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Updated: June 10, 2025
So Clif was restless and impatient as he stood in the bow of the swift tug and gazed southward. It was a rather damp place of observation the cadet had chosen, for it had been blowing quite a gale that day, and the Uncas was plowing her way through a heavy sea. The spray was flying over the decks; but who would have thought of going below at such a time as that? It was not Clif's turn on duty.
Clif's heart was heavy, and he was miserable beyond description. But he turned and silently followed the sailor to the companionway. They did not go below at once, however, for just then something occurred that made the sailor stop. The man who had first spoke to Clif, the captain, apparently, had been sweeping the shore with his glass. And just then he gave a startled exclamation.
Clif saluted and promptly followed the officer. Clif did not have long to speculate upon the cause of the summons. The ensign led the way to the rear admiral's cabin, knocked, and with Clif closely following, entered. He then saluted and went out again, leaving the cadet alone with the officer. Rear Admiral Sampson noticed the paleness of Clif's face, and thoughtfully directed him to sit down.
As he did so he passed Clif; and Clif, as he saw him leave rushed toward the dark figure that stood in the doorway of the hut. What had been Clif's agony of mind may be imagined. When he saw the lieutenant going away it had flashed over him that perhaps he refused the act of treason implied in his going to America.
A couple of strokes of the oars had brought them to the ship's side, with Clif's boat in tow. In obedience to a command, Clif's boat with its unconscious burden was raised bodily to the deck. The captain thought he could use it in his business. A moment later the Spaniards with the army officer reached the deck, and the ship's captain signaled to go ahead.
"I think I see smoke, sir," was what the sailor said. And Clif took a long look and then turned, his face betraying his excitement. An instant later his voice rang through the ship. "Steamer ahoy off the starboard bow!" There was excitement on board of the Uncas the instant Clif's cry was heard. The sailors came tumbling up on deck, Lieutenant Raymond among the first.
But the fellow had no idea of his peril; he was at the very height of his triumph and his dark, beady eyes gleamed ferociously out of the shadows of that damp and silent vault. But he must have noticed that some of the color had come back into Clif's face. "You are still defiant," he cried. "You still do not tremble. But wait wait till you begin to feel what I have for you.
He turned the key again and then faced about; touching low and muttering to himself, he stole swiftly across the floor. And his gleaming eyes flashed into Clif's face. "Yankee!" he hissed, "I am back. Do you hear me? Ha, ha!" As if to make sure that he heard him he struck him once more across the face. "Listen!" he cried. "Ha, ha! and tremble."
And Clif's heart began to throb once more with the wild hope he had tried so hard to suppress. "Bessie!" he panted. "Bessie! What did he say?" "He has gone back to Havana," was the answer. For an instant the two stood staring at each other, their hearts throbbing with an emotion they were ashamed to call joy. Clif saw the girl's slender figure trembling.
A step further and Clif would have brought himself directly within the other's view. It was not Clif's purpose to invite an encounter, although he grasped his revolver in readiness for an emergency. He desired, rather, to avoid it, and to quietly make his way to the spot where the shell lay. That once secured, he felt that he could in the same way return to his boat and to the flagship.
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