hile Blew stands with the telescope levelled, loath to
relinquish it. But Gomez, grown importunate, insists on having his
turn, and it is at length surrendered to him.

Blew, stepping aside, seems excited with some emotion he would conceal.
Strong it must be, judging from its effects on the ex-man-o'-war's man.
On his face there is an expression difficult to describe--surprise
amounting to amazement--joy subdued by anxiety. Soon, as having given
up the glass, he pulls off his dreadnought, then divesting himself of
his shirt--a scarlet flannel--he suspends it from the outer end of the
cross-piece which supports the tarpauling; as he does so, saying to
Striker and Davis:

"That's a signal no ship ought to disregard, and won't if manned by
Christian men. _She_ won't, if she sees it. You two stay here, and
keep the things well spread I'm goin' below to say a word to them poor
creeturs in the cave. Stand by the staff, and don't let any o' them
haul it down."

"Ay, ay!" answers Striker, without comprehending, and somewhat wondering
at Blew's words--under the circumstances strange. "All right, mate. Ye
may depend on me an' Bill."

"I know it--I do," rejoins the ex-man-o'-war's man, again slipping the
pilot-coat over his shirtless skin.

"Both o' you be true to me, and 'fore long I may be able to show as
Harry Blew an't ungrateful."

Saying this, he separates from them, and hurries back down the gorge.

The Sydney Ducks, left standing by the staff, more than ever wonder at
what he has said, and interrogate one another as to his meaning.

In the midst of their mutual questioning, they are attracted by a cry
strangely intoned. It is from Gomez, who has brought down the
telescope, and holds it in hands that shake as with a palsy.

"What is it?" asks Padilla, stepping up to him.

"Take the glass, Rafael Rocas. See for yourself!"

The contrabandista does as directed.

He is silent for some seconds, while getting the telescope on the
strange vessel. Soon as he has her within the field of view, he
commences making remarks, overheard by Striker and Davis, giving both
surprise--though the latter least.

"Barque she is--polacca-masts. _Carramba_! that's queer. About the
same bulk, too! If it wasn't that we're sure of the _Condor_ being
below, I'd swear it was she. Of course, it can be only a coincidence.
_Santissima_! a strange one!"

Velarde, in turn, takes the telescope; he, too, after a sight through
it