e seas caught her, each one leaving her half a length
farther on. Soon they could make out the figures of men.

"Take us off," screamed the doctor, waving his arms, "and get out of
our way!"

"We'll clear her," said Boston; "see, she's started her engine."

As they drifted down on the weather-side of the cruiser they shouted
repeatedly words of supplication and warning. They were answered by a
solid shot from a secondary gun, which flew over their heads. At the
same time, the ensign of Spain was run up on the flag-staff.

"They're Spanish, Boston. They're firing on us. Into that boat with
you! If a shot hits our cargo, we won't know what struck us."

They sprang into the boat, which luckily hung on the lee side, and
cleared the falls--fastened and coiled in the bow and stern. Often
during their long voyage they had rehearsed the launching of the boat
in a seaway--an operation requiring quick and concerted action.

"Ready, Doc?" sang out Boston. "One, two, three--let go!" The falls
overhauled with a whir, and the falling boat, striking an uprising sea
with a smack, sank with it. When it raised they unhooked the tackle
blocks, and pushed off with the oars just as a second shot hummed over
their heads.

"Pull, Boston; pull hard--straight to windward!" cried the doctor.

The tight whaleboat shipped no water, and though they were pulling in
the teeth of a furious gale, the hulk was drifting away from them, so,
in a short time, they were separated from their late home by a full
quarter-mile of angry sea. The cruiser had forged ahead in plain view,
and, as they looked, took in the try-sail.

"She's going to wear," said Boston. "See, she's paying off."

"I don't know what 'wearing' means, Boston," panted the doctor, "but I
know the Spanish nature. She's going to ram that hundred and thirty
tons of nitro. Don't stop. Pull away. Hold on, there; hold on, you
fools!" he shouted. "That's a torpedo; keep away from her!"

Forgetting his own injunction to "pull away," the doctor stood up,
waving his oar frantically, and Boston assisted. But if their shouts
and gestures were understood aboard the cruiser, they were ignored.
She slowly turned in a wide curve and headed straight for the _Neptune_
which had drifted to leeward of her.

What was in the minds of the officers on that cruiser's deck will never
be known. Cruisers of all nations hold roving commissions in regard to
derelicts, and it is fitting and