It was all he asked.
He snatched one burning kiss and then with a hasty "adieu, beloved," sprang to the ladder.
It was time.
The ship was heaving with commotion.
Had the startling cry of "fire," always dreaded above all else at sea, been sounded aboard the blockade runner, loaded as she was with much ammunition, it could hardly have created greater excitement than now reigned.
Roderic remained quite cool, which was an advantage to the success of his venture.
Garbed as he was as a sailor any one might have taken him for one of the crew hastening to his station, since the boatswain's shrill whistle had called the sailormen to man one of the boats.
It was easy enough work dropping down the ladder, but as some one chanced to be ascending it at the same time an unavoidable collision ensued.
Consequently Roderic and the unknown came to the lower deck in a bunch, and being above, the American found a comfortable lodging place on the body of his confrere.