locomotive reached
the city and was placed in it to be cleaned, all the natives from miles
around gathered there. They crowded the windows and doors and were
evidently waiting for something. Finally the engineer asked one of them
what he wanted to see. 'We watch for mule to come out,' was the
startling reply."

"Mule?" echoed Flagg.

"Yes, that was the only motive power known to them," grinned "Zere."
"They thought even a Yankee engine must have a mule somewhere inside."

"That's like the natives of Guatemala," spoke up "Hop," the messenger.
"When the street cars were introduced it was the usual thing for a
native wishing to ride, to mount the platform and knock politely on the
door. Some one inside would rise and open it, and then the native would
enter and shake hands all round."

"Fancy doing that on a Broadway cable car," laughed "Stump."

Our imagination was not strong enough for that.

The Cuban guests remained with us for several hours, then went ashore,
together with a boat-load of provisions contributed by the ship.

The whaleboat returned to the ship when the watch on deck had just been
piped to supper. The other watch, therefore, had the job of pulling her
up. The steady tramp, tramp, began and the boat slowly rose up foot by
foot, till it was level with the rail, then there was a sudden jar and a
crash. In an instant six men of the crew were in the water, while the
boat floated away by itself.

There was a rush of feet on deck, loud shouts and cries of "Throw them a
rope," "Set adrift the life buoy," "Where's that life belt?" and the
like.

The men at mess jumped up, overturning cups and plates and dishes of
food. One forecastle man pulled off his jumper and dove in to help.

The sea ladder was put over the side and "Long Tommy" went down it,
taking with him a piece of line; this he slipped under the arms of
Rowland, the forecastle man, who had struck an oar on the way down, and
was hurt. The man was soon hauled up on deck. The other four were also
rescued. One went floating calmly off on the life buoy and was picked up
by the gig, and the rest caught rope-ends and were safely hauled aboard,
none the worse for their involuntary bath.

Lines were coiled down again, the sea ladder unshipped and put in its
place, and soon all was quiet and shipshape again--but we discovered
that two spit kits and a monkey-wrench had been thrown overboard to aid
the sinking sailors.

"It's an ill wind that blows n