Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/323

 *listed with the nondescript army of the insurrectionists?"

Navarro flushes at the word nondescript, but does not reply at once. Finally he says quietly: "No, I am not a Cuban. I am, like yourself, an American. But my ancestors were Cuban, back more than six generations. Until ten months ago," continues Navarro, in a less-impassioned tone, "I was a careless, happy-go-lucky American youth, without any specific aim in life. But when the Cuban insurrection broke out, I was consumed with an overmastering desire to help free Cuba from the accursed yoke of Spain. I have sacrificed everything to that end, and now I am known to the Spaniards as 'El Terredo,' the terror. I believe I have been of some service to the struggling natives, and so I shall continue until Cuba is free, or"

Navarro does not complete the sentence. While he was speaking the smoke has been pouring out of the chimneys of the yacht in steadily increasing volume, and now the clank of the steam windlass announces that the vessel is getting under way. Without replying to Navarro's words, Van Zandt hastens below to inform Miss Hathaway of the destination of the yacht. Capt. Beals has taken his station on the bridge and the graceful vessel steams slowly toward the narrow entrance to the harber of Santiago.

Navarro watches intently the three Spanish warships by which the Semiramis must pass within half a mile. As the yacht draws nearer, the watcher notes with anxiety a boat hastily putting out from the government wharf and evidently making for the flagship of the fleet, the Infanta Isabel. He communicates his discovery to Van Zandt, who has returned from below, with the comment: "They are evidently notifying the cruiser to have her stop this vessel. Rather than that she fire on the yacht and endanger the lives of those on board, including the young lady, you must surrender me. Then they may permit you to go unmolested."

"No man leaves this ship for a Spanish prison or the garrote," replies Van Zandt, his eyes burning with excitement, "as long as there is a timber of her afloat. It