" answered Don Hermoso. "My idea was to get into
communication with the Junta as soon as we reach the other side, and
learn from them what spot would be the most suitable at which to make
the attempt to land our consignment. What think you, Captain Milsom?"

"Where has this Junta of yours established itself?" asked Milsom, also
taking up the conversation in Spanish, of which he had a serviceable
knowledge. "Would it be possible to get a cable message into their
hands from this side without the risk of it being intercepted by the
Spaniards?"

"Oh, yes; quite easily!" answered Don Hermoso. "They have established
their headquarters in New York, and I could cable to them in cipher, if
necessary."

"Then," said Milsom, "if I may be permitted, I would suggest that, since
we are now running up channel, it would be a good plan for you to land
at Dover, and cable to the Junta the information that you have actually
started; that you have some reason to suspect that we have not
altogether escaped the suspicion of the Spanish authorities, and that
consequently the yacht may be watched for, and perhaps followed when we
arrive in Cuban waters; and that it would therefore be a very great
convenience if, when we get across, we could find a communication
awaiting us--say at Key West--giving us the latest information upon the
situation generally, and advice as to the most desirable spot at which
to attempt the landing of our cargo."

"A most excellent suggestion!" exclaimed Don Hermoso. "Come, gentlemen,
let us enter the chart-house and draft the message at once, after which
I will transcribe it into cipher in readiness to dispatch it upon our
arrival at Dover."

With the exercise of considerable thought and ingenuity a concise
rendering of the points suggested by Milsom was at length drafted: and,
upon the arrival of the yacht off Dover, Don Hermoso and Singleton went
ashore in the steam pinnace and dispatched the message to New York;
after which the yacht's bows were turned southward again until she had
rounded Beachy Head, when Milsom set the course at west by south for the
Lizard, from which headland he intended to take his final "departure".
It was just nine o'clock in the evening when the _Thetis_ rounded Beachy
Head; and at noon next day she was abreast of the Lizard and two miles
distant from it.

"A splendid `departure'!" exclaimed Milsom enthusiastically, when he had
taken a careful bearing of the headland. "I now