though he were habitually on the watch.

"I am astonished to see you in Havana, Mitchell. Where did you come from?"

"Just from Paris, where bad health drove me, after I bade you good-bye at
Smyrna. Have you a vessel here, captain?"

"Of course I have! Don't you suppose that I would be in the army if I could
not serve my country better by carrying in arms and ammunition? I have
already made two successful trips with my schooner--ran in, despite the
blockaders. I am negotiating for a steamer, but until I can get one ready I
intend to sail on."

"When did you arrive here last?"

"About ten days ago. They chased me for nearly fifteen miles, but I stole
out of sight before morning."

"When do you expect to leave here?"

The captain darted a swift, searching glance at Electra, rose and closed
the door, saying, with a light laugh--

"Take care, man! You are not exactly deer-hunting or crab-catching in a
free country! Mind that, and talk softly. I am watched here; the Federal
agents all know me, and there are several Federal vessels in port. When do
I expect to leave? Well, to-night, if the weather thickens up, as I think
it will, and there is evident sign of a storm. Most sailors wait for fair
weather; we blockade runners for foul."

"Oh, Captain! do take us with you!" said Electra eagerly.

"What! In a rickety schooner, in the teeth of a gale? Besides, Miss, I am
taking a cargo of powder this trip, and if I am hard pressed I shall blow
up vessel and all, rather than suffer it to fall into Yankee clutches. You
would not relish going up to heaven after the fashion of a rocket, would
you?"

"I am willing, sir, to risk everything you threaten, rather than wait here
indefinitely."

"Can't you take us, Wright--Miss Grey, Willis, and myself? We are very
impatient to get home."

"But I have no accommodation for passengers."

"But I suppose, sir, we could contrive to live a few days without eating at
a regular table. I will take some cheese and crackers and fruit along in a
basket, if that will ease your mind. Do waive your scruples, and consent to
take charge of us."

"I add my prayers to hers. Wright, do take us. We shall not mind privations
or inconvenience."

"Well, then, understand distinctly that, if anything happens, you are not
to blame me. If the young lady gets sea-sick, or freckled, or sunburnt, or
starved to death, or blown up, or drowned, or, worse than all, if the
Yankee thieves by the wayside take