第4章

"Sinceseeingthosefires，"heexplained，"IfeelastrangereluctanceaboutshowingmyselfinthisuniformtoaCoastGuard。"

"CoastGuardsdon’tshoot！"mockedBirrell。"Theyonlylookatthecloudsthroughatelescope。ThreeGermanswithriflesoughttobeabletofrightenoneCoastGuardwithatelescope。"

ThewhitewashedcabinoftheCoastGuardwasperchedontheedgeofthecliff。Behinditthedownsranbacktomeettheroad。Thedoorofthecabinwasopenandfromitashaftoflightcutacrossatinygardenandshowedthewhitefenceandthewalkofshells。v"Wemustpassinsinglefileinfrontofthatlight，"

whisperedFord，"Andthen，afterwearesurehehasseenus，wemustrunlikethedevil！"

"I’moninthatlastscene，"growledHerbert。

"Only，"repeatedFordwithemphasis，"Wemustbesurehehasseenus。"

Nottwentyfeetfromthemcameaburstingroar，aflash，manyroars，manyflashes，manybullets。

"He’sseenus！"yelledBirrell。

AfterthelightfromhisopendoorhadshownhimoneGermansoldierfullyarmed，theCoastGuardhadseennothingfurther。Butjudgingfromtheshrieksofterrorandthesoundsoffallingbodiesthatfollowedhisfirstshot，hewasconvincedhewashemmedinbyanarmy，andheproceededtosellhislifedearly。Clipafterclipofcartridgesheemptiedintothenight，nowtothefront，nowtotherear，nowouttosea，nowathisownshadowinthelamp—light。TothepeopleaquarterofamileawayatMorstonitsoundedlikeabattle。

Afterrunninghalfamile，Ford，bruisedandbreathless，fellatfulllengthonthegrassbesidethecar。Nearit，tearingfromhispersonthelastvestigesofaGermanuniform，hefoundBirrell。Healsowaspuffingpainfully。

"WhathappenedtoHerbert？"pantedFord。

"Idon’tknow，"gaspedBirrell，"WhenIsawhimlasthewasdivingoverthecliffintothesea。Howmanytimesdidyoudie？"

"Abouttwenty！"groanedtheAmerican，"And，besidesbeingdead，Iamseverelywounded。Everytimehefired，Ifellonmyface，andeachtimeIhitarock！"

Ascarecrowofafigureappearedsuddenlyintheraysofthehead—lights。ItwasHerbert，scratched，bleeding，drippingwithwater，andcladsimplyinashirtandtrousers。Hedraggedouthiskitbagandfellintohisgolfclothes。

"AnybodywhowantsaperfectlygoodGermanuniform，"hecried，"canhavemine。Ileftitinthefirstrowofbreakers。Itdidn’tfitme，anyway。"

Theothertwouniformswerehiddenintheseatofthecar。

Theriflesandhelmets，tolendcolortotheinvasion，weredroppedintheopenroad，andfiveminuteslaterthreegentlemenininconspicuousHarristweeds，andwithgolfclubsprotrudingfromeverypartoftheircar，turnedintotheshoreroadtoCromer。Whattheysawbroughtswiftterrortotheirguiltysoulsandthecartoanabrupthalt。Beforethemwasaregimentofregularsadvancingincolumnoffours，atthe"double。"AnofficersprangtothefrontofthecarandseatedhimselfbesideFord。

"I’llhavetocommandeerthis，"hesaid。"RunbacktoCromer。Don’tcrushmymen，butgolikethedevil！"

"Weheardfiringhere，"explainedtheofficer"attheCoastGuardstation。TheGuarddrovethembacktothesea。Hecountedoveradozen。Theymadeprettypoorpractice，forheisn’twounded，buthisgravelwalklooksasthoughsomeonehaddrawnaharrowoverit。Iwonder，"exclaimedtheofficersuddenly，"ifyouarethethreegentlemenwhofirstgavethealarmtoColonelRaglanandthenwentontowarntheothercoasttowns。Because，ifyouare，hewantsyournames。"

Fordconsideredrapidly。Ifhegavefalsenamesandthatfactwerediscovered，theywouldbesuspectedandinvestigated，andtheworstmighthappen。Soherepliedthathisfriendsandhimselfprobablywerethementowhomtheofficerreferred。HeexplainedtheyhadbeenreturningfromCromer，wheretheyhadgonetoplaygolf，whentheyhadbeenheldupbytheGermans。

"Youwereluckytoescape，"saidtheofficer"Andinkeepingontogivewarningyouweretakingchances。IfImaysayso，wethinkyoubehavedextremelywell。"

Fordcouldnotanswer。Hisguiltyconscienceshamedhimintosilence。Withhissirenshriekingandhishorntooting，hewasforcingthecarthroughlanesofarmedmen。Theypackedeachsideoftheroad。Theywerebankedbehindthehedges。

Theircamp—firesblazedfromeveryhill—top。

"Yourregimentseemstohaveturnedouttoaman！"exclaimedFordadmiringly。

"MYregiment！"snortedtheofficer。"You’vepassedthroughfiveregimentsalready，andthereareasmanymoreinthedarkplaces。They’reeverywhere！"hecriedjubilantly。

"AndIthoughttheywereonlywhereyouseethecamp—fires，"

exclaimedFord。

"That’swhattheGermansthink，"saidtheofficer。"It’sworkinglikeaclock，"hecriedhappily。"Therehasn’tbeenahitch。AssoonastheygotyourwarningtoColonelRaglan，theycamedowntothecoastlikeawave，onfoot，bytrains，bymotors，andatnineo’clocktheGovernmenttookoveralltherailroads。Thecountyregiments，regulars，yeomanry，territorials，havebeenspreadalongthisshoreforthirtymiles。DowninLondontheGuardsstartedtoDoverandBrightontwohoursago。TheAutomobileClubinthefirsthourcollectedtwohundredcarsandturnedthemovertotheGuardsinBirdCageWalk。CodyandGrahame—WhiteandeightofhisairmenleftHendonanhouragotoreconnoitrethesouthcoast。AdmiralBeattyhasstartedwiththeChannelSquadrontoheadofftheGermanconvoyintheNorthSea，andthetorpedodestroyershavebeensenttolieoutsideofHeligoland。We’llgetthatbackbydaylight。Andonlandeveryoneofthethreeservicesisunderarms。Onthiscoastalonebeforesunrisewe’llhaveonehundredthousandmen，andfromColchesterthebrigadedivisionofartillery，fromIpswichtheR。H。A。’swithsiege—guns，field—guns，quick—

firing—guns，allkindsofgunsspreadoutovereveryfootofgroundfromheretoHunstanton。Theythoughtthey’dgiveusasurpriseparty。Theywillnevergiveusanothersurpriseparty！"

OnthetopofthehillatOverstrand，theheadwaiteroftheEastCliffHotelandthebeardedGermanstoodinthegardenbackofthehousewiththeforbiddingwalls。Fromtheroadinfrontcameunceasinglythetrampandshuffleofthousandsofmarchingfeet，therumbleofheavycannon，theclankingoftheirchains，thevoicesofmentrainedtocommandraisedinsharp，confidentorders。Theskywasilluminatedbycountlessfires。Everywindowofeverycottageandhotelblazedwithlights。Thenighthadbeenturnedintoday。TheeyesofthetwoGermanswereliketheeyesofthosewhohadpassedthroughanearthquake，ofthosewholookedupontheburningofSanFrancisco，uponthedestructionofMessina。

"Wewerebetrayed，general，"whisperedthehead—waiter。

"Wewerebetrayed，baron，"repliedthebeardedone。

"Butyouwereintimetowarntheflotilla。"

Withasigh，theoldermannodded。

"ThelastmessageIreceivedoverthewireless，"hesaid，"beforeIdestroyedit，read，’Yourmessageunderstood。Wearereturning。Ourmovementswillbeexplainedasmanoeuvres。

And，"addedthegeneral，"TheEnglish，havingdrivenusback，willbewillingtoofficiallyacceptthatexplanation。Asmanoeuvres，thisnightwillgodownintohistory。Returntothehotel，"hecommanded，"Andintwomonthsyoucanrejoinyourregiment。"

OnthemorningaftertheinvasiontheNewYorkRepublicpublishedamapofGreatBritainthatcoveredthreecolumnsandawood—cutofFordthatwasspreadoverfive。Beneathitwasprinted："LesterFord，ourLondoncorrespondent，capturedbytheGermans；heescapesandisthefirsttowarntheEnglishpeople。"

Onthesamemorning，InaneditorialinTheTimesofLondon，appearedthisparagraph：

"TheGermanswerefirstseenbytheHon。ArthurHerbert，theeldestsonofLordCinaris；Mr。PatrickHeadfordBirrell——

bothofBalliolCollege，Oxford；andMr。LesterFord，thecorrespondentoftheNewYorkRepublic。Thesegentlemenescapedfromthelandingpartythattriedtomakethemprisoners，andatgreatriskproceededintheirmotor—caroverroadsinfestedbytheGermanstoallthecoasttownsofNorfolk，warningtheauthorities。Shouldthewarofficefailtorecognizetheirservices，thepeopleofGreatBritainwillprovethattheyarenotungrateful。"

AweeklaterthreeyoungmensatatdinnerontheterraceoftheSavoy。

"Shallwe，orshallwenot，"askedHerbert，"tellmyunclethatwethree，andwethreealone，weretheinvaders？"

"That’shardlycorrect，"saidFord，"aswenowknowthereweretwohundredthousandinvaders。Weweretheonlythreewhogotashore。"

"Ivotewedon’ttellhim，"saidBirrell。"LethimthinkwitheverybodyelsethattheGermansblundered；thatanadvancepartylandedtoosoonandgavetheshowaway。Ifwetalk，"heargued，"We’llgetcreditforasuccessfulhoax。Ifwekeepquiet，everybodywillcontinuetothinkwesavedEngland。I’mcontenttoletitgoatthat。"

Chapter4。BLOODWILLTELL

DavidGreenewasanemployeeoftheBurdettAutomaticPunchCompany。ThemanufacturingplantofthecompanywasatBridgeport，butintheNewYorkofficestherewereworkingsamplesofallthepunches，fromthelittlenickel—platedhandpunchwithwhichconductorssqueezedholesinrailroadtickets，tothebigpunchthatcouldbiteintoanironplateaseasilyasintoapieceofpie。David’sdutywastoexplainthesedifferentpunches，andaccordinglywhenBurdettSeniororoneofthesonsturnedacustomerovertoDavidhespokeofhimasasalesman。

ButDavidcalledhimselfa"demonstrator。"Forashorttimeheevensucceededinpersuadingtheothersalesmentospeakofthemselvesasdemonstrators，buttheshippingclerksandbookkeeperslaughedthemoutofit。TheycouldnotlaughDavidoutofit。Thiswasso，partlybecausehehadnosenseofhumor，andpartlybecausehehadagreat—great—grandfather。AmongthesalesmenonlowerBroadway，topossessagreat—great—grandfatherisunusual，evenagreat—grandfatherisararity，andeitherisconsideredsuperfluous。ButtoDavidthepossessionofagreat—great—grandfatherwasapreciousandopendelight。Hehadpossessedhimonlyforashorttime。Undoubtedlyhealwayshadexisted，butitwasnotuntilDavid’ssisterAnnemarriedadoctorinBordentown，NewJersey，andbecamesociallyambitious，thatDavidemergedasaSonofWashington。

ItwassisterAnne，anxiousto"getin"asa"Daughter"andwearadistaffpininhershirtwaist，whodiscoveredtherevolutionaryancestor。Sheunearthedhim，orratherranhimtoearth，inthegraveyardofthePresbyterianchurchatBordentown。HewasnolessapersonthanGeneralHiramGreene，andhehadfoughtwithWashingtonatTrentonandatPrinceton。Ofthistherewasnodoubt。That，later，onmovingtoNewYork，hisdescendantsbecamepeace—lovingsalesmendidnotaffecthisrecord。Toenterasocietyfoundedonheredity，theimportantthingisfirsttocatchyourancestor，andhavingmadesureofhim，DavidenteredtheSocietyoftheSonsofWashingtonwithflyingcolors。Hewasnotunlikethemanwhohadbeenspeakingproseforfortyyearswithoutknowingit。Hewasnotunliketheothermanwhowoketofindhimselffamous。Hehadgonetobedatimid，near—sighted，underpaidsalesmanwithoutarelativeintheworld，exceptamarriedsisterinBordentown，andheawoketofindhewasadirectdescendantof"NeckorNothing"Greene，arevolutionaryhero，afriendofWashington，amanwhoseportraithungintheStateHouseatTrenton。David’slifehadlackedcolor。Thedayhecarriedhiscertificateofmembershiptothebigjewelrystoreuptownandpurchasedtworosettes，oneforeachofhistwocoats，wastheproudestofhislife。

TheothermenintheBroadwayofficetookadifferentview。AsWyckoff，oneofBurdett’sflyingsquadronoftravellingsalesmen，said，"Allgrandfatherslookaliketome，whetherthey’regreat，orgreat—great—great。Eachoneisasdeadastheother。I’dratherhavealivecousinwhocouldloanmeafive，orslipmeadrink。Whatdidyourgreat—greatdadeverdoforyou？"

"Well，foronething，"saidDavidstiffly，"hefoughtintheWaroftheRevolution。HesavedusfromtheshacklesofmonarchicalEngland；hemadeitpossibleformeandyoutoenjoythelibertiesofafreerepublic。"

"Don’ttrytotellmeyourgrandfatherdidallthat，"protestedWyckoff，"becauseIknowbetter。Therewerealotofothershelped。Ireadaboutitinabook。"

"Iamnotgrudgingglorytoothers，"returnedDavid；"IamonlysayingIamproudthatIamadescendantofarevolutionist。"

Wyckoffdivedintohisinnerpocketandproducedaleatherphotographframethatfoldedlikeaconcertina。

"Idon’twanttobeadescendant，"hesaid；"I’dratherbeanancestor。Lookatthose。"ProudlyheexhibitedphotographsofMrs。WyckoffwiththebabyandofthreeotherlittleWyckoffs。

Davidlookedwithenvyatthechildren。

"WhenI’mmarried，"hestammered，andatthewordsheblushed，"I

hopetobeanancestor。"

"Ifyou’rethinkingofgettingmarried，"saidWyckoff，"you’dbetterhopeforaraiseinsalary。"

TheotherclerkswereasunsympatheticasWyckoff。AtfirstwhenDavidshowedthemhisparchmentcertificate，andhissilvergiltinsigniawithononesideaportraitofWashington，andontheotheraContinentalsoldier，theyadmitteditwasdeadswell。

Theyevenenviedhim，notthegrandfather，butthefactthatowingtothatdistinguishedrelativeDavidwasconstantlyreceivingbeautifullyengravedinvitationstoattendthemonthlymeetingsofthesociety；tosubscribetoafundtoerectmonumentsonbattle—fieldstomarkneglectedgraves；tojoininjoyousexcursionstothetombofWashingtonorofJohnPaulJones；toinspectWestPoint，Annapolis，andBunkerHill；tobeamongthosepresentattheannual"banquet"atDelmonico’s。Inorderthatwhenheopenedtheselettershemighthaveanaudience，hehadgiventhesocietyhisofficeaddress。

Inthesecommunicationshewasalwaysaddressedas"DearCompatriot，"andneverdidthewordsfailtogivehimathrill。

TheyseemedtolifthimoutofBurdett’ssalesroomsandBroadway，andplacehimnexttothingsuncommercial，untainted，high，andnoble。Hedidnotquiteknowwhatanaristocratwas，butbebelievedbeingacompatriotmadehimanaristocrat。Whencustomerswererude，whenMr。JohnorMr。Robertwasoverbearing，thisideaenabledDavidtoriseabovetheirill—temper，andhewouldsmileandsaytohimself："Iftheyknewthemeaningofthebluerosetteinmybutton—hole，howdifferentlytheywouldtreatme！HoweasilywithawordcouldIcrushthem！"

Butfewofthecustomersrecognizedthesignificanceofthebutton。TheythoughtitmeantthatDavidbelongedtotheY。M。C。

A。orwasateetotaler。David，withhisgentlemannersandpale，asceticface，wasliabletogivethatimpression。

WhenWyckoffmentionedmarriage，thereasonDavidblushedwasbecause，althoughnooneintheofficesuspectedit，hewishedtomarrythepersoninwhomtheofficetookthegreatestpride。ThiswasMissEmilyAnthony，oneofBurdettandSons’youngest，mostefficient，andprettieststenographers，andalthoughDaviddidnotcutasdashingafigureasdidsomeofthefirm’stravellingmen，MissAnthonyhadfoundsomethinginhimsogreatlytoadmirethatshehad，outofofficehours，acceptedhisdevotion，histheatretickets，andanengagementring。Indeed，sofarhadmattersprogressed，thatithadbeenalmostdecidedwheninafewmonthstheywouldgoupontheirvacationstheyalsowouldgoupontheirhoneymoon。Andthenacloudhadcomebetweenthem，andfromaquarterfromwhichDavidhadexpectedonlysunshine。

ThetroublebefellwhenDaviddiscoveredhehadagreat—

great—grandfather。WiththatfactitselfMissAnthonywasalmostaspleasedaswasDavidhimself，butwhilehewascontenttobaskinanother’sglory，MissAnthonysawinhisinheritanceonlyanincentivetoachievegloryforhimself。

Fromahard—workingsalesmanshehadaskedbutlittle，butfromadescendantofanationalherosheexpectedotherthings。Shewasadeterminedyoungperson，andforDavidshewasanambitiousyoungperson。Shefoundshewasdissatisfied。Shefoundshewasdisappointed。Thegreat—great—grandfatherhadopenedupanewhorizon——had，inaway，raisedthestandard。ShewasasfondofDavidasalways，buthistalesofpastwarsandbattles，hisaccountsofpresentbanquetsatwhichhesatshouldertoshoulderwithmenofwhomevenBurdettandSonsspokewithawe，touchedherimagination。

"Youshouldn’tbecontenttojustwearabutton，"sheurged。"Ifyou’reaSonofWashington，yououghttoactlikeone。"

"IknowI’mnotworthyofyou，"Davidsighed。

"Idon’tmeanthat，andyouknowIdon’t，"Emilyrepliedindignantly。"Ithasnothingtodowithme！Iwantyoutobeworthyofyourself，ofyourgrandpaHiram！"

"ButHOW？"complainedDavid。"Whatchancehasatwenty—fivedollaraweekclerk——"

ItwasayearbeforetheSpanish—AmericanWar，whilethepatriotsofCubawerefightingthemothercountryfortheirindependence。

"IfIwereaSonoftheRevolution，"saidEmily，"I’dgotoCubaandhelpfreeit。"

"Don’ttalknonsense，"criedDavid。"IfIdidthatI’dlosemyjob，andwe’dneverbeabletomarry。Besides，what’sCubadoneforme？AllIknowaboutCubais，IoncesmokedaCubancigaranditmademeill。"

"DidLafayettetalklikethat？"demandedEmily。"DidheaskwhathavetheAmericanrebelseverdoneforme？"

"IfIwereinLafayette’sclass，"sighedDavid，"Iwouldn’tbesellingautomaticpunches。"

"There’syourtrouble，"declaredEmily"Youlackself—

confidence。You’retoohumble，you’vegotfightingbloodandyououghttokeepsayingtoyourself，’Bloodwilltell，’andthefirstthingyouknow，itWILLtell！Youmightbeginbygoingintopoliticsinyourward。Or，youcouldjointhemilitia。Thattakesonlyonenightaweek，andthen，ifweDIDgotowarwithSpain，you’dgetacommission，andcomebackacaptain！"

Emily’seyeswerebeautifulwithdelight。ButthesightgaveDavidnopleasure。Ingenuinedistress，heshookhishead。

"Emily，"hesaid，"you’regoingtobeawfullydisappointedinme。"

Emily’seyesclosedasthoughtheyshiedatsomementalpicture。

Butwhensheopenedthemtheywerebright，andhersmilewaskindandeager。

"No，I’mnot，"sheprotested；"onlyIwantahusbandwithacareer，andonewho’lltellmetokeepquietwhenItrytorunitforhim。"

"I’veoftenwishedyouwould，"saidDavid。

"Wouldwhat？Runyourcareerforyou？"

"No，keepquiet。Onlyitdidn’tseempolitetotellyouso。"

"MaybeI’dlikeyoubetter，"saidEmily，"ifyouweren’tsodarnedpolite。"

Aweeklater，earlyinthespringof1897，theunexpectedhappened，andDavidwaspromotedintotheflyingsquadron。Henowwasatravellingsalesman，withariseinsalaryandacommissiononorders。Itwasastepforward，butasgoingontheroadmeantabsencefromEmily，Davidwasnotelated。NordiditsatisfyEmily。Itwasnotmoneyshewanted。HerambitionforDavidcouldnotbesilencedwitharaiseinwages。Shedidnotsaythis，butDavidknewthatinhimshestillfoundsomethinglacking，andwhentheysaidgood—bytheybothwereillateaseandcompletelyunhappy。Formerly，eachdaywhenEmilyinpassingDavidintheofficesaidgood—morning，sheusedtoaddthenumberofthedaysthatstillseparatedthemfromthevacationwhichalsowastobetheirhoneymoon。But，forthelastmonthshehadstoppedcountingthedays——atleastshedidnotcountthemaloud。

Daviddidnotaskherwhythiswasso。Hedidnotdare。And，soonerthanlearnthetruththatshehaddecidednottomarryhim，orthatshewasevenconsideringnotmarryinghim，heaskednoquestions，butinignoranceofherpresentfeelingssetforthonhistravels。AbsencefromEmilyhurtjustasmuchashehadfeareditwould。Hemissedher，neededher，longedforher。Innumerouslettershetoldherso。But，owingtothefrequencywithwhichhemoved，herlettersnevercaughtupwithhim。Itwasalmostarelief。Hedidnotcaretothinkofwhattheymighttellhim。

TherouteassignedDavidtookhimthroughtheSouthandkepthimclosetotheAtlanticseaboard。Inobtainingordershewasnotunsuccessful，andattheendofthefirstmonthreceivedfromthefirmatelegramofcongratulation。ThiswasofimportancechieflybecauseitmightpleaseEmily。Butheknewthatinhereyesthegreat—great—grandsonofHiramGreenecouldnotrestcontentwithatelegramfromBurdettandSons。Ayearbeforeshewouldhaveconsidereditahighhonor，acauseforcelebration。Now，hecouldseeherpressherprettylipstogetherandshakeherprettyhead。Itwasnotenough。Buthowcouldheaccomplishmore。Hebegantohatehisgreat—great—grandfather。HebegantowishHiramGreenehadlivedanddiedabachelor。

AndthenDameFortunetookDavidinhandandtoyedwithhimandspankedhim，andpeltedandpettedhim，untilfinallyshemadehimherfavoriteson。DameFortunewentaboutthisworkinanabruptandarbitrarymanner。

Onthenightofthe1stofMarch，1897，twotrainswerescheduledtoleavetheUnionStationatJacksonvilleatexactlythesameminute，andtheyleftexactlyontime。AsneverbeforeinthehistoryofanySouthernrailroadhasthismiracleoccurred，itshowsthatwhenDameFortunegetsonthejobsheisomnipotent。

SheplacedDavidonthetraintoMiamiasthetrainhewanteddrewoutforTampa，andanhourlater，whentheconductorlookedatDavid’sticket，hepulledthebell—cordanddumpedDavidoverthesideintotheheartofapineforest。Ifhewalkedbackalongthetrackforonemile，theconductorreassuredhim，hewouldfindaflagstationwhereatmidnighthecouldflagatraingoingnorth。InanhouritwoulddeliverhimsafelyinJacksonville。

Therewasamoon，butforthegreaterpartofthetimeitwashiddenbyfitful，hurryingclouds，and，asDavidstumbledforward，atonemomenthewouldseetherailslikestreaksofsilver，andthenextwouldbeencompassedinacompleteandbewilderingdarkness。Hemadehiswayfromtietotieonlybyfeelingwithhisfoot。Afteranhourhecametoashed。Whetheritwasorwasnottheflagstationtheconductorhadinmind，hedidnotknow，andheneverdidknow。Hewastootired，toohot，andtoodisgustedtoproceed，anddroppinghissuitcasehesatdownundertheopenroofoftheshedpreparedtowaiteitherforthetrainordaylight。Sofarashecouldsee，oneverysideofhimstretchedaswamp，silent，dismal，interminable。Fromitsblackwaterrosedeadtrees，nakedofbarkandhungwithstreamersoffunerealmoss。Therewasnotasoundorsignofhumanhabitation。ThesilencewasthesilenceoftheoceanatnightDavidrememberedtheberthreservedforhimonthetraintoTampaandoftheloathingwithwhichhehadconsideredplacinghimselfbetweenitssheets。Butnowhowgladlywouldhewelcomeit！For，inthesleeping—car，ill—smelling，close，andstuffy，heatleastwouldhavebeensurroundedbyfellow—sufferersofhisownspecies。Herehiscompanionswereowls，water—snakes，andsleepingbuzzards。

Iamalone，"hetoldhimself，"onarailroadembankment，entirelysurroundedbyalligators。"

Andthenhefoundhewasnotalone。

Inthedarkness，illuminatedbyamatch，notahundredyardsfromhimthereflashedsuddenlythefaceofaman。Thenthematchwentoutandthefacewithit。Davidnotedthatithadappearedatsomeheightabovetheleveloftheswamp，atanelevationhighereventhanthatoftheembankment。Itwasasthoughthemanhadbeensittingonthelimbofatree。Davidcrossedthetracksandfoundthatonthesideoftheembankmentoppositetheshedtherewassolidgroundandwhatoncehadbeenawharf。Headvancedoverthiscautiously，andashedidsothecloudsdisappeared，andinthefulllightofthemoonhesawabayoubroadeningintoariver，andmadefasttothedecayedandrottingwharfanocean—goingtug。Itwasfromherdeckthattheman，inlightinghispipe，hadshownhisface。Atthethoughtofawarmengine—roomandthecompanyofhisfellowcreatures，David’sheartleapedwithpleasure。Headvancedquickly。Andthensomethingintheappearanceofthetug，somethingmysterious，secretive，threatening，causedhimtohalt。Nolightsshowedfromherengine—room，cabin，orpilot—house。Herdeckswereempty。

But，aswasevidencedbytheblacksmokethatrosefromherfunnel，shewasawakeandawaketosomepurpose。Davidstooduncertainly，questioningwhethertomakehispresenceknownorreturntothelonelinessoftheshed。Thequestionwasdecidedforhim。Hehadnotconsideredthatstandinginthemoonlighthewasaconspicuousfigure。Theplanksofthewharfcreakedandamancametowardhim。Asonewhomeanstoattack，orwhofearsattack，heapproachedwarily。Heworehighboots，ridingbreeches，andasombrero。Hewasalittleman，buthismovementswerealertandactive。ToDavidheseemedunnecessarilyexcited。

HethrusthimselfcloseagainstDavid。

"Whothedevilareyou？"demandedthemanfromthetug。"How’dyougethere？"

"Iwalked，"saidDavid。

"Walked？"themansnortedincredulously。

"Itookthewrongtrain，"explainedDavidpleasantly。"Theyputmeoffaboutamilebelowhere。Iwalkedbacktothisflagstation。I’mgoingtowaithereforthenexttrainnorth。"

Thelittlemanlaughedmockingly。

"Oh，noyou’renot，"hesaid。"Ifyouwalkedhere，youcanjustwalkawayagain！"Withasweepofhisarm，hemadeavigorousandperemptorygesture。

"Youwalk！"hecommanded。

"I’lldojustasIpleaseaboutthat，"saidDavid。

Asthoughtobringassistance，thelittlemanstartedhastilytowardthetug。

"I’llfindsomeonewho’llmakeyouwalk！"hecalled。"YouWAIT，that’sall，youWAIT！"

Daviddecidednottowait。Itwaspossiblethewharfwasprivatepropertyandhehadbeentrespassing。Inanycase，attheflagstationtherightsofallmenwereequal，andifhewereinforafighthejudgeditbesttochoosehisownbattle—ground。Herecrossedthetracksandsatdownonhissuitcaseinadarkcorneroftheshed。Himselfhiddenintheshadowshecouldseeinthemoonlighttheapproachofanyotherperson。

"They’reriverpirates，"saidDavidtohimself，"orsmugglers。

They’recertainlyuptosomemischief，orwhyshouldtheyobjecttothepresenceofaperfectlyharmlessstranger？"

Partlywithcold，partlywithnervousness，Davidshivered。

"Iwishthattrainwouldcome，"hesighed。Andinstantly？asthoughinanswertohiswish，fromonlyashortdistancedownthetrackheheardtherumbleandcreakofapproachingcars。InaflashDavidplannedhiscourseofaction。

Thethoughtofspendingthenightinaswampinfestedbyalligatorsandsmugglershadbecomeintolerable。Hemustescape，andhemustescapebythetrainnowapproaching。Tothatendthetrainmustbestopped。Hisplanwassimple。Thetrainwasmovingvery，veryslowly，andthoughhehadnolanterntowave，inordertobringittoahaltheneedonlystandonthetrackexposedtotheglareoftheheadlightandwavehisarms。Davidsprangbetweentherailsandgesticulatedwildly。Butinamazementhisarmsfelltohissides。Forthetrain，nowonlyahundredyardsdistantandcreepingtowardhimatasnail’space，carriednohead—light，andthoughinthemoonlightDavidwasplainlyvisible，itblewnowhistle，tollednobell。Eventhepassengercoachesintherearofthesightlessenginewerewrappedindarkness。Itwasaghostofatrain，aFlyingDutchmanofatrain，anightmareofatrain。Itwasasunrealastheblackswamp，asthemossonthedeadtrees，astheghostlytug—boattiedtotherottingwharf。

"Istheplacehaunted！"exclaimedDavid。

Hewasansweredbythegrindingofbrakesandbythetraincomingtoasharphalt。Andinstantlyfromeverysidemenfellfromittotheground，andthesilenceofthenightwasbrokenbyaconfusionofcallsandeagergreetingandquestionsandsharpwordsofcommand。

SofascinatedwasDavidinthestealthyarrivalofthetrainandinhermysteriouspassengersthat，untiltheyconfrontedhim，hedidnotnotetheequallystealthyapproachofthreemen。Oftheseonewasthelittlemanfromthetug。Withhimwasafat，red—facedIrish—AmericanHeworenocoatandhisshirt—sleevesweredrawnawayfromhishandsbygartersofpinkelastic，hisderbyhatwasbalancedbehindhisears，uponhisrighthandflashedanenormousdiamond。HelookedasthoughbutatthatmomenthehadstoppedslidingglassesacrossaBowerybar。Thethirdmancarriedtheoutwardmarksofasailor。Davidbelievedhewasthetallestmanhehadeverbeheld，butequallyremarkablewithhisheightwashisbeardandhair，whichwereofafiercebrick—dustred。Eveninthemildmoonlightitflamedlikeatorch。

"What’syourbusiness？"demandedthemanwiththeflamboyanthair。

"Icamehere，"beganDavid，"towaitforatrain——"

Thetallmanbellowedwithindignantrage。

"Yes，"heshouted；"thisisthesortofplaceanyonewouldpickouttowaitforatrain！"

InfrontofDavid’snoseheshookafistaslargeasacatcher’sglove。"Don’tyoulietoME！"hebullied。"DoyouknowwhoIam？

DoyouknowWHOyou’reupagainst？I’m——"

Thebarkeeperpersoninterrupted。

"Nevermindwhoyouare，"hesaid。"Weknowthat。FindoutwhoHE

is。"

Davidturnedappealinglytothebarkeeper。

"DoyousupposeI’dcomehereonpurpose？"heprotested。"I’matravellingman——"

"Youwon’ttravelanyto—night，"mockedthered—hairedone。

"You’veseenwhatyoucametosee，andallyouwantnowistogettoaWesternUnionwire。Well，youdon’tdoit。Youdon’tleavehereto—night！"

Asthoughhethoughthehadbeenneglected，thelittlemaninriding—bootspushedforwardimportantly。

"Tiehimtoatree！"hesuggested。

"Bettertakehimonboard，"saidthebarkeeper，"andsendhimbackbythepilot。Whenwe’reonceatsea，hecan’thurtusany。"

"WhatmakesyouthinkIwanttohurtyou？"demandedDavid。"WhodoyouthinkIam？"

"Weknowwhoyouare，"shoutedthefiery—headedone。"You’reablanketty—blankspy！You’reagovernmentspyoraSpanishspy，andwhicheveryouareyoudon’tgetawayto—night！"

Davidhadnotthefaintestideawhatthemanmeant，butheknewhisself—respectwasbeingill—treated，andhisself—respectrebelled。

"Youhavemadeaveryseriousmistake，"hesaid，"andwhetheryoulikeitornot，IAMleavinghereto—night，andYOUcangotothedevil！"

TurninghisbackDavidstartedwithgreatdignitytowalkaway。

Itwasashortwalk。Somethinghithimbelowtheearandhefoundhimselfcurlingupcomfortablyontheties。Hehadastrongdesiretosleep，butwasconsciousthatabedonarailroadtrack，onaccountoftrainswantingtopass，wasunsafe。Thisdoubtdidnotlongdisturbhim。Hisheadrolledagainstthesteelrail，hislimbsrelaxed。Fromagreatdistance，andinastrangesing—songheheardthevoiceofthebarkeepersaying，"Nine——ten——andOUT！"

WhenDavidcametohissenseshisheadwasrestingonacoilofrope。Inhisearswasthesteadythrobofanengine，andinhiseyestheglareofalantern。Thelanternwasheldbyapleasant—facedyouthinagolfcapwhowassmilingsympathetically。Davidroseonhiselbowandgazedwildlyabouthim。Hewasinthebowoftheocean—goingtug，andhesawthatfromwherehelayinthebowtohersternherdeckswerepackedwithmen。Shewassteamingswiftlydownabroadriver。Oneithersidethegraylightthatcomesbeforethedawnshowedlowbanksstuddedwithstuntedpalmettos。CloseaheadDavidheardtheroarofthesurf。

"Sorrytodisturbyou，"saidtheyouthinthegolfcap，"butwedropthepilotinafewminutesandyou’regoingwithhim。"

Davidmovedhisachingheadgingerly，andwasconsciousofabumpaslargeasatennisballbehindhisrightear。

"Whathappenedtome？"hedemanded。

"Youweresortofkidnapped，Iguess，"laughedtheyoungman。"Itwasarawdeal，buttheycouldn’ttakeanychances。ThepilotwilllandyouatOkraPoint。Youcanhirearigtheretotakeyoutotherailroad。"

"Butwhy？"demandedDavidindignantly。"WhywasIkidnapped？WhathadIdone？Whowerethosemenwho——"

Fromthepilot—housetherewasasharpjangleofbellstotheengine—room，andthespeedofthetugslackened。

"Comeon，"commandedtheyoungmanbriskly。"Thepilot’sgoingashore。Here’syourgrip，here’syourhat。Theladder’sontheportside。Lookwhereyou’restepping。Wecan’tshowanylights，andit’sdarkas——"

But，evenashespoke，likeaflashofpowder，asswiftlyasonethrowsanelectricswitch，asblindinglyasatrainleapsfromthetunnelintotheglaringsun，thedarknessvanishedandthetugwassweptbythefierce，blatantradianceofasearch—light。

Itwasmetbyshrieksfromtwohundredthroats，byscreams，oaths，prayers，bythesharpjanglingofbells，bytheblindrushofmanymenscurryinglikeratsforaholetohidein，bytheringingordersofoneman。Abovethetumultthisonevoiceroselikethewarningstrokesofafire—gong，andlookinguptothepilot—housefromwhencethevoicecame，Davidsawthebarkeeperstillinhisshirt—sleevesandwithhisderbyhatpushedbackbehindhisears，withonehandclutchingthetelegraphtotheengine—room，withtheotherholdingthespokeofthewheel。

Davidfeltthetug，likeahuntertakingafence，riseinagreatleap。Herbowsankandrose，tossingthewaterfromherinblack，oilywaves，thesmokepouredfromherfunnel，frombelowherenginessobbedandquivered，andlikeahoundfreedfromaleashsheracedfortheopensea。Butswiftlyasshefled，asathiefisheldinthecircleofapoliceman’sbull’s—eye，theshaftoflightfollowedandexposedherandheldherinitsgrip。TheyouthinthegolfcapwasclutchingDavidbythearm。Withhisfreehandhepointeddowntheshaftoflight。SogreatwasthetumultthattobeheardhebroughthislipsclosetoDavid’sear。

"That’stherevenuecutter！"heshouted。"She’sbeenlayingforusforthreeweeks，andnow，"heshriekedexultingly，"theoldman’sgoingtogiveheraraceforit。"

Fromexcitement，fromcold，fromalarm，David’snervesweregettingbeyondhiscontrol。

"Buthow，"hedemanded，"howdoIgetashore？"

"Youdon’t！"

"Whenhedropsthepilot，don’tI——"

"Howcanhedropthepilot？"yelledtheyouth。"Thepilot’sgottostickbytheboat。Sohaveyou。"

Davidclutchedtheyoungmanandswunghimsothattheystoodfacetoface。

"Stickbywhatboat？"yelledDavid。"Whoarethesemen？Whoareyou？Whatboatisthis？"

Intheglareofthesearch—lightDavidsawtheeyesoftheyouthstaringathimasthoughhefearedhewereintheclutchofamadman。Wrenchinghimselffree，theyouthpointedatthepilot—house。Aboveitonablueboardinlettersofgold—leafafoothighwasthenameofthetug。AsDavidreadithisbreathlefthim，afingeroficepassedslowlydownhisspine。ThenamehereadwasTheThreeFriends。

"THETHREEFRIENDS！"shriekedDavid。"She’safilibuster！She’sapirate！Where’rewegoing？

"ToCuba！"

Davidemittedahowlofanguish，rage，andprotest。

"Whatfor？"heshrieked。

Theyoungmanregardedhimcoldly。

"Topickbananas，"hesaid。

"Iwon’tgotoCuba，"shoutedDavid。"I’vegottowork！I’mpaidtosellmachinery。Idemandtobeputashore。I’lllosemyjobifI’mnotputashore。I’llsueyou！I’llhavethelaw——"

Davidfoundhimselfsuddenlyuponhisknees。Hisfirstthoughtwasthattheshiphadstruckarock，andthenthatshewasbumpingherselfoverasuccessionofcoralreefs。Shedipped，dived，reared，andplunged。Likeahookedfish，sheflungherselfintheair，quiveringfrombowtostern。NolongerwasDavidofamindtosuethefilibustersiftheydidnotputhimashore。Ifonlytheyhadputhimashore，ingratitudehewouldhavecrawledonhisknees。WhatfollowedwasofnointeresttoDavid，nortomanyofthefilibusters，nortoanyoftheCubanpatriots。Theirgroansofself—pity，theirprayersandcursesineloquentSpanish，rosehighabovethecrashofbrokencrockeryandthepoundingofthewaves。Evenwhenthesearch—lightgavewaytoabrilliantsunlightthecircumstancewasunobservedbyDavid。Norwasheconcernedinthetidingsbroughtforwardbytheyouthinthegolfcap，whoracedtheslipperydecksandvaultedtheprostrateformsassure—footedlyasahurdleronacindertrack。

ToDavid，inwhomheseemedtothinkhehadfoundacongenialspirit，heshoutedJoyfully，"She’sfiredtwoblanksatus！"hecried；"nowshe’sfiringcannon—balls！"

"ThankGod，"whisperedDavid；"perhapsshe’llsinkus！"

ButTheThreeFriendsshowedherheelstotherevenuecutter，andsofarasDavidknewhourspassedintodaysanddaysintoweeks。

Itwaslikethosenightmaresinwhichinaminuteoneiswhirledthroughcenturiesoffearandtorment。Sometimes，regardlessofnausea，ofhisachinghead，oftheharddeck，ofthewavesthatsplashedandsmotheredhim，Davidfellintobrokenslumber。

Sometimeshewoketoadullconsciousnessofhisposition。Atsuchmomentsheaddedtohismiserybyspeculatingupontheothermisfortunesthatmighthavebefallenhimonshore。Emily，hedecided，hadgivenhimupforlostandmarried——probablyanavyofficerincommandofabattle—ship。BurdettandSonshadcasthimoffforever。Possiblyhisdisappearancehadcausedthemtosuspecthim；evennowtheymightberegardinghimasadefaulter，asafugitivefromjustice。Hisaccounts，nodoubt，werebeingcarefullyoverhauled。Inactualtime，twodaysandtwonightshadpassed；toDaviditseemedmanyages。

Onthethirddayhecrawledtothestern，wherethereseemedlessmotion，andfindingaboat’scushionthrewitintheleescupperandfelluponit。Fromtimetotimetheyouthinthegolfcaphadbroughthimfoodanddrink，andhenowappearedfromthecook’sgalleybearingabowlofsmokingsoup。

Davidconsidereditadoubtfulattention。

Buthesaid，"You’reverykind。Howdidafellowlikeyoucometomixupwiththesepirates？"

Theyouthlaughedgood—naturedly。

"They’renotpirates，they’repatriots，"hesaid，"andI’mnotmixedupwiththem。MynameisHenryCarrandI’maguestofJimmyDoyle，thecaptain。"

"Thebarkeeperwiththederbyhat？"saidDavid。

"He’snotabarkeeper，he’sateetotaler，"Carrcorrected，"andhe’sthegreatestfilibusteralive。HeknowsthesewatersasyouknowBroadway，andhe’sthesaltoftheearth。Ididhimafavoronce；sortofmouse—helping—the—lionidea。JustthroughdumbluckIfoundoutaboutthisexpedition。ThegovernmentagentsinNewYorkfoundoutI’dfoundoutandsentformetotell。ButI

didn’t，andIdidn’twritethestoryeither。Doyleheardaboutthat。So，heaskedmetocomeashisguest，andhe’spromisedthatafterhe’slandedtheexpeditionandthearmsIcanwriteasmuchaboutitasIdarnplease。"

"Thenyou’reareporter？"saidDavid。

"I’mwhatwecallacubreporter，"laughedCarr。"Yousee，I’vealwaysdreamedofbeingawarcorrespondent。ThemenintheofficesayIdreamtoomuch。They’realwaysguyingmeaboutit。

But，haven’tyounoticed，it’stheoneswhodreamwhofindtheirdreamscometrue。Nowthisisn’trealwar，butit’sanearwar，andwhentherealthingbreaksloose，IcantellthemanagingeditorIservedasawarcorrespondentintheCuban—Spanishcampaign。Andhemaygivemearealjob！"

"AndyouLIKEthis？"groanedDavid。

"Iwouldn’t，ifIwereassickasyouare，"saidCarr，"butI’veastomachlikeaHarlemgoat。"Hestoopedandloweredhisvoice。

"Now，herearetwofakefilibusters，"hewhispered。"Themenyoureadaboutinthenewspapers。Ifaman’saREALfilibuster，nobodyknowsit！"

ComingtowardthemwasthetallmanwhohadknockedDavidout，andthelittleonewhohadwantedtotiehimtoatree。

"Alltheyask，"whisperedCarr，"ismoneyandadvertisement。IftheyknewIwasareporter，they’deatoutofmyhand。ThetallmancallshimselfLighthouseHarry。Heoncekeptalight—houseontheFloridacoast，andthat’sasneartotheseaasheevergot。

Theotheroneisadare—devilcallinghimselfColonelBeamish。Hesayshe’sanEnglishofficer，andasoldieroffortune，andthathe’sbeenineighteenbattles。Jimmysayshe’sneverbeennearenoughtoabattletoseethered—crossflagsonthebasehospital。Butthey’vefooledtheseCubans。TheJuntathinksthey’regreatfighters，andit’ssentthemdownheretoworkthemachineguns。ButI’mafraidtheonlyfightingtheywilldowillbeinthesportingcolumns，andnotinthering。"

Ahalfdozensea—sickCubanswerecarryingaheavy，oblongbox。

TheydroppeditnottwoyardsfromwhereDavidlay，andwithascrewdriverLighthouseHarryproceededtoopenthelid。

CarrexplainedtoDavidthatTheThreeFriendswasapproachingthatpartofthecoastofCubaonwhichshehadarrangedtolandherexpedition，andthatincaseshewassurprisedbyoneoftheSpanishpatrolboatsshewaspreparingtodefendherself。

"They’vegotanautomaticguninthatcrate，"saidCarr，"andthey’regoingtoassembleit。You’dbettermove；they’llbetrampingalloveryou。

Davidshookhisheadfeebly。

"Ican’tmove！"heprotested。"Iwouldn’tmoveifitwouldfreeCuba。"

ForseveralhourswithverylanguidinterestDavidwatchedLighthouseHarryandColonelBeamishscrewaheavytripodtothedeckandbalanceaboveitaquick—firingone—pounder。Theyworkedveryslowly，andtoDavid，watchingthemfromtheleescupper，theyappearedextremelyunintelligent。

"Idon’tbelieveeitherofthosethugsputanautomaticguntogetherinhislife，"hewhisperedtoCarr。"Ineverdid，either，butI’veputhundredsofautomaticpunchestogether，andIbetthatgunwon’twork。"

"What’swrongwithit？"saidCarr。

BeforeDavidcouldsummonsufficientenergytoanswer，theattentionofallonboardwasdiverted，andbyasingleword。

Whetherthewordiswhisperedapologeticallybythesmoking—roomstewardtothosedeepinbridge，orshriekedfromthetopsofasinkingshipitneverquitefailsofitseffect。Asweatingstokerfromtheengine—roomsawitfirst。

"Land！"hehailed。

Thesea—sickCubansraisedthemselvesandswungtheirhats；theirvoicesroseinafiercechorus。

"Cubalibre！"theyyelled。

Thesunpiercingthemorningmistshaduncoveredacoast—linebrokenwithbaysandinlets。Aboveittoweredgreenhills，thepeakofeachtoppedbyasquatblockhouse；inthevalleysandwatercourseslikecolumnsofmarblerosetheroyalpalms。

"YouMUSTlook！"CarrentreatedDavid。"it’sjustasitisinthepictures！

"ThenIdon’thavetolook，"groanedDavid。

TheThreeFriendswasmakingforapointoflandthatcurvedlikeasickle。OntheinsideofthesicklewasNipeBay。OntheoppositeshoreofthatbroadharborattheplaceofrendezvousalittlebandofCubanswaitedtoreceivethefilibusters。Thegoalwasinsight。Thedreadfulvoyagewasdone。Joyandexcitementthrilledtheship’scompany。CubanpatriotsappearedinuniformswithCubanflagspinnedinthebrimsoftheirstrawsombreros。

Fromtheholdcameboxesofsmall—armammunitionofMausers，rifles，machetes，andsaddles。Toprotectthelandingaboxofshellswasplacedinreadinessbesidetheone—pounder。

"Intwohours，ifwehavesmoothwater，"shoutedLighthouseHarry，"weoughttogetallofthisonshore。Andthen，allI

ask，"hecriedmightily，"isforsomeonetokindlyshowmeaSpaniard！"

Hisheart’sdesirewasinstantlygranted。HewasshownnotonlyoneSpaniard，butseveralSpaniards。Theywereonthedeckofoneofthefastestgun—boatsoftheSpanishnavy。NotamilefromTheThreeFriendsshesprangfromthecoverofanarrowinlet。Shedidnotsignalquestionsorextendcourtesies。Forherthenameoftheocean—goingtugwassufficientintroduction。Throwingaheadofherasolidshell，sheracedinpursuit，andasTheThreeFriendsleapedtofullspeedtherecamefromthegun—boatthesharpdrycrackleofMausers。

WithanexplosionofterrifyingoathsLighthouseHarrythrustashellintothebreechofthequick—firinggun。Withoutwaitingtoaimit，hetuggedatthetrigger。Nothinghappened！Hethrewopenthebreechandgazedimpotentlyatthebaseoftheshell。Itwasuntouched。Theshipwasringingwithcriesofanger，ofhate，withrat—likesqueaksoffear。

Abovetheheadsofthefilibustersashellscreamedandwithinahundredfeetsplashedintoawave。

FromhismatintheleescupperDavidgroanedmiserably。Hewasfarremovedfromanyofthegreateremotions。

"It’snouse！"heprotested。"Theycan’tdo！It’snotconnected！"

"WHAT’Snotconnected？"yelledCarr。HefelluponDavid。Hehalf—lifted，half—draggedhimtohisfeet。

"Ifyouknowwhat’swrongwiththatgun，youfixit！Fixit，"heshouted，"orI’ll——"

DavidwasnotconcernedwiththevengeanceCarrthreatened。For，ontheinstantamiraclehadtakenplace。Withtheswiftinsidiousnessofmorphine，peaceranthroughhisveins，soothedhisrackedbody，hisjanglednerves。TheThreeFriendshadmadetheharbor，andwasglidingthroughwaterflatasapond。ButDaviddidnotknowwhythechangehadcome。Heknewonlythathissoulandbodywereatrest，thatthesunwasshining，thathehadpassedthroughthevalleyoftheshadow，andoncemorewasasane，soundyoungman。

WithasavagethrustoftheshoulderhesentLighthouseHarrysprawlingfromthegun。Withswift，practisedfingershefelluponitsmechanism。Hewrencheditapart。Heliftedit，reset，readjustedit。

Ignorantthemselves，thoseabouthimsawthatheunderstood，sawthathisworkwasgood。

Theyraisedajoyous，defiantcheer。Butashowerofbulletsdrovethemtocover，bulletsthatrippedthedeck，splinteredthesuperstructure，smashedtheglassintheairports，likeangrywaspssanginacontinuouswhiningchorus。Intentonlyonthegun，Davidworkedfeverishly。Heswungtothebreech，lockedit，anddraggeditopen，pulledonthetriggerandfounditgavebeforehisforefinger。

Heshoutedwithdelight。

"I’vegotitworking，"heyelled。

Heturnedtohisaudience，buthisaudiencehadfled。Frombeneathoneofthelife—boatsprotrudedtheriding—bootsofColonelBeamish，thetallformofLighthouseHarrywasdoubledbehindawaterbutt。Ashellsplashedtoport，ashellsplashedtostarboard。ForaninstantDavidstoodstaringwide—eyedatthegreyhoundofaboatthatateupthedistancebetweenthem，atthejetsofsmokeandstabsofflamethatsprangfromherbow，atthefigurescrouchedbehindhergunwale，firinginvolleys。

ToDaviditcamesuddenly，convincingly，thatinadreamhehadliveditallbefore，andsomethinglikerawpoisonstirredinDavid，somethingleapedtohisthroatandchokedhim，somethingroseinhisbrainandmadehimseescarlet。HefeltratherthansawyoungCarrkneelingattheboxofammunition，andholdingashelltowardhim。Heheardtheclickasthebreechshut，felttherubbertireofthebracegiveagainsttheweightofhisshoulder，downalongshiningtubesawthepursuinggun—boat，sawheragainandmanytimesdisappearbehindaflashofflame。Abulletgashedhisforehead，abulletpasseddeftlythroughhisforearm，buthedidnotheedthem。Confusedwiththethrashingoftheengines，withtheroarofthegunheheardastrangevoiceshriekingunceasingly：

"Cubalibre！"ityelled。"TohellwithSpain！"andhefoundthatthevoicewashisown。

ThestorylostnothinginthewayCarrwroteit。

"Andthebestofitis，"heexclaimedjoyfully，"it’strue！"

ForaSpanishgun—boatHADbeencrippledandforcedtorunherselfagroundbyatug—boatmannedbyCubanpatriots，andbyasinglegunservedbyoneman，andthatmananAmerican。Itwasthefirstsea—fightofthewar。OvernightaCubannavyhadbeenborn，andintothelimelightacubreporterhadprojectedanew"hero，"aready—made，warranted—not—to—run，popularidol。

Theywereseatedinthepilot—house，"Jimmy"Doyle，Carr，andDavid，thepatriotsandtheirarmshadbeensafelydumpeduponthecoastofCuba，andTheThreeFriendswasglidingswiftlyand，havingcaughttheFloridastraitsnapping，smoothlytowardKeyWest。Carrhadjustfinishedreadingaloudhisaccountoftheengagement。

YouwilltellthestoryjustasIhavewrittenit，"commandedtheproudauthor。"YourbeingSouthasatravellingsalesmanwasonlyablind。Youcametovolunteerforthisexpedition。Beforeyoucouldexplainyourwishyouweremistakenforasecret—serviceman，andhustledonboard。Thatwasjustwhereyouwantedtobe，andwhenthemomentarrivedyoutookcommandoftheshipandsingle—handedwonthenavalbattleofNipeBay。"

JimmyDoylenoddedhisheadapprovingly。"Youcertaintydid，Dave，"protestedthegreatman，"Iseenyouwhenyoudoneit！"

AtKeyWestCarrfiledhisstoryandwhilethehospitalsurgeonskeptDavidthereoveronesteamer，todresshiswounds，hisfameandfeaturesspreadacrossthemapoftheUnitedStates。

BurdettandSonsbaskedinreflectedglory。Reportersbesiegedtheiroffice。AttheMerchantsDown—TownClubthebusinessmenoflowerBroadwaytenderedcongratulations。

"Ofcourse，it’sagreatsurprisetous，"BurdettandSonswouldprotestandwinkheavily。"Ofcourse，whentheboyaskedtobesentSouthwe’dnoideahewasplanningtofightforCuba！Orwewouldn’thavelethimgo，wouldwe？"Thenagaintheywouldwinkheavily。"Isupposeyouknow，"theywouldsay，"thathe’sadirectdescendantofGeneralHiramGreene，whowonthebattleofTrenton。WhatIsayis，’Bloodwilltell！’"Andtheninabodyeveryoneintheclubwouldmoveagainstthebarandexclaim：

"Here’stoCubalibre！"

WhentheOlivettefromKeyWestreachedTampaBayeveryCubanintheTampacigarfactorieswasatthedock。TherewerethousandsofthemandalloftheJunta，inhighhats，toreadDavidanaddressofwelcome。

And，whentheysawhimatthetopofthegang—plankwithhisheadinabandageandhisarminasling，likeamobofmaniacstheyhowledandsurgedtowardhim。ButbeforetheycouldreachtheirherothecourteousJuntaforcedthemback，andclearedapathwayforayounggirl。Shewastravel—wornandpale，hershirt—waistwasdisgracefullywrinkled，herbesthatwasawreck。NooneonBroadwaywouldhaverecognizedherasBurdettandSons’mostimmaculateandbeautifulstenographer。

ShedugtheshapelesshatintoDavid’sshoulder，andclungtohim。"David！"shesobbed，"promisemeyou’llnever，neverdoitagain！"

Chapter5。THESAILORMAN

BeforeLatimerputhimonwatch，theNantucketsailormanhadnotacareintheworld。Ifthewindblewfromthenorth，hespuntotheleft；ifitcamefromthesouth，hespuntotheright。Butitwasentirelythewindthatwasresponsible。So，whicheverwayheturned，hesmiledbroadly，happily。Hisoutlookupontheworldwasthatofonewholovedhisfellowman。HehadmanybrothersaslikehimastwinsalloverNantucketandCapeCodandtheNorthShore，smilingfromtherailingsofverandas，fromtheroofsofbungalows，fromtheeavesofsummerpalaces。Empaledontheirlittleironuprights，eachsailormanwhirled——sometimeslanguidly，likeagreatladyrevolvingtotheslowmeasuresofawaltz，sometimessorapidlythathemadeyouquitedizzy，andhadhenotbeenasailormanwithaheartofoakandaheadandstomachofpine，hewouldhavebeenquiteseasick。ButtheparticularsailormanthatLatimerboughtforHelenPageandputonsentrydutycarriedonhisshouldersmostgraveandunusualresponsibilities。Hewastheguardianofaburiedtreasure，thekeeperofthehappinessoftwoyoungpeople。Itwasreallyaskingagreatdealofacare—free，happy—go—luckyweather—vane。

EverysummerfromBostonHelenPage’speoplehadbeencomingtoFairHarbor。Theyknewitwhenwhatnowisthepolofieldwastheircowpasture。Andwhetherattheageoftwelveoroftwentyormore，HelenPageruledFairHarbor。Whenshearrivedthe"season"opened；whenshedepartedthelocaltrades—peoplesighedandbegantotakeaccountofstock。Shewassopopularbecauseshepossessedcharm，andbecausesheplayednofavorites。

TothegroomswhoheldtheponiesonthesidelineshermannerwasjustassimpleandinterestedasitwastothegildedyouthswhocametowinthechampionshipcupsandremainedtotrytowinHelen。Shewasjustasgenuinelypleasedtomakeafourattenniswiththe"kids"astotaketeaontheverandaoftheclub—housewiththematrons。Toeachhermannerwasalwaysasthoughshewereoftheirage。Whenshemetthelatteronthebeachroad，shegreetedthemriotouslyandjoyfullybytheirmaidennames。Andthematronslikedit。Incomparisonthedeferenceshownthembytheotheryoungwomendidnotsostronglyappeal。

"WhenI’mjoggingalonginmystationwagon，"saidoneofthem，"andHelenshrieksandwavesatmefromhercar，IfeelasthoughIweretwenty，andIbelievethatsheisreallysorryIamnotsittingbesideher，insteadofthatgood—lookingLatimerman，whoneverwearsahat。Whydoesheneverwearahat？Becauseheknowshe’sgood—looking，orbecauseHelendrivessofasthecan’tkeepiton？"

"DoeshewearahatwhenheisnotwithHelen？"askedthenewarrival。"Thatmighthelpsome。"

"Wewillneverknow，"exclaimedtheyoungmatron；"heneverleavesher。"

Thiswassotruethatithadbecomeapublicscandal。Youmetthemsomanytimesadaydrivingtogether，motoringtogether，playinggolftogether，thatyouwereembarrassedforthemanddidnotknowwhichwaytolook。Buttheygloriedintheirshame。Ifyoutactfullypretendednottoseethem，Helenshoutedatyou。

Shemadeyoufeelyouhadbeencaughtdoingsomethingindelicateandunderhand。

ThemothersofFairHarborwereratherslowinacceptingyoungLatimer。SomanyoftheirsonshadseenHelenshakeherheadinthatinarticulate，worriedway，andlooksosorryforthem，thatanystrangeyoungmanwhoapparentlysucceededwherethosewhohadbeenherfriendsforyearshadlearnedtheymustremainfriends，couldnothopetoescapecriticism。Besides，theydidnotknowhim：hedidnotcomefromBostonandHarvard，butfromaWesterncity。Theyweretoldthatathome，atboththelawandthegameofpolitics，heworkedhardandsuccessfully；butitwasratherheldagainsthimbytheyouthofFairHarborthatheplayedattheregames，notsomuchforthesakeofthegameasforexercise。Heputasidemanythings，suchaswhiskeyandsodaattwointhemorning，andbridgeallafternoon，withtheremark：

"Ifinditdoesnottendtowardefficiency。"Itwasaremarkthatirritatedand，tothemindsofthemenatthecountryclubs，seemedtoplacehim。Theylikedtoplaypolobecausetheylikedtoplaypolo，notbecauseitkepttheirmuscleslimberandtheirbrainsclear。

"SomeWesternpeopleweretellingme，"saidoneofthematrons，"thathewantstobethenextlieutenant—governor。Theysayheisveryambitiousandveryselfish。"

"Anymanisselfish，"protestedonewhoforyearshadattemptedtomarryHelen，"whowantstokeepHelentohimself。Butthatheshouldwishtobealieutenant—governor，too，isratherananticlimax。Itmakesonelosesympathy。"

Latimerwentonhiswaywithoutaskinganysympathy。ThecompanionshipofHelenPagewasquitesufficient。Hehadbeenworkingovertimeandwastreatinghimselftohisfirstvacationinyears——hewasyoung——hewasinloveandhewasveryhappy。Norwasthereanyquestion，either，thatHelenPagewashappy。Thosewhohadknownhersinceshewasachildcouldnotrememberwhenshehadnotbeenhappy，butthesedayssheworeherjoyousnesswithadifference。Itwasinhereyes，inhergreetingstooldfriends：itshoweditselfhourlyincourtesiesandkindnesses。

ShewasverykindtoLatimer，too。Shedidnotdeceivehim。Shetoldhimshelikedbettertobewithhimthanwithanyoneelse，——itwouldhavebeendifficulttodenytohimwhatwasapparenttoanentiresummercolony，——butsheexplainedthatthatdidnotmeanshewouldmarryhim。Sheannouncedthiswhenthesignssheknewmadeitseemnecessary。Sheannounceditinwhatwasforheraroundaboutway，byremarkingsuddenlythatshedidnotintendtomarryforseveralyears。

ThisbroughtLatimertohisfeetandcalledforthfromhimremarkssoeloquentthatHelenfounditverydifficulttokeepherown。Sheasthoughshehadbeencaughtinanundertowandwasbeingwhirledouttosea。When，atlast，shehadregainedherbreath，onlybecauseLatimerhadpausedtocatchhis，sheshookherheadmiserably。

"Thetroubleis，"shecomplained，"therearesomanythinkthesamething！"

"Whatdotheythink？"demandedLatimer。

"Thattheywanttomarryme。"

Checkedbutnotdiscouraged，Latimerattackedinforce。