tiful schooner, while there had been a desperate
fight, they said, and they had heard the firing, so that I could only
guess what must have been the result. I believed my brave true friend
and all on board had been slain, while now I have you all safely back
again, and my heart is very glad."

"And so am I, Don Ramon," said the skipper warmly, for he felt how
genuine the greeting was. "But things are much better than you
thought."

"Yes, better far," cried the Don. "But make haste. Let us get ashore.
My people are getting up a banquet in your honour and that of every
_one_ on board."

"Oh, I'm not a banqueting man," said the skipper, laughing.

"Ha, ha! We shall see," said the Don, laughing in his turn. "How came
they, though, to tell me such false news? I believed the men who
brought it could be trusted."

"Well, I dare say they can be," said the skipper. "But they didn't stay
long enough. We had almost to run ashore, and there were two or three
fights; that was true enough. But if they had stayed long enough they
could have brought you the best news that you have had for months."

"Best news!" cried the Don excitedly.

"Yes; the gunboat, with her big breech-loader and propeller disabled, is
fast upon the rocks."

"Captain Reed!" cried the Don, seizing him by both hands. "Is this
true?"

"As true as that I am telling you."

"But the captain and his men?"

"They're standing by her. But they will never get her off."

"Oh!" shouted Fitz, giving a sudden jump and turning sharply round, to
see the carpenter backing away confused and shamefaced, for he had been
listening eagerly to the conversation, and at the critical point
alluding to the gunboat being got off, he had in his excitement given
Fitz a vigorous pinch.

"Here, what are you thinking of doing?" said the skipper.

"Doing?" said the Don excitedly. "There will be no banquet to-night. I
must gather together my men, and make for the gunboat at once."

"What for?" cried the skipper.

"To strike the last blow for victory," cried the Don. "We must surround
and take the gunboat's crew, and then at any cost that gunboat must be
floated. I don't quite see yet how it is to be done, but the attempt
must be made before there is another gale. That gunboat must be saved.
No," he continued thoughtfully, "I don't see yet how it can be done."

"I do, sir," cried Winks, dashing forward. "I'll take the job, sir, and
do it cheap. Say a word for