quite well now, " cried Fitz. 

"Yes, and I want you to keep so, my lad. That's a very good old proverbthat says, `Prevention is better than cure. '"

A very short time afterwards the schooner's gig, with her littlewell-armed crew, was allowed to glide down with the stream, with themate, boat-hook in hand, standing in the bows, Poole astern with therudder-lines, and Fitz a spectator, thoroughly enjoying the beauty ofthe vast cliffs that arose on either side as they descended towards theriver's mouth. 

It was all zigzag and winding, the stream carrying them along slowly, for a sharp sea-breeze was dead against them, explaining how it was thatthe schooner had sailed up so easily as she had. 

Fitz had ample proof, without Poole's drawing his attention to the fact, that there was no possibility of the gunboat making practice with herheavy piece, for everywhere the schooner was sheltered, the course ofthe river being all zigzag and wind, till all at once, as the men weredipping their oars gently, the gig passed round a bend, and there wasthe enemy about three miles off shore, lying-to, with her great blackplume of smoke floating towards them, spreading out like a haze andmaking her look strange and indistinct. 

"Did you bring a glass, Poole, my lad?" growled the mate. 

"No; I never thought of that. "

"Humph! Never mind. I think I can manage. Both of you lads give asharp look-out and tell me what you can see. "

"Why, there's something between us and her hull, " said Poole, "but Ican't quite make out what it is. Surely she isn't on a rock?"

"No, " cried Fitz; "I can see. She has lowered a boat. "

"Two, " said the mate, in his deep hoarse voice. "I can make 'em outnow. I thought that was it at first. Pull away, my lads, for allyou're worth. Pull your port line, my lad, and let's run back. Hug theshore as much as you can, so as to keep out of the stream. Hah! If wehad thought to bring a mast and sail and one of the other boats we couldhave been back in no time with this wind astern. "

The gig swung round as the men bent in their quick steady pull, and theybegan to ascend the stream once more, while Fitz rose in his place, tolook back watching the half-obscured gunboat till they had swept roundthe bend once more and she was out of sight, when he re-seated himselfand noticed that the mate was still standing, intent upon cautiouslytaking cartridges from his pouch and thrusting them into the chambers ofthe revolver which he had drawn from the holster of his belt. 

This looked like business, and Fitz turned to dart an inquiring look athis companion, who answered it with a nod. 

"Well, " thought Fitz, "if he thinks we are going to have a fight beforewe get back, why doesn't he order his men to load?"

But it proved that the mate did not anticipate a fight before they gotback. He had other thoughts in his head, and when at last, after a longand anxious row against the sharp current, with the lads constantlylooking back to see if the gunboat's men were within sight, they reachedthe final zigzag, and caught sight of the schooner, old Burgess raisedhis hand and fired three shots at the face of the towering cliff. 

These three were echoed back as about a score, when there was aninterval, and three tiny puffs of grey smoke darted from the schooner'sdeck, and echoed in their turn. 

"Signal answered, " said Poole quietly, and the men made their ash-bladesbend again in their eagerness to get back aboard. 

"Why, what have they been about?" whispered Fitz. 

"Looks like going fishing, " said Poole, with a grin. "Don't chaff at atime like this, " cried Fitz pettishly. "I didn't know that you had gotboarding-netting like a man-of-war. "

"What, don't you remember the night you came aboard?"

"Not likely, with everything knocked out of my head as it was. "

"Oh yes, we've got all these little necessaries. Father goes on theVolunteer system: `Defence, not Defiance. '"

"Well, that's defiant enough, " said Fitz. "It's like saying, `You'renot coming aboard here, ' in string. "

"Of course. You don't suppose we want a set of half Indian, halfSpanish mongrel sailors taking possession of the _Teal_? You wait tillwe get aboard, and you'll see all our lads busy with the fleas. "

"Busy with the fleas?" said Fitz. "What do you mean?"

"Those father talked about, to put in the Don's ears before we send themback. "

"How can you go on making poor jokes at a time like this?" said themiddy, in a tone of annoyance. "Why, it looks as if we are in for aserious fight. "

"As if _we_ are!" said Poole, emphasising the "we. "

"How many more times am I to tell you that it is our game and notyours?"

"But look here, " said Fitz excitedly. "Your father really does mean tofight?"

"My father does, and so does every one else, " replied Poole. "In oars, my lads, " and the next moment the mate hooked on close to the gangway. "I suppose, " continued Poole, "you will stop on deck till the rowbegins? You will want to see all you can. "

"Of course, " said Fitz, whose face was once more growing flushed. 

"Well, I wouldn't stop up too long. The enemy may fire, and you will besafer down below. "

"Yes, I suppose so, " said the middy coolly; "and of course you arecoming too?"

"Coming too? That's likely, isn't it?" said Poole contemptuously. 

"Just as likely as that I should go and hide. "

"But it's no business of yours. You are not going to fight. "

"No, " said Fitz, "but I want to see. "

CHAPTER FORTY ONE. 

FITZ FORGETS. 

The boarding-netting was partially drawn aside, and Fitz noted that morethan ever the crew of the schooner looked like well-trained man-of-war'smen, each with his cutlass belted on, waiting for the next order, givenin the skipper's voice, when the gig's falls were hooked on and she wasrun up to the davits and swung inboard, as were the other boats, andwhen the lad sprang on deck he saw that the netting was being lowereddown and secured over the gangway. 

It was plain enough that from the moment the gig had pushed off, allhands had been at work preparing to resist attack if an attempt atcapture were made; and once more the middy forgot his own identity as anaval officer in his eagerness and interest in all that was going on. 

"Oh, one word, Mr Burnett, " said the skipper, as he passed where thelad was standing. "Hadn't you better go below? You've got to thinkabout who you are if the Spaniards take us, " and then with agood-humoured smile as he read the vexation in the boy's countenance, "Hadn't I better lock you up in the cabin?"

"I say, Captain Reed, " cried the boy, in a voice full of protest, "I dowish you wouldn't do this. I can't help having a nasty temper, and thisputs me all of a tingle. It seems so hard that men should always laughat boys and think they are cowards. We can't help being young. "

"Of course you can't, my lad, " said the skipper, patting him on theback. "There, I will never tease you again. In all probability therewon't be anything serious, but if there is, take care of yourself, myboy, for I shouldn't like you to be hurt. "

He gave his listener a pleasant nod, and hurried on towards the mate, while Fitz joined Poole, who had nothing now to do, and they occupiedthemselves in keeping watch for the expected boats and going aboutamongst the men, whose general appearance seemed to Fitz to be that theywere going to some entertainment by way of a treat. 

But the treat promised to be serious, for rifles were here and thereplaced ready for use, and close to every man there was a capstan-bar, evidently intended to use as a club, a most effective weapon whoseinjuries would not prove of a very dangerous type. 

Fitz whispered as much to his companion, who nodded and then replied--

"Well, that depends on what the lads call the spaniel dogs. The daddoesn't want it to be too serious, of course, but we can't help it ifthese fellows make our lads savage. You see, we've got cutlasses andrifles, and fellows forget to be gentle if they are hurt. "

"But we are not at war with Don Villarayo's State. "

"No, " said Poole, "and Villarayo is not at war with our schooner and themen, but if he begins giving us Olivers he must expect to get Rolandsback. Those who play at bowls, you know, must expect rubbers, and whenEnglishmen rub, they rub hard. "

Fitz half turned away to look astern. "I say, " he said, "aren't they along time coming?"

"No; they had a long way to row. "

"Seems a long time. Perhaps they have thought better of it and goneback. "

"Think so? Well, I don't. They are sure to come. But I dare say itwill be a good quarter of an hour yet--perhaps half. "

"Well, " said Fitz, "for my part, I--" He stopped short, and Poole lookedat him curiously. 

"Well?" he said. "You what? What were you going to say?"

"Nothing. You'd only think that I was afraid. "

"Oh, I know, " said Poole. "You were going to say that you hope it won'tturn out serious. I shouldn't think that you were afraid. I feel justthe same. But you may make up your mind for one thing. We are in thestrongest position, and Villarayo's sailors won't be allowed to take the_Teal_. If it comes to bloodshed, it's their doing, mind, and not ours. Now, don't let's talk any more. "

"Why not?" said Fitz. "I feel as if I must. Perhaps I shouldn't if Iwere one of your crew, and like that. "

He pointed quickly to his companion's belt, from which hung a sword, andthen quickly touched the flap of the little holster buttoned over thebrass stud. "You won't use that, will you?" he said. "Not if I canhelp it, " was the reply. "Help it! Why, of course you needn't unlessyou like. "

"Well, I shouldn't like to, of course. But if you were I, and you sawone of these fellows aiming at one of your men, say at old Butters orChips, setting aside the dad, wouldn't you try and whip it out to havefirst shot?"

Fitz nodded shortly, and for the time being the conversation ceased, while the lads' attention was taken up by the sight of the Camel, whoafter making a rattling noise as if stoking his fire in the galley, shutthe door with a bang, and came out red-faced and hot, wiping his handsprior to buckling on a belt with its cutlass and then helping himself toa capstan-bar. 

It was only a few minutes later that the bows of a large cutter came insight, followed by the regularly dipping oars of the crew of swarthysailors who were pulling hard. 

The next moment the uniforms of two officers could be made out in thestern-sheets, where they sat surrounded by what answered to marines, andbefore the cutter had come many yards the bows of its consort appeared. 

As they came within sight of the schooner a cheer arose, a sort ofimitation British cheer, which had a curious effect upon the schooner'screw, for to them it seemed so comic that they laughed; but a growl fromthe mate made every one intent for the serious work in hand, as at thenext order they divided in two parties, each taking one side of theschooner for the defence under command of the skipper and his chiefofficer. 

"You understand, Burgess?" said the former sternly. "You will keep asharp eye on us, and I'll keep one on you. It must be a case of the onehelping the other who is pressed. "

The mate grunted, and the skipper spoke out to his men. 

"Look here, my lads, " he said; "we are not at war, and I want nobloodshed. Use your capstan-bars as hard as you like, and tumble themback into their boats, or overboard. No cutlass, edge or point, unlessI give the word. "

The answer was a cheer, and then all eyes were directed to the boats, which were coming faster through the water now, till, at a command fromthe foremost stern-sheets, the men slackened and waited for theirconsort to come up abreast. 

Another command was given, when the oars dipped faster all together, theboats dividing so as to take the schooner starboard and port. 

"Not going to summon us to surrender?" said the skipper sharply. "Verywell; but I think we shall make them speak. "

The two boys stood together in the stern, close to the wheel, seeing theboats divide and pass them on either hand; and then with heartsthrobbing they waited for what was to come--and not for long. 

Matters moved quickly now, till the boats bumped and grazed against theschooner's sides, two sharp orders rang out as their coxswains hookedon, and then with a strange snarling roar their crews began to scrambleup to the bulwarks, and with very bad success. They had not far to go, for the schooner's bulwarks were very low for a sea-going vessel, buthere was the main defence, the nets fully ten feet high and verystrong--a defence suggestive of the old gladiatorial fight between theRetiarius, or net and trident-bearer, and the Secutor, or sword andshield-carrying man-at-arms. 

There was no firing then; the Spaniards seized the net and began toclimb, some becoming entangled, as in their hurry a leg or an armslipped through, while the defenders dashed at them and brought theircapstan-bars into use, crack and thud resounding, sending some back upontheir companions, others into the boats, while three or four splashesannounced the fall of unfortunates into the water. 

Loud shouts came from the boats as the officers urged the men on, andfrom each an officer in uniform began to climb now and lead, followed byquite a crowd on either side, some of them hacking at the stout cordwith their cutlasses, but doing little mischief, crippled as they wereby the sharp blows which were hailed down by the schooner's crew, uponhand, foot, and now and then upon some unlucky head. 

Chips the carpenter, who was nothing without making some improvementupon the acts of his fellows, made a dash at the officer leading theattacking boat on the starboard side, delivering a thrust with the barhe carried, which passed right through the large mesh of the net, catching the Spaniard in the chest and sending him backwards into theboat. 

"That's what I calls a Canterbury poke, dear boys, " he cried. "Let 'emhave it, my lads. The beggars look like so many flies in a spider'sweb; and we are the spiders. "

The shouting, yelling, and struggling did not last five minutes. Manafter man succeeded the fallen, and then it was all over, the boatsfloating back with the current until they were checked by those incommand, who ordered the oars out and the men to row. But it was somelittle time before the confusion on board each could be mastered, andthe disabled portions of the crew drawn aside. 

"Well done, my lads!" cried the skipper. "Couldn't be better!"

"Here, " shouted the mate, "a couple of you up aloft and tighten that netup to the stay. Two more of you get a bit of signal-line and lace upthose holes. "

"Ay, ay, sir!" came readily enough, and the men rushed to their duty. 

"Think that they have had enough of it?" said Fitz huskily. 

"Not they, " replied Poole. "We shall hear directly what they have gotto say. "

He had scarcely spoken before there was a fierce hail from one of theboats, whose commander shouted in Spanish to the skipper to surrender;and upon receiving a defiant reply in his own tongue, the officerroared--

"Surrender, you scum, or I'll order my men to fire; and as soon as youare my prisoners I'll hang you all, like the dogs you are. "

"Back with you to your ship, you idiot, before you get worse off, " criedthe captain sternly. "Dogs can bite, and when English dogs do, theyhold on. "

"Surrender!" roared the officer again, "or I fire. "

"At the first shot from your boat, " cried the skipper, "I'll give theorder too; and my men from shelter can pick off yours much faster thanyours from the open boat. "

"Insolent dog!" roared the officer, and raising a revolver he fired atthe skipper, the bullet whistling just above his head. 

In an instant Poole's revolver was out, and without aiming he fired tooin the direction of the boat. He fired again and again over theattacking party's heads, until the whole of the six chambers were empty, and with the effect of making the Republican sailors cease rowing, whiletheir boats drifted with the current, rapidly increasing the distance. 

The order to fire from the boats did not come, but the second boatclosed up to the first, and a loud and excited colloquy arose, therebeing evidently a difference of opinion between the leaders, one officerbeing for another attack; the second--so the skipper interpreted it fromsuch of the words as he could catch--being for giving up and going backto the gunboat for advice. 

And all the time, both boats still in confusion drifted farther andfarther away; but at last the fiery leader of the first gained the day;his fellow gave up, and when the order was given to advance once more inthe first boat he supplemented it in the second, and a low deep murmurrose up. 

"Why, Fitz, " whispered Poole, "they have had enough of it. The mongrelswon't come on. "

"Think so?" whispered back Fitz, gazing excitedly over the stern, whilePoole's fingers were busy thrusting in fresh cartridges till hisrevolver chambers were full. 

"Yes, it's plain enough, " cried Poole, for the voices of the officerscould be heard angrily threatening and abusing their men; but all invain. 

There was the appearance of struggles going on, and in one boat the sunflashed two or three times from the blade of a sword as it was raised inthe air and used as a weapon of correction, its owner striking viciouslyat his mutinous men. 

"Ah!" ejaculated Fitz. "That's done it. They are more afraid of himthan they are of us--of you, I mean. They are coming on again. "

For the oars were dipping, making the water foam once more, as the crewsin both the boats began to pull with all their might. But only half;the others backed water, and directly after the boats' heads had beenturned and they were being rowed back as hard as they would go, tillthey disappeared round the first bend to the tune of a triumphant cheergiven in strong chorus by every man upon the _Teal_. 

Just at that moment Fitz clapped one hand to his cheek, for it felt hot, consequent upon the thought having struck him, that in his excitement hehad been cheering too. That burning sensation was the result of a hintfrom his conscience that such conduct was not creditable to a youngofficer in the Royal Navy. 

CHAPTER FORTY TWO. 

THE CAMEL'S DEMAND. 

The nets were soon mended and the slack places hauled up taut, while the_Teal's_ crew sauntered about the deck, waiting patiently for the nextattack, and compared notes about the slight injuries they had received. 

Meanwhile the skipper and mate were anxiously on the alert for whatmight happen next. 

"I want to know what they mean, Burgess, " the lads heard the skippersay. "They'll never put up with such a rebuff as this. "

"Oh, I don't know, " growled Burgess. "The officers wouldn't, of course, but they'll never get those swabs to face us for another bout. "

"What do you think, then? That they will go back for fresh boats'crews?"

"That's somewhere about it, or some stinkpots to heave aboard, or maybe, if they have got one, for a barge or pinnace with a boat's gun. "

"Possibly, " said the skipper, and Poole gave Fitz a nudge with his elbowas if to ask, Did you hear that?--a quite unnecessary performance, forFitz had drunk in every word. 

"Yes, " continued the skipper; "they'll be after something or another. Don Cousin is bound to take us by some means, and we must be on thelook-out for a surprise. Can we wait till dark and slip out to seaagain?"

"No, " said the mate abruptly; "I want broad daylight for anything likethat. I couldn't take the schooner a quarter of a mile in the darkwithout getting her on the rocks. "

"I suppose not, " said the skipper; "and I suppose it's no use to try andget higher up the stream?"

"Not a bit, " replied the mate. "The boats would follow us anywhere. Iam very sorry. I've brought you into a regular trap, and there's onlyone way out, and the gunboat's sitting on it. But under thecircumstances there was nothing else to be done. How I do hate thesetea-kettles! But one must look the plain truth in the face. They cango anywhere, and we, who depend upon our sails, can't. "

"That's all true enough, " said the skipper, "but it doesn't better ourposition. What I want to know is, how things are going on lower down. Now, if you lads, or one of you, " he continued, turning to the boys, "could shin up that high cliff yonder you could see the boats and thegunboat too, and make signals to us so that we might know what toexpect. "

"All right, father, " said Poole sharply, and he glanced at Fitz as hespoke; "have me landed in the dinghy, and I'll go up and see. "

Fitz looked at the speaker, and his eyes said, "All right, I'll comewith you;" but the skipper made no answer for a time, but stood shadinghis eyes and sweeping the face of the cliff, before dropping his handand saying--

"How would you do it, my lad?"

"Oh, by climbing up, father, a bit at a time, getting hold of the bushesand hauling oneself up sometimes. "

"Ah, " said the skipper quietly. "You would be very clever if you did. It might be managed for a little way up, but all that upper part isn'tperpendicular; it hangs right over towards us. Impossible, my lad. Nothing could get up there but a bird or a fly. We must give up thatidea. Burgess, you will have to lower a boat and let her drift down tothe headland there, stern on, and with the men ready to pull for theirlives, as you may be fired at. When you get to the head you must lether slide along close under the bushes till you get a sight of the boatsand see what they're doing. "

"Right, " said the mate. "Now?"

"Yes; the sooner the better. "

Poole glanced at Fitz, and then started to speak to his father; butbefore he could open his lips there was an emphatic--

"No! You would only be in the way, my lads. I want four strong men torow, and one in the stern to look out; and that one is Mr Burgess. "

"Very well, father, " said the lad quietly, but he looked hisdisappointment at Fitz, whose vexation was plainly marked on hiscountenance, as he mentally said, "Oh, bother! He might have let usgo. "

Things were done promptly on board the _Teal_, and in a few moments thecutter was lowered down with its little crew after the netting had beencast loose and raised; and then they watched her glide down with thestream, stern on, with the rowers balancing their oars, the strokedipping his now and then to keep her head to stream, and the matestanding with his back to them till the headland was reached, when heknelt down, caught at the overhanging bushes and water-plants, and letthe boat drift close in and on and on without making a sign, till shedisappeared. 

Just then Fitz heaved a sigh. 

"What's the matter, old chap?" said Poole. 

"Oh, we shall have nothing to do but wait now, perhaps for hours, for Iexpect the enemy has gone right back to the gunboat, and waiting is athing I do thoroughly hate. Eh? Is that you, Camel?"

"Andy Cawmell it is, sir. A'm thenking that it would be joost a goodtime for a wee bit food. Ah've been watching Mr Burnett here, and thepuir laddie looks quite white and faint. Would you mind telling theskipper that I've got a wee bit hot dinner a' ready? and if he will gi'ethe word I'll have it in the cabin in less time than Duncan Made-Hosetook his pinch of sneeshin. "

"Well done, Camel!" cried Poole, who darted to his father, leaving thecook blinking and smiling at Fitz, who looked at him in admiration. 

"Why, Camel, " he said, "you are a deal too clever for a ship's cook, andI don't know what I owe you for all you have done for me. "

"Oh, joost naething at all, laddie. "

"Nothing! I want to make you a big present when I can. "

"You do, laddie? Vairy weel, and I'll tell you what I'd like. Ye'lljust gi'e me one of them quarter-poond tins of Glasgie sneeshin. "

"Snuff!" said Poole contemptuously. "Ay, laddie; snuff, as ye call it. Nay, don't turn your nose up at sneeshin. Ye should turn it down. Thenk of what it is to a man condemned to get naething but a bit ofdirty black pigtail tobaccy that he has to chew like the lads do intheir barbarous way. Ye'll mind that: a four-ounce tin of the raleGlasgie. "

"Oh, but--"

"Nay, nay, laddie. That'll make us square. Now then, what's the youngskipper got to say?"

"The sooner the better, Camel, for he's half-starved; but you are tokeep a bit hot for Mr Burgess. "

"Ou, ay, " said the Camel, smiling. "I never forget the mate. He wadnalet me if I would. "

The two lads watched anxiously for the return of the boat, but in vain, and then, in answer to the summons, went reluctantly below as far astheir minds were concerned, but with wondrous willingness on the part oftheir bodies, to join the skipper over a capital meal, which was hastilydiscussed, and then the trio went on deck to where the men were keepingwatch, and ordered them to go below. 

"Get your dinner, lads, as quickly as you can, and then come up again. We'll keep watch until you do. "

They took their places aft at once, and the watch began, lasting till, headed by the boatswain, the men hurried up again, looking inquiringlyin the faces of those they relieved; but they looked in vain, fornothing had been seen of the cutter, and quite an hour had passed whenshe came round the bend, being rowed swiftly, for the mate to hail theskipper and make the announcement--

"They have gone right back to the gunboat, and I waited till they wererun up to the davits, and then came back. Is there anything we can haveto eat?"

CHAPTER FORTY THREE. 

WINKS'S PLANS. 

The mate and the boat's crew went below, and the skipper took a turn orso up and down the deck, thinking deeply, while the two lads went andsettled themselves down aft to keep a keen look-out for any danger thatmight approach, and naturally dropped into conversation, first about thefight, a subject which they thoroughly exhausted before they began adebate upon their position. 

"What's to be done, eh?" said Poole, in response to a question. "Idon't know. We are regularly boxed up--trapped. You heard what wassaid, and here we are. We can't attempt to sail out in the daylightbecause Don Cousin would sink us as sure as his great gun, and we can'tsneak out in the dark because, even if we got a favourable wind, oldBurgess couldn't find the way. "

"We might take to the boats, and slip off as soon as it was dark, androw along close in shore. We should be out of sight long beforedaybreak, and join Don Ramon at Velova. "

"Exactly, " said Poole sarcastically; "and leave a note on the binnacle, `With father's compliments to Don Cousin, and he begged to make him apresent of the smartest little schooner, just as she stands, that evercrossed the Atlantic. ' Likely, isn't it?"

"Oh no, " said Fitz hurriedly. "Of course that wouldn't do. "

"Oh, I don't know, " said Poole, in the same mocking vein. "It doesn'tdo to be in too much of a hurry over a good idea. There, you wait tillthe dad turns and is coming back this way, and then you go and proposeit to him. "

"Likely, as you say, " said Fitz, with a laugh. "But look here, what isto be done?"

"I only know of one thing, " replied Poole; "keep a strict watch for thenext prank they will play, and beat them off again till they get tiredand give it up as a bad job. "

"That they will never do, " said Fitz decidedly. "Think they could landand get up on one of these cliffs from the shore side, and pick us offby degrees with their rifles?"

"No, " said Poole, leaning back and gazing upwards. "I think that wouldbe impossible. "

"Well, " said Fitz, "what do you say to this? Man the boats after dark, row out to the gunboat, board her, and take her. Now, I think thatwould be grand. "

"Oh yes, grand enough; but she's a man-of-war with small guns as well asthe big one, and a large, well-drilled crew. No, no, they would be tookeenly on the watch. I don't believe we could do that. I've a goodmind to mention it, though, to father. No, I won't. He'd have thoughtof that, and he'd only look upon it as so much impudence, coming fromme. "

"I dunno, " said Fitz. "Here he comes. Try. "

"Here, you two, " said the skipper, coming close up to them; "I have anice little job for you. Take four men, Poole, and drop down in a boatcautiously. Don't be seen, and get down to where you can watch thegunboat till dark, and then come back here and report what you have madeout. Of course if they make any movement you come back directly and letme know. "

These orders put all farther scheming out of the lads' heads, and a veryshort time afterwards Poole had selected Chips and three other men, andthe boat was gliding down with the current, each bend being cautiouslyrounded in the expectation of the enemy being seen once more ascendingthe river. But the last headland was passed with the boat kept wellunder shelter of the overhanging growth, and the open sea lay beforethem; and there, about two miles away, and exactly opposite the mouth ofthe river, lay the gunboat with a film of smoke rising from her funnel, indicating that steam was being kept up, while by means of the glassthat this time had not been left behind, they could plainly make outthat she was lying at anchor, keeping watch upon the shore. 

"There, " said Poole, "I'll be bound to say she's just at the mouth ofthe channel by which we came in, and as close as she dare come. Weshould look nice sailing down nearer and nearer to her. Bah! We shouldnever get half-way there. "

"Well, what's to be done?" said Fitz. 

"What we were told. Make ourselves comfortable till the sun's justbeginning to go down, and then get back as quickly as we can. --Make herfast, my lads, with the painter--there, to that branch, only so that wecan slip off in a minute, for we may have to go in a hurry at any time. "

This was done, and they watched and waited in silence, keeping well outof sight behind the shrubby growth, from the knowledge that the mouth ofthe river was certain to be carefully scanned by those on board thegunboat with their glasses. 

"Looks to me, " observed Poole, "as if they mean to tire us out. "

"Oh yes, sir, that's it, " said Chips. "I wish I had brought my toolswith me. "

"Why?" said Poole, who was glad to break the monotony of their watch bya chat with the men. 

"Oh, it's as well to make the most use of your time, sir. Looks to meas if the Don Captain had taken a lease of that pitch and meant to stay;and under the suckumstances I couldn't do better than land here and getup to that sort of shelf yonder. Beautiful situation too, freehold ifyou held tight. Raither lonely perhaps, but with my axe and these 'erethree stoopids to help me, I could knock the skipper up a nice eligiblemarine villa, as they calls it, where we could all live comfortable fora year or two; and you young gents could have nice little gardens ofyour own. Then I could make you a little harbour where you could keepyour boat and go fishing and shooting and having a high old time. Idon't think you'd get such a chance again. "

"And what about the schooner?" said Fitz, laughing. 

"Oh, we should have to dismantle her, and work up the stuff, bulkheadsand such-like, to line the new house. I've got an idea that I couldwork in all the hatches and tarpaulins for a roof; for though you getplenty of sunshine out here, my word, when it do rain, it do! What doyou say, sir?"

"Nothing, " said Poole. "It won't do, Chips. "

"Well, no, sir; I thought it wouldn't when I first began to speak. "

"Try again. "

"Don't think I have got any more stuff, sir. But lookye here; why don'tthe skipper take us all down in the boats when it's dark, and let usboard the enemy and take her? We could, couldn't we, messmates?"

"Yes, of course, " came in a growl. 

"There, sir! You 'ear?"

"Yes, I hear, " said Poole, "and I dare say we could, but only at theexpense of half the lads killed and wounded; and that would be payingtoo dear. Now, look here, my lad; here's an idea rather in your way. Couldn't we make a plan to scuttle and sink the gunboat where she lies?What do you say to that?"

"Can't be did, sir. I could creep alongside the schooner and do it toher; but that there gunboat's got heavy steel plates right round her, going ever so deep, and they'd be rather too much for my tools. They'dspoil every auger I've got. The skipper hasn't got a torpedo aboard, has he? One of them new 'uns that you winds up and sets a-going with alittle screw-propeller somewheres astern, and a head full of nitro--what-d'ye-call-it, which goes off when it hits?"

"No, " said Poole, as he lay back gazing at the gunboat through hishalf-closed eyes, and in imagination saw the little thread-likeappearance formed by the disturbed water as a fish-torpedo ploughed itsway along; "we didn't bring anything of the kind. "

"No, sir; I thought you wouldn't. But what about a big bag of powderstuck alongside her rudder? You see, you might tie the bag up with abit of spun-yarn rubbed with wet powder, and leave a long end hangingdown as far as the boat in which you rowed out. "

"And set a light to it?" said Fitz. 

"That's right, sir. You see, " cried Chips, "and it would go fizzlingand sparkling till we rowed right away out of reach, and up she'd go, bang. "

"And while you were striking matches to light the touch-string, theenemy would be shooting at you or dropping cold shot or pig-ballast intous to sink the boat, " said Poole. 

"Bah!" said Fitz. "They keep such a strict watch that they would neverlet a row-boat come near. "

"No, sir, " said Chips; "that's just what I think. Them Spaniels aren'tvery clever, but they all seem to have got eyes in their heads. Now, this 'ere's a better idee. Say you are the skipper, and you says tohalf-a-dozen of us, `Now, my lads, them there Span'ls is makingthemselves a regular noosance with that there big gun. Don't you thinkyou could take the gig to-night, drop down under their bows, hook on bythe fore-chains, and then swarm up on the quiet like, catch hold of thebig gun, carry her to the side, and drop her over into deep water!'"

"Ha! ha! Capital!" cried Fitz. "Splendid! Yes, I don't believe sheweighs more than two or three tons. Why, Poole, we ought to goto-night. They wouldn't be able to get her up again without a lighterand divers from New York. But it's a capital idea. "

"Don't you mind what he says, " growled the carpenter. "He's a-quizzingon us, my lads. Well, I gives that up. That job would be a bit toostiff. "

"Yes, " said Poole, laughing. "Try again. "

"I dunno what they wants a great clumsy lumbering thing like that aboarda ship for. Bower-anchors is bad enough, banging against your craft;but you can lower them down to the bottom when your ship gets tired, andgive her a bit of a rest. "

"Yes, " said one of the other sailors; "you'll have to think of somethingbetter than that, Shavings. "

"Ay, but that was a fine idea, my lad, if the gun had been a bitlighter. The Span'ls would have been so flabbergasted when they heardthe splash, that we should have had lots of time to get away. Now, letme see; let me see. What we wants is a big hole in that gunboat'sbottom, so that they would be obliged to take to their boats. What doyou say to this? I've got a bottle of stain aboard as I used to do overthe wood at the top of the locker in the skipper's cabin, and made itlook like hoggermy. Now, suppose I undressed a bit, say to myflannel-shirt, tied an old red comforter that I've got round my waist, to keep my trowges up, and then touches my hands and arms and phiz overwith some of that stain. Then I swims off to the gunboat, asks civillike for the Don skipper, and says I'm a Spanish AB and a volunteer comeon the job. "

"And what then?" said Fitz, laughing. 

"Ah, you may laugh, sir. But you can't expect a common sailor like me, who's a bit handy with his hammer and saw, to be up to all the dodges ofan educated young gent like you as has sarved his time aboard the_Bry-tannia_ in Dartmouth Harbour. But of course there's a `what then'to all I said. I shouldn't want to dress myself up like a play-hactorin a penny show, with a red pocket-hankerchy tied to a mop-stick, bigboots, and a petticut instead of trowges, pretending he's a blackpirate, with a blood-red flag, one of your penny plain and twopencecoloured kind, you know. I did lots of them when I was a young 'un, andhad a box of paints. Not me. There's a `what then' to all this 'ere, asting to it, same as there is in a wopse's tail. "

"Let's have it then, " said Fitz. "I want to hear what you'd do when DonCousin there shakes hands with you and says, `You're the very man I'vebeen waiting for all through this voyage. '"

"Yes, sir; that's it. You've got it to rights. That's just what hesays, only it'd be in his Spanish liquorice lingo; and then the veryfirst time I takes my trick at the wheel I looks out for one of themugly sharp-pinted rocks like a fang just sticking out of the water, runsthe gunboat right a-top of it, makes a big hole in her bottom; down shegoes, great gun and all, and there you are. Now, Mr Poole, sir, whathave you got to say to that?"

"Nothing, " said Poole. "It's too big for me. When do you mean tostart?"

"Well, I haven't quite made up my mind as to that yet, sir, " said Chipsquietly. "There's the skipper's consent to get, and the painting to do;and then I aren't quite sure about that there red comforter. I amafraid it's in my old chest, the one that's at home, and I shouldn'tlook so Span'l-like without a bit of colour. But it's a good idea, isn't it, sir, although Mr Fitz don't seem to think much of it? Whatdo you make of them now on board the gunboat?"

"There's somebody on the bridge, and he's got a glass, and I saw thelight flash off the lens just now. "

"Then they must be a-watching of us, sir, taking stock of the place. Ishouldn't wonder if we had a visit from them soon after dark, to try andtake us by surprise. "

"Well, they won't do that, " said Poole. "We shall keep too good awatch; but I shouldn't wonder if they tried. " The time glided by, andthe sun began to sink, to disappear quite early to the watchers, shut inby high cliffs; and as soon as it was out of sight the boat was draggedup stream, well hidden behind the overhanging boughs that dipped theirtips to the edge of the river, till the first bend had been passed, whenthe men took to their oars and pulled hard till the schooner wasreached. 

There was scarcely anything to report, the only thing that took theskipper's attention being Fitz's statement that he had seen somebody onthe gunboat's bridge using a glass, and this was sufficient to start theskipper making preparations for the night, for after a shortconsultation with Burgess, they came to the conclusion that they wouldbe attacked before long; and about an hour after darkness had set in, awhisper from one of the watch told that he had heard the faint creakingsof oars on rowlocks. 

A minute later a faint spark lit up what appeared to be a scale hangingfrom its chains and being lowered down from the schooner's side into thewater; but as it touched the surface it grew and grew, and went glidingdown the stream, developing as it went into a tin dish containing somecombustible which grew brighter and brighter as it went on, till itflashed out into a dazzling blue light which lit up the sides of thecliffs and glistened like moonlight in the water, till at about ahundred yards from the schooner's stern it threw up into clear reliefthe shapes of three boats crowded with men, the spray thrown up by theiroars glittering in the blue flare, and then ceasing. 

For all at once a few softly-uttered words were heard upon theschooner's deck, followed by a bright flash, and the roar of a volleyechoed like thunder from the cliff-sides, for the skipper's preparationshad been well made, so that about a score of rifle-bullets were sentwhizzing and hissing over the enemy's heads, while those who looked onover the schooner's bulwarks saw the blue light begin to sink and growpale as it went on down stream, throwing up the boats in less boldrelief as they too went down towards the mouth in company with theirilluminator. 

Five minutes later all was dark and still again. 

"Showed them we were pretty well prepared for them, " said Poole, atlast. 

"Yes, " replied Fitz. "Think they'll come again?"

"No, " said the skipper, who was standing by in the darkness. "We shallkeep watch, of course, but I don't think we shall see any more of themto-night. There, you two go below and sleep as hard as ever you can. I'll have you roused if anything occurs. "

"Honour bright, father?"

"Yes, and extra polished too, " replied the skipper. 

"Come on, then, Burnett, " whispered Poole, gripping his companion by thearm. "I don't think that I ever felt so sleepy in my life. "

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR. 

FITZ HAS A DREAM. 

The middy did not say much, but a very short time later he proved thathe shared his companion's feelings, both lads sleeping with all theirmight, and trying to make up for a great deal of exertion connected withtheir disturbed existence of the past few days. 

It is generally conceded by the thoughtful over such matters, thatdreams come after the more solid portion of a person's sleep, that theyare connected with a time when the rested brain is preparing to becomeactive once again, and set to work in its daily routine of thought. 

This may be the rule, but it is said that there is no rule without anexception. Fitz Burnett's slumber in his hot, stuffy berth was one ofthese exceptions, and rather a remarkable one too, for almost directlyafter dropping off he began to dream in the most outrageous manner, thatproving for him a sort of Arabian Night which had somehow been blownacross on the equatorial winds to Central America. The whole of hisdream was vivid in the extreme while it was in progress, and if it couldhave been transcribed then, no doubt it would have proved to be of themost intense interest; but unfortunately it had to be recalled the nextmorning when its clearness was muddled, the sharpness of its featuresblurred. 

Two or three times over he tried to dismiss it from his mind altogether, for it worried him; but it absolutely refused to be got rid of, and keptcoming back with the utmost persistency, making him feel bound to dragit back and try to set it in order, though this proved very difficult. It was some time before he could get hold of the thread at all, and atthe first pull he found that he drew up several threads, tangled andknotted up in the most inextricable confusion, while they were all insome way connected with Chips the carpenter's plans. 

He did not want the task: it bothered him, for in the broad sunshine ofthe morning Chips's notions seemed to him to be ludicrously absurd; butsomehow he felt bound to go on disentangling them, because he was, as itwere, in some way mixed up with them, and had been during the nighthelping him to carry them out. 

"Makes my head feel quite hot, " he said to himself, as he leaned overthe bulwark looking down at the water hurrying past the schooner. "Ihaven't got a fever coming on, have I? If it doesn't all soon go offI'll ask Captain Reed to give me some of his quinine. Ugh! Horriblybitter stuff! I have had enough physic this voyage to last me for ayear. "

And then he lapsed into a sort of dreamy state in which he dragged outof his sleeping adventures that he had been acting as a sort ofcarpenter's boy, carrying the bag, which weighed him down, while all thetime he had to keep handing gigantic augers to Chips, and wiping hisforehead every now and then with handfuls of shavings, while his masterkept on turning away, trying to bore holes through the steel plates ofthe gunboat, and never making so much as a scratch. Then came a rest, and he and Chips were lying down together in a beautiful summer-housebuilt upon a shelf of the cliff, with lovely vines running all over itcovered with brilliant flowers, and growing higher and higher, with theupper parts laden with fruit which somehow seemed to be like beans. Hedid not know why it was, but his rest in this beautiful vine-shadedplace, whose coverings seemed to grow right up into the skies, wasdisturbed by the carpenter's banter, for Chips kept calling him Jack, and laughing at him for selling his mother's cow for a handful of beans, and asking why he didn't begin to climb right up to the top of the greatstalk into the giant land. Before he could answer they were back againby the side of the gunboat, seated in the dinghy, and Chips was turningaway at his cross-handled auger, which now seemed to go through thesteel as easily as if it were cheese-rind, while when the dreamer tookhold of a handful of the shavings that were turned out, they were ofbright steel, and so hard and sharp that they made the carpenter angrybecause they did not remove the perspiration and only scratched hisface. But he kept on turning all the time, till the auger had gone inabout six inches, when he left off and asked for another, driving thisin at a tremendous rate and again asking for another and another, untilhe had driven in a whole series of them which extended from the level ofthe dinghy's gunwale right up the gunboat's side. 

Then it seemed to the sleeper that the dinghy was passed along to thewar-vessel's stern, where Chips made her fast to the rudder-chains, andthen held out his hand for the powder-bag, which was so big that itfilled up all the bottom of the little boat and swelled right over theside. It was very heavy, but Fitz felt that it must be done, though itwas not proper work for a young officer in Her Majesty's Navy. 

But Chips was sitting astride the rudder, holding out his hands, and thebag was obliged to be passed up. Directly afterwards it was made fast, and Chips came back holding a black string moistened with gunpowder, andholding out the end to him to light with a match. This he did, afterstriking many which would not go off because his hands were wet; andthen he sat back watching the powder sparkle as it gradually burnedalong the string towards the neck of the bag full of black powder, whichsomehow seemed to be the soot from one of the chimneys at home, whileChips the carpenter was only the sweep. 

Fitz remembered his sensations of horror as he sat expecting to see theexplosion which would blow him into the water; and his dread wasagonising; but just then the dinghy began to glide along till it wasunderneath the augers extending upwards like a ladder, and up these thecarpenter climbed, beckoning him to follow, to the gunboat's deck, whereall the Spanish sailors were lying fast asleep. 

Here he seemed to know that he must step cautiously for fear of treadingon and waking the crew; but Chips did not seem to mind at all, goingstraight in one stride right to where the big breech-loader layamidships on its carriage, waiting to be lifted out and droppedoverboard. 

And here the confused muddle of dreams became condensed into a goodsolid nightmare that would not go, for Fitz felt himself obliged to stepto the heaviest part of the huge gun and lift, while Chips took thelight end and grinned at him in his efforts to raise it, while as helifted, and they got the gun poised between them, each with his claspedhands underneath, it kept going down again as if to crush his toes. Buthe felt no pain, and kept on lifting again and again, till somehow itseemed that they were doing this not upon the gunboat's planks, and thatthey could not get it overboard because the deck was that shown in thetinselled picture of the Red Rover hanging upon the wall of thegardener's cottage at home, while the sea beyond was only paper paintedblue. All the same, though, and in spite of his holding one end of thegun, Chips was there, wearing a scarlet sash and waving a black flagupon which was a grinning skull and cross-bones. 

When he got as far as that, Fitz could get no farther, for things grewrather too much entangled; so much so that it seemed to him that heawoke just then with his brain seething and confusion worse confounded, telling himself that he must have had the nightmare very badly indeed, and wondering whether it was due to fever coming on, or somethingindigestible he had had to eat. 

But he said nothing about his dream for some hours, long after he hadbeen on deck, to find that there had been no alarm during the night, hadbeen refreshed by breakfast, and had heard that the gunboat was atanchor where she had been the previous night, and this from MrBurgess's lips, for he had been down stream with the boat himself. 

It was getting towards mid-day, when the sun was shining with fullpower, and the opinion was strong on deck that if the gunboat peopleintended to make another attack they would defer it till the day was notquite so hot. 

Just then Fitz Burnett seemed to come all at once to a conclusion abouthis confused dream. Perhaps it was due to the heat in that valley, having ripened his thoughts. Whatever it might have been, he hurried toPoole, got hold of his arm, and told him to come forward into the bows. 

"What for?" asked Poole. 

"Because there's no one there, and we can talk. "

"All right, " said the lad. Leading the way he perched himself astrideupon the bowsprit and signified that his companion should follow hisexample; and there they sat, with the loose jib-sail flapping gently toand fro and forming an awning half the time. 

"Now then, " said Poole, "what is it? You look as if you had foundsomething, or heard some news. Is the gunboat going away?"

"I wish it were, " was the reply. "I wanted to tell you that I had lastnight such a dream. "

"Had you? Well, are you going to tell it to me?"

"No; impossible, for I can't recollect it all myself, only the stupidand muddled part of it. But I have been trying to puzzle it out thismorning, and that set me thinking about other things as well, till atlast, all of a sudden, I got the very idea we want. "

"You have! What is it?" cried Poole excitedly. "Tell me gently, forperhaps I could not bear it all at once. "

"It's the way to disable the gunboat. "

"Do you mean it?"

"Yes. "

"A good sensible, possible way, that could be done?"

"Yes, and by one person too, if he had the pluck. "

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE. 

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. 

It was rather a queer position occupied by the two lads, seated astridethe bowsprit like children playing at horses--sea- or river-horses, inthis case, for the swift current was running beneath them. 

Poole looked hard at Fitz, his sharp eyes seeming to plunge into thoseof his companion as if he read his very thoughts, while as Fitz returnedthe gaze his look became timid and shrinking; a curious feeling ofnervousness and regret attacked him, and the next minute he was wishingthat instead of planning out a suggestion by which he would help thesefilibusters, he had kept silence and not begun a proposal which he feltto be beneath his dignity as a young officer of the Queen. 

"Well, " said Poole at last, in a tone of voice which added to Fitz'schill; "what is it?" Fitz remained silent. 

"Well, out with it! What's the scheme?" Still Fitz did not speak, andPoole went on--"It ought to be something good to make you so cocksure. I have gone over it all again and again, turned it upside down anddownside up, and I can't get at anything one-half so good as old Chips'scock-and-bull notions. I suppose you are cleverer than I am, and if youare, so much the better, for it's horrible to be shut up like this, andI feel as if I'd rather wait for a good wind, clap on all sail, and makea dash for it, going right ahead for the gunboat as if you meant to runher down, and when we got very close, give the wheel a spin and shoot byher. They'd think we were coming right on to her, and it might scarethe crew so that they wouldn't be able to shoot straight till we gotright by. And then--"

"Yes, " said Fitz; "and then perhaps when they had got over the scarethey'd shoot straight enough. And suppose they did before they werefrightened. What about the first big shell that came aboard?"

"Ah, yes, I didn't think of that, " said Poole. "But anyhow, that's thebest I can do. I've thought till my head is all in a buzz, and I shan'ttry to think any more. I suppose, then, that yours is a better ideathan that. "

"Ye-es. Rather. "

"Well, let's have it. "

Fitz was silent, and more full of bitter regret that he had spoken. 

"I say, you are a precious long time about it. "

"Well, I don't know, " stammered Fitz. "I don't think I ought to;perhaps it wouldn't be a good one, after all. "

"Well, you are a rum fellow, Burnett! I began to believe in you, andyou quite made my mouth water, while now you snatch the idea away. What's the matter?"

Fitz cleared his throat, and pulled himself together. 

"Well, " he said; "you see, it's like this. I've no business as yourprisoner to take part with you against a State which is recognised bythe British Government, and to which your father has surreptitiouslybeen bringing arms and ammunition that are contraband of war. "

"_Phee-ew_!" whistled Poole, grinning. "What big words! What asplendid speech!"

"Look here, if you are beginning to banter, " replied Fitz hotly, "I'moff. "

"Yes, you've just let yourself off--bang. We had got to be such friendsthat I thought you had dropped all that and were going to make the bestof things. You know well enough that Villarayo was a bully and a brute, a regular tyrant, and that Don Ramon is a grand fellow and a regularpatriot, fighting for his country and for everything that is good. "

"Yes, yes, I know all that, " said Fitz; "but that doesn't alter myposition until he has quite got the upper hand and is acknowledged byEngland. I feel that it is my duty to be--to be--what do they callit?--neutral. "

"Oh, you are a punctilious chap. Then you would be neutral, as you callit, and let Villarayo smash up and murder everybody, because Don Ramonhas not been acknowledged by England?"

"Yes, I suppose so, " said Fitz; "but these are all diplomatic thingswith which I have nothing to do. "

"And you have got a good idea, then, that might save us out of thisposition?"

"Ye-es; I think so. "

"And you won't speak?"

"I feel now that I can't. "

"Humph!" grunted Poole. "It seems too bad, and not half fair to thegovernor. "

"It is not fair to me to make me a prisoner, " retorted Fitz. 

"He didn't make you one. You came and tumbled down into our hold, andwe did the best we could for you. But don't let's begin arguing aboutall that again. Perhaps you are right from your point of view, and Ican't think the same, only of helping to get the _Teal_ out of thisscrape. "

"I wish I could help you and do my duty too, " said Fitz. 

"I wish you could, " replied Poole. "But I don't think much of yournotion. You said it was all a dream. "

"No, not all. It came from my dreaming and getting into a muddle overwhat Chips the carpenter said. "

"I thought so, " said Poole coolly; "all a muddle, after all. Dreams areprecious poor thin stuff. "

"This isn't a dream, " cried Fitz sharply. 

"And this isn't a dream, " cried Poole, flushing up. "I have beenthinking about it, and I can't help seeing that as sure as we two aresitting here, those mongrel brutes that swarm in the gunboat will sooneror later get the better of us. Our lads are plucky enough, but theenemy is about six to one, and they'll hang about there till theysurprise us or starve us out; and how will it be then?"

"Why, you will all be prisoners of war, of course. "

"Prisoners of war!" cried Poole contemptuously. "What, of Villarayo'smen, the sweepings and scum of the place, every one of them armed with along knife stuck in his scarf that he likes to whip out and use!Hot-blooded savage wretches! Prisoners of war! Once they get the upperhand, there will be a regular massacre. They'll make the schooner aprisoner of war if I don't contrive to get below and fire two or threeshots into the little magazine; and that I will do sooner than fallalive into their hands. Do you think you would escape because you arean English officer? Not you! Whether you are fighting on our side oronly looking on, it will be all the same to them. I know them, Burnett;you don't; and I am telling you the honest truth. There! We'll takeour chance, " continued the lad coldly. "I don't want to know anythingabout your dreams now. "

Poole was in the act of throwing one leg over the bowsprit, and halfturned away; but Fitz caught him tightly by the arm. 

"I can't help it, " he cried excitedly, "even if it's wrong. Sit still, Poole, old chap. I've been thinking this. You see, when I went aboardthe _Tonans_ everything was so fresh and interesting to me about thegun-drill and our great breech-loader. --Did you ever see one?"

"Not close to, " said Poole coldly. "Ah, well, I have, and you have noidea what it's like. Big as it is, it's all beautifully made. Thebreech opens and shuts, and parts of it move on hinges that are finishedas neatly as the lock of a gun; and it is wonderful how easilyeverything moves. There are great screws which you turn as quietly asif everything were silk, and then there's a great piece that they callthe breech-block, which is lifted out, and then you can stand and lookright through the great polished barrel as if it were a telescope, whileall inside is grooves, screwed as you may say, so that the great bolt orshell when it is fired is made to spin round, which makes it goperfectly straight. "

"Well, yes, I think I knew a good deal of that, " said Poole, almostgrudgingly. 

"Well, you know, " continued Fitz excitedly, "perhaps you don't know thatwhen they are going to fire, the gun is unscrewed and the breech-blockis lifted out. Then you can look through her; the shell or bolt and thecartridge are pushed in, the solid breech-block is dropped in behindthem, and the breech screwed up all tightly once again. "

"Yes, I understand; and there's no ramming in from the muzzle as withthe old-fashioned guns. "

"Exactly, " said Fitz, growing more and more excited as he spoke. "Andyou know now what a tremendously dangerous weapon a great gun like thatis. "

"Yes, my lad, " said Poole carelessly; "of course I do. But it's nogood. "

"What's no good?" said Fitz sharply. 

"You are as bad as Chips. If we got on board we couldn't disable thatgun, or get her to the side. She'd be far too heavy to move. "

"Yes, " said Fitz, with his eyes brightening, and he gripped hiscompanion more tightly than ever. "But what's the most important partof a gun like that?"

"Why, the charge, of course. "

"No, " cried Fitz; "the breech-block. Suppose I, or you and I, got onboard some night in the dark, unscrewed the breech, lifted out theblock, and dropped it overboard. What then?"

Poole started, and gripped his companion in turn. 

"Why, " he said, in a hoarse whisper, "they couldn't fire the gun. Thecharge would come out at both ends. "

"To be sure it would. "

"Well--Oh, I don't know, " said Poole, trembling with excitement; "Ishould muddle it. I don't understand a gun like that. "

"No, " cried Fitz; "but I do. "

"Here, " panted Poole; "come along aft. "

"What are you going to do?"

"Do! Why, tell my governor, of course! Oh, Burnett, old fellow, you'llbe the saving of us all!"

The lad's emotion communicated itself to the proposer of the plan, andneither of them could speak as they climbed back on to the deck, and, seeing nothing before their eyes but breech-loaders, hurried off, tomeet Mr Burgess just coming out of the cabin-hatch. 

"Is father below there?" cried Poole huskily. "Yes; just left him, "grunted the mate, as he stared hard at the excited countenances of thetwo lads. "Anything the matter?"

"Yes. Quick!" cried Poole. "Come on down below. " The skipper lookedup from the log he was writing as his son flung open the cabin-door, paused for the others to enter, and then shut it after them with a bangwhich made the skipper frown. 

"Here, what's this, sir?" he said sternly, as he glanced from one to theother. "Oh, I see; you two boys have been quarrelling, and want tofight. Well, wait a little, and you'll have enough of that. Now, MrBurnett, speak out. What is it? Have you and my son been havingwords?"

"Yes, father, " half shouted Poole, interposing--"such words as will makeyou stare. Tell him, Burnett, all that you have said. "

The skipper and the mate listened in silence, while Poole watched theplay of emotion their faces displayed, before the skipper spoke. 

"Splendid, my lad!" he cried. "But it sounds too good to be true. Yousay you understand these guns?"

"Yes, sir; I have often stood by to watch the drill, and seen blankcartridge fired again and again. "

"But the breech-block? Could it be lifted out?"

"It could aboard the _Tonans_, sir, and I should say that this would beabout the same. "

"Hah!" ejaculated the skipper. "But it could only be done by one whounderstands the working of the piece, and we should be all worse thanchildren over such a job. "

Poole's eyes were directed searchingly at the middy, who met themwithout a wink. 

"As I understand, " continued the captain, "it would be done by one whocrept aboard in the dark, unscrewed the gun, took out the block, andcarried it to the side. I repeat, it could only be done by one whounderstands the task. Who could do this?"

"I could, sir, " said Fitz quietly. 

"And you would?"

"If I were strong enough. But I am sure that I could do it if Poolewould help. "

"Then if it's possible to do, father, " said the lad quietly, "the job isdone. "

"But look here, " interposed the mate, in his gruff way; "what about DonRamon? What will he say? He wouldn't have that great breech-loaderspoiled for the world. "

"How would it be spoiled?" cried Fitz sharply. 

"Aren't you going to disable it by chucking the breech-block over theside?"

"Pooh!" cried Fitz contemptuously. "These parts are all numbered, andyou can send over to England and get as many new ones as you like. "

CHAPTER FORTY SIX. 

TO CUT AND RUN. 

The mate's face lit up in a way that those who knew him had not seen formonths. 

"Well done, youngster!" he said, in quite a musical growl. "Splendid!Here, Poole Reed, you ought to have thought of that. "

"How could I?" said the lad. "I never learnt anything aboutbreech-loading cannon. "

"No more you did, my boy, " said the skipper; "and we don't want to takethe honour from Mr Burnett. We shall have to do this, sir, but it willbe risky work, and I don't know what to say about letting you go. "

"Oh, I don't think that there will be much risk, Captain Reed, " saidFitz nonchalantly. "It only means going very quietly in the dark. Itwould be done best from the dinghy, because it's so small. "

"And how would you go to work?" said the skipper. 

"Oh, " said Fitz, "I should arrange to go about two bells, let the dinghydrift close in under her bows after studying the gunboat well with aglass, and I think one ought to be able to mount by climbing up theanchor on the starboard side. If not, by the fore-chains. "

"And what about the watch?"

"I've thought about that, sir, and I don't believe that they keep a goodone at all. It won't be like trying to board a gunboat in the BritishNavy. Like as not those on deck will be asleep. "

"Yes, I think so too, " said Poole. 

"Well, " said the skipper, "I have something of the same sort of idea. They'd never believe that any one from the schooner would do such adaring thing. What do you say, Burgess?"

"Same as you do, sir, " said the mate gruffly. 

"But what do you think would be the great advantage of doing this, MrBurnett?" said the skipper. 

"The advantage, sir?" replied the middy, staring. "Why, it would belike drawing a snake's fangs! You wouldn't be afraid of the gunboatwithout her gun. "

"No, " said the skipper thoughtfully, "I don't think I should; and forcertain she'd be spoiled for doing any mischief to Don Ramon's forts. "

"Oh yes, father, " cried Poole excitedly. "It would turn the tablescompletely. You remember what Don Ramon said?"

"What, about the power going with the party who held the gunboat? Well, it's a pity we can't capture her too. "

"Or run her ashore, father. "

"What, wreck her? That would be a pity. "

"I meant get her ashore so that she'd be helpless for a time. "

"Well, now's your time, my boy. It has come to a pretty pass, though, Burgess, for these young chaps to be taking the wind out of our sails. "

"Oh, I don't mind, " growled the mate. "Here, let's have it, Poole. Look at him! He's got something bottled up as big as young Mr Burnett, I dare say. "

"Eh? Is that so, my boy? Have you been planning some scheme as well?"

"Well, father, I had some sort of an idea. It came all of a jump afterBurnett had proposed disabling the gun. "

"Well done!" whispered Fitz excitedly. 

"What is it, my lad?" said the skipper. 

"Oh, I feel rather nervous about it, father, and I don't know that itwould answer; but I should like to try. "

"Go on, then; let's hear what it is. "

"You see, I noticed that they have always got steam up ready to come inchase at any time if we try to slip out. "

"That's right, " growled the mate. 

"Well, I was thinking, father, how would it be if we could foul thescrew?"

"Why, a job, my lad, for them to clear it again. "

"But wouldn't it be very risky work lying waiting while they tried toclear the screw? You know what tremendous currents there are runningalong the coast. "

"But they wouldn't affect a craft lying at anchor, my lad, " growled themate. 

"No, " said Poole excitedly; "but I should expect to foul the screw justwhen they had given orders to up with the anchor to come in chase of usor to resist attack. "

"And how would you do it, my lad?" said the skipper. 

"Well, father, I was thinking--But I don't profess for a moment that itwould succeed. "

"Let's have what you thought, and don't talk so much, " cried theskipper. "How could you foul the screw?"

"Well, the dinghy wouldn't do, father; it would be too small. We shouldhave to go in the gig, with four men to row. I should like to take thebig coil of Manilla cable aboard, with one end loose and handy, and agood rope ready. Then I should get astern and make the end fast to oneof the fans of the screw, and give the cable a hitch round as well so asto give a good hold with the loop before we lowered it overboard tosink. "

"Good, " said Burgess. "Capital! And then if the fans didn't cut itwhen they began to revolve, they'd wind the whole of that cable roundand round, and most likely regularly foul the screw badly before theyfound out what was wrong. "

"Yes, " said the skipper quietly. "The idea is excellent if it answered, but means the loss of a good new cable that I can't spare if things wentwrong; and that's what they'd be pretty sure to do. "

Poole drew a deep breath, and his face grew cloudy. 

"The idea is too good, my lad. It is asking too much of luck, and wecouldn't expect two such plans to succeed. What do you say, Burgess?"

"Same as you do, " said the mate roughly. "But if we got one of ourshots to go off right we ought to be satisfied, and if it was me Ishould have a try at both. "

"Yes, " said the skipper, "and we will. But it seems to me, Burgess, that you and I are going to be out of it all. "

"Oh yes. They've planned it; let 'em do it, I say. "

"Yes, " said the skipper; "they shall. But look here, do you ladspropose to do all this in one visit to the gunboat?"

"Poole's idea, sir, is all fresh to me, " cried Fitz. "I knew nothing ofit till he began to speak, but it seems to me that it must all be donein one visit. They'd never give us a chance to go twice. "

"No, " said the mate laconically, and as he uttered the word he shut histeeth with a snap. 

"When's it to be, then?"

"To-night, sir, " said Fitz, "while it's all red-hot. "

"Yes, father; it ought to be done to-night. It's not likely to bedarker than it is just now. "

"Very well, " said the skipper; "then I give you both authority to makeyour plans before night. But the dinghy is out of the question. Withthe current running off the coast here you'd never get back in that. You must take the gig, and five men. Pick out who you like, Poole: themen you would rather trust. You'd better let him choose, Mr Burnett;he knows the men so much better than you, and besides, it would bebetter that they should be under his orders than under yours. There, Ihave no more to say, except this--whether they succeed or not, yourplans are both excellent; but you cannot expect to do anything by force. This is a case for scheme and cunning. Under the darkness it may bedone. What I should like best would be for you to get that breech-blockoverboard. If you can do the other too, so much the better, but I shallbe perfectly satisfied if you can do one, and get back safely into theriver. There, Poole; make what arrangements you like. I shall notinterfere in the least. "

"Nor I, " said the mate. "Good luck to you both! But I shouldn't worrymuch about preparing for a fight. What you have got to do is to act, cut, and run. "

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN. 

'CAUSE WHY. 

"Now we know, " said Poole joyously, as they left the cabin and wentforward to their old place to discuss their plans: "what we have got todo is to cut and run. Come on; let's go and sit on the bowsprit again. It will soon be dinner-time. I wonder what the Camel has got?"

"Oh, don't talk about eating now, " cried Fitz, as they reached the bigspar, upon which he scrambled out, to sit swinging his legs, and closelyfollowed by Poole. "What's the first thing?"

"Who's to man the gig, " said Poole; "and I've got to pick the crew. "

"I should like to pick one, " cried Fitz. 

"All right, go on; only don't choose the Camel, nor Bob Jackson. "

"No, no; neither of them, " cried Fitz. "I say, we ought to have oldButters. "

"One, " said Poole sharply. "Now it's my turn; Chips. "

"Yes, I should like to have him, " cried the middy. "But I don't know, "he continued seriously. "He's a splendid fellow, and so handy; but hemight want to turn it all into a lark. "

"Not he, " cried Poole. "He likes his bit of fun sometimes, but for agood man and true to have at my back in a job like this, he's the pickof the whole crew. "

"Chips it is, then, " said Fitz. "That's two. "

"Dick Boulter, then. "

"Three!" cried Fitz. 

"Harry Smith. "

"Four, " said Fitz. 

"Four, four, four, four, " said Poole thoughtfully. "Who shall we havefor number five? Here, we'll have the Camel, after all. "

"Oh, " cried Fitz; "there'll be nothing to cook. "

"Yes, there will; the big gun and the propeller. He's cook, of course, but he's nearly as good a seaman as there is on board the schooner, andhe'll row all right and never utter a word. There, we've got a splendidboat's crew, and I vote we go and tell father what we've done. "

"I wouldn't, " said Fitz. "It'll make him think that we hadn'tconfidence in ourselves. Unless he asks us, I wouldn't say a word. "

"You are right, " said Poole; "right as right. Now then, what's next? Iknow: we'll go and make the lads get up the Manilla rope and lay it downagain in rings as close as they'll go. "

"On the deck here?" said Fitz. 

"No, no; right along the bottom of the gig. And we must have herlowered down first with two men in her, ready to coil the cable as theothers pass it down. Now then, let's get inboard again and find oldButters. "

"But he'll be wanting to know what we want with that rope. "

"Sure to, " said Poole; "but he'll have to wait. Oh, here he comes. Here, bosun!" he cried. "I want you to get up that new Manilla cable, lower down the gig, and coil it in the bottom so that it will take up aslittle room as possible, and not be in the men's way. "

"What men's way?" said the boatswain. "Chips, Harry Smith, the Camel, and Dick Boulter, " said Poole. 

"Ho!" grunted the boatswain, and he took off his cap and began toscratch his head, staring at both in turn. "Whose orders?" he grunted, at last. "I just seen Mr Burgess, and he never said a word. "

"The skipper's orders, " cried Poole. 

"Ho!" said the boatswain again. "Well, that's good enough for me, " andhe stood staring at them. 

"Well, get the men together and see about the rope, " cried Poole. 

"What's your game? Going to take the end out to a steam-tug, or is thegunboat going to tow us out to sea?"

"Don't ask questions, please. It's private business of the skipper's, under the orders of Mr Burnett and me. "

"Ho! All right, my lad; only oughtn't I to know what we are going todo? You are going off somewhere in the boat, eh?"

"Yes, that's right. "

"And I'm not to come?"

"Oh, but you are, " cried Poole, "and I've told you the men I've pickedfor the job. Don't you think it's a good crew?"

"Middling, " said the boatswain grudgingly. "Might be better; might bewuss. But look here, young fellow; I don't like working in the dark. "

"I am sorry for you, " said Fitz, "for this will be an all-night job. "

"Then I'd better take my nightcap, " said the boatswain quietly. "Butwhat's up? Are you going to make fast to the gunboat and tow her in?"

"You know we are not, " replied Poole. 

"Well, I did think it was rather an unpossible sort of job. But hadn'tyou better be open and above-board with a man, and say what it allmeans?"

"It means that you and the other men are under the orders of Mr Burnettand me, and that we look to you to do your best over what's going to bea particular venture. You'll know soon enough. Till then, pleasewait. "

"All right, " said the boatswain. "I'm your man. For the skipperwouldn't have given you these orders if it wasn't square;" saying whichthe man walked off to rouse up the little crew, all but the Camel, whomhe left to his regular work in the galley. "We shan't want him yet, "said Butters, as the boys followed him. "Had he better get us somerations to take with us?"

"Oh no, " said Poole. "We oughtn't to be away more than three or fourhours if we are lucky. "

"Why, this 'ere gets mysteriouser and mysteriouser, " grumbled theboatswain. "But I suppose it's going to be all right, " and he proceededto give his orders to the men. 

"Now we shall begin to have them full of questions, " said Poole. "Ibegin to wish we were making it all open and above-aboard. "

"I don't, " said Fitz; "I like it as it is. If we told everybody itwould spoil half the fun. "

"Fun!" cried Poole, screwing up his face into a quaint smile. "Fun, doyou call it? Do you know that this is going to be a very risky job?"

"Well, I suppose there'll be some risk in it, " replied the middy; "butit will be all in the dark, and we ought to get it done without a shotbeing fired. I say, though, I have been thinking that you and I mustkeep together, for I am afraid to trust myself over getting out thatblock. I should have liked to have done that first, but the splash itwould make is bound to give the alarm, and there would be no chanceafterwards to get that cable fast, without you let old Butters and themen do that while we were busy with the gun. "

"No, " said Poole decisively; "everything depends upon our doing thesethings ourselves. The cable can be made fast without a sound, and assoon as it is passed over the side of the boat, the men must lay the gigalongside the bows for us to swarm up, do our part, and then get to themthe best way we can. I expect it will mean a jump overboard and a swimtill they pick us up. "

"Yes, " said Fitz; "that's right. Ah, there comes the end of the cable. It's nice and soft to handle. "

"Yes, " said Poole, "and needn't make any noise. "

The lads sauntered up to where the men were at work, three of themlowering down the gig, while the carpenter and boatswain were bringingup the cable out of the tier, the former on deck, the boatswain downbelow. 

"So you're going to have a night's fishing, my lad?" said the carpenter. "Well, you'll find this 'ere a splendid line. But what about a hook?"

"Oh, we shan't want that yet, Chips, " said Poole coolly. 

"Nay, I know that, my lad; but you've got to think about it all thesame, and you'll want a pretty tidy one for a line like this. I didn'tknow the fish run so big along this coast. Any one would think you'dgot whales in your heads. I never 'eard, though, as there was anyharpoons on board. "

"Oh no, we are not going whale-fishing, " said Poole quietly. 

"What's it to be then, sir? Bottom fishing or top?"

"Top, " said Poole. 

"Then you'll be wanting me to make you a float. What's it to be? Oneof them big water-barrels with the topsail-yard run through? And you'llwant a sinker. And what about a bait?"

"We haven't thought about that yet, Chips. "

"Ah, you aren't like what I was when I was a boy, Mr Poole, sir. Iused to think about it the whole day before, and go to the butcher's formy maggits, and down the garden for my wums. Of course I never fishedin a big way like this 'ere; but I am thinking about a bait. I shouldlike you to have good sport. Means hard work for the Camel to-morrow, Isuppose. "

"And to-night too, Chips, I hope, " said Poole. 

"That's right, sir, " said the man cheerily, as he hauled upon the cable. "But what about that bait? I know what would be the right thing;perhaps the skipper mightn't approve, and not being used to it MrBurnett here mightn't like to use such a bait. "

"Oh, I don't suppose I should mind, Chips, " said Fitz, laughing. "Whatshould you recommend?"

"Well, sir, I should say, have the dinghy and go up the river a mile ortwo till we could land and catch a nice lively little nigger--one ofthem very shiny ones. That would be the sort. "

The two lads forgot the seriousness of the mission they had in view, exchanged glances, and began to laugh, with the result that the manturned upon them quite an injured look. 

"Oh, it's quite right, gentlemen; fishes have their fancies and likingsfor a tasty bit, same as crocodiles has. I arn't sailed all round theworld without picking up a few odds and ends to pack up in myknowledge-box. Why, look at sharks. They don't care for nigger; it'stoo plentiful. But let them catch sight of a leg or a wing of a nicesmart white sailor, they're after it directly. Them crocs too! Onlythink of a big ugly lizardy-looking creetur boxed up in a skin halfrhinoceros, half cow-horn--just fancy him having his fads and fancies!Do you know what the crocodile as lives in the river Nile thinks is thechoicest tit-bit he can get hold of?"

"Not I, " said Poole. "Giraffe perhaps. "

"No, sir; what he says is dog, and if he only hears a dog running alongthe bank yelping and snapping and chy-iking, he's after him directly, finishes him up, and then goes and lies down in the hot sun with hismouth wide open, and goes to sleep. Ah, you may laugh, sir; but I'vebeen up there in one of them barges as they calls darbyers, though howthey got hold of such an Irish name as that I don't know. It was alongwith a orficer as went up there shooting crocs and pottomhouses. Oh, I've seen the crocs there often--lots of them. Do you know what theyopens their mouths for when they goes to sleep, Mr Burnett, sir?"

"To yawn, I suppose, " said Fitz. "Haul away there, my lad! Lookalive!" came in a deep growl from below; and Chips winked and made thegreat muscles stand out in his brown arms as he hauled, but kept ontalking all the same. 

"Yawn, sir! Nay, that isn't it. It's a curiosity in nat'ral history, and this 'ere's fact. You young gents may believe it or not, just asyou like. "

"Thank you, " said Fitz dryly; "I'll take my choice. "

"Ah, I expect you won't believe it, sir. But this 'ere's what it's for. He leaves his front-door wide open like that, and there's a little birdwith a long beak as has been waiting comes along, hippity-hop, andsettles on the top of Mr Croc's head, and looks at first one eye andthen at the other to see if he's really asleep, and that there is nogammon. He aren't a-going to run no risks, knowing as he does that acroc's about one of the artfullest beggars as ever lived. I supposethat's why they calls 'em amphibious. Oh, they're rum 'uns, they are!They can sham being dead, and make theirselves look like logs of woodwith the rough bark on, and play at being in great trouble and cry, soas to get people to come nigh them to help, and then snip, snap, theyhas 'em by the leg, takes them under water to drown, and then goes andputs 'em away in the cupboard under the bank. "

"What for?" said Poole. 

"What for, sir? Why, to keep till they gets tender. Them there Errubsof the desert gets so sun-tanned that they are as tough as string; sohard, you know, that they wouldn't even agree with a croc. Yo-hoy!Haul oh, and here she comes!" added the man, in a low musical bass voiceto himself, as he kept on dragging at the soft Manilla rope. 

"I say, Burnett, " said Poole seriously, "don't you think we'd better getpencil and paper and put all this down--Natural History Notes by PeterWinks, Head Carpenter of the Schooner _Teal_?"

"Nay, nay, sir, don't you do that. Stick to fact. That's what I don'tlike in people as writes books about travel. They do paint it up so, and lay it on so thick that the stuff cracks, comes off, and don't looknat'ral. "

"Then you wouldn't put down about that little bird that comeshippity-hop and looks at the crocodile's eyes?"

"What, sir! Why, that's the best part of it. That's the crumb of thewhole business. "

"Oh, I see, " said Fitz. "Then that's a fact?"

"To be sure, sir. He's larnt it from old experience. I dare say he'sseen lots go down through the croc turning them big jaws of his into abird-trap and shutting them up sudden, when of course there aren't nomore bird. But that's been going on for hundreds of thousands of years, and the birds know better now, and wait till it's quite safe before theybegin. "

"Begin what?" said Fitz sharply. 

"Well, sir, " said the carpenter, as he hauled away, "that's what I wantto tell you, only you keep on interrupting me so. "

Fitz closed his teeth with a snap. 

"Go on, Chips, " he said. "I'll be mute as a fish. "

"Well, sir, as I said afore, you young gents can believe it or you canlet it alone: that there little bird, or them little birds, for there'sthousands of them, just the same as there is crocodiles, and they areall friendly together, I suppose because crocs is like birds in onething--they makes nests and lays eggs, and the birds, as I'm telling ofyou, does this as reg'lar as clockwork. When the croc's had his dinnerand gone to sleep with his front-door wide open, the little chap comeshopping and peeping along close round the edge, and then gets his ownliving by picking the crocodile's teeth. "

"Ha-ha!" laughed Fitz. "'Pon my word, Poole, I should like to put thisdown. "

"Oh, it don't want no putting down, sir; it's a fact; a cracker turnsmouldy and drops off. "

"Well, won't this go bad?" cried Fitz, laughing. 

"Not it, sir. You don't believe it, I see, but it's all natur'. It'sa-using up of the good food as the croc don't want, and which would allbe wasted, for he ain't a clean-feeding sort of beast. He takes hisfood in chops and chunks, and swallows it indecent-like all in lumps. Acroc ain't like a cow as sits down with her eyes half shut and chews andchews away, sentimental-like, turning herself into a dairy and making agood supply of beautiful milk such as we poor sailors never hardly getsa taste on in our tea. A croc is as bad as a shark, a nasty sort offeeder, and if I was you young gents I'd have a study when I got ashoreagain, and look in some of your big books, and you'd find what I says isall there. "

"Did you find what you've been telling us all there?" said Poole. 

"Nay, my lad; I heard best part of it from my officer that I used to gowith. Restless sort of chap he was--plenty of money, and he likedspending it in what he called exhibitions--No, that aren't right--expeditions--that's it; and he used to take me. What he wanted to findwas what he called the Nile Sauce; but he never found it, and we neverwanted it. My word, the annymiles as he used to shoot when we washungry, and that was always. My word, the fires I used to make, and theway I used to cook! Why, I could have given the Camel fifty out of ahundred and beat him. We didn't want any sauce. Did either of yougents ever taste heland steak? No, I suppose not. Fresh cut, frizzledbrown, sprinkled with salt, made hotter with a dash of pepper, and thentalk about juice and gravy! Lovely! Wish we'd got some now. Why, insome of our journeys up there in what you may call the land of nowhereand nobody, we was weeks sometimes without seeing a soul, onlyannymiles--ah, and miles and miles of them. I never see such droves andnever shall again. They tell me that no end of them has got shot. --Beautiful creatures they were too! Such coats; and such long thin legsand arms, and the way they'd go over the sandy ground was wonderful. They never seemed to get tired. I've seen a drove of them go along likea hurricane, and when they have pulled up short to stare at us, andyou'd think that they hadn't got a bit of breath left in their bodies, they set-to larking, hip, snip, jumping over one another's backs like alot of school-boys at leap-frog, only ten times as high. "

"Did you ever see any lions?" said Fitz, growing more serious as hebegan to realise that there was very little fiction and a great deal offact in the sailor's yarn. 

"Lots, sir. There have been times when you could hear them roaring allround our camp. Here, I want to speak the truth. My governor used tocall it camp, but it was only a wagging, and we used to sleep on thesand among the wheels. Why, I've lain there with my hand making my gunrusty, it got so hot and wet with listening to them pretty pussy-catscome creeping round us, and one of them every now and then putting uphis head and roaring till you could almost feel the ground shake. Ah, you may chuckle, Mr Poole, but that's a fact too; I've felt it, and Iknow. And do you know why they roared?"

"Because they were hungry?"

"Partly, sir; but most of it's artfulness. It's because they know thatit will make the bullocks break away--stampede, as they calls it--andrush off from where there's people to take care of them with rifles, andthen they can pick off just what they like. But they don't care muchabout big bullock. They've got tasty ideas of their own, same as crocshave. What they likes is horse, and the horses knows it too, poorbeggars! It's been hard work to hold them sometimes--my governor'shorse, you know, as he hunted on; and I've heard them sigh and groan asif with satisfaction when the governor's fired with his big doublebreech-loader and sent the lions off with their tails trailing behindand leaving a channel among their footprints in the sand. I've seen it, Mr Burnett, next morning, and I know. "

"All right, Chips, " cried Poole. "We won't laugh at you and your yarns. But now look here; there must be no more chaff. This is serious work. "

"All right, sir, " said the man good-humouredly, as he wiped his drippingface. "No one can't say as I aren't working--not even old Butters. "

"No, no, " said Poole hastily. "You are working well. "

"And no one can't say, sir, as I've got my grumbling stop out, which Ido have sometimes, " he added, with a broad grin, "and lets go a bit. "

"You do, Chips; but I want you to understand that this is a very seriousbit of business we are on. "

"O!"

A very large, round, thoughtful _O_, and the man hauled steadily away, nodding his head the while. 

"Serous, eh? Then you aren't going fishing?"

"Fishing, no!"

"Then it's something to do with the gunboat?"

"Don't ask questions, " cried Poole. "Be satisfied that we are going ona very serious expedition, and we want you to help us all you can. "

"Of course, my lads. Shall I want my tools?"

"No. "

The man was silent for a few moments, looking keenly from one to theother, and then at the rope, before giving his leg a sharp slap, andwhispering with his face full of animation--

"Why, you're going to steal aboard the gunboat in the dark, and makefast one end of this 'ere rope to that there big pocket-pistol, so as wecan haul her overboard. But no, lads, it can't be done. But even if itcould it would only stick fast among them coral rocks that lie offyonder. "

"And what would that matter, so long as we got it overboard?"

"Ah, I never thought of that. But no, my lad; you may give that up. Itcouldn't be done. "

"Well, it isn't going to be done, " said Fitz sharply; "and now let'shave no more talk. But mind this--Mr Poole and I don't want you to sayanything to the other men. It's a serious business, and we want you towait. "

"That's right, sir. I'll wait and help you all I can; and I'll makehalf-a-davy, as the lawyers calls it, that I won't tell the other ladsanything. 'Cause why--I don't know. "

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT. 

VERY WRONG. 

Very little more was said, and the preparations were soon finished, withthe rest of the crew looking on in silence. It seemed to be anunderstood thing, after a few words had passed with the selected men, that there was to be no palaver, as they termed it. 

As for Fitz and Poole, they had nothing to do but think, and naturallythey thought a great deal, especially when the night came on, with thewatching party who had been sent below to the mouth of the river backwith the announcement that the gunboat was in its old place, the boatsall up to the davits, and not a sign of anything going on. But far fromtaking this as a token of safety, the skipper and mate made theirarrangements to give the enemy a warm welcome if they should attack, andalso despatched a couple of men in the dinghy to make fast just off theedge of the first bend and keep watch there, trusting well to their earsfor the first warning of any boat that might be coming up. 

The two lads stole away into their favourite place for consultations assoon as it was dark, to have what they called a quiet chat over theirplans. 

"I don't see that we could do any more, " said Fitz, "but we must keeptalking about it. The time goes so horribly slowly. Generally speakingwhen you are expecting anything it goes so fast; now it crawls as if thetime would never be here. "

"Well, that's queer, " said Poole. "Ever since I knew that we were goingit has seemed to gallop. "

"Well, whether it gallops or whether it crawls it can't be very longbefore it's time to start. I say, how do you feel?"

"Horrible, " said Poole. "It makes me think that I must be a bit of acoward, for I want to shirk the responsibility and be under somebody'scommand. My part seems to be too much for a fellow like me toundertake. You don't feel like that, of course. "

Fitz sat there in the darkness for a few minutes without speaking. Thenafter heaving a deep sigh--

"I say, " he whispered, "shall you think me a coward if I say I feel justlike that?"

"No. Feeling as I do, of course I can't. "

"Well, that's just how I am, " said Fitz. "Sometimes I feel as if I werequite a man, but now it's as if I was never so young before, and that itis too much for chaps like us to understand such a thing. "

"Then if we are both like that, " said Poole sadly, "I suppose we oughtto be honest and go straight to the dad and tell him that we don't feelup to it. What do you say?"

"What!" cried Fitz. "Go and tell him coolly that we are a pair ofcowardly boys, for him and Mr Burgess to laugh at, and the men--forthey'd be sure to hear--to think of us always afterwards as a pair ofcurs? I'd go and be killed first! And so would you; so don't tell meyou wouldn't. "

"Not going to, " said Poole. "I'll only own up that I'm afraid of thejob; but as we've proposed it, and it would be doing so much good if wewere to succeed, I mean to go splash at it and carry it through to theend. You will too, won't you?"

"Yes, of course. "

There was a slight rustling sound then, caused by the two lads reachingtowards one another and joining hands in a long firm grip. 

"Hah!" exclaimed Fitz, with a long-drawn expiration of the breath. "I'mglad I've got that off my mind. I feel better now. "

"Same here. Now, what shall we do next? Go and talk to old Butters andtell him what we want him to do?"

"No, " cried Fitz excitedly. "You forget that we are in command. We'veno business to do anything till the time comes, and then give the mentheir orders sharp and short, as if we were two skippers. "

"Ah, yes, " said Poole, "that's right. That's what I want to do, only itseems all so new. "

"I tell you what, though, " said Fitz. "We shall be going for hours andhours without getting anything, and that'll make us done up and weak. Ivote that as we are to do as we like, we go and stir up the Camel andtell him to send us in a nice meal to the cabin. "

"But it isn't long since we had something, " suggested Poole. 

"Yes, but neither of us could eat nor enjoy it. I couldn't, and I waswatching you; but I feel that I could eat now, so come on. It'll helpto pass the time, and make us fit to do anything. "

"All right, " said Poole, and they fetched Andy from where he was sittingforward talking in whispers with his messmates, told him what theywanted, and ordered him to prepare a sort of tea-supper for the littlecrew of the gig. 

The Camel was ready enough, and within half-an-hour the two lads weredoing what Poole termed stowing cargo, the said cargo consisting ofrashers of prime fried ham, cold bread-cake, hot coffee and preservedmilk. 

They did good justice to the meal too, and before they had ended theskipper came down to them, looked on for a minute or two, and thennodded his satisfaction. 

"That looks well, my lads, " he said. "It's business-like, and as ifyour hearts were so much in your work that you didn't feel disposed toshirk it. It makes me comfortable, for I was getting a little nervousabout you, I must own. "

The boys exchanged glances, but said nothing. 

"Here, don't mind me, " continued the skipper. "Make a good hearty meal, and I'll talk to you as you eat. "

"About our going and what we are about to do, father?" said Poole. 

"Well, my boy, yes, of course. "

"I wish you wouldn't, father. It's too late now to be planning andaltering, and that sort of thing. "

"Yes, please, Captain Reed, " cried Fitz excitedly. "It's like lessonsat school. We ought to know what we've got to do by now, and learningat the last minute won't do a bit of good. If we succeed we succeed, and if we fail we fail. "

"Do you know what a big writer said, my boy, when one of his characterswas going off upon an expedition?"

"No, sir, " said Fitz. 

"Good luck to you, perhaps, " said Poole, laughing, though the laugh wasnot cheery. 

"No, my lad, " said the skipper. "I have not been much of a reader, andI'm not very good at remembering wise people's sayings, but he said tothe young fellow when he talked as you did about failing, `In the brightlexicon of youth there is no such word as fail, ' which I suppose was afine way of saying, Go and do what you have got to do, and never thinkof not succeeding. You're not going to fail. You mustn't. There's toomuch hanging to it, my boys; and now I quite agree with you that we'lllet things go as they are. "

CHAPTER FORTY NINE. 

CHIPS SNIFFS. 

The silence and darkness made the lads' start for their venturesomeexpedition doubly impressive, the more so that the men were looking onin silence and wonder, and no light was shown on board the schooner. The gig with its load of cable had been swinging for hours by thepainter, and midnight was near at hand, when the little crew, each armedwith cutlass and revolver, stood waiting for their orders to slip downinto their seats. 

This order came at last, accompanied by one command from the skipper, and it was this--

"Perfect silence, my lads. Obey orders, and do your best. --Now, myboys, " he continued, as soon as the men were in the boat, "do not fire ashot unless you are absolutely obliged. Mr Burgess will follow in thelarge boat with a dozen men, to lie off the mouth of the river ready tohelp you if you are in trouble; so make for there. If you want tosignal to them to come to you, strike a couple of matches one after theother, and throw them into the water at once. Last night the gunboatdid not show a light. I expect that it will be the same to-night, asthey will think they are safer; but I fancy amongst you, you will haveeyes sharp enough to make her out, and the darkness will be your bestfriend, so I hope the sea will not brime. There, your hand, MrBurnett. Now yours, Poole, my boy. Over with you at once. "

The next minute the boys had slid down into the boat, to seat themselvesin the stern-sheets with the boatswain; the carpenter pulled the strokeoar, so that he was within reach if they wished to speak, and with theboatswain taking the rudder-lines they glided slowly down the stream. 

"Tell them just to dip their oars to keep her head straight, boatswain, "said Poole quietly. "We have plenty of time, and we had better keep outin mid-stream. A sharp look-out for anything coming up. "

"Ay, ay, my lad, " was the reply, and they seemed to slip on into theblack darkness which rose before them like a wall, while overhead, likea deep purple band studded with gold, the sky stretched from cliff tocliff of the deep ravine through which the river ran. 

"Now, Poole, " said Fitz suddenly, speaking in a low voice, almost awhisper, "you had better say a word or two to Mr Butters about the workwe are on. "

"No, " replied Poole; "it was your idea, and you're accustomed to takecommand of a boat, so you had better speak, for the boatswain and thecarpenter ought to know. The other men will have nothing to do butmanage the gig--"

"Hah!" ejaculated the boatswain, in a deep sigh, while Chips, who hadheard every word, only gave vent to a sniff. 

Fitz coughed slightly, as if troubled with something that checked hisbreath. 

"Then look here, Mr Butters, " he said quickly; "we're off to disablethe gunboat yonder, and do two things. "

"Good!" came like a croak. 

"First thing is to foul the screw. "

There was another croak, followed by--

"Lay that there cable so that she tangles herself up first time sheturns. That's one. "

Fitz coughed again slightly. 

"You will run the boat up in silence, the men will hold on, while youand Chips make fast the end to one of the fans, and then let the cableglide out into the water as we pass round to the bows. It must all bedone without a sound. All the rope must be run out, to sink, and then Ipropose that you hold on again under the starboard anchor. "

"Suppose starboard anchor's down?" growled the boatswain. 

"Pass the boat round to the port; either will do; but if we are seen orheard, all is over. "

"Won't be seen, " growled the boatswain. "It's black enough to puzzle acat. "

"Very well, then--heard, " continued Fitz. 

"Right, sir. What next?"

"There are no more orders. You will hold on while Mr Poole and I getaboard. We shall do the rest. "

"Hah!" sighed the boatswain; and like an echo came a similar sound fromthe carpenter. 

Then _pat, pat, pat_ came the kissing of the water against the bows ofthe gig, and the sides of the ravine seemed as weird and strange asever, while the darkness if anything grew more profound. 

At this point, with the boat gliding swiftly down stream, Poole leanedsideways to run his hand down Fitz's sleeve, feel for his hand, and giveit a warm pressure, which was returned. 

Then they went on round bend after bend, the current keeping them prettywell in the centre, till at last the final curve was reached, the starryband overhead seemed to have suddenly grown wider and the air lessoppressive, both hints that they were getting out to sea, and that thetime for the performance of the daring enterprise was close at hand. 

Most fortunately the sea did not "brime, " as the West-countrymen say, when the very meshes of their nets turn into threads of gold through thepresence of the myriad phosphorescent creatures that swarm so thickly attimes that the surface of the sea looks as if it could be skimmed toclear it of so much lambent liquid gold. 

This was what was wanted, for with a phosphorescent sea, every dip ofthe oar, every wavelet which broke against the boat, would have servedas signal to warn the watch on board the gunboat that enemies were near. 

But unfortunately, on the other hand, there was the darkness profound, and not the scintillation of a riding light to show where the gunboatlay. They knew that she was about two miles from shore, and as nearlyas could be made out just at the mouth of the channel along which the_Teal_ had been piloted to enable her to reach the sanctuary in whichshe lay. 

But where was she now? The answer did not come to the watchers who withstraining eyes strove to make out the long, low, dark hull, the onemast, and the dwarfed and massive funnel, but strove in vain. 

Fitz's heart sank, for the successful issue of his exploit seemed to befading away, and minute by minute it grew more evident that there wasnot the slightest likelihood of their discovering the object of theirsearch; so that in a voice tinged by the despair he felt, he whisperedhis orders to the boatswain to tell the men to cease rowing. 

Then for what seemed to be quite a long space of time, they lay risingand falling upon the heaving sea, listening, straining their eyes, butall in vain; and at last, warned by the feeling that unless somethingwas done they were bound to lose touch of their position when theywanted to make back for the mouth of the little river, Fitz whispered anorder to the boatswain to keep the gig's head straight off shore, andthen turned to lay his hand on Poole's shoulder and, with his lips closeto his ear, whisper--

"What's to be done?"

"Don't know, " came back. "This is a regular floorer. "

The boy's heart sank lower still at this, but feeling that he was incommand, he made an effort to pull himself together. 

"In the bright lexicon of youth there is no such word as fail, " seemedto begin ringing as if at a great distance into his ears, and he rose upin his place, steadied himself by a hand on his companion's shoulder, and slowly swept the horizon; that is to say, the lower portion of thesky, to which the stars did not descend. 

In vain!

There was no sign of gunboat funnel, nothing to help them in the least, and coming to the conclusion that their only chance of finding her wasby quartering the sea as a sporting dog does a field, and at the sametime telling himself that the task was hopeless, he bent down to try ifhe could get a hint from the boatswain, when he muttered to himself thewords that had now ceased to ring, and his heart gave quite a jump. Forapparently about a hundred yards away there appeared a faint speck oflight which burned brightly for a few moments before with a sudden dartit described a curve, descending towards the level of the sea; and thenall was black again. 

For a moment or two the darkness upon the sea seemed to lie therethicker and heavier than ever, till, faint, so dim that it was hardlyvisible, the lad was conscious of a tiny light which brightenedslightly, grew dim, brightened again, and then the boatswain uttered alow "Hah!" and Chips sniffed softly, this time for a reason, for he wasinhaling the aroma of a cigar, borne towards them upon the soft dampnight air. 

The lads joined hands again, and in the warm pressure a thrill ofexultation seemed to run from their fingers right up their arms and intotheir breasts, to set their hearts pumping with a heavy throb. 

Neither dared venture upon a whisper to inform his comrade of that whichhe already knew--that some one on board the gunboat was smoking, probably the officer of the watch, and that they must wait in the hopethat he might go below after a look round, when there was still apossibility that the crew might sleep, or at least be sufficiently laxin their duty to enable the adventurers to carry out their plans. Theycould do nothing else, only wait; but as they waited, with Fitz stillgrasping his companion's hand, they both became conscious of the factthat by slow degrees the glowing end of that cigar grew brighter; andthe reason became patent--that the current running outward from theriver, even at that distance from the shore, was bearing them almostimperceptibly nearer to where the gunboat lay. 

The idea was quite right, for fortune was after all favouring them, morethan they dared to have hoped. All at once, as they were watching theglowing light, whose power rose and fell, those on board the gig wereconscious of a slight jerk, accompanied by a grating sound. This wasfollowed by a faint rustle from the fore part of the boat. What causedthis, for a few moments no one in the after part could tell. 

They knew that they had run upon something, and by degrees Fitz workedout the mental problem in his mind, as with his heart beating fast hewatched the glowing light, in expectation of some sign that the smokerhad heard the sound as well. 

But he still smoked on, and nothing happened to the boat, which hadcareened over at first and threatened to capsize, but only resumed herlevel trim and completely reversed her position, head taking the placeof stern, so that to continue to watch the light the middy had to wrenchhimself completely round; and then he grasped the fact that the currenthad carried them right on to the anchor-chain where it dipped beneaththe surface, before bearing them onward, still to swing at ease. 

The man who acted as coxswain--the Camel to wit--having leaned over, grasped the chain-cable and almost without a sound made fast the painterto one of the links. 

CHAPTER FIFTY. 

A DARING DEED. 

The brains of the other occupants of the boat had been as active asthose of Fitz, and their owners had come to pretty well the sameconclusion, as they all involuntarily lowered their heads and satperfectly still listening, and hardly able to believe that the man whowas smoking was not watching them and about to give the alarm. 

But the moments glided by and became minutes, while the silence on boardthe gunboat seemed painful. The perspiration stood upon Fitz's brow, forming drops which gradually ran together and then began to trickledown the sides of his nose, tickling horribly; but he dared not evenraise his hand to wipe them away. 

By degrees, though, all became convinced that they could not be seen, and something in the way of relief came at the end of about a quarter ofan hour, when all at once the cigar in the man's mouth glowed morebrightly, and then brighter still as it made a rush through the air, describing a curve and falling into the sea, when the silence was brokenby a hiss so faint that it was hardly heard, and by something else whichwas heard plainly. 

Some one, evidently the smoker, gave vent to a yawn, a Spanish yawn, nodoubt, but as much like an English one as it could be. Then, justaudible in the silence, there was the faint sound of feet, as of someone pacing up and down the deck, another yawn, and then utter silenceonce again. 

No one stirred in the gig; no one seemed to breathe; till at last Pooleraised his hand to Fitz's shoulder, leaned closer till he could placehis lips close to his companion's ear, and whispered softly--

"I think they've let the fires out. I've been watching where the funnelmust be, and I haven't seen a spark come out. "

Fitz changed his position a little so as to follow his companion'sexample, and whispered in turn--

"Nor I neither, but I fancy I can see a quivering glow, and I've smeltthe sulphur quite plainly. "

There was another pause, and Poole whispered--

"Think there's anybody on deck?"

The answer came--

"If there is he must be asleep. "

"What about that chap who was smoking?"

"I think after that last yawn he went below. "

"Then isn't it time we began?"

Fitz whispered back--

"Yes, if we are going to do anything; but our plans seem turnedtopsy-turvy. We are close to the bows, where we ought to get up for meto tackle the gun. "

"Yes, " whispered Poole, "but if we do that there'll be no chanceafterwards to foul the screw; and that ought to be done, so that we canget rid of this cable. It will be horribly in the way if we have to rowfor our lives. "

Fitz pressed his companion's arm sharply, for at that moment there wasanother yawn from the gunboat's deck, followed by a muttering grumblingsound as of two men talking, suggesting that one had woke the other, whowas finding fault. But all sound died out, and then there was the deepsilence once again. 

The lads waited till they thought all was safe, while their crew neverstirred, and Poole whispered once more--"Well, what is to be done?"

The next moment Fitz's lips were sending tickling words into the lad'sear, as he said sharply--

"Mustn't change--stick to our plans. I am going to tell Butters to workthe boat alongside, and then pass her to the stern. "

"Hah!" breathed Poole, as he listened for the faint rustle made by hiscompanion in leaning towards the boatswain and whispering his commands. 

The next minute the boat was in motion, being paddled slowly towards thegunboat in a way the boys did not know till afterwards, for it was as ifthe gig as it lay there in the black darkness was some kind of fish, which had suddenly put its fins in motion, the five men having leanedsideways, each to lower a hand into the water and paddle the boat alongwithout a sound. 

The darkness seemed to be as black as it could possibly be, but all atonce, paradoxical as it may seem, it grew thicker, for a great blackwall had suddenly appeared looming over the boat, and Poole put out hishand, to feel the cold armour-plating gliding by his fingers, as themen, to his astonishment, kept the craft in motion till they had passedright along and their progress was checked by the gig being laid bow-onbeside the gunboat's rudder; and as soon as the lads could fully realisetheir position they grasped the fact that the propeller must be justbeneath the water the boat's length in front of where they sat. 

Then silence once again, every one's heart beating slowly, but with adull heavy throb that seemed to send the blood rushing through thearteries and veins, producing in the case of the lads a sensation ofdizziness that was some moments before it passed off, driven away as itwas by the tension and the acute desire to grasp the slightest soundwhere there was none to grasp. 

Every one was waiting now--as all felt sure that so far they had notbeen heard--for the middy's order to commence, while he felt as if hedared not give it, sitting there and letting the time glide by, convinced as he was now that the end of the Manilla cable could not beattached to one of the fans without their being heard, and inimagination he fancied the alarm spread, and saw his chance of ascendingto the deck and reaching the gun, die away. 

Then he started, for Poole pinched his arm, sending a thrill throughhim, and as it were setting the whole of his human machine in action. 

"Now or never, " he said to himself, and leaning forward to the boatswainhe whispered a few words in the man's ear, with the result that a veryfaint rustling began, a sound so slight that it was almost inaudible tohim who gave the order; but he could feel the boat move slightly, as itwas held fast beside the rudder, and the next minute when the youngcaptain of the adventure raised his hand--as he could not see--to feelhow the boatswain was getting on, he touched nothing, for the big sturdyfellow was already half-way to the bows of the gig. 

Fitz breathed hard again, and listened trembling now lest they shouldfail; but all was perfectly still save that the boat rocked slightly, which rocking ceased and gave place to a quivering pulsation, as if theslight craft had been endowed with life. This went on while the twolads gazed forward and with their minds' eyes saw the boatswain reachthe bows and join the Camel, while two of the men who had not stirredfrom their places held on by the rudder and stern-post, one of themhaving felt about till his hand encountered a ring-bolt, into which hehad thrust a finger to form a living hook. 

And as the lads watched they saw in imagination all that went on. Theydid not hear a sound, either in the bows or from above upon thegunboat's deck, while the two handy men were hard at work laying out therope that was already securely attached to the cable; and then came thefirst sound, just after the boat moved sharply, as if it had given aslight jump. 

The slight sound was the faintest of splashes, such as might have beencaused by a small fish, and it was due to the end of the rope slippingdown into the water, while the jump on the part of the boat was causedby its having been lightened of Chips's weight, for he had drawn himselfupwards by grasping the rudder, across which he now sat astride, to gripit with his knees. The man wanted no telling what to do. He hadrehearsed it all mentally again and again, and quick and clever offinger, he passed the rope through the opening between rudder andstern-post, and drew upon it softly and steadily till he had it taut, and was dragging upon the cable. Old Burgess was working with him as ifone mind animated the two bodies. 

He knew what would come, and waited as the spiral strands of the ropepassed through his hand; and when it began to grow taut he was ready toraise up the end of the big soft cable, pass it upwards, and hold it inplace, so that it gradually assumed the form of a loop some ten feetlong, and it was the head of that loop that jammed as it was drawn tightagainst the opening between stern-post and rudder, and very slowly lacedtightly in position by means of the rope. 

But this took time, and twice over Chips ceased working, as if he hadfailed; but it was only for a rest and a renewal of his strength, beforehe ceased for the third time and made a longer wait. But no one made asign; no one stirred, though the two lads sat in agony, building up inimagination a very mountain of horror and despair branded failure intheir minds, for they could hardly conceive that their plans were beingcarried out so silently and so well. 

At last Fitz gripped Poole's arm again so as to whisper to him; but thewhisper did not pass, for at that moment, after being perfectly stillfor some time, the boat began to pulsate again, for the carpenter washard at work once more, his hands acting in combination with those ofthe boatswain, for, still very slowly, working like a piece ofmachinery, they began to haul upon the cable in the boat. At the firsttightening that cable now seemed to begin to live like some hugeserpent, and creep towards them, the life with which it was infusedcoming, however, from the Camel's hands, as, feeling that it was wanted, he began to pass it along, raising each coil so that it should not touchagainst the gunwale of the boat, or scrape upon a thwart. 

He too knew what was going on, as between them, the boatswain in thebows, the carpenter still astride the upper portion of the rudder, theygot up enough of the cable to form another loop, whose head was softlyplunged down into the water, passed under one fan of the great screw andover another, and then, its elasticity permitting, drawn as tight as themen could work it. 

This feat was performed again, and as final security the boatswainformed a bight, which he thrust down and passed over the fan whose edgewas almost level with the surface. 

Then as the boys sat breathing hard, and fancying that the daylight mustbe close at hand, the boat gave another jerk, careening over sidewaystowards the rudder, for the carpenter had slowly descended into thebows, to crouch down and rest. 

But the boatswain was still at work, with the Camel now for mate, andbetween them they two were keeping up the quivering motion of the gig, as, slowly and silently, they went on passing the thick soft Manillacable over the side, to sink down into the sea until the last of thelong snaky coils had gone. 

The announcement of this fact was conveyed to the two lads by the motionof the boat, Fitz learning it first by feeling his right hand as it hungover the side begin to pass steadily through the water, which rippledbetween his fingers; and as he snatched it out to stretch it forth asfar as he could reach, he for a few moments touched nothing. Then itcame in contact with the sides of the gunboat, and his heart gave a jumpand his nerves thrilled, for he knew that the first act of theirdesperate venture was at an end, that the gig was gliding forward, paddled by the sailors' hands, towards the gunboat's bows, so as toreach one or other of the hanging anchors, up which he had engaged toscramble and get on board to do his part, which, now that the other hadbeen achieved, seemed to be the most desperate of all. 

"I shall never be able to go through with it, " he seemed to groan tohimself in his despair; but at that moment, as if by way ofencouragement, he felt Poole's hand grip his arm, and at the touch theremembrance of the skipper's words thrilled through his nerves, to givehim strength. 

The next moment he was sitting up firmly and bravely in his place, tucking up his cuffs as if for the fight, as he softly muttered--

"There is no such word as fail. "

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE. 

IS THE DEED DONE?

The boat had stopped, and Fitz had heard the faintest of faint clicks asof iron against iron, for the hook in the carpenter's hands had lightlycome in contact with the port anchor, which was hanging in its place, teaching them that it was the starboard that was down; and as Fitzlooked up sharply, he fully expected to see a row of faces peering overthe bulwark and looking down into the boat as the watchers gave thealarm, which would result in a shower of missiles being hurled upontheir heads, the precursors of a heavy shot that would go crashingthrough the bottom of the boat. But he was only gazing up at a blackedge and the stars beyond, and just above his head something rugged andcurved which he knew were the anchor's flukes. 

Fitz knew that to hesitate was to give place to doubts as to hissuccess, and that the longer he waited the more likely they were to bediscovered. That no watch was being kept was certain, and rising in theboat he took hold of the anchor as far up as he could reach, itsponderous nature rendering it immovable; and drawing himself steadilyupward he began to climb. 

It was easy enough to an active lad, and once started there was no timefor shrinking. Quickly enough he was standing first upon the flukes, then upon the stock, while the next minute he was grasping the port-railand trying to look down on to the deck, where he fancied he made out thefigures of three or four men. But everything was so indistinct that hecould not be sure, and he prepared to climb over, when he felt a touchupon his arm and started violently, for he had forgotten theirarrangement that Poole should bear a part in the disabling of the gun. 

He dared not speak, but just gave his companion's arm a grip, slippedsilently over the bulwark, and went down at once on all-fours like adog. Poole was by his side directly, and as they knelt, both tried tomake out the exact position of the gun, and both failed, till Fitzlowered himself a little more, and then repeating his investigationmanaged to bring the muzzle of the great piece between him and thestars, towards which it was pointed, slightly raised. 

All was so still, and the deck apparently so deserted, that his task nowseemed to be ridiculously easy; and beginning to creep aft towards thegreat carriage, which was planted a little forward of 'midships, onehand suddenly came into contact with something soft and warm, with theresult that there was an angry snarl, a snap, and a hand was broughtdown with a heavy slap upon the deck. 

In an instant there was a start, and a low growling voice asked what wasapparently a question as to what was the matter. The response came fromthe man who had struck the blow; but what he said was unintelligible tothe listeners, who had immediately shrunk flat upon the deck, consciousas they were that two of the crew had been sleeping within touch, whilefor aught they knew others might be all around. 

All notion now of the task being ridiculously easy was swept away, andthe two adventurous lads lay hardly daring to breathe for what seemed aquarter of an hour, before a deep stertorous breathing told that thedanger was for the moment passed and the time for action come. 

It was Fitz who this time set the example of beginning, and he did it bythrusting softly with one foot till he could feel where Poole lay readyto seize him by the ankle and give it a warm pressure which the lad tookto mean--Go on. 

Raising himself a little, he began to creep aft once more, bearing tohis left towards where he believed the carriage and turn-table of thegreat gun to be, and reaching them without further interruption, and soeasily that his task seemed to become once more simple in the extreme. 

Reaching carefully out, he satisfied himself as to his position, took astep upward, and found directly after that he was about the middle ofthe gun, whose breech lay a little to the right and was reached withease. 

"Oh, if I could only whisper to Poole, " he thought. "Come on, quick, old fellow, and then together we can get it to the side, drop itoverboard, and follow so quickly that we need only make one splash, forit would be impossible to go back as we came. "

"Yes, that will be the way, " thought Fitz; "and our fellows will rowtowards the splash at once, and pick us up. Why didn't I think to tellthem? Never mind. That's what they are sure to do. "

Directly after he was running his hand along the pleasantly cool surfaceof the gun; but he paused for a moment to listen, and begin to wonder inthe darkness why it was that Poole had not made some sign of being near. 

He reached back, giving a sweep with his hand; but Poole was not there, and he took a step forward to repeat the movement--still in vain. 

"Oh, I am wasting time, " thought Fitz, as he stepped back to his formerposition. "He's waiting for me to reconnoitre and fetch him if I wanthim. "

In this spirit he felt the gun again, guiding himself by his hands toits huge butt, his fingers coming in contact first with the sight andthen with the two massive ball-ended levers which turned the greatscrew. 

He could barely see at all, but his finger-tips told him that it wasjust such a piece as they had on board the _Tonans_, but not so large. 

Forgetting Poole for the moment, he passed right round to the breech, thrust in his hand, which came in contact with the solid block, and thenwithdrawing his hand he seized hold of the great balls, gave them awrench, and in perfect silence the heavy mass of forged and polishedsteel began to turn, the well-oiled grooves and worm gliding togetherwithout a sound, and, after the first tug, with the greatest ease. 

It was all simple enough till he came to the final part of his task, andattempted to lift out the breech-block, the quoin that when the breechwas screwed up held all fast. 

He took hold and tried to lift, but tried in vain, for it seemed beyondhis strength. His teeth gritted together as he set them fast in hisexasperation against Poole for not being at hand to help and make whatnow seemed an impossibility an easy task. 

Perspiring at every pore, he tried again and again, the more eagerlynow, for a low growling voice was heard from the direction whence he hadcrawled. 

But the piece of steel was immovable, and in his despair he felt thatall was over and that he had failed. 

Then came light--not light to make the gun visible, but mental light, with the question, Had he turned the levers far enough?

Uttering a low gasp in his despair, for the growling talk grew louder, he seized the great balls again, gave them another turn or two, and oncemore tried to stir the block, when his heart seemed to give a greatjump, for it came right out as he exerted himself, with comparativeease, and directly after he had it hugged to his chest and wasstaggering and nearly falling headlong as he stepped down from the ironplatform, making for the side. But he recovered himself, tottering on, and then in the darkness kicking against something soft--a sleeper--theencounter sending him, top-heavy as he was, crash against the bulwark, but doing all that he wanted, for the breech-block struck against therail, glanced off, and went overboard, to fall with a tremendous splash, followed by another, which the middy made himself, as he half flunghimself over, half rolled from the rail, to go down with the waterthundering in his ears. 

The heaviness of his plunge naturally sent him below for some distance, but it was not long before he was rising again. 

It was long enough, though, for thought--and thoughts come quickly at atime like this. Fitz's first flash was a brilliant one, connected withhis success, for the breech-block was gone beyond recovery; his next wasone of horror, and connected with the sharks that haunted those waters;his third was full of despair; where was Poole, whom he seemed to haveleft to his fate?

Hah! The surface again, and he could breathe; but which way to swim forthe boat? There was none needed, for his shoulders were barely clear ofthe water when his arm was seized in a tremendous grip, another hand wasthrust under his arm-pit, and he was literally jumped, dripping, into aboat, to pant out his first audible utterance for the past hour. It wasonly a word, and that was--

"Poole!"

"I'm all right, " came from out of the darkness close at hand. 

"Then give way, my lads, for your lives!" panted Fitz, and the oarsbegan to splash. 

It was quite time, for there was no sleeping on board the gunboat now. All was rush and confusion; voices in Spanish were shouting orders, menhurrying here and there, a few shots were fired in their direction, evidently from revolvers, and then a steam-whistle was heard to blow, followed by a hissing, clanking sound, and the man who had hauled Fitzin over the bows put his face close to him and whispered--

"Steam-capstan. They're getting up their anchor. But there was threesplashes, sir. What was that there first?"

"The breech-block, Chips. "

"Hooroar!"

It was some little time before another word was spoken, during whichperiod the men had been rowing hard, and the boatswain, who had got holdof the rudder-lines, was steering almost at random for the shore, takinghis bearings as well as he could from the gunboat, out of whose funnelsparks kept flying, and a lurid glare appeared upon the cloud of smokewhich floated out, pointing to the fact that the stokers were hard atwork. 

"Mr Burnett--Mr Poole, sir, " said Butters, at last, "I aren't at allsatisfied about the way we are going. I suppose we may speak out now?"

"Oh yes, " cried Fitz; "I don't suppose they can hear us, and if they didthey couldn't do us any harm, for it must be impossible for them to makeus out. "

"Oh yes, sir, " cried the boatswain. "No fear of that. "

"But what do you mean about not being satisfied?"

"Well, sir, my eyes is pretty good, and if you give me a fair start Ican take my bearings pretty easy from the stars when I knows what timeit is. But you see, it's quite another thing to hit the mouth of thatlittle river in the dark. I know the land's right in front, but whetherwe are south'ard or north'ard of where the schooner lays is more than Ican tell, and there's some awkward surf upon some of the rocks of this'ere coast. Will you give your orders, please. "

"Well, I don't know that I can, " replied Fitz. "I think the best thingis to lie-to till daylight. What do you say, Poole?" he continued, fromhis position to where Poole was, right forward. 

"Same as you do, " was the reply. "It's impossible to make for the rivernow. We may be only getting farther away. "

"Just keep her head on to the swell, my lads. "

The next minute the gig began riding gently over the long smooth waves, while her occupants sat watching the gunboat, the only light from whichnow was the glow from the funnel. 

"Bit wet, aren't you, Mr Burnett, sir?" said Chips. "What do you sayto taking off two or three things and letting me give them a wring?"

"Ah, it would be as well, " replied Fitz, beginning at once to slip offhis jacket, and as if instinctively to take off attention from what hewas doing he began to question Poole. 

"You had better do the same, hadn't you?" he cried. 

"Doing it, " was the reply. "I say, are you all right?"

"No; I am so horribly wet. What about you?"

"Just the same, of course. "

"But I say, " said Fitz, who was calming down after the excitement; "whydidn't you come on and help?"

"How could I? One of those fellows lying on the deck threw a leg and anarm over me in his sleep. I just brushed against him, and he started asif I had touched a spring, and held me fast. I tried to get away, butit was of no use, and if I had shouted it would have only given thealarm. I didn't get loose till the row began, and then there wasnothing to do but come overboard and be picked up. I was in a way aboutyou. "

"Same here about you, " cried fitz. "I didn't know what had happened, and when I tumbled over the rail--I didn't jump--I felt as if I had leftyou in the lurch. "

"Well, but that's what I felt, " said Poole. "It was queer. "

"It made us all feel pretty tidy queer, young gentlemen, " said theboatswain; "but if I may speak, the fust question is, are either of youhurt?"

"I am not, " cried Fitz. 

"Nor I, " said Poole. 

"That's right, then, " said the boatswain gruffly. "Now then, what aboutthat there block of iron? Was it that as come over plosh, only about ayard from the boat's nose?"

"Yes, " cried Fitz excitedly. 

"Then all I can say is, that it's a precious good job that Mr Burnettdidn't chuck it a little further, for if he had it would have come rightdown on Chips and drove him through the bottom, and we couldn't havestopped a leak like that. "

"But I should have come up again, " said the carpenter, "just where Iwent down, and as the hole I made would have been just the same size asme, I should have fitted in quite proper. "

"Yah!" growled the boatswain. "What's the use of trying to cut jokes ata time like this? Look here, gentlemen, have we done our job torights?"

"As far as the gun's concerned, " replied Fitz, "it's completelydisabled, and of no use again until they get another block. "

"Then that's done, sir. "

"And about my job, " said Poole. "I am afraid the screw's not fouled, for I fancy the gunboat is slowly steaming out to sea. "

"Well, I don't see as how we can tell that, Mr Poole, sir, " said theboatswain. "I can't say as she's moving, for we are both in a sharpcurrent, and she may be only drifting; but seeing the way as you madefast the end of that there cable, and then looped over bight after bightround them there fans, and twistened it all up tight, it seems to methat the screw must be fouled, and that every turn made it wuss andwuss. I say that you made a fine job of that there, Mr Poole. What doyou say, Chips, my lad?"

"Splendid!" cried the carpenter. 

"Why, it was you two did it, " said Fitz. 

"Well, that's what I thought, sir, " said the carpenter; "but it was sodark, I couldn't see a bit. "

"Zackly, " said the boatswain; "and you said it was your job, sir. "

"Oh, nonsense!" cried Poole. "I meant yours. "

"Well, " said Fitz, "all I can say is that I hope your knots were good. "

"I'll answer for mine, " said the boatswain, "but I won't say nothing forChips here. He aren't much account unless it's hammers and spikes, or ajob at caulking or using his adze. "

"That's right, " said Chips, "but you might tell the young gents that I'mhandiest with a pot o' glue. "

There was silence for a few moments, and then Fitz said--

"It's almost too much to expect that both things have turned out allright; but I can't help believing they have. "

"Well, sir, " said the boatswain, "I do hope as that there cable is notall twisted up in a bunch about them fans--reg'lar wound up tight--andif it is there's no knowing where that there gunboat will drift duringthe night; for I don't care how big a crew they've got aboard, theycan't free that there propeller till daylight, if they do then. But itdo seem a pity to spoil a beautiful new soft bit of stuff like that, forit'll never be no good again. "

"Fine tackle for caulking, " said the carpenter, "or making ships'fenders. "

"Yah!" cried the boatswain. "We should never get it again. It's gone, and it give me quite a heartache to use up new ship's stores like that. But what I was going to say was, that the skipper will be saddersfiedenough when we get back and tell him that Mr Burnett's crippled the biggun. "

"Oh, but that was the easy job, " said Fitz. "It was just play, liftingout that block and dropping it overboard. "

"And a very pretty game too, Mr Burnett, sir, " said the boatswain, chuckling. "But I say, seems quite to freshen a man up to be able toopen his mouth and speak. While you two young gents was swarming upthat anchor, and all the time you was aboard till you come back plish, plosh, I felt as if I couldn't breathe. I say, Mr Poole, would youlike to take these 'ere lines?"

"No, " said Poole shortly; "I want to get dry. But why do you want me totake the lines?"

"To get shut of the 'sponsibility, sir. I can't see which way tosteer. "

"Oh, never mind the steering, " cried Fitz. "Just keep her head to theswell, and let's all rest, my lads. I feel so done up that I could goto sleep. We can't do anything till daylight. Here, I say, Camel, didyou bring anything to eat?"

"The orders were to bring the rations stowed inside, sir, " replied thecook; "but a'm thenking I did slip a wee bit something into the lockerfor'ard there, juist ahind where ye are sitting, sir. Would you mindfeeling? Hech! I never thought of that!"

"Thought of what?" said Fitz. 

"Ye've got the ship's carpenter there, and he's got a nose like a catfor feesh. Awm skeart that he smelt it oot in the dairk and it's allgone. "

"Haw, haw!" chuckled the carpenter. "You are wrong this time, Andy. Igot my smelling tackle all choked up with the stuff the bearings of thatgunboat's fan was oiled with--nasty rank stuff like Scotch oil. I don'tbelieve I shall smell anything else for a week. "

_Rap_! went the lid of the little locker. 

"It's all right, my lads, " cried Fitz. "Here, Andy, man, those who hidecan find. Come over here and serve out the rations; but I wish we'd gotsome of your hot prime soup. "

"Ay, laddie, " said the cook softly, as he obeyed his orders; "it wouldha' been juist the thing for such a wetting as you got with your joomp. Mr Poole, will ye come here too? I got one little tin with enough foryou and Mr Poole, and a big one for the lads and mysen. But I'm vairysorry to say I forgot the saut. "

"He needn't have troubled himself about the salt, " said Poole softly. "I should never have missed it. You and I have taken in enough to-nightthrough our pores. "

"Yes, " said Fitz. --"Splendid, Andy. "

"Ah, " said the Camel; "I never haud wi' going upon a journey, howevershort, wi'out something in the way of food. "

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO. 

FITZ'S CONSCIENCE PRICKS. 

Daybreak brought a blank look of amazement into the lads' countenances. The soft, sweet, bracing air of morning floated from the glorious shore, all cliff and indentation looking of a pearly grey, almost the same tintas the surf that curled over upon the rocks distant about two miles. 

A mere glance was directed at the dangerous coast, for every eye wasturned seaward, east, north, and south, in search of the gunboat; butshe was not to be seen. 

"Surely she's not gone down!" cried Fitz. 

"Oh, hardly, " said Poole; "but it's very puzzling. What do you make ofit, Butters?"

"Well, sir, " said the boatswain, "I'm thinking that like enough she'sgot upon a rock and stuck fast, while the sharp current has carried usalong miles and miles, and quite out of sight. "

"But they may have got the screw all right, and gone straight out tosea. "

"Nay, sir. Not in the dark. We got them fans too fast; and besides, Idon't see no smoke on the sea-line. The steamer leaves a mark that youcan see her by many miles away. No, sir, I think I'm right; it's us ashas drifted. "

"Which way?" said Poole. "North or south?"

"Can't say yet, sir. May be either. South, " he added emphatically thenext moment. 

"How do you know?" cried Fitz. 

The boatswain smiled. 

"By the colour of the sea, sir, " replied the man, screwing up his eyes. "Look at the water. It isn't bright and clear. It's got the mark ofthe river in it. Not much, but just enough to show that the currenthugs the shore, bringing the river water with it; and there it all isplain enough. Look at them little rocks just showing above the surface. You watch them a minute, and you'll see we are floating by southward, and we may think ourselves precious lucky that we haven't run upon anyof them in the night and been capsized. You see, we have come by twoheadlands, and we have only got to row back to the north to come sooneror later in sight of landmarks that we know. "

"Then give way, my lads, " said Fitz; "a fair long steady stroke, for theskipper must be getting terribly uncomfortable about us, Poole, eh?"

"Yes. Pull your best, boys. What do you say, Fitz, to taking an oareach for a bit? I'm chilly, and a good way from being dry. "

"Good idea, " said Fitz, changing places with one of the men. "You'llkeep a sharp look-out, boatswain. The enemy may come into sight at anymoment as we round these points, and even if she daren't come close in, she may send after us with her boats. "

"Trust me for that, sir, " said the boatswain, and the oars began to dip, with the sun soon beginning to show tokens of its coming appearance, andsending hope and light into every breast. 

It was a glorious row, the chill of the night giving place to a pleasantglow which set the lads talking merrily, discussing the darkness throughwhich they had passed, the events of the night, and their triumphantsuccess. 

"If we could only see that gunboat ashore, Burnett!" cried Poole. 

"Ah, " said Fitz, rather gravely; "if we only could!" And then herelapsed into silence, for thoughts began to come fast, and he foundhimself wondering what Commander Glossop would say if he could see himthen and know all that he had done in the night attack. 

"I couldn't help it, " the boy said to himself, as he pulled away. "Ishouldn't wonder if he would have done precisely the same if he had beenin my place. I feel a bit sorry now; but that's no good. What's donecan't be undone, and I shan't bother about it any more. "

"Now, Mr Burnett, sir, " said the boatswain, in a tone full ofremonstrance, "don't keep that there oar all day. Seems to me quitetime you took your trick at the wheel. "

"Yes, " said the lad cheerily; "I am beginning to feel precious stiff, "and he rose to exchange seats with the speaker, Poole rising directlyafterwards for the carpenter to take his place. 

"I'd keep a sharp look-out for'ard along the coast, Mr Burnett, sir, "said the boatswain, with a peculiar smile, as the lad lifted the lines. 

"Oh yes, of course, " cried Fitz, gazing forward now, and then utteringan ejaculation: "Here, Poole! Look! Why didn't you speak before, Butters?"

"Because I thought you'd like to see it fust, sir. Yes, there she lies, just beyond that headland. "

"At anchor?" cried Poole. 

"Can't say yet, sir, till we've cleared that point; but she's upon aneven keel, and seems to be about her old distance from the shore. Thatmust be the southernmost of them two great cliffs, and we are nearer theriver than I thought. "

"Lay your backs into it, my lads, " cried Poole. 

The gig travelled faster as the two strong men took the place of thetired lads; and as they rowed on it was plain to see that the gunboatwas much farther from the point and shore than had been at firstimagined. 

"It would be awkward, " said Fitz, "if they sent out boats to try andtake us, for they must see us by now. "

But the occupants of the gunboat made no sign, and when at last the_Teal's_ gig was rowed round the headland which formed the southern sideof the entrance to the river, all on board could hardly realise howgreatly they had been deceived by the clear morning light, for thegunboat was still some three or four miles away, and apparently fastupon one of the reefs of rocks, while from her lowered boats, crowdedwith men, it was evident that they were either busy over somethingastern, or preparing to leave. 

"They must be hard at work trying to clear the screw, " cried Fitzexcitedly. 

"Can't make out, for my part, sir, " replied the boatswain, while Poolecarefully kept silence; "but it looks as much like that as ever it can, and we have nothing to mind now, for we can get right in and up theriver long before their boats could row to the mouth. "

Poole steered close in to the right bank of the river, so as to avoidthe swift rush of the stream, this taking them close under theperpendicular cliff; and they had not gone far before there was a loud"Ahoy!" from high overhead. Looking up they made out the face ofBurgess the mate projecting from the bushes as, high upon a shelf, heheld on by a bough and leaned outwards so as to watch the motions of theboat. 

"Ahoy!" came from the men, in answer to his hail. 

"All right aboard?" shouted the mate. 

"Yes. All right!" roared the boatswain. "What are they doing outyonder to the Spaniel?"

"Trying to get her off, I suppose. She went ashore in the night. Icame up here with a glass to look out for you, and there she was, andhasn't moved since. What about that gun?"

"Burnett has drawn its tooth, " shouted Poole. "Father all right?"

"No. Got the grumps about you. Thinks you are lost. You didn't foulthe screw, did you?"

"Yes, " shouted Poole. 

"Then that's what they're about; trying to clear her again; and whenthey do they've got to get their vessel off the rocks. I'm going tostop and see; but you had better row up stream as hard as you can, so asto let the skipper see that you have not all gone to the bottom. Hetold me he was sure you had. "

The men's oars dipped again, and they rowed with all their might, passing the dinghy with the man in charge moored at the foot of thecliff, while soon after they had turned one of the bends and came insight of the schooner a loud hail welcomed them from those who were onboard. Then Poole stood up in the stern, after handing the rudder-linesto his companion, and began waving his hat to the skipper, who made aslight recognition and then stood watching them till they came withinhail. 

"Well, " he said, through his speaking-trumpet, "what luck?"

"The gun's done for, father, and the gunboat's ashore, " shouted Poole, through his hands. 

"Oh. I heard that the enemy had gone on the rocks. And what about thepropeller?"

"Oh, we fouled it, father, " said Poole coolly. "That's right, " said theskipper, in the most unconcerned way. "I thought you would. There, look sharp and come aboard. There's some breakfast ready, but I beganto think you didn't mean to come. What made you so long?"

He did not wait to hear the answer, but began giving orders for thelowering of another boat which he was about to send down to communicatewith the mate. 

"I say, " said Fitz, grinning, "your dad seems in a nice temper. He'squite rusty. "

"Yes, " said Poole, returning the laugh. "I suppose it's because westopped out all night. There, get out! He's as pleased as can be, onlyhe won't make a fuss. It's his way. "

The day glided on till the sun was beginning to go down. Messages hadpassed to and fro from the watchers, who had kept an eye upon thegunboat, which was still fast. 

Fitz, after a hearty meal, being regularly fagged out, had had three orfour hours' rest in his bunk, to get up none the worse for his night'sadventure, when he joined Poole, who had just preceded him on deck. 

He came upon the skipper directly afterwards, who gave him a searchinglook and a short nod, and said abruptly--

"All right?"

"Yes, quite right, thank you, sir. "

"Hah!" said the skipper, and walked on, taking no notice of Poole, whowas coming up, and leaving the lads together. 

"I say, " said Fitz sarcastically, "I can bear a good deal, but yourfather goes too far. "

"What do you mean?" asked Poole. 

"He makes such a dreadful fuss over one, just for doing a trifling thinglike that. Almost too much to bear. "

"Well, he didn't make much fuss over me, " said Poole, in rather anill-used tone. "I felt as if we had done nothing, instead of disablinga man-of-war. --Hullo! what does this mean?"

For just then the boat came swiftly round the bend, with the matesitting in the stern-sheets, the dinghy towed by its painter behind. 

A shout from the man on the watch astern brought up the skipper and therest of the crew, including those who had been making up for their lastnight's labours in their bunks, all expectant of some fresh news; andthey were not disappointed, nearly every one hearing it as the boat camealongside and the mate spoke out to the captain on the deck. 

"Found a way right up to the top of the cliff, " he said, "and from thereI could regularly look down on the gunboat's deck. "

"Well?" said the skipper sharply. 

"No, ill--for them; she's completely fast ashore in the midst of aregular wilderness of rocks that hardly peep above the surface; and asfar as I could make out with my spyglass, they are not likely to get offagain. They seem to know it too, for when I began to come down they hadgot three boats manned on the other side, and I left them putting off asif they were coming up here. "

"Again?" said the skipper thoughtfully. 

"Yes; to take it out of us, I suppose, for what we've done. How wouldit be to turn the tables on them and make a counter attack?"

"Granting that we should win, " said the skipper, "it would mean half ourmen wounded; perhaps three or four dead. I can't afford that, Burgess. "

"No, " said the mate abruptly. "Better stop here and give them what theyseem to want. I think we can do that. "

"Yes, " said the skipper. "All aboard; and look sharp, Burgess. Let'sbe as ready for them as we can. The fight will be more desperate thistime, I'm afraid. "

"Not you, " said the mate, with a chuckle, as he sprang on deck. "Well, my lads, you did wonders last night. How did you like your job?"

"Not at all, " cried Fitz, laughing. "It was too wet. "

The mate smiled, and the next minute he was hard at work helping theskipper to prepare to give the Spaniards a warm reception, taking it forgranted that it would not be long before they arrived, burning forrevenge. 

The preparations were much the same as were made before, but with thisaddition, that the carpenter, looking as fresh as if he had passed thenight in his bunk, was hard at work with four men, lashing spare sparsto the shrouds, so as to form a stout rail about eighteen inches abovethe bulwarks, to which the netting was firmly attached. 

There was no question this time about arming the crew with rifles, forevery one felt that success on the part of Villarayo's men would mean noquarter. 

"Then you mean this to be a regular fight?" Fitz whispered to Poole, after watching what was going on for some time. 

"Why, of course! Why not?"

"Oh, I don't like the idea of killing people, " said Fitz, wrinkling uphis forehead. 

"Well, I don't, " said Poole, laughing. "I don't like killing anything. I should never have done for a butcher, but I would a great deal ratherkill one of Villarayo's black-looking ruffians than let him kill me. "

"But do you think they really would massacre us?" said Fitz. "Theycan't help looking ruffianly. "

"No, but they have got a most horribly bad character. Father and I haveheard of some very ugly things that they have done in some of theirfights. They are supposed to be civilised, and I dare say the officersare all right; but if you let loose a lot of half-savage fellows armedwith knives and get their blood up, I don't think you need expect muchmercy. They needn't come and interfere with us unless they like, but ifthey come shouting and striking at us they must take the consequences. "

"Yes, I suppose so, " said Fitz; "but it seems a pity. "

"Awful, " replied Poole; "but there always has been war, and people takea deal of civilising before they give it up. And they don't seem tothen, " said the lad, with a dry smile. 

"No, " said Fitz; and the little discussion came to an end. 

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE. 

WORSE THAN EVER. 

"This is bad, my lads, " said the skipper, joining the boys. 

"What's wrong, father?" said Poole. "Why, it's close upon sundown, andit begins to look as if they are going to steal upon us in the dark, which will give them a lot of advantage. I would rather have been ableto see what we are about. What an evening, though, for a fight! I havejourneyed about the islands and Central America a good deal, and it isnearly all beautiful, but this river and its cliffs, seen in the warmglow, is just my idea of a perfect paradise. Look at the sky, withthose gorgeous clouds! Look at the river, reflecting all theirbeauties! And the trees and shrubs, looking darker in the shades, andin the light as if they had suddenly burst forth into bloom withdazzling golden flowers. And here we are going to spoil everything withsavage bloodshed. "

"We are not, Captain Reed, " said Fitz sharply; "you would not fire ashot if you were not obliged. "

"Not even a blank cartridge, my boy, " said the skipper, laying his handupon the middy's shoulder. "I loathe it, and I feel all of a shiver atthe thought of my brave lads being drilled with bullets or hacked withknives. If it comes to it--and I am afraid it will--"

"I say, father, don't talk of trembling and being afraid!" said Poolereproachfully. 

"Why not, my boy?"

"Because I don't know what Fitz Burnett will think. "

"Whatever he thinks he'll know that I am speaking the truth. But I say, lad, " continued the skipper, gripping the middy's shoulder tightly;"you'll help me, won't you?"

"Haven't I forgotten myself enough, sir?" said Fitz, in a tone as fullof reproach as that of Poole. 

"No, my boy. I think you have behaved very bravely; and I don't think, if your superior officer knew all, that he would have much to say. ButI don't want you to fight. I mean, help me after the trouble's over; Imean, turn assistant-surgeon when I take off my jacket. "

"Yes, that I will, " cried Fitz. "I ought to be getting ready somebandages and things now. "

"Oh, I think I've got preparations enough of that sort made, " said theskipper; "and there is still a chance that we may not want them. Hah!That hope's gone. Ahoy! bosun! Let them have the pipe. "

Old Butters's silver whistle rang out shrill and clear, but only calledone man to his duty, and that was the Camel, who came tumbling out ofthe galley and gave the door a bang. 

Every one else was on the alert, watching a boat coming round the bend, followed by two more, crowded with armed men whose oars sent the watersplashing up like so much liquid gold. The fight began at once, for theskipper had given his instructions. 

These he supplemented now with a sharp order which was followed by thecrack of a rifle echoing from cliff to cliff, and Fitz, who had runtowards the stern to look over, was in time to see that the skipper'scomment, "Good shot, my lad!" was well deserved, for one of the officersin the stern-sheets of the first boat sprang up and would have goneoverboard but for the efforts of his men, who caught and lowered himback amidst a little scene of confusion and a cessation of the rowing. 

Another shot rang out and there was more confusion, the way of theleading boat being stopped; but the orders issued in the other boatswere plainly heard on board the schooner; oars splashed more rapidly, and once more all three boats were coming on fast. 

"Fire!" cried the skipper, and with slow regularity shot after shot rangout, to be followed by a ragged volley from the enemy, the bulletswhizzing overhead and pattering amongst the rigging of the well-mooredvessel, but doing no real harm. 

"Keep it up steadily, my lads, " shouted the skipper. "No hurry. Onehit is worth five hundred misses. We mustn't let them board if we cankeep them back. Go on firing till they are close up, and then cutlassesand bars. "

But in spite of the steady defence the enemy came on, showing no sign ofshrinking, firing rapidly and responding to their officers' orders withsavage defiant yells, while shots came thick and fast, the two ladsgrowing so excited as they watched the fray that they forgot the dangerand the nearness of the enemy coming on. 

"They are showing more pluck this time, Burgess, " said the skipper, taking out his revolver and unconsciously turning the chambers to seethat all was right. 

"Yes, " growled the mate. "It's a horrible nuisance, for I don't want tofight. But we've made rather a mess of it, after all. "

"What do you mean?" said the skipper. "Ought to have dropped that otheranchor. "

"Why?" said the skipper sharply. "Because they may row right up and cutus adrift. "

"Yes, " said the skipper quietly; "it would have been as well. Take arifle and go forward if they try to pass us, and pick off every man whoattempts to cut the cable. "

"All right, " replied the mate; "I will if there is time. But in fiveminutes we shall be busy driving these chaps back into their boats, andthey will be swarming up the sides like so many monkeys. "

"Yes, " said the skipper. "But you must do it if there _is_ time. Theydon't seem to mind our firing a bit. "

"No, " Fitz heard the chief officer growl angrily. "Their blood's up, and they are too stupid, I suppose. "

"Cease firing!" shouted the skipper. "Here they come!" The order cametoo late to check six of the men, who in their excitement finished offtheir regular shots with a ragged volley directed at the foremost boat, and with such terrible effect that in the midst of a scene of confusionthe oars were dropped and the boat swung round broadside to the stream, which carried it on to the next boat, fouling it so that the two hungtogether and confusion became worse confounded as they crashed on to thethird boat, putting a stop to the firing as well as the rowing. Thecommands of the officer in the last boat were of no effect, and thedefenders of the schooner, who had sprung to their positions where theirefforts would have been of most avail, burst forth with a wild cheer, and then turned to the skipper for orders to fire again. 

But these orders did not come, for their captain had turned to the matewith--

"Why, Burgess, that's done it! I believe we've given them enough. "Then heartily, "Well done, boys! Give 'em another cheer. "

In their wild excitement and delight the schooner's crew gave two; andthey had good cause for their exultation, for the firing from the boatshad quite ceased, the efforts of their commanders being directed towardsdisentangling themselves from their sorry plight, many minutes elapsingbefore the boats were clear and the men able to row, while by this timeseveral hundred yards had been placed between them and the object oftheir attack. 

Then the Spanish officers gave their orders to advance almostsimultaneously; but they were not obeyed. 

They raged and roared at their men, but in vain--the boats were stilldrifting down stream towards the bend, and as the darkness was givingits first sign of closing in, the last one disappeared, the skippersaying quietly--

"Thank you, my lads. It was bravely done. "

A murmur rose from among the men, only one speaking out loudly; and thatwas the carpenter, who, as he took off his cap and wiped his streamingforehead, gave Fitz a comic look and said--

"Well, yes; I think we made a neat job of that. "

Some of the men chuckled, but their attention was taken off directly bythe boatswain, who shouted--

"Here, you Camel, don't wait for orders, but get the lads something topeck at and drink. I feel as if I hadn't had anything to eat for aweek. "

"Yes, and be quick, " cried the skipper. "It's all right, my lads; Idon't think we shall see the enemy again. "

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR. 

"OF COURSE WE WILL. "

The next morning reconnoitring began once more, prior to the skippergiving his orders, and the schooner dropping down slowly towards themouth of the river; for the mate had been up on the cliff soon afterdaybreak, busy with his glass, and had returned to report that the spotwhere the gunboat lay still fast on the rocks was so distant from theChannel through which the schooner had sailed, that it was doubtfulwhether, if they attempted to sail out, she could be reached by thesmall pieces that the enemy had on board. 

"Then we won't give them the chance to attack again, " was the skipper'scomment, and the wind favouring, the channel was soon reached, and withthe mate conning the craft, they sailed outward along the clear water, with the men armed and ready for any attack that might be attempted bythe man-of-war's boats. 

It was not very long before the boys, who had mounted aloft with theirglass to watch the deck of the foe, were able to announce that boatswere being manned for lowering, and the tortuous nature of the channelnow began to lead the schooner ominously near; but both the skipper andthe mate were of opinion that at the rate they were sailing they wouldbe able to evade an attack. 

"And if they are not very careful, " growled the latter, "it strikes me Ishall be running one if not two of them down. They'd be much safer ifthey stopped aboard. "

But still the dangerous nature of the rocks forced them nearer andnearer to the enemy. 

"Not much doubt about the big gun being disabled, " Poole remarked to hiscompanion, as they noted how busily the crew were preparing to lower theboats. "We should have had a shot long before this. "

"And there's no doubt either about the screw being fouled, " said Fitz. "I say, take the glass. They're doing something which I can't make out. You try. "

Poole re-focussed the binocular, but it was some moments before hespoke. 

"Can't you?" cried Fitz excitedly. 

"Yes, but I'm not quite sure. Yes, now I am. Right!"

For at that moment a white ball of smoke shot out from the gunboat'sdeck, followed by a dull thud, and something came skipping over theheaving sea, before there was another sharp crack and a shell burstabout a hundred yards from the schooner's stern. 

"I wonder whether we shall have to go any nearer, " said Poole excitedly. "They'd be able to do us a deal of mischief like that. I believe she'sgot four of those small guns on board. "

"Judging from their gunnery, " said Fitz coolly, "they are not likely tohit us, even if we go much more near. "

"Well, I hope not, " said Poole. "Those are nasty waspish things, thoseshells. There she goes again. I wonder whether we could do anythingwith rifles at this range. "

The skipper proved to be of opinion that they could, but he preferred todevote all his attention to the navigation of the schooner, and in factthere was plenty to do, for every now and then they found themselvesdangerously near the spots where a little creamy foam showed upon thesurface of the sea, insidious, beautiful patches that would have meantdestruction to the slight timbers of the yacht-like craft. 

But the mate was perched up on high, and between him and the steersmanthe skipper stood ready to transmit the keen chief officer's signals tothe man at the wheel, so that they rode in safety through the waterymaze, paying no heed whatever to the shells which came at intervals fromthe gunboat's deck, the small modern guns having a terribly long range. The boats filled with men still hung from the davits, ready for theorder to start, which was never given, the captain of the gunboatevidently being of opinion that his rowing men would not be able tocompete with the schooner's sails, and waiting as he was for thebursting of some shell overhead bringing down one of the important sparsby the run, while it was always possible that the schooner's fate mightbe the same as his, to wit, running stem on to some rock, to sink orremain fast. 

Under these circumstances the boats would have been of avail, andanother attempt might have been made to board and take the littleschooner. 

But the Spaniards' gunnery was not good enough; the shells werestartling, but their segments did no worse than speckle the surface ofthe sea, and at last involuntarily cheers rang out, for the _Teal_ wasrunning swiftly away from the danger, and the shells that came droppingwere far astern. About half-an-hour later, and long after the firinghad ceased to be dangerous, the mate came down from his eyrie, to seathimself and begin wiping his dripping face. 

"You look tired, Mr Burgess, " said Fitz, going up to him, "Shall I getyou a tin of water?"

"Thank you, my lad, " said the rugged fellow huskily. "I am nearlychoked with thirst. "

Fitz ran to the breaker, took the tin that stood ready, dipped it, andbore it to the mate, who drained it to the last drop. 

"Thank you, my lad. That's the sweetest drop I ever tasted in my life. Hard work for the body will make a man thirsty, but work like that Ihave just been doing is ten times as bad. Hah! It's horrid!--horrid!I believed I knew that channel pretty well, but for the last hour, andevery minute of it, I have been waiting to hear the little schooner goscrunch on to some hidden rock; and now I feel quite done. "

"It must have been horrible, " said the middy, looking his sympathy. "Ofcourse we all knew it was dangerous, but none of us could have felt likethat. "

"No, my lad, " said the mate, holding out his rough hand. "I don'tbelieve anybody felt like that, " and he gripped the boy's hand firmly. "But I say, between ourselves, I didn't mean to speak. It's made mefeel a little soft like, and I shouldn't like anybody to know what Isaid. "

"You may trust me, Mr Burgess, " said the lad warmly. 

"I do, my lad; I do, for I know what a gentleman you are. But tonobody, please, not even to young Poole. "

The rough mate nodded his satisfaction as he met the middy's eyes, andsomehow from that minute it seemed to Fitz that they had become greatfriends. 

"Now, that's what I call the prettiest view we've seen of that gunboatyet, Mr Burnett, sir, " said the carpenter a short time later, as thelad strolled up to where he was leaning over the bulwarks shading hiseyes from the sun. "I don't profess to be a artist, sir; nighest I evercome to making a picter was putting a frame round it and a bit of glassin front, as I kep' in tight with brads. But I've seen a deal of natur'in my time, hot and cold, and I say that's the prettiest bit of asea-view I ever set eyes on. She's a fine-built boat--nice shape. Looks like about half-way between a flat-iron and one of them as thelaundresses use with a red-hot thing in their insides. But it ain'tonly her shape as takes my fancy. It's her position, and that's onethat everybody on board must admire, as she lies there nice and distantwith the coast behind, sea in front, and a lovely bit of foam andbreakers both sides. Ah! she makes a lovely pictur'. She don't want noframe, and the beauty of her is that she's one of them what they used tocall dissolving views. You see, we shan't see her no more, and don'twant to, and that's the beauty of it. "

"Yes, you're right, Chips, " said Poole, laughing. "We've seen rathertoo much of her as it is. But you are a bit wrong. I dare say we shallsee her again. Don Ramon will be for trying to get her off the rockswhen he hears how she lies. Why, Chips, that's in your way. What a jobit would be for you!"

"Job for me, sir?" said the man, staring. 

"Yes. That gunboat and her fittings must have cost a tremendous sum ofmoney. It would be the making of you if you could get her off. "

The carpenter stared, and then gave his thigh a slap which sounded likethe crack of a revolver. 

"Yuss!" he cried. "I never thought of that. My word, shouldn't I likethe job!"

"Think you could do it, Chips?" cried Fitz. 

"I'd try, sir. Only let 'em give me the job. But the skipper wouldn'tlet me go. "

"Well, you don't want to go, Winks, " said Poole. 

"That's a true word, sir. I don't want to go. The _Teal's_ good enoughfor me. But I should like to have the getting of that gunboat off allthe same. Let's see; that there Don Ramon wants it, doesn't he?"

"Yes, " cried Poole. 

"I say, look out!" cried Fitz. "Here's Chips's dissolving viewdissolving away. "

The declaration was quite true, for the gunboat was slowly disappearing, as the _Teal_ sailed on, to reach Velova Bay without further adventureor mishap. 

All seemed well as they sighted the port, and Don Ramon's flag wasfluttering out jauntily; but to the astonishment of all on board, asthey drew nearer the fort there was a white puff of smoke, and thenanother and another. 

The British colours were run up, but the firing went on, and the skippergrew uneasy. 

"Villarayo must have captured the place, " he said, as he looked throughhis double glass. 

"Here, I don't see any shot striking up the water, father, " cried Poole. 

"No; I tell you what it is, " cried Fitz. "They are glad to see us back. They are firing a salute. "

Fitz was right, and before long a barge was coming off, with thenational colours trailing behind, Don Ramon being made out seated in thestern-sheets in uniform, and surrounded by his officers. He lookedceremonious and grand enough in his State barge, but there was noceremony in his acts. He sprang up the side as soon as the coxswainhooked on, and embraced the skipper with the tears in his eyes, the twolads having to suffer the same greeting in turn, so as not to hurt thefeelings of one whose warmth was very genuine. 

"Oh, my friend the captain, " he cried, "I have been wasting tears onyour behalf. You did not _come_ back, and the news was brought by threedifferent fishing-boats that the enemy had driven you ashore and wreckedand burned your beautiful schooner, while there had been a desperatefight, they said, and they had heard the firing, so that I could onlyguess what must have been the result. I believed my brave true friendand all on board had been slain, while now I have you all safely backagain, and my heart is very glad. "

"And so am I, Don Ramon, " said the skipper warmly, for he felt howgenuine the greeting was. "But things are much better than youthought. "

"Yes, better far, " cried the Don. "But make haste. Let us get ashore. My people are getting up a banquet in your honour and that of every_one_ on board. "

"Oh, I'm not a banqueting man, " said the skipper, laughing. 

"Ha, ha! We shall see, " said the Don, laughing in his turn. "How camethey, though, to tell me such false news? I believed the men whobrought it could be trusted. "

"Well, I dare say they can be, " said the skipper. "But they didn't staylong enough. We had almost to run ashore, and there were two or threefights; that was true enough. But if they had stayed long enough theycould have brought you the best news that you have had for months. "

"Best news!" cried the Don excitedly. 

"Yes; the gunboat, with her big breech-loader and propeller disabled, isfast upon the rocks. "

"Captain Reed!" cried the Don, seizing him by both hands. "Is thistrue?"

"As true as that I am telling you. "

"But the captain and his men?"

"They're standing by her. But they will never get her off. "

"Oh!" shouted Fitz, giving a sudden jump and turning sharply round, tosee the carpenter backing away confused and shamefaced, for he had beenlistening eagerly to the conversation, and at the critical pointalluding to the gunboat being got off, he had in his excitement givenFitz a vigorous pinch. 

"Here, what are you thinking of doing?" said the skipper. 

"Doing?" said the Don excitedly. "There will be no banquet to-night. Imust gather together my men, and make for the gunboat at once. "

"What for?" cried the skipper. 

"To strike the last blow for victory, " cried the Don. "We must surroundand take the gunboat's crew, and then at any cost that gunboat must befloated. I don't quite see yet how it is to be done, but the attemptmust be made before there is another gale. That gunboat must be saved. No, " he continued thoughtfully, "I don't see yet how it can be done. "

"I do, sir, " cried Winks, dashing forward. "I'll take the job, sir, anddo it cheap. Say a word for me, skipper. You know me. It's fust comefust served at times like this. Say a word for me, sir, afore someother lubber steps in and gets the job as won't do it half so well. MrBurnett, sir--Mr Poole, you will put a word in too, won't you?"

"I do not want any words put in, " said the new President gravely. "Iknow you, my man, and what you can do. I know you too as one of thefriends who have fought for me so bravely and so well. You shall getthe gunboat off the rocks. "

In his excitement Chips did the first steps of the sailor's hornpipe, but suddenly awakening to a sense of his great responsibility, he pulledhimself up short with a sharp stamp upon the deck, thrust his rightfore-finger into his cheek, and brought it out again _plop_. 

"Stand by there, sir! Steady it is. I like things right and square. Inever did a job like this afore; but you trust me, and I'll do my best. "

"I do trust you, " said Don Ramon, smiling and holding out his hand, "andI know such a British seaman as you will do his best. "

The carpenter flushed like a girl and raised his hand to grasp thePresident's, but snatched his own back again to give it three or fourrubs up and down, back and front, upon the leg of his trousers, like abarber's finishing-touch to a razor, and then gave the much smallerSpanish hand such a grip as brought tears not of emotion but of paininto the President's eyes. 

"Now then, for the shore!" cried the Don. "But, Captain Reed, myfriend, I am never satisfied. You will help me once again?"

"You know, " replied the skipper, "as far as I can. "

"Oh, you will not refuse this, " said the President, laughingly. "It isonly to transport as many of my people as the schooner will bear. Ishall have to trust to fishing-boats and the two small trading vesselsthat are in the port to bear the rest, I must take a strong force, andmake many prisoners, for not one of the gunboat's crew must escape. "

"Oh, you won't have much trouble with that, " said the skipper. "Onceyou have the full upper hand--"

"I have it now, " said the Spaniard haughtily. 

"Then they will all come over to your side. "

"You will come with me ashore?" said the Don. 

"Yes; but when shall you want to sail? To-morrow--the next day?"

"Within an hour, " cried the Spaniard, "or as soon after as I can. Imust strike, as you English say, while the iron is in the fire. "

"Well, that's quick enough for anything, " whispered Fitz. 

The two lads stood watching the departing barge, with the skipper by thePresident's side, and then turned to go aft to the cabin. 

"This is rather a bother, " said Fitz. "I should have liked to have goneashore and seen the banquet, and gone up the country. I am gettingrather sick of being a prisoner, and always set to work. But--hullo, Chips!"

"Just one moment, sir; and you too, Mr Poole. "

"Yes; what is it?"

"That's rather a large order, gentlemen, aren't it? That there Don willbe wanting to make me his chief naval constructor, perhaps. But thatwouldn't do. I say, though, Mr Burnett, sir, can you give a poorfellow a tip or two?"

"What about?" said Fitz. 

"What about, sir? Oh, I say, come! I like that! How am I going to getoff that there gunboat? She's a harmoured vessel, you know. "

"Oh, you'll do it, Chips. You could always do anything, even when youhadn't got any stuff. What about pulling up the hacienda floor?"

"To make fortifications, sir? Yes, we did work that to rights. Butiron's iron, and wood's wood. You can drive one into t'other, but youcan't drive t'other into one. "

"No, Chips, " said Fitz, laughing. "But there are more ways of killing acat than hanging. "

"So there are, sir; toe be sure. Making up your mind to do a thing ishalf the battle. I should like to have the help of you two young gents, though, all the same. A word from a young officer as knows how todisable a Armstrong gun, and from another who thinks nothing of tying ascrew-propeller up in a knot, is worth having. "

"Oh, I'll help you, " said Fitz. "But I am afraid my help won't be ofmuch use. "

"The same here, " said Poole. "Ditto and ditto. "

"Then I shall do it, sir, " cried the carpenter confidently. "Ofcourse, " cried Fitz. "But that gunboat must be very heavy. How shallyou go to work?"

The carpenter gave a sharp look round, and then said in a lowconfidential tone--

"A deal too heavy, sir, for us to lift her. The only way to do is tomake her lift herself. "

"How?"

"Taking out of her everything that can be moved; guns first, then shotand shell, and laying them overboard outside upon the rocks, ready forhoisting in again at low water when she's afloat. Next thing I shoulddo would be to find out whether she's got any holes in her, and if shehasn't--and I don't believe she has, for there's been no storm to bumpher on the rocks--then I shall pump her dry, have her fires got up, andat high water full steam ahead, and if she don't come off then I'm adouble Dutchman. "

"But what about the screw?"

"Them as hides can find, sir, which means them as tie can untie. Ithink we can get her off, sir, if we put our backs into it. What sayyou?"

"Get her off?" cried Fitz. "Of course we will!"

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE. 

BOARDING THE GUNBOAT. 

That evening, followed by a heterogeneous fleet of about twenty smallvessels crammed with fighting men, the _Teal_ sailed again, and theirtime of arrival was so contrived that dawn of the next morning but onefound the little fleet in delightfully calm weather forming asemi-circle from one point of the shore to the other, the focus of itsradius being formed by the gunboat on the rocks. 

The plans had been made on the voyage, and as there was plenty of waterfor every vessel but the schooner, the latter's boats, well filled withmen, alone accompanied the rest. 

It was an attack, but no defence, for as soon as the crew of the gunboatrealised the formidable nature and numbers of the expedition, they tookto the boats to try and escape to the shore. But the cliffs forbadethis, and after another attempt or two to get away, all surrendered andgave up their arms, ready, as had been predicted, to begin cheering DonRamon, the officers as they gave up their swords humbly asking to beallowed to retain their positions under the new Government, for thereseemed to be a general acceptation of the fact now that the petty warwas at an end. 

Don Ramon's answer to this was to accept the services of the officersand the best of the men. The rest were boated off to the mouth of theriver and set ashore. 

"Ornamental, I call it, " said Chips, as he sat forward in one of theschooner's boats commanded by Poole, in which, as a matter of course, Fitz had taken his place. 

"What is, Chips?" said Poole. "Do you mean your head?"

"My head, sir, " said the carpenter, staring. "Well, no, sir, I didn'tmean my head. 'Tain't a bad one as it goes, but I never set myself upfor a good-looking chap, one of your handsome sort. I allus left thatto the Camel here. "

The men, who were resting on their oars, burst into a roar of laughter, and the cook laughing as heartily as the rest and displaying his greatteeth, but his mirth was silent. 

"Hark at him, " he said. "Chips is a wonderful man for a joke. "

"Nay, and I never set up as a joker either, " said the carpenter; "butabout this 'ere head of mine, I allus reckoned it was more useful thanornamental. What did you mean was the matter with it, Mr Poole?"

"Oh, only that it was swelled out so since you've been head contractorand engineer-in-chief for the getting the gunboat off the rocks. Doesn't your hat feel very tight?"

"Nay, sir, and you are all wrong, for there's such a breeze here comingoff the sea, hitting slap agin the rocks and coming back right in yourface, that I have been longing for a piece of paper to fold up and putinside the band of my hat to make it tight. Why I nearly lost ittwice. "

"Oh, " said Poole, "I thought it must be swelled. You've grown soimportant ever since you took the job. "

"Never mind what he says, Chips, " cried Fitz, "he's only chaffing you. "

"Bless your 'eart, sir, " cried the carpenter, "I know: this aren't thefirst voyage I've had with Master Poole. "

"But what do you mean about being ornamental?" said Poole. 

"Oh, us Teals, sir, and our boats. Here have we been figuring aboutholding up our rifles in the sun, and with these here cutlashes gettingin the men's way wherever we rowed. Regular ornamental I calls us, never so much as fired a shot or hit any one on the nose with one'sfist. We have done a bit of shouting though. I've hooroared till if Ihad tried to do any more, I should roar like a sick bull in a cow-yardshut up to eat straw, while all the cows were in the next field gettingfat on grass. I want to know what's the use of our coming at all!"

"As supporters of the Don, " said Fitz; "for prestige. "

"For what, sir?"

"Prestige, " said Fitz, laughing. 

"Oh! that's it, was it, sir? Well, I'm glad you told me. Where doesthat come in?"

"Why, all through. Shows how English men-of-war's-men have helped tofrighten these mongrels into surrender. Haven't you?"

"Well, I dunno about me, sir. I dare say the sight of the Camel therehas scared them a bit. Wherever he showed his teeth, they must havesaid to themselves, `What a beggar that would be to bite!' And Isuppose that made them a bit the readier to chuck it up as they did. But it's just what I said. We Teals have been ornamental all throughthis job, and I should have liked to have had just one more go in by wayof putting a neat finish. "

"Oh, you've got job enough coming off, " said Poole. "There's yourwork, " and he pointed to the gunboat lying about a quarter of a mileaway. 

The carpenter became serious directly, frowned severely, laid hiscoxswain's boat-hook across his knees, and took off his straw hat togive his dewy forehead a couple of wipes with his bare mahogany-brownarms. 

"Yes, gentlemen, " he said, "that's a big handful for one man, and I feela bit staggered, and get thinking every now and then that it was thebiggest bit of cheek I ever showed in my life. "

"What was?" said Fitz. 

"What was, sir? Why, to say that I would get that there vessel off themrocks. There are times when I feel skeered, and ready to tuck my tailbetween my legs and run away like a frightened dog. "

"You!" cried Fitz, and the two lads laughed heartily. 

"Ah, it's all very fine, gentlemen, you are on the right side. Youaren't got it to do. I have, and if I was to try and laugh now it wouldbe on the other side of my mouth. "

"Get out, " said Poole, "you'll do it right enough. Won't he, Fitz?"

"Of course. "

"Think so, gentlemen?"

"To be sure we do, " cried Fitz. "You'll do it, Chips. Go in and win. "

"Thank you, sir, " said the man, rather sadly. "I did say I'd do it, didn't I?"

"To be sure you did. "

"Well then, of course I must try. "

"To be sure you must, " cried Fitz. "Why, you'll be able to do it inbroad daylight with nobody to interrupt you. "

"So I shall, Mr Burnett, sir. It won't be like swarming up her side inthe dark, expecting a couple of dozen of them half-bred niggers to comeat you with their long knives ready to pitch you overboard. Here: I amglad you talked. I was getting all in the downs like over that job, when it aren't half so 'ard as for a young gent like you to swarm upthat anker, that very _one_ yonder as is hanging from the cat-head now, and then taking out that breech-block and--"

"There, that will do, " cried Fitz, turning scarlet; "I don't want tohear any more about that. I say, Chips, how do you mean to begin?"

The carpenter screwed his face up into a very cunning smile. 

"Like me to tell you, sir?"

"Of course, " cried the boys in a breath. 

"Well, " said the carpenter, "you are both very pleasant young gents ashas allus been good friends to me, and I'd tell you in a minute but forone reason. "

"You don't want your messmates to know your plans?" said Fitz quickly. 

"Oh no, sir, it's a bigger reason than that. You see, it's just likethis 'ere. I'll tell you, only don't let 'em know in the other boat. You see there's Mr Burgess yonder, and old Butters. "

"Well, don't make such a rigmarole of it all, Chips, " cried Poole. "What's your big reason?"

"Well, sir, it's just this 'ere, " said the carpenter solemnly. "I'll beblessed if I know it myself. "

"Bah!" cried Poole angrily. 

"What I want is clean decks, with all them there trash cleared away, andtime for me and the bosun having the craft to ourselves just to go roundand smell it all over before we begin. "

"Of course, " cried Poole. 

"You see, it's a big job, gentlemen, and it's no use for us to roosh it. What I want is for us to be able to lay this 'ere boat aboard, andleave to begin. I want room, sir, and to see what tools I want, and--"

"Ahoy there, Mr Poole!" came from the next boat. "Let your men giveway and follow me. I am going to board the gunboat now, and put a prizecrew on board. "

"Ay, ay, sir, " cried Poole; and then to the carpenter, who satmoistening his hands prior to giving them a rub on his knees, "There youare, Chips. Give way, my lads. We are going to make fast a tow-rope tothe gunboat's stern. Keep your eyes open, and you will see how Chipswill haul her off. "

There was another laugh as the men bent to their oars, rowing sovigorously that several of the small craft full of Don Ramon'sfollowers, hanging round the ponderous-looking craft upon the rocks, hurriedly made way as if half expecting to be run down, and a fewminutes later the schooner's boats, headed by Mr Burgess, werealongside their late dangerous enemy, to spring on board, the Spanishcrew drawing back to the other side to crowd together and lookcarelessly on, all idea of resistance being at an end. 

CHAPTER FIFTY SIX. 

WINKS'S LUCK. 

Neither Fitz nor Poole had felt any desire to pose as the heroes of thelittle night attack, which had resulted in the disabling of the armouredman-of-war, but it was with a strange feeling of exultation that theyclimbed on board in the full sunshine, eager as they were to stand oncemore upon the decks, and see in the broad daylight what the vessel waslike into which they had climbed in the darkness of the night. 

Fitz's first thought as he passed through the gangway was to make forthe great gun that stood amidships upon its iron platform and revolvingcarriage, the huge muzzle elevated, and looking ready to hurl its greatshells far and wide; but he had to wait and stand with the schooner'smen drawn up while the prisoners and volunteers who had joined thewinning side filed down into the boats that swarmed around, till withone exception the crew had all left the deck, the exception being thefiremen, who willy nilly were retained on board for service inconnection with the engine under the new President. 

All this took time, but at last Don Ramon's dread had become his joy, and he showed his feeling of triumph as he paced the gunboat's deckrubbing his hands, and every now and then giving vent to a satisfied"Hah!" as he stopped to converse with Burgess, or to say a kindly wordto one or other of the prize crew, not least to the two boys. 

"Hah!" cried the carpenter at last. "Now then, gentlemen, I think wemust say going to begin. Here's Mr Burgess as hungry as I am. Youwould like to come round with us, wouldn't you, Mr Poole? Mr Burgesssays we can get to work as soon as ever we like. "

"Of course we should, " said Poole. "Come on, Fitz;" for just then DonRamon came up to the mate to make a flowery speech, telling him that heleft him in perfect confidence to hold the prize while he went to see tothe disposal of the rest of the prisoners who were left, so that noattempt might be made to regain the upper hand. 

Poole turned to Fitz expecting to see him eager to follow the carpenter, but it was to find him standing with one foot upon the platform of thegreat gun, looking at the muzzle, as it sloped toward the sky, evidentlydeep in thought, and he did not stir until Poole laid a hand upon hisarm with the query--

"What are you thinking about?"

"That night, " was the reply. 

"So was I just now, " said Poole. "Look there, that's where I lay withone of the Spaniards holding me down, and afraid to make a sound, or tostruggle. It was horrid, and I couldn't tell what sort of a positionyou were in. It was ticklish work and no mistake. "

"Yes, " said Fitz, thoughtfully, "horrible for you, but I believe it wasworse for me, because something seemed to be tagging at me all the timeand telling me that I had no business there. "

Poole looked at his companion curiously. 

"But you felt that you must do it, didn't you?" he said. 

"Oh, yes, " cried Fitz, "I was desperate; but I never want to go throughsuch a five minutes again. Let's see, I stepped along there, " hecontinued, pointing and following the steps his memory taught him thathe must have taken to get round to the back of the great gun. "Yes, this is exactly where I stood to swing round those great balls and openthe breech, but only to be disappointed, finding as I did that the blockwas fast. Oh, Poole, how I did tug and strain at it, feeling all thewhile that I had been boasting and bragging to your father, and thatafter all I was only a poor miserable impostor who had been professingto know a great deal, when I was as ignorant as could be, and that I wasbeing deservedly punished in that terrible failure that was takingplace. "

"Ah, I remember, " cried Poole; "you said the block stuck fast?"

"Yes, till the idea came that I had not turned the great screw farenough. "

"But you ought to have made sure of that at first. "

"Of course I ought, " cried Fitz sharply, "and I ought to have been ascool and calm as possible when doing such a venturesome thing--in thepitch-darkness, with perhaps ten or a dozen of the Spanish sailors--thewatch--"

"The watch!" cried Poole, laughing. "Come, I like that. "

"Well, then, men lying about all round us. You were perfectly cool ofcourse?"

"I!" replied Poole. "Why I was in a state of high fever. I didn't knowwhether I was on my head or my heels. I believe, old fellow, that I washalf mad with excitement. "

"I'm sure I was, " cried Fitz, "till the thought came that perhaps I hadnot turned the screw far enough. That thought made me quite jump. Thenthere was the feeling the screw move. I felt as if I could see thegreat thread all shining as it glided along, while I must have seen theblock when I lifted it out. "

"But that was all fancy of course. It was the darkest, blackest night Iever saw. "

"I know, but I certainly seemed to see the block as I held it hugged tomy breast. "

"I should have liked to see you when you were making for the side alltop-heavy, and went flying over after the great quoin as you called it. My word, Fitz, that was a flying leap overboard. "

"Ugh!" ejaculated the latter with a shudder. "As I go over the taskagain, it seems as if it is all part of a queer dream. "

"A very lively one though, " said Poole, laughing. "I say, I wonder howdeep you went down. "

"Oh, don't talk about it! Ever so far. It seemed a terribly long timeall going down and down, feeling all that time as if I should never comeup again, and thinking about sharks too. Why, it couldn't have beenhalf-a-minute from the time I touched the water till I was at the topagain swimming, and yet it seemed to be an hour at least. "

"It does seem long at a time like that. But I say, what a narrow escapethat was. "

"Of being caught, yes. "

"No, no, " cried Poole; "I mean when the breech-block went over theside. "

"It just was, " said the carpenter, coming up. "I know somebody, gentlemen, who thinks as he had a very narrow squeak of being took downto the bottom with that bit o' steel and kept there. But that would ha'been better than floating up again to be pulled to pieces by the sharks. I don't suppose that they stops much about the bottom o' the sea; theygenerally seem to be too busy up at top, drying their back-fins in theopen air. Trying your little bit o' performance over again, gentlemen?"

"Yes, Chips, " said Fitz, as the man stood smiling at him. "It was ahorrible night's work. "

"Well, no, sir, not horrid. We came out to do something and we did itfine. The on'y awkward bit on it is the risk you ran a-popping thatthere breech-block on somebody's head, for which miss he's very muchobliged--very much indeed. But I came to see if you gents wouldn't liketo come down below with us to sound the well, for I expect there's aprecious lot o' water there, and a big hole to let it in. Mr Burgesshave gone down with Butters. "

The two lads hurriedly followed the carpenter below, to encounter themate and boatswain fresh from their task. 

"Deal more water than I like to see, my lads, " said the boatswain, "butwe shall know better where we stand after that steam-pump has been goingfor a couple of hours. "

"Job for that engineer and his fireman, " said the carpenter coolly; andvery soon after the panting of the donkey-engine, the rattle of thepump, and the vigorous splashing down of clear water betokened therelieving of the gunboat's lower parts of some portion of their burden, as Poole said, but only to be met by a damping remark from Fitz. 

"Not much good, " he said, "if the water runs in as fast as it runs out. "

As time could be the only test for this, the little party of examinersdescended now into one of the schooner's boats, the carpenter standingup in her bows and passing her along to make fast by one of theringbolts of the stern-post, and giving the two lads a peculiar look ashe proceeded to examine the propeller. 

"Well, how does it seem?" said the mate. 

"Seem, Mr Burgess, sir?" said the carpenter dryly, "don't seem at all, sir. There's nothing here but the biggest ball o' string I ever see. Would you mind coming forard, Mr Butters, sir, and seeing what you canmake of it?"

The boatswain passed over the thwarts and joined his comrade of the pastnight's work, stood looking down for a few moments, and then took offhis cap and scratched one ear. 

"You young gents had better come and have a look, " he said; "you had thedesigning on it. "

The boys did not wait for a second invitation, but hurriedly wentforward, to find that their scheme had acted far beyond theirexpectations, for the fans of the propeller had wound up the thick softcable so tightly that the opening in which the fish-tail mechanismturned was completely filled with the tightly-compressed strands ofrope, so that Poole suggested that all that needed was to get hold ofone end, and then as soon as the steam was well on to reverse and windthe cable off in a similar way to that in which it had been wound on. 

"Hah, to be sure, " said the boatswain, giving his leg a sailor's slap, "there's nothing like a bit o' sense, Mr Poole, sir; that nice nooManilla cable's been twisted round my heart, sir, ever since it wasused, and made me feel quite sore. Nothing I hates worse than waste. "

"It wasn't waste, " said Fitz, impatiently. "You might just as well saythe bait was wasted when you have been fishing. Don't you get somethinggood in return?"

"Ah, but that's fishing, young gentlemen, and this aren't, " saidButters, with a very knowing smile. 

"Not fishing!" cried Fitz. "I think it was fishing. You used thecable, and you've caught a gunboat. "

"But s'pose we've got the gunboat and the bait back as well, how then?"cried the boatswain. "Look ye here, my lad, I'm going to have thatthere end of the cable taken a turn round the steam-capstan, and as soonas the chaps have got full steam on, the screw shall be turned, andwe'll wind it off fine and good as noo. "

Fitz shook his head as he gazed down through the clear water at the massof rope, and exclaimed--

"I know it won't do. "

"What, aren't you saddasfied now?" said the boatswain, while Chipswrinkled up his face and looked uneasy. 

"Aren't never seen a screw fouled like that afore, along of a coircable, Mr Fitz, sir, have you?"

"No, " replied the middy. "But I've seen a Manilla cable after it's beendown with a heavy anchor in a rocky sea off the Channel Islands. "

"And how was that, sir?"

"Frayed in half-a-dozen places by the rocks, so that the anchor partedbefore we'd got it weighed, and the captain was obliged to send for adiver to get the anchor up. "

"But there aren't no rocks here, Mr Fitz, sir, to fray this here one, because it has never been down. "

"No, but it has been ground against the iron stern-post till it's nearlythrough in ever so many places. Look there, and there, and there. "

"Hah, look at that, bosun, " cried the carpenter triumphantly. "Justcast your eye along there and there. Our side's right and the Manillacable's all wrong. I'm afeard too as we're going to find out a goodmany other things is wrong, and the gunboat aren't afloat yet. "

"No, but you've undertaken to float her, Chips, " said Poole. "Iwouldn't reckon on being Don Ramon's head naval architect and engineerjust yet. "

"No, sir, I don't, " said the carpenter seriously. "But anyhow we'll setthe screw free before we trouble any more about that leakage;" and in avery business-like way he carried out the boatswain's plans, connectingthe cable with the capstan, and winding it off; but it was so damaged bygrinding against the edges of the opening that it parted five differenttimes before it was all off, to the boatswain's great disgust. 

"What have you got to say about the leakage, Mr Burnett, sir?"whispered the carpenter after the cable task was ended, and the fans ofthe propeller showed clearly in the water just below the surface, andhad been set whirling round in both directions to churn up the water, and prove that the shaft had not been wrenched or dragged from itsbearings. 

"Nothing at present, Chips, " replied the middy. 

"Because I'd take it kindly, sir, if you'd drop a fellow a hint or two. This is a big job, sir, and means my making or my breaking, sir. "

"But you shouldn't ask me, my man, " replied the middy. "You are old andexperienced, while I'm only a boy. "

"Yes, sir, I knows that, " said the man; "but you're come out of agunboat, sir, and you've got your head screwed on the right way, sir. Inever see a young gent with such a head as yours, nor yet one as wasscrewed on so tight. "

"Oh, nonsense, Chips, " cried the boy, flushing. "It's your job, notmine. "

"Nay, sir, it aren't nonsense, it's sound sense. I like a bit of thefirst as well as any man when larking helps to make hard work go easy. Often enough a bit o' fun acts like ile to a hard job, but it won't ilethis one. And as I said afore, sir, I'd take it kindly if you'd put ina word now and then over the rest o' the job same as you did over thecable. "

"But you ought to consult with Mr Burgess or the captain, my man, " saidFitz, uneasily. 

"Nay, I oughtn't, sir. I'd a deal rayther have a word or two from youwhen you see things going wrong. "

"Why?" said Fitz quickly. 

"I've telled you, sir. Doesn't all you say come right? I've kinder gota sort o' confidence in you, Mr Burnett, sir, as makes me feel as if Ishould like to be under you in some ship or another, and I aren't theon'y one aboard as feels that, I'm sure. "

"Well, it's very kind of you to put so much faith in me, " said themiddy; "but don't say any more, please, and don't believe in me too muchfor fear I should make some horrible blunder, and disappoint you afterall. "

"Ah, you won't do that, sir, " said the carpenter confidently. 

"Of course I shall be only too glad to help you if I can, for I shouldbe very glad to see you float the vessel. "

"And you will keep an eye on what I do, sir, and put in a word if youthink I'm going wrong?"

"If you wish it, yes, " replied Fitz. 

"Thanky, sir, " whispered the man earnestly. "It may be the making ofme, sir, and anyhow, as I have took up this job, I don't want theseSpaniel chaps to see an Englishman fail. "

"They shall not, Chips, if I can help it, " cried Fitz, warmly. "Therenow, let's see whether the donkey-engine is able to keep the water down, or whether she's lower in the water than she was. "

"There, sir, " whispered the man, "hark at you! Call yourself a boy! whyyou couldn't ha' spoken better if you'd been a hold man of a 'undered. You made me want to give you a shout, only I had to keep quiet, and letthe Spaniels think I'm doing it all to rights. I don't mind about ourlads. They all know me, and what I can do and what I can't. I don'twant to try anything and chuck dust in their eyes--not me; but I do wantto show off a bit and let these Spanish Mullotter chaps see what anEnglishman can do, for the sake of the old country and the Britishflag. "

"Then let's go below, Chips, " said Fitz, "and see what the pumping hasdone. "

Poole, who had been aft with the mate during this conversation, rejoinedthem now, and together they went below to sound the well. 

"Good luck to us, gentlemen, " said the carpenter, rubbing his hands. 

"Good luck, " cried Poole eagerly. "You don't mean to say she's makingless water?"

"Nay, sir, but I do say that the engine's lowering it. There's a footless in her now than when we began pumping, and that means we win. "

A few hours later, after the donkey-engine had kept on its steadypumping, Chips made another inspection, and came up to where Fitz andPoole were together, pulling a very long face. 

"Why, what's the matter, Chips?" cried Fitz anxiously. "You don't meanto say that anything is wrong?"

"Horribly, gentlemen, " cried the man. "It's always my luck! Chuckingaway my chances! Why, she's as good as new!"

"Well, what more do you want? Isn't that good enough for you?"

"Yes, sir, it's good enough; but Mr Butters here and me, we was halfasleep. We ought to have formed ourselves into a company--Winks andCo. , or Butters and Co. , or Butters and Winks, or Winks and Butters, orCo. And Co. "

"Why not Cocoa and Cocoa?" said Fitz, laughing. 

"Anyhow you like, gentlemen, only we ought to have done it. Bought thegunboat cheap, and there was a fortune for us. "

"Never mind that, " said Poole. "You'll be all right, Chips. Don Ramonwill be presenting you with a brass tobacco-box, or something else, ifyou get her off. "

"Go and ast him to order it at once, so as to have it ready, for weshall have her off to-morrow as soon as them 'hogany lubbers have gotthe steam up. "

"You don't mean that?" cried Poole. 

"Ask Mr Butters here, and see what he says. "

"Yes, " said the boatswain coolly; "and I thought we should have tolighten her by a couple of hundred tons or so. But it makes a man feelvery proud of being an English sailor. These half-breeds here give upat once. Why, if she'd had an English crew aboard, that cable wouldn'thave stopped round the screw, and the lads wouldn't have sat down tosmoke cigarettes and holloa. Why, they might have had her off a scoreof times. "

"But what about getting her safely into the channel again?" said Poole. 

"What about getting old Burgess aboard to con her; she going slow with acouple of fellows at work with the lead in the chains? Why, it's all aseasy as buttering a bit of biscuit. "

Not quite, but the next evening the gunboat was well out in deep water, comparatively undamaged, and flying Don Ramon's colours, making her waytowards Velova Bay, towing a whole regiment of boats, the _Teal_ proudlyleading under easy sail. 

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN. 

A STARTLER. 

"Ah, " said Don Ramon to the skipper, the morning after their arrival, "if only that gun were perfect!"

"Well, it ought to be in two months' time. You'll have to get commandof the telegraph at San Cristobal. "

"To get command?" cried the Don. "I have full command. Resistance tomy rule is dead, and I have only to wait to be acknowledged by thePowers. But go on with what you were saying. "

"Oh, it was only this. You can wire to the makers of the gun to sendyou out a new breech-block by the first steamer. They will honour yourorder, I'll be bound. "

"It shall be done, " said Don Ramon eagerly. 

This took place in the principal building of the little port, where theDon was entertaining the skipper and the two lads; and he seemed quitedisturbed when, after a short communication had passed, Fitz and Poolegot up and asked their host to excuse them. 

"You wish to go so soon?" he said. "Why, I have friends coming to whomI wish to introduce you as the brave young heroes who helped me tosuccess. "

"Oh, there's no need for that sir, " said Fitz. "We don't want to bemade a fuss over. "

"But I take it that you would be willing to gratify your host, " repliedthe Don loftily, "and it would please me much if you would stay. "

"But we must get back on board, sir, " said Fitz anxiously. Thennoticing the air of displeasure in the President's countenance, themiddy added hastily, "There, sir, we will come back at once. "

They hurried down to the shore, where the schooner's gig was lying withher crew on board. 

"Well, I don't understand whatever you want, " said Poole, "unless youhave suddenly found out that because ladies are coming you ought to puton a clean shirt. "

"Get out!" cried Fitz; and then, assuming command of the boat, toPoole's great amusement, though he said nothing, Fitz gave orders to themen to give way and row them out to the gunboat. 

"Why, I thought you wanted to go to the _Teal_! Oh, I see. Well, it'svery nice of you. You want us to go and take charge of the prize crewso as to let old Burgess go and have some tucker with the Don. "

"Nothing of the kind, " said Fitz shortly. 

"What is it then?" said Poole. "What's the good of keeping things soclose?"

"Wait and see. I don't know yet myself. "

"Dear me!" said Poole. "I suppose his lordship has found out that heleft his purse in the cabin. "

"Wrong, " said Fitz. "It was only an old leather one if he had, withnothing in it. Can't you wait a few minutes till I see if I am right?"

"Oh, yes, I'll wait; only too glad to get away while the other peoplecome. I say, Fitz, old chap, let's be as long as we can. I do hate allthat fuss. It makes me feel so weak. "

"Yes; I don't like it. That's the worst of foreigners. They are sofond of show. I say, Poole, old chap, I've got such a grand idea. "

"What is it?"

"Wait and see. "

"Now, just you look here, " said Poole; "you can't say but what I'm agood-tempered sort of fellow, but if there's much more of this you'llput me out. I'm not a little child, and you are not playing atbob-cherry, so leave off dangling nothing before my lips and thensnatching it away. "

"Ah, you wait and see, " said Fitz. 

Just then, as Poole turned upon him irritably, the gig touched thegunboat's side, and the boys sprang on board, to be greeted by the mateand the members of the prize crew, who had moored her well under theguns of the little fort. 

"Hullo, young fellows! I know what you want, " cried the mate. 

"Then you are cleverer than I am, " said Poole, laughing, "for I don't. "

"Then why have you come?"

"Ask Burnett here. He seems to be Grand Panjandrum now. "

"You've come, " said the mate, "by the President's orders, to bring meashore to drink wine and eat cake, or some nonsense of that kind, andyou may go back and tell him I can't leave my post. "

"Wrong, " said Fitz; and he hurried away forward, to come into sightagain waving his hand to Poole to join him. 

"Whatever's the matter with the fellow?" said Poole to himself, as hefollowed the middy. 

Fitz met him half-way, caught him by the collar, and with his faceflushed and eyes flashing, whispered something in his ear. 

"No!" cried Poole. "You don't mean it!"

"I do, " said Fitz, and he whispered a few more words that made hiscompanion stare. 

"Shall we?" cried Fitz excitedly. 

"Oh, I don't know, " replied Poole. "It would make such a scare. "

"I don't care, " said Fitz. "It will make Don Ramon ready to jump out ofhis skin. I don't know what he won't say when he gets the news; andbesides, I feel as if I had a right. "

Meanwhile the people were beginning to arrive to crowd the _salle_ wherethe President and the skipper were ready to receive them, and thePresident had risen at once, and amidst a tremendous burst of applause, to begin a speech in which he intended to congratulate his hearers uponthe end of the war and the commencement of what he hoped would be a longterm of peace, when he and all present were startled by a terrific roaras of thunder close at hand, followed by what seemed like a minute'ssilence, when the echoes began to speak, carrying on the sound along thevalley and up into the mountains, where it rolled and died out, roseagain, and was eddied on and on, to finally fade away in a dull whisper. 

For the time no one spoke, no one stirred, but stood as if turned tostone, as so many statues where but a few minutes before all wasanimation and suppressed excitement consequent upon what was looked uponas the successful determination of the revolution. 

Upon every face horror was now depicted, cheeks were pale, eyes dilatedand staring, and fear with all its horrors seemed to have enchained thecrowded _salle_. 

There was one pale face though that seemed to stand out the centralfigure of the gaily-dressed and uniformed crowd. It was that of thePresident, who slowly stretched out his hands on high, his fistsclenching and his features convulsed. There was no horror there in hislooks, but one great reflex of the despair within his heart. 

"Oh, " he groaned, "and at a time like this, when I have fought so hard, when I would have given up my very life for my unhappy country. Gentlemen, we have a new enemy to contend with, and that is Fate. Am Ito own that all is lost, or appeal to you, my faithful friends, to beginagain to fight the deadly battle to the very last?"

"But what is it?" cried one of the officials. 

"Yes, " shouted another, "what does this mean?"

The President smiled bitterly, and stood for a few moments gazing backsadly at his questioners as the crowd began to sway to and fro, some ofthose present beginning to make for the door, but in an undecided way, and swaying back to press once more upon their leader, as if feelingthat he was their only hope. 

He seemed to read this in their faces, and suddenly the blood began toflush like a cloud across his pallid brow, nerving him as it were toaction. 

Throwing his right hand across his breast he sought for the hilt of hissword, which his left raised ready, and he snatched the blade from itsscabbard, whirled it on high, and then held it pointed towards thenearest open window, through which a thin dank odoured cloud of smokewas beginning to float, telling its own tale of what the explosion was. 

For a few moments the President was silent, rigid and statuesque in hisattitude, while his eyes flashed defiance and determination. 

"Gentlemen, " he cried, "you ask me what this means, " and he seemed toflash his glance around the room to take in everybody before letting hiseyes rest at last upon the skipper. "It means that the scotched snakehas raised its poisoned head once more, how I know not, nor yet whatfollowing he hab. But the enemy still lives, and we must fight again tothe very death if needs be. "

A murmur of excitement ran through the _salle_, and once more the weakamongst those assembled raised a murmur, and glances were directedtowards the door, as if the next moment panic was about to set in and arush was imminent. At that moment, as if in response to the President'sappealing look, the big bronzed skipper, Poole's father, British to thebackbone, took a step or two forward, and the President's face lit upwith a smile as he uttered a loud "Hah!" full of the satisfaction hefelt. 

"Silence there, " he shouted, directing his words at his waveringfollowers, whose spirits seemed to have been completely dashed. "Silence, and let our brave captain speak. "

"I have only this to say, " cried the skipper. "Be calm, gentlemen, becalm. Are we who have carried all before us to be frightened by anoise? It is an explosion. Whatever has happened you must be cool, andact like the brave men you are. This is either some accident, or thecunning enemy has sent in some emissary to lay a train. It is all plainenough. Some of the powder collected in the magazine of the fort hasgone. There was a great flash, I saw it myself, and it evidently camefrom there. Now, President, take the lead. Out with your swords, gentlemen. I don't believe you will need them. Some pounds ofgunpowder have been destroyed. Had the enemy been there we should haveheard their burst of cheering, and the noise of their coming on, forthis place would have been the first they would have attacked. "

The skipper's sensible words were greeted with a groan of despair, forat that moment that of which he had spoken came floating in turn throughthe open window. 

"Ah, " cried the President, catching at the skipper's arm and gripping itfast as he pointed to the open window with his sword. "Brave words, myfriend, but you hear--you hear--" and another murmur of despair ranthrough the crowd. 

"Oh yes, " said the skipper, "I can hear. "

"The cries, " said the President, "of the savage enemy. "

"No, " roared the skipper with a mocking laugh. "Your enemies, man, can't cheer like that, " and he rushed to the window. "There they goagain. Why, Don, that's not a Spanish but good old English shout. Yes, there they go again. I don't know what it means, but I can hear, faroff as they are, those were the voices of some of my crew. "

"What?" cried the President. 

"Come here, all of you, " cried the captain, "and look out. There'snothing to fear. Follow my lead and give another cheer back. Thatshouting came from the gunboat deck. Look, Don Ramon, you can see myfellows waving their caps, and those two boys are busy on the bridgedoing something, I can't make out what. Yes, I can, they're bending ona flag. There: up it goes. Why, gentlemen, we have been scaringourselves at a puff of powder smoke. Why, by all that's wonderful--" Hestopped short and held up his hand. 

"Silence, please, " he cried after a pause, and a dead stillness reignedonce more as every one who could get a glimpse of the gunboat strainedhis neck to stare. 

"I am stunned, confused, " whispered the President. "What is it, captain? For pity's sake speak. "

"No, sir, I'll let your best friend do that. "

"My best friend? You speak in riddles. "

"Yes, wait a minute, and the answer, a big one, to this great riddlewill come, " cried the captain. "Can't you see, man? the lads are busythere getting ready for your friend to speak. Another moment or two andyou will hear what he says--that Don Ramon is President of thisRepublic, and his seat in the chair is safe against any enemy that maycome. Ah, all together. Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!"

The skipper's cheer was loud, but it was stifled before it washalf-uttered, for once more that terrific roar arose, making thePresidential building quiver and the glass in several of the windowscome tinkling down into the stone-paved court. 

Most of those present had this time seen the flash--the roar had set theears of all ringing once again, as a great puff of smoke dashed out likea ball and then rose slowly in the sunshine, forming itself into a greatgrey ring, quivering as another burst of cheering arose from thegunboat's deck. 

For it was neither attack from the cunning enemy nor the catastrophecaused by explosion, as the fresh burst of cheering from the gunboatfully explained, for they were British cheers from the prize crew, echoed by those on board the schooner. 

There was nothing the matter, only a happy thought had occurred to themiddy, and he wondered that it had not come before, as he hurried to theproper spot, made a little search, and found that he was right--thatthere was a spare breech-block on board which enabled him and Poole, after gaining access to the magazine, to thrust a blank cartridge intothe great gun and announce the fact in what was literally a _feu dejoie_. 

CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT. 

A REGULAR YOUNG FILIBUSTER. 

"Oh, pray don't say any more to me about it, sir, " cried Fitz, the nextday. "It was only just an idea. "

"An idea, my dear young friend!" cried the President. 

"Yes, sir; a mere trifle. "

"A trifle!" said the President. "Oh, how lightly you English boys dotake such things. Your trifle, as you call it, has made me fast in theGovernmental chair. I shall always think that I owe you my success. "

"What, because I thought there was another breech-block, sir?"

"Oh, not merely that. There was your first idea about getting away fromthe hacienda and coming round here by sea. They may seem trifles toyour young elastic spirit, but their effect has been great. "

"Once more, sir; please don't say any more. My only wonder is now, thatsomebody else on board the gunboat did not think about the spare blockand get it into use. "

"Ah, yes; one of the officers has been talking to me about it. He saidhe was the only man on board who knew of its existence, and--simplybecause it had not been wanted--he had almost forgotten, or, as he putit, it was for the time driven out of his head by the great trouble theywere in, caused by the fouling of the screw, and the current carryingthem on to the rocks. "

"Oh, I am glad of that, " said Fitz. "Glad? Why?" said the President, looking at him wonderingly. 

"Because it makes Poole Reed stand out so much better than I do. It wasentirely his notion to foul the screw. "

"Oh, come, come, come!" cried Don Ramon. "I am not going to weigh youboth in the balance to see which was the better. I shall always lookupon you as a pair of young heroes. "

"Oh, I say, " cried Poole, "please don't!"

"Very well, " said the Spaniard, laughing; "I'll say no more, but I shallthink. "

"I don't mind his thinking, " said Fitz, a short time later when he wastalking to his companion about what had been said. "But I hope nexttime he wants to go into ecstasies about what we did, he'll let them alloff at you. "

"Thankye, " said Poole; "much obliged. " The lads had something else tothink of the next day, for in the midst of the rejoicings over DonRamon's success, and when the gunboat was dressed with colours from headto stern, the new President's flag predominant, and her old officersaccepting the alteration in the state of affairs with the greatestnonchalance, and in fact on the whole pleased with the change of rulers, signals were shown from the high look-out at the entrance of the harbourindicating that a vessel was in sight. In the midst of the excitementthat this caused, steam was hastily got up on board the gunboat, and thedecks cleared for action ready for an engagement if necessary in DonRamon's cause. 

The excitement soon ceased to be alarming, for in due course thestranger's flag was made out, her signal for a pilot answered, and inthe course of the afternoon a United States cruiser steamed in, answering the salute from the fort and gunboat, and taking up herposition close under their guns. 

The rest of the customary civilities were interchanged, and the captainof the Yankee came ashore to visit the new President, laughingly sayingthat he had come to see Don Villarayo, but as he was in the mountainsand a new President governed in his stead, and as he supposed it wasonly a matter of form before Don Ramon would be acknowledged by theAmerican Government, he had nothing to do but wait for instructionsafter he had communicated with Washington. 

The captain made himself very agreeable, chatting with Don Ramon'snotabilities, and the schooner's skipper; but several times he glancedsearchingly in the direction of Fitz Burnett, who had been awaiting hisopportunity either to be introduced or to go up and speak. 

His turn came at last, for the captain fixed his eyes upon him with alook of invitation to which Fitz instantly responded by closing up, colouring slightly the while with consciousness, as it seemed to himthat the American captain, all spick and span in his neat naval uniform, was looking askant at the well-worn garments the lad was wearing. 

"How do, youngster?" he said. "I didn't know one of your cruisers wasin these waters. Has she left you here as a hostage, or something ofthe kind? You English chaps are everywhere. "

For long enough Fitz Burnett had been waiting for this moment, ready topour out his troubles and adventures to somebody who would give himhelp; and now that the time had come he could hardly speak. 

The American captain noticed it, and raised his eyebrows a little. 

"Why was it?" he said kindly, as he saw how thoroughly agitated the boywas. "In trouble?"

"Yes, sir, " cried Fitz. 

"You don't mean to tell me you've done such a stupid school-boy act asto desert your ship?"

"Oh, no, no, no!" cried Fitz excitedly; and out it all came, the captainlistening eagerly and questioning him wherever the boy hesitated, tillhe had finished his adventurous tale. 

"Well, this is something fresh, my lad, " cried the American captain. "But I reckon that the time will come when you'll think you've been inluck. For you've done nothing wrong. You were regularly taken prisonerwhile doing your duty, and your skipper can't blame you. "

"Think not, sir?" cried Fitz, warming up in the gratitude he felt forthe captain's sympathy. 

"Think not? Of course! If he does, and won't have you back, I'll findyou a berth on my ship, and be glad to have you. What do you say? Willyou come?"

Fitz looked at him searchingly, and shook his head. 

"I am in the Queen's service, sir, " he said. 

"And a fine service too, my lad. But how has this skipper behaved toyou since you've been with him?"

"Oh, as if I had been his own son, sir, " cried Fitz warmly; "and his boyand I have been the best of friends. "

"But I say, you've been a regular young filibuster all the time, breaking the laws and helping in a revolution. Why, you've beencarrying on high jinks, and no mistake! But you don't mean to tell meyou want to stay with them?"

"Oh no, of course not. I want to rejoin the _Tonans_. "

"Where do you say--in the Channel Service? Well, I can't take youthere. "

"I thought, sir, that perhaps you would put me on board some Englishcruiser, " cried Fitz. 

"And I will, of course. But it may be a month first. "

"I don't mind that, sir, " said Fitz, "so long as I can send a messagehome, for they must think I'm--"

He broke down here, for he could bear no more. 

What he had thought would be all joy proved to be pain, and as he wasturning away, it was with the knowledge that the American captain hadread him through and through, giving him a warm pressure of the hand, and saying, just loud enough for him to hear--

"Directly I can get at the wires I'll send a message to New York, telling our people to communicate with your Admiralty, that you arealive and well. "

The next minute the captain was talking with both the Reeds, and toFitz's great satisfaction he saw that they were chatting, evidently onthe most friendly terms. 

As the American captain had suggested, it was nearly a month before hesailed away with Fitz on board, after a parting that made the hearts ofthe two lads ache, while the pressure of the skipper's hand lingeredlong. 

But after the fashion of most boys under such circumstances they hidtheir emotions like men. 

"I suppose, " said the skipper, "I shall never have the chance to giveyou such a cruise again. "

"No, " said Fitz, laughing; "never, I should say. Good-bye, sir!Good-bye, Poole, old chap, till next time. "

"Yes, " said Poole merrily. "So long!"

THE END.