the buccaneer
fleet, whilst still heading for Palomas, was observed to bear away to
the west. The Spaniards watched them, intrigued.

Within a mile and a half to westward of the fort, and within a half-mile
of the shore--that is to say, on the very edge of the shoal water that
makes Palomas unapproachable on either side by any but vessels of
the shallowest draught--the four ships cast anchor well within the
Spaniards' view, but just out of range of their heaviest cannon.

Sneeringly the Admiral laughed.

"Aha! They hesitate, these English dogs! Por Dios, and well they may."

"They will be waiting for night," suggested his nephew, who stood at his
elbow quivering with excitement.

Don Miguel looked at him, smiling. "And what shall the night avail them
in this narrow passage, under the very muzzles of my guns? Be sure,
Esteban, that to-night your father will be paid for."

He raised his telescope to continue his observation of the buccaneers.
He saw that the piraguas towed by each vessel were being warped
alongside, and he wondered a little what this manoeuver might portend.
Awhile those piraguas were hidden from view behind the hulls. Then one
by one they reappeared, rowing round and away from the ships, and each
boat, he observed, was crowded with armed men. Thus laden, they were
headed for the shore, at a point where it was densely wooded to the
water's edge. The eyes of the wondering Admiral followed them until the
foliage screened them from his view.

Then he lowered his telescope and looked at his officers.

"What the devil does it mean?" he asked.

None answered him, all being as puzzled as he was himself.

After a little while, Esteban, who kept his eyes on the water, plucked
at his uncle's sleeve. "There they go!" he cried, and pointed.

And there, indeed, went the piraguas on their way back to the ships.
But now it was observed that they were empty, save for the men who rowed
them. Their armed cargo had been left ashore.

Back to the ships they pulled, to return again presently with a fresh
load of armed men, which similarly they conveyed to Palomas. And at last
one of the Spanish officers ventured an explanation:

"They are going to attack us by land--to attempt to storm the fort."

"Of course." The Admiral smiled. "I had guessed it. Whom the gods would
destroy they first make mad."

"Shall we make a sally?" urged Esteban, in his excitement.

"A sally? Through that scrub? That would be to pla