son on
board. Stephen had, before arriving at the port, donned a clean suit of
linen trousers and jacket; his cap was out of all shape, and the badge on
its front had faded into a blur; he was barefooted, and his hair had grown
almost to his shoulders. The aspect of the boat was almost as surprising
as that of its solitary occupant. There were no signs of paint visible,
the work was rough, the stanchions of various sizes, some new in
appearance, and some blackened with age and sea-water.

"Who are you, senor?" the official asked, "and what craft is this?"

"The craft has no name, senor, though we who built her thought of naming
her the _Deliverer_. I myself am Stephen Embleton, flag-midshipman to
Admiral Lord Cochrane. May I ask if the admiral is now in port?"

"He is," the official replied.

"May I beg you to send off a shore boat by which I may despatch a message
to the admiral?"

"Your story is a strange one," the official said gravely. "I myself have
seen the young officer, you state yourself to be, in company with the
admiral, but I am bound to say that I do not recognize you."

"I am not surprised at that," Stephen said with a smile. "In the first
place, I should imagine that my face is the colour of mahogany from wind
and sun; in the second, my hair has not been cut for six months; and
lastly, this suit of clothes, though excellent in its way, is scarcely in
accordance with my rank."

"I will myself row off to the admiral's ship," the official said, "and
convey your message to him. What shall I tell him?"

"I thank you, sir. Will you please say that Stephen Embleton is on board
this craft, that I am alone, and for certain reasons cannot leave it, and
pray him either to come himself or to send a trusted officer with a party
of sailors to take charge of it."

The official saluted him gravely. He was by no means sure of the sanity of
this young fellow, but his curiosity had been aroused by his appearance
and that of his craft, and he therefore condescended to undertake a
mission that at ordinary times he would have scorned. Stephen watched the
boat row alongside a frigate anchored a mile away. Shortly afterwards he
saw a stir. A boat was pulled up to the accommodation ladder. A party of
sailors then took their places in her, and two figures came down the
gangway and the boat pushed off. A few minutes later it reached the side
of the cutter. Stephen saluted as Lord Cochrane sprang nimbly on board.

"My dea