"Pull away," muttered Jerome, suddenly dropping back to his seat and endeavoring to look as small as possible.
Roderic guessed the reason.
The Adonis had discovered that he was the cynosure of bright eyes from the cabin—all this excitement had not passed without arousing Cleo and Miss Becky—the former had not really retired at all, but awaited her cousin's return from his mission of love—perhaps her earnest prayers had followed him, even to the arms of her successful rival.
The blockade runner's boat shot quickly over the darkened water toward the lights that indicated the spot where the steamer was anchored.
Thus the coast was again clear.
Captain Beven turned and shook Roderic's hand.
He was bubbling over with suppressed laughter.
"Congratulations, sir, over your success. A miss is as good as a mile, they say," he declared.
"Ah!" remarked the satisfied lover, "in this case it is a senorita, and she is worth many miles. My thanks are due to you, captain, for the able assistance given. May all our future plans be founded on as firm a basis."
"Amen," said Beven, solemnly.