n all the splendor of a Levantine port, was before them.
_Cristo_, never mind _flor de mayo_ and _alguilla_! It was worth the
trip to see just that! And folks bragged about the harbor at the Grao!
The humble fishermen stood there mouths agape; with the exception of
Tonet, of course, who had seen many better things in his trip around the
world! The water of the great bay was absolutely calm. A red and green
beacon marked the entrance to the basin. The city climbed a hill in the
background, the houses shining white even in the dark, from the millions
of lights that suggested a festival. What a waste of gas! Long snaky
stripes of color came out over the surface of the water, flecked here
with the harbor lights of a merchant vessel, there with the
distinguishing marks of a man-o'-war. Off in this direction was the
European city--the brightest section, the restaurants and bazaars all
lighted up, while the black ant-like forms of people, and the
canvas-tops of swiftly moving vehicles, could be seen on the streets.
And what a strange mixture of sounds! Music from the cafes, trumpet
calls from the barracks, talking and shouting from the boulevards, cries
from boatmen on the water--the blended murmurings of a cosmopolitan city
of trade, cheating all day long for the money it wastes in pleasure
after sundown.

The Rector could not indulge in the ecstasies of wonderment too long.
His mind went back to business. The men of the crew were gathering in
the sail preparatory to lying to. Faithful to _tio_ Mariano's
instructions, Pascualo took a piece of tarred cable, set fire to it, and
began to describe circles above his head, in series of threes, marked
off by hiding the torch behind a piece of canvas which the "cat" held up
in front of it. The signal was repeated many many times, the Rector
meanwhile gazing steadily at the darkest part of the water-front. Tonet
and the others stood around watching the operations curiously. Finally a
red lantern gleamed on shore. The "market" had understood the message.
They would soon be off with the cargo.

The Rector explained the fine points of all this signaling. It wasn't
wise to take on a load inside the basin. _Tio_ Mariano knew, from
experience, that detectives were always on the watch there, ready to
telegraph the name and description of any boat likely to be smuggling.
These spies got a percentage on the profits of the confiscation. It was
better to load up outside, and at night. By mornin