know; but they are scarcely
to be had in these days."

"All the same, I think we may perhaps manage to get hold of one or two
where we are going," said Jack; "that is to say, if you are still
willing to take on the job after you have heard what I am bound to tell
you."

"Ah!" exclaimed Milsom; "something in the background, eh? Well, it
can't be very terrible, I fancy, Jack, or you would not be mixed up in
it. However, heave ahead, my lad, and let us hear the worst, without
further parley."

"Well," said Jack, "the fact is that the yachting trip is all a `blind',
and is in reality neither more nor less than a gun-running expedition in
aid of the Cuban revolutionaries. And the yacht is really not mine, but
belongs to a certain very wealthy Cuban gentleman who, being, like most
Cubans, utterly sick of the Spanish misgovernment of the island, has
thrown in his lot with the patriots, and has had the craft specially
built for their service. But, recognising that to declare his ownership
of her would at once arouse the suspicion of the Spaniards, and attract
a tremendous amount of unwelcome attention to her, he has persuaded me
to assume the apparent ownership of the vessel, and to undertake a trip
to the West Indies in her, ostensibly for my health, but actually to run
into the island a consignment of arms and ammunition, and otherwise to
assist the patriots in every possible way."

"I see," observed Milsom thoughtfully. "That means, of course, that I
should really be in the service of the Cuban gentleman, instead of in
yours. That makes a very important difference, Jack, for, you see, I
shall have to look to him, instead of to you, for my pay; and smuggling
contraband of war is a very different matter from navigating a
gentleman's private yacht, and is work for which I shall expect to be
well paid."

"Then am I to understand that you regard thirty pounds per month as
insufficient?" demanded Jack.

"Not at all, my dear boy," answered Milsom quickly, "do not
misunderstand me; I am quite content with the pay, but as the service is
one that I can see with half an eye will involve a good deal of risk, I
want to be quite certain of getting it. Now, is your friend to be
absolutely depended upon in that respect? You see, if this insurrection
should fail--as it probably will--your friend may be killed, or
imprisoned, and all his property confiscated; and then I may whistle for
my money."

"I think not," said Jack.