ee her more clearly. "We
were being held as prisoners."

His eyes flashed to her face, rested an instant, and then his cap was
in his hand.

"I beg your pardon, young lady," he said gravely, "but this is all most
strange. I could almost imagine this was a century or two earlier when
pirates roamed these seas. You were prisoners you say, and escaped."

"Yes," I answered, before she could do so, "but you must pardon us
details until we know who it is that questions us."

"Oh, exactly; you are unaware of the nature of this vessel."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, this is the revenue cutter _Saline_, which I have the honor to
command."

I understood the situation in a flash, my heart leaping in fierce
anticipation.

"Mr. Smith, assist the lady to a chair, and have the steward bring a
glass of wine. Now, sir, are you ready to answer."

"I am; we were prisoners on board the _Sea Gull_. It is a long story,
envolving a will, in which the master of that vessel was interested.
We escaped in a small boat last evening, and have been floating about
since."

"The _Sea Gull_? Do you remember the name, Mr. Smith?"

"No, sir; perhaps a description--"

"A schooner-rigged steam yacht," I explained briefly, "clearing from
New Orleans for Santiago."

The two exchanged glances.

"I begin to see light," said the Captain calmly. "I think the _Sea
Gull_ must have originally sailed as the _Mary Somers_. Do you happen
to know, sir, where she was really bound, and the nature of her cargo?"

"I do; Spanish Honduras, with munitions of war."

"Exactly, under command of a half-breed named Henley. By Gad, Smith,
this sounds too good to be true."

He walked across the cabin twice, thinking, not even glancing up as he
passed us. Suddenly he stopped, facing me.

"Where did he get you two?"

"In a bayou off the Alabama coast."

"And you got away last evening--how?"

"By imprisoning the Captain and steward below; I was obliged to knock
the first mate overboard, but we were unseen by any others. Let me
tell you the whole story; it will scarcely require five minutes."

He nodded his head, walking back and forth as I reviewed the events
swiftly. I hardly think he asked so much as a single question, his
eyes upon my face and then upon the face of the girl.

"A rather strange tale," he commented when I had concluded, "and,
perhaps, the whole is not told. However that is none of my affair.
Now listen; this is a revenue cutter. We