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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Prisoner of Morro, by Upton Sinclair
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: A Prisoner of Morro
+       In the Hands of the Enemy
+
+
+Author: Upton Sinclair
+
+
+
+Release Date: March 6, 2008  [eBook #24770]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PRISONER OF MORRO***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Steven desJardins and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+   "Ensign Clark Fitch" is a pseudonym used by Upton Sinclair.
+
+
+
+
+
+A PRISONER OF MORRO
+
+Or
+
+In the Hands of the Enemy
+
+by
+
+ENSIGN CLARK FITCH, U. S. N.
+
+Author of "Bound for Annapolis," "Cliff, the Naval
+Cadet," "The Fighting Squadron," etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: A Prisoner of Morro by Ensign Clark Fitch, U. S. N.]
+
+
+
+Street & Smith, Publishers
+79-89 Seventh Ave., New York City
+
+Copyright, 1898
+By Street & Smith
+
+A Prisoner of Morro
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS
+
+I.        SIGHTING A PRIZE.                                            5
+II.       A LONG CHASE.                                               10
+III.      AN OLD ENEMY.                                               19
+IV.       IN COMMAND OF THE PRIZE.                                    28
+V.        A HAIL FROM THE DARKNESS.                                   32
+VI.       REPELLING BOARDERS.                                         39
+VII.      A DESPERATE CHASE.                                          46
+VIII.     A DASH FOR THE SHORE.                                       51
+IX.       THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY.                                        56
+X.        A STARTLING DISCOVERY.                                      63
+XI.       A RUNNING FIGHT.                                            67
+XII.      THE FIRST PRISONERS OF WAR.                                 72
+XIII.     IGNACIO'S PLOTS.                                            78
+XIV.      BESSIE STUART.                                              85
+XV.       IN MORRO CASTLE.                                            94
+XVI.      IN THE DUNGEON VAULTS.                                      99
+XVII.     OUT OF THE DUNGEON.                                        104
+XVIII.    CLIF FARADAY'S SACRIFICE.                                  112
+XIX.      A FAREWELL.                                                120
+XX.       AN UNEXPECTED PERIL.                                       127
+XXI.      RECAPTURED BY THE ENEMY.                                   133
+XXII.     CUTTING A CABLE.                                           139
+XXIII.    A PERILOUS DETAIL.                                         146
+XXIV.     THE CUBAN COURIER.                                         152
+XXV.      "IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY AND THE SAILORS OF THE MAINE!"    158
+XXVI.     A GAME OF BLUFF.                                           164
+XXVII.    IN WHICH CLIF MEETS WITH A SURPRISE.                       170
+XXVIII.   A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.                                   176
+XXIX.     CLIF'S SECOND EXPEDITION.                                  182
+XXX.      THE BATTLE IN THE BRUSH.                                   187
+XXXI.     CAPTURED.                                                  194
+XXXII.    CLIF FARADAY'S TEST.                                       201
+XXXIII.   THE MYSTERY OF THE UNEXPLODED SHELL.                       208
+
+
+
+
+A PRISONER OF MORRO
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+SIGHTING A PRIZE.
+
+
+About noon of a day in May during the recent year the converted tug
+Uncas left Key West to join the blockading squadron off the northern
+coast of Cuba.
+
+Her commander was Lieutenant Raymond, and her junior officer Naval Cadet
+Clifford Faraday. The regular junior officer was absent on sick leave,
+and Cadet Faraday had been assigned to his place in recognition of
+gallant conduct.
+
+The ropes were cast off, and slowly the tug glided away from the dock
+and out toward the open sea.
+
+It was not very long before the harbor of Key West was left behind, and
+then began the long trip to Havana. It was over a hundred miles, and
+that meant seven or eight hours' journey for the Uncas.
+
+But the Uncas was a good, stout vessel, unusually swift for a tug, and
+she made the water fairly fly when once she got clear of the land.
+
+Clif leaned against one of the rapid-firing guns in the bow and gazed
+longingly ahead; he was anxious to reach his destination.
+
+There were wild rumors concerning Spanish fleets, Cadiz squadrons and
+Cape Verde squadrons and Mediterranean squadrons, which were continually
+being sighted or heard of nearby; and for all Clif knew the decisive
+battle of the war might be fought at any time.
+
+And he felt that if it took place while he was absent he would never
+cease to regret it as long as he lived. The Uncas could not do much in
+such a battle; but she was anxious to do her share.
+
+It was possible, also, that Morro might succeed in provoking an attack.
+The guns of the Havana defenses kept blazing away at anything that came
+near, and the American sailors were fairly boiling over with impatience
+to get a whack at them.
+
+And at any time Admiral Sampson might give the word.
+
+So Clif was restless and impatient as he stood in the bow of the swift
+tug and gazed southward.
+
+It was a rather damp place of observation the cadet had chosen, for it
+had been blowing quite a gale that day, and the Uncas was plowing her
+way through a heavy sea.
+
+The spray was flying over the decks; but who would have thought of going
+below at such a time as that?
+
+It was not Clif's turn on duty. Lieutenant Raymond seemed to think that
+after his struggle on board the Spanish monitor the young cadet deserved
+a rest. But he was too eager and wide awake just then to wish to take
+it.
+
+When the tug was well under way the lieutenant came out of the pilot
+house and joined Clif again.
+
+"Thinking of the weather, Mr. Faraday?" inquired Lieutenant Raymond.
+
+"No, sir," replied the cadet, "I was thinking of Ignacio. I don't know
+how he happened to get into my thoughts, but he did."
+
+"Who is Ignacio?"
+
+"He's a Spaniard I've had some trouble with," answered Clif. "You may
+have heard about one of his exploits."
+
+"Which one is that?"
+
+"He made an attempt to assassinate Rear Admiral Sampson."
+
+"Oh, yes, I heard about that," said the officer. "The admiral told me
+about it himself. I believe you were the person who interfered."
+
+"I had the good luck to be standing near," said Clif, modestly. "And of
+course, I sprang between them."
+
+"And the spy stabbed you?"
+
+"Yes. In the shoulder, but he did not hurt me very much."
+
+"He must be a desperate man."
+
+"He is. That stabbing business seems to be a favorite trick of his. I
+hope I shan't have to face him again."
+
+Whether Ignacio was a Spaniard or a traitor Cuban, no one could say.
+Clif had first met him trying to lead astray an American officer who had
+been sent with dispatches for Gomez.
+
+And Clif had foiled the plot, and had been Ignacio's deadly enemy ever
+since. Clif had been keeping a careful watch for him. He knew that the
+vindictive fellow would follow his every move; Ignacio was acting as a
+spy for the Spaniards, and so must have found it easy to keep track of
+the cadet's whereabouts. But so far Clif had not met him.
+
+"We are likely to have a wild night of it," said Lieutenant Raymond.
+"The clouds seem to get darker every minute."
+
+"It'll be a night for the blockade-runners," was Clif's answer. "We may
+have some excitement."
+
+"We'll have it anyway," said the other. "I don't know of anything I less
+rather do than weather a storm while in among the vessels of the fleet.
+It will be necessary to stay on deck every instant of the time keeping
+watch for our very lives."
+
+"I know how it is," the cadet added. "I was on the Porter dining one
+such night. And we captured a prize coming out of Havana after almost
+running her down in the darkness."
+
+"I heard about it," said Lieutenant Raymond. "You may repeat the
+performance to-night if you have a chance. We aren't likely to meet with
+anything till we get there."
+
+As the lieutenant said that he turned and gazed ahead; the broad sea
+stretched out on every side of them, without a sign of smoke or sail to
+vary the monotony of its tossing waves.
+
+"But it always lends zest to a trip like this," the officer added, "to
+know that it's possible you may run across a stray Spaniard at any
+moment. It pays to keep one's eyes open."
+
+"And then you have the pleasure of chasing two or three and finding
+they're some other nation's ships," said Clif, with a laugh.
+
+"That's about all we've done so far," said the lieutenant. "But we're
+still hoping perhaps you'll bring us good luck."
+
+"I'll do my best," the cadet declared with a smile.
+
+"Better get ready for it by resting a bit. Your dinner's ready below."
+
+Clif took the hint and went below. The boat was pitching so violently
+that he found eating a very difficult operation, and it was generally so
+unpleasant in the little cabin that he was glad to go on deck again.
+
+And then later in the afternoon, at four o'clock, it came time for him
+to go on duty. After that he had to remain outside whether he wanted to
+or not.
+
+The gale grew considerably stronger, and as the darkness came on it got
+much chillier, but Clif still paced up and down the deck with the glass
+in his hand watching for a sign of a passing vessel, or of the
+approaching Cuban coast.
+
+He was left almost alone on deck as the weather got rougher; for the
+crew made themselves comfortable below, knowing what hard work lay
+before them through the stormy night.
+
+It was not the custom on the vessel to keep the whole watch on duty
+except at night; and Clif had only the two sailors at the wheel and the
+lookout in the bow for company.
+
+But if he felt any jealousy of those who were below out of the cold, he
+had the grim satisfaction of being able to disturb their comfort before
+very long.
+
+It was about half past four in the afternoon, and suddenly the lookout
+turned and called to Clif.
+
+The eager cadet knew what it meant. He seized the glass and hurried
+forward.
+
+He followed the direction of the man's finger.
+
+"I think I see smoke, sir," was what the sailor said.
+
+And Clif took a long look and then turned, his face betraying his
+excitement.
+
+An instant later his voice rang through the ship.
+
+"Steamer ahoy--off the starboard bow!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+A LONG CHASE.
+
+
+There was excitement on board of the Uncas the instant Clif's cry was
+heard. The sailors came tumbling up on deck, Lieutenant Raymond among
+the first.
+
+He took the glass eagerly from the lad's hand and anxiously studied the
+sky in the direction indicated.
+
+"It's too far west to be near Havana!" he exclaimed.
+
+And he stepped into the pilot house to direct the vessel in a new
+direction. At the same time the smoke began to pour from the funnel,
+showing that those down in the engine-room had heard Clif's hail.
+
+And so in a few moments the Uncas was speeding away in the direction of
+the stranger. And after that there was a long weary wait while the two
+vessels gradually drew nearer.
+
+All that could be made out then was the long line of smoke which always
+indicates a distant steamer. But it took a sharp eye to make even that
+out.
+
+"This will be a long chase," said the lieutenant. "If she takes it into
+her head to run we'll have a hard time to catch up to her before dark."
+
+Clif glanced significantly at the bow gun.
+
+"If we can only get within range," he thought to himself, "we won't have
+to wait to catch up to her."
+
+The lieutenant was standing by the pilot house with the glass in his
+hand, and every once in a while he would make an attempt to catch sight
+of the stranger's smokestack.
+
+"It may be one of our own warships," he said, "and if it is we don't
+want to waste any coal chasing her."
+
+But such was not the case, and it was only half an hour or so before the
+lieutenant found it out. The Uncas rose as a high wave swept by; and the
+officer, who had the glass to his eye, gave an eager exclamation.
+
+"She's got one funnel," he exclaimed, "and it's black, with a red top;
+and so it's not an American warship."
+
+And after that there was nothing now to be done except wait until the
+two approached nearer.
+
+It was evident from the gradual change of course the Uncas was obliged
+to make that the vessel she was following was headed in a southerly
+direction.
+
+"That would take her toward the western end of Cuba," Clif thought to
+himself. "Perhaps she's sighted us and is running away."
+
+She must have been a very shy vessel to have taken alarm at so great a
+distance; but from the slowness with which she came into view that
+seemed to be the case. And Clif paced the deck impatiently.
+
+It was not very much longer before he went off duty again; but he did
+not go below. For perhaps an hour he remained on deck watching the
+strange vessel.
+
+It seemed an age, but Clif had his reward. The chase loomed gradually
+nearer. The black and red smoke pipe came into view, and then, when the
+Uncas rose, the top of the black hull as well.
+
+And suddenly the lieutenant handed the glass to Clif.
+
+"You may see now," he said. "She is a merchant steamer, and she flies
+the Spanish flag."
+
+Clif nearly dropped the glass at those startling words. The lieutenant
+said them as calmly as if he were telling the time of day.
+
+"You don't seem very much excited," the cadet thought.
+
+And yet the lieutenant's statement proved to be true. It was several
+minutes before Clif got a favorable view; but he kept his eyes fixed on
+the smoke and he finally caught a glimpse of the hull.
+
+And sure enough there was the hated red and yellow ensign waving
+defiantly from the stern; it was blown off to one side by the breeze,
+and could be plainly seen.
+
+Clif was fairly boiling over with excitement at that discovery.
+
+"We've got our prize!" he chuckled. "I brought the luck after all."
+
+Lieutenant Raymond was not nearly so little moved as he chose to
+pretend; he had announced his discovery in that careless way half in a
+spirit of fun.
+
+The news got round among the crew, and however the officer may have
+felt, there was no indifference there.
+
+The engines of the Uncas began to work even more rapidly, and cartridges
+were hastily brought up for the rapid-firing guns. Nobody meant to let
+that steamer get away.
+
+She must have suspected her danger by that time, for the smoke grew
+blacker. But the crew of the Uncas knew that there were few merchant
+ships could beat that tug, and they rubbed their hands gleefully.
+
+There is something very aggravating about a race like that. In a rowing
+race you may break your back if you choose, trying to catch the boat in
+front; and even in a sailing race you may do something. But when it
+comes to steam you can only grit your teeth and walk up and down and
+watch and try not to let anybody see how anxious you are.
+
+In that way half an hour passed away, and mile after mile of the
+storm-tossed waters.
+
+By that time the hull of the vessel was plainly visible on the horizon;
+and the Spanish flag was still waving from her stern.
+
+Clif had been gazing every once in a while at the lieutenant with an
+inquiring look upon his face, but the officer had only shaken his head.
+
+"Not yet," he said. "Wait a little."
+
+And Clif would then take another stroll across the deck.
+
+But at last his inquiring look brought another answer.
+
+"Go ahead," said the lieutenant.
+
+And the cadet made a leap at the gun.
+
+It was already loaded, and he sighted it himself. He was no longer
+nervous and hurried; it was at least a minute before he rose.
+
+And then at his signal the sailor pulled the firing trigger.
+
+There was a flash and a loud report, and every one looked anxiously to
+see the effect.
+
+Lieutenant Raymond, who had the glass, was the only one who could tell;
+for the sea was so wild that the slight splash could not be noticed.
+
+The shot of course fell short, for the vessel was still out of range;
+but it hit right in line, and the officer nodded approvingly.
+
+"Now we'll wait," he said. "She may give up."
+
+But she didn't; so far as those on the Uncas could tell the shot had no
+effect whatever. The vessel kept straight on in her course.
+
+"She's counting on the darkness coming," said the lieutenant.
+
+But that was not the only reason why the Spaniard did not give up; those
+upon the Uncas discovered another shortly afterward.
+
+"The Cuban coast," exclaimed the officer.
+
+Yes, the long, faint line of the shore was at last visible just on the
+horizon's edge. It lay to the southward, directly ahead.
+
+"What good will that do her?" asked Clif.
+
+"If she finds she can't get away," answered the other, "she may make a
+run for one of the ports or try to get under the shelter of the
+batteries."
+
+For a while after that nothing more was said, and the tug plowed its way
+through the tossing water. When the lieutenant spoke again it was to
+point to the gun.
+
+"Try it again," he said.
+
+And Clif did try it. The two ships were then not over three or four
+miles apart, and when the cadet fired again he heard the lieutenant give
+a pleased exclamation.
+
+"They're within range!"
+
+And then Clif got to work with all his might.
+
+Had he had a calm sea he could have raked that vessel without missing a
+shot. He had only to experiment and get the aim just right and then
+leave the gun to stay in that one position while he blazed away.
+
+But the Uncas in climbing over the waves was now up and now down, so
+that sometimes the shots fell short and sometimes they went high.
+
+But every once in a while he had the satisfaction of hearing that he had
+landed one.
+
+After that the chase was a lively one, for the Uncas kept blazing away
+merrily. The people on board that fleeing vessel must have had a very
+large time of it that afternoon.
+
+It was just what Clif Faraday liked; he was beginning to be quite an
+expert in target practice, and he was willing to experiment with that
+ship just as long as the ammunition held out.
+
+But his opportunity did not last very long, for the land in front was
+neared very rapidly, and after that there was less fun and more work.
+
+The stranger headed round gradually to the west. She evidently had no
+idea of being driven toward Havana.
+
+The Uncas swerved more sharply, in order to head her off. Lieutenant
+Raymond was in the pilot house, and Clif soon saw by the way he managed
+things that he was an expert in all the tricks of dodging.
+
+And those who were handling the merchant ship saw it, too; they would
+have been soon headed off. So they turned in another direction quite
+sharply, making straight in toward shore again.
+
+Under ordinary circumstances with the short range that he had by that
+time, Clif could have riddled the vessel in short order; but aiming in
+that sea was so far a matter of luck that comparatively little damage
+could be done.
+
+No one knew what the enemy's last move could mean.
+
+"But we can go in any water that's deep enough for them," thought Clif,
+grimly, as he blazed away.
+
+And so thought the lieutenant, too, for he was soon racing in. For
+perhaps ten minutes pursuer and pursued kept straight on, the firing
+never ceasing for a moment.
+
+"Perhaps she may run on shore on purpose," said the lieutenant, coming
+out of the pilot house for a moment.
+
+"On purpose?" echoed Clif.
+
+"Yes; so that we can't get the cargo."
+
+"But she'll be beaten to pieces on the rocks," Clif objected.
+
+"They may chance it anyhow; you see they aren't more than a mile or two
+from the shore now, and they're running in still."
+
+"If that's the trick they try," Clif thought to himself, "we can stay
+out and pepper her to our heart's content--and help the waves to wreck
+her."
+
+But the Spaniard had a far better plan than that, as her pursuers
+learned some time later.
+
+Clif studied the coast in front of them, as well as he could see without
+a glass; there was simply a long line of sandy shore without a bay or an
+inlet of any kind. And there were no towns or batteries visible.
+
+"I don't see what she can be hoping for there," he muttered.
+
+But he had no time to speculate in the matter, for it was his business
+to keep firing. By that time the range was short and he was beginning to
+do damage.
+
+It took an expert to fire at the instant when the tossing ship was
+level, but Clif had time to practice, and he soon got the knack of it.
+
+And then it must have been exceedingly unpleasant living on that ship.
+One after another the heavy six-pound shots crashed through her stern;
+and even at that distance it began to exhibit a ragged appearance.
+
+The cadet expected at any moment to reach the engines or the rudder of
+the fleeing ship, and so render her helpless. But probably her cargo
+served to protect the former, and the rudder was very hard to hit.
+
+"She must have something important in view to stand all this," Clif
+thought to himself. "But I can't see what it is."
+
+The chase at that time was a very exciting one. The Spanish merchantman
+was dashing in shore at the top of his speed. And a mile or two beyond
+it was the Uncas tearing up the water, plunging along at her fastest
+pace and banging away half a dozen times a minute with her bow gun.
+
+Lieutenant Raymond's eyes were dancing then; he had taken the wheel
+himself and was hard at work. And as for Clif, he was so busily engaged
+that he seemed to see nothing except the high stern of that runaway.
+
+"But she's a fool," he growled to himself. "She'll be so torn to pieces
+she won't be worth capturing. I wish I could kill the captain."
+
+But the captain of that vessel knew his business, as those on the Uncas
+found later on. He was a Spaniard, and simply gifted with Spanish
+cunning.
+
+He had no idea of running his ship aground; but he knew that coast
+perfectly, and he used his knowledge.
+
+When he neared the land the tug was still some distance astern. As that
+did not suit the Spaniard's purposes, he very calmly slowed up.
+
+And that in spite of the fact that the tug was so close that the
+rapid-firing gun was hitting him every other shot!
+
+That the vessel had slowed up, Lieutenant Raymond of course could not
+tell. But he wouldn't have cared anyhow, for he had made up his mind to
+go in there no matter what was there, torpedoes or the very Old Nick
+himself.
+
+And he went; for perhaps five minutes more the Uncas dashed in at full
+speed, and the merchantman still never swerved.
+
+"They're within a quarter of a mile of the shore!" gasped Clif.
+
+He turned to his third box of cartridges with a grim smile on his face.
+For he knew that something must happen soon.
+
+It did, too--very soon.
+
+It began when the merchantman suddenly swung round to starboard.
+
+"Aha!" chuckled the cadet. "They're as close in as they dare. And now I
+suppose they'll run down shore awhile."
+
+Lieutenant Raymond was much puzzled to think why the vessel had risked
+going so close in that storm; but he wasted no time in speculating, but
+drove the wheel around with all his might.
+
+The Uncas swerved and sped over to shut the merchantman off; at that
+same instant the reason of the whole thing was seen.
+
+The Uncas was not a mile from shore, and as she turned her broadside to
+the land a masked battery in the sand let drive with a dozen guns at
+once.
+
+The whole thing was so sudden that for a moment it quite frightened the
+Americans. Clif even stopped firing long enough to stare.
+
+But the sudden alarm did not last very long; it left the men on the
+Uncas laughing. For they had quite forgotten the character of the
+Spanish gunners' aim.
+
+A shot tore through the tug's funnel, another chipped a piece from her
+bow, half a dozen shells whistled over her. And that was all.
+
+Clif turned calmly to his gun again.
+
+"If that's the best they can do," he thought, "they're welcome."
+
+But that was not the best.
+
+It wasn't that the batteries were aimed better next time. They were
+aimed far worse in their eager haste. They did not even touch the Uncas.
+
+But an instant later something happened that showed that the captain of
+the Spanish merchantman had one more string to his bow.
+
+He not only knew the location of the batteries, but he knew the location
+of the sand bars. While his own vessel sped on in safety, on board the
+Uncas there suddenly came a grinding thud, and an instant later the tug
+stopped short, so short it almost sent Clif flying over the top of the
+gun he was working.
+
+And at the same time a shout was heard from Lieutenant Raymond, one that
+made the sailors' hearts leap up into their throats: "We're aground!
+We're aground!"
+
+And in front of a Spanish battery!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+AN OLD ENEMY.
+
+
+It would be hard to imagine a vessel in a much greater predicament than
+the Uncas was at that moment. Everything was in confusion in an instant.
+
+That is everything except one thing. Lieutenant Raymond was too busy to
+notice the coolness of one person on board; but he remembered it
+afterward, and with satisfaction.
+
+It was Clif Faraday; he picked himself up from the deck where he had
+been flung and took one glance about him. Then he turned to the guns.
+
+Whatever the position of the tug his duty just then remained the same.
+He could not free her, and so he did not waste any time rushing about.
+There was that Spanish merchantman calmly walking off to safety.
+
+And there was a gleam of vengeance in the cadet's eye as he went to the
+gun again.
+
+Those on board of the fleeing vessel had seen the success of their
+clever plan and they gave a wild cheer. It was answered from the shore
+batteries.
+
+The steamer turned at once and headed out to sea; that put her broadside
+to the Uncas, and instantly the six-pounder blazed away.
+
+That was the time to do the work, too. The vessel was quite near, and a
+fair mark. The Uncas was now steady, too, Clif thought grimly to
+himself.
+
+One of the sailors saw what he was doing, and sprang to aid him. They
+banged away as fast as they could load.
+
+At the same time the Spanish batteries opened. They had a fair mark,
+likewise, and plenty of time to aim. It was a race to see who could
+smash up their prey the quickest.
+
+Clif would certainly have disabled the fleeing vessel if it had not been
+for an unfortunate accident. What the accident was may be told in a few
+words. It spoiled his chance.
+
+He turned away to get more cartridges. And at that instant a shell
+struck the six-pounder gun.
+
+It was a miracle that Clif was not hit; his uniform was torn in three
+places and his cap knocked off. The sailor next to him got a nasty wound
+in the arm, made by a flying fragment.
+
+And that of course made the merchantman safe--she steamed off in
+triumph.
+
+It was bad for the tug, too, for it showed the batteries were getting
+the range.
+
+The plight of the Uncas was a desperate one. She was being tossed about
+by a raging sea and cut up by the fire from the guns. Whether she had
+struck on rocks or sand or mud no one had any means of telling.
+
+But her engines were reversed the instant the accident occurred. And a
+hasty examination of the hold showed that whatever the danger was there
+was no leak.
+
+But that seemed cold comfort, for at the rate the heavy batteries were
+blazing away there was likely to be a number of leaks in a very short
+while. And even a steel tug will not hold together long with a sea
+pounding over her like this one was.
+
+Yet as it actually happened, that sea was the only thing that got the
+vessel out of her unfortunate predicament.
+
+They were a great deal luckier than they would have dared to hope to be.
+For when they realized they were aground there was not a man on board
+who did not think his last hour was at hand.
+
+But as it actually happened, the sand bar upon which the tug had driven
+lay some distance beneath the surface. And it had caught the vessel by
+the keel.
+
+The engines throbbed wildly, doing their noblest to pull the vessel off;
+and then one after another came the great waves, tossing her this way
+and that, wrenching and twisting, lifting and lifting again, while every
+one on deck clung for his life.
+
+There was a minute or two of agonizing suspense, while the shore
+batteries kept up a galling fire and the merchantman steamed out to sea,
+proud of her triumph.
+
+And then suddenly came a wild cheer from the imperiled Americans. Then
+men fairly shrieked in a transport of delight.
+
+"She's moving! She's started! She's safe!"
+
+And the men fairly hugged each other for joy. Slowly, then faster, then
+faster still, and finally at full speed backward. The gallant tug had
+torn herself loose from the grip of the sand--and was free!
+
+The baffled Spanish batteries redoubled their fire at that. One could
+almost imagine the gunners grinding their teeth with rage as they saw
+their prey escaping.
+
+But grinding their teeth did not seem to sharpen their eyes. Their aim
+was as bad as ever, and the Uncas seemed like the proverbial man in the
+rainstorm who keeps dry by "dodging the drops."
+
+The confusion on board of the "escaped" vessel may be imagined. How that
+triumphant captain must have sworn Spanish oaths.
+
+It was a ticklish task that Lieutenant Raymond had before him then. He
+knew there were sand bars about. But he did not know where they were.
+And the task was to avoid them.
+
+He did it by creeping along very slowly, in absolute indifference to the
+galling fire from the shore guns. He knew that there must be a channel,
+for he and the Spaniard had come in by it.
+
+He had only a vague idea where it was. But the Uncas stopped and then
+crept slowly forward, heading north.
+
+And after five minutes of torment they knew that they were safe. They
+were far enough from shore to start up again and get away from those
+Spanish guns. The gallant tug was quite battered by that time, but
+nobody cared for that in the wild rejoicing that prevailed.
+
+The vessel swung around to port.
+
+"And now for that prize!" muttered the lieutenant.
+
+And he went for her, too, full speed ahead. He was mad now.
+
+The vessel had gotten a start of about two miles. She had apparently
+exhausted her resources in the neighborhood of Cuba, for she was heading
+north, out to sea again.
+
+"And so it's only a question of time," chuckled Clif. "We've got her!"
+
+And so they had. The Spaniards must have realized it, too.
+
+"Mr. Faraday," said the lieutenant, "try a shot from the starboard gun."
+
+The shot was fired; and it did the work.
+
+The merchantman had evidently had enough, and saw that there was no
+further hope.
+
+For in full view of the shore batteries she swung round and came slowly
+to a halt, a signal that she surrendered. It made the Americans give
+another cheer, and it must have made the Spaniards on shore fairly yell.
+
+For they began banging away, even at that distance, though they couldn't
+come anywhere near the tug.
+
+As for the Americans, they sighed with relief. They had worked hard for
+that victory. And they felt that they had earned it. The race was over
+then, and they were happy.
+
+Clif was so wearied by his heroic labor at that gun (he must have lifted
+and rammed some two hundred six-pounder cartridges) that he sat down on
+the wreck of the machine to wait until the two vessels drew near.
+
+And the lieutenant gave up the wheel to one of the men and came out to
+look his capture over at leisure.
+
+She was a fairly large vessel and seemed to have a big carrying
+capacity. What she was loaded with no one could guess, but at any rate
+she was a big prize for a small crew like that of the Uncas.
+
+"I think I'll retire from business after to-day," Clif heard the old
+boatswain remark.
+
+That personage had had one arm badly damaged in the struggle that had
+taken place in the morning with the Spanish gunboat; but he seemed to
+have forgotten his wounds in the general excitement.
+
+The little tug steamed up boldly toward her big prize, which lay idly
+tossing on the waves. One could see her officers and crew standing on
+deck watching the approach.
+
+"I'll bet they feel happy!" Clif muttered to himself.
+
+The lieutenant loaned him the glass. Then he could see the faces of the
+men.
+
+There was one of them he might have recognized had he been careful; but
+he did not recognize it, and so he failed to save himself some mighty
+unpleasant adventures indeed.
+
+They were all typical Spanish faces, dark and sullen; but there was one
+there even darker and more sullen than the rest.
+
+And the owner of that countenance had a glass in his hand and was
+staring at those on the tug. Though the cadet did not know it, that man
+was at that instant watching him.
+
+And there was an expression of furious hate on his face as he looked.
+
+Lieutenant Raymond expected no further trouble; but he took no chances.
+Men were stationed at the three remaining six-pounders, and the rest of
+the crew was armed.
+
+In silence the Uncas steamed up to within a hundred yards of her prize.
+And then came the signal to stop engines.
+
+It was the time for a boarding party. Clif, as junior officer, knew that
+that was his duty, and without a word he proceeded to get the small boat
+off.
+
+It was quite a task in that heavy sea, but the eager sailors worked with
+a will, and though nearly swamped twice, managed to get clear of the
+tug.
+
+And Clif was seated in the stern, heading for the big merchantman.
+
+"Keep your eyes open," he heard the lieutenant shout. "They may make
+trouble."
+
+And Clif nodded and the boat shot away. They wouldn't catch him napping
+on board that Spanish vessel--not much!
+
+But they come perilously near it all the same.
+
+It was a rough trip in that tossing rowboat. It seemed to sink and then
+fairly bound up on the next wave, its bow went down and its stern shot
+up. It did everything except turn over, while the spray fairly flew over
+it.
+
+But the sturdy sailors worked with a will, and the distance was not very
+great. In a short time the little craft shot round in the lee of the
+Spaniard.
+
+"A ladder there!" shouted Clif.
+
+And in a few moments the rope ladder came tumbling down. It seemed to
+come with bad grace though, as if it knew its owners didn't want to
+send it.
+
+The rowboat was backed near and Clif, with a sudden spring, caught the
+ladder and leaped clear of the waves.
+
+Before he went up he turned to the sailors.
+
+"Two of you follow me," he commanded.
+
+He climbed quickly up the ladder and stepped out on the deck, gazing
+about him eagerly.
+
+He saw about a dozen dark-faced Spaniards gathered together and glaring
+at him; one of them, wearing the uniform of the captain, stepped forward
+toward him.
+
+He was a surly, ill-looking man, with a heavy dark mustache. He bowed
+stiffly to the cadet.
+
+"The senor takes possession," he said, in a low voice.
+
+Clif was so busy watching this man that he did not look around the
+vessel. But we must do so.
+
+We must glance for one instant at the capstan, which was just behind
+where the jaunty young cadet was standing. There was an interesting
+person near the capstan.
+
+Clif did not see him; and neither did the sailors, nor even the
+Spaniards on the vessel. For he was crouching behind the capstan, out of
+sight.
+
+He was a small man, dark and swarthy. He was the same one we noticed
+glaring at Clif; he had recognized him, and realized in a flash that the
+issue between them was death--death for one or else death for the other.
+
+For Clif knew the man, and would secure him the instant he saw him; his
+crimes were many--treason and attempted assassination the worst.
+
+For the man was Ignacio!
+
+And his dark, beady eyes were glittering with hatred as he crouched in
+his momentary hiding-place. He was quivering all over with rage; the
+muscles of his sinewy arms were clinched and tense.
+
+And in his right hand he clutched a sharp, gleaming knife, half hidden
+under his coat.
+
+His glance was fixed on the figure just in front of him; the
+unsuspecting cadet was not twenty yards away, his back turned to his
+crouching enemy.
+
+And Ignacio bent forward to listen and wait his chance.
+
+The cadet, the object of his hatred, was talking to the captain.
+
+"The senor takes possession," the latter repeated again.
+
+"The senor does, with your permission," said Clif, quietly.
+
+"You gave us quite a run," he added, after a moment's thought.
+
+"A Spaniard would not surrender to Yankee pigs without a fight," snarled
+the other.
+
+"You had best be a bit careful," was Clif's stern response, "or you may
+find yourself in irons."
+
+The Spaniard relapsed into a sullen silence.
+
+"What ship is this?" demanded the cadet.
+
+"The Maria."
+
+"From where?"
+
+"Cadiz."
+
+"Indeed! And bound where?"
+
+"Bahia Honda."
+
+Clif gave a low whistle.
+
+"We caught you about in time," he said, with a smile. "You were nearly
+there. But I suppose the story is made up for the occasion. What is your
+cargo?"
+
+The captain went over quite a list of articles; the sailors who were
+with Clif chuckled with delight as they heard him.
+
+"We get a share in all this," Clif heard one of them whisper under his
+breath.
+
+Clif smiled; and as soon as the captain finished he raised his arm and
+pointed to the stern of the vessel.
+
+"You and your men will go aft," he commanded, "for the present; I will
+see you shortly."
+
+The Spaniard was on the point of obeying; he had half turned, when
+suddenly with a single bound the treacherous Ignacio sprang forward.
+
+His keen knife glanced in the air as he raised it in his outstretched
+arm and leaped upon the unsuspecting cadet.
+
+Ignacio was clever at that sort of thing. He had tried it before; his
+spring had been silent as a cat's. Neither the sailors nor the officer
+heard him. And the blow might have fallen; Clif's only warning of his
+deadly peril.
+
+But unfortunately for the desperate assassin, he had failed to let the
+captain of that vessel know what he meant to do. And the captain, as he
+saw him leap, realized in a flash that would mean an instant hanging for
+him.
+
+And a look of horror swept over his face; Clif saw it and whirled about.
+
+He was just in time to find himself face to face with his deadliest
+enemy; and the knife was hissing through the air.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+IN COMMAND OF THE PRIZE.
+
+
+It was a moment of horrible peril. Clif's blood fairly froze. But quick
+as a flash his arm shot up.
+
+And he caught the descending wrist; for an instant the two glared into
+each other's eyes, straining and twisting. And then the two sailors of
+the Uncas leaped forward and seized the baffled Spaniard.
+
+And almost in the twinkling of an eye-lid, Clif Faraday was saved. He
+could hardly realize what had happened, and he staggered back against
+the railing of the vessel and gasped for breath.
+
+But that was only for a moment, too; and then the blood surged back to
+his cheeks and the cadet was himself once more.
+
+He stepped forward, a calm smile playing about his mouth.
+
+"Bind that man," he said to the sailors.
+
+The two men were grasping the sinewy Cuban and holding him so tight that
+he could not move. They almost crushed his wrists, and he dropped the
+knife with a hoarse cry of pain.
+
+And Clif picked it up and glanced at it for a moment, then flung it far
+out into the sea.
+
+After that he turned to Ignacio.
+
+"You have met me once more, my friend," he said, "and this time you will
+not get away."
+
+And that was all the conversation he had with him. Glancing about the
+deck he picked up a piece of rope and stepped toward the prisoner.
+
+He did not strike the fellow, as the Spaniards seemed to think he would.
+But the sailors flung him to the deck and Clif carefully bound his feet
+together. Then, while he fairly fumed with rage and hatred, his hands
+were made fast and he was left lying there, shrieking curses in his
+native Spanish.
+
+Clif turned to the captain of the vessel; the man was frightened nearly
+to death, and began protesting volubly.
+
+"I did not know it, senor!" he cried. "Indeed, I did not know it! Santa
+Maria! I----"
+
+"I don't suppose you did," said Clif, calmly. "You did not act like it.
+But you will have to suffer for it."
+
+"Suffer for it! Madre di dios, no, senor! What does the senor mean?
+Surely he will not hang me for----"
+
+"The senor will not hang you," said Clif, unable to help smiling at the
+blustering fellow's terror.
+
+"Then what will the senor do?"
+
+"He will tie you like Ignacio."
+
+The man was evidently relieved, but he protested volubly. He did not
+want to be tied.
+
+"Is it customary?" he cried.
+
+"No," said Clif; "neither is it customary to try to assassinate an
+officer. After that I think common prudence requires it."
+
+"But," cried the man, angrily. "I will not submit! Por dios, I will
+not----"
+
+"You will either submit or be made to," said Clif, "or else sink to the
+bottom."
+
+And so the man had to give up. Those two delighted tars went the rounds
+and tied every single man on that vessel hand and foot. And they tied
+them tight, too, occasionally giving them a dig in the ribs for good
+measure.
+
+And when they came to search them Clif was glad he had done as he did,
+for quite a respectable heap of knives and revolvers were removed from
+the clothes of those angry Spaniards.
+
+But it did not take long to tie them up, and then Clif felt safe. He
+took a few extra hitches in the treacherous Ignacio, who was by far the
+most valuable prize of them all.
+
+"Admiral Sampson will be glad to get you," the cadet thought to himself.
+
+And then he turned to examine the captured vessel.
+
+His sword in his hand, he went down the forward companionway, where he
+met a group of frightened firemen and stokers huddled below. They seemed
+to think the Yankee pigs were going to murder them on the spot.
+
+But Clif had another use for them. Being able to speak Spanish, he found
+it easy to reassure them in a few words, and sent them down to their
+work again.
+
+Then he descended into the hold; he was worried lest the continuous
+firing he had directed upon the vessel had made her unseaworthy. But
+apparently the holes were all well above the water line, for there did
+not seem to be any leak.
+
+And that was all there was to be done. Clif knew that he had the task
+before him of piloting that vessel into Key West; he was not willing to
+let that ugly-looking Spanish captain have anything to do with the
+matter.
+
+Clif had fancied he would rather enjoy that duty but under the
+circumstances of the present case he was not so much pleased.
+
+For the darkness was gathering then and the cadet knew that he had a
+long hard night before him; it would be necessary for him to remain on
+the vessel's bridge all through the stormy trip.
+
+And, moreover, it would take him away from Havana, the place of all
+places he was then anxious to reach.
+
+But the duty had to be faced, and so Clif sent one of the sailors back
+to the Uncas to report the state of affairs and ask for a prize crew. It
+seemed scarcely orthodox to send the small boat away without an officer
+to command it, but that, too, was inevitable.
+
+The boat arrived safely, however, and returned with three more men, all
+the little tug dared spare. Lieutenant Raymond sent word to report at
+Key West with the prize, but to steam slowly so as not to come anywhere
+near the shore before daylight.
+
+Lieutenant Raymond was evidently a little worried about intrusting that
+big vessel to an inexperienced officer like Clif, and Clif was not so
+very cock sure himself. No one knew just where they were, and in the
+storm and darkness reaching Key West harbor would be task enough for an
+old hand.
+
+The cadet realized the enormous responsibility thus thrown upon him, and
+he made up his mind that eternal vigilance should be the watchword.
+
+"If staying awake all night'll do any good," he muttered, "I'll do it."
+
+And then the small boat dashed away to the Uncas again, and Clif was
+left alone. He stepped into the pilot house of the steamer and signaled
+for half speed ahead.
+
+The vessel began to glide slowly forward again, heading north; the tug
+steamed away in the direction of Havana.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+A HAIL FROM THE DARKNESS.
+
+
+The four sailors who were with Clif fully realized the task which was
+before them.
+
+It was then about dusk, and the night was coming on rapidly. Two of the
+men were stationed as lookouts, and the other two took the wheel.
+
+Clif set to work to try to calculate as best he could how far and in
+what direction he was from Key West; he wished to take no chances of
+running ashore or getting lost.
+
+Those, and the possibility of collision, seemed the only dangers that
+had to be guarded against; the possibility of meeting a Spanish vessel
+was not considered, for the chance seemed very remote.
+
+The two lookouts were both stationed in the bow. That fact and the other
+just mentioned sufficed to account for the fact that the real danger
+that threatened the crew of the merchantman was not thought of or
+guarded against in the least.
+
+For Clif had no way of knowing that any trouble was to come from behind
+him; but coming it was, and in a hurry.
+
+Within the shelter of a narrow inlet just to one side of the batteries
+that had made so much trouble for the Uncas had lain hidden and
+unsuspected an object that was destined to play an important part in the
+rest of the present story.
+
+It was a Spanish gunboat, of much the same kind as the Uncas, only
+smaller. Hidden by the land, her officers had eagerly watched the
+struggle we have just seen.
+
+The Spanish vessel had not ventured out to take part, for one important
+reason; she had not steam up. But she would probably not have done so
+anyhow, for the Uncas was the stronger of the two.
+
+And so venturing out would have been little better than suicide. The
+Spanish captain had a plan that put that one far in the shade.
+
+The Uncas was still visible down the shore, and the merchantman had
+hardly gotten well started out to sea before great volumes of black
+smoke began to pour from the furnaces of the Spaniard.
+
+Her men worked like fiends; sailors pitched in to help the firemen
+handle coal, while the shores of the dark little inlet flared brightly
+with the gleam of the furnaces.
+
+Meanwhile the officers with their glasses were feverishly watching the
+distant steamer, now hull down to the north, and almost invisible in the
+darkness.
+
+It was about half an hour later, perhaps even less, that that Spanish
+gunboat weighed her anchor and stole silently out to the open sea.
+
+She breasted the fierce waves at the entrance to the inlet boldly. A
+minute later she was plowing her way through the storming sea. It was
+dark then and she could see nothing; but her captain had the course to a
+hair's breadth.
+
+He knew which way his prey was gone, and he knew to what port she was
+going. He knew, too, that she would not dare go near the harbor of Key
+West until daylight. And so if by any chance he missed her in the
+darkness he would still have another opportunity.
+
+And those on the shore who saw the vessel glide away chuckled gleefully
+to themselves. It was something to look forward to, a chance to revenge
+themselves upon the impudent Yankees who had dared to elude the fire
+from their guns.
+
+Meanwhile the Yankees, totally unsuspicious of this last move, were
+buffeting their way bravely ahead.
+
+The lookouts clinging to the railing in the bow were peering anxiously
+ahead in the darkness, and the sailors in the pilot house were wrestling
+with the wheel; it was quite a task to keep that vessel headed straight,
+for she was going into the very teeth of the gale.
+
+And as for Clif, he was watchfulness personified. When he was not eyeing
+the compass carefully he was hurrying about the vessel, now down in the
+fire-rooms, making sure that those Spaniards were doing as they were
+ordered, and again looking the prisoners over to make sure that the sly
+rascals had not wriggled themselves free.
+
+"It would be a fine thing to do," he thought to himself, "if they
+managed to recapture the ship."
+
+There was something quite prophetic in that thought.
+
+It is hard to keep awake all night, but a man can do it if he has to
+even though he has been working like a Trojan all day.
+
+Clif kept moving to work off the sleepiness whenever he felt it coming
+on.
+
+"I'll have time enough to sleep by and by," he muttered.
+
+He was thinking, grimly enough, of how he would be stalled in the town
+of Key West with his prize, waiting for a chance to get out to the fleet
+again.
+
+The vessel did not attempt to make more than half speed during the trip,
+and that, against the storm, was very little.
+
+But there was no need to hurry thought every one.
+
+And so for some two hours the vessel crept on, wearily as it seemed and
+monotonously. The only thing to vary matters was when some extra high
+wave would fling itself over the bow in a shower of spray.
+
+But that was not a welcome incident, for it made it harder for the weary
+sailors to keep the course straight.
+
+The cadet paced up and down the deck; he had been doing that for perhaps
+the last half hour, stopping only to say a cheery word to the lookouts
+and once to prop up Ignacio, who was being rolled unceremoniously about
+the deck.
+
+The cunning Spaniard looked so bedraggled and miserable that Clif would
+have felt sorry for him if he had not known what a villain he was.
+
+"He'd stab me again if he got a chance," he mused.
+
+For Clif had saved that fellow's life once; but it had not made the
+least difference in his vindictive hatred.
+
+"I'm afraid," Clif muttered, "that Ignacio will have to suffer this
+time."
+
+The Spaniard must have heard him, for he muttered an oath under his
+breath.
+
+"It would be wiser if it was a prayer," said the cadet. "Ignacio, you
+are near the end of your rope, and you may as well prepare for your
+fate."
+
+The man fairly trembled all over with rage as he glared at his enemy;
+such rage as his was Clif was not used to, and he watched the man with a
+feeling of horror.
+
+"I don't like Spaniards!" was the abrupt exclamation, with which he
+turned away.
+
+And Ignacio gritted his teeth and simply glared at him, following back
+and forth his every move, as a cat might.
+
+"I may have a chance yet," he hissed, under his breath. "Carramba, if I
+only had him by the throat!"
+
+But Clif paid no more attention to the Spaniard. He had other things to
+attend to, things to keep him busy.
+
+It was not very long before that was especially true. For some
+interesting events began to happen then.
+
+They began so suddenly that there is almost no way to introduce them.
+The first signs of the storm was when it broke.
+
+In the blackness of the night nothing could be seen, and the vessel was
+struggling along absolutely without suspicion. And Clif, as we have
+said, was walking up and down engrossed in his own thoughts, almost
+forgetting that he was out in the open sea where a Spanish warship might
+chance to be lurking.
+
+And so it was literally and actually a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
+
+The blackness of the waters was suddenly broken by a sharp flash of
+light, perhaps two hundred yards off to starboard.
+
+And an instant later came the loud report of a gun.
+
+The consternation of the Americans it would be hard to imagine. They
+were simply aghast, and Clif stood fairly rooted to the deck.
+
+His mind was in a tumult, but he strove to think what that startling
+interruption could mean.
+
+"They must have fired at us!" he gasped.
+
+And if there was any doubt of that an instant later came a second flash.
+
+To a merchantship in war time such a signal is peremptory. It means slow
+up or else take the consequences.
+
+There were two possibilities that presented themselves to the commander
+of this particular merchantship. One was that he had met an American
+warship----
+
+And the other! It was far less probable, but it was possible, and
+terrible. They might have fallen into the hands of the enemy.
+
+But whatever was the case, there was nothing for Clif to do but obey the
+signals. He could not run and he could not fight.
+
+"If I only knew," he thought, anxiously.
+
+And then suddenly he learned; for a faint voice was borne over to him
+through the gale. It was a voice that spoke English!
+
+"Ahoy there!" it rang.
+
+And Clif roared back with all his might!
+
+"Ahoy! What ship is that?"
+
+And his heart gave a throb of joy when he heard:
+
+"The United States cruiser Nashville. Who are you?"
+
+"The Spanish merchantman Maria, in charge of a prize crew from the
+Uncas!"
+
+Whether all that was heard in the roar of the storm Clif could not tell;
+but he put all the power of his lungs in it.
+
+He knew that the story would be investigated.
+
+And so he was quite prepared when he heard the response:
+
+"Lay to and wait for a boarding party."
+
+And quick as he could move Clif sprang to the pilot house, and signaled
+to stop, and the vessel swung round toward the stranger.
+
+The die was cast, for good or evil. They had given up!
+
+For perhaps five minutes there was an anxious silence upon the vessel.
+Every one was waiting anxiously, while the ship rolled in the trough of
+the sea and shook with the crashes of the waves. Her small crew were
+picturing in their minds what was taking place out there in the
+darkness, their comrades struggling to get a small boat out in that
+heavy sea.
+
+And then they fancied them buffeting their way across, blinded by the
+spray and half swamped by the heavier waves.
+
+"They can't be much longer," muttered Clif, impatiently.
+
+"Ahoy there! A ladder!"
+
+It seemed to come from right underneath the lee of the merchantman. And
+it was shouted in a loud, peremptory tone that was meant to be obeyed. A
+moment later the rope ladder was flung down. Clif peered over the side
+when he dropped it.
+
+He could make out the shape of the boat tossing about below; he could
+even distinguish the figures of the men in the boat.
+
+And then he made out a man climbing hastily up.
+
+He stepped back to wait for him. He saw a blue uniform as the officer
+clambered up to the deck.
+
+And then suddenly he stood erect, facing Clif.
+
+The cadet took one glance at him and gave a gasp of horror.
+
+It was a Spanish officer!
+
+And he held in one hand a revolver and was aiming it straight at Clif's
+head.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+REPELLING BOARDERS.
+
+
+That had been a cleverly managed stroke, and it left the young officer
+simply paralyzed. All he could do was to stare into the muzzle of that
+weapon.
+
+He realized of course in a flash how he had been duped. And he was in a
+trap!
+
+Half dazed he looked and saw a Spanish sailor in the act of lifting
+himself up to the deck to join his superior. And Clif had no doubt there
+were half a dozen others following.
+
+There was of course nothing that Clif could do; a movement on his part
+would have been sheer suicide.
+
+He thought the case was hopeless; he had let himself be caught napping.
+
+But the cadet had forgotten that there were other Americans on that
+vessel besides himself. And there were no revolvers threatening the
+others.
+
+The rage of the Yankee tars at what seemed to them a cowardly and
+sneaking way to capture the ship was too great for them to control.
+Prudence would have directed surrender, for the Maria had not a gun on
+board and the Spaniard might blow her out of the water.
+
+But nobody thought of that; the same instant the Spanish officer
+presented his weapon and disclosed his real nationality, there were two
+sharp cracks in instant succession from the bow of the imperiled ship.
+
+And the officer staggered back with a gasp. He dropped his weapon to the
+deck, reeled for an instant and then vanished over the side in the
+darkness.
+
+There was a moment of horror, and then Clif heard him strike with a thud
+on the small boat below.
+
+At the same time there was a bright flash just in front of Clif, and a
+bullet whistled past his ear.
+
+The Spanish sailor, who had only half reached the deck, had fired at
+him.
+
+By that time there was no longer any hesitation as to what course to
+pursue. The sailors had decided it by their fatal shots. It was
+resistance to the death.
+
+And Clif whipped out his own weapons and sent the sailor tumbling
+backward to follow his officer.
+
+Then he drew his sword and with two slashing strokes severed the ladder.
+From the yells and confusion that followed there must have been quite a
+number clinging to the rope.
+
+But where they were or what their fate was nobody had any time to learn.
+Everything was moving like lightning on the merchantman.
+
+Clif leaped into the pilot house and signaled full speed. There was no
+further need of lookouts and so the two sailors rushed down into the
+engine-room to see that the order was obeyed.
+
+The big vessel started slowly forward. The cadet sprang to the wheel,
+his mind in a wild tumult as he strove to think what he should do.
+
+As if there were not confusion enough at that instant there were several
+loud reports in quick succession, followed by deafening crashes as shots
+tore through the vessel.
+
+The Spaniards had opened fire!
+
+"But they'll have to stop to pick up that boat's crew!" gasped Clif. "We
+may get away!"
+
+And that being the case every minute was precious; the vessel had swung
+round, but there was no time to turn--she must run as she was for a
+while.
+
+And from the way the vessel trembled and shook it could be told that the
+irate tars down below were making things hum.
+
+"They may burst the boilers if they can," thought Clif, grimly.
+
+The new course they were taking was south, exactly the opposite of the
+way they had been going. But Clif did not care about that.
+
+"The storm will drive us faster!" he gasped. "And every yard counts."
+
+The Spanish gunboat (nobody on the Maria, of course, knew but what she
+was a big cruiser) fired only about half a dozen shots at her daring
+enemy; then the yells of the crew of the small boat must have attracted
+her attention and forced her to desist for a moment.
+
+"And now's our chance," was the thought of the Americans.
+
+They were making the most of it, that was certain; they were fairly
+flying along with the great waves.
+
+Clif himself was at the wheel, seeing that not an inch was lost by
+steering wrongly.
+
+"We'll know soon," he muttered. "Very soon, for she'll chase us."
+
+The scene at this time was intensely dramatic; for the big ship had
+glided out into the darkness and those on board of her could not see
+their pursuer. They had no means of telling where she was, or whether
+they had escaped or not.
+
+They could only keep on listening anxiously, tremblingly, counting the
+seconds and waiting, almost holding their breath.
+
+They knew what the signal would be. The signal of their failure. If the
+Spaniard succeeded in finding them, he would open fire and soon let them
+know.
+
+Clif tried to guess how long it would take them to pick up the
+unfortunate occupants of that small boat.
+
+"They'll be raging mad when they do," he thought. "Gorry! they'll murder
+every one of us."
+
+For they would probably call the shooting of that officer a murder; it
+did not trouble Clif's conscience, for he knew that a merchant vessel
+has the same right to resist the enemy that a warship has. It was not as
+if they had surrendered and then imitated the example of the treacherous
+Ignacio.
+
+"I wonder how Ignacio likes this anyhow," thought Clif.
+
+But he had no time to inquire the Spaniard's views on the struggle; Clif
+was too busily waiting and counting the seconds.
+
+He did not think it would be very long before the enemy's ship would be
+after them again; and yet several minutes passed before any sign of the
+pursuit was given.
+
+Clif began to think that possibly they had eluded their would-be
+captors. But his hopes were dashed, for suddenly there came the dreaded
+warning shot.
+
+And it was fired from so close that, though the Americans had been
+listening for it, it made them start. It was evident that the enemy's
+vessel had come close to do the business; her first shot seemed fairly
+to tear the big merchantman to pieces.
+
+And Clif shut his teeth together with a snap.
+
+"We're in for it now," he muttered. "That settles it."
+
+There was no longer the last hope of escape. There was no longer even
+any use of keeping on. There were but two things to be considered, sink
+or surrender.
+
+There was a grim smile on the cadet's face as he turned away from the
+wheel.
+
+"Tell the two men to come up from below," he said to one of the sailors.
+
+And then he went out on deck, staring in the direction of the pursuing
+vessel. There was no difficulty in telling where she was now, for a
+continuous flashing of her guns kept her in view.
+
+Clif was cool, singularly cool, as he stood in his exposed position. He
+was no longer anxious, for he had no longer any hope. There was nothing
+on board the Maria that could cope with the enemy's guns. There was only
+the inevitable to be faced.
+
+The cadet soon guessed the nature of the pursuer from the way she
+behaved. Her guns were all low down and close together. They were about
+three-pounders, and rapid-firing.
+
+"It's a gunboat like the Uncas," he muttered. "Gorry! how I wish the
+Uncas would come back!"
+
+But the Uncas was then near Havana, far from any possibility of giving
+aid. And Clif knew it, so he wasted no time in vain regrets.
+
+By that time the Spanish vessel had gotten the range, and her three or
+four guns were blazing away furiously. The gunboat was alight with the
+flames of the quick reports, and the sound was continuous.
+
+"They aren't doing as well as I did," Clif said. "But still, they'll
+manage to do the work."
+
+And so it seemed, for shot after shot crashed through the hull of the
+already battered vessel. The Spaniards were mad, evidently. There was no
+hail this time and proposal to surrender. But only a calm setting to
+work to finish that reckless ship.
+
+The sailors came on deck and Clif, when he saw them, turned and pointed
+to the Spaniard.
+
+"There she is, men," he said. "Look her over."
+
+For a moment nobody said anything; the little group stood motionless on
+the deck. They were in no great danger for the firing was all directed
+at the hull.
+
+Then suddenly Clif began again.
+
+"I guess this vessel is about done for," he said. "She will be either
+sunk or captured. The only question is about us--what's to become of us.
+I leave it to you."
+
+None of the men spoke for a moment.
+
+"I suppose," Clif said, "that we can manage to let her know we surrender
+if we choose. We can scuttle the ship before we do it. But you know what
+we may expect; after our shooting those two men they'll probably murder
+us, or do things that are a thousand times worse."
+
+Clif stopped for a moment and then he turned.
+
+"Think, for instance," he said, "of being at the mercy of that man."
+
+He was pointing toward Ignacio, who lay near them, glowering in his
+hate, and the sailors looked and understood.
+
+"It's better to drown, sir," said one.
+
+And the rest thought so, too, and declared it promptly.
+
+"Very well, then," was the cadet's quiet answer, "we will stay on board.
+We have faced death before."
+
+That resolution made there was little else left to be determined.
+
+"We can sink the ship, or wait and let them sink it," the cadet said.
+"Or else--there's one thing more. We are headed in the right direction.
+We can smash her upon the rocks of the Cuban coast."
+
+And the sailors stared at him for a moment eagerly.
+
+"And stand a chance of getting ashore in safety!" they cried.
+
+At which the cadet smiled.
+
+"I'm afraid there's very little chance," he said. "But it's as good as
+anything else. We'll try it."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You two go down to the engine room again, and keep things moving. And
+the others stay on deck and make sure those Spaniards don't try to board
+us again. I can handle the wheel myself."
+
+And with that the brave cadet turned away and sprang toward the pilot
+house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+A DESPERATE CHASE.
+
+
+That was a heroic resolution those five brave men had made. But it was
+inevitable, for they did not mean that either they or that valuable ship
+should fall into the hands of the enemy.
+
+And apparently the enemy knew they did not mean to. For they kept
+battering away at the big hulk that loomed up in the darkness, running
+close alongside and firing viciously.
+
+Every shot made a deafening crash as it struck home.
+
+But the Americans did not mind it especially. When a man has made up his
+mind to die he is not afraid of anything.
+
+And the men on deck paced up and down serenely, and Clif tugged at the
+wheel with a positively light-hearted recklessness.
+
+It would have been a cold sort of a person whose spirit did not rise to
+such an occasion as that. The wild night and the furious cannonading,
+but above all the prospect of taking that huge ship and driving her
+forward at full speed until she smashed upon the rocks, was a rather
+inspiring one.
+
+The reader may have heard about the man out West who drew an enormous
+crowd by advertising an exhibition railroad wreck, two empty trains
+crashing into each other at full speed. This was a similar case; it does
+not often happened that a man has occasion to drive a ship aground on
+purpose.
+
+The resolution to which the Americans had come must have been plain to
+the unfortunate Spaniards who were tied up on board the Maria. Their
+fright was a terrible one, anyhow.
+
+Clif glanced out at them several times; their presence was the only
+thing that made him hesitate to do what he had resolved.
+
+"For they haven't done anything, poor devils," he thought to himself, "I
+wish I knew what to do with them."
+
+But there was only one thing that could be done; that was to put them
+off in a small boat, and that would be practically murdering them.
+
+"They'll have to stay and take chances with us," muttered Clif.
+
+As if there were not noise enough about that time those men began to
+raise a terrific outcry, yelling and shrieking in terror. But nobody
+paid any attention to them--except that the sailors took the trouble to
+examine their bonds once more.
+
+It would have been dangerous to let those desperate fellows get loose
+then. For the Americans had enemies enough to cope with as it was.
+
+All this while the Spanish gunboat had been firing away with all her
+might and main. She would cut across the vessel's stern, and send her
+shots tearing through the whole length of the ship; then she would come
+up close alongside and pour a dozen broadsides in.
+
+And nearly all the shots hit, too.
+
+It was evident to those on board that the merchantman would not stand
+very much battering of that sort. Already one of the sailors had come up
+to announce that two of the firemen had been struck.
+
+But still the Maria tore desperately onward. Nobody cared very much how
+much damage was done, except that they did not want the engines to be
+smashed until the ship had reached the shore.
+
+As well as Clif could calculate roughly, it ought not to have taken them
+an hour to return to the coast, for they had the storm to aid them.
+That they could hold out that long under the unceasing fire he did not
+believe.
+
+"But the Spaniards may use up all their ammunition," he thought to
+himself.
+
+That was a possibility, for he knew that the supply in the possession of
+Spain was a small one.
+
+And the actual course of events made him think that his surmise was
+true. The desperate chase kept up for perhaps half an hour; and then
+unaccountably the Spaniard's fire began to slacken.
+
+Clif could hardly believe his ears when he heard it.
+
+"What can it mean?" he gasped.
+
+But a moment later his surprise was made still greater. For one of the
+sailors bounded into the pilot house.
+
+"She's giving up, sir!" he cried.
+
+"Giving up!"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"How in the world do you mean?"
+
+"She's stopped firing, sir. And what's more, she's dropping behind."
+
+Clif stared at the man in amazement.
+
+"Dropping behind!"
+
+And then suddenly he sprang out to the deck.
+
+"Take the wheel a moment," he cried to the sailor.
+
+And he himself bounded down the deck toward the stern.
+
+He stared out over the railing, clinging to it tightly to prevent
+himself from being flung off his feet.
+
+He found that what the sailor had said was literally true. The Spaniard
+was now firing only an occasional shot, and she was at least a hundred
+yards behind.
+
+What that could mean Clif had not the faintest idea. Could it be that
+her engines had met with an accident? Or that she fancied the
+merchantman was sinking?
+
+The cadet gazed down into the surging water below him; he could see the
+white track of the big steamer and knew that she was fairly flying
+along.
+
+He took one more glance in the direction of the now invisible Spaniard.
+The firing had ceased altogether.
+
+And like a flash the thought occurred to Clif that whatever the reason
+for the strange act might be, now was the time to save the merchantman.
+
+"We can turn off to one side!" he gasped, "and lose her!"
+
+And with a bound he started for the pilot house.
+
+"Hard a-port!" he shouted to the man at the wheel.
+
+But before the man had a chance to obey Clif chanced to glance out
+ahead, into the darkness toward which the vessel was blindly rushing.
+
+And the cadet staggered back with a gasp.
+
+"A light!" he cried. "A light!"
+
+Yes, there was a dim flickering point of light directly in front of
+them. Where it came from Clif could not tell, but he realized the
+significance in an instant.
+
+And at the same time there was another sound that broke upon his ear and
+confirmed the guess. It was a dull, booming roar.
+
+The man at the wheel heard it, too.
+
+"It's breakers, sir!" he shouted. "Breakers ahead!"
+
+They were nearing the land!
+
+And then the significance of the Spaniard's act became only too
+apparent. The men who were running her had seen the light, and they had
+no idea of being led to destruction by their eagerness to follow that
+reckless merchantman.
+
+And so they were slowing up and keeping off the shore.
+
+There was a faint hope in that; the Maria might be able to steal away if
+she were quick enough in turning.
+
+Clif's order had been obeyed by the sailor the instant he heard it. Clif
+sprang in to help him, and they whirled the wheel around with all their
+might.
+
+But alas! they were too late! When a steamer waits until she hears
+breakers in a storm like that it is all up with her, for she must be
+near the shore indeed.
+
+And plunging as the Maria was, urged on by wind and waves and her own
+powerful engines, it was but an instant before the crisis came.
+
+Clif had half braced himself for the shock; but when it came it was far
+greater than he had expected. There was a crash that was simply
+deafening. The huge ship plunged into the rocky shore with a force that
+almost doubled her up, and made her shake from stem to stern. And she
+stopped so abruptly that Clif was flung through the window of the pilot
+house.
+
+The deed was done!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+A DASH FOR THE SHORE.
+
+
+Strange to say, Clif was not much excited at the terrific moment. The
+peril was so great that he was quite gay as he faced it. He had risen to
+the occasion.
+
+He picked himself up and stepped out to the deck.
+
+There he found a scene of confusion indescribable. Above the noise of
+the breakers on the shore and the waves that were flinging themselves
+against the exposed side of the ship rang the wild shrieks and cries of
+the terrified Spanish prisoners.
+
+The vessel after she had struck had been flung around and was being
+turned farther over every minute. The violence of the storm that was
+struggling with her was quite inconceivable.
+
+The waves were pouring over her in great masses, sweeping everything
+before them; and the spray was leaping so high and the flying storm
+clouds driving past so low that there was no telling where the surface
+of the sea ended and the air began.
+
+The big ship had landed among rocks, and every wave was lifting her up
+and flinging her down upon them with dull, grinding crashes that could
+be both heard and felt.
+
+A moment after she struck a man came dashing up the ladder to the deck;
+it was one of the sailors, and behind were the terrified firemen.
+
+"She's leaking in a dozen places!" the man shouted.
+
+He clung to railing as he spoke, and a great wave half drowned him; but
+he managed to salute, and Clif saw a look of wild delight on his face,
+one that just corresponded with his own eager mood.
+
+"She'll split in about half a minute, I fancy," the cadet answered, "and
+the Spaniards are welcome to what's left. We've done our duty."
+
+And with that he turned to the pilot house, where the rest of the men
+were grouped. They were gazing at him eagerly.
+
+"Are you ready, boys?" Clif shouted.
+
+Every one knew what he meant by "ready"--ready to make the wild attempt
+to land and reach the shore through all those wildly surging breakers.
+The very thought of it was enough to stir one's blood.
+
+And the answer came with a vengeance.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!"
+
+"Then get out one of the boats," shouted Clif.
+
+As he saw the men struggling forward to reach the nearest rowboat he
+turned suddenly on his heel. He had something else to attend to for a
+moment.
+
+It was an errand of mercy. Those shrieking wretches were all bound to
+the railing of the doomed ship, and Clif would never have forgiven
+himself if he had left them there. Their faces would have haunted him.
+
+And he drew his sword and set swiftly to work.
+
+He cut the captain loose and put a knife into his hand.
+
+"Get to work!" he cried. "Get to work!"
+
+Clif took the risk of trusting the man, and went on, leaving him with
+the weapon. The cadet believed that he would be grateful for his
+release.
+
+And besides they were fellow sufferers then, threatened with the same
+peril.
+
+And Clif was not mistaken. The man set hastily to work releasing his
+comrades, and in less time than it takes to tell it the terrified men
+were huddled together on the deck.
+
+The cadet wasted no more time upon them.
+
+"There are three boats left for you," he cried. "Save yourselves."
+
+And with that he turned and made his way down to where his own men were
+struggling with one of the small boats.
+
+There was one other thing which in the wild confusion of that moment
+Clif managed to remember needed to be attended to. There was Ignacio!
+
+The treacherous Spaniard had nearly been swept off, and he was half
+drowned by the floods of water that poured over the deck. But his hatred
+of the Americans was too great for him to shout to them for aid.
+
+What to do with that murderous villain was a problem that worried Clif.
+Undoubtedly the wisest thing would be to kill him, then and there; death
+was the fate he certainly deserved.
+
+And Clif half drew his sword; but it was no use. He could not bring
+himself to do such an act. And he flung the weapon back into the
+scabbard.
+
+To attempt to carry him away was equally useless; the Americans did not
+expect to reach the shore themselves.
+
+"I'll leave him to his fate," Clif muttered. "The Spaniards may help him
+if they choose."
+
+And with that he turned toward the sailors again; the men had by that
+time nearly succeeded in getting the boat away. They were working like
+Trojans.
+
+Every wave that struck the ship helped to fill the boat, even before it
+touched the water; the spray poured down over the slanting deck upon it
+and the sailors had to empty it several times.
+
+While they were wrestling thus the wind and water and rocks had been
+getting in their work upon the doomed vessel. Lower and lower she sank,
+harder and harder she pounded.
+
+And then suddenly a great billow heaved itself with a thud against the
+bow and fairly hammered it around. One of the sailors gave a yell.
+
+"She's split!"
+
+And sure enough, a great seam had opened amidships and the water surged
+in with a roar.
+
+The vessel seemed fairly falling to pieces.
+
+And such being the case the sailors had no time to delay. The frail boat
+was lowered into the seething waters; the men tumbled in and seized the
+oars. Clif made a wild leap and caught the stern just as one mighty wave
+raced by and whirled the boat away from the vessel.
+
+And in one instant it was lost to sight and sound. What was done by the
+Spaniards no one could see a thing. The Americans were fighting for
+their own lives.
+
+There was but one thing for them to do----
+
+"Pull for the shore, sailors, pull for the shore."
+
+And the great sweeping breakers to aid them. In fact they were flung in
+so fast that they could hardly row.
+
+It was a thrilling struggle, that race with the giant waves. The sailors
+struggled with all their might, keeping the frail craft straight. And
+Clif, with a bucket he had thought to bring, was bailing frantically,
+and shouting to encourage the men.
+
+In, in they swept, nearer, with the speed of a whirlwind, toward the
+shore.
+
+"If it's rocks, Heaven help us!" Clif gasped.
+
+It seemed an age to him, that brief struggle. Breathless and eager, he
+watched the great white caps breaking, smiting against the stern,
+struggling to turn that boat but a few inches so that they might catch
+it on the side and fling it over.
+
+And meanwhile the wind and waves and oars all helping, on swept the
+boat--bounding over the foamy crests, sinking into the great hollows,
+leaping and straining, but still shooting on in the darkness.
+
+And every second was precious, for the shore was not far away; the roar
+of the surf grew louder--louder almost upon them.
+
+And then suddenly one great seething billow came rushing up behind. Clif
+saw it, and shouted to the men. In a second more its white crest towered
+over them.
+
+It was just on the point of breaking in a giant cataract of foam; it
+would have buried the little boat and its occupants beneath tons of
+foaming water.
+
+But it was just a second too late. The little boat's stern shot up; for
+a moment it was almost on end, and then it rose to the top of the wave
+and a moment later as the crash came and the sweep in toward shore began
+the frail craft was flung forward as if from a catapult.
+
+And in it shot with speed that simply dazed the Americans; but it was
+toward shore--toward shore!
+
+They had passed the breakers!
+
+And Clif gave a gasp of delight as he felt the wild leap forward. It
+seemed but a second more before the rush ended.
+
+The bow of the rowboat struck and the frail object was whirled round and
+flung over, its occupants being fairly hurled into the air.
+
+When they struck the water it was to find themselves within a few feet
+of dry land. They staggered to a standing position to find that they
+were in water only up to their waists. And the great wave was tugging
+them out to sea again.
+
+They struggled forward wildly, clutching at each other. A minute later,
+breathless, exhausted and half drowned, but wild with joy, they
+staggered out upon a sandy beach and sank down to gasp for breath.
+
+"We're safe!" panted Clif. "Safe!"
+
+Safe! And on the island of Cuba, the stronghold of their deadly enemies!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY.
+
+
+It must have been at least five minutes before those exhausted men moved
+again; when at last they managed to rise to their feet it was to find
+themselves in the midst of absolute darkness, with the wild sea on one
+side of them and on the other no one knew what.
+
+The faint point of light which they had seen had now disappeared: but
+they took it to mean that there were Spaniards in the neighborhood.
+
+And they did not fail to recognize the peril in which they were. The
+firing had probably been heard and the wreck of the merchantman seen. If
+so, the Americans could not be in a much worse place.
+
+"We may be right in front of a battery," whispered Clif.
+
+The first thing the sailors did was to see to their revolvers and
+cutlasses. And after that they started silently down the shore.
+
+"We won't try to go far," Clif said, "but we must find a hiding-place."
+
+But in that darkness the hiding-places were themselves hidden; the best
+the Americans could do was to stumble down the shore for a hundred yards
+or so, being careful to walk where the waves would wash out their
+footprints.
+
+Then they were a short distance from the wreck and felt a trifle safer.
+
+"We may as well strike back in the country now," said the leader, "at
+least until we can find some bushes or something to conceal us."
+
+That was a rather more ticklish task, and the men crouched and stole
+along in silence. They had no idea what they might meet.
+
+It was fortunate for them that they were quiet. Otherwise they would
+have gotten into very serious trouble indeed.
+
+They stole up the sandy beach a short ways, feeling their way along and
+getting further and further away from the sea. They were struggling
+through soft dry sand.
+
+And suddenly Clif, who was in front, saw something loom up before him, a
+dark line. And he put out his hand to touch it.
+
+He found that the sand rose gradually into a sort of drift or bank. It
+was high, and seemed to reach for some distance.
+
+The sailors stopped abruptly, and Clif crept softly forward, feeling
+along with his hands; suddenly the men heard him mutter a startled
+exclamation under his breath.
+
+"Men," he whispered, "we're in a terrible fix; I ran into a gun!"
+
+"A gun!"
+
+"Yes--a big one. We've struck a Spanish battery, and we must be near
+some town!"
+
+The sailors stared at him aghast; and then suddenly came a startling
+interruption--one that fairly made their blood grow chill.
+
+"Who goes there?"
+
+It was a loud, stern hail in Spanish, and it seemed to come from almost
+beside them!
+
+Quick as a flash the Americans dropped, crouching close together in the
+darkness. They could hear the beating of each others' hearts.
+
+There were several moments of agonizing suspense; the Spaniard who had
+shouted out was evidently awaiting a reply. And then suddenly he
+repeated his challenge.
+
+"Who goes there?"
+
+And a moment later came a sound of hurrying footsteps.
+
+"What's the matter?" Clif heard a voice demand.
+
+He was the only one in the party who understood Spanish, and knew what
+was said. But it was plain to the rest that it was a conversation
+between a sentry and an officer.
+
+"I heard a footstep, senor capitan!" cried the man. "Quidada! Take care!
+It's very near."
+
+There was a moment's pause.
+
+"You must be mistaken," said the officer.
+
+"I am not mistaken," repeated the man firmly. "Santa Maria, my ears do
+not deceive me. You said to be watchful, for you have heard firing."
+
+To that the Americans had listened in trembling silence; but the next
+made them jump. "I will light this lantern," said the officer.
+
+And the instant they heard it Clif rose silently to his feet; the men
+did likewise, and began to creep softly off to one side.
+
+But careful as they were they could not help the grinding sound of their
+footsteps in the sand, and it caught the quick ear of the Spaniard.
+
+"Hear it!" he cried. "Por dios, again! Somebody is stealing upon us!"
+
+And an instant later the air was rent by a sharp crack of a rifle--the
+sentry had fired!
+
+There was wild confusion at once, and the unfortunate castaways were
+aghast. For an instant Clif thought of charging the battery--with four
+men. But he realized the folly of that.
+
+"Quick!" he cried, "let us hide. Forward!"
+
+Lights were flashing and men shouting and running about behind the sand
+wall just in front of them, but the sailors were still unseen. They
+broke into a run and fairly flew down the shore.
+
+They fancied the whole Spanish company was at their heels; but after
+they had run for some distance they found that they had not been
+pursued.
+
+For the enemy were so taken by surprise at the sudden alarm that they
+were if possible more frightened than the Americans.
+
+And so the men stopped for breath.
+
+They stared at each other, as if hardly able to realize the peril into
+which they had so suddenly been plunged.
+
+"I think that was the quickest adventure I ever had in my life,"
+muttered Clif.
+
+The suddenness of it made him laugh; they had almost walked into a
+Spanish fort.
+
+But it was no laughing matter, certainly; it was a confounded piece of
+ill-luck.
+
+"For they'll be watching for us now!" muttered Clif. "I'm afraid that
+will settle us."
+
+"They'll follow our footsteps!" exclaimed one of the sailors.
+
+That was so, and it was an unpleasant prospect; it was plain that if the
+Americans wished to find any safety they must get some distance away
+from that battery.
+
+"We'll make one more effort to get back into the country," muttered
+Clif.
+
+And amid silence and anxious suspense they once more started up the
+sloping seashore.
+
+They crept along as it seemed by inches. But fortunately they did not
+run across any more "guns." When they came across an embankment it was
+of solid earth and marked the end of the beach.
+
+And there were some trees and bushes there, so the Americans began to
+feel more comfortable. For all they knew they might in the darkness have
+been strolling into a town.
+
+But they were apparently out in the open country, there seemed to be no
+people and no houses near. So they started boldly forward.
+
+It was then late at night, a dark and damp and windy night; so they were
+not likely to find many people wandering about.
+
+"What we want to do," Clif said, "is to get back in the country a while
+where we can hide until morning. Then if we can find some Cubans we'll
+be all right."
+
+Clif was about tired to death. He had done far more work that day than
+any of those sailors. But there was no time for resting then.
+
+He gritted his teeth and started; they took their bearings from the sea,
+and then went straight on, watching and listening carefully, but meeting
+with no trouble.
+
+At first their walk led through what had evidently once been a
+cultivated country, for it was level and had but few trees upon it. At
+present, however, it was overgrown with weeds.
+
+Once they almost ran into a house, which it may readily be believed gave
+them a start. It was creepy business, anyhow, this stumbling along
+through the enemy's country without being able to see ten yards in
+front.
+
+But the house seemed to be empty. In fact, it could hardly be called a
+house any more, for it was half burned down.
+
+The Americans thought that it was empty, for Clif had stumbled and
+fallen with a crash over a pile of dry sticks and rubbish. But when he
+rose to his feet to listen anxiously there was no movement or sign that
+anybody had heard him.
+
+"It probably belonged to some of the reconcentrados," he muttered.
+
+He was about to turn and give the word to proceed.
+
+Then suddenly a new idea occurred to him, and he gave a pleased
+exclamation.
+
+"This is lucky!" he whispered. "Men, what is the matter with hiding
+there?"
+
+That was a rather startling proposition; for they could not be at all
+sure but some one lived there after all.
+
+But Clif had come several miles by that time, and he was disposed to be
+a trifle desperate.
+
+A person can get so tired that he will be anxious to enter even a
+Spanish dungeon in order to get a chance to rest.
+
+"We will search the house," he said. "If we find anybody we'll hold them
+up and make them prisoners; and if we don't, we'll spend the night
+there."
+
+And then without another word he started silently forward. The sailors
+were right behind him.
+
+What was evidently the front of the house was the part that had been
+burned. Clif picked his way over the ruins and into the rear, where
+there was a roof still remaining.
+
+There was a door there, half shut; one may readily believe that in
+pushing it open Clif was rather nervous.
+
+But nothing occurred to startle him, and so they went forward once more.
+The place about him seemed deserted.
+
+Then suddenly Clif did a startling thing.
+
+He took a deep breath and called aloud.
+
+"Anybody here?"
+
+And then for at least a minute or two the little party stood waiting in
+silence; but no answer was heard.
+
+"I guess it's deserted," Clif said. "Scatter and search it thoroughly."
+
+And that was quickly done. To their relief the Americans found that the
+place was not inhabited and that there was no one near. That once made
+sure it may be believed that they wasted no more time in delay.
+
+"I don't think it will be necessary for us to keep watch," he said. "Our
+safety lies in our hiding."
+
+They made their way into one of the smaller rooms of the little
+building, one which had a key to the door. And having secured themselves
+as best they could from danger of discovery, the wearied men sank down
+upon the floor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
+
+
+It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous
+situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their
+lives in their hands. They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a
+lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
+
+The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to
+light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk. But the darkness
+was their principal shield.
+
+But all the cold in the world could not have kept Clif awake; he and the
+rest of the men were soon fast asleep, hidden away in the enemy's
+country, and surrounded by perils innumerable, yet resting as quietly as
+if they were at home.
+
+And none of them awakened either, as the dark night wore on. The day
+began to break over the mountains to the eastward, and the gay sunbeams
+streamed into the room to find the sailors still undisturbed and
+unconscious.
+
+The sun had risen and was half an hour up in the sky before any of the
+Americans showed signs of awakening. One of the sailors turned over and
+then sat up and stared about him.
+
+It was not strange that the man wondered where he was, for a moment; he
+had been through so much during the previous day.
+
+He found himself seated in a little bare apare apartment half charred by
+fire, and having damp straw for flooring. His companions, including the
+officer, were stretched out upon it.
+
+They seemed in blissful ignorance of the fact that it was damp.
+
+The sailor rose to his feet; he was rather stiff and sore, and somewhat
+hungry, but he felt that he ought to be glad to be alive.
+
+And then he stole quickly over to the tiny window to look out; naturally
+enough he was a little curious to see what sort of a place it was they
+had hit on in the darkness.
+
+There was light, then, plenty of it--too much in fact, so the man
+thought. It showed him everything.
+
+And the everything must have included something rather startling. For
+the sailor acted in a most surprising way.
+
+He took a single glance out of the window; and then he staggered back as
+if some one had shot him.
+
+The man's face was as white as a sheet.
+
+He stood for a moment seemingly dazed, his eyes staring vacantly. And
+then suddenly he made a leap across the room and seized Clif by the
+shoulder.
+
+It was a startling way for Clif to be awakened; the face of that man had
+a sort of nightmare look.
+
+"What is it?" Clif gasped. "Quick!"
+
+"The window!" panted the sailor. "Look!".
+
+The man in his excitement had awakened the rest and they were sitting up
+staring at him.
+
+Clif meanwhile had rushed to the window, and when he looked out he acted
+just as the sailor had done.
+
+It might be well to describe in a few words what he saw.
+
+There was a small clearing around the deserted building, and beyond that
+a heavy wood. Clif remembered having made his way through those woods.
+
+And now somebody else had done likewise. There was a squad of a dozen
+soldiers standing on the clearing's edge.
+
+And they were Spaniards!
+
+"Can they have surrounded us?" gasped the cadet.
+
+"Or perhaps they don't know we're here," whispered one of the men.
+
+The full meaning of that startling discovery was made evident to them an
+instant later. The officer of the Spaniards was standing to one side
+watching a man, who, with bowed head, was carefully scanning the ground.
+
+And he was coming slowly toward the building.
+
+"They're tracking us," whispered Clif.
+
+And just then the man raised up his head and Clif got a glimpse of his
+face.
+
+"The villain!" he gasped.
+
+It was Ignacio!
+
+Yes, it was the villainous Spanish spy. He and his Spanish companions
+must have succeeded in getting ashore. And they had tracked their
+unsuspecting enemies to their hiding-place.
+
+"I wish I had killed him!" Clif muttered half to himself.
+
+One of the sailors heard him, and he drew his revolver significantly.
+
+"It's not too late, sir," he said.
+
+But Clif held up his hand.
+
+"No, no," he whispered. "Not yet!"
+
+That suggestion called him back to action. Not yet--because they had not
+yet been discovered.
+
+Ignacio was apparently off the scent; he did not know whether his
+victims had dodged the building or had the temerity to enter.
+
+And instantly Clif leaped forward, over to the other side of the
+building. If none of the enemy was there it might not be too late for
+flight.
+
+"If they are," Clif muttered to himself, "by jingo, they've still got
+the building to capture."
+
+Whatever was to be done had to be done quickly, for Ignacio was a
+cunning fellow, and wouldn't be apt to delay very long.
+
+Clif gazed out in the other direction and saw to his delight that the
+thicket came close to the house, and there were no Spaniards in sight.
+
+He called in a low voice to the men, who stole silently over toward him.
+
+"Quick!" he gasped. "Out, for your lives!"
+
+It was a thrilling moment, and Clif was trembling with eagerness. One by
+one he watched the men crawl out of the low window and gather in the
+shelter of the building.
+
+And a moment later he himself dropped down; the instant he struck the
+ground he started forward.
+
+"To the woods!" he whispered. "And not a sound, for your lives."
+
+And the men sprang softly forward, not even pausing to glance over their
+shoulders to see if they were discovered.
+
+Clif fancied at that instant that he was safe. The building was between
+him and the Spaniards.
+
+But he did not know that at that moment Ignacio had observed a footprint
+in the damp ground that made him aware that they had gone into the
+building; he rushed around to the other side just in time to see a blue
+uniform vanish in the thicket.
+
+The next moment a wild yell came from his throat.
+
+"Mira!" he shrieked. "Forward! Here they are now!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+A RUNNING FIGHT.
+
+
+That cry seemed the death knell of the Americans, and their hearts
+leaped up in their throats when they heard it. For a moment Clif thought
+of stopping and giving battle then and there.
+
+But he realized the hopelessness of that; it was hopeless too, to run,
+with no place to run to. But the sailors were already dashing away
+through the woods. And the cadet soon caught up with them and urged them
+on.
+
+The Spaniards broke into a run the moment they heard Ignacio's cry; a
+minute later they fired a volley into the bushes, probably in order to
+alarm the country.
+
+It would have been hard for those five fugitives to go any faster than
+they did during the first few moments of that chase. They heard their
+enemies banging away and yelling in their rear, and they fairly flew
+over the ground.
+
+"Keep together," panted Clif. "We may find some place to make a stand."
+
+The ground over which they were traveling was ill adapted for speed, for
+it was rough and the bushes were thick.
+
+But it was as fair for one as the other, and the Americans tore their
+way through and sped on.
+
+The Spaniards in the rear apparently knew of other troops in the
+neighborhood from the way they kept yelling; Clif groaned as he realized
+the hopelessness of their flight.
+
+For even if they succeeded in shaking off their pursuers the whole
+country was alarmed and hunting for them. And they had no food and no
+one to guide them.
+
+But the present evil was great enough, for the furious Spaniards were
+hot on the trail.
+
+"Surrender! Surrender!" Clif heard the officer shouting a short way
+back.
+
+The chase would have ended in no time had it not been for the woods,
+which kept the fugitives out of sight so that they could not be shot.
+
+But that was a protection that would not last forever. Clif gave a
+sudden gasp as he saw a clearing ahead of them.
+
+But it was only a small one, and the Americans sped across it at the
+very top of their speed. They hoped to reach the woods before their foes
+sighted them.
+
+And they did. Then suddenly a new idea flashed over Clif.
+
+"Stop a minute!" he cried. "Ready!"
+
+The sailors saw him draw his revolver, and they knew what it meant. They
+crouched in the bushes, waiting.
+
+"We'll show them it isn't all play," Clif whispered.
+
+And, a second later, half a dozen Spaniards dashed out of the woods.
+
+"Fire!" roared Clif.
+
+There was a quick volley, and then instantly the fugitives sprang up
+again and sped on. They left several of their enemies lying on the
+ground.
+
+That unexpected move had evidently disconcerted the pursuers, who hadn't
+looked for a reception of that kind.
+
+They were not heard on the trail again for fully a minute, while the
+Americans made the best possible use of their time. But the pursuers did
+not mean to give up as easily as that, and they soon set out once more,
+firing away as if a whole army were in sight.
+
+Their little success raised the spirits of the gallant tars
+considerably; they seemed to forget they were in the enemy's country.
+
+And they chuckled gleefully to themselves as they raced on through the
+woods; they were a pretty small army of invasion, but they had lots of
+courage.
+
+But there is a limit to what courage can do, and the unfortunate sailors
+soon learned it.
+
+They came to a second clearing, a broad savanna this time.
+
+"We'll have to run for our very lives," gasped Clif.
+
+For if they failed to reach shelter before the Spaniards came up the
+former situation would be just reversed and the Spaniards could hide and
+fire in safety.
+
+And so the men set out at breakneck speed, as if they were in a hundred
+yard's dash.
+
+"I think we can make it," thought Clif. "They seem to be a long ways
+behind."
+
+The shouts of the enemy indicated it; Clif's volley had seemed to
+deprive them of their former confidence and rashness.
+
+But unfortunately, they were not the only Spaniards in Cuba. The firing
+had not failed to attract attention.
+
+The Americans had reached about the centre of the broad plain. There was
+high grass and cane upon it, and that made even walking hard. But the
+men still plunged on bravely, though they were gasping for breath.
+
+But then something happened that made them gasp still more.
+
+For the shouts of the enemy in the rear were suddenly answered.
+
+And the answer came from in front.
+
+The sailors halted and stared at each other in consternation.
+
+"Do you see anything?" cried Clif.
+
+All that could be made out was a line of bushes and undergrowth, marking
+the beginning of the woods.
+
+But out of it came a confused babel of shouts, as if a whole army were
+there and had been suddenly alarmed.
+
+"They'll head us off!" gasped the sailor.
+
+But they stood still for only a second; now was no time to delay.
+
+The pursuers in the rear were drawing closer every instant.
+
+There was only one thing left. They were shut off in two directions, but
+off to each side----
+
+"Come!" gasped Clif.
+
+And the sailors whirled about and followed him in the new direction. It
+was a hopeless hope, but it was not yet time to give up.
+
+And so for perhaps a hundred yards they raced on. They had heard a shout
+behind them, and saw the Spaniards running out from the woods, both in
+front and behind.
+
+"Turn and fight them!" shouted Clif.
+
+Like wild animals at bay the sailors faced about and jerked out their
+revolvers again. They were on the point of opening fire, when suddenly,
+as if they were not in trouble enough, there came a new development.
+
+There was a yell behind them, and a crashing sound. Out upon the broad
+savanna galloped a whole troop of Spanish cavalry, their carbines in
+their hands.
+
+And at their head rode a brightly uniformed captain waving his sword and
+galloping down upon the fugitives.
+
+"Surrender!" he yelled. "Lay down your arms."
+
+And that was the last straw; the sailors looked at Clif, and Clif looked
+at the sailors. The troopers were not a hundred yards away, and there
+were fifty of them.
+
+"I guess we may as well give up," said Clif, grimly. "We've done our
+best, I think."
+
+And he turned toward the galloping men, dropped his sword and revolver,
+and then folded his arms.
+
+"We surrender," he called. "Come on."
+
+And a minute later the gallant five were surrounded by the cavalrymen,
+who stared at them eagerly.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded the gruff captain.
+
+"An officer in the United States Navy," said Clif, promptly. "From the
+gunboat Uncas."
+
+"And what are you doing here?"
+
+"We were wrecked on the coast last night. We surrender, and we expect to
+be decently treated."
+
+"You are prisoners of war," was the officer's stern response, "and you
+will be treated as such. Forward, march!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE FIRST PRISONERS OF WAR.
+
+
+The command had hardly been obeyed when out from the brush at the
+further side of the savanna came the pursuing Spaniards and with them
+Ignacio.
+
+The latter made straight for Clif with an upraised dagger, and would
+have killed the cadet then and there if the commander of the troop had
+not prevented him forcibly.
+
+"You fool!" he said, "don't you know the orders?"
+
+"What orders?"
+
+"From Blanco. Prisoners are to be brought to Havana. If you want to kill
+him, wait till you get him there."
+
+And so the furious Ignacio was compelled to leave his enemy alone. He
+now rode along behind the troopers, muttering curses under his breath.
+
+But he knew that his time would come later; moreover he had not so very
+long to wait, for the capture had been made quite near to Havana.
+
+The country through which they were riding was broad and flat, rising
+gradually to the blue hills at the southward. All about them it seemed
+as if the land had once been under cultivation; but now it was overgrown
+with rank vegetation.
+
+In the distance could be seen the buildings of a little town, for which
+they were heading.
+
+The Spanish cavalrymen rode along merrily, their accoutrements jingling.
+They were a dark-skinned, black-haired lot, and most of them were small,
+and not very sturdily built. The Americans had heard it said that they
+didn't get enough to eat, and they looked it.
+
+The prisoners were mounted upon spare horses, and were kept well in the
+middle of the group. Their hands were tied behind them, and one of their
+captors had hold of the bridles of their mounts.
+
+Clif's was a jaded old nag, and kept stumbling and stopping, making the
+task of riding a difficult one, but he did not notice it very much, for
+he was busily thinking.
+
+His present situation was indeed a discouraging one, and he felt its
+degradation keenly. It was not that his conscience troubled him, for he
+knew that he had done all that could be expected of him.
+
+But he was a prisoner for all that, and he had before him all the
+horrors of which he had heard so much.
+
+Still there was no chance of escape, and he could only bow to the
+inevitable; but he could not help feeling a thrill of apprehension as he
+glanced behind him and saw the malignant Ignacio gazing at him.
+
+But Ignacio bided his time, and said nothing. Meanwhile, the troopers
+trotted on.
+
+In about fifteen minutes the little town drew near. Clif did not know
+the name of it, for he had no idea where he had run ashore on the
+previous night. But he did not think he was far from Havana.
+
+The arrival of the soldiers created intense excitement in the town. Men
+and women and children and barking dogs rushed out to see them pass.
+
+And when it was discovered that five Yankees had been captured the
+cavalrymen received an ovation. But they made straight on to their
+destination; what it was Clif had no trouble in guessing.
+
+There was a railroad station in the town, and there the troopers came to
+a halt. Most of them dismounted from their horses to rest, and the
+captain hurried off to attend to the task of getting a train to take
+those prisoners to the capital.
+
+Meanwhile a great crowd gathered about the little station; most of them
+were ugly-looking, ragged men, and they crowded around the prisoners and
+stared at them curiously.
+
+There were looks of hatred upon their unpleasant faces, and their
+remarks it may be believed were not complimentary.
+
+"The Yankee pigs have met their match at last," snarled one
+tobacco-stained peon, who had forced his way up close to Clif.
+
+"And they'll go to Havana as they wanted to," put in another, with a
+leer. "They were boasting they'd get there."
+
+There were some grins at that sally, which encouraged the Spaniard to go
+on.
+
+"How do you like it?" he inquired. "Santa Maria, couldn't you have run
+fast enough?"
+
+"They won't run any more," snarled another. "They'll be put where
+they're safe."
+
+An old woman with a haggard, savage-looking face and a heavy stick shook
+the latter in the Americans' faces, as she cursed them in her shrill,
+Spanish jargon.
+
+And then suddenly came a loud cry from the outskirts of the crowd.
+
+"Stone the pigs! Kill 'em! Don't let them get away!"
+
+Clif could not see the man who yelled that, but he knew the voice, and
+realized that Ignacio was getting in his fine work again.
+
+And he seemed likely to be successful, too, for the cry appeared to
+please the crowd.
+
+"Yes, yes, kill 'em!" swelled the muttering shout.
+
+And a moment later some one, perhaps Ignacio himself, flung a heavy
+stone at the Americans.
+
+It sailed over the heads of the mob, and struck one of the sailors a
+glancing blow on the forehead.
+
+It made an ugly wound, and blood flowed.
+
+The sight seemed to please the crowd.
+
+"Por dios!" they laughed. "Good for them! Keep it up!"
+
+Perhaps the sight of blood enraged them; but at any rate, their
+hostility became more evident. They shook their fists and muttered
+savagely.
+
+And all the while Ignacio's voice chimed in.
+
+"Kill 'em! Kill 'em!"
+
+The prisoners seemed about to have a very unpleasant experience indeed.
+There was no one to restrain the crowd except the soldiers and they
+sympathized with the angry people.
+
+And the crowd seemed to know that; they surged nearer.
+
+"A prison's too good for them!" they roared.
+
+The old hag was still shaking her cane and yelling her maledictions. At
+that moment a man snatched the stick from her hand and aimed a blow at
+Clif's face.
+
+The cadet's hands were tied behind him, and he was nearly helpless. But
+he managed to turn and catch the blow upon his shoulders.
+
+And an instant later his foot shot out and caught the enraged Spaniard
+squarely in the stomach.
+
+The man staggered back.
+
+"Madre di dios!" he gasped. "He's killed me."
+
+Clif's daring action set the crowd in a perfect frenzy.
+
+"Stone 'em!" yelled Ignacio.
+
+And seemingly all at once they sprang at the prisoners with sticks and
+stones and knives and fists.
+
+The soldiers made a feeble effort to stop them, but the crowd saw them
+laughing as they did so.
+
+"Nobody cares about the Yankee pigs!" the crowd roared. "Go for them."
+
+It would have gone hard with the Americans just then had it not been for
+the fact that the captain reappeared. He had no love to waste on them,
+but he knew his duty.
+
+And he sprang forward with a stern command:
+
+"Drive that crowd back! Quick!"
+
+And then the cavalrymen acted in a quite different manner. The angry mob
+was forced away, in spite of their protests. The sailors breathed
+somewhat more freely.
+
+Still it was to their relief when they saw an engine and a single
+freight car coming up the track. They knew that was for them and that
+they would soon be out of the reach of that mob.
+
+"But not of Ignacio!" Clif groaned. "Not of Ignacio."
+
+The "private car" intended for the strangers came to a stop in front of
+the little station, and they were told to dismount from the horses and
+enter.
+
+The crowd gave a parting jeer as they lost sight of them. Once inside
+the sailors were gruffly ordered to sit down, and their feet were tied
+securely.
+
+A sergeant and three men were detailed to mount guard over them, and
+then everything was ready for the start.
+
+Clif watched anxiously for one thing; he had an idea that his deadly
+enemy might not succeed in following them the rest of the journey.
+
+But in that he soon saw that he was mistaken. Ignacio had no idea of
+being foiled in his vengeance. Just before the door of the car was shut
+his small, crouching figure entered.
+
+He stopped just long enough to clinch his fist and shake it at Clif; and
+then he retired into a corner to snarl angrily to himself.
+
+A few moments later there was a creaking of wheels and the "train" had
+started. The roar of the crowd died away and was succeeded by the sound
+of the rapid motion.
+
+The prisoners were on their way to Havana.
+
+"And I wish there'd be a wreck and end us before we got there," mused
+Clif.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+IGNACIO'S PLOTS.
+
+
+For Clif Faraday had not failed to learn something of what a prisoner
+might expect in Havana. A classmate of his, Vic Rollins, had spent a
+couple of months there and had emerged almost a physical wreck.
+
+And Clif could not tell how long he might have to remain. The war had
+already been going on long enough for him to see that it would last some
+time.
+
+And the amount of cruelty and starvation he had before him was enough to
+make the cadet tremble.
+
+He knew that the severest privation would fall to his lot.
+
+Ignacio could be trusted to see to that.
+
+"I don't think they'll dare to let him kill me," the American muttered.
+"But he'll probably get his satisfaction somehow."
+
+At any rate, it was plain that the vengeful Spaniard meant to try. He
+soon set to work.
+
+That Clif understood Spanish he was well aware. But he did not seem to
+mind it.
+
+For he began a conversation with the sergeant. And he did not take the
+trouble to whisper what he had to say, though one would have thought he
+would not care to have so villainous a plot known to any one.
+
+The officer in charge of the Americans was sitting near them with his
+own sword lying in his lap. And Ignacio crept over to him.
+
+"Jose," said he, "Jose Garcia, listen to me."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Jose, have you been paid your wages for the last six months?"
+
+The soldier gazed at Ignacio in astonishment.
+
+"Carramba! What's that to you?"
+
+"Nothing, Jose, except that you need money, don't you?"
+
+It was evident from the look that came over the Spanish soldier's face
+that the answer he made was sincere.
+
+"Santa Maria!" he cried. "Yes! Why?"
+
+"Would you like to make some?"
+
+"How much?"
+
+Slowly Ignacio reached his hand inside of his shirt and pulled out a
+little bag.
+
+He loosened the mouth of it and took the contents out. He spread them
+out on the floor of the car.
+
+"It is American money," he said, "the money of the pigs. But it is good
+money for all that."
+
+"How much is there?"
+
+"Ha! ha! You are interested, are you? Well, well!"
+
+Ignacio's dark eyes glittered as he slowly went over the pile of bills.
+
+"See, sergeant," said he, "here is a hundred-dollar bill. Just think of
+it! Look at it! Think if I should get that bill changed into good
+Spanish gold. The British consul would do it."
+
+"Yes, he is a friend of the Yankees."
+
+"Yes, he would do it for me. And then here is fifty dollars more. Look
+and count it. Think of what you could do with one hundred and fifty
+dollars of the Yankee's money. Think of what it would buy--food and I
+know not what--a fine dress for your sweetheart, to take her away from
+that rival of yours. And it is all good money, too."
+
+"How am I to know it?"
+
+"Carramba! Couldn't you take my word. You know me, Jose, and what I do
+for Spain. Do you not know that I am a friend of Blanco's? Hey? And you
+know that he trusts me when he trusts nobody else."
+
+"And how did you get that money?"
+
+"How did I get it! Ha! ha! I will tell--yes, por dios, I will, and those
+Yankee pigs may hear me, too. Ha! ha! There was what they called a
+traitor on the New York, the Yankee's flagship. She isn't much, but she
+is the best they have. One of our little gunboats could whip her, for it
+would be men fighting pigs."
+
+The sergeant's eyes danced.
+
+"And we'll sink her, too," went on Ignacio. "Just wait! I saw her run
+away once from a little gunboat. The Yankees build their boats swifter
+than ours so they can run away. But anyhow, as I said this man was
+working for Spain. And he tried to blow up the flagship."
+
+"Por dios!" cried the sergeant, "like we did the Maine."
+
+"Exactly. It would have been another glorious triumph for us. And, Jose
+Garcia, who do you think it was that prevented him?"
+
+The man clinched his fists.
+
+"I don't know!" he cried, "but I wish I could get hold of him."
+
+"You do?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What would you do to him?"
+
+"Santa Maria! I'd get him by the throat----"
+
+"You would?"
+
+"Yes. And I would choke him till he was dead."
+
+"Dead!" echoed Ignacio, with a hoarse cry of triumph.
+
+And then he raised one arm trembling all over with rage and hatred.
+
+"Jose!" he half yelled.
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Suppose I should tell you, Jose--suppose I should tell you that the
+villain is here?"
+
+"Here?"
+
+"Yes. By Heaven, he's here. Jose, that is he!"
+
+And the fellow pointed straight at Clif, while he leaned forward and
+stared into the Spaniard's face, eager to see what the effect of his
+announcement would be.
+
+It must have suited him, for he gave a low laugh, a fiendish chuckle.
+
+Then he went on.
+
+"And not only that, Jose! Think of what else he has done."
+
+"Has he done more?"
+
+"Yes, por dios, he has. Listen. Jose, we have in our power the worst of
+our country's enemies. Jose, he is a fiend, a perfect devil. He has
+ruined nearly every plan I tried. Do you know if it had not been for
+him--yes, for him--I should have stabbed the great pig admiral."
+
+"Carramba!"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Not Sampson."
+
+"Yes, he, the villain who is blockading Havana and destroying our ships.
+I had the knife at his heart, and that Yankee pig prevented me. Do you
+wonder that I hate him?"
+
+"No. I hate him, too."
+
+"Yes! For you are a true Spaniard. But about that money, Jose. I got it
+as I say, from this Schwartz. For when this Yankee pig stopped him from
+blowing up the New York he ran away and hid. And he paid me this for
+helping him to Cuba."
+
+Ignacio held up the bills before the hungry eyes of the Spanish
+sergeant.
+
+And when he had given him time to look at it and think of what it meant
+for him, Ignacio suddenly bent forward and got close to him.
+
+"Jose," he cried, "it's all for you!"
+
+The man stared eagerly.
+
+"What for?" he cried.
+
+"I will tell you!" said Ignacio.
+
+Once more he slipped his hand under his jacket.
+
+"Look," said he.
+
+And he drew out a sharp, gleaming dagger!
+
+He ran his fingers over the edge, hissing as he did so between his
+teeth.
+
+"It is sharp," he muttered. "Ha! ha! sharp! And it will do the work."
+
+"What work?"
+
+"Listen, Jose. There lies the fiend of a Yankee. He is in my power at
+last. He has baffled me, ruined me, but now I have him! Yes, he can't
+get away! Ha! ha! I feel merry. Jose, he is my deadliest enemy; he is
+your enemy, too, the enemy of our glorious country. I hate him--so must
+you."
+
+"I do!"
+
+"Then listen. I want to take this knife, this nice, sharp knife that I
+have been grinding for him. Ha! ha! Santa Maria, how sharp it is! And I
+will put this money, all this money, into your hands and you will turn
+away so as not to see. And I will take this knife in my hand so. And I
+will creep over toward that fellow----"
+
+"And kill him?"
+
+"Listen, Jose. You spoil it. He'll scream. He'll turn pale and tremble
+like the coward he is. But he can't get away, Jose, he can't get away!
+I've got him, Jose! And I'll unbutton his jacket, that hated Yankee
+uniform. And I'll take this knife and I'll put it right close to his
+soft, white skin. Then I will press down--down! And you'll hear him
+scream as it goes in; he'll twist about and shriek, but I will pin him
+to the floor. And then he will lie there, Jose, and we can watch him
+die. Ha, Madre di dios, how I hate him!"
+
+The Spaniard's rage had been such that his face grew fairly purple. And
+he snatched up the knife and started forward toward the cadet.
+
+"How I hate him!" he panted again.
+
+What were the feelings of poor Clif may be imagined; he was perfectly
+helpless and could only lie still and gaze into the eyes of his deadly
+foe.
+
+But there was some one else to stop Ignacio.
+
+The sergeant caught him by the arm.
+
+"So, no!" he cried. "Stop."
+
+"What!" panted Ignacio. "Why?"
+
+"They would punish me."
+
+"But they need not know?"
+
+"The others will tell."
+
+"Nonsense."
+
+"But they will."
+
+"What? Cannot a knife kill more than one man. Carramba, I will kill all
+five."
+
+"But I was ordered to deliver them alive."
+
+Ignacio was nearly frenzied at those objections.
+
+"Jose" he yelled, "you are mad. We can fix it. I will fix it with
+Blanco. Say they got loose, chewed the ropes, and attacked us. I will
+swear they did, swear it by all the saints. And I hate that Yankee so,
+Jose, that I would cut my own flesh to make the story seem more
+probable. I will say we had a desperate battle--tell them how you saved
+my life. And you will be promoted. Blanco will believe me, Jose."
+
+But the Spanish soldier shook his head dubiously.
+
+"I dare not," he said. "The captain's last words were to deliver them
+safely."
+
+"But think of the money, Jose! Think of the money!"
+
+Ignacio fairly ground his teeth with rage over the delay; he was like a
+wild man.
+
+"Por dios," he cried, "how can you hesitate? It is the chance of your
+lifetime--of your lifetime!"
+
+The five unfortunate prisoners had not all of them understood those
+words, but they had no doubt of their meaning. And they lay watching
+Ignacio feverishly.
+
+It was as if they had been charmed by a serpent, their eyes followed his
+every motion. They realized that at any moment the cunning villain might
+leap at them.
+
+But the sergeant, though wavering, still shook his head.
+
+"The men will tell," he objected.
+
+"Here is another hundred for them!" gasped Ignacio. "It is all I have.
+Por dios, what more?"
+
+There was at least half a minute of agony after that while the man upon
+whom everything depended wrestled with that temptation. It was a great
+one, and Clif felt a cold perspiration breaking out all over him as he
+sat and watched.
+
+But the stolid sergeant was apparently too much of a coward to take the
+risk. He said no, and Clif gave a gasp.
+
+"Wait and see Blanco," he said. "I do not dare to let you do it."
+
+And though Ignacio blustered and swore and pranced about like a mad man,
+the soldier was obdurate.
+
+"The risk is too great," he reiterated. "I dare not."
+
+And so Ignacio once more slunk back into a dark corner of the car and
+fell snarling to himself.
+
+"But I'll have him yet!" Clif heard him hiss. "I'll have him yet. Just
+wait till we get to Havana."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+BESSIE STUART.
+
+
+The event to which Ignacio was looking forward with so much pleasure was
+not long in taking place.
+
+The trip by the railroad lasted about half an hour only.
+
+Ignacio would hardly have had more than time to carry out his dastardly
+purpose before the train arrived. The car came slowly to a stop and the
+sergeant got up and opened the door.
+
+"Here we are," said he. "And I am glad."
+
+Ignacio was apparently glad, too, since he had failed in his first plan.
+He sprang up eagerly and watched the removal of the prisoners.
+
+The sergeant untied the Americans' feet and gruffly ordered them to
+march. With the soldiers before and behind they were led rapidly through
+the streets of Havana.
+
+If the arrival of those prisoners in a small town created excitement,
+one may well imagine that the big capital turned out a crowd to watch
+them; but there was almost no demonstration against them, for the party
+hurried along rapidly. And Ignacio did not try any of his tricks; he
+knew that his chance would soon come, and he waited patiently.
+
+Clif gazed about him as he walked. He was listless and hopeless, but he
+could not help feeling an interest in the city he had heard so much of
+and which he had been so busily helping to blockade.
+
+But he had little chance to look about. He was marching down a long
+street crowded with Spaniards of all sizes and shades. And then suddenly
+before a dark, heavy-looking building, the guards came to a halt.
+
+There was a heavy iron door in front of it that opened slowly.
+
+"March in," said the sergeant.
+
+And the prisoners, with bayonets at their backs, were forced up the
+steps and into the building.
+
+The door shut again with a dull iron clang that sounded like a death
+knell to Clif.
+
+Ignacio entered, too. He seemed to have the privilege of going where he
+chose; the sentries who were guarding that door asked him no questions.
+
+It was apparently some sort of a military jail to which they had been
+taken. Down a long stone corridor they were marched, and then halted in
+front of a door.
+
+The sergeant entered, and Ignacio after him. The rest waited outside.
+
+It must have been at least fifteen minutes before anything more
+occurred. Then the sergeant came out, and ordered the prisoners to
+enter.
+
+Clif, as the officer, entered first, and he found himself facing a tall,
+military looking Spaniard with a resplendent uniform and an air of
+authority. Who he was Clif had no idea, but he was evidently in command
+of the place.
+
+He was a dark, savage-looking man, and his brows were drawn down as he
+frowned upon the prisoners.
+
+And Clif was not surprised.
+
+"He's had Ignacio to tell him about us," he thought to himself.
+
+Ignacio was standing just behind the officer. There was a grin on his
+face and a look of delight; he rubbed his hands gleefully as he watched
+what transpired.
+
+The Spanish officer glared at his prisoners sternly. Clif's bearing was
+quiet and dignified.
+
+"So you are the officer who commanded the Yankee pigs?" growled the man.
+
+"I am an American naval cadet," was the response.
+
+The Spaniard said nothing more for a moment, but continued his piercing
+look.
+
+"You put on a bold front," he said at last. "You must have looked
+differently when you were running away."
+
+The remark required no answer, and got none. Clif did not mean to bandy
+words with the officer; if he wanted to taunt him he was welcome to do
+so.
+
+"We treat our prisoners more politely," he thought, "but I suppose this
+is the Spanish way."
+
+Meanwhile the officer went on.
+
+"You will be less impudent later on," he snarled, "when you learn what
+is in store for you. You've no idea, I presume."
+
+"I understood that I was a prisoner of war," was the American's quiet
+answer. "And I understood that Spain considered itself a civilized
+nation."
+
+The Spaniard laughed softly.
+
+"A prisoner of war," he chuckled. "So you really expect to be treated as
+such--and after what you have done!"
+
+"What have I done?" asked Clif.
+
+Ignacio's eyes began to dance at that; for the officer turned toward
+him.
+
+"This gentleman," said the officer, "is one of our trusted agents. And I
+have learned from him of your villainy."
+
+Clif was not in the least surprised at that. It was just what he had
+looked for.
+
+"I should be pleased to learn also, if I may, what has this trusted
+agent told you?"
+
+As he said that, he turned toward the grinning Ignacio.
+
+But it was the officer who continued speaking.
+
+"I suppose you wish to deny everything," said he. "But I assure you it
+will do not the least good in the world."
+
+"I presume not," escaped Clif's lips.
+
+The Spaniard frowned angrily, but he went on without a change of tone.
+
+"You were captured, if I understand it truly, from a merchantman which
+you ran upon the rocks in order to prevent one of our vessels from
+recapturing her?"
+
+"That is true," Clif said.
+
+"And you must have thought it quite a smart trick! But according to this
+man here, you previously had some fighting with our vessel. Would you
+mind telling me about it?"
+
+"I would not," said Clif. "We were steaming toward Key West, myself and
+these four men being a prize crew from the gunboat Uncas. We were hailed
+from the darkness by another vessel----"
+
+"Ah! And what was the name of the vessel?"
+
+"I do not know."
+
+"Did you not ask?"
+
+"I did. But she answered falsely. She pretended to be an American
+vessel----"
+
+The Spaniard gave a sneer.
+
+"So that is the yarn you mean to tell," he laughed.
+
+"That is what occurred," said Clif, quickly. "If you have heard
+otherwise you have been told a lie. And my men will bear me out in the
+statement."
+
+"Indeed! I do not doubt it."
+
+There was fine sarcasm in that tone; but Clif did not heed it.
+
+"Would you mind telling me what this fellow Ignacio has said?" he
+inquired.
+
+"He says," responded the other, "that the vessel announced herself as a
+Spaniard, and called on you to surrender. You did so; and then when the
+boat's crew came aboard you shot two of them and steamed away. Is that
+so, Ignacio?"
+
+"It is," snarled the "agent." "I will take my oath upon it."
+
+It was of course a lie; and it made Clif's blood boil. The Spanish
+vessel had deceived them and tried to capture them by stealth. The men
+of the Spanish boat's crew had been shot while trying to hold up the
+American.
+
+But Clif had expected that Ignacio would tell such a tale, and so he was
+not surprised. The offense with which the lad found himself charged was
+a terrible one, and he realized that he could be hanged for it.
+
+Yet what was he to do?
+
+"I fear," he said to the Spaniard, "that it will do me little good to
+deny this story."
+
+"That is true," said the other, promptly.
+
+And his cruel eyes gleamed as he watched the prisoner.
+
+"Do you deny the shooting?" he demanded.
+
+"No," said Clif, "I do not."
+
+"You find it easier to say that the men pretended to be Americans."
+
+"I find it easier because it is truer," was the cadet's answer.
+
+And then there were several moments of silence while the three actors of
+this little drama watched each other eagerly.
+
+Ignacio was fairly beside himself with triumph. He could scarcely keep
+himself quiet, and under his bushy eyebrows, his dark eyes gleamed
+triumphantly.
+
+He had played his trump card. And he had his victim where he wanted him
+at last. To watch him under the torture of his present position was
+almost as good as to watch him under the torture of the knife.
+
+For what could he do? He might bluster and protest (all to Ignacio's
+glee) but nobody would believe him.
+
+For Ignacio knew that the Spanish officer was glad enough to believe the
+story the spy told him. His prejudice and his hatred of Americans would
+turn the scale.
+
+And it would be fine to punish a Yankee pig for such a crime as this.
+
+As for Clif, he was filled with a kind of dull despair; he knew the odds
+against him, and realized that his struggles would be those of a caged
+animal. He had done nothing but his duty and the law of nations would
+have justified him. But Ignacio's lie upon that one small point (of what
+the Spanish gunboat had done) was enough to make him liable to death.
+
+The officer seemed to realize the smallness of difference, for he turned
+to Ignacio.
+
+"Are you perfectly sure," he demanded, "that you heard our vessel
+announce her identity?"
+
+"I am, senor."
+
+"And what was her name?"
+
+Clif's eyes brightened at that; he thought Ignacio would be caught
+there.
+
+But the cunning fellow was prepared, and answered instantly.
+
+"The Regina."
+
+He had chosen the name of a Spanish gunboat he knew to be at sea; and
+the ruse worked.
+
+"What more can you expect?" demanded the officer of Clif.
+
+And then the cadet looked up to make the last effort for his life.
+
+"As I have told you," he said, "this fellow's story is false. And now I
+will tell you why he has done it. He has long been an enemy of mine,
+and he is making an effort to ruin me. I foiled him----"
+
+"If you are going to tell me about that attempt of his to kill your
+Yankee admiral," interrupted the officer, "I know it already."
+
+And Ignacio gave a chuckle of glee.
+
+"In fact," the officer added, "I have learned of all your adventures,
+young man. And I have no doubt you consider yourself quite a hero after
+what you have done against Spain. But you will live to regret it, I
+think."
+
+And Clif saw that he had nothing to gain by pursuing that tack any
+further; he was silent, for he knew nothing more to do. The Spaniard
+went on:
+
+"I know also of another affair of yours," he added. "It seems that your
+pig government sent a naval officer over to see that bandit robber
+Gomez. And our friend here, Ignacio, was leading him into our camp. I
+believe that was it, was it not, Ignacio?"
+
+"It was, senor, and this Yankee here met us----"
+
+"And wounded you and rescued the officer, with the aid of some of the
+robber's men, and that girl you told me about."
+
+"Exactly," said Ignacio.
+
+"What was her name?" the other continued. "Stuart, I think. We will soon
+manage to stop her tricks, I fancy."
+
+Clif had been listening to their conversation without any particular
+interest. But suddenly as he heard that last speech his face flushed
+crimson and he half staggered back.
+
+"Bessie Stuart!" he gasped, under his breath.
+
+The Spanish officer was looking at him and he laughed as he saw the
+American's thunderstruck expression.
+
+"Ha! ha!" he chuckled, "so you are interested in her, are you? A
+sweetheart, perhaps, hey?"
+
+Clif did not answer that; he was staring at the man in horror. Stop
+her! What in the world could he mean? What could he know about Bessie
+Stuart?
+
+The girl was a dear friend of Clif's who had come to Cuba to hunt for a
+relative of hers.
+
+Clif had left her under the protection of Gomez; and that was the last
+he had heard of her.
+
+And here was the brutal Spaniard mentioning her. How had he and how had
+the villainous Ignacio learned about her?
+
+It was small wonder that Clif started back; Bessie Stuart was the
+dearest friend he had.
+
+Meanwhile the Spaniard was leering at him.
+
+"The Yankee pig seems worried," he said. "If that girl is his
+sweetheart, he did not do wisely to leave her with the bandit Gomez. Did
+he, Ignacio?"
+
+"No, senor," was that person's grinning response.
+
+"For she will soon be somebody else's sweetheart," chuckled the other.
+
+That was too much. Clif had held himself back, for he did not wish those
+cruel men to know he could torment him.
+
+But at that last remark he could no longer restrain his anxiety. He
+sprang toward the Spanish captain with a pleading look on his face.
+
+"Tell me!" he cried. "Tell me--where is she?"
+
+The other's lip curled sneeringly as he stared at him.
+
+"You are very much interested," said he. "Well, to be sure, the girl is
+pretty--pretty as I ever saw, unfortunately for her. But you may see her
+again. I expect--she is likely to be in the same prison with you."
+
+Every drop of blood left Clif's face at those terrible words. Bessie
+Stuart in prison!
+
+"Merciful providence!" he gasped.
+
+And then once more he sprang toward the Spaniard, a look on his face, a
+look of agony that would have touched a heart of stone.
+
+"For Heaven's sake, sir," he gasped, "tell me!"
+
+"Tell you what?"
+
+"Is she in Havana?"
+
+The Spaniard laughed softly.
+
+Then he nodded toward Ignacio.
+
+"Ask him," he said. "He keeps track of such people for us. She has been
+here some time now; and people who get into our prisons don't--ha! ha!
+they don't get out in a hurry, do them, Ignacio?"
+
+"No, senor."
+
+"And then she is very pretty, too," added the officer, with a laugh.
+
+To the agony those remarks were raising in the mind of poor Clif those
+two brutal men seemed quite insensible. Or perhaps they were teasing
+him.
+
+But if so, the officer had enough then, for he turned upon his heel
+impatiently.
+
+"Enough of this nonsense," he said. "You need not worry about your
+sweetheart, for you will probably be dead by to-morrow."
+
+And the man turned to the soldiers.
+
+"Those four prisoners," he said, pointing to the sailors, "will be kept
+here for the present. They will probably be exchanged in a few days. We
+do not blame them for the crime this officer here committed. As for him,
+he will probably be sent over to Morro Castle to-night."
+
+And then the file of soldiers closed about the dazed cadet and led him
+out of the room. He was scarcely able to walk by himself.
+
+The last sound that he heard as he left the room was the fiendish
+chuckle of the triumphant Ignacio.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+IN MORRO CASTLE.
+
+
+That certainly was a day of triumph for the vindictive Spaniard. Not
+only Clif Faraday was made wretched, but there was his friend, too, and
+each a thousand times more unhappy because of the misfortune of the
+other.
+
+Clif as he went out of that room was almost dazed; he could think of
+nothing. He scarcely heard the sailors sadly bidding him good-by.
+
+Nor did he notice anything else until he heard the clang of a door
+behind him, he realized then from the darkness and silence about him
+that he was alone in one of the cells of the prison.
+
+It was not for himself that the poor cadet feared. He could have marched
+out without flinching and faced a dozen rifles aimed at his heart.
+
+But it was for Bessie Stuart, fallen into the hands of these brutal men.
+The fate that was before her was enough to make Clif wish her dead.
+
+He racked his brains trying to think of how she could have come to
+Havana; could she have been captured in a battle? And what had Ignacio
+to do with it?
+
+But poor Clif knew nothing, and could think of nothing except that she
+was here, and he powerless to aid her.
+
+His own fate was terrible enough, though he hardly thought of that.
+
+He was to be sent at night to Morro.
+
+Many indeed were the unfortunates who had gone to take that sea trip in
+the darkness and never come back--and sometimes not reached their
+destination either. It was a terrible journey, that short ride across
+Havana Bay.
+
+But the cadet did not even stop to realize that. He had but one thought,
+and that he kept repeating over and over to himself in a state of
+confusion and despair. He never moved from his one position on the
+floor; and the hours flew by unheeded.
+
+Once and once only the heavy door of the cell was opened and that by a
+man who shoved in a pitcher of water and a dish of food. He must have
+thought the prisoner asleep.
+
+And as a fact, Clif was half unconscious; he was too dazed to think of
+anything. He had no hope and no chance of life, and nothing to think of
+except that Bessie Stuart was captured and he could not aid her.
+
+So the long day wore by; it was as a man waking from a deep sleep that
+the wretched American looked up when the door of that cell was opened
+again. He found that the hours had flown by, and that the time for the
+trip to Morro had come.
+
+If Clif had cared about anything then he would have shivered with horror
+at that moment, for it was surely gruesome and uncanny enough.
+
+Three men there were, dark, silent, shadowy figures who entered the damp
+cell. The only light they had was from a dark lantern, which they
+flashed upon the solitary prisoner.
+
+They found him still lying on the floor, but he raised up to look at
+them, his haggard, tortured face shining white in the rays of the
+lantern.
+
+"Get up," commanded one of the men, in a low, muffled voice. "Get up."
+
+The face of the speaker was shrouded in darkness, but Clif recognized
+the voice, and a cold chill shot over him.
+
+"Ignacio again!" he gasped.
+
+Yes. And Clif thought that this was the last--that Ignacio had gained
+his purpose. The task of murder was left to him.
+
+But there was no chance of resistance. Clif felt the cold muzzle of a
+revolver pressed to his head, and so he put the thought away.
+
+One of the men snapped a pair of handcuffs about his wrists, as if to
+make sure of him in case the ropes were not strong enough. And then one
+of them seized him by each arm and Ignacio stepped behind with the
+lantern.
+
+And so out of the cell they marched and down the long corridor and out
+of the building into the open air.
+
+Clif had chance for but one deep breath of it. A moment later he was
+shoved into a wagon that was in front of the door.
+
+There he was seated between one of the men and the chuckling Ignacio.
+The other man was driving and they rattled off down the street.
+
+Where they were going the unfortunate victim had no idea. Perhaps to
+some lonely spot where Ignacio could torture him to his fiendish heart's
+content! But there was no use in making an outcry.
+
+And Clif realized it and sat perfectly silent. He would give his enemies
+no more satisfaction than he could help.
+
+Clif did not think that it could be the trip to Morro that was before
+him; it was too early for such a deed of darkness. If he were dropped
+overboard upon the way some one might see it.
+
+But as it actually happened, Morro was his destination. And he really
+reached Morro, too. Perhaps the city jail was not considered strong
+enough for such a villain as he.
+
+And the carriage stopped at a wharf. A small launch was waiting there,
+and the party boarded her and were swept across to the other side in a
+very short while.
+
+So in a short while the walls of Havana's strongest dungeon shut upon
+Clif Faraday. He was a prisoner in Morro, famous or infamous, for its
+deeds of horror.
+
+For it was in this place, as Clif knew, that all the torture and cruelty
+of the Spanish nature had been wreaked upon the unfortunate Cubans or
+Americans who fell into the hands of Weyler. It was here that Ruiz had
+been murdered, and hundreds of wretches besides--their name and fate
+being hidden forever by the walls of that horrible place.
+
+And Clif was going then under the guidance of Ignacio. It was plain that
+the fiendish man had secured his purpose, for he was in command of the
+little party. And it was his to decide what was to be done with Clif.
+
+How the man had secured that privilege from the authorities Clif could
+not hope to know. That he had gotten it as a reward for some deed of
+darkness he did not doubt.
+
+Perhaps it was for capturing Bessie Stuart, was the thought that flashed
+over the lad.
+
+Again when the black, silent walls of Morro loomed up before them and
+the great gate opened nobody asked any questions of Ignacio. He showed a
+note, and it passed him from sentry to sentry; and the party passed down
+a flight of stairs into a cold, damp, stone corridor black as night.
+
+Poor Clif could not help but think of his own fate then. Ignacio's
+cruelty and hatred were such that no torture would be terrible enough
+for him. And he seemed to have his prisoner entirely to his own
+discretion.
+
+The great vault through which they were going echoed dimly to the
+footsteps of the party. They seemed to be down in a sort of a cellar,
+and they were winding their way through secret passages in almost
+absolute darkness.
+
+But Ignacio knew the way--probably the fellow had been in those gloomy
+dungeons before.
+
+He stopped suddenly and flashed the lantern upon a rusty iron door. It
+was solid and heavy, but Ignacio took a key from his pocket and unlocked
+it.
+
+It swung back, creaking dismally upon its hinges. And Ignacio flashed
+the light of his lantern in.
+
+He staggered back quite white with fright as he did so. For there was a
+series of thumping, shuffling sounds, and a shrill noise that made his
+blood run cold.
+
+But in a moment he again stepped forward, laughing under his breath.
+
+"Por dios!" he exclaimed. "The rats! They must be hungry!"
+
+And he stepped into the room. His foot splashed into a small puddle of
+water on the reeking, earthen floor. But he pressed on, flashing his
+lantern about the granite walls.
+
+It was a tiny black cavern into which he had come.
+
+There was a stone bench at one side of the horrible place, and in the
+wall by it a heavy ring and a thick iron chain.
+
+It was but a minute more before Clif's ankles were locked firmly in the
+ring, and then he was utterly helpless.
+
+For but a moment Ignacio stood looking at him, flashing the lantern full
+in his face. And then he turned and motioned to the two men.
+
+Without a word they faced about and stole away. They went out of the
+door, and Ignacio, trembling all over with his fiendish eagerness, shut
+the great iron barrier and locked it.
+
+And then with a hoarse cry of rage he faced about.
+
+Clif Faraday was alone with his deadly and merciless foe!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+IN THE DUNGEON VAULTS.
+
+
+Ignacio was a horrible object to contemplate at that moment, and it was
+but little wonder that Clif turned sick and faint as he watched him.
+
+The man seemed fairly turned into a devil then. He seemed insane. He was
+alone, absolutely alone, with his victim. And no one under heaven could
+stop him. He had the key himself! And he had his prisoner iron-bound and
+helpless!
+
+For several moments the man fairly danced about the place, yelling as if
+to prove to his hated foe that there was no care for anything any more.
+
+And then suddenly he made a leap at him.
+
+He crouched in front of him until his gleaming eyes shone into his face,
+and his hot breath could be felt. His claw-like fingers he seemed
+scarcely able to keep away from Clif.
+
+"Yankee!" he hissed, in a wild voice. "Yankee, do you know where you
+are?"
+
+The fiendish man saw the white look on his victim's face; and he
+laughed.
+
+"You do know!" he cried. "You do know! Ha! ha! You are in Morro, deep in
+the lowest vault! And no soul can come near you--near you--hear me?"
+
+He struck him in the face as if to draw his attention.
+
+"Listen; yes, stare at me! I don't wonder you quake. You have defied
+me--ha, ha! You have ruined all my plans, but I've got you now. And, oh,
+how I will pay you back, how I will twist you and tear you! You shall
+pay for everything. And you may shriek and scream and no one will know
+it more than if you did not. Listen!"
+
+And again from sheer bravado Ignacio raised his voice and shouted. The
+sound died in the grave-like cell--the granite and the iron shut it in.
+
+"You see!" panted Ignacio. "Not a soul heard! And you are mine. Ah, they
+hate you and they like me, for I told them about that girl. Ha, ha! You
+wince!"
+
+Ignacio's face was almost touching Clif's as he hissed that.
+
+"You can't get away!" he yelled. "And, oh, the things that I shall do to
+you! I've got instruments up stairs to tear you to pieces, burn your
+eyes out--but never kill you, oh, no! And all night you will scream, and
+all to-morrow, if I choose. And I will watch you--I and the rats. And
+the rats will eat you, too!"
+
+As if to add horror to the devil's gleeful statement, a huge slimy rat
+ran across Clif's body just then; it made him shiver all over.
+
+And Ignacio danced about as he saw him.
+
+"Ha, ha!" he cried. "You begin! But wait till I start--wait till you
+begin to feel some agony--till I begin to tear your eyes out! Then will
+you yell? When I get through with you--ha, ha!--when you are dead,
+perhaps weeks from now, you won't mind the rats any more! You may stay
+in here in this grave for the Yankees to find if they capture Morro as
+they say they will. Oh, I will make it a sight for them!"
+
+Clif could not have stood the strain of that horrible ordeal much
+longer; he would have fainted away.
+
+But then the fiendish Spaniard's impatience got the better of him. And
+he turned and crept toward the door again.
+
+"I will get the instruments," he whispered, hoarsely. "The torture
+instruments. Santa Maria, what things they are! And how you will
+shriek!"
+
+A moment later he turned the key and stepped out. He shut the door and
+locked it. And Clif was left alone in all the blackness and horror of
+that slimy place.
+
+Never as long as he lives will he forget the agony of that long wait. He
+sat straining his ears and listening for the first sign of the fiend's
+return. He knew that he might come back any instant and begin his
+horrible, merciless tormenting.
+
+Clif knew that man for a devil incarnate. He would sooner have looked
+for mercy in a hyena.
+
+For Ignacio was of the race of the Inquisition; and of the horrors of
+the Inquisition this was a fair sample.
+
+The wretched American knew that he was alone and that he could look for
+no rescue. He was buried in the very centre of the earth--or the centre
+of hades.
+
+And his cries would be heard only by Ignacio.
+
+Clif knew also that the frenzied villain would make haste, that he would
+come back panting and eager. Appalled, half dazed, he sat and listened.
+
+The first thing he would hear would be the grating of the key; and then
+would come horrors inconceivable.
+
+Seconds were years at that time. Clif thought that his hair would turn
+white from the suspense.
+
+And then suddenly he gave a gasp.
+
+There he was!
+
+Yes, the key was sliding in. And now it was turning!
+
+And then slowly the door was opened--groaning and creaking.
+
+Clif imagined the dark, crouching figure. He had left the lantern behind
+while these deeds of darkness went on.
+
+The tomb-like cell was absolutely black, and Clif could not see one
+thing. But he heard the door shut, heard the key turned. He shivered as
+in an ague fit.
+
+Above the noise of the scampering rats he heard a soft, stealthy
+footstep as the man crept across the floor.
+
+And then came the scratching sound of a hand running along the wall. He
+was feeling for him!
+
+And a moment later Clif gave an involuntary cry as he felt the hand
+touch his face.
+
+Perfectly motionless and paralyzed he sat and fancied what might be
+going on in the blackness after that. He felt, the hand pass downward
+along his body, felt it fumbling at the manacles that bound his ankles
+to the wall of the cell.
+
+Then to his surprise, his consternation, he heard a key softly turned.
+
+What happened then almost took away his breath.
+
+The iron fell off.
+
+He was loose!
+
+"Can he be going to take me elsewhere?" Clif gasped.
+
+But he nerved himself for one thing; gathered his muscles for it. Before
+Ignacio secured him again he would get a kick, one that would almost
+kill him.
+
+Eagerly Clif waited, to see what would happen next.
+
+But what did happen was more startling and incredible yet; he could
+scarcely believe his senses.
+
+For he felt the hands running down his arm. They fumbled at his wrists
+for an instant.
+
+And then with a clatter the handcuffs dropped to the ground!
+
+"Merciful heavens!" Clif thought to himself. "Can he be insane?"
+
+For a moment he actually thought so; then it flashed over him that
+perhaps the fiend was torturing him with the most horrible of all
+tortures--hope.
+
+"He'll wish he hadn't!" Clif gasped, as he braced his muscles.
+
+But that was not the true solution of the mystery; there were stranger
+things yet stranger and stranger.
+
+The only things that bound Clif now were the ropes that had held his
+wrists at first. He tugged at them, but in vain.
+
+There was a moment's silent pause. And then to Clif's unutterable
+consternation he heard another sound, a sound from across the room--a
+low, grating sound!
+
+It left him breathless.
+
+Some one else was coming into the cell!
+
+And with one rush the true state of affairs swept over Clif.
+
+"This isn't Ignacio!" he panted.
+
+And a moment later he received proof positive of that fact. For again
+the hand stole down his arms and there came a couple of quick slashing
+cuts that hurt his wrists more than the ropes.
+
+But seconds were precious then. In one of them Clif's hands were free.
+
+And his pulses leaped as he felt the knife thrust into his palm. He
+clutched it, and he heard one word whispered--in English:
+
+"Fight!"
+
+And then the dark figure stole swiftly over to the other side of the
+cell. It was at the same instant that the door was opened and the light
+of a lantern flashed in.
+
+It was Ignacio returning!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+OUT OF THE DUNGEON.
+
+
+The furious Spaniard came in like some wild beast, fairly gnashing his
+teeth and snarling to himself in his rage.
+
+Clif had but a moment, but he was quick to think; he sprang back to his
+old position, slipping his feet into the iron ring and putting his hands
+behind him.
+
+And Ignacio never noticed any difference, in fact he did not look at
+Clif until he had set down the lantern and shut the heavy door.
+
+He turned the key again and then faced about; touching low and muttering
+to himself, he stole swiftly across the floor.
+
+And his gleaming eyes flashed into Clif's face.
+
+"Yankee!" he hissed, "I am back. Do you hear me? Ha, ha!"
+
+As if to make sure that he heard him he struck him once more across the
+face.
+
+"Listen!" he cried. "Ha, ha!--and tremble."
+
+Clif's blood rose at that blow, but he held himself back and watched and
+waited.
+
+That was a moment of peril for the treacherous Spaniard; what would have
+been his terror may be imagined, had he known the victim into whose eyes
+he was glaring was clutching in one hand a sharp knife, ready at any
+instant to plunge it into him.
+
+But the fellow had no idea of his peril; he was at the very height of
+his triumph and his dark, beady eyes gleamed ferociously out of the
+shadows of that damp and silent vault.
+
+But he must have noticed that some of the color had come back into
+Clif's face.
+
+"You are still defiant," he cried. "You still do not tremble. But
+wait--wait till you begin to feel what I have for you. Did you see those
+iron things I brought in? Ha, ha! There is one I will fasten about your
+forehead and draw it tight till your very brain bursts. And then will
+you like it? Hey? Will you turn pale then? Will you scream? Ha, ha!--and
+I shall dance around you and watch you. Will you be sorry you interfered
+with me then?"
+
+Ignacio might have taunted his victim that way for hours, but he was too
+eager and impatient. He whirled about and sprang toward the door.
+
+"Santa Maria!" he panted. "I will get it! I will begin! I must hear him
+yelling!"
+
+And he snatched up something from the floor and taking the lantern in
+his other hand bounded back toward Clif.
+
+"Are you ready?" he exclaimed. "Yankee pig, begin to scream!"
+
+And he flashed the lantern's light upon him.
+
+That was the crisis of the situation; for as the Spaniard looked he made
+the appalling discovery that his victim's feet were untied.
+
+And he staggered back, dazed.
+
+"Por dios!" he gasped.
+
+And that exclamation was his last sound.
+
+Clif had nerved himself for the spring; for he knew that Ignacio might
+have a revolver and that no risks could be taken.
+
+But at that instant a dark, shadowy form rose up behind Ignacio.
+
+And one of his own iron instruments was raised above his head. It came
+down with a hissing sound, and then a heavy thud.
+
+And Ignacio dropped without a groan, without even a quiver. He lay
+perfectly motionless. His villainy was at an end.
+
+Clif had sprung up as he saw that, and he gave a gasp of joy. Then he
+sprang toward his deliverer.
+
+The shadowy stranger took no notice of him at first, but stooped and
+picked up the lantern, turning the light of it upon Ignacio.
+
+The villain's face was fixed in a look of horror; it made both Clif and
+the stranger shudder.
+
+The latter regarded it for a moment silently. The cadet could not see,
+but he was fingering a knife, as if undecided what to do.
+
+Who his mysterious deliverer was Clif had no idea. The single ray from
+the lantern did not furnish light enough for him to see anything; and
+the person had spoken but one word--"Fight."
+
+But the cadet's heart was full of gratitude; he sprang toward the
+stranger.
+
+"Who are you?" he cried. "I owe my life to you--let me thank you!"
+
+But the other motioned him back, and then for a few moments there was a
+silence, while both stared at Ignacio's silent form.
+
+When the stranger moved it was to point toward the door.
+
+"Go," said he to Clif, in a low, whispering voice. "Go; we will leave
+him here."
+
+And with that the mysterious person unlocked the great iron barrier and
+followed Clif out. The door clanged upon that ghastly scene, and Clif
+Faraday gave a sigh of relief.
+
+Yet there was so much before him that he soon forgot that hideous
+nightmare.
+
+For where was he going? And who was this stranger? And why had he
+rescued him? And what did he mean to do to Clif?
+
+Nothing could be learned in that dark corridor, for Clif could see no
+more there than inside of the room. But the stranger stumbled on and
+Clif followed.
+
+They came to an iron ladder, leading up to the floor above. Up that the
+man went, the cadet following; that took them to another long stone
+passage, dark as ever.
+
+On they went, turning and winding about, but still not hesitating. And
+then suddenly the man halted in front of a grated door.
+
+The key was in the lock and the door opened promptly as he turned it.
+
+"Enter," said he.
+
+Clif went in, and he heard the door shut behind him. It flashed over him
+then that he had only been taken to another cell.
+
+But when he whirled about he saw that the stranger had entered, too. The
+dark figure brushed past him and went across the room. A moment
+afterward Clif heard him in the act of striking a match.
+
+And then the light of a lamp lit up the little room. By it the eager
+cadet could see his rescuer, and he stared anxiously.
+
+Further secrecy seemed not intended. The stranger faced about and each
+looked at the other steadfastly.
+
+What the mysterious man saw was a tall, handsome American in a blue
+uniform, his face rather pale.
+
+Clif in turn saw also a man in a blue uniform; he had to take but one
+glance to see that he was a lieutenant in the Spanish army.
+
+He was a tall, finely proportioned man, rather young, and with a slight
+dark mustache. He had the dark skin and the features of a Spaniard; but
+Clif thought he had never seen a finer looking military man.
+
+For a moment Clif gazed at him in silence. Then he stepped toward him.
+
+"Tell me, sir," he said. "Why have you done this?"
+
+The officer answered in a low, quiet voice:
+
+"You will soon know," said he. "Do not be impatient."
+
+"You have saved me from a horrible fate," said the cadet, his voice
+choking. "I do not know how to thank you."
+
+"Do not try," answered the other. "You have some one else to thank."
+
+And then he became silent again, watching Clif. He seemed to be very
+much interested in him, from the way he studied the American's face. And
+once he gave a slight sigh.
+
+Clif looked at him in surprise; but the man turned away, and he went
+toward the door.
+
+"I will return soon," said he, again in that quiet, firm voice. "Wait
+here."
+
+There was nothing for Clif to do but wait; for when the door shut he was
+locked in the cell.
+
+That man's action was a mysterious one indeed. It left the cadet plenty
+to think of. He saw now where he got the keys. He was evidently one of
+the officers in charge of the castle.
+
+But why had he done it? Clif was utterly baffled before that question.
+
+But it was not for very long; he soon learned, and in a startling and
+unexpected way.
+
+Clif had not noticed it, but there was another door to that cell. It was
+behind him, leading to a small room in the rear.
+
+While he stood there motionless and lost in thought waiting for the
+Spaniard's return, that door was silently opened, and a figure stood
+watching him.
+
+And then suddenly it stepped out and came across the room.
+
+The cadet heard it then, and whirled about. He took one glance.
+
+And then he staggered back with a cry of consternation.
+
+It was Bessie Stuart!
+
+For one instant the two stood and stared at each other as if to make
+sure that their eyes did not deceive them. And then, with a cry of
+delight that came from his very soul, Clif sprang toward the girl.
+
+Bessie Stuart looked as if she had been through some terrible ordeal,
+for her face was pale; the emotion of meeting Clif almost overcame her,
+and she burst into tears upon his shoulder.
+
+Clif himself was so dazed that he hardly knew what to think. He caught
+the girl in his arms to keep her from falling.
+
+"Bessie," he cried, "how on earth did you get here?"
+
+The cadet's brain was in a whirl at that moment. He began to see what
+the Spaniard meant when he said it was for some other person's sake that
+he had rescued Clif. It was for her sake!
+
+And it must have been by some terrible sacrifice that she had saved him
+from the torture.
+
+"Bessie!" he cried. "Tell me--that officer. What----"
+
+The girl looked up through her tears.
+
+"S-sh!" she exclaimed. "It is all right. Wait."
+
+And at that instant Clif heard a key turn in the door, and knew that it
+was the man returning.
+
+Clif gazed into the girl's face and he saw a look of joy upon it that
+partially reassured him; then he looked up and saw that the Spanish
+lieutenant had entered and was watching them.
+
+In his quiet way he studied the faces of the two; he saw the look of
+happiness on Bessie Stuart's face, and he must have known that it was
+because she had met the cadet again.
+
+Clif saw him press his lips together resolutely. The cadet was watching
+him with the intensest anxiety, for he hoped in that man's actions to
+read the meaning of this mystery.
+
+But the Spaniard's handsome face showed little emotion, though his chest
+heaved and fell as he stood there.
+
+And then suddenly he stepped forward toward the two.
+
+"I have brought it, Miss Stuart," he said, with a dignified bow.
+
+He held out a heavy cloth cape, which the girl flung over her shoulders;
+then, leaning on Clif's arm, she stepped toward the door.
+
+"I am ready," she said.
+
+And without another word the officer turned and led the way out of the
+cell.
+
+He shut the door and locked it behind him and then went on down the
+corridor.
+
+Clif was mystified beyond expression, but he asked no questions. The
+three went on silently. Bessie Stuart was so weak that she had to be
+half carried.
+
+They had gone but a short way down the long passage before they met a
+sentry with a gun upon his shoulder; he glanced at them inquiringly.
+
+But the lieutenant was not one who could be asked for explanations, and
+the soldier saluted and passed on.
+
+They passed through two heavily grated doors, each guarded in a similar
+way. But still not a word was spoken.
+
+And then suddenly Clif saw the passage broaden out into a wide hall, and
+a moment later he came to what he knew to be the great door by which he
+had first entered.
+
+There were two men standing on guard there, either sentries or jailers.
+Clif could not see which. The party came to a halt.
+
+"Garcia," said the lieutenant, "these are two prisoners, Americans, whom
+I have been directed to take across the bay."
+
+The man saluted and bowed respectfully.
+
+"Have you the order?" he inquired.
+
+"I have not. The commander had no time to give one to me. There is some
+hurry in the matter, I believe."
+
+"It is somewhat irregular, lieutenant."
+
+"I will assume full responsibility," said the other, quietly.
+
+The man scanned the two prisoners closely.
+
+"They are not even bound," he objected.
+
+"I will assume full responsibility," said the officer again.
+
+He spoke rather sharply; and without another word the man hastened to
+swing back the door.
+
+And the three stepped out of that black prison into the open air and
+under the broad sky of heaven.
+
+And the lieutenant turned toward the two Americans.
+
+"You are free," he said, quietly. "Fly for your lives!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+CLIF FARADAY'S SACRIFICE.
+
+
+It is needless to say that Clif stared at the man in amazement. But an
+instant before he had heard him state that he was willing to assume
+responsibility for them as prisoners.
+
+And now he was saying that they were free!
+
+But there was no time to ask any questions. Bessie Stuart was clinging
+to Clif's arm and urging him on.
+
+"Have you got some place to hide us?" she inquired anxiously of the
+officer.
+
+"It is hardly likely that I would leave you here," was the other's quiet
+answer. "Come."
+
+He led them away from the prison. A short distance off there was
+standing a small closed carriage.
+
+"Here it is," said the Spaniard. "Step in."
+
+Clif helped the girl inside; and then entered himself. He expected the
+officer to follow, but he did not; he clambered up with the driver.
+
+And the carriage rattled off down the road.
+
+Clif saw his chance then. He turned eagerly toward the girl.
+
+"Bessie!" he cried, "for Heaven's sake, tell me what this all means. Who
+is this man? And why is he setting us at liberty?"
+
+The girl sank back weakly in the seat.
+
+"I will tell you the story, Clif," she said. "There is plenty of time,
+for we have a long ways to go."
+
+"He is ruining himself for us!" Clif exclaimed. "For you! Why he will be
+court-martialed and shot if he lets us get away."
+
+"I know it," groaned the girl, choking down a sob. "I know it. We talked
+it all over beforehand. But it was a question of his life or mine."
+
+"Are you sure he is not tricking us?" gasped Clif--"kidnapping us?"
+
+The girl smiled sadly.
+
+"You do not understand the circumstances," she said. "Wait, and let me
+tell you."
+
+Clif missed in his friend the old self-reliant manner that she had
+always had; she was nervous and weak, and it was plain that she was not
+well.
+
+And Clif was trembling all over with anxiety as he watched her.
+
+"Go on!" he cried. "Tell me. How did you get here, in the first place?"
+
+"You left me with Gomez," began the girl, taking a deep breath. "I did
+not stay very long, for he was marching about, and I could not stand the
+strain. He wanted me to go to one of the Cuban villages in the interior
+where his family was; but I was anxious to get back to the United
+States. And so I came here to Havana----"
+
+"To Havana!"
+
+"Yes, for I thought no one would know me."
+
+"And Ignacio saw you?"
+
+"Yes, and recognized me. But that was only the other day."
+
+"Where were you meanwhile?"
+
+"I had a letter to the British consul, and I stayed at his home. There
+was so much suffering in this city that I couldn't stay idle. I used to
+go to the hospitals to take care of the poor people, the Cubans. And
+that was how I met Lieutenant Hernandez."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"He is the man who has rescued us. He had been hurt in the Matanzas
+bombardment, and one of his arms was terribly cut. I took care of
+him--he was there because the military hospitals were crowded. And,
+Clif, I--I--I guess he fell in love with me."
+
+The girl flushed as she said that.
+
+"I should not tell, perhaps," she went on, hastily. "But it is your
+right to know this, and you would not understand if I didn't tell you.
+Clif, he asked me to marry him."
+
+Clif started and turned pale.
+
+"Bessie!" he exclaimed in horror.
+
+The thought of that girl's marrying the Spanish officer was terrible. It
+flashed over him that that was the reason why the rescue had been
+attempted.
+
+"Oh, Bessie!" he cried again.
+
+Clif had never breathed a word of love to her in his life. But all
+through their trying journey through Cuba he had protected her, fairly
+worshiped her. And he had thought she understood his feelings.
+
+And now he thought that he had lost her--she had promised to be that
+officer's wife! It was no wonder that he felt his hands grow icy.
+
+His heart fairly stood still as he waited for the girl to go on.
+
+"I will tell you," said Bessie. "You must know in the first place that
+this man is a gentleman, a hero in fact. You will understand it when I
+tell you what he has done."
+
+"Go on."
+
+"When he left the hospital, as I say, he begged me to marry
+him--declared he would resign from the army if I would."
+
+The girl was breathing hard as she continued; it was evident that the
+subject pained her.
+
+"I felt so sorry for him," she said, in a low, trembling voice. "For I
+think it has nearly broken his heart. I refused him. I told him that I
+liked him, but I did not, I could not marry him. I had been kind to him
+because he was ill. He swore that he would die for me--and, Clif, I
+think he has nearly carried out his promise."
+
+Bessie Stuart choked down a sob.
+
+"I refused him," she said again. "And then came the horrible Ignacio. He
+saw me on the street. That was three days ago; and that same day I was
+placed under arrest."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Why, Ignacio knew that I had been fighting with Gomez; you know we had
+a fight with some Spaniards when he was along. And so there was no
+chance for me. The British consul did all he could for me, but there was
+no hope. I could not deny the charges. And, oh, Clif, I have had a
+frightful time. I was taken over to those horrible dungeons in Morro.
+And I was sentenced to death. I was to be taken out and shot to-morrow."
+
+The girl stopped for a few moments to recover her composure.
+
+"And how did you find out about me?" asked Clif.
+
+"I will tell you," said Bessie. "But first I must go on about this
+Lieutenant Hernandez. I did not know it, but he was stationed over here.
+And when he found out what had happened to me he managed to come in to
+see me."
+
+And then Clif felt able to complete that story.
+
+"I suppose," said he, "that he offered to free you if you would marry
+him."
+
+Bessie Stuart smiled sadly.
+
+"You do not know the man," said she. "I will tell you what he did say. I
+can almost hear him saying it."
+
+"What?"
+
+"'Miss Stuart,' he said, 'you have said you do not love me. And I think
+you love some one else--I do not know whom; but I will not make you
+unhappy by urging you any more. I might take advantage of your present
+position to get you to promise to marry me. But I will not. If you will
+be ready to-night I will help you to escape, and prove what I said about
+dying for you.'"
+
+The girl stopped and sat silent, too much moved to speak. And Clif was
+too astonished.
+
+That was indeed the act of a noble nature. The cadet saw it all then,
+why the man had freed them and why he and the girl were both so quiet
+and sad. Lieutenant Hernandez had given his life for hers.
+
+It was fully a minute before anything more was said. Then Bessie Stuart
+began again, in a low voice:
+
+"About you," she said. "It was the lieutenant who told me, quite by
+accident. He said there were five Americans captured, one a cadet, and
+that he was to be killed. When I asked the name and he told me, I
+fainted dead away. And I think that hurt the lieutenant more than
+anything."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"I told him the story, how you had twice rescued me from the Spaniards.
+And he asked--he asked if you were his rival."
+
+The girl stepped abruptly.
+
+"And you said that I was, I hope," said Clif, quietly.
+
+Most women would have been embarrassed by a question such as that. But
+Bessie Stuart was not.
+
+There was some of the old-time self-possession in her voice as she
+responded. She turned and looked fairly into Clif's eyes.
+
+"I know you well enough to speak my mind," she said. "Yes, I told him
+that you were."
+
+And then the two sat perfectly silent, looking at each other. It was a
+very few words they had said, but they covered a lifetime of feeling.
+
+In that quiet way and under those strange circumstances Clif had
+unbosomed his heart; and Bessie Stuart had done the same.
+
+It was the first word that Clif had ever said to indicate how he felt
+toward her.
+
+For the two sat in silence for a minute or so; and then Clif went on:
+
+"You told this officer that I was his rival," said he; "that you loved
+me and that I was the only barrier to his hopes?"
+
+"I did," said the girl.
+
+"And he still was willing to save my life?"
+
+"You see what he has done," answered the other. "He said that he loved
+me, that he would risk his life to make me happy. And here we are."
+
+"But not happy," Clif added, half under his breath.
+
+Then again there was a long silence. One cannot say much when one feels
+as deeply as those two felt then.
+
+Clif thought of the heroism of that quiet Spanish officer. And his heart
+went out toward him. He fancied what the man's own feelings must be, the
+loneliness and the desolation.
+
+He had ruined himself, accepted voluntarily disgrace and a shameful
+death. And all in order that a woman who had been kind to him might be
+set free and made happy.
+
+Of the death there could be no doubt. When that officer was caught he
+would have it to face. And he would face it for the sake of Bessie
+Stuart.
+
+And moreover, he was aiding Clif, his rival, the one who was robbing him
+of his heart's desire; he was helping him to freedom so that the cadet,
+when his work in the war was done, might claim the woman he loved as his
+reward.
+
+That was heroism; not the noisy kind in the battle, which every one sees
+and applauds, but the quiet kind that knows it is right and cares for
+no one else.
+
+Clif felt that he could worship such a man as that.
+
+And it is needless to say that his conscience troubled him. What right
+had he to accept such a sacrifice?
+
+But the alternative was a terrible one. The lieutenant might flee with
+them to the United States; and then----
+
+Clif could not finish the thought; it made him shudder.
+
+Just then Bessie Stuart spoke again.
+
+"Clif," she said, "I have something to say to you. And I shall speak
+plainly, for there is no time to hesitate. I have told you how I feel
+toward you; I have told you that I loved you. Neither of us would have
+declared our feelings, I suppose, if it had not been for this situation.
+But I have been with you for months, and I have never known you to do
+anything I could not admire. And mine is no childish fancy, Clif, for we
+have been doing the work of men, you and I. Clif----"
+
+The girl choked back a sob--and then went on:
+
+"We must stop," she said, "stop where we are."
+
+Clif knew what was coming, and he felt his blood surging. Bessie
+Stuart's hand was in his and it was trembling.
+
+For a moment she could not speak; the words would not come.
+
+But then with that terrible self-command she sometimes displayed, she
+mastered her emotion and turned to look into her companion's face.
+
+"Clif," she said, "you know what I mean. You must let me marry this
+officer."
+
+Clif had known, and so he did not move when he heard those awful words.
+He sat perfectly motionless, almost frozen; he felt the girl's hand turn
+cold in his.
+
+The carriage rolled on, and for at least one long, long minute there was
+not a sound. The girl was listening, trembling again; and Clif, half
+dazed was thinking to himself, thinking again and again of that death
+knell, "You must let me marry this officer."
+
+And it was true. Clif knew it. It was his duty; and the feeling lingered
+in his mind that if he had half the heroism of that Spaniard he would
+have said so long ago.
+
+At last he spoke. His mouth was dry and his voice husky, but he forced
+the words out.
+
+And they were the right ones.
+
+"Yes," said he, "you must marry him. And we must never meet again."
+
+And then once more came the terrible silence. Bessie Stuart heard him
+choke down a sob; and her heart was ready to break.
+
+For this cadet was the dearest friend she had. She had been through
+terrible dangers with him, coming to love him more every day, as she saw
+the brave man's daring. And no one could ever know now how she felt
+toward him.
+
+But there was her duty; and though she was nearly ready to faint, she
+sat perfectly motionless by his side.
+
+And so for two or three minutes they rode on in silence; then suddenly
+they heard the driver of the carriage stopping his horses.
+
+"We are there," said Clif, in a husky voice.
+
+He turned to look at the girl once more; he found that she was gazing at
+him, and their eyes met.
+
+There was anguish in both of their faces; Miss Stuart could scarcely see
+for her tears.
+
+But Clif took her hands in his. All the emotion of his lifetime seemed
+crowded into that moment. He bent toward her and their lips met in one
+trembling kiss.
+
+And then with a set look on his face the cadet rose from his seat and
+opened the door of the carriage, which had stopped.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+A FAREWELL.
+
+
+Clif found Lieutenant Hernandez waiting for them to come out. Both he
+and the driver had descended from the carriage.
+
+It was quite dark where they were, apparently surrounded by a lonely
+woods. But by such light as there was Clif looked at the officer
+anxiously.
+
+Now since he had heard that story he was more than anxious to study his
+face, to see what manner of man this was.
+
+The lieutenant still wore the calm, quiet look; he seemed almost
+inspired.
+
+"If you will follow me a short distance," he said, "we shall reach a
+place where we can remain concealed until morning."
+
+He started across the country, after a few words with the driver of the
+carriage; they had not gone very far before the faint roaring of the
+breakers on the beach became audible.
+
+"You see," said the Spaniard, "we are near the sea. We are only about
+four miles from Havana harbor, and you may make an effort to reach the
+blockading fleet in the morning."
+
+Obviously, it would not do to try it in the darkness. They might be run
+down or lost or fired on or swept out to sea.
+
+"But it will be daylight in a few hours," said the lieutenant.
+
+And then the three went on in silence until suddenly a small hut loomed
+up in the darkness.
+
+"It is deserted," said their guide. "We can conceal ourselves there."
+
+And accordingly, they crept through the low doorway, and finding the
+place covered with straw inside, sat down to wait.
+
+There was no conversation among them, for each one of the trio was
+wrapped in his own sad thoughts. The place was in absolute darkness, and
+so they could not see each other.
+
+But Clif was revolving a plan over in his thoughts, and it was not very
+many minutes before he made up his mind.
+
+He rose to his feet again.
+
+"Excuse me for a while," he said. "I will return."
+
+And with that he hurried out of the hut.
+
+Bessie Stuart knew why he had gone, and after a moment's silence she
+turned toward the lieutenant.
+
+"My friend has left," she said, "in order that I may have a chance to
+talk to you."
+
+The officer answered nothing; the girl went on slowly.
+
+"Lieutenant Hernandez," she said "will you answer me a question?"
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"What do you intend to do?"
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that you will be court-martialed if you return to Havana----"
+
+"Yes," said the other, "I know that."
+
+"Do you mean to return there?"
+
+"Such are my plans at present," was the quiet response.
+
+Miss Stuart thought a moment before she began again.
+
+"Lieutenant Hernandez," she said at last, "you have been a hero to-day."
+
+"I have done my best," said the man.
+
+"You have done what few men would have. You have given your life for our
+safety."
+
+"Yes," answered he, "I have."
+
+"But there are other heroes, Lieutenant Hernandez," said the girl. "You
+have inspired us two. That is what I wish to speak to you about. I have
+a better plan than your return to Havana."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Come to America with us----"
+
+"And then?"
+
+"Then I will do my best to repay your favor. I will do as you have asked
+me."
+
+"You mean----"
+
+"I mean that I will marry you the day that we arrive."
+
+The girl said those words in a low, earnest tone. She saw the officer
+give a start, she even fancied she heard his heart begin to beat louder.
+
+But he said nothing. The two sat as they were in silence. The Spaniard
+was having his struggle then.
+
+The pause continued for at least five minutes; it was broken only once.
+
+"Does Cadet Faraday know of this?" asked the officer.
+
+"He does," said the girl. "We talked it over in the carriage."
+
+"And he said that he was willing to give you up?"
+
+"He did."
+
+"I am glad that I saved him," muttered the man.
+
+Bessie Stuart was a little puzzled to catch the drift of that last
+remark. But she soon saw what it meant.
+
+She was quite startled by the decision to which the Spaniard came.
+
+"Miss Stuart," he began, in a low, trembling voice, "this is indeed a
+reward for my helping you. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.
+It shows me that those I helped were worth helping. And it makes me all
+the more sorry."
+
+"Sorry?"
+
+"Yes, sorry that it cannot be."
+
+The girl gave a slight gasp.
+
+"What cannot be?"
+
+"I cannot marry you. I will not."
+
+The officer paused for a moment, then he went on.
+
+"It is plain to me," he said, "that you have worshiped this cadet. I do
+not blame you, after what I have just seen of him. I have heard of his
+bravery, too, and he is worthy of you--more so than I am. As I say, Miss
+Stuart, you love him; and you do not love me. You make this proposal to
+me from a sense of duty, and I cannot think of accepting it. You would
+never be happy again."
+
+The girl started to protest, but the lieutenant held up his hand to stop
+her.
+
+"No," he said, "there are more reasons, even stronger ones, I could not
+think of going to the United States. I could not think of turning
+traitor to my country. You forget, since I have helped you, that I am
+still a Spaniard; and while this war continues I shall remain with my
+countrymen."
+
+"But they will kill you!"
+
+"They may do what they please with me. It is not for me to say. I have
+done my duty; I will not become a traitor."
+
+The officer was silent for a moment, sadly staring ahead in the
+darkness.
+
+"You Americans forget how we Spaniards feel," he began slowly. "You
+think us foolish to fight for a dying country. I know that it is dying;
+for I am not one of those who blind their eyes and boast. I know that we
+are bankrupt and disorganized, our men dying, and our enemies closing
+in on us. We cannot keep up with modern nations. But, Miss Stuart, it is
+still Spain, my native land; my friends are there, my memories are
+there. And Spain's enemies are mine."
+
+There was a gleam in the proud Castilian's eyes as he said that; but
+then he sank back with a sigh.
+
+"It is useless," he said, "foolish, if you will. And I am tired of the
+struggle, tired of weeping at my country's trials, her follies. I shall
+be glad to leave. I can die without a murmur. When I go back to Havana I
+shall have no one to care about me, and it will soon be over."
+
+The man stopped abruptly.
+
+"I am through," he said.
+
+"You say you have no one to care for you," said the girl. "I will care
+for you."
+
+But the officer only shook his head.
+
+"I should ruin your hopes," he said. "You must not think of me at all.
+If I came I should have no way of taking care of you; I will stay in
+Cuba. And remember that I have done this to make you happy--because I
+love you. If I leave you unhappy I shall know that I have died for
+nothing."
+
+And there the matter ended. The calm officer only shook his head to all
+of Bessie's arguments; he had his mind made up, and was as firm as
+adamant.
+
+It seemed strange that the girl should be trying to persuade him to
+marry her; but in her earnestness she never thought of that. The man's
+sacrifice quite appalled her; she felt that she was not worth it, and
+she did all she could to persuade him of her sincerity.
+
+But Lieutenant Hernandez was unmoved.
+
+"I know that you love him," he said, "and I know that your heart is
+ready to break at the thought of leaving him. I can see it in the way
+you look at him. I knew it when you fainted when I spoke of his danger.
+And I do not blame you, for he is a braver man than I. But I will not be
+coward enough to separate you. You would hate me."
+
+"Hate you?"
+
+"Yes, and every decent American, too. What else has any man for a
+traitor? I should kill myself for shame. No, no!"
+
+And the girl realized to her despair what he said was true; but oh! how
+her heart went out to that man!
+
+The officer rose to his feet just then, as if to close the painful
+discussion. Bessie Stuart rose, too, and she held out her hand to him.
+
+He took and kissed it reverently; then his face still calm and
+dignified, he stepped to the door.
+
+"It is best," he said, "that I should go."
+
+"Can you not wait to see us start?" asked the girl.
+
+"You will find a boat on the shore just in front of you," began the
+other. "And you had best start as soon as it is light. But there is
+nobody about here, and you are not in any danger. As to my staying, I
+will watch you from the woods, a short ways back. It would not be well
+for me to stay here, for I am human----"
+
+The man paused a moment as he gazed into the girl's beautiful face.
+
+"I am very weak," he said, with a sad smile. "I might accept the reward
+you offer."
+
+And with that he bowed, then turned resolutely on his heel and strode
+away into the darkness.
+
+As he did so he passed Clif; and Clif, as he saw him leave rushed toward
+the dark figure that stood in the doorway of the hut.
+
+What had been Clif's agony of mind may be imagined. When he saw the
+lieutenant going away it had flashed over him that perhaps he refused
+the act of treason implied in his going to America.
+
+And Clif's heart began to throb once more with the wild hope he had
+tried so hard to suppress.
+
+"Bessie!" he panted. "Bessie! What did he say?"
+
+"He has gone back to Havana," was the answer.
+
+For an instant the two stood staring at each other, their hearts
+throbbing with an emotion they were ashamed to call joy. Clif saw the
+girl's slender figure trembling.
+
+And he sprang forward and caught her in his arms just as she fainted
+dead away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED PERIL.
+
+
+How the long hours between then and sunrise passed away those two hardly
+knew. Bessie Stuart, exhausted by her long nervous strain, sank into a
+restless slumber. And Clif sat with his eyes fixed on the gradually
+lightening doorway.
+
+Clif wanted to feel happy, but he scarcely dared. For he had before his
+mind the thought of that lonely Spanish officer, waiting somewhere in
+the distance to see them depart and leave him to his fate.
+
+It was a solemn thought, and it made Clif tremble. He almost wished that
+the man had not rescued him.
+
+But then again he thought of Ignacio and his frenzied cruelty, and he
+felt that he would have died himself to save any man from such a fate as
+that.
+
+And now it was done and there was no undoing it. There was no way of
+aiding the lieutenant, no way of persuading him, nothing but death for
+him to face.
+
+But as Clif sat there through the early hours of the morning and gazed
+upon that silent figure by his side he felt that his love for that girl
+was consecrated by that hero's sacrifice. There was a light of high
+purpose in the brave man's eyes; he was accepting his life and hers at
+the cost of another's, and the terms were such as made him feel the
+meaning of his existence. It was to be no child's play, no blind hunt
+for pleasure or wealth or fame, but a life with a purpose and meaning,
+a struggle for the right.
+
+"I think his face will always be watching me," thought Clif.
+
+And there were moments in his after life when the thought that that
+quiet Spaniard's eyes were watching made him shrink from the base things
+of life.
+
+The light that shone in from the eastern sky gradually grew brighter and
+brighter, and Clif awakened from his solemn reverie to the duty that lay
+before him then.
+
+He had Bessie Stuart to protect, and to lead from that position of
+peril.
+
+It would indeed be a frightful calamity, he thought, if that sacrifice
+of Lieutenant Hernandez should avail nothing. If that girl should fall
+once more into the clutches of the Spaniards.
+
+"For they are not all like that man," thought the lad.
+
+And so he waited nervously until the light was bright enough. And then
+very gently he awakened her and assisted her to rise.
+
+The girl was weak and exhausted, but she gathered her strength for this
+last final effort.
+
+"We have not far to go," Clif said. "And we will soon be safe."
+
+The two halted for a moment at the doorway of the hut and gazed out.
+
+In the faint gray light they could not make out the line of the shore
+beyond, but they heard the noise of the breakers and knew that it was
+not far away.
+
+And so half carrying his friend, Clif set out in the direction of the
+sound. Once only he turned again.
+
+That was to take a parting look in the direction he knew Lieutenant
+Hernandez to be.
+
+But he could make out only a dim line of woods behind him. No one could
+be seen, and the place was lonely and silent and gray.
+
+But Clif fancied those quiet eyes were watching him from the distance.
+
+There was no time to be lost, however, for no one knew when they might
+chance to meet with some of the enemy; they were in the midst of a
+thickly settled country.
+
+And so they made their way swiftly down to the shore.
+
+There they found a rowboat, drawn up on the beach a little beyond them.
+Clif was startled to see a figure standing by it.
+
+But it proved to be only a boy, and he hailed them and then disappeared.
+Clif knew that he had been sent there to guard the boat; it was more of
+the lieutenant's thoughtfulness.
+
+The sight of that guarantee of safety revived Bessie Stuart's spirits
+considerably; her step grew quicker and in a few moments they reached
+the spot.
+
+There were a pair of oars in the boat, which was a small one. Without a
+word, Clif set to work to put it off from the shore.
+
+That was as hard a task as could have been given him; for great waves
+were rolling upon the beach. But Clif was an athlete and a sailor
+besides; and the realization of their danger nerved his arm.
+
+He seated the girl in the bow and ran the boat out with a rush; he
+caught a favorable moment. He plunged on until the water was up to his
+waist, and then he leaped into the boat and seized the oars just as
+another great wave swept them in toward shore again.
+
+But Clif pulled for his life and held his own; and when the current set
+out again, he breasted the line of breakers and reached the sea beyond.
+
+Bessie Stuart sat perfectly motionless, grasping the gunwale, until she
+saw that they were safe. Then she gave a slight gasp and closed her eyes
+wearily.
+
+Clif had but one object, and that was to get as far from the coast of
+Cuba as he could; every stroke that he rowed put him further away from
+that dreaded shore.
+
+And he knew, though he could not see them then, that far out to sea lay
+the vessels of the blockading squadron. Once in sight of them and the
+anxious fugitives were safe.
+
+And so Clif put every ounce of muscle he had into that task. Not a word
+more was spoken; but the man's lips were set in a desperate resolve and
+his broad back heaved as he fought his way on.
+
+There was a heavy sea, and progress was frightfully slow. Now that they
+were so near to safety, to be recaptured would be frightful indeed.
+
+But yet the cadet knew that Spanish soldiers on the shore might catch
+sight of them at any moment, and come rushing down the beach to open
+fire.
+
+Clif had rescued one man from just such a plight as that; and so as he
+rowed he glanced nervously along the shore.
+
+But he saw no one, and no one saw him. The light brightened until he
+could make out everything along the coast, but there was no sign of any
+one's having noticed them.
+
+An so with his heart growing lighter at every moment Clif tugged at the
+oars and forced the frail boat ahead through the waves. It was but
+natural that his relief should be great, for his adventures upon that
+island had been terrible ones indeed.
+
+A warship is far from a safe place of residence, especially in war time.
+But Clif felt that if he once got under the American flag again all his
+worry would be at an end.
+
+And so every stroke nearer was a cause for joy.
+
+For perhaps five minutes he rowed on in silence. By that time he was
+some distance from shore, though their progress was slow in the heavy
+sea.
+
+But they felt that they were safe. They felt that there was no longer
+anything to be feared. And there was a silent prayer of thanksgiving in
+Clif Faraday's heart.
+
+And such being his feelings, the reader may imagine the horror and
+consternation that swept over him a moment later.
+
+For an appalling discovery was made, one that seemed fairly to freeze
+Clif's blood.
+
+He was struggling with his back toward Bessie Stuart. And the joy that
+was in his heart was turned to horror by hearing the girl give a shrill
+scream.
+
+The cadet whirled about.
+
+He saw the girl, her face transfixed and white as a sheet, pointing with
+a trembling finger off to starboard.
+
+Clif followed the direction of her gaze; what he saw made his brain
+reel, made him almost totter backward into the boat.
+
+Not half a mile away, coming straight down the coast and bearing down
+upon them at full speed, was a vessel, a low gunboat.
+
+And high above her bow was floating a Spanish flag.
+
+Clif stared at the frightful apparition as if he had seen a ghost.
+
+What it meant to him may be imagined--the failure of all their
+hopes--their capture and death!
+
+And there was not the slightest possibility of escape!
+
+Perfectly wild with terror the agonized cadet whirled about, gazing
+seaward, with a faint hope of the possibility of there being seen by
+some American vessel.
+
+But the gray horizon was not light enough for them to be sighted. And
+all hope was gone.
+
+Bessie Stuart continued pointing to the vessel as if she were paralyzed
+by fright.
+
+"Row! Row!" she shrieked.
+
+And Clif seized the oars frantically. But he knew that it was utterly
+useless. The gunboat was coming on like a race horse.
+
+And scarcely had he taken two strokes before the matter was settled
+finally. For there came a puff of white smoke from the Spaniard's bow.
+
+And almost at the same instant with a deafening, blinding crash, a solid
+shot struck the tiny rowboat.
+
+It plunged through, almost tearing the frail craft in half, hurling
+splinters about and sending the two horrified occupants tumbling into
+the water!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+RECAPTURED BY THE ENEMY.
+
+
+Clif was so heartbroken at that sudden ending of all his hopes, that he
+scarcely cared whether he was drowned or not. But he saw Bessie Stuart
+struggling in the seething waters, and toward her he struck out
+desperately.
+
+It took the cadet but a moment to reach her side. The shattered wreck of
+the wooden boat was floating near, and to that he struggled, helping her
+on.
+
+And they reached it, in what it sounds like mockery to call safety. The
+girl scarcely knew whether it were best to hold on or to drown.
+
+But instinctively she clung to the side as the great waves swept over
+them; and the two fixed their eyes upon the approaching vessel.
+
+She came on swiftly, sheering the water with her sharp bow. And Clif
+could see half a dozen men standing in the bow watching them.
+
+"Perhaps they have heard of our escape," he growled, "and come after
+us."
+
+The vessel was not coming from Havana, but the cadet knew that a
+telegram might have sent it out.
+
+At any rate, they were recaptured; and the horrors of Morro were before
+them again.
+
+Steadily the gunboat drew nearer; the two half-drowned Americans were
+reached in a minute or two.
+
+And the vessel slowed up and a rope was thrown to them. Clif desperate
+from despair, seized it and drew himself close.
+
+A couple of Spanish sailors leaned down from the low side and lifted
+first the half unconscious girl and then the cadet up to the deck.
+
+And then, weak and pale and dripping wet, they confronted a tall,
+ugly-looking Spaniard with an officer's chevrons.
+
+He stared at them curiously.
+
+"Who are you?" he demanded.
+
+And Clif, grim with desperation, looked him in the eye and answered
+boldly:
+
+"We are Americans," said he.
+
+"Prisoners?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"From where?"
+
+"Morro Castle."
+
+The Spaniard looked the amazement he felt.
+
+"Morro Castle!" he echoed. "Humph! How did you get out?"
+
+"Take us back there and you'll find out," was Clif's defiant answer.
+
+And with that he turned toward the girl to wipe her dripping hair from
+her face.
+
+He expected that the man would continue questioning them. But he was
+mistaken. The Spanish gunboat had done a risky thing, running out as it
+had, and her officers were anxious to get back.
+
+The man turned away and hurried off. A sailor with a pair of handcuffs
+approached Clif, and the cadet quietly allowed his wrists to be secured.
+
+Bessie Stuart was fortunately spared that indignity. The sailor gruffly
+ordered them to go below.
+
+The vessel, meanwhile, had resumed her trip. She had been running along
+close to the coast under cover of the darkness of the previous night.
+And now she turned to steal back.
+
+Clif's heart was heavy, and he was miserable beyond description.
+
+But he turned and silently followed the sailor to the companionway.
+
+They did not go below at once, however, for just then something occurred
+that made the sailor stop.
+
+The man who had first spoke to Clif, the captain, apparently, had been
+sweeping the shore with his glass. And just then he gave a startled
+exclamation.
+
+Everybody heard him, and the Spanish sailor stopped and turned to look.
+
+Clif was so listless and despairing that he did not take the trouble to
+do likewise; but when he heard the exclamations of the men he felt his
+heart give a leap.
+
+They were staring at a man on the shore.
+
+"What in the world can be the matter with that fellow?" cried the
+captain.
+
+"Santa Maria! he is calling to us!" exclaimed another.
+
+"He must be crazy," declared a third.
+
+The captain, with his glass could see more plainly than the others, and
+his astonishment grew greater.
+
+"Why, he's a Spanish officer--a lieutenant, I think! And he is trying to
+hail us. What can it mean?"
+
+"Perhaps he's got dispatches!" suggested some one.
+
+It flashed over Clif in an instant what that meant, and Bessie Stuart
+heard him give a muffled exclamation of delight.
+
+For he could see a blue-uniformed figure running down the shore and
+waving its arms wildly.
+
+"It's Lieutenant Hernandez!" he panted.
+
+And there was a wild gleam of hope in his eyes as he realized what that
+meant.
+
+He might rescue them again!
+
+Feverishly Clif watched to see what the gunboat would do. The captain
+continued staring and muttering exclamations of astonishment.
+
+"I wonder if he does want us," he cried. "Por dios, I do think that's
+it."
+
+And a second later he made up his mind and whirled about.
+
+"Hard a port!" he roared.
+
+And Clif's heart leaped with joy as he heard that order.
+
+The sailor was so much interested in that strange incident that he let
+his prisoners remain on deck while he stood and stared. The Spanish
+vessel raced swiftly in toward shore.
+
+And the stranger as soon as he saw that stopped his frantic
+gesticulating and stood still to wait.
+
+The captain ran in as close as he dared, and then stopped. He stepped
+into the bow.
+
+"What do you want?" he roared.
+
+"Send a boat," the man shouted back. "I must come aboard. Quick!"
+
+The captain muttered an exclamation of astonishment under his breath;
+but his curiosity alone would have been sufficient to move him. The
+gunboat's wherry boat was quickly gotten away.
+
+As for Clif, he was simply wild with delight. For he could see that it
+was Lieutenant Hernandez after all.
+
+Bessie Stuart was so overcome by the sudden shock of the discovery that
+she was scarcely able to stand, breathlessly the two watched the rowboat
+speeding in.
+
+The lieutenant waded out as far as he could, and when the boat reached
+him he climbed into the bow. In a few moments he was speeding back to
+the gunboat.
+
+And when he stepped on board he found the captain staring at him.
+
+"Lieutenant Hernandez!" he gasped.
+
+"Yes," said the other with a bow.
+
+But he scarcely glanced at the man until his eager eyes had sought out
+Clif and Bessie. When he saw them alive and unhurt a look of relief
+swept over his face.
+
+And then he turned to the captain.
+
+"What in the world is the matter?" the man cried.
+
+The other nodded toward the two Americans.
+
+"It is about them," he said.
+
+"What about them?"
+
+"Why did you stop them?"
+
+"Stop them! Why they are Americans, and they were prisoners in Morro."
+
+"I know that," said the officer. "But they were released."
+
+"What!"
+
+"Yes. And I was charged with the duty of seeing them safe on board the
+American ships."
+
+The Spanish captain stared in amazement.
+
+"Carramba!" he muttered. "Why didn't they say so?"
+
+"I don't see that you gave them a chance," said the other. "You fired on
+them too soon."
+
+"But I had no idea of this!" cried the other.
+
+To doubt that story never once entered his head; he seemed to know who
+the lieutenant was.
+
+"What in the world am I to do?" he asked, after a moment.
+
+"I don't see that there is but one thing," said the other.
+
+"Take them back to Havana and let them be sent from there?" asked the
+captain.
+
+"No," said the lieutenant, quietly. "That will not do; for the
+government has pledged its word that they shall be on the ships by
+daybreak. To make haste is very important."
+
+"But what else?"
+
+"Give them your small boat."
+
+"Carramba! I haven't got but one! And how will I ever get it back?"
+
+The lieutenant was puzzled for a moment.
+
+But suddenly he hit on a daring scheme.
+
+"Captain," he said, "my orders are from General Blanco himself. He
+charged me above all things to see these people safe at once, even if I
+had to go out to the ships with them. I don't see that there is but one
+thing we can do."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"We will have to hoist a flag of truce and take them out on this
+vessel."
+
+The captain started.
+
+"Can we trust the Americans?" he gasped.
+
+"They are expecting us," said the lieutenant quietly.
+
+And then for a minute the captain was silent; when he spoke it was to
+the man at the wheel.
+
+"Steer us out to the Yankee fleet," he said. "It will have to be done,
+and run up that white flag."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Perhaps ten minutes after that the blockading squadron sighted a Spanish
+gunboat coming toward them with a flag of truce.
+
+The New York steamed to meet it; and the vessel came alongside and
+without a word of explanation the two prisoners were sent aboard.
+
+Clif and Bessie both gazed longingly at the noble-hearted lieutenant as
+he stood on the deck and watched them leave. Their look said plainer
+than words, "Come with us!"
+
+But he only shook his head; and when he saw the two disappear upon the
+deck of the big cruiser, and when the gunboat was well on her way back
+to shore he turned with a slight groan and went below.
+
+Clif and Bessie wondered with anxiety and sorrow what would be his fate.
+They dreaded for him the worst tortures of Castle Morro, but the heroic
+Spaniard escaped that--in a way that Clif learned a few days later.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+CUTTING A CABLE.
+
+
+The cadet's report was soon made. Under ordinary circumstances he would
+have been ordered to report back to the Uncas, but that stanch little
+gunboat was then miles beyond the western horizon. Moreover, the admiral
+had other work for the cadet.
+
+As to Miss Stuart; there was a parting between her and Clif that was
+such as should be between acknowledged lovers, but it was a parting of
+the most decided kind, for his duty lay in the war, hers on land. She
+was sent to Key West on a cruiser that was then leaving the squadron to
+recoal.
+
+What the young man and the girl said to each other cannot concern us
+here, for we have now to do with Faraday's experience as a sailor. His
+love affair had to await the events of war, and so may the story of it.
+
+Clif's next service began on the morning following his escape. A small
+boat left the flagship and headed for Point Rubalcava on the Cuban
+coast. It was bent upon a dangerous mission; so hazardous, in fact, that
+volunteers had been called for to man the boat.
+
+The first one to offer his services had been Clif Faraday. There was no
+lack of followers among the brave American tars. Fifty offered
+themselves a moment after the cadet stepped forward, and the task was to
+select from them twelve men to form the boat's crew.
+
+"It is necessary to cut the cable as a war measure," said Rear Admiral
+Sampson, when the selection had been made. "You will proceed cautiously
+toward shore and grapple for the cable. If you find it, cut it. If not,
+you must go ashore and locate the landing place of the wire. Are you
+ready for the service?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" came the ready response.
+
+Rear Admiral Sampson looked upon the brave, eager faces of the men for a
+moment with evident satisfaction.
+
+"There is danger of discovery, and attack from the shore batteries," he
+added. "Success will depend upon your quickness and skill."
+
+The men well knew the danger that lay before them, but there was no sign
+of faltering upon their faces. Rather, there was an eagerness for
+instant action that was not lost upon the commanding officer.
+
+"Then go!" he exclaimed, heartily.
+
+The boat was lowered, and quietly set out upon its mission.
+
+It was in charge of a lieutenant, and Clif Faraday, in recognition of
+his being the first to volunteer, was placed beside him in the stern to
+steer the boat through the rough waters.
+
+It was still dark, though the eastern sky gave promise of the near
+approach of day. The time had been selected to enable the boat to near
+the shore without great danger of detection in the dim light. But by the
+time they should succeed in grappling the cable there would be
+sufficient light to enable them to complete their task.
+
+"All seems quiet on shore," said Clif, after a time, to the lieutenant,
+as they both peered forward at the coast line now looming up before
+them. "The Spaniards don't seem to be looking for us."
+
+"True," responded the lieutenant. "It looks that way. But you can't
+sometimes always tell. They may have a surprise for us."
+
+"If they don't shoot any straighter than they have been doing," said
+Clif with a laugh, "they'll never touch us."
+
+"That's true, too," assented the lieutenant. "But still you must
+remember----"
+
+"The Maine!" interrupted Clif.
+
+"Yes, remember the Maine! But, as I was saying, these fellows might
+possibly aim at something else beside our boat and hit us accidentally.
+At any rate, I hope they don't see us. We are not out to capture a fort
+armed as we are with nothing but revolvers, and in this open boat we
+would be an easy prey to decent marksmanship."
+
+"Still, the boys like action," said Clif.
+
+"We may have plenty of it yet," replied the lieutenant, with a suspicion
+of uneasiness in his tone.
+
+Meanwhile the boat, guided by Clif's hand, had drawn nearer the shore.
+They could see plainly the outlines of the fortifications, which had
+been recently battered by shell from American gunboats, and which they
+knew the Spaniards had attempted to repair. But as far as they could see
+all was quiet there.
+
+The boat was following what was supposed to be the course of the cable,
+and the men were constantly seeking to secure it with their grappling
+irons. The crew proceeded cautiously but expeditiously with its work,
+the boat passing to and fro across what they supposed was the line of
+the cable.
+
+"How is it, Wilson?" at last said the lieutenant, speaking to one of the
+men who was leaning over the side of the boat. "Struck anything yet?"
+
+"Not yet, sir," was the response.
+
+Nearer and nearer to the shore came the boat, the men coolly continuing
+their labors, seemingly as unmindful of danger as though the coast was
+not lined by hostile forces. The sun peeped above the face of the water
+to the eastward, and the darkness slowly receded before it. Every
+detail of the frowning fortification ashore was now plainly visible to
+the boat's crew.
+
+Clif looked intently along the shore, but there was no hostile movement
+to be seen. But he realized that the fast growing light of the rising
+sun must betray their presence to the enemy, if any such were on watch.
+
+"What a fine target we would make for them, too," he thought. "And close
+range at that."
+
+His thoughts were interrupted by an exclamation from one of the men who
+had been previously addressed by the lieutenant.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried the man. "I've got it!"
+
+The boat was quickly brought to a standstill, and willing hands assisted
+him. In a few moments the heavy cable appeared above the surface of the
+water and was drawn up to the boat.
+
+"Now, men, quick with the saws!" cried the lieutenant, excitedly. "Quick
+work, and we'll be done and away before the Spaniards discover us!"
+
+It required quick work, indeed--quicker than any of the brave boat's
+crew then thought.
+
+The lieutenant had no more than given his orders when an interruption,
+startling and unwelcome, occurred. He had been anxiously scanning the
+outlines of the fortifications and congratulated himself that no
+movement was visible in that quarter. The Spaniards were napping, he
+thought, and all was well.
+
+But the reverse was the case, as he quickly discovered. No sooner had
+one of the sailors began to saw away at the cable than suddenly and
+without warning a shower of bullets rained around them in the water and
+the ominous boom of a cannon from the shore told they had been
+discovered.
+
+"A masked battery to the left!" cried Clif. "They have ambushed us!"
+
+This was true. The fortifications which had alone received the
+lieutenant's attention remained silent, while from the left a concealed
+battery kept up a raking fire upon the small boat and the intrepid crew.
+
+The Spaniards had not yet gotten the range, it is true, but it was a
+tight place to be in--in an open boat, unarmed, helpless and exposed to
+the raking fire from shore.
+
+But the men in that boat were full of nerve. Not once did they falter
+while shells and shot whistled and burst over their heads, beyond them
+and even among them.
+
+"Hurry up, Wilson," cried the lieutenant to the sailor sawing the cable.
+"That cable must be cut before we leave the spot."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," responded the other. "If it kills every man of us!"
+
+It began to look as if that would be their fate. The Spanish shot and
+shell, which at first fell harmlessly into the water, now dropped nearer
+and nearer. Clif heard an awful buzzing and whizzing sound in the air,
+and seemed to feel something hit him in the face and head. It was not
+his first time under fire, and he knew that a shell had passed near
+them.
+
+The fire from shore increased in rapidity and with more accuracy. From
+another quarter, a jut of land nearer to the boat, came a fusilade from
+Mauser rifles, and their bullets passed near the heads of the American
+crew.
+
+It was a hot place, but the men worked coolly on, determined that their
+orders should be executed at all hazards. By rapid work one piece of the
+cable was cut, but that was not enough. Another cut must be made at
+least fifty feet away, so that the Spaniards could not repair it by
+splicing. As the last strands parted and the free end of the cable fell
+back into the water, it was discovered that the sailor held the shore
+end in his grasp, and that to complete their work they must now draw
+closer to the fire of their enemies.
+
+"Fifty feet nearer shore!" exclaimed the lieutenant, and the crew
+grasped the oars and unflinchingly began to carry out the order.
+
+The shots of the Spaniards began to tell. Bullets splintered the sides
+of the boat, and they had not moved but a few feet from the spot when
+another volley severely wounded two of the men.
+
+Wilson, the man who had been so active, fell into the bottom of the boat
+severely wounded in the shoulder, and another sailor who was near where
+Clif sat, was shot in the thigh. But the boat kept on, rowing nearer and
+nearer.
+
+Clif resigned the tiller to the lieutenant, while he bound up the men's
+wounds and comforted them as best he could. Then he jumped back to the
+tiller.
+
+This was an unfortunate move for him, for in that position he and the
+lieutenant were the most conspicuous figures in the boat, and the
+Spanish riflemen were making every effort to pick off the officer. A
+bullet, intended for the lieutenant, struck Clif in the arm as he took
+his place.
+
+"Are you wounded?" shouted the officer above the din, noticing that Clif
+momentarily paled.
+
+"It is nothing," replied Clif, resolutely clinching his teeth and
+continuing to guide the boat.
+
+Just then the welcome sound of the firing of cannon to seaward reached
+their ears.
+
+"It is the New York!" cried Clif. "She is taking a hand in the
+scrimmage!"
+
+It was true. With deadly accuracy, the flagship was hurling shrapnel
+shell over the heads of the bluejackets into the battery on shore.
+
+And thus between the two fires the little band in their frail boat
+continued coolly with their labors, Clif assisting those who became
+wounded wholly unmindful of the fact that he himself was bleeding
+freely.
+
+But it was soon over. The terrible havoc of the well-directed shrapnel
+shot from the New York quickly silenced the masked battery and dispersed
+the gunners and the cutting of the cable received no further
+interruption from the Spanish forces.
+
+They were enthusiastically received upon their return to the flagship,
+bearing a section of the cable to be cut up as souvenirs. The wounded
+were tenderly cared for, and Clif himself examined the nature of his own
+injury. Fortunately, though it had bled freely, it was but a slight
+flesh wound, which gave him no uneasiness after being properly bandaged.
+
+This operation was just completed, when a jaunty young ensign appeared,
+and turning to Clif, said:
+
+"Cadet Faraday, you are requested to report to the rear admiral at
+once."
+
+Clif saluted and promptly followed the officer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+A PERILOUS DETAIL.
+
+
+Clif did not have long to speculate upon the cause of the summons. The
+ensign led the way to the rear admiral's cabin, knocked, and with Clif
+closely following, entered. He then saluted and went out again, leaving
+the cadet alone with the officer.
+
+Rear Admiral Sampson noticed the paleness of Clif's face, and
+thoughtfully directed him to sit down.
+
+"I hear that you were wounded while cutting the cable," he said at once.
+"You were under hot fire while it lasted, and I am proud of the way the
+men behaved. I am told that you did not give up the tiller in spite of
+your injuries."
+
+Clif, though pleased to receive the praise of the rear admiral, bore
+himself modestly. It did not seem to him that he had done any brave act.
+
+"My wound was slight, sir," he said quickly. "It has been properly
+dressed, and gives me no trouble."
+
+"I am glad to hear that," replied the officer, "for I have an especial
+mission upon which I desire to send you, but of course would not think
+of your going if it should endanger your health. Other danger you do not
+seem to fear."
+
+Clif reassured the officer that he was ready and able to undertake any
+mission intrusted to him.
+
+"It is briefly this," continued the rear admiral. "While you were out
+with the boat, I received a communication by the dispatch boat saying
+that a courier from the Cuban chief, Gomez, is to be at a certain spot
+near, the coast to-night, bearing important dispatches from the
+insurgents. It is necessary that we send some one to meet him, and your
+previous experience on Cuban soil and your knowledge of the Spanish
+language recommend you as the leader of the party. Are you prepared to
+go? There may be danger----"
+
+Clif eagerly interrupted him. To his mind it seemed a great honor, as it
+really was to be placed in command of so important a mission, and he
+counted no danger great enough to cause him to hesitate.
+
+He told the rear admiral as much, forgetting in his eagerness for active
+service, that he was but a cadet.
+
+"Then it is settled," said the rear admiral. "To-night the New York will
+reach a spot nearly opposite the place of meeting, and you will be ready
+with a party of ten, whom you may select. Here is a diagram of that part
+of the coast, indicating the appointed spot where the courier is to be
+met."
+
+He handed Clif a roughly drawn map, which the latter examined curiously.
+
+"I know the spot well," he exclaimed, after looking at the diagram for a
+moment.
+
+"All the better," said the rear admiral.
+
+Then after some further directions and instructions from the officer,
+Clif saluted and took his leave, happy in the thought that he had been
+singled out for such important duty and that he would have this
+opportunity of active work.
+
+He was really glad, though he would hardly admit it to himself, to be
+permitted to seek some rest during the day, for his wound was painful,
+if not serious.
+
+It was late at night when, with a picked company of ten men, all armed,
+Clif parted company with the flagship and steered his boat toward the
+shore. The New York had dropped them near the appointed spot, but it had
+been deemed prudent not to take the ship near enough to attract
+attention to the intended destination of Clif and his crew. They
+therefore had considerable distance yet to row before touching land.
+
+"I know the coast pretty well along here," thought Clif, as he set in
+the stern, tiller ropes in hand. "We'll get there all right."
+
+Success depended upon their own efforts, for the New York slowly steamed
+away along the coast and in the opposite direction.
+
+Clif and his party sped along without any uneasiness. It was night and
+darkness favored them. There was no reason to think that their presence
+there was suspected or their purpose known.
+
+Still, for all this evident security, Clif kept a sharp lookout for any
+of the enemy who might be prowling along like himself, or, worse still,
+who might be scouring those waters with one of those silent little
+terrors, a torpedo boat.
+
+All went peacefully until they were within less than half a mile of
+their destination, and quite near shore. Then suddenly a rifle shot rang
+out upon the shore, and sounds of voices came to their ears.
+
+The Spaniards had discovered them!
+
+"Perhaps not," thought Clif, hopefully. "Silence everybody," he said,
+addressing the men, "and listen."
+
+Instantly the men ceased rowing, and every one strained his ears to hear
+the sounds from shore.
+
+That there was a company of the enemy at that point was evident, from
+the noise of many voices and the confused sounds that were borne to the
+listeners' ears.
+
+"They have discovered us," whispered Clif to the one nearest him. "I
+caught a few words of Spanish that convinces me that the sentry has
+heard our oars. Not a sound now! They can't see us in the dark, and will
+think it all a mistake."
+
+It was a waiting game that Clif had set out to play, and it seemed the
+only thing that could help them under the circumstances. It was out of
+the question to think of attacking the Spaniards, superior at least in
+numbers. There was other work for the night.
+
+Silently the American crew waited, listening for every sound. Soon these
+voices died out, and Clif concluded that they could venture to move once
+more.
+
+"Row quietly," was his whispered order. "I'd like to give them a volley,
+but that would spoil our plans."
+
+The men cautiously plied the oars and were soon steering softly toward
+their appointed place of landing. But quietly as they moved, the sound
+was borne ashore and they had not proceeded many boat lengths before
+another shot echoed across the water.
+
+"To thunder with the Spaniard," exclaimed Clif, out of patience with the
+fresh outbreak. "He's firing at random. Go ahead. We'll meet them
+further down the shore if they're not satisfied."
+
+This sentiment met the approval of the men, and they bent to the oars
+with vigor and spirit.
+
+They were gliding swiftly across the water, and had nearly reached their
+landing place, when Clif heard a noise that put him on the alert.
+
+"Do you hear that?" he exclaimed, after hastily stopping the rowers.
+
+The men rested on their oars and listened.
+
+"Sounds like the throbbing of an engine, sir," at last said one of the
+men. "It's a boat, sure."
+
+"Yes, but friend or foe?" exclaimed Clif. "It's not the New York. She
+went in the other direction, and I don't know of any more of our boats
+in this place."
+
+"Perhaps the New York is coming back," ventured one of the men.
+
+"No," replied Clif. "She's not been here for at least three hours. By
+that time we will be ready to return to her."
+
+"It must be a blockade runner," suggested one of the men.
+
+"Well, I don't see as it makes any difference," said Clif, finally. "If
+it is, we can't stop her. She can't be after us, for I am sure no one of
+the enemy knows our mission. There is our landing place. We must hurry
+or we will be late."
+
+With this he turned the prow of the boat toward shore, and gave orders
+to proceed. A few minutes later the boat grated upon the beach and the
+sailors sprang ashore.
+
+There was no one to dispute their landing. The coast at this point was
+wild and uninhabited, and but a short distance inland was the spot
+appointed for the meeting with the insurgent courier.
+
+Clif hid the boat among some bushes and quickly led the men up the steep
+bank toward a clump of trees.
+
+"This is the spot," he exclaimed as they reached it, "and we are
+evidently ahead of time."
+
+No one was in sight, as far as the eye could penetrate the darkness.
+There was barely enough light from the moon just emerging from behind a
+cloud to enable the sailors to take some notice of the surroundings.
+Where they stood, near the sparse clump of trees, it was smooth and
+level, but close to one side of them rose a ridge of ground forming a
+natural rampart. It almost seemed as though Spanish forms might at any
+instant appear upon it behind threatening guns.
+
+Seaward the view was unobstructed, and as Clif turned his gaze in that
+direction, he could see the moonbeams reflected on the heaving bosom of
+the waters. He saw another sight an instant after that caused him to
+utter an exclamation of surprise.
+
+Far out to seaward the beam of a searchlight suddenly shot across the
+water. It swept from side to side in a gradually widening radius, until
+after a few moments its glare fell upon a steamer whose hulk rose up
+between it and the shore.
+
+"It is one of our ships chasing a blockade runner," cried Clif. "She was
+trying to sneak out, but is caught in the act."
+
+The little party on shore watched with eager eyes the chase as shown by
+the bright beam from the warship's searchlight. In the excitement of the
+novel sight that was afforded them they for the moment forgot why they
+were there.
+
+Then a strange and mysterious thing happened. As they watched the
+pursued vessel they suddenly saw a flash from a gun on the side facing
+the land.
+
+"What fools!" cried Clif. "Firing toward the land instead of at our
+ship. The fool Spaniards must be rattled worse than usual. That
+beats----"
+
+He did not finish the sentence. As he spoke the shell fired from the
+ship crashed through the trees and landed almost at his feet. The fuse
+was burning and spluttering, and it seemed ready to explode on the
+instant, carrying death and destruction to the little party.
+
+It was a perilous moment. Several of the men instinctively dodged and
+seemed on the point of running away.
+
+Clif saw his peril in an instant and the only hope of averting it.
+Without a moment's hesitation he sprang forward and picked up the shell
+as it seemed about to burst. With a mighty effort he hurled the
+spluttering missile over the ridge of earth that he had noticed to one
+side, and then, with an involuntary sigh of relief, he instinctively
+huddled with the balance of the party in an expectant attitude, waiting
+for the explosion on the other side of the rampart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+THE CUBAN COURIER.
+
+
+But the explosion never came.
+
+The party waited breathlessly, expecting to hear a deafening sound from
+the shell, and to see the earth thrown up in showers about them. From a
+safe place of vantage they felt it was a sight worth seeing and felt
+personally aggrieved when, after waiting an unconscionable time, all was
+quiet on the other side of the natural rampart of earth.
+
+Clif had been surprised and puzzled in the first place to see the ship
+firing away from its antagonist instead of toward it, and was now more
+than ever perplexed. To add to the mystery, the ship did not fire
+another shot, either at its pursuer or in the opposite direction.
+
+Its only purpose now seemed to be to get away from the American ship. It
+seemed to stand a good chance of doing it, too; for it was evidently a
+very swift boat, and the pursuing vessel was still far away.
+
+"That's the queerest thing that ever happened," exclaimed Clif, when a
+sufficient time had elapsed to enable the shell to explode if it was
+ever going to. "What possessed them to fire over here, and what's the
+matter with the shell? I'll investigate the latter, at any rate; it's
+within easy reach."
+
+Though it seemed as though more than enough time had passed to give the
+shell a good opportunity, still Clif, for reasons of prudence, concluded
+not to be too exacting on the thing, but to give it a fair chance. He
+didn't want to crowd it too close.
+
+So he waited a while longer, and then cautiously climbed up the side of
+the embankment and peered over.
+
+There in the moonlight he could see the shell lying quietly upon the
+ground. There was no smoke now rising from it, and the fuse had
+evidently burned itself out. It seemed a harmless enough piece of steel
+now.
+
+He waited but an instant, and then vaulted over on the other side. His
+curiosity had been aroused regarding the matter and he for the time
+being lost all interest in the chase at sea, as well as the appointed
+meeting under those trees on shore.
+
+When he picked up the shell he was more surprised and mystified than
+ever.
+
+"What does this mean?" he exclaimed aloud. "A round shell of the
+old-fashioned type instead of the conical ones used nowadays! Why, a
+shell like this has not been used in any navy for ages!"
+
+He had been too excited at the moment of picking up the spluttering
+shell to note its shape or size, but now he saw at a glance that the one
+he held in his hand was obsolete and out of date. It was well enough for
+the old-fashioned smooth-bore guns, but those of modern make had no use
+for them.
+
+As he puzzled over the mystery surrounding the projectile he suddenly
+heard a whistle from the other side of the embankment. He recognized it
+as the signal from the insurgent courier, and at once was alive to the
+importance of carrying out the instructions that had been given him.
+
+He hastily dropped the shell upon the ground and sprang up and over the
+ridge of earth.
+
+He gave an answering whistle and soon a form cautiously appeared from
+among some bushes not far away.
+
+"Alto quien va?" called Clif before the newcomer had advanced a step.
+
+This was the challenge, meaning, "Who goes there?"
+
+The response came promptly:
+
+"Cuba!"
+
+This is the countersign of the insurgents, and Clif knew that it was the
+courier who had reached the appointed rendezvous.
+
+He called out to him to advance, and in the moonlight appeared the
+figure of an insurgent soldier, a mambis, as he is called in that
+country, a figure with which American tars were to become more familiar
+as the war progressed.
+
+His equipment was typical of the insurgent soldier. Beside a pair of
+linen trousers and a knitted woolen shirt, he wore a short blouse,
+called mambisa. This was a small shirt-like vest, with pockets front and
+back, opening at the belt, a handy way of carrying their cartridges
+devised by them through necessity during the previous ten-years war. A
+panama hat turned up in front and fastened with a silver star, completed
+his attire; for as to his feet, they were innocent of a covering.
+
+"Rather a summery outfit," thought Clif as he took it in with a glance.
+
+But he knew that it was sufficient for the needs of the insurgents in
+that climate, and that brave hearts beat under the unpretentious
+mambisa, and brave deeds were done by the poorly equipped soldiers of
+the army of liberation.
+
+The newcomer was effusive in his greeting.
+
+"I bring you greeting from our brave general, Gomez," he exclaimed in
+Spanish. "Greetings to our noble friends and allies."
+
+Clif received him cordially, but lost little time in preliminaries. Much
+more time had already been consumed than he had calculated upon, and he
+was anxious to have his business over with and return to the flagship
+with the important dispatches for which he had come.
+
+"I am honored by your words," he said, in reply to the other. "Cuban
+liberty is assured by force of American arms, and at the same time we
+have our own score to settle with Spain."
+
+"It will be done," said the Cuban.
+
+"But to business," continued Clif. "You have some papers for me, have
+you not?"
+
+"Yes," replied the courier, raising his blouse and drawing forth a
+package of papers from its place of concealment. "Important dispatches
+from our general for your gallant rear admiral. Besides much information
+concerning the Spanish fortifications and troops, there are details of
+our own plans and preparations which it would be ruinous to have fall
+into Spanish hands."
+
+"I'll see that the Spanish don't get them," he said, with a confident
+air.
+
+"Be cautious," exclaimed the Cuban. "The enemy have made one effort to
+intercept them. I was pursued a mile back from here, but my knowledge of
+the country enabled me to give them the slip. It was that encounter that
+delayed me."
+
+This was a danger that had not been reckoned on. Every preparation for
+the transfer of the papers had been arranged with utmost secrecy.
+
+"But did the Spaniards know of your mission here?" asked Clif, in some
+surprise.
+
+"I know not," replied the other. "It is incredible how they could have
+discovered it, but I do know that I encountered a detachment of their
+troops and that they pursued me."
+
+"Then they may be following you to this point," exclaimed Clif.
+
+"I think not," replied the Cuban. "I made a wide detour and know the
+ways of the land too well to leave any trail."
+
+"Nevertheless," said Clif, "our business is transacted, and the sooner
+we go our respective ways the better. These papers are now in my care,
+and I shall run no risk of their falling into the hands of our enemies."
+
+"You are a wise officer," exclaimed the courier. "And before we part
+allow me to present you this. It may interest you."
+
+With this he drew from his mambisa a paper which he quickly unfolded. It
+proved to be a sheet about ten by fourteen inches, and Clif could see,
+as he examined it by what light the moon afforded, that there was
+printing on both sides.
+
+"This," said the courier, somewhat proudly, "is the first copy of 'Las
+Villas' ever printed. It is set up and printed at General Gomez's
+headquarters under his own direction. It contains, besides orders, and
+an address from our beloved general, an account of your intrepid Dewey's
+victory at Manila. Ah! that was a magnificent victory!"
+
+"Yes," assented Clif, "and there will be others."
+
+"The American battleships are invincible!" exclaimed the Cuban, with
+enthusiasm. "With such noble allies we cannot fail to secure our
+liberty. We are no longer instruments, but members of the regular army
+of Cuba. God bless America!"
+
+The Cuban seemed in a fair way to continue his rhapsodies indefinitely,
+but Clif, having secured the papers for which he came, was now intent
+upon delivering them as soon as possible to the rear admiral.
+
+He therefore intimated as much to the courier, and the latter took his
+departure.
+
+Clif watched him disappear among the trees in the direction by which he
+had approached.
+
+"Now, men," said he, addressing his companions, "to the boat. The New
+York will soon be back ready to receive us."
+
+But they had not taken more than a few steps toward the shore when Clif
+suddenly stopped as if remembering something.
+
+"Hold on just a minute!" he exclaimed. "That shell! I have special
+reasons for wanting to carry that along. It will take but a minute to
+find it."
+
+As he started toward the ridge of earth beyond which he had thrown it,
+they were all startled to hear the sounds of musketry apparently near at
+hand. One volley was quickly followed by another.
+
+Clif sprang upon the embankment for which he had started, and looked off
+beyond the clump of trees in the direction from which the sounds came.
+
+He was in that position but a moment or two. A half-dozen reports in
+quick succession greeted his appearance--one bullet passing through his
+cap.
+
+He dropped on his feet to the ground beside his companions.
+
+"The Spaniards!" he exclaimed, hurriedly. "At least a hundred of them.
+From what I saw they were hurrying in this direction and not far away."
+
+They were on the alert on the instant. The sounds that reached their
+ears told them unmistakably that the force of the enemy far outnumbered
+their own, and were rapidly approaching.
+
+Should they await an attack or run for the boat?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+"IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY AND THE SAILORS OF THE MAINE!"
+
+
+"They must have followed the courier in spite of his cleverness,"
+exclaimed Clif. "And if they have tracked him, they know we are here.
+The question is, shall we meet them here or take to the boat and run the
+risk of being shot down without a chance to defend ourselves? The danger
+is yours as well as mine. What do you say?"
+
+But before the men could make reply a rousing cheer from the Spanish
+soldiers rang out upon the air.
+
+The little band of Americans expected to see the forms of their enemies
+appear among the trees at every second in an impetuous charge upon them.
+They had no doubt that the cheers were the signal for the attack.
+
+But to their amazement the sounds of approaching steps died out. Clif's
+practiced ear told him that the enemy had halted; but at the same time
+he recognized marks of enthusiasm among the Spanish forces.
+
+What could it mean?
+
+"Do they think they can scare us off by yelling at us?" exclaimed Clif,
+contemptuously. "They don't know us, if they think so--that's all!"
+
+The group of Americans listened intently. There was no doubt of it, the
+Spaniards had halted after their vociferous cheers.
+
+Clif decided to find out what it meant. If the Spaniards were preparing
+a surprise for him, he intended finding it out.
+
+Cautiously he climbed upon the little rampart of earth and looked away
+beyond the trees where he had first seen the approach of the enemy. In
+the moonlight he could plainly distinguish the forms of the soldiers.
+There were not as many as he had at first supposed--they numbered not
+more than fifty.
+
+In the midst of them he recognized a figure that explained the cause of
+their mysterious conduct, and at the same time aroused his fighting
+instinct.
+
+He quickly rejoined his companions, his eyes ablaze with the fire of
+combat.
+
+"They have captured the courier," he explained to his waiting
+companions. "That was why they cheered so lustily. A lot of jubilation
+over the capture of one man!"
+
+"They don't have such good luck very often," exclaimed one of the men.
+
+"They fired enough shots to repulse a whole regiment of insurgents,"
+exclaimed Clif, "but it was all for the benefit of this one mambesi. I
+don't believe they saw me at all, but that bullet through my cap was one
+of their stray shots."
+
+"But they must know we are here," exclaimed the men.
+
+"I doubt it," replied Clif, "else why do they halt so near and not
+charge on us? Shall we force the fight and go to the rescue of our Cuban
+friend?"
+
+"How many are there of them?" asked one of the men.
+
+"Only about fifty."
+
+"And there are eleven of us here! We can set them on the run! Let's do
+it."
+
+"We have done almost as much on other occasions," said Clif, "but now we
+are armed with only our revolvers. They are five to one."
+
+"We have plenty of ammunition," spoke up the men, eagerly. "You know we
+took an extra supply."
+
+"But there is another thing we must bear in mind," said Clif, who had
+been doing some quick thinking. "I'd like nothing better than to give
+them a lively tussle. But here are these important dispatches. They must
+not fall into Spanish hands. The New York will soon be due. If we delay
+we might miss her."
+
+"That's so," exclaimed the men. "But we can fire one volley at them
+anyhow."
+
+"One volley would do no good. It would simply betray our presence.
+Either we must fight to the end, or else sneak off to our boat before
+they discover us."
+
+The idea of having a lot of the enemy so near at hand and not offering
+them battle, went against the grain of all of them. They were not
+deterred by the superior numbers of the Spaniards, but Clif's words
+about the importance of seeing the dispatches safely in the rear
+admiral's hand had some restraining effect upon their ardor.
+
+Clif, with all his bravery, was naturally prudent, but was strongly
+tempted to make one effort to release the captive Cuban. He was their
+friend and ally, and in his heart Clif felt that if the captive were one
+of his own men, there would be no thought of hesitancy or delay.
+
+"One minute," he said, after weighing both sides of the question, "I'll
+take a look and see what they are doing."
+
+He sprang upon the embankment and peered off toward the enemy. The main
+body of the troops were resting on their arms, apparently satisfied with
+the capture of the solitary Cuban.
+
+Clif, however, could see that several of the soldiers were moving about
+from side to side, close to the ground, as though hunting for some
+object among the grass. Clif was puzzled to think what they could be
+seeking, but he felt convinced that the Spaniards had no idea of the
+near proximity of the Americans.
+
+Everything seemed to prove that, and Clif was not slow to make up his
+mind. There was time yet for some quick action.
+
+"They don't know we are here, men," he exclaimed, when he rejoined the
+others. "The Cuban will not betray us. We can surprise them, and if we
+sweep down on them with a rush and create noise enough about it we can
+make them think the whole ship's crew is after them."
+
+"We'll do it!" chorused the men, eagerly.
+
+"Then, forward to the rescue!" cried Clif, leading the way. "But quietly
+through these trees until we reach the other side."
+
+It would seem a foolhardy thing to do--to invite battle with such an
+overwhelming force, when they might quietly reach their boat and make
+away without detection. But their blood was up, and there was a friend
+and ally in peril of a Spanish dungeon or death.
+
+Without a moment's hesitation or further thought, they advanced silently
+through the sparse woods, revolvers in hand. They were few in numbers,
+but determination was written on every face.
+
+They reached the further edge of the clump of trees without giving a
+sound that would betray their presence to the enemy. Here they formed in
+line under Clif's leadership, shoulder to shoulder, ready for the
+charge.
+
+The moon had gone behind a cloud, but here and there they could detect
+the glistening of a hostile bayonet, and the sound of Spanish voices.
+
+They did not pause to contemplate the scene. The time for action had
+come.
+
+"The stars are fighting with us!" exclaimed Clif. "The Spaniards will
+never know how few we are in this darkness. Now, all together. A rousing
+cheer and at them!"
+
+At the signal a shout as of a hundred voices startled the unsuspecting
+Spaniards.
+
+"Fire!" cried Clif and a volley from their revolvers carried
+consternation into the Spanish ranks.
+
+The shots had told. Groans of the wounded mingled with the hoarse,
+startled commands of the officers.
+
+A moment later a return volley rang out upon the air, but the bullets
+flew harmlessly among the trees. The Spaniards in their fright were
+firing wildly.
+
+The Americans returned the fire and kept it up as rapidly as possible,
+yelling for all they were worth. This noisy charge had the effect Clif
+had reckoned upon. The Spaniards were thoroughly frightened and Clif's
+sharp ear told him that some of the soldiers were already on the run,
+and that the officers had difficulty in keeping them all from
+retreating.
+
+Clif knew very well that if the enemy had any idea of how meagre were
+his forces they would be bolder, and instead of trying to get away would
+sweep down upon him with overwhelming force. He, however, was too shrewd
+to give them a chance of finding that out. A bold dash would keep up his
+"bluff," and now was the time to put it into execution.
+
+Drawing his sword, he started toward them, shouting at the top of his
+voice:
+
+"Up and at 'em, boys!" he roared. "Charge!"
+
+Then facing about for an instant, he added in a lower tone:
+
+"Yell like sixty!"
+
+With a wild shout, the little band rushed forward, firing their
+revolvers as they advanced in compact line.
+
+This bold dash had the desired effect. The enemy could be heard
+retreating in disorder before them.
+
+With redoubled clamor the Americans pressed forward, spurred on by the
+excitement of the chase. The moon at this point emerged from its
+retirement and showed them the demoralized ranks of the fleeing
+Spaniards.
+
+But, unfortunately, it also showed to such of the enemy as looked back
+at their pursuers, what a handful of men had caused such terror and
+havoc. Clif felt that his "bluff" would now be called.
+
+But the beams of the moon also showed another scene that aroused all the
+Americans' indignation and fairly made their blood boil with rage.
+
+In spite of the panic the Spaniards had retained hold of their prisoner.
+But the first sight that Clif saw as the moon shone out clear once more,
+was one of the Spanish soldiers deliberately placing his revolver
+against the unfortunate Cuban's head and sent a bullet crashing into his
+brain.
+
+"Treachery! base treachery!" cried Clif, beside himself with indignation
+and horror at the scene. "Assassination of a prisoner of war! Boys,
+shall we allow such a vile deed to go unavenged?"
+
+The others had also seen, and there was no need to ask the question. But
+the answer came prompt and without a dissenting voice:
+
+"No, by thunder! Never!"
+
+"Then at them to the death!" cried Clif, leading them on. "In the name
+of humanity and the sailors of the Maine!"
+
+The blood-curdling atrocity had made demons of them all, and with a
+hoarse shout they sprang to the charge.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+A GAME OF BLUFF.
+
+
+Clif urged his little band of avengers forward with no thought of danger
+or of the consequences. The inhuman scene he had witnessed drove from
+his mind all thoughts of the flagship or the important papers he carried
+upon his person.
+
+Such barbarity called for vengeance, and that brave American handful of
+American tars meant to wreak it on their treacherous foes, or die in the
+attempt.
+
+"Come on!" shouted Clif, wildly. "Give it to 'em! Don't let a man
+escape!"
+
+A well directed volley was the answer to his command, that sent
+death-dealing bullets among the frightened soldiers just before them.
+But, unfortunately for the heroic little band, they were now fighting in
+the open, and their strength was known to the enemy.
+
+A little further ahead Clif could see that a Spanish officer had
+succeeded in rallying some of his men, and they were now forming in
+solid line to repulse the charge of the Americans.
+
+The first result of this was a shower of bullets from the Spanish rifles
+that fortunately for the most part went wide of the mark. But one
+slightly wounded a sailor at Clif's side, as a sharp exclamation of pain
+quickly told him.
+
+It also aroused his native caution. What was the use, he quickly
+thought, of holding his men there in the full glare of the moonlight as
+a target for the enemy's guns, when a more certain conflict could be
+carried on from the shelter of the trees just behind him? He had too few
+men to risk losing any on those uneven terms.
+
+He quickly ordered his men to drop back into the woods. But it was with
+great difficulty at first that he could inforce his commands upon the
+now thoroughly aroused sailors. They wanted to continue their impetuous
+charge.
+
+But a second volley from the remaining troops showed them the wisdom of
+Clif's decision, and with a return volley they fell back into the
+darkness and shelter of the trees.
+
+"Now, boys," cried Clif, "every man behind a tree and fight for all you
+are worth. Let every shot tell."
+
+The wisdom of Clif's stand became at once apparent. From the ambush of
+the woods they could fire with little fear of stopping a Spanish bullet
+with their own bodies.
+
+And they did fire, and that to good purpose.
+
+The Spaniards were now bolder and bore down upon the ambushed Americans
+with some semblance of order. But at each volley from the sailors there
+was a wavering in the ranks of the foe, and Clif could see that more
+than one dropped wounded from the ranks.
+
+"We'll lick 'em yet!" cried Clif, with enthusiasm. "Keep it up, boys!"
+
+But the Spaniards advanced steadily in spite of their losses. They, too,
+were fully aroused at the thought that they had been so roughly handled
+by such a small number of men.
+
+Clif and his gallant band were compelled to drop back from tree to tree.
+It began to look as though the Spaniards would in the end become
+victorious.
+
+But with the Americans it was do or die. There was no hope of help or
+succor from any source. No reinforcements were at hand, and none could
+be sent in time from the flagship, even did those on board suspect the
+plight in which that boat's crew found itself.
+
+But desperate cases require desperate measures, and Clif was equal to
+the emergency. When it became evident that the Spaniards would indeed
+fight, Clif's busy brain thought of a means to turn the tide of
+conflict.
+
+It was a slight hope, to be sure, but the only one that presented
+itself. He smiled in spite of himself, in view of his meagre forces at
+the thought that the only way to achieve victory was by a flank
+movement.
+
+"I'll take two men," he said hurriedly, "and slip around behind those
+fellows. The rest of you keep up your fire here, and if our lungs hold
+out we'll make them think we have reinforcements."
+
+It was a very risky move, but with two companions Clif put it into
+execution at once. They hurried through the woods so as to flank the
+enemy, an easy task, as the latter were now well up to the little grove.
+
+As they reached the edge of the woods which would bring them in the
+enemy's rear, they set up a mighty shout.
+
+"At them, boys!" Clif yelled at his imaginary forces. "Come on! we've
+got 'em!"
+
+Then in Spanish he cried, so that the enemy could hear:
+
+"Surrender, you Spaniards! Twelve men have held you, and now we'll take
+you!"
+
+He had reached the edge of the clearing, and paused a moment, facing
+around and beckoning to his imaginary reinforcements.
+
+The Spaniards were completely bewildered. The fire from those that Clif
+had left behind continued without intermission, and the Spaniards could
+not but think that the vociferous sailors in their rear were new
+arrivals.
+
+They could not in the first place conceive of the daring and hardihood
+that would lead a dozen men to oppose their forces unless reserves were
+near at hand. And now, thought they, these reinforcements had arrived.
+
+Clif and his companions made noise enough to give color to this belief,
+and without stopping to see what there was behind the demonstration, the
+Spaniards took to their heels.
+
+"They are not men, but devils!" Clif heard some one say in Spanish, as
+they dropped their rifles and start on the run.
+
+Even the officer who had succeeded once in holding a remnant of his
+panic-stricken forces together, now gave up the fight and sprinted away
+as fast as the rest.
+
+Every man seemed to be looking for his own safety, and they did not
+pause to see what was behind them. Here and there, it is true, one of
+the fleeing Spaniards could be seen helping a wounded companion in his
+flight. But as for further resistance, there was none.
+
+Clif could not forbear to laugh at the odd sight of an army in a foot
+race to escape a few American sailors.
+
+"American bluff has won the day," he laughed. "Our Cuban friend's death
+has been avenged, and that without the loss of a man on our side."
+
+"The Spanish are good sprinters, at any rate," said one of the men, as
+they started with Clif to rejoin their companions.
+
+Here Clif had all he could do to restrain his followers from continuing
+in pursuit of the enemy.
+
+"No," said he in response to the earnest pleading. "We had better leave
+well enough alone. These Spaniards say we are not men, but devils, and
+I guess they don't care for another interview. The New York no doubt is
+waiting for us, and these dispatches are yet to be delivered."
+
+There was no use to grumble, so the party set out on the return to their
+boat. They were highly enthusiastic over the good work done under Clif's
+leadership, and were proud of his pluck as well as the good generalship
+he had shown.
+
+The tide of battle had carried them some distance from the spot where
+they had met the Cuban courier, and further still from where they had
+concealed their boat.
+
+But they picked their way expeditiously through the woods, and reached
+the beach without further incident.
+
+They were near the clump of trees which they recognized as that behind
+which they had hidden the boat when Clif stopped with a sudden
+exclamation.
+
+"Gorry!" he said, "I have forgotten that shell. It won't take but a
+minute to return for it."
+
+"What's the use, sir?" ventured one of the men. "As you said, we'd
+better let well enough alone, and not run any further risk for a shell
+that don't even explode."
+
+"That's just the reason I want it," said Clif. "That shell is more
+important than you might think. I'll----"
+
+But here occurred an interruption that opened up more startling
+possibilities, and drove the unexploded shell from the attention of all.
+
+It was in the shape of an exclamation of surprise and alarm from one of
+the men who had gone a few steps in advance of the others, and had
+reached the boat's hiding-place as Clif spoke.
+
+It arrested Clif's attention at once.
+
+"What's the matter?" he called, sharply.
+
+"The boat, sir," cried the marine, appearing from behind the bushes.
+
+"What of it?"
+
+"It's gone!"
+
+"Gone?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Clif, followed by the others, hastened to the spot.
+
+The man had spoken the truth. The boat, which was now their sole
+dependence, was no longer there.
+
+They looked in blank amazement at one another and at the spot where they
+had fastened it in fancied security.
+
+What could it mean?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+IN WHICH CLIF MEETS WITH A SURPRISE.
+
+
+They were now in a perilous position.
+
+They could not return to the flagship, and at any moment the Spaniards,
+finding they were not pursued, might pluck up courage to seek them out
+and try conclusions with them once more. If they should find them on
+that narrow strip of beach the story of the conflict might be a
+different one.
+
+And then the disappearance of the boat itself pointed to enemies they
+had not counted upon. Who could have found and taken it?
+
+"Well, now we're in a pretty pickle," exclaimed Clif, when he became
+satisfied that the boat had really been taken.
+
+"Perhaps, sir, this is not the place where we left it," ventured one of
+the men, catching at that faint hope.
+
+"I wish you were right," said Clif, "but there's no doubt about it. The
+boat has been taken."
+
+"There's no doubt of it," the men echoed. "The boat is gone."
+
+But to make assurance doubly sure, they searched the beach under Clif's
+direction, examining every clump of bushes that was large enough to
+conceal the boat. But the result was a foregone conclusion. The boat was
+gone.
+
+"Now what's to be done, sir?" asked one of the men.
+
+What, indeed!
+
+"Something's got to be done," said Clif, with determination. "We've got
+to get off this island before daybreak. It's easy to dodge the
+Spaniards in the darkness, but entirely a different matter by day.
+Besides, we seem to have enemies down here as well as back there on the
+hill."
+
+He was scanning the water earnestly as he spoke. It was time, he knew,
+for the flagship to return to her position opposite that point, and
+await the return of Clif and his crew.
+
+Was she there?
+
+He could not tell. The face of the moon was again obscured by clouds as
+it had been most of the night, and it was impossible for Clif to discern
+any object at a distance across the water.
+
+He strained his eyes trying to catch a glimpse of the ship they had left
+not many hours ago, but the thought occurred to him, "What good will it
+do if I do see her?"
+
+But even as he looked the sky suddenly brightened in a tiny spot out to
+sea. A long pencil of light shot up from the water, and a cloud was
+tinged with a speck of dull white light.
+
+"It's the New York!" cried Clif. "The signal of her searchlight to
+return."
+
+They watched that tiny beam of light as though there was hope of succor
+in its rays, until it suddenly disappeared, and all was dark as before.
+
+"Now they are waiting for our appearance," said Clif. "But,
+unfortunately, we haven't got wings. Hello! What does that mean?"
+
+Clif had turned suddenly in a listening attitude toward the land. The
+others had heard the same sound that had attracted Clif. It was the
+solitary report of a rifle shot not far in their rear.
+
+"The Spaniards must be returning," said Clif. "They have made up their
+minds that we had no reinforcements because we did not pursue them
+further. I'll go up and reconnoitre, to see what they are up to."
+
+"I'll go, sir," volunteered one of the men before Clif could get away.
+
+"You stay here. You may be able to see some way of getting us off."
+
+With this he cautiously hurried up the side of the bank, leaving Clif
+and his companions in the shelter of the bushes below.
+
+With ears alert to any sound by land, they anxiously strained their eyes
+across the water. Could any way be found to cross the expanse that lay
+between them and the flagship?
+
+All were silent for many minutes, and then at last the searchlight of
+the flagship flashed out once more and swept across the waters before it
+disappeared.
+
+"So near and yet so far," exclaimed Clif. "They are getting impatient
+for our return."
+
+"If we could signal them," suggested one of the men, "they would send a
+boat."
+
+"But we have no means of doing that," said Clif. "We can't shout at
+them, and a pistol shot would not be heard, except by our friends the
+enemy."
+
+"Perhaps they will send a boat anyhow," persisted the hopeful member of
+the crew.
+
+"Perhaps," assented Clif, "after they get tired of waiting for us."
+
+In a short time the scout returned with news that was at least
+disquieting in their situation.
+
+"The Spaniards are after us, sir," he reported. "They seem to have
+rallied most of their men, and are now near the woods where we met them,
+cautiously advancing. They have scouts out looking for us, for I barely
+escaped running into one of them."
+
+"They have guessed the trick we played on them," said Clif, "and it will
+go hard with us if they find us. How near are they, did you say?"
+
+"They seem to be in the woods now, but they are advancing steadily.
+They are scouring the place thoroughly, and may be down on us any
+moment."
+
+"Well, boys, we'll do the best we can, if they do get here," said Clif,
+quietly.
+
+A calm settled upon the band, for now they knew their situation was
+critical. Their ammunition was nearly exhausted, and if the enemy should
+succeed in attacking them from the vantage of the hillside, there was
+little hope of a successful resistance. Should they succeed in eluding
+the enemy in the darkness, there was no doubt that daybreak would seal
+their fate.
+
+"There's no two ways about it," exclaimed Clif. "We've got to get off
+this island, and that pretty soon."
+
+"See, sir," cried the hopeful member, who had been intently gazing
+across the water. "They have sent a boat!"
+
+Clif looked in the direction in which the other was eagerly pointing.
+
+Sure enough, he could discern the outlines of a boat slowly moving
+toward them some little distance from shore.
+
+An involuntary little cheer went up from the others as they, too, saw
+the boat approaching.
+
+"We are saved!" exclaimed Clif, "and these dispatches will soon be in
+the rear admiral's hands."
+
+But suddenly the eager watchers saw the boat stop, then after a few
+moments veer around, and continue its course down the coast until it was
+almost abreast of the spot where they stood.
+
+Then it as suddenly stopped, and after a moment's pause retraced its
+course.
+
+"What's the matter with those fellows?" exclaimed Clif. "Are they afraid
+to land?"
+
+"Hadn't we better signal them, sir?" suggested the man. "They don't know
+where we are."
+
+The boat had again turned and was apparently patroling up and down,
+seemingly waiting for just such assistance in locating the position of
+the waiting sailors.
+
+But just as Clif was about to attract their attention by a mighty shout,
+his practiced ear caught sounds from the hill above that caused him to
+stop. The Spanish soldiers were unmistakably advancing.
+
+"Silence!" he cautioned, in a whisper. "The Spaniards are on the hill
+above us and the slightest noise will betray us."
+
+"But the boat, sir!" exclaimed the man. "We must signal it."
+
+"I'll bring it here," said Clif, with a sudden resolve.
+
+He began divesting himself of his blouse and trousers as he spoke.
+
+"What do you mean to do, sir?" asked the men, wonderingly.
+
+"Swim for it," replied Clif. "That's the only way."
+
+"But, sir----"
+
+"Don't delay me," said Clif. "Every moment is precious now."
+
+With this he quietly slid into the water and with quick, powerful
+strokes shot through the waves toward the boat.
+
+Clif was in his element.
+
+In the whole ship's crew none excelled him in swimming and diving, and
+it was with a feeling of confidence that he forced his way through the
+water.
+
+He made not a sound as he went along--for it was to avoid alarming the
+Spaniards that he had hit upon this plan.
+
+The boat was not far from shore and he reached it in a few moments. He
+was overjoyed to recognize that it was, as he expected, one of the boats
+from the flagship.
+
+There were two occupants of the boat, one at the oars and the other in
+the stern. Clif did not recognize them, but he did not pause on that
+account. Time was precious, and the boat must be gotten to shore and the
+balance of the party taken aboard without delay.
+
+"Boat ahoy!" he exclaimed joyously, as he reached the side without
+having been seen by the occupants. "Take me aboard, men, and then pull
+for the shore for all you are worth."
+
+Clif's sudden appearance and the words he spoke had a startling effect
+upon the oarsman by whose side Clif made his appearance.
+
+The latter started with an oath, and as Clif seized the side of the boat
+and raised himself partly from the water, his gaze fell upon the
+glistening barrel of a revolver and back of it he saw a face distorted
+with rage and hate.
+
+"Carramba!" fell upon Clif's ear. "It is an Americano! Death to the
+American pigs!"
+
+The occupants of the boats were Spaniards.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.
+
+
+The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected
+and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.
+
+Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards,
+he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one
+belonging to the flagship. It seemed natural that a boat should be sent
+to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided
+shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his
+enemies.
+
+But his surprise affected him but for an instant. He did not propose to
+be shot down if he could help it.
+
+The report of the pistol that met Clif's gaze rang out upon the air, but
+the bullet did not reach its intended mark.
+
+Like a flash Clif had released his hold upon the boat, and dropped
+beneath the water, just in the nick of time.
+
+The Spaniard peered over the side of the boat in the darkness, expecting
+to see Clif's form appear on the surface, and hoping to see his life's
+blood staining the waters, a testimony to his marksmanship.
+
+How could he have failed to send that bullet crashing through the
+American's brain? thought he.
+
+But nothing of the sort happened. Clif not only was not wounded, but was
+chipper as a lark. When he disappeared, he dove under the boat and rose
+again on the opposite side. The Spaniard would look in vain in that spot
+for his intended victim.
+
+But the Spaniard in the bow discovered Clif's head as it appeared for an
+instant above the water. With an imprecation of wrath he called his
+companion's attention to the spot. But one of them was armed, it seemed.
+
+The other rushed to that side, but when he looked in the direction
+indicated, revolver in hand, Clif had again disappeared.
+
+The American lad was as lively as a cricket, and busy thoughts surged
+through his brain.
+
+In the first place, he did not propose being a target for a Spanish
+bullet. But, above all, he wanted that boat, and, like the cowboy when
+he wants a revolver, wanted it "bad."
+
+"How can I get it?" he thought, as his dive brought him up near the bow
+of the boat. Help came from an unexpected source, for a few moments
+after, he was driven by a new peril to attempt the only plan that could
+accomplish it.
+
+The agency that led to his delivery was a shark. That was not the
+every-day business of his shark-ship--that of saving an imperiled life
+for those inhabitating those waters are especially hungry and voracious.
+
+But it happened this way: As Clif was quietly keeping himself afloat at
+the bow of the boat, confident that in that position he ran little risk
+of immediate discovery by his enemies, the plans and schemes revolving
+in his mind were brought to a sudden standstill by a sight that filled
+him with horror. A sharp triangular fin cutting the water like a knife,
+flashed past him.
+
+"Merciful Heaven!" he muttered under his breath. "A shark!"
+
+Death faced him on every side. To be sure he might frighten the shark by
+churning the surface of the water, but that very act would betray him to
+a no less certain death at the hands of his enemies.
+
+His resolve, a desperate one that caused him to shudder as he formed it,
+was reached on the instant. The broad back of his enemy, who sat in the
+stern, was within easy reach, and inspired his action.
+
+Quick as a flash Clif grasped the stern of the boat with one hand and
+with one mighty effort raised himself high out of the water. Before the
+Spaniard could divine what was happening, Clif's free arm was thrown
+around the fellow's neck, and he was drawn back into the water behind
+him.
+
+An instant after Clif clambered over the stern into the boat. With a
+shudder at the thought of the fate that awaited the luckless Spaniard,
+he addressed himself to the work that lay before him.
+
+And there was plenty of it, and lively, too, while it lasted.
+
+The other Spaniard, who had been peering into the water ahead, turned
+sharply around when he heard the noise made by the splash of his
+companion, and in the act involuntarily dropped the revolver.
+
+What must have been his feelings upon beholding the lithe and dripping
+form of the plucky young American emerging from the sea, may well be
+imagined.
+
+But Clif did not pause to study the effects. He seized an oar and sprang
+toward his remaining foe.
+
+"Surrender, you villain!" he cried in Spanish as he advanced.
+
+The Spaniard seized an oar and with an oath sprang toward the American.
+
+And there, on the quiet bosom of the water in the dim light of night,
+ensued a stubbornly contested duel, in which oars took the place of
+broadsword and sabre.
+
+Clif fought savagely and desperately. His blood was up, and he knew that
+now, if ever, he was, fighting for his life.
+
+But in the end it was fortune that favored him. A chance blow upon his
+antagonist's head rendered the latter unconscious, and victory again
+perched upon the young American's banner.
+
+There was no time for exultation, even if he had felt that way. The work
+had been too serious, and necessity for action was too imperative.
+
+Satisfied that he had nothing to fear from his enemy, now lying helpless
+in the bottom of the Boat, Clif seized the oars and turned the boat
+toward shore.
+
+It was trying work for one man to row that boat even the short distance
+that lay between him and shore--especially after the ordeal through
+which he had passed. But excitement buoyed him up and he made good
+progress.
+
+His companions in the shade of the bushes where he had left them had
+witnessed his exciting duel and were wrought up to tense excitement. How
+they bemoaned the fact that they were not there to help him!
+
+It became evident that there were other spectators, too; for no sooner
+had Clif seized the oars and began to row for the shore than a volley of
+bullets rattled out across the water from the hill that had witnessed
+such thrilling scenes earlier in the night. The Spanish soldiers had
+discovered Clif!
+
+In the face of this, Clif redoubled his efforts to reach the beach and
+rescue his companions, who might any moment be attacked by the soldiers
+in their rear.
+
+But the enemy's attention was concentrated upon Clif and his boat, and
+he shot through the waters in a perfect hail of missiles. They spattered
+into the waters all around him, but wide of their mark.
+
+He reached the shore, and as he sprang upon the ground his faithful
+little band could not repress a cheer at his bravery and pluck.
+
+But he urged them on. Not a moment could now be lost. The enemy, shut
+off temporarily by the overhanging hill, might be down upon them any
+second.
+
+Clif gathered up his clothing and at a word they all sprang to their
+places and the boat leaped through the water with a bound, and was away.
+
+"To the flagship!" Clif cried, and then uttered an exclamation of alarm.
+
+"The dispatches!" he cried, as he felt among his clothes. "They have
+been left behind!"
+
+At a word the boat was turned round and shot swiftly toward the beach.
+
+Yelling Spaniards could be heard racing down the hillside. They had
+discovered the landing-place, and bullets began again to rain about the
+water.
+
+It seemed sure death to return in the face of that fire, but the
+intrepid crew sped on. The dispatches must not fall into Spanish hands!
+
+The boat grated on the sands, and Clif sprang out. One instant brought
+him to the spot where his clothes had lain. Fortune favored him. As he
+felt along the ground, his hand touched a package of papers.
+
+"The dispatches!" he cried, as he sprang to his place in the stern of
+the boat, which had been turned ready for the start. He gave the word
+and away they sped, this time with the flagship as the goal. Spanish
+bullets flew after them, but they were safe. It was only when they were
+for a moment brought out into bold relief by the searchlight that again
+began to play from the flagship that the bullets of the enemy came near
+their mark.
+
+And then the firing ceased and the boat sped on. An enthusiastic and
+jubilant crew it was. Only Clif seemed in a dissatisfied mood.
+
+"Gorry!" he suddenly exclaimed, "I came off without that shell after
+all!"
+
+"You seem to lay great store by that, sir," said one of the men.
+
+"I do," said Clif. "But will not return for it just now. To the
+flagship!"
+
+Not many minutes later they were safe aboard, the captured Spaniard in
+proper custody, and, best of all, the dispatches were personally
+delivered by Clif to the rear admiral.
+
+But still Clif was not entirely satisfied.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+CLIF'S SECOND EXPEDITION.
+
+
+In spite of the glorious work accomplished in those few hours Clif felt
+chagrined that he had, in the excitement of the struggle on the boat and
+under fire of the Spanish soldiers on shore, been forced to return to
+the flagship without the shell.
+
+He had thought considerably about it even during the stirring scenes
+through which they had passed. He had his own ideas about it and wanted
+to put them to the test.
+
+Everything connected with it indicated to his mind some mystery, the
+solution of which would materially help the American forces.
+
+In the first place, the way in which it was brought to his attention was
+unusual, to say the least. That a ship being pursued by a hostile craft
+should deliberately fire away from the pursuer and toward the land was
+peculiar, even for a Spaniard.
+
+It was ridiculous to think that the shell had been aimed at Clif and his
+party, for even had it been broad daylight the American boat's crew
+would not have been visible to those on the Spanish ship. It was merely
+a coincidence that Clif happened to be where the shell landed.
+
+"No," thought Clif as he revolved this in his mind, "that shot was not
+aimed at our forces. There was some other reason for firing it."
+
+What that was he could merely conjecture, and he was not entirely clear
+in his own mind. That the mysterious purpose had been carried out to the
+satisfaction of those on the Spanish boat, Clif felt convinced, was
+evident from the fact that not another shot was fired.
+
+Then the shape of the shell was an important factor.
+
+"They are not using those round ones nowadays," thought Clif. "This one
+must be used for a special purpose. What that is, I'm going to find
+out."
+
+The arrival of the Spanish soldiers and their peculiar actions before
+the little battle that followed also demanded explanation.
+
+"They didn't know we were there," mused Clif, "or they would not have
+been so easily taken by surprise. Why were they there? Their capture of
+the Cuban courier was accidental, I'm sure. They were on some other
+mission."
+
+Last of all, the theft of the ship's boat and the strange behavior of
+the two Spaniards who had taken it and whom Clif had been forced to
+overcome added a peculiar feature to the affair.
+
+Taking it all in all, Clif felt that though they had bravely avenged the
+murder of the Cuban, and had brought the dispatches safely to the rear
+admiral, and with them a prisoner, still an important object had not
+been accomplished.
+
+He meant to return for that unexploded shell in the face of every
+difficulty and put his ideas to the test. He had this purpose in view
+when he delivered with his own hands the dispatches to the rear admiral.
+
+Rear Admiral Sampson glanced quickly over the papers after they were
+handed to him, and seemed highly pleased.
+
+"These are of the utmost importance," he exclaimed. "With this
+information we will be the better able to act in conjunction with the
+insurgents when the proper time comes."
+
+Clif knew the papers must indeed be of especial value from the rear
+admiral's manner, for it was decidedly unusual for an officer of such
+importance to unbend to that extent with an ordinary cadet. The rear
+admiral was evidently more than satisfied with the result of Clif's
+mission.
+
+After a hasty examination of the papers, he turned to Clif, who had
+remained standing, and asked some particulars of his meeting with the
+Cuban courier.
+
+Then Clif briefly but graphically told of his receiving the papers from
+the hands of the insurgent and of the latter's tragic death so soon
+after at the hands of the cowardly Spanish soldier who held him as a
+prisoner of war.
+
+Rear Admiral Sampson's blood fairly boiled as Clif gave him the details.
+
+"The cowards!" he exclaimed, with clinched fist. "It was barbarous!"
+
+"But, sir," continued Clif. "It has been avenged."
+
+And then he briefly and with modest demeanor told of their attack upon
+the company of Spanish soldiers, and their victory over them without
+the loss of an American life. More than one Spaniard had gone to his
+death to atone for that cowardly assassination.
+
+The rear admiral was plainly interested, and at his request Clif gave
+the particulars of his subsequent adventures and of the narrow escape in
+the boat from the Spanish soldiers firing upon them from the hill and
+shore.
+
+"Admirable! admirable!" exclaimed the rear admiral, when the brief
+narrative was finished. "I am proud of the bravery of yourself and the
+men with you."
+
+"And now, if you please, sir," said Clif, calmly, "I want to go back
+there."
+
+"Back there!" exclaimed the admiral. "Where do you mean?"
+
+"To the spot where I met the Cuban," replied Clif.
+
+"What do you mean? According to your account the place is swarming with
+Spanish soldiers."
+
+"Not many of them, sir," said Clif. "And it is not my intention that
+they should see me. I left something behind that I think is important."
+
+Then he told of the shell that came crashing through the trees where
+they stood, and of the series of incidents that had prevented his
+examining it as fully as he wished.
+
+He insisted strongly that the recovery of the shell was of the greatest
+importance, and intimated something of his ideas concerning the mystery
+that it suggested. He spoke to such good purpose that at last the rear
+admiral was disposed to grant his wish.
+
+"But it would be better to wait until you have had a chance to rest a
+bit," said the latter. "To-morrow night, for instance."
+
+"Delay is dangerous, sir, I think," said Clif. "Others are seeking it, I
+know, and it may not be there unless I go at once. There are still
+several hours of the night left, and I can easily accomplish it."
+
+The rear admiral had evidently been impressed with what Clif had told
+him concerning the shell, and at last agreed that he should go about it
+in his own way.
+
+"Very well, then," he said at last. "Take a boat's crew and go at once."
+
+"If you please, sir," exclaimed Clif, "I would rather take one of the
+small boats and go alone. One man can move about with less fear of
+detection."
+
+"Young man, you are undertaking a very dangerous mission," exclaimed the
+rear admiral. "But you seem to have the pluck, and I have confidence
+that you can take care of yourself. Do then as you wish, but take some
+signal rockets with you. Don't hesitate to use them if necessary. We
+will be ready to send you assistance if needed."
+
+Clif, highly pleased at the confidence that was reposed in him, saluted
+respectfully and hastened away to prepare for the venture.
+
+In a few minutes he was ready, the boat was lowered, and for the second
+time that night he left the flagship to face fresh dangers on the shore.
+
+But this time he was alone. Success and safety depended upon his unaided
+efforts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+THE BATTLE IN THE BRUSH.
+
+
+Was it a foolhardy venture, he thought, as with steady stroke he forged
+ahead away from the flagship, and toward the shore he had so recently
+left amid the clatter of hostile bullets.
+
+The enemy now must be on the alert, and he might be detected and
+captured the instant his boat touched shore. And he was not blind to the
+dangers that might confront him on land.
+
+"I'm in for it now, at any rate," he thought, "and I've got to succeed.
+This mystery must be solved, and I believe the result will show that it
+is worth all the risk."
+
+Darkness favored him, and besides he was alone; and for that very reason
+could move around with less risk of discovery once he reached land. He
+knew exactly where he had dropped the shell, and it would not take long
+to get it.
+
+It was therefore with confidence that he urged the boat forward.
+
+It was a long pull, for the flagship lay well out to sea, but Clif did
+not seem to feel the strain. He drew near the shore without detecting
+any hostile movement or hearing any sound that would lead him to think
+that the enemy were on the lookout.
+
+He decided that it would be prudent not to land at the same spot as
+previously. He therefore steered for a clump of trees a little further
+down the coast, and still not a great distance from the hill where the
+shell lay.
+
+Not a sound from the enemy reached his ears as his boat grated upon the
+sandy beach, and he sprang out to secure the painter to a bush.
+
+Then, feeling that his revolver was ready and handy for business, he
+cautiously began to steal his way through the shrubbery that fringed the
+shore.
+
+These screened his advance and soon he was ascending the steep bank in
+the direction of the previous encounter. He was getting further away
+from his boat and nearer and near to his destination.
+
+"All serene, so far," he muttered, as he advanced steadily without any
+adventure. "The Spaniards must have gone."
+
+But suddenly, as he was about to step from the concealment of the trees
+into a slight clearing that lay in his path, he heard a sound that
+caused him to dodge quickly back. Looking out he saw a figure close at
+hand and slowly approaching.
+
+A step further and Clif would have brought himself directly within the
+other's view.
+
+It was not Clif's purpose to invite an encounter, although he grasped
+his revolver in readiness for an emergency. He desired, rather, to avoid
+it, and to quietly make his way to the spot where the shell lay. That
+once secured, he felt that he could in the same way return to his boat
+and to the flagship.
+
+He therefore silently waited in his place of concealment to see what the
+enemy would do. The latter evidently had not heard Clif's movements, and
+continued slowly to advance, stooping occasionally and peering from side
+to side.
+
+"I think I know what you're after," muttered Clif below his breath. "But
+you won't find it here; nor me, either," he added, as he began to edge
+away from the position he held.
+
+As he did so, the other turned and slowly continued his course in the
+opposite direction.
+
+The coast was again clear, and Clif lost no time in putting what
+distance he could between himself and the unwelcome visitor. His course,
+too, led him toward the mound of earth behind which lay the object of
+his coming.
+
+When he reached the spot where he had met the Cuban courier he found it
+deserted. The Spaniards, after the escape of Clif and his men, had
+evidently withdrawn.
+
+With a light heart he sprang toward the rampart of earth and began to
+ascend its side.
+
+"In one minute it is mine," he thought exultingly, "and then back to the
+flagship and the test!"
+
+But a surprise was in store for him. As he vaulted over the top of the
+mound on to the other side, he landed almost into the arms of a man who
+was just ascending that side.
+
+The man was unmistakably a Spaniard, and from his hands there fell a
+round shell, that rolled away across the ground.
+
+The encounter was startling to both, but Clif was the first to recover
+his wits. His quick eye detected the fallen shell, and he divined the
+fellow's purpose.
+
+Before the other could recover from his evident fright, Clif sprang upon
+him.
+
+"So you have found it!" he muttered, as he closed in upon the Spaniard,
+"but finding's not keeping's this time."
+
+Clif's attack brought the Spaniard quickly to his senses, and he was not
+slow to defend himself.
+
+In a flash he drew his revolver, but Clif was too quick for him. The
+latter knocked the weapon from the fellow's grasp before he had a chance
+to fire it.
+
+Clif's own weapon was within easy reach, but for several reasons he did
+not care to use it. He wanted, among other things, to avoid a pistol
+shot which might attract others to the spot.
+
+The contest must be one of muscle against muscle; and to unusual
+strength Clif added a surprising agility that came in good stead in such
+a struggle.
+
+They grappled, and there in that enclosure formed by the mounds of earth
+on several sides the two began a furious hand to hand battle, the result
+of which long hung in doubt.
+
+The Spaniard was no mean opponent, and fought with enraged fury. Clif's
+astounding exertions during the past hours had been enough to exhaust
+the strongest and sturdiest, and he was compelled to acknowledge to
+himself, as the battle progressed, that it had made inroads upon his
+strength.
+
+Back and forth across the little enclosure the pair fought fiercely.
+Once Clif slipped and fell beneath his opponent; but an instant after he
+was upon his feet.
+
+His keen eye followed his antagonist's every move. He was watching for a
+chance to deliver one blow that would settle the combat. Several times
+he had landed upon the Spaniard's head and face, inflicting severe
+punishment, but not enough.
+
+At last the moment came. The opening presented itself in the Spaniard's
+guard, and with all the strength that was in him, Clif shot out his
+right hand. It went home. With a force that seemed to lift the fellow
+high into the air, his fist met the Spaniard's chin, and the latter fell
+backward to the ground.
+
+It was a clean knockout. Breathing heavily, the fellow lay where he had
+fallen, unconscious of his surroundings.
+
+Clif was panting from the exertion. He had received some punishment, and
+the wound in his arm was throbbing fiercely.
+
+But he paused only long enough to see that the fellow would not give him
+further trouble, and then hurried toward the spot where the shell had
+rolled.
+
+"I guess that'll hold you for a while," he muttered, looking at his
+fallen foe as he started away.
+
+"But he'll come out of it after a time," he added. "Gorry! how my arm
+aches all the way up to the elbow."
+
+It took but a moment for him to find the shell, for he had seen it roll
+from the other's hand.
+
+"That's it," he exclaimed, as he picked it up. "I'd know it in a minute
+by its shape and weight. Rather light for a cannon ball."
+
+But he did not wait to examine it there. There would be time enough for
+that when he reached the flagship.
+
+With a parting look at his unconscious antagonist he started away.
+
+"I'm sorry, my dear sir," he exclaimed, sarcastically, as he looked back
+on reaching the top of the rampart. "You seemed so attached to this
+shell, I'd like to take you along with it. But as I can only take one at
+a time, I'll content myself with this."
+
+Then he turned his back upon the scene of his contest, and started for
+his boat as expeditiously as due caution would allow.
+
+He met with no obstacle in the way, and found the boat just as he had
+left it. He threw the shell in the stern, and with a feeling of
+exultation sprang in after it and seized the oars.
+
+A few steady strokes and he was on the way toward the flagship. But
+there had been a change in those quiet waters while he was on the land.
+
+He had not gone many boat lengths from shore before he discovered
+looming up before him a slowly moving steamer. It was apparently hugging
+the coast and proceeding with as little noise as possible.
+
+"A boat trying to run the blockade!" exclaimed Clif, as he backed water
+and rested upon his oars. "She'll succeed, too, unless one of our ships
+should happen to discover her with its searchlight."
+
+And then his responsibility, in view of the discovery he had made,
+flashed upon him.
+
+"I must warn the flagship at once," he exclaimed, seizing the oars and
+sending the boat forward with a spurt.
+
+But after a couple of strokes he suddenly stopped again.
+
+"What a fool I am!" he exclaimed. "By the time I can row out to the
+flagship, it will be too late. They must be warned instantly, and there
+is only one way of doing it."
+
+He reached for the signal rockets he had brought at the rear admiral's
+order. Should he fire them?
+
+Those on board the strange boat that was nearly abreast of him did not
+know that he was there. If he gave the signal it would betray his
+presence, and no doubt lead to an attack upon himself in his open boat.
+
+Clif looked far out to sea for a moment, half hoping to see the flash of
+the searchlight play upon the water, and lead to the detection of the
+strange craft.
+
+But the delay was only momentary.
+
+"It is my duty to warn the ships," he exclaimed, as he set a rocket up
+in the stern, and drawing a match from his pocket, struck it upon the
+seat of the boat. "Here goes!"
+
+A moment later, with a sharp whirr and a flash of light, the rocket shot
+up into the air. A second and third followed; then Clif sprang back upon
+his seat and seized the oars.
+
+The signal had been given. He had done his duty at whatever risk there
+might be to his own safety.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+CAPTURED.
+
+
+Clif had elected to imperil his own existence rather than allow one of
+the enemy's boats to pass that blockade without warning to the American
+ships. But he had no intention of lying idly by in the path of the
+hostile craft.
+
+He waited but a moment after the glare of the last rocket had died out
+in the air, and then bent to the oars, and urged the boat toward the
+open sea beyond.
+
+And then he had every confidence that he had little to fear from the
+enemy's boat.
+
+"They'll have all they can do to look out for their own safety now," he
+thought, "without paying any attention to me. The New York has seen the
+signal, and will not be slow in making out the cause. Then look out, Mr.
+Spaniard."
+
+But there was more taking place upon those waters than Clif was
+cognizant of, and peril came from an unlooked-for source.
+
+His decision to send up the warning signal had been quickly formed after
+his first discovery of the strange vessel. He had seen at a glance that
+it was not a warship, but a merchant steamer. It was moving slowly, and
+apparently seeking, as much as possible, the concealment afforded by the
+shadow of the coast. Every feature about it showed that it was trying
+to quietly steal out past the blockading vessels.
+
+Clif had not delayed, but on the impulse of the moment had sent up the
+signal rockets while he was yet between the ship and the shore. But a
+few steady strokes would carry him beyond the enemy and toward the
+flagship, he thought.
+
+But to his surprise he noticed, on glancing over his shoulder as he drew
+nearer the vessel, that the latter was moving slower than before and in
+fact had just stopped.
+
+This was puzzling to him, for now, if at any time, the boat should be
+showing its utmost speed. Those on board must surely know from the
+signals that they had been discovered and that pursuit would instantly
+follow.
+
+A few words will explain the situation to the reader. The vessel was, as
+Clif suspected, endeavoring to steal out past the American ships, which
+were known to be in the vicinity. But a short time before Clif had left
+the shore for the second time, the blockade runner had slowed down, and
+a boat, manned by half a dozen sailors, had been sent ashore. An officer
+in the Spanish army, with important dispatches, was to be taken aboard
+at a point not far from where Clif had landed.
+
+The work of the Spanish boat's crew had been expeditiously performed,
+and when Clif sent up his signal, they were returning to the ship.
+Unnoticed by Clif in his excitement at the time, they were close to one
+side of his boat at that fateful moment.
+
+A pistol shot suddenly ringing out in the air and a bullet flying not
+far from his head apprised the cadet of danger from that quarter. The
+Spaniards, as was natural for them to be, were aroused to a high pitch
+of excitement against the youth whose vigilance promised to set all
+their plans at naught.
+
+With a hoarse yell of rage they tugged at the oars and their boat fairly
+leaped through the water after the intrepid young cadet.
+
+Clif saw the movement, and redoubled his efforts at the oars. It was a
+race for his life--one against seven!
+
+With frantic energy he tugged at the oars, and his boat shot forward
+with encouraging speed. At that moment the searchlight on the flagship
+sent its rays across the waters in answer to the signal, and a dazzling
+stream of light played upon the scene.
+
+It brought in clear relief the form of the waiting steamer, and the two
+boats racing so desperately near at hand.
+
+What a thrilling scene it must have been to the officers on the bridge
+of the flagship as with glass in hand they watched the exciting race.
+But it was not given to them long to note the cadet's desperate struggle
+for freedom, or to marvel at his great endurance.
+
+The race was a short one, and the result a foregone conclusion. There
+was no hope of Clif's escaping from the pursuing boat, with its crew of
+fresh and eager oarsmen. The latter closed in upon him with a leap and a
+bound, and soon were within oar's length of him.
+
+He recognized the uselessness of trying to escape from them, but was
+determined not to surrender without a struggle even in the face of great
+numbers.
+
+He dropped his oars and sprang to his feet, facing his enemies. He drew
+his revolver, but before he could use it one of the Spanish sailors, who
+had risen in the boat, knocked it from his grasp with his oar.
+
+The boats were now side by side, almost touching, and the dark hulk of
+the steamer was not many feet away.
+
+From the latter arose aloud cheer as they saw that Clif had been
+disarmed, and above the noise Clif could hear a few words of command
+from the Spanish army officer who sat in the stern of the boat at his
+side. It was to the sailor who had sprung up to attack Clif.
+
+"Don't shoot!" he said. "Take him alive!"
+
+Clif had seized an oar when his revolver fell with a splash into the
+water, and there was no doubt that he intended using it.
+
+But two can play at that game, and the Spanish sailor, forbidden to
+shoot, attacked Clif furiously with the oar, which he still held in his
+hand.
+
+Clif dodged, but as he did so another sailor aimed a blow at his head.
+The aim was good.
+
+A sharp pain shot through the young cadet's head, he reeled and all
+became dark before him. With a faint moan he fell senseless into the
+bottom of his boat.
+
+The contest had been short, and well it was for the Spaniards that such
+was the case. Already the flickering of the searchlight told that the
+flagship was hurrying to the scene.
+
+The Spaniards realized the importance of quick action. They had, on the
+impulse of the moment, retaliated upon Clif because it could take but a
+few minutes and because they felt that the chase would end not far from
+their waiting vessel.
+
+They congratulated themselves that it had, indeed, brought them almost
+to the ship's side, and now they lost no time in getting themselves and
+their prisoner aboard. Willing hands assisted from above.
+
+A couple of strokes of the oars had brought them to the ship's side,
+with Clif's boat in tow. In obedience to a command, Clif's boat with its
+unconscious burden was raised bodily to the deck. The captain thought he
+could use it in his business.
+
+A moment later the Spaniards with the army officer reached the deck, and
+the ship's captain signaled to go ahead.
+
+All now was excitement on board the Spaniard. Beyond securely fastening
+the arms and legs of their unconscious captive where he lay, they paid
+but little attention to Clif. They were all too wrapped up in thoughts
+of escape from the cruiser whose piercing searchlight was streaming upon
+them.
+
+Among the crew there was, here and there, a murmur against the delay
+that had been caused by stopping to take on the army officer, and with
+this was coupled a note of resentment against the young cadet whose
+appearance on the scene promised to spoil all their plans.
+
+But the captain's orders were carried out promptly, the more so as their
+own safety depended upon it.
+
+They were not without hope of making good their escape in the end, for
+they knew what speed their craft was capable of. It was a fast boat, and
+the throbbing of the engines told that she was being urged to her full
+speed.
+
+Amid intense excitement of crew and officers, the wild dash for freedom
+and safety had begun.
+
+Through all this confusion and flurry the cadet whose prompt signaling
+had occasioned it lay helpless and unconscious. The steady thump of the
+machinery below, which was steadily carrying him further and further
+from his friends, made no impression upon his ears, nor was his mind
+aroused by the excitement of the chase or the hope of rescue.
+
+But the race had not been long under way before he began to show signs
+of returning consciousness. He stirred uneasily in the bottom of the
+boat where he lay, attempting to move his pinioned limbs; then a
+long-drawn breath, and he opened his eyes slowly.
+
+The noise from shipboard fell upon his ears, and the sounds confused
+him. His surroundings puzzled him and his mind at first could not grasp
+the situation. Where was he?
+
+Then with a rush of recollection came the remembrance of the attack upon
+him in the open boat. His enemies had triumphed, he thought, and left
+him a helpless victim to drift about upon the open sea. But whence those
+sounds?
+
+He painfully raised himself to a sitting posture and looked out. To his
+astonishment, he found himself and boat upon the deck of a swiftly
+moving steamer.
+
+Then he saw it all, and realized what had happened. He caught a glimpse
+of the rays of the searchlight that still streamed across the water, and
+a moment after heard the boom of a cannon out at sea.
+
+"The New York!" he exclaimed. "She is in pursuit! But she's too far
+away, and can never catch this fast boat. The only chance of her
+stopping it is with one of her big guns."
+
+And then, involuntarily, he shuddered as he thought that, bound and
+helpless, he would share the fate of the Spanish crew if a shot from the
+flagship should penetrate the ship's side and send it to the bottom!
+
+He moved a little toward the stern of his boat, as best he could, to get
+a better view of the light that showed the approaching flagship. As he
+did so he struck a round, hard object that lay behind him.
+
+"The unexploded shell!" he exclaimed, as he recognized what it was. "I
+still have that with me, at any rate!"
+
+And then he began to tug at the ropes that bound his arms in a frantic
+effort to loosen them.
+
+The rapid throb of the engines below and another boom of cannon from out
+to sea told that the chase was becoming a hot one.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+CLIF FARADAY'S TEST.
+
+
+The excitement among the crew of the Spanish steamer was intense as they
+watched the light from the flagship and noted the course of the
+projectiles that came toward them. For this reason they had not observed
+Clif's movements, and gave themselves no concern about him.
+
+Whatever may have been his intended course of action, he was at last
+compelled to abandon it.
+
+Strain and tug as he would at the cords that bound his arms, they
+remained intact, nor could his ingenuity devise any way of releasing
+himself from their hold. Though hastily tied, the knots had been put
+there to stay, and Clif at last realized that it was a hopeless task to
+try to undo them.
+
+But though he could not free his arms and legs, he could use his eyes,
+and the scene was one thrilling enough to rivet his attention.
+
+The fast moving steamer, urged to its utmost speed, the exclamations of
+hope and fear among its crew, the more majestically moving flagship
+whose deficiencies of speed were more than atoned for by the range of
+her guns, suggested possibilities to one in Clif's position that might
+well set one's heart to beating wildly.
+
+If the steamer should escape by reason of superior speed, it would
+bring joy to the crew, but disaster to Clif, their helpless prisoner.
+If, on the other hand, a shot from the flagship should sink the Spanish
+boat, Clif perforce would share death with them. Little wonder that
+brave as he was, he struggled anxiously to free his arms and legs from
+their bonds.
+
+"The New York can never catch us," he exclaimed, when he had settled
+down to watching the flagship as best he could. "She is too far away,
+and this boat is too fast."
+
+There was little need of the searchlight now, as dawn was approaching.
+The forms of the ships could be distinguished in the uncertain light
+without its aid.
+
+Clif had been watching the flagship which was astern, but now, looking
+forward, he saw a beam of light in that direction. It was several miles
+out to sea, and shot across their path.
+
+"That must be the Wilmington," he exclaimed, cheered by a suddenly
+revived hope. "She can cut across our path, and all may yet be well."
+
+He looked back at the flagship and saw the red and the blue signal
+lights flashing their message to the ship ahead which was, as Clif
+surmised, the Wilmington. They also carried a message to Clif, nor was
+their meaning lost upon the Spanish crew.
+
+"They have signaled the Wilmington to intercept her," exclaimed Clif.
+"But it will be a close race."
+
+He heard the signal from the excited captain of the Spanish boat for
+more speed, and the throbbing of the machinery told that they were
+endeavoring in the engine rooms to carry out the order. It seemed as if
+the engines were already doing their utmost, but Clif could notice a
+slight increase in the headway they were making.
+
+It was a fast boat and no mistake, Clif thought, as he anxiously
+strained his eyes to see what the Wilmington was doing.
+
+Answering signals told that she had received the order from the
+flagship, and that those orders would be obeyed. Clif fervently hoped
+that she would be successful. He hated to think of the possibility of a
+hostile ship succeeding in running the blockade, and now this patriotic
+impulse was heightened by the fact that he was a helpless prisoner on
+board the very boat that promised to accomplish that feat.
+
+For, as he watched the race, there was a growing conviction in Clif's
+mind that the Wilmington was so far out to sea that she could not hope
+to stop the Spanish steamer except by the power of her guns. And a hole
+in the side of the enemy's vessel, however desirable under ordinary
+circumstances, did not coincide with his hopes or ideas on this
+occasion. He had no desire to share a watery grave with his captors.
+
+The two boats were heading for the same point, the Wilmington seeking to
+block the path the other was following. One of her guns spoke out, but
+the shot fell short. She was not in range.
+
+Faster went the Spanish boat, and nearer to the objective point raced
+the two vessels.
+
+Clif breathlessly watched the pursuing craft whose success meant so much
+to him. Could she win?
+
+The Spaniards shared his excitement, and watched their opponent with
+fully as much eagerness. At last they broke out into a cheer.
+
+Clif was not slow to understand its import. The Spanish boat was making
+really a phenomenal run, and had reached a point where it was evident
+that if they maintained their speed they would soon be past the
+dangerous line. That once reached they could show the Yankee boat a
+clean pair of heels.
+
+Clif's spirits fell when he realized that the Spaniards had good cause
+for their jubilation. There was no doubt now that the steamer could pass
+the danger line and then away.
+
+The Wilmington, too, seemed to realize that there was no hope of
+catching up with the other vessel, for now the cannon boomed out in
+rapid succession. They were rapidly drawing nearer and within range.
+
+A shot swept across the Spaniard's bows, but on she went. Then another
+struck the bridge upon which the captain stood glass in hand, and he had
+a narrow escape from flying splinters. But the goal was too near for
+them to stop, and he signaled for more steam.
+
+Clif could not but admire this officer's pluck. Under other
+circumstances, he would have said that the Spaniard deserved to win.
+
+The vessel seemed to struggle to do what was demanded of her, and sped
+on. Another shot from the Wilmington rattled across her bows, but the
+crew answered with a cheer. Five minutes more and they would be round
+the point and then----
+
+What would happen then was never to be known. Suddenly a loud explosion
+was heard from below, and the whole frame of the steamer shook from end
+to end. Men rushed on deck in a panic, and wildly proclaimed the cause.
+
+A steam pipe, urged beyond its strength, had exploded, carrying
+destruction with it. The race was lost, and the captain promptly hauled
+down his flag.
+
+But as he did so, he gave orders to steer toward the land, and the
+steamer came to a standstill not far from the shore.
+
+The Spanish army officer carrying the dispatches entered a boat that was
+quickly lowered and when the prize crew from the Wilmington boarded the
+steamer he was safe upon land and his escape was assured.
+
+When the officer in charge of the prize crew had finished the
+formalities, Clif attracted his attention. The cadet had apparently been
+forgotten by his captors in the excitement of the chase and the calamity
+that had come upon them. The American officer was astonished beyond
+measure to find one wearing the familiar uniform in such a plight on
+that boat.
+
+"Why, Mr. Faraday," he exclaimed upon learning Clif's identity, and
+having released him from his bonds, "we were not aware that they had an
+American on board as a prisoner."
+
+"I thought not, from the way you were firing at us," said Clif, with a
+smile. "I thought more than once that you would send this particular
+American to the bottom along with the shipload of the enemy. You were
+firing too accurately to suit me this time."
+
+"Well, the American boys do come pretty near hitting what they aim at,"
+responded the officer, evidently pleased at the compliment to their
+marksmanship. "But I am curious to know how it has happened that we find
+you here."
+
+Clif then briefly told of the adventures that followed his finding of
+the unexploded shell, which he picked up from its lodgment in the boat
+and held in his hand.
+
+"So you have risked your life for that piece of steel!" exclaimed the
+officer. "What can have been your purpose in that?"
+
+"Does it not strike you, sir, that there is something peculiar about
+it?" asked Clif, as the other examined it.
+
+"Yes," replied the officer, "it is decidedly out of date, and might be
+interesting as a relic, but not of sufficient importance to risk one's
+life for."
+
+"I had an idea that there was a mystery about it that was well worth
+solving," replied Clif. "And with your permission, sir, I will put the
+matter to a test."
+
+"As you like," responded the officer, with the air of a man who is
+indulging some childish fancy.
+
+Clif was not slow to take advantage of the permission granted, and
+carried the shell to a table that stood upon the after deck, the officer
+meantime paying no further attention to him, but attending to some
+further detail of transfer.
+
+Clif had procured a fuse and inserted it into the shell and was upon the
+point of lighting it when the officer appeared.
+
+"Stop, sir!" he commanded. "Would you blow us all to destruction?"
+
+Others standing near made a move as if to stop Clif, but it was too
+late. The fuse was burning rapidly.
+
+With a cry of alarm and amazement, the officers, American as well as
+Spanish, sprang to one side and dodged in great fright.
+
+But Clif calmly stood by, his arms folded and a confident smile playing
+about his lips.
+
+He was putting his theory to the test.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+THE MYSTERY OF THE UNEXPLODED SHELL.
+
+
+Mingled with evident fright and alarm there was upon the face of each a
+look of incredulity at rashness of the cadet. Had his adventures and
+narrow escapes turned his brain, and were they now at the mercy of a
+maniac? was in the minds of all.
+
+They had not long to wait. The fuse burned rapidly and spluttered to the
+end, and as they all involuntarily ducked their heads at the impending
+explosion, a peculiar thing happened.
+
+When the fire from the fuse reached the shell there was a sharp clicking
+sound, and those who were looking at the shell saw it suddenly open like
+a book, and from its hollow interior fell a roll of paper upon the
+table.
+
+This Clif seized and waved over his head in triumph.
+
+"Hurrah!" he cried. "It is as I suspected. Secret dispatches from the
+enemy that are worth all they have cost!"
+
+The officers were struck dumb with amazement, and stood and stared at
+the smiling young man as though they could not believe their eyes. But
+after a time they crowded around him and examined the shell curiously,
+and then the papers that Clif held in his hand.
+
+The papers were evidently written in Spanish, and though the American
+officers could not read them, they now had conceived sufficient
+confidence in Clif to believe that they were indeed of importance.
+
+The shell, whose quest had caused Clif so much peril and danger, was a
+curious affair. It had been cunningly contrived for the purpose it had
+so admirably fulfilled. Though very much in appearance like the
+old-fashioned round shells, it was in two parts, ingeniously hinged so
+that when closed it required very close scrutiny to detect the seam.
+
+It was hollow, and consequently light in weight. This fact had first
+arrested Clif's attention and had set his thoughts to work upon the
+mystery that was connected with it. In the opening where the fuse was
+inserted there was a concealed mechanism so arranged that it might not
+be detected or opened with the finger, but would readily give way to the
+force of a slight explosion in that small cavity. If it should fall into
+strange hands, unfamiliar with its design, it was meant to defy all
+efforts at opening it.
+
+Clif was the recipient of many expressions of praise from the American
+officers upon his ingenuity in fathoming the secret that was so
+cunningly devised, and they questioned him at length.
+
+"That is indeed wonderful," said the superior officer. "But how did you
+ever guess the purpose for which it was intended or the method of
+opening it?"
+
+Clif then explained the circumstances connected with its appearance at
+his feet among the trees where he was awaiting the Cuban courier.
+
+"I thought it was strange that a ship being pursued should fire a shell
+at the land instead of at its enemy," he said, "and when I picked it up
+I was struck with its peculiarities, but my examination was interrupted
+by the arrival of the Spanish soldiers. We were kept busy for a while
+pursuing them, and did not have much time to pursue this mystery."
+
+The officer smiled knowingly at this, for he had gathered enough from
+Clif's previous narrative to know that the little band of sailors had
+done great feats that night.
+
+"The shell not exploding," continued Clif, "led me to think that perhaps
+it was not intended to explode just then and when I saw that the Spanish
+soldiers seemed to be hunting for something there, I jumped to the
+conclusion that it was this identical piece of steel they were after.
+That explained their presence there and their peculiar behavior. And
+what could the Spaniards want with that shell if it did not contain
+something of value to them and of greater value to the American cause?"
+
+"You reasoned well," exclaimed the officer, "and so you decided to risk
+going back for it, and your ideas have come out triumphant through the
+test. But, young man, don't try any more experiments like that when I'm
+around."
+
+They all laughed heartily at this sally, at which Clif joined in.
+
+"But it was decidedly a peculiar way to send dispatches," continued the
+officer, "and it would seem as though it was uncertain and unnecessary
+as well."
+
+"There seemed to me to be a good reason for it, sir," said Clif. "I
+figured that that boat had been sent to deliver the dispatches, with
+instructions that if they were pursued to fire the shell at a point
+agreed upon, and then make their escape. They were pursued, and did fire
+toward shore, and the soldiers in waiting evidently saw the flash, and
+knew about where to hunt for it. I think, sir, that when these papers
+are examined it will be found that they contain information that the
+Spanish army ashore wants the worst way."
+
+This proved to be the case. Clif was given custody of the peculiar shell
+and the papers it had contained, and after a little delay was taken in
+the boat to the Wilmington.
+
+Signals were exchanged between this vessel and the flagship, and in due
+time Clif was rowed to the latter and ordered to report to the rear
+admiral.
+
+He turned the shell and its contents over to that officer with an
+explanation of all that had taken place.
+
+"I see that you had good cause for desiring to go back to find this
+shell," said the rear admiral when Clif had finished. "We have learned
+from the prisoner whom you secured after a struggle in your boat, that
+they had stolen your boat to facilitate the transfer of some papers.
+They were late and missed seeing the boat that fired this shell. Now
+that you have secured these papers I will call your knowledge of Spanish
+into requisition and allow you to transcribe these for me."
+
+And this Clif did; and when he had completed the task it was found that
+the most important work he had done that night, was in securing that
+shell and unraveling its mystery.
+
+As he issued from the admiral's room Cadet Wells, one of Clif's best
+friends, approached him.
+
+"Faraday, old fellow," he said, "I've got news that will interest you."
+
+"I'm listening."
+
+"It's about that exception among Spaniards, the lieutenant who helped
+you and Miss Stuart escape."
+
+"Ah! what of him?" asked Clif, eagerly.
+
+"You know he left us on a Spanish boat that brought you over under a
+flag of truce. Well, we couldn't touch that boat then, of course, but
+yesterday she ventured too far out, and the New York sunk her. We saved
+all her crew and from one of them I learned what became of Hernandez. It
+seems he sought a lonely part of the boat while she was on the way from
+us to the shore, and knelt to pray. An officer of the boat saw him thus
+and withdrew. A moment later all hands were startled by a pistol shot.
+Hurrying below they found Lieutenant Hernandez prone on the deck, a calm
+smile on his face, a bullet in his brain."
+
+Faraday was deeply affected.
+
+"And thus," he said gravely, "perished one of Spain's real heroes."
+
+
+[THE END.]
+
+
+
+
+[Transcriber's Note: In the original edition, the following
+advertisements appeared at the beginning of the book, before
+the title page.]
+
+
+THE MEDAL LIBRARY
+
+FAMOUS COPYRIGHTED STORIES
+FOR BOYS, BY FAMOUS AUTHORS
+
+
+This is an ideal line for boys of all ages. It contains juvenile
+masterpieces by the most popular writers of interesting fiction for
+boys. Among these may be mentioned the works of Burt L. Standish,
+detailing the adventures of Frank Merriwell, the hero, of whom every
+American boy has read with admiration. Frank is a truly representative
+American lad, full of character and a strong determination to do right
+at any cost. Then, there are the works of Horatio Alger, Jr., whose keen
+insight into the minds of the boys of our country has enabled him to
+write a series of the most interesting tales ever published. This line
+also contains some of the best works of Oliver Optic, another author
+whose entire life was devoted to writing books that would tend to
+interest and elevate our boys.
+
+PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK
+
+
+To be Published During April
+
+357--Jack Harkaway Among the Pirates               By Bracebridge Hemyng
+356--Frank Merriwell's Baseball Victories            By Burt L. Standish
+355--Tracked Through the Wilds                        By Edward S. Ellis
+354--A Thoroughly Good Story                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+353--A Prisoner of Morro                 By Ensign Clark Fitch, U. S. N.
+
+
+To be Published During March
+
+352--Frank Merriwell's Double Shot                   By Burt L. Standish
+351--The Boys of Grand Pré School                      By James De Mille
+350--A Thoroughly Good Story                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+349--The Two Scouts                                   By Edward S. Ellis
+
+
+To be Published During February
+
+348--Frank Merriwell's Duel                          By Burt L. Standish
+347--Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore               By Bracebridge Hemyng
+346--A Thoroughly Good Story                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+345--The B. O. W. C.                                   By James De Mille
+
+
+To be Published During January
+
+344--Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards               By Burt L. Standish
+343--Among the Redskins                               By Edward S. Ellis
+342--A Thoroughly Good Story                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+341--The Fighting Squadron               By Ensign Clark Fitch, U. S. N.
+340--Frank Merriwell in England                      By Burt L. Standish
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+339--In School and Out                                   By Oliver Optic
+338--A Cousin's Conspiracy                         By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+337--Jack Harkaway After Schooldays                By Bracebridge Hemyng
+336--Frank Merriwell's Great Scheme                  By Burt L. Standish
+335--The Haunted Hunter                               By Edward S. Ellis
+334--Tony, the Tramp                               By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+333--Rich and Humble                                     By Oliver Optic
+332--Frank Merriwell's Stage Hit                     By Burt L. Standish
+331--The Hidden City                                By Walter MacDougall
+330--Bob Burton                                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+329--Masterman Ready                                    By Capt. Marryat
+328--Frank Merriwell's Prosperity                    By Burt L. Standish
+327--Jack Harkaway's Friends                       By Bracebridge Hemyng
+326--The Tin Box                                   By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+325--The Young Franc-Tireurs                              By G. A. Henty
+324--Frank Merriwell's New Comedian                  By Burt L. Standish
+323--The Sheik's White Slave                            By Raymond Raife
+322--Helping Himself                               By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+321--Snarleyyow, The Dog Fiend                          By Capt. Marryat
+320--Frank Merriwell's Fortune                       By Burt L. Standish
+319--By Right of Conquest                                 By G. A. Henty
+318--Jed, the Poorhouse Boy                        By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+317--Jack Harkaway's Schooldays                    By Bracebridge Hemyng
+316--Frank Merriwell's Problem                       By Burt L. Standish
+315--The Diamond Seeker of Brazil                          By Leon Lewis
+314--Andy Gordon                                   By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+313--The Phantom Ship                                   By Capt. Marryat
+312--Frank Merriwell's College Chums                 By Burt L. Standish
+311--Whistler                                          By Walter Aimwell
+310--Making His Way                                By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+309--Three Years at Wolverton                          By A Wolvertonian
+308--Frank Merriwell's Fame                          By Burt L. Standish
+307--The Boy Crusoes                                  By Jeffreys Taylor
+306--Chester Rand                                  By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+305--Japhet in Search of a Father                       By Capt. Marryat
+304--Frank Merriwell's Own Company                   By Burt L. Standish
+303--The Prairie                                   By J. Fenimore Cooper
+302--The Young Salesman                            By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+301--A Battle and a Boy                         By Blanche Willis Howard
+300--Frank Merriwell on the Road                     By Burt L. Standish
+299--Mart Satterlee Among the Indians             By William O. Stoddard
+298--Andy Grant's Pluck                            By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+297--Newton Forster                                     By Capt. Marryat
+296--Frank Merriwell's Protege                       By Burt L. Standish
+295--Cris Rock                                       By Capt. Mayne Reid
+294--Sam's Chance                                  By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+293--My Plucky Boy Tom                                By Edward S. Ellis
+292--Frank Merriwell's Hard Luck                     By Burt L. Standish
+291--By Pike and Dyke                                     By G. A. Henty
+290--Shifting For Himself                          By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+289--The Pirate and the Three Cutters                   By Capt. Marryat
+288--Frank Merriwell's Opportunity                   By Burt L. Standish
+287--Kit Carson's Last Trail                               By Leon Lewis
+286--Jack's Ward                                   By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+285--Jack Darcy, the All Around Athlete               By Edward S. Ellis
+284--Frank Merriwell's First Job                     By Burt L. Standish
+283--Wild Adventures Round the Pole                    By Gordon Stables
+282--Herbert Carter's Legacy                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+281--Rattlin, the Reefer                                By Capt. Marryat
+280--Frank Merriwell's Struggle                      By Burt L. Standish
+279--Mark Dale's Stage Venture                     By Arthur M. Winfield
+278--In Times of Peril                                    By G. A. Henty
+277--In a New World                                By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+276--Frank Merriwell in Maine                        By Burt L. Standish
+275--The King of the Island                      By Henry Harrison Lewis
+274--Beach Boy Joe                              By Lieut. James K. Orton
+273--Jacob Faithful                                     By Capt. Marryat
+184--Frank Merriwell's Trip West                     By Burt L. Standish
+183--The Diamond Hunters                                  By James Grant
+182--The Camp in the Snow                      By William Murray Graydon
+181--Brave and Bold                                By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+180--One of the 28th                                      By G. A. Henty
+178--Frank Merriwell's Foes                          By Burt L. Standish
+177--The White Elephant                                By William Dalton
+176--By England's Aid                                     By G. A. Henty
+175--Strive and Succeed                            By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+173--Life at Sea                                       By Gordon Stables
+172--The Young Midshipman                                 By G. A. Henty
+171--Erling the Bold                                 By R. M. Ballantyne
+170--Strong and Steady                             By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+169--Peter, the Whaler                              By W. H. G. Kingston
+168--Among Malay Pirates                                  By G. A. Henty
+167--Frank Merriwell's Chums                         By Burt L. Standish
+166--Try and Trust                                 By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+165--The Secret Chart                           By Lieut. James K. Orton
+164--The Cornet of Horse                                  By G. A. Henty
+163--Slow and Sure                                 By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+162--The Pioneers                                        By J. F. Cooper
+161--Reuben Green's Adventures at Yale                     By James Otis
+160--Little by Little                                    By Oliver Optic
+159--Phil, the Fiddler                             By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+158--With Lee in Virginia                                 By G. A. Henty
+157--Randy, the Pilot                        By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+156--The Pathfinder                                      By J. F. Cooper
+155--The Young Voyagers                              By Capt. Mayne Reid
+154--Paul, the Peddler                             By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+153--Bonnie Prince Charlie                                By G. A. Henty
+152--The Last of the Mohicans                      By J. Fenimore Cooper
+151--The Flag of Distress                            By Capt. Mayne Reid
+150--Frank Merriwell's School Days                   By Burt L. Standish
+149--With Wolfe in Canada                                 By G. A. Henty
+148--The Deerslayer                                      By J. F. Cooper
+147--The Cliff Climbers                              By Capt. Mayne Reid
+146--Uncle Nat                                           By A. Oldfellow
+145--Friends Though Divided                               By G. A. Henty
+144--The Boy Tar                                     By Capt. Mayne Reid
+143--Hendricks, the Hunter                          By W. H. G. Kingston
+142--The Young Explorer                                By Gordon Stables
+141--The Ocean Waifs                                 By Capt. Mayne Reid
+140--The Young Buglers                                    By G. A. Henty
+139--Shore and Ocean                                By W. H. G. Kingston
+138--Striving for Fortune                          By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+137--The Bush Boys                                   By Capt. Mayne Reid
+136--From Pole to Pole                                 By Gordon Stables
+135--Dick Cheveley                                  By W. H. G. Kingston
+134--Orange and Green                                     By G. A. Henty
+133--The Young Yagers                                By Capt. Mayne Reid
+132--The Adventures of Rob Roy                            By James Grant
+131--The Boy Slaves                                  By Capt. Mayne Reid
+130--From Canal Boy to President                   By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+129--Ran Away to Sea                                 By Capt. Mayne Reid
+128--For Name and Fame                                    By G. A. Henty
+127--The Forest Exiles                               By Capt. Mayne Reid
+126--From Powder Monkey to Admiral                  By W. H. G. Kingston
+125--The Plant Hunters                               By Capt. Mayne Reid
+124--St. George for England                               By G. A. Henty
+123--The Giraffe Hunters                             By Capt. Mayne Reid
+122--Tom Brace                                     By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+121--Peter Trawl                                    By W. H. G. Kingston
+120--In the Wilds of New Mexico                      By G. Manville Fenn
+119--A Final Reckoning                                    By G. A. Henty
+118--Ned Newton                                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+117--James Braithwaite, The Supercargo              By W. H. G. Kingston
+116--Happy-Go-Lucky Jack                            By Frank H. Converse
+115--Adventures of a Young Athlete                 By Matthew White, Jr.
+114--The Old Man of the Mountains                    By George H. Coomer
+113--The Bravest of the Brave                             By G. A. Henty
+112--20,000 Leagues Under the Sea                         By Jules Verne
+111--The Midshipman, Marmaduke Merry                By W. H. G. Kingston
+110--Around the World in Eighty Days                      By Jules Verne
+109--A Dash to the Pole                               By Herbert D. Ward
+108--Texar's Revenge                                      By Jules Verne
+107--Van; or, In Search of an Unknown Race          By Frank H. Converse
+106--The Boy Knight                                   By George A. Henty
+105--The Young Actor                                  By Gayle Winterton
+104--Heir to a Million                              By Frank H. Converse
+103--The Adventures of Rex Staunton                   By Mary A. Denison
+102--Clearing His Name                             By Matthew White, Jr.
+101--The Lone Ranch                                  By Capt. Mayne Reid
+100--Maori and Settler                                By George A. Henty
+99--The Cruise of the Restless; or, On Inland Waterways    By James Otis
+98--The Grand Chaco                              By George Manville Fenn
+97--The Giant Islanders                              By Brooks McCormick
+96--An Unprovoked Mutiny                                   By James Otis
+95--By Sheer Pluck                                        By G. A. Henty
+94--Oscar; or, The Boy Who Had His Own Way             By Walter Aimwell
+93--A New York Boy                                 By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+92--Spectre Gold                                          By Headon Hill
+91--The Crusoes of Guiana                            By Louis Boussenard
+90--Out on the Pampas                                     By G. A. Henty
+89--Clinton; or, Boy Life in the Country               By Walter Aimwell
+88--My Mysterious Fortune                          By Matthew White, Jr.
+87--The Five Hundred Dollar Check                  By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+86--Catmur's Cave                                     By Richard Dowling
+85--Facing Death                                          By G. A. Henty
+84--The Butcher of Cawnpore                    By William Murray Graydon
+83--The Tiger Prince                                   By William Dalton
+82--The Young Editor                               By Matthew White, Jr.
+81--Arthur Helmuth, of the H. & N. C. Railway         By Edward S. Ellis
+80--Afloat in the Forest                             By Capt. Mayne Reid
+79--The Rival Battalions                             By Brooks McCormick
+78--Both Sides of the Continent                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+77--Perils of the Jungle                              By Edward S. Ellis
+76--The War Tiger; or, The Conquest of China           By William Dalton
+75--Boys in the Forecastle                           By George H. Coomer
+74--The Dingo Boys                               By George Manville Fenn
+73--The Wolf Boy of China                              By William Dalton
+72--The Way to Success; or, Tom Randall              By Alfred Oldfellow
+71--Mark Seaworth's Voyage on the Indian Ocean By William H. G. Kingston
+70--The New and Amusing History of Sandford and Merton  By F. C. Burnand
+69--Pirate Island                                   By Harry Collingwood
+68--Smuggler's Cave                                     By Annie Ashmore
+67--Tom Brown's School Days                             By Thomas Hughes
+66--A Young Vagabond                                    By Z. R. Bennett
+65--That Treasure                                   By Frank H. Converse
+64--The Tour of a Private Car                      By Matthew White, Jr.
+63--In the Sunk Lands                                 By Walter F. Bruns
+62--How He Won                                       By Brooks McCormick
+61--The Erie Train Boy                             By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+60--The Mountain Cave                                By George H. Coomer
+59--The Rajah's Fortress                       By William Murray Graydon
+58--Gilbert, The Trapper                           By Capt. C. B. Ashley
+57--The Gold of Flat Top Mountain                   By Frank H. Converse
+56--Nature's Young Noblemen                          By Brooks McCormick
+55--A Voyage to the Gold Coast                      By Frank H. Converse
+54--Joe Nichols; or, Difficulties Overcome           By Alfred Oldfellow
+53--The Adventures of a New York Telegraph Boy     By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+52--From Farm Boy to Senator                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+51--Tom Tracy                                      By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+50--Dean Dunham                                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+49--The Mystery of a Diamond                        By Frank H. Converse
+48--Luke Bennett's Hide-Out            By Capt. C. B. Ashley, U.S. Scout
+47--Eric Dane                                      By Matthew White, Jr.
+46--Poor and Proud                                       By Oliver Optic
+45--Jack Wheeler; A Western Story               By Capt. David Southwick
+44--The Golden Magnet                            By George Manville Fenn
+43--In Southern Seas                                By Frank H. Converse
+42--The Young Acrobat                              By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+41--Check 2134                                        By Edward S. Ellis
+40--Canoe and Campfire                           By St. George Rathborne
+39--With Boer and Britisher in the Transvaal   By William Murray Graydon
+38--Gay Dashleigh's Academy Days                        By Arthur Sewall
+37--Commodore Junk                               By George Manville Fenn
+36--In Barracks and Wigwam                     By William Murray Graydon
+35--In the Reign of Terror                                By G. A. Henty
+34--The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green          By Cuthbert Bede, B. A.
+33--Jud and Joe, Printers and Publishers               By Gilbert Patten
+32--The Curse of Carnes' Hold                             By G. A. Henty
+31--The Cruise of the Snow Bird                        By Gordon Stables
+30--Peter Simple                                      By Captain Marryat
+29--True to the Old Flag                                  By G. A. Henty
+28--The Boy Boomers                                    By Gilbert Patten
+27--Centre-Board Jim                         By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+26--The Cryptogram                             By William Murray Graydon
+25--Through the Fray                                      By G. A. Henty
+24--The Boy From the West                              By Gilbert Patten
+23--The Dragon and the Raven                              By G. A. Henty
+22--From Lake to Wilderness                    By William Murray Graydon
+21--Won at West Point                        By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+20--Wheeling for Fortune                                   By James Otis
+19--Jack Archer                                           By G. A. Henty
+18--The Silver Ship                                        By Leon Lewis
+17--Ensign Merrill                           By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+16--The White King of Africa                   By William Murray Graydon
+15--Midshipman Merrill                       By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+14--The Young Colonists                                   By G. A. Henty
+13--Up the Ladder                                       By Lieut. Murray
+12--Don Kirk's Mine                                    By Gilbert Patten
+11--From Tent to White House                          By Edward S. Ellis
+10--Don Kirk, the Boy Cattle King                      By Gilbert Patten
+9--Try Again                                             By Oliver Optic
+8--Kit Carey's Protégé                       By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+7--Chased Through Norway                                   By James Otis
+6--Captain Carey of the Gallant Seventh      By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+5--Now or Never                                          By Oliver Optic
+4--Lieutenant Carey's Luck                   By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+3--All Aboard                                            By Oliver Optic
+2--Cadet Kit Carey                           By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+1--The Boat Club                                         By Oliver Optic
+
+
+
+
+THE BOUND TO WIN LIBRARY
+
+
+We called this new line of high-class copyrighted stories of adventure
+for boys by this name because we felt assured that it was "bound to win"
+its way into the heart of every true American lad. The stories are
+exceptionally bright, clean and interesting. The writers had the
+interest of our boys at heart when they wrote the stories, and have not
+failed to show what a pure-minded lad with courage and mettle can do.
+Remember, that these stories are copyrighted and cannot be had in any
+other series. We give herewith a list of those already published and
+those scheduled for publication.
+
+
+PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK
+
+
+To be Published During May
+
+167--On Government Service                                By Fred Thorpe
+
+
+To be Published During April
+
+166--Ben Bolton, Mascot                                By Weldon J. Cobb
+165--On a Phantom Trail                         By Harrie Irving Hancock
+164--The Outcast Prince                                By John De Morgan
+163--Grit and Wit                                         By Fred Thorpe
+
+
+To be Published During March
+
+162--The Submarine Pirate                              By Cornelius Shea
+161--Bob, the Acrobat                           By Harrie Irving Hancock
+160--Rob Rollalong at Sea                          By Bracebridge Hemyng
+159--Under the World                                   By John De Morgan
+158--Smart Alec                                        By Weldon J. Cobb
+
+
+To be Published During February
+
+157--From Footlights to Riches                            By Fred Thorpe
+156--Among the Nomads                                 By John H. Whitson
+155--For Fun and Fortune                               By Cornelius Shea
+154--The Meanest Boy Alive                      By Harrie Irving Hancock
+
+
+To be Published During January
+
+153--Rob Rollalong, Runaway                        By Bracebridge Hemyng
+152--An Indian Hero                                    By John De Morgan
+151--The Fourteenth Boy                                By Weldon J. Cobb
+150--The Young Snake Charmer                              By Fred Thorpe
+149--Right on Top                                      By Cornelius Shea
+148--Fighting the Cowards                       By Harrie Irving Hancock
+147--Through Air to Fame                              By John H. Whitson
+146--With the Kidnapers                                By John De Morgan
+145--Adventures in Other Worlds                        By Weldon J. Cobb
+144--A Bid for Fortune                                    By Fred Thorpe
+143--Archie Atwood, Champion                           By Cornelius Shea
+142--In the Path of Duty                        By Harrie Irving Hancock
+141--Out For Fun                                   By Bracebridge Hemyng
+140--The Young Coast Guard                             By John De Morgan
+139--A Million a Minute                                By Weldon J. Cobb
+138--Through the Earth                                    By Fred Thorpe
+137--The Boy King Maker                         By Harrie Irving Hancock
+136--Spider and Stump                              By Bracebridge Hemyng
+135--The Creature of the Pines                         By John De Morgan
+134--In the Volcano's Mouth                            By Frank Sheridan
+133--Muscles of Steel                                  By Weldon J. Cobb
+132--Home Base                                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+131--The Jewel of Florida                              By Cornelius Shea
+130--The Boys' Revolt                           By Harrie Irving Hancock
+129--The Mystic Isle                                      By Fred Thorpe
+128--With the Mad Mullah                               By Weldon J. Cobb
+127--A Humble Hero                                     By John De Morgan
+126--For Big Money                                        By Fred Thorpe
+125--Too Fast to Last                              By Bracebridge Hemyng
+124--Caught in a Trap                           By Harrie Irving Hancock
+123--The Tattooed Boy                                  By Weldon J. Cobb
+122--The Young Horseman                              By Herbert Bellwood
+121--Sam Sawbones                                  By Bracebridge Hemyng
+120--On His Mettle                                        By Fred Thorpe
+119--Compound Interest                          By Harrie Irving Hancock
+118--Runaway and Rover                                 By Weldon J. Cobb
+117--Larry O'Keefe                                 By Bracebridge Hemyng
+116--The Boy Crusaders                                 By John De Morgan
+115--Double Quick Dan                                     By Fred Thorpe
+114--Money to Spend                             By Harrie Irving Hancock
+113--Billy Barlow                                  By Bracebridge Hemyng
+112--A Battle with Fate                                By Weldon J. Cobb
+111--Gypsy Joe                                         By John De Morgan
+110--Barred Out                                           By Fred Thorpe
+109--Will Wilding                                  By Bracebridge Hemyng
+108--Frank Bolton's Chase                       By Harrie Irving Hancock
+107--Lucky-Stone Dick                                  By Weldon J. Cobb
+106--Tom Scott, the American Robinson Crusoe           By Frank Sheridan
+105--Fatherless Bob at Sea                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+104--Fatherless Bob                                By Bracebridge Hemyng
+103--Hank the Hustler                                     By Fred Thorpe
+102--Dick Stanhope Afloat                       By Harrie Irving Hancock
+101--The Golden Harpoon                                By Weldon J. Cobb
+100--Mischievous Matt's Pranks                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+99--Mischievous Matt                               By Bracebridge Hemyng
+98--Bert Chipley                                       By John De Morgan
+97--Down-East Dave                                        By Fred Thorpe
+96--The Young Diplomat                          By Harrie Irving Hancock
+95--The Fool of the Family                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+94--Slam, Bang & Co.                                   By Weldon J. Cobb
+93--On the Road                                        By Stanley Norris
+92--The Blood-Red Hand                                 By John De Morgan
+91--The Diamond King                                   By Cornelius Shea
+90--The Double-Faced Mystery                              By Fred Thorpe
+89--The Young Theatrical Manager                       By Stanley Norris
+88--The Young West-Pointer                      By Harrie Irving Hancock
+87--Held for Ransom                                    By Weldon J. Cobb
+86--Boot-Black Bob                                     By John De Morgan
+85--Engineer Tom                                       By Cornelius Shea
+84--The Mascot of Hoodooville                             By Fred Thorpe
+83--Walter Blackshaw                                   By Frank Sheridan
+82--The Young Showman's Foes                           By Stanley Norris
+81--On the Wing                                        By Weldon J. Cobb
+80--Yankee Grit                                        By John De Morgan
+79--Bicycle and Gun                                    By Cornelius Shea
+78--The Backwoods Boy                              By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+77--Ahead of the Show                                     By Fred Thorpe
+76--Merle Merton                                       By Frank Sheridan
+75--The Three Hills of Gold                     By Harrie Irving Hancock
+74--A Barrel of Money                                  By Weldon J. Cobb
+73--Lucky Thirteen                                     By John De Morgan
+72--Two Ragged Heroes                                By Earnest A. Young
+71--A Slave for a Year                                    By Fred Thorpe
+70--In the Woods                                       By Frank Sheridan
+69--The Prince of Grit                          By Harrie Irving Hancock
+68--The Golden Pirate                                  By Weldon J. Cobb
+67--Winning His Way                                    By John De Morgan
+66--Boats, Bats and Bicycles                          By Ernest A. Young
+65--Rob, The Hoodoo                                       By Fred Thorpe
+64--Railroad Ralph                                By Engineer James Fisk
+63--Comrades Under Castro                            By Victor St. Clair
+62--Life-Line Larry                                    By Frank Sheridan
+61--Track and Trestle                                 By Ernest A. Young
+60--The Phantom Boy                                    By Weldon J. Cobb
+59--Simple Simon                                     By Herbert Bellwood
+58--Cast Away in the Jungle                          By Victor St. Clair
+57--In Unknown Worlds                                  By John De Morgan
+56--The Round-the-World Boys                              By Fred Thorpe
+55--Bert Fairfax                                       By Frank Sheridan
+54--Pranks and Perils                                 By Ernest A. Young
+53--Up to Date                                         By Weldon J. Cobb
+52--Bicycle Ben                                      By Herbert Bellwood
+51--Lost in the Ice                                    By John De Morgan
+50--Fighting for a Name                                   By Fred Thorpe
+49--Lionel's Pluck                                     By Frank Sheridan
+48--The Mud River Boys                                By Ernest A. Young
+47--Partners Three                                     By Weldon J. Cobb
+46--Rivals of the Pines                              By Herbert Bellwood
+45--Always on Duty                                     By John De Morgan
+44--Walt, the Wonder-Worker                               By Fred Thorpe
+43--Through Flame to Fame                              By Frank Sheridan
+42--A Toss-Up for Luck                                By Ernest A. Young
+41--The Jay from Maine                               By Herbert Bellwood
+40--For Home and Honor                               By Victor St. Clair
+39--A Bee Line to Fortune                              By John De Morgan
+37--Never Give Up                                         By Fred Thorpe
+36--Vernon Craig                                       By Frank Sheridan
+35--The Young Showman's Triumph                        By Stanley Norris
+34--The Roustabout Boys                              By Herbert Bellwood
+33--The Young Showman's Pluck                          By Stanley Norris
+32--Napoleon's Double                                  By John De Morgan
+31--The Young Showman's Rivals                         By Stanley Norris
+30--Jack, the Pride of the Nine                        By Frank Sheridan
+29--Phil the Showman                                   By Stanley Norris
+28--Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy                      By Walter Morris
+27--Zig-Zag, the Boy Conjurer                        By Victor St. Clair
+26--The Young Hannibal                                     By Matt Royal
+25--Git Up and Git                                        By Fred Thorpe
+24--School Life at Grand Court                         By Frank Sheridan
+23--From Port to Port                   By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
+22--The Rival Nines                                       By Walt Winton
+21--The Young Journalist                        By Harrie Irving Hancock
+20--John Smith of Michigan                           By Herbert Bellwood
+18--Cruise of the Training Ship         By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
+17--Chris, the Comedian                                   By Fred Thorpe
+16--Lion-Hearted Jack                                  By Frank Sheridan
+15--The Rivals of Riverwood                          By Herbert Bellwood
+14--His One Ambition                            By Harrie Irving Hancock
+13--A Strange Cruise                    By Ensign Clarke Filch, U. S. N.
+12--Dick Derby's Double                                   By Fred Thorpe
+11--The House of Mystery                                   By Matt Royal
+9--From Switch to Lever                              By Victor St. Clair
+8--Clif, the Naval Cadet                By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
+7--The Boy in Black                                       By Fred Thorpe
+6--The Crimson "Q"                                  By William G. Patten
+5--The Balas Ruby                                 By Capt. Geoffrey Hale
+3--Bound for Annapolis                  By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
+2--Blind Luck                                             By Fred Thorpe
+1--The Boy Argus                                    By William G. Patten
+
+
+
+
+THE HARKAWAY LIBRARY
+
+
+This line contains, exclusively, the exciting adventures of Jack
+Harkaway, now for the first time offered to our boys in low-priced
+edition.
+
+Bracebridge Hemyng, the author, has established an enviable reputation.
+No better stories of adventure in school and out, on land and sea, have
+ever been written. The boy reader at once feels a most lively interest
+in Jack's welfare and desires to follow him through all the adventures
+that he experienced.
+
+The following is a list of the titles now ready and those scheduled for
+early publication.
+
+
+34--Young Jack Harkaway on the Isle of Palms       By Bracebridge Hemyng
+33--Young Jack Harkaway In Search of His Father    By Bracebridge Hemyng
+32--Young Jack Harkaway at Mole's Academy          By Bracebridge Hemyng
+31--Jack Harkaway in the Toils                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+30--Jack Harkaway in the Black Hills               By Bracebridge Hemyng
+29--Jack Harkaway's Cadet Days                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+28--Jack Harkaway Among the Indians                By Bracebridge Hemyng
+27--Jack Harkaway Out West                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+26--Jack Harkaway Among the Counterfeiters         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+25--Jack Harkaway in New York                      By Bracebridge Hemyng
+24--Jack Harkaway's Battle With the Turks          By Bracebridge Hemyng
+23--Jack Harkaway's Duel                           By Bracebridge Hemyng
+22--Jack Harkaway's Confidence                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+21--Jack Harkaway and the Bushrangers              By Bracebridge Hemyng
+20--Jack Harkaway in Australia                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+19--Jack Harkaway's Resolve                        By Bracebridge Hemyng
+18--Jack Harkaway's Pluck                          By Bracebridge Hemyng
+17--Jack Harkaway in Greece                        By Bracebridge Hemyng
+16--Jack Harkaway and the Red Dragon               By Bracebridge Hemyng
+15--Jack Harkaway in China                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+14--Jack Harkaway's Perils                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+13--Jack Harkaway in America                       By Bracebridge Hemyng
+12--Jack Harkaway Around the World                 By Bracebridge Hemyng
+11--Jack Harkaway's Return                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+10--Jack Harkaway's Capture                        By Bracebridge Hemyng
+9--Jack Harkaway Among the Brigands                By Bracebridge Hemyng
+8--Jack Harkaway's Triumphs                        By Bracebridge Hemyng
+7--Jack Harkaway's Struggles                       By Bracebridge Hemyng
+6--Jack Harkaway at Oxford                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+5--Jack Harkaway Among the Pirates                 By Bracebridge Hemyng
+4--Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore                 By Bracebridge Hemyng
+3--Jack Harkaway After School Days                 By Bracebridge Hemyng
+2--Jack Harkaway's Friends                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+1--Jack Harkaway's School Days                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+The following typographical errors in the original edition have
+been corrected.
+
+In Chapter I, "he fond eating" was changed to "he found eating".
+
+In Chapter II, "It's to far west" was changed to "It's too far west";
+"line of smoke wihch" was changed to "line of smoke which"; a missing
+quotation mark was inserted before "and it's black, with a red top"; and
+"Clif studied the cost" was changed to "Clif studied the coast".
+
+In Chapter III, a missing parenthesis was inserted after "some two
+hundred six-pounder cartridges".
+
+In Chapter IV, "the forward companionway he met" was changed to "the
+forward companionway where he met".
+
+In Chapter VII, "signifiance in an instant" was changed to "significance
+in an instant".
+
+In Chapter IX, "'We won't try to go far,' Cilf said" was changed to "'We
+won't try to go far,' Clif said"; and "a moment iater came" was changed
+to "a moment later came".
+
+In Chapter X, "might none be" was changed to "might not be".
+
+In Chapter XI, "They'll head us of!" was changed to "They'll head us
+off!"; and a missing quotation mark was inserted before "and you will be
+treated as such."
+
+In Chapter XII, "clinch his fist and skake it" was changed to "clinch
+his fist and shake it".
+
+In Chapter XIII, "would afll to his lot" was changed to "would fall to
+his lot".
+
+In Chapter XIV, a missing quotation mark was inserted before "so you are
+interested in her".
+
+In Chapter XV, "facd a dozen rifles" was changed to "faced a dozen
+rifles".
+
+In Chapter XVI, "would make hasste" was changed to "would make haste".
+
+In Chapter XXI, "The vesesl was not coming" was changed to "The vessel
+was not coming"; and "A couple of Spanish saliors" was changed to "A
+couple of Spanish sailors".
+
+In Chapter XXII, "beside out boat" was changed to "beside our boat".
+
+In Chapter XXIV, "repled the courier" was changed to "replied the
+courier".
+
+In Chapter XXV, a missing quotation mark was inserted before "They must
+have followed the courier"
+
+In Chapter XXVI, "a doen men to oppose their forces" was changed to "a
+dozen men to oppose their forces"; and a missing quotation mark was
+inserted after "these dispatches are yet to be delivered."
+
+In Chapter XXVII, "to make assurance doubly sre" was changed to "to make
+assurance doubly sre".
+
+In Chapter XXX, "he grasped his revolver in readness" was changed to "he
+grasped his revolver in readness".
+
+In Chapter XXXII, "the captain promply hauled down his flag" was changed
+to "the captain promptly hauled down his flag"; and "some futher detail
+of transfer" was changed to "some further detail of transfer".
+
+Also, the table of contents has been created for this electronic edition.
+It was not present in the original work.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PRISONER OF MORRO***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 24770-8.txt or 24770-8.zip *******
+
+
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+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Prisoner of Morro, by Upton Sinclair</title>
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+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Prisoner of Morro, by Upton Sinclair</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: A Prisoner of Morro</p>
+<p>       In the Hands of the Enemy</p>
+<p>Author: Upton Sinclair</p>
+<p>Release Date: March 6, 2008  [eBook #24770]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PRISONER OF MORRO***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>E-text prepared by Steven desJardins<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Transcriber's Note:<br />
+<br />
+"Ensign Clark Fitch" is
+a pseudonym used by Upton Sinclair.</p></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="339" height="500" alt="A Prisoner of Morro by Ensign Clark Fitch, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;N." title="" />
+</div>
+
+<h1>A Prisoner of Morro</h1>
+
+<h2>OR<br />
+In the Hands of the Enemy</h2>
+
+<h2><i>By</i><br />
+<i>ENSIGN CLARK FITCH, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;N.</i></h2>
+
+<p class="center"><i>Author of</i> "Bound for Annapolis," "Cliff, the Naval
+Cadet," "The Fighting Squadron," etc.</p>
+
+
+<p class="center">STREET &amp; SMITH, PUBLISHERS<br />
+79-89 SEVENTH AVE., NEW YORK CITY</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-size: 75%;">Copyright, 1898<br />
+By STREET &amp; SMITH</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="font-size: 75%;">A Prisoner of Morro</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" summary="Table of Contents">
+<tr>
+<th colspan="3">TABLE OF CONTENTS</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">I.</td>
+<td class="chapname">SIGHTING A PRIZE.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">5</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">II.</td>
+<td class="chapname">A LONG CHASE.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">10</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">III.</td>
+<td class="chapname">AN OLD ENEMY.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">19</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">IV.</td>
+<td class="chapname">IN COMMAND OF THE PRIZE.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">28</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">V.</td>
+<td class="chapname">A HAIL FROM THE DARKNESS.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">32</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">VI.</td>
+<td class="chapname">REPELLING BOARDERS.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">39</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">VII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">A DESPERATE CHASE.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">46</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">VIII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">A DASH FOR THE SHORE.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">51</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">IX.</td>
+<td class="chapname">THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">56</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">X.</td>
+<td class="chapname">A STARTLING DISCOVERY.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">63</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XI.</td>
+<td class="chapname">A RUNNING FIGHT.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">67</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">THE FIRST PRISONERS OF WAR.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">72</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XIII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">IGNACIO'S PLOTS.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">78</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XIV.</td>
+<td class="chapname">BESSIE STUART.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">85</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XV.</td>
+<td class="chapname">IN MORRO CASTLE.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">94</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XVI.</td>
+<td class="chapname">IN THE DUNGEON VAULTS.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">99</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XVII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">OUT OF THE DUNGEON.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">104</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XVIII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">CLIF FARADAY'S SACRIFICE.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">112</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XIX.</td>
+<td class="chapname">A FAREWELL.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">120</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XX.</td>
+<td class="chapname">AN UNEXPECTED PERIL.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">127</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXI.</td>
+<td class="chapname">RECAPTURED BY THE ENEMY.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">133</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">CUTTING A CABLE.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">139</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXIII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">A PERILOUS DETAIL.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">146</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXIV.</td>
+<td class="chapname">THE CUBAN COURIER.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">152</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXV.</td>
+<td class="chapname">"IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY AND THE SAILORS OF THE MAINE!"</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">158</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXVI.</td>
+<td class="chapname">A GAME OF BLUFF.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">164</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXVII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">IN WHICH CLIF MEETS WITH A SURPRISE.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">170</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXVIII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">176</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXIX.</td>
+<td class="chapname">CLIF'S SECOND EXPEDITION.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">182</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXX.</td>
+<td class="chapname">THE BATTLE IN THE BRUSH.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">187</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXXI.</td>
+<td class="chapname">CAPTURED.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">194</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXXII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">CLIF FARADAY'S TEST.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">201</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="chapnum">XXXIII.</td>
+<td class="chapname">THE MYSTERY OF THE UNEXPLODED SHELL.</td>
+<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">208</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p>
+
+<h1>A PRISONER OF MORRO</h1>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3>SIGHTING A PRIZE.</h3>
+
+<p>About noon of a day in May during the recent year the converted tug
+Uncas left Key West to join the blockading squadron off the northern
+coast of Cuba.</p>
+
+<p>Her commander was Lieutenant Raymond, and her junior officer Naval Cadet
+Clifford Faraday. The regular junior officer was absent on sick leave,
+and Cadet Faraday had been assigned to his place in recognition of
+gallant conduct.</p>
+
+<p>The ropes were cast off, and slowly the tug glided away from the dock
+and out toward the open sea.</p>
+
+<p>It was not very long before the harbor of Key West was left behind, and
+then began the long trip to Havana. It was over a hundred miles, and
+that meant seven or eight hours' journey for the Uncas.</p>
+
+<p>But the Uncas was a good, stout vessel, unusually swift for a tug, and
+she made the water fairly fly when once she got clear of the land.</p>
+
+<p>Clif leaned against one of the rapid-firing guns in the bow and gazed
+longingly ahead; he was anxious to reach his destination.</p>
+
+<p>There were wild rumors concerning Spanish fleets, Cadiz squadrons and
+Cape Verde squadrons and Mediterranean squadrons, which were continually
+being sighted or heard of nearby; and for all Clif<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> knew the decisive
+battle of the war might be fought at any time.</p>
+
+<p>And he felt that if it took place while he was absent he would never
+cease to regret it as long as he lived. The Uncas could not do much in
+such a battle; but she was anxious to do her share.</p>
+
+<p>It was possible, also, that Morro might succeed in provoking an attack.
+The guns of the Havana defenses kept blazing away at anything that came
+near, and the American sailors were fairly boiling over with impatience
+to get a whack at them.</p>
+
+<p>And at any time Admiral Sampson might give the word.</p>
+
+<p>So Clif was restless and impatient as he stood in the bow of the swift
+tug and gazed southward.</p>
+
+<p>It was a rather damp place of observation the cadet had chosen, for it
+had been blowing quite a gale that day, and the Uncas was plowing her
+way through a heavy sea.</p>
+
+<p>The spray was flying over the decks; but who would have thought of going
+below at such a time as that?</p>
+
+<p>It was not Clif's turn on duty. Lieutenant Raymond seemed to think that
+after his struggle on board the Spanish monitor the young cadet deserved
+a rest. But he was too eager and wide awake just then to wish to take
+it.</p>
+
+<p>When the tug was well under way the lieutenant came out of the pilot
+house and joined Clif again.</p>
+
+<p>"Thinking of the weather, Mr. Faraday?" inquired Lieutenant Raymond.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," replied the cadet, "I was thinking of Ignacio. I don't know
+how he happened to get into my thoughts, but he did."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is Ignacio?"</p>
+
+<p>"He's a Spaniard I've had some trouble with," answered Clif. "You may
+have heard about one of his exploits."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Which one is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"He made an attempt to assassinate Rear Admiral Sampson."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, I heard about that," said the officer. "The admiral told me
+about it himself. I believe you were the person who interfered."</p>
+
+<p>"I had the good luck to be standing near," said Clif, modestly. "And of
+course, I sprang between them."</p>
+
+<p>"And the spy stabbed you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. In the shoulder, but he did not hurt me very much."</p>
+
+<p>"He must be a desperate man."</p>
+
+<p>"He is. That stabbing business seems to be a favorite trick of his. I
+hope I shan't have to face him again."</p>
+
+<p>Whether Ignacio was a Spaniard or a traitor Cuban, no one could say.
+Clif had first met him trying to lead astray an American officer who had
+been sent with dispatches for Gomez.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif had foiled the plot, and had been Ignacio's deadly enemy ever
+since. Clif had been keeping a careful watch for him. He knew that the
+vindictive fellow would follow his every move; Ignacio was acting as a
+spy for the Spaniards, and so must have found it easy to keep track of
+the cadet's whereabouts. But so far Clif had not met him.</p>
+
+<p>"We are likely to have a wild night of it," said Lieutenant Raymond.
+"The clouds seem to get darker every minute."</p>
+
+<p>"It'll be a night for the blockade-runners," was Clif's answer. "We may
+have some excitement."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have it anyway," said the other. "I don't know of anything I less
+rather do than weather a storm while in among the vessels of the fleet.
+It will be necessary to stay on deck every instant of the time keeping
+watch for our very lives."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I know how it is," the cadet added. "I was on the Porter dining one
+such night. And we captured a prize coming out of Havana after almost
+running her down in the darkness."</p>
+
+<p>"I heard about it," said Lieutenant Raymond. "You may repeat the
+performance to-night if you have a chance. We aren't likely to meet with
+anything till we get there."</p>
+
+<p>As the lieutenant said that he turned and gazed ahead; the broad sea
+stretched out on every side of them, without a sign of smoke or sail to
+vary the monotony of its tossing waves.</p>
+
+<p>"But it always lends zest to a trip like this," the officer added, "to
+know that it's possible you may run across a stray Spaniard at any
+moment. It pays to keep one's eyes open."</p>
+
+<p>"And then you have the pleasure of chasing two or three and finding
+they're some other nation's ships," said Clif, with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"That's about all we've done so far," said the lieutenant. "But we're
+still hoping perhaps you'll bring us good luck."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do my best," the cadet declared with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Better get ready for it by resting a bit. Your dinner's ready below."</p>
+
+<p>Clif took the hint and went below. The boat was pitching so violently
+that he found eating a very difficult operation, and it was generally so
+unpleasant in the little cabin that he was glad to go on deck again.</p>
+
+<p>And then later in the afternoon, at four o'clock, it came time for him
+to go on duty. After that he had to remain outside whether he wanted to
+or not.</p>
+
+<p>The gale grew considerably stronger, and as the darkness came on it got
+much chillier, but Clif still paced up and down the deck with the glass
+in his hand watching for a sign of a passing vessel, or of the
+approaching Cuban coast.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He was left almost alone on deck as the weather got rougher; for the
+crew made themselves comfortable below, knowing what hard work lay
+before them through the stormy night.</p>
+
+<p>It was not the custom on the vessel to keep the whole watch on duty
+except at night; and Clif had only the two sailors at the wheel and the
+lookout in the bow for company.</p>
+
+<p>But if he felt any jealousy of those who were below out of the cold, he
+had the grim satisfaction of being able to disturb their comfort before
+very long.</p>
+
+<p>It was about half past four in the afternoon, and suddenly the lookout
+turned and called to Clif.</p>
+
+<p>The eager cadet knew what it meant. He seized the glass and hurried
+forward.</p>
+
+<p>He followed the direction of the man's finger.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I see smoke, sir," was what the sailor said.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif took a long look and then turned, his face betraying his
+excitement.</p>
+
+<p>An instant later his voice rang through the ship.</p>
+
+<p>"Steamer ahoy&mdash;off the starboard bow!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3>A LONG CHASE.</h3>
+
+<p>There was excitement on board of the Uncas the instant Clif's cry was
+heard. The sailors came tumbling up on deck, Lieutenant Raymond among
+the first.</p>
+
+<p>He took the glass eagerly from the lad's hand and anxiously studied the
+sky in the direction indicated.</p>
+
+<p>"It's too far west to be near Havana!" he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>And he stepped into the pilot house to direct the vessel in a new
+direction. At the same time the smoke began to pour from the funnel,
+showing that those down in the engine-room had heard Clif's hail.</p>
+
+<p>And so in a few moments the Uncas was speeding away in the direction of
+the stranger. And after that there was a long weary wait while the two
+vessels gradually drew nearer.</p>
+
+<p>All that could be made out then was the long line of smoke which always
+indicates a distant steamer. But it took a sharp eye to make even that
+out.</p>
+
+<p>"This will be a long chase," said the lieutenant. "If she takes it into
+her head to run we'll have a hard time to catch up to her before dark."</p>
+
+<p>Clif glanced significantly at the bow gun.</p>
+
+<p>"If we can only get within range," he thought to himself, "we won't have
+to wait to catch up to her."</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant was standing by the pilot house with the glass in his
+hand, and every once in a while he would make an attempt to catch sight
+of the stranger's smokestack.</p>
+
+<p>"It may be one of our own warships," he said,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> "and if it is we don't
+want to waste any coal chasing her."</p>
+
+<p>But such was not the case, and it was only half an hour or so before the
+lieutenant found it out. The Uncas rose as a high wave swept by; and the
+officer, who had the glass to his eye, gave an eager exclamation.</p>
+
+<p>"She's got one funnel," he exclaimed, "and it's black, with a red top;
+and so it's not an American warship."</p>
+
+<p>And after that there was nothing now to be done except wait until the
+two approached nearer.</p>
+
+<p>It was evident from the gradual change of course the Uncas was obliged
+to make that the vessel she was following was headed in a southerly
+direction.</p>
+
+<p>"That would take her toward the western end of Cuba," Clif thought to
+himself. "Perhaps she's sighted us and is running away."</p>
+
+<p>She must have been a very shy vessel to have taken alarm at so great a
+distance; but from the slowness with which she came into view that
+seemed to be the case. And Clif paced the deck impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>It was not very much longer before he went off duty again; but he did
+not go below. For perhaps an hour he remained on deck watching the
+strange vessel.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed an age, but Clif had his reward. The chase loomed gradually
+nearer. The black and red smoke pipe came into view, and then, when the
+Uncas rose, the top of the black hull as well.</p>
+
+<p>And suddenly the lieutenant handed the glass to Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"You may see now," he said. "She is a merchant steamer, and she flies
+the Spanish flag."</p>
+
+<p>Clif nearly dropped the glass at those startling words. The lieutenant
+said them as calmly as if he were telling the time of day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You don't seem very much excited," the cadet thought.</p>
+
+<p>And yet the lieutenant's statement proved to be true. It was several
+minutes before Clif got a favorable view; but he kept his eyes fixed on
+the smoke and he finally caught a glimpse of the hull.</p>
+
+<p>And sure enough there was the hated red and yellow ensign waving
+defiantly from the stern; it was blown off to one side by the breeze,
+and could be plainly seen.</p>
+
+<p>Clif was fairly boiling over with excitement at that discovery.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got our prize!" he chuckled. "I brought the luck after all."</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Raymond was not nearly so little moved as he chose to
+pretend; he had announced his discovery in that careless way half in a
+spirit of fun.</p>
+
+<p>The news got round among the crew, and however the officer may have
+felt, there was no indifference there.</p>
+
+<p>The engines of the Uncas began to work even more rapidly, and cartridges
+were hastily brought up for the rapid-firing guns. Nobody meant to let
+that steamer get away.</p>
+
+<p>She must have suspected her danger by that time, for the smoke grew
+blacker. But the crew of the Uncas knew that there were few merchant
+ships could beat that tug, and they rubbed their hands gleefully.</p>
+
+<p>There is something very aggravating about a race like that. In a rowing
+race you may break your back if you choose, trying to catch the boat in
+front; and even in a sailing race you may do something. But when it
+comes to steam you can only grit your teeth and walk up and down and
+watch and try not to let anybody see how anxious you are.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In that way half an hour passed away, and mile after mile of the
+storm-tossed waters.</p>
+
+<p>By that time the hull of the vessel was plainly visible on the horizon;
+and the Spanish flag was still waving from her stern.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had been gazing every once in a while at the lieutenant with an
+inquiring look upon his face, but the officer had only shaken his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet," he said. "Wait a little."</p>
+
+<p>And Clif would then take another stroll across the deck.</p>
+
+<p>But at last his inquiring look brought another answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Go ahead," said the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>And the cadet made a leap at the gun.</p>
+
+<p>It was already loaded, and he sighted it himself. He was no longer
+nervous and hurried; it was at least a minute before he rose.</p>
+
+<p>And then at his signal the sailor pulled the firing trigger.</p>
+
+<p>There was a flash and a loud report, and every one looked anxiously to
+see the effect.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Raymond, who had the glass, was the only one who could tell;
+for the sea was so wild that the slight splash could not be noticed.</p>
+
+<p>The shot of course fell short, for the vessel was still out of range;
+but it hit right in line, and the officer nodded approvingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we'll wait," he said. "She may give up."</p>
+
+<p>But she didn't; so far as those on the Uncas could tell the shot had no
+effect whatever. The vessel kept straight on in her course.</p>
+
+<p>"She's counting on the darkness coming," said the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>But that was not the only reason why the Spaniard did not give up; those
+upon the Uncas discovered another shortly afterward.</p>
+
+<p>"The Cuban coast," exclaimed the officer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Yes, the long, faint line of the shore was at last visible just on the
+horizon's edge. It lay to the southward, directly ahead.</p>
+
+<p>"What good will that do her?" asked Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"If she finds she can't get away," answered the other, "she may make a
+run for one of the ports or try to get under the shelter of the
+batteries."</p>
+
+<p>For a while after that nothing more was said, and the tug plowed its way
+through the tossing water. When the lieutenant spoke again it was to
+point to the gun.</p>
+
+<p>"Try it again," he said.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif did try it. The two ships were then not over three or four
+miles apart, and when the cadet fired again he heard the lieutenant give
+a pleased exclamation.</p>
+
+<p>"They're within range!"</p>
+
+<p>And then Clif got to work with all his might.</p>
+
+<p>Had he had a calm sea he could have raked that vessel without missing a
+shot. He had only to experiment and get the aim just right and then
+leave the gun to stay in that one position while he blazed away.</p>
+
+<p>But the Uncas in climbing over the waves was now up and now down, so
+that sometimes the shots fell short and sometimes they went high.</p>
+
+<p>But every once in a while he had the satisfaction of hearing that he had
+landed one.</p>
+
+<p>After that the chase was a lively one, for the Uncas kept blazing away
+merrily. The people on board that fleeing vessel must have had a very
+large time of it that afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>It was just what Clif Faraday liked; he was beginning to be quite an
+expert in target practice, and he was willing to experiment with that
+ship just as long as the ammunition held out.</p>
+
+<p>But his opportunity did not last very long, for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> land in front was
+neared very rapidly, and after that there was less fun and more work.</p>
+
+<p>The stranger headed round gradually to the west. She evidently had no
+idea of being driven toward Havana.</p>
+
+<p>The Uncas swerved more sharply, in order to head her off. Lieutenant
+Raymond was in the pilot house, and Clif soon saw by the way he managed
+things that he was an expert in all the tricks of dodging.</p>
+
+<p>And those who were handling the merchant ship saw it, too; they would
+have been soon headed off. So they turned in another direction quite
+sharply, making straight in toward shore again.</p>
+
+<p>Under ordinary circumstances with the short range that he had by that
+time, Clif could have riddled the vessel in short order; but aiming in
+that sea was so far a matter of luck that comparatively little damage
+could be done.</p>
+
+<p>No one knew what the enemy's last move could mean.</p>
+
+<p>"But we can go in any water that's deep enough for them," thought Clif,
+grimly, as he blazed away.</p>
+
+<p>And so thought the lieutenant, too, for he was soon racing in. For
+perhaps ten minutes pursuer and pursued kept straight on, the firing
+never ceasing for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps she may run on shore on purpose," said the lieutenant, coming
+out of the pilot house for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"On purpose?" echoed Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; so that we can't get the cargo."</p>
+
+<p>"But she'll be beaten to pieces on the rocks," Clif objected.</p>
+
+<p>"They may chance it anyhow; you see they aren't more than a mile or two
+from the shore now, and they're running in still."</p>
+
+<p>"If that's the trick they try," Clif thought to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> himself, "we can stay
+out and pepper her to our heart's content&mdash;and help the waves to wreck
+her."</p>
+
+<p>But the Spaniard had a far better plan than that, as her pursuers
+learned some time later.</p>
+
+<p>Clif studied the coast in front of them, as well as he could see without
+a glass; there was simply a long line of sandy shore without a bay or an
+inlet of any kind. And there were no towns or batteries visible.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see what she can be hoping for there," he muttered.</p>
+
+<p>But he had no time to speculate in the matter, for it was his business
+to keep firing. By that time the range was short and he was beginning to
+do damage.</p>
+
+<p>It took an expert to fire at the instant when the tossing ship was
+level, but Clif had time to practice, and he soon got the knack of it.</p>
+
+<p>And then it must have been exceedingly unpleasant living on that ship.
+One after another the heavy six-pound shots crashed through her stern;
+and even at that distance it began to exhibit a ragged appearance.</p>
+
+<p>The cadet expected at any moment to reach the engines or the rudder of
+the fleeing ship, and so render her helpless. But probably her cargo
+served to protect the former, and the rudder was very hard to hit.</p>
+
+<p>"She must have something important in view to stand all this," Clif
+thought to himself. "But I can't see what it is."</p>
+
+<p>The chase at that time was a very exciting one. The Spanish merchantman
+was dashing in shore at the top of his speed. And a mile or two beyond
+it was the Uncas tearing up the water, plunging along at her fastest
+pace and banging away half a dozen times a minute with her bow gun.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Raymond's eyes were dancing then; he had taken the wheel
+himself and was hard at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> work. And as for Clif, he was so busily engaged
+that he seemed to see nothing except the high stern of that runaway.</p>
+
+<p>"But she's a fool," he growled to himself. "She'll be so torn to pieces
+she won't be worth capturing. I wish I could kill the captain."</p>
+
+<p>But the captain of that vessel knew his business, as those on the Uncas
+found later on. He was a Spaniard, and simply gifted with Spanish
+cunning.</p>
+
+<p>He had no idea of running his ship aground; but he knew that coast
+perfectly, and he used his knowledge.</p>
+
+<p>When he neared the land the tug was still some distance astern. As that
+did not suit the Spaniard's purposes, he very calmly slowed up.</p>
+
+<p>And that in spite of the fact that the tug was so close that the
+rapid-firing gun was hitting him every other shot!</p>
+
+<p>That the vessel had slowed up, Lieutenant Raymond of course could not
+tell. But he wouldn't have cared anyhow, for he had made up his mind to
+go in there no matter what was there, torpedoes or the very Old Nick
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>And he went; for perhaps five minutes more the Uncas dashed in at full
+speed, and the merchantman still never swerved.</p>
+
+<p>"They're within a quarter of a mile of the shore!" gasped Clif.</p>
+
+<p>He turned to his third box of cartridges with a grim smile on his face.
+For he knew that something must happen soon.</p>
+
+<p>It did, too&mdash;very soon.</p>
+
+<p>It began when the merchantman suddenly swung round to starboard.</p>
+
+<p>"Aha!" chuckled the cadet. "They're as close in as they dare. And now I
+suppose they'll run down shore awhile."</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Raymond was much puzzled to think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> why the vessel had risked
+going so close in that storm; but he wasted no time in speculating, but
+drove the wheel around with all his might.</p>
+
+<p>The Uncas swerved and sped over to shut the merchantman off; at that
+same instant the reason of the whole thing was seen.</p>
+
+<p>The Uncas was not a mile from shore, and as she turned her broadside to
+the land a masked battery in the sand let drive with a dozen guns at
+once.</p>
+
+<p>The whole thing was so sudden that for a moment it quite frightened the
+Americans. Clif even stopped firing long enough to stare.</p>
+
+<p>But the sudden alarm did not last very long; it left the men on the
+Uncas laughing. For they had quite forgotten the character of the
+Spanish gunners' aim.</p>
+
+<p>A shot tore through the tug's funnel, another chipped a piece from her
+bow, half a dozen shells whistled over her. And that was all.</p>
+
+<p>Clif turned calmly to his gun again.</p>
+
+<p>"If that's the best they can do," he thought, "they're welcome."</p>
+
+<p>But that was not the best.</p>
+
+<p>It wasn't that the batteries were aimed better next time. They were
+aimed far worse in their eager haste. They did not even touch the Uncas.</p>
+
+<p>But an instant later something happened that showed that the captain of
+the Spanish merchantman had one more string to his bow.</p>
+
+<p>He not only knew the location of the batteries, but he knew the location
+of the sand bars. While his own vessel sped on in safety, on board the
+Uncas there suddenly came a grinding thud, and an instant later the tug
+stopped short, so short it almost sent Clif flying over the top of the
+gun he was working.</p>
+
+<p>And at the same time a shout was heard from Lieutenant Raymond, one that
+made the sailors' hearts leap up into their throats:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> "We're aground!
+We're aground!"</p>
+
+<p>And in front of a Spanish battery!</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3>AN OLD ENEMY.</h3>
+
+<p>It would be hard to imagine a vessel in a much greater predicament than
+the Uncas was at that moment. Everything was in confusion in an instant.</p>
+
+<p>That is everything except one thing. Lieutenant Raymond was too busy to
+notice the coolness of one person on board; but he remembered it
+afterward, and with satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>It was Clif Faraday; he picked himself up from the deck where he had
+been flung and took one glance about him. Then he turned to the guns.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever the position of the tug his duty just then remained the same.
+He could not free her, and so he did not waste any time rushing about.
+There was that Spanish merchantman calmly walking off to safety.</p>
+
+<p>And there was a gleam of vengeance in the cadet's eye as he went to the
+gun again.</p>
+
+<p>Those on board of the fleeing vessel had seen the success of their
+clever plan and they gave a wild cheer. It was answered from the shore
+batteries.</p>
+
+<p>The steamer turned at once and headed out to sea; that put her broadside
+to the Uncas, and instantly the six-pounder blazed away.</p>
+
+<p>That was the time to do the work, too. The vessel was quite near, and a
+fair mark. The Uncas was now steady, too, Clif thought grimly to
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>One of the sailors saw what he was doing, and sprang to aid him. They
+banged away as fast as they could load.</p>
+
+<p>At the same time the Spanish batteries opened.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> They had a fair mark,
+likewise, and plenty of time to aim. It was a race to see who could
+smash up their prey the quickest.</p>
+
+<p>Clif would certainly have disabled the fleeing vessel if it had not been
+for an unfortunate accident. What the accident was may be told in a few
+words. It spoiled his chance.</p>
+
+<p>He turned away to get more cartridges. And at that instant a shell
+struck the six-pounder gun.</p>
+
+<p>It was a miracle that Clif was not hit; his uniform was torn in three
+places and his cap knocked off. The sailor next to him got a nasty wound
+in the arm, made by a flying fragment.</p>
+
+<p>And that of course made the merchantman safe&mdash;she steamed off in
+triumph.</p>
+
+<p>It was bad for the tug, too, for it showed the batteries were getting
+the range.</p>
+
+<p>The plight of the Uncas was a desperate one. She was being tossed about
+by a raging sea and cut up by the fire from the guns. Whether she had
+struck on rocks or sand or mud no one had any means of telling.</p>
+
+<p>But her engines were reversed the instant the accident occurred. And a
+hasty examination of the hold showed that whatever the danger was there
+was no leak.</p>
+
+<p>But that seemed cold comfort, for at the rate the heavy batteries were
+blazing away there was likely to be a number of leaks in a very short
+while. And even a steel tug will not hold together long with a sea
+pounding over her like this one was.</p>
+
+<p>Yet as it actually happened, that sea was the only thing that got the
+vessel out of her unfortunate predicament.</p>
+
+<p>They were a great deal luckier than they would have dared to hope to be.
+For when they realized they were aground there was not a man on board
+who did not think his last hour was at hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But as it actually happened, the sand bar upon which the tug had driven
+lay some distance beneath the surface. And it had caught the vessel by
+the keel.</p>
+
+<p>The engines throbbed wildly, doing their noblest to pull the vessel off;
+and then one after another came the great waves, tossing her this way
+and that, wrenching and twisting, lifting and lifting again, while every
+one on deck clung for his life.</p>
+
+<p>There was a minute or two of agonizing suspense, while the shore
+batteries kept up a galling fire and the merchantman steamed out to sea,
+proud of her triumph.</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly came a wild cheer from the imperiled Americans. Then
+men fairly shrieked in a transport of delight.</p>
+
+<p>"She's moving! She's started! She's safe!"</p>
+
+<p>And the men fairly hugged each other for joy. Slowly, then faster, then
+faster still, and finally at full speed backward. The gallant tug had
+torn herself loose from the grip of the sand&mdash;and was free!</p>
+
+<p>The baffled Spanish batteries redoubled their fire at that. One could
+almost imagine the gunners grinding their teeth with rage as they saw
+their prey escaping.</p>
+
+<p>But grinding their teeth did not seem to sharpen their eyes. Their aim
+was as bad as ever, and the Uncas seemed like the proverbial man in the
+rainstorm who keeps dry by "dodging the drops."</p>
+
+<p>The confusion on board of the "escaped" vessel may be imagined. How that
+triumphant captain must have sworn Spanish oaths.</p>
+
+<p>It was a ticklish task that Lieutenant Raymond had before him then. He
+knew there were sand bars about. But he did not know where they were.
+And the task was to avoid them.</p>
+
+<p>He did it by creeping along very slowly, in absolute indifference to the
+galling fire from the shore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> guns. He knew that there must be a channel,
+for he and the Spaniard had come in by it.</p>
+
+<p>He had only a vague idea where it was. But the Uncas stopped and then
+crept slowly forward, heading north.</p>
+
+<p>And after five minutes of torment they knew that they were safe. They
+were far enough from shore to start up again and get away from those
+Spanish guns. The gallant tug was quite battered by that time, but
+nobody cared for that in the wild rejoicing that prevailed.</p>
+
+<p>The vessel swung around to port.</p>
+
+<p>"And now for that prize!" muttered the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>And he went for her, too, full speed ahead. He was mad now.</p>
+
+<p>The vessel had gotten a start of about two miles. She had apparently
+exhausted her resources in the neighborhood of Cuba, for she was heading
+north, out to sea again.</p>
+
+<p>"And so it's only a question of time," chuckled Clif. "We've got her!"</p>
+
+<p>And so they had. The Spaniards must have realized it, too.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Faraday," said the lieutenant, "try a shot from the starboard gun."</p>
+
+<p>The shot was fired; and it did the work.</p>
+
+<p>The merchantman had evidently had enough, and saw that there was no
+further hope.</p>
+
+<p>For in full view of the shore batteries she swung round and came slowly
+to a halt, a signal that she surrendered. It made the Americans give
+another cheer, and it must have made the Spaniards on shore fairly yell.</p>
+
+<p>For they began banging away, even at that distance, though they couldn't
+come anywhere near the tug.</p>
+
+<p>As for the Americans, they sighed with relief.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> They had worked hard for
+that victory. And they felt that they had earned it. The race was over
+then, and they were happy.</p>
+
+<p>Clif was so wearied by his heroic labor at that gun (he must have lifted
+and rammed some two hundred six-pounder cartridges) that he sat down on
+the wreck of the machine to wait until the two vessels drew near.</p>
+
+<p>And the lieutenant gave up the wheel to one of the men and came out to
+look his capture over at leisure.</p>
+
+<p>She was a fairly large vessel and seemed to have a big carrying
+capacity. What she was loaded with no one could guess, but at any rate
+she was a big prize for a small crew like that of the Uncas.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I'll retire from business after to-day," Clif heard the old
+boatswain remark.</p>
+
+<p>That personage had had one arm badly damaged in the struggle that had
+taken place in the morning with the Spanish gunboat; but he seemed to
+have forgotten his wounds in the general excitement.</p>
+
+<p>The little tug steamed up boldly toward her big prize, which lay idly
+tossing on the waves. One could see her officers and crew standing on
+deck watching the approach.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll bet they feel happy!" Clif muttered to himself.</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant loaned him the glass. Then he could see the faces of the
+men.</p>
+
+<p>There was one of them he might have recognized had he been careful; but
+he did not recognize it, and so he failed to save himself some mighty
+unpleasant adventures indeed.</p>
+
+<p>They were all typical Spanish faces, dark and sullen; but there was one
+there even darker and more sullen than the rest.</p>
+
+<p>And the owner of that countenance had a glass in his hand and was
+staring at those on the tug.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> Though the cadet did not know it, that man
+was at that instant watching him.</p>
+
+<p>And there was an expression of furious hate on his face as he looked.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Raymond expected no further trouble; but he took no chances.
+Men were stationed at the three remaining six-pounders, and the rest of
+the crew was armed.</p>
+
+<p>In silence the Uncas steamed up to within a hundred yards of her prize.
+And then came the signal to stop engines.</p>
+
+<p>It was the time for a boarding party. Clif, as junior officer, knew that
+that was his duty, and without a word he proceeded to get the small boat
+off.</p>
+
+<p>It was quite a task in that heavy sea, but the eager sailors worked with
+a will, and though nearly swamped twice, managed to get clear of the
+tug.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif was seated in the stern, heading for the big merchantman.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep your eyes open," he heard the lieutenant shout. "They may make
+trouble."</p>
+
+<p>And Clif nodded and the boat shot away. They wouldn't catch him napping
+on board that Spanish vessel&mdash;not much!</p>
+
+<p>But they come perilously near it all the same.</p>
+
+<p>It was a rough trip in that tossing rowboat. It seemed to sink and then
+fairly bound up on the next wave, its bow went down and its stern shot
+up. It did everything except turn over, while the spray fairly flew over
+it.</p>
+
+<p>But the sturdy sailors worked with a will, and the distance was not very
+great. In a short time the little craft shot round in the lee of the
+Spaniard.</p>
+
+<p>"A ladder there!" shouted Clif.</p>
+
+<p>And in a few moments the rope ladder came tumbling down. It seemed to
+come with bad grace<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> though, as if it knew its owners didn't want to
+send it.</p>
+
+<p>The rowboat was backed near and Clif, with a sudden spring, caught the
+ladder and leaped clear of the waves.</p>
+
+<p>Before he went up he turned to the sailors.</p>
+
+<p>"Two of you follow me," he commanded.</p>
+
+<p>He climbed quickly up the ladder and stepped out on the deck, gazing
+about him eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>He saw about a dozen dark-faced Spaniards gathered together and glaring
+at him; one of them, wearing the uniform of the captain, stepped forward
+toward him.</p>
+
+<p>He was a surly, ill-looking man, with a heavy dark mustache. He bowed
+stiffly to the cadet.</p>
+
+<p>"The senor takes possession," he said, in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>Clif was so busy watching this man that he did not look around the
+vessel. But we must do so.</p>
+
+<p>We must glance for one instant at the capstan, which was just behind
+where the jaunty young cadet was standing. There was an interesting
+person near the capstan.</p>
+
+<p>Clif did not see him; and neither did the sailors, nor even the
+Spaniards on the vessel. For he was crouching behind the capstan, out of
+sight.</p>
+
+<p>He was a small man, dark and swarthy. He was the same one we noticed
+glaring at Clif; he had recognized him, and realized in a flash that the
+issue between them was death&mdash;death for one or else death for the other.</p>
+
+<p>For Clif knew the man, and would secure him the instant he saw him; his
+crimes were many&mdash;treason and attempted assassination the worst.</p>
+
+<p>For the man was Ignacio!</p>
+
+<p>And his dark, beady eyes were glittering with hatred as he crouched in
+his momentary hiding-place. He was quivering all over with rage; the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>
+muscles of his sinewy arms were clinched and tense.</p>
+
+<p>And in his right hand he clutched a sharp, gleaming knife, half hidden
+under his coat.</p>
+
+<p>His glance was fixed on the figure just in front of him; the
+unsuspecting cadet was not twenty yards away, his back turned to his
+crouching enemy.</p>
+
+<p>And Ignacio bent forward to listen and wait his chance.</p>
+
+<p>The cadet, the object of his hatred, was talking to the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"The senor takes possession," the latter repeated again.</p>
+
+<p>"The senor does, with your permission," said Clif, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"You gave us quite a run," he added, after a moment's thought.</p>
+
+<p>"A Spaniard would not surrender to Yankee pigs without a fight," snarled
+the other.</p>
+
+<p>"You had best be a bit careful," was Clif's stern response, "or you may
+find yourself in irons."</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard relapsed into a sullen silence.</p>
+
+<p>"What ship is this?" demanded the cadet.</p>
+
+<p>"The Maria."</p>
+
+<p>"From where?"</p>
+
+<p>"Cadiz."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! And bound where?"</p>
+
+<p>"Bahia Honda."</p>
+
+<p>Clif gave a low whistle.</p>
+
+<p>"We caught you about in time," he said, with a smile. "You were nearly
+there. But I suppose the story is made up for the occasion. What is your
+cargo?"</p>
+
+<p>The captain went over quite a list of articles; the sailors who were
+with Clif chuckled with delight as they heard him.</p>
+
+<p>"We get a share in all this," Clif heard one of them whisper under his
+breath.</p>
+
+<p>Clif smiled; and as soon as the captain finished<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> he raised his arm and
+pointed to the stern of the vessel.</p>
+
+<p>"You and your men will go aft," he commanded, "for the present; I will
+see you shortly."</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard was on the point of obeying; he had half turned, when
+suddenly with a single bound the treacherous Ignacio sprang forward.</p>
+
+<p>His keen knife glanced in the air as he raised it in his outstretched
+arm and leaped upon the unsuspecting cadet.</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio was clever at that sort of thing. He had tried it before; his
+spring had been silent as a cat's. Neither the sailors nor the officer
+heard him. And the blow might have fallen; Clif's only warning of his
+deadly peril.</p>
+
+<p>But unfortunately for the desperate assassin, he had failed to let the
+captain of that vessel know what he meant to do. And the captain, as he
+saw him leap, realized in a flash that would mean an instant hanging for
+him.</p>
+
+<p>And a look of horror swept over his face; Clif saw it and whirled about.</p>
+
+<p>He was just in time to find himself face to face with his deadliest
+enemy; and the knife was hissing through the air.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>IN COMMAND OF THE PRIZE.</h3>
+
+<p>It was a moment of horrible peril. Clif's blood fairly froze. But quick
+as a flash his arm shot up.</p>
+
+<p>And he caught the descending wrist; for an instant the two glared into
+each other's eyes, straining and twisting. And then the two sailors of
+the Uncas leaped forward and seized the baffled Spaniard.</p>
+
+<p>And almost in the twinkling of an eye-lid, Clif Faraday was saved. He
+could hardly realize what had happened, and he staggered back against
+the railing of the vessel and gasped for breath.</p>
+
+<p>But that was only for a moment, too; and then the blood surged back to
+his cheeks and the cadet was himself once more.</p>
+
+<p>He stepped forward, a calm smile playing about his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"Bind that man," he said to the sailors.</p>
+
+<p>The two men were grasping the sinewy Cuban and holding him so tight that
+he could not move. They almost crushed his wrists, and he dropped the
+knife with a hoarse cry of pain.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif picked it up and glanced at it for a moment, then flung it far
+out into the sea.</p>
+
+<p>After that he turned to Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>"You have met me once more, my friend," he said, "and this time you will
+not get away."</p>
+
+<p>And that was all the conversation he had with him. Glancing about the
+deck he picked up a piece of rope and stepped toward the prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>He did not strike the fellow, as the Spaniards seemed to think he would.
+But the sailors flung<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> him to the deck and Clif carefully bound his feet
+together. Then, while he fairly fumed with rage and hatred, his hands
+were made fast and he was left lying there, shrieking curses in his
+native Spanish.</p>
+
+<p>Clif turned to the captain of the vessel; the man was frightened nearly
+to death, and began protesting volubly.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not know it, senor!" he cried. "Indeed, I did not know it! Santa
+Maria! I&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't suppose you did," said Clif, calmly. "You did not act like it.
+But you will have to suffer for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Suffer for it! Madre di dios, no, senor! What does the senor mean?
+Surely he will not hang me for&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"The senor will not hang you," said Clif, unable to help smiling at the
+blustering fellow's terror.</p>
+
+<p>"Then what will the senor do?"</p>
+
+<p>"He will tie you like Ignacio."</p>
+
+<p>The man was evidently relieved, but he protested volubly. He did not
+want to be tied.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it customary?" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Clif; "neither is it customary to try to assassinate an
+officer. After that I think common prudence requires it."</p>
+
+<p>"But," cried the man, angrily. "I will not submit! Por dios, I will
+not&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You will either submit or be made to," said Clif, "or else sink to the
+bottom."</p>
+
+<p>And so the man had to give up. Those two delighted tars went the rounds
+and tied every single man on that vessel hand and foot. And they tied
+them tight, too, occasionally giving them a dig in the ribs for good
+measure.</p>
+
+<p>And when they came to search them Clif was glad he had done as he did,
+for quite a respectable heap of knives and revolvers were removed from
+the clothes of those angry Spaniards.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But it did not take long to tie them up, and then Clif felt safe. He
+took a few extra hitches in the treacherous Ignacio, who was by far the
+most valuable prize of them all.</p>
+
+<p>"Admiral Sampson will be glad to get you," the cadet thought to himself.</p>
+
+<p>And then he turned to examine the captured vessel.</p>
+
+<p>His sword in his hand, he went down the forward companionway, where he
+met a group of frightened firemen and stokers huddled below. They seemed
+to think the Yankee pigs were going to murder them on the spot.</p>
+
+<p>But Clif had another use for them. Being able to speak Spanish, he found
+it easy to reassure them in a few words, and sent them down to their
+work again.</p>
+
+<p>Then he descended into the hold; he was worried lest the continuous
+firing he had directed upon the vessel had made her unseaworthy. But
+apparently the holes were all well above the water line, for there did
+not seem to be any leak.</p>
+
+<p>And that was all there was to be done. Clif knew that he had the task
+before him of piloting that vessel into Key West; he was not willing to
+let that ugly-looking Spanish captain have anything to do with the
+matter.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had fancied he would rather enjoy that duty but under the
+circumstances of the present case he was not so much pleased.</p>
+
+<p>For the darkness was gathering then and the cadet knew that he had a
+long hard night before him; it would be necessary for him to remain on
+the vessel's bridge all through the stormy trip.</p>
+
+<p>And, moreover, it would take him away from Havana, the place of all
+places he was then anxious to reach.</p>
+
+<p>But the duty had to be faced, and so Clif sent one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> of the sailors back
+to the Uncas to report the state of affairs and ask for a prize crew. It
+seemed scarcely orthodox to send the small boat away without an officer
+to command it, but that, too, was inevitable.</p>
+
+<p>The boat arrived safely, however, and returned with three more men, all
+the little tug dared spare. Lieutenant Raymond sent word to report at
+Key West with the prize, but to steam slowly so as not to come anywhere
+near the shore before daylight.</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Raymond was evidently a little worried about intrusting that
+big vessel to an inexperienced officer like Clif, and Clif was not so
+very cock sure himself. No one knew just where they were, and in the
+storm and darkness reaching Key West harbor would be task enough for an
+old hand.</p>
+
+<p>The cadet realized the enormous responsibility thus thrown upon him, and
+he made up his mind that eternal vigilance should be the watchword.</p>
+
+<p>"If staying awake all night'll do any good," he muttered, "I'll do it."</p>
+
+<p>And then the small boat dashed away to the Uncas again, and Clif was
+left alone. He stepped into the pilot house of the steamer and signaled
+for half speed ahead.</p>
+
+<p>The vessel began to glide slowly forward again, heading north; the tug
+steamed away in the direction of Havana.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3>A HAIL FROM THE DARKNESS.</h3>
+
+<p>The four sailors who were with Clif fully realized the task which was
+before them.</p>
+
+<p>It was then about dusk, and the night was coming on rapidly. Two of the
+men were stationed as lookouts, and the other two took the wheel.</p>
+
+<p>Clif set to work to try to calculate as best he could how far and in
+what direction he was from Key West; he wished to take no chances of
+running ashore or getting lost.</p>
+
+<p>Those, and the possibility of collision, seemed the only dangers that
+had to be guarded against; the possibility of meeting a Spanish vessel
+was not considered, for the chance seemed very remote.</p>
+
+<p>The two lookouts were both stationed in the bow. That fact and the other
+just mentioned sufficed to account for the fact that the real danger
+that threatened the crew of the merchantman was not thought of or
+guarded against in the least.</p>
+
+<p>For Clif had no way of knowing that any trouble was to come from behind
+him; but coming it was, and in a hurry.</p>
+
+<p>Within the shelter of a narrow inlet just to one side of the batteries
+that had made so much trouble for the Uncas had lain hidden and
+unsuspected an object that was destined to play an important part in the
+rest of the present story.</p>
+
+<p>It was a Spanish gunboat, of much the same kind as the Uncas, only
+smaller. Hidden by the land, her officers had eagerly watched the
+struggle we have just seen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Spanish vessel had not ventured out to take part, for one important
+reason; she had not steam up. But she would probably not have done so
+anyhow, for the Uncas was the stronger of the two.</p>
+
+<p>And so venturing out would have been little better than suicide. The
+Spanish captain had a plan that put that one far in the shade.</p>
+
+<p>The Uncas was still visible down the shore, and the merchantman had
+hardly gotten well started out to sea before great volumes of black
+smoke began to pour from the furnaces of the Spaniard.</p>
+
+<p>Her men worked like fiends; sailors pitched in to help the firemen
+handle coal, while the shores of the dark little inlet flared brightly
+with the gleam of the furnaces.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the officers with their glasses were feverishly watching the
+distant steamer, now hull down to the north, and almost invisible in the
+darkness.</p>
+
+<p>It was about half an hour later, perhaps even less, that that Spanish
+gunboat weighed her anchor and stole silently out to the open sea.</p>
+
+<p>She breasted the fierce waves at the entrance to the inlet boldly. A
+minute later she was plowing her way through the storming sea. It was
+dark then and she could see nothing; but her captain had the course to a
+hair's breadth.</p>
+
+<p>He knew which way his prey was gone, and he knew to what port she was
+going. He knew, too, that she would not dare go near the harbor of Key
+West until daylight. And so if by any chance he missed her in the
+darkness he would still have another opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>And those on the shore who saw the vessel glide away chuckled gleefully
+to themselves. It was something to look forward to, a chance to revenge
+themselves upon the impudent Yankees who had dared to elude the fire
+from their guns.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the Yankees, totally unsuspicious of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> this last move, were
+buffeting their way bravely ahead.</p>
+
+<p>The lookouts clinging to the railing in the bow were peering anxiously
+ahead in the darkness, and the sailors in the pilot house were wrestling
+with the wheel; it was quite a task to keep that vessel headed straight,
+for she was going into the very teeth of the gale.</p>
+
+<p>And as for Clif, he was watchfulness personified. When he was not eyeing
+the compass carefully he was hurrying about the vessel, now down in the
+fire-rooms, making sure that those Spaniards were doing as they were
+ordered, and again looking the prisoners over to make sure that the sly
+rascals had not wriggled themselves free.</p>
+
+<p>"It would be a fine thing to do," he thought to himself, "if they
+managed to recapture the ship."</p>
+
+<p>There was something quite prophetic in that thought.</p>
+
+<p>It is hard to keep awake all night, but a man can do it if he has to
+even though he has been working like a Trojan all day.</p>
+
+<p>Clif kept moving to work off the sleepiness whenever he felt it coming
+on.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll have time enough to sleep by and by," he muttered.</p>
+
+<p>He was thinking, grimly enough, of how he would be stalled in the town
+of Key West with his prize, waiting for a chance to get out to the fleet
+again.</p>
+
+<p>The vessel did not attempt to make more than half speed during the trip,
+and that, against the storm, was very little.</p>
+
+<p>But there was no need to hurry thought every one.</p>
+
+<p>And so for some two hours the vessel crept on, wearily as it seemed and
+monotonously. The only thing to vary matters was when some extra high<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>
+wave would fling itself over the bow in a shower of spray.</p>
+
+<p>But that was not a welcome incident, for it made it harder for the weary
+sailors to keep the course straight.</p>
+
+<p>The cadet paced up and down the deck; he had been doing that for perhaps
+the last half hour, stopping only to say a cheery word to the lookouts
+and once to prop up Ignacio, who was being rolled unceremoniously about
+the deck.</p>
+
+<p>The cunning Spaniard looked so bedraggled and miserable that Clif would
+have felt sorry for him if he had not known what a villain he was.</p>
+
+<p>"He'd stab me again if he got a chance," he mused.</p>
+
+<p>For Clif had saved that fellow's life once; but it had not made the
+least difference in his vindictive hatred.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid," Clif muttered, "that Ignacio will have to suffer this
+time."</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard must have heard him, for he muttered an oath under his
+breath.</p>
+
+<p>"It would be wiser if it was a prayer," said the cadet. "Ignacio, you
+are near the end of your rope, and you may as well prepare for your
+fate."</p>
+
+<p>The man fairly trembled all over with rage as he glared at his enemy;
+such rage as his was Clif was not used to, and he watched the man with a
+feeling of horror.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like Spaniards!" was the abrupt exclamation, with which he
+turned away.</p>
+
+<p>And Ignacio gritted his teeth and simply glared at him, following back
+and forth his every move, as a cat might.</p>
+
+<p>"I may have a chance yet," he hissed, under his breath. "Carramba, if I
+only had him by the throat!"</p>
+
+<p>But Clif paid no more attention to the Spaniard.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> He had other things to
+attend to, things to keep him busy.</p>
+
+<p>It was not very long before that was especially true. For some
+interesting events began to happen then.</p>
+
+<p>They began so suddenly that there is almost no way to introduce them.
+The first signs of the storm was when it broke.</p>
+
+<p>In the blackness of the night nothing could be seen, and the vessel was
+struggling along absolutely without suspicion. And Clif, as we have
+said, was walking up and down engrossed in his own thoughts, almost
+forgetting that he was out in the open sea where a Spanish warship might
+chance to be lurking.</p>
+
+<p>And so it was literally and actually a thunderbolt from a clear sky.</p>
+
+<p>The blackness of the waters was suddenly broken by a sharp flash of
+light, perhaps two hundred yards off to starboard.</p>
+
+<p>And an instant later came the loud report of a gun.</p>
+
+<p>The consternation of the Americans it would be hard to imagine. They
+were simply aghast, and Clif stood fairly rooted to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>His mind was in a tumult, but he strove to think what that startling
+interruption could mean.</p>
+
+<p>"They must have fired at us!" he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>And if there was any doubt of that an instant later came a second flash.</p>
+
+<p>To a merchantship in war time such a signal is peremptory. It means slow
+up or else take the consequences.</p>
+
+<p>There were two possibilities that presented themselves to the commander
+of this particular merchantship. One was that he had met an American
+warship&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>And the other! It was far less probable, but it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> was possible, and
+terrible. They might have fallen into the hands of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>But whatever was the case, there was nothing for Clif to do but obey the
+signals. He could not run and he could not fight.</p>
+
+<p>"If I only knew," he thought, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly he learned; for a faint voice was borne over to him
+through the gale. It was a voice that spoke English!</p>
+
+<p>"Ahoy there!" it rang.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif roared back with all his might!</p>
+
+<p>"Ahoy! What ship is that?"</p>
+
+<p>And his heart gave a throb of joy when he heard:</p>
+
+<p>"The United States cruiser Nashville. Who are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"The Spanish merchantman Maria, in charge of a prize crew from the
+Uncas!"</p>
+
+<p>Whether all that was heard in the roar of the storm Clif could not tell;
+but he put all the power of his lungs in it.</p>
+
+<p>He knew that the story would be investigated.</p>
+
+<p>And so he was quite prepared when he heard the response:</p>
+
+<p>"Lay to and wait for a boarding party."</p>
+
+<p>And quick as he could move Clif sprang to the pilot house, and signaled
+to stop, and the vessel swung round toward the stranger.</p>
+
+<p>The die was cast, for good or evil. They had given up!</p>
+
+<p>For perhaps five minutes there was an anxious silence upon the vessel.
+Every one was waiting anxiously, while the ship rolled in the trough of
+the sea and shook with the crashes of the waves. Her small crew were
+picturing in their minds what was taking place out there in the
+darkness, their comrades struggling to get a small boat out in that
+heavy sea.</p>
+
+<p>And then they fancied them buffeting their way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> across, blinded by the
+spray and half swamped by the heavier waves.</p>
+
+<p>"They can't be much longer," muttered Clif, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Ahoy there! A ladder!"</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to come from right underneath the lee of the merchantman. And
+it was shouted in a loud, peremptory tone that was meant to be obeyed. A
+moment later the rope ladder was flung down. Clif peered over the side
+when he dropped it.</p>
+
+<p>He could make out the shape of the boat tossing about below; he could
+even distinguish the figures of the men in the boat.</p>
+
+<p>And then he made out a man climbing hastily up.</p>
+
+<p>He stepped back to wait for him. He saw a blue uniform as the officer
+clambered up to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly he stood erect, facing Clif.</p>
+
+<p>The cadet took one glance at him and gave a gasp of horror.</p>
+
+<p>It was a Spanish officer!</p>
+
+<p>And he held in one hand a revolver and was aiming it straight at Clif's
+head.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>REPELLING BOARDERS.</h3>
+
+<p>That had been a cleverly managed stroke, and it left the young officer
+simply paralyzed. All he could do was to stare into the muzzle of that
+weapon.</p>
+
+<p>He realized of course in a flash how he had been duped. And he was in a
+trap!</p>
+
+<p>Half dazed he looked and saw a Spanish sailor in the act of lifting
+himself up to the deck to join his superior. And Clif had no doubt there
+were half a dozen others following.</p>
+
+<p>There was of course nothing that Clif could do; a movement on his part
+would have been sheer suicide.</p>
+
+<p>He thought the case was hopeless; he had let himself be caught napping.</p>
+
+<p>But the cadet had forgotten that there were other Americans on that
+vessel besides himself. And there were no revolvers threatening the
+others.</p>
+
+<p>The rage of the Yankee tars at what seemed to them a cowardly and
+sneaking way to capture the ship was too great for them to control.
+Prudence would have directed surrender, for the Maria had not a gun on
+board and the Spaniard might blow her out of the water.</p>
+
+<p>But nobody thought of that; the same instant the Spanish officer
+presented his weapon and disclosed his real nationality, there were two
+sharp cracks in instant succession from the bow of the imperiled ship.</p>
+
+<p>And the officer staggered back with a gasp. He dropped his weapon to the
+deck, reeled for an in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>stant and then vanished over the side in the
+darkness.</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment of horror, and then Clif heard him strike with a thud
+on the small boat below.</p>
+
+<p>At the same time there was a bright flash just in front of Clif, and a
+bullet whistled past his ear.</p>
+
+<p>The Spanish sailor, who had only half reached the deck, had fired at
+him.</p>
+
+<p>By that time there was no longer any hesitation as to what course to
+pursue. The sailors had decided it by their fatal shots. It was
+resistance to the death.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif whipped out his own weapons and sent the sailor tumbling
+backward to follow his officer.</p>
+
+<p>Then he drew his sword and with two slashing strokes severed the ladder.
+From the yells and confusion that followed there must have been quite a
+number clinging to the rope.</p>
+
+<p>But where they were or what their fate was nobody had any time to learn.
+Everything was moving like lightning on the merchantman.</p>
+
+<p>Clif leaped into the pilot house and signaled full speed. There was no
+further need of lookouts and so the two sailors rushed down into the
+engine-room to see that the order was obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>The big vessel started slowly forward. The cadet sprang to the wheel,
+his mind in a wild tumult as he strove to think what he should do.</p>
+
+<p>As if there were not confusion enough at that instant there were several
+loud reports in quick succession, followed by deafening crashes as shots
+tore through the vessel.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniards had opened fire!</p>
+
+<p>"But they'll have to stop to pick up that boat's crew!" gasped Clif. "We
+may get away!"</p>
+
+<p>And that being the case every minute was precious; the vessel had swung
+round, but there was no time to turn&mdash;she must run as she was for a
+while.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And from the way the vessel trembled and shook it could be told that the
+irate tars down below were making things hum.</p>
+
+<p>"They may burst the boilers if they can," thought Clif, grimly.</p>
+
+<p>The new course they were taking was south, exactly the opposite of the
+way they had been going. But Clif did not care about that.</p>
+
+<p>"The storm will drive us faster!" he gasped. "And every yard counts."</p>
+
+<p>The Spanish gunboat (nobody on the Maria, of course, knew but what she
+was a big cruiser) fired only about half a dozen shots at her daring
+enemy; then the yells of the crew of the small boat must have attracted
+her attention and forced her to desist for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"And now's our chance," was the thought of the Americans.</p>
+
+<p>They were making the most of it, that was certain; they were fairly
+flying along with the great waves.</p>
+
+<p>Clif himself was at the wheel, seeing that not an inch was lost by
+steering wrongly.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll know soon," he muttered. "Very soon, for she'll chase us."</p>
+
+<p>The scene at this time was intensely dramatic; for the big ship had
+glided out into the darkness and those on board of her could not see
+their pursuer. They had no means of telling where she was, or whether
+they had escaped or not.</p>
+
+<p>They could only keep on listening anxiously, tremblingly, counting the
+seconds and waiting, almost holding their breath.</p>
+
+<p>They knew what the signal would be. The signal of their failure. If the
+Spaniard succeeded in finding them, he would open fire and soon let them
+know.</p>
+
+<p>Clif tried to guess how long it would take them to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> pick up the
+unfortunate occupants of that small boat.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll be raging mad when they do," he thought. "Gorry! they'll murder
+every one of us."</p>
+
+<p>For they would probably call the shooting of that officer a murder; it
+did not trouble Clif's conscience, for he knew that a merchant vessel
+has the same right to resist the enemy that a warship has. It was not as
+if they had surrendered and then imitated the example of the treacherous
+Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder how Ignacio likes this anyhow," thought Clif.</p>
+
+<p>But he had no time to inquire the Spaniard's views on the struggle; Clif
+was too busily waiting and counting the seconds.</p>
+
+<p>He did not think it would be very long before the enemy's ship would be
+after them again; and yet several minutes passed before any sign of the
+pursuit was given.</p>
+
+<p>Clif began to think that possibly they had eluded their would-be
+captors. But his hopes were dashed, for suddenly there came the dreaded
+warning shot.</p>
+
+<p>And it was fired from so close that, though the Americans had been
+listening for it, it made them start. It was evident that the enemy's
+vessel had come close to do the business; her first shot seemed fairly
+to tear the big merchantman to pieces.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif shut his teeth together with a snap.</p>
+
+<p>"We're in for it now," he muttered. "That settles it."</p>
+
+<p>There was no longer the last hope of escape. There was no longer even
+any use of keeping on. There were but two things to be considered, sink
+or surrender.</p>
+
+<p>There was a grim smile on the cadet's face as he turned away from the
+wheel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Tell the two men to come up from below," he said to one of the sailors.</p>
+
+<p>And then he went out on deck, staring in the direction of the pursuing
+vessel. There was no difficulty in telling where she was now, for a
+continuous flashing of her guns kept her in view.</p>
+
+<p>Clif was cool, singularly cool, as he stood in his exposed position. He
+was no longer anxious, for he had no longer any hope. There was nothing
+on board the Maria that could cope with the enemy's guns. There was only
+the inevitable to be faced.</p>
+
+<p>The cadet soon guessed the nature of the pursuer from the way she
+behaved. Her guns were all low down and close together. They were about
+three-pounders, and rapid-firing.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a gunboat like the Uncas," he muttered. "Gorry! how I wish the
+Uncas would come back!"</p>
+
+<p>But the Uncas was then near Havana, far from any possibility of giving
+aid. And Clif knew it, so he wasted no time in vain regrets.</p>
+
+<p>By that time the Spanish vessel had gotten the range, and her three or
+four guns were blazing away furiously. The gunboat was alight with the
+flames of the quick reports, and the sound was continuous.</p>
+
+<p>"They aren't doing as well as I did," Clif said. "But still, they'll
+manage to do the work."</p>
+
+<p>And so it seemed, for shot after shot crashed through the hull of the
+already battered vessel. The Spaniards were mad, evidently. There was no
+hail this time and proposal to surrender. But only a calm setting to
+work to finish that reckless ship.</p>
+
+<p>The sailors came on deck and Clif, when he saw them, turned and pointed
+to the Spaniard.</p>
+
+<p>"There she is, men," he said. "Look her over."</p>
+
+<p>For a moment nobody said anything; the little group stood motionless on
+the deck. They were in no great danger for the firing was all directed
+at the hull.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly Clif began again.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess this vessel is about done for," he said. "She will be either
+sunk or captured. The only question is about us&mdash;what's to become of us.
+I leave it to you."</p>
+
+<p>None of the men spoke for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose," Clif said, "that we can manage to let her know we surrender
+if we choose. We can scuttle the ship before we do it. But you know what
+we may expect; after our shooting those two men they'll probably murder
+us, or do things that are a thousand times worse."</p>
+
+<p>Clif stopped for a moment and then he turned.</p>
+
+<p>"Think, for instance," he said, "of being at the mercy of that man."</p>
+
+<p>He was pointing toward Ignacio, who lay near them, glowering in his
+hate, and the sailors looked and understood.</p>
+
+<p>"It's better to drown, sir," said one.</p>
+
+<p>And the rest thought so, too, and declared it promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, then," was the cadet's quiet answer, "we will stay on board.
+We have faced death before."</p>
+
+<p>That resolution made there was little else left to be determined.</p>
+
+<p>"We can sink the ship, or wait and let them sink it," the cadet said.
+"Or else&mdash;there's one thing more. We are headed in the right direction.
+We can smash her upon the rocks of the Cuban coast."</p>
+
+<p>And the sailors stared at him for a moment eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"And stand a chance of getting ashore in safety!" they cried.</p>
+
+<p>At which the cadet smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid there's very little chance," he said. "But it's as good as
+anything else. We'll try it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"You two go down to the engine room again, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> keep things moving. And
+the others stay on deck and make sure those Spaniards don't try to board
+us again. I can handle the wheel myself."</p>
+
+<p>And with that the brave cadet turned away and sprang toward the pilot
+house.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>A DESPERATE CHASE.</h3>
+
+<p>That was a heroic resolution those five brave men had made. But it was
+inevitable, for they did not mean that either they or that valuable ship
+should fall into the hands of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>And apparently the enemy knew they did not mean to. For they kept
+battering away at the big hulk that loomed up in the darkness, running
+close alongside and firing viciously.</p>
+
+<p>Every shot made a deafening crash as it struck home.</p>
+
+<p>But the Americans did not mind it especially. When a man has made up his
+mind to die he is not afraid of anything.</p>
+
+<p>And the men on deck paced up and down serenely, and Clif tugged at the
+wheel with a positively light-hearted recklessness.</p>
+
+<p>It would have been a cold sort of a person whose spirit did not rise to
+such an occasion as that. The wild night and the furious cannonading,
+but above all the prospect of taking that huge ship and driving her
+forward at full speed until she smashed upon the rocks, was a rather
+inspiring one.</p>
+
+<p>The reader may have heard about the man out West who drew an enormous
+crowd by advertising an exhibition railroad wreck, two empty trains
+crashing into each other at full speed. This was a similar case; it does
+not often happened that a man has occasion to drive a ship aground on
+purpose.</p>
+
+<p>The resolution to which the Americans had come must have been plain to
+the unfortunate Spaniards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> who were tied up on board the Maria. Their
+fright was a terrible one, anyhow.</p>
+
+<p>Clif glanced out at them several times; their presence was the only
+thing that made him hesitate to do what he had resolved.</p>
+
+<p>"For they haven't done anything, poor devils," he thought to himself, "I
+wish I knew what to do with them."</p>
+
+<p>But there was only one thing that could be done; that was to put them
+off in a small boat, and that would be practically murdering them.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll have to stay and take chances with us," muttered Clif.</p>
+
+<p>As if there were not noise enough about that time those men began to
+raise a terrific outcry, yelling and shrieking in terror. But nobody
+paid any attention to them&mdash;except that the sailors took the trouble to
+examine their bonds once more.</p>
+
+<p>It would have been dangerous to let those desperate fellows get loose
+then. For the Americans had enemies enough to cope with as it was.</p>
+
+<p>All this while the Spanish gunboat had been firing away with all her
+might and main. She would cut across the vessel's stern, and send her
+shots tearing through the whole length of the ship; then she would come
+up close alongside and pour a dozen broadsides in.</p>
+
+<p>And nearly all the shots hit, too.</p>
+
+<p>It was evident to those on board that the merchantman would not stand
+very much battering of that sort. Already one of the sailors had come up
+to announce that two of the firemen had been struck.</p>
+
+<p>But still the Maria tore desperately onward. Nobody cared very much how
+much damage was done, except that they did not want the engines to be
+smashed until the ship had reached the shore.</p>
+
+<p>As well as Clif could calculate roughly, it ought not to have taken them
+an hour to return to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> coast, for they had the storm to aid them.
+That they could hold out that long under the unceasing fire he did not
+believe.</p>
+
+<p>"But the Spaniards may use up all their ammunition," he thought to
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>That was a possibility, for he knew that the supply in the possession of
+Spain was a small one.</p>
+
+<p>And the actual course of events made him think that his surmise was
+true. The desperate chase kept up for perhaps half an hour; and then
+unaccountably the Spaniard's fire began to slacken.</p>
+
+<p>Clif could hardly believe his ears when he heard it.</p>
+
+<p>"What can it mean?" he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>But a moment later his surprise was made still greater. For one of the
+sailors bounded into the pilot house.</p>
+
+<p>"She's giving up, sir!" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"Giving up!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"How in the world do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"She's stopped firing, sir. And what's more, she's dropping behind."</p>
+
+<p>Clif stared at the man in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Dropping behind!"</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly he sprang out to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>"Take the wheel a moment," he cried to the sailor.</p>
+
+<p>And he himself bounded down the deck toward the stern.</p>
+
+<p>He stared out over the railing, clinging to it tightly to prevent
+himself from being flung off his feet.</p>
+
+<p>He found that what the sailor had said was literally true. The Spaniard
+was now firing only an occasional shot, and she was at least a hundred
+yards behind.</p>
+
+<p>What that could mean Clif had not the faintest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> idea. Could it be that
+her engines had met with an accident? Or that she fancied the
+merchantman was sinking?</p>
+
+<p>The cadet gazed down into the surging water below him; he could see the
+white track of the big steamer and knew that she was fairly flying
+along.</p>
+
+<p>He took one more glance in the direction of the now invisible Spaniard.
+The firing had ceased altogether.</p>
+
+<p>And like a flash the thought occurred to Clif that whatever the reason
+for the strange act might be, now was the time to save the merchantman.</p>
+
+<p>"We can turn off to one side!" he gasped, "and lose her!"</p>
+
+<p>And with a bound he started for the pilot house.</p>
+
+<p>"Hard a-port!" he shouted to the man at the wheel.</p>
+
+<p>But before the man had a chance to obey Clif chanced to glance out
+ahead, into the darkness toward which the vessel was blindly rushing.</p>
+
+<p>And the cadet staggered back with a gasp.</p>
+
+<p>"A light!" he cried. "A light!"</p>
+
+<p>Yes, there was a dim flickering point of light directly in front of
+them. Where it came from Clif could not tell, but he realized the
+significance in an instant.</p>
+
+<p>And at the same time there was another sound that broke upon his ear and
+confirmed the guess. It was a dull, booming roar.</p>
+
+<p>The man at the wheel heard it, too.</p>
+
+<p>"It's breakers, sir!" he shouted. "Breakers ahead!"</p>
+
+<p>They were nearing the land!</p>
+
+<p>And then the significance of the Spaniard's act became only too
+apparent. The men who were running her had seen the light, and they had
+no idea of being led to destruction by their eagerness to follow that
+reckless merchantman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And so they were slowing up and keeping off the shore.</p>
+
+<p>There was a faint hope in that; the Maria might be able to steal away if
+she were quick enough in turning.</p>
+
+<p>Clif's order had been obeyed by the sailor the instant he heard it. Clif
+sprang in to help him, and they whirled the wheel around with all their
+might.</p>
+
+<p>But alas! they were too late! When a steamer waits until she hears
+breakers in a storm like that it is all up with her, for she must be
+near the shore indeed.</p>
+
+<p>And plunging as the Maria was, urged on by wind and waves and her own
+powerful engines, it was but an instant before the crisis came.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had half braced himself for the shock; but when it came it was far
+greater than he had expected. There was a crash that was simply
+deafening. The huge ship plunged into the rocky shore with a force that
+almost doubled her up, and made her shake from stem to stern. And she
+stopped so abruptly that Clif was flung through the window of the pilot
+house.</p>
+
+<p>The deed was done!</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>A DASH FOR THE SHORE.</h3>
+
+<p>Strange to say, Clif was not much excited at the terrific moment. The
+peril was so great that he was quite gay as he faced it. He had risen to
+the occasion.</p>
+
+<p>He picked himself up and stepped out to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>There he found a scene of confusion indescribable. Above the noise of
+the breakers on the shore and the waves that were flinging themselves
+against the exposed side of the ship rang the wild shrieks and cries of
+the terrified Spanish prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>The vessel after she had struck had been flung around and was being
+turned farther over every minute. The violence of the storm that was
+struggling with her was quite inconceivable.</p>
+
+<p>The waves were pouring over her in great masses, sweeping everything
+before them; and the spray was leaping so high and the flying storm
+clouds driving past so low that there was no telling where the surface
+of the sea ended and the air began.</p>
+
+<p>The big ship had landed among rocks, and every wave was lifting her up
+and flinging her down upon them with dull, grinding crashes that could
+be both heard and felt.</p>
+
+<p>A moment after she struck a man came dashing up the ladder to the deck;
+it was one of the sailors, and behind were the terrified firemen.</p>
+
+<p>"She's leaking in a dozen places!" the man shouted.</p>
+
+<p>He clung to railing as he spoke, and a great wave half drowned him; but
+he managed to salute, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> Clif saw a look of wild delight on his face,
+one that just corresponded with his own eager mood.</p>
+
+<p>"She'll split in about half a minute, I fancy," the cadet answered, "and
+the Spaniards are welcome to what's left. We've done our duty."</p>
+
+<p>And with that he turned to the pilot house, where the rest of the men
+were grouped. They were gazing at him eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you ready, boys?" Clif shouted.</p>
+
+<p>Every one knew what he meant by "ready"&mdash;ready to make the wild attempt
+to land and reach the shore through all those wildly surging breakers.
+The very thought of it was enough to stir one's blood.</p>
+
+<p>And the answer came with a vengeance.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then get out one of the boats," shouted Clif.</p>
+
+<p>As he saw the men struggling forward to reach the nearest rowboat he
+turned suddenly on his heel. He had something else to attend to for a
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>It was an errand of mercy. Those shrieking wretches were all bound to
+the railing of the doomed ship, and Clif would never have forgiven
+himself if he had left them there. Their faces would have haunted him.</p>
+
+<p>And he drew his sword and set swiftly to work.</p>
+
+<p>He cut the captain loose and put a knife into his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Get to work!" he cried. "Get to work!"</p>
+
+<p>Clif took the risk of trusting the man, and went on, leaving him with
+the weapon. The cadet believed that he would be grateful for his
+release.</p>
+
+<p>And besides they were fellow sufferers then, threatened with the same
+peril.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif was not mistaken. The man set hastily to work releasing his
+comrades, and in less time than it takes to tell it the terrified men
+were huddled together on the deck.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The cadet wasted no more time upon them.</p>
+
+<p>"There are three boats left for you," he cried. "Save yourselves."</p>
+
+<p>And with that he turned and made his way down to where his own men were
+struggling with one of the small boats.</p>
+
+<p>There was one other thing which in the wild confusion of that moment
+Clif managed to remember needed to be attended to. There was Ignacio!</p>
+
+<p>The treacherous Spaniard had nearly been swept off, and he was half
+drowned by the floods of water that poured over the deck. But his hatred
+of the Americans was too great for him to shout to them for aid.</p>
+
+<p>What to do with that murderous villain was a problem that worried Clif.
+Undoubtedly the wisest thing would be to kill him, then and there; death
+was the fate he certainly deserved.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif half drew his sword; but it was no use. He could not bring
+himself to do such an act. And he flung the weapon back into the
+scabbard.</p>
+
+<p>To attempt to carry him away was equally useless; the Americans did not
+expect to reach the shore themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll leave him to his fate," Clif muttered. "The Spaniards may help him
+if they choose."</p>
+
+<p>And with that he turned toward the sailors again; the men had by that
+time nearly succeeded in getting the boat away. They were working like
+Trojans.</p>
+
+<p>Every wave that struck the ship helped to fill the boat, even before it
+touched the water; the spray poured down over the slanting deck upon it
+and the sailors had to empty it several times.</p>
+
+<p>While they were wrestling thus the wind and water and rocks had been
+getting in their work upon the doomed vessel. Lower and lower she sank,
+harder and harder she pounded.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly a great billow heaved itself with a thud against the
+bow and fairly hammered it around. One of the sailors gave a yell.</p>
+
+<p>"She's split!"</p>
+
+<p>And sure enough, a great seam had opened amidships and the water surged
+in with a roar.</p>
+
+<p>The vessel seemed fairly falling to pieces.</p>
+
+<p>And such being the case the sailors had no time to delay. The frail boat
+was lowered into the seething waters; the men tumbled in and seized the
+oars. Clif made a wild leap and caught the stern just as one mighty wave
+raced by and whirled the boat away from the vessel.</p>
+
+<p>And in one instant it was lost to sight and sound. What was done by the
+Spaniards no one could see a thing. The Americans were fighting for
+their own lives.</p>
+
+<p>There was but one thing for them to do&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Pull for the shore, sailors, pull for the shore."</p>
+
+<p>And the great sweeping breakers to aid them. In fact they were flung in
+so fast that they could hardly row.</p>
+
+<p>It was a thrilling struggle, that race with the giant waves. The sailors
+struggled with all their might, keeping the frail craft straight. And
+Clif, with a bucket he had thought to bring, was bailing frantically,
+and shouting to encourage the men.</p>
+
+<p>In, in they swept, nearer, with the speed of a whirlwind, toward the
+shore.</p>
+
+<p>"If it's rocks, Heaven help us!" Clif gasped.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed an age to him, that brief struggle. Breathless and eager, he
+watched the great white caps breaking, smiting against the stern,
+struggling to turn that boat but a few inches so that they might catch
+it on the side and fling it over.</p>
+
+<p>And meanwhile the wind and waves and oars all helping, on swept the
+boat&mdash;bounding over the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> foamy crests, sinking into the great hollows,
+leaping and straining, but still shooting on in the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>And every second was precious, for the shore was not far away; the roar
+of the surf grew louder&mdash;louder almost upon them.</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly one great seething billow came rushing up behind. Clif
+saw it, and shouted to the men. In a second more its white crest towered
+over them.</p>
+
+<p>It was just on the point of breaking in a giant cataract of foam; it
+would have buried the little boat and its occupants beneath tons of
+foaming water.</p>
+
+<p>But it was just a second too late. The little boat's stern shot up; for
+a moment it was almost on end, and then it rose to the top of the wave
+and a moment later as the crash came and the sweep in toward shore began
+the frail craft was flung forward as if from a catapult.</p>
+
+<p>And in it shot with speed that simply dazed the Americans; but it was
+toward shore&mdash;toward shore!</p>
+
+<p>They had passed the breakers!</p>
+
+<p>And Clif gave a gasp of delight as he felt the wild leap forward. It
+seemed but a second more before the rush ended.</p>
+
+<p>The bow of the rowboat struck and the frail object was whirled round and
+flung over, its occupants being fairly hurled into the air.</p>
+
+<p>When they struck the water it was to find themselves within a few feet
+of dry land. They staggered to a standing position to find that they
+were in water only up to their waists. And the great wave was tugging
+them out to sea again.</p>
+
+<p>They struggled forward wildly, clutching at each other. A minute later,
+breathless, exhausted and half drowned, but wild with joy, they
+staggered out upon a sandy beach and sank down to gasp for breath.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We're safe!" panted Clif. "Safe!"</p>
+
+<p>Safe! And on the island of Cuba, the stronghold of their deadly enemies!</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY.</h3>
+
+<p>It must have been at least five minutes before those exhausted men moved
+again; when at last they managed to rise to their feet it was to find
+themselves in the midst of absolute darkness, with the wild sea on one
+side of them and on the other no one knew what.</p>
+
+<p>The faint point of light which they had seen had now disappeared: but
+they took it to mean that there were Spaniards in the neighborhood.</p>
+
+<p>And they did not fail to recognize the peril in which they were. The
+firing had probably been heard and the wreck of the merchantman seen. If
+so, the Americans could not be in a much worse place.</p>
+
+<p>"We may be right in front of a battery," whispered Clif.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing the sailors did was to see to their revolvers and
+cutlasses. And after that they started silently down the shore.</p>
+
+<p>"We won't try to go far," Clif said, "but we must find a hiding-place."</p>
+
+<p>But in that darkness the hiding-places were themselves hidden; the best
+the Americans could do was to stumble down the shore for a hundred yards
+or so, being careful to walk where the waves would wash out their
+footprints.</p>
+
+<p>Then they were a short distance from the wreck and felt a trifle safer.</p>
+
+<p>"We may as well strike back in the country<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> now," said the leader, "at
+least until we can find some bushes or something to conceal us."</p>
+
+<p>That was a rather more ticklish task, and the men crouched and stole
+along in silence. They had no idea what they might meet.</p>
+
+<p>It was fortunate for them that they were quiet. Otherwise they would
+have gotten into very serious trouble indeed.</p>
+
+<p>They stole up the sandy beach a short ways, feeling their way along and
+getting further and further away from the sea. They were struggling
+through soft dry sand.</p>
+
+<p>And suddenly Clif, who was in front, saw something loom up before him, a
+dark line. And he put out his hand to touch it.</p>
+
+<p>He found that the sand rose gradually into a sort of drift or bank. It
+was high, and seemed to reach for some distance.</p>
+
+<p>The sailors stopped abruptly, and Clif crept softly forward, feeling
+along with his hands; suddenly the men heard him mutter a startled
+exclamation under his breath.</p>
+
+<p>"Men," he whispered, "we're in a terrible fix; I ran into a gun!"</p>
+
+<p>"A gun!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;a big one. We've struck a Spanish battery, and we must be near
+some town!"</p>
+
+<p>The sailors stared at him aghast; and then suddenly came a startling
+interruption&mdash;one that fairly made their blood grow chill.</p>
+
+<p>"Who goes there?"</p>
+
+<p>It was a loud, stern hail in Spanish, and it seemed to come from almost
+beside them!</p>
+
+<p>Quick as a flash the Americans dropped, crouching close together in the
+darkness. They could hear the beating of each others' hearts.</p>
+
+<p>There were several moments of agonizing suspense; the Spaniard who had
+shouted out was evi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>dently awaiting a reply. And then suddenly he
+repeated his challenge.</p>
+
+<p>"Who goes there?"</p>
+
+<p>And a moment later came a sound of hurrying footsteps.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" Clif heard a voice demand.</p>
+
+<p>He was the only one in the party who understood Spanish, and knew what
+was said. But it was plain to the rest that it was a conversation
+between a sentry and an officer.</p>
+
+<p>"I heard a footstep, senor capitan!" cried the man. "Quidada! Take care!
+It's very near."</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's pause.</p>
+
+<p>"You must be mistaken," said the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not mistaken," repeated the man firmly. "Santa Maria, my ears do
+not deceive me. You said to be watchful, for you have heard firing."</p>
+
+<p>To that the Americans had listened in trembling silence; but the next
+made them jump. "I will light this lantern," said the officer.</p>
+
+<p>And the instant they heard it Clif rose silently to his feet; the men
+did likewise, and began to creep softly off to one side.</p>
+
+<p>But careful as they were they could not help the grinding sound of their
+footsteps in the sand, and it caught the quick ear of the Spaniard.</p>
+
+<p>"Hear it!" he cried. "Por dios, again! Somebody is stealing upon us!"</p>
+
+<p>And an instant later the air was rent by a sharp crack of a rifle&mdash;the
+sentry had fired!</p>
+
+<p>There was wild confusion at once, and the unfortunate castaways were
+aghast. For an instant Clif thought of charging the battery&mdash;with four
+men. But he realized the folly of that.</p>
+
+<p>"Quick!" he cried, "let us hide. Forward!"</p>
+
+<p>Lights were flashing and men shouting and running about behind the sand
+wall just in front of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> them, but the sailors were still unseen. They
+broke into a run and fairly flew down the shore.</p>
+
+<p>They fancied the whole Spanish company was at their heels; but after
+they had run for some distance they found that they had not been
+pursued.</p>
+
+<p>For the enemy were so taken by surprise at the sudden alarm that they
+were if possible more frightened than the Americans.</p>
+
+<p>And so the men stopped for breath.</p>
+
+<p>They stared at each other, as if hardly able to realize the peril into
+which they had so suddenly been plunged.</p>
+
+<p>"I think that was the quickest adventure I ever had in my life,"
+muttered Clif.</p>
+
+<p>The suddenness of it made him laugh; they had almost walked into a
+Spanish fort.</p>
+
+<p>But it was no laughing matter, certainly; it was a confounded piece of
+ill-luck.</p>
+
+<p>"For they'll be watching for us now!" muttered Clif. "I'm afraid that
+will settle us."</p>
+
+<p>"They'll follow our footsteps!" exclaimed one of the sailors.</p>
+
+<p>That was so, and it was an unpleasant prospect; it was plain that if the
+Americans wished to find any safety they must get some distance away
+from that battery.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll make one more effort to get back into the country," muttered
+Clif.</p>
+
+<p>And amid silence and anxious suspense they once more started up the
+sloping seashore.</p>
+
+<p>They crept along as it seemed by inches. But fortunately they did not
+run across any more "guns." When they came across an embankment it was
+of solid earth and marked the end of the beach.</p>
+
+<p>And there were some trees and bushes there, so the Americans began to
+feel more comfortable. For all they knew they might in the darkness have
+been strolling into a town.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But they were apparently out in the open country, there seemed to be no
+people and no houses near. So they started boldly forward.</p>
+
+<p>It was then late at night, a dark and damp and windy night; so they were
+not likely to find many people wandering about.</p>
+
+<p>"What we want to do," Clif said, "is to get back in the country a while
+where we can hide until morning. Then if we can find some Cubans we'll
+be all right."</p>
+
+<p>Clif was about tired to death. He had done far more work that day than
+any of those sailors. But there was no time for resting then.</p>
+
+<p>He gritted his teeth and started; they took their bearings from the sea,
+and then went straight on, watching and listening carefully, but meeting
+with no trouble.</p>
+
+<p>At first their walk led through what had evidently once been a
+cultivated country, for it was level and had but few trees upon it. At
+present, however, it was overgrown with weeds.</p>
+
+<p>Once they almost ran into a house, which it may readily be believed gave
+them a start. It was creepy business, anyhow, this stumbling along
+through the enemy's country without being able to see ten yards in
+front.</p>
+
+<p>But the house seemed to be empty. In fact, it could hardly be called a
+house any more, for it was half burned down.</p>
+
+<p>The Americans thought that it was empty, for Clif had stumbled and
+fallen with a crash over a pile of dry sticks and rubbish. But when he
+rose to his feet to listen anxiously there was no movement or sign that
+anybody had heard him.</p>
+
+<p>"It probably belonged to some of the reconcentrados," he muttered.</p>
+
+<p>He was about to turn and give the word to proceed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly a new idea occurred to him, and he gave a pleased
+exclamation.</p>
+
+<p>"This is lucky!" he whispered. "Men, what is the matter with hiding
+there?"</p>
+
+<p>That was a rather startling proposition; for they could not be at all
+sure but some one lived there after all.</p>
+
+<p>But Clif had come several miles by that time, and he was disposed to be
+a trifle desperate.</p>
+
+<p>A person can get so tired that he will be anxious to enter even a
+Spanish dungeon in order to get a chance to rest.</p>
+
+<p>"We will search the house," he said. "If we find anybody we'll hold them
+up and make them prisoners; and if we don't, we'll spend the night
+there."</p>
+
+<p>And then without another word he started silently forward. The sailors
+were right behind him.</p>
+
+<p>What was evidently the front of the house was the part that had been
+burned. Clif picked his way over the ruins and into the rear, where
+there was a roof still remaining.</p>
+
+<p>There was a door there, half shut; one may readily believe that in
+pushing it open Clif was rather nervous.</p>
+
+<p>But nothing occurred to startle him, and so they went forward once more.
+The place about him seemed deserted.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly Clif did a startling thing.</p>
+
+<p>He took a deep breath and called aloud.</p>
+
+<p>"Anybody here?"</p>
+
+<p>And then for at least a minute or two the little party stood waiting in
+silence; but no answer was heard.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess it's deserted," Clif said. "Scatter and search it thoroughly."</p>
+
+<p>And that was quickly done. To their relief the Americans found that the
+place was not inhabited and that there was no one near. That once made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>
+sure it may be believed that they wasted no more time in delay.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think it will be necessary for us to keep watch," he said. "Our
+safety lies in our hiding."</p>
+
+<p>They made their way into one of the smaller rooms of the little
+building, one which had a key to the door. And having secured themselves
+as best they could from danger of discovery, the wearied men sank down
+upon the floor.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3>A STARTLING DISCOVERY.</h3>
+
+<p>It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous
+situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their
+lives in their hands. They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a
+lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.</p>
+
+<p>The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to
+light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk. But the darkness
+was their principal shield.</p>
+
+<p>But all the cold in the world could not have kept Clif awake; he and the
+rest of the men were soon fast asleep, hidden away in the enemy's
+country, and surrounded by perils innumerable, yet resting as quietly as
+if they were at home.</p>
+
+<p>And none of them awakened either, as the dark night wore on. The day
+began to break over the mountains to the eastward, and the gay sunbeams
+streamed into the room to find the sailors still undisturbed and
+unconscious.</p>
+
+<p>The sun had risen and was half an hour up in the sky before any of the
+Americans showed signs of awakening. One of the sailors turned over and
+then sat up and stared about him.</p>
+
+<p>It was not strange that the man wondered where he was, for a moment; he
+had been through so much during the previous day.</p>
+
+<p>He found himself seated in a little bare apare apartment half charred by
+fire, and having damp straw for flooring. His companions, including the
+officer, were stretched out upon it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They seemed in blissful ignorance of the fact that it was damp.</p>
+
+<p>The sailor rose to his feet; he was rather stiff and sore, and somewhat
+hungry, but he felt that he ought to be glad to be alive.</p>
+
+<p>And then he stole quickly over to the tiny window to look out; naturally
+enough he was a little curious to see what sort of a place it was they
+had hit on in the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>There was light, then, plenty of it&mdash;too much in fact, so the man
+thought. It showed him everything.</p>
+
+<p>And the everything must have included something rather startling. For
+the sailor acted in a most surprising way.</p>
+
+<p>He took a single glance out of the window; and then he staggered back as
+if some one had shot him.</p>
+
+<p>The man's face was as white as a sheet.</p>
+
+<p>He stood for a moment seemingly dazed, his eyes staring vacantly. And
+then suddenly he made a leap across the room and seized Clif by the
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>It was a startling way for Clif to be awakened; the face of that man had
+a sort of nightmare look.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" Clif gasped. "Quick!"</p>
+
+<p>"The window!" panted the sailor. "Look!".</p>
+
+<p>The man in his excitement had awakened the rest and they were sitting up
+staring at him.</p>
+
+<p>Clif meanwhile had rushed to the window, and when he looked out he acted
+just as the sailor had done.</p>
+
+<p>It might be well to describe in a few words what he saw.</p>
+
+<p>There was a small clearing around the deserted building, and beyond that
+a heavy wood. Clif remembered having made his way through those woods.</p>
+
+<p>And now somebody else had done likewise. There was a squad of a dozen
+soldiers standing on the clearing's edge.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And they were Spaniards!</p>
+
+<p>"Can they have surrounded us?" gasped the cadet.</p>
+
+<p>"Or perhaps they don't know we're here," whispered one of the men.</p>
+
+<p>The full meaning of that startling discovery was made evident to them an
+instant later. The officer of the Spaniards was standing to one side
+watching a man, who, with bowed head, was carefully scanning the ground.</p>
+
+<p>And he was coming slowly toward the building.</p>
+
+<p>"They're tracking us," whispered Clif.</p>
+
+<p>And just then the man raised up his head and Clif got a glimpse of his
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"The villain!" he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>It was Ignacio!</p>
+
+<p>Yes, it was the villainous Spanish spy. He and his Spanish companions
+must have succeeded in getting ashore. And they had tracked their
+unsuspecting enemies to their hiding-place.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I had killed him!" Clif muttered half to himself.</p>
+
+<p>One of the sailors heard him, and he drew his revolver significantly.</p>
+
+<p>"It's not too late, sir," he said.</p>
+
+<p>But Clif held up his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no," he whispered. "Not yet!"</p>
+
+<p>That suggestion called him back to action. Not yet&mdash;because they had not
+yet been discovered.</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio was apparently off the scent; he did not know whether his
+victims had dodged the building or had the temerity to enter.</p>
+
+<p>And instantly Clif leaped forward, over to the other side of the
+building. If none of the enemy was there it might not be too late for
+flight.</p>
+
+<p>"If they are," Clif muttered to himself, "by jingo, they've still got
+the building to capture."</p>
+
+<p>Whatever was to be done had to be done quickly,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> for Ignacio was a
+cunning fellow, and wouldn't be apt to delay very long.</p>
+
+<p>Clif gazed out in the other direction and saw to his delight that the
+thicket came close to the house, and there were no Spaniards in sight.</p>
+
+<p>He called in a low voice to the men, who stole silently over toward him.</p>
+
+<p>"Quick!" he gasped. "Out, for your lives!"</p>
+
+<p>It was a thrilling moment, and Clif was trembling with eagerness. One by
+one he watched the men crawl out of the low window and gather in the
+shelter of the building.</p>
+
+<p>And a moment later he himself dropped down; the instant he struck the
+ground he started forward.</p>
+
+<p>"To the woods!" he whispered. "And not a sound, for your lives."</p>
+
+<p>And the men sprang softly forward, not even pausing to glance over their
+shoulders to see if they were discovered.</p>
+
+<p>Clif fancied at that instant that he was safe. The building was between
+him and the Spaniards.</p>
+
+<p>But he did not know that at that moment Ignacio had observed a footprint
+in the damp ground that made him aware that they had gone into the
+building; he rushed around to the other side just in time to see a blue
+uniform vanish in the thicket.</p>
+
+<p>The next moment a wild yell came from his throat.</p>
+
+<p>"Mira!" he shrieked. "Forward! Here they are now!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<h3>A RUNNING FIGHT.</h3>
+
+<p>That cry seemed the death knell of the Americans, and their hearts
+leaped up in their throats when they heard it. For a moment Clif thought
+of stopping and giving battle then and there.</p>
+
+<p>But he realized the hopelessness of that; it was hopeless too, to run,
+with no place to run to. But the sailors were already dashing away
+through the woods. And the cadet soon caught up with them and urged them
+on.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniards broke into a run the moment they heard Ignacio's cry; a
+minute later they fired a volley into the bushes, probably in order to
+alarm the country.</p>
+
+<p>It would have been hard for those five fugitives to go any faster than
+they did during the first few moments of that chase. They heard their
+enemies banging away and yelling in their rear, and they fairly flew
+over the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep together," panted Clif. "We may find some place to make a stand."</p>
+
+<p>The ground over which they were traveling was ill adapted for speed, for
+it was rough and the bushes were thick.</p>
+
+<p>But it was as fair for one as the other, and the Americans tore their
+way through and sped on.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniards in the rear apparently knew of other troops in the
+neighborhood from the way they kept yelling; Clif groaned as he realized
+the hopelessness of their flight.</p>
+
+<p>For even if they succeeded in shaking off their pursuers the whole
+country was alarmed and hunting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> for them. And they had no food and no
+one to guide them.</p>
+
+<p>But the present evil was great enough, for the furious Spaniards were
+hot on the trail.</p>
+
+<p>"Surrender! Surrender!" Clif heard the officer shouting a short way
+back.</p>
+
+<p>The chase would have ended in no time had it not been for the woods,
+which kept the fugitives out of sight so that they could not be shot.</p>
+
+<p>But that was a protection that would not last forever. Clif gave a
+sudden gasp as he saw a clearing ahead of them.</p>
+
+<p>But it was only a small one, and the Americans sped across it at the
+very top of their speed. They hoped to reach the woods before their foes
+sighted them.</p>
+
+<p>And they did. Then suddenly a new idea flashed over Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop a minute!" he cried. "Ready!"</p>
+
+<p>The sailors saw him draw his revolver, and they knew what it meant. They
+crouched in the bushes, waiting.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll show them it isn't all play," Clif whispered.</p>
+
+<p>And, a second later, half a dozen Spaniards dashed out of the woods.</p>
+
+<p>"Fire!" roared Clif.</p>
+
+<p>There was a quick volley, and then instantly the fugitives sprang up
+again and sped on. They left several of their enemies lying on the
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>That unexpected move had evidently disconcerted the pursuers, who hadn't
+looked for a reception of that kind.</p>
+
+<p>They were not heard on the trail again for fully a minute, while the
+Americans made the best possible use of their time. But the pursuers did
+not mean to give up as easily as that, and they soon set out once more,
+firing away as if a whole army were in sight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Their little success raised the spirits of the gallant tars
+considerably; they seemed to forget they were in the enemy's country.</p>
+
+<p>And they chuckled gleefully to themselves as they raced on through the
+woods; they were a pretty small army of invasion, but they had lots of
+courage.</p>
+
+<p>But there is a limit to what courage can do, and the unfortunate sailors
+soon learned it.</p>
+
+<p>They came to a second clearing, a broad savanna this time.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to run for our very lives," gasped Clif.</p>
+
+<p>For if they failed to reach shelter before the Spaniards came up the
+former situation would be just reversed and the Spaniards could hide and
+fire in safety.</p>
+
+<p>And so the men set out at breakneck speed, as if they were in a hundred
+yard's dash.</p>
+
+<p>"I think we can make it," thought Clif. "They seem to be a long ways
+behind."</p>
+
+<p>The shouts of the enemy indicated it; Clif's volley had seemed to
+deprive them of their former confidence and rashness.</p>
+
+<p>But unfortunately, they were not the only Spaniards in Cuba. The firing
+had not failed to attract attention.</p>
+
+<p>The Americans had reached about the centre of the broad plain. There was
+high grass and cane upon it, and that made even walking hard. But the
+men still plunged on bravely, though they were gasping for breath.</p>
+
+<p>But then something happened that made them gasp still more.</p>
+
+<p>For the shouts of the enemy in the rear were suddenly answered.</p>
+
+<p>And the answer came from in front.</p>
+
+<p>The sailors halted and stared at each other in consternation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Do you see anything?" cried Clif.</p>
+
+<p>All that could be made out was a line of bushes and undergrowth, marking
+the beginning of the woods.</p>
+
+<p>But out of it came a confused babel of shouts, as if a whole army were
+there and had been suddenly alarmed.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll head us off!" gasped the sailor.</p>
+
+<p>But they stood still for only a second; now was no time to delay.</p>
+
+<p>The pursuers in the rear were drawing closer every instant.</p>
+
+<p>There was only one thing left. They were shut off in two directions, but
+off to each side&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Come!" gasped Clif.</p>
+
+<p>And the sailors whirled about and followed him in the new direction. It
+was a hopeless hope, but it was not yet time to give up.</p>
+
+<p>And so for perhaps a hundred yards they raced on. They had heard a shout
+behind them, and saw the Spaniards running out from the woods, both in
+front and behind.</p>
+
+<p>"Turn and fight them!" shouted Clif.</p>
+
+<p>Like wild animals at bay the sailors faced about and jerked out their
+revolvers again. They were on the point of opening fire, when suddenly,
+as if they were not in trouble enough, there came a new development.</p>
+
+<p>There was a yell behind them, and a crashing sound. Out upon the broad
+savanna galloped a whole troop of Spanish cavalry, their carbines in
+their hands.</p>
+
+<p>And at their head rode a brightly uniformed captain waving his sword and
+galloping down upon the fugitives.</p>
+
+<p>"Surrender!" he yelled. "Lay down your arms."</p>
+
+<p>And that was the last straw; the sailors looked at Clif, and Clif looked
+at the sailors. The troopers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> were not a hundred yards away, and there
+were fifty of them.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess we may as well give up," said Clif, grimly. "We've done our
+best, I think."</p>
+
+<p>And he turned toward the galloping men, dropped his sword and revolver,
+and then folded his arms.</p>
+
+<p>"We surrender," he called. "Come on."</p>
+
+<p>And a minute later the gallant five were surrounded by the cavalrymen,
+who stared at them eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?" demanded the gruff captain.</p>
+
+<p>"An officer in the United States Navy," said Clif, promptly. "From the
+gunboat Uncas."</p>
+
+<p>"And what are you doing here?"</p>
+
+<p>"We were wrecked on the coast last night. We surrender, and we expect to
+be decently treated."</p>
+
+<p>"You are prisoners of war," was the officer's stern response, "and you
+will be treated as such. Forward, march!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE FIRST PRISONERS OF WAR.</h3>
+
+<p>The command had hardly been obeyed when out from the brush at the
+further side of the savanna came the pursuing Spaniards and with them
+Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>The latter made straight for Clif with an upraised dagger, and would
+have killed the cadet then and there if the commander of the troop had
+not prevented him forcibly.</p>
+
+<p>"You fool!" he said, "don't you know the orders?"</p>
+
+<p>"What orders?"</p>
+
+<p>"From Blanco. Prisoners are to be brought to Havana. If you want to kill
+him, wait till you get him there."</p>
+
+<p>And so the furious Ignacio was compelled to leave his enemy alone. He
+now rode along behind the troopers, muttering curses under his breath.</p>
+
+<p>But he knew that his time would come later; moreover he had not so very
+long to wait, for the capture had been made quite near to Havana.</p>
+
+<p>The country through which they were riding was broad and flat, rising
+gradually to the blue hills at the southward. All about them it seemed
+as if the land had once been under cultivation; but now it was overgrown
+with rank vegetation.</p>
+
+<p>In the distance could be seen the buildings of a little town, for which
+they were heading.</p>
+
+<p>The Spanish cavalrymen rode along merrily, their accoutrements jingling.
+They were a dark-skinned, black-haired lot, and most of them were small,
+and not very sturdily built. The Americans had heard it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> said that they
+didn't get enough to eat, and they looked it.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoners were mounted upon spare horses, and were kept well in the
+middle of the group. Their hands were tied behind them, and one of their
+captors had hold of the bridles of their mounts.</p>
+
+<p>Clif's was a jaded old nag, and kept stumbling and stopping, making the
+task of riding a difficult one, but he did not notice it very much, for
+he was busily thinking.</p>
+
+<p>His present situation was indeed a discouraging one, and he felt its
+degradation keenly. It was not that his conscience troubled him, for he
+knew that he had done all that could be expected of him.</p>
+
+<p>But he was a prisoner for all that, and he had before him all the
+horrors of which he had heard so much.</p>
+
+<p>Still there was no chance of escape, and he could only bow to the
+inevitable; but he could not help feeling a thrill of apprehension as he
+glanced behind him and saw the malignant Ignacio gazing at him.</p>
+
+<p>But Ignacio bided his time, and said nothing. Meanwhile, the troopers
+trotted on.</p>
+
+<p>In about fifteen minutes the little town drew near. Clif did not know
+the name of it, for he had no idea where he had run ashore on the
+previous night. But he did not think he was far from Havana.</p>
+
+<p>The arrival of the soldiers created intense excitement in the town. Men
+and women and children and barking dogs rushed out to see them pass.</p>
+
+<p>And when it was discovered that five Yankees had been captured the
+cavalrymen received an ovation. But they made straight on to their
+destination; what it was Clif had no trouble in guessing.</p>
+
+<p>There was a railroad station in the town, and there the troopers came to
+a halt. Most of them dismounted from their horses to rest, and the
+captain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> hurried off to attend to the task of getting a train to take
+those prisoners to the capital.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile a great crowd gathered about the little station; most of them
+were ugly-looking, ragged men, and they crowded around the prisoners and
+stared at them curiously.</p>
+
+<p>There were looks of hatred upon their unpleasant faces, and their
+remarks it may be believed were not complimentary.</p>
+
+<p>"The Yankee pigs have met their match at last," snarled one
+tobacco-stained peon, who had forced his way up close to Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"And they'll go to Havana as they wanted to," put in another, with a
+leer. "They were boasting they'd get there."</p>
+
+<p>There were some grins at that sally, which encouraged the Spaniard to go
+on.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you like it?" he inquired. "Santa Maria, couldn't you have run
+fast enough?"</p>
+
+<p>"They won't run any more," snarled another. "They'll be put where
+they're safe."</p>
+
+<p>An old woman with a haggard, savage-looking face and a heavy stick shook
+the latter in the Americans' faces, as she cursed them in her shrill,
+Spanish jargon.</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly came a loud cry from the outskirts of the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>"Stone the pigs! Kill 'em! Don't let them get away!"</p>
+
+<p>Clif could not see the man who yelled that, but he knew the voice, and
+realized that Ignacio was getting in his fine work again.</p>
+
+<p>And he seemed likely to be successful, too, for the cry appeared to
+please the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes, kill 'em!" swelled the muttering shout.</p>
+
+<p>And a moment later some one, perhaps Ignacio himself, flung a heavy
+stone at the Americans.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It sailed over the heads of the mob, and struck one of the sailors a
+glancing blow on the forehead.</p>
+
+<p>It made an ugly wound, and blood flowed.</p>
+
+<p>The sight seemed to please the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>"Por dios!" they laughed. "Good for them! Keep it up!"</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the sight of blood enraged them; but at any rate, their
+hostility became more evident. They shook their fists and muttered
+savagely.</p>
+
+<p>And all the while Ignacio's voice chimed in.</p>
+
+<p>"Kill 'em! Kill 'em!"</p>
+
+<p>The prisoners seemed about to have a very unpleasant experience indeed.
+There was no one to restrain the crowd except the soldiers and they
+sympathized with the angry people.</p>
+
+<p>And the crowd seemed to know that; they surged nearer.</p>
+
+<p>"A prison's too good for them!" they roared.</p>
+
+<p>The old hag was still shaking her cane and yelling her maledictions. At
+that moment a man snatched the stick from her hand and aimed a blow at
+Clif's face.</p>
+
+<p>The cadet's hands were tied behind him, and he was nearly helpless. But
+he managed to turn and catch the blow upon his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>And an instant later his foot shot out and caught the enraged Spaniard
+squarely in the stomach.</p>
+
+<p>The man staggered back.</p>
+
+<p>"Madre di dios!" he gasped. "He's killed me."</p>
+
+<p>Clif's daring action set the crowd in a perfect frenzy.</p>
+
+<p>"Stone 'em!" yelled Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>And seemingly all at once they sprang at the prisoners with sticks and
+stones and knives and fists.</p>
+
+<p>The soldiers made a feeble effort to stop them, but the crowd saw them
+laughing as they did so.</p>
+
+<p>"Nobody cares about the Yankee pigs!" the crowd roared. "Go for them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It would have gone hard with the Americans just then had it not been for
+the fact that the captain reappeared. He had no love to waste on them,
+but he knew his duty.</p>
+
+<p>And he sprang forward with a stern command:</p>
+
+<p>"Drive that crowd back! Quick!"</p>
+
+<p>And then the cavalrymen acted in a quite different manner. The angry mob
+was forced away, in spite of their protests. The sailors breathed
+somewhat more freely.</p>
+
+<p>Still it was to their relief when they saw an engine and a single
+freight car coming up the track. They knew that was for them and that
+they would soon be out of the reach of that mob.</p>
+
+<p>"But not of Ignacio!" Clif groaned. "Not of Ignacio."</p>
+
+<p>The "private car" intended for the strangers came to a stop in front of
+the little station, and they were told to dismount from the horses and
+enter.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd gave a parting jeer as they lost sight of them. Once inside
+the sailors were gruffly ordered to sit down, and their feet were tied
+securely.</p>
+
+<p>A sergeant and three men were detailed to mount guard over them, and
+then everything was ready for the start.</p>
+
+<p>Clif watched anxiously for one thing; he had an idea that his deadly
+enemy might not succeed in following them the rest of the journey.</p>
+
+<p>But in that he soon saw that he was mistaken. Ignacio had no idea of
+being foiled in his vengeance. Just before the door of the car was shut
+his small, crouching figure entered.</p>
+
+<p>He stopped just long enough to clinch his fist and shake it at Clif; and
+then he retired into a corner to snarl angrily to himself.</p>
+
+<p>A few moments later there was a creaking of wheels and the "train" had
+started. The roar of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> crowd died away and was succeeded by the sound
+of the rapid motion.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoners were on their way to Havana.</p>
+
+<p>"And I wish there'd be a wreck and end us before we got there," mused
+Clif.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>IGNACIO'S PLOTS.</h3>
+
+<p>For Clif Faraday had not failed to learn something of what a prisoner
+might expect in Havana. A classmate of his, Vic Rollins, had spent a
+couple of months there and had emerged almost a physical wreck.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif could not tell how long he might have to remain. The war had
+already been going on long enough for him to see that it would last some
+time.</p>
+
+<p>And the amount of cruelty and starvation he had before him was enough to
+make the cadet tremble.</p>
+
+<p>He knew that the severest privation would fall to his lot.</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio could be trusted to see to that.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think they'll dare to let him kill me," the American muttered.
+"But he'll probably get his satisfaction somehow."</p>
+
+<p>At any rate, it was plain that the vengeful Spaniard meant to try. He
+soon set to work.</p>
+
+<p>That Clif understood Spanish he was well aware. But he did not seem to
+mind it.</p>
+
+<p>For he began a conversation with the sergeant. And he did not take the
+trouble to whisper what he had to say, though one would have thought he
+would not care to have so villainous a plot known to any one.</p>
+
+<p>The officer in charge of the Americans was sitting near them with his
+own sword lying in his lap. And Ignacio crept over to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Jose," said he, "Jose Garcia, listen to me."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Jose, have you been paid your wages for the last six months?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The soldier gazed at Ignacio in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Carramba! What's that to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, Jose, except that you need money, don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>It was evident from the look that came over the Spanish soldier's face
+that the answer he made was sincere.</p>
+
+<p>"Santa Maria!" he cried. "Yes! Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Would you like to make some?"</p>
+
+<p>"How much?"</p>
+
+<p>Slowly Ignacio reached his hand inside of his shirt and pulled out a
+little bag.</p>
+
+<p>He loosened the mouth of it and took the contents out. He spread them
+out on the floor of the car.</p>
+
+<p>"It is American money," he said, "the money of the pigs. But it is good
+money for all that."</p>
+
+<p>"How much is there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! ha! You are interested, are you? Well, well!"</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio's dark eyes glittered as he slowly went over the pile of bills.</p>
+
+<p>"See, sergeant," said he, "here is a hundred-dollar bill. Just think of
+it! Look at it! Think if I should get that bill changed into good
+Spanish gold. The British consul would do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he is a friend of the Yankees."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he would do it for me. And then here is fifty dollars more. Look
+and count it. Think of what you could do with one hundred and fifty
+dollars of the Yankee's money. Think of what it would buy&mdash;food and I
+know not what&mdash;a fine dress for your sweetheart, to take her away from
+that rival of yours. And it is all good money, too."</p>
+
+<p>"How am I to know it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Carramba! Couldn't you take my word. You know me, Jose, and what I do
+for Spain. Do you not know that I am a friend of Blanco's? Hey?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> And you
+know that he trusts me when he trusts nobody else."</p>
+
+<p>"And how did you get that money?"</p>
+
+<p>"How did I get it! Ha! ha! I will tell&mdash;yes, por dios, I will, and those
+Yankee pigs may hear me, too. Ha! ha! There was what they called a
+traitor on the New York, the Yankee's flagship. She isn't much, but she
+is the best they have. One of our little gunboats could whip her, for it
+would be men fighting pigs."</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant's eyes danced.</p>
+
+<p>"And we'll sink her, too," went on Ignacio. "Just wait! I saw her run
+away once from a little gunboat. The Yankees build their boats swifter
+than ours so they can run away. But anyhow, as I said this man was
+working for Spain. And he tried to blow up the flagship."</p>
+
+<p>"Por dios!" cried the sergeant, "like we did the Maine."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly. It would have been another glorious triumph for us. And, Jose
+Garcia, who do you think it was that prevented him?"</p>
+
+<p>The man clinched his fists.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know!" he cried, "but I wish I could get hold of him."</p>
+
+<p>"You do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"What would you do to him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Santa Maria! I'd get him by the throat&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You would?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And I would choke him till he was dead."</p>
+
+<p>"Dead!" echoed Ignacio, with a hoarse cry of triumph.</p>
+
+<p>And then he raised one arm trembling all over with rage and hatred.</p>
+
+<p>"Jose!" he half yelled.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Suppose I should tell you, Jose&mdash;suppose I should tell you that the
+villain is here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. By Heaven, he's here. Jose, that is he!"</p>
+
+<p>And the fellow pointed straight at Clif, while he leaned forward and
+stared into the Spaniard's face, eager to see what the effect of his
+announcement would be.</p>
+
+<p>It must have suited him, for he gave a low laugh, a fiendish chuckle.</p>
+
+<p>Then he went on.</p>
+
+<p>"And not only that, Jose! Think of what else he has done."</p>
+
+<p>"Has he done more?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, por dios, he has. Listen. Jose, we have in our power the worst of
+our country's enemies. Jose, he is a fiend, a perfect devil. He has
+ruined nearly every plan I tried. Do you know if it had not been for
+him&mdash;yes, for him&mdash;I should have stabbed the great pig admiral."</p>
+
+<p>"Carramba!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Not Sampson."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he, the villain who is blockading Havana and destroying our ships.
+I had the knife at his heart, and that Yankee pig prevented me. Do you
+wonder that I hate him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I hate him, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes! For you are a true Spaniard. But about that money, Jose. I got it
+as I say, from this Schwartz. For when this Yankee pig stopped him from
+blowing up the New York he ran away and hid. And he paid me this for
+helping him to Cuba."</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio held up the bills before the hungry eyes of the Spanish
+sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>And when he had given him time to look at it and think of what it meant
+for him, Ignacio suddenly bent forward and got close to him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Jose," he cried, "it's all for you!"</p>
+
+<p>The man stared eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"What for?" he cried.</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you!" said Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>Once more he slipped his hand under his jacket.</p>
+
+<p>"Look," said he.</p>
+
+<p>And he drew out a sharp, gleaming dagger!</p>
+
+<p>He ran his fingers over the edge, hissing as he did so between his
+teeth.</p>
+
+<p>"It is sharp," he muttered. "Ha! ha! sharp! And it will do the work."</p>
+
+<p>"What work?"</p>
+
+<p>"Listen, Jose. There lies the fiend of a Yankee. He is in my power at
+last. He has baffled me, ruined me, but now I have him! Yes, he can't
+get away! Ha! ha! I feel merry. Jose, he is my deadliest enemy; he is
+your enemy, too, the enemy of our glorious country. I hate him&mdash;so must
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"I do!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then listen. I want to take this knife, this nice, sharp knife that I
+have been grinding for him. Ha! ha! Santa Maria, how sharp it is! And I
+will put this money, all this money, into your hands and you will turn
+away so as not to see. And I will take this knife in my hand so. And I
+will creep over toward that fellow&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And kill him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Listen, Jose. You spoil it. He'll scream. He'll turn pale and tremble
+like the coward he is. But he can't get away, Jose, he can't get away!
+I've got him, Jose! And I'll unbutton his jacket, that hated Yankee
+uniform. And I'll take this knife and I'll put it right close to his
+soft, white skin. Then I will press down&mdash;down! And you'll hear him
+scream as it goes in; he'll twist about and shriek, but I will pin him
+to the floor. And then he will lie there, Jose, and we can watch him
+die. Ha, Madre di dios, how I hate him!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard's rage had been such that his face grew fairly purple. And
+he snatched up the knife and started forward toward the cadet.</p>
+
+<p>"How I hate him!" he panted again.</p>
+
+<p>What were the feelings of poor Clif may be imagined; he was perfectly
+helpless and could only lie still and gaze into the eyes of his deadly
+foe.</p>
+
+<p>But there was some one else to stop Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant caught him by the arm.</p>
+
+<p>"So, no!" he cried. "Stop."</p>
+
+<p>"What!" panted Ignacio. "Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"They would punish me."</p>
+
+<p>"But they need not know?"</p>
+
+<p>"The others will tell."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense."</p>
+
+<p>"But they will."</p>
+
+<p>"What? Cannot a knife kill more than one man. Carramba, I will kill all
+five."</p>
+
+<p>"But I was ordered to deliver them alive."</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio was nearly frenzied at those objections.</p>
+
+<p>"Jose" he yelled, "you are mad. We can fix it. I will fix it with
+Blanco. Say they got loose, chewed the ropes, and attacked us. I will
+swear they did, swear it by all the saints. And I hate that Yankee so,
+Jose, that I would cut my own flesh to make the story seem more
+probable. I will say we had a desperate battle&mdash;tell them how you saved
+my life. And you will be promoted. Blanco will believe me, Jose."</p>
+
+<p>But the Spanish soldier shook his head dubiously.</p>
+
+<p>"I dare not," he said. "The captain's last words were to deliver them
+safely."</p>
+
+<p>"But think of the money, Jose! Think of the money!"</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio fairly ground his teeth with rage over the delay; he was like a
+wild man.</p>
+
+<p>"Por dios," he cried, "how can you hesitate? It is the chance of your
+lifetime&mdash;of your lifetime!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The five unfortunate prisoners had not all of them understood those
+words, but they had no doubt of their meaning. And they lay watching
+Ignacio feverishly.</p>
+
+<p>It was as if they had been charmed by a serpent, their eyes followed his
+every motion. They realized that at any moment the cunning villain might
+leap at them.</p>
+
+<p>But the sergeant, though wavering, still shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"The men will tell," he objected.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is another hundred for them!" gasped Ignacio. "It is all I have.
+Por dios, what more?"</p>
+
+<p>There was at least half a minute of agony after that while the man upon
+whom everything depended wrestled with that temptation. It was a great
+one, and Clif felt a cold perspiration breaking out all over him as he
+sat and watched.</p>
+
+<p>But the stolid sergeant was apparently too much of a coward to take the
+risk. He said no, and Clif gave a gasp.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait and see Blanco," he said. "I do not dare to let you do it."</p>
+
+<p>And though Ignacio blustered and swore and pranced about like a mad man,
+the soldier was obdurate.</p>
+
+<p>"The risk is too great," he reiterated. "I dare not."</p>
+
+<p>And so Ignacio once more slunk back into a dark corner of the car and
+fell snarling to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"But I'll have him yet!" Clif heard him hiss. "I'll have him yet. Just
+wait till we get to Havana."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>BESSIE STUART.</h3>
+
+<p>The event to which Ignacio was looking forward with so much pleasure was
+not long in taking place.</p>
+
+<p>The trip by the railroad lasted about half an hour only.</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio would hardly have had more than time to carry out his dastardly
+purpose before the train arrived. The car came slowly to a stop and the
+sergeant got up and opened the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Here we are," said he. "And I am glad."</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio was apparently glad, too, since he had failed in his first plan.
+He sprang up eagerly and watched the removal of the prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant untied the Americans' feet and gruffly ordered them to
+march. With the soldiers before and behind they were led rapidly through
+the streets of Havana.</p>
+
+<p>If the arrival of those prisoners in a small town created excitement,
+one may well imagine that the big capital turned out a crowd to watch
+them; but there was almost no demonstration against them, for the party
+hurried along rapidly. And Ignacio did not try any of his tricks; he
+knew that his chance would soon come, and he waited patiently.</p>
+
+<p>Clif gazed about him as he walked. He was listless and hopeless, but he
+could not help feeling an interest in the city he had heard so much of
+and which he had been so busily helping to blockade.</p>
+
+<p>But he had little chance to look about. He was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> marching down a long
+street crowded with Spaniards of all sizes and shades. And then suddenly
+before a dark, heavy-looking building, the guards came to a halt.</p>
+
+<p>There was a heavy iron door in front of it that opened slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"March in," said the sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>And the prisoners, with bayonets at their backs, were forced up the
+steps and into the building.</p>
+
+<p>The door shut again with a dull iron clang that sounded like a death
+knell to Clif.</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio entered, too. He seemed to have the privilege of going where he
+chose; the sentries who were guarding that door asked him no questions.</p>
+
+<p>It was apparently some sort of a military jail to which they had been
+taken. Down a long stone corridor they were marched, and then halted in
+front of a door.</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant entered, and Ignacio after him. The rest waited outside.</p>
+
+<p>It must have been at least fifteen minutes before anything more
+occurred. Then the sergeant came out, and ordered the prisoners to
+enter.</p>
+
+<p>Clif, as the officer, entered first, and he found himself facing a tall,
+military looking Spaniard with a resplendent uniform and an air of
+authority. Who he was Clif had no idea, but he was evidently in command
+of the place.</p>
+
+<p>He was a dark, savage-looking man, and his brows were drawn down as he
+frowned upon the prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif was not surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"He's had Ignacio to tell him about us," he thought to himself.</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio was standing just behind the officer. There was a grin on his
+face and a look of delight; he rubbed his hands gleefully as he watched
+what transpired.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Spanish officer glared at his prisoners sternly. Clif's bearing was
+quiet and dignified.</p>
+
+<p>"So you are the officer who commanded the Yankee pigs?" growled the man.</p>
+
+<p>"I am an American naval cadet," was the response.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard said nothing more for a moment, but continued his piercing
+look.</p>
+
+<p>"You put on a bold front," he said at last. "You must have looked
+differently when you were running away."</p>
+
+<p>The remark required no answer, and got none. Clif did not mean to bandy
+words with the officer; if he wanted to taunt him he was welcome to do
+so.</p>
+
+<p>"We treat our prisoners more politely," he thought, "but I suppose this
+is the Spanish way."</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the officer went on.</p>
+
+<p>"You will be less impudent later on," he snarled, "when you learn what
+is in store for you. You've no idea, I presume."</p>
+
+<p>"I understood that I was a prisoner of war," was the American's quiet
+answer. "And I understood that Spain considered itself a civilized
+nation."</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard laughed softly.</p>
+
+<p>"A prisoner of war," he chuckled. "So you really expect to be treated as
+such&mdash;and after what you have done!"</p>
+
+<p>"What have I done?" asked Clif.</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio's eyes began to dance at that; for the officer turned toward
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"This gentleman," said the officer, "is one of our trusted agents. And I
+have learned from him of your villainy."</p>
+
+<p>Clif was not in the least surprised at that. It was just what he had
+looked for.</p>
+
+<p>"I should be pleased to learn also, if I may, what has this trusted
+agent told you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As he said that, he turned toward the grinning Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>But it was the officer who continued speaking.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you wish to deny everything," said he. "But I assure you it
+will do not the least good in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"I presume not," escaped Clif's lips.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard frowned angrily, but he went on without a change of tone.</p>
+
+<p>"You were captured, if I understand it truly, from a merchantman which
+you ran upon the rocks in order to prevent one of our vessels from
+recapturing her?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," Clif said.</p>
+
+<p>"And you must have thought it quite a smart trick! But according to this
+man here, you previously had some fighting with our vessel. Would you
+mind telling me about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I would not," said Clif. "We were steaming toward Key West, myself and
+these four men being a prize crew from the gunboat Uncas. We were hailed
+from the darkness by another vessel&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! And what was the name of the vessel?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you not ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did. But she answered falsely. She pretended to be an American
+vessel&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard gave a sneer.</p>
+
+<p>"So that is the yarn you mean to tell," he laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"That is what occurred," said Clif, quickly. "If you have heard
+otherwise you have been told a lie. And my men will bear me out in the
+statement."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! I do not doubt it."</p>
+
+<p>There was fine sarcasm in that tone; but Clif did not heed it.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you mind telling me what this fellow Ignacio has said?" he
+inquired.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He says," responded the other, "that the vessel announced herself as a
+Spaniard, and called on you to surrender. You did so; and then when the
+boat's crew came aboard you shot two of them and steamed away. Is that
+so, Ignacio?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is," snarled the "agent." "I will take my oath upon it."</p>
+
+<p>It was of course a lie; and it made Clif's blood boil. The Spanish
+vessel had deceived them and tried to capture them by stealth. The men
+of the Spanish boat's crew had been shot while trying to hold up the
+American.</p>
+
+<p>But Clif had expected that Ignacio would tell such a tale, and so he was
+not surprised. The offense with which the lad found himself charged was
+a terrible one, and he realized that he could be hanged for it.</p>
+
+<p>Yet what was he to do?</p>
+
+<p>"I fear," he said to the Spaniard, "that it will do me little good to
+deny this story."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," said the other, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>And his cruel eyes gleamed as he watched the prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you deny the shooting?" he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Clif, "I do not."</p>
+
+<p>"You find it easier to say that the men pretended to be Americans."</p>
+
+<p>"I find it easier because it is truer," was the cadet's answer.</p>
+
+<p>And then there were several moments of silence while the three actors of
+this little drama watched each other eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio was fairly beside himself with triumph. He could scarcely keep
+himself quiet, and under his bushy eyebrows, his dark eyes gleamed
+triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>He had played his trump card. And he had his victim where he wanted him
+at last. To watch him under the torture of his present position was
+almost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> as good as to watch him under the torture of the knife.</p>
+
+<p>For what could he do? He might bluster and protest (all to Ignacio's
+glee) but nobody would believe him.</p>
+
+<p>For Ignacio knew that the Spanish officer was glad enough to believe the
+story the spy told him. His prejudice and his hatred of Americans would
+turn the scale.</p>
+
+<p>And it would be fine to punish a Yankee pig for such a crime as this.</p>
+
+<p>As for Clif, he was filled with a kind of dull despair; he knew the odds
+against him, and realized that his struggles would be those of a caged
+animal. He had done nothing but his duty and the law of nations would
+have justified him. But Ignacio's lie upon that one small point (of what
+the Spanish gunboat had done) was enough to make him liable to death.</p>
+
+<p>The officer seemed to realize the smallness of difference, for he turned
+to Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you perfectly sure," he demanded, "that you heard our vessel
+announce her identity?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am, senor."</p>
+
+<p>"And what was her name?"</p>
+
+<p>Clif's eyes brightened at that; he thought Ignacio would be caught
+there.</p>
+
+<p>But the cunning fellow was prepared, and answered instantly.</p>
+
+<p>"The Regina."</p>
+
+<p>He had chosen the name of a Spanish gunboat he knew to be at sea; and
+the ruse worked.</p>
+
+<p>"What more can you expect?" demanded the officer of Clif.</p>
+
+<p>And then the cadet looked up to make the last effort for his life.</p>
+
+<p>"As I have told you," he said, "this fellow's story is false. And now I
+will tell you why he has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> done it. He has long been an enemy of mine,
+and he is making an effort to ruin me. I foiled him&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"If you are going to tell me about that attempt of his to kill your
+Yankee admiral," interrupted the officer, "I know it already."</p>
+
+<p>And Ignacio gave a chuckle of glee.</p>
+
+<p>"In fact," the officer added, "I have learned of all your adventures,
+young man. And I have no doubt you consider yourself quite a hero after
+what you have done against Spain. But you will live to regret it, I
+think."</p>
+
+<p>And Clif saw that he had nothing to gain by pursuing that tack any
+further; he was silent, for he knew nothing more to do. The Spaniard
+went on:</p>
+
+<p>"I know also of another affair of yours," he added. "It seems that your
+pig government sent a naval officer over to see that bandit robber
+Gomez. And our friend here, Ignacio, was leading him into our camp. I
+believe that was it, was it not, Ignacio?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was, senor, and this Yankee here met us&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And wounded you and rescued the officer, with the aid of some of the
+robber's men, and that girl you told me about."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," said Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>"What was her name?" the other continued. "Stuart, I think. We will soon
+manage to stop her tricks, I fancy."</p>
+
+<p>Clif had been listening to their conversation without any particular
+interest. But suddenly as he heard that last speech his face flushed
+crimson and he half staggered back.</p>
+
+<p>"Bessie Stuart!" he gasped, under his breath.</p>
+
+<p>The Spanish officer was looking at him and he laughed as he saw the
+American's thunderstruck expression.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! ha!" he chuckled, "so you are interested in her, are you? A
+sweetheart, perhaps, hey?"</p>
+
+<p>Clif did not answer that; he was staring at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> man in horror. Stop
+her! What in the world could he mean? What could he know about Bessie
+Stuart?</p>
+
+<p>The girl was a dear friend of Clif's who had come to Cuba to hunt for a
+relative of hers.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had left her under the protection of Gomez; and that was the last
+he had heard of her.</p>
+
+<p>And here was the brutal Spaniard mentioning her. How had he and how had
+the villainous Ignacio learned about her?</p>
+
+<p>It was small wonder that Clif started back; Bessie Stuart was the
+dearest friend he had.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the Spaniard was leering at him.</p>
+
+<p>"The Yankee pig seems worried," he said. "If that girl is his
+sweetheart, he did not do wisely to leave her with the bandit Gomez. Did
+he, Ignacio?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, senor," was that person's grinning response.</p>
+
+<p>"For she will soon be somebody else's sweetheart," chuckled the other.</p>
+
+<p>That was too much. Clif had held himself back, for he did not wish those
+cruel men to know he could torment him.</p>
+
+<p>But at that last remark he could no longer restrain his anxiety. He
+sprang toward the Spanish captain with a pleading look on his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me!" he cried. "Tell me&mdash;where is she?"</p>
+
+<p>The other's lip curled sneeringly as he stared at him.</p>
+
+<p>"You are very much interested," said he. "Well, to be sure, the girl is
+pretty&mdash;pretty as I ever saw, unfortunately for her. But you may see her
+again. I expect&mdash;she is likely to be in the same prison with you."</p>
+
+<p>Every drop of blood left Clif's face at those terrible words. Bessie
+Stuart in prison!</p>
+
+<p>"Merciful providence!" he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>And then once more he sprang toward the Spaniard, a look on his face, a
+look of agony that would have touched a heart of stone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"For Heaven's sake, sir," he gasped, "tell me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Tell you what?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is she in Havana?"</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard laughed softly.</p>
+
+<p>Then he nodded toward Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>"Ask him," he said. "He keeps track of such people for us. She has been
+here some time now; and people who get into our prisons don't&mdash;ha! ha!
+they don't get out in a hurry, do them, Ignacio?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, senor."</p>
+
+<p>"And then she is very pretty, too," added the officer, with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>To the agony those remarks were raising in the mind of poor Clif those
+two brutal men seemed quite insensible. Or perhaps they were teasing
+him.</p>
+
+<p>But if so, the officer had enough then, for he turned upon his heel
+impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Enough of this nonsense," he said. "You need not worry about your
+sweetheart, for you will probably be dead by to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>And the man turned to the soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>"Those four prisoners," he said, pointing to the sailors, "will be kept
+here for the present. They will probably be exchanged in a few days. We
+do not blame them for the crime this officer here committed. As for him,
+he will probably be sent over to Morro Castle to-night."</p>
+
+<p>And then the file of soldiers closed about the dazed cadet and led him
+out of the room. He was scarcely able to walk by himself.</p>
+
+<p>The last sound that he heard as he left the room was the fiendish
+chuckle of the triumphant Ignacio.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<h3>IN MORRO CASTLE.</h3>
+
+<p>That certainly was a day of triumph for the vindictive Spaniard. Not
+only Clif Faraday was made wretched, but there was his friend, too, and
+each a thousand times more unhappy because of the misfortune of the
+other.</p>
+
+<p>Clif as he went out of that room was almost dazed; he could think of
+nothing. He scarcely heard the sailors sadly bidding him good-by.</p>
+
+<p>Nor did he notice anything else until he heard the clang of a door
+behind him, he realized then from the darkness and silence about him
+that he was alone in one of the cells of the prison.</p>
+
+<p>It was not for himself that the poor cadet feared. He could have marched
+out without flinching and faced a dozen rifles aimed at his heart.</p>
+
+<p>But it was for Bessie Stuart, fallen into the hands of these brutal men.
+The fate that was before her was enough to make Clif wish her dead.</p>
+
+<p>He racked his brains trying to think of how she could have come to
+Havana; could she have been captured in a battle? And what had Ignacio
+to do with it?</p>
+
+<p>But poor Clif knew nothing, and could think of nothing except that she
+was here, and he powerless to aid her.</p>
+
+<p>His own fate was terrible enough, though he hardly thought of that.</p>
+
+<p>He was to be sent at night to Morro.</p>
+
+<p>Many indeed were the unfortunates who had gone to take that sea trip in
+the darkness and never come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> back&mdash;and sometimes not reached their
+destination either. It was a terrible journey, that short ride across
+Havana Bay.</p>
+
+<p>But the cadet did not even stop to realize that. He had but one thought,
+and that he kept repeating over and over to himself in a state of
+confusion and despair. He never moved from his one position on the
+floor; and the hours flew by unheeded.</p>
+
+<p>Once and once only the heavy door of the cell was opened and that by a
+man who shoved in a pitcher of water and a dish of food. He must have
+thought the prisoner asleep.</p>
+
+<p>And as a fact, Clif was half unconscious; he was too dazed to think of
+anything. He had no hope and no chance of life, and nothing to think of
+except that Bessie Stuart was captured and he could not aid her.</p>
+
+<p>So the long day wore by; it was as a man waking from a deep sleep that
+the wretched American looked up when the door of that cell was opened
+again. He found that the hours had flown by, and that the time for the
+trip to Morro had come.</p>
+
+<p>If Clif had cared about anything then he would have shivered with horror
+at that moment, for it was surely gruesome and uncanny enough.</p>
+
+<p>Three men there were, dark, silent, shadowy figures who entered the damp
+cell. The only light they had was from a dark lantern, which they
+flashed upon the solitary prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>They found him still lying on the floor, but he raised up to look at
+them, his haggard, tortured face shining white in the rays of the
+lantern.</p>
+
+<p>"Get up," commanded one of the men, in a low, muffled voice. "Get up."</p>
+
+<p>The face of the speaker was shrouded in darkness, but Clif recognized
+the voice, and a cold chill shot over him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ignacio again!" he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>Yes. And Clif thought that this was the last&mdash;that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> Ignacio had gained
+his purpose. The task of murder was left to him.</p>
+
+<p>But there was no chance of resistance. Clif felt the cold muzzle of a
+revolver pressed to his head, and so he put the thought away.</p>
+
+<p>One of the men snapped a pair of handcuffs about his wrists, as if to
+make sure of him in case the ropes were not strong enough. And then one
+of them seized him by each arm and Ignacio stepped behind with the
+lantern.</p>
+
+<p>And so out of the cell they marched and down the long corridor and out
+of the building into the open air.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had chance for but one deep breath of it. A moment later he was
+shoved into a wagon that was in front of the door.</p>
+
+<p>There he was seated between one of the men and the chuckling Ignacio.
+The other man was driving and they rattled off down the street.</p>
+
+<p>Where they were going the unfortunate victim had no idea. Perhaps to
+some lonely spot where Ignacio could torture him to his fiendish heart's
+content! But there was no use in making an outcry.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif realized it and sat perfectly silent. He would give his enemies
+no more satisfaction than he could help.</p>
+
+<p>Clif did not think that it could be the trip to Morro that was before
+him; it was too early for such a deed of darkness. If he were dropped
+overboard upon the way some one might see it.</p>
+
+<p>But as it actually happened, Morro was his destination. And he really
+reached Morro, too. Perhaps the city jail was not considered strong
+enough for such a villain as he.</p>
+
+<p>And the carriage stopped at a wharf. A small launch was waiting there,
+and the party boarded her and were swept across to the other side in a
+very short while.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So in a short while the walls of Havana's strongest dungeon shut upon
+Clif Faraday. He was a prisoner in Morro, famous or infamous, for its
+deeds of horror.</p>
+
+<p>For it was in this place, as Clif knew, that all the torture and cruelty
+of the Spanish nature had been wreaked upon the unfortunate Cubans or
+Americans who fell into the hands of Weyler. It was here that Ruiz had
+been murdered, and hundreds of wretches besides&mdash;their name and fate
+being hidden forever by the walls of that horrible place.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif was going then under the guidance of Ignacio. It was plain that
+the fiendish man had secured his purpose, for he was in command of the
+little party. And it was his to decide what was to be done with Clif.</p>
+
+<p>How the man had secured that privilege from the authorities Clif could
+not hope to know. That he had gotten it as a reward for some deed of
+darkness he did not doubt.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps it was for capturing Bessie Stuart, was the thought that flashed
+over the lad.</p>
+
+<p>Again when the black, silent walls of Morro loomed up before them and
+the great gate opened nobody asked any questions of Ignacio. He showed a
+note, and it passed him from sentry to sentry; and the party passed down
+a flight of stairs into a cold, damp, stone corridor black as night.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Clif could not help but think of his own fate then. Ignacio's
+cruelty and hatred were such that no torture would be terrible enough
+for him. And he seemed to have his prisoner entirely to his own
+discretion.</p>
+
+<p>The great vault through which they were going echoed dimly to the
+footsteps of the party. They seemed to be down in a sort of a cellar,
+and they were winding their way through secret passages in almost
+absolute darkness.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But Ignacio knew the way&mdash;probably the fellow had been in those gloomy
+dungeons before.</p>
+
+<p>He stopped suddenly and flashed the lantern upon a rusty iron door. It
+was solid and heavy, but Ignacio took a key from his pocket and unlocked
+it.</p>
+
+<p>It swung back, creaking dismally upon its hinges. And Ignacio flashed
+the light of his lantern in.</p>
+
+<p>He staggered back quite white with fright as he did so. For there was a
+series of thumping, shuffling sounds, and a shrill noise that made his
+blood run cold.</p>
+
+<p>But in a moment he again stepped forward, laughing under his breath.</p>
+
+<p>"Por dios!" he exclaimed. "The rats! They must be hungry!"</p>
+
+<p>And he stepped into the room. His foot splashed into a small puddle of
+water on the reeking, earthen floor. But he pressed on, flashing his
+lantern about the granite walls.</p>
+
+<p>It was a tiny black cavern into which he had come.</p>
+
+<p>There was a stone bench at one side of the horrible place, and in the
+wall by it a heavy ring and a thick iron chain.</p>
+
+<p>It was but a minute more before Clif's ankles were locked firmly in the
+ring, and then he was utterly helpless.</p>
+
+<p>For but a moment Ignacio stood looking at him, flashing the lantern full
+in his face. And then he turned and motioned to the two men.</p>
+
+<p>Without a word they faced about and stole away. They went out of the
+door, and Ignacio, trembling all over with his fiendish eagerness, shut
+the great iron barrier and locked it.</p>
+
+<p>And then with a hoarse cry of rage he faced about.</p>
+
+<p>Clif Faraday was alone with his deadly and merciless foe!</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+<h3>IN THE DUNGEON VAULTS.</h3>
+
+<p>Ignacio was a horrible object to contemplate at that moment, and it was
+but little wonder that Clif turned sick and faint as he watched him.</p>
+
+<p>The man seemed fairly turned into a devil then. He seemed insane. He was
+alone, absolutely alone, with his victim. And no one under heaven could
+stop him. He had the key himself! And he had his prisoner iron-bound and
+helpless!</p>
+
+<p>For several moments the man fairly danced about the place, yelling as if
+to prove to his hated foe that there was no care for anything any more.</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly he made a leap at him.</p>
+
+<p>He crouched in front of him until his gleaming eyes shone into his face,
+and his hot breath could be felt. His claw-like fingers he seemed
+scarcely able to keep away from Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"Yankee!" he hissed, in a wild voice. "Yankee, do you know where you
+are?"</p>
+
+<p>The fiendish man saw the white look on his victim's face; and he
+laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"You do know!" he cried. "You do know! Ha! ha! You are in Morro, deep in
+the lowest vault! And no soul can come near you&mdash;near you&mdash;hear me?"</p>
+
+<p>He struck him in the face as if to draw his attention.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen; yes, stare at me! I don't wonder you quake. You have defied
+me&mdash;ha, ha! You have ruined all my plans, but I've got you now. And, oh,
+how I will pay you back, how I will twist you and tear you! You shall
+pay for everything. And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> you may shriek and scream and no one will know
+it more than if you did not. Listen!"</p>
+
+<p>And again from sheer bravado Ignacio raised his voice and shouted. The
+sound died in the grave-like cell&mdash;the granite and the iron shut it in.</p>
+
+<p>"You see!" panted Ignacio. "Not a soul heard! And you are mine. Ah, they
+hate you and they like me, for I told them about that girl. Ha, ha! You
+wince!"</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio's face was almost touching Clif's as he hissed that.</p>
+
+<p>"You can't get away!" he yelled. "And, oh, the things that I shall do to
+you! I've got instruments up stairs to tear you to pieces, burn your
+eyes out&mdash;but never kill you, oh, no! And all night you will scream, and
+all to-morrow, if I choose. And I will watch you&mdash;I and the rats. And
+the rats will eat you, too!"</p>
+
+<p>As if to add horror to the devil's gleeful statement, a huge slimy rat
+ran across Clif's body just then; it made him shiver all over.</p>
+
+<p>And Ignacio danced about as he saw him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, ha!" he cried. "You begin! But wait till I start&mdash;wait till you
+begin to feel some agony&mdash;till I begin to tear your eyes out! Then will
+you yell? When I get through with you&mdash;ha, ha!&mdash;when you are dead,
+perhaps weeks from now, you won't mind the rats any more! You may stay
+in here in this grave for the Yankees to find if they capture Morro as
+they say they will. Oh, I will make it a sight for them!"</p>
+
+<p>Clif could not have stood the strain of that horrible ordeal much
+longer; he would have fainted away.</p>
+
+<p>But then the fiendish Spaniard's impatience got the better of him. And
+he turned and crept toward the door again.</p>
+
+<p>"I will get the instruments," he whispered,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> hoarsely. "The torture
+instruments. Santa Maria, what things they are! And how you will
+shriek!"</p>
+
+<p>A moment later he turned the key and stepped out. He shut the door and
+locked it. And Clif was left alone in all the blackness and horror of
+that slimy place.</p>
+
+<p>Never as long as he lives will he forget the agony of that long wait. He
+sat straining his ears and listening for the first sign of the fiend's
+return. He knew that he might come back any instant and begin his
+horrible, merciless tormenting.</p>
+
+<p>Clif knew that man for a devil incarnate. He would sooner have looked
+for mercy in a hyena.</p>
+
+<p>For Ignacio was of the race of the Inquisition; and of the horrors of
+the Inquisition this was a fair sample.</p>
+
+<p>The wretched American knew that he was alone and that he could look for
+no rescue. He was buried in the very centre of the earth&mdash;or the centre
+of hades.</p>
+
+<p>And his cries would be heard only by Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>Clif knew also that the frenzied villain would make haste, that he would
+come back panting and eager. Appalled, half dazed, he sat and listened.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing he would hear would be the grating of the key; and then
+would come horrors inconceivable.</p>
+
+<p>Seconds were years at that time. Clif thought that his hair would turn
+white from the suspense.</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly he gave a gasp.</p>
+
+<p>There he was!</p>
+
+<p>Yes, the key was sliding in. And now it was turning!</p>
+
+<p>And then slowly the door was opened&mdash;groaning and creaking.</p>
+
+<p>Clif imagined the dark, crouching figure. He had left the lantern behind
+while these deeds of darkness went on.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The tomb-like cell was absolutely black, and Clif could not see one
+thing. But he heard the door shut, heard the key turned. He shivered as
+in an ague fit.</p>
+
+<p>Above the noise of the scampering rats he heard a soft, stealthy
+footstep as the man crept across the floor.</p>
+
+<p>And then came the scratching sound of a hand running along the wall. He
+was feeling for him!</p>
+
+<p>And a moment later Clif gave an involuntary cry as he felt the hand
+touch his face.</p>
+
+<p>Perfectly motionless and paralyzed he sat and fancied what might be
+going on in the blackness after that. He felt, the hand pass downward
+along his body, felt it fumbling at the manacles that bound his ankles
+to the wall of the cell.</p>
+
+<p>Then to his surprise, his consternation, he heard a key softly turned.</p>
+
+<p>What happened then almost took away his breath.</p>
+
+<p>The iron fell off.</p>
+
+<p>He was loose!</p>
+
+<p>"Can he be going to take me elsewhere?" Clif gasped.</p>
+
+<p>But he nerved himself for one thing; gathered his muscles for it. Before
+Ignacio secured him again he would get a kick, one that would almost
+kill him.</p>
+
+<p>Eagerly Clif waited, to see what would happen next.</p>
+
+<p>But what did happen was more startling and incredible yet; he could
+scarcely believe his senses.</p>
+
+<p>For he felt the hands running down his arm. They fumbled at his wrists
+for an instant.</p>
+
+<p>And then with a clatter the handcuffs dropped to the ground!</p>
+
+<p>"Merciful heavens!" Clif thought to himself. "Can he be insane?"</p>
+
+<p>For a moment he actually thought so; then it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> flashed over him that
+perhaps the fiend was torturing him with the most horrible of all
+tortures&mdash;hope.</p>
+
+<p>"He'll wish he hadn't!" Clif gasped, as he braced his muscles.</p>
+
+<p>But that was not the true solution of the mystery; there were stranger
+things yet stranger and stranger.</p>
+
+<p>The only things that bound Clif now were the ropes that had held his
+wrists at first. He tugged at them, but in vain.</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's silent pause. And then to Clif's unutterable
+consternation he heard another sound, a sound from across the room&mdash;a
+low, grating sound!</p>
+
+<p>It left him breathless.</p>
+
+<p>Some one else was coming into the cell!</p>
+
+<p>And with one rush the true state of affairs swept over Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"This isn't Ignacio!" he panted.</p>
+
+<p>And a moment later he received proof positive of that fact. For again
+the hand stole down his arms and there came a couple of quick slashing
+cuts that hurt his wrists more than the ropes.</p>
+
+<p>But seconds were precious then. In one of them Clif's hands were free.</p>
+
+<p>And his pulses leaped as he felt the knife thrust into his palm. He
+clutched it, and he heard one word whispered&mdash;in English:</p>
+
+<p>"Fight!"</p>
+
+<p>And then the dark figure stole swiftly over to the other side of the
+cell. It was at the same instant that the door was opened and the light
+of a lantern flashed in.</p>
+
+<p>It was Ignacio returning!</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+<h3>OUT OF THE DUNGEON.</h3>
+
+<p>The furious Spaniard came in like some wild beast, fairly gnashing his
+teeth and snarling to himself in his rage.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had but a moment, but he was quick to think; he sprang back to his
+old position, slipping his feet into the iron ring and putting his hands
+behind him.</p>
+
+<p>And Ignacio never noticed any difference, in fact he did not look at
+Clif until he had set down the lantern and shut the heavy door.</p>
+
+<p>He turned the key again and then faced about; touching low and muttering
+to himself, he stole swiftly across the floor.</p>
+
+<p>And his gleaming eyes flashed into Clif's face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yankee!" he hissed, "I am back. Do you hear me? Ha, ha!"</p>
+
+<p>As if to make sure that he heard him he struck him once more across the
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen!" he cried. "Ha, ha!&mdash;and tremble."</p>
+
+<p>Clif's blood rose at that blow, but he held himself back and watched and
+waited.</p>
+
+<p>That was a moment of peril for the treacherous Spaniard; what would have
+been his terror may be imagined, had he known the victim into whose eyes
+he was glaring was clutching in one hand a sharp knife, ready at any
+instant to plunge it into him.</p>
+
+<p>But the fellow had no idea of his peril; he was at the very height of
+his triumph and his dark, beady eyes gleamed ferociously out of the
+shadows of that damp and silent vault.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But he must have noticed that some of the color had come back into
+Clif's face.</p>
+
+<p>"You are still defiant," he cried. "You still do not tremble. But
+wait&mdash;wait till you begin to feel what I have for you. Did you see those
+iron things I brought in? Ha, ha! There is one I will fasten about your
+forehead and draw it tight till your very brain bursts. And then will
+you like it? Hey? Will you turn pale then? Will you scream? Ha, ha!&mdash;and
+I shall dance around you and watch you. Will you be sorry you interfered
+with me then?"</p>
+
+<p>Ignacio might have taunted his victim that way for hours, but he was too
+eager and impatient. He whirled about and sprang toward the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Santa Maria!" he panted. "I will get it! I will begin! I must hear him
+yelling!"</p>
+
+<p>And he snatched up something from the floor and taking the lantern in
+his other hand bounded back toward Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you ready?" he exclaimed. "Yankee pig, begin to scream!"</p>
+
+<p>And he flashed the lantern's light upon him.</p>
+
+<p>That was the crisis of the situation; for as the Spaniard looked he made
+the appalling discovery that his victim's feet were untied.</p>
+
+<p>And he staggered back, dazed.</p>
+
+<p>"Por dios!" he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>And that exclamation was his last sound.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had nerved himself for the spring; for he knew that Ignacio might
+have a revolver and that no risks could be taken.</p>
+
+<p>But at that instant a dark, shadowy form rose up behind Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>And one of his own iron instruments was raised above his head. It came
+down with a hissing sound, and then a heavy thud.</p>
+
+<p>And Ignacio dropped without a groan, without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> even a quiver. He lay
+perfectly motionless. His villainy was at an end.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had sprung up as he saw that, and he gave a gasp of joy. Then he
+sprang toward his deliverer.</p>
+
+<p>The shadowy stranger took no notice of him at first, but stooped and
+picked up the lantern, turning the light of it upon Ignacio.</p>
+
+<p>The villain's face was fixed in a look of horror; it made both Clif and
+the stranger shudder.</p>
+
+<p>The latter regarded it for a moment silently. The cadet could not see,
+but he was fingering a knife, as if undecided what to do.</p>
+
+<p>Who his mysterious deliverer was Clif had no idea. The single ray from
+the lantern did not furnish light enough for him to see anything; and
+the person had spoken but one word&mdash;"Fight."</p>
+
+<p>But the cadet's heart was full of gratitude; he sprang toward the
+stranger.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?" he cried. "I owe my life to you&mdash;let me thank you!"</p>
+
+<p>But the other motioned him back, and then for a few moments there was a
+silence, while both stared at Ignacio's silent form.</p>
+
+<p>When the stranger moved it was to point toward the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Go," said he to Clif, in a low, whispering voice. "Go; we will leave
+him here."</p>
+
+<p>And with that the mysterious person unlocked the great iron barrier and
+followed Clif out. The door clanged upon that ghastly scene, and Clif
+Faraday gave a sigh of relief.</p>
+
+<p>Yet there was so much before him that he soon forgot that hideous
+nightmare.</p>
+
+<p>For where was he going? And who was this stranger? And why had he
+rescued him? And what did he mean to do to Clif?</p>
+
+<p>Nothing could be learned in that dark corridor, for Clif could see no
+more there than inside of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> room. But the stranger stumbled on and
+Clif followed.</p>
+
+<p>They came to an iron ladder, leading up to the floor above. Up that the
+man went, the cadet following; that took them to another long stone
+passage, dark as ever.</p>
+
+<p>On they went, turning and winding about, but still not hesitating. And
+then suddenly the man halted in front of a grated door.</p>
+
+<p>The key was in the lock and the door opened promptly as he turned it.</p>
+
+<p>"Enter," said he.</p>
+
+<p>Clif went in, and he heard the door shut behind him. It flashed over him
+then that he had only been taken to another cell.</p>
+
+<p>But when he whirled about he saw that the stranger had entered, too. The
+dark figure brushed past him and went across the room. A moment
+afterward Clif heard him in the act of striking a match.</p>
+
+<p>And then the light of a lamp lit up the little room. By it the eager
+cadet could see his rescuer, and he stared anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>Further secrecy seemed not intended. The stranger faced about and each
+looked at the other steadfastly.</p>
+
+<p>What the mysterious man saw was a tall, handsome American in a blue
+uniform, his face rather pale.</p>
+
+<p>Clif in turn saw also a man in a blue uniform; he had to take but one
+glance to see that he was a lieutenant in the Spanish army.</p>
+
+<p>He was a tall, finely proportioned man, rather young, and with a slight
+dark mustache. He had the dark skin and the features of a Spaniard; but
+Clif thought he had never seen a finer looking military man.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>For a moment Clif gazed at him in silence. Then he stepped toward him.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, sir," he said. "Why have you done this?"</p>
+
+<p>The officer answered in a low, quiet voice:</p>
+
+<p>"You will soon know," said he. "Do not be impatient."</p>
+
+<p>"You have saved me from a horrible fate," said the cadet, his voice
+choking. "I do not know how to thank you."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not try," answered the other. "You have some one else to thank."</p>
+
+<p>And then he became silent again, watching Clif. He seemed to be very
+much interested in him, from the way he studied the American's face. And
+once he gave a slight sigh.</p>
+
+<p>Clif looked at him in surprise; but the man turned away, and he went
+toward the door.</p>
+
+<p>"I will return soon," said he, again in that quiet, firm voice. "Wait
+here."</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing for Clif to do but wait; for when the door shut he was
+locked in the cell.</p>
+
+<p>That man's action was a mysterious one indeed. It left the cadet plenty
+to think of. He saw now where he got the keys. He was evidently one of
+the officers in charge of the castle.</p>
+
+<p>But why had he done it? Clif was utterly baffled before that question.</p>
+
+<p>But it was not for very long; he soon learned, and in a startling and
+unexpected way.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had not noticed it, but there was another door to that cell. It was
+behind him, leading to a small room in the rear.</p>
+
+<p>While he stood there motionless and lost in thought waiting for the
+Spaniard's return, that door was silently opened, and a figure stood
+watching him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly it stepped out and came across the room.</p>
+
+<p>The cadet heard it then, and whirled about. He took one glance.</p>
+
+<p>And then he staggered back with a cry of consternation.</p>
+
+<p>It was Bessie Stuart!</p>
+
+<p>For one instant the two stood and stared at each other as if to make
+sure that their eyes did not deceive them. And then, with a cry of
+delight that came from his very soul, Clif sprang toward the girl.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie Stuart looked as if she had been through some terrible ordeal,
+for her face was pale; the emotion of meeting Clif almost overcame her,
+and she burst into tears upon his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>Clif himself was so dazed that he hardly knew what to think. He caught
+the girl in his arms to keep her from falling.</p>
+
+<p>"Bessie," he cried, "how on earth did you get here?"</p>
+
+<p>The cadet's brain was in a whirl at that moment. He began to see what
+the Spaniard meant when he said it was for some other person's sake that
+he had rescued Clif. It was for her sake!</p>
+
+<p>And it must have been by some terrible sacrifice that she had saved him
+from the torture.</p>
+
+<p>"Bessie!" he cried. "Tell me&mdash;that officer. What&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The girl looked up through her tears.</p>
+
+<p>"S-sh!" she exclaimed. "It is all right. Wait."</p>
+
+<p>And at that instant Clif heard a key turn in the door, and knew that it
+was the man returning.</p>
+
+<p>Clif gazed into the girl's face and he saw a look of joy upon it that
+partially reassured him; then he looked up and saw that the Spanish
+lieutenant had entered and was watching them.</p>
+
+<p>In his quiet way he studied the faces of the two;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> he saw the look of
+happiness on Bessie Stuart's face, and he must have known that it was
+because she had met the cadet again.</p>
+
+<p>Clif saw him press his lips together resolutely. The cadet was watching
+him with the intensest anxiety, for he hoped in that man's actions to
+read the meaning of this mystery.</p>
+
+<p>But the Spaniard's handsome face showed little emotion, though his chest
+heaved and fell as he stood there.</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly he stepped forward toward the two.</p>
+
+<p>"I have brought it, Miss Stuart," he said, with a dignified bow.</p>
+
+<p>He held out a heavy cloth cape, which the girl flung over her shoulders;
+then, leaning on Clif's arm, she stepped toward the door.</p>
+
+<p>"I am ready," she said.</p>
+
+<p>And without another word the officer turned and led the way out of the
+cell.</p>
+
+<p>He shut the door and locked it behind him and then went on down the
+corridor.</p>
+
+<p>Clif was mystified beyond expression, but he asked no questions. The
+three went on silently. Bessie Stuart was so weak that she had to be
+half carried.</p>
+
+<p>They had gone but a short way down the long passage before they met a
+sentry with a gun upon his shoulder; he glanced at them inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>But the lieutenant was not one who could be asked for explanations, and
+the soldier saluted and passed on.</p>
+
+<p>They passed through two heavily grated doors, each guarded in a similar
+way. But still not a word was spoken.</p>
+
+<p>And then suddenly Clif saw the passage broaden out into a wide hall, and
+a moment later he came to what he knew to be the great door by which he
+had first entered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>There were two men standing on guard there, either sentries or jailers.
+Clif could not see which. The party came to a halt.</p>
+
+<p>"Garcia," said the lieutenant, "these are two prisoners, Americans, whom
+I have been directed to take across the bay."</p>
+
+<p>The man saluted and bowed respectfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you the order?" he inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"I have not. The commander had no time to give one to me. There is some
+hurry in the matter, I believe."</p>
+
+<p>"It is somewhat irregular, lieutenant."</p>
+
+<p>"I will assume full responsibility," said the other, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>The man scanned the two prisoners closely.</p>
+
+<p>"They are not even bound," he objected.</p>
+
+<p>"I will assume full responsibility," said the officer again.</p>
+
+<p>He spoke rather sharply; and without another word the man hastened to
+swing back the door.</p>
+
+<p>And the three stepped out of that black prison into the open air and
+under the broad sky of heaven.</p>
+
+<p>And the lieutenant turned toward the two Americans.</p>
+
+<p>"You are free," he said, quietly. "Fly for your lives!"</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>CLIF FARADAY'S SACRIFICE.</h3>
+
+<p>It is needless to say that Clif stared at the man in amazement. But an
+instant before he had heard him state that he was willing to assume
+responsibility for them as prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>And now he was saying that they were free!</p>
+
+<p>But there was no time to ask any questions. Bessie Stuart was clinging
+to Clif's arm and urging him on.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you got some place to hide us?" she inquired anxiously of the
+officer.</p>
+
+<p>"It is hardly likely that I would leave you here," was the other's quiet
+answer. "Come."</p>
+
+<p>He led them away from the prison. A short distance off there was
+standing a small closed carriage.</p>
+
+<p>"Here it is," said the Spaniard. "Step in."</p>
+
+<p>Clif helped the girl inside; and then entered himself. He expected the
+officer to follow, but he did not; he clambered up with the driver.</p>
+
+<p>And the carriage rattled off down the road.</p>
+
+<p>Clif saw his chance then. He turned eagerly toward the girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Bessie!" he cried, "for Heaven's sake, tell me what this all means. Who
+is this man? And why is he setting us at liberty?"</p>
+
+<p>The girl sank back weakly in the seat.</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you the story, Clif," she said. "There is plenty of time,
+for we have a long ways to go."</p>
+
+<p>"He is ruining himself for us!" Clif exclaimed. "For you! Why he will be
+court-martialed and shot if he lets us get away."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I know it," groaned the girl, choking down a sob. "I know it. We talked
+it all over beforehand. But it was a question of his life or mine."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure he is not tricking us?" gasped Clif&mdash;"kidnapping us?"</p>
+
+<p>The girl smiled sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"You do not understand the circumstances," she said. "Wait, and let me
+tell you."</p>
+
+<p>Clif missed in his friend the old self-reliant manner that she had
+always had; she was nervous and weak, and it was plain that she was not
+well.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif was trembling all over with anxiety as he watched her.</p>
+
+<p>"Go on!" he cried. "Tell me. How did you get here, in the first place?"</p>
+
+<p>"You left me with Gomez," began the girl, taking a deep breath. "I did
+not stay very long, for he was marching about, and I could not stand the
+strain. He wanted me to go to one of the Cuban villages in the interior
+where his family was; but I was anxious to get back to the United
+States. And so I came here to Havana&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"To Havana!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, for I thought no one would know me."</p>
+
+<p>"And Ignacio saw you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and recognized me. But that was only the other day."</p>
+
+<p>"Where were you meanwhile?"</p>
+
+<p>"I had a letter to the British consul, and I stayed at his home. There
+was so much suffering in this city that I couldn't stay idle. I used to
+go to the hospitals to take care of the poor people, the Cubans. And
+that was how I met Lieutenant Hernandez."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is the man who has rescued us. He had been hurt in the Matanzas
+bombardment, and one of his arms was terribly cut. I took care of
+him&mdash;he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> there because the military hospitals were crowded. And,
+Clif, I&mdash;I&mdash;I guess he fell in love with me."</p>
+
+<p>The girl flushed as she said that.</p>
+
+<p>"I should not tell, perhaps," she went on, hastily. "But it is your
+right to know this, and you would not understand if I didn't tell you.
+Clif, he asked me to marry him."</p>
+
+<p>Clif started and turned pale.</p>
+
+<p>"Bessie!" he exclaimed in horror.</p>
+
+<p>The thought of that girl's marrying the Spanish officer was terrible. It
+flashed over him that that was the reason why the rescue had been
+attempted.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Bessie!" he cried again.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had never breathed a word of love to her in his life. But all
+through their trying journey through Cuba he had protected her, fairly
+worshiped her. And he had thought she understood his feelings.</p>
+
+<p>And now he thought that he had lost her&mdash;she had promised to be that
+officer's wife! It was no wonder that he felt his hands grow icy.</p>
+
+<p>His heart fairly stood still as he waited for the girl to go on.</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you," said Bessie. "You must know in the first place that
+this man is a gentleman, a hero in fact. You will understand it when I
+tell you what he has done."</p>
+
+<p>"Go on."</p>
+
+<p>"When he left the hospital, as I say, he begged me to marry
+him&mdash;declared he would resign from the army if I would."</p>
+
+<p>The girl was breathing hard as she continued; it was evident that the
+subject pained her.</p>
+
+<p>"I felt so sorry for him," she said, in a low, trembling voice. "For I
+think it has nearly broken his heart. I refused him. I told him that I
+liked him, but I did not, I could not marry him. I had been kind to him
+because he was ill. He swore that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> he would die for me&mdash;and, Clif, I
+think he has nearly carried out his promise."</p>
+
+<p>Bessie Stuart choked down a sob.</p>
+
+<p>"I refused him," she said again. "And then came the horrible Ignacio. He
+saw me on the street. That was three days ago; and that same day I was
+placed under arrest."</p>
+
+<p>"What for?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Ignacio knew that I had been fighting with Gomez; you know we had
+a fight with some Spaniards when he was along. And so there was no
+chance for me. The British consul did all he could for me, but there was
+no hope. I could not deny the charges. And, oh, Clif, I have had a
+frightful time. I was taken over to those horrible dungeons in Morro.
+And I was sentenced to death. I was to be taken out and shot to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>The girl stopped for a few moments to recover her composure.</p>
+
+<p>"And how did you find out about me?" asked Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you," said Bessie. "But first I must go on about this
+Lieutenant Hernandez. I did not know it, but he was stationed over here.
+And when he found out what had happened to me he managed to come in to
+see me."</p>
+
+<p>And then Clif felt able to complete that story.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose," said he, "that he offered to free you if you would marry
+him."</p>
+
+<p>Bessie Stuart smiled sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"You do not know the man," said she. "I will tell you what he did say. I
+can almost hear him saying it."</p>
+
+<p>"What?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Miss Stuart,' he said, 'you have said you do not love me. And I think
+you love some one else&mdash;I do not know whom; but I will not make you
+unhappy by urging you any more. I might take ad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>vantage of your present
+position to get you to promise to marry me. But I will not. If you will
+be ready to-night I will help you to escape, and prove what I said about
+dying for you.'"</p>
+
+<p>The girl stopped and sat silent, too much moved to speak. And Clif was
+too astonished.</p>
+
+<p>That was indeed the act of a noble nature. The cadet saw it all then,
+why the man had freed them and why he and the girl were both so quiet
+and sad. Lieutenant Hernandez had given his life for hers.</p>
+
+<p>It was fully a minute before anything more was said. Then Bessie Stuart
+began again, in a low voice:</p>
+
+<p>"About you," she said. "It was the lieutenant who told me, quite by
+accident. He said there were five Americans captured, one a cadet, and
+that he was to be killed. When I asked the name and he told me, I
+fainted dead away. And I think that hurt the lieutenant more than
+anything."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"I told him the story, how you had twice rescued me from the Spaniards.
+And he asked&mdash;he asked if you were his rival."</p>
+
+<p>The girl stepped abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>"And you said that I was, I hope," said Clif, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>Most women would have been embarrassed by a question such as that. But
+Bessie Stuart was not.</p>
+
+<p>There was some of the old-time self-possession in her voice as she
+responded. She turned and looked fairly into Clif's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I know you well enough to speak my mind," she said. "Yes, I told him
+that you were."</p>
+
+<p>And then the two sat perfectly silent, looking at each other. It was a
+very few words they had said, but they covered a lifetime of feeling.</p>
+
+<p>In that quiet way and under those strange circum<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>stances Clif had
+unbosomed his heart; and Bessie Stuart had done the same.</p>
+
+<p>It was the first word that Clif had ever said to indicate how he felt
+toward her.</p>
+
+<p>For the two sat in silence for a minute or so; and then Clif went on:</p>
+
+<p>"You told this officer that I was his rival," said he; "that you loved
+me and that I was the only barrier to his hopes?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did," said the girl.</p>
+
+<p>"And he still was willing to save my life?"</p>
+
+<p>"You see what he has done," answered the other. "He said that he loved
+me, that he would risk his life to make me happy. And here we are."</p>
+
+<p>"But not happy," Clif added, half under his breath.</p>
+
+<p>Then again there was a long silence. One cannot say much when one feels
+as deeply as those two felt then.</p>
+
+<p>Clif thought of the heroism of that quiet Spanish officer. And his heart
+went out toward him. He fancied what the man's own feelings must be, the
+loneliness and the desolation.</p>
+
+<p>He had ruined himself, accepted voluntarily disgrace and a shameful
+death. And all in order that a woman who had been kind to him might be
+set free and made happy.</p>
+
+<p>Of the death there could be no doubt. When that officer was caught he
+would have it to face. And he would face it for the sake of Bessie
+Stuart.</p>
+
+<p>And moreover, he was aiding Clif, his rival, the one who was robbing him
+of his heart's desire; he was helping him to freedom so that the cadet,
+when his work in the war was done, might claim the woman he loved as his
+reward.</p>
+
+<p>That was heroism; not the noisy kind in the battle, which every one sees
+and applauds, but the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> quiet kind that knows it is right and cares for
+no one else.</p>
+
+<p>Clif felt that he could worship such a man as that.</p>
+
+<p>And it is needless to say that his conscience troubled him. What right
+had he to accept such a sacrifice?</p>
+
+<p>But the alternative was a terrible one. The lieutenant might flee with
+them to the United States; and then&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Clif could not finish the thought; it made him shudder.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Bessie Stuart spoke again.</p>
+
+<p>"Clif," she said, "I have something to say to you. And I shall speak
+plainly, for there is no time to hesitate. I have told you how I feel
+toward you; I have told you that I loved you. Neither of us would have
+declared our feelings, I suppose, if it had not been for this situation.
+But I have been with you for months, and I have never known you to do
+anything I could not admire. And mine is no childish fancy, Clif, for we
+have been doing the work of men, you and I. Clif&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The girl choked back a sob&mdash;and then went on:</p>
+
+<p>"We must stop," she said, "stop where we are."</p>
+
+<p>Clif knew what was coming, and he felt his blood surging. Bessie
+Stuart's hand was in his and it was trembling.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment she could not speak; the words would not come.</p>
+
+<p>But then with that terrible self-command she sometimes displayed, she
+mastered her emotion and turned to look into her companion's face.</p>
+
+<p>"Clif," she said, "you know what I mean. You must let me marry this
+officer."</p>
+
+<p>Clif had known, and so he did not move when he heard those awful words.
+He sat perfectly motionless, almost frozen; he felt the girl's hand turn
+cold in his.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The carriage rolled on, and for at least one long, long minute there was
+not a sound. The girl was listening, trembling again; and Clif, half
+dazed was thinking to himself, thinking again and again of that death
+knell, "You must let me marry this officer."</p>
+
+<p>And it was true. Clif knew it. It was his duty; and the feeling lingered
+in his mind that if he had half the heroism of that Spaniard he would
+have said so long ago.</p>
+
+<p>At last he spoke. His mouth was dry and his voice husky, but he forced
+the words out.</p>
+
+<p>And they were the right ones.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said he, "you must marry him. And we must never meet again."</p>
+
+<p>And then once more came the terrible silence. Bessie Stuart heard him
+choke down a sob; and her heart was ready to break.</p>
+
+<p>For this cadet was the dearest friend she had. She had been through
+terrible dangers with him, coming to love him more every day, as she saw
+the brave man's daring. And no one could ever know now how she felt
+toward him.</p>
+
+<p>But there was her duty; and though she was nearly ready to faint, she
+sat perfectly motionless by his side.</p>
+
+<p>And so for two or three minutes they rode on in silence; then suddenly
+they heard the driver of the carriage stopping his horses.</p>
+
+<p>"We are there," said Clif, in a husky voice.</p>
+
+<p>He turned to look at the girl once more; he found that she was gazing at
+him, and their eyes met.</p>
+
+<p>There was anguish in both of their faces; Miss Stuart could scarcely see
+for her tears.</p>
+
+<p>But Clif took her hands in his. All the emotion of his lifetime seemed
+crowded into that moment. He bent toward her and their lips met in one
+trembling kiss.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And then with a set look on his face the cadet rose from his seat and
+opened the door of the carriage, which had stopped.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+
+<h3>A FAREWELL.</h3>
+
+<p>Clif found Lieutenant Hernandez waiting for them to come out. Both he
+and the driver had descended from the carriage.</p>
+
+<p>It was quite dark where they were, apparently surrounded by a lonely
+woods. But by such light as there was Clif looked at the officer
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>Now since he had heard that story he was more than anxious to study his
+face, to see what manner of man this was.</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant still wore the calm, quiet look; he seemed almost
+inspired.</p>
+
+<p>"If you will follow me a short distance," he said, "we shall reach a
+place where we can remain concealed until morning."</p>
+
+<p>He started across the country, after a few words with the driver of the
+carriage; they had not gone very far before the faint roaring of the
+breakers on the beach became audible.</p>
+
+<p>"You see," said the Spaniard, "we are near the sea. We are only about
+four miles from Havana harbor, and you may make an effort to reach the
+blockading fleet in the morning."</p>
+
+<p>Obviously, it would not do to try it in the darkness. They might be run
+down or lost or fired on or swept out to sea.</p>
+
+<p>"But it will be daylight in a few hours," said the lieutenant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And then the three went on in silence until suddenly a small hut loomed
+up in the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"It is deserted," said their guide. "We can conceal ourselves there."</p>
+
+<p>And accordingly, they crept through the low doorway, and finding the
+place covered with straw inside, sat down to wait.</p>
+
+<p>There was no conversation among them, for each one of the trio was
+wrapped in his own sad thoughts. The place was in absolute darkness, and
+so they could not see each other.</p>
+
+<p>But Clif was revolving a plan over in his thoughts, and it was not very
+many minutes before he made up his mind.</p>
+
+<p>He rose to his feet again.</p>
+
+<p>"Excuse me for a while," he said. "I will return."</p>
+
+<p>And with that he hurried out of the hut.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie Stuart knew why he had gone, and after a moment's silence she
+turned toward the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"My friend has left," she said, "in order that I may have a chance to
+talk to you."</p>
+
+<p>The officer answered nothing; the girl went on slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant Hernandez," she said "will you answer me a question?"</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you intend to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"How do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean that you will be court-martialed if you return to Havana&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the other, "I know that."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to return there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Such are my plans at present," was the quiet response.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Stuart thought a moment before she began again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant Hernandez," she said at last, "you have been a hero to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"I have done my best," said the man.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done what few men would have. You have given your life for our
+safety."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered he, "I have."</p>
+
+<p>"But there are other heroes, Lieutenant Hernandez," said the girl. "You
+have inspired us two. That is what I wish to speak to you about. I have
+a better plan than your return to Havana."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Come to America with us&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will do my best to repay your favor. I will do as you have asked
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean that I will marry you the day that we arrive."</p>
+
+<p>The girl said those words in a low, earnest tone. She saw the officer
+give a start, she even fancied she heard his heart begin to beat louder.</p>
+
+<p>But he said nothing. The two sat as they were in silence. The Spaniard
+was having his struggle then.</p>
+
+<p>The pause continued for at least five minutes; it was broken only once.</p>
+
+<p>"Does Cadet Faraday know of this?" asked the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"He does," said the girl. "We talked it over in the carriage."</p>
+
+<p>"And he said that he was willing to give you up?"</p>
+
+<p>"He did."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad that I saved him," muttered the man.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie Stuart was a little puzzled to catch the drift of that last
+remark. But she soon saw what it meant.</p>
+
+<p>She was quite startled by the decision to which the Spaniard came.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Miss Stuart," he began, in a low, trembling voice, "this is indeed a
+reward for my helping you. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.
+It shows me that those I helped were worth helping. And it makes me all
+the more sorry."</p>
+
+<p>"Sorry?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sorry that it cannot be."</p>
+
+<p>The girl gave a slight gasp.</p>
+
+<p>"What cannot be?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot marry you. I will not."</p>
+
+<p>The officer paused for a moment, then he went on.</p>
+
+<p>"It is plain to me," he said, "that you have worshiped this cadet. I do
+not blame you, after what I have just seen of him. I have heard of his
+bravery, too, and he is worthy of you&mdash;more so than I am. As I say, Miss
+Stuart, you love him; and you do not love me. You make this proposal to
+me from a sense of duty, and I cannot think of accepting it. You would
+never be happy again."</p>
+
+<p>The girl started to protest, but the lieutenant held up his hand to stop
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he said, "there are more reasons, even stronger ones, I could not
+think of going to the United States. I could not think of turning
+traitor to my country. You forget, since I have helped you, that I am
+still a Spaniard; and while this war continues I shall remain with my
+countrymen."</p>
+
+<p>"But they will kill you!"</p>
+
+<p>"They may do what they please with me. It is not for me to say. I have
+done my duty; I will not become a traitor."</p>
+
+<p>The officer was silent for a moment, sadly staring ahead in the
+darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"You Americans forget how we Spaniards feel," he began slowly. "You
+think us foolish to fight for a dying country. I know that it is dying;
+for I am not one of those who blind their eyes and boast. I know that we
+are bankrupt and disorganized, our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> men dying, and our enemies closing
+in on us. We cannot keep up with modern nations. But, Miss Stuart, it is
+still Spain, my native land; my friends are there, my memories are
+there. And Spain's enemies are mine."</p>
+
+<p>There was a gleam in the proud Castilian's eyes as he said that; but
+then he sank back with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"It is useless," he said, "foolish, if you will. And I am tired of the
+struggle, tired of weeping at my country's trials, her follies. I shall
+be glad to leave. I can die without a murmur. When I go back to Havana I
+shall have no one to care about me, and it will soon be over."</p>
+
+<p>The man stopped abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>"I am through," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"You say you have no one to care for you," said the girl. "I will care
+for you."</p>
+
+<p>But the officer only shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"I should ruin your hopes," he said. "You must not think of me at all.
+If I came I should have no way of taking care of you; I will stay in
+Cuba. And remember that I have done this to make you happy&mdash;because I
+love you. If I leave you unhappy I shall know that I have died for
+nothing."</p>
+
+<p>And there the matter ended. The calm officer only shook his head to all
+of Bessie's arguments; he had his mind made up, and was as firm as
+adamant.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed strange that the girl should be trying to persuade him to
+marry her; but in her earnestness she never thought of that. The man's
+sacrifice quite appalled her; she felt that she was not worth it, and
+she did all she could to persuade him of her sincerity.</p>
+
+<p>But Lieutenant Hernandez was unmoved.</p>
+
+<p>"I know that you love him," he said, "and I know that your heart is
+ready to break at the thought of leaving him. I can see it in the way
+you look at him. I knew it when you fainted when I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> spoke of his danger.
+And I do not blame you, for he is a braver man than I. But I will not be
+coward enough to separate you. You would hate me."</p>
+
+<p>"Hate you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and every decent American, too. What else has any man for a
+traitor? I should kill myself for shame. No, no!"</p>
+
+<p>And the girl realized to her despair what he said was true; but oh! how
+her heart went out to that man!</p>
+
+<p>The officer rose to his feet just then, as if to close the painful
+discussion. Bessie Stuart rose, too, and she held out her hand to him.</p>
+
+<p>He took and kissed it reverently; then his face still calm and
+dignified, he stepped to the door.</p>
+
+<p>"It is best," he said, "that I should go."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you not wait to see us start?" asked the girl.</p>
+
+<p>"You will find a boat on the shore just in front of you," began the
+other. "And you had best start as soon as it is light. But there is
+nobody about here, and you are not in any danger. As to my staying, I
+will watch you from the woods, a short ways back. It would not be well
+for me to stay here, for I am human&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The man paused a moment as he gazed into the girl's beautiful face.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very weak," he said, with a sad smile. "I might accept the reward
+you offer."</p>
+
+<p>And with that he bowed, then turned resolutely on his heel and strode
+away into the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>As he did so he passed Clif; and Clif, as he saw him leave rushed toward
+the dark figure that stood in the doorway of the hut.</p>
+
+<p>What had been Clif's agony of mind may be imagined. When he saw the
+lieutenant going away it had flashed over him that perhaps he refused
+the act of treason implied in his going to America.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And Clif's heart began to throb once more with the wild hope he had
+tried so hard to suppress.</p>
+
+<p>"Bessie!" he panted. "Bessie! What did he say?"</p>
+
+<p>"He has gone back to Havana," was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>For an instant the two stood staring at each other, their hearts
+throbbing with an emotion they were ashamed to call joy. Clif saw the
+girl's slender figure trembling.</p>
+
+<p>And he sprang forward and caught her in his arms just as she fainted
+dead away.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+
+<h3>AN UNEXPECTED PERIL.</h3>
+
+<p>How the long hours between then and sunrise passed away those two hardly
+knew. Bessie Stuart, exhausted by her long nervous strain, sank into a
+restless slumber. And Clif sat with his eyes fixed on the gradually
+lightening doorway.</p>
+
+<p>Clif wanted to feel happy, but he scarcely dared. For he had before his
+mind the thought of that lonely Spanish officer, waiting somewhere in
+the distance to see them depart and leave him to his fate.</p>
+
+<p>It was a solemn thought, and it made Clif tremble. He almost wished that
+the man had not rescued him.</p>
+
+<p>But then again he thought of Ignacio and his frenzied cruelty, and he
+felt that he would have died himself to save any man from such a fate as
+that.</p>
+
+<p>And now it was done and there was no undoing it. There was no way of
+aiding the lieutenant, no way of persuading him, nothing but death for
+him to face.</p>
+
+<p>But as Clif sat there through the early hours of the morning and gazed
+upon that silent figure by his side he felt that his love for that girl
+was consecrated by that hero's sacrifice. There was a light of high
+purpose in the brave man's eyes; he was accepting his life and hers at
+the cost of another's, and the terms were such as made him feel the
+meaning of his existence. It was to be no child's play, no blind hunt
+for pleasure or wealth or fame, but a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> life with a purpose and meaning,
+a struggle for the right.</p>
+
+<p>"I think his face will always be watching me," thought Clif.</p>
+
+<p>And there were moments in his after life when the thought that that
+quiet Spaniard's eyes were watching made him shrink from the base things
+of life.</p>
+
+<p>The light that shone in from the eastern sky gradually grew brighter and
+brighter, and Clif awakened from his solemn reverie to the duty that lay
+before him then.</p>
+
+<p>He had Bessie Stuart to protect, and to lead from that position of
+peril.</p>
+
+<p>It would indeed be a frightful calamity, he thought, if that sacrifice
+of Lieutenant Hernandez should avail nothing. If that girl should fall
+once more into the clutches of the Spaniards.</p>
+
+<p>"For they are not all like that man," thought the lad.</p>
+
+<p>And so he waited nervously until the light was bright enough. And then
+very gently he awakened her and assisted her to rise.</p>
+
+<p>The girl was weak and exhausted, but she gathered her strength for this
+last final effort.</p>
+
+<p>"We have not far to go," Clif said. "And we will soon be safe."</p>
+
+<p>The two halted for a moment at the doorway of the hut and gazed out.</p>
+
+<p>In the faint gray light they could not make out the line of the shore
+beyond, but they heard the noise of the breakers and knew that it was
+not far away.</p>
+
+<p>And so half carrying his friend, Clif set out in the direction of the
+sound. Once only he turned again.</p>
+
+<p>That was to take a parting look in the direction he knew Lieutenant
+Hernandez to be.</p>
+
+<p>But he could make out only a dim line of woods<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> behind him. No one could
+be seen, and the place was lonely and silent and gray.</p>
+
+<p>But Clif fancied those quiet eyes were watching him from the distance.</p>
+
+<p>There was no time to be lost, however, for no one knew when they might
+chance to meet with some of the enemy; they were in the midst of a
+thickly settled country.</p>
+
+<p>And so they made their way swiftly down to the shore.</p>
+
+<p>There they found a rowboat, drawn up on the beach a little beyond them.
+Clif was startled to see a figure standing by it.</p>
+
+<p>But it proved to be only a boy, and he hailed them and then disappeared.
+Clif knew that he had been sent there to guard the boat; it was more of
+the lieutenant's thoughtfulness.</p>
+
+<p>The sight of that guarantee of safety revived Bessie Stuart's spirits
+considerably; her step grew quicker and in a few moments they reached
+the spot.</p>
+
+<p>There were a pair of oars in the boat, which was a small one. Without a
+word, Clif set to work to put it off from the shore.</p>
+
+<p>That was as hard a task as could have been given him; for great waves
+were rolling upon the beach. But Clif was an athlete and a sailor
+besides; and the realization of their danger nerved his arm.</p>
+
+<p>He seated the girl in the bow and ran the boat out with a rush; he
+caught a favorable moment. He plunged on until the water was up to his
+waist, and then he leaped into the boat and seized the oars just as
+another great wave swept them in toward shore again.</p>
+
+<p>But Clif pulled for his life and held his own; and when the current set
+out again, he breasted the line of breakers and reached the sea beyond.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie Stuart sat perfectly motionless, grasping<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> the gunwale, until she
+saw that they were safe. Then she gave a slight gasp and closed her eyes
+wearily.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had but one object, and that was to get as far from the coast of
+Cuba as he could; every stroke that he rowed put him further away from
+that dreaded shore.</p>
+
+<p>And he knew, though he could not see them then, that far out to sea lay
+the vessels of the blockading squadron. Once in sight of them and the
+anxious fugitives were safe.</p>
+
+<p>And so Clif put every ounce of muscle he had into that task. Not a word
+more was spoken; but the man's lips were set in a desperate resolve and
+his broad back heaved as he fought his way on.</p>
+
+<p>There was a heavy sea, and progress was frightfully slow. Now that they
+were so near to safety, to be recaptured would be frightful indeed.</p>
+
+<p>But yet the cadet knew that Spanish soldiers on the shore might catch
+sight of them at any moment, and come rushing down the beach to open
+fire.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had rescued one man from just such a plight as that; and so as he
+rowed he glanced nervously along the shore.</p>
+
+<p>But he saw no one, and no one saw him. The light brightened until he
+could make out everything along the coast, but there was no sign of any
+one's having noticed them.</p>
+
+<p>An so with his heart growing lighter at every moment Clif tugged at the
+oars and forced the frail boat ahead through the waves. It was but
+natural that his relief should be great, for his adventures upon that
+island had been terrible ones indeed.</p>
+
+<p>A warship is far from a safe place of residence, especially in war time.
+But Clif felt that if he once got under the American flag again all his
+worry would be at an end.</p>
+
+<p>And so every stroke nearer was a cause for joy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>For perhaps five minutes he rowed on in silence. By that time he was
+some distance from shore, though their progress was slow in the heavy
+sea.</p>
+
+<p>But they felt that they were safe. They felt that there was no longer
+anything to be feared. And there was a silent prayer of thanksgiving in
+Clif Faraday's heart.</p>
+
+<p>And such being his feelings, the reader may imagine the horror and
+consternation that swept over him a moment later.</p>
+
+<p>For an appalling discovery was made, one that seemed fairly to freeze
+Clif's blood.</p>
+
+<p>He was struggling with his back toward Bessie Stuart. And the joy that
+was in his heart was turned to horror by hearing the girl give a shrill
+scream.</p>
+
+<p>The cadet whirled about.</p>
+
+<p>He saw the girl, her face transfixed and white as a sheet, pointing with
+a trembling finger off to starboard.</p>
+
+<p>Clif followed the direction of her gaze; what he saw made his brain
+reel, made him almost totter backward into the boat.</p>
+
+<p>Not half a mile away, coming straight down the coast and bearing down
+upon them at full speed, was a vessel, a low gunboat.</p>
+
+<p>And high above her bow was floating a Spanish flag.</p>
+
+<p>Clif stared at the frightful apparition as if he had seen a ghost.</p>
+
+<p>What it meant to him may be imagined&mdash;the failure of all their
+hopes&mdash;their capture and death!</p>
+
+<p>And there was not the slightest possibility of escape!</p>
+
+<p>Perfectly wild with terror the agonized cadet whirled about, gazing
+seaward, with a faint hope of the possibility of there being seen by
+some American vessel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But the gray horizon was not light enough for them to be sighted. And
+all hope was gone.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie Stuart continued pointing to the vessel as if she were paralyzed
+by fright.</p>
+
+<p>"Row! Row!" she shrieked.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif seized the oars frantically. But he knew that it was utterly
+useless. The gunboat was coming on like a race horse.</p>
+
+<p>And scarcely had he taken two strokes before the matter was settled
+finally. For there came a puff of white smoke from the Spaniard's bow.</p>
+
+<p>And almost at the same instant with a deafening, blinding crash, a solid
+shot struck the tiny rowboat.</p>
+
+<p>It plunged through, almost tearing the frail craft in half, hurling
+splinters about and sending the two horrified occupants tumbling into
+the water!</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+
+<h3>RECAPTURED BY THE ENEMY.</h3>
+
+<p>Clif was so heartbroken at that sudden ending of all his hopes, that he
+scarcely cared whether he was drowned or not. But he saw Bessie Stuart
+struggling in the seething waters, and toward her he struck out
+desperately.</p>
+
+<p>It took the cadet but a moment to reach her side. The shattered wreck of
+the wooden boat was floating near, and to that he struggled, helping her
+on.</p>
+
+<p>And they reached it, in what it sounds like mockery to call safety. The
+girl scarcely knew whether it were best to hold on or to drown.</p>
+
+<p>But instinctively she clung to the side as the great waves swept over
+them; and the two fixed their eyes upon the approaching vessel.</p>
+
+<p>She came on swiftly, sheering the water with her sharp bow. And Clif
+could see half a dozen men standing in the bow watching them.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps they have heard of our escape," he growled, "and come after
+us."</p>
+
+<p>The vessel was not coming from Havana, but the cadet knew that a
+telegram might have sent it out.</p>
+
+<p>At any rate, they were recaptured; and the horrors of Morro were before
+them again.</p>
+
+<p>Steadily the gunboat drew nearer; the two half-drowned Americans were
+reached in a minute or two.</p>
+
+<p>And the vessel slowed up and a rope was thrown to them. Clif desperate
+from despair, seized it and drew himself close.</p>
+
+<p>A couple of Spanish sailors leaned down from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> low side and lifted
+first the half unconscious girl and then the cadet up to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>And then, weak and pale and dripping wet, they confronted a tall,
+ugly-looking Spaniard with an officer's chevrons.</p>
+
+<p>He stared at them curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?" he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif, grim with desperation, looked him in the eye and answered
+boldly:</p>
+
+<p>"We are Americans," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"Prisoners?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"From where?"</p>
+
+<p>"Morro Castle."</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard looked the amazement he felt.</p>
+
+<p>"Morro Castle!" he echoed. "Humph! How did you get out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Take us back there and you'll find out," was Clif's defiant answer.</p>
+
+<p>And with that he turned toward the girl to wipe her dripping hair from
+her face.</p>
+
+<p>He expected that the man would continue questioning them. But he was
+mistaken. The Spanish gunboat had done a risky thing, running out as it
+had, and her officers were anxious to get back.</p>
+
+<p>The man turned away and hurried off. A sailor with a pair of handcuffs
+approached Clif, and the cadet quietly allowed his wrists to be secured.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie Stuart was fortunately spared that indignity. The sailor gruffly
+ordered them to go below.</p>
+
+<p>The vessel, meanwhile, had resumed her trip. She had been running along
+close to the coast under cover of the darkness of the previous night.
+And now she turned to steal back.</p>
+
+<p>Clif's heart was heavy, and he was miserable beyond description.</p>
+
+<p>But he turned and silently followed the sailor to the companionway.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They did not go below at once, however, for just then something occurred
+that made the sailor stop.</p>
+
+<p>The man who had first spoke to Clif, the captain, apparently, had been
+sweeping the shore with his glass. And just then he gave a startled
+exclamation.</p>
+
+<p>Everybody heard him, and the Spanish sailor stopped and turned to look.</p>
+
+<p>Clif was so listless and despairing that he did not take the trouble to
+do likewise; but when he heard the exclamations of the men he felt his
+heart give a leap.</p>
+
+<p>They were staring at a man on the shore.</p>
+
+<p>"What in the world can be the matter with that fellow?" cried the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Santa Maria! he is calling to us!" exclaimed another.</p>
+
+<p>"He must be crazy," declared a third.</p>
+
+<p>The captain, with his glass could see more plainly than the others, and
+his astonishment grew greater.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, he's a Spanish officer&mdash;a lieutenant, I think! And he is trying to
+hail us. What can it mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps he's got dispatches!" suggested some one.</p>
+
+<p>It flashed over Clif in an instant what that meant, and Bessie Stuart
+heard him give a muffled exclamation of delight.</p>
+
+<p>For he could see a blue-uniformed figure running down the shore and
+waving its arms wildly.</p>
+
+<p>"It's Lieutenant Hernandez!" he panted.</p>
+
+<p>And there was a wild gleam of hope in his eyes as he realized what that
+meant.</p>
+
+<p>He might rescue them again!</p>
+
+<p>Feverishly Clif watched to see what the gunboat would do. The captain
+continued staring and muttering exclamations of astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if he does want us," he cried. "Por dios, I do think that's
+it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And a second later he made up his mind and whirled about.</p>
+
+<p>"Hard a port!" he roared.</p>
+
+<p>And Clif's heart leaped with joy as he heard that order.</p>
+
+<p>The sailor was so much interested in that strange incident that he let
+his prisoners remain on deck while he stood and stared. The Spanish
+vessel raced swiftly in toward shore.</p>
+
+<p>And the stranger as soon as he saw that stopped his frantic
+gesticulating and stood still to wait.</p>
+
+<p>The captain ran in as close as he dared, and then stopped. He stepped
+into the bow.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you want?" he roared.</p>
+
+<p>"Send a boat," the man shouted back. "I must come aboard. Quick!"</p>
+
+<p>The captain muttered an exclamation of astonishment under his breath;
+but his curiosity alone would have been sufficient to move him. The
+gunboat's wherry boat was quickly gotten away.</p>
+
+<p>As for Clif, he was simply wild with delight. For he could see that it
+was Lieutenant Hernandez after all.</p>
+
+<p>Bessie Stuart was so overcome by the sudden shock of the discovery that
+she was scarcely able to stand, breathlessly the two watched the rowboat
+speeding in.</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant waded out as far as he could, and when the boat reached
+him he climbed into the bow. In a few moments he was speeding back to
+the gunboat.</p>
+
+<p>And when he stepped on board he found the captain staring at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant Hernandez!" he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the other with a bow.</p>
+
+<p>But he scarcely glanced at the man until his eager eyes had sought out
+Clif and Bessie. When he saw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> them alive and unhurt a look of relief
+swept over his face.</p>
+
+<p>And then he turned to the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"What in the world is the matter?" the man cried.</p>
+
+<p>The other nodded toward the two Americans.</p>
+
+<p>"It is about them," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"What about them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you stop them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Stop them! Why they are Americans, and they were prisoners in Morro."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that," said the officer. "But they were released."</p>
+
+<p>"What!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And I was charged with the duty of seeing them safe on board the
+American ships."</p>
+
+<p>The Spanish captain stared in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Carramba!" he muttered. "Why didn't they say so?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see that you gave them a chance," said the other. "You fired on
+them too soon."</p>
+
+<p>"But I had no idea of this!" cried the other.</p>
+
+<p>To doubt that story never once entered his head; he seemed to know who
+the lieutenant was.</p>
+
+<p>"What in the world am I to do?" he asked, after a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see that there is but one thing," said the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Take them back to Havana and let them be sent from there?" asked the
+captain.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said the lieutenant, quietly. "That will not do; for the
+government has pledged its word that they shall be on the ships by
+daybreak. To make haste is very important."</p>
+
+<p>"But what else?"</p>
+
+<p>"Give them your small boat."</p>
+
+<p>"Carramba! I haven't got but one! And how will I ever get it back?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant was puzzled for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>But suddenly he hit on a daring scheme.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain," he said, "my orders are from General Blanco himself. He
+charged me above all things to see these people safe at once, even if I
+had to go out to the ships with them. I don't see that there is but one
+thing we can do."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"We will have to hoist a flag of truce and take them out on this
+vessel."</p>
+
+<p>The captain started.</p>
+
+<p>"Can we trust the Americans?" he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>"They are expecting us," said the lieutenant quietly.</p>
+
+<p>And then for a minute the captain was silent; when he spoke it was to
+the man at the wheel.</p>
+
+<p>"Steer us out to the Yankee fleet," he said. "It will have to be done,
+and run up that white flag."</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>Perhaps ten minutes after that the blockading squadron sighted a Spanish
+gunboat coming toward them with a flag of truce.</p>
+
+<p>The New York steamed to meet it; and the vessel came alongside and
+without a word of explanation the two prisoners were sent aboard.</p>
+
+<p>Clif and Bessie both gazed longingly at the noble-hearted lieutenant as
+he stood on the deck and watched them leave. Their look said plainer
+than words, "Come with us!"</p>
+
+<p>But he only shook his head; and when he saw the two disappear upon the
+deck of the big cruiser, and when the gunboat was well on her way back
+to shore he turned with a slight groan and went below.</p>
+
+<p>Clif and Bessie wondered with anxiety and sorrow what would be his fate.
+They dreaded for him the worst tortures of Castle Morro, but the heroic
+Spaniard escaped that&mdash;in a way that Clif learned a few days later.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2>
+
+<h3>CUTTING A CABLE.</h3>
+
+<p>The cadet's report was soon made. Under ordinary circumstances he would
+have been ordered to report back to the Uncas, but that stanch little
+gunboat was then miles beyond the western horizon. Moreover, the admiral
+had other work for the cadet.</p>
+
+<p>As to Miss Stuart; there was a parting between her and Clif that was
+such as should be between acknowledged lovers, but it was a parting of
+the most decided kind, for his duty lay in the war, hers on land. She
+was sent to Key West on a cruiser that was then leaving the squadron to
+recoal.</p>
+
+<p>What the young man and the girl said to each other cannot concern us
+here, for we have now to do with Faraday's experience as a sailor. His
+love affair had to await the events of war, and so may the story of it.</p>
+
+<p>Clif's next service began on the morning following his escape. A small
+boat left the flagship and headed for Point Rubalcava on the Cuban
+coast. It was bent upon a dangerous mission; so hazardous, in fact, that
+volunteers had been called for to man the boat.</p>
+
+<p>The first one to offer his services had been Clif Faraday. There was no
+lack of followers among the brave American tars. Fifty offered
+themselves a moment after the cadet stepped forward, and the task was to
+select from them twelve men to form the boat's crew.</p>
+
+<p>"It is necessary to cut the cable as a war measure," said Rear Admiral
+Sampson, when the selec<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>tion had been made. "You will proceed cautiously
+toward shore and grapple for the cable. If you find it, cut it. If not,
+you must go ashore and locate the landing place of the wire. Are you
+ready for the service?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" came the ready response.</p>
+
+<p>Rear Admiral Sampson looked upon the brave, eager faces of the men for a
+moment with evident satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"There is danger of discovery, and attack from the shore batteries," he
+added. "Success will depend upon your quickness and skill."</p>
+
+<p>The men well knew the danger that lay before them, but there was no sign
+of faltering upon their faces. Rather, there was an eagerness for
+instant action that was not lost upon the commanding officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Then go!" he exclaimed, heartily.</p>
+
+<p>The boat was lowered, and quietly set out upon its mission.</p>
+
+<p>It was in charge of a lieutenant, and Clif Faraday, in recognition of
+his being the first to volunteer, was placed beside him in the stern to
+steer the boat through the rough waters.</p>
+
+<p>It was still dark, though the eastern sky gave promise of the near
+approach of day. The time had been selected to enable the boat to near
+the shore without great danger of detection in the dim light. But by the
+time they should succeed in grappling the cable there would be
+sufficient light to enable them to complete their task.</p>
+
+<p>"All seems quiet on shore," said Clif, after a time, to the lieutenant,
+as they both peered forward at the coast line now looming up before
+them. "The Spaniards don't seem to be looking for us."</p>
+
+<p>"True," responded the lieutenant. "It looks that way. But you can't
+sometimes always tell. They may have a surprise for us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"If they don't shoot any straighter than they have been doing," said
+Clif with a laugh, "they'll never touch us."</p>
+
+<p>"That's true, too," assented the lieutenant. "But still you must
+remember&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"The Maine!" interrupted Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, remember the Maine! But, as I was saying, these fellows might
+possibly aim at something else beside our boat and hit us accidentally.
+At any rate, I hope they don't see us. We are not out to capture a fort
+armed as we are with nothing but revolvers, and in this open boat we
+would be an easy prey to decent marksmanship."</p>
+
+<p>"Still, the boys like action," said Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"We may have plenty of it yet," replied the lieutenant, with a suspicion
+of uneasiness in his tone.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the boat, guided by Clif's hand, had drawn nearer the shore.
+They could see plainly the outlines of the fortifications, which had
+been recently battered by shell from American gunboats, and which they
+knew the Spaniards had attempted to repair. But as far as they could see
+all was quiet there.</p>
+
+<p>The boat was following what was supposed to be the course of the cable,
+and the men were constantly seeking to secure it with their grappling
+irons. The crew proceeded cautiously but expeditiously with its work,
+the boat passing to and fro across what they supposed was the line of
+the cable.</p>
+
+<p>"How is it, Wilson?" at last said the lieutenant, speaking to one of the
+men who was leaning over the side of the boat. "Struck anything yet?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet, sir," was the response.</p>
+
+<p>Nearer and nearer to the shore came the boat, the men coolly continuing
+their labors, seemingly as unmindful of danger as though the coast was
+not lined by hostile forces. The sun peeped above the face of the water
+to the eastward, and the darkness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> slowly receded before it. Every
+detail of the frowning fortification ashore was now plainly visible to
+the boat's crew.</p>
+
+<p>Clif looked intently along the shore, but there was no hostile movement
+to be seen. But he realized that the fast growing light of the rising
+sun must betray their presence to the enemy, if any such were on watch.</p>
+
+<p>"What a fine target we would make for them, too," he thought. "And close
+range at that."</p>
+
+<p>His thoughts were interrupted by an exclamation from one of the men who
+had been previously addressed by the lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah!" cried the man. "I've got it!"</p>
+
+<p>The boat was quickly brought to a standstill, and willing hands assisted
+him. In a few moments the heavy cable appeared above the surface of the
+water and was drawn up to the boat.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, men, quick with the saws!" cried the lieutenant, excitedly. "Quick
+work, and we'll be done and away before the Spaniards discover us!"</p>
+
+<p>It required quick work, indeed&mdash;quicker than any of the brave boat's
+crew then thought.</p>
+
+<p>The lieutenant had no more than given his orders when an interruption,
+startling and unwelcome, occurred. He had been anxiously scanning the
+outlines of the fortifications and congratulated himself that no
+movement was visible in that quarter. The Spaniards were napping, he
+thought, and all was well.</p>
+
+<p>But the reverse was the case, as he quickly discovered. No sooner had
+one of the sailors began to saw away at the cable than suddenly and
+without warning a shower of bullets rained around them in the water and
+the ominous boom of a cannon from the shore told they had been
+discovered.</p>
+
+<p>"A masked battery to the left!" cried Clif. "They have ambushed us!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This was true. The fortifications which had alone received the
+lieutenant's attention remained silent, while from the left a concealed
+battery kept up a raking fire upon the small boat and the intrepid crew.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniards had not yet gotten the range, it is true, but it was a
+tight place to be in&mdash;in an open boat, unarmed, helpless and exposed to
+the raking fire from shore.</p>
+
+<p>But the men in that boat were full of nerve. Not once did they falter
+while shells and shot whistled and burst over their heads, beyond them
+and even among them.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurry up, Wilson," cried the lieutenant to the sailor sawing the cable.
+"That cable must be cut before we leave the spot."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay, sir," responded the other. "If it kills every man of us!"</p>
+
+<p>It began to look as if that would be their fate. The Spanish shot and
+shell, which at first fell harmlessly into the water, now dropped nearer
+and nearer. Clif heard an awful buzzing and whizzing sound in the air,
+and seemed to feel something hit him in the face and head. It was not
+his first time under fire, and he knew that a shell had passed near
+them.</p>
+
+<p>The fire from shore increased in rapidity and with more accuracy. From
+another quarter, a jut of land nearer to the boat, came a fusilade from
+Mauser rifles, and their bullets passed near the heads of the American
+crew.</p>
+
+<p>It was a hot place, but the men worked coolly on, determined that their
+orders should be executed at all hazards. By rapid work one piece of the
+cable was cut, but that was not enough. Another cut must be made at
+least fifty feet away, so that the Spaniards could not repair it by
+splicing. As the last strands parted and the free end of the cable fell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>
+back into the water, it was discovered that the sailor held the shore
+end in his grasp, and that to complete their work they must now draw
+closer to the fire of their enemies.</p>
+
+<p>"Fifty feet nearer shore!" exclaimed the lieutenant, and the crew
+grasped the oars and unflinchingly began to carry out the order.</p>
+
+<p>The shots of the Spaniards began to tell. Bullets splintered the sides
+of the boat, and they had not moved but a few feet from the spot when
+another volley severely wounded two of the men.</p>
+
+<p>Wilson, the man who had been so active, fell into the bottom of the boat
+severely wounded in the shoulder, and another sailor who was near where
+Clif sat, was shot in the thigh. But the boat kept on, rowing nearer and
+nearer.</p>
+
+<p>Clif resigned the tiller to the lieutenant, while he bound up the men's
+wounds and comforted them as best he could. Then he jumped back to the
+tiller.</p>
+
+<p>This was an unfortunate move for him, for in that position he and the
+lieutenant were the most conspicuous figures in the boat, and the
+Spanish riflemen were making every effort to pick off the officer. A
+bullet, intended for the lieutenant, struck Clif in the arm as he took
+his place.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you wounded?" shouted the officer above the din, noticing that Clif
+momentarily paled.</p>
+
+<p>"It is nothing," replied Clif, resolutely clinching his teeth and
+continuing to guide the boat.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the welcome sound of the firing of cannon to seaward reached
+their ears.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the New York!" cried Clif. "She is taking a hand in the
+scrimmage!"</p>
+
+<p>It was true. With deadly accuracy, the flagship was hurling shrapnel
+shell over the heads of the bluejackets into the battery on shore.</p>
+
+<p>And thus between the two fires the little band in their frail boat
+continued coolly with their labors,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> Clif assisting those who became
+wounded wholly unmindful of the fact that he himself was bleeding
+freely.</p>
+
+<p>But it was soon over. The terrible havoc of the well-directed shrapnel
+shot from the New York quickly silenced the masked battery and dispersed
+the gunners and the cutting of the cable received no further
+interruption from the Spanish forces.</p>
+
+<p>They were enthusiastically received upon their return to the flagship,
+bearing a section of the cable to be cut up as souvenirs. The wounded
+were tenderly cared for, and Clif himself examined the nature of his own
+injury. Fortunately, though it had bled freely, it was but a slight
+flesh wound, which gave him no uneasiness after being properly bandaged.</p>
+
+<p>This operation was just completed, when a jaunty young ensign appeared,
+and turning to Clif, said:</p>
+
+<p>"Cadet Faraday, you are requested to report to the rear admiral at
+once."</p>
+
+<p>Clif saluted and promptly followed the officer.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>A PERILOUS DETAIL.</h3>
+
+<p>Clif did not have long to speculate upon the cause of the summons. The
+ensign led the way to the rear admiral's cabin, knocked, and with Clif
+closely following, entered. He then saluted and went out again, leaving
+the cadet alone with the officer.</p>
+
+<p>Rear Admiral Sampson noticed the paleness of Clif's face, and
+thoughtfully directed him to sit down.</p>
+
+<p>"I hear that you were wounded while cutting the cable," he said at once.
+"You were under hot fire while it lasted, and I am proud of the way the
+men behaved. I am told that you did not give up the tiller in spite of
+your injuries."</p>
+
+<p>Clif, though pleased to receive the praise of the rear admiral, bore
+himself modestly. It did not seem to him that he had done any brave act.</p>
+
+<p>"My wound was slight, sir," he said quickly. "It has been properly
+dressed, and gives me no trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to hear that," replied the officer, "for I have an especial
+mission upon which I desire to send you, but of course would not think
+of your going if it should endanger your health. Other danger you do not
+seem to fear."</p>
+
+<p>Clif reassured the officer that he was ready and able to undertake any
+mission intrusted to him.</p>
+
+<p>"It is briefly this," continued the rear admiral. "While you were out
+with the boat, I received a communication by the dispatch boat saying
+that a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> courier from the Cuban chief, Gomez, is to be at a certain spot
+near, the coast to-night, bearing important dispatches from the
+insurgents. It is necessary that we send some one to meet him, and your
+previous experience on Cuban soil and your knowledge of the Spanish
+language recommend you as the leader of the party. Are you prepared to
+go? There may be danger&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Clif eagerly interrupted him. To his mind it seemed a great honor, as it
+really was to be placed in command of so important a mission, and he
+counted no danger great enough to cause him to hesitate.</p>
+
+<p>He told the rear admiral as much, forgetting in his eagerness for active
+service, that he was but a cadet.</p>
+
+<p>"Then it is settled," said the rear admiral. "To-night the New York will
+reach a spot nearly opposite the place of meeting, and you will be ready
+with a party of ten, whom you may select. Here is a diagram of that part
+of the coast, indicating the appointed spot where the courier is to be
+met."</p>
+
+<p>He handed Clif a roughly drawn map, which the latter examined curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"I know the spot well," he exclaimed, after looking at the diagram for a
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>"All the better," said the rear admiral.</p>
+
+<p>Then after some further directions and instructions from the officer,
+Clif saluted and took his leave, happy in the thought that he had been
+singled out for such important duty and that he would have this
+opportunity of active work.</p>
+
+<p>He was really glad, though he would hardly admit it to himself, to be
+permitted to seek some rest during the day, for his wound was painful,
+if not serious.</p>
+
+<p>It was late at night when, with a picked company of ten men, all armed,
+Clif parted company with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> flagship and steered his boat toward the
+shore. The New York had dropped them near the appointed spot, but it had
+been deemed prudent not to take the ship near enough to attract
+attention to the intended destination of Clif and his crew. They
+therefore had considerable distance yet to row before touching land.</p>
+
+<p>"I know the coast pretty well along here," thought Clif, as he set in
+the stern, tiller ropes in hand. "We'll get there all right."</p>
+
+<p>Success depended upon their own efforts, for the New York slowly steamed
+away along the coast and in the opposite direction.</p>
+
+<p>Clif and his party sped along without any uneasiness. It was night and
+darkness favored them. There was no reason to think that their presence
+there was suspected or their purpose known.</p>
+
+<p>Still, for all this evident security, Clif kept a sharp lookout for any
+of the enemy who might be prowling along like himself, or, worse still,
+who might be scouring those waters with one of those silent little
+terrors, a torpedo boat.</p>
+
+<p>All went peacefully until they were within less than half a mile of
+their destination, and quite near shore. Then suddenly a rifle shot rang
+out upon the shore, and sounds of voices came to their ears.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniards had discovered them!</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not," thought Clif, hopefully. "Silence everybody," he said,
+addressing the men, "and listen."</p>
+
+<p>Instantly the men ceased rowing, and every one strained his ears to hear
+the sounds from shore.</p>
+
+<p>That there was a company of the enemy at that point was evident, from
+the noise of many voices and the confused sounds that were borne to the
+listeners' ears.</p>
+
+<p>"They have discovered us," whispered Clif to the one nearest him. "I
+caught a few words of Spanish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> that convinces me that the sentry has
+heard our oars. Not a sound now! They can't see us in the dark, and will
+think it all a mistake."</p>
+
+<p>It was a waiting game that Clif had set out to play, and it seemed the
+only thing that could help them under the circumstances. It was out of
+the question to think of attacking the Spaniards, superior at least in
+numbers. There was other work for the night.</p>
+
+<p>Silently the American crew waited, listening for every sound. Soon these
+voices died out, and Clif concluded that they could venture to move once
+more.</p>
+
+<p>"Row quietly," was his whispered order. "I'd like to give them a volley,
+but that would spoil our plans."</p>
+
+<p>The men cautiously plied the oars and were soon steering softly toward
+their appointed place of landing. But quietly as they moved, the sound
+was borne ashore and they had not proceeded many boat lengths before
+another shot echoed across the water.</p>
+
+<p>"To thunder with the Spaniard," exclaimed Clif, out of patience with the
+fresh outbreak. "He's firing at random. Go ahead. We'll meet them
+further down the shore if they're not satisfied."</p>
+
+<p>This sentiment met the approval of the men, and they bent to the oars
+with vigor and spirit.</p>
+
+<p>They were gliding swiftly across the water, and had nearly reached their
+landing place, when Clif heard a noise that put him on the alert.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you hear that?" he exclaimed, after hastily stopping the rowers.</p>
+
+<p>The men rested on their oars and listened.</p>
+
+<p>"Sounds like the throbbing of an engine, sir," at last said one of the
+men. "It's a boat, sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but friend or foe?" exclaimed Clif. "It's not the New York. She
+went in the other direction,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> and I don't know of any more of our boats
+in this place."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps the New York is coming back," ventured one of the men.</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Clif. "She's not been here for at least three hours. By
+that time we will be ready to return to her."</p>
+
+<p>"It must be a blockade runner," suggested one of the men.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't see as it makes any difference," said Clif, finally. "If
+it is, we can't stop her. She can't be after us, for I am sure no one of
+the enemy knows our mission. There is our landing place. We must hurry
+or we will be late."</p>
+
+<p>With this he turned the prow of the boat toward shore, and gave orders
+to proceed. A few minutes later the boat grated upon the beach and the
+sailors sprang ashore.</p>
+
+<p>There was no one to dispute their landing. The coast at this point was
+wild and uninhabited, and but a short distance inland was the spot
+appointed for the meeting with the insurgent courier.</p>
+
+<p>Clif hid the boat among some bushes and quickly led the men up the steep
+bank toward a clump of trees.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the spot," he exclaimed as they reached it, "and we are
+evidently ahead of time."</p>
+
+<p>No one was in sight, as far as the eye could penetrate the darkness.
+There was barely enough light from the moon just emerging from behind a
+cloud to enable the sailors to take some notice of the surroundings.
+Where they stood, near the sparse clump of trees, it was smooth and
+level, but close to one side of them rose a ridge of ground forming a
+natural rampart. It almost seemed as though Spanish forms might at any
+instant appear upon it behind threatening guns.</p>
+
+<p>Seaward the view was unobstructed, and as Clif<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> turned his gaze in that
+direction, he could see the moonbeams reflected on the heaving bosom of
+the waters. He saw another sight an instant after that caused him to
+utter an exclamation of surprise.</p>
+
+<p>Far out to seaward the beam of a searchlight suddenly shot across the
+water. It swept from side to side in a gradually widening radius, until
+after a few moments its glare fell upon a steamer whose hulk rose up
+between it and the shore.</p>
+
+<p>"It is one of our ships chasing a blockade runner," cried Clif. "She was
+trying to sneak out, but is caught in the act."</p>
+
+<p>The little party on shore watched with eager eyes the chase as shown by
+the bright beam from the warship's searchlight. In the excitement of the
+novel sight that was afforded them they for the moment forgot why they
+were there.</p>
+
+<p>Then a strange and mysterious thing happened. As they watched the
+pursued vessel they suddenly saw a flash from a gun on the side facing
+the land.</p>
+
+<p>"What fools!" cried Clif. "Firing toward the land instead of at our
+ship. The fool Spaniards must be rattled worse than usual. That
+beats&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He did not finish the sentence. As he spoke the shell fired from the
+ship crashed through the trees and landed almost at his feet. The fuse
+was burning and spluttering, and it seemed ready to explode on the
+instant, carrying death and destruction to the little party.</p>
+
+<p>It was a perilous moment. Several of the men instinctively dodged and
+seemed on the point of running away.</p>
+
+<p>Clif saw his peril in an instant and the only hope of averting it.
+Without a moment's hesitation he sprang forward and picked up the shell
+as it seemed about to burst. With a mighty effort he hurled the
+spluttering missile over the ridge of earth that he had noticed to one
+side, and then, with an involun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>tary sigh of relief, he instinctively
+huddled with the balance of the party in an expectant attitude, waiting
+for the explosion on the other side of the rampart.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE CUBAN COURIER.</h3>
+
+<p>But the explosion never came.</p>
+
+<p>The party waited breathlessly, expecting to hear a deafening sound from
+the shell, and to see the earth thrown up in showers about them. From a
+safe place of vantage they felt it was a sight worth seeing and felt
+personally aggrieved when, after waiting an unconscionable time, all was
+quiet on the other side of the natural rampart of earth.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had been surprised and puzzled in the first place to see the ship
+firing away from its antagonist instead of toward it, and was now more
+than ever perplexed. To add to the mystery, the ship did not fire
+another shot, either at its pursuer or in the opposite direction.</p>
+
+<p>Its only purpose now seemed to be to get away from the American ship. It
+seemed to stand a good chance of doing it, too; for it was evidently a
+very swift boat, and the pursuing vessel was still far away.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the queerest thing that ever happened," exclaimed Clif, when a
+sufficient time had elapsed to enable the shell to explode if it was
+ever going to. "What possessed them to fire over here, and what's the
+matter with the shell? I'll investigate the latter, at any rate; it's
+within easy reach."</p>
+
+<p>Though it seemed as though more than enough time had passed to give the
+shell a good opportunity, still Clif, for reasons of prudence, concluded
+not to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> be too exacting on the thing, but to give it a fair chance. He
+didn't want to crowd it too close.</p>
+
+<p>So he waited a while longer, and then cautiously climbed up the side of
+the embankment and peered over.</p>
+
+<p>There in the moonlight he could see the shell lying quietly upon the
+ground. There was no smoke now rising from it, and the fuse had
+evidently burned itself out. It seemed a harmless enough piece of steel
+now.</p>
+
+<p>He waited but an instant, and then vaulted over on the other side. His
+curiosity had been aroused regarding the matter and he for the time
+being lost all interest in the chase at sea, as well as the appointed
+meeting under those trees on shore.</p>
+
+<p>When he picked up the shell he was more surprised and mystified than
+ever.</p>
+
+<p>"What does this mean?" he exclaimed aloud. "A round shell of the
+old-fashioned type instead of the conical ones used nowadays! Why, a
+shell like this has not been used in any navy for ages!"</p>
+
+<p>He had been too excited at the moment of picking up the spluttering
+shell to note its shape or size, but now he saw at a glance that the one
+he held in his hand was obsolete and out of date. It was well enough for
+the old-fashioned smooth-bore guns, but those of modern make had no use
+for them.</p>
+
+<p>As he puzzled over the mystery surrounding the projectile he suddenly
+heard a whistle from the other side of the embankment. He recognized it
+as the signal from the insurgent courier, and at once was alive to the
+importance of carrying out the instructions that had been given him.</p>
+
+<p>He hastily dropped the shell upon the ground and sprang up and over the
+ridge of earth.</p>
+
+<p>He gave an answering whistle and soon a form cautiously appeared from
+among some bushes not far away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Alto quien va?" called Clif before the newcomer had advanced a step.</p>
+
+<p>This was the challenge, meaning, "Who goes there?"</p>
+
+<p>The response came promptly:</p>
+
+<p>"Cuba!"</p>
+
+<p>This is the countersign of the insurgents, and Clif knew that it was the
+courier who had reached the appointed rendezvous.</p>
+
+<p>He called out to him to advance, and in the moonlight appeared the
+figure of an insurgent soldier, a mambis, as he is called in that
+country, a figure with which American tars were to become more familiar
+as the war progressed.</p>
+
+<p>His equipment was typical of the insurgent soldier. Beside a pair of
+linen trousers and a knitted woolen shirt, he wore a short blouse,
+called mambisa. This was a small shirt-like vest, with pockets front and
+back, opening at the belt, a handy way of carrying their cartridges
+devised by them through necessity during the previous ten-years war. A
+panama hat turned up in front and fastened with a silver star, completed
+his attire; for as to his feet, they were innocent of a covering.</p>
+
+<p>"Rather a summery outfit," thought Clif as he took it in with a glance.</p>
+
+<p>But he knew that it was sufficient for the needs of the insurgents in
+that climate, and that brave hearts beat under the unpretentious
+mambisa, and brave deeds were done by the poorly equipped soldiers of
+the army of liberation.</p>
+
+<p>The newcomer was effusive in his greeting.</p>
+
+<p>"I bring you greeting from our brave general, Gomez," he exclaimed in
+Spanish. "Greetings to our noble friends and allies."</p>
+
+<p>Clif received him cordially, but lost little time in preliminaries. Much
+more time had already been consumed than he had calculated upon, and he
+was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> anxious to have his business over with and return to the flagship
+with the important dispatches for which he had come.</p>
+
+<p>"I am honored by your words," he said, in reply to the other. "Cuban
+liberty is assured by force of American arms, and at the same time we
+have our own score to settle with Spain."</p>
+
+<p>"It will be done," said the Cuban.</p>
+
+<p>"But to business," continued Clif. "You have some papers for me, have
+you not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied the courier, raising his blouse and drawing forth a
+package of papers from its place of concealment. "Important dispatches
+from our general for your gallant rear admiral. Besides much information
+concerning the Spanish fortifications and troops, there are details of
+our own plans and preparations which it would be ruinous to have fall
+into Spanish hands."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll see that the Spanish don't get them," he said, with a confident
+air.</p>
+
+<p>"Be cautious," exclaimed the Cuban. "The enemy have made one effort to
+intercept them. I was pursued a mile back from here, but my knowledge of
+the country enabled me to give them the slip. It was that encounter that
+delayed me."</p>
+
+<p>This was a danger that had not been reckoned on. Every preparation for
+the transfer of the papers had been arranged with utmost secrecy.</p>
+
+<p>"But did the Spaniards know of your mission here?" asked Clif, in some
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"I know not," replied the other. "It is incredible how they could have
+discovered it, but I do know that I encountered a detachment of their
+troops and that they pursued me."</p>
+
+<p>"Then they may be following you to this point," exclaimed Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"I think not," replied the Cuban. "I made a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> wide detour and know the
+ways of the land too well to leave any trail."</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless," said Clif, "our business is transacted, and the sooner
+we go our respective ways the better. These papers are now in my care,
+and I shall run no risk of their falling into the hands of our enemies."</p>
+
+<p>"You are a wise officer," exclaimed the courier. "And before we part
+allow me to present you this. It may interest you."</p>
+
+<p>With this he drew from his mambisa a paper which he quickly unfolded. It
+proved to be a sheet about ten by fourteen inches, and Clif could see,
+as he examined it by what light the moon afforded, that there was
+printing on both sides.</p>
+
+<p>"This," said the courier, somewhat proudly, "is the first copy of 'Las
+Villas' ever printed. It is set up and printed at General Gomez's
+headquarters under his own direction. It contains, besides orders, and
+an address from our beloved general, an account of your intrepid Dewey's
+victory at Manila. Ah! that was a magnificent victory!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," assented Clif, "and there will be others."</p>
+
+<p>"The American battleships are invincible!" exclaimed the Cuban, with
+enthusiasm. "With such noble allies we cannot fail to secure our
+liberty. We are no longer instruments, but members of the regular army
+of Cuba. God bless America!"</p>
+
+<p>The Cuban seemed in a fair way to continue his rhapsodies indefinitely,
+but Clif, having secured the papers for which he came, was now intent
+upon delivering them as soon as possible to the rear admiral.</p>
+
+<p>He therefore intimated as much to the courier, and the latter took his
+departure.</p>
+
+<p>Clif watched him disappear among the trees in the direction by which he
+had approached.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, men," said he, addressing his compan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>ions, "to the boat. The New
+York will soon be back ready to receive us."</p>
+
+<p>But they had not taken more than a few steps toward the shore when Clif
+suddenly stopped as if remembering something.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on just a minute!" he exclaimed. "That shell! I have special
+reasons for wanting to carry that along. It will take but a minute to
+find it."</p>
+
+<p>As he started toward the ridge of earth beyond which he had thrown it,
+they were all startled to hear the sounds of musketry apparently near at
+hand. One volley was quickly followed by another.</p>
+
+<p>Clif sprang upon the embankment for which he had started, and looked off
+beyond the clump of trees in the direction from which the sounds came.</p>
+
+<p>He was in that position but a moment or two. A half-dozen reports in
+quick succession greeted his appearance&mdash;one bullet passing through his
+cap.</p>
+
+<p>He dropped on his feet to the ground beside his companions.</p>
+
+<p>"The Spaniards!" he exclaimed, hurriedly. "At least a hundred of them.
+From what I saw they were hurrying in this direction and not far away."</p>
+
+<p>They were on the alert on the instant. The sounds that reached their
+ears told them unmistakably that the force of the enemy far outnumbered
+their own, and were rapidly approaching.</p>
+
+<p>Should they await an attack or run for the boat?</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2>
+
+<h3>"IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY AND THE SAILORS OF THE MAINE!"</h3>
+
+<p>"They must have followed the courier in spite of his cleverness,"
+exclaimed Clif. "And if they have tracked him, they know we are here.
+The question is, shall we meet them here or take to the boat and run the
+risk of being shot down without a chance to defend ourselves? The danger
+is yours as well as mine. What do you say?"</p>
+
+<p>But before the men could make reply a rousing cheer from the Spanish
+soldiers rang out upon the air.</p>
+
+<p>The little band of Americans expected to see the forms of their enemies
+appear among the trees at every second in an impetuous charge upon them.
+They had no doubt that the cheers were the signal for the attack.</p>
+
+<p>But to their amazement the sounds of approaching steps died out. Clif's
+practiced ear told him that the enemy had halted; but at the same time
+he recognized marks of enthusiasm among the Spanish forces.</p>
+
+<p>What could it mean?</p>
+
+<p>"Do they think they can scare us off by yelling at us?" exclaimed Clif,
+contemptuously. "They don't know us, if they think so&mdash;that's all!"</p>
+
+<p>The group of Americans listened intently. There was no doubt of it, the
+Spaniards had halted after their vociferous cheers.</p>
+
+<p>Clif decided to find out what it meant. If the Spaniards were preparing
+a surprise for him, he intended finding it out.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Cautiously he climbed upon the little rampart of earth and looked away
+beyond the trees where he had first seen the approach of the enemy. In
+the moonlight he could plainly distinguish the forms of the soldiers.
+There were not as many as he had at first supposed&mdash;they numbered not
+more than fifty.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of them he recognized a figure that explained the cause of
+their mysterious conduct, and at the same time aroused his fighting
+instinct.</p>
+
+<p>He quickly rejoined his companions, his eyes ablaze with the fire of
+combat.</p>
+
+<p>"They have captured the courier," he explained to his waiting
+companions. "That was why they cheered so lustily. A lot of jubilation
+over the capture of one man!"</p>
+
+<p>"They don't have such good luck very often," exclaimed one of the men.</p>
+
+<p>"They fired enough shots to repulse a whole regiment of insurgents,"
+exclaimed Clif, "but it was all for the benefit of this one mambesi. I
+don't believe they saw me at all, but that bullet through my cap was one
+of their stray shots."</p>
+
+<p>"But they must know we are here," exclaimed the men.</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt it," replied Clif, "else why do they halt so near and not
+charge on us? Shall we force the fight and go to the rescue of our Cuban
+friend?"</p>
+
+<p>"How many are there of them?" asked one of the men.</p>
+
+<p>"Only about fifty."</p>
+
+<p>"And there are eleven of us here! We can set them on the run! Let's do
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"We have done almost as much on other occasions," said Clif, "but now we
+are armed with only our revolvers. They are five to one."</p>
+
+<p>"We have plenty of ammunition," spoke up the men, eagerly. "You know we
+took an extra supply."</p>
+
+<p>"But there is another thing we must bear in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> mind," said Clif, who had
+been doing some quick thinking. "I'd like nothing better than to give
+them a lively tussle. But here are these important dispatches. They must
+not fall into Spanish hands. The New York will soon be due. If we delay
+we might miss her."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so," exclaimed the men. "But we can fire one volley at them
+anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>"One volley would do no good. It would simply betray our presence.
+Either we must fight to the end, or else sneak off to our boat before
+they discover us."</p>
+
+<p>The idea of having a lot of the enemy so near at hand and not offering
+them battle, went against the grain of all of them. They were not
+deterred by the superior numbers of the Spaniards, but Clif's words
+about the importance of seeing the dispatches safely in the rear
+admiral's hand had some restraining effect upon their ardor.</p>
+
+<p>Clif, with all his bravery, was naturally prudent, but was strongly
+tempted to make one effort to release the captive Cuban. He was their
+friend and ally, and in his heart Clif felt that if the captive were one
+of his own men, there would be no thought of hesitancy or delay.</p>
+
+<p>"One minute," he said, after weighing both sides of the question, "I'll
+take a look and see what they are doing."</p>
+
+<p>He sprang upon the embankment and peered off toward the enemy. The main
+body of the troops were resting on their arms, apparently satisfied with
+the capture of the solitary Cuban.</p>
+
+<p>Clif, however, could see that several of the soldiers were moving about
+from side to side, close to the ground, as though hunting for some
+object among the grass. Clif was puzzled to think what they could be
+seeking, but he felt convinced that the Spaniards had no idea of the
+near proximity of the Americans.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Everything seemed to prove that, and Clif was not slow to make up his
+mind. There was time yet for some quick action.</p>
+
+<p>"They don't know we are here, men," he exclaimed, when he rejoined the
+others. "The Cuban will not betray us. We can surprise them, and if we
+sweep down on them with a rush and create noise enough about it we can
+make them think the whole ship's crew is after them."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll do it!" chorused the men, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, forward to the rescue!" cried Clif, leading the way. "But quietly
+through these trees until we reach the other side."</p>
+
+<p>It would seem a foolhardy thing to do&mdash;to invite battle with such an
+overwhelming force, when they might quietly reach their boat and make
+away without detection. But their blood was up, and there was a friend
+and ally in peril of a Spanish dungeon or death.</p>
+
+<p>Without a moment's hesitation or further thought, they advanced silently
+through the sparse woods, revolvers in hand. They were few in numbers,
+but determination was written on every face.</p>
+
+<p>They reached the further edge of the clump of trees without giving a
+sound that would betray their presence to the enemy. Here they formed in
+line under Clif's leadership, shoulder to shoulder, ready for the
+charge.</p>
+
+<p>The moon had gone behind a cloud, but here and there they could detect
+the glistening of a hostile bayonet, and the sound of Spanish voices.</p>
+
+<p>They did not pause to contemplate the scene. The time for action had
+come.</p>
+
+<p>"The stars are fighting with us!" exclaimed Clif. "The Spaniards will
+never know how few we are in this darkness. Now, all together. A rousing
+cheer and at them!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>At the signal a shout as of a hundred voices startled the unsuspecting
+Spaniards.</p>
+
+<p>"Fire!" cried Clif and a volley from their revolvers carried
+consternation into the Spanish ranks.</p>
+
+<p>The shots had told. Groans of the wounded mingled with the hoarse,
+startled commands of the officers.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later a return volley rang out upon the air, but the bullets
+flew harmlessly among the trees. The Spaniards in their fright were
+firing wildly.</p>
+
+<p>The Americans returned the fire and kept it up as rapidly as possible,
+yelling for all they were worth. This noisy charge had the effect Clif
+had reckoned upon. The Spaniards were thoroughly frightened and Clif's
+sharp ear told him that some of the soldiers were already on the run,
+and that the officers had difficulty in keeping them all from
+retreating.</p>
+
+<p>Clif knew very well that if the enemy had any idea of how meagre were
+his forces they would be bolder, and instead of trying to get away would
+sweep down upon him with overwhelming force. He, however, was too shrewd
+to give them a chance of finding that out. A bold dash would keep up his
+"bluff," and now was the time to put it into execution.</p>
+
+<p>Drawing his sword, he started toward them, shouting at the top of his
+voice:</p>
+
+<p>"Up and at 'em, boys!" he roared. "Charge!"</p>
+
+<p>Then facing about for an instant, he added in a lower tone:</p>
+
+<p>"Yell like sixty!"</p>
+
+<p>With a wild shout, the little band rushed forward, firing their
+revolvers as they advanced in compact line.</p>
+
+<p>This bold dash had the desired effect. The enemy could be heard
+retreating in disorder before them.</p>
+
+<p>With redoubled clamor the Americans pressed forward, spurred on by the
+excitement of the chase.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> The moon at this point emerged from its
+retirement and showed them the demoralized ranks of the fleeing
+Spaniards.</p>
+
+<p>But, unfortunately, it also showed to such of the enemy as looked back
+at their pursuers, what a handful of men had caused such terror and
+havoc. Clif felt that his "bluff" would now be called.</p>
+
+<p>But the beams of the moon also showed another scene that aroused all the
+Americans' indignation and fairly made their blood boil with rage.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the panic the Spaniards had retained hold of their prisoner.
+But the first sight that Clif saw as the moon shone out clear once more,
+was one of the Spanish soldiers deliberately placing his revolver
+against the unfortunate Cuban's head and sent a bullet crashing into his
+brain.</p>
+
+<p>"Treachery! base treachery!" cried Clif, beside himself with indignation
+and horror at the scene. "Assassination of a prisoner of war! Boys,
+shall we allow such a vile deed to go unavenged?"</p>
+
+<p>The others had also seen, and there was no need to ask the question. But
+the answer came prompt and without a dissenting voice:</p>
+
+<p>"No, by thunder! Never!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then at them to the death!" cried Clif, leading them on. "In the name
+of humanity and the sailors of the Maine!"</p>
+
+<p>The blood-curdling atrocity had made demons of them all, and with a
+hoarse shout they sprang to the charge.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2>
+
+<h3>A GAME OF BLUFF.</h3>
+
+<p>Clif urged his little band of avengers forward with no thought of danger
+or of the consequences. The inhuman scene he had witnessed drove from
+his mind all thoughts of the flagship or the important papers he carried
+upon his person.</p>
+
+<p>Such barbarity called for vengeance, and that brave American handful of
+American tars meant to wreak it on their treacherous foes, or die in the
+attempt.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" shouted Clif, wildly. "Give it to 'em! Don't let a man
+escape!"</p>
+
+<p>A well directed volley was the answer to his command, that sent
+death-dealing bullets among the frightened soldiers just before them.
+But, unfortunately for the heroic little band, they were now fighting in
+the open, and their strength was known to the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>A little further ahead Clif could see that a Spanish officer had
+succeeded in rallying some of his men, and they were now forming in
+solid line to repulse the charge of the Americans.</p>
+
+<p>The first result of this was a shower of bullets from the Spanish rifles
+that fortunately for the most part went wide of the mark. But one
+slightly wounded a sailor at Clif's side, as a sharp exclamation of pain
+quickly told him.</p>
+
+<p>It also aroused his native caution. What was the use, he quickly
+thought, of holding his men there in the full glare of the moonlight as
+a target for the enemy's guns, when a more certain conflict could be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>
+carried on from the shelter of the trees just behind him? He had too few
+men to risk losing any on those uneven terms.</p>
+
+<p>He quickly ordered his men to drop back into the woods. But it was with
+great difficulty at first that he could inforce his commands upon the
+now thoroughly aroused sailors. They wanted to continue their impetuous
+charge.</p>
+
+<p>But a second volley from the remaining troops showed them the wisdom of
+Clif's decision, and with a return volley they fell back into the
+darkness and shelter of the trees.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, boys," cried Clif, "every man behind a tree and fight for all you
+are worth. Let every shot tell."</p>
+
+<p>The wisdom of Clif's stand became at once apparent. From the ambush of
+the woods they could fire with little fear of stopping a Spanish bullet
+with their own bodies.</p>
+
+<p>And they did fire, and that to good purpose.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniards were now bolder and bore down upon the ambushed Americans
+with some semblance of order. But at each volley from the sailors there
+was a wavering in the ranks of the foe, and Clif could see that more
+than one dropped wounded from the ranks.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll lick 'em yet!" cried Clif, with enthusiasm. "Keep it up, boys!"</p>
+
+<p>But the Spaniards advanced steadily in spite of their losses. They, too,
+were fully aroused at the thought that they had been so roughly handled
+by such a small number of men.</p>
+
+<p>Clif and his gallant band were compelled to drop back from tree to tree.
+It began to look as though the Spaniards would in the end become
+victorious.</p>
+
+<p>But with the Americans it was do or die. There was no hope of help or
+succor from any source. No reinforcements were at hand, and none could
+be sent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> in time from the flagship, even did those on board suspect the
+plight in which that boat's crew found itself.</p>
+
+<p>But desperate cases require desperate measures, and Clif was equal to
+the emergency. When it became evident that the Spaniards would indeed
+fight, Clif's busy brain thought of a means to turn the tide of
+conflict.</p>
+
+<p>It was a slight hope, to be sure, but the only one that presented
+itself. He smiled in spite of himself, in view of his meagre forces at
+the thought that the only way to achieve victory was by a flank
+movement.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll take two men," he said hurriedly, "and slip around behind those
+fellows. The rest of you keep up your fire here, and if our lungs hold
+out we'll make them think we have reinforcements."</p>
+
+<p>It was a very risky move, but with two companions Clif put it into
+execution at once. They hurried through the woods so as to flank the
+enemy, an easy task, as the latter were now well up to the little grove.</p>
+
+<p>As they reached the edge of the woods which would bring them in the
+enemy's rear, they set up a mighty shout.</p>
+
+<p>"At them, boys!" Clif yelled at his imaginary forces. "Come on! we've
+got 'em!"</p>
+
+<p>Then in Spanish he cried, so that the enemy could hear:</p>
+
+<p>"Surrender, you Spaniards! Twelve men have held you, and now we'll take
+you!"</p>
+
+<p>He had reached the edge of the clearing, and paused a moment, facing
+around and beckoning to his imaginary reinforcements.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniards were completely bewildered. The fire from those that Clif
+had left behind continued without intermission, and the Spaniards could
+not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> but think that the vociferous sailors in their rear were new
+arrivals.</p>
+
+<p>They could not in the first place conceive of the daring and hardihood
+that would lead a dozen men to oppose their forces unless reserves were
+near at hand. And now, thought they, these reinforcements had arrived.</p>
+
+<p>Clif and his companions made noise enough to give color to this belief,
+and without stopping to see what there was behind the demonstration, the
+Spaniards took to their heels.</p>
+
+<p>"They are not men, but devils!" Clif heard some one say in Spanish, as
+they dropped their rifles and start on the run.</p>
+
+<p>Even the officer who had succeeded once in holding a remnant of his
+panic-stricken forces together, now gave up the fight and sprinted away
+as fast as the rest.</p>
+
+<p>Every man seemed to be looking for his own safety, and they did not
+pause to see what was behind them. Here and there, it is true, one of
+the fleeing Spaniards could be seen helping a wounded companion in his
+flight. But as for further resistance, there was none.</p>
+
+<p>Clif could not forbear to laugh at the odd sight of an army in a foot
+race to escape a few American sailors.</p>
+
+<p>"American bluff has won the day," he laughed. "Our Cuban friend's death
+has been avenged, and that without the loss of a man on our side."</p>
+
+<p>"The Spanish are good sprinters, at any rate," said one of the men, as
+they started with Clif to rejoin their companions.</p>
+
+<p>Here Clif had all he could do to restrain his followers from continuing
+in pursuit of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said he in response to the earnest pleading. "We had better leave
+well enough alone. These Spaniards say we are not men, but devils, and
+I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> guess they don't care for another interview. The New York no doubt is
+waiting for us, and these dispatches are yet to be delivered."</p>
+
+<p>There was no use to grumble, so the party set out on the return to their
+boat. They were highly enthusiastic over the good work done under Clif's
+leadership, and were proud of his pluck as well as the good generalship
+he had shown.</p>
+
+<p>The tide of battle had carried them some distance from the spot where
+they had met the Cuban courier, and further still from where they had
+concealed their boat.</p>
+
+<p>But they picked their way expeditiously through the woods, and reached
+the beach without further incident.</p>
+
+<p>They were near the clump of trees which they recognized as that behind
+which they had hidden the boat when Clif stopped with a sudden
+exclamation.</p>
+
+<p>"Gorry!" he said, "I have forgotten that shell. It won't take but a
+minute to return for it."</p>
+
+<p>"What's the use, sir?" ventured one of the men. "As you said, we'd
+better let well enough alone, and not run any further risk for a shell
+that don't even explode."</p>
+
+<p>"That's just the reason I want it," said Clif. "That shell is more
+important than you might think. I'll&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But here occurred an interruption that opened up more startling
+possibilities, and drove the unexploded shell from the attention of all.</p>
+
+<p>It was in the shape of an exclamation of surprise and alarm from one of
+the men who had gone a few steps in advance of the others, and had
+reached the boat's hiding-place as Clif spoke.</p>
+
+<p>It arrested Clif's attention at once.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" he called, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"The boat, sir," cried the marine, appearing from behind the bushes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's gone!"</p>
+
+<p>"Gone?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Clif, followed by the others, hastened to the spot.</p>
+
+<p>The man had spoken the truth. The boat, which was now their sole
+dependence, was no longer there.</p>
+
+<p>They looked in blank amazement at one another and at the spot where they
+had fastened it in fancied security.</p>
+
+<p>What could it mean?</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2>
+
+<h3>IN WHICH CLIF MEETS WITH A SURPRISE.</h3>
+
+<p>They were now in a perilous position.</p>
+
+<p>They could not return to the flagship, and at any moment the Spaniards,
+finding they were not pursued, might pluck up courage to seek them out
+and try conclusions with them once more. If they should find them on
+that narrow strip of beach the story of the conflict might be a
+different one.</p>
+
+<p>And then the disappearance of the boat itself pointed to enemies they
+had not counted upon. Who could have found and taken it?</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now we're in a pretty pickle," exclaimed Clif, when he became
+satisfied that the boat had really been taken.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps, sir, this is not the place where we left it," ventured one of
+the men, catching at that faint hope.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you were right," said Clif, "but there's no doubt about it. The
+boat has been taken."</p>
+
+<p>"There's no doubt of it," the men echoed. "The boat is gone."</p>
+
+<p>But to make assurance doubly sure, they searched the beach under Clif's
+direction, examining every clump of bushes that was large enough to
+conceal the boat. But the result was a foregone conclusion. The boat was
+gone.</p>
+
+<p>"Now what's to be done, sir?" asked one of the men.</p>
+
+<p>What, indeed!</p>
+
+<p>"Something's got to be done," said Clif, with determination. "We've got
+to get off this island before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> daybreak. It's easy to dodge the
+Spaniards in the darkness, but entirely a different matter by day.
+Besides, we seem to have enemies down here as well as back there on the
+hill."</p>
+
+<p>He was scanning the water earnestly as he spoke. It was time, he knew,
+for the flagship to return to her position opposite that point, and
+await the return of Clif and his crew.</p>
+
+<p>Was she there?</p>
+
+<p>He could not tell. The face of the moon was again obscured by clouds as
+it had been most of the night, and it was impossible for Clif to discern
+any object at a distance across the water.</p>
+
+<p>He strained his eyes trying to catch a glimpse of the ship they had left
+not many hours ago, but the thought occurred to him, "What good will it
+do if I do see her?"</p>
+
+<p>But even as he looked the sky suddenly brightened in a tiny spot out to
+sea. A long pencil of light shot up from the water, and a cloud was
+tinged with a speck of dull white light.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the New York!" cried Clif. "The signal of her searchlight to
+return."</p>
+
+<p>They watched that tiny beam of light as though there was hope of succor
+in its rays, until it suddenly disappeared, and all was dark as before.</p>
+
+<p>"Now they are waiting for our appearance," said Clif. "But,
+unfortunately, we haven't got wings. Hello! What does that mean?"</p>
+
+<p>Clif had turned suddenly in a listening attitude toward the land. The
+others had heard the same sound that had attracted Clif. It was the
+solitary report of a rifle shot not far in their rear.</p>
+
+<p>"The Spaniards must be returning," said Clif. "They have made up their
+minds that we had no reinforcements because we did not pursue them
+further. I'll go up and reconnoitre, to see what they are up to."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'll go, sir," volunteered one of the men before Clif could get away.</p>
+
+<p>"You stay here. You may be able to see some way of getting us off."</p>
+
+<p>With this he cautiously hurried up the side of the bank, leaving Clif
+and his companions in the shelter of the bushes below.</p>
+
+<p>With ears alert to any sound by land, they anxiously strained their eyes
+across the water. Could any way be found to cross the expanse that lay
+between them and the flagship?</p>
+
+<p>All were silent for many minutes, and then at last the searchlight of
+the flagship flashed out once more and swept across the waters before it
+disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>"So near and yet so far," exclaimed Clif. "They are getting impatient
+for our return."</p>
+
+<p>"If we could signal them," suggested one of the men, "they would send a
+boat."</p>
+
+<p>"But we have no means of doing that," said Clif. "We can't shout at
+them, and a pistol shot would not be heard, except by our friends the
+enemy."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps they will send a boat anyhow," persisted the hopeful member of
+the crew.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," assented Clif, "after they get tired of waiting for us."</p>
+
+<p>In a short time the scout returned with news that was at least
+disquieting in their situation.</p>
+
+<p>"The Spaniards are after us, sir," he reported. "They seem to have
+rallied most of their men, and are now near the woods where we met them,
+cautiously advancing. They have scouts out looking for us, for I barely
+escaped running into one of them."</p>
+
+<p>"They have guessed the trick we played on them," said Clif, "and it will
+go hard with us if they find us. How near are they, did you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"They seem to be in the woods now, but they are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> advancing steadily.
+They are scouring the place thoroughly, and may be down on us any
+moment."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, boys, we'll do the best we can, if they do get here," said Clif,
+quietly.</p>
+
+<p>A calm settled upon the band, for now they knew their situation was
+critical. Their ammunition was nearly exhausted, and if the enemy should
+succeed in attacking them from the vantage of the hillside, there was
+little hope of a successful resistance. Should they succeed in eluding
+the enemy in the darkness, there was no doubt that daybreak would seal
+their fate.</p>
+
+<p>"There's no two ways about it," exclaimed Clif. "We've got to get off
+this island, and that pretty soon."</p>
+
+<p>"See, sir," cried the hopeful member, who had been intently gazing
+across the water. "They have sent a boat!"</p>
+
+<p>Clif looked in the direction in which the other was eagerly pointing.</p>
+
+<p>Sure enough, he could discern the outlines of a boat slowly moving
+toward them some little distance from shore.</p>
+
+<p>An involuntary little cheer went up from the others as they, too, saw
+the boat approaching.</p>
+
+<p>"We are saved!" exclaimed Clif, "and these dispatches will soon be in
+the rear admiral's hands."</p>
+
+<p>But suddenly the eager watchers saw the boat stop, then after a few
+moments veer around, and continue its course down the coast until it was
+almost abreast of the spot where they stood.</p>
+
+<p>Then it as suddenly stopped, and after a moment's pause retraced its
+course.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter with those fellows?" exclaimed Clif. "Are they afraid
+to land?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hadn't we better signal them, sir?" suggested the man. "They don't know
+where we are."</p>
+
+<p>The boat had again turned and was apparently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> patroling up and down,
+seemingly waiting for just such assistance in locating the position of
+the waiting sailors.</p>
+
+<p>But just as Clif was about to attract their attention by a mighty shout,
+his practiced ear caught sounds from the hill above that caused him to
+stop. The Spanish soldiers were unmistakably advancing.</p>
+
+<p>"Silence!" he cautioned, in a whisper. "The Spaniards are on the hill
+above us and the slightest noise will betray us."</p>
+
+<p>"But the boat, sir!" exclaimed the man. "We must signal it."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll bring it here," said Clif, with a sudden resolve.</p>
+
+<p>He began divesting himself of his blouse and trousers as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean to do, sir?" asked the men, wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Swim for it," replied Clif. "That's the only way."</p>
+
+<p>"But, sir&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't delay me," said Clif. "Every moment is precious now."</p>
+
+<p>With this he quietly slid into the water and with quick, powerful
+strokes shot through the waves toward the boat.</p>
+
+<p>Clif was in his element.</p>
+
+<p>In the whole ship's crew none excelled him in swimming and diving, and
+it was with a feeling of confidence that he forced his way through the
+water.</p>
+
+<p>He made not a sound as he went along&mdash;for it was to avoid alarming the
+Spaniards that he had hit upon this plan.</p>
+
+<p>The boat was not far from shore and he reached it in a few moments. He
+was overjoyed to recognize that it was, as he expected, one of the boats
+from the flagship.</p>
+
+<p>There were two occupants of the boat, one at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> oars and the other in
+the stern. Clif did not recognize them, but he did not pause on that
+account. Time was precious, and the boat must be gotten to shore and the
+balance of the party taken aboard without delay.</p>
+
+<p>"Boat ahoy!" he exclaimed joyously, as he reached the side without
+having been seen by the occupants. "Take me aboard, men, and then pull
+for the shore for all you are worth."</p>
+
+<p>Clif's sudden appearance and the words he spoke had a startling effect
+upon the oarsman by whose side Clif made his appearance.</p>
+
+<p>The latter started with an oath, and as Clif seized the side of the boat
+and raised himself partly from the water, his gaze fell upon the
+glistening barrel of a revolver and back of it he saw a face distorted
+with rage and hate.</p>
+
+<p>"Carramba!" fell upon Clif's ear. "It is an Americano! Death to the
+American pigs!"</p>
+
+<p>The occupants of the boats were Spaniards.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.</h3>
+
+<p>The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected
+and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.</p>
+
+<p>Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards,
+he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one
+belonging to the flagship. It seemed natural that a boat should be sent
+to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided
+shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his
+enemies.</p>
+
+<p>But his surprise affected him but for an instant. He did not propose to
+be shot down if he could help it.</p>
+
+<p>The report of the pistol that met Clif's gaze rang out upon the air, but
+the bullet did not reach its intended mark.</p>
+
+<p>Like a flash Clif had released his hold upon the boat, and dropped
+beneath the water, just in the nick of time.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard peered over the side of the boat in the darkness, expecting
+to see Clif's form appear on the surface, and hoping to see his life's
+blood staining the waters, a testimony to his marksmanship.</p>
+
+<p>How could he have failed to send that bullet crashing through the
+American's brain? thought he.</p>
+
+<p>But nothing of the sort happened. Clif not only was not wounded, but was
+chipper as a lark. When he disappeared, he dove under the boat and rose
+again on the opposite side. The Spaniard would look in vain in that spot
+for his intended victim.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But the Spaniard in the bow discovered Clif's head as it appeared for an
+instant above the water. With an imprecation of wrath he called his
+companion's attention to the spot. But one of them was armed, it seemed.</p>
+
+<p>The other rushed to that side, but when he looked in the direction
+indicated, revolver in hand, Clif had again disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>The American lad was as lively as a cricket, and busy thoughts surged
+through his brain.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, he did not propose being a target for a Spanish
+bullet. But, above all, he wanted that boat, and, like the cowboy when
+he wants a revolver, wanted it "bad."</p>
+
+<p>"How can I get it?" he thought, as his dive brought him up near the bow
+of the boat. Help came from an unexpected source, for a few moments
+after, he was driven by a new peril to attempt the only plan that could
+accomplish it.</p>
+
+<p>The agency that led to his delivery was a shark. That was not the
+every-day business of his shark-ship&mdash;that of saving an imperiled life
+for those inhabitating those waters are especially hungry and voracious.</p>
+
+<p>But it happened this way: As Clif was quietly keeping himself afloat at
+the bow of the boat, confident that in that position he ran little risk
+of immediate discovery by his enemies, the plans and schemes revolving
+in his mind were brought to a sudden standstill by a sight that filled
+him with horror. A sharp triangular fin cutting the water like a knife,
+flashed past him.</p>
+
+<p>"Merciful Heaven!" he muttered under his breath. "A shark!"</p>
+
+<p>Death faced him on every side. To be sure he might frighten the shark by
+churning the surface of the water, but that very act would betray him to
+a no less certain death at the hands of his enemies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>His resolve, a desperate one that caused him to shudder as he formed it,
+was reached on the instant. The broad back of his enemy, who sat in the
+stern, was within easy reach, and inspired his action.</p>
+
+<p>Quick as a flash Clif grasped the stern of the boat with one hand and
+with one mighty effort raised himself high out of the water. Before the
+Spaniard could divine what was happening, Clif's free arm was thrown
+around the fellow's neck, and he was drawn back into the water behind
+him.</p>
+
+<p>An instant after Clif clambered over the stern into the boat. With a
+shudder at the thought of the fate that awaited the luckless Spaniard,
+he addressed himself to the work that lay before him.</p>
+
+<p>And there was plenty of it, and lively, too, while it lasted.</p>
+
+<p>The other Spaniard, who had been peering into the water ahead, turned
+sharply around when he heard the noise made by the splash of his
+companion, and in the act involuntarily dropped the revolver.</p>
+
+<p>What must have been his feelings upon beholding the lithe and dripping
+form of the plucky young American emerging from the sea, may well be
+imagined.</p>
+
+<p>But Clif did not pause to study the effects. He seized an oar and sprang
+toward his remaining foe.</p>
+
+<p>"Surrender, you villain!" he cried in Spanish as he advanced.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard seized an oar and with an oath sprang toward the American.</p>
+
+<p>And there, on the quiet bosom of the water in the dim light of night,
+ensued a stubbornly contested duel, in which oars took the place of
+broadsword and sabre.</p>
+
+<p>Clif fought savagely and desperately. His blood was up, and he knew that
+now, if ever, he was, fighting for his life.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But in the end it was fortune that favored him. A chance blow upon his
+antagonist's head rendered the latter unconscious, and victory again
+perched upon the young American's banner.</p>
+
+<p>There was no time for exultation, even if he had felt that way. The work
+had been too serious, and necessity for action was too imperative.</p>
+
+<p>Satisfied that he had nothing to fear from his enemy, now lying helpless
+in the bottom of the Boat, Clif seized the oars and turned the boat
+toward shore.</p>
+
+<p>It was trying work for one man to row that boat even the short distance
+that lay between him and shore&mdash;especially after the ordeal through
+which he had passed. But excitement buoyed him up and he made good
+progress.</p>
+
+<p>His companions in the shade of the bushes where he had left them had
+witnessed his exciting duel and were wrought up to tense excitement. How
+they bemoaned the fact that they were not there to help him!</p>
+
+<p>It became evident that there were other spectators, too; for no sooner
+had Clif seized the oars and began to row for the shore than a volley of
+bullets rattled out across the water from the hill that had witnessed
+such thrilling scenes earlier in the night. The Spanish soldiers had
+discovered Clif!</p>
+
+<p>In the face of this, Clif redoubled his efforts to reach the beach and
+rescue his companions, who might any moment be attacked by the soldiers
+in their rear.</p>
+
+<p>But the enemy's attention was concentrated upon Clif and his boat, and
+he shot through the waters in a perfect hail of missiles. They spattered
+into the waters all around him, but wide of their mark.</p>
+
+<p>He reached the shore, and as he sprang upon the ground his faithful
+little band could not repress a cheer at his bravery and pluck.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But he urged them on. Not a moment could now be lost. The enemy, shut
+off temporarily by the overhanging hill, might be down upon them any
+second.</p>
+
+<p>Clif gathered up his clothing and at a word they all sprang to their
+places and the boat leaped through the water with a bound, and was away.</p>
+
+<p>"To the flagship!" Clif cried, and then uttered an exclamation of alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"The dispatches!" he cried, as he felt among his clothes. "They have
+been left behind!"</p>
+
+<p>At a word the boat was turned round and shot swiftly toward the beach.</p>
+
+<p>Yelling Spaniards could be heard racing down the hillside. They had
+discovered the landing-place, and bullets began again to rain about the
+water.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed sure death to return in the face of that fire, but the
+intrepid crew sped on. The dispatches must not fall into Spanish hands!</p>
+
+<p>The boat grated on the sands, and Clif sprang out. One instant brought
+him to the spot where his clothes had lain. Fortune favored him. As he
+felt along the ground, his hand touched a package of papers.</p>
+
+<p>"The dispatches!" he cried, as he sprang to his place in the stern of
+the boat, which had been turned ready for the start. He gave the word
+and away they sped, this time with the flagship as the goal. Spanish
+bullets flew after them, but they were safe. It was only when they were
+for a moment brought out into bold relief by the searchlight that again
+began to play from the flagship that the bullets of the enemy came near
+their mark.</p>
+
+<p>And then the firing ceased and the boat sped on. An enthusiastic and
+jubilant crew it was. Only Clif seemed in a dissatisfied mood.</p>
+
+<p>"Gorry!" he suddenly exclaimed, "I came off without that shell after
+all!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You seem to lay great store by that, sir," said one of the men.</p>
+
+<p>"I do," said Clif. "But will not return for it just now. To the
+flagship!"</p>
+
+<p>Not many minutes later they were safe aboard, the captured Spaniard in
+proper custody, and, best of all, the dispatches were personally
+delivered by Clif to the rear admiral.</p>
+
+<p>But still Clif was not entirely satisfied.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2>
+
+<h3>CLIF'S SECOND EXPEDITION.</h3>
+
+<p>In spite of the glorious work accomplished in those few hours Clif felt
+chagrined that he had, in the excitement of the struggle on the boat and
+under fire of the Spanish soldiers on shore, been forced to return to
+the flagship without the shell.</p>
+
+<p>He had thought considerably about it even during the stirring scenes
+through which they had passed. He had his own ideas about it and wanted
+to put them to the test.</p>
+
+<p>Everything connected with it indicated to his mind some mystery, the
+solution of which would materially help the American forces.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, the way in which it was brought to his attention was
+unusual, to say the least. That a ship being pursued by a hostile craft
+should deliberately fire away from the pursuer and toward the land was
+peculiar, even for a Spaniard.</p>
+
+<p>It was ridiculous to think that the shell had been aimed at Clif and his
+party, for even had it been broad daylight the American boat's crew
+would not have been visible to those on the Spanish ship. It was merely
+a coincidence that Clif happened to be where the shell landed.</p>
+
+<p>"No," thought Clif as he revolved this in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> mind, "that shot was not
+aimed at our forces. There was some other reason for firing it."</p>
+
+<p>What that was he could merely conjecture, and he was not entirely clear
+in his own mind. That the mysterious purpose had been carried out to the
+satisfaction of those on the Spanish boat, Clif felt convinced, was
+evident from the fact that not another shot was fired.</p>
+
+<p>Then the shape of the shell was an important factor.</p>
+
+<p>"They are not using those round ones nowadays," thought Clif. "This one
+must be used for a special purpose. What that is, I'm going to find
+out."</p>
+
+<p>The arrival of the Spanish soldiers and their peculiar actions before
+the little battle that followed also demanded explanation.</p>
+
+<p>"They didn't know we were there," mused Clif, "or they would not have
+been so easily taken by surprise. Why were they there? Their capture of
+the Cuban courier was accidental, I'm sure. They were on some other
+mission."</p>
+
+<p>Last of all, the theft of the ship's boat and the strange behavior of
+the two Spaniards who had taken it and whom Clif had been forced to
+overcome added a peculiar feature to the affair.</p>
+
+<p>Taking it all in all, Clif felt that though they had bravely avenged the
+murder of the Cuban, and had brought the dispatches safely to the rear
+admiral, and with them a prisoner, still an important object had not
+been accomplished.</p>
+
+<p>He meant to return for that unexploded shell in the face of every
+difficulty and put his ideas to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> test. He had this purpose in view
+when he delivered with his own hands the dispatches to the rear admiral.</p>
+
+<p>Rear Admiral Sampson glanced quickly over the papers after they were
+handed to him, and seemed highly pleased.</p>
+
+<p>"These are of the utmost importance," he exclaimed. "With this
+information we will be the better able to act in conjunction with the
+insurgents when the proper time comes."</p>
+
+<p>Clif knew the papers must indeed be of especial value from the rear
+admiral's manner, for it was decidedly unusual for an officer of such
+importance to unbend to that extent with an ordinary cadet. The rear
+admiral was evidently more than satisfied with the result of Clif's
+mission.</p>
+
+<p>After a hasty examination of the papers, he turned to Clif, who had
+remained standing, and asked some particulars of his meeting with the
+Cuban courier.</p>
+
+<p>Then Clif briefly but graphically told of his receiving the papers from
+the hands of the insurgent and of the latter's tragic death so soon
+after at the hands of the cowardly Spanish soldier who held him as a
+prisoner of war.</p>
+
+<p>Rear Admiral Sampson's blood fairly boiled as Clif gave him the details.</p>
+
+<p>"The cowards!" he exclaimed, with clinched fist. "It was barbarous!"</p>
+
+<p>"But, sir," continued Clif. "It has been avenged."</p>
+
+<p>And then he briefly and with modest demeanor told of their attack upon
+the company of Spanish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> soldiers, and their victory over them without
+the loss of an American life. More than one Spaniard had gone to his
+death to atone for that cowardly assassination.</p>
+
+<p>The rear admiral was plainly interested, and at his request Clif gave
+the particulars of his subsequent adventures and of the narrow escape in
+the boat from the Spanish soldiers firing upon them from the hill and
+shore.</p>
+
+<p>"Admirable! admirable!" exclaimed the rear admiral, when the brief
+narrative was finished. "I am proud of the bravery of yourself and the
+men with you."</p>
+
+<p>"And now, if you please, sir," said Clif, calmly, "I want to go back
+there."</p>
+
+<p>"Back there!" exclaimed the admiral. "Where do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"To the spot where I met the Cuban," replied Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean? According to your account the place is swarming with
+Spanish soldiers."</p>
+
+<p>"Not many of them, sir," said Clif. "And it is not my intention that
+they should see me. I left something behind that I think is important."</p>
+
+<p>Then he told of the shell that came crashing through the trees where
+they stood, and of the series of incidents that had prevented his
+examining it as fully as he wished.</p>
+
+<p>He insisted strongly that the recovery of the shell was of the greatest
+importance, and intimated something of his ideas concerning the mystery
+that it suggested. He spoke to such good purpose that at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> last the rear
+admiral was disposed to grant his wish.</p>
+
+<p>"But it would be better to wait until you have had a chance to rest a
+bit," said the latter. "To-morrow night, for instance."</p>
+
+<p>"Delay is dangerous, sir, I think," said Clif. "Others are seeking it, I
+know, and it may not be there unless I go at once. There are still
+several hours of the night left, and I can easily accomplish it."</p>
+
+<p>The rear admiral had evidently been impressed with what Clif had told
+him concerning the shell, and at last agreed that he should go about it
+in his own way.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, then," he said at last. "Take a boat's crew and go at once."</p>
+
+<p>"If you please, sir," exclaimed Clif, "I would rather take one of the
+small boats and go alone. One man can move about with less fear of
+detection."</p>
+
+<p>"Young man, you are undertaking a very dangerous mission," exclaimed the
+rear admiral. "But you seem to have the pluck, and I have confidence
+that you can take care of yourself. Do then as you wish, but take some
+signal rockets with you. Don't hesitate to use them if necessary. We
+will be ready to send you assistance if needed."</p>
+
+<p>Clif, highly pleased at the confidence that was reposed in him, saluted
+respectfully and hastened away to prepare for the venture.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes he was ready, the boat was low<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>ered, and for the second
+time that night he left the flagship to face fresh dangers on the shore.</p>
+
+<p>But this time he was alone. Success and safety depended upon his unaided
+efforts.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE BATTLE IN THE BRUSH.</h3>
+
+<p>Was it a foolhardy venture, he thought, as with steady stroke he forged
+ahead away from the flagship, and toward the shore he had so recently
+left amid the clatter of hostile bullets.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy now must be on the alert, and he might be detected and
+captured the instant his boat touched shore. And he was not blind to the
+dangers that might confront him on land.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm in for it now, at any rate," he thought, "and I've got to succeed.
+This mystery must be solved, and I believe the result will show that it
+is worth all the risk."</p>
+
+<p>Darkness favored him, and besides he was alone; and for that very reason
+could move around with less risk of discovery once he reached land. He
+knew exactly where he had dropped the shell, and it would not take long
+to get it.</p>
+
+<p>It was therefore with confidence that he urged the boat forward.</p>
+
+<p>It was a long pull, for the flagship lay well out to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> sea, but Clif did
+not seem to feel the strain. He drew near the shore without detecting
+any hostile movement or hearing any sound that would lead him to think
+that the enemy were on the lookout.</p>
+
+<p>He decided that it would be prudent not to land at the same spot as
+previously. He therefore steered for a clump of trees a little further
+down the coast, and still not a great distance from the hill where the
+shell lay.</p>
+
+<p>Not a sound from the enemy reached his ears as his boat grated upon the
+sandy beach, and he sprang out to secure the painter to a bush.</p>
+
+<p>Then, feeling that his revolver was ready and handy for business, he
+cautiously began to steal his way through the shrubbery that fringed the
+shore.</p>
+
+<p>These screened his advance and soon he was ascending the steep bank in
+the direction of the previous encounter. He was getting further away
+from his boat and nearer and near to his destination.</p>
+
+<p>"All serene, so far," he muttered, as he advanced steadily without any
+adventure. "The Spaniards must have gone."</p>
+
+<p>But suddenly, as he was about to step from the concealment of the trees
+into a slight clearing that lay in his path, he heard a sound that
+caused him to dodge quickly back. Looking out he saw a figure close at
+hand and slowly approaching.</p>
+
+<p>A step further and Clif would have brought himself directly within the
+other's view.</p>
+
+<p>It was not Clif's purpose to invite an encounter, although he grasped
+his revolver in readiness for an emergency. He desired, rather, to avoid
+it, and to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> quietly make his way to the spot where the shell lay. That
+once secured, he felt that he could in the same way return to his boat
+and to the flagship.</p>
+
+<p>He therefore silently waited in his place of concealment to see what the
+enemy would do. The latter evidently had not heard Clif's movements, and
+continued slowly to advance, stooping occasionally and peering from side
+to side.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I know what you're after," muttered Clif below his breath. "But
+you won't find it here; nor me, either," he added, as he began to edge
+away from the position he held.</p>
+
+<p>As he did so, the other turned and slowly continued his course in the
+opposite direction.</p>
+
+<p>The coast was again clear, and Clif lost no time in putting what
+distance he could between himself and the unwelcome visitor. His course,
+too, led him toward the mound of earth behind which lay the object of
+his coming.</p>
+
+<p>When he reached the spot where he had met the Cuban courier he found it
+deserted. The Spaniards, after the escape of Clif and his men, had
+evidently withdrawn.</p>
+
+<p>With a light heart he sprang toward the rampart of earth and began to
+ascend its side.</p>
+
+<p>"In one minute it is mine," he thought exultingly, "and then back to the
+flagship and the test!"</p>
+
+<p>But a surprise was in store for him. As he vaulted over the top of the
+mound on to the other side, he landed almost into the arms of a man who
+was just ascending that side.</p>
+
+<p>The man was unmistakably a Spaniard, and from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> his hands there fell a
+round shell, that rolled away across the ground.</p>
+
+<p>The encounter was startling to both, but Clif was the first to recover
+his wits. His quick eye detected the fallen shell, and he divined the
+fellow's purpose.</p>
+
+<p>Before the other could recover from his evident fright, Clif sprang upon
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"So you have found it!" he muttered, as he closed in upon the Spaniard,
+"but finding's not keeping's this time."</p>
+
+<p>Clif's attack brought the Spaniard quickly to his senses, and he was not
+slow to defend himself.</p>
+
+<p>In a flash he drew his revolver, but Clif was too quick for him. The
+latter knocked the weapon from the fellow's grasp before he had a chance
+to fire it.</p>
+
+<p>Clif's own weapon was within easy reach, but for several reasons he did
+not care to use it. He wanted, among other things, to avoid a pistol
+shot which might attract others to the spot.</p>
+
+<p>The contest must be one of muscle against muscle; and to unusual
+strength Clif added a surprising agility that came in good stead in such
+a struggle.</p>
+
+<p>They grappled, and there in that enclosure formed by the mounds of earth
+on several sides the two began a furious hand to hand battle, the result
+of which long hung in doubt.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniard was no mean opponent, and fought with enraged fury. Clif's
+astounding exertions during the past hours had been enough to exhaust
+the strongest and sturdiest, and he was compelled to acknowledge to
+himself, as the battle progressed, that it had made inroads upon his
+strength.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Back and forth across the little enclosure the pair fought fiercely.
+Once Clif slipped and fell beneath his opponent; but an instant after he
+was upon his feet.</p>
+
+<p>His keen eye followed his antagonist's every move. He was watching for a
+chance to deliver one blow that would settle the combat. Several times
+he had landed upon the Spaniard's head and face, inflicting severe
+punishment, but not enough.</p>
+
+<p>At last the moment came. The opening presented itself in the Spaniard's
+guard, and with all the strength that was in him, Clif shot out his
+right hand. It went home. With a force that seemed to lift the fellow
+high into the air, his fist met the Spaniard's chin, and the latter fell
+backward to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>It was a clean knockout. Breathing heavily, the fellow lay where he had
+fallen, unconscious of his surroundings.</p>
+
+<p>Clif was panting from the exertion. He had received some punishment, and
+the wound in his arm was throbbing fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>But he paused only long enough to see that the fellow would not give him
+further trouble, and then hurried toward the spot where the shell had
+rolled.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess that'll hold you for a while," he muttered, looking at his
+fallen foe as he started away.</p>
+
+<p>"But he'll come out of it after a time," he added. "Gorry! how my arm
+aches all the way up to the elbow."</p>
+
+<p>It took but a moment for him to find the shell, for he had seen it roll
+from the other's hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's it," he exclaimed, as he picked it up. "I'd know it in a minute
+by its shape and weight. Rather light for a cannon ball."</p>
+
+<p>But he did not wait to examine it there. There would be time enough for
+that when he reached the flagship.</p>
+
+<p>With a parting look at his unconscious antagonist he started away.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry, my dear sir," he exclaimed, sarcastically, as he looked back
+on reaching the top of the rampart. "You seemed so attached to this
+shell, I'd like to take you along with it. But as I can only take one at
+a time, I'll content myself with this."</p>
+
+<p>Then he turned his back upon the scene of his contest, and started for
+his boat as expeditiously as due caution would allow.</p>
+
+<p>He met with no obstacle in the way, and found the boat just as he had
+left it. He threw the shell in the stern, and with a feeling of
+exultation sprang in after it and seized the oars.</p>
+
+<p>A few steady strokes and he was on the way toward the flagship. But
+there had been a change in those quiet waters while he was on the land.</p>
+
+<p>He had not gone many boat lengths from shore before he discovered
+looming up before him a slowly moving steamer. It was apparently hugging
+the coast and proceeding with as little noise as possible.</p>
+
+<p>"A boat trying to run the blockade!" exclaimed Clif, as he backed water
+and rested upon his oars. "She'll succeed, too, unless one of our ships
+should happen to discover her with its searchlight."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And then his responsibility, in view of the discovery he had made,
+flashed upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"I must warn the flagship at once," he exclaimed, seizing the oars and
+sending the boat forward with a spurt.</p>
+
+<p>But after a couple of strokes he suddenly stopped again.</p>
+
+<p>"What a fool I am!" he exclaimed. "By the time I can row out to the
+flagship, it will be too late. They must be warned instantly, and there
+is only one way of doing it."</p>
+
+<p>He reached for the signal rockets he had brought at the rear admiral's
+order. Should he fire them?</p>
+
+<p>Those on board the strange boat that was nearly abreast of him did not
+know that he was there. If he gave the signal it would betray his
+presence, and no doubt lead to an attack upon himself in his open boat.</p>
+
+<p>Clif looked far out to sea for a moment, half hoping to see the flash of
+the searchlight play upon the water, and lead to the detection of the
+strange craft.</p>
+
+<p>But the delay was only momentary.</p>
+
+<p>"It is my duty to warn the ships," he exclaimed, as he set a rocket up
+in the stern, and drawing a match from his pocket, struck it upon the
+seat of the boat. "Here goes!"</p>
+
+<p>A moment later, with a sharp whirr and a flash of light, the rocket shot
+up into the air. A second and third followed; then Clif sprang back upon
+his seat and seized the oars.</p>
+
+<p>The signal had been given. He had done his duty at whatever risk there
+might be to his own safety.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2>
+
+<h3>CAPTURED.</h3>
+
+<p>Clif had elected to imperil his own existence rather than allow one of
+the enemy's boats to pass that blockade without warning to the American
+ships. But he had no intention of lying idly by in the path of the
+hostile craft.</p>
+
+<p>He waited but a moment after the glare of the last rocket had died out
+in the air, and then bent to the oars, and urged the boat toward the
+open sea beyond.</p>
+
+<p>And then he had every confidence that he had little to fear from the
+enemy's boat.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll have all they can do to look out for their own safety now," he
+thought, "without paying any attention to me. The New York has seen the
+signal, and will not be slow in making out the cause. Then look out, Mr.
+Spaniard."</p>
+
+<p>But there was more taking place upon those waters than Clif was
+cognizant of, and peril came from an unlooked-for source.</p>
+
+<p>His decision to send up the warning signal had been quickly formed after
+his first discovery of the strange vessel. He had seen at a glance that
+it was not a warship, but a merchant steamer. It was moving slowly, and
+apparently seeking, as much as possible, the concealment afforded by the
+shadow of the coast. Every feature about it showed that it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> trying
+to quietly steal out past the blockading vessels.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had not delayed, but on the impulse of the moment had sent up the
+signal rockets while he was yet between the ship and the shore. But a
+few steady strokes would carry him beyond the enemy and toward the
+flagship, he thought.</p>
+
+<p>But to his surprise he noticed, on glancing over his shoulder as he drew
+nearer the vessel, that the latter was moving slower than before and in
+fact had just stopped.</p>
+
+<p>This was puzzling to him, for now, if at any time, the boat should be
+showing its utmost speed. Those on board must surely know from the
+signals that they had been discovered and that pursuit would instantly
+follow.</p>
+
+<p>A few words will explain the situation to the reader. The vessel was, as
+Clif suspected, endeavoring to steal out past the American ships, which
+were known to be in the vicinity. But a short time before Clif had left
+the shore for the second time, the blockade runner had slowed down, and
+a boat, manned by half a dozen sailors, had been sent ashore. An officer
+in the Spanish army, with important dispatches, was to be taken aboard
+at a point not far from where Clif had landed.</p>
+
+<p>The work of the Spanish boat's crew had been expeditiously performed,
+and when Clif sent up his signal, they were returning to the ship.
+Unnoticed by Clif in his excitement at the time, they were close to one
+side of his boat at that fateful moment.</p>
+
+<p>A pistol shot suddenly ringing out in the air and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> a bullet flying not
+far from his head apprised the cadet of danger from that quarter. The
+Spaniards, as was natural for them to be, were aroused to a high pitch
+of excitement against the youth whose vigilance promised to set all
+their plans at naught.</p>
+
+<p>With a hoarse yell of rage they tugged at the oars and their boat fairly
+leaped through the water after the intrepid young cadet.</p>
+
+<p>Clif saw the movement, and redoubled his efforts at the oars. It was a
+race for his life&mdash;one against seven!</p>
+
+<p>With frantic energy he tugged at the oars, and his boat shot forward
+with encouraging speed. At that moment the searchlight on the flagship
+sent its rays across the waters in answer to the signal, and a dazzling
+stream of light played upon the scene.</p>
+
+<p>It brought in clear relief the form of the waiting steamer, and the two
+boats racing so desperately near at hand.</p>
+
+<p>What a thrilling scene it must have been to the officers on the bridge
+of the flagship as with glass in hand they watched the exciting race.
+But it was not given to them long to note the cadet's desperate struggle
+for freedom, or to marvel at his great endurance.</p>
+
+<p>The race was a short one, and the result a foregone conclusion. There
+was no hope of Clif's escaping from the pursuing boat, with its crew of
+fresh and eager oarsmen. The latter closed in upon him with a leap and a
+bound, and soon were within oar's length of him.</p>
+
+<p>He recognized the uselessness of trying to escape<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> from them, but was
+determined not to surrender without a struggle even in the face of great
+numbers.</p>
+
+<p>He dropped his oars and sprang to his feet, facing his enemies. He drew
+his revolver, but before he could use it one of the Spanish sailors, who
+had risen in the boat, knocked it from his grasp with his oar.</p>
+
+<p>The boats were now side by side, almost touching, and the dark hulk of
+the steamer was not many feet away.</p>
+
+<p>From the latter arose aloud cheer as they saw that Clif had been
+disarmed, and above the noise Clif could hear a few words of command
+from the Spanish army officer who sat in the stern of the boat at his
+side. It was to the sailor who had sprung up to attack Clif.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't shoot!" he said. "Take him alive!"</p>
+
+<p>Clif had seized an oar when his revolver fell with a splash into the
+water, and there was no doubt that he intended using it.</p>
+
+<p>But two can play at that game, and the Spanish sailor, forbidden to
+shoot, attacked Clif furiously with the oar, which he still held in his
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>Clif dodged, but as he did so another sailor aimed a blow at his head.
+The aim was good.</p>
+
+<p>A sharp pain shot through the young cadet's head, he reeled and all
+became dark before him. With a faint moan he fell senseless into the
+bottom of his boat.</p>
+
+<p>The contest had been short, and well it was for the Spaniards that such
+was the case. Already the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> flickering of the searchlight told that the
+flagship was hurrying to the scene.</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniards realized the importance of quick action. They had, on the
+impulse of the moment, retaliated upon Clif because it could take but a
+few minutes and because they felt that the chase would end not far from
+their waiting vessel.</p>
+
+<p>They congratulated themselves that it had, indeed, brought them almost
+to the ship's side, and now they lost no time in getting themselves and
+their prisoner aboard. Willing hands assisted from above.</p>
+
+<p>A couple of strokes of the oars had brought them to the ship's side,
+with Clif's boat in tow. In obedience to a command, Clif's boat with its
+unconscious burden was raised bodily to the deck. The captain thought he
+could use it in his business.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later the Spaniards with the army officer reached the deck, and
+the ship's captain signaled to go ahead.</p>
+
+<p>All now was excitement on board the Spaniard. Beyond securely fastening
+the arms and legs of their unconscious captive where he lay, they paid
+but little attention to Clif. They were all too wrapped up in thoughts
+of escape from the cruiser whose piercing searchlight was streaming upon
+them.</p>
+
+<p>Among the crew there was, here and there, a murmur against the delay
+that had been caused by stopping to take on the army officer, and with
+this was coupled a note of resentment against the young cadet whose
+appearance on the scene promised to spoil all their plans.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But the captain's orders were carried out promptly, the more so as their
+own safety depended upon it.</p>
+
+<p>They were not without hope of making good their escape in the end, for
+they knew what speed their craft was capable of. It was a fast boat, and
+the throbbing of the engines told that she was being urged to her full
+speed.</p>
+
+<p>Amid intense excitement of crew and officers, the wild dash for freedom
+and safety had begun.</p>
+
+<p>Through all this confusion and flurry the cadet whose prompt signaling
+had occasioned it lay helpless and unconscious. The steady thump of the
+machinery below, which was steadily carrying him further and further
+from his friends, made no impression upon his ears, nor was his mind
+aroused by the excitement of the chase or the hope of rescue.</p>
+
+<p>But the race had not been long under way before he began to show signs
+of returning consciousness. He stirred uneasily in the bottom of the
+boat where he lay, attempting to move his pinioned limbs; then a
+long-drawn breath, and he opened his eyes slowly.</p>
+
+<p>The noise from shipboard fell upon his ears, and the sounds confused
+him. His surroundings puzzled him and his mind at first could not grasp
+the situation. Where was he?</p>
+
+<p>Then with a rush of recollection came the remembrance of the attack upon
+him in the open boat. His enemies had triumphed, he thought, and left
+him a helpless victim to drift about upon the open sea. But whence those
+sounds?</p>
+
+<p>He painfully raised himself to a sitting posture and looked out. To his
+astonishment, he found him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>self and boat upon the deck of a swiftly
+moving steamer.</p>
+
+<p>Then he saw it all, and realized what had happened. He caught a glimpse
+of the rays of the searchlight that still streamed across the water, and
+a moment after heard the boom of a cannon out at sea.</p>
+
+<p>"The New York!" he exclaimed. "She is in pursuit! But she's too far
+away, and can never catch this fast boat. The only chance of her
+stopping it is with one of her big guns."</p>
+
+<p>And then, involuntarily, he shuddered as he thought that, bound and
+helpless, he would share the fate of the Spanish crew if a shot from the
+flagship should penetrate the ship's side and send it to the bottom!</p>
+
+<p>He moved a little toward the stern of his boat, as best he could, to get
+a better view of the light that showed the approaching flagship. As he
+did so he struck a round, hard object that lay behind him.</p>
+
+<p>"The unexploded shell!" he exclaimed, as he recognized what it was. "I
+still have that with me, at any rate!"</p>
+
+<p>And then he began to tug at the ropes that bound his arms in a frantic
+effort to loosen them.</p>
+
+<p>The rapid throb of the engines below and another boom of cannon from out
+to sea told that the chase was becoming a hot one.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2>
+
+<h3>CLIF FARADAY'S TEST.</h3>
+
+<p>The excitement among the crew of the Spanish steamer was intense as they
+watched the light from the flagship and noted the course of the
+projectiles that came toward them. For this reason they had not observed
+Clif's movements, and gave themselves no concern about him.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever may have been his intended course of action, he was at last
+compelled to abandon it.</p>
+
+<p>Strain and tug as he would at the cords that bound his arms, they
+remained intact, nor could his ingenuity devise any way of releasing
+himself from their hold. Though hastily tied, the knots had been put
+there to stay, and Clif at last realized that it was a hopeless task to
+try to undo them.</p>
+
+<p>But though he could not free his arms and legs, he could use his eyes,
+and the scene was one thrilling enough to rivet his attention.</p>
+
+<p>The fast moving steamer, urged to its utmost speed, the exclamations of
+hope and fear among its crew, the more majestically moving flagship
+whose deficiencies of speed were more than atoned for by the range of
+her guns, suggested possibilities to one in Clif's position that might
+well set one's heart to beating wildly.</p>
+
+<p>If the steamer should escape by reason of superior<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> speed, it would
+bring joy to the crew, but disaster to Clif, their helpless prisoner.
+If, on the other hand, a shot from the flagship should sink the Spanish
+boat, Clif perforce would share death with them. Little wonder that
+brave as he was, he struggled anxiously to free his arms and legs from
+their bonds.</p>
+
+<p>"The New York can never catch us," he exclaimed, when he had settled
+down to watching the flagship as best he could. "She is too far away,
+and this boat is too fast."</p>
+
+<p>There was little need of the searchlight now, as dawn was approaching.
+The forms of the ships could be distinguished in the uncertain light
+without its aid.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had been watching the flagship which was astern, but now, looking
+forward, he saw a beam of light in that direction. It was several miles
+out to sea, and shot across their path.</p>
+
+<p>"That must be the Wilmington," he exclaimed, cheered by a suddenly
+revived hope. "She can cut across our path, and all may yet be well."</p>
+
+<p>He looked back at the flagship and saw the red and the blue signal
+lights flashing their message to the ship ahead which was, as Clif
+surmised, the Wilmington. They also carried a message to Clif, nor was
+their meaning lost upon the Spanish crew.</p>
+
+<p>"They have signaled the Wilmington to intercept her," exclaimed Clif.
+"But it will be a close race."</p>
+
+<p>He heard the signal from the excited captain of the Spanish boat for
+more speed, and the throbbing of the machinery told that they were
+endeavoring in the engine rooms to carry out the order. It seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> as if
+the engines were already doing their utmost, but Clif could notice a
+slight increase in the headway they were making.</p>
+
+<p>It was a fast boat and no mistake, Clif thought, as he anxiously
+strained his eyes to see what the Wilmington was doing.</p>
+
+<p>Answering signals told that she had received the order from the
+flagship, and that those orders would be obeyed. Clif fervently hoped
+that she would be successful. He hated to think of the possibility of a
+hostile ship succeeding in running the blockade, and now this patriotic
+impulse was heightened by the fact that he was a helpless prisoner on
+board the very boat that promised to accomplish that feat.</p>
+
+<p>For, as he watched the race, there was a growing conviction in Clif's
+mind that the Wilmington was so far out to sea that she could not hope
+to stop the Spanish steamer except by the power of her guns. And a hole
+in the side of the enemy's vessel, however desirable under ordinary
+circumstances, did not coincide with his hopes or ideas on this
+occasion. He had no desire to share a watery grave with his captors.</p>
+
+<p>The two boats were heading for the same point, the Wilmington seeking to
+block the path the other was following. One of her guns spoke out, but
+the shot fell short. She was not in range.</p>
+
+<p>Faster went the Spanish boat, and nearer to the objective point raced
+the two vessels.</p>
+
+<p>Clif breathlessly watched the pursuing craft whose success meant so much
+to him. Could she win?</p>
+
+<p>The Spaniards shared his excitement, and watched<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> their opponent with
+fully as much eagerness. At last they broke out into a cheer.</p>
+
+<p>Clif was not slow to understand its import. The Spanish boat was making
+really a phenomenal run, and had reached a point where it was evident
+that if they maintained their speed they would soon be past the
+dangerous line. That once reached they could show the Yankee boat a
+clean pair of heels.</p>
+
+<p>Clif's spirits fell when he realized that the Spaniards had good cause
+for their jubilation. There was no doubt now that the steamer could pass
+the danger line and then away.</p>
+
+<p>The Wilmington, too, seemed to realize that there was no hope of
+catching up with the other vessel, for now the cannon boomed out in
+rapid succession. They were rapidly drawing nearer and within range.</p>
+
+<p>A shot swept across the Spaniard's bows, but on she went. Then another
+struck the bridge upon which the captain stood glass in hand, and he had
+a narrow escape from flying splinters. But the goal was too near for
+them to stop, and he signaled for more steam.</p>
+
+<p>Clif could not but admire this officer's pluck. Under other
+circumstances, he would have said that the Spaniard deserved to win.</p>
+
+<p>The vessel seemed to struggle to do what was demanded of her, and sped
+on. Another shot from the Wilmington rattled across her bows, but the
+crew answered with a cheer. Five minutes more and they would be round
+the point and then&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>What would happen then was never to be known. Suddenly a loud explosion
+was heard from below,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> and the whole frame of the steamer shook from end
+to end. Men rushed on deck in a panic, and wildly proclaimed the cause.</p>
+
+<p>A steam pipe, urged beyond its strength, had exploded, carrying
+destruction with it. The race was lost, and the captain promptly hauled
+down his flag.</p>
+
+<p>But as he did so, he gave orders to steer toward the land, and the
+steamer came to a standstill not far from the shore.</p>
+
+<p>The Spanish army officer carrying the dispatches entered a boat that was
+quickly lowered and when the prize crew from the Wilmington boarded the
+steamer he was safe upon land and his escape was assured.</p>
+
+<p>When the officer in charge of the prize crew had finished the
+formalities, Clif attracted his attention. The cadet had apparently been
+forgotten by his captors in the excitement of the chase and the calamity
+that had come upon them. The American officer was astonished beyond
+measure to find one wearing the familiar uniform in such a plight on
+that boat.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Mr. Faraday," he exclaimed upon learning Clif's identity, and
+having released him from his bonds, "we were not aware that they had an
+American on board as a prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought not, from the way you were firing at us," said Clif, with a
+smile. "I thought more than once that you would send this particular
+American to the bottom along with the shipload of the enemy. You were
+firing too accurately to suit me this time."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, the American boys do come pretty near<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> hitting what they aim at,"
+responded the officer, evidently pleased at the compliment to their
+marksmanship. "But I am curious to know how it has happened that we find
+you here."</p>
+
+<p>Clif then briefly told of the adventures that followed his finding of
+the unexploded shell, which he picked up from its lodgment in the boat
+and held in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"So you have risked your life for that piece of steel!" exclaimed the
+officer. "What can have been your purpose in that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Does it not strike you, sir, that there is something peculiar about
+it?" asked Clif, as the other examined it.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied the officer, "it is decidedly out of date, and might be
+interesting as a relic, but not of sufficient importance to risk one's
+life for."</p>
+
+<p>"I had an idea that there was a mystery about it that was well worth
+solving," replied Clif. "And with your permission, sir, I will put the
+matter to a test."</p>
+
+<p>"As you like," responded the officer, with the air of a man who is
+indulging some childish fancy.</p>
+
+<p>Clif was not slow to take advantage of the permission granted, and
+carried the shell to a table that stood upon the after deck, the officer
+meantime paying no further attention to him, but attending to some
+further detail of transfer.</p>
+
+<p>Clif had procured a fuse and inserted it into the shell and was upon the
+point of lighting it when the officer appeared.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Stop, sir!" he commanded. "Would you blow us all to destruction?"</p>
+
+<p>Others standing near made a move as if to stop Clif, but it was too
+late. The fuse was burning rapidly.</p>
+
+<p>With a cry of alarm and amazement, the officers, American as well as
+Spanish, sprang to one side and dodged in great fright.</p>
+
+<p>But Clif calmly stood by, his arms folded and a confident smile playing
+about his lips.</p>
+
+<p>He was putting his theory to the test.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE MYSTERY OF THE UNEXPLODED SHELL.</h3>
+
+<p>Mingled with evident fright and alarm there was upon the face of each a
+look of incredulity at rashness of the cadet. Had his adventures and
+narrow escapes turned his brain, and were they now at the mercy of a
+maniac? was in the minds of all.</p>
+
+<p>They had not long to wait. The fuse burned rapidly and spluttered to the
+end, and as they all involuntarily ducked their heads at the impending
+explosion, a peculiar thing happened.</p>
+
+<p>When the fire from the fuse reached the shell there was a sharp clicking
+sound, and those who were looking at the shell saw it suddenly open like
+a book, and from its hollow interior fell a roll of paper upon the
+table.</p>
+
+<p>This Clif seized and waved over his head in triumph.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah!" he cried. "It is as I suspected. Secret dispatches from the
+enemy that are worth all they have cost!"</p>
+
+<p>The officers were struck dumb with amazement, and stood and stared at
+the smiling young man as though they could not believe their eyes. But
+after a time they crowded around him and examined the shell curiously,
+and then the papers that Clif held in his hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The papers were evidently written in Spanish, and though the American
+officers could not read them, they now had conceived sufficient
+confidence in Clif to believe that they were indeed of importance.</p>
+
+<p>The shell, whose quest had caused Clif so much peril and danger, was a
+curious affair. It had been cunningly contrived for the purpose it had
+so admirably fulfilled. Though very much in appearance like the
+old-fashioned round shells, it was in two parts, ingeniously hinged so
+that when closed it required very close scrutiny to detect the seam.</p>
+
+<p>It was hollow, and consequently light in weight. This fact had first
+arrested Clif's attention and had set his thoughts to work upon the
+mystery that was connected with it. In the opening where the fuse was
+inserted there was a concealed mechanism so arranged that it might not
+be detected or opened with the finger, but would readily give way to the
+force of a slight explosion in that small cavity. If it should fall into
+strange hands, unfamiliar with its design, it was meant to defy all
+efforts at opening it.</p>
+
+<p>Clif was the recipient of many expressions of praise from the American
+officers upon his ingenuity in fathoming the secret that was so
+cunningly devised, and they questioned him at length.</p>
+
+<p>"That is indeed wonderful," said the superior officer. "But how did you
+ever guess the purpose for which it was intended or the method of
+opening it?"</p>
+
+<p>Clif then explained the circumstances connected with its appearance at
+his feet among the trees where he was awaiting the Cuban courier.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I thought it was strange that a ship being pursued should fire a shell
+at the land instead of at its enemy," he said, "and when I picked it up
+I was struck with its peculiarities, but my examination was interrupted
+by the arrival of the Spanish soldiers. We were kept busy for a while
+pursuing them, and did not have much time to pursue this mystery."</p>
+
+<p>The officer smiled knowingly at this, for he had gathered enough from
+Clif's previous narrative to know that the little band of sailors had
+done great feats that night.</p>
+
+<p>"The shell not exploding," continued Clif, "led me to think that perhaps
+it was not intended to explode just then and when I saw that the Spanish
+soldiers seemed to be hunting for something there, I jumped to the
+conclusion that it was this identical piece of steel they were after.
+That explained their presence there and their peculiar behavior. And
+what could the Spaniards want with that shell if it did not contain
+something of value to them and of greater value to the American cause?"</p>
+
+<p>"You reasoned well," exclaimed the officer, "and so you decided to risk
+going back for it, and your ideas have come out triumphant through the
+test. But, young man, don't try any more experiments like that when I'm
+around."</p>
+
+<p>They all laughed heartily at this sally, at which Clif joined in.</p>
+
+<p>"But it was decidedly a peculiar way to send dispatches," continued the
+officer, "and it would seem as though it was uncertain and unnecessary
+as well."</p>
+
+<p>"There seemed to me to be a good reason for it,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> sir," said Clif. "I
+figured that that boat had been sent to deliver the dispatches, with
+instructions that if they were pursued to fire the shell at a point
+agreed upon, and then make their escape. They were pursued, and did fire
+toward shore, and the soldiers in waiting evidently saw the flash, and
+knew about where to hunt for it. I think, sir, that when these papers
+are examined it will be found that they contain information that the
+Spanish army ashore wants the worst way."</p>
+
+<p>This proved to be the case. Clif was given custody of the peculiar shell
+and the papers it had contained, and after a little delay was taken in
+the boat to the Wilmington.</p>
+
+<p>Signals were exchanged between this vessel and the flagship, and in due
+time Clif was rowed to the latter and ordered to report to the rear
+admiral.</p>
+
+<p>He turned the shell and its contents over to that officer with an
+explanation of all that had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>"I see that you had good cause for desiring to go back to find this
+shell," said the rear admiral when Clif had finished. "We have learned
+from the prisoner whom you secured after a struggle in your boat, that
+they had stolen your boat to facilitate the transfer of some papers.
+They were late and missed seeing the boat that fired this shell. Now
+that you have secured these papers I will call your knowledge of Spanish
+into requisition and allow you to transcribe these for me."</p>
+
+<p>And this Clif did; and when he had completed the task it was found that
+the most important work<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> he had done that night, was in securing that
+shell and unraveling its mystery.</p>
+
+<p>As he issued from the admiral's room Cadet Wells, one of Clif's best
+friends, approached him.</p>
+
+<p>"Faraday, old fellow," he said, "I've got news that will interest you."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm listening."</p>
+
+<p>"It's about that exception among Spaniards, the lieutenant who helped
+you and Miss Stuart escape."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! what of him?" asked Clif, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"You know he left us on a Spanish boat that brought you over under a
+flag of truce. Well, we couldn't touch that boat then, of course, but
+yesterday she ventured too far out, and the New York sunk her. We saved
+all her crew and from one of them I learned what became of Hernandez. It
+seems he sought a lonely part of the boat while she was on the way from
+us to the shore, and knelt to pray. An officer of the boat saw him thus
+and withdrew. A moment later all hands were startled by a pistol shot.
+Hurrying below they found Lieutenant Hernandez prone on the deck, a calm
+smile on his face, a bullet in his brain."</p>
+
+<p>Faraday was deeply affected.</p>
+
+<p>"And thus," he said gravely, "perished one of Spain's real heroes."</p>
+
+
+<h3>[THE END.]</h3>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>[Transcriber's Note: In the original edition, the following
+advertisements appeared at the beginning of the book, before
+the title page.]</p></div>
+
+<h2>THE MEDAL LIBRARY</h2>
+
+<h3>FAMOUS COPYRIGHTED STORIES
+FOR BOYS, BY FAMOUS AUTHORS</h3>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>This is an ideal line for boys of all ages. It contains juvenile
+masterpieces by the most popular writers of interesting fiction
+for boys. Among these may be mentioned the works of Burt L.
+Standish, detailing the adventures of Frank Merriwell, the hero,
+of whom every American boy has read with admiration. Frank
+is a truly representative American lad, full of character and
+a strong determination to do right at any cost. Then, there are
+the works of Horatio Alger, Jr., whose keen insight into the
+minds of the boys of our country has enabled him to write a
+series of the most interesting tales ever published. This line also
+contains some of the best works of Oliver Optic, another author
+whose entire life was devoted to writing books that would tend
+to interest and elevate our boys.</p></div>
+
+<h3>PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK</h3>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" summary="Catalog of The Medal Library">
+<tr>
+<th class="pubdate" colspan="2">To be Published During April</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">357&mdash;Jack Harkaway Among the Pirates</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">356&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Baseball Victories</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">355&mdash;Tracked Through the Wilds</td>
+<td class="author">By Edward S. Ellis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">354&mdash;A Thoroughly Good Story</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">353&mdash;A Prisoner of Morro</td>
+<td class="author">By Ensign Clark Fitch, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;N.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th class="pubdate" colspan="2">To be Published During March</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">352&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Double Shot</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">351&mdash;The Boys of Grand Pr&eacute; School</td>
+<td class="author">By James De Mille</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">350&mdash;A Thoroughly Good Story</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">349&mdash;The Two Scouts</td>
+<td class="author">By Edward S. Ellis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th class="pubdate" colspan="2">To be Published During February</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">348&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Duel</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">347&mdash;Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">346&mdash;A Thoroughly Good Story</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">345&mdash;The B.&nbsp;O.&nbsp;W.&nbsp;C.</td>
+<td class="author">By James De Mille</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th class="pubdate" colspan="2">To be Published During January</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">344&mdash;Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">343&mdash;Among the Redskins</td>
+<td class="author">By Edward S. Ellis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">342&mdash;A Thoroughly Good Story</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">341&mdash;The Fighting Squadron</td>
+<td class="author">By Ensign Clark Fitch, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;N.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">340&mdash;Frank Merriwell in England</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">&nbsp;</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">339&mdash;In School and Out</td>
+<td class="author">By Oliver Optic</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">338&mdash;A Cousin's Conspiracy</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">337&mdash;Jack Harkaway After Schooldays</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">336&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Great Scheme</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">335&mdash;The Haunted Hunter</td>
+<td class="author">By Edward S. Ellis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">334&mdash;Tony, the Tramp</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">333&mdash;Rich and Humble</td>
+<td class="author">By Oliver Optic</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">332&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Stage Hit</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">331&mdash;The Hidden City</td>
+<td class="author">By Walter MacDougall</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">330&mdash;Bob Burton</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">329&mdash;Masterman Ready</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Marryat</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">328&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Prosperity</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">327&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Friends</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">326&mdash;The Tin Box</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">325&mdash;The Young Franc-Tireurs</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">324&mdash;Frank Merriwell's New Comedian</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">323&mdash;The Sheik's White Slave</td>
+<td class="author">By Raymond Raife</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">322&mdash;Helping Himself</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">321&mdash;Snarleyyow, The Dog Fiend</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Marryat</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">320&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Fortune</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">319&mdash;By Right of Conquest</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">318&mdash;Jed, the Poorhouse Boy</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">317&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Schooldays</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">316&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Problem</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">315&mdash;The Diamond Seeker of Brazil</td>
+<td class="author">By Leon Lewis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">314&mdash;Andy Gordon</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">313&mdash;The Phantom Ship</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Marryat</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">312&mdash;Frank Merriwell's College Chums</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">311&mdash;Whistler</td>
+<td class="author">By Walter Aimwell</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">310&mdash;Making His Way</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">309&mdash;Three Years at Wolverton</td>
+<td class="author">By A Wolvertonian</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">308&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Fame</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">307&mdash;The Boy Crusoes</td>
+<td class="author">By Jeffreys Taylor</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">306&mdash;Chester Rand</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">305&mdash;Japhet in Search of a Father</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Marryat</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">304&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Own Company</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">303&mdash;The Prairie</td>
+<td class="author">By J. Fenimore Cooper</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">302&mdash;The Young Salesman</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">301&mdash;A Battle and a Boy</td>
+<td class="author">By Blanche Willis Howard</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">300&mdash;Frank Merriwell on the Road</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">299&mdash;Mart Satterlee Among the Indians</td>
+<td class="author">By William O. Stoddard</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">298&mdash;Andy Grant's Pluck</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">297&mdash;Newton Forster</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Marryat</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">296&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Protege</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">295&mdash;Cris Rock</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">294&mdash;Sam's Chance</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">293&mdash;My Plucky Boy Tom</td>
+<td class="author">By Edward S. Ellis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">292&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Hard Luck</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">291&mdash;By Pike and Dyke</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">290&mdash;Shifting For Himself</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">289&mdash;The Pirate and the Three Cutters</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Marryat</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">288&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Opportunity</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">287&mdash;Kit Carson's Last Trail</td>
+<td class="author">By Leon Lewis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">286&mdash;Jack's Ward</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">285&mdash;Jack Darcy, the All Around Athlete</td>
+<td class="author">By Edward S. Ellis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">284&mdash;Frank Merriwell's First Job</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">283&mdash;Wild Adventures Round the Pole</td>
+<td class="author">By Gordon Stables</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">282&mdash;Herbert Carter's Legacy</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">281&mdash;Rattlin, the Reefer</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Marryat</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">280&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Struggle</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">279&mdash;Mark Dale's Stage Venture</td>
+<td class="author">By Arthur M. Winfield</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">278&mdash;In Times of Peril</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">277&mdash;In a New World</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">276&mdash;Frank Merriwell in Maine</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">275&mdash;The King of the Island</td>
+<td class="author">By Henry Harrison Lewis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">274&mdash;Beach Boy Joe</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. James K. Orton</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">273&mdash;Jacob Faithful</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Marryat</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">184&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Trip West</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">183&mdash;The Diamond Hunters</td>
+<td class="author">By James Grant</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">182&mdash;The Camp in the Snow</td>
+<td class="author">By William Murray Graydon</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">181&mdash;Brave and Bold</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">180&mdash;One of the 28th</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">178&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Foes</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">177&mdash;The White Elephant</td>
+<td class="author">By William Dalton</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">176&mdash;By England's Aid</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">175&mdash;Strive and Succeed</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">173&mdash;Life at Sea</td>
+<td class="author">By Gordon Stables</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">172&mdash;The Young Midshipman</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">171&mdash;Erling the Bold</td>
+<td class="author">By R.&nbsp;M. Ballantyne</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">170&mdash;Strong and Steady</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">169&mdash;Peter, the Whaler</td>
+<td class="author">By W.&nbsp;H.&nbsp;G. Kingston</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">168&mdash;Among Malay Pirates</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">167&mdash;Frank Merriwell's Chums</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">166&mdash;Try and Trust</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">165&mdash;The Secret Chart</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. James K. Orton</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">164&mdash;The Cornet of Horse</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">163&mdash;Slow and Sure</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">162&mdash;The Pioneers</td>
+<td class="author">By J.&nbsp;F. Cooper</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">161&mdash;Reuben Green's Adventures at Yale</td>
+<td class="author">By James Otis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">160&mdash;Little by Little</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Oliver Optic</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">159&mdash;Phil, the Fiddler</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">158&mdash;With Lee in Virginia</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">157&mdash;Randy, the Pilot</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">156&mdash;The Pathfinder</td>
+<td class="author">By J.&nbsp;F. Cooper</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">155&mdash;The Young Voyagers</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">154&mdash;Paul, the Peddler</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">153&mdash;Bonnie Prince Charlie</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">152&mdash;The Last of the Mohicans</td>
+<td class="author">By J. Fenimore Cooper</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">151&mdash;The Flag of Distress</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">150&mdash;Frank Merriwell's School Days</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Burt L. Standish</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">149&mdash;With Wolfe in Canada</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">148&mdash;The Deerslayer</td>
+<td class="author">By J.&nbsp;F. Cooper</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">147&mdash;The Cliff Climbers</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">146&mdash;Uncle Nat</td>
+<td class="author">By A. Oldfellow</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">145&mdash;Friends Though Divided</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">144&mdash;The Boy Tar</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">143&mdash;Hendricks, the Hunter</td>
+<td class="author">By W.&nbsp;H.&nbsp;G. Kingston</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">142&mdash;The Young Explorer</td>
+<td class="author">By Gordon Stables</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">141&mdash;The Ocean Waifs</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">140&mdash;The Young Buglers</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">139&mdash;Shore and Ocean</td>
+<td class="author">By W.&nbsp;H.&nbsp;G. Kingston</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">138&mdash;Striving for Fortune</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">137&mdash;The Bush Boys</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">136&mdash;From Pole to Pole</td>
+<td class="author">By Gordon Stables</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">135&mdash;Dick Cheveley</td>
+<td class="author">By W.&nbsp;H.&nbsp;G. Kingston</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">134&mdash;Orange and Green</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">133&mdash;The Young Yagers</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">132&mdash;The Adventures of Rob Roy</td>
+<td class="author">By James Grant</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">131&mdash;The Boy Slaves</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">130&mdash;From Canal Boy to President</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">129&mdash;Ran Away to Sea</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">128&mdash;For Name and Fame</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">127&mdash;The Forest Exiles</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">126&mdash;From Powder Monkey to Admiral</td>
+<td class="author">By W.&nbsp;H.&nbsp;G. Kingston</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">125&mdash;The Plant Hunters</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">124&mdash;St. George for England</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">123&mdash;The Giraffe Hunters</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">122&mdash;Tom Brace</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">121&mdash;Peter Trawl</td>
+<td class="author">By W.&nbsp;H.&nbsp;G. Kingston</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">120&mdash;In the Wilds of New Mexico</td>
+<td class="author">By G. Manville Fenn</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">119&mdash;A Final Reckoning</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">118&mdash;Ned Newton</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">117&mdash;James Braithwaite, The Supercargo</td>
+<td class="author">By W.&nbsp;H.&nbsp;G. Kingston</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">116&mdash;Happy-Go-Lucky Jack</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank H. Converse</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">115&mdash;Adventures of a Young Athlete</td>
+<td class="author">By Matthew White, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">114&mdash;The Old Man of the Mountains</td>
+<td class="author">By George H. Coomer</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">113&mdash;The Bravest of the Brave</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">112&mdash;20,000 Leagues Under the Sea</td>
+<td class="author">By Jules Verne</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">111&mdash;The Midshipman, Marmaduke Merry</td>
+<td class="author">By W.&nbsp;H.&nbsp;G. Kingston</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">110&mdash;Around the World in Eighty Days</td>
+<td class="author">By Jules Verne</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">109&mdash;A Dash to the Pole</td>
+<td class="author">By Herbert D. Ward</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">108&mdash;Texar's Revenge</td>
+<td class="author">By Jules Verne</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">107&mdash;Van; or, In Search of an Unknown Race</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank H. Converse</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">106&mdash;The Boy Knight</td>
+<td class="author">By George A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">105&mdash;The Young Actor</td>
+<td class="author">By Gayle Winterton</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">104&mdash;Heir to a Million</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank H. Converse</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">103&mdash;The Adventures of Rex Staunton</td>
+<td class="author">By Mary A. Denison</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">102&mdash;Clearing His Name</td>
+<td class="author">By Matthew White, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">101&mdash;The Lone Ranch</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">100&mdash;Maori and Settler</td>
+<td class="author">By George A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">99&mdash;The Cruise of the Restless; or, On Inland Waterways</td>
+<td class="author">By James Otis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">98&mdash;The Grand Chaco</td>
+<td class="author">By George Manville Fenn</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">97&mdash;The Giant Islanders</td>
+<td class="author">By Brooks McCormick</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">96&mdash;An Unprovoked Mutiny</td>
+<td class="author">By James Otis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">95&mdash;By Sheer Pluck</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">94&mdash;Oscar; or, The Boy Who Had His Own Way</td>
+<td class="author">By Walter Aimwell</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">93&mdash;A New York Boy</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">92&mdash;Spectre Gold</td>
+<td class="author">By Headon Hill</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">91&mdash;The Crusoes of Guiana</td>
+<td class="author">By Louis Boussenard</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">90&mdash;Out on the Pampas</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">89&mdash;Clinton; or, Boy Life in the Country</td>
+<td class="author">By Walter Aimwell</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">88&mdash;My Mysterious Fortune</td>
+<td class="author">By Matthew White, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">87&mdash;The Five Hundred Dollar Check</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">86&mdash;Catmur's Cave</td>
+<td class="author">By Richard Dowling</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">85&mdash;Facing Death</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">84&mdash;The Butcher of Cawnpore</td>
+<td class="author">By William Murray Graydon</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">83&mdash;The Tiger Prince</td>
+<td class="author">By William Dalton</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">82&mdash;The Young Editor</td>
+<td class="author">By Matthew White, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">81&mdash;Arthur Helmuth, of the H. &amp; N.&nbsp;C. Railway</td>
+<td class="author">By Edward S. Ellis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">80&mdash;Afloat in the Forest</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Mayne Reid</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">79&mdash;The Rival Battalions</td>
+<td class="author">By Brooks McCormick</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">78&mdash;Both Sides of the Continent</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">77&mdash;Perils of the Jungle</td>
+<td class="author">By Edward S. Ellis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">76&mdash;The War Tiger; or, The Conquest of China</td>
+<td class="author">By William Dalton</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">75&mdash;Boys in the Forecastle</td>
+<td class="author">By George H. Coomer</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">74&mdash;The Dingo Boys</td>
+<td class="author">By George Manville Fenn</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">73&mdash;The Wolf Boy of China</td>
+<td class="author">By William Dalton</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">72&mdash;The Way to Success; or, Tom Randall</td>
+<td class="author">By Alfred Oldfellow</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">71&mdash;Mark Seaworth's Voyage on the Indian Ocean</td>
+<td class="author">By William H.&nbsp;G. Kingston</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">70&mdash;The New and Amusing History of Sandford and Merton</td>
+<td class="author">By F.&nbsp;C. Burnand</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">69&mdash;Pirate Island</td>
+<td class="author">By Harry Collingwood</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">68&mdash;Smuggler's Cave</td>
+<td class="author">By Annie Ashmore</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">67&mdash;Tom Brown's School Days</td>
+<td class="author">By Thomas Hughes</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">66&mdash;A Young Vagabond</td>
+<td class="author">By Z.&nbsp;R. Bennett</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">65&mdash;That Treasure</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank H. Converse</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">64&mdash;The Tour of a Private Car</td>
+<td class="author">By Matthew White, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">63&mdash;In the Sunk Lands</td>
+<td class="author">By Walter F. Bruns</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">62&mdash;How He Won</td>
+<td class="author">By Brooks McCormick</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">61&mdash;The Erie Train Boy</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">60&mdash;The Mountain Cave</td>
+<td class="author">By George H. Coomer</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">59&mdash;The Rajah's Fortress</td>
+<td class="author">By William Murray Graydon</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">58&mdash;Gilbert, The Trapper</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. C.&nbsp;B. Ashley</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">57&mdash;The Gold of Flat Top Mountain</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank H. Converse</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">56&mdash;Nature's Young Noblemen</td>
+<td class="author">By Brooks McCormick</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">55&mdash;A Voyage to the Gold Coast</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank H. Converse</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">54&mdash;Joe Nichols; or, Difficulties Overcome</td>
+<td class="author">By Alfred Oldfellow</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">53&mdash;The Adventures of a New York Telegraph Boy</td>
+<td class="author">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">52&mdash;From Farm Boy to Senator</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">51&mdash;Tom Tracy</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">50&mdash;Dean Dunham</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">49&mdash;The Mystery of a Diamond</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank H. Converse</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">48&mdash;Luke Bennett's Hide-Out</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. C.&nbsp;B. Ashley, U.S. Scout</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">47&mdash;Eric Dane</td>
+<td class="author">By Matthew White, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">46&mdash;Poor and Proud</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Oliver Optic</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">45&mdash;Jack Wheeler; A Western Story</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. David Southwick</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">44&mdash;The Golden Magnet</td>
+<td class="author">By George Manville Fenn</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">43&mdash;In Southern Seas</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank H. Converse</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">42&mdash;The Young Acrobat</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">41&mdash;Check 2134</td>
+<td class="author">By Edward S. Ellis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">40&mdash;Canoe and Campfire</td>
+<td class="author">By St. George Rathborne</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">39&mdash;With Boer and Britisher in the Transvaal</td>
+<td class="author">By William Murray Graydon</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">38&mdash;Gay Dashleigh's Academy Days</td>
+<td class="author">By Arthur Sewall</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">37&mdash;Commodore Junk</td>
+<td class="author">By George Manville Fenn</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">36&mdash;In Barracks and Wigwam</td>
+<td class="author">By William Murray Graydon</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">35&mdash;In the Reign of Terror</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">34&mdash;The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green</td>
+<td class="author">By Cuthbert Bede, B.&nbsp;A.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">33&mdash;Jud and Joe, Printers and Publishers</td>
+<td class="author">By Gilbert Patten</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">32&mdash;The Curse of Carnes' Hold</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">31&mdash;The Cruise of the Snow Bird</td>
+<td class="author">By Gordon Stables</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">30&mdash;Peter Simple</td>
+<td class="author">By Captain Marryat</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">29&mdash;True to the Old Flag</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">28&mdash;The Boy Boomers</td>
+<td class="author">By Gilbert Patten</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">27&mdash;Centre-Board Jim</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">26&mdash;The Cryptogram</td>
+<td class="author">By William Murray Graydon</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">25&mdash;Through the Fray</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">24&mdash;The Boy From the West</td>
+<td class="author">By Gilbert Patten</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">23&mdash;The Dragon and the Raven</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">22&mdash;From Lake to Wilderness</td>
+<td class="author">By William Murray Graydon</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">21&mdash;Won at West Point</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">20&mdash;Wheeling for Fortune</td>
+<td class="author">By James Otis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">19&mdash;Jack Archer</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">18&mdash;The Silver Ship</td>
+<td class="author">By Leon Lewis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">17&mdash;Ensign Merrill</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">16&mdash;The White King of Africa</td>
+<td class="author">By William Murray Graydon</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">15&mdash;Midshipman Merrill</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">14&mdash;The Young Colonists</td>
+<td class="author">By G.&nbsp;A. Henty</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">13&mdash;Up the Ladder</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. Murray</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">12&mdash;Don Kirk's Mine</td>
+<td class="author">By Gilbert Patten</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">11&mdash;From Tent to White House</td>
+<td class="author">By Edward S. Ellis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">10&mdash;Don Kirk, the Boy Cattle King</td>
+<td class="author">By Gilbert Patten</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">9&mdash;Try Again</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Oliver Optic</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">8&mdash;Kit Carey's Prot&eacute;g&eacute;</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">7&mdash;Chased Through Norway</td>
+<td class="author">By James Otis</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">6&mdash;Captain Carey of the Gallant Seventh</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">5&mdash;Now or Never</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Oliver Optic</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">4&mdash;Lieutenant Carey's Luck</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">3&mdash;All Aboard</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Oliver Optic</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">2&mdash;Cadet Kit Carey</td>
+<td class="author">By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">1&mdash;The Boat Club</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Oliver Optic</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>THE BOUND TO WIN LIBRARY</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>We called this new line of high-class copyrighted stories of
+adventure for boys by this name because we felt assured that
+it was "bound to win" its way into the heart of every true
+American lad. The stories are exceptionally bright, clean and
+interesting. The writers had the interest of our boys at heart
+when they wrote the stories, and have not failed to show what
+a pure-minded lad with courage and mettle can do. Remember,
+that these stories are copyrighted and cannot be had in any
+other series. We give herewith a list of those already published
+and those scheduled for publication.</p></div>
+
+
+<p class="center" style="font-size: 120%;">PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" summary="catalog of The Bound To Win library">
+<tr>
+<th class="pubdate" colspan="2">To be Published During May</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">167&mdash;On Government Service</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th class="pubdate" colspan="2">To be Published During April</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">166&mdash;Ben Bolton, Mascot</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">165&mdash;On a Phantom Trail</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">164&mdash;The Outcast Prince</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">163&mdash;Grit and Wit</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th class="pubdate" colspan="2">To be Published During March</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">162&mdash;The Submarine Pirate</td>
+<td class="author">By Cornelius Shea</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">161&mdash;Bob, the Acrobat</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">160&mdash;Rob Rollalong at Sea</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">159&mdash;Under the World</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">158&mdash;Smart Alec</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th class="pubdate" colspan="2">To be Published During February</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">157&mdash;From Footlights to Riches</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">156&mdash;Among the Nomads</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By John H. Whitson</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">155&mdash;For Fun and Fortune</td>
+<td class="author">By Cornelius Shea</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">154&mdash;The Meanest Boy Alive</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th class="pubdate" colspan="2">To be Published During January</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">153&mdash;Rob Rollalong, Runaway</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">152&mdash;An Indian Hero</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">151&mdash;The Fourteenth Boy</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">150&mdash;The Young Snake Charmer</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2">&nbsp;</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">149&mdash;Right on Top</td>
+<td class="author">By Cornelius Shea</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">148&mdash;Fighting the Cowards</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">147&mdash;Through Air to Fame</td>
+<td class="author">By John H. Whitson</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">146&mdash;With the Kidnapers</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">145&mdash;Adventures in Other Worlds</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">144&mdash;A Bid for Fortune</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">143&mdash;Archie Atwood, Champion</td>
+<td class="author">By Cornelius Shea</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">142&mdash;In the Path of Duty</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">141&mdash;Out For Fun</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">140&mdash;The Young Coast Guard</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">139&mdash;A Million a Minute</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">138&mdash;Through the Earth</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">137&mdash;The Boy King Maker</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">136&mdash;Spider and Stump</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">135&mdash;The Creature of the Pines</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">134&mdash;In the Volcano's Mouth</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">133&mdash;Muscles of Steel</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">132&mdash;Home Base</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">131&mdash;The Jewel of Florida</td>
+<td class="author">By Cornelius Shea</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">130&mdash;The Boys' Revolt</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">129&mdash;The Mystic Isle</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">128&mdash;With the Mad Mullah</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">127&mdash;A Humble Hero</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">126&mdash;For Big Money</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">125&mdash;Too Fast to Last</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">124&mdash;Caught in a Trap</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">123&mdash;The Tattooed Boy</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">122&mdash;The Young Horseman</td>
+<td class="author">By Herbert Bellwood</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">121&mdash;Sam Sawbones</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">120&mdash;On His Mettle</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">119&mdash;Compound Interest</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">118&mdash;Runaway and Rover</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">117&mdash;Larry O'Keefe</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">116&mdash;The Boy Crusaders</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">115&mdash;Double Quick Dan</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">114&mdash;Money to Spend</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">113&mdash;Billy Barlow</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">112&mdash;A Battle with Fate</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">111&mdash;Gypsy Joe</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">110&mdash;Barred Out</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">109&mdash;Will Wilding</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">108&mdash;Frank Bolton's Chase</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">107&mdash;Lucky-Stone Dick</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">106&mdash;Tom Scott, the American Robinson Crusoe</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">105&mdash;Fatherless Bob at Sea</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">104&mdash;Fatherless Bob</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">103&mdash;Hank the Hustler</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">102&mdash;Dick Stanhope Afloat</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">101&mdash;The Golden Harpoon</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">100&mdash;Mischievous Matt's Pranks</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">99&mdash;Mischievous Matt</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">98&mdash;Bert Chipley</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">97&mdash;Down-East Dave</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">96&mdash;The Young Diplomat</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">95&mdash;The Fool of the Family</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">94&mdash;Slam, Bang &amp; Co.</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">93&mdash;On the Road</td>
+<td class="author">By Stanley Norris</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">92&mdash;The Blood-Red Hand</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">91&mdash;The Diamond King</td>
+<td class="author">By Cornelius Shea</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">90&mdash;The Double-Faced Mystery</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">89&mdash;The Young Theatrical Manager</td>
+<td class="author">By Stanley Norris</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">88&mdash;The Young West-Pointer</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">87&mdash;Held for Ransom</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">86&mdash;Boot-Black Bob</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">85&mdash;Engineer Tom</td>
+<td class="author">By Cornelius Shea</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">84&mdash;The Mascot of Hoodooville</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">83&mdash;Walter Blackshaw</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">82&mdash;The Young Showman's Foes</td>
+<td class="author">By Stanley Norris</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">81&mdash;On the Wing</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">80&mdash;Yankee Grit</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">79&mdash;Bicycle and Gun</td>
+<td class="author">By Cornelius Shea</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="boldtitle">78&mdash;The Backwoods Boy</td>
+<td class="boldauthor">By Horatio Alger, Jr.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">77&mdash;Ahead of the Show</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">76&mdash;Merle Merton</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">75&mdash;The Three Hills of Gold</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">74&mdash;A Barrel of Money</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">73&mdash;Lucky Thirteen</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">72&mdash;Two Ragged Heroes</td>
+<td class="author">By Earnest A. Young</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">71&mdash;A Slave for a Year</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">70&mdash;In the Woods</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">69&mdash;The Prince of Grit</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">68&mdash;The Golden Pirate</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">67&mdash;Winning His Way</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">66&mdash;Boats, Bats and Bicycles</td>
+<td class="author">By Ernest A. Young</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">65&mdash;Rob, The Hoodoo</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">64&mdash;Railroad Ralph</td>
+<td class="author">By Engineer James Fisk</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">63&mdash;Comrades Under Castro</td>
+<td class="author">By Victor St. Clair</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">62&mdash;Life-Line Larry</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">61&mdash;Track and Trestle</td>
+<td class="author">By Ernest A. Young</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">60&mdash;The Phantom Boy</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">59&mdash;Simple Simon</td>
+<td class="author">By Herbert Bellwood</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">58&mdash;Cast Away in the Jungle</td>
+<td class="author">By Victor St. Clair</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">57&mdash;In Unknown Worlds</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">56&mdash;The Round-the-World Boys</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">55&mdash;Bert Fairfax</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">54&mdash;Pranks and Perils</td>
+<td class="author">By Ernest A. Young</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">53&mdash;Up to Date</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">52&mdash;Bicycle Ben</td>
+<td class="author">By Herbert Bellwood</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">51&mdash;Lost in the Ice</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">50&mdash;Fighting for a Name</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">49&mdash;Lionel's Pluck</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">48&mdash;The Mud River Boys</td>
+<td class="author">By Ernest A. Young</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">47&mdash;Partners Three</td>
+<td class="author">By Weldon J. Cobb</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">46&mdash;Rivals of the Pines</td>
+<td class="author">By Herbert Bellwood</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">45&mdash;Always on Duty</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">44&mdash;Walt, the Wonder-Worker</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">43&mdash;Through Flame to Fame</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">42&mdash;A Toss-Up for Luck</td>
+<td class="author">By Ernest A. Young</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">41&mdash;The Jay from Maine</td>
+<td class="author">By Herbert Bellwood</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">40&mdash;For Home and Honor</td>
+<td class="author">By Victor St. Clair</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">39&mdash;A Bee Line to Fortune</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">37&mdash;Never Give Up</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">36&mdash;Vernon Craig</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">35&mdash;The Young Showman's Triumph</td>
+<td class="author">By Stanley Norris</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">34&mdash;The Roustabout Boys</td>
+<td class="author">By Herbert Bellwood</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">33&mdash;The Young Showman's Pluck</td>
+<td class="author">By Stanley Norris</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">32&mdash;Napoleon's Double</td>
+<td class="author">By John De Morgan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">31&mdash;The Young Showman's Rivals</td>
+<td class="author">By Stanley Norris</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">30&mdash;Jack, the Pride of the Nine</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">29&mdash;Phil the Showman</td>
+<td class="author">By Stanley Norris</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">28&mdash;Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy</td>
+<td class="author">By Walter Morris</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">27&mdash;Zig-Zag, the Boy Conjurer</td>
+<td class="author">By Victor St. Clair</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">26&mdash;The Young Hannibal</td>
+<td class="author">By Matt Royal</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">25&mdash;Git Up and Git</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">24&mdash;School Life at Grand Court</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">23&mdash;From Port to Port</td>
+<td class="author">By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;N.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">22&mdash;The Rival Nines</td>
+<td class="author">By Walt Winton</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">21&mdash;The Young Journalist</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">20&mdash;John Smith of Michigan</td>
+<td class="author">By Herbert Bellwood</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">18&mdash;Cruise of the Training Ship</td>
+<td class="author">By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;N.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">17&mdash;Chris, the Comedian</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">16&mdash;Lion-Hearted Jack</td>
+<td class="author">By Frank Sheridan</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">15&mdash;The Rivals of Riverwood</td>
+<td class="author">By Herbert Bellwood</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">14&mdash;His One Ambition</td>
+<td class="author">By Harrie Irving Hancock</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">13&mdash;A Strange Cruise</td>
+<td class="author">By Ensign Clarke Filch, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;N.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">12&mdash;Dick Derby's Double</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">11&mdash;The House of Mystery</td>
+<td class="author">By Matt Royal</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">9&mdash;From Switch to Lever</td>
+<td class="author">By Victor St. Clair</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">8&mdash;Clif, the Naval Cadet</td>
+<td class="author">By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;N.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">7&mdash;The Boy in Black</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">6&mdash;The Crimson "Q"</td>
+<td class="author">By William G. Patten</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">5&mdash;The Balas Ruby</td>
+<td class="author">By Capt. Geoffrey Hale</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">3&mdash;Bound for Annapolis</td>
+<td class="author">By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.&nbsp;S.&nbsp;N.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">2&mdash;Blind Luck</td>
+<td class="author">By Fred Thorpe</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">1&mdash;The Boy Argus</td>
+<td class="author">By William G. Patten</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>THE HARKAWAY LIBRARY</h2>
+
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>This line contains, exclusively, the exciting adventures of Jack
+Harkaway, now for the first time offered to our boys in low-priced edition.</p>
+
+<p>Bracebridge Hemyng, the author, has established an enviable reputation.
+No better stories of adventure in school and out, on land and sea,
+have ever been written. The boy reader at once feels a most lively interest
+in Jack's welfare and desires to follow him through all the adventures
+that he experienced.</p>
+
+<p>The following is a list of the titles now ready and those scheduled
+for early publication.</p></div>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" summary="Catalog of Jack Harkaway novels">
+<tr>
+<td class="title">34&mdash;Young Jack Harkaway on the Isle of Palms</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">33&mdash;Young Jack Harkaway In Search of His Father</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">32&mdash;Young Jack Harkaway at Mole's Academy</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">31&mdash;Jack Harkaway in the Toils</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">30&mdash;Jack Harkaway in the Black Hills</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">29&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Cadet Days</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">28&mdash;Jack Harkaway Among the Indians</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">27&mdash;Jack Harkaway Out West</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">26&mdash;Jack Harkaway Among the Counterfeiters</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">25&mdash;Jack Harkaway in New York</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">24&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Battle With the Turks</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">23&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Duel</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">22&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Confidence</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">21&mdash;Jack Harkaway and the Bushrangers</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">20&mdash;Jack Harkaway in Australia</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">19&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Resolve</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">18&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Pluck</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">17&mdash;Jack Harkaway in Greece</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">16&mdash;Jack Harkaway and the Red Dragon</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">15&mdash;Jack Harkaway in China</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">14&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Perils</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">13&mdash;Jack Harkaway in America</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">12&mdash;Jack Harkaway Around the World</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">11&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Return</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">10&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Capture</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">9&mdash;Jack Harkaway Among the Brigands</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">8&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Triumphs</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">7&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Struggles</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">6&mdash;Jack Harkaway at Oxford</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">5&mdash;Jack Harkaway Among the Pirates</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">4&mdash;Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">3&mdash;Jack Harkaway After School Days</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">2&mdash;Jack Harkaway's Friends</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="title">1&mdash;Jack Harkaway's School Days</td>
+<td class="author">By Bracebridge Hemyng</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h4>Transcriber's Note</h4>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>The following typographical errors in the original
+edition have been corrected.</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter I, "he fond eating" was changed to "he found eating".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter II, "It's to far west" was changed to "It's too far west";
+"line of smoke wihch" was changed to "line of smoke which"; a missing
+quotation mark was inserted before "and it's black, with a red top"; and
+"Clif studied the cost" was changed to "Clif studied the coast".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter III, a missing parenthesis was inserted after "some two
+hundred six-pounder cartridges".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter IV, "the forward companionway he met" was changed to "the
+forward companionway where he met".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter VII, "signifiance in an instant" was changed to "significance
+in an instant".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter IX, "'We won't try to go far,' Cilf said" was changed to "'We
+won't try to go far,' Clif said"; and "a moment iater came" was changed
+to "a moment later came".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter X, "might none be" was changed to "might not be".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XI, "They'll head us of!" was changed to "They'll head us
+off!"; and a missing quotation mark was inserted before "and you will be
+treated as such."</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XII, "clinch his fist and skake it" was changed to "clinch
+his fist and shake it".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XIII, "would afll to his lot" was changed to "would fall to
+his lot".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XIV, a missing quotation mark was inserted before "so you are
+interested in her".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XV, "facd a dozen rifles" was changed to "faced a dozen
+rifles".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XVI, "would make hasste" was changed to "would make haste".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXI, "The vesesl was not coming" was changed to "The vessel
+was not coming"; and "A couple of Spanish saliors" was changed to "A
+couple of Spanish sailors".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXII, "beside out boat" was changed to "beside our boat".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXIV, "repled the courier" was changed to "replied the
+courier".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXV, a missing quotation mark was inserted before "They must
+have followed the courier"</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXVI, "a doen men to oppose their forces" was changed to "a
+dozen men to oppose their forces"; and a missing quotation mark was
+inserted after "these dispatches are yet to be delivered."</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXVII, "to make assurance doubly sre" was changed to "to make
+assurance doubly sre".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXX, "he grasped his revolver in readness" was changed to "he
+grasped his revolver in readness".</p>
+
+<p>In Chapter XXXII, "the captain promply hauled down his flag" was changed
+to "the captain promptly hauled down his flag"; and "some futher detail
+of transfer" was changed to "some further detail of transfer".</p>
+
+<p>Also, the table of contents has been created for this electronic
+edition. It was not present in the original work.</p></div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Prisoner of Morro, by Upton Sinclair
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: A Prisoner of Morro
+       In the Hands of the Enemy
+
+
+Author: Upton Sinclair
+
+
+
+Release Date: March 6, 2008  [eBook #24770]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PRISONER OF MORRO***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Steven desJardins and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+   "Ensign Clark Fitch" is a pseudonym used by Upton Sinclair.
+
+
+
+
+
+A PRISONER OF MORRO
+
+Or
+
+In the Hands of the Enemy
+
+by
+
+ENSIGN CLARK FITCH, U. S. N.
+
+Author of "Bound for Annapolis," "Cliff, the Naval
+Cadet," "The Fighting Squadron," etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: A Prisoner of Morro by Ensign Clark Fitch, U. S. N.]
+
+
+
+Street & Smith, Publishers
+79-89 Seventh Ave., New York City
+
+Copyright, 1898
+By Street & Smith
+
+A Prisoner of Morro
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS
+
+I.        SIGHTING A PRIZE.                                            5
+II.       A LONG CHASE.                                               10
+III.      AN OLD ENEMY.                                               19
+IV.       IN COMMAND OF THE PRIZE.                                    28
+V.        A HAIL FROM THE DARKNESS.                                   32
+VI.       REPELLING BOARDERS.                                         39
+VII.      A DESPERATE CHASE.                                          46
+VIII.     A DASH FOR THE SHORE.                                       51
+IX.       THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY.                                        56
+X.        A STARTLING DISCOVERY.                                      63
+XI.       A RUNNING FIGHT.                                            67
+XII.      THE FIRST PRISONERS OF WAR.                                 72
+XIII.     IGNACIO'S PLOTS.                                            78
+XIV.      BESSIE STUART.                                              85
+XV.       IN MORRO CASTLE.                                            94
+XVI.      IN THE DUNGEON VAULTS.                                      99
+XVII.     OUT OF THE DUNGEON.                                        104
+XVIII.    CLIF FARADAY'S SACRIFICE.                                  112
+XIX.      A FAREWELL.                                                120
+XX.       AN UNEXPECTED PERIL.                                       127
+XXI.      RECAPTURED BY THE ENEMY.                                   133
+XXII.     CUTTING A CABLE.                                           139
+XXIII.    A PERILOUS DETAIL.                                         146
+XXIV.     THE CUBAN COURIER.                                         152
+XXV.      "IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY AND THE SAILORS OF THE MAINE!"    158
+XXVI.     A GAME OF BLUFF.                                           164
+XXVII.    IN WHICH CLIF MEETS WITH A SURPRISE.                       170
+XXVIII.   A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.                                   176
+XXIX.     CLIF'S SECOND EXPEDITION.                                  182
+XXX.      THE BATTLE IN THE BRUSH.                                   187
+XXXI.     CAPTURED.                                                  194
+XXXII.    CLIF FARADAY'S TEST.                                       201
+XXXIII.   THE MYSTERY OF THE UNEXPLODED SHELL.                       208
+
+
+
+
+A PRISONER OF MORRO
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+SIGHTING A PRIZE.
+
+
+About noon of a day in May during the recent year the converted tug
+Uncas left Key West to join the blockading squadron off the northern
+coast of Cuba.
+
+Her commander was Lieutenant Raymond, and her junior officer Naval Cadet
+Clifford Faraday. The regular junior officer was absent on sick leave,
+and Cadet Faraday had been assigned to his place in recognition of
+gallant conduct.
+
+The ropes were cast off, and slowly the tug glided away from the dock
+and out toward the open sea.
+
+It was not very long before the harbor of Key West was left behind, and
+then began the long trip to Havana. It was over a hundred miles, and
+that meant seven or eight hours' journey for the Uncas.
+
+But the Uncas was a good, stout vessel, unusually swift for a tug, and
+she made the water fairly fly when once she got clear of the land.
+
+Clif leaned against one of the rapid-firing guns in the bow and gazed
+longingly ahead; he was anxious to reach his destination.
+
+There were wild rumors concerning Spanish fleets, Cadiz squadrons and
+Cape Verde squadrons and Mediterranean squadrons, which were continually
+being sighted or heard of nearby; and for all Clif knew the decisive
+battle of the war might be fought at any time.
+
+And he felt that if it took place while he was absent he would never
+cease to regret it as long as he lived. The Uncas could not do much in
+such a battle; but she was anxious to do her share.
+
+It was possible, also, that Morro might succeed in provoking an attack.
+The guns of the Havana defenses kept blazing away at anything that came
+near, and the American sailors were fairly boiling over with impatience
+to get a whack at them.
+
+And at any time Admiral Sampson might give the word.
+
+So Clif was restless and impatient as he stood in the bow of the swift
+tug and gazed southward.
+
+It was a rather damp place of observation the cadet had chosen, for it
+had been blowing quite a gale that day, and the Uncas was plowing her
+way through a heavy sea.
+
+The spray was flying over the decks; but who would have thought of going
+below at such a time as that?
+
+It was not Clif's turn on duty. Lieutenant Raymond seemed to think that
+after his struggle on board the Spanish monitor the young cadet deserved
+a rest. But he was too eager and wide awake just then to wish to take
+it.
+
+When the tug was well under way the lieutenant came out of the pilot
+house and joined Clif again.
+
+"Thinking of the weather, Mr. Faraday?" inquired Lieutenant Raymond.
+
+"No, sir," replied the cadet, "I was thinking of Ignacio. I don't know
+how he happened to get into my thoughts, but he did."
+
+"Who is Ignacio?"
+
+"He's a Spaniard I've had some trouble with," answered Clif. "You may
+have heard about one of his exploits."
+
+"Which one is that?"
+
+"He made an attempt to assassinate Rear Admiral Sampson."
+
+"Oh, yes, I heard about that," said the officer. "The admiral told me
+about it himself. I believe you were the person who interfered."
+
+"I had the good luck to be standing near," said Clif, modestly. "And of
+course, I sprang between them."
+
+"And the spy stabbed you?"
+
+"Yes. In the shoulder, but he did not hurt me very much."
+
+"He must be a desperate man."
+
+"He is. That stabbing business seems to be a favorite trick of his. I
+hope I shan't have to face him again."
+
+Whether Ignacio was a Spaniard or a traitor Cuban, no one could say.
+Clif had first met him trying to lead astray an American officer who had
+been sent with dispatches for Gomez.
+
+And Clif had foiled the plot, and had been Ignacio's deadly enemy ever
+since. Clif had been keeping a careful watch for him. He knew that the
+vindictive fellow would follow his every move; Ignacio was acting as a
+spy for the Spaniards, and so must have found it easy to keep track of
+the cadet's whereabouts. But so far Clif had not met him.
+
+"We are likely to have a wild night of it," said Lieutenant Raymond.
+"The clouds seem to get darker every minute."
+
+"It'll be a night for the blockade-runners," was Clif's answer. "We may
+have some excitement."
+
+"We'll have it anyway," said the other. "I don't know of anything I less
+rather do than weather a storm while in among the vessels of the fleet.
+It will be necessary to stay on deck every instant of the time keeping
+watch for our very lives."
+
+"I know how it is," the cadet added. "I was on the Porter dining one
+such night. And we captured a prize coming out of Havana after almost
+running her down in the darkness."
+
+"I heard about it," said Lieutenant Raymond. "You may repeat the
+performance to-night if you have a chance. We aren't likely to meet with
+anything till we get there."
+
+As the lieutenant said that he turned and gazed ahead; the broad sea
+stretched out on every side of them, without a sign of smoke or sail to
+vary the monotony of its tossing waves.
+
+"But it always lends zest to a trip like this," the officer added, "to
+know that it's possible you may run across a stray Spaniard at any
+moment. It pays to keep one's eyes open."
+
+"And then you have the pleasure of chasing two or three and finding
+they're some other nation's ships," said Clif, with a laugh.
+
+"That's about all we've done so far," said the lieutenant. "But we're
+still hoping perhaps you'll bring us good luck."
+
+"I'll do my best," the cadet declared with a smile.
+
+"Better get ready for it by resting a bit. Your dinner's ready below."
+
+Clif took the hint and went below. The boat was pitching so violently
+that he found eating a very difficult operation, and it was generally so
+unpleasant in the little cabin that he was glad to go on deck again.
+
+And then later in the afternoon, at four o'clock, it came time for him
+to go on duty. After that he had to remain outside whether he wanted to
+or not.
+
+The gale grew considerably stronger, and as the darkness came on it got
+much chillier, but Clif still paced up and down the deck with the glass
+in his hand watching for a sign of a passing vessel, or of the
+approaching Cuban coast.
+
+He was left almost alone on deck as the weather got rougher; for the
+crew made themselves comfortable below, knowing what hard work lay
+before them through the stormy night.
+
+It was not the custom on the vessel to keep the whole watch on duty
+except at night; and Clif had only the two sailors at the wheel and the
+lookout in the bow for company.
+
+But if he felt any jealousy of those who were below out of the cold, he
+had the grim satisfaction of being able to disturb their comfort before
+very long.
+
+It was about half past four in the afternoon, and suddenly the lookout
+turned and called to Clif.
+
+The eager cadet knew what it meant. He seized the glass and hurried
+forward.
+
+He followed the direction of the man's finger.
+
+"I think I see smoke, sir," was what the sailor said.
+
+And Clif took a long look and then turned, his face betraying his
+excitement.
+
+An instant later his voice rang through the ship.
+
+"Steamer ahoy--off the starboard bow!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+A LONG CHASE.
+
+
+There was excitement on board of the Uncas the instant Clif's cry was
+heard. The sailors came tumbling up on deck, Lieutenant Raymond among
+the first.
+
+He took the glass eagerly from the lad's hand and anxiously studied the
+sky in the direction indicated.
+
+"It's too far west to be near Havana!" he exclaimed.
+
+And he stepped into the pilot house to direct the vessel in a new
+direction. At the same time the smoke began to pour from the funnel,
+showing that those down in the engine-room had heard Clif's hail.
+
+And so in a few moments the Uncas was speeding away in the direction of
+the stranger. And after that there was a long weary wait while the two
+vessels gradually drew nearer.
+
+All that could be made out then was the long line of smoke which always
+indicates a distant steamer. But it took a sharp eye to make even that
+out.
+
+"This will be a long chase," said the lieutenant. "If she takes it into
+her head to run we'll have a hard time to catch up to her before dark."
+
+Clif glanced significantly at the bow gun.
+
+"If we can only get within range," he thought to himself, "we won't have
+to wait to catch up to her."
+
+The lieutenant was standing by the pilot house with the glass in his
+hand, and every once in a while he would make an attempt to catch sight
+of the stranger's smokestack.
+
+"It may be one of our own warships," he said, "and if it is we don't
+want to waste any coal chasing her."
+
+But such was not the case, and it was only half an hour or so before the
+lieutenant found it out. The Uncas rose as a high wave swept by; and the
+officer, who had the glass to his eye, gave an eager exclamation.
+
+"She's got one funnel," he exclaimed, "and it's black, with a red top;
+and so it's not an American warship."
+
+And after that there was nothing now to be done except wait until the
+two approached nearer.
+
+It was evident from the gradual change of course the Uncas was obliged
+to make that the vessel she was following was headed in a southerly
+direction.
+
+"That would take her toward the western end of Cuba," Clif thought to
+himself. "Perhaps she's sighted us and is running away."
+
+She must have been a very shy vessel to have taken alarm at so great a
+distance; but from the slowness with which she came into view that
+seemed to be the case. And Clif paced the deck impatiently.
+
+It was not very much longer before he went off duty again; but he did
+not go below. For perhaps an hour he remained on deck watching the
+strange vessel.
+
+It seemed an age, but Clif had his reward. The chase loomed gradually
+nearer. The black and red smoke pipe came into view, and then, when the
+Uncas rose, the top of the black hull as well.
+
+And suddenly the lieutenant handed the glass to Clif.
+
+"You may see now," he said. "She is a merchant steamer, and she flies
+the Spanish flag."
+
+Clif nearly dropped the glass at those startling words. The lieutenant
+said them as calmly as if he were telling the time of day.
+
+"You don't seem very much excited," the cadet thought.
+
+And yet the lieutenant's statement proved to be true. It was several
+minutes before Clif got a favorable view; but he kept his eyes fixed on
+the smoke and he finally caught a glimpse of the hull.
+
+And sure enough there was the hated red and yellow ensign waving
+defiantly from the stern; it was blown off to one side by the breeze,
+and could be plainly seen.
+
+Clif was fairly boiling over with excitement at that discovery.
+
+"We've got our prize!" he chuckled. "I brought the luck after all."
+
+Lieutenant Raymond was not nearly so little moved as he chose to
+pretend; he had announced his discovery in that careless way half in a
+spirit of fun.
+
+The news got round among the crew, and however the officer may have
+felt, there was no indifference there.
+
+The engines of the Uncas began to work even more rapidly, and cartridges
+were hastily brought up for the rapid-firing guns. Nobody meant to let
+that steamer get away.
+
+She must have suspected her danger by that time, for the smoke grew
+blacker. But the crew of the Uncas knew that there were few merchant
+ships could beat that tug, and they rubbed their hands gleefully.
+
+There is something very aggravating about a race like that. In a rowing
+race you may break your back if you choose, trying to catch the boat in
+front; and even in a sailing race you may do something. But when it
+comes to steam you can only grit your teeth and walk up and down and
+watch and try not to let anybody see how anxious you are.
+
+In that way half an hour passed away, and mile after mile of the
+storm-tossed waters.
+
+By that time the hull of the vessel was plainly visible on the horizon;
+and the Spanish flag was still waving from her stern.
+
+Clif had been gazing every once in a while at the lieutenant with an
+inquiring look upon his face, but the officer had only shaken his head.
+
+"Not yet," he said. "Wait a little."
+
+And Clif would then take another stroll across the deck.
+
+But at last his inquiring look brought another answer.
+
+"Go ahead," said the lieutenant.
+
+And the cadet made a leap at the gun.
+
+It was already loaded, and he sighted it himself. He was no longer
+nervous and hurried; it was at least a minute before he rose.
+
+And then at his signal the sailor pulled the firing trigger.
+
+There was a flash and a loud report, and every one looked anxiously to
+see the effect.
+
+Lieutenant Raymond, who had the glass, was the only one who could tell;
+for the sea was so wild that the slight splash could not be noticed.
+
+The shot of course fell short, for the vessel was still out of range;
+but it hit right in line, and the officer nodded approvingly.
+
+"Now we'll wait," he said. "She may give up."
+
+But she didn't; so far as those on the Uncas could tell the shot had no
+effect whatever. The vessel kept straight on in her course.
+
+"She's counting on the darkness coming," said the lieutenant.
+
+But that was not the only reason why the Spaniard did not give up; those
+upon the Uncas discovered another shortly afterward.
+
+"The Cuban coast," exclaimed the officer.
+
+Yes, the long, faint line of the shore was at last visible just on the
+horizon's edge. It lay to the southward, directly ahead.
+
+"What good will that do her?" asked Clif.
+
+"If she finds she can't get away," answered the other, "she may make a
+run for one of the ports or try to get under the shelter of the
+batteries."
+
+For a while after that nothing more was said, and the tug plowed its way
+through the tossing water. When the lieutenant spoke again it was to
+point to the gun.
+
+"Try it again," he said.
+
+And Clif did try it. The two ships were then not over three or four
+miles apart, and when the cadet fired again he heard the lieutenant give
+a pleased exclamation.
+
+"They're within range!"
+
+And then Clif got to work with all his might.
+
+Had he had a calm sea he could have raked that vessel without missing a
+shot. He had only to experiment and get the aim just right and then
+leave the gun to stay in that one position while he blazed away.
+
+But the Uncas in climbing over the waves was now up and now down, so
+that sometimes the shots fell short and sometimes they went high.
+
+But every once in a while he had the satisfaction of hearing that he had
+landed one.
+
+After that the chase was a lively one, for the Uncas kept blazing away
+merrily. The people on board that fleeing vessel must have had a very
+large time of it that afternoon.
+
+It was just what Clif Faraday liked; he was beginning to be quite an
+expert in target practice, and he was willing to experiment with that
+ship just as long as the ammunition held out.
+
+But his opportunity did not last very long, for the land in front was
+neared very rapidly, and after that there was less fun and more work.
+
+The stranger headed round gradually to the west. She evidently had no
+idea of being driven toward Havana.
+
+The Uncas swerved more sharply, in order to head her off. Lieutenant
+Raymond was in the pilot house, and Clif soon saw by the way he managed
+things that he was an expert in all the tricks of dodging.
+
+And those who were handling the merchant ship saw it, too; they would
+have been soon headed off. So they turned in another direction quite
+sharply, making straight in toward shore again.
+
+Under ordinary circumstances with the short range that he had by that
+time, Clif could have riddled the vessel in short order; but aiming in
+that sea was so far a matter of luck that comparatively little damage
+could be done.
+
+No one knew what the enemy's last move could mean.
+
+"But we can go in any water that's deep enough for them," thought Clif,
+grimly, as he blazed away.
+
+And so thought the lieutenant, too, for he was soon racing in. For
+perhaps ten minutes pursuer and pursued kept straight on, the firing
+never ceasing for a moment.
+
+"Perhaps she may run on shore on purpose," said the lieutenant, coming
+out of the pilot house for a moment.
+
+"On purpose?" echoed Clif.
+
+"Yes; so that we can't get the cargo."
+
+"But she'll be beaten to pieces on the rocks," Clif objected.
+
+"They may chance it anyhow; you see they aren't more than a mile or two
+from the shore now, and they're running in still."
+
+"If that's the trick they try," Clif thought to himself, "we can stay
+out and pepper her to our heart's content--and help the waves to wreck
+her."
+
+But the Spaniard had a far better plan than that, as her pursuers
+learned some time later.
+
+Clif studied the coast in front of them, as well as he could see without
+a glass; there was simply a long line of sandy shore without a bay or an
+inlet of any kind. And there were no towns or batteries visible.
+
+"I don't see what she can be hoping for there," he muttered.
+
+But he had no time to speculate in the matter, for it was his business
+to keep firing. By that time the range was short and he was beginning to
+do damage.
+
+It took an expert to fire at the instant when the tossing ship was
+level, but Clif had time to practice, and he soon got the knack of it.
+
+And then it must have been exceedingly unpleasant living on that ship.
+One after another the heavy six-pound shots crashed through her stern;
+and even at that distance it began to exhibit a ragged appearance.
+
+The cadet expected at any moment to reach the engines or the rudder of
+the fleeing ship, and so render her helpless. But probably her cargo
+served to protect the former, and the rudder was very hard to hit.
+
+"She must have something important in view to stand all this," Clif
+thought to himself. "But I can't see what it is."
+
+The chase at that time was a very exciting one. The Spanish merchantman
+was dashing in shore at the top of his speed. And a mile or two beyond
+it was the Uncas tearing up the water, plunging along at her fastest
+pace and banging away half a dozen times a minute with her bow gun.
+
+Lieutenant Raymond's eyes were dancing then; he had taken the wheel
+himself and was hard at work. And as for Clif, he was so busily engaged
+that he seemed to see nothing except the high stern of that runaway.
+
+"But she's a fool," he growled to himself. "She'll be so torn to pieces
+she won't be worth capturing. I wish I could kill the captain."
+
+But the captain of that vessel knew his business, as those on the Uncas
+found later on. He was a Spaniard, and simply gifted with Spanish
+cunning.
+
+He had no idea of running his ship aground; but he knew that coast
+perfectly, and he used his knowledge.
+
+When he neared the land the tug was still some distance astern. As that
+did not suit the Spaniard's purposes, he very calmly slowed up.
+
+And that in spite of the fact that the tug was so close that the
+rapid-firing gun was hitting him every other shot!
+
+That the vessel had slowed up, Lieutenant Raymond of course could not
+tell. But he wouldn't have cared anyhow, for he had made up his mind to
+go in there no matter what was there, torpedoes or the very Old Nick
+himself.
+
+And he went; for perhaps five minutes more the Uncas dashed in at full
+speed, and the merchantman still never swerved.
+
+"They're within a quarter of a mile of the shore!" gasped Clif.
+
+He turned to his third box of cartridges with a grim smile on his face.
+For he knew that something must happen soon.
+
+It did, too--very soon.
+
+It began when the merchantman suddenly swung round to starboard.
+
+"Aha!" chuckled the cadet. "They're as close in as they dare. And now I
+suppose they'll run down shore awhile."
+
+Lieutenant Raymond was much puzzled to think why the vessel had risked
+going so close in that storm; but he wasted no time in speculating, but
+drove the wheel around with all his might.
+
+The Uncas swerved and sped over to shut the merchantman off; at that
+same instant the reason of the whole thing was seen.
+
+The Uncas was not a mile from shore, and as she turned her broadside to
+the land a masked battery in the sand let drive with a dozen guns at
+once.
+
+The whole thing was so sudden that for a moment it quite frightened the
+Americans. Clif even stopped firing long enough to stare.
+
+But the sudden alarm did not last very long; it left the men on the
+Uncas laughing. For they had quite forgotten the character of the
+Spanish gunners' aim.
+
+A shot tore through the tug's funnel, another chipped a piece from her
+bow, half a dozen shells whistled over her. And that was all.
+
+Clif turned calmly to his gun again.
+
+"If that's the best they can do," he thought, "they're welcome."
+
+But that was not the best.
+
+It wasn't that the batteries were aimed better next time. They were
+aimed far worse in their eager haste. They did not even touch the Uncas.
+
+But an instant later something happened that showed that the captain of
+the Spanish merchantman had one more string to his bow.
+
+He not only knew the location of the batteries, but he knew the location
+of the sand bars. While his own vessel sped on in safety, on board the
+Uncas there suddenly came a grinding thud, and an instant later the tug
+stopped short, so short it almost sent Clif flying over the top of the
+gun he was working.
+
+And at the same time a shout was heard from Lieutenant Raymond, one that
+made the sailors' hearts leap up into their throats: "We're aground!
+We're aground!"
+
+And in front of a Spanish battery!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+AN OLD ENEMY.
+
+
+It would be hard to imagine a vessel in a much greater predicament than
+the Uncas was at that moment. Everything was in confusion in an instant.
+
+That is everything except one thing. Lieutenant Raymond was too busy to
+notice the coolness of one person on board; but he remembered it
+afterward, and with satisfaction.
+
+It was Clif Faraday; he picked himself up from the deck where he had
+been flung and took one glance about him. Then he turned to the guns.
+
+Whatever the position of the tug his duty just then remained the same.
+He could not free her, and so he did not waste any time rushing about.
+There was that Spanish merchantman calmly walking off to safety.
+
+And there was a gleam of vengeance in the cadet's eye as he went to the
+gun again.
+
+Those on board of the fleeing vessel had seen the success of their
+clever plan and they gave a wild cheer. It was answered from the shore
+batteries.
+
+The steamer turned at once and headed out to sea; that put her broadside
+to the Uncas, and instantly the six-pounder blazed away.
+
+That was the time to do the work, too. The vessel was quite near, and a
+fair mark. The Uncas was now steady, too, Clif thought grimly to
+himself.
+
+One of the sailors saw what he was doing, and sprang to aid him. They
+banged away as fast as they could load.
+
+At the same time the Spanish batteries opened. They had a fair mark,
+likewise, and plenty of time to aim. It was a race to see who could
+smash up their prey the quickest.
+
+Clif would certainly have disabled the fleeing vessel if it had not been
+for an unfortunate accident. What the accident was may be told in a few
+words. It spoiled his chance.
+
+He turned away to get more cartridges. And at that instant a shell
+struck the six-pounder gun.
+
+It was a miracle that Clif was not hit; his uniform was torn in three
+places and his cap knocked off. The sailor next to him got a nasty wound
+in the arm, made by a flying fragment.
+
+And that of course made the merchantman safe--she steamed off in
+triumph.
+
+It was bad for the tug, too, for it showed the batteries were getting
+the range.
+
+The plight of the Uncas was a desperate one. She was being tossed about
+by a raging sea and cut up by the fire from the guns. Whether she had
+struck on rocks or sand or mud no one had any means of telling.
+
+But her engines were reversed the instant the accident occurred. And a
+hasty examination of the hold showed that whatever the danger was there
+was no leak.
+
+But that seemed cold comfort, for at the rate the heavy batteries were
+blazing away there was likely to be a number of leaks in a very short
+while. And even a steel tug will not hold together long with a sea
+pounding over her like this one was.
+
+Yet as it actually happened, that sea was the only thing that got the
+vessel out of her unfortunate predicament.
+
+They were a great deal luckier than they would have dared to hope to be.
+For when they realized they were aground there was not a man on board
+who did not think his last hour was at hand.
+
+But as it actually happened, the sand bar upon which the tug had driven
+lay some distance beneath the surface. And it had caught the vessel by
+the keel.
+
+The engines throbbed wildly, doing their noblest to pull the vessel off;
+and then one after another came the great waves, tossing her this way
+and that, wrenching and twisting, lifting and lifting again, while every
+one on deck clung for his life.
+
+There was a minute or two of agonizing suspense, while the shore
+batteries kept up a galling fire and the merchantman steamed out to sea,
+proud of her triumph.
+
+And then suddenly came a wild cheer from the imperiled Americans. Then
+men fairly shrieked in a transport of delight.
+
+"She's moving! She's started! She's safe!"
+
+And the men fairly hugged each other for joy. Slowly, then faster, then
+faster still, and finally at full speed backward. The gallant tug had
+torn herself loose from the grip of the sand--and was free!
+
+The baffled Spanish batteries redoubled their fire at that. One could
+almost imagine the gunners grinding their teeth with rage as they saw
+their prey escaping.
+
+But grinding their teeth did not seem to sharpen their eyes. Their aim
+was as bad as ever, and the Uncas seemed like the proverbial man in the
+rainstorm who keeps dry by "dodging the drops."
+
+The confusion on board of the "escaped" vessel may be imagined. How that
+triumphant captain must have sworn Spanish oaths.
+
+It was a ticklish task that Lieutenant Raymond had before him then. He
+knew there were sand bars about. But he did not know where they were.
+And the task was to avoid them.
+
+He did it by creeping along very slowly, in absolute indifference to the
+galling fire from the shore guns. He knew that there must be a channel,
+for he and the Spaniard had come in by it.
+
+He had only a vague idea where it was. But the Uncas stopped and then
+crept slowly forward, heading north.
+
+And after five minutes of torment they knew that they were safe. They
+were far enough from shore to start up again and get away from those
+Spanish guns. The gallant tug was quite battered by that time, but
+nobody cared for that in the wild rejoicing that prevailed.
+
+The vessel swung around to port.
+
+"And now for that prize!" muttered the lieutenant.
+
+And he went for her, too, full speed ahead. He was mad now.
+
+The vessel had gotten a start of about two miles. She had apparently
+exhausted her resources in the neighborhood of Cuba, for she was heading
+north, out to sea again.
+
+"And so it's only a question of time," chuckled Clif. "We've got her!"
+
+And so they had. The Spaniards must have realized it, too.
+
+"Mr. Faraday," said the lieutenant, "try a shot from the starboard gun."
+
+The shot was fired; and it did the work.
+
+The merchantman had evidently had enough, and saw that there was no
+further hope.
+
+For in full view of the shore batteries she swung round and came slowly
+to a halt, a signal that she surrendered. It made the Americans give
+another cheer, and it must have made the Spaniards on shore fairly yell.
+
+For they began banging away, even at that distance, though they couldn't
+come anywhere near the tug.
+
+As for the Americans, they sighed with relief. They had worked hard for
+that victory. And they felt that they had earned it. The race was over
+then, and they were happy.
+
+Clif was so wearied by his heroic labor at that gun (he must have lifted
+and rammed some two hundred six-pounder cartridges) that he sat down on
+the wreck of the machine to wait until the two vessels drew near.
+
+And the lieutenant gave up the wheel to one of the men and came out to
+look his capture over at leisure.
+
+She was a fairly large vessel and seemed to have a big carrying
+capacity. What she was loaded with no one could guess, but at any rate
+she was a big prize for a small crew like that of the Uncas.
+
+"I think I'll retire from business after to-day," Clif heard the old
+boatswain remark.
+
+That personage had had one arm badly damaged in the struggle that had
+taken place in the morning with the Spanish gunboat; but he seemed to
+have forgotten his wounds in the general excitement.
+
+The little tug steamed up boldly toward her big prize, which lay idly
+tossing on the waves. One could see her officers and crew standing on
+deck watching the approach.
+
+"I'll bet they feel happy!" Clif muttered to himself.
+
+The lieutenant loaned him the glass. Then he could see the faces of the
+men.
+
+There was one of them he might have recognized had he been careful; but
+he did not recognize it, and so he failed to save himself some mighty
+unpleasant adventures indeed.
+
+They were all typical Spanish faces, dark and sullen; but there was one
+there even darker and more sullen than the rest.
+
+And the owner of that countenance had a glass in his hand and was
+staring at those on the tug. Though the cadet did not know it, that man
+was at that instant watching him.
+
+And there was an expression of furious hate on his face as he looked.
+
+Lieutenant Raymond expected no further trouble; but he took no chances.
+Men were stationed at the three remaining six-pounders, and the rest of
+the crew was armed.
+
+In silence the Uncas steamed up to within a hundred yards of her prize.
+And then came the signal to stop engines.
+
+It was the time for a boarding party. Clif, as junior officer, knew that
+that was his duty, and without a word he proceeded to get the small boat
+off.
+
+It was quite a task in that heavy sea, but the eager sailors worked with
+a will, and though nearly swamped twice, managed to get clear of the
+tug.
+
+And Clif was seated in the stern, heading for the big merchantman.
+
+"Keep your eyes open," he heard the lieutenant shout. "They may make
+trouble."
+
+And Clif nodded and the boat shot away. They wouldn't catch him napping
+on board that Spanish vessel--not much!
+
+But they come perilously near it all the same.
+
+It was a rough trip in that tossing rowboat. It seemed to sink and then
+fairly bound up on the next wave, its bow went down and its stern shot
+up. It did everything except turn over, while the spray fairly flew over
+it.
+
+But the sturdy sailors worked with a will, and the distance was not very
+great. In a short time the little craft shot round in the lee of the
+Spaniard.
+
+"A ladder there!" shouted Clif.
+
+And in a few moments the rope ladder came tumbling down. It seemed to
+come with bad grace though, as if it knew its owners didn't want to
+send it.
+
+The rowboat was backed near and Clif, with a sudden spring, caught the
+ladder and leaped clear of the waves.
+
+Before he went up he turned to the sailors.
+
+"Two of you follow me," he commanded.
+
+He climbed quickly up the ladder and stepped out on the deck, gazing
+about him eagerly.
+
+He saw about a dozen dark-faced Spaniards gathered together and glaring
+at him; one of them, wearing the uniform of the captain, stepped forward
+toward him.
+
+He was a surly, ill-looking man, with a heavy dark mustache. He bowed
+stiffly to the cadet.
+
+"The senor takes possession," he said, in a low voice.
+
+Clif was so busy watching this man that he did not look around the
+vessel. But we must do so.
+
+We must glance for one instant at the capstan, which was just behind
+where the jaunty young cadet was standing. There was an interesting
+person near the capstan.
+
+Clif did not see him; and neither did the sailors, nor even the
+Spaniards on the vessel. For he was crouching behind the capstan, out of
+sight.
+
+He was a small man, dark and swarthy. He was the same one we noticed
+glaring at Clif; he had recognized him, and realized in a flash that the
+issue between them was death--death for one or else death for the other.
+
+For Clif knew the man, and would secure him the instant he saw him; his
+crimes were many--treason and attempted assassination the worst.
+
+For the man was Ignacio!
+
+And his dark, beady eyes were glittering with hatred as he crouched in
+his momentary hiding-place. He was quivering all over with rage; the
+muscles of his sinewy arms were clinched and tense.
+
+And in his right hand he clutched a sharp, gleaming knife, half hidden
+under his coat.
+
+His glance was fixed on the figure just in front of him; the
+unsuspecting cadet was not twenty yards away, his back turned to his
+crouching enemy.
+
+And Ignacio bent forward to listen and wait his chance.
+
+The cadet, the object of his hatred, was talking to the captain.
+
+"The senor takes possession," the latter repeated again.
+
+"The senor does, with your permission," said Clif, quietly.
+
+"You gave us quite a run," he added, after a moment's thought.
+
+"A Spaniard would not surrender to Yankee pigs without a fight," snarled
+the other.
+
+"You had best be a bit careful," was Clif's stern response, "or you may
+find yourself in irons."
+
+The Spaniard relapsed into a sullen silence.
+
+"What ship is this?" demanded the cadet.
+
+"The Maria."
+
+"From where?"
+
+"Cadiz."
+
+"Indeed! And bound where?"
+
+"Bahia Honda."
+
+Clif gave a low whistle.
+
+"We caught you about in time," he said, with a smile. "You were nearly
+there. But I suppose the story is made up for the occasion. What is your
+cargo?"
+
+The captain went over quite a list of articles; the sailors who were
+with Clif chuckled with delight as they heard him.
+
+"We get a share in all this," Clif heard one of them whisper under his
+breath.
+
+Clif smiled; and as soon as the captain finished he raised his arm and
+pointed to the stern of the vessel.
+
+"You and your men will go aft," he commanded, "for the present; I will
+see you shortly."
+
+The Spaniard was on the point of obeying; he had half turned, when
+suddenly with a single bound the treacherous Ignacio sprang forward.
+
+His keen knife glanced in the air as he raised it in his outstretched
+arm and leaped upon the unsuspecting cadet.
+
+Ignacio was clever at that sort of thing. He had tried it before; his
+spring had been silent as a cat's. Neither the sailors nor the officer
+heard him. And the blow might have fallen; Clif's only warning of his
+deadly peril.
+
+But unfortunately for the desperate assassin, he had failed to let the
+captain of that vessel know what he meant to do. And the captain, as he
+saw him leap, realized in a flash that would mean an instant hanging for
+him.
+
+And a look of horror swept over his face; Clif saw it and whirled about.
+
+He was just in time to find himself face to face with his deadliest
+enemy; and the knife was hissing through the air.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+IN COMMAND OF THE PRIZE.
+
+
+It was a moment of horrible peril. Clif's blood fairly froze. But quick
+as a flash his arm shot up.
+
+And he caught the descending wrist; for an instant the two glared into
+each other's eyes, straining and twisting. And then the two sailors of
+the Uncas leaped forward and seized the baffled Spaniard.
+
+And almost in the twinkling of an eye-lid, Clif Faraday was saved. He
+could hardly realize what had happened, and he staggered back against
+the railing of the vessel and gasped for breath.
+
+But that was only for a moment, too; and then the blood surged back to
+his cheeks and the cadet was himself once more.
+
+He stepped forward, a calm smile playing about his mouth.
+
+"Bind that man," he said to the sailors.
+
+The two men were grasping the sinewy Cuban and holding him so tight that
+he could not move. They almost crushed his wrists, and he dropped the
+knife with a hoarse cry of pain.
+
+And Clif picked it up and glanced at it for a moment, then flung it far
+out into the sea.
+
+After that he turned to Ignacio.
+
+"You have met me once more, my friend," he said, "and this time you will
+not get away."
+
+And that was all the conversation he had with him. Glancing about the
+deck he picked up a piece of rope and stepped toward the prisoner.
+
+He did not strike the fellow, as the Spaniards seemed to think he would.
+But the sailors flung him to the deck and Clif carefully bound his feet
+together. Then, while he fairly fumed with rage and hatred, his hands
+were made fast and he was left lying there, shrieking curses in his
+native Spanish.
+
+Clif turned to the captain of the vessel; the man was frightened nearly
+to death, and began protesting volubly.
+
+"I did not know it, senor!" he cried. "Indeed, I did not know it! Santa
+Maria! I----"
+
+"I don't suppose you did," said Clif, calmly. "You did not act like it.
+But you will have to suffer for it."
+
+"Suffer for it! Madre di dios, no, senor! What does the senor mean?
+Surely he will not hang me for----"
+
+"The senor will not hang you," said Clif, unable to help smiling at the
+blustering fellow's terror.
+
+"Then what will the senor do?"
+
+"He will tie you like Ignacio."
+
+The man was evidently relieved, but he protested volubly. He did not
+want to be tied.
+
+"Is it customary?" he cried.
+
+"No," said Clif; "neither is it customary to try to assassinate an
+officer. After that I think common prudence requires it."
+
+"But," cried the man, angrily. "I will not submit! Por dios, I will
+not----"
+
+"You will either submit or be made to," said Clif, "or else sink to the
+bottom."
+
+And so the man had to give up. Those two delighted tars went the rounds
+and tied every single man on that vessel hand and foot. And they tied
+them tight, too, occasionally giving them a dig in the ribs for good
+measure.
+
+And when they came to search them Clif was glad he had done as he did,
+for quite a respectable heap of knives and revolvers were removed from
+the clothes of those angry Spaniards.
+
+But it did not take long to tie them up, and then Clif felt safe. He
+took a few extra hitches in the treacherous Ignacio, who was by far the
+most valuable prize of them all.
+
+"Admiral Sampson will be glad to get you," the cadet thought to himself.
+
+And then he turned to examine the captured vessel.
+
+His sword in his hand, he went down the forward companionway, where he
+met a group of frightened firemen and stokers huddled below. They seemed
+to think the Yankee pigs were going to murder them on the spot.
+
+But Clif had another use for them. Being able to speak Spanish, he found
+it easy to reassure them in a few words, and sent them down to their
+work again.
+
+Then he descended into the hold; he was worried lest the continuous
+firing he had directed upon the vessel had made her unseaworthy. But
+apparently the holes were all well above the water line, for there did
+not seem to be any leak.
+
+And that was all there was to be done. Clif knew that he had the task
+before him of piloting that vessel into Key West; he was not willing to
+let that ugly-looking Spanish captain have anything to do with the
+matter.
+
+Clif had fancied he would rather enjoy that duty but under the
+circumstances of the present case he was not so much pleased.
+
+For the darkness was gathering then and the cadet knew that he had a
+long hard night before him; it would be necessary for him to remain on
+the vessel's bridge all through the stormy trip.
+
+And, moreover, it would take him away from Havana, the place of all
+places he was then anxious to reach.
+
+But the duty had to be faced, and so Clif sent one of the sailors back
+to the Uncas to report the state of affairs and ask for a prize crew. It
+seemed scarcely orthodox to send the small boat away without an officer
+to command it, but that, too, was inevitable.
+
+The boat arrived safely, however, and returned with three more men, all
+the little tug dared spare. Lieutenant Raymond sent word to report at
+Key West with the prize, but to steam slowly so as not to come anywhere
+near the shore before daylight.
+
+Lieutenant Raymond was evidently a little worried about intrusting that
+big vessel to an inexperienced officer like Clif, and Clif was not so
+very cock sure himself. No one knew just where they were, and in the
+storm and darkness reaching Key West harbor would be task enough for an
+old hand.
+
+The cadet realized the enormous responsibility thus thrown upon him, and
+he made up his mind that eternal vigilance should be the watchword.
+
+"If staying awake all night'll do any good," he muttered, "I'll do it."
+
+And then the small boat dashed away to the Uncas again, and Clif was
+left alone. He stepped into the pilot house of the steamer and signaled
+for half speed ahead.
+
+The vessel began to glide slowly forward again, heading north; the tug
+steamed away in the direction of Havana.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+A HAIL FROM THE DARKNESS.
+
+
+The four sailors who were with Clif fully realized the task which was
+before them.
+
+It was then about dusk, and the night was coming on rapidly. Two of the
+men were stationed as lookouts, and the other two took the wheel.
+
+Clif set to work to try to calculate as best he could how far and in
+what direction he was from Key West; he wished to take no chances of
+running ashore or getting lost.
+
+Those, and the possibility of collision, seemed the only dangers that
+had to be guarded against; the possibility of meeting a Spanish vessel
+was not considered, for the chance seemed very remote.
+
+The two lookouts were both stationed in the bow. That fact and the other
+just mentioned sufficed to account for the fact that the real danger
+that threatened the crew of the merchantman was not thought of or
+guarded against in the least.
+
+For Clif had no way of knowing that any trouble was to come from behind
+him; but coming it was, and in a hurry.
+
+Within the shelter of a narrow inlet just to one side of the batteries
+that had made so much trouble for the Uncas had lain hidden and
+unsuspected an object that was destined to play an important part in the
+rest of the present story.
+
+It was a Spanish gunboat, of much the same kind as the Uncas, only
+smaller. Hidden by the land, her officers had eagerly watched the
+struggle we have just seen.
+
+The Spanish vessel had not ventured out to take part, for one important
+reason; she had not steam up. But she would probably not have done so
+anyhow, for the Uncas was the stronger of the two.
+
+And so venturing out would have been little better than suicide. The
+Spanish captain had a plan that put that one far in the shade.
+
+The Uncas was still visible down the shore, and the merchantman had
+hardly gotten well started out to sea before great volumes of black
+smoke began to pour from the furnaces of the Spaniard.
+
+Her men worked like fiends; sailors pitched in to help the firemen
+handle coal, while the shores of the dark little inlet flared brightly
+with the gleam of the furnaces.
+
+Meanwhile the officers with their glasses were feverishly watching the
+distant steamer, now hull down to the north, and almost invisible in the
+darkness.
+
+It was about half an hour later, perhaps even less, that that Spanish
+gunboat weighed her anchor and stole silently out to the open sea.
+
+She breasted the fierce waves at the entrance to the inlet boldly. A
+minute later she was plowing her way through the storming sea. It was
+dark then and she could see nothing; but her captain had the course to a
+hair's breadth.
+
+He knew which way his prey was gone, and he knew to what port she was
+going. He knew, too, that she would not dare go near the harbor of Key
+West until daylight. And so if by any chance he missed her in the
+darkness he would still have another opportunity.
+
+And those on the shore who saw the vessel glide away chuckled gleefully
+to themselves. It was something to look forward to, a chance to revenge
+themselves upon the impudent Yankees who had dared to elude the fire
+from their guns.
+
+Meanwhile the Yankees, totally unsuspicious of this last move, were
+buffeting their way bravely ahead.
+
+The lookouts clinging to the railing in the bow were peering anxiously
+ahead in the darkness, and the sailors in the pilot house were wrestling
+with the wheel; it was quite a task to keep that vessel headed straight,
+for she was going into the very teeth of the gale.
+
+And as for Clif, he was watchfulness personified. When he was not eyeing
+the compass carefully he was hurrying about the vessel, now down in the
+fire-rooms, making sure that those Spaniards were doing as they were
+ordered, and again looking the prisoners over to make sure that the sly
+rascals had not wriggled themselves free.
+
+"It would be a fine thing to do," he thought to himself, "if they
+managed to recapture the ship."
+
+There was something quite prophetic in that thought.
+
+It is hard to keep awake all night, but a man can do it if he has to
+even though he has been working like a Trojan all day.
+
+Clif kept moving to work off the sleepiness whenever he felt it coming
+on.
+
+"I'll have time enough to sleep by and by," he muttered.
+
+He was thinking, grimly enough, of how he would be stalled in the town
+of Key West with his prize, waiting for a chance to get out to the fleet
+again.
+
+The vessel did not attempt to make more than half speed during the trip,
+and that, against the storm, was very little.
+
+But there was no need to hurry thought every one.
+
+And so for some two hours the vessel crept on, wearily as it seemed and
+monotonously. The only thing to vary matters was when some extra high
+wave would fling itself over the bow in a shower of spray.
+
+But that was not a welcome incident, for it made it harder for the weary
+sailors to keep the course straight.
+
+The cadet paced up and down the deck; he had been doing that for perhaps
+the last half hour, stopping only to say a cheery word to the lookouts
+and once to prop up Ignacio, who was being rolled unceremoniously about
+the deck.
+
+The cunning Spaniard looked so bedraggled and miserable that Clif would
+have felt sorry for him if he had not known what a villain he was.
+
+"He'd stab me again if he got a chance," he mused.
+
+For Clif had saved that fellow's life once; but it had not made the
+least difference in his vindictive hatred.
+
+"I'm afraid," Clif muttered, "that Ignacio will have to suffer this
+time."
+
+The Spaniard must have heard him, for he muttered an oath under his
+breath.
+
+"It would be wiser if it was a prayer," said the cadet. "Ignacio, you
+are near the end of your rope, and you may as well prepare for your
+fate."
+
+The man fairly trembled all over with rage as he glared at his enemy;
+such rage as his was Clif was not used to, and he watched the man with a
+feeling of horror.
+
+"I don't like Spaniards!" was the abrupt exclamation, with which he
+turned away.
+
+And Ignacio gritted his teeth and simply glared at him, following back
+and forth his every move, as a cat might.
+
+"I may have a chance yet," he hissed, under his breath. "Carramba, if I
+only had him by the throat!"
+
+But Clif paid no more attention to the Spaniard. He had other things to
+attend to, things to keep him busy.
+
+It was not very long before that was especially true. For some
+interesting events began to happen then.
+
+They began so suddenly that there is almost no way to introduce them.
+The first signs of the storm was when it broke.
+
+In the blackness of the night nothing could be seen, and the vessel was
+struggling along absolutely without suspicion. And Clif, as we have
+said, was walking up and down engrossed in his own thoughts, almost
+forgetting that he was out in the open sea where a Spanish warship might
+chance to be lurking.
+
+And so it was literally and actually a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
+
+The blackness of the waters was suddenly broken by a sharp flash of
+light, perhaps two hundred yards off to starboard.
+
+And an instant later came the loud report of a gun.
+
+The consternation of the Americans it would be hard to imagine. They
+were simply aghast, and Clif stood fairly rooted to the deck.
+
+His mind was in a tumult, but he strove to think what that startling
+interruption could mean.
+
+"They must have fired at us!" he gasped.
+
+And if there was any doubt of that an instant later came a second flash.
+
+To a merchantship in war time such a signal is peremptory. It means slow
+up or else take the consequences.
+
+There were two possibilities that presented themselves to the commander
+of this particular merchantship. One was that he had met an American
+warship----
+
+And the other! It was far less probable, but it was possible, and
+terrible. They might have fallen into the hands of the enemy.
+
+But whatever was the case, there was nothing for Clif to do but obey the
+signals. He could not run and he could not fight.
+
+"If I only knew," he thought, anxiously.
+
+And then suddenly he learned; for a faint voice was borne over to him
+through the gale. It was a voice that spoke English!
+
+"Ahoy there!" it rang.
+
+And Clif roared back with all his might!
+
+"Ahoy! What ship is that?"
+
+And his heart gave a throb of joy when he heard:
+
+"The United States cruiser Nashville. Who are you?"
+
+"The Spanish merchantman Maria, in charge of a prize crew from the
+Uncas!"
+
+Whether all that was heard in the roar of the storm Clif could not tell;
+but he put all the power of his lungs in it.
+
+He knew that the story would be investigated.
+
+And so he was quite prepared when he heard the response:
+
+"Lay to and wait for a boarding party."
+
+And quick as he could move Clif sprang to the pilot house, and signaled
+to stop, and the vessel swung round toward the stranger.
+
+The die was cast, for good or evil. They had given up!
+
+For perhaps five minutes there was an anxious silence upon the vessel.
+Every one was waiting anxiously, while the ship rolled in the trough of
+the sea and shook with the crashes of the waves. Her small crew were
+picturing in their minds what was taking place out there in the
+darkness, their comrades struggling to get a small boat out in that
+heavy sea.
+
+And then they fancied them buffeting their way across, blinded by the
+spray and half swamped by the heavier waves.
+
+"They can't be much longer," muttered Clif, impatiently.
+
+"Ahoy there! A ladder!"
+
+It seemed to come from right underneath the lee of the merchantman. And
+it was shouted in a loud, peremptory tone that was meant to be obeyed. A
+moment later the rope ladder was flung down. Clif peered over the side
+when he dropped it.
+
+He could make out the shape of the boat tossing about below; he could
+even distinguish the figures of the men in the boat.
+
+And then he made out a man climbing hastily up.
+
+He stepped back to wait for him. He saw a blue uniform as the officer
+clambered up to the deck.
+
+And then suddenly he stood erect, facing Clif.
+
+The cadet took one glance at him and gave a gasp of horror.
+
+It was a Spanish officer!
+
+And he held in one hand a revolver and was aiming it straight at Clif's
+head.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+REPELLING BOARDERS.
+
+
+That had been a cleverly managed stroke, and it left the young officer
+simply paralyzed. All he could do was to stare into the muzzle of that
+weapon.
+
+He realized of course in a flash how he had been duped. And he was in a
+trap!
+
+Half dazed he looked and saw a Spanish sailor in the act of lifting
+himself up to the deck to join his superior. And Clif had no doubt there
+were half a dozen others following.
+
+There was of course nothing that Clif could do; a movement on his part
+would have been sheer suicide.
+
+He thought the case was hopeless; he had let himself be caught napping.
+
+But the cadet had forgotten that there were other Americans on that
+vessel besides himself. And there were no revolvers threatening the
+others.
+
+The rage of the Yankee tars at what seemed to them a cowardly and
+sneaking way to capture the ship was too great for them to control.
+Prudence would have directed surrender, for the Maria had not a gun on
+board and the Spaniard might blow her out of the water.
+
+But nobody thought of that; the same instant the Spanish officer
+presented his weapon and disclosed his real nationality, there were two
+sharp cracks in instant succession from the bow of the imperiled ship.
+
+And the officer staggered back with a gasp. He dropped his weapon to the
+deck, reeled for an instant and then vanished over the side in the
+darkness.
+
+There was a moment of horror, and then Clif heard him strike with a thud
+on the small boat below.
+
+At the same time there was a bright flash just in front of Clif, and a
+bullet whistled past his ear.
+
+The Spanish sailor, who had only half reached the deck, had fired at
+him.
+
+By that time there was no longer any hesitation as to what course to
+pursue. The sailors had decided it by their fatal shots. It was
+resistance to the death.
+
+And Clif whipped out his own weapons and sent the sailor tumbling
+backward to follow his officer.
+
+Then he drew his sword and with two slashing strokes severed the ladder.
+From the yells and confusion that followed there must have been quite a
+number clinging to the rope.
+
+But where they were or what their fate was nobody had any time to learn.
+Everything was moving like lightning on the merchantman.
+
+Clif leaped into the pilot house and signaled full speed. There was no
+further need of lookouts and so the two sailors rushed down into the
+engine-room to see that the order was obeyed.
+
+The big vessel started slowly forward. The cadet sprang to the wheel,
+his mind in a wild tumult as he strove to think what he should do.
+
+As if there were not confusion enough at that instant there were several
+loud reports in quick succession, followed by deafening crashes as shots
+tore through the vessel.
+
+The Spaniards had opened fire!
+
+"But they'll have to stop to pick up that boat's crew!" gasped Clif. "We
+may get away!"
+
+And that being the case every minute was precious; the vessel had swung
+round, but there was no time to turn--she must run as she was for a
+while.
+
+And from the way the vessel trembled and shook it could be told that the
+irate tars down below were making things hum.
+
+"They may burst the boilers if they can," thought Clif, grimly.
+
+The new course they were taking was south, exactly the opposite of the
+way they had been going. But Clif did not care about that.
+
+"The storm will drive us faster!" he gasped. "And every yard counts."
+
+The Spanish gunboat (nobody on the Maria, of course, knew but what she
+was a big cruiser) fired only about half a dozen shots at her daring
+enemy; then the yells of the crew of the small boat must have attracted
+her attention and forced her to desist for a moment.
+
+"And now's our chance," was the thought of the Americans.
+
+They were making the most of it, that was certain; they were fairly
+flying along with the great waves.
+
+Clif himself was at the wheel, seeing that not an inch was lost by
+steering wrongly.
+
+"We'll know soon," he muttered. "Very soon, for she'll chase us."
+
+The scene at this time was intensely dramatic; for the big ship had
+glided out into the darkness and those on board of her could not see
+their pursuer. They had no means of telling where she was, or whether
+they had escaped or not.
+
+They could only keep on listening anxiously, tremblingly, counting the
+seconds and waiting, almost holding their breath.
+
+They knew what the signal would be. The signal of their failure. If the
+Spaniard succeeded in finding them, he would open fire and soon let them
+know.
+
+Clif tried to guess how long it would take them to pick up the
+unfortunate occupants of that small boat.
+
+"They'll be raging mad when they do," he thought. "Gorry! they'll murder
+every one of us."
+
+For they would probably call the shooting of that officer a murder; it
+did not trouble Clif's conscience, for he knew that a merchant vessel
+has the same right to resist the enemy that a warship has. It was not as
+if they had surrendered and then imitated the example of the treacherous
+Ignacio.
+
+"I wonder how Ignacio likes this anyhow," thought Clif.
+
+But he had no time to inquire the Spaniard's views on the struggle; Clif
+was too busily waiting and counting the seconds.
+
+He did not think it would be very long before the enemy's ship would be
+after them again; and yet several minutes passed before any sign of the
+pursuit was given.
+
+Clif began to think that possibly they had eluded their would-be
+captors. But his hopes were dashed, for suddenly there came the dreaded
+warning shot.
+
+And it was fired from so close that, though the Americans had been
+listening for it, it made them start. It was evident that the enemy's
+vessel had come close to do the business; her first shot seemed fairly
+to tear the big merchantman to pieces.
+
+And Clif shut his teeth together with a snap.
+
+"We're in for it now," he muttered. "That settles it."
+
+There was no longer the last hope of escape. There was no longer even
+any use of keeping on. There were but two things to be considered, sink
+or surrender.
+
+There was a grim smile on the cadet's face as he turned away from the
+wheel.
+
+"Tell the two men to come up from below," he said to one of the sailors.
+
+And then he went out on deck, staring in the direction of the pursuing
+vessel. There was no difficulty in telling where she was now, for a
+continuous flashing of her guns kept her in view.
+
+Clif was cool, singularly cool, as he stood in his exposed position. He
+was no longer anxious, for he had no longer any hope. There was nothing
+on board the Maria that could cope with the enemy's guns. There was only
+the inevitable to be faced.
+
+The cadet soon guessed the nature of the pursuer from the way she
+behaved. Her guns were all low down and close together. They were about
+three-pounders, and rapid-firing.
+
+"It's a gunboat like the Uncas," he muttered. "Gorry! how I wish the
+Uncas would come back!"
+
+But the Uncas was then near Havana, far from any possibility of giving
+aid. And Clif knew it, so he wasted no time in vain regrets.
+
+By that time the Spanish vessel had gotten the range, and her three or
+four guns were blazing away furiously. The gunboat was alight with the
+flames of the quick reports, and the sound was continuous.
+
+"They aren't doing as well as I did," Clif said. "But still, they'll
+manage to do the work."
+
+And so it seemed, for shot after shot crashed through the hull of the
+already battered vessel. The Spaniards were mad, evidently. There was no
+hail this time and proposal to surrender. But only a calm setting to
+work to finish that reckless ship.
+
+The sailors came on deck and Clif, when he saw them, turned and pointed
+to the Spaniard.
+
+"There she is, men," he said. "Look her over."
+
+For a moment nobody said anything; the little group stood motionless on
+the deck. They were in no great danger for the firing was all directed
+at the hull.
+
+Then suddenly Clif began again.
+
+"I guess this vessel is about done for," he said. "She will be either
+sunk or captured. The only question is about us--what's to become of us.
+I leave it to you."
+
+None of the men spoke for a moment.
+
+"I suppose," Clif said, "that we can manage to let her know we surrender
+if we choose. We can scuttle the ship before we do it. But you know what
+we may expect; after our shooting those two men they'll probably murder
+us, or do things that are a thousand times worse."
+
+Clif stopped for a moment and then he turned.
+
+"Think, for instance," he said, "of being at the mercy of that man."
+
+He was pointing toward Ignacio, who lay near them, glowering in his
+hate, and the sailors looked and understood.
+
+"It's better to drown, sir," said one.
+
+And the rest thought so, too, and declared it promptly.
+
+"Very well, then," was the cadet's quiet answer, "we will stay on board.
+We have faced death before."
+
+That resolution made there was little else left to be determined.
+
+"We can sink the ship, or wait and let them sink it," the cadet said.
+"Or else--there's one thing more. We are headed in the right direction.
+We can smash her upon the rocks of the Cuban coast."
+
+And the sailors stared at him for a moment eagerly.
+
+"And stand a chance of getting ashore in safety!" they cried.
+
+At which the cadet smiled.
+
+"I'm afraid there's very little chance," he said. "But it's as good as
+anything else. We'll try it."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You two go down to the engine room again, and keep things moving. And
+the others stay on deck and make sure those Spaniards don't try to board
+us again. I can handle the wheel myself."
+
+And with that the brave cadet turned away and sprang toward the pilot
+house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+A DESPERATE CHASE.
+
+
+That was a heroic resolution those five brave men had made. But it was
+inevitable, for they did not mean that either they or that valuable ship
+should fall into the hands of the enemy.
+
+And apparently the enemy knew they did not mean to. For they kept
+battering away at the big hulk that loomed up in the darkness, running
+close alongside and firing viciously.
+
+Every shot made a deafening crash as it struck home.
+
+But the Americans did not mind it especially. When a man has made up his
+mind to die he is not afraid of anything.
+
+And the men on deck paced up and down serenely, and Clif tugged at the
+wheel with a positively light-hearted recklessness.
+
+It would have been a cold sort of a person whose spirit did not rise to
+such an occasion as that. The wild night and the furious cannonading,
+but above all the prospect of taking that huge ship and driving her
+forward at full speed until she smashed upon the rocks, was a rather
+inspiring one.
+
+The reader may have heard about the man out West who drew an enormous
+crowd by advertising an exhibition railroad wreck, two empty trains
+crashing into each other at full speed. This was a similar case; it does
+not often happened that a man has occasion to drive a ship aground on
+purpose.
+
+The resolution to which the Americans had come must have been plain to
+the unfortunate Spaniards who were tied up on board the Maria. Their
+fright was a terrible one, anyhow.
+
+Clif glanced out at them several times; their presence was the only
+thing that made him hesitate to do what he had resolved.
+
+"For they haven't done anything, poor devils," he thought to himself, "I
+wish I knew what to do with them."
+
+But there was only one thing that could be done; that was to put them
+off in a small boat, and that would be practically murdering them.
+
+"They'll have to stay and take chances with us," muttered Clif.
+
+As if there were not noise enough about that time those men began to
+raise a terrific outcry, yelling and shrieking in terror. But nobody
+paid any attention to them--except that the sailors took the trouble to
+examine their bonds once more.
+
+It would have been dangerous to let those desperate fellows get loose
+then. For the Americans had enemies enough to cope with as it was.
+
+All this while the Spanish gunboat had been firing away with all her
+might and main. She would cut across the vessel's stern, and send her
+shots tearing through the whole length of the ship; then she would come
+up close alongside and pour a dozen broadsides in.
+
+And nearly all the shots hit, too.
+
+It was evident to those on board that the merchantman would not stand
+very much battering of that sort. Already one of the sailors had come up
+to announce that two of the firemen had been struck.
+
+But still the Maria tore desperately onward. Nobody cared very much how
+much damage was done, except that they did not want the engines to be
+smashed until the ship had reached the shore.
+
+As well as Clif could calculate roughly, it ought not to have taken them
+an hour to return to the coast, for they had the storm to aid them.
+That they could hold out that long under the unceasing fire he did not
+believe.
+
+"But the Spaniards may use up all their ammunition," he thought to
+himself.
+
+That was a possibility, for he knew that the supply in the possession of
+Spain was a small one.
+
+And the actual course of events made him think that his surmise was
+true. The desperate chase kept up for perhaps half an hour; and then
+unaccountably the Spaniard's fire began to slacken.
+
+Clif could hardly believe his ears when he heard it.
+
+"What can it mean?" he gasped.
+
+But a moment later his surprise was made still greater. For one of the
+sailors bounded into the pilot house.
+
+"She's giving up, sir!" he cried.
+
+"Giving up!"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"How in the world do you mean?"
+
+"She's stopped firing, sir. And what's more, she's dropping behind."
+
+Clif stared at the man in amazement.
+
+"Dropping behind!"
+
+And then suddenly he sprang out to the deck.
+
+"Take the wheel a moment," he cried to the sailor.
+
+And he himself bounded down the deck toward the stern.
+
+He stared out over the railing, clinging to it tightly to prevent
+himself from being flung off his feet.
+
+He found that what the sailor had said was literally true. The Spaniard
+was now firing only an occasional shot, and she was at least a hundred
+yards behind.
+
+What that could mean Clif had not the faintest idea. Could it be that
+her engines had met with an accident? Or that she fancied the
+merchantman was sinking?
+
+The cadet gazed down into the surging water below him; he could see the
+white track of the big steamer and knew that she was fairly flying
+along.
+
+He took one more glance in the direction of the now invisible Spaniard.
+The firing had ceased altogether.
+
+And like a flash the thought occurred to Clif that whatever the reason
+for the strange act might be, now was the time to save the merchantman.
+
+"We can turn off to one side!" he gasped, "and lose her!"
+
+And with a bound he started for the pilot house.
+
+"Hard a-port!" he shouted to the man at the wheel.
+
+But before the man had a chance to obey Clif chanced to glance out
+ahead, into the darkness toward which the vessel was blindly rushing.
+
+And the cadet staggered back with a gasp.
+
+"A light!" he cried. "A light!"
+
+Yes, there was a dim flickering point of light directly in front of
+them. Where it came from Clif could not tell, but he realized the
+significance in an instant.
+
+And at the same time there was another sound that broke upon his ear and
+confirmed the guess. It was a dull, booming roar.
+
+The man at the wheel heard it, too.
+
+"It's breakers, sir!" he shouted. "Breakers ahead!"
+
+They were nearing the land!
+
+And then the significance of the Spaniard's act became only too
+apparent. The men who were running her had seen the light, and they had
+no idea of being led to destruction by their eagerness to follow that
+reckless merchantman.
+
+And so they were slowing up and keeping off the shore.
+
+There was a faint hope in that; the Maria might be able to steal away if
+she were quick enough in turning.
+
+Clif's order had been obeyed by the sailor the instant he heard it. Clif
+sprang in to help him, and they whirled the wheel around with all their
+might.
+
+But alas! they were too late! When a steamer waits until she hears
+breakers in a storm like that it is all up with her, for she must be
+near the shore indeed.
+
+And plunging as the Maria was, urged on by wind and waves and her own
+powerful engines, it was but an instant before the crisis came.
+
+Clif had half braced himself for the shock; but when it came it was far
+greater than he had expected. There was a crash that was simply
+deafening. The huge ship plunged into the rocky shore with a force that
+almost doubled her up, and made her shake from stem to stern. And she
+stopped so abruptly that Clif was flung through the window of the pilot
+house.
+
+The deed was done!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+A DASH FOR THE SHORE.
+
+
+Strange to say, Clif was not much excited at the terrific moment. The
+peril was so great that he was quite gay as he faced it. He had risen to
+the occasion.
+
+He picked himself up and stepped out to the deck.
+
+There he found a scene of confusion indescribable. Above the noise of
+the breakers on the shore and the waves that were flinging themselves
+against the exposed side of the ship rang the wild shrieks and cries of
+the terrified Spanish prisoners.
+
+The vessel after she had struck had been flung around and was being
+turned farther over every minute. The violence of the storm that was
+struggling with her was quite inconceivable.
+
+The waves were pouring over her in great masses, sweeping everything
+before them; and the spray was leaping so high and the flying storm
+clouds driving past so low that there was no telling where the surface
+of the sea ended and the air began.
+
+The big ship had landed among rocks, and every wave was lifting her up
+and flinging her down upon them with dull, grinding crashes that could
+be both heard and felt.
+
+A moment after she struck a man came dashing up the ladder to the deck;
+it was one of the sailors, and behind were the terrified firemen.
+
+"She's leaking in a dozen places!" the man shouted.
+
+He clung to railing as he spoke, and a great wave half drowned him; but
+he managed to salute, and Clif saw a look of wild delight on his face,
+one that just corresponded with his own eager mood.
+
+"She'll split in about half a minute, I fancy," the cadet answered, "and
+the Spaniards are welcome to what's left. We've done our duty."
+
+And with that he turned to the pilot house, where the rest of the men
+were grouped. They were gazing at him eagerly.
+
+"Are you ready, boys?" Clif shouted.
+
+Every one knew what he meant by "ready"--ready to make the wild attempt
+to land and reach the shore through all those wildly surging breakers.
+The very thought of it was enough to stir one's blood.
+
+And the answer came with a vengeance.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!"
+
+"Then get out one of the boats," shouted Clif.
+
+As he saw the men struggling forward to reach the nearest rowboat he
+turned suddenly on his heel. He had something else to attend to for a
+moment.
+
+It was an errand of mercy. Those shrieking wretches were all bound to
+the railing of the doomed ship, and Clif would never have forgiven
+himself if he had left them there. Their faces would have haunted him.
+
+And he drew his sword and set swiftly to work.
+
+He cut the captain loose and put a knife into his hand.
+
+"Get to work!" he cried. "Get to work!"
+
+Clif took the risk of trusting the man, and went on, leaving him with
+the weapon. The cadet believed that he would be grateful for his
+release.
+
+And besides they were fellow sufferers then, threatened with the same
+peril.
+
+And Clif was not mistaken. The man set hastily to work releasing his
+comrades, and in less time than it takes to tell it the terrified men
+were huddled together on the deck.
+
+The cadet wasted no more time upon them.
+
+"There are three boats left for you," he cried. "Save yourselves."
+
+And with that he turned and made his way down to where his own men were
+struggling with one of the small boats.
+
+There was one other thing which in the wild confusion of that moment
+Clif managed to remember needed to be attended to. There was Ignacio!
+
+The treacherous Spaniard had nearly been swept off, and he was half
+drowned by the floods of water that poured over the deck. But his hatred
+of the Americans was too great for him to shout to them for aid.
+
+What to do with that murderous villain was a problem that worried Clif.
+Undoubtedly the wisest thing would be to kill him, then and there; death
+was the fate he certainly deserved.
+
+And Clif half drew his sword; but it was no use. He could not bring
+himself to do such an act. And he flung the weapon back into the
+scabbard.
+
+To attempt to carry him away was equally useless; the Americans did not
+expect to reach the shore themselves.
+
+"I'll leave him to his fate," Clif muttered. "The Spaniards may help him
+if they choose."
+
+And with that he turned toward the sailors again; the men had by that
+time nearly succeeded in getting the boat away. They were working like
+Trojans.
+
+Every wave that struck the ship helped to fill the boat, even before it
+touched the water; the spray poured down over the slanting deck upon it
+and the sailors had to empty it several times.
+
+While they were wrestling thus the wind and water and rocks had been
+getting in their work upon the doomed vessel. Lower and lower she sank,
+harder and harder she pounded.
+
+And then suddenly a great billow heaved itself with a thud against the
+bow and fairly hammered it around. One of the sailors gave a yell.
+
+"She's split!"
+
+And sure enough, a great seam had opened amidships and the water surged
+in with a roar.
+
+The vessel seemed fairly falling to pieces.
+
+And such being the case the sailors had no time to delay. The frail boat
+was lowered into the seething waters; the men tumbled in and seized the
+oars. Clif made a wild leap and caught the stern just as one mighty wave
+raced by and whirled the boat away from the vessel.
+
+And in one instant it was lost to sight and sound. What was done by the
+Spaniards no one could see a thing. The Americans were fighting for
+their own lives.
+
+There was but one thing for them to do----
+
+"Pull for the shore, sailors, pull for the shore."
+
+And the great sweeping breakers to aid them. In fact they were flung in
+so fast that they could hardly row.
+
+It was a thrilling struggle, that race with the giant waves. The sailors
+struggled with all their might, keeping the frail craft straight. And
+Clif, with a bucket he had thought to bring, was bailing frantically,
+and shouting to encourage the men.
+
+In, in they swept, nearer, with the speed of a whirlwind, toward the
+shore.
+
+"If it's rocks, Heaven help us!" Clif gasped.
+
+It seemed an age to him, that brief struggle. Breathless and eager, he
+watched the great white caps breaking, smiting against the stern,
+struggling to turn that boat but a few inches so that they might catch
+it on the side and fling it over.
+
+And meanwhile the wind and waves and oars all helping, on swept the
+boat--bounding over the foamy crests, sinking into the great hollows,
+leaping and straining, but still shooting on in the darkness.
+
+And every second was precious, for the shore was not far away; the roar
+of the surf grew louder--louder almost upon them.
+
+And then suddenly one great seething billow came rushing up behind. Clif
+saw it, and shouted to the men. In a second more its white crest towered
+over them.
+
+It was just on the point of breaking in a giant cataract of foam; it
+would have buried the little boat and its occupants beneath tons of
+foaming water.
+
+But it was just a second too late. The little boat's stern shot up; for
+a moment it was almost on end, and then it rose to the top of the wave
+and a moment later as the crash came and the sweep in toward shore began
+the frail craft was flung forward as if from a catapult.
+
+And in it shot with speed that simply dazed the Americans; but it was
+toward shore--toward shore!
+
+They had passed the breakers!
+
+And Clif gave a gasp of delight as he felt the wild leap forward. It
+seemed but a second more before the rush ended.
+
+The bow of the rowboat struck and the frail object was whirled round and
+flung over, its occupants being fairly hurled into the air.
+
+When they struck the water it was to find themselves within a few feet
+of dry land. They staggered to a standing position to find that they
+were in water only up to their waists. And the great wave was tugging
+them out to sea again.
+
+They struggled forward wildly, clutching at each other. A minute later,
+breathless, exhausted and half drowned, but wild with joy, they
+staggered out upon a sandy beach and sank down to gasp for breath.
+
+"We're safe!" panted Clif. "Safe!"
+
+Safe! And on the island of Cuba, the stronghold of their deadly enemies!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY.
+
+
+It must have been at least five minutes before those exhausted men moved
+again; when at last they managed to rise to their feet it was to find
+themselves in the midst of absolute darkness, with the wild sea on one
+side of them and on the other no one knew what.
+
+The faint point of light which they had seen had now disappeared: but
+they took it to mean that there were Spaniards in the neighborhood.
+
+And they did not fail to recognize the peril in which they were. The
+firing had probably been heard and the wreck of the merchantman seen. If
+so, the Americans could not be in a much worse place.
+
+"We may be right in front of a battery," whispered Clif.
+
+The first thing the sailors did was to see to their revolvers and
+cutlasses. And after that they started silently down the shore.
+
+"We won't try to go far," Clif said, "but we must find a hiding-place."
+
+But in that darkness the hiding-places were themselves hidden; the best
+the Americans could do was to stumble down the shore for a hundred yards
+or so, being careful to walk where the waves would wash out their
+footprints.
+
+Then they were a short distance from the wreck and felt a trifle safer.
+
+"We may as well strike back in the country now," said the leader, "at
+least until we can find some bushes or something to conceal us."
+
+That was a rather more ticklish task, and the men crouched and stole
+along in silence. They had no idea what they might meet.
+
+It was fortunate for them that they were quiet. Otherwise they would
+have gotten into very serious trouble indeed.
+
+They stole up the sandy beach a short ways, feeling their way along and
+getting further and further away from the sea. They were struggling
+through soft dry sand.
+
+And suddenly Clif, who was in front, saw something loom up before him, a
+dark line. And he put out his hand to touch it.
+
+He found that the sand rose gradually into a sort of drift or bank. It
+was high, and seemed to reach for some distance.
+
+The sailors stopped abruptly, and Clif crept softly forward, feeling
+along with his hands; suddenly the men heard him mutter a startled
+exclamation under his breath.
+
+"Men," he whispered, "we're in a terrible fix; I ran into a gun!"
+
+"A gun!"
+
+"Yes--a big one. We've struck a Spanish battery, and we must be near
+some town!"
+
+The sailors stared at him aghast; and then suddenly came a startling
+interruption--one that fairly made their blood grow chill.
+
+"Who goes there?"
+
+It was a loud, stern hail in Spanish, and it seemed to come from almost
+beside them!
+
+Quick as a flash the Americans dropped, crouching close together in the
+darkness. They could hear the beating of each others' hearts.
+
+There were several moments of agonizing suspense; the Spaniard who had
+shouted out was evidently awaiting a reply. And then suddenly he
+repeated his challenge.
+
+"Who goes there?"
+
+And a moment later came a sound of hurrying footsteps.
+
+"What's the matter?" Clif heard a voice demand.
+
+He was the only one in the party who understood Spanish, and knew what
+was said. But it was plain to the rest that it was a conversation
+between a sentry and an officer.
+
+"I heard a footstep, senor capitan!" cried the man. "Quidada! Take care!
+It's very near."
+
+There was a moment's pause.
+
+"You must be mistaken," said the officer.
+
+"I am not mistaken," repeated the man firmly. "Santa Maria, my ears do
+not deceive me. You said to be watchful, for you have heard firing."
+
+To that the Americans had listened in trembling silence; but the next
+made them jump. "I will light this lantern," said the officer.
+
+And the instant they heard it Clif rose silently to his feet; the men
+did likewise, and began to creep softly off to one side.
+
+But careful as they were they could not help the grinding sound of their
+footsteps in the sand, and it caught the quick ear of the Spaniard.
+
+"Hear it!" he cried. "Por dios, again! Somebody is stealing upon us!"
+
+And an instant later the air was rent by a sharp crack of a rifle--the
+sentry had fired!
+
+There was wild confusion at once, and the unfortunate castaways were
+aghast. For an instant Clif thought of charging the battery--with four
+men. But he realized the folly of that.
+
+"Quick!" he cried, "let us hide. Forward!"
+
+Lights were flashing and men shouting and running about behind the sand
+wall just in front of them, but the sailors were still unseen. They
+broke into a run and fairly flew down the shore.
+
+They fancied the whole Spanish company was at their heels; but after
+they had run for some distance they found that they had not been
+pursued.
+
+For the enemy were so taken by surprise at the sudden alarm that they
+were if possible more frightened than the Americans.
+
+And so the men stopped for breath.
+
+They stared at each other, as if hardly able to realize the peril into
+which they had so suddenly been plunged.
+
+"I think that was the quickest adventure I ever had in my life,"
+muttered Clif.
+
+The suddenness of it made him laugh; they had almost walked into a
+Spanish fort.
+
+But it was no laughing matter, certainly; it was a confounded piece of
+ill-luck.
+
+"For they'll be watching for us now!" muttered Clif. "I'm afraid that
+will settle us."
+
+"They'll follow our footsteps!" exclaimed one of the sailors.
+
+That was so, and it was an unpleasant prospect; it was plain that if the
+Americans wished to find any safety they must get some distance away
+from that battery.
+
+"We'll make one more effort to get back into the country," muttered
+Clif.
+
+And amid silence and anxious suspense they once more started up the
+sloping seashore.
+
+They crept along as it seemed by inches. But fortunately they did not
+run across any more "guns." When they came across an embankment it was
+of solid earth and marked the end of the beach.
+
+And there were some trees and bushes there, so the Americans began to
+feel more comfortable. For all they knew they might in the darkness have
+been strolling into a town.
+
+But they were apparently out in the open country, there seemed to be no
+people and no houses near. So they started boldly forward.
+
+It was then late at night, a dark and damp and windy night; so they were
+not likely to find many people wandering about.
+
+"What we want to do," Clif said, "is to get back in the country a while
+where we can hide until morning. Then if we can find some Cubans we'll
+be all right."
+
+Clif was about tired to death. He had done far more work that day than
+any of those sailors. But there was no time for resting then.
+
+He gritted his teeth and started; they took their bearings from the sea,
+and then went straight on, watching and listening carefully, but meeting
+with no trouble.
+
+At first their walk led through what had evidently once been a
+cultivated country, for it was level and had but few trees upon it. At
+present, however, it was overgrown with weeds.
+
+Once they almost ran into a house, which it may readily be believed gave
+them a start. It was creepy business, anyhow, this stumbling along
+through the enemy's country without being able to see ten yards in
+front.
+
+But the house seemed to be empty. In fact, it could hardly be called a
+house any more, for it was half burned down.
+
+The Americans thought that it was empty, for Clif had stumbled and
+fallen with a crash over a pile of dry sticks and rubbish. But when he
+rose to his feet to listen anxiously there was no movement or sign that
+anybody had heard him.
+
+"It probably belonged to some of the reconcentrados," he muttered.
+
+He was about to turn and give the word to proceed.
+
+Then suddenly a new idea occurred to him, and he gave a pleased
+exclamation.
+
+"This is lucky!" he whispered. "Men, what is the matter with hiding
+there?"
+
+That was a rather startling proposition; for they could not be at all
+sure but some one lived there after all.
+
+But Clif had come several miles by that time, and he was disposed to be
+a trifle desperate.
+
+A person can get so tired that he will be anxious to enter even a
+Spanish dungeon in order to get a chance to rest.
+
+"We will search the house," he said. "If we find anybody we'll hold them
+up and make them prisoners; and if we don't, we'll spend the night
+there."
+
+And then without another word he started silently forward. The sailors
+were right behind him.
+
+What was evidently the front of the house was the part that had been
+burned. Clif picked his way over the ruins and into the rear, where
+there was a roof still remaining.
+
+There was a door there, half shut; one may readily believe that in
+pushing it open Clif was rather nervous.
+
+But nothing occurred to startle him, and so they went forward once more.
+The place about him seemed deserted.
+
+Then suddenly Clif did a startling thing.
+
+He took a deep breath and called aloud.
+
+"Anybody here?"
+
+And then for at least a minute or two the little party stood waiting in
+silence; but no answer was heard.
+
+"I guess it's deserted," Clif said. "Scatter and search it thoroughly."
+
+And that was quickly done. To their relief the Americans found that the
+place was not inhabited and that there was no one near. That once made
+sure it may be believed that they wasted no more time in delay.
+
+"I don't think it will be necessary for us to keep watch," he said. "Our
+safety lies in our hiding."
+
+They made their way into one of the smaller rooms of the little
+building, one which had a key to the door. And having secured themselves
+as best they could from danger of discovery, the wearied men sank down
+upon the floor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
+
+
+It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous
+situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their
+lives in their hands. They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a
+lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
+
+The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to
+light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk. But the darkness
+was their principal shield.
+
+But all the cold in the world could not have kept Clif awake; he and the
+rest of the men were soon fast asleep, hidden away in the enemy's
+country, and surrounded by perils innumerable, yet resting as quietly as
+if they were at home.
+
+And none of them awakened either, as the dark night wore on. The day
+began to break over the mountains to the eastward, and the gay sunbeams
+streamed into the room to find the sailors still undisturbed and
+unconscious.
+
+The sun had risen and was half an hour up in the sky before any of the
+Americans showed signs of awakening. One of the sailors turned over and
+then sat up and stared about him.
+
+It was not strange that the man wondered where he was, for a moment; he
+had been through so much during the previous day.
+
+He found himself seated in a little bare apare apartment half charred by
+fire, and having damp straw for flooring. His companions, including the
+officer, were stretched out upon it.
+
+They seemed in blissful ignorance of the fact that it was damp.
+
+The sailor rose to his feet; he was rather stiff and sore, and somewhat
+hungry, but he felt that he ought to be glad to be alive.
+
+And then he stole quickly over to the tiny window to look out; naturally
+enough he was a little curious to see what sort of a place it was they
+had hit on in the darkness.
+
+There was light, then, plenty of it--too much in fact, so the man
+thought. It showed him everything.
+
+And the everything must have included something rather startling. For
+the sailor acted in a most surprising way.
+
+He took a single glance out of the window; and then he staggered back as
+if some one had shot him.
+
+The man's face was as white as a sheet.
+
+He stood for a moment seemingly dazed, his eyes staring vacantly. And
+then suddenly he made a leap across the room and seized Clif by the
+shoulder.
+
+It was a startling way for Clif to be awakened; the face of that man had
+a sort of nightmare look.
+
+"What is it?" Clif gasped. "Quick!"
+
+"The window!" panted the sailor. "Look!".
+
+The man in his excitement had awakened the rest and they were sitting up
+staring at him.
+
+Clif meanwhile had rushed to the window, and when he looked out he acted
+just as the sailor had done.
+
+It might be well to describe in a few words what he saw.
+
+There was a small clearing around the deserted building, and beyond that
+a heavy wood. Clif remembered having made his way through those woods.
+
+And now somebody else had done likewise. There was a squad of a dozen
+soldiers standing on the clearing's edge.
+
+And they were Spaniards!
+
+"Can they have surrounded us?" gasped the cadet.
+
+"Or perhaps they don't know we're here," whispered one of the men.
+
+The full meaning of that startling discovery was made evident to them an
+instant later. The officer of the Spaniards was standing to one side
+watching a man, who, with bowed head, was carefully scanning the ground.
+
+And he was coming slowly toward the building.
+
+"They're tracking us," whispered Clif.
+
+And just then the man raised up his head and Clif got a glimpse of his
+face.
+
+"The villain!" he gasped.
+
+It was Ignacio!
+
+Yes, it was the villainous Spanish spy. He and his Spanish companions
+must have succeeded in getting ashore. And they had tracked their
+unsuspecting enemies to their hiding-place.
+
+"I wish I had killed him!" Clif muttered half to himself.
+
+One of the sailors heard him, and he drew his revolver significantly.
+
+"It's not too late, sir," he said.
+
+But Clif held up his hand.
+
+"No, no," he whispered. "Not yet!"
+
+That suggestion called him back to action. Not yet--because they had not
+yet been discovered.
+
+Ignacio was apparently off the scent; he did not know whether his
+victims had dodged the building or had the temerity to enter.
+
+And instantly Clif leaped forward, over to the other side of the
+building. If none of the enemy was there it might not be too late for
+flight.
+
+"If they are," Clif muttered to himself, "by jingo, they've still got
+the building to capture."
+
+Whatever was to be done had to be done quickly, for Ignacio was a
+cunning fellow, and wouldn't be apt to delay very long.
+
+Clif gazed out in the other direction and saw to his delight that the
+thicket came close to the house, and there were no Spaniards in sight.
+
+He called in a low voice to the men, who stole silently over toward him.
+
+"Quick!" he gasped. "Out, for your lives!"
+
+It was a thrilling moment, and Clif was trembling with eagerness. One by
+one he watched the men crawl out of the low window and gather in the
+shelter of the building.
+
+And a moment later he himself dropped down; the instant he struck the
+ground he started forward.
+
+"To the woods!" he whispered. "And not a sound, for your lives."
+
+And the men sprang softly forward, not even pausing to glance over their
+shoulders to see if they were discovered.
+
+Clif fancied at that instant that he was safe. The building was between
+him and the Spaniards.
+
+But he did not know that at that moment Ignacio had observed a footprint
+in the damp ground that made him aware that they had gone into the
+building; he rushed around to the other side just in time to see a blue
+uniform vanish in the thicket.
+
+The next moment a wild yell came from his throat.
+
+"Mira!" he shrieked. "Forward! Here they are now!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+A RUNNING FIGHT.
+
+
+That cry seemed the death knell of the Americans, and their hearts
+leaped up in their throats when they heard it. For a moment Clif thought
+of stopping and giving battle then and there.
+
+But he realized the hopelessness of that; it was hopeless too, to run,
+with no place to run to. But the sailors were already dashing away
+through the woods. And the cadet soon caught up with them and urged them
+on.
+
+The Spaniards broke into a run the moment they heard Ignacio's cry; a
+minute later they fired a volley into the bushes, probably in order to
+alarm the country.
+
+It would have been hard for those five fugitives to go any faster than
+they did during the first few moments of that chase. They heard their
+enemies banging away and yelling in their rear, and they fairly flew
+over the ground.
+
+"Keep together," panted Clif. "We may find some place to make a stand."
+
+The ground over which they were traveling was ill adapted for speed, for
+it was rough and the bushes were thick.
+
+But it was as fair for one as the other, and the Americans tore their
+way through and sped on.
+
+The Spaniards in the rear apparently knew of other troops in the
+neighborhood from the way they kept yelling; Clif groaned as he realized
+the hopelessness of their flight.
+
+For even if they succeeded in shaking off their pursuers the whole
+country was alarmed and hunting for them. And they had no food and no
+one to guide them.
+
+But the present evil was great enough, for the furious Spaniards were
+hot on the trail.
+
+"Surrender! Surrender!" Clif heard the officer shouting a short way
+back.
+
+The chase would have ended in no time had it not been for the woods,
+which kept the fugitives out of sight so that they could not be shot.
+
+But that was a protection that would not last forever. Clif gave a
+sudden gasp as he saw a clearing ahead of them.
+
+But it was only a small one, and the Americans sped across it at the
+very top of their speed. They hoped to reach the woods before their foes
+sighted them.
+
+And they did. Then suddenly a new idea flashed over Clif.
+
+"Stop a minute!" he cried. "Ready!"
+
+The sailors saw him draw his revolver, and they knew what it meant. They
+crouched in the bushes, waiting.
+
+"We'll show them it isn't all play," Clif whispered.
+
+And, a second later, half a dozen Spaniards dashed out of the woods.
+
+"Fire!" roared Clif.
+
+There was a quick volley, and then instantly the fugitives sprang up
+again and sped on. They left several of their enemies lying on the
+ground.
+
+That unexpected move had evidently disconcerted the pursuers, who hadn't
+looked for a reception of that kind.
+
+They were not heard on the trail again for fully a minute, while the
+Americans made the best possible use of their time. But the pursuers did
+not mean to give up as easily as that, and they soon set out once more,
+firing away as if a whole army were in sight.
+
+Their little success raised the spirits of the gallant tars
+considerably; they seemed to forget they were in the enemy's country.
+
+And they chuckled gleefully to themselves as they raced on through the
+woods; they were a pretty small army of invasion, but they had lots of
+courage.
+
+But there is a limit to what courage can do, and the unfortunate sailors
+soon learned it.
+
+They came to a second clearing, a broad savanna this time.
+
+"We'll have to run for our very lives," gasped Clif.
+
+For if they failed to reach shelter before the Spaniards came up the
+former situation would be just reversed and the Spaniards could hide and
+fire in safety.
+
+And so the men set out at breakneck speed, as if they were in a hundred
+yard's dash.
+
+"I think we can make it," thought Clif. "They seem to be a long ways
+behind."
+
+The shouts of the enemy indicated it; Clif's volley had seemed to
+deprive them of their former confidence and rashness.
+
+But unfortunately, they were not the only Spaniards in Cuba. The firing
+had not failed to attract attention.
+
+The Americans had reached about the centre of the broad plain. There was
+high grass and cane upon it, and that made even walking hard. But the
+men still plunged on bravely, though they were gasping for breath.
+
+But then something happened that made them gasp still more.
+
+For the shouts of the enemy in the rear were suddenly answered.
+
+And the answer came from in front.
+
+The sailors halted and stared at each other in consternation.
+
+"Do you see anything?" cried Clif.
+
+All that could be made out was a line of bushes and undergrowth, marking
+the beginning of the woods.
+
+But out of it came a confused babel of shouts, as if a whole army were
+there and had been suddenly alarmed.
+
+"They'll head us off!" gasped the sailor.
+
+But they stood still for only a second; now was no time to delay.
+
+The pursuers in the rear were drawing closer every instant.
+
+There was only one thing left. They were shut off in two directions, but
+off to each side----
+
+"Come!" gasped Clif.
+
+And the sailors whirled about and followed him in the new direction. It
+was a hopeless hope, but it was not yet time to give up.
+
+And so for perhaps a hundred yards they raced on. They had heard a shout
+behind them, and saw the Spaniards running out from the woods, both in
+front and behind.
+
+"Turn and fight them!" shouted Clif.
+
+Like wild animals at bay the sailors faced about and jerked out their
+revolvers again. They were on the point of opening fire, when suddenly,
+as if they were not in trouble enough, there came a new development.
+
+There was a yell behind them, and a crashing sound. Out upon the broad
+savanna galloped a whole troop of Spanish cavalry, their carbines in
+their hands.
+
+And at their head rode a brightly uniformed captain waving his sword and
+galloping down upon the fugitives.
+
+"Surrender!" he yelled. "Lay down your arms."
+
+And that was the last straw; the sailors looked at Clif, and Clif looked
+at the sailors. The troopers were not a hundred yards away, and there
+were fifty of them.
+
+"I guess we may as well give up," said Clif, grimly. "We've done our
+best, I think."
+
+And he turned toward the galloping men, dropped his sword and revolver,
+and then folded his arms.
+
+"We surrender," he called. "Come on."
+
+And a minute later the gallant five were surrounded by the cavalrymen,
+who stared at them eagerly.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded the gruff captain.
+
+"An officer in the United States Navy," said Clif, promptly. "From the
+gunboat Uncas."
+
+"And what are you doing here?"
+
+"We were wrecked on the coast last night. We surrender, and we expect to
+be decently treated."
+
+"You are prisoners of war," was the officer's stern response, "and you
+will be treated as such. Forward, march!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE FIRST PRISONERS OF WAR.
+
+
+The command had hardly been obeyed when out from the brush at the
+further side of the savanna came the pursuing Spaniards and with them
+Ignacio.
+
+The latter made straight for Clif with an upraised dagger, and would
+have killed the cadet then and there if the commander of the troop had
+not prevented him forcibly.
+
+"You fool!" he said, "don't you know the orders?"
+
+"What orders?"
+
+"From Blanco. Prisoners are to be brought to Havana. If you want to kill
+him, wait till you get him there."
+
+And so the furious Ignacio was compelled to leave his enemy alone. He
+now rode along behind the troopers, muttering curses under his breath.
+
+But he knew that his time would come later; moreover he had not so very
+long to wait, for the capture had been made quite near to Havana.
+
+The country through which they were riding was broad and flat, rising
+gradually to the blue hills at the southward. All about them it seemed
+as if the land had once been under cultivation; but now it was overgrown
+with rank vegetation.
+
+In the distance could be seen the buildings of a little town, for which
+they were heading.
+
+The Spanish cavalrymen rode along merrily, their accoutrements jingling.
+They were a dark-skinned, black-haired lot, and most of them were small,
+and not very sturdily built. The Americans had heard it said that they
+didn't get enough to eat, and they looked it.
+
+The prisoners were mounted upon spare horses, and were kept well in the
+middle of the group. Their hands were tied behind them, and one of their
+captors had hold of the bridles of their mounts.
+
+Clif's was a jaded old nag, and kept stumbling and stopping, making the
+task of riding a difficult one, but he did not notice it very much, for
+he was busily thinking.
+
+His present situation was indeed a discouraging one, and he felt its
+degradation keenly. It was not that his conscience troubled him, for he
+knew that he had done all that could be expected of him.
+
+But he was a prisoner for all that, and he had before him all the
+horrors of which he had heard so much.
+
+Still there was no chance of escape, and he could only bow to the
+inevitable; but he could not help feeling a thrill of apprehension as he
+glanced behind him and saw the malignant Ignacio gazing at him.
+
+But Ignacio bided his time, and said nothing. Meanwhile, the troopers
+trotted on.
+
+In about fifteen minutes the little town drew near. Clif did not know
+the name of it, for he had no idea where he had run ashore on the
+previous night. But he did not think he was far from Havana.
+
+The arrival of the soldiers created intense excitement in the town. Men
+and women and children and barking dogs rushed out to see them pass.
+
+And when it was discovered that five Yankees had been captured the
+cavalrymen received an ovation. But they made straight on to their
+destination; what it was Clif had no trouble in guessing.
+
+There was a railroad station in the town, and there the troopers came to
+a halt. Most of them dismounted from their horses to rest, and the
+captain hurried off to attend to the task of getting a train to take
+those prisoners to the capital.
+
+Meanwhile a great crowd gathered about the little station; most of them
+were ugly-looking, ragged men, and they crowded around the prisoners and
+stared at them curiously.
+
+There were looks of hatred upon their unpleasant faces, and their
+remarks it may be believed were not complimentary.
+
+"The Yankee pigs have met their match at last," snarled one
+tobacco-stained peon, who had forced his way up close to Clif.
+
+"And they'll go to Havana as they wanted to," put in another, with a
+leer. "They were boasting they'd get there."
+
+There were some grins at that sally, which encouraged the Spaniard to go
+on.
+
+"How do you like it?" he inquired. "Santa Maria, couldn't you have run
+fast enough?"
+
+"They won't run any more," snarled another. "They'll be put where
+they're safe."
+
+An old woman with a haggard, savage-looking face and a heavy stick shook
+the latter in the Americans' faces, as she cursed them in her shrill,
+Spanish jargon.
+
+And then suddenly came a loud cry from the outskirts of the crowd.
+
+"Stone the pigs! Kill 'em! Don't let them get away!"
+
+Clif could not see the man who yelled that, but he knew the voice, and
+realized that Ignacio was getting in his fine work again.
+
+And he seemed likely to be successful, too, for the cry appeared to
+please the crowd.
+
+"Yes, yes, kill 'em!" swelled the muttering shout.
+
+And a moment later some one, perhaps Ignacio himself, flung a heavy
+stone at the Americans.
+
+It sailed over the heads of the mob, and struck one of the sailors a
+glancing blow on the forehead.
+
+It made an ugly wound, and blood flowed.
+
+The sight seemed to please the crowd.
+
+"Por dios!" they laughed. "Good for them! Keep it up!"
+
+Perhaps the sight of blood enraged them; but at any rate, their
+hostility became more evident. They shook their fists and muttered
+savagely.
+
+And all the while Ignacio's voice chimed in.
+
+"Kill 'em! Kill 'em!"
+
+The prisoners seemed about to have a very unpleasant experience indeed.
+There was no one to restrain the crowd except the soldiers and they
+sympathized with the angry people.
+
+And the crowd seemed to know that; they surged nearer.
+
+"A prison's too good for them!" they roared.
+
+The old hag was still shaking her cane and yelling her maledictions. At
+that moment a man snatched the stick from her hand and aimed a blow at
+Clif's face.
+
+The cadet's hands were tied behind him, and he was nearly helpless. But
+he managed to turn and catch the blow upon his shoulders.
+
+And an instant later his foot shot out and caught the enraged Spaniard
+squarely in the stomach.
+
+The man staggered back.
+
+"Madre di dios!" he gasped. "He's killed me."
+
+Clif's daring action set the crowd in a perfect frenzy.
+
+"Stone 'em!" yelled Ignacio.
+
+And seemingly all at once they sprang at the prisoners with sticks and
+stones and knives and fists.
+
+The soldiers made a feeble effort to stop them, but the crowd saw them
+laughing as they did so.
+
+"Nobody cares about the Yankee pigs!" the crowd roared. "Go for them."
+
+It would have gone hard with the Americans just then had it not been for
+the fact that the captain reappeared. He had no love to waste on them,
+but he knew his duty.
+
+And he sprang forward with a stern command:
+
+"Drive that crowd back! Quick!"
+
+And then the cavalrymen acted in a quite different manner. The angry mob
+was forced away, in spite of their protests. The sailors breathed
+somewhat more freely.
+
+Still it was to their relief when they saw an engine and a single
+freight car coming up the track. They knew that was for them and that
+they would soon be out of the reach of that mob.
+
+"But not of Ignacio!" Clif groaned. "Not of Ignacio."
+
+The "private car" intended for the strangers came to a stop in front of
+the little station, and they were told to dismount from the horses and
+enter.
+
+The crowd gave a parting jeer as they lost sight of them. Once inside
+the sailors were gruffly ordered to sit down, and their feet were tied
+securely.
+
+A sergeant and three men were detailed to mount guard over them, and
+then everything was ready for the start.
+
+Clif watched anxiously for one thing; he had an idea that his deadly
+enemy might not succeed in following them the rest of the journey.
+
+But in that he soon saw that he was mistaken. Ignacio had no idea of
+being foiled in his vengeance. Just before the door of the car was shut
+his small, crouching figure entered.
+
+He stopped just long enough to clinch his fist and shake it at Clif; and
+then he retired into a corner to snarl angrily to himself.
+
+A few moments later there was a creaking of wheels and the "train" had
+started. The roar of the crowd died away and was succeeded by the sound
+of the rapid motion.
+
+The prisoners were on their way to Havana.
+
+"And I wish there'd be a wreck and end us before we got there," mused
+Clif.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+IGNACIO'S PLOTS.
+
+
+For Clif Faraday had not failed to learn something of what a prisoner
+might expect in Havana. A classmate of his, Vic Rollins, had spent a
+couple of months there and had emerged almost a physical wreck.
+
+And Clif could not tell how long he might have to remain. The war had
+already been going on long enough for him to see that it would last some
+time.
+
+And the amount of cruelty and starvation he had before him was enough to
+make the cadet tremble.
+
+He knew that the severest privation would fall to his lot.
+
+Ignacio could be trusted to see to that.
+
+"I don't think they'll dare to let him kill me," the American muttered.
+"But he'll probably get his satisfaction somehow."
+
+At any rate, it was plain that the vengeful Spaniard meant to try. He
+soon set to work.
+
+That Clif understood Spanish he was well aware. But he did not seem to
+mind it.
+
+For he began a conversation with the sergeant. And he did not take the
+trouble to whisper what he had to say, though one would have thought he
+would not care to have so villainous a plot known to any one.
+
+The officer in charge of the Americans was sitting near them with his
+own sword lying in his lap. And Ignacio crept over to him.
+
+"Jose," said he, "Jose Garcia, listen to me."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Jose, have you been paid your wages for the last six months?"
+
+The soldier gazed at Ignacio in astonishment.
+
+"Carramba! What's that to you?"
+
+"Nothing, Jose, except that you need money, don't you?"
+
+It was evident from the look that came over the Spanish soldier's face
+that the answer he made was sincere.
+
+"Santa Maria!" he cried. "Yes! Why?"
+
+"Would you like to make some?"
+
+"How much?"
+
+Slowly Ignacio reached his hand inside of his shirt and pulled out a
+little bag.
+
+He loosened the mouth of it and took the contents out. He spread them
+out on the floor of the car.
+
+"It is American money," he said, "the money of the pigs. But it is good
+money for all that."
+
+"How much is there?"
+
+"Ha! ha! You are interested, are you? Well, well!"
+
+Ignacio's dark eyes glittered as he slowly went over the pile of bills.
+
+"See, sergeant," said he, "here is a hundred-dollar bill. Just think of
+it! Look at it! Think if I should get that bill changed into good
+Spanish gold. The British consul would do it."
+
+"Yes, he is a friend of the Yankees."
+
+"Yes, he would do it for me. And then here is fifty dollars more. Look
+and count it. Think of what you could do with one hundred and fifty
+dollars of the Yankee's money. Think of what it would buy--food and I
+know not what--a fine dress for your sweetheart, to take her away from
+that rival of yours. And it is all good money, too."
+
+"How am I to know it?"
+
+"Carramba! Couldn't you take my word. You know me, Jose, and what I do
+for Spain. Do you not know that I am a friend of Blanco's? Hey? And you
+know that he trusts me when he trusts nobody else."
+
+"And how did you get that money?"
+
+"How did I get it! Ha! ha! I will tell--yes, por dios, I will, and those
+Yankee pigs may hear me, too. Ha! ha! There was what they called a
+traitor on the New York, the Yankee's flagship. She isn't much, but she
+is the best they have. One of our little gunboats could whip her, for it
+would be men fighting pigs."
+
+The sergeant's eyes danced.
+
+"And we'll sink her, too," went on Ignacio. "Just wait! I saw her run
+away once from a little gunboat. The Yankees build their boats swifter
+than ours so they can run away. But anyhow, as I said this man was
+working for Spain. And he tried to blow up the flagship."
+
+"Por dios!" cried the sergeant, "like we did the Maine."
+
+"Exactly. It would have been another glorious triumph for us. And, Jose
+Garcia, who do you think it was that prevented him?"
+
+The man clinched his fists.
+
+"I don't know!" he cried, "but I wish I could get hold of him."
+
+"You do?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What would you do to him?"
+
+"Santa Maria! I'd get him by the throat----"
+
+"You would?"
+
+"Yes. And I would choke him till he was dead."
+
+"Dead!" echoed Ignacio, with a hoarse cry of triumph.
+
+And then he raised one arm trembling all over with rage and hatred.
+
+"Jose!" he half yelled.
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Suppose I should tell you, Jose--suppose I should tell you that the
+villain is here?"
+
+"Here?"
+
+"Yes. By Heaven, he's here. Jose, that is he!"
+
+And the fellow pointed straight at Clif, while he leaned forward and
+stared into the Spaniard's face, eager to see what the effect of his
+announcement would be.
+
+It must have suited him, for he gave a low laugh, a fiendish chuckle.
+
+Then he went on.
+
+"And not only that, Jose! Think of what else he has done."
+
+"Has he done more?"
+
+"Yes, por dios, he has. Listen. Jose, we have in our power the worst of
+our country's enemies. Jose, he is a fiend, a perfect devil. He has
+ruined nearly every plan I tried. Do you know if it had not been for
+him--yes, for him--I should have stabbed the great pig admiral."
+
+"Carramba!"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Not Sampson."
+
+"Yes, he, the villain who is blockading Havana and destroying our ships.
+I had the knife at his heart, and that Yankee pig prevented me. Do you
+wonder that I hate him?"
+
+"No. I hate him, too."
+
+"Yes! For you are a true Spaniard. But about that money, Jose. I got it
+as I say, from this Schwartz. For when this Yankee pig stopped him from
+blowing up the New York he ran away and hid. And he paid me this for
+helping him to Cuba."
+
+Ignacio held up the bills before the hungry eyes of the Spanish
+sergeant.
+
+And when he had given him time to look at it and think of what it meant
+for him, Ignacio suddenly bent forward and got close to him.
+
+"Jose," he cried, "it's all for you!"
+
+The man stared eagerly.
+
+"What for?" he cried.
+
+"I will tell you!" said Ignacio.
+
+Once more he slipped his hand under his jacket.
+
+"Look," said he.
+
+And he drew out a sharp, gleaming dagger!
+
+He ran his fingers over the edge, hissing as he did so between his
+teeth.
+
+"It is sharp," he muttered. "Ha! ha! sharp! And it will do the work."
+
+"What work?"
+
+"Listen, Jose. There lies the fiend of a Yankee. He is in my power at
+last. He has baffled me, ruined me, but now I have him! Yes, he can't
+get away! Ha! ha! I feel merry. Jose, he is my deadliest enemy; he is
+your enemy, too, the enemy of our glorious country. I hate him--so must
+you."
+
+"I do!"
+
+"Then listen. I want to take this knife, this nice, sharp knife that I
+have been grinding for him. Ha! ha! Santa Maria, how sharp it is! And I
+will put this money, all this money, into your hands and you will turn
+away so as not to see. And I will take this knife in my hand so. And I
+will creep over toward that fellow----"
+
+"And kill him?"
+
+"Listen, Jose. You spoil it. He'll scream. He'll turn pale and tremble
+like the coward he is. But he can't get away, Jose, he can't get away!
+I've got him, Jose! And I'll unbutton his jacket, that hated Yankee
+uniform. And I'll take this knife and I'll put it right close to his
+soft, white skin. Then I will press down--down! And you'll hear him
+scream as it goes in; he'll twist about and shriek, but I will pin him
+to the floor. And then he will lie there, Jose, and we can watch him
+die. Ha, Madre di dios, how I hate him!"
+
+The Spaniard's rage had been such that his face grew fairly purple. And
+he snatched up the knife and started forward toward the cadet.
+
+"How I hate him!" he panted again.
+
+What were the feelings of poor Clif may be imagined; he was perfectly
+helpless and could only lie still and gaze into the eyes of his deadly
+foe.
+
+But there was some one else to stop Ignacio.
+
+The sergeant caught him by the arm.
+
+"So, no!" he cried. "Stop."
+
+"What!" panted Ignacio. "Why?"
+
+"They would punish me."
+
+"But they need not know?"
+
+"The others will tell."
+
+"Nonsense."
+
+"But they will."
+
+"What? Cannot a knife kill more than one man. Carramba, I will kill all
+five."
+
+"But I was ordered to deliver them alive."
+
+Ignacio was nearly frenzied at those objections.
+
+"Jose" he yelled, "you are mad. We can fix it. I will fix it with
+Blanco. Say they got loose, chewed the ropes, and attacked us. I will
+swear they did, swear it by all the saints. And I hate that Yankee so,
+Jose, that I would cut my own flesh to make the story seem more
+probable. I will say we had a desperate battle--tell them how you saved
+my life. And you will be promoted. Blanco will believe me, Jose."
+
+But the Spanish soldier shook his head dubiously.
+
+"I dare not," he said. "The captain's last words were to deliver them
+safely."
+
+"But think of the money, Jose! Think of the money!"
+
+Ignacio fairly ground his teeth with rage over the delay; he was like a
+wild man.
+
+"Por dios," he cried, "how can you hesitate? It is the chance of your
+lifetime--of your lifetime!"
+
+The five unfortunate prisoners had not all of them understood those
+words, but they had no doubt of their meaning. And they lay watching
+Ignacio feverishly.
+
+It was as if they had been charmed by a serpent, their eyes followed his
+every motion. They realized that at any moment the cunning villain might
+leap at them.
+
+But the sergeant, though wavering, still shook his head.
+
+"The men will tell," he objected.
+
+"Here is another hundred for them!" gasped Ignacio. "It is all I have.
+Por dios, what more?"
+
+There was at least half a minute of agony after that while the man upon
+whom everything depended wrestled with that temptation. It was a great
+one, and Clif felt a cold perspiration breaking out all over him as he
+sat and watched.
+
+But the stolid sergeant was apparently too much of a coward to take the
+risk. He said no, and Clif gave a gasp.
+
+"Wait and see Blanco," he said. "I do not dare to let you do it."
+
+And though Ignacio blustered and swore and pranced about like a mad man,
+the soldier was obdurate.
+
+"The risk is too great," he reiterated. "I dare not."
+
+And so Ignacio once more slunk back into a dark corner of the car and
+fell snarling to himself.
+
+"But I'll have him yet!" Clif heard him hiss. "I'll have him yet. Just
+wait till we get to Havana."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+BESSIE STUART.
+
+
+The event to which Ignacio was looking forward with so much pleasure was
+not long in taking place.
+
+The trip by the railroad lasted about half an hour only.
+
+Ignacio would hardly have had more than time to carry out his dastardly
+purpose before the train arrived. The car came slowly to a stop and the
+sergeant got up and opened the door.
+
+"Here we are," said he. "And I am glad."
+
+Ignacio was apparently glad, too, since he had failed in his first plan.
+He sprang up eagerly and watched the removal of the prisoners.
+
+The sergeant untied the Americans' feet and gruffly ordered them to
+march. With the soldiers before and behind they were led rapidly through
+the streets of Havana.
+
+If the arrival of those prisoners in a small town created excitement,
+one may well imagine that the big capital turned out a crowd to watch
+them; but there was almost no demonstration against them, for the party
+hurried along rapidly. And Ignacio did not try any of his tricks; he
+knew that his chance would soon come, and he waited patiently.
+
+Clif gazed about him as he walked. He was listless and hopeless, but he
+could not help feeling an interest in the city he had heard so much of
+and which he had been so busily helping to blockade.
+
+But he had little chance to look about. He was marching down a long
+street crowded with Spaniards of all sizes and shades. And then suddenly
+before a dark, heavy-looking building, the guards came to a halt.
+
+There was a heavy iron door in front of it that opened slowly.
+
+"March in," said the sergeant.
+
+And the prisoners, with bayonets at their backs, were forced up the
+steps and into the building.
+
+The door shut again with a dull iron clang that sounded like a death
+knell to Clif.
+
+Ignacio entered, too. He seemed to have the privilege of going where he
+chose; the sentries who were guarding that door asked him no questions.
+
+It was apparently some sort of a military jail to which they had been
+taken. Down a long stone corridor they were marched, and then halted in
+front of a door.
+
+The sergeant entered, and Ignacio after him. The rest waited outside.
+
+It must have been at least fifteen minutes before anything more
+occurred. Then the sergeant came out, and ordered the prisoners to
+enter.
+
+Clif, as the officer, entered first, and he found himself facing a tall,
+military looking Spaniard with a resplendent uniform and an air of
+authority. Who he was Clif had no idea, but he was evidently in command
+of the place.
+
+He was a dark, savage-looking man, and his brows were drawn down as he
+frowned upon the prisoners.
+
+And Clif was not surprised.
+
+"He's had Ignacio to tell him about us," he thought to himself.
+
+Ignacio was standing just behind the officer. There was a grin on his
+face and a look of delight; he rubbed his hands gleefully as he watched
+what transpired.
+
+The Spanish officer glared at his prisoners sternly. Clif's bearing was
+quiet and dignified.
+
+"So you are the officer who commanded the Yankee pigs?" growled the man.
+
+"I am an American naval cadet," was the response.
+
+The Spaniard said nothing more for a moment, but continued his piercing
+look.
+
+"You put on a bold front," he said at last. "You must have looked
+differently when you were running away."
+
+The remark required no answer, and got none. Clif did not mean to bandy
+words with the officer; if he wanted to taunt him he was welcome to do
+so.
+
+"We treat our prisoners more politely," he thought, "but I suppose this
+is the Spanish way."
+
+Meanwhile the officer went on.
+
+"You will be less impudent later on," he snarled, "when you learn what
+is in store for you. You've no idea, I presume."
+
+"I understood that I was a prisoner of war," was the American's quiet
+answer. "And I understood that Spain considered itself a civilized
+nation."
+
+The Spaniard laughed softly.
+
+"A prisoner of war," he chuckled. "So you really expect to be treated as
+such--and after what you have done!"
+
+"What have I done?" asked Clif.
+
+Ignacio's eyes began to dance at that; for the officer turned toward
+him.
+
+"This gentleman," said the officer, "is one of our trusted agents. And I
+have learned from him of your villainy."
+
+Clif was not in the least surprised at that. It was just what he had
+looked for.
+
+"I should be pleased to learn also, if I may, what has this trusted
+agent told you?"
+
+As he said that, he turned toward the grinning Ignacio.
+
+But it was the officer who continued speaking.
+
+"I suppose you wish to deny everything," said he. "But I assure you it
+will do not the least good in the world."
+
+"I presume not," escaped Clif's lips.
+
+The Spaniard frowned angrily, but he went on without a change of tone.
+
+"You were captured, if I understand it truly, from a merchantman which
+you ran upon the rocks in order to prevent one of our vessels from
+recapturing her?"
+
+"That is true," Clif said.
+
+"And you must have thought it quite a smart trick! But according to this
+man here, you previously had some fighting with our vessel. Would you
+mind telling me about it?"
+
+"I would not," said Clif. "We were steaming toward Key West, myself and
+these four men being a prize crew from the gunboat Uncas. We were hailed
+from the darkness by another vessel----"
+
+"Ah! And what was the name of the vessel?"
+
+"I do not know."
+
+"Did you not ask?"
+
+"I did. But she answered falsely. She pretended to be an American
+vessel----"
+
+The Spaniard gave a sneer.
+
+"So that is the yarn you mean to tell," he laughed.
+
+"That is what occurred," said Clif, quickly. "If you have heard
+otherwise you have been told a lie. And my men will bear me out in the
+statement."
+
+"Indeed! I do not doubt it."
+
+There was fine sarcasm in that tone; but Clif did not heed it.
+
+"Would you mind telling me what this fellow Ignacio has said?" he
+inquired.
+
+"He says," responded the other, "that the vessel announced herself as a
+Spaniard, and called on you to surrender. You did so; and then when the
+boat's crew came aboard you shot two of them and steamed away. Is that
+so, Ignacio?"
+
+"It is," snarled the "agent." "I will take my oath upon it."
+
+It was of course a lie; and it made Clif's blood boil. The Spanish
+vessel had deceived them and tried to capture them by stealth. The men
+of the Spanish boat's crew had been shot while trying to hold up the
+American.
+
+But Clif had expected that Ignacio would tell such a tale, and so he was
+not surprised. The offense with which the lad found himself charged was
+a terrible one, and he realized that he could be hanged for it.
+
+Yet what was he to do?
+
+"I fear," he said to the Spaniard, "that it will do me little good to
+deny this story."
+
+"That is true," said the other, promptly.
+
+And his cruel eyes gleamed as he watched the prisoner.
+
+"Do you deny the shooting?" he demanded.
+
+"No," said Clif, "I do not."
+
+"You find it easier to say that the men pretended to be Americans."
+
+"I find it easier because it is truer," was the cadet's answer.
+
+And then there were several moments of silence while the three actors of
+this little drama watched each other eagerly.
+
+Ignacio was fairly beside himself with triumph. He could scarcely keep
+himself quiet, and under his bushy eyebrows, his dark eyes gleamed
+triumphantly.
+
+He had played his trump card. And he had his victim where he wanted him
+at last. To watch him under the torture of his present position was
+almost as good as to watch him under the torture of the knife.
+
+For what could he do? He might bluster and protest (all to Ignacio's
+glee) but nobody would believe him.
+
+For Ignacio knew that the Spanish officer was glad enough to believe the
+story the spy told him. His prejudice and his hatred of Americans would
+turn the scale.
+
+And it would be fine to punish a Yankee pig for such a crime as this.
+
+As for Clif, he was filled with a kind of dull despair; he knew the odds
+against him, and realized that his struggles would be those of a caged
+animal. He had done nothing but his duty and the law of nations would
+have justified him. But Ignacio's lie upon that one small point (of what
+the Spanish gunboat had done) was enough to make him liable to death.
+
+The officer seemed to realize the smallness of difference, for he turned
+to Ignacio.
+
+"Are you perfectly sure," he demanded, "that you heard our vessel
+announce her identity?"
+
+"I am, senor."
+
+"And what was her name?"
+
+Clif's eyes brightened at that; he thought Ignacio would be caught
+there.
+
+But the cunning fellow was prepared, and answered instantly.
+
+"The Regina."
+
+He had chosen the name of a Spanish gunboat he knew to be at sea; and
+the ruse worked.
+
+"What more can you expect?" demanded the officer of Clif.
+
+And then the cadet looked up to make the last effort for his life.
+
+"As I have told you," he said, "this fellow's story is false. And now I
+will tell you why he has done it. He has long been an enemy of mine,
+and he is making an effort to ruin me. I foiled him----"
+
+"If you are going to tell me about that attempt of his to kill your
+Yankee admiral," interrupted the officer, "I know it already."
+
+And Ignacio gave a chuckle of glee.
+
+"In fact," the officer added, "I have learned of all your adventures,
+young man. And I have no doubt you consider yourself quite a hero after
+what you have done against Spain. But you will live to regret it, I
+think."
+
+And Clif saw that he had nothing to gain by pursuing that tack any
+further; he was silent, for he knew nothing more to do. The Spaniard
+went on:
+
+"I know also of another affair of yours," he added. "It seems that your
+pig government sent a naval officer over to see that bandit robber
+Gomez. And our friend here, Ignacio, was leading him into our camp. I
+believe that was it, was it not, Ignacio?"
+
+"It was, senor, and this Yankee here met us----"
+
+"And wounded you and rescued the officer, with the aid of some of the
+robber's men, and that girl you told me about."
+
+"Exactly," said Ignacio.
+
+"What was her name?" the other continued. "Stuart, I think. We will soon
+manage to stop her tricks, I fancy."
+
+Clif had been listening to their conversation without any particular
+interest. But suddenly as he heard that last speech his face flushed
+crimson and he half staggered back.
+
+"Bessie Stuart!" he gasped, under his breath.
+
+The Spanish officer was looking at him and he laughed as he saw the
+American's thunderstruck expression.
+
+"Ha! ha!" he chuckled, "so you are interested in her, are you? A
+sweetheart, perhaps, hey?"
+
+Clif did not answer that; he was staring at the man in horror. Stop
+her! What in the world could he mean? What could he know about Bessie
+Stuart?
+
+The girl was a dear friend of Clif's who had come to Cuba to hunt for a
+relative of hers.
+
+Clif had left her under the protection of Gomez; and that was the last
+he had heard of her.
+
+And here was the brutal Spaniard mentioning her. How had he and how had
+the villainous Ignacio learned about her?
+
+It was small wonder that Clif started back; Bessie Stuart was the
+dearest friend he had.
+
+Meanwhile the Spaniard was leering at him.
+
+"The Yankee pig seems worried," he said. "If that girl is his
+sweetheart, he did not do wisely to leave her with the bandit Gomez. Did
+he, Ignacio?"
+
+"No, senor," was that person's grinning response.
+
+"For she will soon be somebody else's sweetheart," chuckled the other.
+
+That was too much. Clif had held himself back, for he did not wish those
+cruel men to know he could torment him.
+
+But at that last remark he could no longer restrain his anxiety. He
+sprang toward the Spanish captain with a pleading look on his face.
+
+"Tell me!" he cried. "Tell me--where is she?"
+
+The other's lip curled sneeringly as he stared at him.
+
+"You are very much interested," said he. "Well, to be sure, the girl is
+pretty--pretty as I ever saw, unfortunately for her. But you may see her
+again. I expect--she is likely to be in the same prison with you."
+
+Every drop of blood left Clif's face at those terrible words. Bessie
+Stuart in prison!
+
+"Merciful providence!" he gasped.
+
+And then once more he sprang toward the Spaniard, a look on his face, a
+look of agony that would have touched a heart of stone.
+
+"For Heaven's sake, sir," he gasped, "tell me!"
+
+"Tell you what?"
+
+"Is she in Havana?"
+
+The Spaniard laughed softly.
+
+Then he nodded toward Ignacio.
+
+"Ask him," he said. "He keeps track of such people for us. She has been
+here some time now; and people who get into our prisons don't--ha! ha!
+they don't get out in a hurry, do them, Ignacio?"
+
+"No, senor."
+
+"And then she is very pretty, too," added the officer, with a laugh.
+
+To the agony those remarks were raising in the mind of poor Clif those
+two brutal men seemed quite insensible. Or perhaps they were teasing
+him.
+
+But if so, the officer had enough then, for he turned upon his heel
+impatiently.
+
+"Enough of this nonsense," he said. "You need not worry about your
+sweetheart, for you will probably be dead by to-morrow."
+
+And the man turned to the soldiers.
+
+"Those four prisoners," he said, pointing to the sailors, "will be kept
+here for the present. They will probably be exchanged in a few days. We
+do not blame them for the crime this officer here committed. As for him,
+he will probably be sent over to Morro Castle to-night."
+
+And then the file of soldiers closed about the dazed cadet and led him
+out of the room. He was scarcely able to walk by himself.
+
+The last sound that he heard as he left the room was the fiendish
+chuckle of the triumphant Ignacio.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+IN MORRO CASTLE.
+
+
+That certainly was a day of triumph for the vindictive Spaniard. Not
+only Clif Faraday was made wretched, but there was his friend, too, and
+each a thousand times more unhappy because of the misfortune of the
+other.
+
+Clif as he went out of that room was almost dazed; he could think of
+nothing. He scarcely heard the sailors sadly bidding him good-by.
+
+Nor did he notice anything else until he heard the clang of a door
+behind him, he realized then from the darkness and silence about him
+that he was alone in one of the cells of the prison.
+
+It was not for himself that the poor cadet feared. He could have marched
+out without flinching and faced a dozen rifles aimed at his heart.
+
+But it was for Bessie Stuart, fallen into the hands of these brutal men.
+The fate that was before her was enough to make Clif wish her dead.
+
+He racked his brains trying to think of how she could have come to
+Havana; could she have been captured in a battle? And what had Ignacio
+to do with it?
+
+But poor Clif knew nothing, and could think of nothing except that she
+was here, and he powerless to aid her.
+
+His own fate was terrible enough, though he hardly thought of that.
+
+He was to be sent at night to Morro.
+
+Many indeed were the unfortunates who had gone to take that sea trip in
+the darkness and never come back--and sometimes not reached their
+destination either. It was a terrible journey, that short ride across
+Havana Bay.
+
+But the cadet did not even stop to realize that. He had but one thought,
+and that he kept repeating over and over to himself in a state of
+confusion and despair. He never moved from his one position on the
+floor; and the hours flew by unheeded.
+
+Once and once only the heavy door of the cell was opened and that by a
+man who shoved in a pitcher of water and a dish of food. He must have
+thought the prisoner asleep.
+
+And as a fact, Clif was half unconscious; he was too dazed to think of
+anything. He had no hope and no chance of life, and nothing to think of
+except that Bessie Stuart was captured and he could not aid her.
+
+So the long day wore by; it was as a man waking from a deep sleep that
+the wretched American looked up when the door of that cell was opened
+again. He found that the hours had flown by, and that the time for the
+trip to Morro had come.
+
+If Clif had cared about anything then he would have shivered with horror
+at that moment, for it was surely gruesome and uncanny enough.
+
+Three men there were, dark, silent, shadowy figures who entered the damp
+cell. The only light they had was from a dark lantern, which they
+flashed upon the solitary prisoner.
+
+They found him still lying on the floor, but he raised up to look at
+them, his haggard, tortured face shining white in the rays of the
+lantern.
+
+"Get up," commanded one of the men, in a low, muffled voice. "Get up."
+
+The face of the speaker was shrouded in darkness, but Clif recognized
+the voice, and a cold chill shot over him.
+
+"Ignacio again!" he gasped.
+
+Yes. And Clif thought that this was the last--that Ignacio had gained
+his purpose. The task of murder was left to him.
+
+But there was no chance of resistance. Clif felt the cold muzzle of a
+revolver pressed to his head, and so he put the thought away.
+
+One of the men snapped a pair of handcuffs about his wrists, as if to
+make sure of him in case the ropes were not strong enough. And then one
+of them seized him by each arm and Ignacio stepped behind with the
+lantern.
+
+And so out of the cell they marched and down the long corridor and out
+of the building into the open air.
+
+Clif had chance for but one deep breath of it. A moment later he was
+shoved into a wagon that was in front of the door.
+
+There he was seated between one of the men and the chuckling Ignacio.
+The other man was driving and they rattled off down the street.
+
+Where they were going the unfortunate victim had no idea. Perhaps to
+some lonely spot where Ignacio could torture him to his fiendish heart's
+content! But there was no use in making an outcry.
+
+And Clif realized it and sat perfectly silent. He would give his enemies
+no more satisfaction than he could help.
+
+Clif did not think that it could be the trip to Morro that was before
+him; it was too early for such a deed of darkness. If he were dropped
+overboard upon the way some one might see it.
+
+But as it actually happened, Morro was his destination. And he really
+reached Morro, too. Perhaps the city jail was not considered strong
+enough for such a villain as he.
+
+And the carriage stopped at a wharf. A small launch was waiting there,
+and the party boarded her and were swept across to the other side in a
+very short while.
+
+So in a short while the walls of Havana's strongest dungeon shut upon
+Clif Faraday. He was a prisoner in Morro, famous or infamous, for its
+deeds of horror.
+
+For it was in this place, as Clif knew, that all the torture and cruelty
+of the Spanish nature had been wreaked upon the unfortunate Cubans or
+Americans who fell into the hands of Weyler. It was here that Ruiz had
+been murdered, and hundreds of wretches besides--their name and fate
+being hidden forever by the walls of that horrible place.
+
+And Clif was going then under the guidance of Ignacio. It was plain that
+the fiendish man had secured his purpose, for he was in command of the
+little party. And it was his to decide what was to be done with Clif.
+
+How the man had secured that privilege from the authorities Clif could
+not hope to know. That he had gotten it as a reward for some deed of
+darkness he did not doubt.
+
+Perhaps it was for capturing Bessie Stuart, was the thought that flashed
+over the lad.
+
+Again when the black, silent walls of Morro loomed up before them and
+the great gate opened nobody asked any questions of Ignacio. He showed a
+note, and it passed him from sentry to sentry; and the party passed down
+a flight of stairs into a cold, damp, stone corridor black as night.
+
+Poor Clif could not help but think of his own fate then. Ignacio's
+cruelty and hatred were such that no torture would be terrible enough
+for him. And he seemed to have his prisoner entirely to his own
+discretion.
+
+The great vault through which they were going echoed dimly to the
+footsteps of the party. They seemed to be down in a sort of a cellar,
+and they were winding their way through secret passages in almost
+absolute darkness.
+
+But Ignacio knew the way--probably the fellow had been in those gloomy
+dungeons before.
+
+He stopped suddenly and flashed the lantern upon a rusty iron door. It
+was solid and heavy, but Ignacio took a key from his pocket and unlocked
+it.
+
+It swung back, creaking dismally upon its hinges. And Ignacio flashed
+the light of his lantern in.
+
+He staggered back quite white with fright as he did so. For there was a
+series of thumping, shuffling sounds, and a shrill noise that made his
+blood run cold.
+
+But in a moment he again stepped forward, laughing under his breath.
+
+"Por dios!" he exclaimed. "The rats! They must be hungry!"
+
+And he stepped into the room. His foot splashed into a small puddle of
+water on the reeking, earthen floor. But he pressed on, flashing his
+lantern about the granite walls.
+
+It was a tiny black cavern into which he had come.
+
+There was a stone bench at one side of the horrible place, and in the
+wall by it a heavy ring and a thick iron chain.
+
+It was but a minute more before Clif's ankles were locked firmly in the
+ring, and then he was utterly helpless.
+
+For but a moment Ignacio stood looking at him, flashing the lantern full
+in his face. And then he turned and motioned to the two men.
+
+Without a word they faced about and stole away. They went out of the
+door, and Ignacio, trembling all over with his fiendish eagerness, shut
+the great iron barrier and locked it.
+
+And then with a hoarse cry of rage he faced about.
+
+Clif Faraday was alone with his deadly and merciless foe!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+IN THE DUNGEON VAULTS.
+
+
+Ignacio was a horrible object to contemplate at that moment, and it was
+but little wonder that Clif turned sick and faint as he watched him.
+
+The man seemed fairly turned into a devil then. He seemed insane. He was
+alone, absolutely alone, with his victim. And no one under heaven could
+stop him. He had the key himself! And he had his prisoner iron-bound and
+helpless!
+
+For several moments the man fairly danced about the place, yelling as if
+to prove to his hated foe that there was no care for anything any more.
+
+And then suddenly he made a leap at him.
+
+He crouched in front of him until his gleaming eyes shone into his face,
+and his hot breath could be felt. His claw-like fingers he seemed
+scarcely able to keep away from Clif.
+
+"Yankee!" he hissed, in a wild voice. "Yankee, do you know where you
+are?"
+
+The fiendish man saw the white look on his victim's face; and he
+laughed.
+
+"You do know!" he cried. "You do know! Ha! ha! You are in Morro, deep in
+the lowest vault! And no soul can come near you--near you--hear me?"
+
+He struck him in the face as if to draw his attention.
+
+"Listen; yes, stare at me! I don't wonder you quake. You have defied
+me--ha, ha! You have ruined all my plans, but I've got you now. And, oh,
+how I will pay you back, how I will twist you and tear you! You shall
+pay for everything. And you may shriek and scream and no one will know
+it more than if you did not. Listen!"
+
+And again from sheer bravado Ignacio raised his voice and shouted. The
+sound died in the grave-like cell--the granite and the iron shut it in.
+
+"You see!" panted Ignacio. "Not a soul heard! And you are mine. Ah, they
+hate you and they like me, for I told them about that girl. Ha, ha! You
+wince!"
+
+Ignacio's face was almost touching Clif's as he hissed that.
+
+"You can't get away!" he yelled. "And, oh, the things that I shall do to
+you! I've got instruments up stairs to tear you to pieces, burn your
+eyes out--but never kill you, oh, no! And all night you will scream, and
+all to-morrow, if I choose. And I will watch you--I and the rats. And
+the rats will eat you, too!"
+
+As if to add horror to the devil's gleeful statement, a huge slimy rat
+ran across Clif's body just then; it made him shiver all over.
+
+And Ignacio danced about as he saw him.
+
+"Ha, ha!" he cried. "You begin! But wait till I start--wait till you
+begin to feel some agony--till I begin to tear your eyes out! Then will
+you yell? When I get through with you--ha, ha!--when you are dead,
+perhaps weeks from now, you won't mind the rats any more! You may stay
+in here in this grave for the Yankees to find if they capture Morro as
+they say they will. Oh, I will make it a sight for them!"
+
+Clif could not have stood the strain of that horrible ordeal much
+longer; he would have fainted away.
+
+But then the fiendish Spaniard's impatience got the better of him. And
+he turned and crept toward the door again.
+
+"I will get the instruments," he whispered, hoarsely. "The torture
+instruments. Santa Maria, what things they are! And how you will
+shriek!"
+
+A moment later he turned the key and stepped out. He shut the door and
+locked it. And Clif was left alone in all the blackness and horror of
+that slimy place.
+
+Never as long as he lives will he forget the agony of that long wait. He
+sat straining his ears and listening for the first sign of the fiend's
+return. He knew that he might come back any instant and begin his
+horrible, merciless tormenting.
+
+Clif knew that man for a devil incarnate. He would sooner have looked
+for mercy in a hyena.
+
+For Ignacio was of the race of the Inquisition; and of the horrors of
+the Inquisition this was a fair sample.
+
+The wretched American knew that he was alone and that he could look for
+no rescue. He was buried in the very centre of the earth--or the centre
+of hades.
+
+And his cries would be heard only by Ignacio.
+
+Clif knew also that the frenzied villain would make haste, that he would
+come back panting and eager. Appalled, half dazed, he sat and listened.
+
+The first thing he would hear would be the grating of the key; and then
+would come horrors inconceivable.
+
+Seconds were years at that time. Clif thought that his hair would turn
+white from the suspense.
+
+And then suddenly he gave a gasp.
+
+There he was!
+
+Yes, the key was sliding in. And now it was turning!
+
+And then slowly the door was opened--groaning and creaking.
+
+Clif imagined the dark, crouching figure. He had left the lantern behind
+while these deeds of darkness went on.
+
+The tomb-like cell was absolutely black, and Clif could not see one
+thing. But he heard the door shut, heard the key turned. He shivered as
+in an ague fit.
+
+Above the noise of the scampering rats he heard a soft, stealthy
+footstep as the man crept across the floor.
+
+And then came the scratching sound of a hand running along the wall. He
+was feeling for him!
+
+And a moment later Clif gave an involuntary cry as he felt the hand
+touch his face.
+
+Perfectly motionless and paralyzed he sat and fancied what might be
+going on in the blackness after that. He felt, the hand pass downward
+along his body, felt it fumbling at the manacles that bound his ankles
+to the wall of the cell.
+
+Then to his surprise, his consternation, he heard a key softly turned.
+
+What happened then almost took away his breath.
+
+The iron fell off.
+
+He was loose!
+
+"Can he be going to take me elsewhere?" Clif gasped.
+
+But he nerved himself for one thing; gathered his muscles for it. Before
+Ignacio secured him again he would get a kick, one that would almost
+kill him.
+
+Eagerly Clif waited, to see what would happen next.
+
+But what did happen was more startling and incredible yet; he could
+scarcely believe his senses.
+
+For he felt the hands running down his arm. They fumbled at his wrists
+for an instant.
+
+And then with a clatter the handcuffs dropped to the ground!
+
+"Merciful heavens!" Clif thought to himself. "Can he be insane?"
+
+For a moment he actually thought so; then it flashed over him that
+perhaps the fiend was torturing him with the most horrible of all
+tortures--hope.
+
+"He'll wish he hadn't!" Clif gasped, as he braced his muscles.
+
+But that was not the true solution of the mystery; there were stranger
+things yet stranger and stranger.
+
+The only things that bound Clif now were the ropes that had held his
+wrists at first. He tugged at them, but in vain.
+
+There was a moment's silent pause. And then to Clif's unutterable
+consternation he heard another sound, a sound from across the room--a
+low, grating sound!
+
+It left him breathless.
+
+Some one else was coming into the cell!
+
+And with one rush the true state of affairs swept over Clif.
+
+"This isn't Ignacio!" he panted.
+
+And a moment later he received proof positive of that fact. For again
+the hand stole down his arms and there came a couple of quick slashing
+cuts that hurt his wrists more than the ropes.
+
+But seconds were precious then. In one of them Clif's hands were free.
+
+And his pulses leaped as he felt the knife thrust into his palm. He
+clutched it, and he heard one word whispered--in English:
+
+"Fight!"
+
+And then the dark figure stole swiftly over to the other side of the
+cell. It was at the same instant that the door was opened and the light
+of a lantern flashed in.
+
+It was Ignacio returning!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+OUT OF THE DUNGEON.
+
+
+The furious Spaniard came in like some wild beast, fairly gnashing his
+teeth and snarling to himself in his rage.
+
+Clif had but a moment, but he was quick to think; he sprang back to his
+old position, slipping his feet into the iron ring and putting his hands
+behind him.
+
+And Ignacio never noticed any difference, in fact he did not look at
+Clif until he had set down the lantern and shut the heavy door.
+
+He turned the key again and then faced about; touching low and muttering
+to himself, he stole swiftly across the floor.
+
+And his gleaming eyes flashed into Clif's face.
+
+"Yankee!" he hissed, "I am back. Do you hear me? Ha, ha!"
+
+As if to make sure that he heard him he struck him once more across the
+face.
+
+"Listen!" he cried. "Ha, ha!--and tremble."
+
+Clif's blood rose at that blow, but he held himself back and watched and
+waited.
+
+That was a moment of peril for the treacherous Spaniard; what would have
+been his terror may be imagined, had he known the victim into whose eyes
+he was glaring was clutching in one hand a sharp knife, ready at any
+instant to plunge it into him.
+
+But the fellow had no idea of his peril; he was at the very height of
+his triumph and his dark, beady eyes gleamed ferociously out of the
+shadows of that damp and silent vault.
+
+But he must have noticed that some of the color had come back into
+Clif's face.
+
+"You are still defiant," he cried. "You still do not tremble. But
+wait--wait till you begin to feel what I have for you. Did you see those
+iron things I brought in? Ha, ha! There is one I will fasten about your
+forehead and draw it tight till your very brain bursts. And then will
+you like it? Hey? Will you turn pale then? Will you scream? Ha, ha!--and
+I shall dance around you and watch you. Will you be sorry you interfered
+with me then?"
+
+Ignacio might have taunted his victim that way for hours, but he was too
+eager and impatient. He whirled about and sprang toward the door.
+
+"Santa Maria!" he panted. "I will get it! I will begin! I must hear him
+yelling!"
+
+And he snatched up something from the floor and taking the lantern in
+his other hand bounded back toward Clif.
+
+"Are you ready?" he exclaimed. "Yankee pig, begin to scream!"
+
+And he flashed the lantern's light upon him.
+
+That was the crisis of the situation; for as the Spaniard looked he made
+the appalling discovery that his victim's feet were untied.
+
+And he staggered back, dazed.
+
+"Por dios!" he gasped.
+
+And that exclamation was his last sound.
+
+Clif had nerved himself for the spring; for he knew that Ignacio might
+have a revolver and that no risks could be taken.
+
+But at that instant a dark, shadowy form rose up behind Ignacio.
+
+And one of his own iron instruments was raised above his head. It came
+down with a hissing sound, and then a heavy thud.
+
+And Ignacio dropped without a groan, without even a quiver. He lay
+perfectly motionless. His villainy was at an end.
+
+Clif had sprung up as he saw that, and he gave a gasp of joy. Then he
+sprang toward his deliverer.
+
+The shadowy stranger took no notice of him at first, but stooped and
+picked up the lantern, turning the light of it upon Ignacio.
+
+The villain's face was fixed in a look of horror; it made both Clif and
+the stranger shudder.
+
+The latter regarded it for a moment silently. The cadet could not see,
+but he was fingering a knife, as if undecided what to do.
+
+Who his mysterious deliverer was Clif had no idea. The single ray from
+the lantern did not furnish light enough for him to see anything; and
+the person had spoken but one word--"Fight."
+
+But the cadet's heart was full of gratitude; he sprang toward the
+stranger.
+
+"Who are you?" he cried. "I owe my life to you--let me thank you!"
+
+But the other motioned him back, and then for a few moments there was a
+silence, while both stared at Ignacio's silent form.
+
+When the stranger moved it was to point toward the door.
+
+"Go," said he to Clif, in a low, whispering voice. "Go; we will leave
+him here."
+
+And with that the mysterious person unlocked the great iron barrier and
+followed Clif out. The door clanged upon that ghastly scene, and Clif
+Faraday gave a sigh of relief.
+
+Yet there was so much before him that he soon forgot that hideous
+nightmare.
+
+For where was he going? And who was this stranger? And why had he
+rescued him? And what did he mean to do to Clif?
+
+Nothing could be learned in that dark corridor, for Clif could see no
+more there than inside of the room. But the stranger stumbled on and
+Clif followed.
+
+They came to an iron ladder, leading up to the floor above. Up that the
+man went, the cadet following; that took them to another long stone
+passage, dark as ever.
+
+On they went, turning and winding about, but still not hesitating. And
+then suddenly the man halted in front of a grated door.
+
+The key was in the lock and the door opened promptly as he turned it.
+
+"Enter," said he.
+
+Clif went in, and he heard the door shut behind him. It flashed over him
+then that he had only been taken to another cell.
+
+But when he whirled about he saw that the stranger had entered, too. The
+dark figure brushed past him and went across the room. A moment
+afterward Clif heard him in the act of striking a match.
+
+And then the light of a lamp lit up the little room. By it the eager
+cadet could see his rescuer, and he stared anxiously.
+
+Further secrecy seemed not intended. The stranger faced about and each
+looked at the other steadfastly.
+
+What the mysterious man saw was a tall, handsome American in a blue
+uniform, his face rather pale.
+
+Clif in turn saw also a man in a blue uniform; he had to take but one
+glance to see that he was a lieutenant in the Spanish army.
+
+He was a tall, finely proportioned man, rather young, and with a slight
+dark mustache. He had the dark skin and the features of a Spaniard; but
+Clif thought he had never seen a finer looking military man.
+
+For a moment Clif gazed at him in silence. Then he stepped toward him.
+
+"Tell me, sir," he said. "Why have you done this?"
+
+The officer answered in a low, quiet voice:
+
+"You will soon know," said he. "Do not be impatient."
+
+"You have saved me from a horrible fate," said the cadet, his voice
+choking. "I do not know how to thank you."
+
+"Do not try," answered the other. "You have some one else to thank."
+
+And then he became silent again, watching Clif. He seemed to be very
+much interested in him, from the way he studied the American's face. And
+once he gave a slight sigh.
+
+Clif looked at him in surprise; but the man turned away, and he went
+toward the door.
+
+"I will return soon," said he, again in that quiet, firm voice. "Wait
+here."
+
+There was nothing for Clif to do but wait; for when the door shut he was
+locked in the cell.
+
+That man's action was a mysterious one indeed. It left the cadet plenty
+to think of. He saw now where he got the keys. He was evidently one of
+the officers in charge of the castle.
+
+But why had he done it? Clif was utterly baffled before that question.
+
+But it was not for very long; he soon learned, and in a startling and
+unexpected way.
+
+Clif had not noticed it, but there was another door to that cell. It was
+behind him, leading to a small room in the rear.
+
+While he stood there motionless and lost in thought waiting for the
+Spaniard's return, that door was silently opened, and a figure stood
+watching him.
+
+And then suddenly it stepped out and came across the room.
+
+The cadet heard it then, and whirled about. He took one glance.
+
+And then he staggered back with a cry of consternation.
+
+It was Bessie Stuart!
+
+For one instant the two stood and stared at each other as if to make
+sure that their eyes did not deceive them. And then, with a cry of
+delight that came from his very soul, Clif sprang toward the girl.
+
+Bessie Stuart looked as if she had been through some terrible ordeal,
+for her face was pale; the emotion of meeting Clif almost overcame her,
+and she burst into tears upon his shoulder.
+
+Clif himself was so dazed that he hardly knew what to think. He caught
+the girl in his arms to keep her from falling.
+
+"Bessie," he cried, "how on earth did you get here?"
+
+The cadet's brain was in a whirl at that moment. He began to see what
+the Spaniard meant when he said it was for some other person's sake that
+he had rescued Clif. It was for her sake!
+
+And it must have been by some terrible sacrifice that she had saved him
+from the torture.
+
+"Bessie!" he cried. "Tell me--that officer. What----"
+
+The girl looked up through her tears.
+
+"S-sh!" she exclaimed. "It is all right. Wait."
+
+And at that instant Clif heard a key turn in the door, and knew that it
+was the man returning.
+
+Clif gazed into the girl's face and he saw a look of joy upon it that
+partially reassured him; then he looked up and saw that the Spanish
+lieutenant had entered and was watching them.
+
+In his quiet way he studied the faces of the two; he saw the look of
+happiness on Bessie Stuart's face, and he must have known that it was
+because she had met the cadet again.
+
+Clif saw him press his lips together resolutely. The cadet was watching
+him with the intensest anxiety, for he hoped in that man's actions to
+read the meaning of this mystery.
+
+But the Spaniard's handsome face showed little emotion, though his chest
+heaved and fell as he stood there.
+
+And then suddenly he stepped forward toward the two.
+
+"I have brought it, Miss Stuart," he said, with a dignified bow.
+
+He held out a heavy cloth cape, which the girl flung over her shoulders;
+then, leaning on Clif's arm, she stepped toward the door.
+
+"I am ready," she said.
+
+And without another word the officer turned and led the way out of the
+cell.
+
+He shut the door and locked it behind him and then went on down the
+corridor.
+
+Clif was mystified beyond expression, but he asked no questions. The
+three went on silently. Bessie Stuart was so weak that she had to be
+half carried.
+
+They had gone but a short way down the long passage before they met a
+sentry with a gun upon his shoulder; he glanced at them inquiringly.
+
+But the lieutenant was not one who could be asked for explanations, and
+the soldier saluted and passed on.
+
+They passed through two heavily grated doors, each guarded in a similar
+way. But still not a word was spoken.
+
+And then suddenly Clif saw the passage broaden out into a wide hall, and
+a moment later he came to what he knew to be the great door by which he
+had first entered.
+
+There were two men standing on guard there, either sentries or jailers.
+Clif could not see which. The party came to a halt.
+
+"Garcia," said the lieutenant, "these are two prisoners, Americans, whom
+I have been directed to take across the bay."
+
+The man saluted and bowed respectfully.
+
+"Have you the order?" he inquired.
+
+"I have not. The commander had no time to give one to me. There is some
+hurry in the matter, I believe."
+
+"It is somewhat irregular, lieutenant."
+
+"I will assume full responsibility," said the other, quietly.
+
+The man scanned the two prisoners closely.
+
+"They are not even bound," he objected.
+
+"I will assume full responsibility," said the officer again.
+
+He spoke rather sharply; and without another word the man hastened to
+swing back the door.
+
+And the three stepped out of that black prison into the open air and
+under the broad sky of heaven.
+
+And the lieutenant turned toward the two Americans.
+
+"You are free," he said, quietly. "Fly for your lives!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+CLIF FARADAY'S SACRIFICE.
+
+
+It is needless to say that Clif stared at the man in amazement. But an
+instant before he had heard him state that he was willing to assume
+responsibility for them as prisoners.
+
+And now he was saying that they were free!
+
+But there was no time to ask any questions. Bessie Stuart was clinging
+to Clif's arm and urging him on.
+
+"Have you got some place to hide us?" she inquired anxiously of the
+officer.
+
+"It is hardly likely that I would leave you here," was the other's quiet
+answer. "Come."
+
+He led them away from the prison. A short distance off there was
+standing a small closed carriage.
+
+"Here it is," said the Spaniard. "Step in."
+
+Clif helped the girl inside; and then entered himself. He expected the
+officer to follow, but he did not; he clambered up with the driver.
+
+And the carriage rattled off down the road.
+
+Clif saw his chance then. He turned eagerly toward the girl.
+
+"Bessie!" he cried, "for Heaven's sake, tell me what this all means. Who
+is this man? And why is he setting us at liberty?"
+
+The girl sank back weakly in the seat.
+
+"I will tell you the story, Clif," she said. "There is plenty of time,
+for we have a long ways to go."
+
+"He is ruining himself for us!" Clif exclaimed. "For you! Why he will be
+court-martialed and shot if he lets us get away."
+
+"I know it," groaned the girl, choking down a sob. "I know it. We talked
+it all over beforehand. But it was a question of his life or mine."
+
+"Are you sure he is not tricking us?" gasped Clif--"kidnapping us?"
+
+The girl smiled sadly.
+
+"You do not understand the circumstances," she said. "Wait, and let me
+tell you."
+
+Clif missed in his friend the old self-reliant manner that she had
+always had; she was nervous and weak, and it was plain that she was not
+well.
+
+And Clif was trembling all over with anxiety as he watched her.
+
+"Go on!" he cried. "Tell me. How did you get here, in the first place?"
+
+"You left me with Gomez," began the girl, taking a deep breath. "I did
+not stay very long, for he was marching about, and I could not stand the
+strain. He wanted me to go to one of the Cuban villages in the interior
+where his family was; but I was anxious to get back to the United
+States. And so I came here to Havana----"
+
+"To Havana!"
+
+"Yes, for I thought no one would know me."
+
+"And Ignacio saw you?"
+
+"Yes, and recognized me. But that was only the other day."
+
+"Where were you meanwhile?"
+
+"I had a letter to the British consul, and I stayed at his home. There
+was so much suffering in this city that I couldn't stay idle. I used to
+go to the hospitals to take care of the poor people, the Cubans. And
+that was how I met Lieutenant Hernandez."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"He is the man who has rescued us. He had been hurt in the Matanzas
+bombardment, and one of his arms was terribly cut. I took care of
+him--he was there because the military hospitals were crowded. And,
+Clif, I--I--I guess he fell in love with me."
+
+The girl flushed as she said that.
+
+"I should not tell, perhaps," she went on, hastily. "But it is your
+right to know this, and you would not understand if I didn't tell you.
+Clif, he asked me to marry him."
+
+Clif started and turned pale.
+
+"Bessie!" he exclaimed in horror.
+
+The thought of that girl's marrying the Spanish officer was terrible. It
+flashed over him that that was the reason why the rescue had been
+attempted.
+
+"Oh, Bessie!" he cried again.
+
+Clif had never breathed a word of love to her in his life. But all
+through their trying journey through Cuba he had protected her, fairly
+worshiped her. And he had thought she understood his feelings.
+
+And now he thought that he had lost her--she had promised to be that
+officer's wife! It was no wonder that he felt his hands grow icy.
+
+His heart fairly stood still as he waited for the girl to go on.
+
+"I will tell you," said Bessie. "You must know in the first place that
+this man is a gentleman, a hero in fact. You will understand it when I
+tell you what he has done."
+
+"Go on."
+
+"When he left the hospital, as I say, he begged me to marry
+him--declared he would resign from the army if I would."
+
+The girl was breathing hard as she continued; it was evident that the
+subject pained her.
+
+"I felt so sorry for him," she said, in a low, trembling voice. "For I
+think it has nearly broken his heart. I refused him. I told him that I
+liked him, but I did not, I could not marry him. I had been kind to him
+because he was ill. He swore that he would die for me--and, Clif, I
+think he has nearly carried out his promise."
+
+Bessie Stuart choked down a sob.
+
+"I refused him," she said again. "And then came the horrible Ignacio. He
+saw me on the street. That was three days ago; and that same day I was
+placed under arrest."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Why, Ignacio knew that I had been fighting with Gomez; you know we had
+a fight with some Spaniards when he was along. And so there was no
+chance for me. The British consul did all he could for me, but there was
+no hope. I could not deny the charges. And, oh, Clif, I have had a
+frightful time. I was taken over to those horrible dungeons in Morro.
+And I was sentenced to death. I was to be taken out and shot to-morrow."
+
+The girl stopped for a few moments to recover her composure.
+
+"And how did you find out about me?" asked Clif.
+
+"I will tell you," said Bessie. "But first I must go on about this
+Lieutenant Hernandez. I did not know it, but he was stationed over here.
+And when he found out what had happened to me he managed to come in to
+see me."
+
+And then Clif felt able to complete that story.
+
+"I suppose," said he, "that he offered to free you if you would marry
+him."
+
+Bessie Stuart smiled sadly.
+
+"You do not know the man," said she. "I will tell you what he did say. I
+can almost hear him saying it."
+
+"What?"
+
+"'Miss Stuart,' he said, 'you have said you do not love me. And I think
+you love some one else--I do not know whom; but I will not make you
+unhappy by urging you any more. I might take advantage of your present
+position to get you to promise to marry me. But I will not. If you will
+be ready to-night I will help you to escape, and prove what I said about
+dying for you.'"
+
+The girl stopped and sat silent, too much moved to speak. And Clif was
+too astonished.
+
+That was indeed the act of a noble nature. The cadet saw it all then,
+why the man had freed them and why he and the girl were both so quiet
+and sad. Lieutenant Hernandez had given his life for hers.
+
+It was fully a minute before anything more was said. Then Bessie Stuart
+began again, in a low voice:
+
+"About you," she said. "It was the lieutenant who told me, quite by
+accident. He said there were five Americans captured, one a cadet, and
+that he was to be killed. When I asked the name and he told me, I
+fainted dead away. And I think that hurt the lieutenant more than
+anything."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"I told him the story, how you had twice rescued me from the Spaniards.
+And he asked--he asked if you were his rival."
+
+The girl stepped abruptly.
+
+"And you said that I was, I hope," said Clif, quietly.
+
+Most women would have been embarrassed by a question such as that. But
+Bessie Stuart was not.
+
+There was some of the old-time self-possession in her voice as she
+responded. She turned and looked fairly into Clif's eyes.
+
+"I know you well enough to speak my mind," she said. "Yes, I told him
+that you were."
+
+And then the two sat perfectly silent, looking at each other. It was a
+very few words they had said, but they covered a lifetime of feeling.
+
+In that quiet way and under those strange circumstances Clif had
+unbosomed his heart; and Bessie Stuart had done the same.
+
+It was the first word that Clif had ever said to indicate how he felt
+toward her.
+
+For the two sat in silence for a minute or so; and then Clif went on:
+
+"You told this officer that I was his rival," said he; "that you loved
+me and that I was the only barrier to his hopes?"
+
+"I did," said the girl.
+
+"And he still was willing to save my life?"
+
+"You see what he has done," answered the other. "He said that he loved
+me, that he would risk his life to make me happy. And here we are."
+
+"But not happy," Clif added, half under his breath.
+
+Then again there was a long silence. One cannot say much when one feels
+as deeply as those two felt then.
+
+Clif thought of the heroism of that quiet Spanish officer. And his heart
+went out toward him. He fancied what the man's own feelings must be, the
+loneliness and the desolation.
+
+He had ruined himself, accepted voluntarily disgrace and a shameful
+death. And all in order that a woman who had been kind to him might be
+set free and made happy.
+
+Of the death there could be no doubt. When that officer was caught he
+would have it to face. And he would face it for the sake of Bessie
+Stuart.
+
+And moreover, he was aiding Clif, his rival, the one who was robbing him
+of his heart's desire; he was helping him to freedom so that the cadet,
+when his work in the war was done, might claim the woman he loved as his
+reward.
+
+That was heroism; not the noisy kind in the battle, which every one sees
+and applauds, but the quiet kind that knows it is right and cares for
+no one else.
+
+Clif felt that he could worship such a man as that.
+
+And it is needless to say that his conscience troubled him. What right
+had he to accept such a sacrifice?
+
+But the alternative was a terrible one. The lieutenant might flee with
+them to the United States; and then----
+
+Clif could not finish the thought; it made him shudder.
+
+Just then Bessie Stuart spoke again.
+
+"Clif," she said, "I have something to say to you. And I shall speak
+plainly, for there is no time to hesitate. I have told you how I feel
+toward you; I have told you that I loved you. Neither of us would have
+declared our feelings, I suppose, if it had not been for this situation.
+But I have been with you for months, and I have never known you to do
+anything I could not admire. And mine is no childish fancy, Clif, for we
+have been doing the work of men, you and I. Clif----"
+
+The girl choked back a sob--and then went on:
+
+"We must stop," she said, "stop where we are."
+
+Clif knew what was coming, and he felt his blood surging. Bessie
+Stuart's hand was in his and it was trembling.
+
+For a moment she could not speak; the words would not come.
+
+But then with that terrible self-command she sometimes displayed, she
+mastered her emotion and turned to look into her companion's face.
+
+"Clif," she said, "you know what I mean. You must let me marry this
+officer."
+
+Clif had known, and so he did not move when he heard those awful words.
+He sat perfectly motionless, almost frozen; he felt the girl's hand turn
+cold in his.
+
+The carriage rolled on, and for at least one long, long minute there was
+not a sound. The girl was listening, trembling again; and Clif, half
+dazed was thinking to himself, thinking again and again of that death
+knell, "You must let me marry this officer."
+
+And it was true. Clif knew it. It was his duty; and the feeling lingered
+in his mind that if he had half the heroism of that Spaniard he would
+have said so long ago.
+
+At last he spoke. His mouth was dry and his voice husky, but he forced
+the words out.
+
+And they were the right ones.
+
+"Yes," said he, "you must marry him. And we must never meet again."
+
+And then once more came the terrible silence. Bessie Stuart heard him
+choke down a sob; and her heart was ready to break.
+
+For this cadet was the dearest friend she had. She had been through
+terrible dangers with him, coming to love him more every day, as she saw
+the brave man's daring. And no one could ever know now how she felt
+toward him.
+
+But there was her duty; and though she was nearly ready to faint, she
+sat perfectly motionless by his side.
+
+And so for two or three minutes they rode on in silence; then suddenly
+they heard the driver of the carriage stopping his horses.
+
+"We are there," said Clif, in a husky voice.
+
+He turned to look at the girl once more; he found that she was gazing at
+him, and their eyes met.
+
+There was anguish in both of their faces; Miss Stuart could scarcely see
+for her tears.
+
+But Clif took her hands in his. All the emotion of his lifetime seemed
+crowded into that moment. He bent toward her and their lips met in one
+trembling kiss.
+
+And then with a set look on his face the cadet rose from his seat and
+opened the door of the carriage, which had stopped.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+A FAREWELL.
+
+
+Clif found Lieutenant Hernandez waiting for them to come out. Both he
+and the driver had descended from the carriage.
+
+It was quite dark where they were, apparently surrounded by a lonely
+woods. But by such light as there was Clif looked at the officer
+anxiously.
+
+Now since he had heard that story he was more than anxious to study his
+face, to see what manner of man this was.
+
+The lieutenant still wore the calm, quiet look; he seemed almost
+inspired.
+
+"If you will follow me a short distance," he said, "we shall reach a
+place where we can remain concealed until morning."
+
+He started across the country, after a few words with the driver of the
+carriage; they had not gone very far before the faint roaring of the
+breakers on the beach became audible.
+
+"You see," said the Spaniard, "we are near the sea. We are only about
+four miles from Havana harbor, and you may make an effort to reach the
+blockading fleet in the morning."
+
+Obviously, it would not do to try it in the darkness. They might be run
+down or lost or fired on or swept out to sea.
+
+"But it will be daylight in a few hours," said the lieutenant.
+
+And then the three went on in silence until suddenly a small hut loomed
+up in the darkness.
+
+"It is deserted," said their guide. "We can conceal ourselves there."
+
+And accordingly, they crept through the low doorway, and finding the
+place covered with straw inside, sat down to wait.
+
+There was no conversation among them, for each one of the trio was
+wrapped in his own sad thoughts. The place was in absolute darkness, and
+so they could not see each other.
+
+But Clif was revolving a plan over in his thoughts, and it was not very
+many minutes before he made up his mind.
+
+He rose to his feet again.
+
+"Excuse me for a while," he said. "I will return."
+
+And with that he hurried out of the hut.
+
+Bessie Stuart knew why he had gone, and after a moment's silence she
+turned toward the lieutenant.
+
+"My friend has left," she said, "in order that I may have a chance to
+talk to you."
+
+The officer answered nothing; the girl went on slowly.
+
+"Lieutenant Hernandez," she said "will you answer me a question?"
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"What do you intend to do?"
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that you will be court-martialed if you return to Havana----"
+
+"Yes," said the other, "I know that."
+
+"Do you mean to return there?"
+
+"Such are my plans at present," was the quiet response.
+
+Miss Stuart thought a moment before she began again.
+
+"Lieutenant Hernandez," she said at last, "you have been a hero to-day."
+
+"I have done my best," said the man.
+
+"You have done what few men would have. You have given your life for our
+safety."
+
+"Yes," answered he, "I have."
+
+"But there are other heroes, Lieutenant Hernandez," said the girl. "You
+have inspired us two. That is what I wish to speak to you about. I have
+a better plan than your return to Havana."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Come to America with us----"
+
+"And then?"
+
+"Then I will do my best to repay your favor. I will do as you have asked
+me."
+
+"You mean----"
+
+"I mean that I will marry you the day that we arrive."
+
+The girl said those words in a low, earnest tone. She saw the officer
+give a start, she even fancied she heard his heart begin to beat louder.
+
+But he said nothing. The two sat as they were in silence. The Spaniard
+was having his struggle then.
+
+The pause continued for at least five minutes; it was broken only once.
+
+"Does Cadet Faraday know of this?" asked the officer.
+
+"He does," said the girl. "We talked it over in the carriage."
+
+"And he said that he was willing to give you up?"
+
+"He did."
+
+"I am glad that I saved him," muttered the man.
+
+Bessie Stuart was a little puzzled to catch the drift of that last
+remark. But she soon saw what it meant.
+
+She was quite startled by the decision to which the Spaniard came.
+
+"Miss Stuart," he began, in a low, trembling voice, "this is indeed a
+reward for my helping you. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.
+It shows me that those I helped were worth helping. And it makes me all
+the more sorry."
+
+"Sorry?"
+
+"Yes, sorry that it cannot be."
+
+The girl gave a slight gasp.
+
+"What cannot be?"
+
+"I cannot marry you. I will not."
+
+The officer paused for a moment, then he went on.
+
+"It is plain to me," he said, "that you have worshiped this cadet. I do
+not blame you, after what I have just seen of him. I have heard of his
+bravery, too, and he is worthy of you--more so than I am. As I say, Miss
+Stuart, you love him; and you do not love me. You make this proposal to
+me from a sense of duty, and I cannot think of accepting it. You would
+never be happy again."
+
+The girl started to protest, but the lieutenant held up his hand to stop
+her.
+
+"No," he said, "there are more reasons, even stronger ones, I could not
+think of going to the United States. I could not think of turning
+traitor to my country. You forget, since I have helped you, that I am
+still a Spaniard; and while this war continues I shall remain with my
+countrymen."
+
+"But they will kill you!"
+
+"They may do what they please with me. It is not for me to say. I have
+done my duty; I will not become a traitor."
+
+The officer was silent for a moment, sadly staring ahead in the
+darkness.
+
+"You Americans forget how we Spaniards feel," he began slowly. "You
+think us foolish to fight for a dying country. I know that it is dying;
+for I am not one of those who blind their eyes and boast. I know that we
+are bankrupt and disorganized, our men dying, and our enemies closing
+in on us. We cannot keep up with modern nations. But, Miss Stuart, it is
+still Spain, my native land; my friends are there, my memories are
+there. And Spain's enemies are mine."
+
+There was a gleam in the proud Castilian's eyes as he said that; but
+then he sank back with a sigh.
+
+"It is useless," he said, "foolish, if you will. And I am tired of the
+struggle, tired of weeping at my country's trials, her follies. I shall
+be glad to leave. I can die without a murmur. When I go back to Havana I
+shall have no one to care about me, and it will soon be over."
+
+The man stopped abruptly.
+
+"I am through," he said.
+
+"You say you have no one to care for you," said the girl. "I will care
+for you."
+
+But the officer only shook his head.
+
+"I should ruin your hopes," he said. "You must not think of me at all.
+If I came I should have no way of taking care of you; I will stay in
+Cuba. And remember that I have done this to make you happy--because I
+love you. If I leave you unhappy I shall know that I have died for
+nothing."
+
+And there the matter ended. The calm officer only shook his head to all
+of Bessie's arguments; he had his mind made up, and was as firm as
+adamant.
+
+It seemed strange that the girl should be trying to persuade him to
+marry her; but in her earnestness she never thought of that. The man's
+sacrifice quite appalled her; she felt that she was not worth it, and
+she did all she could to persuade him of her sincerity.
+
+But Lieutenant Hernandez was unmoved.
+
+"I know that you love him," he said, "and I know that your heart is
+ready to break at the thought of leaving him. I can see it in the way
+you look at him. I knew it when you fainted when I spoke of his danger.
+And I do not blame you, for he is a braver man than I. But I will not be
+coward enough to separate you. You would hate me."
+
+"Hate you?"
+
+"Yes, and every decent American, too. What else has any man for a
+traitor? I should kill myself for shame. No, no!"
+
+And the girl realized to her despair what he said was true; but oh! how
+her heart went out to that man!
+
+The officer rose to his feet just then, as if to close the painful
+discussion. Bessie Stuart rose, too, and she held out her hand to him.
+
+He took and kissed it reverently; then his face still calm and
+dignified, he stepped to the door.
+
+"It is best," he said, "that I should go."
+
+"Can you not wait to see us start?" asked the girl.
+
+"You will find a boat on the shore just in front of you," began the
+other. "And you had best start as soon as it is light. But there is
+nobody about here, and you are not in any danger. As to my staying, I
+will watch you from the woods, a short ways back. It would not be well
+for me to stay here, for I am human----"
+
+The man paused a moment as he gazed into the girl's beautiful face.
+
+"I am very weak," he said, with a sad smile. "I might accept the reward
+you offer."
+
+And with that he bowed, then turned resolutely on his heel and strode
+away into the darkness.
+
+As he did so he passed Clif; and Clif, as he saw him leave rushed toward
+the dark figure that stood in the doorway of the hut.
+
+What had been Clif's agony of mind may be imagined. When he saw the
+lieutenant going away it had flashed over him that perhaps he refused
+the act of treason implied in his going to America.
+
+And Clif's heart began to throb once more with the wild hope he had
+tried so hard to suppress.
+
+"Bessie!" he panted. "Bessie! What did he say?"
+
+"He has gone back to Havana," was the answer.
+
+For an instant the two stood staring at each other, their hearts
+throbbing with an emotion they were ashamed to call joy. Clif saw the
+girl's slender figure trembling.
+
+And he sprang forward and caught her in his arms just as she fainted
+dead away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED PERIL.
+
+
+How the long hours between then and sunrise passed away those two hardly
+knew. Bessie Stuart, exhausted by her long nervous strain, sank into a
+restless slumber. And Clif sat with his eyes fixed on the gradually
+lightening doorway.
+
+Clif wanted to feel happy, but he scarcely dared. For he had before his
+mind the thought of that lonely Spanish officer, waiting somewhere in
+the distance to see them depart and leave him to his fate.
+
+It was a solemn thought, and it made Clif tremble. He almost wished that
+the man had not rescued him.
+
+But then again he thought of Ignacio and his frenzied cruelty, and he
+felt that he would have died himself to save any man from such a fate as
+that.
+
+And now it was done and there was no undoing it. There was no way of
+aiding the lieutenant, no way of persuading him, nothing but death for
+him to face.
+
+But as Clif sat there through the early hours of the morning and gazed
+upon that silent figure by his side he felt that his love for that girl
+was consecrated by that hero's sacrifice. There was a light of high
+purpose in the brave man's eyes; he was accepting his life and hers at
+the cost of another's, and the terms were such as made him feel the
+meaning of his existence. It was to be no child's play, no blind hunt
+for pleasure or wealth or fame, but a life with a purpose and meaning,
+a struggle for the right.
+
+"I think his face will always be watching me," thought Clif.
+
+And there were moments in his after life when the thought that that
+quiet Spaniard's eyes were watching made him shrink from the base things
+of life.
+
+The light that shone in from the eastern sky gradually grew brighter and
+brighter, and Clif awakened from his solemn reverie to the duty that lay
+before him then.
+
+He had Bessie Stuart to protect, and to lead from that position of
+peril.
+
+It would indeed be a frightful calamity, he thought, if that sacrifice
+of Lieutenant Hernandez should avail nothing. If that girl should fall
+once more into the clutches of the Spaniards.
+
+"For they are not all like that man," thought the lad.
+
+And so he waited nervously until the light was bright enough. And then
+very gently he awakened her and assisted her to rise.
+
+The girl was weak and exhausted, but she gathered her strength for this
+last final effort.
+
+"We have not far to go," Clif said. "And we will soon be safe."
+
+The two halted for a moment at the doorway of the hut and gazed out.
+
+In the faint gray light they could not make out the line of the shore
+beyond, but they heard the noise of the breakers and knew that it was
+not far away.
+
+And so half carrying his friend, Clif set out in the direction of the
+sound. Once only he turned again.
+
+That was to take a parting look in the direction he knew Lieutenant
+Hernandez to be.
+
+But he could make out only a dim line of woods behind him. No one could
+be seen, and the place was lonely and silent and gray.
+
+But Clif fancied those quiet eyes were watching him from the distance.
+
+There was no time to be lost, however, for no one knew when they might
+chance to meet with some of the enemy; they were in the midst of a
+thickly settled country.
+
+And so they made their way swiftly down to the shore.
+
+There they found a rowboat, drawn up on the beach a little beyond them.
+Clif was startled to see a figure standing by it.
+
+But it proved to be only a boy, and he hailed them and then disappeared.
+Clif knew that he had been sent there to guard the boat; it was more of
+the lieutenant's thoughtfulness.
+
+The sight of that guarantee of safety revived Bessie Stuart's spirits
+considerably; her step grew quicker and in a few moments they reached
+the spot.
+
+There were a pair of oars in the boat, which was a small one. Without a
+word, Clif set to work to put it off from the shore.
+
+That was as hard a task as could have been given him; for great waves
+were rolling upon the beach. But Clif was an athlete and a sailor
+besides; and the realization of their danger nerved his arm.
+
+He seated the girl in the bow and ran the boat out with a rush; he
+caught a favorable moment. He plunged on until the water was up to his
+waist, and then he leaped into the boat and seized the oars just as
+another great wave swept them in toward shore again.
+
+But Clif pulled for his life and held his own; and when the current set
+out again, he breasted the line of breakers and reached the sea beyond.
+
+Bessie Stuart sat perfectly motionless, grasping the gunwale, until she
+saw that they were safe. Then she gave a slight gasp and closed her eyes
+wearily.
+
+Clif had but one object, and that was to get as far from the coast of
+Cuba as he could; every stroke that he rowed put him further away from
+that dreaded shore.
+
+And he knew, though he could not see them then, that far out to sea lay
+the vessels of the blockading squadron. Once in sight of them and the
+anxious fugitives were safe.
+
+And so Clif put every ounce of muscle he had into that task. Not a word
+more was spoken; but the man's lips were set in a desperate resolve and
+his broad back heaved as he fought his way on.
+
+There was a heavy sea, and progress was frightfully slow. Now that they
+were so near to safety, to be recaptured would be frightful indeed.
+
+But yet the cadet knew that Spanish soldiers on the shore might catch
+sight of them at any moment, and come rushing down the beach to open
+fire.
+
+Clif had rescued one man from just such a plight as that; and so as he
+rowed he glanced nervously along the shore.
+
+But he saw no one, and no one saw him. The light brightened until he
+could make out everything along the coast, but there was no sign of any
+one's having noticed them.
+
+An so with his heart growing lighter at every moment Clif tugged at the
+oars and forced the frail boat ahead through the waves. It was but
+natural that his relief should be great, for his adventures upon that
+island had been terrible ones indeed.
+
+A warship is far from a safe place of residence, especially in war time.
+But Clif felt that if he once got under the American flag again all his
+worry would be at an end.
+
+And so every stroke nearer was a cause for joy.
+
+For perhaps five minutes he rowed on in silence. By that time he was
+some distance from shore, though their progress was slow in the heavy
+sea.
+
+But they felt that they were safe. They felt that there was no longer
+anything to be feared. And there was a silent prayer of thanksgiving in
+Clif Faraday's heart.
+
+And such being his feelings, the reader may imagine the horror and
+consternation that swept over him a moment later.
+
+For an appalling discovery was made, one that seemed fairly to freeze
+Clif's blood.
+
+He was struggling with his back toward Bessie Stuart. And the joy that
+was in his heart was turned to horror by hearing the girl give a shrill
+scream.
+
+The cadet whirled about.
+
+He saw the girl, her face transfixed and white as a sheet, pointing with
+a trembling finger off to starboard.
+
+Clif followed the direction of her gaze; what he saw made his brain
+reel, made him almost totter backward into the boat.
+
+Not half a mile away, coming straight down the coast and bearing down
+upon them at full speed, was a vessel, a low gunboat.
+
+And high above her bow was floating a Spanish flag.
+
+Clif stared at the frightful apparition as if he had seen a ghost.
+
+What it meant to him may be imagined--the failure of all their
+hopes--their capture and death!
+
+And there was not the slightest possibility of escape!
+
+Perfectly wild with terror the agonized cadet whirled about, gazing
+seaward, with a faint hope of the possibility of there being seen by
+some American vessel.
+
+But the gray horizon was not light enough for them to be sighted. And
+all hope was gone.
+
+Bessie Stuart continued pointing to the vessel as if she were paralyzed
+by fright.
+
+"Row! Row!" she shrieked.
+
+And Clif seized the oars frantically. But he knew that it was utterly
+useless. The gunboat was coming on like a race horse.
+
+And scarcely had he taken two strokes before the matter was settled
+finally. For there came a puff of white smoke from the Spaniard's bow.
+
+And almost at the same instant with a deafening, blinding crash, a solid
+shot struck the tiny rowboat.
+
+It plunged through, almost tearing the frail craft in half, hurling
+splinters about and sending the two horrified occupants tumbling into
+the water!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+RECAPTURED BY THE ENEMY.
+
+
+Clif was so heartbroken at that sudden ending of all his hopes, that he
+scarcely cared whether he was drowned or not. But he saw Bessie Stuart
+struggling in the seething waters, and toward her he struck out
+desperately.
+
+It took the cadet but a moment to reach her side. The shattered wreck of
+the wooden boat was floating near, and to that he struggled, helping her
+on.
+
+And they reached it, in what it sounds like mockery to call safety. The
+girl scarcely knew whether it were best to hold on or to drown.
+
+But instinctively she clung to the side as the great waves swept over
+them; and the two fixed their eyes upon the approaching vessel.
+
+She came on swiftly, sheering the water with her sharp bow. And Clif
+could see half a dozen men standing in the bow watching them.
+
+"Perhaps they have heard of our escape," he growled, "and come after
+us."
+
+The vessel was not coming from Havana, but the cadet knew that a
+telegram might have sent it out.
+
+At any rate, they were recaptured; and the horrors of Morro were before
+them again.
+
+Steadily the gunboat drew nearer; the two half-drowned Americans were
+reached in a minute or two.
+
+And the vessel slowed up and a rope was thrown to them. Clif desperate
+from despair, seized it and drew himself close.
+
+A couple of Spanish sailors leaned down from the low side and lifted
+first the half unconscious girl and then the cadet up to the deck.
+
+And then, weak and pale and dripping wet, they confronted a tall,
+ugly-looking Spaniard with an officer's chevrons.
+
+He stared at them curiously.
+
+"Who are you?" he demanded.
+
+And Clif, grim with desperation, looked him in the eye and answered
+boldly:
+
+"We are Americans," said he.
+
+"Prisoners?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"From where?"
+
+"Morro Castle."
+
+The Spaniard looked the amazement he felt.
+
+"Morro Castle!" he echoed. "Humph! How did you get out?"
+
+"Take us back there and you'll find out," was Clif's defiant answer.
+
+And with that he turned toward the girl to wipe her dripping hair from
+her face.
+
+He expected that the man would continue questioning them. But he was
+mistaken. The Spanish gunboat had done a risky thing, running out as it
+had, and her officers were anxious to get back.
+
+The man turned away and hurried off. A sailor with a pair of handcuffs
+approached Clif, and the cadet quietly allowed his wrists to be secured.
+
+Bessie Stuart was fortunately spared that indignity. The sailor gruffly
+ordered them to go below.
+
+The vessel, meanwhile, had resumed her trip. She had been running along
+close to the coast under cover of the darkness of the previous night.
+And now she turned to steal back.
+
+Clif's heart was heavy, and he was miserable beyond description.
+
+But he turned and silently followed the sailor to the companionway.
+
+They did not go below at once, however, for just then something occurred
+that made the sailor stop.
+
+The man who had first spoke to Clif, the captain, apparently, had been
+sweeping the shore with his glass. And just then he gave a startled
+exclamation.
+
+Everybody heard him, and the Spanish sailor stopped and turned to look.
+
+Clif was so listless and despairing that he did not take the trouble to
+do likewise; but when he heard the exclamations of the men he felt his
+heart give a leap.
+
+They were staring at a man on the shore.
+
+"What in the world can be the matter with that fellow?" cried the
+captain.
+
+"Santa Maria! he is calling to us!" exclaimed another.
+
+"He must be crazy," declared a third.
+
+The captain, with his glass could see more plainly than the others, and
+his astonishment grew greater.
+
+"Why, he's a Spanish officer--a lieutenant, I think! And he is trying to
+hail us. What can it mean?"
+
+"Perhaps he's got dispatches!" suggested some one.
+
+It flashed over Clif in an instant what that meant, and Bessie Stuart
+heard him give a muffled exclamation of delight.
+
+For he could see a blue-uniformed figure running down the shore and
+waving its arms wildly.
+
+"It's Lieutenant Hernandez!" he panted.
+
+And there was a wild gleam of hope in his eyes as he realized what that
+meant.
+
+He might rescue them again!
+
+Feverishly Clif watched to see what the gunboat would do. The captain
+continued staring and muttering exclamations of astonishment.
+
+"I wonder if he does want us," he cried. "Por dios, I do think that's
+it."
+
+And a second later he made up his mind and whirled about.
+
+"Hard a port!" he roared.
+
+And Clif's heart leaped with joy as he heard that order.
+
+The sailor was so much interested in that strange incident that he let
+his prisoners remain on deck while he stood and stared. The Spanish
+vessel raced swiftly in toward shore.
+
+And the stranger as soon as he saw that stopped his frantic
+gesticulating and stood still to wait.
+
+The captain ran in as close as he dared, and then stopped. He stepped
+into the bow.
+
+"What do you want?" he roared.
+
+"Send a boat," the man shouted back. "I must come aboard. Quick!"
+
+The captain muttered an exclamation of astonishment under his breath;
+but his curiosity alone would have been sufficient to move him. The
+gunboat's wherry boat was quickly gotten away.
+
+As for Clif, he was simply wild with delight. For he could see that it
+was Lieutenant Hernandez after all.
+
+Bessie Stuart was so overcome by the sudden shock of the discovery that
+she was scarcely able to stand, breathlessly the two watched the rowboat
+speeding in.
+
+The lieutenant waded out as far as he could, and when the boat reached
+him he climbed into the bow. In a few moments he was speeding back to
+the gunboat.
+
+And when he stepped on board he found the captain staring at him.
+
+"Lieutenant Hernandez!" he gasped.
+
+"Yes," said the other with a bow.
+
+But he scarcely glanced at the man until his eager eyes had sought out
+Clif and Bessie. When he saw them alive and unhurt a look of relief
+swept over his face.
+
+And then he turned to the captain.
+
+"What in the world is the matter?" the man cried.
+
+The other nodded toward the two Americans.
+
+"It is about them," he said.
+
+"What about them?"
+
+"Why did you stop them?"
+
+"Stop them! Why they are Americans, and they were prisoners in Morro."
+
+"I know that," said the officer. "But they were released."
+
+"What!"
+
+"Yes. And I was charged with the duty of seeing them safe on board the
+American ships."
+
+The Spanish captain stared in amazement.
+
+"Carramba!" he muttered. "Why didn't they say so?"
+
+"I don't see that you gave them a chance," said the other. "You fired on
+them too soon."
+
+"But I had no idea of this!" cried the other.
+
+To doubt that story never once entered his head; he seemed to know who
+the lieutenant was.
+
+"What in the world am I to do?" he asked, after a moment.
+
+"I don't see that there is but one thing," said the other.
+
+"Take them back to Havana and let them be sent from there?" asked the
+captain.
+
+"No," said the lieutenant, quietly. "That will not do; for the
+government has pledged its word that they shall be on the ships by
+daybreak. To make haste is very important."
+
+"But what else?"
+
+"Give them your small boat."
+
+"Carramba! I haven't got but one! And how will I ever get it back?"
+
+The lieutenant was puzzled for a moment.
+
+But suddenly he hit on a daring scheme.
+
+"Captain," he said, "my orders are from General Blanco himself. He
+charged me above all things to see these people safe at once, even if I
+had to go out to the ships with them. I don't see that there is but one
+thing we can do."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"We will have to hoist a flag of truce and take them out on this
+vessel."
+
+The captain started.
+
+"Can we trust the Americans?" he gasped.
+
+"They are expecting us," said the lieutenant quietly.
+
+And then for a minute the captain was silent; when he spoke it was to
+the man at the wheel.
+
+"Steer us out to the Yankee fleet," he said. "It will have to be done,
+and run up that white flag."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Perhaps ten minutes after that the blockading squadron sighted a Spanish
+gunboat coming toward them with a flag of truce.
+
+The New York steamed to meet it; and the vessel came alongside and
+without a word of explanation the two prisoners were sent aboard.
+
+Clif and Bessie both gazed longingly at the noble-hearted lieutenant as
+he stood on the deck and watched them leave. Their look said plainer
+than words, "Come with us!"
+
+But he only shook his head; and when he saw the two disappear upon the
+deck of the big cruiser, and when the gunboat was well on her way back
+to shore he turned with a slight groan and went below.
+
+Clif and Bessie wondered with anxiety and sorrow what would be his fate.
+They dreaded for him the worst tortures of Castle Morro, but the heroic
+Spaniard escaped that--in a way that Clif learned a few days later.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+CUTTING A CABLE.
+
+
+The cadet's report was soon made. Under ordinary circumstances he would
+have been ordered to report back to the Uncas, but that stanch little
+gunboat was then miles beyond the western horizon. Moreover, the admiral
+had other work for the cadet.
+
+As to Miss Stuart; there was a parting between her and Clif that was
+such as should be between acknowledged lovers, but it was a parting of
+the most decided kind, for his duty lay in the war, hers on land. She
+was sent to Key West on a cruiser that was then leaving the squadron to
+recoal.
+
+What the young man and the girl said to each other cannot concern us
+here, for we have now to do with Faraday's experience as a sailor. His
+love affair had to await the events of war, and so may the story of it.
+
+Clif's next service began on the morning following his escape. A small
+boat left the flagship and headed for Point Rubalcava on the Cuban
+coast. It was bent upon a dangerous mission; so hazardous, in fact, that
+volunteers had been called for to man the boat.
+
+The first one to offer his services had been Clif Faraday. There was no
+lack of followers among the brave American tars. Fifty offered
+themselves a moment after the cadet stepped forward, and the task was to
+select from them twelve men to form the boat's crew.
+
+"It is necessary to cut the cable as a war measure," said Rear Admiral
+Sampson, when the selection had been made. "You will proceed cautiously
+toward shore and grapple for the cable. If you find it, cut it. If not,
+you must go ashore and locate the landing place of the wire. Are you
+ready for the service?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" came the ready response.
+
+Rear Admiral Sampson looked upon the brave, eager faces of the men for a
+moment with evident satisfaction.
+
+"There is danger of discovery, and attack from the shore batteries," he
+added. "Success will depend upon your quickness and skill."
+
+The men well knew the danger that lay before them, but there was no sign
+of faltering upon their faces. Rather, there was an eagerness for
+instant action that was not lost upon the commanding officer.
+
+"Then go!" he exclaimed, heartily.
+
+The boat was lowered, and quietly set out upon its mission.
+
+It was in charge of a lieutenant, and Clif Faraday, in recognition of
+his being the first to volunteer, was placed beside him in the stern to
+steer the boat through the rough waters.
+
+It was still dark, though the eastern sky gave promise of the near
+approach of day. The time had been selected to enable the boat to near
+the shore without great danger of detection in the dim light. But by the
+time they should succeed in grappling the cable there would be
+sufficient light to enable them to complete their task.
+
+"All seems quiet on shore," said Clif, after a time, to the lieutenant,
+as they both peered forward at the coast line now looming up before
+them. "The Spaniards don't seem to be looking for us."
+
+"True," responded the lieutenant. "It looks that way. But you can't
+sometimes always tell. They may have a surprise for us."
+
+"If they don't shoot any straighter than they have been doing," said
+Clif with a laugh, "they'll never touch us."
+
+"That's true, too," assented the lieutenant. "But still you must
+remember----"
+
+"The Maine!" interrupted Clif.
+
+"Yes, remember the Maine! But, as I was saying, these fellows might
+possibly aim at something else beside our boat and hit us accidentally.
+At any rate, I hope they don't see us. We are not out to capture a fort
+armed as we are with nothing but revolvers, and in this open boat we
+would be an easy prey to decent marksmanship."
+
+"Still, the boys like action," said Clif.
+
+"We may have plenty of it yet," replied the lieutenant, with a suspicion
+of uneasiness in his tone.
+
+Meanwhile the boat, guided by Clif's hand, had drawn nearer the shore.
+They could see plainly the outlines of the fortifications, which had
+been recently battered by shell from American gunboats, and which they
+knew the Spaniards had attempted to repair. But as far as they could see
+all was quiet there.
+
+The boat was following what was supposed to be the course of the cable,
+and the men were constantly seeking to secure it with their grappling
+irons. The crew proceeded cautiously but expeditiously with its work,
+the boat passing to and fro across what they supposed was the line of
+the cable.
+
+"How is it, Wilson?" at last said the lieutenant, speaking to one of the
+men who was leaning over the side of the boat. "Struck anything yet?"
+
+"Not yet, sir," was the response.
+
+Nearer and nearer to the shore came the boat, the men coolly continuing
+their labors, seemingly as unmindful of danger as though the coast was
+not lined by hostile forces. The sun peeped above the face of the water
+to the eastward, and the darkness slowly receded before it. Every
+detail of the frowning fortification ashore was now plainly visible to
+the boat's crew.
+
+Clif looked intently along the shore, but there was no hostile movement
+to be seen. But he realized that the fast growing light of the rising
+sun must betray their presence to the enemy, if any such were on watch.
+
+"What a fine target we would make for them, too," he thought. "And close
+range at that."
+
+His thoughts were interrupted by an exclamation from one of the men who
+had been previously addressed by the lieutenant.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried the man. "I've got it!"
+
+The boat was quickly brought to a standstill, and willing hands assisted
+him. In a few moments the heavy cable appeared above the surface of the
+water and was drawn up to the boat.
+
+"Now, men, quick with the saws!" cried the lieutenant, excitedly. "Quick
+work, and we'll be done and away before the Spaniards discover us!"
+
+It required quick work, indeed--quicker than any of the brave boat's
+crew then thought.
+
+The lieutenant had no more than given his orders when an interruption,
+startling and unwelcome, occurred. He had been anxiously scanning the
+outlines of the fortifications and congratulated himself that no
+movement was visible in that quarter. The Spaniards were napping, he
+thought, and all was well.
+
+But the reverse was the case, as he quickly discovered. No sooner had
+one of the sailors began to saw away at the cable than suddenly and
+without warning a shower of bullets rained around them in the water and
+the ominous boom of a cannon from the shore told they had been
+discovered.
+
+"A masked battery to the left!" cried Clif. "They have ambushed us!"
+
+This was true. The fortifications which had alone received the
+lieutenant's attention remained silent, while from the left a concealed
+battery kept up a raking fire upon the small boat and the intrepid crew.
+
+The Spaniards had not yet gotten the range, it is true, but it was a
+tight place to be in--in an open boat, unarmed, helpless and exposed to
+the raking fire from shore.
+
+But the men in that boat were full of nerve. Not once did they falter
+while shells and shot whistled and burst over their heads, beyond them
+and even among them.
+
+"Hurry up, Wilson," cried the lieutenant to the sailor sawing the cable.
+"That cable must be cut before we leave the spot."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," responded the other. "If it kills every man of us!"
+
+It began to look as if that would be their fate. The Spanish shot and
+shell, which at first fell harmlessly into the water, now dropped nearer
+and nearer. Clif heard an awful buzzing and whizzing sound in the air,
+and seemed to feel something hit him in the face and head. It was not
+his first time under fire, and he knew that a shell had passed near
+them.
+
+The fire from shore increased in rapidity and with more accuracy. From
+another quarter, a jut of land nearer to the boat, came a fusilade from
+Mauser rifles, and their bullets passed near the heads of the American
+crew.
+
+It was a hot place, but the men worked coolly on, determined that their
+orders should be executed at all hazards. By rapid work one piece of the
+cable was cut, but that was not enough. Another cut must be made at
+least fifty feet away, so that the Spaniards could not repair it by
+splicing. As the last strands parted and the free end of the cable fell
+back into the water, it was discovered that the sailor held the shore
+end in his grasp, and that to complete their work they must now draw
+closer to the fire of their enemies.
+
+"Fifty feet nearer shore!" exclaimed the lieutenant, and the crew
+grasped the oars and unflinchingly began to carry out the order.
+
+The shots of the Spaniards began to tell. Bullets splintered the sides
+of the boat, and they had not moved but a few feet from the spot when
+another volley severely wounded two of the men.
+
+Wilson, the man who had been so active, fell into the bottom of the boat
+severely wounded in the shoulder, and another sailor who was near where
+Clif sat, was shot in the thigh. But the boat kept on, rowing nearer and
+nearer.
+
+Clif resigned the tiller to the lieutenant, while he bound up the men's
+wounds and comforted them as best he could. Then he jumped back to the
+tiller.
+
+This was an unfortunate move for him, for in that position he and the
+lieutenant were the most conspicuous figures in the boat, and the
+Spanish riflemen were making every effort to pick off the officer. A
+bullet, intended for the lieutenant, struck Clif in the arm as he took
+his place.
+
+"Are you wounded?" shouted the officer above the din, noticing that Clif
+momentarily paled.
+
+"It is nothing," replied Clif, resolutely clinching his teeth and
+continuing to guide the boat.
+
+Just then the welcome sound of the firing of cannon to seaward reached
+their ears.
+
+"It is the New York!" cried Clif. "She is taking a hand in the
+scrimmage!"
+
+It was true. With deadly accuracy, the flagship was hurling shrapnel
+shell over the heads of the bluejackets into the battery on shore.
+
+And thus between the two fires the little band in their frail boat
+continued coolly with their labors, Clif assisting those who became
+wounded wholly unmindful of the fact that he himself was bleeding
+freely.
+
+But it was soon over. The terrible havoc of the well-directed shrapnel
+shot from the New York quickly silenced the masked battery and dispersed
+the gunners and the cutting of the cable received no further
+interruption from the Spanish forces.
+
+They were enthusiastically received upon their return to the flagship,
+bearing a section of the cable to be cut up as souvenirs. The wounded
+were tenderly cared for, and Clif himself examined the nature of his own
+injury. Fortunately, though it had bled freely, it was but a slight
+flesh wound, which gave him no uneasiness after being properly bandaged.
+
+This operation was just completed, when a jaunty young ensign appeared,
+and turning to Clif, said:
+
+"Cadet Faraday, you are requested to report to the rear admiral at
+once."
+
+Clif saluted and promptly followed the officer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+A PERILOUS DETAIL.
+
+
+Clif did not have long to speculate upon the cause of the summons. The
+ensign led the way to the rear admiral's cabin, knocked, and with Clif
+closely following, entered. He then saluted and went out again, leaving
+the cadet alone with the officer.
+
+Rear Admiral Sampson noticed the paleness of Clif's face, and
+thoughtfully directed him to sit down.
+
+"I hear that you were wounded while cutting the cable," he said at once.
+"You were under hot fire while it lasted, and I am proud of the way the
+men behaved. I am told that you did not give up the tiller in spite of
+your injuries."
+
+Clif, though pleased to receive the praise of the rear admiral, bore
+himself modestly. It did not seem to him that he had done any brave act.
+
+"My wound was slight, sir," he said quickly. "It has been properly
+dressed, and gives me no trouble."
+
+"I am glad to hear that," replied the officer, "for I have an especial
+mission upon which I desire to send you, but of course would not think
+of your going if it should endanger your health. Other danger you do not
+seem to fear."
+
+Clif reassured the officer that he was ready and able to undertake any
+mission intrusted to him.
+
+"It is briefly this," continued the rear admiral. "While you were out
+with the boat, I received a communication by the dispatch boat saying
+that a courier from the Cuban chief, Gomez, is to be at a certain spot
+near, the coast to-night, bearing important dispatches from the
+insurgents. It is necessary that we send some one to meet him, and your
+previous experience on Cuban soil and your knowledge of the Spanish
+language recommend you as the leader of the party. Are you prepared to
+go? There may be danger----"
+
+Clif eagerly interrupted him. To his mind it seemed a great honor, as it
+really was to be placed in command of so important a mission, and he
+counted no danger great enough to cause him to hesitate.
+
+He told the rear admiral as much, forgetting in his eagerness for active
+service, that he was but a cadet.
+
+"Then it is settled," said the rear admiral. "To-night the New York will
+reach a spot nearly opposite the place of meeting, and you will be ready
+with a party of ten, whom you may select. Here is a diagram of that part
+of the coast, indicating the appointed spot where the courier is to be
+met."
+
+He handed Clif a roughly drawn map, which the latter examined curiously.
+
+"I know the spot well," he exclaimed, after looking at the diagram for a
+moment.
+
+"All the better," said the rear admiral.
+
+Then after some further directions and instructions from the officer,
+Clif saluted and took his leave, happy in the thought that he had been
+singled out for such important duty and that he would have this
+opportunity of active work.
+
+He was really glad, though he would hardly admit it to himself, to be
+permitted to seek some rest during the day, for his wound was painful,
+if not serious.
+
+It was late at night when, with a picked company of ten men, all armed,
+Clif parted company with the flagship and steered his boat toward the
+shore. The New York had dropped them near the appointed spot, but it had
+been deemed prudent not to take the ship near enough to attract
+attention to the intended destination of Clif and his crew. They
+therefore had considerable distance yet to row before touching land.
+
+"I know the coast pretty well along here," thought Clif, as he set in
+the stern, tiller ropes in hand. "We'll get there all right."
+
+Success depended upon their own efforts, for the New York slowly steamed
+away along the coast and in the opposite direction.
+
+Clif and his party sped along without any uneasiness. It was night and
+darkness favored them. There was no reason to think that their presence
+there was suspected or their purpose known.
+
+Still, for all this evident security, Clif kept a sharp lookout for any
+of the enemy who might be prowling along like himself, or, worse still,
+who might be scouring those waters with one of those silent little
+terrors, a torpedo boat.
+
+All went peacefully until they were within less than half a mile of
+their destination, and quite near shore. Then suddenly a rifle shot rang
+out upon the shore, and sounds of voices came to their ears.
+
+The Spaniards had discovered them!
+
+"Perhaps not," thought Clif, hopefully. "Silence everybody," he said,
+addressing the men, "and listen."
+
+Instantly the men ceased rowing, and every one strained his ears to hear
+the sounds from shore.
+
+That there was a company of the enemy at that point was evident, from
+the noise of many voices and the confused sounds that were borne to the
+listeners' ears.
+
+"They have discovered us," whispered Clif to the one nearest him. "I
+caught a few words of Spanish that convinces me that the sentry has
+heard our oars. Not a sound now! They can't see us in the dark, and will
+think it all a mistake."
+
+It was a waiting game that Clif had set out to play, and it seemed the
+only thing that could help them under the circumstances. It was out of
+the question to think of attacking the Spaniards, superior at least in
+numbers. There was other work for the night.
+
+Silently the American crew waited, listening for every sound. Soon these
+voices died out, and Clif concluded that they could venture to move once
+more.
+
+"Row quietly," was his whispered order. "I'd like to give them a volley,
+but that would spoil our plans."
+
+The men cautiously plied the oars and were soon steering softly toward
+their appointed place of landing. But quietly as they moved, the sound
+was borne ashore and they had not proceeded many boat lengths before
+another shot echoed across the water.
+
+"To thunder with the Spaniard," exclaimed Clif, out of patience with the
+fresh outbreak. "He's firing at random. Go ahead. We'll meet them
+further down the shore if they're not satisfied."
+
+This sentiment met the approval of the men, and they bent to the oars
+with vigor and spirit.
+
+They were gliding swiftly across the water, and had nearly reached their
+landing place, when Clif heard a noise that put him on the alert.
+
+"Do you hear that?" he exclaimed, after hastily stopping the rowers.
+
+The men rested on their oars and listened.
+
+"Sounds like the throbbing of an engine, sir," at last said one of the
+men. "It's a boat, sure."
+
+"Yes, but friend or foe?" exclaimed Clif. "It's not the New York. She
+went in the other direction, and I don't know of any more of our boats
+in this place."
+
+"Perhaps the New York is coming back," ventured one of the men.
+
+"No," replied Clif. "She's not been here for at least three hours. By
+that time we will be ready to return to her."
+
+"It must be a blockade runner," suggested one of the men.
+
+"Well, I don't see as it makes any difference," said Clif, finally. "If
+it is, we can't stop her. She can't be after us, for I am sure no one of
+the enemy knows our mission. There is our landing place. We must hurry
+or we will be late."
+
+With this he turned the prow of the boat toward shore, and gave orders
+to proceed. A few minutes later the boat grated upon the beach and the
+sailors sprang ashore.
+
+There was no one to dispute their landing. The coast at this point was
+wild and uninhabited, and but a short distance inland was the spot
+appointed for the meeting with the insurgent courier.
+
+Clif hid the boat among some bushes and quickly led the men up the steep
+bank toward a clump of trees.
+
+"This is the spot," he exclaimed as they reached it, "and we are
+evidently ahead of time."
+
+No one was in sight, as far as the eye could penetrate the darkness.
+There was barely enough light from the moon just emerging from behind a
+cloud to enable the sailors to take some notice of the surroundings.
+Where they stood, near the sparse clump of trees, it was smooth and
+level, but close to one side of them rose a ridge of ground forming a
+natural rampart. It almost seemed as though Spanish forms might at any
+instant appear upon it behind threatening guns.
+
+Seaward the view was unobstructed, and as Clif turned his gaze in that
+direction, he could see the moonbeams reflected on the heaving bosom of
+the waters. He saw another sight an instant after that caused him to
+utter an exclamation of surprise.
+
+Far out to seaward the beam of a searchlight suddenly shot across the
+water. It swept from side to side in a gradually widening radius, until
+after a few moments its glare fell upon a steamer whose hulk rose up
+between it and the shore.
+
+"It is one of our ships chasing a blockade runner," cried Clif. "She was
+trying to sneak out, but is caught in the act."
+
+The little party on shore watched with eager eyes the chase as shown by
+the bright beam from the warship's searchlight. In the excitement of the
+novel sight that was afforded them they for the moment forgot why they
+were there.
+
+Then a strange and mysterious thing happened. As they watched the
+pursued vessel they suddenly saw a flash from a gun on the side facing
+the land.
+
+"What fools!" cried Clif. "Firing toward the land instead of at our
+ship. The fool Spaniards must be rattled worse than usual. That
+beats----"
+
+He did not finish the sentence. As he spoke the shell fired from the
+ship crashed through the trees and landed almost at his feet. The fuse
+was burning and spluttering, and it seemed ready to explode on the
+instant, carrying death and destruction to the little party.
+
+It was a perilous moment. Several of the men instinctively dodged and
+seemed on the point of running away.
+
+Clif saw his peril in an instant and the only hope of averting it.
+Without a moment's hesitation he sprang forward and picked up the shell
+as it seemed about to burst. With a mighty effort he hurled the
+spluttering missile over the ridge of earth that he had noticed to one
+side, and then, with an involuntary sigh of relief, he instinctively
+huddled with the balance of the party in an expectant attitude, waiting
+for the explosion on the other side of the rampart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+THE CUBAN COURIER.
+
+
+But the explosion never came.
+
+The party waited breathlessly, expecting to hear a deafening sound from
+the shell, and to see the earth thrown up in showers about them. From a
+safe place of vantage they felt it was a sight worth seeing and felt
+personally aggrieved when, after waiting an unconscionable time, all was
+quiet on the other side of the natural rampart of earth.
+
+Clif had been surprised and puzzled in the first place to see the ship
+firing away from its antagonist instead of toward it, and was now more
+than ever perplexed. To add to the mystery, the ship did not fire
+another shot, either at its pursuer or in the opposite direction.
+
+Its only purpose now seemed to be to get away from the American ship. It
+seemed to stand a good chance of doing it, too; for it was evidently a
+very swift boat, and the pursuing vessel was still far away.
+
+"That's the queerest thing that ever happened," exclaimed Clif, when a
+sufficient time had elapsed to enable the shell to explode if it was
+ever going to. "What possessed them to fire over here, and what's the
+matter with the shell? I'll investigate the latter, at any rate; it's
+within easy reach."
+
+Though it seemed as though more than enough time had passed to give the
+shell a good opportunity, still Clif, for reasons of prudence, concluded
+not to be too exacting on the thing, but to give it a fair chance. He
+didn't want to crowd it too close.
+
+So he waited a while longer, and then cautiously climbed up the side of
+the embankment and peered over.
+
+There in the moonlight he could see the shell lying quietly upon the
+ground. There was no smoke now rising from it, and the fuse had
+evidently burned itself out. It seemed a harmless enough piece of steel
+now.
+
+He waited but an instant, and then vaulted over on the other side. His
+curiosity had been aroused regarding the matter and he for the time
+being lost all interest in the chase at sea, as well as the appointed
+meeting under those trees on shore.
+
+When he picked up the shell he was more surprised and mystified than
+ever.
+
+"What does this mean?" he exclaimed aloud. "A round shell of the
+old-fashioned type instead of the conical ones used nowadays! Why, a
+shell like this has not been used in any navy for ages!"
+
+He had been too excited at the moment of picking up the spluttering
+shell to note its shape or size, but now he saw at a glance that the one
+he held in his hand was obsolete and out of date. It was well enough for
+the old-fashioned smooth-bore guns, but those of modern make had no use
+for them.
+
+As he puzzled over the mystery surrounding the projectile he suddenly
+heard a whistle from the other side of the embankment. He recognized it
+as the signal from the insurgent courier, and at once was alive to the
+importance of carrying out the instructions that had been given him.
+
+He hastily dropped the shell upon the ground and sprang up and over the
+ridge of earth.
+
+He gave an answering whistle and soon a form cautiously appeared from
+among some bushes not far away.
+
+"Alto quien va?" called Clif before the newcomer had advanced a step.
+
+This was the challenge, meaning, "Who goes there?"
+
+The response came promptly:
+
+"Cuba!"
+
+This is the countersign of the insurgents, and Clif knew that it was the
+courier who had reached the appointed rendezvous.
+
+He called out to him to advance, and in the moonlight appeared the
+figure of an insurgent soldier, a mambis, as he is called in that
+country, a figure with which American tars were to become more familiar
+as the war progressed.
+
+His equipment was typical of the insurgent soldier. Beside a pair of
+linen trousers and a knitted woolen shirt, he wore a short blouse,
+called mambisa. This was a small shirt-like vest, with pockets front and
+back, opening at the belt, a handy way of carrying their cartridges
+devised by them through necessity during the previous ten-years war. A
+panama hat turned up in front and fastened with a silver star, completed
+his attire; for as to his feet, they were innocent of a covering.
+
+"Rather a summery outfit," thought Clif as he took it in with a glance.
+
+But he knew that it was sufficient for the needs of the insurgents in
+that climate, and that brave hearts beat under the unpretentious
+mambisa, and brave deeds were done by the poorly equipped soldiers of
+the army of liberation.
+
+The newcomer was effusive in his greeting.
+
+"I bring you greeting from our brave general, Gomez," he exclaimed in
+Spanish. "Greetings to our noble friends and allies."
+
+Clif received him cordially, but lost little time in preliminaries. Much
+more time had already been consumed than he had calculated upon, and he
+was anxious to have his business over with and return to the flagship
+with the important dispatches for which he had come.
+
+"I am honored by your words," he said, in reply to the other. "Cuban
+liberty is assured by force of American arms, and at the same time we
+have our own score to settle with Spain."
+
+"It will be done," said the Cuban.
+
+"But to business," continued Clif. "You have some papers for me, have
+you not?"
+
+"Yes," replied the courier, raising his blouse and drawing forth a
+package of papers from its place of concealment. "Important dispatches
+from our general for your gallant rear admiral. Besides much information
+concerning the Spanish fortifications and troops, there are details of
+our own plans and preparations which it would be ruinous to have fall
+into Spanish hands."
+
+"I'll see that the Spanish don't get them," he said, with a confident
+air.
+
+"Be cautious," exclaimed the Cuban. "The enemy have made one effort to
+intercept them. I was pursued a mile back from here, but my knowledge of
+the country enabled me to give them the slip. It was that encounter that
+delayed me."
+
+This was a danger that had not been reckoned on. Every preparation for
+the transfer of the papers had been arranged with utmost secrecy.
+
+"But did the Spaniards know of your mission here?" asked Clif, in some
+surprise.
+
+"I know not," replied the other. "It is incredible how they could have
+discovered it, but I do know that I encountered a detachment of their
+troops and that they pursued me."
+
+"Then they may be following you to this point," exclaimed Clif.
+
+"I think not," replied the Cuban. "I made a wide detour and know the
+ways of the land too well to leave any trail."
+
+"Nevertheless," said Clif, "our business is transacted, and the sooner
+we go our respective ways the better. These papers are now in my care,
+and I shall run no risk of their falling into the hands of our enemies."
+
+"You are a wise officer," exclaimed the courier. "And before we part
+allow me to present you this. It may interest you."
+
+With this he drew from his mambisa a paper which he quickly unfolded. It
+proved to be a sheet about ten by fourteen inches, and Clif could see,
+as he examined it by what light the moon afforded, that there was
+printing on both sides.
+
+"This," said the courier, somewhat proudly, "is the first copy of 'Las
+Villas' ever printed. It is set up and printed at General Gomez's
+headquarters under his own direction. It contains, besides orders, and
+an address from our beloved general, an account of your intrepid Dewey's
+victory at Manila. Ah! that was a magnificent victory!"
+
+"Yes," assented Clif, "and there will be others."
+
+"The American battleships are invincible!" exclaimed the Cuban, with
+enthusiasm. "With such noble allies we cannot fail to secure our
+liberty. We are no longer instruments, but members of the regular army
+of Cuba. God bless America!"
+
+The Cuban seemed in a fair way to continue his rhapsodies indefinitely,
+but Clif, having secured the papers for which he came, was now intent
+upon delivering them as soon as possible to the rear admiral.
+
+He therefore intimated as much to the courier, and the latter took his
+departure.
+
+Clif watched him disappear among the trees in the direction by which he
+had approached.
+
+"Now, men," said he, addressing his companions, "to the boat. The New
+York will soon be back ready to receive us."
+
+But they had not taken more than a few steps toward the shore when Clif
+suddenly stopped as if remembering something.
+
+"Hold on just a minute!" he exclaimed. "That shell! I have special
+reasons for wanting to carry that along. It will take but a minute to
+find it."
+
+As he started toward the ridge of earth beyond which he had thrown it,
+they were all startled to hear the sounds of musketry apparently near at
+hand. One volley was quickly followed by another.
+
+Clif sprang upon the embankment for which he had started, and looked off
+beyond the clump of trees in the direction from which the sounds came.
+
+He was in that position but a moment or two. A half-dozen reports in
+quick succession greeted his appearance--one bullet passing through his
+cap.
+
+He dropped on his feet to the ground beside his companions.
+
+"The Spaniards!" he exclaimed, hurriedly. "At least a hundred of them.
+From what I saw they were hurrying in this direction and not far away."
+
+They were on the alert on the instant. The sounds that reached their
+ears told them unmistakably that the force of the enemy far outnumbered
+their own, and were rapidly approaching.
+
+Should they await an attack or run for the boat?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+"IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY AND THE SAILORS OF THE MAINE!"
+
+
+"They must have followed the courier in spite of his cleverness,"
+exclaimed Clif. "And if they have tracked him, they know we are here.
+The question is, shall we meet them here or take to the boat and run the
+risk of being shot down without a chance to defend ourselves? The danger
+is yours as well as mine. What do you say?"
+
+But before the men could make reply a rousing cheer from the Spanish
+soldiers rang out upon the air.
+
+The little band of Americans expected to see the forms of their enemies
+appear among the trees at every second in an impetuous charge upon them.
+They had no doubt that the cheers were the signal for the attack.
+
+But to their amazement the sounds of approaching steps died out. Clif's
+practiced ear told him that the enemy had halted; but at the same time
+he recognized marks of enthusiasm among the Spanish forces.
+
+What could it mean?
+
+"Do they think they can scare us off by yelling at us?" exclaimed Clif,
+contemptuously. "They don't know us, if they think so--that's all!"
+
+The group of Americans listened intently. There was no doubt of it, the
+Spaniards had halted after their vociferous cheers.
+
+Clif decided to find out what it meant. If the Spaniards were preparing
+a surprise for him, he intended finding it out.
+
+Cautiously he climbed upon the little rampart of earth and looked away
+beyond the trees where he had first seen the approach of the enemy. In
+the moonlight he could plainly distinguish the forms of the soldiers.
+There were not as many as he had at first supposed--they numbered not
+more than fifty.
+
+In the midst of them he recognized a figure that explained the cause of
+their mysterious conduct, and at the same time aroused his fighting
+instinct.
+
+He quickly rejoined his companions, his eyes ablaze with the fire of
+combat.
+
+"They have captured the courier," he explained to his waiting
+companions. "That was why they cheered so lustily. A lot of jubilation
+over the capture of one man!"
+
+"They don't have such good luck very often," exclaimed one of the men.
+
+"They fired enough shots to repulse a whole regiment of insurgents,"
+exclaimed Clif, "but it was all for the benefit of this one mambesi. I
+don't believe they saw me at all, but that bullet through my cap was one
+of their stray shots."
+
+"But they must know we are here," exclaimed the men.
+
+"I doubt it," replied Clif, "else why do they halt so near and not
+charge on us? Shall we force the fight and go to the rescue of our Cuban
+friend?"
+
+"How many are there of them?" asked one of the men.
+
+"Only about fifty."
+
+"And there are eleven of us here! We can set them on the run! Let's do
+it."
+
+"We have done almost as much on other occasions," said Clif, "but now we
+are armed with only our revolvers. They are five to one."
+
+"We have plenty of ammunition," spoke up the men, eagerly. "You know we
+took an extra supply."
+
+"But there is another thing we must bear in mind," said Clif, who had
+been doing some quick thinking. "I'd like nothing better than to give
+them a lively tussle. But here are these important dispatches. They must
+not fall into Spanish hands. The New York will soon be due. If we delay
+we might miss her."
+
+"That's so," exclaimed the men. "But we can fire one volley at them
+anyhow."
+
+"One volley would do no good. It would simply betray our presence.
+Either we must fight to the end, or else sneak off to our boat before
+they discover us."
+
+The idea of having a lot of the enemy so near at hand and not offering
+them battle, went against the grain of all of them. They were not
+deterred by the superior numbers of the Spaniards, but Clif's words
+about the importance of seeing the dispatches safely in the rear
+admiral's hand had some restraining effect upon their ardor.
+
+Clif, with all his bravery, was naturally prudent, but was strongly
+tempted to make one effort to release the captive Cuban. He was their
+friend and ally, and in his heart Clif felt that if the captive were one
+of his own men, there would be no thought of hesitancy or delay.
+
+"One minute," he said, after weighing both sides of the question, "I'll
+take a look and see what they are doing."
+
+He sprang upon the embankment and peered off toward the enemy. The main
+body of the troops were resting on their arms, apparently satisfied with
+the capture of the solitary Cuban.
+
+Clif, however, could see that several of the soldiers were moving about
+from side to side, close to the ground, as though hunting for some
+object among the grass. Clif was puzzled to think what they could be
+seeking, but he felt convinced that the Spaniards had no idea of the
+near proximity of the Americans.
+
+Everything seemed to prove that, and Clif was not slow to make up his
+mind. There was time yet for some quick action.
+
+"They don't know we are here, men," he exclaimed, when he rejoined the
+others. "The Cuban will not betray us. We can surprise them, and if we
+sweep down on them with a rush and create noise enough about it we can
+make them think the whole ship's crew is after them."
+
+"We'll do it!" chorused the men, eagerly.
+
+"Then, forward to the rescue!" cried Clif, leading the way. "But quietly
+through these trees until we reach the other side."
+
+It would seem a foolhardy thing to do--to invite battle with such an
+overwhelming force, when they might quietly reach their boat and make
+away without detection. But their blood was up, and there was a friend
+and ally in peril of a Spanish dungeon or death.
+
+Without a moment's hesitation or further thought, they advanced silently
+through the sparse woods, revolvers in hand. They were few in numbers,
+but determination was written on every face.
+
+They reached the further edge of the clump of trees without giving a
+sound that would betray their presence to the enemy. Here they formed in
+line under Clif's leadership, shoulder to shoulder, ready for the
+charge.
+
+The moon had gone behind a cloud, but here and there they could detect
+the glistening of a hostile bayonet, and the sound of Spanish voices.
+
+They did not pause to contemplate the scene. The time for action had
+come.
+
+"The stars are fighting with us!" exclaimed Clif. "The Spaniards will
+never know how few we are in this darkness. Now, all together. A rousing
+cheer and at them!"
+
+At the signal a shout as of a hundred voices startled the unsuspecting
+Spaniards.
+
+"Fire!" cried Clif and a volley from their revolvers carried
+consternation into the Spanish ranks.
+
+The shots had told. Groans of the wounded mingled with the hoarse,
+startled commands of the officers.
+
+A moment later a return volley rang out upon the air, but the bullets
+flew harmlessly among the trees. The Spaniards in their fright were
+firing wildly.
+
+The Americans returned the fire and kept it up as rapidly as possible,
+yelling for all they were worth. This noisy charge had the effect Clif
+had reckoned upon. The Spaniards were thoroughly frightened and Clif's
+sharp ear told him that some of the soldiers were already on the run,
+and that the officers had difficulty in keeping them all from
+retreating.
+
+Clif knew very well that if the enemy had any idea of how meagre were
+his forces they would be bolder, and instead of trying to get away would
+sweep down upon him with overwhelming force. He, however, was too shrewd
+to give them a chance of finding that out. A bold dash would keep up his
+"bluff," and now was the time to put it into execution.
+
+Drawing his sword, he started toward them, shouting at the top of his
+voice:
+
+"Up and at 'em, boys!" he roared. "Charge!"
+
+Then facing about for an instant, he added in a lower tone:
+
+"Yell like sixty!"
+
+With a wild shout, the little band rushed forward, firing their
+revolvers as they advanced in compact line.
+
+This bold dash had the desired effect. The enemy could be heard
+retreating in disorder before them.
+
+With redoubled clamor the Americans pressed forward, spurred on by the
+excitement of the chase. The moon at this point emerged from its
+retirement and showed them the demoralized ranks of the fleeing
+Spaniards.
+
+But, unfortunately, it also showed to such of the enemy as looked back
+at their pursuers, what a handful of men had caused such terror and
+havoc. Clif felt that his "bluff" would now be called.
+
+But the beams of the moon also showed another scene that aroused all the
+Americans' indignation and fairly made their blood boil with rage.
+
+In spite of the panic the Spaniards had retained hold of their prisoner.
+But the first sight that Clif saw as the moon shone out clear once more,
+was one of the Spanish soldiers deliberately placing his revolver
+against the unfortunate Cuban's head and sent a bullet crashing into his
+brain.
+
+"Treachery! base treachery!" cried Clif, beside himself with indignation
+and horror at the scene. "Assassination of a prisoner of war! Boys,
+shall we allow such a vile deed to go unavenged?"
+
+The others had also seen, and there was no need to ask the question. But
+the answer came prompt and without a dissenting voice:
+
+"No, by thunder! Never!"
+
+"Then at them to the death!" cried Clif, leading them on. "In the name
+of humanity and the sailors of the Maine!"
+
+The blood-curdling atrocity had made demons of them all, and with a
+hoarse shout they sprang to the charge.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+A GAME OF BLUFF.
+
+
+Clif urged his little band of avengers forward with no thought of danger
+or of the consequences. The inhuman scene he had witnessed drove from
+his mind all thoughts of the flagship or the important papers he carried
+upon his person.
+
+Such barbarity called for vengeance, and that brave American handful of
+American tars meant to wreak it on their treacherous foes, or die in the
+attempt.
+
+"Come on!" shouted Clif, wildly. "Give it to 'em! Don't let a man
+escape!"
+
+A well directed volley was the answer to his command, that sent
+death-dealing bullets among the frightened soldiers just before them.
+But, unfortunately for the heroic little band, they were now fighting in
+the open, and their strength was known to the enemy.
+
+A little further ahead Clif could see that a Spanish officer had
+succeeded in rallying some of his men, and they were now forming in
+solid line to repulse the charge of the Americans.
+
+The first result of this was a shower of bullets from the Spanish rifles
+that fortunately for the most part went wide of the mark. But one
+slightly wounded a sailor at Clif's side, as a sharp exclamation of pain
+quickly told him.
+
+It also aroused his native caution. What was the use, he quickly
+thought, of holding his men there in the full glare of the moonlight as
+a target for the enemy's guns, when a more certain conflict could be
+carried on from the shelter of the trees just behind him? He had too few
+men to risk losing any on those uneven terms.
+
+He quickly ordered his men to drop back into the woods. But it was with
+great difficulty at first that he could inforce his commands upon the
+now thoroughly aroused sailors. They wanted to continue their impetuous
+charge.
+
+But a second volley from the remaining troops showed them the wisdom of
+Clif's decision, and with a return volley they fell back into the
+darkness and shelter of the trees.
+
+"Now, boys," cried Clif, "every man behind a tree and fight for all you
+are worth. Let every shot tell."
+
+The wisdom of Clif's stand became at once apparent. From the ambush of
+the woods they could fire with little fear of stopping a Spanish bullet
+with their own bodies.
+
+And they did fire, and that to good purpose.
+
+The Spaniards were now bolder and bore down upon the ambushed Americans
+with some semblance of order. But at each volley from the sailors there
+was a wavering in the ranks of the foe, and Clif could see that more
+than one dropped wounded from the ranks.
+
+"We'll lick 'em yet!" cried Clif, with enthusiasm. "Keep it up, boys!"
+
+But the Spaniards advanced steadily in spite of their losses. They, too,
+were fully aroused at the thought that they had been so roughly handled
+by such a small number of men.
+
+Clif and his gallant band were compelled to drop back from tree to tree.
+It began to look as though the Spaniards would in the end become
+victorious.
+
+But with the Americans it was do or die. There was no hope of help or
+succor from any source. No reinforcements were at hand, and none could
+be sent in time from the flagship, even did those on board suspect the
+plight in which that boat's crew found itself.
+
+But desperate cases require desperate measures, and Clif was equal to
+the emergency. When it became evident that the Spaniards would indeed
+fight, Clif's busy brain thought of a means to turn the tide of
+conflict.
+
+It was a slight hope, to be sure, but the only one that presented
+itself. He smiled in spite of himself, in view of his meagre forces at
+the thought that the only way to achieve victory was by a flank
+movement.
+
+"I'll take two men," he said hurriedly, "and slip around behind those
+fellows. The rest of you keep up your fire here, and if our lungs hold
+out we'll make them think we have reinforcements."
+
+It was a very risky move, but with two companions Clif put it into
+execution at once. They hurried through the woods so as to flank the
+enemy, an easy task, as the latter were now well up to the little grove.
+
+As they reached the edge of the woods which would bring them in the
+enemy's rear, they set up a mighty shout.
+
+"At them, boys!" Clif yelled at his imaginary forces. "Come on! we've
+got 'em!"
+
+Then in Spanish he cried, so that the enemy could hear:
+
+"Surrender, you Spaniards! Twelve men have held you, and now we'll take
+you!"
+
+He had reached the edge of the clearing, and paused a moment, facing
+around and beckoning to his imaginary reinforcements.
+
+The Spaniards were completely bewildered. The fire from those that Clif
+had left behind continued without intermission, and the Spaniards could
+not but think that the vociferous sailors in their rear were new
+arrivals.
+
+They could not in the first place conceive of the daring and hardihood
+that would lead a dozen men to oppose their forces unless reserves were
+near at hand. And now, thought they, these reinforcements had arrived.
+
+Clif and his companions made noise enough to give color to this belief,
+and without stopping to see what there was behind the demonstration, the
+Spaniards took to their heels.
+
+"They are not men, but devils!" Clif heard some one say in Spanish, as
+they dropped their rifles and start on the run.
+
+Even the officer who had succeeded once in holding a remnant of his
+panic-stricken forces together, now gave up the fight and sprinted away
+as fast as the rest.
+
+Every man seemed to be looking for his own safety, and they did not
+pause to see what was behind them. Here and there, it is true, one of
+the fleeing Spaniards could be seen helping a wounded companion in his
+flight. But as for further resistance, there was none.
+
+Clif could not forbear to laugh at the odd sight of an army in a foot
+race to escape a few American sailors.
+
+"American bluff has won the day," he laughed. "Our Cuban friend's death
+has been avenged, and that without the loss of a man on our side."
+
+"The Spanish are good sprinters, at any rate," said one of the men, as
+they started with Clif to rejoin their companions.
+
+Here Clif had all he could do to restrain his followers from continuing
+in pursuit of the enemy.
+
+"No," said he in response to the earnest pleading. "We had better leave
+well enough alone. These Spaniards say we are not men, but devils, and
+I guess they don't care for another interview. The New York no doubt is
+waiting for us, and these dispatches are yet to be delivered."
+
+There was no use to grumble, so the party set out on the return to their
+boat. They were highly enthusiastic over the good work done under Clif's
+leadership, and were proud of his pluck as well as the good generalship
+he had shown.
+
+The tide of battle had carried them some distance from the spot where
+they had met the Cuban courier, and further still from where they had
+concealed their boat.
+
+But they picked their way expeditiously through the woods, and reached
+the beach without further incident.
+
+They were near the clump of trees which they recognized as that behind
+which they had hidden the boat when Clif stopped with a sudden
+exclamation.
+
+"Gorry!" he said, "I have forgotten that shell. It won't take but a
+minute to return for it."
+
+"What's the use, sir?" ventured one of the men. "As you said, we'd
+better let well enough alone, and not run any further risk for a shell
+that don't even explode."
+
+"That's just the reason I want it," said Clif. "That shell is more
+important than you might think. I'll----"
+
+But here occurred an interruption that opened up more startling
+possibilities, and drove the unexploded shell from the attention of all.
+
+It was in the shape of an exclamation of surprise and alarm from one of
+the men who had gone a few steps in advance of the others, and had
+reached the boat's hiding-place as Clif spoke.
+
+It arrested Clif's attention at once.
+
+"What's the matter?" he called, sharply.
+
+"The boat, sir," cried the marine, appearing from behind the bushes.
+
+"What of it?"
+
+"It's gone!"
+
+"Gone?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Clif, followed by the others, hastened to the spot.
+
+The man had spoken the truth. The boat, which was now their sole
+dependence, was no longer there.
+
+They looked in blank amazement at one another and at the spot where they
+had fastened it in fancied security.
+
+What could it mean?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+IN WHICH CLIF MEETS WITH A SURPRISE.
+
+
+They were now in a perilous position.
+
+They could not return to the flagship, and at any moment the Spaniards,
+finding they were not pursued, might pluck up courage to seek them out
+and try conclusions with them once more. If they should find them on
+that narrow strip of beach the story of the conflict might be a
+different one.
+
+And then the disappearance of the boat itself pointed to enemies they
+had not counted upon. Who could have found and taken it?
+
+"Well, now we're in a pretty pickle," exclaimed Clif, when he became
+satisfied that the boat had really been taken.
+
+"Perhaps, sir, this is not the place where we left it," ventured one of
+the men, catching at that faint hope.
+
+"I wish you were right," said Clif, "but there's no doubt about it. The
+boat has been taken."
+
+"There's no doubt of it," the men echoed. "The boat is gone."
+
+But to make assurance doubly sure, they searched the beach under Clif's
+direction, examining every clump of bushes that was large enough to
+conceal the boat. But the result was a foregone conclusion. The boat was
+gone.
+
+"Now what's to be done, sir?" asked one of the men.
+
+What, indeed!
+
+"Something's got to be done," said Clif, with determination. "We've got
+to get off this island before daybreak. It's easy to dodge the
+Spaniards in the darkness, but entirely a different matter by day.
+Besides, we seem to have enemies down here as well as back there on the
+hill."
+
+He was scanning the water earnestly as he spoke. It was time, he knew,
+for the flagship to return to her position opposite that point, and
+await the return of Clif and his crew.
+
+Was she there?
+
+He could not tell. The face of the moon was again obscured by clouds as
+it had been most of the night, and it was impossible for Clif to discern
+any object at a distance across the water.
+
+He strained his eyes trying to catch a glimpse of the ship they had left
+not many hours ago, but the thought occurred to him, "What good will it
+do if I do see her?"
+
+But even as he looked the sky suddenly brightened in a tiny spot out to
+sea. A long pencil of light shot up from the water, and a cloud was
+tinged with a speck of dull white light.
+
+"It's the New York!" cried Clif. "The signal of her searchlight to
+return."
+
+They watched that tiny beam of light as though there was hope of succor
+in its rays, until it suddenly disappeared, and all was dark as before.
+
+"Now they are waiting for our appearance," said Clif. "But,
+unfortunately, we haven't got wings. Hello! What does that mean?"
+
+Clif had turned suddenly in a listening attitude toward the land. The
+others had heard the same sound that had attracted Clif. It was the
+solitary report of a rifle shot not far in their rear.
+
+"The Spaniards must be returning," said Clif. "They have made up their
+minds that we had no reinforcements because we did not pursue them
+further. I'll go up and reconnoitre, to see what they are up to."
+
+"I'll go, sir," volunteered one of the men before Clif could get away.
+
+"You stay here. You may be able to see some way of getting us off."
+
+With this he cautiously hurried up the side of the bank, leaving Clif
+and his companions in the shelter of the bushes below.
+
+With ears alert to any sound by land, they anxiously strained their eyes
+across the water. Could any way be found to cross the expanse that lay
+between them and the flagship?
+
+All were silent for many minutes, and then at last the searchlight of
+the flagship flashed out once more and swept across the waters before it
+disappeared.
+
+"So near and yet so far," exclaimed Clif. "They are getting impatient
+for our return."
+
+"If we could signal them," suggested one of the men, "they would send a
+boat."
+
+"But we have no means of doing that," said Clif. "We can't shout at
+them, and a pistol shot would not be heard, except by our friends the
+enemy."
+
+"Perhaps they will send a boat anyhow," persisted the hopeful member of
+the crew.
+
+"Perhaps," assented Clif, "after they get tired of waiting for us."
+
+In a short time the scout returned with news that was at least
+disquieting in their situation.
+
+"The Spaniards are after us, sir," he reported. "They seem to have
+rallied most of their men, and are now near the woods where we met them,
+cautiously advancing. They have scouts out looking for us, for I barely
+escaped running into one of them."
+
+"They have guessed the trick we played on them," said Clif, "and it will
+go hard with us if they find us. How near are they, did you say?"
+
+"They seem to be in the woods now, but they are advancing steadily.
+They are scouring the place thoroughly, and may be down on us any
+moment."
+
+"Well, boys, we'll do the best we can, if they do get here," said Clif,
+quietly.
+
+A calm settled upon the band, for now they knew their situation was
+critical. Their ammunition was nearly exhausted, and if the enemy should
+succeed in attacking them from the vantage of the hillside, there was
+little hope of a successful resistance. Should they succeed in eluding
+the enemy in the darkness, there was no doubt that daybreak would seal
+their fate.
+
+"There's no two ways about it," exclaimed Clif. "We've got to get off
+this island, and that pretty soon."
+
+"See, sir," cried the hopeful member, who had been intently gazing
+across the water. "They have sent a boat!"
+
+Clif looked in the direction in which the other was eagerly pointing.
+
+Sure enough, he could discern the outlines of a boat slowly moving
+toward them some little distance from shore.
+
+An involuntary little cheer went up from the others as they, too, saw
+the boat approaching.
+
+"We are saved!" exclaimed Clif, "and these dispatches will soon be in
+the rear admiral's hands."
+
+But suddenly the eager watchers saw the boat stop, then after a few
+moments veer around, and continue its course down the coast until it was
+almost abreast of the spot where they stood.
+
+Then it as suddenly stopped, and after a moment's pause retraced its
+course.
+
+"What's the matter with those fellows?" exclaimed Clif. "Are they afraid
+to land?"
+
+"Hadn't we better signal them, sir?" suggested the man. "They don't know
+where we are."
+
+The boat had again turned and was apparently patroling up and down,
+seemingly waiting for just such assistance in locating the position of
+the waiting sailors.
+
+But just as Clif was about to attract their attention by a mighty shout,
+his practiced ear caught sounds from the hill above that caused him to
+stop. The Spanish soldiers were unmistakably advancing.
+
+"Silence!" he cautioned, in a whisper. "The Spaniards are on the hill
+above us and the slightest noise will betray us."
+
+"But the boat, sir!" exclaimed the man. "We must signal it."
+
+"I'll bring it here," said Clif, with a sudden resolve.
+
+He began divesting himself of his blouse and trousers as he spoke.
+
+"What do you mean to do, sir?" asked the men, wonderingly.
+
+"Swim for it," replied Clif. "That's the only way."
+
+"But, sir----"
+
+"Don't delay me," said Clif. "Every moment is precious now."
+
+With this he quietly slid into the water and with quick, powerful
+strokes shot through the waves toward the boat.
+
+Clif was in his element.
+
+In the whole ship's crew none excelled him in swimming and diving, and
+it was with a feeling of confidence that he forced his way through the
+water.
+
+He made not a sound as he went along--for it was to avoid alarming the
+Spaniards that he had hit upon this plan.
+
+The boat was not far from shore and he reached it in a few moments. He
+was overjoyed to recognize that it was, as he expected, one of the boats
+from the flagship.
+
+There were two occupants of the boat, one at the oars and the other in
+the stern. Clif did not recognize them, but he did not pause on that
+account. Time was precious, and the boat must be gotten to shore and the
+balance of the party taken aboard without delay.
+
+"Boat ahoy!" he exclaimed joyously, as he reached the side without
+having been seen by the occupants. "Take me aboard, men, and then pull
+for the shore for all you are worth."
+
+Clif's sudden appearance and the words he spoke had a startling effect
+upon the oarsman by whose side Clif made his appearance.
+
+The latter started with an oath, and as Clif seized the side of the boat
+and raised himself partly from the water, his gaze fell upon the
+glistening barrel of a revolver and back of it he saw a face distorted
+with rage and hate.
+
+"Carramba!" fell upon Clif's ear. "It is an Americano! Death to the
+American pigs!"
+
+The occupants of the boats were Spaniards.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.
+
+
+The position in which Clif found himself was so startlingly unexpected
+and so full of peril that for a brief instant it almost unnerved him.
+
+Had he suspected the possibility of the boat being manned by Spaniards,
+he would have given up the thought as soon as he recognized it as one
+belonging to the flagship. It seemed natural that a boat should be sent
+to look for them after their protracted absence, and it was a decided
+shock to find that he had fallen, alone and unarmed, in the way of his
+enemies.
+
+But his surprise affected him but for an instant. He did not propose to
+be shot down if he could help it.
+
+The report of the pistol that met Clif's gaze rang out upon the air, but
+the bullet did not reach its intended mark.
+
+Like a flash Clif had released his hold upon the boat, and dropped
+beneath the water, just in the nick of time.
+
+The Spaniard peered over the side of the boat in the darkness, expecting
+to see Clif's form appear on the surface, and hoping to see his life's
+blood staining the waters, a testimony to his marksmanship.
+
+How could he have failed to send that bullet crashing through the
+American's brain? thought he.
+
+But nothing of the sort happened. Clif not only was not wounded, but was
+chipper as a lark. When he disappeared, he dove under the boat and rose
+again on the opposite side. The Spaniard would look in vain in that spot
+for his intended victim.
+
+But the Spaniard in the bow discovered Clif's head as it appeared for an
+instant above the water. With an imprecation of wrath he called his
+companion's attention to the spot. But one of them was armed, it seemed.
+
+The other rushed to that side, but when he looked in the direction
+indicated, revolver in hand, Clif had again disappeared.
+
+The American lad was as lively as a cricket, and busy thoughts surged
+through his brain.
+
+In the first place, he did not propose being a target for a Spanish
+bullet. But, above all, he wanted that boat, and, like the cowboy when
+he wants a revolver, wanted it "bad."
+
+"How can I get it?" he thought, as his dive brought him up near the bow
+of the boat. Help came from an unexpected source, for a few moments
+after, he was driven by a new peril to attempt the only plan that could
+accomplish it.
+
+The agency that led to his delivery was a shark. That was not the
+every-day business of his shark-ship--that of saving an imperiled life
+for those inhabitating those waters are especially hungry and voracious.
+
+But it happened this way: As Clif was quietly keeping himself afloat at
+the bow of the boat, confident that in that position he ran little risk
+of immediate discovery by his enemies, the plans and schemes revolving
+in his mind were brought to a sudden standstill by a sight that filled
+him with horror. A sharp triangular fin cutting the water like a knife,
+flashed past him.
+
+"Merciful Heaven!" he muttered under his breath. "A shark!"
+
+Death faced him on every side. To be sure he might frighten the shark by
+churning the surface of the water, but that very act would betray him to
+a no less certain death at the hands of his enemies.
+
+His resolve, a desperate one that caused him to shudder as he formed it,
+was reached on the instant. The broad back of his enemy, who sat in the
+stern, was within easy reach, and inspired his action.
+
+Quick as a flash Clif grasped the stern of the boat with one hand and
+with one mighty effort raised himself high out of the water. Before the
+Spaniard could divine what was happening, Clif's free arm was thrown
+around the fellow's neck, and he was drawn back into the water behind
+him.
+
+An instant after Clif clambered over the stern into the boat. With a
+shudder at the thought of the fate that awaited the luckless Spaniard,
+he addressed himself to the work that lay before him.
+
+And there was plenty of it, and lively, too, while it lasted.
+
+The other Spaniard, who had been peering into the water ahead, turned
+sharply around when he heard the noise made by the splash of his
+companion, and in the act involuntarily dropped the revolver.
+
+What must have been his feelings upon beholding the lithe and dripping
+form of the plucky young American emerging from the sea, may well be
+imagined.
+
+But Clif did not pause to study the effects. He seized an oar and sprang
+toward his remaining foe.
+
+"Surrender, you villain!" he cried in Spanish as he advanced.
+
+The Spaniard seized an oar and with an oath sprang toward the American.
+
+And there, on the quiet bosom of the water in the dim light of night,
+ensued a stubbornly contested duel, in which oars took the place of
+broadsword and sabre.
+
+Clif fought savagely and desperately. His blood was up, and he knew that
+now, if ever, he was, fighting for his life.
+
+But in the end it was fortune that favored him. A chance blow upon his
+antagonist's head rendered the latter unconscious, and victory again
+perched upon the young American's banner.
+
+There was no time for exultation, even if he had felt that way. The work
+had been too serious, and necessity for action was too imperative.
+
+Satisfied that he had nothing to fear from his enemy, now lying helpless
+in the bottom of the Boat, Clif seized the oars and turned the boat
+toward shore.
+
+It was trying work for one man to row that boat even the short distance
+that lay between him and shore--especially after the ordeal through
+which he had passed. But excitement buoyed him up and he made good
+progress.
+
+His companions in the shade of the bushes where he had left them had
+witnessed his exciting duel and were wrought up to tense excitement. How
+they bemoaned the fact that they were not there to help him!
+
+It became evident that there were other spectators, too; for no sooner
+had Clif seized the oars and began to row for the shore than a volley of
+bullets rattled out across the water from the hill that had witnessed
+such thrilling scenes earlier in the night. The Spanish soldiers had
+discovered Clif!
+
+In the face of this, Clif redoubled his efforts to reach the beach and
+rescue his companions, who might any moment be attacked by the soldiers
+in their rear.
+
+But the enemy's attention was concentrated upon Clif and his boat, and
+he shot through the waters in a perfect hail of missiles. They spattered
+into the waters all around him, but wide of their mark.
+
+He reached the shore, and as he sprang upon the ground his faithful
+little band could not repress a cheer at his bravery and pluck.
+
+But he urged them on. Not a moment could now be lost. The enemy, shut
+off temporarily by the overhanging hill, might be down upon them any
+second.
+
+Clif gathered up his clothing and at a word they all sprang to their
+places and the boat leaped through the water with a bound, and was away.
+
+"To the flagship!" Clif cried, and then uttered an exclamation of alarm.
+
+"The dispatches!" he cried, as he felt among his clothes. "They have
+been left behind!"
+
+At a word the boat was turned round and shot swiftly toward the beach.
+
+Yelling Spaniards could be heard racing down the hillside. They had
+discovered the landing-place, and bullets began again to rain about the
+water.
+
+It seemed sure death to return in the face of that fire, but the
+intrepid crew sped on. The dispatches must not fall into Spanish hands!
+
+The boat grated on the sands, and Clif sprang out. One instant brought
+him to the spot where his clothes had lain. Fortune favored him. As he
+felt along the ground, his hand touched a package of papers.
+
+"The dispatches!" he cried, as he sprang to his place in the stern of
+the boat, which had been turned ready for the start. He gave the word
+and away they sped, this time with the flagship as the goal. Spanish
+bullets flew after them, but they were safe. It was only when they were
+for a moment brought out into bold relief by the searchlight that again
+began to play from the flagship that the bullets of the enemy came near
+their mark.
+
+And then the firing ceased and the boat sped on. An enthusiastic and
+jubilant crew it was. Only Clif seemed in a dissatisfied mood.
+
+"Gorry!" he suddenly exclaimed, "I came off without that shell after
+all!"
+
+"You seem to lay great store by that, sir," said one of the men.
+
+"I do," said Clif. "But will not return for it just now. To the
+flagship!"
+
+Not many minutes later they were safe aboard, the captured Spaniard in
+proper custody, and, best of all, the dispatches were personally
+delivered by Clif to the rear admiral.
+
+But still Clif was not entirely satisfied.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+CLIF'S SECOND EXPEDITION.
+
+
+In spite of the glorious work accomplished in those few hours Clif felt
+chagrined that he had, in the excitement of the struggle on the boat and
+under fire of the Spanish soldiers on shore, been forced to return to
+the flagship without the shell.
+
+He had thought considerably about it even during the stirring scenes
+through which they had passed. He had his own ideas about it and wanted
+to put them to the test.
+
+Everything connected with it indicated to his mind some mystery, the
+solution of which would materially help the American forces.
+
+In the first place, the way in which it was brought to his attention was
+unusual, to say the least. That a ship being pursued by a hostile craft
+should deliberately fire away from the pursuer and toward the land was
+peculiar, even for a Spaniard.
+
+It was ridiculous to think that the shell had been aimed at Clif and his
+party, for even had it been broad daylight the American boat's crew
+would not have been visible to those on the Spanish ship. It was merely
+a coincidence that Clif happened to be where the shell landed.
+
+"No," thought Clif as he revolved this in his mind, "that shot was not
+aimed at our forces. There was some other reason for firing it."
+
+What that was he could merely conjecture, and he was not entirely clear
+in his own mind. That the mysterious purpose had been carried out to the
+satisfaction of those on the Spanish boat, Clif felt convinced, was
+evident from the fact that not another shot was fired.
+
+Then the shape of the shell was an important factor.
+
+"They are not using those round ones nowadays," thought Clif. "This one
+must be used for a special purpose. What that is, I'm going to find
+out."
+
+The arrival of the Spanish soldiers and their peculiar actions before
+the little battle that followed also demanded explanation.
+
+"They didn't know we were there," mused Clif, "or they would not have
+been so easily taken by surprise. Why were they there? Their capture of
+the Cuban courier was accidental, I'm sure. They were on some other
+mission."
+
+Last of all, the theft of the ship's boat and the strange behavior of
+the two Spaniards who had taken it and whom Clif had been forced to
+overcome added a peculiar feature to the affair.
+
+Taking it all in all, Clif felt that though they had bravely avenged the
+murder of the Cuban, and had brought the dispatches safely to the rear
+admiral, and with them a prisoner, still an important object had not
+been accomplished.
+
+He meant to return for that unexploded shell in the face of every
+difficulty and put his ideas to the test. He had this purpose in view
+when he delivered with his own hands the dispatches to the rear admiral.
+
+Rear Admiral Sampson glanced quickly over the papers after they were
+handed to him, and seemed highly pleased.
+
+"These are of the utmost importance," he exclaimed. "With this
+information we will be the better able to act in conjunction with the
+insurgents when the proper time comes."
+
+Clif knew the papers must indeed be of especial value from the rear
+admiral's manner, for it was decidedly unusual for an officer of such
+importance to unbend to that extent with an ordinary cadet. The rear
+admiral was evidently more than satisfied with the result of Clif's
+mission.
+
+After a hasty examination of the papers, he turned to Clif, who had
+remained standing, and asked some particulars of his meeting with the
+Cuban courier.
+
+Then Clif briefly but graphically told of his receiving the papers from
+the hands of the insurgent and of the latter's tragic death so soon
+after at the hands of the cowardly Spanish soldier who held him as a
+prisoner of war.
+
+Rear Admiral Sampson's blood fairly boiled as Clif gave him the details.
+
+"The cowards!" he exclaimed, with clinched fist. "It was barbarous!"
+
+"But, sir," continued Clif. "It has been avenged."
+
+And then he briefly and with modest demeanor told of their attack upon
+the company of Spanish soldiers, and their victory over them without
+the loss of an American life. More than one Spaniard had gone to his
+death to atone for that cowardly assassination.
+
+The rear admiral was plainly interested, and at his request Clif gave
+the particulars of his subsequent adventures and of the narrow escape in
+the boat from the Spanish soldiers firing upon them from the hill and
+shore.
+
+"Admirable! admirable!" exclaimed the rear admiral, when the brief
+narrative was finished. "I am proud of the bravery of yourself and the
+men with you."
+
+"And now, if you please, sir," said Clif, calmly, "I want to go back
+there."
+
+"Back there!" exclaimed the admiral. "Where do you mean?"
+
+"To the spot where I met the Cuban," replied Clif.
+
+"What do you mean? According to your account the place is swarming with
+Spanish soldiers."
+
+"Not many of them, sir," said Clif. "And it is not my intention that
+they should see me. I left something behind that I think is important."
+
+Then he told of the shell that came crashing through the trees where
+they stood, and of the series of incidents that had prevented his
+examining it as fully as he wished.
+
+He insisted strongly that the recovery of the shell was of the greatest
+importance, and intimated something of his ideas concerning the mystery
+that it suggested. He spoke to such good purpose that at last the rear
+admiral was disposed to grant his wish.
+
+"But it would be better to wait until you have had a chance to rest a
+bit," said the latter. "To-morrow night, for instance."
+
+"Delay is dangerous, sir, I think," said Clif. "Others are seeking it, I
+know, and it may not be there unless I go at once. There are still
+several hours of the night left, and I can easily accomplish it."
+
+The rear admiral had evidently been impressed with what Clif had told
+him concerning the shell, and at last agreed that he should go about it
+in his own way.
+
+"Very well, then," he said at last. "Take a boat's crew and go at once."
+
+"If you please, sir," exclaimed Clif, "I would rather take one of the
+small boats and go alone. One man can move about with less fear of
+detection."
+
+"Young man, you are undertaking a very dangerous mission," exclaimed the
+rear admiral. "But you seem to have the pluck, and I have confidence
+that you can take care of yourself. Do then as you wish, but take some
+signal rockets with you. Don't hesitate to use them if necessary. We
+will be ready to send you assistance if needed."
+
+Clif, highly pleased at the confidence that was reposed in him, saluted
+respectfully and hastened away to prepare for the venture.
+
+In a few minutes he was ready, the boat was lowered, and for the second
+time that night he left the flagship to face fresh dangers on the shore.
+
+But this time he was alone. Success and safety depended upon his unaided
+efforts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+THE BATTLE IN THE BRUSH.
+
+
+Was it a foolhardy venture, he thought, as with steady stroke he forged
+ahead away from the flagship, and toward the shore he had so recently
+left amid the clatter of hostile bullets.
+
+The enemy now must be on the alert, and he might be detected and
+captured the instant his boat touched shore. And he was not blind to the
+dangers that might confront him on land.
+
+"I'm in for it now, at any rate," he thought, "and I've got to succeed.
+This mystery must be solved, and I believe the result will show that it
+is worth all the risk."
+
+Darkness favored him, and besides he was alone; and for that very reason
+could move around with less risk of discovery once he reached land. He
+knew exactly where he had dropped the shell, and it would not take long
+to get it.
+
+It was therefore with confidence that he urged the boat forward.
+
+It was a long pull, for the flagship lay well out to sea, but Clif did
+not seem to feel the strain. He drew near the shore without detecting
+any hostile movement or hearing any sound that would lead him to think
+that the enemy were on the lookout.
+
+He decided that it would be prudent not to land at the same spot as
+previously. He therefore steered for a clump of trees a little further
+down the coast, and still not a great distance from the hill where the
+shell lay.
+
+Not a sound from the enemy reached his ears as his boat grated upon the
+sandy beach, and he sprang out to secure the painter to a bush.
+
+Then, feeling that his revolver was ready and handy for business, he
+cautiously began to steal his way through the shrubbery that fringed the
+shore.
+
+These screened his advance and soon he was ascending the steep bank in
+the direction of the previous encounter. He was getting further away
+from his boat and nearer and near to his destination.
+
+"All serene, so far," he muttered, as he advanced steadily without any
+adventure. "The Spaniards must have gone."
+
+But suddenly, as he was about to step from the concealment of the trees
+into a slight clearing that lay in his path, he heard a sound that
+caused him to dodge quickly back. Looking out he saw a figure close at
+hand and slowly approaching.
+
+A step further and Clif would have brought himself directly within the
+other's view.
+
+It was not Clif's purpose to invite an encounter, although he grasped
+his revolver in readiness for an emergency. He desired, rather, to avoid
+it, and to quietly make his way to the spot where the shell lay. That
+once secured, he felt that he could in the same way return to his boat
+and to the flagship.
+
+He therefore silently waited in his place of concealment to see what the
+enemy would do. The latter evidently had not heard Clif's movements, and
+continued slowly to advance, stooping occasionally and peering from side
+to side.
+
+"I think I know what you're after," muttered Clif below his breath. "But
+you won't find it here; nor me, either," he added, as he began to edge
+away from the position he held.
+
+As he did so, the other turned and slowly continued his course in the
+opposite direction.
+
+The coast was again clear, and Clif lost no time in putting what
+distance he could between himself and the unwelcome visitor. His course,
+too, led him toward the mound of earth behind which lay the object of
+his coming.
+
+When he reached the spot where he had met the Cuban courier he found it
+deserted. The Spaniards, after the escape of Clif and his men, had
+evidently withdrawn.
+
+With a light heart he sprang toward the rampart of earth and began to
+ascend its side.
+
+"In one minute it is mine," he thought exultingly, "and then back to the
+flagship and the test!"
+
+But a surprise was in store for him. As he vaulted over the top of the
+mound on to the other side, he landed almost into the arms of a man who
+was just ascending that side.
+
+The man was unmistakably a Spaniard, and from his hands there fell a
+round shell, that rolled away across the ground.
+
+The encounter was startling to both, but Clif was the first to recover
+his wits. His quick eye detected the fallen shell, and he divined the
+fellow's purpose.
+
+Before the other could recover from his evident fright, Clif sprang upon
+him.
+
+"So you have found it!" he muttered, as he closed in upon the Spaniard,
+"but finding's not keeping's this time."
+
+Clif's attack brought the Spaniard quickly to his senses, and he was not
+slow to defend himself.
+
+In a flash he drew his revolver, but Clif was too quick for him. The
+latter knocked the weapon from the fellow's grasp before he had a chance
+to fire it.
+
+Clif's own weapon was within easy reach, but for several reasons he did
+not care to use it. He wanted, among other things, to avoid a pistol
+shot which might attract others to the spot.
+
+The contest must be one of muscle against muscle; and to unusual
+strength Clif added a surprising agility that came in good stead in such
+a struggle.
+
+They grappled, and there in that enclosure formed by the mounds of earth
+on several sides the two began a furious hand to hand battle, the result
+of which long hung in doubt.
+
+The Spaniard was no mean opponent, and fought with enraged fury. Clif's
+astounding exertions during the past hours had been enough to exhaust
+the strongest and sturdiest, and he was compelled to acknowledge to
+himself, as the battle progressed, that it had made inroads upon his
+strength.
+
+Back and forth across the little enclosure the pair fought fiercely.
+Once Clif slipped and fell beneath his opponent; but an instant after he
+was upon his feet.
+
+His keen eye followed his antagonist's every move. He was watching for a
+chance to deliver one blow that would settle the combat. Several times
+he had landed upon the Spaniard's head and face, inflicting severe
+punishment, but not enough.
+
+At last the moment came. The opening presented itself in the Spaniard's
+guard, and with all the strength that was in him, Clif shot out his
+right hand. It went home. With a force that seemed to lift the fellow
+high into the air, his fist met the Spaniard's chin, and the latter fell
+backward to the ground.
+
+It was a clean knockout. Breathing heavily, the fellow lay where he had
+fallen, unconscious of his surroundings.
+
+Clif was panting from the exertion. He had received some punishment, and
+the wound in his arm was throbbing fiercely.
+
+But he paused only long enough to see that the fellow would not give him
+further trouble, and then hurried toward the spot where the shell had
+rolled.
+
+"I guess that'll hold you for a while," he muttered, looking at his
+fallen foe as he started away.
+
+"But he'll come out of it after a time," he added. "Gorry! how my arm
+aches all the way up to the elbow."
+
+It took but a moment for him to find the shell, for he had seen it roll
+from the other's hand.
+
+"That's it," he exclaimed, as he picked it up. "I'd know it in a minute
+by its shape and weight. Rather light for a cannon ball."
+
+But he did not wait to examine it there. There would be time enough for
+that when he reached the flagship.
+
+With a parting look at his unconscious antagonist he started away.
+
+"I'm sorry, my dear sir," he exclaimed, sarcastically, as he looked back
+on reaching the top of the rampart. "You seemed so attached to this
+shell, I'd like to take you along with it. But as I can only take one at
+a time, I'll content myself with this."
+
+Then he turned his back upon the scene of his contest, and started for
+his boat as expeditiously as due caution would allow.
+
+He met with no obstacle in the way, and found the boat just as he had
+left it. He threw the shell in the stern, and with a feeling of
+exultation sprang in after it and seized the oars.
+
+A few steady strokes and he was on the way toward the flagship. But
+there had been a change in those quiet waters while he was on the land.
+
+He had not gone many boat lengths from shore before he discovered
+looming up before him a slowly moving steamer. It was apparently hugging
+the coast and proceeding with as little noise as possible.
+
+"A boat trying to run the blockade!" exclaimed Clif, as he backed water
+and rested upon his oars. "She'll succeed, too, unless one of our ships
+should happen to discover her with its searchlight."
+
+And then his responsibility, in view of the discovery he had made,
+flashed upon him.
+
+"I must warn the flagship at once," he exclaimed, seizing the oars and
+sending the boat forward with a spurt.
+
+But after a couple of strokes he suddenly stopped again.
+
+"What a fool I am!" he exclaimed. "By the time I can row out to the
+flagship, it will be too late. They must be warned instantly, and there
+is only one way of doing it."
+
+He reached for the signal rockets he had brought at the rear admiral's
+order. Should he fire them?
+
+Those on board the strange boat that was nearly abreast of him did not
+know that he was there. If he gave the signal it would betray his
+presence, and no doubt lead to an attack upon himself in his open boat.
+
+Clif looked far out to sea for a moment, half hoping to see the flash of
+the searchlight play upon the water, and lead to the detection of the
+strange craft.
+
+But the delay was only momentary.
+
+"It is my duty to warn the ships," he exclaimed, as he set a rocket up
+in the stern, and drawing a match from his pocket, struck it upon the
+seat of the boat. "Here goes!"
+
+A moment later, with a sharp whirr and a flash of light, the rocket shot
+up into the air. A second and third followed; then Clif sprang back upon
+his seat and seized the oars.
+
+The signal had been given. He had done his duty at whatever risk there
+might be to his own safety.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+CAPTURED.
+
+
+Clif had elected to imperil his own existence rather than allow one of
+the enemy's boats to pass that blockade without warning to the American
+ships. But he had no intention of lying idly by in the path of the
+hostile craft.
+
+He waited but a moment after the glare of the last rocket had died out
+in the air, and then bent to the oars, and urged the boat toward the
+open sea beyond.
+
+And then he had every confidence that he had little to fear from the
+enemy's boat.
+
+"They'll have all they can do to look out for their own safety now," he
+thought, "without paying any attention to me. The New York has seen the
+signal, and will not be slow in making out the cause. Then look out, Mr.
+Spaniard."
+
+But there was more taking place upon those waters than Clif was
+cognizant of, and peril came from an unlooked-for source.
+
+His decision to send up the warning signal had been quickly formed after
+his first discovery of the strange vessel. He had seen at a glance that
+it was not a warship, but a merchant steamer. It was moving slowly, and
+apparently seeking, as much as possible, the concealment afforded by the
+shadow of the coast. Every feature about it showed that it was trying
+to quietly steal out past the blockading vessels.
+
+Clif had not delayed, but on the impulse of the moment had sent up the
+signal rockets while he was yet between the ship and the shore. But a
+few steady strokes would carry him beyond the enemy and toward the
+flagship, he thought.
+
+But to his surprise he noticed, on glancing over his shoulder as he drew
+nearer the vessel, that the latter was moving slower than before and in
+fact had just stopped.
+
+This was puzzling to him, for now, if at any time, the boat should be
+showing its utmost speed. Those on board must surely know from the
+signals that they had been discovered and that pursuit would instantly
+follow.
+
+A few words will explain the situation to the reader. The vessel was, as
+Clif suspected, endeavoring to steal out past the American ships, which
+were known to be in the vicinity. But a short time before Clif had left
+the shore for the second time, the blockade runner had slowed down, and
+a boat, manned by half a dozen sailors, had been sent ashore. An officer
+in the Spanish army, with important dispatches, was to be taken aboard
+at a point not far from where Clif had landed.
+
+The work of the Spanish boat's crew had been expeditiously performed,
+and when Clif sent up his signal, they were returning to the ship.
+Unnoticed by Clif in his excitement at the time, they were close to one
+side of his boat at that fateful moment.
+
+A pistol shot suddenly ringing out in the air and a bullet flying not
+far from his head apprised the cadet of danger from that quarter. The
+Spaniards, as was natural for them to be, were aroused to a high pitch
+of excitement against the youth whose vigilance promised to set all
+their plans at naught.
+
+With a hoarse yell of rage they tugged at the oars and their boat fairly
+leaped through the water after the intrepid young cadet.
+
+Clif saw the movement, and redoubled his efforts at the oars. It was a
+race for his life--one against seven!
+
+With frantic energy he tugged at the oars, and his boat shot forward
+with encouraging speed. At that moment the searchlight on the flagship
+sent its rays across the waters in answer to the signal, and a dazzling
+stream of light played upon the scene.
+
+It brought in clear relief the form of the waiting steamer, and the two
+boats racing so desperately near at hand.
+
+What a thrilling scene it must have been to the officers on the bridge
+of the flagship as with glass in hand they watched the exciting race.
+But it was not given to them long to note the cadet's desperate struggle
+for freedom, or to marvel at his great endurance.
+
+The race was a short one, and the result a foregone conclusion. There
+was no hope of Clif's escaping from the pursuing boat, with its crew of
+fresh and eager oarsmen. The latter closed in upon him with a leap and a
+bound, and soon were within oar's length of him.
+
+He recognized the uselessness of trying to escape from them, but was
+determined not to surrender without a struggle even in the face of great
+numbers.
+
+He dropped his oars and sprang to his feet, facing his enemies. He drew
+his revolver, but before he could use it one of the Spanish sailors, who
+had risen in the boat, knocked it from his grasp with his oar.
+
+The boats were now side by side, almost touching, and the dark hulk of
+the steamer was not many feet away.
+
+From the latter arose aloud cheer as they saw that Clif had been
+disarmed, and above the noise Clif could hear a few words of command
+from the Spanish army officer who sat in the stern of the boat at his
+side. It was to the sailor who had sprung up to attack Clif.
+
+"Don't shoot!" he said. "Take him alive!"
+
+Clif had seized an oar when his revolver fell with a splash into the
+water, and there was no doubt that he intended using it.
+
+But two can play at that game, and the Spanish sailor, forbidden to
+shoot, attacked Clif furiously with the oar, which he still held in his
+hand.
+
+Clif dodged, but as he did so another sailor aimed a blow at his head.
+The aim was good.
+
+A sharp pain shot through the young cadet's head, he reeled and all
+became dark before him. With a faint moan he fell senseless into the
+bottom of his boat.
+
+The contest had been short, and well it was for the Spaniards that such
+was the case. Already the flickering of the searchlight told that the
+flagship was hurrying to the scene.
+
+The Spaniards realized the importance of quick action. They had, on the
+impulse of the moment, retaliated upon Clif because it could take but a
+few minutes and because they felt that the chase would end not far from
+their waiting vessel.
+
+They congratulated themselves that it had, indeed, brought them almost
+to the ship's side, and now they lost no time in getting themselves and
+their prisoner aboard. Willing hands assisted from above.
+
+A couple of strokes of the oars had brought them to the ship's side,
+with Clif's boat in tow. In obedience to a command, Clif's boat with its
+unconscious burden was raised bodily to the deck. The captain thought he
+could use it in his business.
+
+A moment later the Spaniards with the army officer reached the deck, and
+the ship's captain signaled to go ahead.
+
+All now was excitement on board the Spaniard. Beyond securely fastening
+the arms and legs of their unconscious captive where he lay, they paid
+but little attention to Clif. They were all too wrapped up in thoughts
+of escape from the cruiser whose piercing searchlight was streaming upon
+them.
+
+Among the crew there was, here and there, a murmur against the delay
+that had been caused by stopping to take on the army officer, and with
+this was coupled a note of resentment against the young cadet whose
+appearance on the scene promised to spoil all their plans.
+
+But the captain's orders were carried out promptly, the more so as their
+own safety depended upon it.
+
+They were not without hope of making good their escape in the end, for
+they knew what speed their craft was capable of. It was a fast boat, and
+the throbbing of the engines told that she was being urged to her full
+speed.
+
+Amid intense excitement of crew and officers, the wild dash for freedom
+and safety had begun.
+
+Through all this confusion and flurry the cadet whose prompt signaling
+had occasioned it lay helpless and unconscious. The steady thump of the
+machinery below, which was steadily carrying him further and further
+from his friends, made no impression upon his ears, nor was his mind
+aroused by the excitement of the chase or the hope of rescue.
+
+But the race had not been long under way before he began to show signs
+of returning consciousness. He stirred uneasily in the bottom of the
+boat where he lay, attempting to move his pinioned limbs; then a
+long-drawn breath, and he opened his eyes slowly.
+
+The noise from shipboard fell upon his ears, and the sounds confused
+him. His surroundings puzzled him and his mind at first could not grasp
+the situation. Where was he?
+
+Then with a rush of recollection came the remembrance of the attack upon
+him in the open boat. His enemies had triumphed, he thought, and left
+him a helpless victim to drift about upon the open sea. But whence those
+sounds?
+
+He painfully raised himself to a sitting posture and looked out. To his
+astonishment, he found himself and boat upon the deck of a swiftly
+moving steamer.
+
+Then he saw it all, and realized what had happened. He caught a glimpse
+of the rays of the searchlight that still streamed across the water, and
+a moment after heard the boom of a cannon out at sea.
+
+"The New York!" he exclaimed. "She is in pursuit! But she's too far
+away, and can never catch this fast boat. The only chance of her
+stopping it is with one of her big guns."
+
+And then, involuntarily, he shuddered as he thought that, bound and
+helpless, he would share the fate of the Spanish crew if a shot from the
+flagship should penetrate the ship's side and send it to the bottom!
+
+He moved a little toward the stern of his boat, as best he could, to get
+a better view of the light that showed the approaching flagship. As he
+did so he struck a round, hard object that lay behind him.
+
+"The unexploded shell!" he exclaimed, as he recognized what it was. "I
+still have that with me, at any rate!"
+
+And then he began to tug at the ropes that bound his arms in a frantic
+effort to loosen them.
+
+The rapid throb of the engines below and another boom of cannon from out
+to sea told that the chase was becoming a hot one.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+CLIF FARADAY'S TEST.
+
+
+The excitement among the crew of the Spanish steamer was intense as they
+watched the light from the flagship and noted the course of the
+projectiles that came toward them. For this reason they had not observed
+Clif's movements, and gave themselves no concern about him.
+
+Whatever may have been his intended course of action, he was at last
+compelled to abandon it.
+
+Strain and tug as he would at the cords that bound his arms, they
+remained intact, nor could his ingenuity devise any way of releasing
+himself from their hold. Though hastily tied, the knots had been put
+there to stay, and Clif at last realized that it was a hopeless task to
+try to undo them.
+
+But though he could not free his arms and legs, he could use his eyes,
+and the scene was one thrilling enough to rivet his attention.
+
+The fast moving steamer, urged to its utmost speed, the exclamations of
+hope and fear among its crew, the more majestically moving flagship
+whose deficiencies of speed were more than atoned for by the range of
+her guns, suggested possibilities to one in Clif's position that might
+well set one's heart to beating wildly.
+
+If the steamer should escape by reason of superior speed, it would
+bring joy to the crew, but disaster to Clif, their helpless prisoner.
+If, on the other hand, a shot from the flagship should sink the Spanish
+boat, Clif perforce would share death with them. Little wonder that
+brave as he was, he struggled anxiously to free his arms and legs from
+their bonds.
+
+"The New York can never catch us," he exclaimed, when he had settled
+down to watching the flagship as best he could. "She is too far away,
+and this boat is too fast."
+
+There was little need of the searchlight now, as dawn was approaching.
+The forms of the ships could be distinguished in the uncertain light
+without its aid.
+
+Clif had been watching the flagship which was astern, but now, looking
+forward, he saw a beam of light in that direction. It was several miles
+out to sea, and shot across their path.
+
+"That must be the Wilmington," he exclaimed, cheered by a suddenly
+revived hope. "She can cut across our path, and all may yet be well."
+
+He looked back at the flagship and saw the red and the blue signal
+lights flashing their message to the ship ahead which was, as Clif
+surmised, the Wilmington. They also carried a message to Clif, nor was
+their meaning lost upon the Spanish crew.
+
+"They have signaled the Wilmington to intercept her," exclaimed Clif.
+"But it will be a close race."
+
+He heard the signal from the excited captain of the Spanish boat for
+more speed, and the throbbing of the machinery told that they were
+endeavoring in the engine rooms to carry out the order. It seemed as if
+the engines were already doing their utmost, but Clif could notice a
+slight increase in the headway they were making.
+
+It was a fast boat and no mistake, Clif thought, as he anxiously
+strained his eyes to see what the Wilmington was doing.
+
+Answering signals told that she had received the order from the
+flagship, and that those orders would be obeyed. Clif fervently hoped
+that she would be successful. He hated to think of the possibility of a
+hostile ship succeeding in running the blockade, and now this patriotic
+impulse was heightened by the fact that he was a helpless prisoner on
+board the very boat that promised to accomplish that feat.
+
+For, as he watched the race, there was a growing conviction in Clif's
+mind that the Wilmington was so far out to sea that she could not hope
+to stop the Spanish steamer except by the power of her guns. And a hole
+in the side of the enemy's vessel, however desirable under ordinary
+circumstances, did not coincide with his hopes or ideas on this
+occasion. He had no desire to share a watery grave with his captors.
+
+The two boats were heading for the same point, the Wilmington seeking to
+block the path the other was following. One of her guns spoke out, but
+the shot fell short. She was not in range.
+
+Faster went the Spanish boat, and nearer to the objective point raced
+the two vessels.
+
+Clif breathlessly watched the pursuing craft whose success meant so much
+to him. Could she win?
+
+The Spaniards shared his excitement, and watched their opponent with
+fully as much eagerness. At last they broke out into a cheer.
+
+Clif was not slow to understand its import. The Spanish boat was making
+really a phenomenal run, and had reached a point where it was evident
+that if they maintained their speed they would soon be past the
+dangerous line. That once reached they could show the Yankee boat a
+clean pair of heels.
+
+Clif's spirits fell when he realized that the Spaniards had good cause
+for their jubilation. There was no doubt now that the steamer could pass
+the danger line and then away.
+
+The Wilmington, too, seemed to realize that there was no hope of
+catching up with the other vessel, for now the cannon boomed out in
+rapid succession. They were rapidly drawing nearer and within range.
+
+A shot swept across the Spaniard's bows, but on she went. Then another
+struck the bridge upon which the captain stood glass in hand, and he had
+a narrow escape from flying splinters. But the goal was too near for
+them to stop, and he signaled for more steam.
+
+Clif could not but admire this officer's pluck. Under other
+circumstances, he would have said that the Spaniard deserved to win.
+
+The vessel seemed to struggle to do what was demanded of her, and sped
+on. Another shot from the Wilmington rattled across her bows, but the
+crew answered with a cheer. Five minutes more and they would be round
+the point and then----
+
+What would happen then was never to be known. Suddenly a loud explosion
+was heard from below, and the whole frame of the steamer shook from end
+to end. Men rushed on deck in a panic, and wildly proclaimed the cause.
+
+A steam pipe, urged beyond its strength, had exploded, carrying
+destruction with it. The race was lost, and the captain promptly hauled
+down his flag.
+
+But as he did so, he gave orders to steer toward the land, and the
+steamer came to a standstill not far from the shore.
+
+The Spanish army officer carrying the dispatches entered a boat that was
+quickly lowered and when the prize crew from the Wilmington boarded the
+steamer he was safe upon land and his escape was assured.
+
+When the officer in charge of the prize crew had finished the
+formalities, Clif attracted his attention. The cadet had apparently been
+forgotten by his captors in the excitement of the chase and the calamity
+that had come upon them. The American officer was astonished beyond
+measure to find one wearing the familiar uniform in such a plight on
+that boat.
+
+"Why, Mr. Faraday," he exclaimed upon learning Clif's identity, and
+having released him from his bonds, "we were not aware that they had an
+American on board as a prisoner."
+
+"I thought not, from the way you were firing at us," said Clif, with a
+smile. "I thought more than once that you would send this particular
+American to the bottom along with the shipload of the enemy. You were
+firing too accurately to suit me this time."
+
+"Well, the American boys do come pretty near hitting what they aim at,"
+responded the officer, evidently pleased at the compliment to their
+marksmanship. "But I am curious to know how it has happened that we find
+you here."
+
+Clif then briefly told of the adventures that followed his finding of
+the unexploded shell, which he picked up from its lodgment in the boat
+and held in his hand.
+
+"So you have risked your life for that piece of steel!" exclaimed the
+officer. "What can have been your purpose in that?"
+
+"Does it not strike you, sir, that there is something peculiar about
+it?" asked Clif, as the other examined it.
+
+"Yes," replied the officer, "it is decidedly out of date, and might be
+interesting as a relic, but not of sufficient importance to risk one's
+life for."
+
+"I had an idea that there was a mystery about it that was well worth
+solving," replied Clif. "And with your permission, sir, I will put the
+matter to a test."
+
+"As you like," responded the officer, with the air of a man who is
+indulging some childish fancy.
+
+Clif was not slow to take advantage of the permission granted, and
+carried the shell to a table that stood upon the after deck, the officer
+meantime paying no further attention to him, but attending to some
+further detail of transfer.
+
+Clif had procured a fuse and inserted it into the shell and was upon the
+point of lighting it when the officer appeared.
+
+"Stop, sir!" he commanded. "Would you blow us all to destruction?"
+
+Others standing near made a move as if to stop Clif, but it was too
+late. The fuse was burning rapidly.
+
+With a cry of alarm and amazement, the officers, American as well as
+Spanish, sprang to one side and dodged in great fright.
+
+But Clif calmly stood by, his arms folded and a confident smile playing
+about his lips.
+
+He was putting his theory to the test.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+THE MYSTERY OF THE UNEXPLODED SHELL.
+
+
+Mingled with evident fright and alarm there was upon the face of each a
+look of incredulity at rashness of the cadet. Had his adventures and
+narrow escapes turned his brain, and were they now at the mercy of a
+maniac? was in the minds of all.
+
+They had not long to wait. The fuse burned rapidly and spluttered to the
+end, and as they all involuntarily ducked their heads at the impending
+explosion, a peculiar thing happened.
+
+When the fire from the fuse reached the shell there was a sharp clicking
+sound, and those who were looking at the shell saw it suddenly open like
+a book, and from its hollow interior fell a roll of paper upon the
+table.
+
+This Clif seized and waved over his head in triumph.
+
+"Hurrah!" he cried. "It is as I suspected. Secret dispatches from the
+enemy that are worth all they have cost!"
+
+The officers were struck dumb with amazement, and stood and stared at
+the smiling young man as though they could not believe their eyes. But
+after a time they crowded around him and examined the shell curiously,
+and then the papers that Clif held in his hand.
+
+The papers were evidently written in Spanish, and though the American
+officers could not read them, they now had conceived sufficient
+confidence in Clif to believe that they were indeed of importance.
+
+The shell, whose quest had caused Clif so much peril and danger, was a
+curious affair. It had been cunningly contrived for the purpose it had
+so admirably fulfilled. Though very much in appearance like the
+old-fashioned round shells, it was in two parts, ingeniously hinged so
+that when closed it required very close scrutiny to detect the seam.
+
+It was hollow, and consequently light in weight. This fact had first
+arrested Clif's attention and had set his thoughts to work upon the
+mystery that was connected with it. In the opening where the fuse was
+inserted there was a concealed mechanism so arranged that it might not
+be detected or opened with the finger, but would readily give way to the
+force of a slight explosion in that small cavity. If it should fall into
+strange hands, unfamiliar with its design, it was meant to defy all
+efforts at opening it.
+
+Clif was the recipient of many expressions of praise from the American
+officers upon his ingenuity in fathoming the secret that was so
+cunningly devised, and they questioned him at length.
+
+"That is indeed wonderful," said the superior officer. "But how did you
+ever guess the purpose for which it was intended or the method of
+opening it?"
+
+Clif then explained the circumstances connected with its appearance at
+his feet among the trees where he was awaiting the Cuban courier.
+
+"I thought it was strange that a ship being pursued should fire a shell
+at the land instead of at its enemy," he said, "and when I picked it up
+I was struck with its peculiarities, but my examination was interrupted
+by the arrival of the Spanish soldiers. We were kept busy for a while
+pursuing them, and did not have much time to pursue this mystery."
+
+The officer smiled knowingly at this, for he had gathered enough from
+Clif's previous narrative to know that the little band of sailors had
+done great feats that night.
+
+"The shell not exploding," continued Clif, "led me to think that perhaps
+it was not intended to explode just then and when I saw that the Spanish
+soldiers seemed to be hunting for something there, I jumped to the
+conclusion that it was this identical piece of steel they were after.
+That explained their presence there and their peculiar behavior. And
+what could the Spaniards want with that shell if it did not contain
+something of value to them and of greater value to the American cause?"
+
+"You reasoned well," exclaimed the officer, "and so you decided to risk
+going back for it, and your ideas have come out triumphant through the
+test. But, young man, don't try any more experiments like that when I'm
+around."
+
+They all laughed heartily at this sally, at which Clif joined in.
+
+"But it was decidedly a peculiar way to send dispatches," continued the
+officer, "and it would seem as though it was uncertain and unnecessary
+as well."
+
+"There seemed to me to be a good reason for it, sir," said Clif. "I
+figured that that boat had been sent to deliver the dispatches, with
+instructions that if they were pursued to fire the shell at a point
+agreed upon, and then make their escape. They were pursued, and did fire
+toward shore, and the soldiers in waiting evidently saw the flash, and
+knew about where to hunt for it. I think, sir, that when these papers
+are examined it will be found that they contain information that the
+Spanish army ashore wants the worst way."
+
+This proved to be the case. Clif was given custody of the peculiar shell
+and the papers it had contained, and after a little delay was taken in
+the boat to the Wilmington.
+
+Signals were exchanged between this vessel and the flagship, and in due
+time Clif was rowed to the latter and ordered to report to the rear
+admiral.
+
+He turned the shell and its contents over to that officer with an
+explanation of all that had taken place.
+
+"I see that you had good cause for desiring to go back to find this
+shell," said the rear admiral when Clif had finished. "We have learned
+from the prisoner whom you secured after a struggle in your boat, that
+they had stolen your boat to facilitate the transfer of some papers.
+They were late and missed seeing the boat that fired this shell. Now
+that you have secured these papers I will call your knowledge of Spanish
+into requisition and allow you to transcribe these for me."
+
+And this Clif did; and when he had completed the task it was found that
+the most important work he had done that night, was in securing that
+shell and unraveling its mystery.
+
+As he issued from the admiral's room Cadet Wells, one of Clif's best
+friends, approached him.
+
+"Faraday, old fellow," he said, "I've got news that will interest you."
+
+"I'm listening."
+
+"It's about that exception among Spaniards, the lieutenant who helped
+you and Miss Stuart escape."
+
+"Ah! what of him?" asked Clif, eagerly.
+
+"You know he left us on a Spanish boat that brought you over under a
+flag of truce. Well, we couldn't touch that boat then, of course, but
+yesterday she ventured too far out, and the New York sunk her. We saved
+all her crew and from one of them I learned what became of Hernandez. It
+seems he sought a lonely part of the boat while she was on the way from
+us to the shore, and knelt to pray. An officer of the boat saw him thus
+and withdrew. A moment later all hands were startled by a pistol shot.
+Hurrying below they found Lieutenant Hernandez prone on the deck, a calm
+smile on his face, a bullet in his brain."
+
+Faraday was deeply affected.
+
+"And thus," he said gravely, "perished one of Spain's real heroes."
+
+
+[THE END.]
+
+
+
+
+[Transcriber's Note: In the original edition, the following
+advertisements appeared at the beginning of the book, before
+the title page.]
+
+
+THE MEDAL LIBRARY
+
+FAMOUS COPYRIGHTED STORIES
+FOR BOYS, BY FAMOUS AUTHORS
+
+
+This is an ideal line for boys of all ages. It contains juvenile
+masterpieces by the most popular writers of interesting fiction for
+boys. Among these may be mentioned the works of Burt L. Standish,
+detailing the adventures of Frank Merriwell, the hero, of whom every
+American boy has read with admiration. Frank is a truly representative
+American lad, full of character and a strong determination to do right
+at any cost. Then, there are the works of Horatio Alger, Jr., whose keen
+insight into the minds of the boys of our country has enabled him to
+write a series of the most interesting tales ever published. This line
+also contains some of the best works of Oliver Optic, another author
+whose entire life was devoted to writing books that would tend to
+interest and elevate our boys.
+
+PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK
+
+
+To be Published During April
+
+357--Jack Harkaway Among the Pirates               By Bracebridge Hemyng
+356--Frank Merriwell's Baseball Victories            By Burt L. Standish
+355--Tracked Through the Wilds                        By Edward S. Ellis
+354--A Thoroughly Good Story                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+353--A Prisoner of Morro                 By Ensign Clark Fitch, U. S. N.
+
+
+To be Published During March
+
+352--Frank Merriwell's Double Shot                   By Burt L. Standish
+351--The Boys of Grand Pre School                      By James De Mille
+350--A Thoroughly Good Story                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+349--The Two Scouts                                   By Edward S. Ellis
+
+
+To be Published During February
+
+348--Frank Merriwell's Duel                          By Burt L. Standish
+347--Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore               By Bracebridge Hemyng
+346--A Thoroughly Good Story                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+345--The B. O. W. C.                                   By James De Mille
+
+
+To be Published During January
+
+344--Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards               By Burt L. Standish
+343--Among the Redskins                               By Edward S. Ellis
+342--A Thoroughly Good Story                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+341--The Fighting Squadron               By Ensign Clark Fitch, U. S. N.
+340--Frank Merriwell in England                      By Burt L. Standish
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+339--In School and Out                                   By Oliver Optic
+338--A Cousin's Conspiracy                         By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+337--Jack Harkaway After Schooldays                By Bracebridge Hemyng
+336--Frank Merriwell's Great Scheme                  By Burt L. Standish
+335--The Haunted Hunter                               By Edward S. Ellis
+334--Tony, the Tramp                               By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+333--Rich and Humble                                     By Oliver Optic
+332--Frank Merriwell's Stage Hit                     By Burt L. Standish
+331--The Hidden City                                By Walter MacDougall
+330--Bob Burton                                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+329--Masterman Ready                                    By Capt. Marryat
+328--Frank Merriwell's Prosperity                    By Burt L. Standish
+327--Jack Harkaway's Friends                       By Bracebridge Hemyng
+326--The Tin Box                                   By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+325--The Young Franc-Tireurs                              By G. A. Henty
+324--Frank Merriwell's New Comedian                  By Burt L. Standish
+323--The Sheik's White Slave                            By Raymond Raife
+322--Helping Himself                               By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+321--Snarleyyow, The Dog Fiend                          By Capt. Marryat
+320--Frank Merriwell's Fortune                       By Burt L. Standish
+319--By Right of Conquest                                 By G. A. Henty
+318--Jed, the Poorhouse Boy                        By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+317--Jack Harkaway's Schooldays                    By Bracebridge Hemyng
+316--Frank Merriwell's Problem                       By Burt L. Standish
+315--The Diamond Seeker of Brazil                          By Leon Lewis
+314--Andy Gordon                                   By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+313--The Phantom Ship                                   By Capt. Marryat
+312--Frank Merriwell's College Chums                 By Burt L. Standish
+311--Whistler                                          By Walter Aimwell
+310--Making His Way                                By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+309--Three Years at Wolverton                          By A Wolvertonian
+308--Frank Merriwell's Fame                          By Burt L. Standish
+307--The Boy Crusoes                                  By Jeffreys Taylor
+306--Chester Rand                                  By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+305--Japhet in Search of a Father                       By Capt. Marryat
+304--Frank Merriwell's Own Company                   By Burt L. Standish
+303--The Prairie                                   By J. Fenimore Cooper
+302--The Young Salesman                            By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+301--A Battle and a Boy                         By Blanche Willis Howard
+300--Frank Merriwell on the Road                     By Burt L. Standish
+299--Mart Satterlee Among the Indians             By William O. Stoddard
+298--Andy Grant's Pluck                            By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+297--Newton Forster                                     By Capt. Marryat
+296--Frank Merriwell's Protege                       By Burt L. Standish
+295--Cris Rock                                       By Capt. Mayne Reid
+294--Sam's Chance                                  By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+293--My Plucky Boy Tom                                By Edward S. Ellis
+292--Frank Merriwell's Hard Luck                     By Burt L. Standish
+291--By Pike and Dyke                                     By G. A. Henty
+290--Shifting For Himself                          By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+289--The Pirate and the Three Cutters                   By Capt. Marryat
+288--Frank Merriwell's Opportunity                   By Burt L. Standish
+287--Kit Carson's Last Trail                               By Leon Lewis
+286--Jack's Ward                                   By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+285--Jack Darcy, the All Around Athlete               By Edward S. Ellis
+284--Frank Merriwell's First Job                     By Burt L. Standish
+283--Wild Adventures Round the Pole                    By Gordon Stables
+282--Herbert Carter's Legacy                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+281--Rattlin, the Reefer                                By Capt. Marryat
+280--Frank Merriwell's Struggle                      By Burt L. Standish
+279--Mark Dale's Stage Venture                     By Arthur M. Winfield
+278--In Times of Peril                                    By G. A. Henty
+277--In a New World                                By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+276--Frank Merriwell in Maine                        By Burt L. Standish
+275--The King of the Island                      By Henry Harrison Lewis
+274--Beach Boy Joe                              By Lieut. James K. Orton
+273--Jacob Faithful                                     By Capt. Marryat
+184--Frank Merriwell's Trip West                     By Burt L. Standish
+183--The Diamond Hunters                                  By James Grant
+182--The Camp in the Snow                      By William Murray Graydon
+181--Brave and Bold                                By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+180--One of the 28th                                      By G. A. Henty
+178--Frank Merriwell's Foes                          By Burt L. Standish
+177--The White Elephant                                By William Dalton
+176--By England's Aid                                     By G. A. Henty
+175--Strive and Succeed                            By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+173--Life at Sea                                       By Gordon Stables
+172--The Young Midshipman                                 By G. A. Henty
+171--Erling the Bold                                 By R. M. Ballantyne
+170--Strong and Steady                             By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+169--Peter, the Whaler                              By W. H. G. Kingston
+168--Among Malay Pirates                                  By G. A. Henty
+167--Frank Merriwell's Chums                         By Burt L. Standish
+166--Try and Trust                                 By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+165--The Secret Chart                           By Lieut. James K. Orton
+164--The Cornet of Horse                                  By G. A. Henty
+163--Slow and Sure                                 By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+162--The Pioneers                                        By J. F. Cooper
+161--Reuben Green's Adventures at Yale                     By James Otis
+160--Little by Little                                    By Oliver Optic
+159--Phil, the Fiddler                             By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+158--With Lee in Virginia                                 By G. A. Henty
+157--Randy, the Pilot                        By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+156--The Pathfinder                                      By J. F. Cooper
+155--The Young Voyagers                              By Capt. Mayne Reid
+154--Paul, the Peddler                             By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+153--Bonnie Prince Charlie                                By G. A. Henty
+152--The Last of the Mohicans                      By J. Fenimore Cooper
+151--The Flag of Distress                            By Capt. Mayne Reid
+150--Frank Merriwell's School Days                   By Burt L. Standish
+149--With Wolfe in Canada                                 By G. A. Henty
+148--The Deerslayer                                      By J. F. Cooper
+147--The Cliff Climbers                              By Capt. Mayne Reid
+146--Uncle Nat                                           By A. Oldfellow
+145--Friends Though Divided                               By G. A. Henty
+144--The Boy Tar                                     By Capt. Mayne Reid
+143--Hendricks, the Hunter                          By W. H. G. Kingston
+142--The Young Explorer                                By Gordon Stables
+141--The Ocean Waifs                                 By Capt. Mayne Reid
+140--The Young Buglers                                    By G. A. Henty
+139--Shore and Ocean                                By W. H. G. Kingston
+138--Striving for Fortune                          By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+137--The Bush Boys                                   By Capt. Mayne Reid
+136--From Pole to Pole                                 By Gordon Stables
+135--Dick Cheveley                                  By W. H. G. Kingston
+134--Orange and Green                                     By G. A. Henty
+133--The Young Yagers                                By Capt. Mayne Reid
+132--The Adventures of Rob Roy                            By James Grant
+131--The Boy Slaves                                  By Capt. Mayne Reid
+130--From Canal Boy to President                   By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+129--Ran Away to Sea                                 By Capt. Mayne Reid
+128--For Name and Fame                                    By G. A. Henty
+127--The Forest Exiles                               By Capt. Mayne Reid
+126--From Powder Monkey to Admiral                  By W. H. G. Kingston
+125--The Plant Hunters                               By Capt. Mayne Reid
+124--St. George for England                               By G. A. Henty
+123--The Giraffe Hunters                             By Capt. Mayne Reid
+122--Tom Brace                                     By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+121--Peter Trawl                                    By W. H. G. Kingston
+120--In the Wilds of New Mexico                      By G. Manville Fenn
+119--A Final Reckoning                                    By G. A. Henty
+118--Ned Newton                                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+117--James Braithwaite, The Supercargo              By W. H. G. Kingston
+116--Happy-Go-Lucky Jack                            By Frank H. Converse
+115--Adventures of a Young Athlete                 By Matthew White, Jr.
+114--The Old Man of the Mountains                    By George H. Coomer
+113--The Bravest of the Brave                             By G. A. Henty
+112--20,000 Leagues Under the Sea                         By Jules Verne
+111--The Midshipman, Marmaduke Merry                By W. H. G. Kingston
+110--Around the World in Eighty Days                      By Jules Verne
+109--A Dash to the Pole                               By Herbert D. Ward
+108--Texar's Revenge                                      By Jules Verne
+107--Van; or, In Search of an Unknown Race          By Frank H. Converse
+106--The Boy Knight                                   By George A. Henty
+105--The Young Actor                                  By Gayle Winterton
+104--Heir to a Million                              By Frank H. Converse
+103--The Adventures of Rex Staunton                   By Mary A. Denison
+102--Clearing His Name                             By Matthew White, Jr.
+101--The Lone Ranch                                  By Capt. Mayne Reid
+100--Maori and Settler                                By George A. Henty
+99--The Cruise of the Restless; or, On Inland Waterways    By James Otis
+98--The Grand Chaco                              By George Manville Fenn
+97--The Giant Islanders                              By Brooks McCormick
+96--An Unprovoked Mutiny                                   By James Otis
+95--By Sheer Pluck                                        By G. A. Henty
+94--Oscar; or, The Boy Who Had His Own Way             By Walter Aimwell
+93--A New York Boy                                 By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+92--Spectre Gold                                          By Headon Hill
+91--The Crusoes of Guiana                            By Louis Boussenard
+90--Out on the Pampas                                     By G. A. Henty
+89--Clinton; or, Boy Life in the Country               By Walter Aimwell
+88--My Mysterious Fortune                          By Matthew White, Jr.
+87--The Five Hundred Dollar Check                  By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+86--Catmur's Cave                                     By Richard Dowling
+85--Facing Death                                          By G. A. Henty
+84--The Butcher of Cawnpore                    By William Murray Graydon
+83--The Tiger Prince                                   By William Dalton
+82--The Young Editor                               By Matthew White, Jr.
+81--Arthur Helmuth, of the H. & N. C. Railway         By Edward S. Ellis
+80--Afloat in the Forest                             By Capt. Mayne Reid
+79--The Rival Battalions                             By Brooks McCormick
+78--Both Sides of the Continent                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+77--Perils of the Jungle                              By Edward S. Ellis
+76--The War Tiger; or, The Conquest of China           By William Dalton
+75--Boys in the Forecastle                           By George H. Coomer
+74--The Dingo Boys                               By George Manville Fenn
+73--The Wolf Boy of China                              By William Dalton
+72--The Way to Success; or, Tom Randall              By Alfred Oldfellow
+71--Mark Seaworth's Voyage on the Indian Ocean By William H. G. Kingston
+70--The New and Amusing History of Sandford and Merton  By F. C. Burnand
+69--Pirate Island                                   By Harry Collingwood
+68--Smuggler's Cave                                     By Annie Ashmore
+67--Tom Brown's School Days                             By Thomas Hughes
+66--A Young Vagabond                                    By Z. R. Bennett
+65--That Treasure                                   By Frank H. Converse
+64--The Tour of a Private Car                      By Matthew White, Jr.
+63--In the Sunk Lands                                 By Walter F. Bruns
+62--How He Won                                       By Brooks McCormick
+61--The Erie Train Boy                             By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+60--The Mountain Cave                                By George H. Coomer
+59--The Rajah's Fortress                       By William Murray Graydon
+58--Gilbert, The Trapper                           By Capt. C. B. Ashley
+57--The Gold of Flat Top Mountain                   By Frank H. Converse
+56--Nature's Young Noblemen                          By Brooks McCormick
+55--A Voyage to the Gold Coast                      By Frank H. Converse
+54--Joe Nichols; or, Difficulties Overcome           By Alfred Oldfellow
+53--The Adventures of a New York Telegraph Boy     By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+52--From Farm Boy to Senator                       By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+51--Tom Tracy                                      By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+50--Dean Dunham                                    By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+49--The Mystery of a Diamond                        By Frank H. Converse
+48--Luke Bennett's Hide-Out            By Capt. C. B. Ashley, U.S. Scout
+47--Eric Dane                                      By Matthew White, Jr.
+46--Poor and Proud                                       By Oliver Optic
+45--Jack Wheeler; A Western Story               By Capt. David Southwick
+44--The Golden Magnet                            By George Manville Fenn
+43--In Southern Seas                                By Frank H. Converse
+42--The Young Acrobat                              By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+41--Check 2134                                        By Edward S. Ellis
+40--Canoe and Campfire                           By St. George Rathborne
+39--With Boer and Britisher in the Transvaal   By William Murray Graydon
+38--Gay Dashleigh's Academy Days                        By Arthur Sewall
+37--Commodore Junk                               By George Manville Fenn
+36--In Barracks and Wigwam                     By William Murray Graydon
+35--In the Reign of Terror                                By G. A. Henty
+34--The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green          By Cuthbert Bede, B. A.
+33--Jud and Joe, Printers and Publishers               By Gilbert Patten
+32--The Curse of Carnes' Hold                             By G. A. Henty
+31--The Cruise of the Snow Bird                        By Gordon Stables
+30--Peter Simple                                      By Captain Marryat
+29--True to the Old Flag                                  By G. A. Henty
+28--The Boy Boomers                                    By Gilbert Patten
+27--Centre-Board Jim                         By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+26--The Cryptogram                             By William Murray Graydon
+25--Through the Fray                                      By G. A. Henty
+24--The Boy From the West                              By Gilbert Patten
+23--The Dragon and the Raven                              By G. A. Henty
+22--From Lake to Wilderness                    By William Murray Graydon
+21--Won at West Point                        By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+20--Wheeling for Fortune                                   By James Otis
+19--Jack Archer                                           By G. A. Henty
+18--The Silver Ship                                        By Leon Lewis
+17--Ensign Merrill                           By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+16--The White King of Africa                   By William Murray Graydon
+15--Midshipman Merrill                       By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+14--The Young Colonists                                   By G. A. Henty
+13--Up the Ladder                                       By Lieut. Murray
+12--Don Kirk's Mine                                    By Gilbert Patten
+11--From Tent to White House                          By Edward S. Ellis
+10--Don Kirk, the Boy Cattle King                      By Gilbert Patten
+9--Try Again                                             By Oliver Optic
+8--Kit Carey's Protege                       By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+7--Chased Through Norway                                   By James Otis
+6--Captain Carey of the Gallant Seventh      By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+5--Now or Never                                          By Oliver Optic
+4--Lieutenant Carey's Luck                   By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+3--All Aboard                                            By Oliver Optic
+2--Cadet Kit Carey                           By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry
+1--The Boat Club                                         By Oliver Optic
+
+
+
+
+THE BOUND TO WIN LIBRARY
+
+
+We called this new line of high-class copyrighted stories of adventure
+for boys by this name because we felt assured that it was "bound to win"
+its way into the heart of every true American lad. The stories are
+exceptionally bright, clean and interesting. The writers had the
+interest of our boys at heart when they wrote the stories, and have not
+failed to show what a pure-minded lad with courage and mettle can do.
+Remember, that these stories are copyrighted and cannot be had in any
+other series. We give herewith a list of those already published and
+those scheduled for publication.
+
+
+PUBLISHED EVERY WEEK
+
+
+To be Published During May
+
+167--On Government Service                                By Fred Thorpe
+
+
+To be Published During April
+
+166--Ben Bolton, Mascot                                By Weldon J. Cobb
+165--On a Phantom Trail                         By Harrie Irving Hancock
+164--The Outcast Prince                                By John De Morgan
+163--Grit and Wit                                         By Fred Thorpe
+
+
+To be Published During March
+
+162--The Submarine Pirate                              By Cornelius Shea
+161--Bob, the Acrobat                           By Harrie Irving Hancock
+160--Rob Rollalong at Sea                          By Bracebridge Hemyng
+159--Under the World                                   By John De Morgan
+158--Smart Alec                                        By Weldon J. Cobb
+
+
+To be Published During February
+
+157--From Footlights to Riches                            By Fred Thorpe
+156--Among the Nomads                                 By John H. Whitson
+155--For Fun and Fortune                               By Cornelius Shea
+154--The Meanest Boy Alive                      By Harrie Irving Hancock
+
+
+To be Published During January
+
+153--Rob Rollalong, Runaway                        By Bracebridge Hemyng
+152--An Indian Hero                                    By John De Morgan
+151--The Fourteenth Boy                                By Weldon J. Cobb
+150--The Young Snake Charmer                              By Fred Thorpe
+149--Right on Top                                      By Cornelius Shea
+148--Fighting the Cowards                       By Harrie Irving Hancock
+147--Through Air to Fame                              By John H. Whitson
+146--With the Kidnapers                                By John De Morgan
+145--Adventures in Other Worlds                        By Weldon J. Cobb
+144--A Bid for Fortune                                    By Fred Thorpe
+143--Archie Atwood, Champion                           By Cornelius Shea
+142--In the Path of Duty                        By Harrie Irving Hancock
+141--Out For Fun                                   By Bracebridge Hemyng
+140--The Young Coast Guard                             By John De Morgan
+139--A Million a Minute                                By Weldon J. Cobb
+138--Through the Earth                                    By Fred Thorpe
+137--The Boy King Maker                         By Harrie Irving Hancock
+136--Spider and Stump                              By Bracebridge Hemyng
+135--The Creature of the Pines                         By John De Morgan
+134--In the Volcano's Mouth                            By Frank Sheridan
+133--Muscles of Steel                                  By Weldon J. Cobb
+132--Home Base                                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+131--The Jewel of Florida                              By Cornelius Shea
+130--The Boys' Revolt                           By Harrie Irving Hancock
+129--The Mystic Isle                                      By Fred Thorpe
+128--With the Mad Mullah                               By Weldon J. Cobb
+127--A Humble Hero                                     By John De Morgan
+126--For Big Money                                        By Fred Thorpe
+125--Too Fast to Last                              By Bracebridge Hemyng
+124--Caught in a Trap                           By Harrie Irving Hancock
+123--The Tattooed Boy                                  By Weldon J. Cobb
+122--The Young Horseman                              By Herbert Bellwood
+121--Sam Sawbones                                  By Bracebridge Hemyng
+120--On His Mettle                                        By Fred Thorpe
+119--Compound Interest                          By Harrie Irving Hancock
+118--Runaway and Rover                                 By Weldon J. Cobb
+117--Larry O'Keefe                                 By Bracebridge Hemyng
+116--The Boy Crusaders                                 By John De Morgan
+115--Double Quick Dan                                     By Fred Thorpe
+114--Money to Spend                             By Harrie Irving Hancock
+113--Billy Barlow                                  By Bracebridge Hemyng
+112--A Battle with Fate                                By Weldon J. Cobb
+111--Gypsy Joe                                         By John De Morgan
+110--Barred Out                                           By Fred Thorpe
+109--Will Wilding                                  By Bracebridge Hemyng
+108--Frank Bolton's Chase                       By Harrie Irving Hancock
+107--Lucky-Stone Dick                                  By Weldon J. Cobb
+106--Tom Scott, the American Robinson Crusoe           By Frank Sheridan
+105--Fatherless Bob at Sea                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+104--Fatherless Bob                                By Bracebridge Hemyng
+103--Hank the Hustler                                     By Fred Thorpe
+102--Dick Stanhope Afloat                       By Harrie Irving Hancock
+101--The Golden Harpoon                                By Weldon J. Cobb
+100--Mischievous Matt's Pranks                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+99--Mischievous Matt                               By Bracebridge Hemyng
+98--Bert Chipley                                       By John De Morgan
+97--Down-East Dave                                        By Fred Thorpe
+96--The Young Diplomat                          By Harrie Irving Hancock
+95--The Fool of the Family                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+94--Slam, Bang & Co.                                   By Weldon J. Cobb
+93--On the Road                                        By Stanley Norris
+92--The Blood-Red Hand                                 By John De Morgan
+91--The Diamond King                                   By Cornelius Shea
+90--The Double-Faced Mystery                              By Fred Thorpe
+89--The Young Theatrical Manager                       By Stanley Norris
+88--The Young West-Pointer                      By Harrie Irving Hancock
+87--Held for Ransom                                    By Weldon J. Cobb
+86--Boot-Black Bob                                     By John De Morgan
+85--Engineer Tom                                       By Cornelius Shea
+84--The Mascot of Hoodooville                             By Fred Thorpe
+83--Walter Blackshaw                                   By Frank Sheridan
+82--The Young Showman's Foes                           By Stanley Norris
+81--On the Wing                                        By Weldon J. Cobb
+80--Yankee Grit                                        By John De Morgan
+79--Bicycle and Gun                                    By Cornelius Shea
+78--The Backwoods Boy                              By Horatio Alger, Jr.
+77--Ahead of the Show                                     By Fred Thorpe
+76--Merle Merton                                       By Frank Sheridan
+75--The Three Hills of Gold                     By Harrie Irving Hancock
+74--A Barrel of Money                                  By Weldon J. Cobb
+73--Lucky Thirteen                                     By John De Morgan
+72--Two Ragged Heroes                                By Earnest A. Young
+71--A Slave for a Year                                    By Fred Thorpe
+70--In the Woods                                       By Frank Sheridan
+69--The Prince of Grit                          By Harrie Irving Hancock
+68--The Golden Pirate                                  By Weldon J. Cobb
+67--Winning His Way                                    By John De Morgan
+66--Boats, Bats and Bicycles                          By Ernest A. Young
+65--Rob, The Hoodoo                                       By Fred Thorpe
+64--Railroad Ralph                                By Engineer James Fisk
+63--Comrades Under Castro                            By Victor St. Clair
+62--Life-Line Larry                                    By Frank Sheridan
+61--Track and Trestle                                 By Ernest A. Young
+60--The Phantom Boy                                    By Weldon J. Cobb
+59--Simple Simon                                     By Herbert Bellwood
+58--Cast Away in the Jungle                          By Victor St. Clair
+57--In Unknown Worlds                                  By John De Morgan
+56--The Round-the-World Boys                              By Fred Thorpe
+55--Bert Fairfax                                       By Frank Sheridan
+54--Pranks and Perils                                 By Ernest A. Young
+53--Up to Date                                         By Weldon J. Cobb
+52--Bicycle Ben                                      By Herbert Bellwood
+51--Lost in the Ice                                    By John De Morgan
+50--Fighting for a Name                                   By Fred Thorpe
+49--Lionel's Pluck                                     By Frank Sheridan
+48--The Mud River Boys                                By Ernest A. Young
+47--Partners Three                                     By Weldon J. Cobb
+46--Rivals of the Pines                              By Herbert Bellwood
+45--Always on Duty                                     By John De Morgan
+44--Walt, the Wonder-Worker                               By Fred Thorpe
+43--Through Flame to Fame                              By Frank Sheridan
+42--A Toss-Up for Luck                                By Ernest A. Young
+41--The Jay from Maine                               By Herbert Bellwood
+40--For Home and Honor                               By Victor St. Clair
+39--A Bee Line to Fortune                              By John De Morgan
+37--Never Give Up                                         By Fred Thorpe
+36--Vernon Craig                                       By Frank Sheridan
+35--The Young Showman's Triumph                        By Stanley Norris
+34--The Roustabout Boys                              By Herbert Bellwood
+33--The Young Showman's Pluck                          By Stanley Norris
+32--Napoleon's Double                                  By John De Morgan
+31--The Young Showman's Rivals                         By Stanley Norris
+30--Jack, the Pride of the Nine                        By Frank Sheridan
+29--Phil the Showman                                   By Stanley Norris
+28--Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy                      By Walter Morris
+27--Zig-Zag, the Boy Conjurer                        By Victor St. Clair
+26--The Young Hannibal                                     By Matt Royal
+25--Git Up and Git                                        By Fred Thorpe
+24--School Life at Grand Court                         By Frank Sheridan
+23--From Port to Port                   By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
+22--The Rival Nines                                       By Walt Winton
+21--The Young Journalist                        By Harrie Irving Hancock
+20--John Smith of Michigan                           By Herbert Bellwood
+18--Cruise of the Training Ship         By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
+17--Chris, the Comedian                                   By Fred Thorpe
+16--Lion-Hearted Jack                                  By Frank Sheridan
+15--The Rivals of Riverwood                          By Herbert Bellwood
+14--His One Ambition                            By Harrie Irving Hancock
+13--A Strange Cruise                    By Ensign Clarke Filch, U. S. N.
+12--Dick Derby's Double                                   By Fred Thorpe
+11--The House of Mystery                                   By Matt Royal
+9--From Switch to Lever                              By Victor St. Clair
+8--Clif, the Naval Cadet                By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
+7--The Boy in Black                                       By Fred Thorpe
+6--The Crimson "Q"                                  By William G. Patten
+5--The Balas Ruby                                 By Capt. Geoffrey Hale
+3--Bound for Annapolis                  By Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
+2--Blind Luck                                             By Fred Thorpe
+1--The Boy Argus                                    By William G. Patten
+
+
+
+
+THE HARKAWAY LIBRARY
+
+
+This line contains, exclusively, the exciting adventures of Jack
+Harkaway, now for the first time offered to our boys in low-priced
+edition.
+
+Bracebridge Hemyng, the author, has established an enviable reputation.
+No better stories of adventure in school and out, on land and sea, have
+ever been written. The boy reader at once feels a most lively interest
+in Jack's welfare and desires to follow him through all the adventures
+that he experienced.
+
+The following is a list of the titles now ready and those scheduled for
+early publication.
+
+
+34--Young Jack Harkaway on the Isle of Palms       By Bracebridge Hemyng
+33--Young Jack Harkaway In Search of His Father    By Bracebridge Hemyng
+32--Young Jack Harkaway at Mole's Academy          By Bracebridge Hemyng
+31--Jack Harkaway in the Toils                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+30--Jack Harkaway in the Black Hills               By Bracebridge Hemyng
+29--Jack Harkaway's Cadet Days                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+28--Jack Harkaway Among the Indians                By Bracebridge Hemyng
+27--Jack Harkaway Out West                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+26--Jack Harkaway Among the Counterfeiters         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+25--Jack Harkaway in New York                      By Bracebridge Hemyng
+24--Jack Harkaway's Battle With the Turks          By Bracebridge Hemyng
+23--Jack Harkaway's Duel                           By Bracebridge Hemyng
+22--Jack Harkaway's Confidence                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+21--Jack Harkaway and the Bushrangers              By Bracebridge Hemyng
+20--Jack Harkaway in Australia                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+19--Jack Harkaway's Resolve                        By Bracebridge Hemyng
+18--Jack Harkaway's Pluck                          By Bracebridge Hemyng
+17--Jack Harkaway in Greece                        By Bracebridge Hemyng
+16--Jack Harkaway and the Red Dragon               By Bracebridge Hemyng
+15--Jack Harkaway in China                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+14--Jack Harkaway's Perils                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+13--Jack Harkaway in America                       By Bracebridge Hemyng
+12--Jack Harkaway Around the World                 By Bracebridge Hemyng
+11--Jack Harkaway's Return                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+10--Jack Harkaway's Capture                        By Bracebridge Hemyng
+9--Jack Harkaway Among the Brigands                By Bracebridge Hemyng
+8--Jack Harkaway's Triumphs                        By Bracebridge Hemyng
+7--Jack Harkaway's Struggles                       By Bracebridge Hemyng
+6--Jack Harkaway at Oxford                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+5--Jack Harkaway Among the Pirates                 By Bracebridge Hemyng
+4--Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore                 By Bracebridge Hemyng
+3--Jack Harkaway After School Days                 By Bracebridge Hemyng
+2--Jack Harkaway's Friends                         By Bracebridge Hemyng
+1--Jack Harkaway's School Days                     By Bracebridge Hemyng
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+The following typographical errors in the original edition have
+been corrected.
+
+In Chapter I, "he fond eating" was changed to "he found eating".
+
+In Chapter II, "It's to far west" was changed to "It's too far west";
+"line of smoke wihch" was changed to "line of smoke which"; a missing
+quotation mark was inserted before "and it's black, with a red top"; and
+"Clif studied the cost" was changed to "Clif studied the coast".
+
+In Chapter III, a missing parenthesis was inserted after "some two
+hundred six-pounder cartridges".
+
+In Chapter IV, "the forward companionway he met" was changed to "the
+forward companionway where he met".
+
+In Chapter VII, "signifiance in an instant" was changed to "significance
+in an instant".
+
+In Chapter IX, "'We won't try to go far,' Cilf said" was changed to "'We
+won't try to go far,' Clif said"; and "a moment iater came" was changed
+to "a moment later came".
+
+In Chapter X, "might none be" was changed to "might not be".
+
+In Chapter XI, "They'll head us of!" was changed to "They'll head us
+off!"; and a missing quotation mark was inserted before "and you will be
+treated as such."
+
+In Chapter XII, "clinch his fist and skake it" was changed to "clinch
+his fist and shake it".
+
+In Chapter XIII, "would afll to his lot" was changed to "would fall to
+his lot".
+
+In Chapter XIV, a missing quotation mark was inserted before "so you are
+interested in her".
+
+In Chapter XV, "facd a dozen rifles" was changed to "faced a dozen
+rifles".
+
+In Chapter XVI, "would make hasste" was changed to "would make haste".
+
+In Chapter XXI, "The vesesl was not coming" was changed to "The vessel
+was not coming"; and "A couple of Spanish saliors" was changed to "A
+couple of Spanish sailors".
+
+In Chapter XXII, "beside out boat" was changed to "beside our boat".
+
+In Chapter XXIV, "repled the courier" was changed to "replied the
+courier".
+
+In Chapter XXV, a missing quotation mark was inserted before "They must
+have followed the courier"
+
+In Chapter XXVI, "a doen men to oppose their forces" was changed to "a
+dozen men to oppose their forces"; and a missing quotation mark was
+inserted after "these dispatches are yet to be delivered."
+
+In Chapter XXVII, "to make assurance doubly sre" was changed to "to make
+assurance doubly sre".
+
+In Chapter XXX, "he grasped his revolver in readness" was changed to "he
+grasped his revolver in readness".
+
+In Chapter XXXII, "the captain promply hauled down his flag" was changed
+to "the captain promptly hauled down his flag"; and "some futher detail
+of transfer" was changed to "some further detail of transfer".
+
+Also, the table of contents has been created for this electronic edition.
+It was not present in the original work.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PRISONER OF MORRO***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 24770.txt or 24770.zip *******
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