isely to his colleagues, but the general impression was at the
time that the captain's message had not been conveyed verbatim. Soon
the babble of tongues charged the air and gave an impression of
Bedlam. The captain had resolved upon a course of action which was
strenuous. He had given certain orders to the chief engineer, and was
standing on the lower bridge reviewing the situation, when the second
officer came up to him and said in a whisper--

"The Spaniards are all armed to the teeth, sir."

"All right," said the captain, "they will soon be disarmed. Meanwhile,
as a precaution, put our men on their guard. This business must be
carried through vigorously, and with dash."

At this juncture the interpreter, apparently with the intention of
breaking the deadlock, attempted to come on the bridge, and was warned
if he put his foot on the ladder he (the captain) would jump on top of
him. He did so, and the next moment he was flattened on the deck. The
Spaniards, in great excitement, surrounded the two. At last, one of
the shipwrecked men spoke to them in Spanish, and the master asked
him if he could really speak Spanish. He replied in the affirmative.

"Then," said the captain, "translate to these men that I do not wish
to hold the cargo, but that my agreement was for the freight to be
paid immediately the craft came alongside."

This pronouncement seemed to make an impression, but they still
coveted and cavilled for the goods. They endeavoured to persuade the
master of the steamer, who had gone on to the bridge again, to anchor,
and the money would be brought off in the morning. He prevaricated
with them, and at the same time told the chief engineer secretly to
put the engines easy ahead. She was brought head on to the sea, and
the wind having risen, a nasty swell came with it, which caused the
lighters to jump and put jerky strains on their moorings. A few of
their crew jumped aboard, and were trying to pass additional ropes
around the rigging of the steamer when the captain blew his whistle.
In an instant the tow-rope of the forward lighter was cut; then it was
that the Spaniards realized what was happening. They remonstrated
with the captain; they shouted to each other excitedly; those that had
not got aboard the feluccas flew along the deck and jumped, one after
the other, on to their vessel as she swung round. Another shrill
whistle, and the last rope of lighter No. 2 was snapped. Captain S----
called out to the