trying, ever since '68, to induce the Spaniards
to govern us mildly and justly, but thus far all our efforts have been
fruitless: we are still being ground down and tyrannised over until the
lives of many of us have become a burden; neither the property, the
liberty, nor the life of any Cuban is safe to-day, unless he is well-
known to be a supporter of the Spanish Government. After more than a
quarter of a century of patient but ineffectual effort, therefore, it
has been determined to take up arms, strike a blow for liberty, and
never rest until Cuba is free from the hated Spanish yoke.

"It is in connection with this movement that the Pater and I are now in
England. It is now nearly a year since Senor Marti--the man who above
all others has been conspicuous in his efforts on behalf of Cuba--got
hold of the Pater and succeeded in convincing him that it is the duty of
every Cuban to do his utmost to free his country from the grasp of the
tyrant; and one of the first-fruits of this was the giving of an order
by the Pater--through a friend--for the construction of a fast steam-
yacht, to be used as may be required in the service of the country, but
primarily for the purpose of smuggling arms, ammunition, and necessaries
of all kinds into the island. Now, by a singular coincidence, this
friend and agent of the Pater chose your firm as that which should build
the yacht; and now we, having been advised that she is ready for
delivery--"

"What!" exclaimed Singleton, "you surely don't mean to say that Number
78 is your boat?"

"Yes," answered Montijo quietly; "that is the number by which she is at
present known, I believe."

"Then, Carlos, my dear boy, accept my most hearty congratulations!"
exclaimed Singleton. "Our naval constructor has let himself go, and
fairly outdone himself over that craft. It was a difficult task that
you gave him to do when you asked for a boat of not less than three
hundred tons on eight feet draught of water, and with a sea speed of
twenty-two knots; but he has done it, and the result is that you have,
in Number 78, the prettiest little boat that ever swam. Why, man, she
has already done twenty-four knots over the measured mile, on her full
draught of water, and in a fairly heavy sea; and she is the very
sweetest sea boat that it is possible to imagine. Of course we could
not have done it had we not boldly adopted the new-fashioned turbine
principle for her engines; but they work to perf