ick to see that he must hammer home the facts, though
in more serious vein.

"Bring us to the island, Senhor De Sylva," he said, "and we will make a
fight of it. In any case, even if we fail, they will not deliberately
kill a woman. There must be other women there who will intervene in
behalf of one of their own sex. But we may succeed. It is improbable
that the whole of the troops will be gathered in one spot. Why should
we not take some small detachment by surprise and secure their weapons?
If we can land unobserved, we ought to be able to drop on them
apparently from the skies. I take it that the presence here of Captain
San Benavides is unknown, and the leadership of an officer in the
enemy's own uniform should turn the scale in our favor. Have you no
followers among the troops or islanders? Suppose we make good our
first attack, and seize a strong position--isn't it probable we may
receive assistance from your partisans?"

"Perhaps--among the convicts," was De Sylva's grim reply.

"No officials, or soldiers?"

"Not one. They are chosen for this service on account of their
animosity against the former Government. How else could you account
for their treatment of unarmed men on a ship crippled by their first
shell?"

"You spoke of a steam launch. Where is that kept?"

"At a wharf under the walls of the citadel which commands the town and
anchorage."

"Assuming we have a stroke of luck and rush some outpost, would it be
possible to cross the island before dawn and board the launch or some
other craft in which we can put to sea?"

"There is only the launch, and some small fishing catamarans. No other
boats are allowed to exist on the island, in order to prevent the
escape of convicts. The boat we possess is really a badly-constructed
catamaran, without a sail, and minus the out-rigger which alone renders
it safe for the shortest voyage."

"Wy didn't you say that sooner, mister?" put in Coke. "If some of
these jokers knew wot sort of craft it was, mebbe it wouldn't 'ave
needed a shove in the stommick to bring Hans Olsen to heel."

"I am sorry," said De Sylva. "You see, I realized the utter folly of
trying to escape in that fashion."

The two men looked each other squarely in the eye. The ex-President of
a great republic and the master of a worn-out tramp steamer were both
born leaders of men. Whatsoever prospect of a cabal existed
previously, it was scotched now, beyond doubt. Henceforth,