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Updated: May 4, 2025
That a ship being pursued by a hostile craft should deliberately fire away from the pursuer and toward the land was peculiar, even for a Spaniard. It was ridiculous to think that the shell had been aimed at Clif and his party, for even had it been broad daylight the American boat's crew would not have been visible to those on the Spanish ship.
If that girl should fall once more into the clutches of the Spaniards. "For they are not all like that man," thought the lad. And so he waited nervously until the light was bright enough. And then very gently he awakened her and assisted her to rise. The girl was weak and exhausted, but she gathered her strength for this last final effort. "We have not far to go," Clif said.
And thus between the two fires the little band in their frail boat continued coolly with their labors, Clif assisting those who became wounded wholly unmindful of the fact that he himself was bleeding freely. But it was soon over.
The girl was a dear friend of Clif's who had come to Cuba to hunt for a relative of hers. Clif had left her under the protection of Gomez; and that was the last he had heard of her. And here was the brutal Spaniard mentioning her. How had he and how had the villainous Ignacio learned about her? It was small wonder that Clif started back; Bessie Stuart was the dearest friend he had.
They stared at each other, as if hardly able to realize the peril into which they had so suddenly been plunged. "I think that was the quickest adventure I ever had in my life," muttered Clif. The suddenness of it made him laugh; they had almost walked into a Spanish fort. But it was no laughing matter, certainly; it was a confounded piece of ill-luck.
Was she there? He could not tell. The face of the moon was again obscured by clouds as it had been most of the night, and it was impossible for Clif to discern any object at a distance across the water. He strained his eyes trying to catch a glimpse of the ship they had left not many hours ago, but the thought occurred to him, "What good will it do if I do see her?"
Clif, followed by the others, hastened to the spot. The man had spoken the truth. The boat, which was now their sole dependence, was no longer there. They looked in blank amazement at one another and at the spot where they had fastened it in fancied security. What could it mean? They were now in a perilous position.
And with that he turned to the pilot house, where the rest of the men were grouped. They were gazing at him eagerly. "Are you ready, boys?" Clif shouted. Every one knew what he meant by "ready" ready to make the wild attempt to land and reach the shore through all those wildly surging breakers. The very thought of it was enough to stir one's blood. And the answer came with a vengeance.
The pursuers in the rear were drawing closer every instant. There was only one thing left. They were shut off in two directions, but off to each side "Come!" gasped Clif. And the sailors whirled about and followed him in the new direction. It was a hopeless hope, but it was not yet time to give up. And so for perhaps a hundred yards they raced on.
"I hear that you were wounded while cutting the cable," he said at once. "You were under hot fire while it lasted, and I am proud of the way the men behaved. I am told that you did not give up the tiller in spite of your injuries." Clif, though pleased to receive the praise of the rear admiral, bore himself modestly. It did not seem to him that he had done any brave act.
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