arrel with
Padilla. But, as you say, let's go in for the girls, whether or not.
You can claim the light-haired. I'm for the dark one, an' damned if I
an't ready to fight for her--to the death!"

"As I for the other!" exclaims the ex-man-o'-war, in eager serious
earnest.

"But what's to be done after we go ashore?" asks Davis. "That's what's
been bothering me. We're about to land in a strange country, but where
these Spanish chaps will be at home, speakin' the lingo, an'll so have
the advantage of us. There's a difficulty. Can you see a way out of
it?"

"Clearly."

"How?"

"Because the girls don't care for eyther o' the two as are layin' claim
to them. Contrarywise, they hate 'em both. I've knowd that all along.
So, if we get 'em out o' their clutches--at the same time givin' the
girls a whisper about protectin' them--they'll go willin'ly 'long wi'
us. Afterwards, we can act accordin' to the chances that turn up. Only
swear you'll stan' by me, Bill, an' wi' Striker to back us, we'll bring
things right."

"I'm bound to stan' by you; so'll Jack, I'm sure. Hark! that's him,
now! He's calling to us. By God, I believe they're in the boat!"

"They are! Let's hurry up! Just possible them Spaniards may take it
into their heads--. Quick, shipmate! Heave after me!"

With this, Blew holds out the lantern to light them up the hatch, both
making as much haste to reach the deck as if their lives depended upon
speed.

CHAPTER SIXTY ONE.

THE BARQUE ABANDONED.

While the scuttlers are shirking their work in the _Condor's_ hold, and
simultaneous with the abduction on deck, a scene is transpiring in her
cabin, which might be likened to a saturnalia of demons.

The skipper and Don Gregorio, sitting over their walnuts and wine, are
startled by the sound of footsteps descending the stair. As they are
heavy and hurried, bearing no resemblance to the gentle tread of woman--
it cannot be the ladies coming down again. Nor yet the negro cook,
since his voice is heard above in angry expostulation. Two of the
sailors have just seized him in his galley, throttled him back on the
bench, and are there lashing him with a piece of log-line.

They at the cabin-table know nothing of this. They hear his shouts, and
now also the shrieks of the young girls; but have no time to take any
steps, as at that instant the cuddy-door is dashed open, and several men
come rushing in; the second mate at their head. Lantanas,