a gentleman who
speaks to a gentleman--"I desire a letter of import to reach the Duke-
Admiral by an honourable hand. Will you take the cock-boat and deliver
it?"

This sudden compliment--for it was nothing short--staggered Ludar for a
moment, and he looked quickly up to see if the Don were not trifling
with him. But Don Alonzo was grave and serious.

So Ludar said, shortly:

"I will;" and the interview ended.

It went sorely against my stomach then to have to mount to my perch in
the main-tops, and I felt a little hurt that Ludar had put in never a
word on my behalf. I remember reflecting, as I slowly scrambled to my
penance, how strange it was that for so small a difference of demeanour
I should be sent aloft, while Ludar was appointed to a task of honour.
But I understood not Spaniards--thank Heaven!--nor did I know much about
gentlemen.

At the foot of the mast Ludar came up.

"I am sorry for you, Humphrey," said he. "Yet you are like to get a
better view of the fight than most. I shall see you soon again if the
waves are kind to me, and the Englishman's shot falls wide."

"Think you not, he means you to escape and get clear?" said I. "Would I
were with you!"

"Humphrey, you were ever a fool," said he, gravely. "Expect me back
soon, and if I come not, 'twill not be my fault or yours. Get aloft,
comrade, and keep a good look-out."

So I went up very sadly. And presently from my high perch I heard the
running of a cord and the splash of oars, and saw, on the pale water
below me, a black shadow glide out from the ship's side, and lose itself
in the darkness.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

HOW LUDAR BROUGHT BACK THE DUKE'S LETTER.

It may have been near midnight on that Sunday night when I went aloft to
the main-tops. The sea was still running high, and it was all I could
do, in the drizzling rain and wild wind, to hold on to my perch. Now
and then a wild gull, terrified by the invasion of its peace, whirled
past me, and shrieked away seaward. Once, with a swish and dull boom
behind it, a shot passed below me; and once or twice a quiver up the
tall mast told me the _Rata's_ guns were at work.

I could detect nothing in the darkness, save the twinkling of many a dim
light ahead, and the glare of the ship's lanthorns on the deck below.
But, amid the howling of the squall, I heard the thunder of a battle
somewhere near, with now and then a loud shout and a rattling of chains,
and knew that King Ph