yes, she looked up into the face of her son, who bent
anxiously over her.

"Harry," she whispered, her happiness sending the warm blood back into
her face again.

"Mother," he cried, seizing her in his strong young arms.

When she was stronger they led her out to her seat on the veranda where
she had kept her weary vigil, and she warmly greeted Bert and the
Midget, who had just returned from the telegraph office, where they had
sent word at once to their homes telling of their safe arrival in
America. O'Connor who had come ashore at Harry's earnest solicitation,
stood in the background talking with Mr. Hamilton, to whom he had
briefly outlined the adventures of the three boys since they had been
his guests on the _Mariella_.

Harry took the big man by the hand and led him over to his mother.

"Mother," he said, proudly, "I want you to know my friend, Captain
Dynamite."

"Captain Dynamite?" repeated Mrs. Hamilton, in wonder.

"Captain O'Connor, I mean; they call him Dynamite because when you touch
him off there's sure to be something doing. He saved our lives
twice--once from the sea, and once from the Spaniards."

"The Spaniards--my son, what are you talking about?"

"That's a long story, mother. I will tell you that to-night."

After much persuasion, O'Connor was induced to remain overnight on
condition that all hands would dine on the _Mariella_. He went back to
the steamer and sent a large boat ashore for his guests and no happier
party could have been found that night than those who gathered around
the table in the cabin of the old _Mariella_. Miss Juanita made Mrs.
Hamilton's heart glow with the pride of a mother as she told of Harry's
sacrifice to save her, and after dinner, as they all gathered on the
after deck under the starlit sky, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton listened with
breathless interest as the various actors told the story of their
adventures during the voyage with Captain Dynamite.

It was long after midnight when all the farewells had been said and the
boat that was to put the departing guests ashore left the side of the
_Mariella_. As the sailors pushed off, O'Connor and Juanita stood at the
rail, his big hand resting gently on hers.

"Say, Cap," shouted the Midget, as they moved away, "count us in when
you cut that wedding cake."

[THE END.]

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Voyage with Captain Dynamite, by
Charles Edward Rich

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A V