tell your friends so."

Dan reached forward towards the fuse which was still burning.

"Lay a hand on that, and I kill you," said the Spaniard, savagely.

"Shure, an' it was only my pipe I was afther lightin'."

"Get out of this," answered Manuel, hotly. "I am in no humor for
trifling."

"Well, boys, it's as true as gospel."

"You saw it, Dan?"

"Faith, yes, he's in the magazine, wid a great fuse lighted, an' shure
it's mighty little between us and eternity."

Juan spoke again.

"I must see your captain," he said.

"For what?"

"To propose certain terms to him."

"He will refuse."

"Let him. At least, you have no right to do so for him. Recollect that
my friend, Manuel, has you all in his power still."

"Senor, no one will harm you; you are free to pass to Lieutenant Tyler's
room. I believe you know where it is."

"Yes."

Through the close ranks of the American seamen Juan threaded his way,
smiling pleasantly at the scowling faces and threatening looks he saw
on all sides of him.

"I can afford to smile," he said to himself, "for I hold all the tricks
in my hand!"

CHAPTER XIV.

JUAN AND LIEUT. TYLER--WHAT YOUNG GLORY DID.

Lieutenant Tyler knew what was happening.

He had been roused from sleep a few minutes before Juan made his
appearance, and he was busily getting into such parts of his uniform as
he had discarded before lying down.

"You are a bold man!" he said to Juan, "to present yourself to me on
such a mission."

"I claim no credit for audacity, senor. The merit of the plot lies with
my friend, Manuel."

"Well, what have you to say?"

"Very few words. The ship is in our power."

"Your treacherous comrade has obtained possession of the magazine, you
mean?"

"It is the same thing. I will tell you my terms."

"Terms!"

"Yes, terms!" assured Juan, haughtily. "Every dog has his day, as I
believe an English proverb says. It was yours yesterday. It is ours now.
You must release the Spanish prisoners."

"Never!"

"And hand back the ship," Juan went on, without noticing the
interruption, "to Captain Moret."

"And if I decline?"

"I make the same answer as I made just now. We shall blow up the ship.
If we can't obtain our cruiser again, at least we can prevent it from
being of any use to you, and we will sacrifice our lives gladly for such
a purpose."

"This is insanity."

"Call it what you please, senor. I call it patriotism."

The responsibility now thrown on