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Updated: June 4, 2025
Clif knew also that the frenzied villain would make haste, that he would come back panting and eager. Appalled, half dazed, he sat and listened. The first thing he would hear would be the grating of the key; and then would come horrors inconceivable. Seconds were years at that time. Clif thought that his hair would turn white from the suspense. And then suddenly he gave a gasp. There he was!
The broad back of his enemy, who sat in the stern, was within easy reach, and inspired his action. Quick as a flash Clif grasped the stern of the boat with one hand and with one mighty effort raised himself high out of the water. Before the Spaniard could divine what was happening, Clif's free arm was thrown around the fellow's neck, and he was drawn back into the water behind him.
And the fellow pointed straight at Clif, while he leaned forward and stared into the Spaniard's face, eager to see what the effect of his announcement would be. It must have suited him, for he gave a low laugh, a fiendish chuckle. Then he went on. "And not only that, Jose! Think of what else he has done." "Has he done more?" "Yes, por dios, he has. Listen.
"It is," snarled the "agent." "I will take my oath upon it." It was of course a lie; and it made Clif's blood boil. The Spanish vessel had deceived them and tried to capture them by stealth. The men of the Spanish boat's crew had been shot while trying to hold up the American. But Clif had expected that Ignacio would tell such a tale, and so he was not surprised.
While his own vessel sped on in safety, on board the Uncas there suddenly came a grinding thud, and an instant later the tug stopped short, so short it almost sent Clif flying over the top of the gun he was working. And at the same time a shout was heard from Lieutenant Raymond, one that made the sailors' hearts leap up into their throats: "We're aground! We're aground!"
Then another struck the bridge upon which the captain stood glass in hand, and he had a narrow escape from flying splinters. But the goal was too near for them to stop, and he signaled for more steam. Clif could not but admire this officer's pluck. Under other circumstances, he would have said that the Spaniard deserved to win.
Just before the door of the car was shut his small, crouching figure entered. He stopped just long enough to clinch his fist and shake it at Clif; and then he retired into a corner to snarl angrily to himself. A few moments later there was a creaking of wheels and the "train" had started. The roar of the crowd died away and was succeeded by the sound of the rapid motion.
Clif's attack brought the Spaniard quickly to his senses, and he was not slow to defend himself. In a flash he drew his revolver, but Clif was too quick for him. The latter knocked the weapon from the fellow's grasp before he had a chance to fire it. Clif's own weapon was within easy reach, but for several reasons he did not care to use it.
"Take a boat's crew and go at once." "If you please, sir," exclaimed Clif, "I would rather take one of the small boats and go alone. One man can move about with less fear of detection." "Young man, you are undertaking a very dangerous mission," exclaimed the rear admiral. "But you seem to have the pluck, and I have confidence that you can take care of yourself.
Clif knew that he had the task before him of piloting that vessel into Key West; he was not willing to let that ugly-looking Spanish captain have anything to do with the matter. Clif had fancied he would rather enjoy that duty but under the circumstances of the present case he was not so much pleased.
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