z was no longer on board, Milsom having informed him
that he could now dispense with his services--for it was one of
Lieutenant Philip Milsom's characteristics that when he had once
witnessed the navigation of any particular passage he could at any time
thereafter perform the same feat of navigation himself; he therefore now
took sole charge of the yacht and skilfully navigated her out of the
lagoon and into the open sea, setting the course for Calonna, after
which he again calmly seated himself at the table and asked for another
cup of tea.

The yacht, running at about eleven knots, had accomplished a little more
than half the distance between the lagoon and Calonna when smoke was
seen ahead, and a few minutes later a steamer was made out coming toward
them. There was nothing alarming in this, of course, for small coasting
steamers are constantly plying between the various ports along the coast
of Cuba: but it was not long ere it became apparent, from the rig of the
approaching craft--which was that of a three-masted schooner--that she
was a Government vessel, probably a gunboat; and Milsom made no secret
of his relief at the fact that everything of a compromising nature had
been safely got out of the _Thetis_. Any doubt that might have existed
as to the character of the stranger was soon dispelled; for when she
arrived within about a mile of the _Thetis_ she hoisted the Spanish
naval ensign at her mizen peak and, slowing down, rounded-to athwart the
yacht's course, at the same time hoisting the international signal,
"Heave-to; I am sending a boat!"

"What is the proper thing to do, Phil?" demanded Jack, when Milsom read
out the interpretation of the signal. "He has no right to stop us, has
he?"

"Certainly not," answered Milsom. "If he suspects us of an intention to
smuggle he may follow and watch us, of course; but to stop us in this
high-handed fashion is coming it rather too strong. He knows that we
are an English yacht, for there are our ensign and burgee to bear
witness to the fact. Nevertheless, since we have happily got rid of
everything of a compromising nature, we may as well heave-to and allow
him to board us, when you, Jack, in your character as owner, may make as
much fuss as you please--the more the better--and threaten to report
him, also to complain to your Government of the insult and outrage to
which he has subjected you. In short, `bluff' him for all that you're
worth."

"All right!" said