h, keep quiet," said Mason, "don't you see old Dynamite is going to
say something? Perhaps he may let us into his secret. He seems to be
feeling pretty good natured."

"Gentlemen," said the captain, rising at his seat, "fill your glasses."

As he spoke, he passed a black bottle that stood at his right hand to
the mate, who filled his glass and passed the bottle on to the
engineer.

"There is lemonade in that pitcher at your hand, youngsters," said the
captain. "Fill your glasses."

The boys did as directed and the captain raised his glass of grog high
in air. His men rose silently from their seats and did likewise.

"Here's to the good cause and confusion to its enemies," he said, in a
deep voice.

"Good luck to the cause," shouted the men as they dashed off their
liquor and sat solemnly down again.

For half an hour scarcely a word was spoken, as they all did full
justice to the cook's excellent dinner. When they were through, the
steward removed the cloth and the captain brought out a box of cigars
which he passed around, this time not overlooking the boys, but they
each refused, with thanks. The steward replaced the black bottle and it
made another circuit of the table. After a short silence, during which
the men puffed vigorously on their cigars, the captain said quietly:

"Men, to-morrow we begin to get busy. You all know what dangers we are
facing and you have all been through them before. I know you will acquit
yourselves well if it comes to a tight rub, for your hearts are all
with the cause. That we may all know to what end to bend our individual
endeavors, and in case anything should happen to any of us, I will now
read to you the orders under which we are sailing. Always remember our
compact. We have our numbers. If number one falls, number two takes
command, and to him you give your true allegiance, always with your
minds free from personal ambitions and petty jealousies, working only as
human machines for the good of the cause."

The men turned and looked nervously in the direction of the boys. The
captain noticed their suspicious glances.

"Do not fear," he said, addressing particularly the furtive-eyed Suarez,
"I will answer for them. They are my guests."

There was in the captain's tone just a touch of defiance, as if he
challenged opposition to his views.

"Now listen, and mark well the directions in the order. It is in
Spanish, but I will read it to you in English, as I believe none among