tion."

"But suppose the nation had nothing to do with it and that the cargo was
shipped by individuals who were in sympathy with the cause of one or the
other?"

"The friendly nation is supposed to see to it that no such cargo is
shipped from its shores, and the vessel undertaking such a task ranks as
a pirate and is called a filibuster."

"But there are no two nations now at war, so that theory cannot hold
good."

"There are no two nations at war, but there is a nation that has had on
its hands for many years a warfare within its own borders as Captain
Dynamite told us very entertainingly to-day."

"O, Cuba?"

"Yes, Cuba."

"And do you think that Captain Dynamite is one of those buccaneers that
he told us about?"

"Let us wait and see."

"Say, but that would be fine, wouldn't it, Hal?"

"You might not think it so fine if a Spanish warship should open fire on
us."

"But we will not mix up in their quarrel."

"No, but a Spanish gunboat would mix it up with us very quickly if she
saw us first."

"What right would she have to interfere with a ship flying the American
flag?"

"If we could not give a proper account of ourselves in her waters she
would stand on very little ceremony."

"And do you think we are likely to get mixed up in any real fighting
with real powder and bullets?" asked Bert, in some dismay.

"I don't know. Look out, the captain is watching us."

"Gee," whispered Mason, "I wish I was back in Cottage City."

Captain Dynamite, who had been talking with his officers while the boys
discussed their situation in whispers, now looked over at them
curiously. Harry did not care at present to have to explain his
suspicions. At this moment, fortunately, the steward entered with the
soup and created a diversion. Captain Dynamite rose, and waving his arm
toward the table, said:

"Gentlemen, dinner is served. Let us be seated."

The captain took his place at the head of the table, and his men grouped
themselves around him while the boys found seats near the bottom and
facing all. It was certainly a curious gathering for a dinner table: the
four bronzed, earnest-faced men at one end of the table and the three
fresh-faced, wondering youngsters at the other. For a moment there was a
deep silence, and Bert leaned over to Harry and whispered:

"Say, Hal, I feel as if something ought to explode, or the captain ought
to break out the black flag. This atmosphere is getting too tense for
me."

"'S