he said, showing the sailor his glittering steel blade.
"It will be fatal to you if you do."

Young Glory's position was a maddening one. He was in possession of a
secret, and was unable to disclose it in the proper quarter. But he
never lost sight of the fact that it might yet be possible for him to
get away from the Spaniard, and his brain was busily at work upon the
project.

It is doubtful if he would have succeeded if fortune had not favored
him.

Two sailors, coming along, were thrown nearly off their feet as the
vessel lurched, and in saving themselves they fell with outstretched
hands against the boat.

The cutter toppled over on the Spaniard. Young Glory quicker than he in
moving, had rolled to one side.

In a moment the Spaniard had recovered himself, and furiously threw
himself at Young Glory. But the latter was prepared now. He caught the
Spaniard by the arm, wrested the dagger from him, and then with a
tremendous effort he hurled the man backwards, throwing him off the deck
into the sea.

"Help! Help!" screamed the poor wretch.

But it was too late. The cruiser was sailing at a fast pace, the sea was
running high, and the night was dark. Long before a boat could have
reached him he would have sunk.

Young Glory had no time to lose.

He was rushing away when the two sailors barred his path, and one of
them handled him somewhat roughly.

"Shiver me! you lubber, but you don't pass," he said.

"That's right, Bill, we don't allow murders on this ship."

"Stand aside!" cried Young Glory, hotly, "or it will be the worse for
you. I must see Mr. Tyler instantly on a matter of life and death."

"Young Glory!" the two sailors cried.

"Yes, and now you know me, perhaps you will let me pass. If you have a
complaint to make against me do so, and I shall know how to defend
myself. You know where to find me when wanted, for I'm not likely to
leave the ship."

The men let him go, and he tore along towards the cabin which Lieutenant
Tyler was using.

Meanwhile, let us see what was happening below.

Manuel and Juan had not lost a moment.

They had hurried below, and passing rapidly around, had given the word
to all their friends that the time had come to act.

Half a dozen Spaniards who had been assisting in the work of the ship
collected together, so as to prevent any one getting near the magazine
to render help. The officers took charge of the more dangerous end of
the scheme.

It was necessary t