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diff --git a/old/60984-0.txt b/old/60984-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4b7b3ea..0000000 --- a/old/60984-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6635 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sportman's Club Afloat, by Harry Castlemon - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Sportman's Club Afloat - -Author: Harry Castlemon - -Release Date: December 20, 2019 [EBook #60984] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPORTMAN'S CLUB AFLOAT *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: PIERRE FOILED.] - - - - - THE - SPORTSMAN’S CLUB - AFLOAT. - - BY HARRY CASTLEMON, - AUTHOR OF “THE GUNBOAT SERIES,” “GO AHEAD SERIES,” - “ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES,” ETC. - - [Illustration] - - PHILADELPHIA: - PORTER & COATES, - CINCINNATI: - R. W. CARROLL & CO. - - - - -FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS. - - -=GUNBOAT SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 6 vols. 16mo. Cloth, -extra, black and gold. - - FRANK THE YOUNG NATURALIST. - FRANK ON A GUNBOAT. - FRANK IN THE WOODS. - FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. - FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI. - FRANK ON THE PRAIRIE. - -=ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo. -Cloth, extra, black and gold. - - FRANK AMONG THE RANCHEROS. - FRANK AT DON CARLOS’ RANCHO. - FRANK IN THE MOUNTAINS. - -=SPORTSMAN’S CLUB SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo. -Cloth, extra, black and gold. - - THE SPORTSMAN’S CLUB IN THE SADDLE. - THE SPORTSMAN’S CLUB AFLOAT. - THE SPORTSMAN’S CLUB AMONG THE TRAPPERS. - -=GO-AHEAD SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, -extra, black and gold. - - TOM NEWCOMBE. - GO-AHEAD. - NO MOSS. - -=FRANK NELSON SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo. -Cloth, extra, black and gold. - - SNOWED UP. - FRANK IN THE FORECASTLE. - BOY TRADERS. - -=BOY TRAPPER SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 3 vols. 16mo. -Cloth, extra, black and gold. - - THE BURIED TREASURE; OR, OLD JORDAN’S HAUNT. - THE BOY TRAPPER; OR, HOW DAVE FILLED THE ORDER. - THE MAIL-CARRIER. - -=ROUGHING IT SERIES.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 16mo. Cloth, -extra, black and gold. - - GEORGE IN CAMP. - -_Other Volumes in Preparation._ - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by - R. W. CARROLL & CO., - In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I. - - On the Gulf again Page 5 - - CHAPTER II. - - A Surprise 25 - - CHAPTER III. - - Outwitted 45 - - CHAPTER IV. - - Fairly afloat 66 - - CHAPTER V. - - The Deserters 88 - - CHAPTER VI. - - A Chapter of Incidents 111 - - CHAPTER VII. - - Don Casper 129 - - CHAPTER VIII. - - Chase rises to explain 148 - - CHAPTER IX. - - Wilson runs a race 164 - - CHAPTER X. - - A Lucky Fall 181 - - CHAPTER XI. - - “Sheep Ahoy!” 198 - - CHAPTER XII. - - The Banner under fire 214 - - CHAPTER XIII. - - The Spanish Frigate 231 - - CHAPTER XIV. - - The Yacht Lookout 254 - - - - -THE SPORTSMAN’S CLUB AFLOAT. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -ON THE GULF AGAIN. - - -“I assure you, gentlemen, that you do not regret this mistake more than I -do. I would not have had it happen for anything.” - -It was the captain of the revenue cutter who spoke. He, with Walter -Gaylord, Mr. Craven, Mr. Chase and the collector of the port, was -standing on the wharf, having just returned with his late prisoners from -the custom-house, whither the young captain of the Banner had been to -provide himself with clearance papers. The latter had narrated as much -of the history of Fred Craven’s adventures, which we have attempted to -describe in the first volume of this series, as he was acquainted with, -and the recital had thrown the revenue captain into a state of great -excitement. The yacht was anchored in the harbor, a short distance astern -of the cutter, and alongside the wharf lay the only tug of which the -village could boast, the John Basset, which Mr. Chase and Mr. Craven had -hired to carry them to Lost Island in pursuit of the smugglers. - -“There must be some mistake about it,” continued the captain of the -cutter. “A boy captured by a gang of smugglers and carried to sea in a -dugout! I never heard of such a thing before. I know you gentlemen will -pardon me for what I have done, even though you may think me to have been -over-zealous in the discharge of my duty. Your yacht corresponds exactly -with the description given me of the smuggler.” - -“You certainly made a great blunder,” said Mr. Craven, who was in very -bad humor; “and there is no knowing what it may cost us.” - -“But you can make some amends for it by starting for Lost Island at -once,” said Mr. Chase. “You will find two of the smugglers there, and -perhaps you can compel them to tell you something of the vessel of which -you are in search. More than that, they have made a prisoner of my son, -and he knows what has become of Fred Craven.” - -“I am at your service. I will sail again immediately, and I shall reach -the island about daylight. If you gentlemen with your tug arrive there -before I do and need assistance, wait until I come. Captain Gaylord, if -you will step into my gig I shall be happy to take you on board your -vessel. You may go home now, and these gentlemen and myself will attend -to those fellows out there on Lost Island. If we find them we shall -certainly capture them.” - -“And when you do that, I shall not be far away,” replied Walter. - -“Why, you are not going to venture out in this wind again with that -cockle-shell, are you?” asked the captain, in surprise. - -“I am, sir. I built the Banner, and I know what she can do. She has -weathered the Gulf breeze once to-night, and she can do it again. I am -not going home until I see Fred Craven safe out of his trouble. In order -to find out where he is, I must have an interview with Henry Chase.” - -Mr. Craven and Mr. Chase, who were impatient to start for Lost Island -again, walked off toward the tug, and Walter stepped down into the -captain’s gig and was carried on board the Banner. His feelings as he -sprang on the deck of his vessel were very different from those he had -experienced when he left her. The last time he clambered over her rail he -was a prisoner, guarded by armed men and charged with one of the highest -crimes known to the law. Now he was free again, the Banner was all his -own, and he was at liberty to go where he pleased. - -“Mr. Butler, send all the cutter’s hands into the gig,” said the revenue -captain, as he sprang on board the yacht. - -“Very good, sir,” replied the lieutenant. “Pass the word for all the -prize crew to muster on the quarter-deck.” - -“Banner’s men, ahoy!” shouted Walter, thrusting his head down the -companion-way. “Up you come with a jump. Perk, get under way immediately.” - -For a few seconds confusion reigned supreme on board the yacht. The -revenue men who had been lying about the deck came aft in a body; those -who had been guarding the prisoners in the cabin tumbled up the ladder, -closely followed by the boy crew, who, delighted to find themselves once -more at liberty, shouted and hurrahed until they were hoarse. - -“All hands stand by the capstan!” yelled Perk. - -“Never mind the anchor,” said Walter. “Get to sea at once.” - -“Eugene, slip the chain,” shouted Perk. “Stand by the halliards fore and -aft.” - -“Hold on a minute, captain,” exclaimed the master of the cutter, who had -been extremely polite and even cringing ever since he learned that the -boys who had been his prisoners were the sons of the wealthiest and most -influential men about Bellville. “I should like an opportunity to muster -my crew, if you please.” - -“Can you not do that on board your own vessel?” asked Walter. - -“I might under ordinary circumstances, but of late my men have been -seizing every opportunity to leave me, and I am obliged to watch them -very closely. They have somehow learned that a Cuban privateer, which has -escaped from New York, is lying off Havana waiting for a crew, and they -are deserting me by dozens. There may be some deserters stowed away about -this yacht, for all I know.” - -“Never mind,” replied Walter, who was so impatient to get under way that -he could think of nothing else. “If there are, I will return them to you -when I meet you at Lost Island. Good-bye, captain, and if you see me on -the Gulf again don’t forget that I have papers now.” - -By this time the Banner was fairly under sail. Perk saw that the revenue -men were still on board, and knew that they would have some difficulty -in getting into their boat when the yacht was scudding down the harbor -at the rate of eight knots an hour, but that made no difference to him. -His commander had ordered him to get under way, and he did it without -the loss of a moment. He slipped the anchor, hoisted the same sails the -Banner had carried when battling with the Gulf breeze three hours before, -and in a few seconds more was dragging the revenue gig through the water -at a faster rate than she had ever travelled before. Her crew tumbled -over the rail one after another, and when they were all in the boat Bab -cast off the painter, and the Banner sped on her way, leaving the gig -behind. - -“What was the matter, Walter? did they really take us for smugglers?” -asked the Club in concert, as they gathered about the young captain. -“What did you tell them; and has anything new happened that you are going -to sea again in such a hurry?” - -“Ask your questions one at a time and they will last longer,” replied -Walter; who then proceeded in a very few words to explain matters. The -captain of the cutter had really been stupid enough to believe that the -Banner was a smuggler, he said, and so certain was he of the fact that -he would listen to no explanation. Mr. Craven had told him the story -of the two smugglers who had taken a prisoner to Lost Island, but the -revenue commander would not believe a word of it, and persisted in his -determination to take his captives to the village. When they arrived -there and the collector of the port had been called up, of course the -matter was quickly settled, and then the captain appeared to be very -sorry for what he had done, and was as plausible and fawning as he -had before been insolent and overbearing. Pierre and his father would -certainly be captured now, for Mr. Chase and Mr. Craven had chartered the -John Bassett to carry them to Lost Island, and the revenue captain would -also sail at once and render all the assistance in his power. - -“Humph!” exclaimed Eugene, when Walter finished his story, “We don’t -want any of his help, or the tug’s either. Crack on, Walter, and let’s -reach the island and have the work over before they get there.” - -“That would be useless,” answered the cautious young captain. “The -Banner’s got as much as she can carry already; and besides we can’t -expect to compete with a tug or a vessel of the size of the cutter. If -we reach the island in time to see Chase rescued, I shall be satisfied. -If any of you are in want of sleep you may go below, and Bab and I will -manage the yacht.” - -But none of the Club felt the need of rest just then. Things were getting -too exciting. With a couple of smugglers before them to be captured, -two swift rival pursuers behind, to say nothing of the gale and the -waves which tossed the staunch little Banner about like a nut-shell, and -the intense impatience and anxiety they felt to learn something of the -situation of the missing secretary—under circumstances like these sleep -was not to be thought of. They spent the next half hour in discussing -the exciting adventures that had befallen them since their encounter -with Bayard Bell and his crowd, and then Eugene, after sundry emphatic -injunctions from his brother to keep his weather eye open and mind what -he was about, took Perk’s place at the wheel, while the latter, who -always acted as ship’s cook in the absence of Sam the negro, went below -to prepare the eatables which Walter had provided before leaving home. -The baskets containing the provisions had been taken into the galley. -In the floor of this galley was a small hatchway leading into the hold -where the water-butts, fuel for the stove, tool-chests, ballast, and -extra rigging were stowed away; and when Perk approached the galley from -the cabin he was surprised to see that the hatchway was open, and that a -faint light, like that emitted by a match, was shining through it from -below. - -The sight was a most unexpected one, and for an instant Perk stood -paralyzed with alarm. His face grew as pale as death, and his heart -seemed to stop beating. Who had been careless enough to open that hatch -and go into the hold with an uncovered light? Eugene of course—he was -always doing something he had no business to do—and he had set fire to -some of the combustible matter there. Perk had often heard Uncle Dick -tell how it felt to have one’s vessel burned under him, and shuddering -at the recital, had hoped most fervently that he might never know the -feeling by experience. But now he was in a fair way to learn all about -it. Already he imagined the Banner a charred and smoking wreck, and he -and his companions tossing about on the waves clinging to spars and -life-buoys. These thoughts passed through Perk’s mind in one second of -time; then recovering the use of his legs and his tongue, he sprang -forward and shouted out one word which rang through the cabin, and fell -with startling distinctness upon the ears of the watchful crew on deck. - -“Fire!” yelled Perk, with all the power of his lungs. - -That was all he said, but it was enough to strike terror to the heart -of every one of the boy sailors who heard it. Somebody else heard it -too—some persons who did not belong to the Banner, and who had no -business on board of her. Perk did not know it then, but he found it out -a moment afterwards when he entered the galley, for, just as he seized -the hatch, intending to close the opening that led into the hold and thus -shut out the draft, a grizzly head suddenly appeared from below, one -brawny hand holding a hatchet, was placed upon the combings, and the -other was raised to prevent the descent of the hatch. - -If it is possible for a boy to see four things at once, to come to a -conclusion on four different points, to act, and to do it all in less -than half a second of time, Perk certainly performed the feat. He saw -that the man who so suddenly made his appearance in the hatchway was -dressed in the uniform of the revenue service; that he had a companion -in the hold; that the latter was in the act of taking an adze from the -tool-chest; and that he held in his hand a smoky lantern which gave out -the faint, flickering light that shone through the hatchway. - -When the boy had noted these things, some scraps of the conversation he -had overheard between Walter and the revenue captain came into his mind. -These men were deserters from the cutter, and he had discovered them just -in time to prevent mischief. They were preparing to make an immediate -attack upon the Banner’s crew, and had provided themselves with weapons -to overcome any opposition they might meet. If they were allowed to come -on deck they would take the vessel out of the hands of her crew, and -shape her course toward Havana, where the Cuban privateer was supposed -to be lying. Perk did not object to the men joining the privateer if they -felt so inclined—that was the revenue captain’s business, and not his—but -he was determined that they should not assume control of the Banner, and -take her so far into the Gulf in such a gale if he could prevent it. - -“Avast, there!” exclaimed the sailor, in a savage tone of voice, placing -his hand against the hatch to keep Perk from slamming it down on his -head. “We want to come up.” - -“But I want you to stay down,” replied the boy; “and we’ll see who will -have his way.” - -The sailor made an upward spring, and Perk flung down the hatchway at the -same moment, throwing all his weight upon it as he did so. The result was -a collision between the man’s head and the planks of which the hatchway -was composed, the head getting the worst of it. The deserter was knocked -over on the opposite side of the opening and caught and held as if he had -been in a vise, his breast being pressed against the combings, and the -sharp corner of the hatch, with Perk’s one hundred and forty pounds on -top of it, falling across his shoulders. - -“Now just listen to me a minute, and I’ll tell you what’s a fact,” said -the boy, who, finding that the enemy was secured beyond all possibility -of escape, began to recover his usual coolness and courage; “I’ve got -you.” - -“But you had better let me go mighty sudden,” replied the sailor, -struggling desperately to seize Perk over his shoulder. “Push up the -hatch, Tom,” he added, addressing his confederate below. - -All these events, which we have been so long in narrating, occupied -scarcely a minute in taking place. Walter sprang toward the companion-way -the instant Perk’s wild cry fell upon his ears, and pale and breathless -burst into the cabin, followed by Bab and Wilson. When he opened the door -he discovered Perk in the position we have described. A single glance at -the uniform worn by the man whose head and shoulders were protruding from -the hatchway, was enough to explain everything. - -“Now, here’s a go!” exclaimed Bab, in great amazement. - -“Yes; and there’ll be a worse go than this if you don’t let me out,” -replied the prisoner, savagely. “Push up the hatch, Tom.” - -“The revenue captain was right in his suspicions after all, wasn’t he?” -said Walter, as he and Wilson advanced and wrested the hatchet from the -sailor’s hand. “I don’t think that your attempt to reach Cuba will be -very successful, my friend.” - -“That remains to be seen. Push up the hatch, Tom. If I once get on deck -I’ll make a scattering among these young sea monkeys. Push up the hatch, -I tell you.” - -This was the very thing the man below had been trying to do from the -first, but without success. The hatchway was small, and was so nearly -filled by the body of the prisoner, who was a burly fellow, that his -companion in the hold had no chance to exert his strength. He could not -place his shoulders against the hatch, and there was no handspike in the -hold, or even a billet of wood strong enough to lift with. He breathed -hard and uttered a good many threats, but accomplished nothing. - -“I wish now I had given that captain time to muster his men,” said -Walter. “This fellow is a deserter from the cutter, of course; but he -shall never go to Havana in our yacht. Bab, go on deck and bring down -three handspikes.” - -Bab disappeared, and when he returned with the implements, Walter took -one and handed Wilson another. - -“Now, Perk,” continued the young captain, “take a little of your weight -off the hatch and let that man go back into the hold. We’d rather have -him down there than up here.” - -“I know it,” said Perk. “But just listen to me, and I’ll tell you what’s -a fact: Perhaps he won’t go back.” - -“I think he will,” answered Walter, in a very significant tone of voice. -“He’d rather go back of his own free will than be knocked back. Try him -and see.” - -Perk got off the hatch, and the sailor, after taking a look at the -handspikes that were flourished over his head, slid back into the hold -without uttering a word; while Bab, hardly waiting until his head was -below the combings, slammed down the hatch, threw the bar over it and -confined it with a padlock. This done, the four boys stood looking at one -another with blanched cheeks. - -“Where’s the fire, Perk?” asked Walter. - -“There is none, I am glad to say. The light I saw shining from the hold -came from a lantern that those fellows have somehow got into their -possession.” - -“Well, I’d rather fight the deserters than take my chances with a fire if -it was once fairly started,” replied Walter, much relieved. “How many of -them are there?” - -“Only two that I saw. But they can do a great deal of mischief if they -feel in the humor for it.” - -“That is just what I was thinking of,” chimed in Bab. “You take it very -coolly, Walter. Don’t you know that if they get desperate they can set -fire to the yacht, or bore through the bottom and sink her?” - -“I thought of all that before we drove that man back there; but what -else could we have done? If we had brought him up here to tie him, he -would have attacked us as soon as he touched the deck, and engaged our -attention until his companion could come to his assistance. Perk, you and -Wilson stay down here and guard that hatch. Call me if you hear anything.” - -“I hear something now,” said Wilson. - -“So do I,” exclaimed Perk. “I hear those fellows swearing and storming -about in the hold; but they won’t get out that way, I guess.” - -Walter and Bab returned to the deck and found Eugene in a high state -of excitement, and impatient to hear all about the fire. He was much -relieved, although his excitement did not in the least abate, to learn -that the danger that had threatened the yacht was of an entirely -different character, and that by Perk’s prompt action it had been -averted, at least for the present. Of course he could not stay on deck -after so thrilling a scene had been enacted below. He gave the wheel into -his brother’s hands, and went down into the galley to see how things -looked there. He listened in great amazement to Perk’s account of the -affair, and placed his ear at the hatch in the hope of hearing something -that would tell him what the prisoners were about. But all was silent -below. The deserters had ceased their swearing and threatening, and were -no doubt trying to decide what they should do next. - -The crew of the yacht were not nearly so confidant and jubilant as they -had been before this incident happened, and nothing more was said about -the lunch. The presence of two desperate characters on board their vessel -was enough to awaken the most serious apprehensions in their minds. -During the rest of the voyage they were on the alert to check any -attempt at escape on the part of the prisoners, and those on deck caught -up handspikes and rushed down into the cabin at every unusual sound. But -the journey was accomplished without any mishap, and finally the bluffs -on Lost Island began to loom up through the darkness. After sailing -around the island without discovering any signs of the smugglers, the -Banner came about, and running before the wind like a frightened deer, -held for the cove into which Chase and his captors had gone with the -pirogue a few hours before. The young captain, with his speaking-trumpet -in his hand, stood upon the rail, the halliards were manned fore and -aft, and the careful Bab sent to the wheel. These precautions were taken -because the Banner was now about to perform the most dangerous part of -her voyage to the island. The entrance to the cove was narrow, and the -cove itself extended but a short distance inland, so that if the yacht’s -speed were not checked at the proper moment, the force with which she was -driven by the gale, would send her high and dry upon the beach. - -The little vessel flew along with the speed of an arrow, seemingly on the -point of dashing herself in pieces on the rocks, against which the surf -beat with a roar like that of a dozen cannon; but, under the skilful -management of her young captain, doubled the projecting point in safety, -and was earned on the top of a huge wave into the still waters of the -cove. Now was the critical moment, and had Walter been up and doing he -might have saved the Banner from the catastrophe which followed. But -he did not give an order, and it is more than likely that he would not -have been obeyed if he had. He and his crew stood rooted to the deck, -bewildered by the scene that burst upon their view. A bright fire was -roaring and crackling on the beach, and by the aid of the light it threw -out, every object in the cove could be distinguished. The first thing the -crew of the Banner noticed was a small schooner moored directly in their -path—the identical one they had seen loading at Bellville; the second, a -group of men, one of whom they recognised, standing on the beach; and the -third, a cave high up the bluff, in the mouth of which stood one of the -boys of whom they were in search, Henry Chase, whose face was white with -excitement and terror. He was throwing his arms wildly about his head, -and shouting at the top of his voice. - -“Banner ahoy!” he yelled. - -“Hallo!” replied Walter, as soon as he found his tongue. - -“Get away from here!” shouted Chase. “Get away while you can. That vessel -is the smuggler, and Fred Craven is a prisoner on board of her.” - -But it was too late for the yacht to retreat. Before Walter could open -his mouth she struck the smuggling vessel with a force sufficient to -knock all the boy crew off their feet, breaking the latter’s bowsprit -short off, and then swung around with her stern in the bushes, where she -remained wedged fast, with her sails shaking in the wind. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -A SURPRISE. - - -The last time we saw Henry Chase he was sitting in the mouth of “The -Kitchen”—that was the name given to the cave in which he had taken refuge -after destroying the pirogue—with his axe in his hand, waiting to see -what Coulte and Pierre, who had just disappeared down the gully, were -going to do next. He had been holding a parley with his captors, and -they, finding that he had fairly turned the tables on them, and that -he was not to be frightened into surrendering himself into their hands -again, had gone off to talk the matter over and decide upon some plan -to capture the boy in his stronghold. Now that their vessel was cut to -pieces, they had no means of leaving the island, and consequently they -were prisoners there as well as Chase. He had this slight advantage of -them, however: when the yacht arrived he would be set at liberty, while -they would in all probability be secured and sent off to jail, where they -belonged. - -“I’ll pay them for interfering with me when I wasn’t troubling them,” -chuckled Chase, highly elated over the clever manner in which he had -outwitted his captors. “I think I have managed affairs pretty well. Now, -if the yacht would only come, I should be all right. It is to Walter’s -interest to assist me, if he only knew it; for I can tell him where Fred -Craven is. But I can safely leave all that to Wilson. He is a friend -worth having, and he will do all he can for me. What’s going on out -there, I wonder?” - -The sound that had attracted the boy’s attention was a scrambling among -the bushes, accompanied by exclamations of anger and long-drawn whistles. -The noise came down to him from the narrow crevice which extended to the -top of the bluff, and from this Chase knew that Coulte and Pierre were -ascending the rocks on the outside, and that they were having rather a -difficult time of it. He wondered what they were going to do up there. -They could not come down into the cave through the crevice, for it was so -narrow that Fred Craven himself would have stuck fast in it. The boy took -his stand under the opening and listened. He heard the two men toiling -up the almost perpendicular sides, and knew when they reached the summit. -Then there was a sound of piling wood, followed by the concussion of -flint and steel; and presently a feeble flame, which gradually increased -in volume, shot up from the top of the bluff. - -“That’s a signal,” thought Chase, with some uneasiness. “Who in the -world is abroad on the Gulf, on a night like this, that is likely to be -attracted by it? It must be the smuggling vessel, for I remember hearing -Mr. Bell say that he should start for Cuba this very night. I pity Fred -Craven, shut up in that dark hold, with his hands and feet tied. I’ve had -a little experience in that line to-night, and I know how it feels.” - -Chase seated himself on the floor of the cave, under the crevice, rested -his head against the rocks, and set himself to watch the two men, whose -movements he could distinctly see as they passed back and forth before -the fire. In this position he went off into the land of dreams and -slept for an hour, at the end of which time he awoke with a start, and -a presentiment that some danger threatened him. He sprang to his feet, -catching up his axe and looking all around the cave; and as he did so, -a dark form, which had been stealthily creeping toward him, stopped and -stretched itself out flat on the rocks, just in time to escape his notice. - -“Was it a dream?” muttered Chase, rubbing his eyes. “I thought some one -had placed a pole against the bluff and climbed into the cave; but of -course that couldn’t be, for Coulte and his son have no axe with which to -cut a pole.” - -The boy once more glanced suspiciously about his hiding-place, which, -from some cause, seemed to be a great deal lighter now than it was when -he went to sleep, and hurrying to the mouth looked down into the gully -below. To his consternation, he found that the danger he had apprehended -in his dream was threatening him in reality. A pole had been placed -against the ledge at the entrance to the cave, and clinging to it was the -figure of a man, who had ascended almost to the top. It was Pierre. How -he had managed to possess himself of the pole was a question Chase asked -himself, but which he could not stop to answer. His enemy was too near -and time too precious for that. - -“Hold on!” shouted Pierre, when he saw the boy swing his axe aloft. - -“You had better hold on to something solid yourself,” replied Chase, “or -you will go to the bottom of the ravine. You are as near to me as I care -to have you come.” - -The axe descended, true to its aim, and cutting into the pole at the -point where it touched the ledge severed it in twain, and sent Pierre -heels-over-head to the ground. When this had been done, and Chase’s -excitement had abated so that he could look about him, he found that he -had more than one enemy to contend with. He was astonished beyond measure -at what he saw, and he knew now why “The Kitchen” was not as dark as it -had been an hour before. The whole cove below him was brilliantly lighted -up by a fire which had been kindled on the beach, and the most prominent -object revealed to his gaze was a little schooner which was moored to the -trees. The sight of her recalled most vividly to his mind the adventure -of which he and Fred Craven had been the heroes. It was the Stella—the -smuggling vessel. Her crew were gathered in a group at the bottom of -the gully, and Chase’s attention had been so fully occupied with Pierre -that he had not seen them. As he ran his eye over the group he saw that -there was one man in it besides Pierre who was anything but a stranger -to him, and that was Mr. Bell, who stood a little apart from the others, -with his tarpaulin drawn down over his forehead, and his arms buried to -the elbows in the pockets of his pea-jacket. Remembering the uniform -kindness and courtesy with which he and Wilson had been treated by that -gentleman, while they were Bayard’s guests and sojourners under his roof -Chase was almost on the point of appealing to him for protection; but -checked himself when he recalled the scene that had transpired on board -the Stella, when he and Fred Craven were discovered in the hold. - -“I’ll not ask favors of a smuggler—an outlaw,” thought Chase, tightening -his grasp on his trusty axe. “It would be of no use, for it was through -him that I was brought to this island.” - -“Look here, young gentleman,” said a short, red-whiskered man, stepping -out from among his companions, after holding a short consultation with -Mr. Bell, “we want you.” - -“I can easily believe that,” answered Chase. “I know too much to be -allowed to remain at large, don’t I? I don’t want you, however.” - -“We’ve got business with you,” continued the red-whiskered man, who was -the commander of the Stella, “and you had better listen to reason before -we use force. Drop that axe and come down here.” - -“I think I see myself doing it. I’d look nice, surrendering myself into -your hands, to be shut up in that dark hole with poor Fred Craven, -carried to Cuba and shipped off to Mexico, under a Spanish sea-captain, -wouldn’t I? There’s a good deal of reason in that, isn’t there now? I’ll -fight as long as I can swing this axe.” - -“But that will do you no good,” replied the captain, “for you are -surrounded and can’t escape. Where is Coulte?” he added, in an impatient -undertone, to the men who stood about him. - -“Surrounded!” thought Chase. He glanced quickly behind him, but could see -nothing except the darkness that filled the cave, and that was something -of which he was not afraid. “I’ll have friends here before long,” he -added, aloud, “and until they arrive, I can hold you all at bay. I will -knock down the poles as fast as you put them up.” - -“Where _is_ Coulte, I wonder?” said the master of the smuggling vessel, -again. “Why isn’t he doing something? I could have captured him a dozen -times.” - -These words reached the boy’s ear, and the significant, earnest tone in -which they were uttered, aroused his suspicions, and made him believe -that perhaps the old Frenchman was up to something that might interest -him. It might be that his enemies had discovered some secret passage-way -leading into his stronghold, and had sent Coulte around to attack him in -the rear. Alarmed at the thought, Chase no longer kept his back turned -toward the cave, but stood in such a position that he could watch the -farther end of “The Kitchen” and the men below at the same time. - -A long silence followed the boy’s bold avowal of his determination to -stand his ground, during which time a whispered consultation was carried -on by Mr. Bell, Pierre, and the captain of the schooner. When it was -ended, the former led the way toward the beach, followed by all the -vessel’s company. Chase watched them until they disappeared among the -bushes that lined the banks of the gully, and when they came out again -and took their stand about the fire, he seated himself on the ledge at -the entrance of the cave, and waited with no little uneasiness to see -what they would do next. - -“I know now what that fire on the bluff was for,” thought he. “It was -a signal to the smugglers, and they saw it and ran in here while I was -asleep. They came very near capturing me, too—in a minute more Pierre -would have been in the cave. I can’t expect to fight a whole ship’s -company, and of course I must give in, sooner or later; but I will hold -out as long as I can.” - -Chase finished his soliloquy with an exclamation, and jumped to his feet -in great excitement. A thrill of hope shot through his breast when he saw -the Banner come suddenly into view from behind the point, and dart into -the cove; but it quickly gave away to a feeling of intense alarm. His -long-expected reinforcements had arrived at last, but would they be able -to render him the assistance he had hoped and longed for? Would they not -rather bring themselves into serious trouble by running directly into the -power of the smugglers? Forgetful of himself, and thinking only of the -welfare of Walter and his companions, Chase dropped his axe and began -shouting and waving his arms about his head to attract their attention. - -“Get away from here!” he cried. “That vessel is the smuggler, and Fred -Craven is a prisoner on board of her.” - -Walter heard the words of warning and so did all of his crew; but they -came too late. The yacht was already beyond control. When her captain -picked himself up from the deck where the shock of the collision had -thrown him, and looked around to see where he was, he found the Banner’s -fore-rigging foul of the wreck of the schooner’s bowsprit, and her stern -almost high and dry, and jammed in among the bushes and trees on the -bank. Escape from such a situation was simply impossible. He glanced at -the cave where he had seen Chase but he had disappeared; then he looked -at his crew, whose faces were white with alarm; and finally he turned his -attention to the smugglers who were gathered about the fire. He could -not discover anything in their personal appearance, or the expression -of their faces, calculated to allay the fears which Chase’s words had -aroused in his mind. They were a hard-looking lot—just such men as one -would expect to see engaged in such business. - -“Now I’ll tell you what’s a fact,” whispered Perk, as the crew of the -Banner gathered about the captain on the quarter-deck; “did you hear -what Chase said? We know where Featherweight is now, don’t we?” - -“Yes, and we shall probably see the inside of his prison in less than -five minutes,” observed Eugene. “Or else the smugglers will put us ashore -and destroy our yacht, so that we can’t leave the island until we are -taken off.” - -“I don’t see what in the world keeps the tug and the revenue-cutter,” -said Walter, anxiously. “They ought to have beaten us here, and unless -they arrive very soon we shall be in serious trouble. What brought that -schooner to the island, any how?” - -“That is easily accounted for,” returned Wilson, “Pierre is a member of -the gang, as you are aware, and his friends probably knew that he was -here, and stopped to take him off. Having brought their vessel into the -cove, of course they must stay here until the wind goes down.” - -“Well, if they are going to do anything with us I wish they would be in a -hurry about it,” said Bab. “I don’t like to be kept in suspense.” - -The young sailors once more directed their attention to the smugglers, -and told one another that they did not act much like men who made it a -point to secure everybody who knew anything of their secret. They did -not seem to be surprised at the yacht’s sudden appearance, but it was -easy enough to see that they were angry at the rough manner in which she -had treated their vessel. Her commander had shouted out several orders to -Walter as the Banner came dashing into the cove, but as the young captain -could not pay attention to both him and Chase at the same moment, the -orders had not been heard. When the little vessel swung around into the -bushes, the master of the schooner sprang upon the deck of his own craft, -followed by his crew. - -“That beats all the lubberly handling of a yacht I ever saw in my life, -and I’ve seen a good deal of it,” said the red-whiskered captain, -angrily. “Do you want the whole Gulf to turn your vessel in?” - -“You’re a lubber yourself,” retorted Walter, who, although he considered -himself a prisoner in hands of the smugglers, was not the one to listen -tamely to any imputation cast upon his seamanship. “I can handle a craft -of this size as well as anybody.” - -“I don’t see it,” answered the master of the schooner. “My vessel is -larger than yours, and I brought her in here without smashing everything -in pieces.” - -“That may be. But the way was clear, and you came in under entirely -different circumstances.” - -“Well, if you will bear a hand over there we will clear away this wreck. -I want to go out again as soon as this wind goes down.” - -Wondering why the captain of the smugglers did not tell them that they -were his prisoners, Walter and his crew went to work with the schooner’s -company, and by the aid of hatchets, handspikes, and a line made fast -to a tree on the bank, succeeded in getting the little vessels apart; -after which the Banner was hauled out into deep water and turned about -in readiness to sail out of the cove. Walter took care, however, to work -his vessel close in to the bank, in order to leave plenty of room for the -tug and the revenue cutter when they came in. How closely he watched the -entrance to the cove, and how impatiently he awaited their arrival! - -While the crew of the schooner was engaged in repairing the wreck of -the bowsprit, Walter and his men were setting things to rights on board -the yacht, wondering exceedingly all the while. They did not understand -the matter at all. Pierre and Coulte had brought Chase to the island, -intending to leave him to starve, freeze, or be taken off as fate or luck -might decree, and all because he had learned something they did not want -him to know. Fred Craven was a prisoner on board the very vessel that -now lay alongside them, and that proved that he knew something about the -smugglers also. Now, if the band had taken two boys captive because they -had discovered their secret, and they did not think it safe to allow them -to be at liberty, what was the reason they did not make an effort to -secure the crew of the Banner? These were the points that Walter and his -men were turning over in their minds, and the questions they propounded -to one another, but not one of them could find an answer to them. - -“Perhaps they think we might resist, and that we are too strong to be -successfully attacked,” said Eugene, at length. - -“Hardly that, I imagine,” laughed Walter. “Five boys would not be a -mouthful for ten grown men.” - -“I say, fellows,” exclaimed Bab, “what has become of Chase all of a -sudden?” - -“That’s so!” cried all the crew in a breath, stopping their work and -looking up at the bluffs above them. “Where is he?” - -“The first and last I saw of him he was standing in the mouth of ‘The -Kitchen,’” continued Bab. “Where could he have gone, and why doesn’t he -come back and talk to us? Was he still a prisoner, or had he succeeded in -escaping?” - -“Well—I—declare, fellows,” whispered Eugene, in great excitement, -pointing to a gentleman dressed in broadcloth, who was lying beside the -fire with his hat over his eyes, as if fast asleep, “if that isn’t Mr. -Bell I never saw him before.” - -The Banner’s crew gazed long and earnestly at the prostrate man (if they -had been a little nearer to him they would have seen that his eyes were -wide open, and that he was closely watching every move they made from -under the brim of his hat), and the whispered decision of each was that -it was Mr. Bell. They knew him, in spite of his pea-jacket and tarpaulin. -Was he a smuggler? He must be or else he would not have been there. He -must be their leader, too, for a man like Mr. Bell would never occupy a -subordinate position among those rough fellows. The young captain and -his crew were utterly confounded by this new discovery. The mysteries -surrounding them seemed to deepen every moment. - -“What did I say, yesterday, when Walter finished reading that article in -the paper?” asked Perk, after a long pause. “Didn’t I tell you that if -we had got into a fight with Bayard and his crowd, we would have whipped -three of the relatives of the ringleader of the band?” - -“Well, what’s to be done?” asked Eugene. “We don’t want to sit here -inactive, while Chase is up in that cave, and Fred Craven a prisoner on -board the schooner. One may be in need of help, the other certainly is, -and we ought to bestir ourselves. Suggest something, somebody.” - -“Let us act as though we suspected nothing wrong, and go ashore and -make some inquiries of Mr. Bell concerning Chase and the pirogue,” said -Walter. “We’re here, we can’t get away as long as this gale continues, -and we might as well put a bold face on the matter.” - -“That’s the idea. Shall somebody stay on board to keep an eye on the -deserters?” - -“I hardly think it will be necessary. They’ll not be able to work their -way out of the hold before we return.” - -“But the smugglers might take possession of the vessel.” - -“If that is their intention, our presence or absence will make no -difference to them. They can take the yacht now as easily as they could -if we were ashore.” - -Walter’s suggestion being approved by the crew, they sprang over the -rail, and walking around the cove—the Banner was moored at the bank -opposite the fire—came up to the place where Mr. Bell was lying. He -started up at the sound of their footsteps, and rubbing his eyes as if -just aroused from a sound sleep, said pleasantly: - -“You young gentlemen must be very fond of yachting, to venture out on a -night like this. Did you come in here to get out of reach of the wind?” - -“No, sir,” replied Walter. “We expected to find Henry Chase on the -island.” - -“And he is somewhere about here, too,” exclaimed Wilson. “We saw him -standing in the mouth of ‘The Kitchen,’ not fifteen minutes ago.” - -“The Kitchen!” echoed Mr. Bell, raising himself on his elbow and looking -up at the cave in question. “Why, how could he get up there, and we know -nothing about it? We’ve been here more than an hour.” - -“Haven’t you seen him?” asked Walter. - -“No.” - -“But you must have heard him shouting to us when we came into the cove.” - -“Why no, I did not,” replied Mr. Bell, with an air of surprise. “In the -first place, what object could he have in visiting the island, alone, -on a night like this? And in the next, how could he come here without a -boat?” - -“There ought to be a boat somewhere about here,” said Walter, while his -companions looked wonderingly at one another, “because Pierre and Coulte -brought him over here in a pirogue.” - -It now seemed Mr. Bell’s turn to be astonished. He looked hard at Walter, -as if trying to make up his mind whether or not he was really in earnest, -and then a sneering smile settled on his face; and stretching himself out -on his blanket again he pulled his hat over his eyes, remarking as he did -so: - -“All I have to say is, that Chase was a blockhead to let them do it.” - -“Now just listen to me a minute, Mr. Bell, and I’ll tell you what’s a -fact,” said Perk, earnestly. “He couldn’t help it, for he was tied hard -and fast.” - -The gentleman lifted his hat from his eyes, gazed at Perk a moment, -smiled again, and said: “Humph!” - -“I know it is so,” insisted Perk, “because I saw him and had hold of him. -I had hold of Coulte too; and if I get my hands on him again to-night, he -won’t escape so easily.” - -“What object could the old Frenchman and his son have had in tying Chase -hand and foot, and taking him to sea in a dugout?” - -“Their object was to get him out of the way,” said Walter. “Chase knows -that Coulte’s two sons belong to a gang of smugglers, and they wanted to -put him where he would have no opportunity to communicate his discovery -to anybody.” - -“Smugglers!” repeated the gentleman, in a tone of voice that was -exceedingly aggravating. “Smugglers about Bellville? Humph.” - -“Yes sir, smugglers,” answered Wilson, with a good deal of spirit. “And -we have evidence that you will perhaps put some faith in—the word of your -own son.” - -“O, I am not disputing you, young gentlemen,” said Mr. Bell, settling his -hands under his head, and crossing his feet as if he were preparing to go -to sleep. “I simply say that your story looks to me rather unreasonable; -and I would not advise you to repeat it in the village for fear of -getting yourselves into trouble. I have not seen Pierre, or Coulte, or -Chase to-night. Perhaps the captain has, or some of his men, although it -is hardly probable. As I am somewhat wearied with my day’s work, I hope -you will allow me to go to sleep.” - -“Certainly, sir,” said Walter. “Pardon us for disturbing you.” - -So saying, the young commander of the Banner turned on his heel and -walked off, followed by his crew. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -OUTWITTED. - - -“Well,” continued Walter, after he and his companions had walked out of -earshot of Mr. Bell; “what do you think of that.” - -“Let somebody else tell,” said Bab. “It bangs me completely.” - -“Now I’ll tell you something,” observed Perk: “He is trying to humbug -us—I could see it in his eye. If there is a fellow among us who didn’t -see Henry Chase standing in the mouth of the cave, when we rounded the -point, and hear him shout to us that that schooner there is a smuggler, -and that Fred Craven is a prisoner on board of her, let him say so.” - -Perk paused, and the Banner’s crew looked at one another, but no one -spoke. They had all seen Chase, and had heard and understood his words. - -“That is proof enough that Chase is on the island,” said Walter, “for -it is impossible that five of us should have been so deceived. Now, if -_we_ heard and saw him, what’s the reason Mr. Bell didn’t? That pirogue -must be hidden about here somewhere. If you fellows will look around for -it, I will go back to the yacht, see how our deserters are getting on, -and bring a lantern and an axe. Then we’ll go up and give ‘The Kitchen’ a -thorough overhauling.” - -Walter hurried off, and his crew began beating about through the bushes, -looking for the pirogue. They searched every inch of the ground they -passed over, peeping into hollow logs, and up into the branches of the -trees, and examining places in which one of the paddles of the canoe -could scarcely have been stowed away, but without success. There was -one place however, where they did not look, and that was _in the fire_, -beside which Mr. Bell lay. Had they thought of that, they might have -found something. - -When Walter returned with the axe and the lighted lantern, the crew -reported the result of their search, and the young captain, disappointed -and more perplexed than ever, led the way toward “The Kitchen.” While -they were going up the gully, they stopped to cut a pole, with which to -ascend to the cave, and looked everywhere for signs of anybody having -passed along the path that night; but it was dark among the bushes, and -the light of the lantern revealed not a single foot-print. Arriving -at the bluff, they placed the pole against the ledge, and climbing up -one after the other, entered the cave, leaving Eugene at the mouth to -keep an eye on the yacht, and on the movements of the smugglers below. -But their search here was also fruitless. There was the wood which the -last visitors from the village had provided to cook their meals, the -dried leaves that had served them for a bed, and the remains of their -camp-fire; but that was all. The axe that had done Chase such good -service, his blankets, bacon, and everything else he had brought there, -as well as the boy himself, had disappeared. - -Eugene, who was deeply interested in the movements of his companions, did -not perform the part of watchman very well. On two or three occasions he -left his post and entered the cave to assist in the search; and once when -he did this, Mr. Bell, who still kept his recumbent position by the fire, -made a sign with his hand, whereupon two men glided from the bushes that -lined the beach, and clambering quickly over the side of the smuggling -vessel, crept across the deck and dived into the hold. Eugene returned to -the mouth of the cave just as they went down the ladder, but did not see -them. - -“Now then,” said Walter, when the cave had been thoroughly searched, -“some of you fellows who are good at unravelling mysteries, explain this. -What has become of Chase? Did he leave the cave of his own free will, -and if so, how did he get out? We found no pole by which he could have -descended, and consequently he must have hung by his hands from the ledge -and dropped to the ground. But he would not have done that for fear of -a sprained ankle. He surely did not allow any one to come up here and -take him out, for with a handful of these rocks he could have held the -cave against a dozen men. Besides, he would have shouted for help, and we -should have heard him.” - -None of the crew had a word to say in regard to Chase’s mysterious -disappearance. They sighed deeply, shook their heads, and looked down at -the ground, thus indicating quite as plainly as they could have done by -words, that the matter was altogether too deep for their comprehension. -More bewildered than ever, they followed one another down the pole, and -retraced their steps toward the beach. - -“What shall we do to pass away the time until the tug and cutter arrive?” -asked Perk. “I wish that schooner could find a tongue long enough to tell -us what she’s got stowed away in her hold.” - -“If she could, and told you the truth, she would assure you that Fred -Craven is there,” said Wilson, confidently. “Of that I am satisfied. He’s -on some vessel, for Chase told me so while we were at Coulte’s cabin. If -this schooner is an honest merchantman, why did she come in here? There’s -nothing the matter with her that I can see. She didn’t come in to get -out of the wind, for she can certainly stand any sea that the Banner can -outride. Coulte and his sons belong to the smugglers, because I heard -Bayard say so. Chase told me that he was to be carried to the island in -a pirogue, and we met her as she came down the bayou. Now, put these few -things together, and to my mind they explain the character of this vessel -and the reason why she is here.” - -“Go on,” said Eugene. “Put a few other things together, and see if you -can explain where Chase went in such a hurry.” - -“That is beyond me quite. But the matter will be cleared up in a very few -minutes,” added Wilson, gleefully, “for here comes the cutter.” - -As he spoke, the revenue vessel came swiftly around the point; and so -overjoyed were the boys to see her, that they swung their hats around -their heads and greeted her with cheers that awoke a thousand echoes -among the bluffs. Being better handled than the Banner was when she came -in, she glided between the two vessels lying in the cove, and running -her bowsprit among the bushes on the bank, came to a stand still without -even a jar. Her captain had evidently made preparations to perform any -work he might find to do without the loss of a moment; for no sooner had -the cutter swung round broadside to the bank, than a company of men with -small-arms tumbled over the side, followed by the second lieutenant, and -finally by the commander himself. - -“Here we are again, captain,” said the latter, as Walter came up, “and -all ready for business. Bring on your smugglers.” - -“There they are, sir,” answered Walter, pointing to the crew of the -schooner, who had once more congregated about the fire, “and there’s -their vessel.” - -“That!” exclaimed the second lieutenant, opening his eyes in surprise. -“You’re mistaken, captain. That is the Stella—a trader from Bellville, -bound for Havana, with an assorted cargo—hams, bacon, flour, and the -like. I boarded her to-night and examined her papers myself. She no doubt -put in here on account of stress of weather.” - -“Stress of weather!” repeated Walter, contemptuously. “That little yacht -has come from Bellville since midnight, and never shipped a bucket of -water; and the schooner is four times as large as she is. Stress of -weather, indeed!” - -“Well, she is all right, any how.” - -“I am sure, captain, that if you will take the trouble to look into -things a little, you will find that she is _not_ all right—begging the -lieutenant’s pardon for differing with him so decidedly,” said Walter. -“Some strange things have happened since we came here.” - -“Well, captain, I will satisfy you on that point, seeing that you are so -positive,” replied the commander of the revenue vessel. “Mr. Harper,” he -added, turning to the lieutenant, “send your men on board the cutter and -come with me.” - -A landsman would have seen no significance in this order, but Walter and -his crew did, and they were not at all pleased to hear it. The sending -of the men back on board the vessel was good evidence that the revenue -captain did not believe a word they said, and that he was going to “look -into things,” merely to satisfy what he thought to be a boyish curiosity. -It is not likely that he would have done even this much, had he not been -aware that the young sailors had influential friends on shore who might -have him called to account for any neglect of duty. Walter’s disgust and -indignation increased as they approached the fire. The men composing the -crew of the smuggling vessel stepped aside to allow them to pass, and Mr. -Bell advanced with outstretched hand, to greet the revenue captain. - -“Why, how is this?” exclaimed the latter, accepting the proffered hand -and shaking it heartily. “I did not expect to find you here, Mr. Bell. -Ah! Captain Conway, good morning to you,” he added, addressing the -red-whiskered master of the schooner. “Captain Gaylord, there is no -necessity of carrying this thing any farther. The presence of these two -gentlemen, with both of whom I am well acquainted, is as good evidence as -I want that the schooner is not a smuggler.” - -“A smuggler!” repeated the master of the Stella. - -“Why, what is the matter?” asked Mr. Bell, opening his eyes in surprise, -and looking first at Walter, and then at the revenue captain, while the -crew of the schooner crowded up to hear what was going on. - -“Why the truth is, that this young gentleman has got some queer ideas -into his head concerning your vessel. He thinks she is the smuggler of -which I have been so long in search.” - -“And I have the best of reasons for thinking so,” said Walter; not in the -least terrified or abashed by the angry glances that were directed toward -him from all sides. “In the first place, does she not correspond with the -description you have in your possession?” - -“I confess that she does,” replied the revenue captain, running his eye -over the schooner from cross-trees to water-line. - -“She answers the description much better than the yacht, does she not?” - -“Yes. But then she has papers, which my lieutenant has examined, and I -know these two gentlemen. You had no papers, and I was not acquainted -with a single man on board your vessel.” - -“A smuggler!” repeated the red-whiskered captain, angrily; “I don’t -believe there’s such a thing in the Gulf.” - -“I am inclined to agree with you,” answered the revenue commander. “I -have looked everywhere, without finding one.” - -“I own the cargo with which this vessel is loaded,” said Mr. Bell, -producing his pocket-book, and handing some papers to the revenue -captain, who returned them without looking at them, “and there are the -receipts of the merchants from whom I purchased it. I am a passenger on -her because I believe that, by going to Cuba, I can dispose of the cargo -to much better advantage than I could sell it through agents. That is why -_I_ am here.” - -“And the schooner is heavily loaded, and I couldn’t make the run without -straining her,” said the master of the Stella. “Having got into the cove -I must wait until the wind dies away before I can go out. That’s why _I_ -am here.” - -The commander of the cutter listened with an air which said very plainly, -that this was all unnecessary—that he had made up his mind and it could -not be changed—and then turned to Walter as if to ask what he had to say -in reply. - -“What these men have said may be true and it may not,” declared the young -captain, boldly. “The way to ascertain is to search the schooner. There -are some articles on board of her that are not down in her bills of -lading.” - -“And if there are it is no business of mine,” returned the commander of -the cutter. - -“It isn’t!” exclaimed Walter in great amazement. “Then I’d like to know -just how far a revenue officer’s business extends. Haven’t you authority -to search any vessel you suspect?” - -“Certainly I have; but I don’t suspect this schooner. And, even if I -did, I would not search her now, because she is outward bound. If she -has contraband articles on board, the Cuban revenue officers may look to -it, for I will not. All I have to do is to prevent, as far as lies in my -power, articles from being smuggled _into_ the United States; I don’t -care a snap what goes _out_.” - -“But you ought to care. There is a boy on board that schooner, held as a -prisoner.” - -“Why is he held as a prisoner?” - -“Because he knows something about the smugglers, and they are afraid to -allow him his liberty.” - -“Humph!” exclaimed Mr. Bell. - -“Every word of that is false,” cried the master of the Stella, who seemed -to be almost beside himself with fury. “It is a villainous attempt to -injure me and my vessel.” - -“Keep your temper, captain,” said the commander of the cutter. “I want to -see if this young man knows what he is talking about. Where are those two -smugglers who brought that boy over here in a canoe?” - -“I don’t know, sir. We have searched the island and can find no trace of -them.” - -“That is a pretty good sign that they are not here. Where is the boat -they came in?” - -“I don’t know that either. It is also missing.” - -“Where is the boy they brought with them?” - -“When the Banner rounded the point he was standing in the mouth of that -cave,” replied Walter, pointing to the Kitchen, “and shouted to us to get -away from here while we could—that this schooner is a smuggler and that -Fred Craven is a prisoner on board of her.” - -“Well, where is the boy now?” - -“I can’t tell you, sir.” - -“Isn’t he on the island?” - -“We can find no signs of him.” - -“Then he hasn’t been here to-night.” - -“He certainly has,” replied Walter, “for we saw him and heard him too.” - -“Who did?” - -“Every one of the crew of the Banner.” - -“Did anybody else? Did you, Mr. Bell? Or you, Captain Conway? Or any of -your men?” - -The persons appealed to answered with a most decided negative. They -had seen no boy in the cave, heard no voice, and knew nothing about a -prisoner or a pirogue. There was one thing they did know, however, and -that was that no dugout that was ever built could traverse forty miles of -the Gulf in such a sea as that which was running last night. - -“Well, young man,” said the revenue officer, addressing the captain of -the yacht somewhat sternly, “I am sure I don’t know what to think of you.” - -“You are at liberty to think what you please, sir,” replied Walter, with -spirit. “I have told you the truth, if you don’t believe it search that -schooner.” - -“You have failed to give me any reason why I should do so. Your story -is perfectly ridiculous. You say that a couple of desperate smugglers -captured an acquaintance of yours and put him in a canoe; that you met -them in a bayou on the main shore and had a fight with them; that they -eluded you and came out into the Gulf in a gale that no small boat in -the world could stand, and brought their prisoner to this island. When I -expressed a reasonable doubt of the story, you offered, if I would come -here with you, to substantiate every word of it. Now I am here, and you -can not produce a scrap of evidence to prove that you are not trying to -make game of me. The men, the boy, and the boat they came in, are not to -be found. I wouldn’t advise you to repeat a trick of this kind or you may -learn to your cost that it is a serious matter to trifle with a United -States officer when in the discharge of his duty. Mr. Bell, as the wind -has now subsided so that I can go out, I wish you good-by and a pleasant -voyage.” - -“One moment, captain,” said Walter, as the revenue commander was about to -move off; “perhaps you will think I am trifling with you, if I tell you -that I have some deserters from your vessel on board my yacht.” - -“Have you? I am glad to hear it. I have missed them, and I know who they -are. I thought they had gone ashore at Bellville, and it was by stopping -to look for them that I lost so much time. Haul your yacht alongside the -cutter and put them aboard.” - -“I am going to set them at liberty right where the yacht lies,” replied -Walter, indignant at the manner in which the revenue captain had treated -him, and at the insolent tone of voice in which the order was issued; -“and you can stand by to take charge of them or not, just as you please.” - -“How many of them are there?” - -“Two.” - -“Only two? Then the others must have gone ashore at Bellville, after -all,” added the captain, turning to his second lieutenant. “I wish they -had taken your vessel out of your hands and run away with it. You need -bringing down a peg or two, worse than any boy I ever saw.” - -Walter, without stopping to reply, turned on his heel, and walked around -the cove to the place where the Banner lay, followed by his crew, who -gave vent to their astonishment and indignation in no measured terms. -The deserters were released at once. When informed that their vessel was -close at hand, and that their captain was expecting them, they ascended -to the deck, looking very much disappointed and crestfallen, and stood in -the waist until the cutter came alongside and took them off. They were -both powerful men, and the boy-tars were glad indeed that they had been -discovered before they gained a footing on deck. If Walter had been in -his right mind he would have examined the hold after those two men left -it; but he was so bewildered by the strange events that had transpired -since he came into the cove, that he could think of nothing else. - -While the crew of the yacht were liberating the deserters, the smuggling -vessel filled away for the Gulf—her captain springing upon the rail long -enough to shake his fist at Walter—and as soon as she was fairly out of -the cove, the cutter followed, and shaped her course toward Bellville. - -The boys watched the movements of the two vessels in silence, and when -they had passed behind the point out of sight, turned with one accord -to Walter, who was thoughtfully pacing his quarter-deck, with his hands -behind his back. - -“Eugene,” said the young captain, at length, “did you keep an eye on the -smuggler all the time that we were in The Kitchen?” - -“O, yes,” replied Eugene, confidently. “I saw everything that happened on -her deck.” And he thought he did, but he forgot that he had two or three -times left his post. - -“You didn’t see Chase taken on board the schooner, did you?” - -“I certainly did not. If I had, I should have said something about it.” - -“Then there is only one explanation to this mystery: Chase was somehow -spirited out of the cave and hidden on the island. We will make one more -attempt to find him. Three of us will go ashore and thoroughly search -these woods and cliffs, and the others stay and watch the yacht.” - -Walter, Perk, and Bab, after arming themselves with handspikes, sprang -ashore and bent their steps toward The Kitchen to begin their search for -the missing Chase. As before, no signs of him were found in the cave, -although every nook and crevice large enough to conceal a squirrel, was -peeped into. Next the gully received a thorough examination, and finally -they came to the bushes on the side of the bluff. A suspicious-looking -pile of leaves under a rock attracted Bab’s attention, and he thrust -his handspike into it. The weapon came in contact with something which -struggled feebly, and uttered a smothered, groaning sound, which made Bab -start back in astonishment. - -“What have you there?” asked Walter, from the foot of the bluff. - -“I don’t know, unless it is a varmint of some kind that has taken up his -winter quarters here. Come up, and let’s punch him out.” - -Perk and Walter clambered up the bluff to the ledge, and while one -raised his handspike in readiness to deal the “varmint” a death-blow -the instant he showed himself, the others cautiously pushed aside the -leaves, and presently disclosed to view—not a wild animal, but a pair of -heavy boots, the heels of which were armed with small silver spurs. One -look at them was enough. With a common impulse the three boys dropped -their handspikes, and pulling away the leaves with frantic haste, soon -dragged into sight the missing boy, securely bound and gagged, and -nearly suffocated. To give him the free use of his hands and feet, and -remove the stick that was tied between his teeth, was but the work of a -moment. When this had been done, Chase slowly raised himself to a sitting -posture, gasping for breath, and looking altogether pretty well used up. - -“You don’t know how grateful I am to you, fellows,” said he, at last, -speaking in a hoarse whisper. “I’ve had a hard time of it during the half -hour I have been stowed away in that hole, and I never expected to see -daylight again.” - -“Now I’ll tell you what’s a fact,” said Perk. “You never would have got -out of there alive if Walter hadn’t been thoughtful enough to search the -island before going home. Now let me ask you something: Where did you go -in such a hurry, after shouting to us from the mouth of The Kitchen?” - -“I can’t talk much, fellows, till I get something to moisten my tongue,” -was the almost indistinct reply. “If you will help me to the spring, I -will tell you all about it. Where are the smugglers?” - -“Don’t know. We haven’t seen any,” said Walter. - -“You haven’t?” whispered Chase, in great amazement. “Didn’t you see -those men who were standing on the beach when you came in?” - -“Yes; but they are not smugglers. They’ve got clearance papers, and the -captain of the cutter says he knows they are all right. Besides, one of -them was Mr. Bell.” - -“No difference; I know they are smugglers by their own confession, and -that Mr. Bell is the leader of them. O, it’s a fact, fellows; I know what -I am talking about. Where are they now?” - -“Gone.” - -“_Gone!_ Where?” - -“To Havana, most likely. That’s the port their vessel cleared for.” - -“And did you rescue Fred Craven? I know you didn’t by your looks. Well, -you’ll have to find that schooner again if you want to see him, for he’s -on board of her, and—wait till I rest awhile, fellows, and get a drink of -water.” - -Seeing that it was with the greatest difficulty that Chase could speak, -Perk and Walter lifted him to his feet, and assisted him to walk down the -gully, while Bab followed after, carrying the handspikes on his shoulder. -Arriving at the spring, Chase lay down beside it and took a large and -hearty drink, now and then pausing to testify to the satisfaction he -felt by shaking his head, and uttering long-drawn sighs. After quenching -his thirst, and taking a few turns up and down the path to stretch his -arms and legs, he felt better. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -FAIRLY AFLOAT. - - -“The first thing, fellows,” said Chase, “is to tell you that I am -heartily sorry I have treated you so shabbily.” - -“Now, please don’t say a word about that,” interrupted Walter, kindly. -“We don’t think hard of you for anything you have done, and besides we -have more important matters to talk about.” - -“I know how ready you are, Walter Gaylord, to overlook an injury that is -done you—you and the rest of the Club—and that is just what makes me feel -so mean,” continued Chase, earnestly. “I was not ashamed to wrong you, -and I ought not to be ashamed to ask your forgiveness. I made up my mind -yesterday, while we were disputing about those panther scalps (to which -we had not the smallest shadow of a right, as we knew very well), to give -Fred Craven a good thumping, if I was man enough to do it, for beating me -in the race for Vice-Commodore; and the next time I met him he paid me -for it in a way I did not expect. He tried to assist me, and got himself -into a terrible scrape by it.” - -“That is just what we want to hear about,” said Bab, “and you are the -only one who can enlighten us. But Eugene and Wilson would like to listen -to the story also; and if you can walk so far, I suggest that we go on -board the yacht.” - -“What do you suppose has become of Coulte and Pierre?” asked Walter. “Are -they still on the island?” - -“No, indeed,” replied Chase. “If the rest of the smugglers are gone, of -course they went with them.” - -After Chase had taken another drink from the spring, he accompanied his -deliverers down the gully. The watch on board the yacht discovered them -as they came upon the beach, and pulling off their hats, greeted them -with three hearty cheers. When they reached the vessel, Wilson testified -to the joy he felt at meeting his long-lost friend once more, by seizing -him by the arms and dragging him bodily over the rail. - -“One moment, fellows!” exclaimed Walter, and his voice arrested -the talking and confusion at once. “Chase, are you positive that -Featherweight is a prisoner on board that schooner?” - -“I am; and I know he will stay there until he reaches Havana, unless -something turns up in his favor.” - -“Then we’ve not an instant to waste in talking,” said the young captain. -“We must keep that schooner in sight, if it is within the bounds of -possibility. Get under way, Perk.” - -“Hurrah!” shouted Eugene, forgetting in the excitement of the moment the -object for which their cruise was about to be undertaken. “Here’s for a -sail clear to Cuba.” - -“Now, just listen to me a minute and I’ll tell you what’s a fact,” said -Perk. “One reason why I fought so hard against those deserters was, -because I was afraid that if they got control of the vessel they would -take us out to sea; and now we are going out of our own free will.” - -“And with not a man on board;” chimed in Bab, “nobody to depend upon -but ourselves. This will be something to talk about when we get back to -Bellville, won’t it?” - -The crew worked with a will, and in a very few minutes the Banner was -once more breasting the waves of the Gulf, her prow being turned toward -the West Indies. As soon as she was fairly out of the cove, a half a -dozen pairs of eyes were anxiously directed toward the southern horizon, -and there, about three miles distant, was the Stella, scudding along -under all the canvas she could carry. The gaze of the young sailors was -then directed toward the Louisiana shore; but in that direction not a -craft of any kind was in sight, except the revenue cutter, and she was -leaving them behind every moment. Exclamations of wonder arose on all -sides, and every boy turned to Walter, as if he could tell them all about -it, and wanted to know what was the reason the tug had not arrived. - -“I don’t understood it any better than you do, fellows,” was the reply. -“She ought to have reached the island in advance of us. And I don’t -see why the Lookout hasn’t put in an appearance. If father and Uncle -Dick reached home last night, they’ve had plenty of time to come to our -assistance. It would do me good to see her come up and overhaul that -schooner.” - -“Isn’t that a cutter, off there?” asked Chase, who had been attentively -regarding the revenue vessel through Walter’s glass. “Let’s signal to -her. She’ll help us.” - -“Humph! She wouldn’t pay the least attention to us; we’ve tried her. The -captain wouldn’t believe a word we said to him.” - -It was now about nine o’clock in the morning, and a cold, dismal -morning it was, too. The gale of the night before had subsided into a -capital sailing wind, but there was considerable sea running, and a -suspicious-looking bank of clouds off to windward, which attracted the -attention of the yacht’s company the moment they rounded the point. The -crew looked at Walter, and he looked first at the sky and clouds and -then at the schooner. He had been on the Gulf often enough to know that -it would not be many hours before the sea-going qualities of his little -vessel, the nerve of her crew, and the skill on which he prided himself, -would be put to a severer test than they had yet experienced, and for a -moment he hesitated. But it was only for a moment. The remembrance of -the events that had just transpired in the cove, the dangers with which -Fred Craven was surrounded, and the determination he had more than once -expressed to stand by him until he was rescued—all these things came -into his mind, and his course was quickly decided upon. Although he said -nothing, his crew knew what he was thinking about, and they saw by the -expression which settled on his face that there was to be no backing out, -no matter what happened. - -“I was _dreadfully_ afraid you were going to turn back, Walter,” said -Eugene, drawing a long breath of relief. - -“I would have opposed such a proceeding as long as I had breath to speak -or could think of a word to utter,” said Perk. “Featherweight’s salvation -depends upon us entirely, now that the tug has failed to arrive and the -cutter has gone back on us.” - -“But, fellows, we are about to undertake a bigger job than some of you -have bargained for, perhaps,” said Bab. “Leaving the storm out of the -question, there is the matter of provisions. We have eaten nothing since -yesterday at breakfast, and the lunch we brought on board last night will -not make more than one hearty meal for six of us. We shall all have good -appetites by the time we reach Havana, I tell you.” - -“I can see a way out of that difficulty,” replied Walter. “We will soon -be in the track of vessels bound to and from the Balize, and if we fall -in with one of those little New Orleans traders, we will speak her and -purchase what we want. I don’t suppose any of us are overburdened with -cash—I am not—but if we can raise ten or fifteen dollars, a trader will -stop for that.” - -“I will pass around the hat and see how much we can scrape together,” -said Eugene, “and while I am doing that, suppose we listen to what Chase -has to say for himself.” - -[Illustration: THE CLUB AFLOAT.] - -The young sailors moved nearer to the boy at the wheel so that he might -have the benefit of the story, and while they were counting out their -small stock of change and placing it in Eugene’s hands, Chase began -the account of his adventures. He went back to the time of the quarrel -which Bayard Bell and his cousins had raised with himself and Wilson, -told of the plan he and his companion had decided upon to warn Walter -of his danger, and described how it was defeated by the smugglers. This -much the Club had already heard from Wilson; but now Chase came to -something of which they had not heard, and that was the incidents that -transpired on the smuggling vessel. Walter and his companions listened in -genuine amazement as Chase went on to describe the interview he had held -with Bayard and his cousins (he laughed heartily at the surprise and -indignation they had exhibited when they found him in the locker instead -of Walter, although he had thought it anything but a laughing matter at -the time), and to relate what happened after Fred Craven arrived. At this -stage of his story Chase was often interrupted by exclamations of anger; -and especially were the crew vehement in their expressions of wrath, when -they learned that Featherweight’s trials would by no means be ended when -he reached Havana—that he was to be shipped as a foremast hand on board -a Spanish vessel and sent off to Mexico. This was all that was needed to -arouse the fiercest indignation against Mr. Bell. The thought that a boy -like Fred Craven was to be forced into a forecastle, to be tyrannized -over by some brute of a mate, ordered about in language that he could not -understand, and perhaps knocked down with a belaying-pin or beaten with a -rope’s end, because he did not know what was required of him—this was too -much; and Eugene in his excitement declared that if Walter would crack on -and lay the yacht alongside the schooner, they would board her, engage in -a hand-to-hand fight with the smugglers, and rescue the secretary at all -hazards. Had the young captain put this reckless proposition to a vote -it would have been carried without a dissenting voice. - -When the confusion had somewhat abated Chase went on with his story, -and finally came to another event of which the Club had heard the -particulars—the siege in Coulte’s house. He described the sail down the -bayou, the attempted rescue by the Club, the voyage to the island during -the gale, the destruction of the pirogue, and his escape and retreat -to The Kitchen. His listeners became more attentive than ever when he -reached this point, and his mysterious manner increased their impatience -to hear how he could have been spirited out of the cave without being -seen by any one. - -“It was a surprise to me,” said Chase, “but it was done as easily as -falling off a log. After I fell asleep the Stella, seeing the signal -which Pierre and Coulte had lighted on the top of the bluff, came into -the cove. I awoke just in time to keep Pierre from stealing a march -upon me, but too late to prevent the entrance of Coulte. The old fellow -must have come in just before I opened my eyes, and he was in the cave -close behind me all the time I was talking to the smugglers; but he kept -himself out of sight, thinking, no doubt, that it would not be a safe -piece of business to attack me as long as I held my axe in my hand. The -captain of the Stella told me that I was surrounded, and on two different -occasions asked in a tone of voice loud enough for me to hear: ‘Where is -Coulte, and why don’t he bestir himself?’ This made me believe that there -was something amiss, and I stood in such a position that I could keep an -eye on the interior of the cave and watch the men below at the same time, -thus giving Coulte no opportunity to take me at disadvantage. But when I -saw the Banner come in, I forgot everything in the fear that if you did -not immediately turn about and leave the cove, you would all be captured. -Intent upon warning you I threw down my axe and shouted to attract your -attention. This was just what the old Frenchman was waiting for. No -sooner had the words I shouted out to you left my lips, than he jumped up -and seized me; and before I could say ‘hard a starboard’ I was helpless, -being bound and gagged. I had no idea the old fellow possessed so much -muscle and activity. He handled me as if I had been an infant.” - -“But how did he ever get you down from the cave without being seen by -some of us?” asked Eugene. - -“O, he had opportunities enough,” said Bab—“while we were getting our -vessel free from the schooner and out of the bushes for instance.” - -“Or while we were talking with Mr. Bell,” said Wilson. - -“He might have done it while we were looking for the pirogue, or at any -time within ten minutes after we entered the cove,” remarked Walter. -“I for one was so much astonished at what I saw and heard when we came -around the point, that, after Chase ceased speaking to us, I never -thought of him again until we had got our vessel moored to the bank.” - -“I can’t tell _when_ it was done, fellows,” continued Chase, “but I -know it _was_ done. As soon as Coulte had secured me, he looked out of -the cave, waved his hand once or twice, and then began throwing out the -articles he had given me for an outfit. Perhaps he thought you might -look in ‘The Kitchen’ for me before you left the island, and he didn’t -think it best to leave any traces of me there. In a few minutes Pierre -came up with a rope over his shoulders. This they made fast under my -arms, and watching their opportunity, when your attention was engaged -with something else, they lowered me into the gully. They then followed -me down the pole by which Pierre had come up, and hid me away under the -rocks where you found me.” - -And Chase might have added that after they had disposed of him, they went -on board the smuggling vessel and concealed themselves in the hold until -she was safe out of the cove. But this was something of which he had no -positive evidence. In a few days, however, the crew met some one who told -them all about it, and then Eugene, to his great surprise, learned that -if he had faithfully performed the part Walter had assigned him, he might -have been able to make a great change in the fortunes of Fred Craven. -He could then have revealed to the revenue captain the whereabouts of -the men who had captured Chase and brought him to the island, and that -gentleman might have been induced to look into the matter. - -When Chase finished his story, and the Club had questioned him to their -satisfaction, he expressed a desire to hear what had happened to them -since they last met. Eugene spoke for his companions, and it is certain -that there was not another member of the Club who could have described -their adventures in more glowing language, or shown up the obstinacy and -stupidity of the revenue captain, in a more damaging light. Eugene said -he could not tell what had become of the remains of the pirogue, or tell -how Coulte and Pierre had left the island; but he made everything else -clear to Chase, who, when the story was finished, was as indignant as any -of the Club. The incidents of the interview with Mr. Bell were thoroughly -discussed, and the conclusion arrived at was, that they had been very -nicely outwitted; that the smugglers had played their part to perfection; -and that the revenue captain was totally unfit for the position he held. - -During the next hour nothing worthy of record transpired on board the -yacht. Walter kept as much sail on her as she could carry, and although -she did splendidly, as the heaving of the log proved, she moved much too -slowly to suit her impatient crew. Directly in advance, apparently no -nearer and no farther away than when the pursuit began, was the smuggling -vessel; and in the west was that angry-looking cloud, whose approach the -boy-sailors awaited with no little uneasiness. - -Having had their talk out, Fred Craven’s mysterious disappearance having -been fully explained, and knowing that nothing could be done to assist -him until the schooner was overtaken and help obtained from some source, -the crew of the Banner began to busy themselves about matters that -demanded their immediate attention, with a view to making their voyage -across the Gulf as safe and agreeable as possible. The first thing -to be done was to put Chase and Wilson at their ease. Now that their -excitement had somewhat worn away, these young gentlemen began to look -upon themselves as interlopers, and to wish that they were anywhere but -on board the yacht. Their desire to assist Featherweight was as strong -as ever, but remembering all that had passed, and judging the Club by -themselves, they believed that their absence would have suited Walter -and his friends quite as well as their company. Nothing had been done, -a word said, or a look given to make them think so, but the manner in -which they conducted themselves showed plainly enough that such was -their impression. They took no part in the conversation now, answered -the questions that were asked them only in monosyllables, and exhibited -a desire to get away from the crew and keep by themselves. The Club saw -and understood it all, and tried hard to make them believe that all old -differences had been forgotten, and that their offers of friendship were -sincere. When lunch was served up—the last crumb the baskets contained -was eaten, for Walter said that one square meal would do them more good -than two or three scanty ones—the Club made them talk by asking them -all sorts of questions, and requesting their advice as to their future -operations; and Eugene even went so far as to offer Wilson the bow-oar -of the Spray to pull in the next regatta—a position which he regarded as -a post of honor, and which, under ordinary circumstances, he would have -been loth to surrender to his best friend. Wilson declined, but Eugene -insisted, little dreaming that when the next regatta came off, the Spray -would be locked up in the boat-house and covered with dust, while he and -the rest of her gallant crew would be thousands of miles away. - -By the time lunch had been disposed of, the Club, by their united -efforts, had succeeded in dispelling all doubts from the minds of their -late enemies, and harmony and good feeling began to prevail. While -the dishes were being packed away in the baskets, Wilson discovered a -sail which he pointed out to Walter, who, with his glass in his hand, -ascended to the cross-trees. After a few minutes’ examination of the -stranger, he came down again, and the course of the Banner was altered so -as to intercept the approaching vessel. At the end of an hour she was in -plain sight, and proved to be a schooner about the size of the Stella—a -coaster, probably. In thirty minutes more the two vessels were hove-to -within speaking distance of each other; Walter, with his trumpet in his -hand was perched upon the yacht’s rail, and the master of the schooner -stood with one hand grasping the shrouds and the other behind his ear, -waiting to hear what was said to him. - -“Schooner ahoy!” shouted Walter. - -“Ay! ay! sir!” was the answer. - -“I have no provisions; can you spare me some?” The captain of the -schooner, after gazing up at the clouds and down at the water, asked: -“How much do you want?” - -“How much money did you raise, Eugene?” asked the young commander, -turning to his brother. - -“Thirty dollars. And that’s every cent there is on board the yacht.” - -“About twenty-five dollars worth,” shouted Walter. - -“What sort?” - -“Every sort—beef, pork, coffee, sugar, biscuit, and some fresh -vegetables, if you have them. I haven’t a mouthful on board.” - -After a short time spent in conversation with a man who stood at his -side, during which he was doubtless expressing his astonishment that the -commander of any craft should be foolish enough to venture so far from -land without a mouthful of provisions for himself and crew, the captain -of the schooner called out: - -“All right. I reckon I shall have to take them aboard of you?” - -“Yes, sir. I have no small boat to send after them.” - -The captain walked away from the rail, and the young yachtsmen, overjoyed -at their success, began to express their appreciation of his kindness in -no measured terms. It wasn’t every shipmaster who would have sold them -the provisions, and not one in a hundred who would have sent his own boat -to bring them aboard. - -“It is the money he is after,” said Walter. “These little traders will -do almost anything to turn a penny. Now Chase, hold her just as she is, -as nearly as you can. Eugene, open the fore-hatch and rig a block and -tackle; and the rest of us turn to and get up some boxes and barrels from -the hold to stow the provisions in.” - -The crew, headed by Walter carrying a lighted lantern, went down into the -galley and opened the hold. What was the reason they did not hear the -strange sounds that came up from below as they threw back the hatch? They -might have heard them if they had not been so busy thinking and talking -about something else—sounds that would have created a panic among them at -once, for they strongly resembled the shuffling of feet and angry excited -whispering. It was dark in the hold in spite of the light the lantern -threw out, or Walter, as he leaped through the hatchway, might have seen -the figure which crept swiftly away and hid itself behind one of the -water-butts. - -The barrels for the pork, beef, fresh vegetables and biscuit, and the -boxes for the coffee and sugar were quickly selected by Walter and passed -up to Wilson in the galley, who in turn handed them up to Bab through the -fore-hatchway. When this had been done the boys below returned to the -deck and waited for the schooner’s yawl, which soon made its appearance, -rowed by four sailors and steered by the captain. - -Judging by the size of the load in the boat they had a liberal man to -deal with, for he was bringing them a goodly supply of provisions in -return for their promised twenty-five dollars. When he came alongside the -yacht he sprang over the rail and gazed about him with a good deal of -surprise and curiosity. - -“Where’s the captain?” he asked. - -“Here I am, sir,” replied Walter. - -The master of the schooner stared hard at the boy, then at each of his -companions, ran his eye over the deck and rigging of the little vessel, -which was doubtless cleaner and more neatly kept than his own, and -finally turned and gave Walter another good looking over. “Are these your -crew?” he inquired, waving his hand toward the young sailors. - -“Yes, sir.” - -“No men on board?” - -“Not one.” - -“Well, now, I would like to know what you are doing so far from shore -in such a boat, and in such weather as this. Are you running away from -home?” - -“No, sir,” replied Walter, emphatically. “Our homes are made so pleasant -for us that we wouldn’t think of such a thing.” - -“Perhaps you are lost, then?” - -“No, sir. We know just where we are going and what we intend to do. Our -vessel is perfectly safe, and this rough weather doesn’t trouble us. -We’re used to it. Shall we stand by to take the provisions aboard?” - -It was clear enough to the yacht’s company, that the captain would have -given something to know what they were doing out there, where they were -going, and what their business was, but he made no further attempts -to pry into their affairs. The manner in which the yacht was handled -when she came alongside his own vessel, and the coolness and confidence -manifested by her boy crew, satisfied him that they understood what -they were about, and that was as much as he had any right to know. The -provisions were quickly hoisted aboard and paid for; and after Walter -had cordially thanked the master of the schooner for the favor received -at his hands, and the latter had wished Walter a safe run and success -in his undertaking, whatever it was, the two vessels parted company—one -continuing her voyage toward New Orleans, and the other filling away in -pursuit of the smuggler, which was by this time almost hull down. - -“Now, fellows, let’s turn to and get these things out of the way,” said -Walter, springing down from the rail, after waving a last farewell to the -master of the schooner. “I feel better than I did two hours ago, for, to -tell the truth, I was by no means certain that we should meet a vessel; -or, if we did, I was afraid she might be commanded by some one who would -pay no attention to our request. Suppose we had been knocked about on the -Gulf for two or three days, with nothing to eat! Wouldn’t we have been in -a nice fix? Now, Perk, we’ve got business for you; and I suggest that you -serve us up a cup of hot coffee and a good dinner, with as little delay -as possible.” - -“Now, just listen to me a minute, and I’ll tell you what’s a fact,” -replied Perk. “I can’t take charge of the galley and act as second in -command of the yacht at the same time, so I will resign my lieutenancy in -favor of Chase, if you will appoint him.” - -“Of course I will,” said Walter. - -“I can’t take it, fellows,” shouted Chase, from his place at the wheel. - -“You’ve no voice in the matter,” replied Eugene. “It is just as the -captain says; so consider yourself appointed, and give me your place. -It’s irregular for an officer to stand a trick at the wheel, you know. -That is the duty of us foremast hands.” - -Of course this was all strategy on Perk’s part. The Club knew it, and so -did Chase and Wilson; and that was the reason the former remonstrated. -After thinking the matter over, however, he decided to act in Perk’s -place. He told himself that there would be no responsibility attached -to the office, for Walter would never leave the deck while that rough -weather continued. The young captain regarded his yacht as the apple of -his eye; and when he was willing to allow any one even the smallest share -in the management of her, it was a sure sign that he liked him and had -confidence in him. If Chase had never before been satisfied that the Club -were in earnest in all they said, he was now, and so was Wilson. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE DESERTERS. - - -By the aid of the block and tackle which Eugene had rigged over the -fore-hatchway, the provisions were lowered through the galley into the -hold, where they were stowed away so snugly that they would not be thrown -about by the pitching of the vessel. This done, the hatch that led -into the hold was closed and fastened. Perk, remembering who had come -through there a short time before, put down the hatch himself, stamping -it into its place, and securing the bar with the padlock—the fore-hatch -was closed and battened down, the block and tackle stowed away in their -proper place, and things began to look ship-shape once more. - -The foremast hands, as Eugene called himself and companions, who did not -hold office, gathered in the standing room to converse; Walter and Chase -planked the weather-side of the deck, the former linking his arm through -that of his lieutenant, and talking and laughing with him as though they -had always been fast friends; a fire was crackling away merrily in the -galley stove; and Perk, divested of his coat, his sleeves rolled up to -his shoulders, revealing arms as brown and muscular as Uncle Dick’s, was -superintending the cooking of the “skouse” and “dough-boy,” and singing -at the top of his voice, the words of an old but favorite song of the -Clubs: - - “The land of my home is flitting, flitting from my view; - The gale in the sail is setting, toils the merry crew.” - -He roared out the following lines with more than his usual energy: - - “Here let my home be, on the waters wide; - I heed not your anger, for Maggie’s by my side. - My own loved Maggie dear, sitting by my side; - Maggie dear, my own love, sitting by my side.” - -Perk knew a Maggie—only her name was Ella—to whom he used to send -valentines and invitations to barbecues and boat-rides, but she was not -sitting by his side just then, and consequently we doubt if he would have -been quite willing to make his home there on the waters wide, even though -he had the yacht for a shelter and the Club for companions. The Maggie of -whom Perk was thinking was safe at home in Bellville. She knew that her -stalwart admirer was tossing about somewhere on the Gulf, and in spite of -her fears for his safety she would have laughed could she have seen him -at his present occupation. - -“Mind what you are about, Eugene,” said Walter, shaking his finger -warningly at his brother. “Handle her easy. Perk’s in the galley, and -that’s a guaranty that there’s something good coming out of there. If you -go to knocking things about and spoiling his arrangements, I’ll put you -in the brig.” - -“Very good, Commodore,” replied Eugene, touching his hat with mock -civility, and giving his trowsers a hitch with one elbow; “I want some of -that hot coffee as much as anybody does, sir, even if there is no cream -to put in it; and I’ll make her ride every wave without a tremble, sir.” - -Although the young sailors had eaten a hearty lunch not more than three -hours before, they were quite ready for dinner, even such a dinner as -could be served up out of plain ship’s fare. But the principal reason -why Perk was ordered below as soon as the provisions were received, was -because his services were not then needed on deck, and it was a favorable -time to build a fire in the galley while the Gulf was comparatively -smooth—that is, the Club thought it comparatively smooth, although a boy -unaccustomed to the water would have thought that the yacht was going to -roll over and sink out of sight every minute. But the probabilities were -that in an hour things would be even worse. The storm that was coming -up so slowly and surely promised to be a hard one and a long one; and -the dinner that Perk was now serving up might be the last warm meal they -would have for a day or two. - -Perk’s song arose louder and louder, a sure sign that the summons to -dinner would not be long delayed. The savory smell of cooking viands -came up from below every time the cabin door was opened, and the boys -in the standing room snuffed up their noses, said “Ah!” in deep bass -voices, and tried to get a glimpse of what was going on in the galley. -The jingling of iron rods was heard in the cabin as the table was lowered -to its place, then the rattling of dishes, and finally three long-drawn -whistles, in imitation of a boatswain’s pipe, announced that the meal was -ready. Chase, Wilson and Bab answered the call, leaving Walter and his -brother to care for the yacht. In half an hour they returned to the deck -looking very much pleased and refreshed, and when Perk gave three more -whistles Walter and Eugene went below. - -“Any orders, captain?” asked Chase, who did not like the idea of being -left in charge of the deck even for a minute. - -“Follow in the wake of the smuggling vessel,” replied Walter. “That’s -all.” - -If the sight that greeted Walter’s eyes as he went below would have -been a pleasing one to a hungry boy under ordinary circumstances, it -was doubly so to one who had stood for hours in wet clothing, exposed -to the full fury of a cutting north-west wind. The cabin was warm and -comfortable, the dishes clean and white, the viands smoking hot, and -Walter, Perk and Eugene did ample justice to them. When the meal was -finished, the two brothers lent a hand in clearing away the table and -washing the dishes; and after the galley stove had been replenished, -they, in company with Perk, stretched themselves out on the lee-locker -and went to sleep. It seemed to the young captain that he had scarcely -closed his eyes when he was aroused by a voice. He started up and saw -Bab, whose clothes were dripping with water, lighting the lamps in the -cabin. “Why, it isn’t dark, is it?” asked Walter. - -“It is growing dark. You’ve had a glorious sleep, but you had better roll -out now and see to things, for poor Chase is in a peck of trouble. It’s -come.” - -“What has?” - -“Can’t you hear it and feel it? Rain and sleet, and wind, and such an -ugly, chopping sea. It is coming harder every minute.” - -That was very evident. The howling of the storm could be plainly heard -in the cabin, and the pitching and straining of the yacht as she labored -through the waves, told Walter that it was indeed high time he was taking -matters into his own hands. Hastily arousing his sleeping companions, he -went into the galley for some of his clothing, which he had left there -to dry, and in a few minutes, equipped in pea-jacket, gloves, muffler -and heavy boots, went up to face the storm. It was already dark, and the -rain, freezing as it fell, was coming down in torrents. - -“Where’s the schooner?” asked Walter. - -“I lost sight of her just after I sent Bab down to call you,” replied -Chase. “My only fear is that we shall not be able to find her again.” - -“I have no hopes of it,” replied Walter. “We’ll take an observation -to-morrow if the sun comes out, and hold straight for Havana. Call those -fellows up from the cabin, and after we’ve made everything secure, go -below and turn in for the night. There’s a good fire in the galley.” - -The crew were quickly summoned to the deck, and in the face of blinding -rain and sleet, proceeded to carry out the orders which Walter shouted at -them through his trumpet. In twenty minutes more Chase and his drenched -companions were enjoying the genial warmth of the galley stove, and the -Banner, relieved of the strain upon her, and guided by the hands of her -skilful young captain, who stood at the wheel, was riding the waves as -gracefully as a sea-gull. - -At eight o’clock the boys below, warmed and dried, and refreshed by the -pot of hot coffee which the thoughtful Perk had left for them, were -sleeping soundly, while Eugene steered the vessel, and Walter and Perk -acted as lookouts. But there were other wakeful and active ones on board -the Banner, besides Walter and his two companions—some, who, alarmed by -the rolling and pitching of the little vessel, and knowing that she was -manned only by boys, were making desperate efforts to reach the deck. Had -any one been standing in the galley ten minutes after the watch below -went into the cabin to sleep, his eyes and ears would have convinced him -of this fact. He would have heard a sound like the cutting of wood, and -a few seconds afterward he would have seen the point of an auger come up -through the floor of the galley, in close proximity to the staple which -confined the hatch leading into the hold. Presently he would have seen -the auger disappear and come into view again in another place. Then it -would have been clear to him that some one in the hold was cutting out -the staple by boring holes in a circle around it. Such a proceeding was -in reality going on on board the yacht, although the fact was unknown to -her crew. Walter had come into the cabin every half hour during his watch -to see that everything was safe—looking at the stove, and turning the -coats and trowsers that hung before it, so that his companions might have -dry clothing to put on when they awoke; but he never thought of casting -his eyes toward the hatch. - -The auger was kept steadily at work, and presently the plank into which -the staple was driven, was cut entirely through, the staple with the -circular piece of wood attached was pushed up, the hatch slowly and -cautiously raised, and a pair of eyes appeared above the combings and -looked through the open door into the cabin. They roved from one to the -other of the sleeping boys, and then the hatch was laid carefully back -upon the floor of the galley, and a man dressed in the uniform of the -revenue service sprang out. Another and another followed, until four of -them appeared—all stalwart men, and armed with hatchets, chisels and -billets of wood. They halted a moment to hold a whispered consultation, -and then, with quick and noiseless footsteps, passed into the cabin. Two -of them stopped beside the locker on which Chase and his unconscious -companions lay, and the others jerked open the door of the cabin and -sprang out into the standing room. Paying no attention to Eugene, who -was struck dumb and motionless with astonishment, they glanced about the -deck, and discovering Walter and Perk standing on the forecastle, they -rushed at them with uplifted weapons. - -“Don’t move, my lad,” said one of the sailors, seizing Perk by the -collar, and flourishing a heavy chisel over his head. “If you do, I’ll -send you straight to Davy’s locker.” - -“Now, just listen to me a minute, and I’ll tell you what’s a fact,” -replied Perk. “Don’t trouble yourself to send me there or anywhere else. -I am not likely to make much resistance as long as you keep that weapon -over me.” - -Walter was equally cool and collected. Although he was taken completely -by surprise by the suddenness of the attack, he had no difficulty in -finding an explanation for it. As quick as a flash, some words he had -heard a few hours before, came back to him. He remembered that, when he -told the captain of the cutter that there were two deserters on board the -yacht, the latter had remarked to his lieutenant: “Only two! Then the -others must have escaped to the shore.” These were the “others” to whom -the captain referred. They had not shown themselves, or even made their -presence known during the fight in the galley, and their two companions, -whom Walter had delivered up to the revenue commander, had not betrayed -them. The young captain wished now, when it was too late, that he had -searched the hold while the cutter was alongside. - -“Easy! easy!” said Walter, when his stalwart assailant seized him by the -throat, and brandished his hatchet before his eyes. - -“Who commands this craft?” demanded the sailor. - -“I have the honor,” replied Walter, without the least tremor in his -voice. “Look here, Mr. Revenue-man,” he added, addressing himself -to Perk’s antagonist, “don’t choke that boy. He has no intention of -resisting you, and neither have I. We know where you came from, and what -you intend to do.” - -“Well, you’re a cool hand!” said Walter’s captor, releasing his hold of -the young captain’s throat, and lowering his hatchet. “You’re sensible, -too. Will you give the vessel up to us without any fuss?” - -“I didn’t say so. I’ve a watch below.” - -“O, they can’t help you, for they’re captured already. There’s a half a -dozen of our fellers down there guarding ’em. Now, look a here, cap’n: -there’s no use of wasting words over this thing. We’re deserters from the -United States revenue service, as you know, and we’re bound to get to -Havana some way or other.” - -“Well?” said Walter, when the sailor paused. - -“Well, we want this vessel to take us there.” - -“I suppose she will have to do it.” - -“But there’s one difficulty in the way,” the sailor went on. “We don’t -know what course to sail to get there. Do you know anything about -navigation?” - -“If I didn’t, I don’t think I should be out here in command of a yacht,” -said Walter, with a smile. And if he had added that he could take a -vessel around the world, he would have told nothing but the truth. He and -all the rest of the Club had studied navigation at the Academy, and under -Uncle Dick, who drilled them in the use of instruments, and they were -quite accomplished navigators for boys of their age. - -“Now, this is just the way the thing stands,” continued the sailor. -“You’re too far from Bellville to give us up to the cutter, like you -did them other fellers, and we ain’t likely to let you turn about and -go there either. We’re going to Havana; and if you will take us there -without any foolishness, we’ll be the peaceablest fellers you ever saw. -We’ll obey orders, help manage the yacht, live off your grub, and behave -ourselves like gentlemen; but if you try to get to windward of us in any -way, we’ll pitch the last one of you overboard. Mebbe you don’t know it, -but we are going to ship aboard a Cuban privateer. We can make more that -way than we can in Uncle Sam’s service—prize-money, you know.” - -“I know all about it,” replied Walter. “I heard it from your captain.” - -“Well, what do you say?” - -“I say, that I will agree to your terms, seeing that I can’t help myself. -If I could, I might give you a different answer.” - -“You’re sensible. I know you don’t want us here, but as we can’t get out -and walk to Cuba, I’m thinking you will have to put up with our company -till we find that privateer.” - -“O, I didn’t agree to any such arrangement,” replied Walter, quickly. -“I said I would take you to Havana, and so I will; but I am not going -all around Robin Hood’s barn looking for a Cuban privateer, for I should -never find her. There’s no such thing in existence. Besides, we’ve got -business of our own to attend to.” - -“I don’t care about your business,” said the sailor, who did not know -whether to smile or get angry at Walter’s plain speech. “You’ll go just -where we tell you to go. Don’t rile us, or you’ll find us a desperate -lot.” - -“I don’t intend to rile you, and neither am I going to be imposed upon -any longer than I can help.” - -Walter turned on his heel and walked aft, and Perk, taking his cue from -the captain’s actions, resumed his duties as lookout, paying no more -attention to the two sailors than if they had been some of the rope-yarns -attached to the rigging. In a few hurried words, Walter explained the -state of affairs to Eugene, whom he found almost bursting with impatience -to learn the particulars of the interview on the forecastle, and then -looking into the cabin, saw Chase and his companions stretched out on the -lockers, wide awake, but afraid to rise for fear of the weapons which the -two sailors who were guarding them held over their heads. Walter had been -led to believe, by what the sailor said to him, that there were at least -eight deserters on board the yacht. Had he known that there were but half -that number, he might not have been so ready to accede to their leader’s -demands. - -“Come up out o’ that, you revenue men, and let those boys go to sleep,” -said Walter, in a tone of command. - -“Belay your jaw,” was the gruff reply. “We take orders from nobody but -Tomlinson. Where is he?” - -“Here I am,” said the sailor who had held the conversation with Walter. -“I’ve the cap’n’s word that we shall be landed in Havana, and no attempts -made to humbug us. _My_ name is Tomlinson,” he added, turning to the -commander of the yacht. “If you want anything out of these fellers, just -speak to me. When does the watch below come on deck?” - -“As soon as they’ve had sleep enough. They didn’t close their eyes last -night.” - -“All right. I say, mates,” continued Tomlinson, addressing his companions -in the cabin, “just tumble on to them lockers and go to sleep. You’ll be -in that watch, and me and Bob’ll be in the cap’n’s watch; then there’ll -be two of us on deck all the time.” - -Walter, without waiting to hear whether the sailor had anything else to -say, slammed the door of the cabin, and in no amiable frame of mind went -forward and joined Perk; while Tomlinson and his companion, after taking -a look at the binnacle, stationed themselves in the waist, where they -could see all that was going on. - -“Well,” said Walter, “what do you think of this?” - -“I think that revenue captain must be very stupid to allow six men to -desert under his very nose,” replied Perk. “If I had been in his place, I -would have known every man who belonged to that prize crew; and I could -have told whether or not they were all present without mustering them. -What are you going to do?” - -“I intend to get rid of them at the earliest possible moment. We shall -not be able to make Havana in this wind, but we’ll hit some port on the -Cuban coast, and we’ll try to induce these fellows to leave us there. I -didn’t agree to find a privateer for them, and I am not going to do it. -That revenue cutter has been the cause of more trouble to us than she is -worth.” - -And the trouble was not yet ended, if Walter had only known it. The -deserters were not to be got rid of as easily as he imagined. - -The storm was fully as violent as the young captain expected it would be. -It might have been a great deal worse, but if it had been, the story of -the Club’s adventures would not have been as long as we intend to make -it. Walter had ample opportunity for the display of his seamanship, and -if any faith is to be put in the word of the deserters, the yacht was -well handled. These worthies, true to their promise, conducted themselves -with the utmost propriety. They watched Walter pretty closely for the -first few hours, but finding that he knew what he was doing, and that he -had no intention of attempting to secure them, they gave themselves no -further concern. They obeyed orders as promptly as if Walter had been -their lawful captain, and treated the young yachtsmen with a great show -of respect. - -One day Tomlinson, in reply to a question from Walter, explained their -presence on board the yacht. He and five companions belonged to the -prize crew which had taken charge of the Banner after her capture by -the cutter. While they were guarding the prisoners in the cabin, they -learned from them that the yacht was bound for Lost Island, and that she -would begin the voyage again as soon as the difficulty with the revenue -captain was settled. Upon hearing this, Tomlinson and his friends, who -had long been on the lookout for an opportunity to desert the cutter, -concealed themselves in the hold, hoping to escape discovery until the -Banner was once more outside the harbor of Bellville. They made their -first attempt to gain the deck at the wrong time, as it proved, for Perk -was on hand to defeat them. They knew that the young sailors had seen but -two of their number, and when Walter opened the hatch and ordered them -on deck, two of them obeyed, while the others remained behind, awaiting -another opportunity to make a strike for their freedom. They never had -any intention of taking the vessel out of the hands of her captain. All -they wanted was to be on deck where they could see what was going on, and -to have the assurance that they should be carried to Havana. - -On the morning of the fifth day after leaving Bellville Cuba was in plain -sight, and at noon the Banner, after passing several small islands, -entered a little harbor about a hundred miles to the eastward of Havana. -The Club were in a strange place and among a strange people, but the -sight of the little town nestled among the hills was a pleasant one to -their eyes. They were heartily tired of being tossed about on the Gulf, -and longed to feel the solid ground under their feet once more. Their -provisions were entirely exhausted, and where the next meal was coming -from they had not the slightest idea. This, however, did not trouble -them so much as the presence of the deserters. They had quite enough of -their company. It was Walter’s intention to remain in the harbor until -the wind and sea abated, and in the meantime to use every argument he -could think of to induce the men to go ashore. The young captain was -utterly discouraged. He had seen nothing of the schooner since the first -day out, and he was not likely to see her again, for he had been blown -a long way out of his course, and by the time he could reach Havana, -Fred Craven would be shipped off to Mexico, and the schooner would have -discharged her contraband cargo and be half way on her return voyage to -Bellville. - -“Captain, there’s an officer wants to come aboard,” said Tomlinson, -breaking in upon his reverie. - -Walter looked toward the shore and saw a boat putting off from the -nearest wharf, and a man dressed in uniform standing in the stern waving -his handkerchief. “Who is he?” asked the young captain. - -“One of them revenue fellers, I guess. These chaps are very particular.” - -“I am glad to hear it, for if we can find that schooner we may be able -to induce them to examine her.” - -The yacht was thrown up into the wind, and in a few minutes the officer -came on board—a fierce-looking Spaniard, with a mustache which covered -all the lower part of his face, and an air as pompous as that of the -revenue captain. He touched his hat to Walter, and addressed some words -to him which the latter could not understand. - -“I hope there’s nothing wrong,” said the commander, anxiously. “I may -have violated some of the rules of the port, for I am like a cat in a -strange garret here. Tomlinson, can you speak his lingo?” - -“No, sir. Talk French to the lubber, if you can.” - -Walter could and did. The visitor replied in the same language, and his -business was quickly settled. He was a revenue officer, as Tomlinson had -surmised, and wanted to look at the yacht’s papers, which were quickly -produced; although of what use they could be to a man who did not -understand English, Walter could not determine. The officer looked at -them a moment, with an air of profound wisdom, and then returning them -with the remark that they were all right, touched his hat and sprang -into his boat. As soon as he was clear of the side the yacht filled -away again, Walter taking his stand upon the rail and looking out for a -convenient place to moor his vessel; but there were but two small wharves -in the harbor, and every berth seemed to be occupied. As he ran his eye -along the brigs, barks and schooners, wondering if there were an American -among them, his gaze suddenly became fastened upon a little craft which -looked familiar to him. He was certain he had seen that black hull and -those tall, raking masts before. He looked again, and in a voice which -trembled in spite of all his efforts to control it, requested Eugene to -hand him his glass. - -“What’s the matter?” asked the crew in concert, crowding up to the rail. -“What do you see?” - -“He sees the Stella, and so do I!” exclaimed Bab, in great excitement. - -“Yes, it is the Stella,” said Walter, so overjoyed at this streak of good -fortune that he could scarcely speak. “Now, we’ll see if these Cuban -revenue officers are as worthless as some of our own. But I say, Perk,” -he added, his excitement suddenly increasing, “take this glass and tell -me who those three persons are who are walking up the hill, just beyond -the schooner.” - -Perk leveled the glass, but had not held it to his eye long before his -hand began to tremble, and his face assumed an expression much like that -it had worn during his contest with the deserters, and while he was -confronting Bayard Bell and his crowd. Without saying a word he handed -the glass to Eugene, and settling his hat firmly on his head pushed back -his coat sleeves. He acted as if he wanted to fight. - -“They are Mr. Bell, the captain of the Stella, and—who is that walking -between them? Fred Craven, as I live!” Eugene almost shouted. - -“Now, listen to me a minute, and I’ll tell you what’s a fact,” said Perk, -bringing his clenched fist down into the palm of his hand. “That’s just -who they are.” - -“Fred sees us, too,” continued Eugene. “He is looking back at us.” - -“I didn’t think I could be mistaken,” said Walter. “Perk, keep your eye -on them and see where they go. Stand by, fellows. When we reach the wharf -make everything fast as soon as possible; and Eugene, you and Bab see if -you can find that revenue officer. If you do, tell him the whole story, -and take him on board the schooner. Perk and I will follow Fred, and -Chase and Wilson will watch the yacht.” - -In ten minutes more, the Banner’s bow touched a brig lying alongside the -wharf, and too impatient to wait until she was made fast, Walter and Perk -hurried to the shore and ran up the hill in pursuit of Fred Craven. How -great would have been their astonishment, had they known that they were -running into a trap that had been prepared for them. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS. - - -As soon as the yacht had been made fast to the brig, Eugene and Bab -sprang over the rail and hurried away in search of the revenue officer, -leaving Chase and Wilson to put everything to rights, and to look out -for the vessel. The latter, excited and delighted almost beyond measure -at the prospect of the speedy rescue of Fred Craven, kept their eyes -fastened upon Walter and Perk, as they ran up the hill, and when they -disappeared from view, reluctantly set to work to furl the sails and -clear up the deck. The deserters, however, suddenly seemed to have lost -all interest in the yacht. Instead of assisting the young sailors at -their work, they gathered in the standing-room and held a whispered -consultation, ever and anon glancing toward the lieutenant, to make sure -that he was not listening or observing their movements. Chase did not -appear to notice what was going on, but for all that he was wide awake. -Feeling the full weight of the responsibility that Walter had thrown upon -him, in leaving him in charge of the yacht, he was inclined to be nervous -and suspicious of everything. - -“What are those fellows up to?” he asked of his companion, in a whisper. - -“What makes you think they are up to anything?” inquired Wilson. - -“I judge by their actions. If they are not planning some mischief, why do -they watch us so closely, and talk in so low a tone that we cannot hear -them? How easy it would be for them to take the yacht from us and go to -sea again, if they felt so inclined! I really believe that is what they -are talking about.” - -“I never thought of that,” said Wilson, almost paralyzed at the simple -mention of the thing. “What would Walter say if some such misfortune -should befall the Banner, while she is under our charge? He would -never forgive us. But of course, they won’t attempt it, for they don’t -understand navigation.” - -But Wilson was not as well acquainted with the dispositions of the men -with whom they had to deal as Chase was. The latter had made a shrewd -guess, for the deserters were at that very moment discussing a plan for -seizing the Banner and making off with her. They lived in constant fear -of capture—they did not know at what instant they might see the revenue -cutter coming into the harbor—and they could not feel free from danger -until they were safe on board the privateer of which they were in search. -They wanted to go to Havana at once, and this forced delay was more than -they could endure. The leader of the deserters was urging an immediate -departure, but his companions were not quite ready to give their consent -to his plans. - -“Perhaps we shall now find out what they are talking about,” whispered -Chase, suddenly, “for here comes Tomlinson. Keep your weather-eye open, -and be ready for any tricks.” - -“I say, lads!” exclaimed the deserter, approaching the place where the -boys were at work, “what’s your business here, anyhow? What brought you -to Cuba?” - -“Didn’t the captain tell you?” asked Chase. - -“He didn’t even hint it.” - -“Then it isn’t worth while to make inquiries of us. Our business concerns -no one but ourselves and our friends.” - -“Well, ain’t me and my mates friends of yours? Mebbe we can help you.” - -“If the captain had thought so, no doubt he would have taken you into his -confidence. Wait until he returns, and talk to him.” - -“Where has he gone?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“When will he be back?” - -“I haven’t the slightest idea.” - -“How long before he is going to sail for Havana?” - -“I don’t know that either. He’ll not start until this wind goes down and -he gets some provisions—perhaps not even then. His business may keep him -here a week.” - -Tomlinson turned on his heel, and walking aft, joined his companions. -“It must be done, mates,” said he in a whisper. “The lads are as dumb as -tar-buckets, and all I could find out was that the yacht may stay here -several days. During that time, the privateer may make up her crew and go -to sea, and we shall be left out in the cold. We ought to be in Havana -now.” - -“But I am ’most afraid to trust you in command, Tom,” said one of the -deserters. “The captain says it is a good hundred miles to Havana.” - -“No matter if it is a thousand; I can find it. All we have to do is to -sail along the coast. We’ll know the city when we see it, won’t we?” - -“But we need some grub, and how are we going to get it?” - -“As soon as it grows dark we’ll land and steal some—that’s the way we’ll -get it. What do you say now? I am going to Havana in this yacht: who’s -going with me?” - -This question settled the matter at once. All the deserters were anxious -to find the privateer, and since Tomlinson, who was the ruling spirit of -the band, was determined to start in search of her, the others, rather -than be left behind, decided to accompany him, and run all the risks of -shipwreck. - -The immediate seizure of the yacht having been resolved upon, the next -question to be settled was: What should be done with the boys? After -a few minutes’ conversation on this point, Tomlinson and two of his -companions went forward to assist Chase and Wilson, while the fourth -walked to the stern, and leaning his folded arms upon the rail, gazed -listlessly into the water. Tomlinson and his two friends lent effective -aid, and the deck of the Banner soon began to present its usual scene -of neatness and order. The former kept up a running fire of jokes and -stories, in the midst of which he suddenly paused, and stood fiercely -regarding his companion in the standing room. - -“Bob,” said he, in a tone of command, “I never knew before that you were -a soger. Look around and find something to do.” - -“Where shall I go?” asked Bob, gruffly. - -“Anywhere, so long as you don’t stand there skulking. Go into the cabin, -and put it in order against the captain comes back.” - -Bob slowly straightened up and sauntered down the companion-ladder, but -almost immediately reappeared. “The cabin’s all right,” he growled. -“Everything’s in order.” - -“Then go into the galley, or into the hold, and see if things are all -right there,” returned Tomlinson, angrily. “I know you can find something -to do somewhere about the yacht.” - -Bob disappeared in the cabin again, and presently Chase heard him -tumbling things about in the hold. In a few minutes he once more thrust -his head out of the companion-way. - -“Well, what’s the row now?” asked Tomlinson. “Find anything to do down -there?” - -“Plenty of it,” was the reply. “Lieutenant, will you step down here a -moment?” - -Chase, believing from Bob’s tone and manner, that he had found something -very much out of the way in the hold, started toward the companion-way; -but just before he reached it, a thought struck him, and he stopped and -looked earnestly at the man. “What’s the matter down there?” he asked. - -“One of the water-butts has sprung a leak, sir,” said the sailor. - -“That’s a dreadful calamity, isn’t it? Don’t you know what to do in such -a case? Bail the water out of the leaky butt into one of the others.” - -“But there’s none to bail out, sir. Every drop has leaked out, and the -water is ankle deep all over the hold.” - -“Wilson,” said Chase, turning to his companion, “just give a stroke or -two on that pump, will you?” - -Wilson did as he was requested, but not a drop of water was brought up. -The Banner’s hold was as dry as a piece of hard-tack. - -“How are you, leaky water-butt!” exclaimed Chase, with a significant -glance at Wilson. “Anything else wrong below, Bob?” - -The sailor, somewhat disconcerted, did not know what to say at first, but -after a look at Tomlinson, he replied: - -“Yes, sir. Everything is pitched out of place, and I shall need some one -to help me put ’em to rights. I can’t lift those heavy tool-chests by -myself.” - -“Look here, Bob,” said Chase, suddenly; “you’re not a good hand at this -business. You can’t tell a falsehood and keep a straight face.” - -“Falsehood, sir!” exclaimed the sailor, ascending a step or two nearer -the top of the companion-ladder, as if he had half a mind to come on deck -and resent the word. “Do you say I lie?” - -“Well, no; I didn’t say so,” replied Chase, not in the least intimidated -by the man’s threatening glances; “I can generally express myself without -being so rude. But that is just what I mean. You know the hold is in -order, and so do I; for I was down there not five minutes before we -landed. I am too old to be taken in by any such flimsy trick as this. -You’ll have to study up a better one if you expect to deceive me.” - -So saying, Chase walked back to the forecastle and resumed his work, -while Bob, not knowing what reply to make, went down into the cabin. -The lieutenant kept his eye upon Tomlinson and his two friends, and saw -that, when they thought themselves unobserved, they exchanged glances -indicative of rage and disappointment. One by one they walked aft to the -standing room, and in a few minutes more were holding another council of -war. - -“Chase, you’re a sharp one,” said Wilson, approvingly. “If I had been in -your place I should have been nicely fooled. What do you suppose they -want to do?” - -“They intend to capture us and run off with the yacht; that’s their game. -They are afraid to lay hands on us as long as we remain on deck, but if -they could get us into the cabin out of sight, they would make prisoners -of us in a hurry. O, there’s nothing to be afraid of,” added Chase, -noticing the expression of anxiety that settled on his companion’s face. -“If they attack us we’ll summon help from this brig.” - -The deserters were much astonished as well as disheartened by the failure -of their clumsy attempt to entice the lieutenant into the hold. They saw -that he suspected them and was on the alert. They were none the less -determined, however, to possess themselves of the yacht, and when they -gathered in the standing room Tomlinson, who was fruitful in expedients, -had another plan to propose. While they were discussing it a sailor, -who had for some time been leaning over the brig’s rail, watching all -that was going on on board the Banner, swung himself off by his hands -and dropped upon her deck. Chase and Wilson saw him, but supposing that -he was one of the crew of the brig, whose curiosity had prompted him to -visit the yacht, they said nothing to him. - -The stranger, finding that no one paid any attention to his movements, -set himself at work to examine the yacht very closely, especially as much -of her internal arrangements as he could see through her hatchways. He -spent ten minutes in this way, and then sauntered toward the standing -room. The sound of his footsteps attracted the attention of Tomlinson, -who looked up and greeted him with: - -“Hallo, mate! Do you happen to have a pipeful of tobacco about you?” - -The sailor produced a good-sized plug from his pocket and asked, as he -handed it to Tomlinson: “What craft is this?” - -“She’s a private yacht—the Banner—and belongs in Bellville, Louisiana,” -was the answer. “Me and my mates here are the crew. We are hired by the -year, and all we have to do is to take a half a dozen young gentlemen -wherever they want to go.” - -“You have papers, of course?” - -“Yes. The captain keeps them in that desk in the cabin.” - -The stranger directed his gaze down the companion-way, and after taking a -good look at the little writing-desk Tomlinson pointed out to him, asked, -as he jerked his thumb over his shoulder toward the two boys on the -forecastle: - -“Who are those fellows? I think I have seen them somewhere.” - -“Their names are Chase and Wilson, and they are a couple of green hands -who came out with us. The cap’n and steward have gone ashore to get some -grub. We’ve been knocked about on the Gulf for the last five days, and -we’ve made way with the last mouthful of salt horse and hard tack. We -haven’t had any breakfast yet.” - -“You haven’t!” exclaimed the sailor. “Then come with me. I am mate of -the schooner Stella, which lies a little way below here. I’ll give you a -good breakfast and a pipe to smoke after it.” - -Tomlinson and his friends were much too hungry to decline an invitation -of this kind. Without saying a word they followed the mate on board the -brig, thence to the wharf, and in a few minutes found themselves on board -the Stella. After conducting them into the forecastle, their guide made -his way across the deck and down the companion-ladder into the cabin, -where he found Mr. Bell pacing to and fro. - -“Well,” said the latter, pausing in his walk, “waste no time in words -now. Have you succeeded?” - -“Not yet, sir,” replied the mate. “I found more men there than I expected -to find—four sailors, who say they are the hired crew of the yacht, but I -know they are deserters from Uncle Sam’s revenue service. How they came -on board the Banner, I did not stop to inquire. They told me they had -eaten no breakfast, and I brought them up here. We can easily keep them -out of the way until the work is done.” - -“Very good,” said Mr. Bell. “Tell the steward to serve them up a good -meal at once. Was there anybody else on board the yacht?” - -“Yes, sir; Chase and Wilson were there, and I am now going back to attend -to them. The vessel’s papers are kept in a writing-desk in the cabin, and -I shall have no trouble in securing them.” - -The mate left the cabin, and after repeating Mr. Bell’s order to the -steward, sprang over the rail, and hurried along the wharf toward the -place where the Banner lay. When he arrived within sight of her, he was -surprised to see that Chase and Wilson were making preparations to get -under way. The jib was already shaking in the wind, and the foresail was -slowly crawling up the mast. Chase was determined that the deserters -should not return on board the yacht if he could prevent it. He would -anchor the vessel at a safe distance from the shore, with the sails -hoisted, and if Tomlinson and his friends attempted to reach her by the -aid of a boat he would slip the cable and run away from them. - -“It seems that I am just in time,” soliloquized the mate of the Stella. -“A few minutes’ delay would have spoiled everything. Tony,” he added in -Spanish, turning to a negro who stood close by, and who seemed to be -awaiting his orders, “here’s the note and here’s the money. Be in a -hurry now, and mind what you are about.” - -The negro took the articles the mate handed him, and after putting the -money into his pocket, and stowing the letter away in the crown of his -hat, he sprang on board the brig and made his way toward the yacht; while -the mate concealed himself behind some sugar hogsheads that stood on -the wharf to observe his movements. He saw the negro drop down upon the -deck of the Banner and present the note to Chase, and he noticed too the -excitement it produced upon the two boys. - -The note the lieutenant received was as follows: - - “Friend CHASE: - - We have come up with Featherweight at last. He is still in the - hands of the smugglers, but with a little assistance, we can - easily rescue him. Come immediately, and bring all the boys - with you. This darkey will act as your guide. - - In great haste, - - WALTER.” - -“That’s business,” cried Chase, thrusting the note into his pocket, and -bustling about in such a state of excitement that he scarcely knew what -to do first. “We’ll see fun now. Close those hatches, and we’ll be off. -I only hope I shall get a chance to do something for Fred Craven. I want -to show him that I don’t forget favors.” - -“Must we leave the Banner to take care of herself?” asked Wilson. - -“What else can we do? We can’t very well put her into our pockets and -take her with us.” - -“But what if something should happen to her? Suppose the deserters should -return and run off with her?” - -“That’s Walter’s lookout, and not ours,” replied Chase, locking the door -of the cabin, and putting the key into his pocket. “I wonder if this -fellow can tell us where the captain is, and what he is doing? Can you -speak English?” he added, addressing the negro. - -The man stared at him, but made no answer. - -“Can you talk French?” continued Chase, speaking in that language. - -The negro grinned, but said nothing. - -“Well, we can’t talk Spanish, so we must wait until we see Walter, before -we can find out what has been going on,” said Wilson. “But it seems -strange that he should ask us to come to him and leave the vessel with -no one to watch her, doesn’t it?” - -“Under ordinary circumstances it would,” answered Chase, springing -upon the deck of the brig, and hurrying toward the wharf. “But Walter -is working for Fred Craven, you know, and he would rather lose a dozen -yachts, if he had them, than to allow a hair of his head to be harmed.” - -When the boys reached the wharf they put themselves under the guidance of -the negro, who led them through an arched gateway to the street, where -stood a heavy cotton wagon, to which was attached a team of four mules. -At a sign from the negro, the young sailors sprang into the vehicle, and -the man mounting one of the mules, set up a shout, the team broke into a -gallop, and the boys were whirled rapidly down the street. - -When the wagon had disappeared, the mate of the Stella arose from his -place of concealment behind the sugar hogsheads, and with a smile of -satisfaction on his face walked rapidly toward his vessel. He spent a few -minutes in the cabin with Mr. Bell, and when he came on deck, ordered the -yawl to be manned. While this command was being obeyed by a part of the -schooner’s company, the others busied themselves in bringing boxes and -bales up from the cabin; and when the yawl was hauled alongside, these -articles were handed down to her crew, who stowed them away under the -thwarts. This done, the mate took his seat at the helm, the crew gave way -on the oars, and presently the yawl was lying alongside Walter Gaylord’s -yacht. The mate at once boarded her; the fore-hatch, which Chase and -Wilson, in their haste to obey the order contained in Walter’s note, -had neglected to fasten, was opened, and the officer and two of his men -jumped down into the galley, whence they made their way into the hold. -The boxes and bales were then passed up out of the yawl and through the -hatches, one by one, and stowed away behind the water-butts. This much -being accomplished, the mate came up out of the hold, and leaving his -men to close the hatch, went into the cabin and opened the desk which -Tomlinson had pointed out to him. Almost the first thing his eyes rested -upon was an official envelope, addressed to “Captain Walter Gaylord, -Commanding the Yacht Banner.” Thrusting it hastily into his pocket, he -ascended to the deck, and in a few seconds more the yawl was on her way -down the harbor. Arriving alongside the Stella, the mate once more -sought an interview with Mr. Bell, and handed him the envelope he had -taken from Walter’s desk. The gentleman glanced quickly over the document -it contained, and then tearing it into fragments, walked to one of the -stern windows and threw the pieces into the water. - -“There!” said he, in a tone of exultation. “The next time Captain Gaylord -is asked to produce his clearance papers, I think he will have some -trouble in finding them. Before he is done with us he will wish he had -stayed at home where he belongs.” - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -DON CASPER. - - -Many were the speculations in which Chase and Wilson indulged, as they -were whirled along over the rough road, and bumped about from one side to -the other of the cotton wagon. What sort of a situation was Featherweight -in? Where had Walter and Perk found the wagon; and how had they made the -negro understand the service required of him, seeing that the man could -speak neither English nor French, and the captain and his companion could -not talk Spanish? These, and a multitude of questions of like character, -occupied the minds of the boy-tars for the next half hour, and during -that time, they left the village more than five miles behind them; but -still they were whirled along without the least diminution of speed, the -negro swinging his whip and yelling with all the power of his lungs, and -the heavy wagon rolling and plunging in a way that reminded the young -sailors of the antics the Banner had performed during her voyage across -the Gulf. - -“There’s one thing about it”—shouted Wilson, holding fast to the side of -the vehicle, and speaking in a very loud tone of voice, in order to make -himself heard—“if Walter told this darkey to drive fast, he is obeying -orders most faithfully. Where do you suppose he is taking us? And tell -me, if you can, how Walter and Perk could have got so far out into the -country, during the hour and a half they have been gone from the vessel?” - -“That is the very question that was passing through my own mind,” said -Chase. “To tell the truth, there’s something about this business that -doesn’t look exactly right.” - -“Well, you needn’t mind knocking my brains out, if it doesn’t look -exactly right,” roared Wilson, as a sudden lurch of the wagon brought his -friend’s head in violent contact with his own. “Keep on your side if you -can, Chase.” - -The loud rumbling of the wheels, and the rocking and swaying of the -clumsy vehicle as it flew over the uneven road, proved an effectual check -to conversation. The boys clung to opposite sides of the wagon, noting -the different objects of interest as they sped along, and wondering -what was to be the end of this adventure. Every mile of the way, they -saw something to remind them that Cuba was in a state of insurrection. -Groups of excited men were gathered in front of every plantation house -they passed, and now and then they met squads of government patrols -riding leisurely along the road. The officers of these squads all looked -suspiciously at the boys, as they dashed by, and one, in particular, bent -such savage glances upon them, that they were glad when he had passed out -of sight. - -“I say, Wilson,” shouted Chase, suddenly, “do you know that the -expression on that officer’s face, has set me to thinking?” - -“I don’t doubt it,” yelled Wilson, in reply. “It set me to thinking, -too. Wouldn’t it have been a joke on us, if he had taken us for spies or -something, and arrested us?” - -“I confess, I can’t see where the joke would come in. How could we ever -get out of a scrape of that kind? We are in a strange country, among -people who speak a language different from ours, and we haven’t a friend -within seven or eight hundred miles. It would be a serious matter for us, -the first thing you know. I am glad that fierce-looking fellow is out of -sight, and I hope we shall not meet another like him.” - -If the boys had known what the officer did in less than five minutes -after they met him, they might not have felt so very much relieved after -all. He rode straight ahead, until a bend in the road concealed him from -view, and then suddenly halting his squad, addressed a few words to two -of his men, who wheeled their horses and galloped back in pursuit of the -young sailors. They rode just fast enough to keep the wagon in sight, and -when they saw it draw up at the door of a plantation house, they faced -about again and hurried back to their companions. They must have had some -exciting report to make, for when their officer heard it, he ordered his -men into their saddles, and led them down the road at a rapid gallop. - -When the negro driver reined his mules through a wide gateway, and drew -up in front of the door of the house of which we have spoken, the boys -knew that their ride was ended. They were glad of it, for it was anything -but pleasant to be jolted and bumped about over such roads as those they -had just traversed. They jumped out when the wagon stopped, and after -stretching their arms and legs, and knocking the dust out of their -hats, looked about them with interest. They saw before them a large and -comfortable plantation house, situated in a little grove of oleanders -and orange trees, flanked by neat negro quarters, and surrounded by -extensive sugar-fields, which stretched away on every side. They looked -around for Walter and Perk, but could see nothing of them. They were not -allowed much time for making observations, however, for the moment the -wagon stopped, a portly foreign-looking gentleman, whom the boys at once -put down as the proprietor of the plantation, made his appearance at the -door. He looked curiously at his visitors, and while the latter were -wondering what they ought to say to him, the negro driver mounted the -steps, and taking a letter from the crown of his hat, handed it to his -master. The reading of the document had an astonishing effect upon the -man. He opened his eyes to their widest extent, and muttering something -in Spanish, hurried down the steps, and seized each of the boys by the -hand. - -“Come in! come in!” said he, hurriedly, and in tolerable English. “I am -delighted to see you, but I am surprised that Captain Conway should have -sent you out here in the day time. Come in, before the patrols see you.” - -Chase and Wilson looked inquiringly at one another. “Captain Conway!” -whispered the latter, as he and his companion followed the gentleman up -the steps. “If _he_ had any hand in sending us here, we are in a scrape, -as sure as we’re a foot high.” - -“I would give something to know what is in that letter,” said Chase. -“Where are Walter and Perk?” - -“Haven’t the slightest idea; but I know that we shall not find them here. -The chances are ten to one that we shall never see them again. If there -were not so many negroes standing around, I would take to my heels in -short order.” - -Chase was bewildered and perplexed beyond measure. The simple mention of -the name of the captain of the Stella, had aroused a thousand fears in -his mind; and imagining that all sorts of dreadful things were about to -happen to him, he was more than half inclined to spring off the steps -and make a desperate dash for his freedom, in spite of the presence of -the negroes; but while he was thinking about it, the foreign-looking -gentleman conducted him and his companion through the hall and into a -room, the door of which he was careful to close and lock behind him. -The two boys watched his movements with a good deal of anxiety, and -while Wilson glanced toward the open window, Chase stepped forward and -confronted the man. - -“I am afraid,” said he, “that there is some mistake here, Mr.—— Mr.—— ” - -“Don Casper Nevis,” said the gentleman, supplying the name. “There is no -mistake whatever.” - -“But where is the captain?” continued Chase, “we expected to find him -here.” - -“O, he’ll not come until dark; and he ought not to have sent you out here -in broad daylight, when he knows that every mile of the road is guarded. -Where is the schooner?” - -“We left her at the wharf.” - -“She ought to be up here. These Spanish officers are getting to be very -strict lately, and it is a wonder they didn’t search her the moment -she landed. I understand that both you and your vessel are known and -suspected. You must be very cautious. Your safest plan would be to go -back to town, and have the schooner brought into the bay at the rear of -my plantation. I have boats there, and everything in readiness.” - -“But, Don,” replied Chase, “I don’t see the necessity for so much -secrecy.” - -“My young friend, you don’t understand the matter at all,” said Don -Casper with a smile. “But you are weary with travel, and we will say no -more about it, until you have refreshed yourselves. We shall have ample -time to make all the arrangements after you have drank a cup of chocolate -and eaten a piece of toast.” - -As the Don said this, he unlocked the door and went out, leaving the boys -to themselves. - -“Didn’t I tell you that this thing didn’t look just right?” demanded -Chase, in an excited whisper. “That darkey has made a mistake, and -brought us to the wrong house.” - -“But how in the name of sense could he do that?” asked Wilson, utterly -confounded. “He must have known where Walter was when he gave him that -note. By the way, let me look at it a moment.” - -Chase handed out the letter, and was more amazed and alarmed than ever by -the expression that settled on his friend’s face as he ran his eye over -the missive. “What’s the matter now?” he asked. “Anything else wrong?” - -“Nothing much,” was the answer; “only that’s not Walter Gaylord’s -writing—that’s all.” - -“Eh!” exclaimed Chase, jumping from his chair. - -“O, it is the truth, as you will find out when you meet Walter again. I -can tell his writing as far as I can see it.” - -“Then who wrote this letter?” - -“I wish I knew. Somebody has humbugged us very nicely, and I believe that -Captain Conway and Mr. Bell are at the bottom of it.” - -“Let’s jump out of this window and make the best of our way back to -town,” exclaimed Chase, almost beside himself with excitement and terror. -“There’s no knowing what this old Creole intends to do to us.” - -“And there’s no knowing what may happen to the Banner in our absence. -What if those deserters should run off with her? Here we are in Cuba, -without a cent in our pockets, and if we should lose the yacht how would -we ever get home?” - -“Gracious!” exclaimed Chase. - -“I’ll jump out of the window and run if you will,” continued Wilson. - -With a common impulse the two boys arose from their seats and moved -across the floor on tiptoe; but just as Chase placed his hands on the -window-sill preparatory to springing out, the door suddenly opened, and -three negroes came in—one bringing a small table, and each of the others -carrying a tray filled with dishes and eatables on his head. So sudden -was their entrance that the boys did not have time to retreat to their -chairs, and Chase remained standing with his hands on the window-sill, -gazing steadily out into the sugar-field as if he saw something there -that interested him very much, while Wilson, with his hands clasped -behind his back, and his head turned on one side, appeared to be lost in -admiration of a picture that hung on the wall. - -The boys stood in these positions until they were aroused by a tap on the -shoulder. They turned to find themselves alone with one of the negroes, -and to see the table spread in front of a window, and loaded with a most -tempting display of viands. They did not wait for a second invitation. -They had taken no breakfast; there was no knowing when and where they -would obtain another meal; and there was no reason why they should go -hungry even if they were in trouble. No one, to have seen them at the -table, would have imagined that they were under any apprehensions of -danger, for the way the eggs and toast disappeared was wonderful; but -in the midst of their enjoyment, and before their appetites were half -appeased, the door was suddenly thrown open and Don Casper entered pale -and breathless. - -“The patrol!” he almost gasped. “It is just as I feared it would be. You -have been seen and followed, and if you are found here, I am ruined. No -time is to be lost. Come with me immediately.” - -The man spoke so hurriedly and brokenly that the boys could not -understand all he said, and consequently they were at a loss to determine -what the danger was that threatened them. But the expression on the face -of their host warned them that there was something amiss; and without -stopping to ask questions, they caught up their hats and followed him -from the room. As they were hurrying along the hall, they glanced toward -the gate and, through a dense cloud of dust, raised by a multitude of -horses’ hoofs, they caught a partial glimpse of a squadron of troopers -who were galloping into the yard. And these were not the only soldiers -upon the premises, as they found when they reached the door which opened -upon the back verandah. There was another squad of cavalrymen approaching -along the lane that led to the negro quarters. The house was surrounded. - -“Gracias á Dios!” ejaculated the Don, turning ghastly pale. - -“What’s the matter?” asked Wilson, innocently. “We have done nothing -wrong, and we are not afraid of the patrols.” - -“Nothing wrong!” the Don almost shrieked. “Is it nothing to smuggle cases -of arms into a country in a state of rebellion?” - -“Cases of arms!” repeated Chase. - -“Smuggle!” echoed Wilson. “We know a smuggler, but we never——” - -“Don’t stop to talk,” interrupted the Don, almost fiercely; and as he -spoke he seized the boys by their arms, and dragged them along the hall -and down a flight of rickety steps that led into the cellar. Chase and -Wilson, more perplexed than ever, tried to gain his ear for a moment, -but he seemed all of a sudden to have been struck both deaf and dumb, -for he would say nothing or listen to nothing, but hurried them along -through utter darkness, and finally, after giving them both a strong -push, released his hold of them. A moment afterward the boys heard a -door softly closed behind them, and a key turned in a lock. Filled with -consternation, they stood for a few seconds speechless and motionless, -listening intently, and afraid to move for fear of coming in contact with -something in the darkness. Chase was the first to break the silence. - -“Well, this beats all the scrapes I ever got into,” said he. “Do you -begin to see through it yet?” - -“I believe I do,” replied Wilson. “The last words that old Creole -uttered, explain the matter clearly. He takes us for smugglers, and -imagines that we have come here with a cargo of small-arms.” - -“How did he get that impression?” asked Chase, who wanted to see how far -his friend’s opinions coincided with his own. - -“Through the note that negro gave him.” - -“Who wrote that note?” - -“Mr. Bell. He saw us come into the harbor, and he would have been dull -indeed if he could not guess what brought us there. He and his crew -have set themselves at work to outwit us, as they outwitted the revenue -captain in the Cove.” - -“And they have accomplished their object, and got us into a pretty mess -besides. They are altogether too smart for us. What’s that?” - -The tramping of feet, the rattling of sabres, and the jingling of -spurs sounded from the rooms overhead, telling them that the soldiers -had arrived and were searching the house. Backward and forward passed -the heavy footsteps, and presently they were heard upon the cellar -stairs. The boys listened with curiosity rather than fear, and by the -sounds which came to them from the cellar could tell pretty nearly what -the soldiers were doing. They heard them talking to one another, and -overturning boxes and barrels, and they knew too when the search was -abandoned, and the soldiers returned to the room above. - -The young tars did not breathe any easier after they were gone, for -they were not in the least frightened by the proximity of the Spanish -troopers. They were not smugglers, and they could prove the fact to -anybody’s satisfaction. They almost wished they had not permitted the Don -to conceal them, for that of itself looked like a confession of guilt, -and might be used as evidence against them in case they were captured. -The papers, which were safely stowed away in Walter’s desk in the cabin -of the Banner, would show who they were and where they came from, and -a few minutes’ examination of the yacht would prove that there were no -small-arms on board of her. The boys thought of all these things, and -waited impatiently for the Don to come and release them. They wanted to -explain matters to him, if they could by any possibility induce him to -listen. - -For fully half an hour the troopers continued to search the house, and -at the end of that time, having satisfied themselves that the boys were -beyond their reach, they mounted their horses and galloped out of the -yard. The young sailors now became more impatient than ever for the Don -to make his appearance, but they waited in vain. They held their breath -and listened, but could not hear a single footstep. The house was as -silent as if it had been deserted. As the hours dragged slowly by without -bringing any one to their relief, the boys became harassed by a new fear, -and that was that the master of the plantation did not intend to release -them—that he was keeping them locked up for some purpose of his own. -Filled with dismay at the thought, they arose from the boxes on which -they had seated themselves, and began moving cautiously about their -prison with extended arms. A few minutes’ examination of the apartment -showed them that it was a wine-cellar, for there were shelves on three -sides of it, which were filled with bottles. On the fourth side was the -door, and that was the only opening in the walls. There was no window to -be found, nor even a crevice large enough to admit a ray of light. There -was no way of escape. Wilson, determined to make the best of the matter, -kept up a tolerably brave heart, but Chase, as was usual with him when in -trouble, became despondent. - -“We’re here,” said he, in a gloomy voice, “and here we may remain for the -term of our natural lives, for all we know. If Mr. Bell wrote that note -which we thought came from Walter, I know what object he had in view. -This Don Casper is a friend of his, and now that he has got us in his -power, he is going to hold fast to us.” - -“He won’t if he gives us the least chance for our liberty,” said Wilson, -striving to keep up his friend’s courage. “But things may not be as bad -as you think.” - -“They are bad enough, are they not? To be thrown as we were, under the -most suspicious circumstances, into the hands of a man we never saw -before, who, without condescending to give us an intelligible explanation -of the motive that prompts his actions, shuts us up in a dark cellar, -and walks off with the key in his pocket, to be gone nobody knows how -long—that is bad enough, but there may be worse things yet to come. -Do you know that we are in a country in which a terrible war is being -carried on?” - -“I do.” - -“And that both sides are treating their prisoners with the greatest -cruelty; in some cases shooting them?” - -“Certainly. Having read the papers, I am not likely to be ignorant of the -fact.” - -“Well, now, did it ever strike you that _we_—Eh? You know,” said Chase, -unable to give utterance to the fears that just then passed through his -mind. - -“No,” replied Wilson; “it never did.” - -“It has struck me that some such thing might happen to us,” continued -Chase, in a trembling voice. “This Creole is a rebel, and thinks we -are friends of his. The Spaniards think so too, for they have searched -the house with the intention of capturing us. If we had fallen into -their hands, might they not have put an end to us without giving us an -opportunity to say a word in our defence, believing as they do that we -are friends of the Cubans?” - -“It is possible,” replied Wilson, coolly. - -“Gracious! If I had thought of all these things, I never would have had -anything to do with this expedition, I tell you. How would I look, set -up against a brick wall, with half a dozen Spaniards standing in front -of me, ready to shoot me down at the word? I wish I had stayed on Lost -Island and starved there.” And Chase, terrified almost beyond measure by -the picture he had drawn, jumped to his feet, hurried off through the -darkness, and bumped his head severely against the solid oak planks which -formed the door of their prison. - -“You are not set up against a brick wall yet, at all events,” said -Wilson, laughing, in spite of himself. “Don’t take on so, old fellow, -or I shall believe you are in a fair way to become a coward. Here’s a -dry-goods box. Let’s lie down on it and try to get a wink of sleep.” - -“Sleep!” groaned Chase, holding one hand to his head, and with the other -feeling his way through the darkness, in the direction from which his -companion’s voice sounded; “how can you think of such a thing? Don’t lie -there so still. Wake up and talk to me.” - -It was not possible that Chase could ever become a greater coward than -he was at that moment, and he told himself so. The thought that he was -in a strange country, surrounded by men who were in arms against one -another, and that some of them—perhaps the very ones who had perpetrated -the cruelties of which he had read in the papers—had been in that very -house searching for him, was dreadful. It tested his fortitude to the -very utmost. Even the darkness which filled the wine-cellar had terrors -for him, and he hardly dared to move a finger, for fear it might come in -contact with some living thing. For three long hours he sat upon his box, -in a state of terror beyond our power to describe, and all this while, -the plucky Wilson, with a happy indifference to circumstances, which -Chase greatly envied, slumbered heavily. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -CHASE RISES TO EXPLAIN. - - -Wilson knew, as well as Chase, that the latter had not overestimated the -dangers of their situation. Cuba was in a state of insurrection, having -declared her independence of Spain. Several battles had been fought -between the rebels and the Spanish troops, and deeds of violence were -daily enacted in every part of the island. Wilson knew all this before -the voyage for Cuba was commenced, but he had never dreamed that he and -the rest of the crew of the yacht could in any way become mixed up in the -troubles. He had set out simply with the intention of assisting to rescue -Fred Craven from the power of the smugglers, and here he was suspected -of being a smuggler himself, and of having in his possession cases of -arms to be delivered to the agents of the Cuban government. Don Casper, -to whose house he had been brought in so strange a manner, thought that -such was his occupation and character, for he had said so; and he had -also hinted that the Spanish troopers suspected them, and that it would -be dangerous to fall into their hands. This was certainly an unlooked -for termination to the expedition upon which he and the members of the -Sportsman’s Club had entered with so much eagerness, and it was enough to -awaken in his mind the most serious misgivings. But he was a courageous -fellow, and knowing that much depended upon keeping up the spirits of -his desponding friend, he affected an indifference that he was very far -from feeling. He slept because he was utterly exhausted by the labor and -excitement he had undergone during the last few days. - -Chase was equally wearied by his nights of watching and exposure, but his -fears effectually banished sleep from his eyes. For three long hours, as -we have said, he sat motionless on the dry-goods box, listening intently -and wondering how his captivity was to end, and at the expiration of that -time, he was frightened almost out of his senses by hearing a stealthy -footfall outside the door of the wine-cellar, and the noise of a key -grating in the lock. Utterly unable to speak, he sprang to his feet, and -seizing his slumbering companion by the shoulders, shook him roughly. - -“Ay! ay!” replied Wilson, drowsily. “I will be on deck in five minutes. -Is Cuba in sight yet?” - -“You are not on board the yacht,” whispered Chase, recovering the use of -his tongue by an effort, “but in the cellar of that old Creole’s house; -and here come the Spaniards to arrest us.” - -These words aroused Wilson, who rubbed his eyes and sat up on the -dry-goods box just as the door opened, admitting a muffled figure in -slouch hat and cloak, who carried a lighted lantern in his hand. Chase -looked over the man’s shoulder into the cellar beyond, expecting to see -the troopers of whom he stood so much in fear; but their visitor was -alone, and, if any faith was to be put in his actions, he had come there -with anything but hostile intentions. He held his lantern aloft, and -after gazing at the boys a moment, nodded his head and motioned to them -to follow him. Wilson promptly obeyed, but Chase hung back. - -“I am not sure that it will be safe,” said he, doubtfully. “Perhaps we -had better ask him to tell who sent him here, and what he intends to do -with us.” - -“Let’s follow him now and listen to his explanation afterward,” replied -Wilson. “I don’t care much what he does with us, so long as he leads us -into the open air. Anything is better than being shut up in this dark -prison.” - -Chase was not fully satisfied on that point, but he was not allowed even -a second to consider it. Wilson and their visitor moved off, and finding -that he was about to be left alone in the dark, Chase stepped quickly -out of the wine-cellar and followed them. The man led the way to the -stairs, which he ascended with noiseless footsteps, stopping now and then -to listen, his every movement being imitated by the anxious captives. -They reached the hall, and moved on tiptoe toward the door, which opened -upon the back verandah; but just before they reached it their guide -paused, and after giving each of the boys a warning gesture, raised his -hand and stood pointing silently before him. The young sailors looked, -and their hearts seemed to stop beating when they discovered, stretched -out directly in front of the door, the burly form of one of the Spanish -troopers. He slumbered heavily upon his blanket, one arm thrown over -his head, and the other resting upon his carbine which lay across his -breast. What was to be done now? was the question each of the boys asked -himself, and which was quickly answered by their guide, who, with another -warning gesture, moved forward, and stepping nimbly over the prostrated -sentinel, beckoned to them to follow. Wilson at once responded and -reached the verandah without arousing the sleeper; but it seemed as if -Chase could not muster up courage enough to make the attempt. - -“I can’t do it,” he whispered, in reply to Wilson’s gestures of -impatience. “Tell that man to come back and lead me out of the house by -some other door.” - -“What good will it do to talk to him?” replied Wilson, in the same -cautious whisper. “It is very evident from his actions that he can’t talk -English; and, besides, if there were any other way to get out, it isn’t -likely that he would have brought us here. I’d show a little pluck, if I -were you. Come on.” - -“But what if that soldier should awake and spring up just as I was about -to step over him?” continued Chase, in an ecstasy of alarm. “He’d catch -me, sure.” - -“He will catch you if you stay there—you may depend upon that.” - -Chase might still have continued to argue the point, had not the actions -of the guide aroused him to a full sense of his situation. The man, who -had been beckoning vehemently to him, suddenly faced about, and tapping -Wilson on the shoulder, started down the steps that led from the verandah -to the ground. Then Chase saw that he must follow or remain a prisoner -in the house. He started and passed the sleeping sentinel in safety; but -his mind was in such a whirl of excitement and terror that to save his -life he could not have told how he did it. When he came to himself he and -Wilson were following close at the heels of their guide, who was leading -the way at a rapid run along the lane that led to the negro quarters. - -“I wish I had never seen or heard of the Sportsman’s Club,” panted Chase, -drawing his handkerchief across his forehead, for the exciting ordeal -through which he had just passed, had brought the cold perspiration from -every pore of his body; “I never was in a scrape like this before, and if -I once get out of it you’ll never see me in another. Fred Craven can take -care of himself now; I am going home.” - -“When are you going to start?” asked Wilson. - -“Just as soon as I reach the village.” - -“How are you going?” - -“I don’t know, and what’s more, I don’t care. I’ll float there on a plank -before I’ll stay here twenty-four hours longer. There’s another sentry. -He’s awake too, and coming toward us. Which way shall we run now?” - -While Chase was speaking a man stepped into view from behind the fence -and hurried toward them; but they soon found that there was no cause for -alarm, for the new-comer was Don Casper himself. - -“My lads,” he exclaimed, gleefully, “I am overjoyed to see you once -more, and in possession of your liberty too.” And as he threw aside his -cloak and extended a hand to each of them, the boys saw that he wore a -sword by his side, and that his belt contained a brace of pistols. “This -afternoon’s work has ruined me,” continued the Don, hurriedly. “It was -very wrong in Captain Conway to send you out here in broad daylight, -knowing as he does that I have long been suspected of being a rebel, and -that the patrol were only waiting for some proof against me to arrest me. -They’ve got that proof now, and my property will all be confiscated.” - -And now something happened which Wilson had feared and was on the lookout -for—something which came very near placing him and his friend in a -much worse predicament than they had yet got into. It was nothing more -nor less than an effort on the part of Chase to explain matters to the -Don. Wilson had thought over their situation since his release from -the wine-cellar, and he had come to the conclusion that, in the event -of again meeting with their host, it would not be policy to attempt -to correct the wrong impressions he had received concerning them, for -the reason that it might prove a dangerous piece of business. He was -afraid that the Don might not believe their story. In order to make -him understand it, it would be necessary to go back to the day of the -panther hunt, and describe what had then taken place between Bayard Bell -and the members of the Sportsman’s Club. That would consume a good deal -of time, and there would be some things to tell that would look very -unreasonable; and perhaps the Don would do as the captain of the revenue -cutter had done—declare that it was all false. He would very likely think -that the boys were trying to deceive him, and he might even go so far -as to believe that they were in sympathy with the Spaniards, and that -they had been employed by them to come to his house in the character of -smugglers, on purpose to give the patrol an excuse for arresting him. -This thought was enough to cause even the plucky Wilson some anxiety, and -the longer he pondered upon it the more alarmed he became. - -“We haven’t seen the worst of it yet, I am afraid,” he soliloquized. “We -are in a much worse predicament than I thought. There will certainly be -an explosion if the Don finds out that we are not the fellows he takes -us for, and perhaps he’ll he mad enough to smash things. He’s got a good -opinion of us now, and it would be foolish to say anything to change it. -Our best plan will be to keep our mouths closed, and to get away from him -without loss of time. If I only knew who wrote the note that negro gave -him and what was in it, I would know just how to act.” - -Wilson waited for an opportunity to talk this plan over with Chase, but -did not find it, for the reason that the Don made his appearance too -quickly. The only course then left for him to pursue was to do all the -talking himself, and allow his companion no chance to speak; but the -latter was too smart for him, and with a dozen words brought about the -very state of affairs that Wilson had hoped to guard against. - -“You must not blame us for your misfortune,” said Chase. - -“I do not. It is Captain Conway’s fault.” - -“He did not send us here—that is, we did not come by his orders. We are -not smugglers, and neither have we any arms for you.” - -“Eh?” exclaimed the Don. - -“We don’t belong to the Stella, either. We came here in a private yacht, -on our own private business, and know nothing about your transactions -with Captain Conway.” - -“Gracias á Dios!” cried the Cuban; and the words came out from between -his clenched teeth in a way that Chase did not like. - -“Hold easy. Don’t get angry until you hear my explanation. Remember that -we have not tried to sail under false colors, since we have been here at -your house. You did not ask us who we were, did you? If you had given us -the opportunity, we should have been glad to have appeared before you in -our true characters, and to have explained the reason for our visit.” - -Having thus introduced his subject, Chase cleared his throat, thrust -his hands into his pockets, and began a hurried and rather disconnected -account of the events which had brought them to Cuba. The Don stood like -a man in a dream. He was not listening to what the young sailor said, -but was pondering upon some words he had uttered a few moments before. -Suddenly he interrupted him. - -“Your true character!” he exclaimed furiously. “Enough! That is all I -wish to hear from you. I suspected you from the first. You have told me -who you are _not_, and now I shall ascertain for myself who you _are_. -The Stella is at the village, I know, for one of my negroes saw her -there. I shall introduce you into the presence of Captain Conway before -you are an hour older; and when he sees you, he will probably be able to -tell me whether or not you came here by his orders. If he cannot vouch -for you, you will find yourselves in serious trouble, I can tell you. I -am now going to the stable after some horses, and you and your companion -will move up into the shadow of this storehouse and remain there, until I -return, under the eye of my overseer, whom I shall instruct to shoot you -down if you make the least attempt at escape.” - -Chase listened to this speech in utter amazement. His under jaw dropped -down, and for a few seconds he stood gazing stupidly at the Don, who -turned and began an earnest conversation in Spanish with his overseer—the -man who had released the boys from the wine-cellar. At last he recovered -himself in some measure, and made a bungling attempt to repair the damage -he had done. - -“I say, Don!” he exclaimed, “now you are laboring under another mistake, -quite as bad as the first. You take us for Spanish sympathizers—I know -you do, but we are not. We’ve got no interest in this fight, and we don’t -care which whips. I mean—you know—of course you Cubans are in the right, -and we hope you will succeed in establishing your independence. I wish we -had a whole cargo of arms for you, but we haven’t. I wish the Banner was -loaded so deep with them that she was on the point of sinking, but she -isn’t. O dear! I wish he would stop talking to that man and listen to me. -I could set everything right in a few minutes. Speak to him, Wilson.” - -But his friend paid as little attention to him as the Don did. He stood -narrowly watching the two men, and although he could not understand a -word of their conversation, he knew pretty nearly what they were talking -about. It was plain enough to him, too, that the overseer was as angry at -them as his master was. He raised his lantern to allow its beams to fall -full in their faces, scowled fiercely at each of them in turn, and then -throwing aside his cloak and laying his hand on the butt of one of his -pistols, motioned to them to follow him to the storehouse. As they obeyed -the gesture, the Don hurried down the lane, not however without stopping -long enough to tell the captives that the overseer was a good shot, and -that an attempt to run away from him would be dangerous. - -Never was a boy more astounded and alarmed than Chase was at that moment. -Reaching the storehouse, he flung himself on the ground beside it in a -state of utter dejection and misery. He looked at Wilson, who seated -himself by his side, but even had there been light enough for him to see -the expression that rested on the face of his friend, he would have found -no encouragement there. Wilson was almost disheartened himself. Things -looked even darker now than when they were confined in the wine-cellar—a -state of affairs for which his companion was alone to blame. But Wilson -had no fault to find. The mischief was done and could not be undone; and -like a sensible fellow, he determined to make the best of it, and say -nothing about it. - -“Don’t I wish I had never seen or heard of the Sportsman’s Club!” said -Chase, feebly. “I wonder if that overseer understands English? Try him, -Wilson. I want to say something to you.” - -Wilson, for want of something better to do, addressed a few words to -their guard, who stood close at their side, keeping a sharp eye on their -movements, but he only shook his head, and threw aside his cloak to show -his pistols. - -“I think you may speak freely,” said Wilson. “What were you going to say?” - -“We’re in trouble again,” replied Chase. - -“O! Is that all? It’s no news.” - -“I wish I had not tried to explain matters.” - -“So do I.” - -“Is there nothing we can do? Let’s jump up and take to our heels. I’ll -risk the bullets in the overseer’s pistols, if you will.” - -“What’s the use? Where shall we run to?” - -“To town, of course. We want to go back to the yacht, don’t we?” - -“Certainly. But if we wait a few minutes, the Don will bring us some -horses, and then we can ride there. That will be much easier than -walking, and safer too; for not knowing the way, we might get lost in the -darkness, or run against some of the patrols on the road.” - -“Do you intend to go to town with the Don?” asked Chase, in great -amazement. - -“I do.” - -“Well, if you don’t beat all the fellows I ever heard of! You have -certainly taken leave of your senses. Don’t you know that Captain Conway -and Mr. Bell will do all they can to strengthen the Don’s suspicions?” - -“You didn’t hear me through. We don’t want to see either of those worthy -gentlemen, if we can avoid it. We will go with the Don, simply because we -can’t help ourselves, and perhaps during the ride he will get over his -mad fit, so that we can talk to him. If he does, we will tell him our -story from beginning to end, and ask him to go aboard the Banner with us. -Walter and the other fellows must have returned by this time, and when -the Don finds that their story agrees with ours, and sees the yacht’s -papers, perhaps he will believe us. If he don’t, let’s see him help -himself. We’ll be on board our vessel then, and we’ll stay there.” - -“Yes. That’s all very nice. But suppose the Banner isn’t there? What -then?” - -“Eh?” exclaimed Wilson. - -“Those deserters may have returned and run off with her during our -absence. What would you do in that case?” - -“I don’t know. I wasn’t calculating on that.” - -“And what will the Don do?” continued Chase. “If we tell him that we -shall find our yacht at the wharf and she happens to be gone, he will -have more reason to suspect us than he does now.” - -Wilson looked at his companion, and then settling back against the -storehouse, went off into a brown study; while Chase, after waiting a few -minutes for him to say something, sprang to his feet, and began pacing -nervously back and forth. Just then, an incident happened which created -a diversion in favor of the two boys, and which they were prompt to take -advantage of, only in different ways. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -WILSON RUNS A RACE. - - -The diversion of which we have spoken was caused by the sound of -stealthy footsteps, and an indistinct murmur of voices which came from -the opposite side of the storehouse. Somebody was coming down the lane. -Believing that it was the Don returning with the horses, Wilson arose -slowly to his feet and stood awaiting the orders of the guard, while -Chase stopped his walk and looked first one way and then the other, -as if he were going to run off as soon as he could make up his mind -which direction to take. The actions of the overseer, however, seemed -to indicate that there was some one besides the Don approaching—some -one whom he had not been expecting and whom he did not care to see. He -stood for a few seconds listening to the footsteps and voices, and then -moving quickly into the shadow of the storehouse, crouched close to the -ground, muttering Spanish ejaculations and acting altogether as if he -were greatly perplexed. His behavior did not escape the notice of Wilson, -and it at once suggested to him the idea of escape. His first impulse -was to rush out of his concealment and throw himself upon the protection -of the new-comers; but sober second thought stepped in and told him -that it would be a good plan to first ascertain who they were. He moved -to the corner of the storehouse, and looking up the lane, saw four men -approaching. They were dressed like sailors—he could see their wide -trowsers and jaunty hats, dark as it was—and he noticed that two of them -carried handspikes on their shoulders. They were so near to him that he -was afraid to move lest he should attract their attention, and they came -still nearer to him with every step they took. They were directing their -course toward the storehouse, talking earnestly as they approached, and -presently some startling words, uttered by a familiar voice, fell upon -his ear. - -“I tell you this is the house. I guess I know what I am about. When I -first discovered it the negroes belonging to the plantation were gathered -here in a crowd, and a white man was serving them with corn-meal and -bacon. All we’ve got to do is to bust open this door, and we’ll find -provisions enough to last us on a cruise around the world. Now, Bob, I -want you to clap a stopper on that jaw of yours and hush your growling. -If I don’t take you safely to Havana, I’ll agree to sign over to you all -the prize money I win in that privateer.” - -“I ain’t growling about that,” replied another familiar voice. “I don’t -like the idea of stealing private yachts and running away with them. It -looks too much like piracy.” - -“Well, it can’t be helped now. The Banner is ours, and the best thing we -can do is to use her while we’ve got her. Give me that handspike and I’ll -soon open this door. Keep your weather eyes open, the rest of you.” - -Wilson listened as if fascinated; and when the conversation ceased, and -the door began to creak and groan as the handspike was brought to bear -upon it, he thrust his head farther around the corner of the storehouse, -and at the imminent risk of being seen by the men, who were scarcely more -than four feet distant, took a good survey of the group. His ears had not -deceived him. The men who had thus unexpectedly intruded their presence -upon him, were none other than Tomlinson and the rest of the deserters -from the revenue cutter. He could distinctly see every one of them. -Tomlinson was engaged in breaking open the door of the storehouse, and -the others stood a little farther off, some looking up and the rest down -the lane. - -“Now here’s a go,” thought Wilson, so excited that he scarcely knew what -he was about. “Them fellows have stolen the Banner, and are preparing to -supply themselves with provisions for their voyage to Havana. What will -become of us if we don’t get that boat back again? They shan’t have her. -We’ll slip away from this overseer and turn their triumph into defeat -before they are ten minutes older.” - -Wilson turned to look at the guard. The man was standing close behind -him, and seemed to be awaiting the result of his investigations. Acting -upon a resolution he had suddenly formed, the young sailor stepped aside, -and motioned to him to look around the corner of the building. The man -complied, and no sooner was his back turned, than Wilson ran swiftly, but -noiselessly, along the side of the storehouse, looking everywhere for -Chase; but the latter was not in sight. Greatly surprised at his sudden -disappearance, and almost ready to doubt the evidence of his eyes, he -glanced along the building again and again, and even spoke his friend’s -name as loudly as he dared, but without receiving any response. - -“He has watched his chance and taken himself off,” thought Wilson. “I’ll -soon find him, and if we don’t upset the plans of Tomlinson and his crew, -I shall miss my guess. Good-by, Mr. Overseer! When the Don returns and -asks where your prisoners are, you may tell him you don’t know.” - -So saying, Wilson dodged around the corner of the storehouse, and struck -off toward the beach with all the speed he could command. - -And where was Chase all this time? If Wilson had known the reason for his -disappearance, he would not have had a very high opinion of his friend. -That worthy had been thinking deeply since his last conversation with -Wilson, and had at length hit upon what he conceived to be a remarkably -brilliant plan for extricating himself from his troubles. - -“The expedition is a failure—that’s plain enough to be seen,” he had said -to himself; “and instead of trying to rescue Fred Craven, it strikes -me that it would be a good plan to look out for our own safety. I am -not going back to town with the Don, and the only way to avoid it is to -desert. Yes, sir, that’s just what I’ll do. I shall be much safer alone -than in the company of such fellows as this Wilson and Walter Gaylord, -who are continually getting themselves and others into trouble, and I’ll -see home before they do, I’ll warrant. I’ll get out of Cuba, at any rate. -I’ll ship aboard the first vessel that leaves port, I don’t care if she -takes me to South America.” - -It never occurred to Chase, while he was congratulating himself upon -this idea, that, in carrying it into execution, he would be making a -very poor return for Wilson’s kindness and friendship. He forgot the -fidelity with which the latter had clung to him through thick and thin, -and the assistance he had rendered him in inducing Walter Gaylord to -interest himself in his affairs. All he thought of was his own safety. -The approach of the deserters was a most fortunate thing for him, for it -gave him the very opportunity he was waiting for. He heard the voices -and the footsteps, and the alarm the sounds at first produced gave way -to a feeling of exultation, when he saw Wilson and the overseer move -cautiously toward the opposite end of the storehouse. Had he waited a -minute longer he might have escaped in company with his friend, and saved -himself a good many exciting adventures which we have yet to relate; -but the guard with his dreaded pistols was at the farther end of the -building, and the chance was too good to be lost. He sprang around the -corner of the storehouse, and in an instant was out of sight in the -darkness. - -Wilson, little dreaming what had become of him, pursued his way with -rapid footsteps across the field toward the beach, taking care to keep -the negro quarters between him and the men at the storehouse. He kept -his eyes roving through the darkness in every direction, in the hope of -discovering Chase, but was disappointed. - -“He can’t be far away, and when I come up with him, I will tell him -how we can beat these deserters at their own game,” chuckled the young -sailor, highly elated over the plans he had formed. “If they came here -in the Banner, she must be at anchor somewhere along the beach. As there -are but four of them, and they are all at the storehouse, it follows as a -thing of course that they must have left the yacht unguarded. It will be -the easiest thing in the world to swim off to her, hoist the sails, and -put to sea before they know what is going on. I declare, there’s Chase -now, and the yacht, too! Hurrah!” - -Wilson had by this time arrived within sight of the little bay, which -set into the shore at this place, and just then, the rays of the moon, -struggling through a rift in the clouds, gave him a fair view of the -scene before him. The first object his eyes rested upon was the yacht, -riding at anchor about a quarter of a mile from the shore. The next, was -a stone jetty extending out into the water, beside which were moored -several boats. In one of them a sail was hoisted. This was probably the -one which the deserters intended to use to convey the stolen provisions -on board the yacht. The third object was a human figure, standing on -the beach near the jetty. He wore a cloak and a slouch hat, and Wilson -thought he recognised in him his missing friend, although he at the same -time wondered how he had come by the articles named, for he certainly -had not worn them the last time he saw him. Hearing the sound of his -approach, the figure stepped upon the jetty and moved nervously about, as -if undecided whether to take to his heels or wait until he came up. - -“Don’t be alarmed, Chase; it is I,” exclaimed Wilson, as soon as he came -within speaking distance. “What possessed you to run off without saying -a word to me? It is only by good luck that I have found you again. Do -you see what those deserters have been doing?” he added, pointing to the -yacht. “Let’s get into one of these boats and take possession of her -before they return. We’ve got the best right to her.” - -Wilson, who had shouted out these words as he approached the figure, -was a good deal surprised at the manner in which his proposition was -received. It did not meet with the ready response he had expected, for -the figure, whoever he was, remained perfectly motionless and said -nothing. That was not at all like Chase, and Wilson began to believe -there was something wrong somewhere. He stopped a few feet from the -figure, and peering sharply at him, discovered, to his great surprise, -that the slouch hat covered a face that did not at all resemble his -friend’s. It was a bearded face—an evil face—a face that was quite -familiar to him, and which he had hoped never to see again. - -“Pierre!” he exclaimed, in alarm. - -“’Tain’t nobody else,” was the reply. - -For the next few seconds, the two stood looking at one another without -speaking—Wilson wondering what was to be done now, and trying in vain to -find some explanation for the smuggler’s presence there, and the latter -evidently enjoying the boy’s bewilderment. - -“What are you doing on this plantation?” asked the young sailor, breaking -the silence at last. - -“I might ask you the same question, I reckon. We thought you were -captured by the Spaniards long ago. That’s what we sent you out here for.” - -“_We?_ Who are we?” - -“Mr. Bell, Captain Conway, and the rest of us.” - -“Ah!” exclaimed Wilson, so indignant at this avowal that he forgot all -his fear; “then Chase and I were right in our surmises. Well, your little -plans didn’t work, did they? But you have not yet told me what you are -doing here. How came you in company with these deserters; and how did you -get possession of the yacht?” - -“That’s Mr. Bell’s business.” - -“So, he had something to do with it, had he? I thought as much. Where are -Walter and the rest of the fellows?” - -“We left them somewhere about the village.” - -“Where have you started for—Havana?” - -“That’s another thing that don’t interest you.” - -“Yes, it does. I know you are going there, and that you will start as -soon as Tomlinson comes back with the provisions. Will you take me with -you?” - -“Not much. We’ve got all the crew we want.” - -“Why, Pierre!” exclaimed Wilson, “you surely do not mean to leave me -here? I am all alone. Chase has left me, and I haven’t seen Walter and -the rest of the fellows since four o’clock this afternoon.” - -“Well, I can’t help that, can I?” - -“How am I to get home, if you go away in the Banner?” - -“That’s your lookout.” - -“Now, what have I done to you, that you should treat me in this way?” - -“You have been meddling with our business—that’s what you have done,” -answered Pierre, fiercely. “You ought to have stayed in Bellville, while -you were there, and attended to your own concerns. We don’t care whether -or not you ever get back.” - -Wilson, with an air of utter dejection, seated himself on the jetty, -while Pierre, who took a savage delight in tormenting the boy, thrust -his hands into his pockets and began pacing back and forth on the beach. -The crew of the yacht had caused the smugglers considerable anxiety, and -they had shown so much courage and perseverance in their pursuit of the -Stella, that they had raised the ire of every one of her company, and -Pierre was glad of this opportunity to obtain some slight satisfaction; -but had he known all that was passing in the boy’s mind, he would have -found that he had even more spirit and determination to deal with than he -imagined. Wilson was only playing a part. He was firm in his resolution -to recover the yacht, but knowing that he could not cope with Pierre -openly, he resorted to strategy. By pretending to be completely cowed by -the smuggler’s fierce words and manner, he had thrown the latter off his -guard; and when he walked past him and took his seat on the jetty, Pierre -did not raise any objections. By this manœuvre, Wilson gained a position -between the man and the nearest boat, which happened to be the one with -the sail hoisted. That was the first step accomplished. The next was to -draw Pierre’s attention to something, if it were only for a moment, until -he could run to the boat, cast off the painter, and fill away for the -yacht. He was not long in hitting upon a plan. - -“I know what I shall do,” said he, at length. “I’ll stay here until -Tomlinson comes, and ask him if he won’t take me aboard the Banner.” - -“I can tell you now that he won’t do it,” replied Pierre. - -“I don’t care; I’ll ask him, any way. If I can only go to Havana, that’s -all I want. I shall be able to find some vessel there bound for the -States. He’s coming now.” - -Pierre paused in his walk and looked toward the plantation house, but -could see nothing. He listened, but all he heard was the roar of the surf -on the beach. - -“I can hear them,” continued Wilson, rising to his feet; “and they’re in -trouble too. They’re running and shouting. There! did you hear that gun?” - -Pierre listened again, and then walked a few steps up the beach to get a -little farther away from the surf. A moment later he heard the sound of -rapid footfalls, and turned quickly to see Wilson flying along the jetty -toward the boat. - -[Illustration: THE RACE FOR THE YACHT.] - -“Stop!” he roared, springing forward in pursuit the instant he divined -the boy’s intention. “You are not going aboard that yacht.” - -“That depends upon whether I do or not,” shouted Wilson, in reply. - -The race that followed was short but highly exciting. Wilson sped along -as swiftly as a bird on the wing, scarcely seeming to touch the ground; -while the clumsy Pierre puffed and blowed like a high pressure steamboat; -and finding that he was encumbered by his heavy cloak, threw it aside, -and even discarded his hat; but all to no purpose. Wilson made such good -use of his time that he succeeded in reaching the boat and jumping into -it, before his pursuer came up; but there his good fortune seemed to end. -He could not cast off the painter. One end of it was passed around one -of the thwarts, and the other made fast to a ring in the jetty, and both -knots were jammed so that he could not undo them. He pulled, and tugged, -and panted in vain. He felt for his knife to cut the rope, but could -not find it. As a last resort he seized the thwart with both hands, and -exerting all his strength, wrenched it loose from its fastenings, and -threw it overboard, at the same time placing his shoulder against the -jetty, and with a strong push, sending the boat from the shore. With a -cry of triumph he seized the sheet which was flapping in the wind, passed -it around a cleat with one hand and seized the tiller with the other. The -boat began to gather headway, but just a moment too late. Pierre, all -out of breath, and full of rage, now came up, and seeing that the boy -was about to escape him, threw himself, without an instant’s hesitation, -headlong into the water. He fell just astern of the boat, and although -Wilson hauled hard on the sheet, and crowded her until she stood almost -on her side, he could not make her go fast enough to get out of the man’s -reach. He made a blind clutch as he arose to the surface, and fastened -with a firm grip upon the rudder. - -“Now, then!” exclaimed Pierre, fiercely, “I reckon you’ll stop, won’t -you?” - -Wilson was frightened, but he did not lose his presence of mind. Had he -spent even a second in considering what ought to be done, his capture -would have been certain, for the smuggler clung to the rudder with one -hand, and stretched out the other to seize the stern of the boat. - -“Pierre,” said the boy, “if you want that piece of wood, you may have it. -I can get along without it.” And with a quick movement he unshipped the -rudder, and the boat flew on, leaving it in the man’s grasp. - -The little craft, now being without a steering apparatus, quickly fell -off and lost headway, and Pierre, with a loud yell of rage, threw away -the rudder and struck out vigorously, expecting to overtake her; but -Wilson seized the sheet in his teeth, picked up one of the oars that lay -under the thwarts, dropped the blade into the water, and in less time -than it takes to tell it, the boat was again under control, and rapidly -leaving Pierre behind. - -“There, sir!” said Wilson; “I did it, but I wouldn’t go through the same -thing again to be made an admiral. I’ve got the yacht in my undisputed -possession, or shall have in a few minutes, and what shall I do with her? -Shall I lay off and on and make signals for Chase, or shall I go back to -the village after Walter and the other fellows? Come on, old boy! I am -well out of your reach.” - -This last remark was addressed to Pierre, who, having been washed ashore -by the surf, had run to one of the boats that were moored to the jetty, -and was hoisting a sail, preparatory to pursuing Wilson. This movement -caused the young sailor no uneasiness. He had a long start, and he knew -that he could reach the yacht, slip the anchor, and get under way before -Pierre could come up. He kept one eye on the man, and pondered upon -the questions he had just asked himself; but before he had come to any -decision, he found himself alongside the yacht. As he rounded to under -her bow, he thought he heard a slight movement on her deck. He listened -intently, but the sound was not repeated; and after a little hesitation, -he placed his hands upon the rail, drew himself up and looked over. He -saw no one, but he soon found that that was no proof there was no one -there, for, as he sprang upon the yacht’s deck, and ran forward to slip -the anchor, his feet were suddenly pulled from under him, and he fell -forward on his face. Before he could move or cry out, some one threw -himself across his shoulders, and seizing both his hands, pinned them to -the deck. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -A LUCKY FALL. - - -“Are we not in luck for once in our lives? Who would have thought that -the storm which blew us so far out of our course, was destined to prove -an advantage instead of a hindrance to us?” - -“Not I, for one, but I can see it now. If we had gone to Havana, as we -intended, we should never have seen the Stella again, or Featherweight -either. Now that we have found him, what is the next thing to be done?” - -“We’ll talk about that as we go along, and keep them in sight until we -have decided upon a plan of action. There they go over the hill. Let’s -hurry on, for we must allow them no chance to give us the slip.” - -This conversation was carried on by Walter and Perk, as they ran up the -hill in pursuit of Fred Craven, whom they had seen going toward the -village in company with Mr. Bell and Captain Conway. They knew it was -Fred, and they knew too that he saw them, and was aware that they were -following him, for once, just before he disappeared from their sight, he -drew his handkerchief from his pocket and waved it in the air behind him. -The movement was executed with but little attempt at concealment; but, -although the Captain and Mr. Bell must certainly have seen it, they made -no effort to check it. - -As we have seen, from the few words that passed between them, the young -sailors had left the yacht without any very definite object in view. They -wanted to assist Fred Craven, if the opportunity were presented, but just -how they were going to set about it they could not tell. Should they -hurry on, and when they came up with him demand his release; or should -they wait and see what his captors were going to do with him? While they -were talking the matter over, the objects of their pursuit disappeared -over the brow of the hill, and that was the last they saw of them, -although they at once quickened their pace to a run, and in a few seconds -were standing on the very spot where they had last seen them. They looked -in every direction, but the men and their captive had vanished. Before -them was a wide and level road, leading through the village and into -the plain beyond, and they could see every moving thing in it for the -distance of a mile. There were people there in abundance, but none among -them who looked like Fred Craven and his keepers. Where could they have -gone so suddenly? - -“Now this beats everything I ever heard of,” said Walter in great -bewilderment. “We are not dreaming, are we?” - -“No sir,” replied Perk, emphatically. “I was never more fully awake than -I am at this moment. There’s some trick at the bottom of this.” - -“What in the world is it?” - -“I should be glad to tell you if I knew. You take one side of the street, -and I’ll take the other. Don’t waste time now, but be careful to look -into every shop and behind every house you pass.” - -Walter, prompt to act upon the suggestion, set off at the top of his -speed, followed by Perk, who, although equally anxious to get over a -good deal of ground in the shortest possible space of time, conducted -his search with more care. Had the former looked into one of the -cross-streets past which he hurried with such frantic haste, he might, -perhaps, have caught a partial glimpse of the burly form of Captain -Conway standing in a doorway; and had he approached him he would have -found Mr. Bell and Featherweight standing close behind him. But he did -not know this, and neither was he aware that as soon as he and Perk -passed on down the street, the master of the smuggling vessel came -cautiously from his place of concealment, and looking around the corner -of a house, watched them until they were two hundred yards away. But the -Captain did this, and more. Having satisfied himself that the young tars -had been eluded, he returned to the doorway and held a short conversation -with Mr. Bell. When it was ended, that gentleman hurried off out of -sight, and the Captain, drawing Fred’s arm through his own, conducted -him along the cross-street and through lanes and by-ways back to the -wharf, and on board a vessel—not the Stella, but a large ship, which, if -one might judge by the hustle and confusion on her deck, was just on the -point of sailing. As he and his captive boarded her, they were met by the -master of the vessel who, without saying a word, led them into his cabin -and showed them an open state-room. Without any ceremony Fred was pushed -into it, the door closed and the key turned in the lock. - -“There,” said Captain Conway, with a sigh of relief, “he is disposed of -at last. If any of those Banner fellows can find him now, I should like -to see them do it. Mr. Bell’s been in this business too long to be beaten -by a lot of little boys.” - -This was only a part of Mr. Bell’s plan; and while it was being carried -into execution, some other events, a portion of which we have already -described, were taking place in the harbor. The mate of the smuggling -vessel visited the yacht, and after enticing Tomlinson and the rest of -the deserters on board the Stella by the promise of a good breakfast, -and a pipe to smoke after it, and starting off Wilson and his companion -on a wild-goose chase, by sending them a note purporting to come from -Walter, had cleared the coast so that he could carry out the rest of his -employer’s scheme without let or hindrance. The first thing he did was -to convey some bales and boxes containing arms, ammunition and military -trappings, on board the yacht—for what purpose we shall see presently—and -his second to secure possession of Walter’s clearance papers. When these -things had been done, the mate returned on board the Stella and received -some more instructions from Mr. Bell; after which he came out of the -cabin and joined the deserters who were in the forecastle, discussing -the breakfast that had been prepared for them. By adroit questioning he -finally obliged Tomlinson to confess what he had all along suspected—that -he and his companions belonged to the United States revenue service, and -that they had deserted their vessel and stolen a passage across the Gulf, -with the intention of shipping aboard a Cuban privateer. When the mate -had found out all he wanted to know, he left them with the remark that -there was a privateer lying off Havana, all ready to sail as soon as she -had shipped a crew, and that if the deserters wanted to find her they -had better start at once. He added that they might waste a good deal of -valuable time if they waited for a vessel to take them to the city, and -that the best thing for them to do would be to steal a small sailboat. -There were plenty of them about the harbor. Havana was only a hundred -miles away, and with a fair wind they could sail there in a few hours. -If they adopted that plan, they had better wait until dark in order to -escape the vigilance of the Spanish officials, who boarded all vessels, -even skiffs, as they entered and left the port. - -“What have you fellows got to say to that?” asked Tomlinson, as soon as -the officer had ascended to the deck. “The mate’s plan agrees with mine -exactly, and that proves that it is worth trying. We will go back and -take the Banner as soon as we have finished our breakfast. _I_ am going, -at least, and I’d like to know who is with me. Speak up!” - -All the deserters spoke up except Bob. He grumbled as usual, and had -some objections to offer. “Tom,” said he, “you haven’t yet answered the -question I asked you once before: who’s going to navigate the vessel? You -can’t do it.” - -“Can’t I? What’s the reason? All we’ve got to do is to follow the coast.” - -“And get lost or wrecked for our pains! No, thankee. And there’s another -thing you haven’t thought of. We shall want some clearance papers, and -how are we going to get ’em? That officer who boarded us as we came in -will be sure to visit us again. The mate said so.” - -“We’re going to give him the slip.” - -“But suppose we can’t do it? What if he sees us and hails us?” - -“We won’t stop, that’s all. He goes around in a row-boat, and the yacht -will easily run away from her.” - -“You forget that there are two men of war in the harbor, and a fort on -the point. I don’t care to run the fire of a hundred guns in such a craft -as the Banner. Put me on board the old gunboat Cairo, if she was as -good as before she was sunk by that rebel torpedo in Yazoo river, and I -wouldn’t mind it.” - -“We’re not going to run the fire of a hundred guns, or one either,” -replied Tomlinson. “I’ll tell you just how we will manage it. We’ll take -the Banner at once; that’s the first thing to be done. Then we’ll run -her over to the other side of the harbor—there are no wharves there, you -know—and anchor off shore until dark, when we will make sail and slip -out; and no one will be the wiser for it.” - -“But we shall want something to eat,” persisted Bob. “There isn’t a -mouthful on board the yacht. We may meet with head winds, you know, and -be a week reaching Havana.” - -“Haven’t I told you that it will be the easiest thing in the world to -land somewhere on the coast and steal some grub?” demanded Tomlinson, -losing all patience. - -“So it will, mate, and I know just where to get it,” said a strange -voice, in a suppressed whisper above their heads. - -The deserters, not a little alarmed to find that their conversation had -been overheard, glanced quickly upward and saw a man crouching at the top -of the ladder and looking down at them. It was Pierre, who having thus -addressed them, made a gesture of silence, and after looking all around -the deck as if fearful of being seen, crept down the ladder into the -forecastle. - -“Don’t be alarmed, lads,” he continued, in a hurried whisper. “I heard -what you said, because I couldn’t well help it, being at work close by -the hatchway, and you talked louder than you thought, I reckon. If you -will let me, I will strike hands with you. I have been watching all day -for a chance to desert this craft, for I want to join that privateer -myself. If I can do that, I shall be a rich man in less than six months. -I like your plans, and will help you carry them out. Now is the best time -in the world to capture that yacht, for there is nobody on board of her. -I know just where to find the privateer, and, while we are on the way, I -will show you where we can get all the grub we want.” - -Pierre rattled off this speech as if he had learned it by heart—as indeed -he had, his teacher being none other than Mr. Bell—and spoke so rapidly -that his auditors could not have crowded a word in edgewise if they had -tried. When he finished, he seated himself on one of the berths and -looked inquiringly from one to the other, waiting for their answer. It -was not given at once, for Bob and his two companions were not disposed -to advance an opinion until they had heard what their leader had to say; -and the latter, surprised and disconcerted by Pierre’s sudden appearance -and his unexpected offer of assistance, wanted time, to collect his wits -and propound a few inquiries. He wanted to know who Pierre was; how long -he had been on board the Stella; if he was certain there was a privateer -lying off Havana waiting for a crew; how he had found out that she was -there, and all that. The smuggler gave satisfactory replies to these -questions, and then Tomlinson extended his hand, and told him that he -was glad to see him. Their new acquaintance, being thus admitted into -their confidence, helped himself to a piece of hard-tack, and during the -conversation that followed succeeded in convincing the deserters that he -was just the man they wanted; he knew how things ought to be managed in -order to insure complete success. So certain was Tomlinson of this fact -that, with the consent of his companions, he offered Pierre the command -of the party, and agreed to be governed by his orders. - -“Well, then,” said Pierre, “it is all settled, and the sooner we are on -the move the better. If you have finished your breakfast, go out on the -wharf and wait for me. I will be on hand as soon as I can find a chance -to leave the vessel without being seen.” - -The deserters accordingly left the forecastle, and as soon as they were -out of sight Pierre followed them to the deck and entered the cabin, -where he found Mr. Bell. After a few minutes’ interview with that -gentleman, he came out again, holding in his hands a roll of bills, which -he showed to the mate whom he met at the top of the companion ladder. He -was now about to carry out the rest of Mr. Bell’s plan, and the money he -carried in his hand was the reward for his services. - -In order to keep up appearances, and make the deserters, who were -watching him from the wharf, believe that he was really leaving the -vessel without the knowledge of her crew, Pierre, after gathering up -some of his clothes, walked carelessly about the deck until the mate’s -back was turned, and then vaulting over the rail, ran quickly behind a -pile of cotton bales on the wharf; and having joined Tomlinson and the -rest, led the way to the place where the Banner lay. They boarded the -little vessel as if they had a perfect right to be there, and without any -delay began hoisting the sails. While thus engaged Tomlinson happened to -look up the harbor, and to his great disgust discovered Eugene and Bab -hurrying along the wharf. - -“What’s to be done now, captain?” he asked, directing Pierre’s attention -to the two boys. “There come some of them young sea-monkeys, and we can’t -get under way before they board us. They’re always around when they are -not wanted.” - -Pierre’s actions, upon hearing these words, not a little surprised -Tomlinson. He took just one glance at the young sailors, and then -springing to the fore-hatch, lowered himself quickly into the galley. -There he stopped long enough to give a few brief and hurried orders to -the deserters, one of whom also jumped down into the galley, while the -others went on with the work of hoisting the sails. A few minutes later, -Eugene and Bab crossed the deck of the brig that lay between the yacht -and the wharf, and appeared at the rail. - -“What’s going on here?” demanded the former, angrily. “It seems to me, -Tomlinson, that you are taking a good many liberties on so short an -acquaintance. I was in hopes I had seen the last of you. Drop those -halliards.” - -“Of course I will, if you say so, because you are one of the owners of -the yacht,” replied the sailor. “But we have orders from the lieutenant -to get under way at once.” - -“From Chase?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Where is he?” asked Bab. - -“He’s below, and Wilson has gone out to look for you.” - -“Has Walter returned yet?” - -“Yes. He is in the cabin now.” - -“Why is he getting under way, and where is he starting for?” inquired -Eugene, as he and Bab swung themselves over the brig’s rail and dropped -upon the deck of their vessel. - -“I don’t exactly know. There’s been something exciting going on here. He -will tell you all about it.” - -“Did Walter bring any one with him when he came back?” - -“Yes; another boy.” - -“What’s his name—Fred Craven?” demanded Bab and Eugene, in a breath. - -“I don’t know. Never saw or heard of him before. He’s a little -fellow—about as big as a marline-spike.” - -“That’s Featherweight!” cried Eugene. - -“I know it is,” shouted Bab. “Hurrah for our side.” - -Without waiting to ask any more questions, the two boys bounded toward -the door of the cabin, each one striving to outrun the other, and to -be the first to greet the long-lost secretary. Bab took the lead, and -a fortunate thing it was for Eugene. The latter, in his haste, caught -his foot in one of the foresail halliards, and was sent headlong to the -deck, while Bab kept on, and jumping into the standing room, pushed open -the door of the cabin; but he did not enter. He stopped short on the -threshold and stood there motionless, until a brawny hand fastened upon -the collar of his jacket and jerked him through the door. - -Eugene quickly recovered his feet, and arrived within sight of the -entrance to the cabin just an instant after Bab disappeared. He too -paused, amazed at what he saw. The first thing he noticed, was that the -lock had been forced from the door (Chase had locked it before leaving -the yacht, and Pierre had used a handspike to open it), and that would -have aroused a suspicion of treachery in his mind, even had he not seen -Bab struggling in the grasp of two men, both of whom he recognised. One -was Bob, and the other was Pierre. Eugene stooped down and looked into -the cabin, and seeing that there was no one there except the two ruffians -and their prisoner, comprehended the situation almost as well as if it -had been explained to him. He could not of course, tell how Pierre came -to be there in company with the deserters, but he knew that they were -about to steal the yacht, and that Tomlinson had concocted the story he -had told in order to send him and Bab into the cabin, so that they could -be secured. Poor Bab had been entrapped, and the only thing that saved -Eugene, was the accident that had befallen him. - -“Pierre,” shouted the boy, in indignant tones, “I know what you’re at, -but your plan won’t work. You’ll not get far away with the Banner—mind -that!” - -Pierre at once left his companion to attend to Bab, and came out into -the standing room, eager to secure Eugene, before his loud, angry voice -attracted the attention of the brig’s crew. “You will save yourself -trouble by clapping a stopper on that jaw of yours,” said he, fiercely. -“Come up behind him, Tomlinson, and the rest of you cast off the lines, -and get the Banner under way without the loss of a moment.” - -“The rest of you let those lines alone,” shouted Eugene. “And Tomlinson, -you keep your distance,” he added, springing lightly upon the taffrail -as the deserter advanced upon him. “You’ll not take me into that cabin a -prisoner.” - -“Grab him, Tomlinson!” exclaimed Pierre, “and be quick about it, or -you’ll be too late.” - -And he _was_ too late, being altogether too slow in his movements to -seize so agile a fellow as Eugene. Believing that the boy was fairly -cornered and could not escape, the deserter came up very deliberately, -and was much surprised to see him raise his hands above his head, and -dive out of sight in the harbor. Tomlinson ran quickly to the stern and -looked over, but Eugene was far out of his reach, being just in the act -of disappearing around the stern of the brig. - -“Never mind him,” said Pierre; “he’s gone, and we can’t help it. The next -thing is to be gone ourselves, before he gets help and comes back.” - -“All clear fore and aft!” cried one of the deserters. - -“Shove off, for’ard!” commanded Pierre, seizing the wheel. “Tom, send two -men aloft to shake out those topsails.” - -In five minutes more the Banner, lying almost on her side, and carrying a -huge bone in her teeth, was scudding swiftly away from the wharf toward -the opposite side of the harbor. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -“SHEEP AHOY!” - - -Meanwhile Eugene, whose astonishment and indignation knew no bounds, was -striking out vigorously for the wharf. Like Chase he began to believe he -had ample reason for declaring the expedition a failure, and to wish he -had known better than to urge it on. The yacht was lost, with no prospect -of being recovered; Bab was a prisoner in the hands of the deserters, -and there was no knowing what they would do with him; he was alone, -in a strange country, his brother and all the rest of the Club having -disappeared; and Fred Craven was still missing—perhaps had already been -sent off to Mexico under the Spanish sea captain. This was the worst -feature in the case, and it caused Eugene more anxiety than the loss of -the yacht. Concerning himself he was not at all uneasy. He was in full -possession of his liberty, was a passable sailor, and could easily find a -vessel bound for the States; but what could poor Fred do in his helpless -condition? Eugene was so fully occupied with such thoughts as these that -he forgot that he was in the water; and neither did he know that he was -an object of interest and amusement to several men who were watching him. -But he became aware of the fact when he rounded the brig’s stern, for a -voice directly over his head called out, in a strong foreign accent: - -“Sheep ahoy!” - -“You’re a sheep yourself,” replied Eugene, looking up, just in time to -catch a line as it came whirling down to him, and to see half a dozen -sailors in striped shirts and tarpaulins, leaning over the brig’s rail. -Seizing the line with both hands he was drawn out of the water, and in -a few seconds more found himself sprawling on the vessel’s deck in the -midst of the sailors, who greeted him with jeers and shouts of laughter. - -“Now, perhaps you see something funny in this, but I don’t,” exclaimed -Eugene, as he scrambled to his feet and looked around for the Banner. -“Do you see that craft out there? She belongs to my brother, and those -fellows have stolen her and are running away with her. I am a stranger -to this country, and its laws and ways of doing business, and I don’t -know how to go to work to get her back. Perhaps some of you will be kind -enough to give me a word of advice.” - -The sailors ceased their laughter when he began to speak, and listened -attentively until he was done, when they broke out into another roar, -louder than the first. The one who had thrown him the rope slapped him -on the back and shouted “Sheep ahoy!” while another offered him a plug -of tobacco. The truth was, they had seen Eugene jump overboard when -Tomlinson came aft to seize him; and, very far from guessing the facts of -the case, they believed him to be one of the yacht’s boys who had taken -to the water to escape punishment for some offence he had committed. -They could not understand English, and there was only one among them who -could speak even a word of it; and all he could say was “Sheep ahoy!” -(he intended it for “Ship ahoy!”) which he kept repeating over and over -again, without having the least idea what it meant. They thought that -Eugene was trying to explain to them how badly he had been abused on -board his vessel, and his vehement gestures and angry countenance excited -their mirth. - -“Get away with that stuff!” cried the boy, hitting the plug of tobacco -a knock that sent it from the sailor’s hand spinning across the deck. -“Stop pounding me on the back, you fellow, and shouting ‘Sheep ahoy!’ -I’m no more of a sheep than you are. Is there one among you who can talk -English?” - -“Sheep ahoy!” yelled the sailor, while his companions burst into another -roar of laughter, as the owner of the tobacco went to pick up his -property. - -The harder Eugene tried to make himself understood, the louder the -sailors laughed. At first he thought they would not answer his questions, -merely because they wished to tantalize him; but being satisfied at last -that they could not comprehend a word he said, he pushed them roughly -aside, and springing upon the wharf, hurried off, followed by a fresh -burst of laughter and loud cries of “Sheep ahoy!” - -“I don’t see any sense in making game of a fellow that way, even if you -can’t understand him,” thought Eugene, more angry than ever. “I hope the -rebels may capture the last one of you, and shut you up for awhile.” - -Eugene did not know where he was going or what he intended to do. -Indeed, he did not give the matter a moment’s thought. All he cared for -just then was to get out of hearing of the laughter of the brig’s crew, -and to find some quiet spot where he could sit down by himself, and take -time to recover from the bewilderment occasioned by the events of the -last quarter of an hour. With this object in view, he hurried along the -wharf, out of the gate, and up the street leading to the top of the hill. -At the same moment Walter and Perk were walking slowly up the other side. -It was now nearly sunset. For four long hours the young captain and his -companion had run about the village in every direction, looking for Fred -Craven, and now, almost tired out, and utterly discouraged, they were -slowly retracing their steps toward the wharf. They met Eugene at the top -of the hill, and the moment their eyes rested on him, they knew he had -some unwelcome news to communicate, although they little thought it as -bad as it was. - -“O, fellows!” exclaimed Eugene, as soon as he came within speaking -distance, “you don’t know how glad I am to see you again. They’ve got her -at last, and Bab too; and here the rest of us are, high and dry ashore, -with a fair prospect of working our passage back to Bellville, if we can -find any vessel to ship on. Look there!” - -Walter turned his eyes in the direction indicated, and one look was -enough. “The deserters?” he faltered. - -“Yes, sir, the deserters! And who do you suppose is their leader? Pierre -Coulte!” - -Without waiting to hear the exclamations of amazement which this -unexpected intelligence called forth from his companions, Eugene went on -to tell what had happened to him since he had last seen his brother—how -he and Bab had traversed the wharf from one end to the other without -meeting the revenue officer of whom they had been sent in search, and -had returned to the yacht just in time to see her captured. He wound up -his story with the remark that Chase and Wilson must have been secured, -before he and Bab came within sight of the vessel, for they had seen -nothing of them. - -“Well, this is a pretty state of affairs,” said Walter, as soon as he -could speak. “Instead of assisting Fred Craven, we have managed to lose -three more of our fellows. As far as I can see we are done for now, and -all that is left us is to look about for a chance to go home. But first, -I’d like to know what those men intend to do with the yacht. Do you see -where they are going? Let’s walk around the beach. I want to keep her in -sight as long as I can, for I never expect to see her after to-night.” - -Walter did not keep the Banner in sight five minutes after he spoke. She -had by this time reached the other side of the harbor, and disappeared -among the trees and bushes that lined the shore, having probably entered -a creek that flowed into the bay. With one accord the boys bent their -steps along the beach toward the spot where she had last been seen, not -with any intention of trying to recover possession of her, but simply -because they did not know what else to do. - -It was fully three miles around the beach to the woods in which the -Banner had vanished from their view, but the boys had so much to talk -about that the distance did not seem nearly so great. Almost before -they were aware of it, they were stumbling about among the bushes, in -close proximity to the Banner’s hiding-place. Not deeming it policy to -attract the attention of her crew, they ceased their conversation and -became more cautious in their movements—a proceeding on which they had -reason to congratulate themselves; for, before they had gone fifty yards -farther, they saw the Banner’s tall, taper masts rising through the -bushes directly in advance of them. They looked about among the trees in -every direction, but could see no one. They listened, but no sound came -from the direction of the yacht. The same encouraging thought occurred -to each of the boys at the same moment, and Eugene was the first to give -utterance to it. - -“Can it be possible, that the deserters have run her in here and left -her?” he asked, excitedly. - -“It is possible, but hardly probable,” replied Walter. “They didn’t steal -her just to run her across the bay and leave her. They’re going to Havana -in her.” - -“I know that. But if they are on board, why don’t we hear them talking or -walking about? They may have gone back to the village for something.” - -“Then we should have met them,” said Walter. “But, if you say so, we’ll -go up nearer and reconnoitre. I’d like to have one more look at the -Banner, before I give her up for ever.” - -“Go on,” said Perk. “If they are there, we need not show ourselves.” - -Walter, throwing himself on his hands and knees, crept cautiously toward -the bank of the creek, and in a few minutes laid hold of the Banner’s -bob-stay, and drew himself to an erect position. The little vessel lay -close alongside the bank, held by a single line, her bowsprit being run -into the bushes. Her sails had been lowered, but were not furled, and -this made it evident that her captors had either hurriedly deserted -her, or that they intended very soon to get her under way again. The -boys listened, but could hear no movement on the deck. Afraid to give -utterance to the hopes that now arose in his mind, Walter looked toward -his companions, and receiving an encouraging nod from each, seized the -bob-stay again, and drawing himself up to the bowsprit, looked over the -rail. There was no one in sight. Slowly and carefully he made his way to -the deck, closely followed by Perk and Eugene, and presently they were -all standing beside the hatch that led into the galley. It was open, -and a close examination of the apartment below, showed them that it was -empty. There was still one room to be looked into, and that was the -cabin. If there was no one there, the Banner would be their own again in -less than thirty seconds. - -Without an instant’s pause, Walter placed his hands on the combings of -the hatch, and lowered himself through, still closely followed by his -companions. The door leading into the cabin was closed but not latched. -Slowly and noiselessly it yielded to the pressure of Walter’s hand, and -swung open so that the boys could obtain a view of the interior of the -cabin. They looked, and all their hopes of recovering the yacht vanished -on the instant. Lying in different attitudes about the cabin—stretched -upon the lockers and on the floor were five stalwart men, all fast -asleep; and conspicuous among them was Pierre, the smuggler. Walter -hastily closed the door, and without saying a word, began to remove the -hatch that led into the hold. - -“That’s the idea,” whispered Eugene. “We’ll rescue Bab before we go -ashore. Let me go down after him; I know he’s there.” - -“We’ll all go down,” replied Walter; “and we’ll not go ashore at all if -we can help it. I, for one, don’t intend to leave the yacht again until -I am put off by a superior force. We’ll do as Tomlinson and his crowd -did—conceal ourselves in the hold until the Banner is so far out to sea -that we can’t be put off, and then we’ll come out.” - -This was more than Perk and Eugene had bargained for. They believed it to -be rather a reckless piece of business to trust themselves in the power -of the new crew of the Banner. It was probably the best way to regain -control of the yacht—the deserters would have no use for her after they -reached Havana—but what if they should be angry when they found the boys -aboard, and vent their spite by treating them harshly? In that event, -they would be in a predicament indeed, for they could not get ashore, and -neither could they defend themselves against the attacks of grown men. -But if Walter was determined to stay, of course they would stay with him. -If he got into trouble, they would be near him to share it; and there -was some consolation in knowing that they could not get into much worse -situations than those they had already passed through. They followed him -when he lowered himself into the hold, and it was well they did so; for -when Perk, who brought up the rear, was half way through the hatch, some -one in the cabin uttered a loud yawn, and rising to his feet, approached -the door leading into the galley. As quick as a flash, Perk dropped into -the hold, closing the hatch after him; and immediately afterward, almost -before he had time to draw another breath, the cabin door opened, and the -man came in. The frightened and excited boys crouched close under the -hatch, afraid to move for fear of attracting his attention. They heard -him move something across the floor of the galley and step upon it; and -they knew by the first words he uttered that it was Pierre, and that he -was taking an observation of the weather. - -“Roll out there, lads, and turn to!” he exclaimed. “By the time we get -the yacht turned round, and the sails hoisted, it will be dark. We’re -going to have a cloudy, breezy night for our run, and that’s just what we -want. Come, bullies, make a break, there.” - -The order was followed by a general movement in the cabin, and the boys, -believing that the sound of the heavy footsteps overhead would drown any -noise they might make in moving about the hold, seized the opportunity -to look up a place of concealment among the water-butts and tool-chests. -Walter’s first care, however, was to look, or rather _feel_ for the -lantern which he and his brother always used when visiting the hold. It -was found hanging in its accustomed place. With the solitary match he -happened to have in his pocket he lighted the wick, and the first object -that was revealed to himself and companions was Bab, sitting with his -hands tied behind him and his back against one of the water-butts. The -prisoner, who, up to this time had believed that his visitors were some -of the deserters, was too amazed to speak. Indeed he did not try until -Eugene and Perk had untied his hands, and given him each a hearty slap on -the back by way of greeting. - -“All the merest accident in the world, my boy,” said Eugene. “Such a -thing never happened before and never will again. We never expected to -see you on the yacht, either. Come up into this dark corner, and tell us -what you know of the plans of these men. Hallo! what’s this?” - -While Eugene was speaking he was walking toward the after end of the -hold. On the way he stumbled over something, which, upon examination, -proved to be a long, narrow box, bearing upon its top a name and address: -“DON CASPER NEVIS, Port Platte, Cuba.” - -“How did that box come here?” asked Walter, “I never saw it before. And -what are in those packages?” he added, pointing to a couple of bales that -lay near by. - -“Here’s another box,” continued Eugene, “and it is so heavy I can -scarcely move it. There’s some printing on it, too. Hold your lantern -here.” - -Walter did as his brother requested, and he and the rest, who crowded -about the box and looked over Eugene’s shoulder, read the same name and -address they had seen on the other box; and underneath, in smaller print -were the words: “Percussion Cartridges.” - -“Now just listen to me a minute and I’ll tell you what’s a fact,” said -Perk. “Here are the bullets—I don’t know how they came here, but they’re -_here_—and if we only had the guns to throw them, we could clear the -yacht’s deck of these interlopers in less time than it takes to tell it.” - -“Well, I declare!” exclaimed Walter suddenly, and in tones indicative of -great surprise. - -“Made any more discoveries?” asked Perk. - -“I have,” replied the young captain, who by the aid of his lantern, was -closely scrutinizing the long box. “Here are the very things you are -wishing for. Just listen to this: One dozen Spencer’s army carbines.” - -The boys could scarcely believe their ears; they wanted the evidence of -their eyes to back it up. With a volley of ejaculations, which in their -excitement they uttered in tones altogether too loud, they gathered about -the box, looked at the words Walter had read to them, then rubbed their -eyes and looked again. - -“Well, now I am beat,” said Bab. - -“I’d give something to know how these articles came here,” observed -Walter, deeply perplexed. - -“Can it be possible that they were brought aboard by the deserters, who -intend to start out on a piratical cruise on their own hook?” asked Perk. - -While the three boys were discussing the matter in this way, Eugene, who -was the first to recover himself, took the lantern from his brother’s -hand, and creeping forward to the carpenter’s chest, soon returned with -a screw-driver. While one held the light, and the others looked on, he -set to work upon the long box, and presently the lid was removed and the -interior disclosed to view. There they were, a half a dozen bran new -breech-loaders, and under them were as many more of the same sort. While -Eugene was handing them out, Perk seized the screw-driver, and in five -minutes more the cover of the ammunition box had been taken off, and four -of the carbines were loaded and ready for use. - -“Now, then, lead on, Walter!” exclaimed Eugene, triumphantly. “One rush, -and she’s ours. Won’t those villains be surprised when they see the -muzzles of four seven-shooters looking them squarely in the face? Why, -fellows, they’ve got the yacht under sail already.” - -If Eugene had said that the Banner had left the creek behind, and was -well on her way toward the entrance to the harbor, he would have been -nearly right. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE BANNER UNDER FIRE. - - -While Walter and his friends were engaged in unpacking the boxes -containing the carbines and ammunition, Pierre and his crew had been -equally busy on deck. By the time they had turned the yacht around with -her bow toward the mouth of the creek and hoisted the sails, it was pitch -dark, and her captain determined to begin the voyage at once. The boys -below were so intent upon their investigations, and so astonished at -their discoveries, that they did not know that the yacht was in motion; -but when she got out into the harbor where she felt the full force of the -breeze, they speedily became aware of the fact, for the Banner, following -her usual custom, rolled over until her front gunwale was almost level -with the water, and Walter and his companions slid down to the lee side -of the hold as easily as if the floor had been ice, and they mounted on -skates. Shut out as they were from view of surrounding objects, and being -beyond the reach of the voices of the men on deck, they were saved the -anxiety and alarm they would have felt, had they known all that happened -during the next half hour. They were in blissful ignorance of the fact -that they were that night under fire for the first time in their lives, -but such was the truth; and this was the way it came about. - -Had Tomlinson and his men known all that Pierre knew, the voyage to -Havana would never have been undertaken. The latter was well aware of the -fact that more than one cargo of arms and ammunition had been smuggled -into that very port for the use of the Cuban insurgents—he ought to have -known it, for he belonged to the vessel engaged in the business—and -he had also learned that the Stella was suspected, and that vigilant -officers were keeping an eye on all her movements. He knew, further, -that certain things had been done by Mr. Bell that afternoon, calculated -to draw the attention of the Spanish officials, from the Stella to the -Banner; that she would be closely watched; that she had been seen to -cross the harbor and enter the creek; that an attempt would be made to -board and search her before she left the port; and that in case the -attempt failed, a Spanish frigate was close at hand to pursue her, and -the fort on the point was ready to open fire upon her. But knowing all -these things as well as he did, he was willing to attempt to smuggle the -Banner out of the harbor, for he was working for money. - -Hugging the shore as closely as the depth of the water would permit, the -yacht sped on her way toward the point, the crew standing in silence at -their posts, and Pierre himself handling the wheel. With the exception -of the lamp in the binnacle, and the lantern in the hold which the boys -were using, there was not a light about her, and no one spoke a word, -not even in a whisper. But with all these precautions, the yacht did not -leave the harbor unobserved. Just as she arrived off the point on which -the fort was situated, a light suddenly appeared in her course. It came -from a dark lantern. The man who carried it was the same officer who had -boarded the vessel in the morning, and who, for reasons of his own, had -made the young sailors believe that he could not speak their language. He -was standing in the stern-sheets of a large yawl, which was filled with -armed men, ready to board the yacht, when she came to, in obedience to -his hail. - -“Banner ahoy!” yelled the officer, in as plain English as Walter himself -could have commanded. - -“There they are, cap’n,” whispered Tomlinson, who had been stationed in -the bow to act as lookout. “A cutter, and a dozen men in her. Are you -going to answer the hail?” - -“Leave all that to me. Come here and take the wheel, and hold her just -as she is,” said Pierre; and when Tomlinson obeyed the order, the new -captain hurried to the rail, and looked toward the yawl. - -“Banner ahoy!” shouted the officer again, as the schooner flew past his -boat. - -“Yaw! Vat you want?” answered Pierre, imitating as nearly as he could the -broken English of a German. - -“Lie to!” commanded the officer. - -“Vas?” yelled Pierre. - -“Lie to, I say. I want to come aboard of you.” - -“Nix forstay!” - -“That won’t go down, my friend; I know you,” said the officer, angrily. -“Give away, strong,” he added, addressing himself to his crew. “You had -better stop and let me come aboard.” - -Pierre seemed very anxious to understand. He moved aft as the Banner went -on, leaving the boat behind, and even leaned as far as he could over the -taffrail, and placed his hand behind his ear as if trying to catch the -officer’s words. But he did not stop; he knew better. The boat followed -the yacht a short distance, and then turned and went swiftly toward the -point, the officer waving his lantern in air as if making signals to some -one. When Pierre saw that, he knew there were exciting times ahead. - -“Give me the wheel, now,” said he; “and do you go for’ard and heave the -lead until I tell you to stop. Station a man in the waist to pass the -word, and tell him not to speak too loud. Tell two others to stand by the -sheets, and send Bob aloft to unfurl the topsails. We have need of all -the rags we can spread now.” - -“What’s up?” asked Tomlinson, with some anxiety. - -“There’ll be a good deal up if we don’t get away from here in a hurry,” -replied Pierre; “more than you think for. But if you do as I tell you, I -will bring you through all right. That fort will open on us in less than -five minutes, and if that don’t stop us, we’ll have to run a race with a -man o’ war.” - -Tomlinson waited to hear no more. Resigning the wheel into Pierre’s -hands, he ran forward, and the latter, as soon as the men had been -stationed at the fore and main sheets, changed the yacht’s course, -heading her across a bar at the entrance to the harbor, and standing -close along shore. The wisdom of this manœuvre was very soon made -apparent. In less than ten minutes afterward, there was a bright flash -behind them, accompanied by a shrieking sound in the air, and a twelve -pound shell went skipping along the waves and burst far in advance of -the yacht. Had she been in the channel, which vessels of large size were -obliged to follow in going in and out of the harbor, she would have been -directly in range of it. Another and another followed, and finally every -gun on the seaward side of the fort was sending its missiles in the -direction the Banner was supposed to have gone. The deserters looked and -listened in amazement; but finding that they were out of reach of the -shells, their alarm began to abate. - -“Now, this is like old times,” exclaimed Bob, placing his left hand -behind his back, extending his right, and glancing along the yacht’s -rail, in the attitude of the captain of a gun when about to pull the -lock-string. “Don’t I wish this craft was the old Indianola, as good as -she was the day she ran the batteries at Vicksburg, and I had one of -those eleven-inch guns under my eye, loaded with a five-second shell?” - -“You’ll wish for her many a time to-night, for the fun isn’t over yet,” -observed Pierre. “It is only just beginning. Now keep silence, fore and -aft, so that I can hear what Tom has to say about the water.” - -For an hour Tomlinson kept heaving the lead, passing the word back to -Pierre with every throw, and all this while the Banner, with every inch -of her canvas spread, bounded along as close to the shore as her captain -dared to go. For fifteen minutes of this time the fort continued to send -its shots and shells along the channel, and then the firing ceased and -all was still again. Pierre kept close watch of the shore as the yacht -flew along, and finally turning into a little bay, sailed up within sight -of a stone jetty that put out from the shore, and came to anchor. This -was Don Casper’s wharf Pierre knew it, for he had often been there; and -he knew too that a short distance away, among the negro quarters, was a -storehouse containing an abundance of corn-meal, flour and bacon. This -was the place to secure the provisions. - -“There!” exclaimed the captain, as the Banner swung around with her head -to the waves, “we’re so far on our way to Havana, and we haven’t been -long getting here, either. Now we’ve no time to lose. Who’s the best -swimmer in the party?” - -“I am,” said Tomlinson confidently. - -“Well, then, come here. Do you see that wharf out there, and the yawls -lying alongside of it? Just swim out and bring one of ’em back, and -we’ll go ashore and get the grub. Be in a hurry, for we want to get our -business done and put to sea again before that man-o’-war comes up and -blockades us.” - -Tomlinson at once divested himself of his pea-jacket, overshirt and -shoes, and plunging fearlessly into the waves made his way to the -shore. While there, notwithstanding Pierre’s suggestion that haste was -desirable, he took it into his head to reconnoitre the plantation. He -found the storehouse, and saw the overseer—the same man who liberated -Chase and Wilson from the wine-cellar—serving out provisions to the -negroes. After noting the position of the building, so that he could -easily find it again, he secured one of the yawls, hoisted a sail in it, -and returning to the yacht brought off his companions. Pierre knowing -more than the deserters, and believing that it might not be quite safe to -trust himself too far away from the yacht, remained at the wharf, while -Tomlinson and the rest of the deserters, armed with handspikes which they -had brought from the vessel, went to the storehouse after the provisions. - -And what were the boys in the hold doing all this while? They would -not have believed that a full hour and a half had elapsed since they -discovered and liberated Bab, for they were busy and the time flew -quickly by. In the first place, each boy crammed his pockets full of -cartridges and took possession of one of the carbines, and the rest were -carefully hidden among the ballast, for fear that they might by some -accident fall into the hands of the deserters. When this had been done, -Eugene, with his usual impetuosity and lack of prudence, began to urge -an immediate attack upon the captors of the yacht; but Walter and Perk -thought it best to adhere to the original plan, and keep themselves -concealed until the yacht was well out to sea, or, at all events, until -she was clear of the harbor. They argued that when the attack was made it -would produce something of a commotion on deck, which might attract the -attention of the crews of some of the neighboring vessels, and perhaps of -the Spanish officials; and, although the Banner was their own property, -and they had as good a right in Cuba as any of their countrymen, they -did not wish to be called upon to make any explanations. Bab sided with -Walter and Perk, and Eugene was obliged to yield. It was well that he -did not carry his point, for had the lawful captain of the yacht been in -command when she was hailed by the revenue officer, he would have obeyed -the order to lie to, and he and his crew would have been carried back -to town and thrown into jail as smugglers. The officer would have found -proof against them too; and such proof as Walter knew nothing about. - -It being decided at last that Walter’s plan was the best, the boys, in -order to gratify their curiosity, proceeded to examine the contents of -the bales they had found in the hold. The first contained artillery -sabres, and Eugene buckled one about his waist; but the others declined -to follow his example, believing that the carbines were all the weapons -they needed. The other two packages contained officers’ sashes, one of -which Eugene also appropriated. While thus engaged they heard the roar of -the guns from the fort, but they little dreamed that they were pointed -in the direction the yacht was supposed to have gone. Shut in as they -were on all sides by tight wooden walls, the sound seemed to them to come -from a great distance. They accounted for the firing in various ways—the -soldiers were rejoicing over some decisive victory the Spaniards had -gained over the insurgents; or they were engaged in artillery practice; -or perhaps a skirmish was going on back of the town. So little interested -were they in the matter, that, after the first few shots, they ceased -to pay any attention to the noise. They had their own affairs to think -and talk about: what could have become of Chase and Wilson—they had -searched the hold without finding any traces of them—and who had brought -the arms and ammunition aboard? Where had Fred Craven and his keepers -gone so suddenly? and what should be done with the unlawful crew of the -yacht after they had been secured? By the time these points had been -talked over, the Banner had accomplished the ten miles that lay between -the harbor and the bay at the rear of Don Casper’s plantation, and then -Walter declared that Pierre and Tomlinson had had charge of the vessel -long enough, and that it was time he was claiming his rights again. The -boys were ready to move at the word. It was a novel and perhaps desperate -thing they were about to undertake, but not one of them hesitated. -Grasping their weapons with a firmer hold, they followed closely after -Walter, and gathered silently about him as he stopped under the hatch. - -“Are we all ready?” asked the young commander, in an excited whisper. “I -will throw off the hatch, and, Bab, be sure you are ready to hand me my -carbine the moment I jump out. If any of the deserters hear the noise and -come into the galley to see what is going on, I will keep them at bay -until you come up. If we find them on deck, let each fellow pick out a -man, cover him with his gun, and order him into the hold.” - -“Yes, and see that he goes, too,” added Eugene. - -“Perk, blow out that lantern. Stand by, fellows!” - -The boys crouched like so many tigers ready for a spring; but just as -Walter placed his hands upon the hatch, preparatory to throwing it off, a -few harshly spoken words of command came faintly to their ears, followed -by the rattling of the chain through the hawse hole, and a sudden -cessation of motion, telling the young sailors that the yacht had come to -anchor. This caused Walter to hesitate; and after a few whispered words -with his companions, they all sat down on the floor of the hold under the -hatch to await developments. But nothing new transpired. The yacht was as -silent as the grave; and after half an hour of inactivity, the patience -of the young tars was all exhausted, and once more preparations were made -for the attack. Walter handed his carbine to Bab, and lifting the hatch -quickly, but noiselessly, from its place, swung himself out of the hold -into the galley. The others followed with all possible haste, and when -the last one had come out, Walter pushed open the door of the cabin and -rushed in. The room was empty. Without a moment’s pause, he ran toward -the standing room, and when he got there, found himself in undisputed -possession of his vessel, no one being on deck to oppose him. The yacht -was deserted by all save himself and companions. The young tars, -scarcely able to realize the fact, hurried about, peeping into all sorts -of improbable places, and when at last they had satisfied themselves that -the deserters were really gone, their joy knew no bounds. - -“It’s all right, fellows!” cried Walter, gleefully. “She’s ours, and -we’ve got her without a fight, too. I have some curiosity to know where -those men have gone, but we’ll not stop to inquire. Stand by to get under -way.” - -“Shall I slip the cable?” asked Eugene. - -“No,” answered Walter. “I can’t see the beauty of throwing away a good -chain and anchor when there’s no occasion for it. Let’s man the capstan.” - -While two of the crew busied themselves in removing the chain from the -bitts to the little horizontal capstan with which the yacht was provided, -the others brought the handspikes from their places, and presently the -schooner began walking slowly up to her anchor. The boys worked manfully, -and presently Eugene looked over the bow and announced that the anchor -was apeak. - -“Go to the wheel, Perk,” said Walter. “Heave away, the rest of us. -Cheerily, lads!” - -Perk at once hurried aft, but just as he laid his hand on the wheel he -stopped short, gazed intently over the stern toward the shore, and then -quietly made his way forward again. “Now I’ll tell you what’s a fact,” he -whispered; “you’d better work that capstan a little livelier, for they’re -coming.” - -“Who are coming?” asked all the boys at once. - -“Well, there’s a yawl close aboard of us, and if you can tell who is in -it, you will do more than I can.” - -The young sailors looked in the direction Perk pointed, and saw a -sailboat swiftly approaching the yacht. To heave the anchor clear of the -ground and get under way before she came alongside, was impossible, for -she was already within a few rods of the vessel. - -“Stand by to keep them off,” said Walter, catching up his carbine. “We -don’t want to hurt any of them if we can help it, but bear in mind that -they must not, under any circumstances, be allowed to come over the side.” - -The boys, with their weapons in their hands, hurried to the rail, and -Walter was on the point of hailing the boat, and warning the deserters -that any attempt to board the yacht would be stubbornly resisted, when -he discovered that she had but one occupant. The others became aware of -the fact at the same moment, and Eugene declared that it was none other -than Pierre Coulte. “Let him come aboard, fellows,” he added, “and we’ll -make him tell where Featherweight went to-day in such a hurry. We may -learn something to our advantage.” - -Before his companions had time either to consent to, or reject this -proposition, the yawl rounded to under the bow of the Banner, and a head -appeared above the rail. The boys crouched close to the deck, and in a -few seconds more a human figure leaped into view, and after looking all -about the yacht, ran toward the capstan. On his way he passed within -reach of Walter, who thrust out both his sinewy arms, and wrapping them -about the intruder’s legs, prostrated him in an instant. No sooner had he -touched the deck than Perk, who was always on the alert, threw himself -across the man’s shoulders, and seizing both his hands, held them fast. - -The stranger lay for an instant overcome with surprise at this unexpected -reception, and then began to show his disapproval by the most frantic -struggles; and although he was firmly held, he gave evidence of -possessing uncommon strength and determination. But it was not Pierre -they had got hold of, as they quickly discovered. There was something -about him that reminded them of somebody else. Perk, at least, thought -so, for he bent his head nearer to the stranger’s, remarking as he did so: - -“Now I’ll tell you what’s a fact—” - -When he had said this much he paused, and started as if he had been shot, -for a familiar voice interrupted him with— - -“I say, Perk, if that’s you, you needn’t squeeze all the breath out of -me.” - -“Wilson!” cried the crew of the Banner, in concert. - -Perk jumped to his feet, pulling the prisoner up with him. It was Wilson -and no mistake. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE SPANISH FRIGATE. - - -“How came you here?” was of course the first question the Club addressed -to the new-comer, as soon as they had made sure of his identity. - -“I came in that boat,” replied Wilson, who was quite as much surprised to -see his friends as they were to see him. “But how did _you_ come here? I -heard Tomlinson say that he and his crowd had stolen the Banner.” - -“So they did; but they stole us with her, for we were hidden in the hold. -What we want to know is, how you happen to be out here in the country. We -left you and Chase to watch the yacht.” - -“It is a long story, fellows, and I will tell it to you the first -chance I get. But just how we have something else to think of. There -comes Pierre,” said Wilson, pointing over the stern. “He is after me. -Tomlinson and the rest are ashore stealing some provisions.” - -“Does Pierre know where Featherweight is?” asked Eugene. - -“I shouldn’t wonder. He seems to be pretty well acquainted with Mr. -Bell’s plans.” - -“Then we will see if we can make him tell them to us,” said Walter. -“Eugene, go down and get a lantern; and the rest of us stand by to -receive our visitor with all the honors.” - -“Why, where did you get this?” asked Wilson, as Eugene placed his carbine -in his hands. - -“‘Thereby hangs a tale;’ but you shall hear it in due time.” - -“Here he is, fellows,” whispered Walter. “Keep out of sight until he -comes over the side.” - -Pierre was by this time close aboard of the schooner. He came up under -her stern, and sprang over the rail with the yawl’s painter in his hand. -“I told you that you shouldn’t go off in this vessel,” said he, looking -about the deck in search of Wilson. “You needn’t think to hide from me, -for I am bound to find you. You will save yourself some rough handling by -getting into this yawl and going straight back to shore. We don’t want -you here.” - -“But we want you,” exclaimed Walter, starting up close at Pierre’s side -and presenting his carbine full in his face. - -The others jumped from their concealments, and at the same moment Eugene -opened the door of the cabin and came out into the standing-room with -a lighted lantern in his hand. For a few seconds the smuggler was so -completely blinded by the glare of the bull’s-eye, which Eugene turned -full upon him, that he could not distinguish even the nearest objects; -but presently his eyes became somewhat accustomed to the light, and he -was able to take a view of his surroundings. He was much astonished at -what he saw. There stood Wilson, whom he had expected to drag from some -concealment, looking very unlike the cringing, supplicating youth he had -met on the jetty. And he was not alone either, for with him were the boys -whom he believed he had left ten miles behind him, and also Bab, whom he -had last seen bound and helpless in the hold. They were all armed too, -and were holding their cocked guns in most unpleasant proximity to his -face. - -“Well, if you have anything to say for yourself let’s have it,” said -Wilson, breaking the silence at last. “You’ll let me go off in this -vessel after all, won’t you? There’s a good fellow.” - -Pierre had not a word to say. He seemed to be overcome with bewilderment -and alarm. He did not even remonstrate, when Eugene, after placing his -lantern on the deck, stepped up, and passing a rope around his arms -confined them behind his back. When the operation of tying him was -completed, he seemed to arouse himself as if from a sound sleep, and to -realize for the first time that he was a prisoner; but then it was too -late to resist even if he had the inclination. The knowledge of this fact -did not, however, appear to occasion him any uneasiness. As soon as the -first tremor, caused by the sight of the cocked weapons, passed away, he -began to recover his courage. - -“There,” said Eugene, taking another round turn with the rope, “I think -that will hold you. Didn’t I tell you that you would never get far away -with the yacht? You’re fast enough now.” - -“But I’ll not be so long,” replied Pierre, with a grin. “There’s a -man-of-war coming, if you only knew it, and she’ll be along directly.” - -“Well, what of it?” - -“Nothing much, only she will take you and your vessel, and set me at -liberty; that’s all. She is looking for you.” - -“She is? We don’t care. We’ve done nothing to make us afraid of her.” - -“You’d better be afraid of her,” replied Pierre, significantly. “You’ve -got no papers.” - -“Yes, I have,” interrupted Walter. - -“How does that come?” asked Pierre, in a tone of voice that was -aggravating to the last degree. “Did you clear from Port Platte?” - -“No, because we didn’t get the chance. You stole the vessel and run away -with her. But I can show that we cleared from Bellville.” - -“No, you can’t. And, more than that, you’ve got guns and ammunition -aboard intended for the use of the Cubans.” - -Pierre paused when he said this, and looked at the boys as if he expected -them to be very much astonished; and they certainly were. They knew now -where the carbines came from, and why they had been placed in the hold, -and their words and actions indicated that if the guilty party had been -within their reach just then, he would have fared roughly indeed. Walter -was the only one who had nothing to say. He stood for a moment as mute -and motionless as if he had been turned into stone, and then catching up -the lantern, rushed into his cabin. He opened his desk, and with nervous -haste began to overhaul the papers it contained. - -“O, you’ll not find them there,” said Pierre, “they’re gone—torn up, and -scattered about the harbor.” - -“What’s the matter, Walter?” asked all the boys at once. - -“Our papers are gone, that’s all,” replied the young captain, calmly. -“Some one has stolen them. Now, Pierre,” he added, paying no heed to the -exclamations of rage and astonishment that arose on all sides, “I want -you to tell me what has been going on on board my vessel this afternoon.” - -“Well, I don’t mind obliging you,” answered the smuggler, “seeing that -it is too late for you to repair the damage, and, in order to make you -understand it, I must begin at the beginning. You see, although we -cleared from Bellville for Havana, we did not intend to go there at all. -This very bay is the point we were bound for, but it is an ugly place in -a gale, and so we put into Port Platte to wait until the wind and sea -went down, so that we could land our cargo. Perhaps you don’t know it, -but the Stella is loaded with just such weapons as these you’ve got.” - -“I don’t doubt it,” said Walter, “but why did you bring some of them -aboard this vessel?” - -“I’ll come to that directly. When you set out in pursuit of us, after -we left Lost Island, we knew that you must have found Chase, and that -he had told you the whole story; but we didn’t feel at all uneasy, for -we believed that when we once lost sight of you we should never see you -again. As bad luck would have it, however, the storm blew you right into -Port Platte, and of course you found us there. When we saw you come in -we knew what you wanted to do, and set our wits at work to get the start -of you, and I rather think we’ve done it. We laid half a dozen plans, -believing that if one failed another would be sure to work. In the first -place Mr. Bell directed the attention of the custom-house officers to -you and your vessel. He is well acquainted with them all, you know, and -he has fooled them more than once, as nicely as he fooled the captain -of that cutter at Lost Island. He told them that you were the fellows -who were smuggling all the arms into this country for the use of the -rebels; that you had intended to land somewhere on the coast, but had -been compelled by the gale to come into the harbor, and that you would -probably go out again as soon as the wind died away. Having excited the -officers’ suspicions, the next thing was to do something to back them up; -and we thought the best way would be to smuggle some weapons aboard the -Banner. But in order to do it we had to work some plan to get you away -from the yacht, so that we could have a clear field for our operations. -Mr. Bell and Captain Conway took Fred Craven up the hill in plain sight -of you, and, as we expected, some of you followed him. Then the mate -found one of Don Casper’s niggers on the wharf, and used him to help his -plans along. He wrote a note to Chase, and signed Walter’s name to it.” - -“Aha!” interrupted Wilson. “I begin to see into things a little. But how -did Mr. Bell know that Chase was left in command of the yacht?” - -“He didn’t know it—he only guessed it from seeing him so active in -setting things to rights.” - -“Don Casper,” repeated Perk. “His name is on those boxes in the hold. Who -is he?” - -“He’s the man to whom we deliver our weapons, and he sends them to the -rebels. As I was saying, Mr. Bell wrote this note to Chase, asking him -to bring all the crew of the vessel to assist in releasing Fred, and -another to Don Casper, and hired the darkey to deliver them and take -the boys out to the Don’s in his wagon. But when the mate, who had the -management of the affair, reached the yacht, he found that Tomlinson and -his crowd, whom he supposed to be visitors from some neighboring vessel, -were a part of the crew, and of course he had to get rid of them in some -way; so he invited them down to the Stella to get breakfast. Then he went -back, gave the negro the notes, and he took Chase and Wilson out to Don -Casper’s. After that, the mate returned to the yacht, and taking some -arms and ammunition, stowed them away on board the yacht, and wound up by -stealing your clearance papers, which Mr. Bell destroyed.” - -“And much good may the act do him,” exclaimed Eugene, angrily. - -“All’s fair in war,” replied Pierre. “You came here to get us into -trouble, and of course if we could beat you at your own game, we had a -perfect right to do it.” - -“No, you hadn’t,” retorted Wilson. “We were engaged in lawful business, -and you were not.” - -“No matter; we make our living by it. As time passed, and you did not -come back and sail out so that the officers could board you—” - -“But why were you so very anxious to have us go out?” asked Walter. -“Simply because you wanted us captured?” - -“Well—no; we had something else in view. You see, we were in a great -hurry to go up to the Don’s and land our weapons, but we had a suspicion -that some sharp eyes were watching us and our vessel. Mr. Bell knew by -the way the officers acted, that they hadn’t quite made up their minds -which vessel it was that was carrying the contraband goods—The Stella -or the Banner. They didn’t like to search us, for they didn’t want to -believe anything wrong of Mr. Bell—they had known him so long and were -such good friends of his; just like the captain of that cutter, you know. -But yet they couldn’t believe that your yacht was the smuggler, for she -didn’t look like one. We wanted the officers to find the arms on board -your vessel; and until that event happened, we were afraid to ask for a -clearance—that’s the plain English of it. Well, as you didn’t come back -and take the yacht out, and Mr. Bell was very anxious that she should -go, he thought it best to change his plans a little. Learning that -Tomlinson and his friends had come to Cuba to ship aboard a privateer, -he hired me to join in with them and steal the Banner. He told me that -it would be a desperate undertaking, for the officers were all eyes -and ears, the fort was ready to open fire on the yacht if she tried to -slip out, and if that didn’t stop her, a frigate was near by to capture -her. But he offered me a hundred dollars to do the job, and I agreed to -smuggle her out. I did it, too. The fort fired more than fifty shots -after us—” - -“It did!” ejaculated Eugene. - -“Were those guns we heard pointed at my vessel—at _us_?” demanded Walter, -in a trembling voice. - -“Not exactly at us, but in the direction we were supposed to have gone. -I brought her through all right, however, and I can take her safely away -from under the very guns of the frigate; but you can’t do it, and I am -glad of—” - -“Take this man into the hold and shut him up there!” cried Walter, almost -beside himself, with indignation and alarm. “I don’t want to hear another -word from him.” - -“O, you needn’t mind those things,” said Pierre, as Perk and Bab picked -up their carbines. “I am willing to go, but I shan’t stay there long. You -are as good as captured by that frigate already.” - -“Take him away!” shouted Walter. “Stay here, Perk, I want to talk to you.” - -The young captain began nervously pacing the deck, while the other boys -marched their prisoner through the cabin into the galley, and assisted -him rather roughly into the hold. They placed him with his back against -one of the water-butts, and while Eugene was looking for a rope with -which to confine his feet, Wilson began to question him: “Since you have -shown yourself so obliging,” said he, “perhaps you won’t mind telling me -what was in the note that darkey gave to Don Casper.” - -“There wasn’t much,” was the reply. “It was written by Captain Conway, -who told the Don that the bearers were members of his crew, and that he -had sent them out there to make arrangements with him about landing our -cargo of arms.” - -“Well, go on. You said you sent Chase and me to the Don’s, on purpose to -have us captured by the Spaniards.” - -“We thought that perhaps we might get rid of you in that way. We know -that the Don is suspected, and we believe that if strangers, and -Americans too, were seen going there in the daytime, they would get -themselves into trouble.” - -“We came very near it,” said the boy, drawing a long breath when he -thought of all that had passed at the plantation, “but the Don took care -of us.” - -“Tell us all about it, Wilson,” said Eugene, coming aft with the rope at -this moment. “By the way, where is Chase? I haven’t seen anything of him.” - -Wilson replied that he hadn’t seen him either very recently. He hoped -that he was all right, but he feared the worst, for he was still ashore, -and might fall into the hands of the Spaniards. And then he went on to -relate, in a few hurried words, the adventures that had befallen him -since he left the yacht at the wharf, to all of which Pierre listened -attentively, now and then manifesting his satisfaction by broad -grins. There were two things he could not understand, Wilson said, in -conclusion: one was, how the Don escaped being made a prisoner when the -patrol surrounded the house, and the other, where Chase went in such -a hurry. In regard to the missing boy we will here remark, that none -of our young friends knew what had become of him until several months -afterward, and then they met him very unexpectedly, and in a place where -they least imagined they would see him. The mystery of the Don’s escape -was no mystery after all. When he locked the boys in their place of -concealment, he made his exit from the house through one of the cellar -windows, and hid himself in a thicket of evergreens beside the back -verandah. Watching his opportunity when the soldiers were busy searching -the building, he crept quietly away and took refuge in one of the negro -cabins. He kept a sharp eye on the movements of the patrol, and saw that -those who left the house took several riderless horses with them. This -made it evident that some of their number were still on the premises, -and that they had remained to arrest the Don when he came back. But of -course he did not go back. As soon as it grew dark his overseer brought -him his cloak and weapons, and then returning to the house, succeeded in -releasing the boys, as we have described. - -“Now, Pierre, there’s another thing that perhaps you wouldn’t object to -explaining,” said Eugene, when he had finished tying the prisoner’s feet. -“Didn’t Mr. Bell know that you and your father took Chase to Lost Island -in a dugout?” - -“Of course he did.” - -“What did you do with the pirogue?” - -“We chopped her up and put her into the fire. That’s the reason you -couldn’t find her.” - -“How did you get aboard the Stella? We didn’t see you, and we watched her -all the time.” - -“Not all the time, I guess. There were a few minutes while you were -searching The Kitchen that you didn’t have your eyes on her, and during -that time pap and me came out of the bushes and boarded her. Mr. Bell -knew very well that if you could have your own way you would get him into -a scrape, and so he put a bold face on the matter, and bluffed you square -down.” - -While the boys were asking one another if there were any other points -they wanted Pierre to explain, they heard a voice calling to them through -the hatchway. It was Perk’s voice; and when they answered his summons, -they were surprised to see that his face was pale with excitement, and -that he was trembling in every limb. “Hurry up, fellows,” he whispered. -“She’s coming.” - -“Who is?” - -“The frigate. We can see her lights. Walter is going to give her the -slip if he can, and go back to the village.” - -“Aha!” exclaimed Pierre who caught the words. “What did I tell you? It -will do you no good to go to town, for Mr. Bell will be on hand with -proof to back up all his charges.” - -Without waiting to hear what Pierre had to say, the boys sprang out of -the hold, slamming the hatch after them. Walter met them in the standing -room, and issued his orders with a calmness that surprised them. He sent -Bab to the wheel, and with the others went to work to cat and fish the -anchor, which, with a few turns of the capstan was heaved clear of the -ground. As busy as they were, they found time now and then to cast their -eyes toward the Gulf. There were the lights that had excited Walter’s -alarm, in plain sight; and the fact that they stood high above the water, -and that the waves communicated but little motion to them, was conclusive -evidence that they were suspended from the catheads of some large and -heavy vessel. Beyond a doubt, the approaching craft was the iron-clad -frigate they had seen in the harbor of Port Platte. - -Never before had our heroes been placed in a situation like this. -Conscious that they had done nothing wrong, they felt that they were -playing the part of cowards, and disgracing themselves by running away -from the frigate, instead of boldly advancing to meet her. But the young -captain, and his counsellor, Perk, did not know what else to do. Had -the crew of the man-of-war been composed of his own countrymen, or had -they been even honorable people, who would accord to him the treatment -that civilized belligerents usually extend to their prisoners, the case -would have been different. In spite of the evidence against him, Walter, -feeling strong in his innocence, would fearlessly have surrendered -himself and vessel; but he was afraid of the Spaniards, and he had good -reason to be. They were so vindictive, cruel and unreasonable. Men who -could deliberately shoot down a party of young students, for no other -offence than defacing a monument, were not to be trusted. The longer -Walter pondered the matter, the more alarmed he became. - -“All gone, Bab,” he exclaimed, as the anchor was pulled clear of the -ground and the Banner began to drift toward the beach, “fill away, and -get all you can out of her. Heave that lead, Eugene, and use it lively, -for I don’t know how much water there is here, and we must keep as close -to the shore as we possibly can.” - -By the time the anchor was taken care of, the Banner was flying along -the beach through darkness so intense that the anxious young captain, -who perched himself upon the bow to act as lookout, could scarcely see -a vessel’s length ahead of him. There was now one question that was -uppermost in his mind, and it was one to which time only could furnish -a solution: Was the entrance to the bay wide or narrow? Upon this their -safety depended. If they could get so far away from the frigate that -they could slip by her in the darkness unperceived, their escape could -be easily accomplished; but if they were obliged to pass within reach -of the sharp eyes of her crew, their capture was certain. With his -feelings worked up to the highest pitch of excitement, but to all outward -appearances as calm as a summer morning, Walter awaited the issue. - -[Illustration: THE “BANNER.”] - -The Banner bounded along as silently as if she had been a phantom yacht. -She seemed to know the desperate situation of her crew. Every inch of the -canvas was spread, the top-masts bent like fishing-rods under the weight -of the heavy sails, and Bab now and then cast an anxious eye aloft, -momentarily expecting to see one of them give away under the unusual -strain. But every rope held as if additional strength had been imparted -to it. Not a block creaked; the tiller-rope, which usually groaned so -loudly, gave out no sound as Bab moved the wheel back and forth; and -even the water which boiled up under the bows, and now and then came on -deck by buckets-full, gave out a faint, gurgling sound, as if it too -sympathized with the boy crew. Ten minutes passed, and then Walter, who -was watching the lights through his night-glass, stooped and whispered a -few words to Wilson. The latter hurried aft and repeated them to Bab, and -a moment later the yacht came up into the wind and lay like a log on the -waves, drifting stern foremost toward the beach. The lights were scarcely -a hundred yards distant. Nearer and nearer they came, and presently a -high, black hull loomed up through the darkness, and moved swiftly past -the yacht into the bay. The young sailors held their breath in suspense, -some closely watching the huge mass, which seemed almost on the point -of running them down, others turning away their heads that they might -not see it, and all listening for the hail from her deck which should -announce their discovery. But the frigate was as silent as if she had -been deserted. She was not more than a minute in passing the yacht, and -then she faded out of sight as quickly as she had come into view. Her -captain did not expect to find the smuggler in the Gulf, but in the bay, -and in the act of discharging her contraband cargo; and to this alone the -Banner owed her escape. - -As soon as the frigate was out of sight, Wilson carried another whispered -order to Bab, and once more the Banner went bounding along the shore. It -may have been all imagination on the part of her crew, and it doubtless -was, but every one of them was ready to declare that she moved as if she -felt easier after her narrow escape. The blocks creaked, the tiller-rope -groaned as usual, the masts cracked and snapped, and the water under the -bow roared and foamed like a miniature Niagara. Her company, one and all, -breathed as if a mountain had been removed from their shoulders, but -there were no signs of exultation among them. Their danger had been too -great for that. - -“Now just listen to me a minute, and I’ll tell you what’s a fact,” said -Perk, who was the first to find his tongue. “If you were a smuggler, -Walter, you soon get up a reputation, and you would bother the -custom-house fellows more than Captain Conway ever did. He couldn’t do a -neater trick than that, if he is an old—” - -Crack! went something over their heads, with a report like that of a -pistol, bringing Perk’s congratulations to a sudden close, and startling -every boy who heard it. Before they had time to look aloft there was -another crash, and the main-topmast, with the sail attached, fell over to -leeward, and flapped wildly in the wind. The backstay had parted, and of -course the mast went by the board. - -“Thank goodness! it held until we were out of danger,” said Walter, as -soon as he had made himself acquainted with the nature of the accident. -“A crash like that, when the frigate was alongside, would have settled -matters for us in a hurry.” - -Perk and Wilson at once went aloft to clear away the wreck, and Walter, -being left to himself, began thoughtfully pacing the deck. Now that all -danger from the frigate was passed, he had leisure to ponder upon that -which was yet to come. What would be done with him and his companions -when they gave themselves up to the authorities of the port? Would they -believe their story? If the yacht had been supplied with the provisions -necessary for the voyage to Bellville he would not have run the risk. He -would have filled away for home without the loss of a moment. He had half -a mind to try it any how. While he was turning the matter over in his -mind, Eugene announced that there were more lights ahead of them. - -“We had better get out our own lanterns,” said the young commander. -“There’s no fun in rushing with almost railroad speed through such -darkness as this. Some craft might run us down.” - -While the captain and his brother were employed in getting out the lights -and hanging them to the catheads, Perk called out from the cross-trees, -where he was busy with the broken mast: “I say, Walter, there’s another -frigate coming.” - -“How do you know?” - -“Well, she may not be a frigate, but she wants to come alongside of us. I -watched her, and just as soon as our lights were hung out she changed her -course. She’s coming toward us.” - -“I don’t care,” said Walter, now beginning to get discouraged. “We might -as well give up one time as another. I shan’t try to get out of her way.” - -The captain took his stand by Bab’s side, and in order to satisfy himself -that Perk was right, changed the course of the yacht several times, -narrowly watching the approaching lights as he did so. Their position -also changed, showing that the vessel intended to come up with her if -possible. Being at last convinced of this fact, Walter walked forward -again, and in moody silence waited to see what was going to happen. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE YACHT LOOKOUT. - - -“I am disposed of at last, am I? I rather think not. I have the free use -of my hands and feet, and if there’s any opening in this state-room large -enough for a squirrel to squeeze through, I shall be out of here in less -than five minutes. There’s the transom; I’ll try that.” - -Thus spoke Fred Craven, who, with his hands in his pockets, was standing -in the middle of his new prison, listening to the retreating footsteps -of the men who had just placed him there. He had heard Captain Conway’s -sigh of relief, and caught the words he uttered when the door was locked -upon him, and his soliloquy showed what he thought of the matter. He had -not met with a single adventure during his captivity among the smugglers. -Shorty after the Stella sailed from Lost Island he was released from the -hold, and allowed the freedom of the deck. He messed with the crew, -and, for want of some better way of passing the time, performed the -duties of foremast hand as regularly and faithfully as though he had -shipped for the voyage. He saw nothing of Mr. Bell, who remained in his -cabin day and night, and had but little to say to any of the schooner’s -company. His mind was constantly occupied with thoughts of escape, and -on more than one occasion, during the silence of the mid-watch, had he -crept stealthily from his bunk in the forecastle and taken his stand -by the rail, looking out at the angry waves which tossed the schooner -so wildly about, hardly able to resist an insane desire to seize a -life-buoy or handspike and spring into them. But prudence always stepped -in in time to prevent him from doing anything rash, and finally curbing -his impatience as well as he could he accepted the situation, working -hard to keep his thoughts from wandering back to his home and friends, -and constantly cheered by the hope that when once the shores of Cuba -were sighted something would turn up in his favor. But he was doomed to -disappointment. No sooner had the headlands at the entrance to the harbor -of Port Platte appeared in view than he was ordered into the hold by -Captain Conway, and secured beyond all possibility of escape. In the -afternoon, however, he was again brought out, and, after listening to a -long speech from Mr. Bell, the object of which was to make known to him -the fact that he was to be taken ashore, and that his bodily comfort -depended upon his observing the strictest silence, he was compelled to -accompany him and the captain up the hill toward the village. - -Featherweight thought he was now about to be turned over to the Spanish -sea-captain, and so he was (only the captain, as it turned out, was an -American who, for money, had undertaking to land Fred in some remote -corner of the world); but first he had a part to perform, and that was -to entice the crew of the Banner ashore in pursuit of him. As he slowly -mounted the hill, he cast his eyes toward the Gulf, thinking the while -of the quiet, pleasant little home, and the loving hearts he had left so -far beyond it, and was greatly astonished to see a vessel, which looked -exactly like the Banner, coming in. He did not know what had happened in -the cove at Lost Island, and neither had he dreamed that Walter and his -crew, bent on releasing him, had followed him for more than six hundred -miles through a storm, the like of which they had never experienced -before. He had not now the faintest idea that such was the case. What -then must have been his amazement when he saw the vessel which had -attracted his attention, haul suddenly into the shore and deposit Walter -and Perk on the wharf? He saw the two boys as they followed him up the -hill, and waved his handkerchief to them; and knowing just how courageous -and determined they were, made up his mind that the moment of his -deliverance was not far distant. But once more his hopes were dashed to -the ground. His captors concealed themselves and him in a doorway until -the pursuers had passed, and then the captain conducted him on board the -ship and gave him into the hands of his new jailer. But Fred was resolved -that he would not stay there. The ship was lying alongside the wharf; he -was not bound, and if he could only work his way out of the state-room, -it would be an easy matter to jump through one of the cabin windows -into the water, and strike out for shore. The knowledge that there were -friends at no great distance, ready and willing to assist him, encouraged -him to make the attempt. There was not a moment to be lost. Mr. Bell had -taken up more than two hours by his manœuvres on shore; it was beginning -to grow dark, the captain and all his crew were busy getting the ship -under way, and the effort must be made before she left the wharf. - -The first thing to which Fred directed his attention, was the transom—a -narrow window over the door, opening into the cabin—and the next, a huge -sea-chest which was stowed away under the bunk. To drag this chest from -its place, and tip it upon one end under the transom, was an operation -which did not occupy many minutes of time. When he sprang upon it, he -found that his head was on a level with the window. There was no one in -the cabin. With a beating heart he turned the button, but that was as -far as he could go—an obstacle appeared. His new jailer had neglected no -precautions for his safe keeping, for the transom was screwed down. - -“Well, what of it?” soliloquized Featherweight, not in the least -disheartened by this discovery. “There’s more than one way to do things. -I have the advantage of being smaller than most fellows of my age, and I -can make my way through cracks in which an ordinary boy would stick fast. -I believe I could even get through the key-hole, if it was just a trifle -larger.” - -While he was speaking he took his knife from his pocket, and attacked the -putty with which one of the window-panes was secured. After a few quick -passes it was all removed, and placing the blade of his knife beneath -the glass, Featherweight forced it out of its place, and carefully laid -it upon the chest. The opening thus made was not more than nine inches -long and six wide, but it was large enough to admit the passage of Fred’s -little body, with some space to spare. After again reconnoitering the -cabin, he thrust one of his legs through, then the other, and after a -little squirming and some severe scratches from the sharp edges of the -sash, he dropped down upon his feet. No sooner was he fairly landed -than he ran to one of the stern windows of the cabin, threw it open, -and without an instant’s hesitation plunged into the water. But he did -not strike out for the wharf as he had intended to do, for something -caught his attention as he was descending through the air, and riveted -his gaze. It was a large yacht, which was slowly passing up the harbor. -He looked at her a moment, and then, with a cry of delight, swam toward -her with all the speed he was capable of; but, before he had made a -dozen strokes, a hoarse ejaculation from some one on the deck of the ship -announced that he was discovered. He looked up, and saw the master of the -vessel bending over the rail. “Good-bye, old fellow!” shouted Fred. “I’ve -changed my mind. I’ll not take passage with you this trip. If it is all -the same to you I’ll wait until the next.” - -For a moment the captain’s astonishment was so great that he could -neither move nor speak. He could not understand how his prisoner had -effected his escape, after the care he had taken to secure him; and while -he was thinking about it, Fred was improving every second of the time, -and making astonishing headway through the water. The captain was not -long in discovering this, and then he began to bustle about the deck in a -state of great excitement. - -“Avast there!” he cried. “Come back here, or I will wear a rope’s end out -on you.” Then seeing that the swimmer paid no attention to his threat, he -turned to his crew and ordered some of them to follow him into the yawl, -which was made fast to the stern of the ship. - -Fred heard the command and swam faster than ever, stopping now and then, -however, to raise himself as far as he could out of the water, and wave -his hand toward the yacht. He tried to shout, but his excitement seemed -to have taken away his voice, for he could not utter a syllable. But -for all that he was seen, and his discovery seemed to produce no little -commotion on the deck of the yacht. Several of her crew, led by a short, -powerful-looking man, who wore a jaunty tarpaulin and wide collar, and -carried a spy-glass in his hand, rushed to the rail; and the latter, -after levelling his glass first at him and then at the ship, turned -and issued some orders in a voice so loud and clear that Featherweight -caught every word. There was no mistaking that voice or those shoulders, -and neither was there any mistake possible in regard to the yacht, for -there never was another like her. She was the Lookout; the man with the -broad shoulders and stentorian voice was Uncle Dick; and of those who -accompanied him to the side one was Fred’s own father. The yacht at once -changed her course and stood toward the fugitive, and the bustle on her -deck and the rapid orders that were issued, told him that her boat was -being manned. Would it arrive before the yawl that was now putting off -from the ship? Featherweight asked and answered this question in the -same breath. As far as he was concerned it made no difference whether it -did or not. His father had not followed him clear to Cuba to see another -man make a prisoner of him, and as he was backed up by Uncle Dick and his -crew, the matter could end in but one way. - -“In bow!” commanded a stern voice behind him a few seconds later. -“Parker, stand up, and fasten into his collar with the boat-hook.” - -The sharp, hissing sound which a boat makes when passing rapidly through -the water, fell upon Fred’s ear at this moment, and looking over his -shoulder, he found the ship’s yawl close upon him. He saw the bowman draw -in his oar, and rise to his feet with the boat-hook in his hand, and an -instant afterward his collar was drawn tight about his neck, his progress -suddenly stopped, and then he was pulled back through the water and -hauled into the yawl. - -“I’ll teach you to obey orders, my lad,” said the captain, as he pushed -Featherweight roughly down upon one of the thwarts. “I’ll show you that -a boy who comes aboard my vessel of his own free will, and ships for a -voyage, and receives his advance fair and square, can’t desert when he -feels so inclined. You’ll sup sorrow for this.” - -This remark was doubtless made for the benefit of the yawl’s crew, none -of whom were aware of the circumstances under which Fred had been brought -on board the ship. The prisoner made no reply, but took his seat with the -utmost composure, wiped the water from his face and looked toward the -yacht. Her boat was just coming in sight around her stern. It was pulled -by a sturdy crew, who bent to the oars as if they meant business. In the -stern sheets sat Uncle Dick and Mr. Craven. - -“I wonder what that schooner’s boat is out for,” said the captain, -suddenly becoming aware that he was pursued. - -“I suppose they saw me in the water, and thought they would pick me up,” -observed Featherweight. - -“Well, you are picked up already, and they can go back and attend to -their own business. You belong to me.” - -The captain said this in an indifferent tone, and settled back in his -seat as if he had disposed of the matter; but it was plain that he was -very much interested in the proceedings of the boat behind him. Now -that the swimmer was picked up, he looked to see her turn back; but -she did nothing of the kind. She came straight on in the wake of his -yawl, and gained with every stroke of her crew. The captain’s interest -presently became uneasiness; and when at last the pursuing boat dashed -up alongside, and her crew seized the gunwale of his yawl, his face was -white with alarm. The instant the two boats touched, Fred was on his -feet, and the next, his father’s arms were about him. The captain heard -the words “Father!” and “My son!” and then his under jaw dropped down, -and his eyes seemed ready to start from their sockets. But he tried -to keep up some show of courage and authority. “Hold on, there!” he -exclaimed. “Hand that boy back here. He is one of my crew, who is trying -to desert me.” - -“We happen to know a story worth two of that,” said Uncle Dick, eying the -captain until the latter quailed under his stern glance. “That boy is my -friend’s son. I’ll trouble you to step into this boat.” - -“Is he, really?” said the captain, pretending not to hear Uncle Dick’s -order. “In that case I will let him off for a consideration.” - -“All the money you will receive for your share in this business, has -been paid to you by Mr. Bell, whom we shall have arrested in less than -ten minutes. Step into this boat.” - -“What for?” - -“Because we have use for you.” - -“And what if I don’t choose to do it?” - -“Then I shall take you up bodily and throw you in,” said the old sailor, -rising to his feet in just the right mood to carry his threat into -execution. - -“If you don’t wish to suffer with your employer,” said Mr. Craven, who -was much calmer than any one else in Uncle Dick’s boat, “you had better -come with us peaceably.” - -The captain protested, and tried to assume a look of injured innocence, -but it did not avail him. The two stern-looking men who were confronting -him would not be denied, and Fred’s jailer finally stepped into Uncle -Dick’s boat, and was carried on board the yacht, while his own crew, who -had listened with wonder to all that passed, pulled back to the ship. - -There were twenty men on board the Lookout, all old friends of Uncle -Dick and Mr. Craven, who had volunteered to act as the crew, and assist -in rescuing the prisoner if they overtook the smugglers, and these came -forward in a body to welcome Fred as he sprang over the side. As he was -handed about from one to another, hurried inquiries were made concerning -the crew of the Banner, but Featherweight had no information to give. He -had seen but two of them since his capture by the smugglers, and they had -remained in sight scarcely more than five minutes. Where they went after -they disappeared from his view, and what they did, he had no means of -knowing. - -“Never mind,” said Uncle Dick. “We are after a gentleman who knows all -about it; and we intend to make him tell, too.” - -The gentleman referred to was of course Mr. Bell. He saw the Lookout when -she came into the harbor, and her appearance was all that was needed to -show him that his affairs were getting into a desperate state. His game -of deception was over now. He might prove more than a match for half a -dozen inexperienced boys, but he knew that in the crew of the yacht, and -especially in her commander and his brother, he would find his equals. -He saw all that happened when Uncle Dick’s boat came up with that of the -captain of the ship; and when the latter gentleman was carried away a -prisoner, and the yacht once more began to move up the harbor, directing -her course toward the place where the Stella lay, he knew that it was -high time he was bestirring himself. Without saying a word to any one, -he jumped ashore, and made his way along the wharf. It was now dark, -and although Mr. Bell could scarcely see or think of anything but the -Lookout, he did not fail to discover something which made it clear to him -that Uncle Dick and his friends had been wasting no time since they came -into the harbor. It was a squad of soldiers who were marching quickly -along the wharf, led by Mr. Gaylord, Mr. Chase, and a custom-house -officer with whom he was well acquainted. As they had not seen him, Mr. -Bell easily avoided them, and as soon as they passed, hurried through the -gate and up the hill out of sight. Had he waited to see what they were -going to do, he would have found that they boarded his vessel from one -side, at the same moment that the crew of the Lookout came pouring over -the other. - -“Now, then, Mr. Officer,” said Walter’s father, as he sprang upon the -Stella’s deck, “here she is. Doesn’t she look more like a smuggler than -that little yacht? Hallo! Here’s somebody who can tell us all about -her,” he added, seizing Fred’s hand and shaking it so cordially, that the -boy felt the effects of his grip for half an hour afterward. - -“I can show you where the arms and ammunition are,” replied -Featherweight, “and I suppose that’s what you want to know. I am sorry to -say that I can’t tell you anything about Walter and the rest,” he added, -in reply to Mr. Gaylord’s question. “Find Mr. Bell and Captain Conway, -and make them tell.” - -At this moment, the master of the Stella appeared at the top of the -companion ladder. Hearing the noise made by the boarding parties, he had -come up to see what was the matter. One look must have been enough for -him, for, without making a single inquiry, he turned and went down into -his cabin again. - -The first duty of the officer in command of the soldiers, was to direct -that no one should be allowed to leave the vessel, and his second to -accompany Fred Craven into the hold. Since the boy had last been there, -the cargo had been broken out and stowed again, so as to conceal the -secret hatchway; but Fred knew just where to find it, and there were -men enough close at hand to remove the heavy boxes and hogsheads that -covered it. In a very few minutes, a space was cleared in the middle of -the hold, an axe was brought by one of the party, and the hatch forced -up, disclosing to view the interior of the prison in which Fred had -passed many a gloomy hour. The officer opened his eyes in surprise at the -sight he beheld. He made an examination of the contents of a few of the -boxes and bales, all of which were consigned to Don Casper Nevis, and -then hurrying on deck, ordered every one of the crew of the Stella under -arrest. The principal man, however, and the one he was most anxious to -secure, was nowhere to be found. A thorough search of the town and the -roads leading from it was at once ordered, all the crew of the Lookout -volunteering to assist, except Uncle Dick and the other relatives of the -missing boys, who went into the cabin to question Captain Conway. They -were not as successful in their attempts to gain information as they had -hoped to be. The captain, thoroughly cowed and anxious to propitiate his -captors, answered all their inquiries as well as he could, and revealed -to them the plans Mr. Bell had that afternoon put into operation. He -knew that the Banner had been stolen by Pierre and the deserters, who -intended to go to Havana in her, but he could not tell what had become of -the boys. Chase and Wilson had been decoyed out to Don Casper’s house by -a note which they thought came from Walter, and no doubt they were still -there. Perhaps, too, they knew where the rest of the missing crew could -be found. - -While the conversation was going on, the party in the cabin heard the -roar of the guns of the fort, and saw the frigate get under way and -leave the harbor. This was enough to put Uncle Dick and his friends on -nettles. They did not want to remain there inactive, while the Banner -was in danger (how greatly would their anxiety have been increased, had -they known that Walter and his companions were in as much danger, at -that moment, as those who stole their vessel), but their crew were all -ashore looking for Mr. Bell, and so was the custom-house officer, and -they were obliged to await their return. At the end of an hour, their -suspense was relieved by the arrival of the official and some of the -Lookout’s company. Their search had been successful—the fugitive leader -of the smugglers having been overtaken and captured while on his way to -Don Casper’s house. The officers had pumped him most effectually, and -learning that he had been deceived as to the character of the Banner, -and that the precautions he had taken to prevent her leaving the port, -would most likely insure her destruction, he was anxious to do all in his -power to save her. He readily complied with Uncle Dick’s request to sail -with him in pursuit of the frigate, and greatly relieved the fears of Mr. -Chase, by assuring him that what he had heard from Mr. Bell, made him -confident that his son would be found at Don Casper’s. - -The rescued boy was the hero of the hour. While the Lookout was flying -over the Gulf toward the bay at the rear of the Don’s plantation, he -was entertaining a group of eager listeners by recounting the various -exciting events that had happened since the day of the “Wild Hog Hunt.” -But it was not long before he was obliged to give place to those who had -adventures more exciting than his own to relate. The officer of the deck, -whom Uncle Dick had instructed to keep a lookout for the frigate, came -down to report that there were lights ahead: and that, although but a -short distance away, they had only just appeared in view—a fact which, -according to his way of thinking, proved something. - -“It does, indeed,” said the custom-house officer. “Why should a vessel be -under way on such a night as this without showing lights? She’s another -smuggler. Captain, you will oblige me by going as close to her as you -can.” - -If the approaching vessel was engaged in honest business she was -certainly acting in a very suspicious manner. So thought Uncle Dick, -after he had watched her lights for a few minutes. She stood first on -one tack, and then on the other, as if trying to dodge the Lookout, and -this made the old sailor all the more determined that she should not do -it. He kept his vessel headed as straight for her as she could go; the -custom-house official stood by, rubbing his hands in great glee, and -telling himself that another smuggler’s course was almost run; and the -crew leaned over the rail, straining their eyes through the darkness, and -waiting impatiently to obtain the first glimpse of the stranger. She came -into view at last—a modest-looking little craft, with two boys perched -upon the main cross-trees, busy with a broken topmast. The old sailor and -his brother started as if they had been shot, and the former seizing his -trumpet, sprang upon the rail, steadying himself by the fore shrouds. -“Walter!” he yelled. - -“Uncle Dick!” came the answer, after a moment’s pause, in surprised and -joyous accents. - -After this there was a long silence. Walter, having answered the hail, -had not another word to say, and neither had the Lookout’s commander -or any of his crew, whose amazement and delight were too great for -utterance. They seemed unable to remove their eyes from the little yacht. -What adventures had she passed through since they last saw her? She had -sailed hundreds of miles over a stormy gulf to a country that none of her -crew had ever visited before, had been shot at by the heavy guns of the -fort, chased by a frigate, and stolen by deserters, and there she was, -looking little the worse for her rough experience. At length Uncle Dick’s -voice broke the silence. “Are you all safe?” he inquired. - -He asked this question in a trembling voice, grasping the shrouds with a -firmer hold, and bending forward a little as if to meet a shock from some -invisible source, while his crew held their breath, and listened eagerly -for the reply. - -“Yes, sir; all except Chase. He is not with us. He must be at Don -Casper’s.” - -“Thank Heaven!” was the involuntary ejaculation of everyone of the -Lookout’s company. “To go through so much and come out with the loss -of only one of the crew, who may yet be found alive and well! It is -wonderful!” - -Uncle Dick’s face wore an expression that no one had ever seen there -before, and his voice was husky as he seized his brother’s hand, and -wringing it energetically, asked what was to be done now? Mr. Gaylord and -the officer advised an immediate return to Don Casper’s; and in obedience -to Uncle Dick’s orders, the Lookout again filled away, and the Banner -came about, and followed in her wake. - - * * * * * - -The adventures we have attempted to describe in this volume comprise all -the exciting events in the history of the Club’s short sojourn in Cuba, -but by no means all the interesting ones. If time would permit, we might -enter into minute details concerning the grand re-union that took place -in the cabin of the Lookout shortly after she and the Banner entered the -bay, and anchored at the stern of the frigate. It was a happy meeting, -in spite of the gloom thrown over it by the absence of Chase, and the -consequent anxiety and distress of his father. Wilson was obliged to -tell, over and over again, all he knew about the missing boy. He held his -auditors spell-bound for half an hour, and when he finished his story, -Walter began. Among the listeners was the captain of the iron-clad; and -when the young commander told how narrowly he had escaped discovery and -capture when the man-of-war was entering the bay, the officer patted him -on the head and said that he was a brave lad and a good sailor. - -Uncle Dick and his crew were highly indignant over what had happened -in the cove at Lost Island. They had heard it all from the master of -the revenue cutter. The old sailor and his brother, who, it will be -remembered, were in the woods searching for Featherweight when the -Banner began her cruise, returned home at daylight, and learning from -Mrs. Gaylord where the boys had gone, they hurried to Bellville, raised -a crew for the Lookout, and put to sea. Before they had gone far they -found the John Basset, drifting helplessly about on the waves, her engine -being disabled. That explained why she did not make her appearance at -Lost Island. Uncle Dick took Mr. Chase and Mr. Craven aboard his own -vessel, listened in amazement to their story, and shortly afterward met -the cutter. He held a long consultation with her captain, who, after -describing what had taken place in the cove, told him that the last he -saw of the Banner she was following after the Stella, which had set sail -for Cuba. Uncle Dick at once filled away in pursuit; but being too old -to believe that a vessel carrying contraband goods would go to so large -a port as Havana, ran down until land was sighted, and then held along -the coast, carefully examining every bay and inlet. As the Lookout was -a much swifter vessel than the Stella, he gained time enough to do all -this work, and to reach Port Platte on the evening of the same day the -smuggler arrived there. - -Mutual explanations being ended, the entire party, accompanied by a squad -from the frigate, went ashore to look for Chase. They searched high and -low (the Club found time to peep into the wine cellar where he and Wilson -had been confined), but could find nothing of him. At daylight the three -vessels sailed in company for Port Platte, and the whole of that day and -the succeeding one was spent in fruitless search. Chase had disappeared -as utterly as if he had never had an existence. Being satisfied at last -that he had shipped on board some vessel bound for the States, his father -consented to sail with his friends for Bellville. They reached the -village without any mishap, and in ample season for the Club to perfect -numerous plans for their amusement during the holidays. Some interesting -events happened about that time—one especially which threw our heroes -into ecstacies—and what they were, shall be told in “THE SPORTSMAN’S CLUB -AMONG THE TRAPPERS.” - - -THE END. - - - - -Famous Castlemon Books. - - -No author of the present day has become a greater favorite with boys -than “Harry Castlemon,” every book by him is sure to meet with hearty -reception by young readers generally. His naturalness and vivacity leads -his readers from page to page with breathless interest, and when one -volume is finished the fascinated reader, like Oliver Twist, asks “for -more.” - -By Harry Castlemon. - - =GUNBOAT SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. In box containing the - following. 6 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold =$7 50= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Frank the Young Naturalist.= Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Frank in the Woods.= Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Frank on the Prairie.= Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Frank on a Gunboat.= Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Frank before Vicksburg.= Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Frank on the Lower Mississippi.= Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =GO AHEAD SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. In box containing the - following. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold =3 75= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Go Ahead=; or, The Fisher Boy’s Motto. Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =No Moss=; or, The Career of a Rolling Stone. Illustrated. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =Tom Newcombe=; or, The Boy of Bad Habits. Illustrated. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. In box - containing the following. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, - black and gold =3 75= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Frank at Don Carlos’ Rancho.= Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Frank among the Rancheros.= Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Frank in the Mountains.= Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =SPORTSMAN’S CLUB SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. In box - containing the following. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, - black and gold =3 75= - - (Sold separately.) - - =The Sportsman’s Club in the Saddle.= Illustrated. 16mo. - Cloth, extra, black and gold =1 25= - - =The Sportsman’s Club Afloat.= Being the 2d volume of the - “Sportsman’s Club Series.” Illustrated. 16mo. Cloth, - extra, black and gold =1 25= - - =The Sportsman’s Club among the Trappers.= Being the 3d - volume of the “Sportsman’s Club Series.” Illustrated. - 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold =1 25= - - =FRANK NELSON SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. In box - containing the following. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, - black and gold =3 75= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Snowed up=; or, The Sportsman’s Club in the Mountains. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Frank Nelson in the Forecastle=; or, the Sportsman’s - Club among the Whalers. Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =The Boy Traders=; or, The Sportsman’s Club among the - Boers. Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =BOY TRAPPER SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. In box - containing the following. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, - black and gold =3 75= - - (Sold separately.) - - =The Buried Treasure=; or, Old Jordan’s “Haunt.” Being the - 1st volume of the “Boy Trapper Series.” Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =The Boy Trapper=; or, How Dave filled the Order. Being - the 2d volume of the “Boy Trapper Series.” Illustrated. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =The Mail Carrier.= Being the 3d and concluding volume of - the “Boy Trapper Series.” Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =ROUGHING IT SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. In box containing - the following. 3 vols. Cloth, extra, black and gold =3 75= - - (Sold separately.) - - =George in Camp=; or, Life on the Plains. Being the 1st - volume of the “Roughing It Series.” Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =George at the Wheel=; or, Life in a Pilot House. Being the - 2d volume of the “Roughing It Series.” Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =George at the Fort=; or, Life Among the Soldiers. Being - the 3d and concluding volume of the “Roughing It Series.” - Illustrated, 16mo. =1 25= - - =ROD AND GUN SERIES.= By Harry Castlemon. In box containing - the following. 3 vols. Cloth, extra, black and gold =3 75= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Don Gordon’s Shooting Box.= Being the 1st volume of the - “Rod and Gun Series.” Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Rod and Gun.= Being the second volume of the “Rod and - Gun Series.” Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =The Young Wild-Fowlers.= Being the third volume of the - “Rod and Gun Series.” Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - - - -Alger’s Renowned Books. - - -Horatio Alger, Jr., has attained distinction as one of the most popular -writers of books for boys, and the following list comprises all of his -best books. - -By Horatio Alger, Jr. - - - =RAGGED DICK SERIES.= By Horatio Alger, Jr., in box - containing the following. 6 vols. 16mo. Cloth, - extra, black and gold. =$7 50= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Ragged Dick=; or, Street Life in New York. Illustrated. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =Fame and Fortune=; or, The Progress of Richard Hunter. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Mark the Match Boy=; or, Richard Hunter’s Ward. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Rough and Ready=; or, Life among the New York Newsboys. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Ben the Luggage Boy=; or, Among the Wharves. Illustrated. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =Rufus and Rose=; or, The Fortunes of Rough and Ready. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - - =TATTERED TOM SERIES.= (FIRST SERIES.) By Horatio Alger, - Jr., in box containing the following. 4 vols. 16mo. - Cloth, extra, black and gold =5 00= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Tattered Tom=; or, The Story of a Street Arab. Illustrated. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =Paul the Peddler=; or, The Adventures of a Young Street - Merchant. Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Phil the Fiddler=; or, The Young Street Musician. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Slow and Sure=; or, From the Sidewalk to the Shop. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - - =TATTERED TOM SERIES.= (SECOND SERIES.) In box containing - the following. 4 vols. Cloth, extra, black and gold =5 00= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Julius=; or, The Street Boy Out West. Illust’d. 16mo. =1 25= - - =The Young Outlaw=; or, Adrift in the World. Illustrated. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =Sam’s Chance and How He Improved it.= Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =The Telegraph Boy.= Illustrated. 16mo =1 25= - - - =LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.= (FIRST SERIES.) By Horatio Alger, - Jr., in box containing the following. 4 vols. 16mo. - Cloth, extra, black and gold =5 00= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Luck and Pluck=; or, John Oakley’s Inheritance. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Sink or Swim=; or, Harry Raymond’s Resolve. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Strong and Steady=; or, Paddle Your Own Canoe. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Strive and Succeed=; or, The Progress of Walter Conrad. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - - =LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.= (SECOND SERIES.) In box - containing the following. 4 vols. 16mo. Cloth, - extra, black and gold =5 00= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Try and Trust=; or, The Story of a Bound Boy. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Bound to Rise=; or, How Harry Walton Rose in the World. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Risen from the Ranks=; or, Harry Walton’s Success. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Herbert Carter’s Legacy=; or, The Inventor’s Son. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - - =BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.= By Horatio Alger, Jr., in box - containing the following. 4 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, - black and gold =5 00= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Brave and Bold=; or, The Story of a Factory Boy. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Jack’s Ward=; or, The Boy Guardian. Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Shifting for Himself=; or, Gilbert Greyson’s Fortunes. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Wait and Hope=; or, Ben Bradford’s Motto. Illustrated. - 16mo. =1 25= - - - =CAMPAIGN SERIES.= By Horatio Alger, Jr., in box containing - the following. 3 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold =3 75= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Frank’s Campaign=; or, the Farm and the Camp. Illustrated. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =Paul Prescott’s Charge.= Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Charlie Codman’s Cruise.= Illustrated, 16mo. =1 25= - - - =PACIFIC SERIES.= By Horatio Alger, Jr. 4 vols. 16mo. - Cloth, extra, black and gold =5 00= - - (Sold separately.) - - =The Young Adventurer=; or, Tom’s Trip Across the Plains. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =The Young Miner=; or, Tom Nelson in California. - Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =The Young Explorer=; or, Among the Sierras. Illustrated. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =Ben’s Nugget=; or, A Boy’s Search for Fortune. A Story - of the Pacific Coast. Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - - =The Young Circus Rider=; or, The Mystery of Robert Rudd. - Being the 1st volume of the “Atlantic Series.” - Illustrated. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold. =1 25= - - =Do and Dare=; or, A Brave Boy’s Fight for Fortune. - Being the 2d volume of the “Atlantic Series.” - Illustrated. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold =1 25= - - =Hector’s Inheritance=; or, Boys of Smith Institute. - Being the 3d volume of the “Atlantic Series.” - Illustrated. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold =1 25= - - - - -By C. A. Stephens. - - -Rare books for boys—bright, breezy, wholesome and instructive—full of -adventure and incident, and information upon natural history—they blend -instruction with amusement—contain much useful and valuable information -upon the habits of animals, and plenty of adventure, fun and jollity. - - =CAMPING OUT SERIES.= By C. A. Stephens. In box - containing the following. 6 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, - black and gold =$7 50= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Camping Out.= As recorded by “Kit.” With eight full-page - illustrations. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Left on Labrador=; or, The Cruise of the Schooner Yacht - “Curlew.” As recorded by “Wash.” With eight full-page - illustrations. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Off to the Geysers=; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland. As - recorded by “Wade.” With eight full-page illustrations. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =Lynx Hunting.= From Notes by the Author of “Camping Out.” - With eight full-page illustrations. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Fox Hunting.= As recorded by “Raed.” With eight full-page - illustrations. 16mo. =1 25= - - =On the Amazon=; or, the Cruise of the “Rambler.” As - recorded by “Wash.” With eight full-page illustrations. - 16mo. =1 25= - - - - -By J. T. Trowbridge. - - -These stories will rank among the best of Mr. Trowbridge’s books for the -young, and he has written some of the best of our juvenile literature. - - =JACK HAZARD SERIES.= By J. T. Trowbridge. In box - containing the following. 6 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, - black and gold. =$7 50= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Jack Hazard and his Fortunes.= With twenty illustrations. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =A Chance for Himself=; or, Jack Hazard and his Treasure. - With nineteen illustrations. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Doing his Best.= With twenty illustrations. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Fast Friends.= With seventeen illustrations. 16mo. =1 25= - - =The Young Surveyor=; or, Jack on the Prairies. With - twenty-one illustrations. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Lawrence’s Adventures Among the Ice Cutters=, Glass - Makers, Coal Miners, Iron Men and Ship Builders. With - twenty-four illustrations. 16mo. =1 25= - - - - -By Edward S. Ellis. - - -A New Series of Books for Boys, equal in interest to the “Castlemon” and -“Alger” books. His power of description of Indian life and character is -equal to the best of Cooper. - - =BOY PIONEER SERIES.= By Edward S. Ellis. In box containing - the following. 3 vols. Illustrated. Cloth, extra, black - and gold =$3 75= - - (Sold separately.) - - =Ned in the Block House=; or, Life on the Frontier. Being - the 1st volume of the “Boy Pioneer Series.” Illustrated. - 16mo. =1 25= - - =Ned in the Woods.= Being the 2d volume of the “Boy Pioneer - Series.” Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - =Ned on the River.= Being the 3d volume of the “Boy Pioneer - Series.” Illustrated. 16mo. =1 25= - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Sportman's Club Afloat, by Harry Castlemon - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPORTMAN'S CLUB AFLOAT *** - -***** This file should be named 60984-0.txt or 60984-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/9/8/60984/ - -Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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