Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/187

 *ship. A duplicate of the Semiramis' ensign is displayed, and then the course of the vessel is changed and she steams rapidly toward the yacht. Don Manada is not mistaken. The steamship is the famous Pearl of the Antilles.

The Semiramis has slowed down her engines, and awaits the approach of the insurgent cruiser. As the latters nears the yacht the resemblance of the two steamships becomes more striking. The Pearl is almost precisely the length of the Semiramis, and like her is rigged with two masts. Her two smokestacks are set at the same angle as those of the yacht and like the latter she is equipped with twin propellers. On deck, however, there is a decided difference. The engines of the Pearl are protected by heavy plates of steel, while on her forward deck a sort of turret has been improvised, within which, the people on the Semiramis can readily guess, is the famous "Yankee gun," the dynamite cannon whose well-aimed projectile sent the Spanish Mercedes to the bottom.

Five lengths away the Pearl becomes stationary on the waves, while through a speaking tube, the voluble Manada acquaints her commander with the character and mission of the yacht. A boat is lowered from the insurgent craft and is rowed to the side of the Semiramis, and a moment later a distinguished looking man in the undress uniform of an officer of the Spanish navy is clasped in the arms of Don Manada.

"Senor Van Zandt," the latter says, "permit me to present to you Capt. Gerardo Nunez, the commander of yonder vessel. Senor Van Zandt," he explains extravagantly to Capt. Nunez, "is the good angel who rendered it possible for us to convey the much-needed arms and ammunition in our hold to our struggling compatriots."

Capt. Nunez cordially grasps the hand of Van Zandt. "Senor," he says, "I am more than pleased to meet you, and join with Don Manada in expressing the gratitude of our people for your services in the cause of liberty."

Van Zandt waves his hand. "'Tis nothing. My sympathies are with the insurgents and being in position to help Don Manada out of a box"—the Cuban flushes at