been left far out of sight in
the winding stream, but about the middle of the afternoon it slowly
drifted into view around a sweeping bend. The fact of its coming
sideways showed that it was swayed wholly by the current.

"That is curious," remarked the puzzled Major to Mate Horton; "why
don't they anchor, or pole to land, or tow the tug ashore with the
smaller boats? There is no need of letting the vessel become a
derelict simply because she has lost her screw."

The interest of those on the yacht naturally centred in the gradually
approaching craft, which was closely scanned through the various
glasses. Miss Starland stood beside her brother, her instrument
leveled, while he used only his unaided eyes. After a time he
remarked:

"That boat seems to be moving slowly."

"It isn't moving at all."

She handed the binocular to him, and a moment after pointing it, he
exclaimed:

"You are right; it looks as if they did not care for a closer
acquaintance."

Mate Horton joined them. He had noticed the same thing.

"What do you make of it, Major?"

He glanced at Miss Starland and then at his friend without speaking.
She caught the by-play.

"Don't be afraid to speak before me; you do not seem to have noticed
something else about the boat yonder."

"What is that?"

"It has a good many more men on board than when we parted company with
it."

CHAPTER XL.

Major Jack Starland flashed up the glass and studied the other craft.

"By Jove! you are right; where do you suppose they came from, Dick?"

"The General must have established communication with his friends soon
after we left him; he certainly has a strong crew."

"That means he intends to attack us; it looks as if there is to be a
naval battle between an American yacht and the navy of the Atlamalcan
Republic."

It was Miss Starland who said this without a trace of excitement, and
as if the impending struggle was of only passing interest.

"She is right," observed the mate; "it is hard to tell which has the
advantage with one crippled and the other hard aground."

"They will wait till night and then come at us in their small boats.
As nearly as I can make out, they have all of twenty men on board.
What is your opinion, Miss Starland?"

She pointed the glass again for several minutes before replying:

"There are nearer forty, for it is certain that some are keeping out
of sight. I suppose they are well armed, and it seems to me we are in
a b