see nothing but failure. Go on
talking till I've seen Mr. Tyler. Then I think the laugh will be all on
our side. Ha, ha!"

"Silence!"

Young Glory stared aghast. A man, a Spanish naval officer was bending
over him, holding a stilletto close against his breast.

"I shall not hesitate to kill if you utter a sound," said the Spaniard,
"for the happiness of four hundred men depends on your silence!"

CHAPTER XIII.

FORTUNE FAVORS YOUNG GLORY--CAPTURE OF THE
MAGAZINE.

Young Glory felt that he was powerless.

He knew that the threat of the Spaniard was not an empty one, and that
he would not hesitate to plunge his dagger into the young sailor's
breast in case the slightest resistance was attempted, or the least
sound was uttered.

The man must have been keeping watch whilst his two comrades talked, so
as to secure them from interruption.

"You threaten me," said Young Glory, quietly, hoping to conciliate the
Spaniard.

"Take care," answered the latter, pressing the dagger a little closer;
"I warned you not to speak."

"And I do not disobey you so far as making a noise is concerned. I only
ask the meaning of this."

"You know."

"Perhaps. I also know that you are a prisoner on this ship, and that it
is dangerous for you to kill me."

"Not so dangerous as to let you go. You have heard every word that
passed between my friends, and have their secret and their lives in your
hands. I need say no more to justify myself."

The Spaniard tapped lightly on the boat, and instantly Juan and Manuel
rose. They walked round to the other side.

"You here!" they cried, seeing their brother officer.

"Yes, and caramba! but it would have gone hard with your plot, but for
me. You seemed to forget that you are not the only people on this ship.
Look!"

He pointed to Young Glory as he spoke.

They were astounded.

"Then he's heard what we said?"

"Every word, Juan."

"It means ruin."

"No, fortunately no harm is done. I hold this sailor in my power. He
cannot escape me. You must carry out your plot instantly."

"All is ready. We will do so."

They knew there was no time to be lost, and leaving Young Glory to the
care of their friend, they turned away to carry into execution their
diabolical scheme.

The Spanish officer who had Young Glory in his power, did not wish to be
noticed by any of the crew in a suspicious attitude. So he sat down
underneath the boat by the side of Young Glory.

"Don't move,"