t case it is quite possible that suspicion, even
though of a very vague and doubtful character, might have fastened upon
us, with the result that at some future time, when it may be vitally
important for us to repeat the trick, such precautions might be taken as
would render its repetition impossible. As it is, the craft has been
under steam for a couple of hours, during which, to all appearance,
nothing was wrong with her. I do not think, therefore, that anyone is
in the least likely to connect us with the mishap."

"No," agreed Milsom, "the thing was most excellently done, Jack, it
could not possibly have been better managed; and the mishap will wear
the aspect of an ordinary accident of the sea. You have a longer head
upon you than I can boast, my lad; I should never have thought as far
ahead as you did. But I think we are far enough away from that boat now
to allow of our resuming our voyage." And he signalled to the engine-
room, first to "Stop", and then to go "Full speed ahead."

"Port your helm, Quartermaster," he said to the helmsman, "until she
heads due north, and then give her a very small touch of starboard
helm--just enough to enable us to make a wide circle round that torpedo
boat out yonder--until her head works round to south-west by west, when
you can steady her at that. That course," he explained to his
companions, "ought to run us within sight of the light on Jutias about
three bells in the middle watch."

"And when do you suppose we shall reach our destination, Captain?" asked
Don Hermoso.

"The Laguna de Cortes? Oh! about breakfast-time to-morrow morning, if
we keep the boat running at full speed, and do not meet with any
interruption on the way," answered Milsom.

"Hillo!" exclaimed Jack; "see that rocket, Phil? It looks as though it
might have been sent up by the torpedo boat. She will be somewhere out
in that direction, won't she?"

"Ay, there or thereabout," answered Milsom, glancing into the compass
bowl to get the bearing of the rocket. "That means that they've just
discovered the loss of their propeller, and are in trouble about it."

"I hope that the crew of the boat are in no danger," exclaimed Don
Hermoso anxiously. "I have no wish that they should come to harm--"

"No need to worry yourself about that, Senor," answered Milsom. "The
weather is fine, and the boat, no doubt, sound enough. The worst that
is likely to happen to them is that they will have to stay where th