re off watch, Senor," Bedient said, smiling.

"How tired they are! How silently they rest!" the Spaniard replied
softly, and his long hands caressed each other.

Framtree glanced from Bedient to Miss Mallory, who realized with added
dread that the forecastle bubble was pricked. She wondered how he had
conveyed the impression that others were behind.

"Better let me help you with the wheel, Miss Mallory," Framtree said,
decently enough.

"No."

"Shall I get you a glass of wine?"

"No."

Rey seemed to have caught a sudden hope. At least, Miss Mallory
imagined so; and that he tried to cover it with words.

"Mr. Bedient," he said pleasantly, "I do not wish to under-rate your
genius in the least, but I should like to pay a compliment to your
remarkable fellow-worker."

"I have several to pay, as well, Senor."

"I should be glad for her to hear," Rey added.

"If you mean me," Miss Mallory called, "I am listening intently."

The Spaniard leaned forward, appearing to cover his eyes with his
fingers. Miss Mallory could hardly restrain a scream for Bedient to
look out for the pistol, but nothing happened. Senor Rey sat back and
began reminiscently:

"I was sailing and garnering in these waters before either of you men,
and certainly before any of the women present, were alive. I made
Equatoria interesting, and a delightful place to live. I have met in
the old days, sometimes in strategy, sometimes in open warfare, the
most crafty and daring seamen the world could send to the Caribbean.
All, to the last man, I have overmatched in strength and cleverness. A
ship has at last changed hands beneath my feet. It is well. I have
lived long and am content. Only, I wish to say that it is a bright
pleasure to think that no man, however brilliant or daring,
outgeneraled me--but a delightful American girl."

"It's a tribute that I shall always remember, Senor," Miss Mallory
responded, "and one that comes from a master of his profession."

Out of this pleasantry brewed a change. The Spaniard stared from face
to face for several seconds. What came over him cannot be told--a break
in his fine control; a sudden realization that he was whipped; a
resurgence of all the shattered strategies in his brain, many of which
certain others of the party did not yet understand; his doubt of
Framtree, or his inability to reach the weapon,--the exact point which
goaded him to black disorder was never known, but the fury of it
concentrated