f the sergeants now. He'd
hold that little walking-stick of his with both hands tight and close up
under his left arm, stand werry stiff, and drop his head a little on one
side as he looked down at them; and then he'd give a sniff, and that
would be all."

But Don Ramon did not despise his followers. He was bustling about
among them, addressing and exhorting and working them up to a tremendous
pitch of excitement, making them shout and cheer till they were hoarse.
Then they swarmed into the rigging and clustered in the shrouds, to wave
their rifles and hats at the crowd gathering upon the shore and cheering
shrilly in reply, the men's voices being mingled with those of women and
children, who seemed to be welcoming them as their deliverers.

"Well, it's all right, Don Ramon," said the skipper, who was standing by
Burgess busily conning the schooner as she glided in now towards the
shore.

"Yes," cried the Don proudly; "it is what you call all right. You see
there will be no fighting now."

_Bang_! went a gun from the fort, and the lads started as they gazed at
the grey ball of smoke which began to turn golden as it rose in the air.

"They're reckoning without the fort," said Fitz excitedly, as he
strained his eyes in vain for the ball which he expected to see come
skipping over the smooth water.

"Yes," said Poole.--"No: it was a blank. Look, they are hauling down
the flag. Oh, it's all right. A regular walk-over. Three cheers for
Don Ramon!"

"Yes," shouted the skipper. "With a will, my lads! Three cheers for
Don Ramon!" And they were given with such energy that the Don sprang up
upon the cabin-light, to bow and press his hands to his breast.

He was down again the next instant, to run to the skipper and catch and
wring his hands.

"You see," he cried, "the people are with me. But you will help me
still?"

"As far as I can," was the reply; "but you must not call upon me to land
my men and help you in your fight with Villarayo."

"No?" said the Don, in a questioning way.

"No," replied the skipper. "The fight at the hacienda was an exception.
I was driven to that."

"But you will help me still? The arms--the ammunition?"

"Yes; it is our duty to land everything safely to your order."

"Then I want the rifles and cartridges now."

"Yes," said the skipper. "You feel satisfied that it will be safe to
have them landed?"

"Quite. So as to arm my friends."

"Then as soon as your men are