ce that they were acquaintances, stepped into
the door that the Captain opened for her, and grasping the cord
answered the boat named for herself. Then, thanking the courteous
officer, she passed out again and excitedly waved her handkerchief at
a lady who was seen standing in front of the others at the bow.

"That's Aunt Cynthia! There! she has raised her glass! She knows me!
Bless her dear heart!"

The woman had recognized her niece and her handkerchief was also
a-flutter. An understanding was had through the signalling of the
whistles and the two craft rapidly approached each other. Major
Starland swung his hat in greeting, again the whistles bellowed
across the decreasing space and all was gladness and joy.

While they were yet too far apart to converse readily, the Major had
noted another form near the pilot house, a little to one side of Aunt
Cynthia. It was bulky and broad, was in gorgeous uniform of blue and
gilt, with the golden sash high up in front and low at the back, and
the point of his scabbard touching the deck.

"What the mischief is General Bambos doing there?"

"Probably he is a self-invited guest," suggested Captain Guzman.

"True, and I can afford to welcome him; it is fortunate that the yacht
took aboard new supplies at San Luis."

The tinkling of signal bells and the reversing of screws and the
shifting over of wheels brought the two boats so nearly alongside that
conversation became facile among all parties. Holding off the _General
Yozarro_, Captain Ortega waited to know the wishes of his chief
passenger, who now became the supreme authority on both crafts.

Under the manipulation of the adepts at the respective wheels, the
boats were laid beside each other and the gangplank of the yacht
connected the two. Miss Starland was the first to run across and was
clasped in the arms of her delighted relative. Then her brother,
Captain Guzman and Martella followed. General Bambos bowed as nearly
to the deck as he could, with his plumed hat sweeping the air, and
expressed his happiness at meeting the charming young American
Senorita again. Then, while the boats remained lashed, he asked an
explanation of the situation, which was a mystery to him as it was to
nearly all the others.

Major Starland took it upon himself to enlighten him and his friends,
doing so with a succinctness that left no doubt in the mind of any
one. The broad face grew solemn, when he succeeded at last in
comprehending the