Five lengths away the Pearl becomes stationary on the waves, while through a speaking tube, the voluble Manada acquaints her commander with the character and mission of the yacht. A boat is lowered from the insurgent craft and is rowed to the side of the Semiramis, and a moment later a distinguished-looking man in the undress uniform of an officer of the Spanish navy is clasped in the arms of Don Manada.
“Senor Van Zandt,” the latter says, “permit me to present to you Capt. Gerardo Nunez, the commander of yonder vessel. Senor Van Zandt,” he explains extravagantly to Capt. Nunez, “is the good angel who rendered it possible for us to convey the much-needed arms and ammunition in our hold to our struggling compatriots.”
Capt. Nunez cordially grasps the hand of Van Zandt. “Senor,” he says, “I am more than pleased to meet you, and join with Don Manada in expressing the gratitude of our people for your services in the cause of liberty.”
Van Zandt waves his hand. “’Tis nothing. My sympathies are with the insurgents and being in position to help Don Manada out of a box”—the Cuban flushes at the recollection of his last conversation with Mrs. Harding—“I was only too glad to do it. But what is the latest news from the seat of war?”
Capt. Nunez’ eyes light up with enthusiasm. “Glorious!” he says. “Gen. Masso has just achieved a victory over 3,000 Spanish troops in the Puerto Principe District. El Terredo is receiving constant additions to his forces and the outlook was never brighter. It is to equip El Terredo’s army that these arms and ammunition will be used.”
“El Terredo?” inquires Van Zandt. “Is he not attached to the Pearl of the Antilles?”
“He has been up to within a week, but is now on shore duty. By the way, senor,” remarks the Cuban commander, casting a glance over the deck of the Semiramis, “you have a magnificent yacht, and I doubt not she is as speedy as she is handsome.”
“Speedy!” breaks in Don Manada. “She is as swift as the wind! She sailed away from the America, the fastest cruiser in the United States Navy, and as for the Infanta Isabel—poof! She snaps her fingers at her!”
Capt. Beals approaches the group at this moment and is introduced to the Cuban captain.
“I think, sir,” he says to Van Zandt, “if we are to transfer our cargo it would be advisable to waste no time. There is no knowing when a Spanish gunboat will show up.”