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"Delay is dangerous, sir, I think," said Clif. "Others are seeking it, I know, and it may not be there unless I go at once. There are still several hours of the night left, and I can easily accomplish it." The rear admiral had evidently been impressed with what Clif had told him concerning the shell, and at last agreed that he should go about it in his own way. "Very well, then," he said at last.
And that being the case every minute was precious; the vessel had swung round, but there was no time to turn she must run as she was for a while. And from the way the vessel trembled and shook it could be told that the irate tars down below were making things hum. "They may burst the boilers if they can," thought Clif, grimly.
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.
He seized an oar and sprang toward his remaining foe. "Surrender, you villain!" he cried in Spanish as he advanced. The Spaniard seized an oar and with an oath sprang toward the American. And there, on the quiet bosom of the water in the dim light of night, ensued a stubbornly contested duel, in which oars took the place of broadsword and sabre. Clif fought savagely and desperately.
Above the noise of the scampering rats he heard a soft, stealthy footstep as the man crept across the floor. And then came the scratching sound of a hand running along the wall. He was feeling for him! And a moment later Clif gave an involuntary cry as he felt the hand touch his face. Perfectly motionless and paralyzed he sat and fancied what might be going on in the blackness after that.
There was anguish in both of their faces; Miss Stuart could scarcely see for her tears. But Clif took her hands in his. All the emotion of his lifetime seemed crowded into that moment. He bent toward her and their lips met in one trembling kiss. And then with a set look on his face the cadet rose from his seat and opened the door of the carriage, which had stopped.
That fact and the other just mentioned sufficed to account for the fact that the real danger that threatened the crew of the merchantman was not thought of or guarded against in the least. For Clif had no way of knowing that any trouble was to come from behind him; but coming it was, and in a hurry.
The place was in absolute darkness, and so they could not see each other. But Clif was revolving a plan over in his thoughts, and it was not very many minutes before he made up his mind. He rose to his feet again. "Excuse me for a while," he said. "I will return." And with that he hurried out of the hut.
He gave an answering whistle and soon a form cautiously appeared from among some bushes not far away. "Alto quien va?" called Clif before the newcomer had advanced a step. This was the challenge, meaning, "Who goes there?" The response came promptly: "Cuba!" This is the countersign of the insurgents, and Clif knew that it was the courier who had reached the appointed rendezvous.
What were the feelings of poor Clif may be imagined; he was perfectly helpless and could only lie still and gaze into the eyes of his deadly foe. But there was some one else to stop Ignacio. The sergeant caught him by the arm. "So, no!" he cried. "Stop." "What!" panted Ignacio. "Why?" "They would punish me." "But they need not know?" "The others will tell." "Nonsense." "But they will." "What?
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