y way. We will do
better than go out to intercept the American, Don Hermoso; we will
render it impossible for either of those three Government craft to go
out of harbour on that day. But when the authorities find their three
steamers disabled, they may take it into their heads to throw a few
soldiers on board a sailing craft of some sort and send her out to
endeavour to capture the _James B. Potter_; therefore you had better
send word to the people who are to receive the goods that, while they
need not fear a warship of any kind, they had better be prepared to
fight a few soldiers, if necessary."

"Certainly, that can be managed without difficulty," answered Don
Hermoso. "But let us hear your plan, Jack. Our friend Carnero, here,
is absolutely trustworthy, therefore you may speak without reserve
before him; and if he knows what we intend to do, he will be able to
tell others, who will know just what is to happen, and what they will
have to provide for."

"Very well," said Jack. "This is my plan. You will remember how neatly
we doctored the torpedo boat that followed us to sea from Key West?
Well, I simply propose to treat the three Government craft in Havana
harbour in the same way, only more so. That is to say, I propose,
either by fouling their propellers or otherwise, to prevent them from
going to sea at all on that day, or until their propellers are cleared;
and that, I think, ought to give the American ship time to run in,
discharge her cargo, and get to sea again without molestation. But, in
order to do this, it will be necessary that we--or at all events I--
should go into Pinar del Rio to-night, in order to catch either the last
train to-night or the first train to-morrow to Havana. Perhaps it will
look less suspicious if I go alone to-night and you follow on at your
leisure to-morrow."

"If you are particularly anxious to reach Havana to-night, Senor, it can
be done," exclaimed Carnero. "I know a short cut from here that will
take us to Pinar within the hour, if you are a good horseman. But, to
do it, we must start almost at once."

"I am ready now," said Jack, "and as to horsemanship--well, I have
hunted over some pretty stiff country in England, which ought to be good
enough. Carlos, old man, will you see to bringing along my bag with you
to-morrow?"

"The Padre will, Jack, of course; but, as for me, I go with you to-
night, for I have a notion that I can be useful in the carrying out of
t