Perfectly wild with terror the agonized cadet whirled about, gazing seaward, with a faint hope of the possibility of there being seen by some American vessel.
But the gray horizon was not light enough for them to be sighted. And all hope was gone.
Bessie Stuart continued pointing to the vessel as if she were paralyzed by fright.
"Row! Row!" she shrieked.
And Clif seized the oars frantically. But he knew that it was utterly useless. The gunboat was coming on like a race horse.
And scarcely had he taken two strokes before the matter was settled finally. For there came a puff of white smoke from the Spaniard's bow.
And almost at the same instant with a deafening, blinding crash, a solid shot struck the tiny rowboat.
It plunged through, almost tearing the frail craft in half, hurling splinters about and sending the two horrified occupants tumbling into the water!