shore, where a guard-house awaits you."

"On what charge am I arrested?" asked Ridge, calmly, turning, and
looking Major Herman Dodley full in the face.

"On the several charges of contempt for an officer, disobedience of
orders, and desertion," was the startling reply.

"Very well, sir, I'll go with you," said Ridge, "seeing that I was
going in that direction anyhow."

"But--" remonstrated Ensign Comly.

"Who are you, sir? And what have you to say regarding this business?"
demanded the Major, fiercely, at the same time drawing and cocking his
revolver.

"Only a United States officer."

"Then, in the name of the United States, I call upon you to assist me
in carrying this deserter to a place of security," shouted the Major,
in theatrical tones.

"Pretend to agree," said Ridge, in a low voice, heard only by Comly.

"All right, Major, I'll see the thing through," agreed the navy man;
"though I must protest that it is wholly out of my line of business."

With this the three set forth, Ridge leading Rita, and the officers
walking on either side of him. For some distance they proceeded in a
silence that was finally broken by the sound of oars, apparently close
to the pier, which touched land but a short distance ahead. At the
same time a train of cars came thundering over the hollow structure
behind them, causing the mare to plunge violently in a terrified effort
to escape.

"Now is your chance!" whispered Comly.

Quick to take the hint, Ridge flung himself on the animal's back and
dashed away, followed by a harmless bullet from Herman Dodley's
revolver.

Ere he could fire another shot the naval man snatched away the weapon,
flung it into the sea, and started on a run after the disappearing
horseman. As he ran he shouted: "Look out for that horse, you in the
boat, and get it aboard lively! Do you understand?"

"Ay, ay, sir," came a cheery answer from out of the darkness.

Behind the Ensign ran Major Dodley, swearing, and also shouting:

"Corporal of the guard! Turn out the guard! Quick! This way!"

Then all other sounds were drowned in the roar of the passing train.
When it subsided a confused struggle between a dark mass and a number
of dimly seen white forms was going on in the shallow water. Several
sailors were lifting Senorita bodily into a little flat-bottomed boat,
and two young men in soaked uniforms were aiding them. Then, as two
boats, one in tow of the other, began to move away, a sq