ng, through
a powerful pair of binoculars lent him by Jack, a brief glimpse of the
_James B. Potter_ at anchor in the bay, surrounded by a whole flotilla
of boats, with steam winches hard at work, and great cases swinging over
the side from all three hatchways at the same moment. It was a scurvy
trick of fate, he explained to Jack, that he should have been so very
near to making a capture important enough to have insured his promotion,
and to have had success snatched from him at the moment when it was all
but within his grasp. Jack emphatically agreed with him that it was,
but rather spoiled the effect immediately afterward by asking: "What
about the damage to his engines?" It was, however, obviously a case in
which nothing could be done but wait patiently until the necessary
repairs could be effected; and, after all, there was, as Jack pointed
out, just one solitary grain of comfort in the situation, in that the
breakdown had occurred while the yacht was still far enough from the
shore to be safe from the peril of stranding. Had the accident been
deferred until the vessel was on the point of entering the passage
through the reef, the yacht would undoubtedly have been flung by the sea
upon the sharp coral and dashed to pieces; when the furious surf, which
was at that moment foaming and swirling over the reef, and to which Jack
directed Villacampa's attention, must have inevitably drowned every soul
on board. This was a fact so patent to the meanest comprehension that
the Spanish lieutenant speedily forgot his disappointment, and hastened
up on to the deck-house to explain to the ladies how narrow had been
their escape from a terrible shipwreck, and to congratulate them upon
the circumstance that they were still alive.

Meanwhile, the deck hands, under Milsom's supervision, had been busily
engaged in getting up on deck and rigging a sea anchor, which was
dropped overboard when the yacht had drifted some three miles to the
westward of the Cayo Blanco passage; and as there was a strong current
setting eastward at the time, the effect was not only to bring the yacht
head to wind and sea, and cause her to ride very much more easily and
comfortably, but also to effectually check her further drift to the
westward. Then came dinner in the saloon, and as Villacampa took his
seat at the elegantly appointed table, and noted with keen appreciation
the prompt and orderly service of the luxurious meal, he felt fully
confirmed