to Don Ramon.

"Excellent!" exclaimed the latter; "nothing could be better, for it is
absolutely safe. Very well, Senor, we will use this cipher, then, in
communicating with each other; and you will wire to me upon your arrival
at Guantanamo. Meanwhile, I will make it my business to watch the
course of events here, and be prepared to furnish you with all the news
as soon as I hear of your return. Now, is there anything else remaining
to be arranged?"

They both considered for several minutes, and at length came to the
conclusion that there was not. Whereupon, breakfast having been by this
time dispatched, Jack rose and took his leave, laden down with kind and
encouraging messages for the Montijos, to be delivered when the rescue
of the family should have been accomplished.

From Don Ramon's house Jack made his way to the British Consulate, where
he bade farewell to the Consul, explaining to that gentleman that he was
tired of shore life, and intended to go to sea for a change; and that,
further, he did not in the least know whether he should return, or
whether he should decide to go home.

"If you will take my advice, young gentleman," said the Consul, "you
will go home--and stay there; or, at least, you will stay away from Cuba
until all these troubles are over."

Jack promised that he would give that advice his most careful
consideration; after which he bade his fellow-countryman adieu, and made
his way aboard the yacht, where Milsom was found busily arranging to
take the _Thetis_ alongside a coal hulk as soon as the water lighter had
cast off. The remainder of that day was a busy time for both men, for
Milsom still had his clearance to effect, and all the stores to receive;
while Jack spent the afternoon at the railway station awaiting the
arrival of the baggage, the due dispatch of which Calderon had notified
to him by telegraph. It arrived late in the afternoon, and was taken
straight aboard the yacht, where it was placed at haphazard in the
cabins lately occupied by the various members of the Montijo family.
Then, when at length the bustle of preparation was ended, and the yacht
was in condition to leave at a moment's notice, Jack and Milsom
adjourned to the chart-house to discuss those matters which were to
ensue upon the departure of the _Thetis_ from Havana harbour.

"Now," said Singleton, as he took from a drawer in the chart case a
large-scale chart of Cuba, and laid it on top of the case, "how l