of the rejoicings over Don
Ramon's success, and when the gunboat was dressed with colours from head
to stern, the new President's flag predominant, and her old officers
accepting the alteration in the state of affairs with the greatest
nonchalance, and in fact on the whole pleased with the change of rulers,
signals were shown from the high look-out at the entrance of the harbour
indicating that a vessel was in sight. In the midst of the excitement
that this caused, steam was hastily got up on board the gunboat, and the
decks cleared for action ready for an engagement if necessary in Don
Ramon's cause.

The excitement soon ceased to be alarming, for in due course the
stranger's flag was made out, her signal for a pilot answered, and in
the course of the afternoon a United States cruiser steamed in,
answering the salute from the fort and gunboat, and taking up her
position close under their guns.

The rest of the customary civilities were interchanged, and the captain
of the Yankee came ashore to visit the new President, laughingly saying
that he had come to see Don Villarayo, but as he was in the mountains
and a new President governed in his stead, and as he supposed it was
only a matter of form before Don Ramon would be acknowledged by the
American Government, he had nothing to do but wait for instructions
after he had communicated with Washington.

The captain made himself very agreeable, chatting with Don Ramon's
notabilities, and the schooner's skipper; but several times he glanced
searchingly in the direction of Fitz Burnett, who had been awaiting his
opportunity either to be introduced or to go up and speak.

His turn came at last, for the captain fixed his eyes upon him with a
look of invitation to which Fitz instantly responded by closing up,
colouring slightly the while with consciousness, as it seemed to him
that the American captain, all spick and span in his neat naval uniform,
was looking askant at the well-worn garments the lad was wearing.

"How do, youngster?" he said. "I didn't know one of your cruisers was
in these waters. Has she left you here as a hostage, or something of
the kind? You English chaps are everywhere."

For long enough Fitz Burnett had been waiting for this moment, ready to
pour out his troubles and adventures to somebody who would give him
help; and now that the time had come he could hardly speak.

The American captain noticed it, and raised his eyebrows a little.

"Why w