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Rh said that the Americans held to it that the Spaniards had done the dastardly deed.

"And I shouldn't wonder but that may mean war for your country," he added.

"If war come, Spain will get whipped badly," returned Dan.

The young Englishman brought us some breakfast, and we at last decided to go on board of the Cardigan. "But don't tell the captain you escaped from prison," he said. "If you do, he won't dare take you off. Secure your passages and then turn up missing when the revenue officers come on board."

This we considered excellent advice and followed it out. A lighter, loaded with hemp bales, took us to the steamer, an ocean "tramp" of 2000 tons' burden, and we lost no time in presenting ourselves to Captain Montgomery.

"Want passage to Hong Kong, eh?" he said. "Why don't you go on the regular mail steamers?"

"We have some private reasons," answered Dan. "What will the passage money be?"

Captain Montgomery studied our faces for a moment.

"Aren't criminals, are you?" he said sharply.

"Do we look like criminals?" I demanded.

"Can't go by looks nowaday, lad. Last year