kipper stood upon the deck with
the lads, wiping his face after superintending every part of the
delivery himself.

"There, Don Ramon," he cried, "my work's done, and you have got
everything safe. I hope your fellows will be careful with the
ammunition."

"Yes, yes," was the reply; "everything is being done. I have come back
to thank you. If you do not see me again yet awhile, it is because I am
over yonder--because I am wanted everywhere at once. Captain Reed, and
you, my brave young friends, I want to tell you of the gratitude I feel,
but--but--my heart is too full. I cannot speak. But one word;
to-morrow the enemy will be here, a great battle will rage, for my
people will fight now to the very death. If I fall--" He stopped short.

He truly could say no more, and waving his hands to them, he sprang back
on to the wharf out of the light cast by the swinging lanterns, which
had for some time past thrown their weird gleams upon the scene, and was
gone.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

REAL WAR.

There was little sleep that night for those on board, for once his
little cargo was discharged, the skipper had everything made snug and
ready for putting to sea if necessary at a moment's notice.

Most of the men had been busy over the landing of the cases and guns,
and Fitz had thoroughly enjoyed the looking on, feeling a strange
longing the while to go ashore and superintend the unpacking and putting
together of the gun-limbers, and the mounting of the pieces. Not that
there was a great deal to do, for, in obedience to instructions, the
British manufacturers had sent the little field-guns with everything so
simplified that the rough artillery-men from the Central American fort
had few difficulties with which to contend. He saw little of Poole in
the darkness, but knew that he was busy over something with a couple of
men at his beck, while a third had had a duty of his own where a bright
light had gleamed out and a little chimney had roared in a way which
made Poole anxiously consult his father, who was superintending the
landing of cases, when in their brief conversation something was said
about sparks, and then a couple of tarpaulins were rigged up with lines,
in a way which entirely cut off the galley from the rest of the deck.

The result of all this was, that when the deck was clear and hatches
replaced, the Camel stood smiling, with glistening face, for his work
too was done, and the fresh provisions that had