r us to
hoist the signal by which the pilot is to identify us. Mr Perkins,
have the goodness to bend on Y and run it up to the fore truck, if you
please."

A minute later, Don Hermoso and Carlos made their appearance on the top
of the deck-house, just as Y--a rectangular flag composed of red and
yellow diagonal stripes--went soaring up to the fore-mast-head.

"Good-morning, Jack! good-morning, Captain!" said Don Hermoso. "Is that
red-and-yellow flag the prearranged signal agreed upon for our
identification by the pilot and the people on shore?"

"It is, Senor," answered Milsom. "There is Cape Frances, on our port
bow--no doubt you recognise it--and if your pilot is keeping a proper
lookout, he ought to spot us immediately upon our rounding that point."

"And no doubt he will, Captain," returned Don Hermoso. "So that is Cape
Frances? No, I do not recognise it, Senor, for I have never before
passed it at sea. And those are the Sierras de los Organos yonder, and
the Sierras del Rosario farther on to the right. I recognise them, of
course. And--yes, surely--just to the right of that isolated peak I can
see what must certainly be the town of Pinar del Rio! We are not far
from home now, Carlos, and if all goes well with us to-day we ought to-
night to sleep in our own casa, and see dear little Isolda once more.
The child will rejoice to have us with her again."

"Yes," said Carlos, "and I shall not only rejoice to see her again, but
to know that you are once more on the spot to look after her. In her
last letter to me, received at Key West, she mentioned that Don
Sebastian Alvaros has been a most persistent visitor to the house ever
since we left Cuba, and I have my doubts of that man. I did not mention
the matter to you when I received the letter, as I did not wish to make
you feel uneasy; but now that we may hope to be at home to-night I think
it only right that you should know."

"Ah!" remarked Don Hermoso; "I will see that Don Sebastian's visits are
discouraged henceforth. It is true that I know nothing against him--
indeed, he is spoken of as a very promising officer--still, like
yourself, Carlos, I do not altogether trust him; he is not precisely a
desirable acquaintance, and I will endeavour to make him understand that
he is not wanted at the hacienda."

At this moment the _Thetis_ passed Cape Frances and opened out into the
Bay of Cortes.

"There is our destination, gentlemen," said Milsom, pointi