pour their troops into
Cuba by the thousand. Disease, our insidious ally and insurgent bullets
will take care of all they can send."

"Aye, but the bullets are getting scarce, O'Connor."

"Ah, but there are enough here to do for ten thousand Spaniards," cried
Dynamite, stamping excitedly on the deck, "and there will always be
enough to go around so long as O'Connor lives, and the planks of the
_Mariella_ hold together."

The woolly head and grinning countenance of George Washington Jenks
showed above the top step of the companionway.

"And what of Gomez, Morgan?"

"Gomez is now with President Betancourt at Cubitas, waiting for a report
of your expedition."

"He shall have it within forty-eight hours Are your men ready for the
landing?"

"The lagoon is guarded inland and shore. There is not a Spaniard within
twenty miles."

"Then we will begin at once. What are you doing on the quarter-deck, you
black rogue?"

The captain had just discovered Jenks as he stood respectfully at the
head of the companionway, apparently awaiting orders.

"Sut'nly, the Cap'n call?"

"No, I didn't call, blockhead. Get below."

"Ah, ain't such a mucher as a guesser, but sut'nly I guess the cap'n
stamp him foot."

"You're right, Washington. I did stamp, but I didn't want you. However,
as long as you are here bring out a chair for Captain Morgan and that
box of cigars on my cabin table."

"Well, Washington, you are back in Cuba with a whole skin again," said
Morgan, cordially extending his hand to the negro.

"Cap'n Morgan, suah," said Jenks, carefully rubbing his hand on his
trousers before accepting the captain's. "Ah'm right glad to see you
again, sah. O yes, sah, George Wash Jenks' skin am whole, sah. Cap'n
Dynamite, he see to that, sah. Nevah leave Cap'n Dynamite, sah."

"That's right, Washington, stick to the captain and he'll pull you
through, and Cuba needs a few more honest hearts like yours."

"Ah serve Cap'n Dynamite, sah. He serve Cuba."

With great dignity the negro turned away and entered the cabin.

"An honest fellow, O'Connor, and seems devoted to you."

"Yes, I think Washington would follow me to the ends of the earth; but
what are the orders, captain? We must be up and doing. I should not like
to lie here long enough for the Spaniards to discover our
landing-place."

"Ah, there I am as ignorant as you. Here are sealed instructions from
Gomez."

Captain Morgan handed a packet to O'Connor, who broke t