This was a very fine scheme. Barney and Pomp were all unsuspecting. Yet they cast anxious glances toward the shore for Frank and Wade.
They did not appear, however, so Barney had to make the best of it. The Santa Maria bore down within hailing distance and the summons came:
“Ahoy, Senor Americano!”
“Ahoy, yersilf!” replied Barney.
The hail had come in American and the voice sounded strangely familiar. But Barney never dreamed that it was really Poole who was shouting.
“What craft is that?”
“The Diver, submarine boat,” replied Barney. “Phwat do yez want?”
“This is the Cuban cruiser, Santa Maria. We are looking for an armed schooner, the Meta. Have you spoken her?”
“Tare an’ ‘ounds!” exclaimed Barney; “they’re afther the Meta, an’ may they catch her. Shure, they’ll hang that Poole as shure as preachin’.”
Then he replied: