t for all the gold in the Rubio Mountains; you told me you allowed
him to keep his pistol."

"True, as you said, it isn't best to tempt him too far; I will take
his food to him."

"Permit me to do so," interposed Captain Guzman, who thereupon
performed the pleasing task. Ortega was first invited to come to the
cabin to join them, but he replied that his duties required him to
remain in the pilot house. The delicate feeling that prompted his
refusal was understood by the brother and sister.

Just as the meal was finished, all were startled by the hoarse,
tremulous whistle overhead. Two long blasts sounded, and the clink of
the little brass lever was heard as it dropped back to its resting
place against the sounding tube.

"What does that mean?" asked Major Starland, who the next moment
bounded to his feet and hurried to the Captain, with Guzman at his
heels.

"Captain, what is the cause of that signal; have you so soon forgotten
your neutrality?"

"It is a salutation to the steamer just coming round the bend.
Listen!"

A sepulchral tremolo rumbled across the water, and the topmast of a
craft was discerned gliding along over the stunted tops of the timber
growing on the projecting point of land which for the moment shut the
hull from view. From the highest point fluttered the most beautiful
flag ever bathed in the sunlight of heaven. It seemed to be bounding
forward as if borne at the head of a charging regiment.

"By heavens!" exclaimed the happy American, to whom the answering
signal was one of the most familiar sounds on earth; "that's the
_Warrenia_, my own yacht!"

"I am pleased to know it," said Captain Ortega.

Miss Starland was scarcely behind the others in climbing to the upper
deck. The Captain lifted his hat, they smiled at each other, but there
was no other sign of recognition.

First the clean cut prow, with the pretty flag of the Triton Navy
dallying from the staff, then the graceful hull and the peak with the
flag of our country streaming in the gale created by its own motion,
and the whole magnificent craft steamed round the bend and headed
toward the tugboat. With dancing eyes centered upon the thrilling
picture, our friends saw a snowy puff shoot upward from the brass
cylinder and the old welcome signal shuddered across the water.

"Will the Senorita oblige me by replying?" asked Captain Ortega. The
radiant young woman, with a smile and inclination of her head, but
with no further eviden