"Sinceseeingthosefires，"heexplained，"IfeelastrangereluctanceaboutshowingmyselfinthisuniformtoaCoastGuard。"
"CoastGuardsdon’tshoot！"mockedBirrell。"Theyonlylookatthecloudsthroughatelescope。ThreeGermanswithriflesoughttobeabletofrightenoneCoastGuardwithatelescope。"
ThewhitewashedcabinoftheCoastGuardwasperchedontheedgeofthecliff。Behinditthedownsranbacktomeettheroad。Thedoorofthecabinwasopenandfromitashaftoflightcutacrossatinygardenandshowedthewhitefenceandthewalkofshells。v"Wemustpassinsinglefileinfrontofthatlight，"
whisperedFord，"Andthen，afterwearesurehehasseenus，wemustrunlikethedevil！"
"I’moninthatlastscene，"growledHerbert。
"Only，"repeatedFordwithemphasis，"Wemustbesurehehasseenus。"
Nottwentyfeetfromthemcameaburstingroar，aflash，manyroars，manyflashes，manybullets。
"He’sseenus！"yelledBirrell。
AfterthelightfromhisopendoorhadshownhimoneGermansoldierfullyarmed，theCoastGuardhadseennothingfurther。Butjudgingfromtheshrieksofterrorandthesoundsoffallingbodiesthatfollowedhisfirstshot，hewasconvincedhewashemmedinbyanarmy，andheproceededtosellhislifedearly。Clipafterclipofcartridgesheemptiedintothenight，nowtothefront，nowtotherear，nowouttosea，nowathisownshadowinthelamp—light。TothepeopleaquarterofamileawayatMorstonitsoundedlikeabattle。
Afterrunninghalfamile，Ford，bruisedandbreathless，fellatfulllengthonthegrassbesidethecar。Nearit，tearingfromhispersonthelastvestigesofaGermanuniform，hefoundBirrell。Healsowaspuffingpainfully。
"WhathappenedtoHerbert？"pantedFord。
"Idon’tknow，"gaspedBirrell，"WhenIsawhimlasthewasdivingoverthecliffintothesea。Howmanytimesdidyoudie？"
"Abouttwenty！"groanedtheAmerican，"And，besidesbeingdead，Iamseverelywounded。Everytimehefired，Ifellonmyface，andeachtimeIhitarock！"
Ascarecrowofafigureappearedsuddenlyintheraysofthehead—lights。ItwasHerbert，scratched，bleeding，drippingwithwater，andcladsimplyinashirtandtrousers。Hedraggedouthiskitbagandfellintohisgolfclothes。
"AnybodywhowantsaperfectlygoodGermanuniform，"hecried，"canhavemine。Ileftitinthefirstrowofbreakers。Itdidn’tfitme，anyway。"
Theothertwouniformswerehiddenintheseatofthecar。
Theriflesandhelmets，tolendcolortotheinvasion，weredroppedintheopenroad，andfiveminuteslaterthreegentlemenininconspicuousHarristweeds，andwithgolfclubsprotrudingfromeverypartoftheircar，turnedintotheshoreroadtoCromer。Whattheysawbroughtswiftterrortotheirguiltysoulsandthecartoanabrupthalt。Beforethemwasaregimentofregularsadvancingincolumnoffours，atthe"double。"AnofficersprangtothefrontofthecarandseatedhimselfbesideFord。
"I’llhavetocommandeerthis，"hesaid。"RunbacktoCromer。Don’tcrushmymen，butgolikethedevil！"
"Weheardfiringhere，"explainedtheofficer"attheCoastGuardstation。TheGuarddrovethembacktothesea。Hecountedoveradozen。Theymadeprettypoorpractice，forheisn’twounded，buthisgravelwalklooksasthoughsomeonehaddrawnaharrowoverit。Iwonder，"exclaimedtheofficersuddenly，"ifyouarethethreegentlemenwhofirstgavethealarmtoColonelRaglanandthenwentontowarntheothercoasttowns。Because，ifyouare，hewantsyournames。"
Fordconsideredrapidly。Ifhegavefalsenamesandthatfactwerediscovered，theywouldbesuspectedandinvestigated，andtheworstmighthappen。Soherepliedthathisfriendsandhimselfprobablywerethementowhomtheofficerreferred。HeexplainedtheyhadbeenreturningfromCromer，wheretheyhadgonetoplaygolf，whentheyhadbeenheldupbytheGermans。
"Youwereluckytoescape，"saidtheofficer"Andinkeepingontogivewarningyouweretakingchances。IfImaysayso，wethinkyoubehavedextremelywell。"
Fordcouldnotanswer。Hisguiltyconscienceshamedhimintosilence。Withhissirenshriekingandhishorntooting，hewasforcingthecarthroughlanesofarmedmen。Theypackedeachsideoftheroad。Theywerebankedbehindthehedges。
Theircamp—firesblazedfromeveryhill—top。
"Yourregimentseemstohaveturnedouttoaman！"exclaimedFordadmiringly。
"MYregiment！"snortedtheofficer。"You’vepassedthroughfiveregimentsalready，andthereareasmanymoreinthedarkplaces。They’reeverywhere！"hecriedjubilantly。
"AndIthoughttheywereonlywhereyouseethecamp—fires，"
exclaimedFord。
"That’swhattheGermansthink，"saidtheofficer。"It’sworkinglikeaclock，"hecriedhappily。"Therehasn’tbeenahitch。AssoonastheygotyourwarningtoColonelRaglan，theycamedowntothecoastlikeawave，onfoot，bytrains，bymotors，andatnineo’clocktheGovernmenttookoveralltherailroads。Thecountyregiments，regulars，yeomanry，territorials，havebeenspreadalongthisshoreforthirtymiles。DowninLondontheGuardsstartedtoDoverandBrightontwohoursago。TheAutomobileClubinthefirsthourcollectedtwohundredcarsandturnedthemovertotheGuardsinBirdCageWalk。CodyandGrahame—WhiteandeightofhisairmenleftHendonanhouragotoreconnoitrethesouthcoast。AdmiralBeattyhasstartedwiththeChannelSquadrontoheadofftheGermanconvoyintheNorthSea，andthetorpedodestroyershavebeensenttolieoutsideofHeligoland。We’llgetthatbackbydaylight。Andonlandeveryoneofthethreeservicesisunderarms。Onthiscoastalonebeforesunrisewe’llhaveonehundredthousandmen，andfromColchesterthebrigadedivisionofartillery，fromIpswichtheR。H。A。’swithsiege—guns，field—guns，quick—
firing—guns，allkindsofgunsspreadoutovereveryfootofgroundfromheretoHunstanton。Theythoughtthey’dgiveusasurpriseparty。Theywillnevergiveusanothersurpriseparty！"
OnthetopofthehillatOverstrand，theheadwaiteroftheEastCliffHotelandthebeardedGermanstoodinthegardenbackofthehousewiththeforbiddingwalls。Fromtheroadinfrontcameunceasinglythetrampandshuffleofthousandsofmarchingfeet，therumbleofheavycannon，theclankingoftheirchains，thevoicesofmentrainedtocommandraisedinsharp，confidentorders。Theskywasilluminatedbycountlessfires。Everywindowofeverycottageandhotelblazedwithlights。Thenighthadbeenturnedintoday。TheeyesofthetwoGermanswereliketheeyesofthosewhohadpassedthroughanearthquake，ofthosewholookedupontheburningofSanFrancisco，uponthedestructionofMessina。
"Wewerebetrayed，general，"whisperedthehead—waiter。
"Wewerebetrayed，baron，"repliedthebeardedone。
"Butyouwereintimetowarntheflotilla。"
Withasigh，theoldermannodded。
"ThelastmessageIreceivedoverthewireless，"hesaid，"beforeIdestroyedit，read，’Yourmessageunderstood。Wearereturning。Ourmovementswillbeexplainedasmanoeuvres。
And，"addedthegeneral，"TheEnglish，havingdrivenusback，willbewillingtoofficiallyacceptthatexplanation。Asmanoeuvres，thisnightwillgodownintohistory。Returntothehotel，"hecommanded，"Andintwomonthsyoucanrejoinyourregiment。"
OnthemorningaftertheinvasiontheNewYorkRepublicpublishedamapofGreatBritainthatcoveredthreecolumnsandawood—cutofFordthatwasspreadoverfive。Beneathitwasprinted："LesterFord，ourLondoncorrespondent，capturedbytheGermans；heescapesandisthefirsttowarntheEnglishpeople。"
Onthesamemorning，InaneditorialinTheTimesofLondon，appearedthisparagraph：
"TheGermanswerefirstseenbytheHon。ArthurHerbert，theeldestsonofLordCinaris；Mr。PatrickHeadfordBirrell——
bothofBalliolCollege，Oxford；andMr。LesterFord，thecorrespondentoftheNewYorkRepublic。Thesegentlemenescapedfromthelandingpartythattriedtomakethemprisoners，andatgreatriskproceededintheirmotor—caroverroadsinfestedbytheGermanstoallthecoasttownsofNorfolk，warningtheauthorities。Shouldthewarofficefailtorecognizetheirservices，thepeopleofGreatBritainwillprovethattheyarenotungrateful。"
AweeklaterthreeyoungmensatatdinnerontheterraceoftheSavoy。
"Shallwe，orshallwenot，"askedHerbert，"tellmyunclethatwethree，andwethreealone，weretheinvaders？"
"That’shardlycorrect，"saidFord，"aswenowknowthereweretwohundredthousandinvaders。Weweretheonlythreewhogotashore。"
"Ivotewedon’ttellhim，"saidBirrell。"LethimthinkwitheverybodyelsethattheGermansblundered；thatanadvancepartylandedtoosoonandgavetheshowaway。Ifwetalk，"heargued，"We’llgetcreditforasuccessfulhoax。Ifwekeepquiet，everybodywillcontinuetothinkwesavedEngland。I’mcontenttoletitgoatthat。"
Chapter4。BLOODWILLTELL
DavidGreenewasanemployeeoftheBurdettAutomaticPunchCompany。ThemanufacturingplantofthecompanywasatBridgeport，butintheNewYorkofficestherewereworkingsamplesofallthepunches，fromthelittlenickel—platedhandpunchwithwhichconductorssqueezedholesinrailroadtickets，tothebigpunchthatcouldbiteintoanironplateaseasilyasintoapieceofpie。David’sdutywastoexplainthesedifferentpunches，andaccordinglywhenBurdettSeniororoneofthesonsturnedacustomerovertoDavidhespokeofhimasasalesman。
ButDavidcalledhimselfa"demonstrator。"Forashorttimeheevensucceededinpersuadingtheothersalesmentospeakofthemselvesasdemonstrators，buttheshippingclerksandbookkeeperslaughedthemoutofit。TheycouldnotlaughDavidoutofit。Thiswasso，partlybecausehehadnosenseofhumor，andpartlybecausehehadagreat—great—grandfather。AmongthesalesmenonlowerBroadway，topossessagreat—great—grandfatherisunusual，evenagreat—grandfatherisararity，andeitherisconsideredsuperfluous。ButtoDavidthepossessionofagreat—great—grandfatherwasapreciousandopendelight。Hehadpossessedhimonlyforashorttime。Undoubtedlyhealwayshadexisted，butitwasnotuntilDavid’ssisterAnnemarriedadoctorinBordentown，NewJersey，andbecamesociallyambitious，thatDavidemergedasaSonofWashington。
ItwassisterAnne，anxiousto"getin"asa"Daughter"andwearadistaffpininhershirtwaist，whodiscoveredtherevolutionaryancestor。Sheunearthedhim，orratherranhimtoearth，inthegraveyardofthePresbyterianchurchatBordentown。HewasnolessapersonthanGeneralHiramGreene，andhehadfoughtwithWashingtonatTrentonandatPrinceton。Ofthistherewasnodoubt。That，later，onmovingtoNewYork，hisdescendantsbecamepeace—lovingsalesmendidnotaffecthisrecord。Toenterasocietyfoundedonheredity，theimportantthingisfirsttocatchyourancestor，andhavingmadesureofhim，DavidenteredtheSocietyoftheSonsofWashingtonwithflyingcolors。Hewasnotunlikethemanwhohadbeenspeakingproseforfortyyearswithoutknowingit。Hewasnotunliketheothermanwhowoketofindhimselffamous。Hehadgonetobedatimid，near—sighted，underpaidsalesmanwithoutarelativeintheworld，exceptamarriedsisterinBordentown，andheawoketofindhewasadirectdescendantof"NeckorNothing"Greene，arevolutionaryhero，afriendofWashington，amanwhoseportraithungintheStateHouseatTrenton。David’slifehadlackedcolor。Thedayhecarriedhiscertificateofmembershiptothebigjewelrystoreuptownandpurchasedtworosettes，oneforeachofhistwocoats，wastheproudestofhislife。
TheothermenintheBroadwayofficetookadifferentview。AsWyckoff，oneofBurdett’sflyingsquadronoftravellingsalesmen，said，"Allgrandfatherslookaliketome，whetherthey’regreat，orgreat—great—great。Eachoneisasdeadastheother。I’dratherhavealivecousinwhocouldloanmeafive，orslipmeadrink。Whatdidyourgreat—greatdadeverdoforyou？"
"Well，foronething，"saidDavidstiffly，"hefoughtintheWaroftheRevolution。HesavedusfromtheshacklesofmonarchicalEngland；hemadeitpossibleformeandyoutoenjoythelibertiesofafreerepublic。"
"Don’ttrytotellmeyourgrandfatherdidallthat，"protestedWyckoff，"becauseIknowbetter。Therewerealotofothershelped。Ireadaboutitinabook。"
"Iamnotgrudgingglorytoothers，"returnedDavid；"IamonlysayingIamproudthatIamadescendantofarevolutionist。"
Wyckoffdivedintohisinnerpocketandproducedaleatherphotographframethatfoldedlikeaconcertina。
"Idon’twanttobeadescendant，"hesaid；"I’dratherbeanancestor。Lookatthose。"ProudlyheexhibitedphotographsofMrs。WyckoffwiththebabyandofthreeotherlittleWyckoffs。
Davidlookedwithenvyatthechildren。
"WhenI’mmarried，"hestammered，andatthewordsheblushed，"I
hopetobeanancestor。"
"Ifyou’rethinkingofgettingmarried，"saidWyckoff，"you’dbetterhopeforaraiseinsalary。"
TheotherclerkswereasunsympatheticasWyckoff。AtfirstwhenDavidshowedthemhisparchmentcertificate，andhissilvergiltinsigniawithononesideaportraitofWashington，andontheotheraContinentalsoldier，theyadmitteditwasdeadswell。
Theyevenenviedhim，notthegrandfather，butthefactthatowingtothatdistinguishedrelativeDavidwasconstantlyreceivingbeautifullyengravedinvitationstoattendthemonthlymeetingsofthesociety；tosubscribetoafundtoerectmonumentsonbattle—fieldstomarkneglectedgraves；tojoininjoyousexcursionstothetombofWashingtonorofJohnPaulJones；toinspectWestPoint，Annapolis，andBunkerHill；tobeamongthosepresentattheannual"banquet"atDelmonico’s。Inorderthatwhenheopenedtheselettershemighthaveanaudience，hehadgiventhesocietyhisofficeaddress。
Inthesecommunicationshewasalwaysaddressedas"DearCompatriot，"andneverdidthewordsfailtogivehimathrill。
TheyseemedtolifthimoutofBurdett’ssalesroomsandBroadway，andplacehimnexttothingsuncommercial，untainted，high，andnoble。Hedidnotquiteknowwhatanaristocratwas，butbebelievedbeingacompatriotmadehimanaristocrat。Whencustomerswererude，whenMr。JohnorMr。Robertwasoverbearing，thisideaenabledDavidtoriseabovetheirill—temper，andhewouldsmileandsaytohimself："Iftheyknewthemeaningofthebluerosetteinmybutton—hole，howdifferentlytheywouldtreatme！HoweasilywithawordcouldIcrushthem！"
Butfewofthecustomersrecognizedthesignificanceofthebutton。TheythoughtitmeantthatDavidbelongedtotheY。M。C。
A。orwasateetotaler。David，withhisgentlemannersandpale，asceticface，wasliabletogivethatimpression。
WhenWyckoffmentionedmarriage，thereasonDavidblushedwasbecause，althoughnooneintheofficesuspectedit，hewishedtomarrythepersoninwhomtheofficetookthegreatestpride。ThiswasMissEmilyAnthony，oneofBurdettandSons’youngest，mostefficient，andprettieststenographers，andalthoughDaviddidnotcutasdashingafigureasdidsomeofthefirm’stravellingmen，MissAnthonyhadfoundsomethinginhimsogreatlytoadmirethatshehad，outofofficehours，acceptedhisdevotion，histheatretickets，andanengagementring。Indeed，sofarhadmattersprogressed，thatithadbeenalmostdecidedwheninafewmonthstheywouldgoupontheirvacationstheyalsowouldgoupontheirhoneymoon。Andthenacloudhadcomebetweenthem，andfromaquarterfromwhichDavidhadexpectedonlysunshine。
ThetroublebefellwhenDaviddiscoveredhehadagreat—
great—grandfather。WiththatfactitselfMissAnthonywasalmostaspleasedaswasDavidhimself，butwhilehewascontenttobaskinanother’sglory，MissAnthonysawinhisinheritanceonlyanincentivetoachievegloryforhimself。
Fromahard—workingsalesmanshehadaskedbutlittle，butfromadescendantofanationalherosheexpectedotherthings。Shewasadeterminedyoungperson，andforDavidshewasanambitiousyoungperson。Shefoundshewasdissatisfied。Shefoundshewasdisappointed。Thegreat—great—grandfatherhadopenedupanewhorizon——had，inaway，raisedthestandard。ShewasasfondofDavidasalways，buthistalesofpastwarsandbattles，hisaccountsofpresentbanquetsatwhichhesatshouldertoshoulderwithmenofwhomevenBurdettandSonsspokewithawe，touchedherimagination。
"Youshouldn’tbecontenttojustwearabutton，"sheurged。"Ifyou’reaSonofWashington，yououghttoactlikeone。"
"IknowI’mnotworthyofyou，"Davidsighed。
"Idon’tmeanthat，andyouknowIdon’t，"Emilyrepliedindignantly。"Ithasnothingtodowithme！Iwantyoutobeworthyofyourself，ofyourgrandpaHiram！"
"ButHOW？"complainedDavid。"Whatchancehasatwenty—fivedollaraweekclerk——"
ItwasayearbeforetheSpanish—AmericanWar，whilethepatriotsofCubawerefightingthemothercountryfortheirindependence。
"IfIwereaSonoftheRevolution，"saidEmily，"I’dgotoCubaandhelpfreeit。"
"Don’ttalknonsense，"criedDavid。"IfIdidthatI’dlosemyjob，andwe’dneverbeabletomarry。Besides，what’sCubadoneforme？AllIknowaboutCubais，IoncesmokedaCubancigaranditmademeill。"
"DidLafayettetalklikethat？"demandedEmily。"DidheaskwhathavetheAmericanrebelseverdoneforme？"
"IfIwereinLafayette’sclass，"sighedDavid，"Iwouldn’tbesellingautomaticpunches。"
"There’syourtrouble，"declaredEmily"Youlackself—
confidence。You’retoohumble，you’vegotfightingbloodandyououghttokeepsayingtoyourself，’Bloodwilltell，’andthefirstthingyouknow，itWILLtell！Youmightbeginbygoingintopoliticsinyourward。Or，youcouldjointhemilitia。Thattakesonlyonenightaweek，andthen，ifweDIDgotowarwithSpain，you’dgetacommission，andcomebackacaptain！"
Emily’seyeswerebeautifulwithdelight。ButthesightgaveDavidnopleasure。Ingenuinedistress，heshookhishead。
"Emily，"hesaid，"you’regoingtobeawfullydisappointedinme。"
Emily’seyesclosedasthoughtheyshiedatsomementalpicture。
Butwhensheopenedthemtheywerebright，andhersmilewaskindandeager。
"No，I’mnot，"sheprotested；"onlyIwantahusbandwithacareer，andonewho’lltellmetokeepquietwhenItrytorunitforhim。"
"I’veoftenwishedyouwould，"saidDavid。
"Wouldwhat？Runyourcareerforyou？"
"No，keepquiet。Onlyitdidn’tseempolitetotellyouso。"
"MaybeI’dlikeyoubetter，"saidEmily，"ifyouweren’tsodarnedpolite。"
Aweeklater，earlyinthespringof1897，theunexpectedhappened，andDavidwaspromotedintotheflyingsquadron。Henowwasatravellingsalesman，withariseinsalaryandacommissiononorders。Itwasastepforward，butasgoingontheroadmeantabsencefromEmily，Davidwasnotelated。NordiditsatisfyEmily。Itwasnotmoneyshewanted。HerambitionforDavidcouldnotbesilencedwitharaiseinwages。Shedidnotsaythis，butDavidknewthatinhimshestillfoundsomethinglacking，andwhentheysaidgood—bytheybothwereillateaseandcompletelyunhappy。Formerly，eachdaywhenEmilyinpassingDavidintheofficesaidgood—morning，sheusedtoaddthenumberofthedaysthatstillseparatedthemfromthevacationwhichalsowastobetheirhoneymoon。But，forthelastmonthshehadstoppedcountingthedays——atleastshedidnotcountthemaloud。
Daviddidnotaskherwhythiswasso。Hedidnotdare。And，soonerthanlearnthetruththatshehaddecidednottomarryhim，orthatshewasevenconsideringnotmarryinghim，heaskednoquestions，butinignoranceofherpresentfeelingssetforthonhistravels。AbsencefromEmilyhurtjustasmuchashehadfeareditwould。Hemissedher，neededher，longedforher。Innumerouslettershetoldherso。But，owingtothefrequencywithwhichhemoved，herlettersnevercaughtupwithhim。Itwasalmostarelief。Hedidnotcaretothinkofwhattheymighttellhim。
TherouteassignedDavidtookhimthroughtheSouthandkepthimclosetotheAtlanticseaboard。Inobtainingordershewasnotunsuccessful，andattheendofthefirstmonthreceivedfromthefirmatelegramofcongratulation。ThiswasofimportancechieflybecauseitmightpleaseEmily。Butheknewthatinhereyesthegreat—great—grandsonofHiramGreenecouldnotrestcontentwithatelegramfromBurdettandSons。Ayearbeforeshewouldhaveconsidereditahighhonor，acauseforcelebration。Now，hecouldseeherpressherprettylipstogetherandshakeherprettyhead。Itwasnotenough。Buthowcouldheaccomplishmore。Hebegantohatehisgreat—great—grandfather。HebegantowishHiramGreenehadlivedanddiedabachelor。
AndthenDameFortunetookDavidinhandandtoyedwithhimandspankedhim，andpeltedandpettedhim，untilfinallyshemadehimherfavoriteson。DameFortunewentaboutthisworkinanabruptandarbitrarymanner。
Onthenightofthe1stofMarch，1897，twotrainswerescheduledtoleavetheUnionStationatJacksonvilleatexactlythesameminute，andtheyleftexactlyontime。AsneverbeforeinthehistoryofanySouthernrailroadhasthismiracleoccurred，itshowsthatwhenDameFortunegetsonthejobsheisomnipotent。
SheplacedDavidonthetraintoMiamiasthetrainhewanteddrewoutforTampa，andanhourlater，whentheconductorlookedatDavid’sticket，hepulledthebell—cordanddumpedDavidoverthesideintotheheartofapineforest。Ifhewalkedbackalongthetrackforonemile，theconductorreassuredhim，hewouldfindaflagstationwhereatmidnighthecouldflagatraingoingnorth。InanhouritwoulddeliverhimsafelyinJacksonville。
Therewasamoon，butforthegreaterpartofthetimeitwashiddenbyfitful，hurryingclouds，and，asDavidstumbledforward，atonemomenthewouldseetherailslikestreaksofsilver，andthenextwouldbeencompassedinacompleteandbewilderingdarkness。Hemadehiswayfromtietotieonlybyfeelingwithhisfoot。Afteranhourhecametoashed。Whetheritwasorwasnottheflagstationtheconductorhadinmind，hedidnotknow，andheneverdidknow。Hewastootired，toohot，andtoodisgustedtoproceed，anddroppinghissuitcasehesatdownundertheopenroofoftheshedpreparedtowaiteitherforthetrainordaylight。Sofarashecouldsee，oneverysideofhimstretchedaswamp，silent，dismal，interminable。Fromitsblackwaterrosedeadtrees，nakedofbarkandhungwithstreamersoffunerealmoss。Therewasnotasoundorsignofhumanhabitation。ThesilencewasthesilenceoftheoceanatnightDavidrememberedtheberthreservedforhimonthetraintoTampaandoftheloathingwithwhichhehadconsideredplacinghimselfbetweenitssheets。Butnowhowgladlywouldhewelcomeit！For，inthesleeping—car，ill—smelling，close，andstuffy，heatleastwouldhavebeensurroundedbyfellow—sufferersofhisownspecies。Herehiscompanionswereowls，water—snakes，andsleepingbuzzards。
Iamalone，"hetoldhimself，"onarailroadembankment，entirelysurroundedbyalligators。"
Andthenhefoundhewasnotalone。
Inthedarkness，illuminatedbyamatch，notahundredyardsfromhimthereflashedsuddenlythefaceofaman。Thenthematchwentoutandthefacewithit。Davidnotedthatithadappearedatsomeheightabovetheleveloftheswamp，atanelevationhighereventhanthatoftheembankment。Itwasasthoughthemanhadbeensittingonthelimbofatree。Davidcrossedthetracksandfoundthatonthesideoftheembankmentoppositetheshedtherewassolidgroundandwhatoncehadbeenawharf。Headvancedoverthiscautiously，andashedidsothecloudsdisappeared，andinthefulllightofthemoonhesawabayoubroadeningintoariver，andmadefasttothedecayedandrottingwharfanocean—goingtug。Itwasfromherdeckthattheman，inlightinghispipe，hadshownhisface。Atthethoughtofawarmengine—roomandthecompanyofhisfellowcreatures，David’sheartleapedwithpleasure。Headvancedquickly。Andthensomethingintheappearanceofthetug，somethingmysterious，secretive，threatening，causedhimtohalt。Nolightsshowedfromherengine—room，cabin，orpilot—house。Herdeckswereempty。
But，aswasevidencedbytheblacksmokethatrosefromherfunnel，shewasawakeandawaketosomepurpose。Davidstooduncertainly，questioningwhethertomakehispresenceknownorreturntothelonelinessoftheshed。Thequestionwasdecidedforhim。Hehadnotconsideredthatstandinginthemoonlighthewasaconspicuousfigure。Theplanksofthewharfcreakedandamancametowardhim。Asonewhomeanstoattack，orwhofearsattack，heapproachedwarily。Heworehighboots，ridingbreeches，andasombrero。Hewasalittleman，buthismovementswerealertandactive。ToDavidheseemedunnecessarilyexcited。
HethrusthimselfcloseagainstDavid。
"Whothedevilareyou？"demandedthemanfromthetug。"How’dyougethere？"
"Iwalked，"saidDavid。
"Walked？"themansnortedincredulously。
"Itookthewrongtrain，"explainedDavidpleasantly。"Theyputmeoffaboutamilebelowhere。Iwalkedbacktothisflagstation。I’mgoingtowaithereforthenexttrainnorth。"
Thelittlemanlaughedmockingly。
"Oh，noyou’renot，"hesaid。"Ifyouwalkedhere，youcanjustwalkawayagain！"Withasweepofhisarm，hemadeavigorousandperemptorygesture。
"Youwalk！"hecommanded。
"I’lldojustasIpleaseaboutthat，"saidDavid。
Asthoughtobringassistance，thelittlemanstartedhastilytowardthetug。
"I’llfindsomeonewho’llmakeyouwalk！"hecalled。"YouWAIT，that’sall，youWAIT！"
Daviddecidednottowait。Itwaspossiblethewharfwasprivatepropertyandhehadbeentrespassing。Inanycase，attheflagstationtherightsofallmenwereequal，andifhewereinforafighthejudgeditbesttochoosehisownbattle—ground。Herecrossedthetracksandsatdownonhissuitcaseinadarkcorneroftheshed。Himselfhiddenintheshadowshecouldseeinthemoonlighttheapproachofanyotherperson。
"They’reriverpirates，"saidDavidtohimself，"orsmugglers。
They’recertainlyuptosomemischief，orwhyshouldtheyobjecttothepresenceofaperfectlyharmlessstranger？"
Partlywithcold，partlywithnervousness，Davidshivered。
"Iwishthattrainwouldcome，"hesighed。Andinstantly？asthoughinanswertohiswish，fromonlyashortdistancedownthetrackheheardtherumbleandcreakofapproachingcars。InaflashDavidplannedhiscourseofaction。
Thethoughtofspendingthenightinaswampinfestedbyalligatorsandsmugglershadbecomeintolerable。Hemustescape，andhemustescapebythetrainnowapproaching。Tothatendthetrainmustbestopped。Hisplanwassimple。Thetrainwasmovingvery，veryslowly，andthoughhehadnolanterntowave，inordertobringittoahaltheneedonlystandonthetrackexposedtotheglareoftheheadlightandwavehisarms。Davidsprangbetweentherailsandgesticulatedwildly。Butinamazementhisarmsfelltohissides。Forthetrain，nowonlyahundredyardsdistantandcreepingtowardhimatasnail’space，carriednohead—light，andthoughinthemoonlightDavidwasplainlyvisible，itblewnowhistle，tollednobell。Eventhepassengercoachesintherearofthesightlessenginewerewrappedindarkness。Itwasaghostofatrain，aFlyingDutchmanofatrain，anightmareofatrain。Itwasasunrealastheblackswamp，asthemossonthedeadtrees，astheghostlytug—boattiedtotherottingwharf。
"Istheplacehaunted！"exclaimedDavid。
Hewasansweredbythegrindingofbrakesandbythetraincomingtoasharphalt。Andinstantlyfromeverysidemenfellfromittotheground，andthesilenceofthenightwasbrokenbyaconfusionofcallsandeagergreetingandquestionsandsharpwordsofcommand。
SofascinatedwasDavidinthestealthyarrivalofthetrainandinhermysteriouspassengersthat，untiltheyconfrontedhim，hedidnotnotetheequallystealthyapproachofthreemen。Oftheseonewasthelittlemanfromthetug。Withhimwasafat，red—facedIrish—AmericanHeworenocoatandhisshirt—sleevesweredrawnawayfromhishandsbygartersofpinkelastic，hisderbyhatwasbalancedbehindhisears，uponhisrighthandflashedanenormousdiamond。HelookedasthoughbutatthatmomenthehadstoppedslidingglassesacrossaBowerybar。Thethirdmancarriedtheoutwardmarksofasailor。Davidbelievedhewasthetallestmanhehadeverbeheld，butequallyremarkablewithhisheightwashisbeardandhair，whichwereofafiercebrick—dustred。Eveninthemildmoonlightitflamedlikeatorch。
"What’syourbusiness？"demandedthemanwiththeflamboyanthair。
"Icamehere，"beganDavid，"towaitforatrain——"
Thetallmanbellowedwithindignantrage。
"Yes，"heshouted；"thisisthesortofplaceanyonewouldpickouttowaitforatrain！"
InfrontofDavid’snoseheshookafistaslargeasacatcher’sglove。"Don’tyoulietoME！"hebullied。"DoyouknowwhoIam？
DoyouknowWHOyou’reupagainst？I’m——"
Thebarkeeperpersoninterrupted。
"Nevermindwhoyouare，"hesaid。"Weknowthat。FindoutwhoHE
is。"
Davidturnedappealinglytothebarkeeper。
"DoyousupposeI’dcomehereonpurpose？"heprotested。"I’matravellingman——"
"Youwon’ttravelanyto—night，"mockedthered—hairedone。
"You’veseenwhatyoucametosee，andallyouwantnowistogettoaWesternUnionwire。Well，youdon’tdoit。Youdon’tleavehereto—night！"
Asthoughhethoughthehadbeenneglected，thelittlemaninriding—bootspushedforwardimportantly。
"Tiehimtoatree！"hesuggested。
"Bettertakehimonboard，"saidthebarkeeper，"andsendhimbackbythepilot。Whenwe’reonceatsea，hecan’thurtusany。"
"WhatmakesyouthinkIwanttohurtyou？"demandedDavid。"WhodoyouthinkIam？"
"Weknowwhoyouare，"shoutedthefiery—headedone。"You’reablanketty—blankspy！You’reagovernmentspyoraSpanishspy，andwhicheveryouareyoudon’tgetawayto—night！"
Davidhadnotthefaintestideawhatthemanmeant，butheknewhisself—respectwasbeingill—treated，andhisself—respectrebelled。
"Youhavemadeaveryseriousmistake，"hesaid，"andwhetheryoulikeitornot，IAMleavinghereto—night，andYOUcangotothedevil！"
TurninghisbackDavidstartedwithgreatdignitytowalkaway。
Itwasashortwalk。Somethinghithimbelowtheearandhefoundhimselfcurlingupcomfortablyontheties。Hehadastrongdesiretosleep，butwasconsciousthatabedonarailroadtrack，onaccountoftrainswantingtopass，wasunsafe。Thisdoubtdidnotlongdisturbhim。Hisheadrolledagainstthesteelrail，hislimbsrelaxed。Fromagreatdistance，andinastrangesing—songheheardthevoiceofthebarkeepersaying，"Nine——ten——andOUT！"
WhenDavidcametohissenseshisheadwasrestingonacoilofrope。Inhisearswasthesteadythrobofanengine，andinhiseyestheglareofalantern。Thelanternwasheldbyapleasant—facedyouthinagolfcapwhowassmilingsympathetically。Davidroseonhiselbowandgazedwildlyabouthim。Hewasinthebowoftheocean—goingtug，andhesawthatfromwherehelayinthebowtohersternherdeckswerepackedwithmen。Shewassteamingswiftlydownabroadriver。Oneithersidethegraylightthatcomesbeforethedawnshowedlowbanksstuddedwithstuntedpalmettos。CloseaheadDavidheardtheroarofthesurf。
"Sorrytodisturbyou，"saidtheyouthinthegolfcap，"butwedropthepilotinafewminutesandyou’regoingwithhim。"
Davidmovedhisachingheadgingerly，andwasconsciousofabumpaslargeasatennisballbehindhisrightear。
"Whathappenedtome？"hedemanded。
"Youweresortofkidnapped，Iguess，"laughedtheyoungman。"Itwasarawdeal，buttheycouldn’ttakeanychances。ThepilotwilllandyouatOkraPoint。Youcanhirearigtheretotakeyoutotherailroad。"
"Butwhy？"demandedDavidindignantly。"WhywasIkidnapped？WhathadIdone？Whowerethosemenwho——"
Fromthepilot—housetherewasasharpjangleofbellstotheengine—room，andthespeedofthetugslackened。
"Comeon，"commandedtheyoungmanbriskly。"Thepilot’sgoingashore。Here’syourgrip，here’syourhat。Theladder’sontheportside。Lookwhereyou’restepping。Wecan’tshowanylights，andit’sdarkas——"
But，evenashespoke，likeaflashofpowder，asswiftlyasonethrowsanelectricswitch，asblindinglyasatrainleapsfromthetunnelintotheglaringsun，thedarknessvanishedandthetugwassweptbythefierce，blatantradianceofasearch—light。
Itwasmetbyshrieksfromtwohundredthroats，byscreams，oaths，prayers，bythesharpjanglingofbells，bytheblindrushofmanymenscurryinglikeratsforaholetohidein，bytheringingordersofoneman。Abovethetumultthisonevoiceroselikethewarningstrokesofafire—gong，andlookinguptothepilot—housefromwhencethevoicecame，Davidsawthebarkeeperstillinhisshirt—sleevesandwithhisderbyhatpushedbackbehindhisears，withonehandclutchingthetelegraphtotheengine—room，withtheotherholdingthespokeofthewheel。
Davidfeltthetug，likeahuntertakingafence，riseinagreatleap。Herbowsankandrose，tossingthewaterfromherinblack，oilywaves，thesmokepouredfromherfunnel，frombelowherenginessobbedandquivered，andlikeahoundfreedfromaleashsheracedfortheopensea。Butswiftlyasshefled，asathiefisheldinthecircleofapoliceman’sbull’s—eye，theshaftoflightfollowedandexposedherandheldherinitsgrip。TheyouthinthegolfcapwasclutchingDavidbythearm。Withhisfreehandhepointeddowntheshaftoflight。SogreatwasthetumultthattobeheardhebroughthislipsclosetoDavid’sear。
"That’stherevenuecutter！"heshouted。"She’sbeenlayingforusforthreeweeks，andnow，"heshriekedexultingly，"theoldman’sgoingtogiveheraraceforit。"
Fromexcitement，fromcold，fromalarm，David’snervesweregettingbeyondhiscontrol。
"Buthow，"hedemanded，"howdoIgetashore？"
"Youdon’t！"
"Whenhedropsthepilot，don’tI——"
"Howcanhedropthepilot？"yelledtheyouth。"Thepilot’sgottostickbytheboat。Sohaveyou。"
Davidclutchedtheyoungmanandswunghimsothattheystoodfacetoface。
"Stickbywhatboat？"yelledDavid。"Whoarethesemen？Whoareyou？Whatboatisthis？"
Intheglareofthesearch—lightDavidsawtheeyesoftheyouthstaringathimasthoughhefearedhewereintheclutchofamadman。Wrenchinghimselffree，theyouthpointedatthepilot—house。Aboveitonablueboardinlettersofgold—leafafoothighwasthenameofthetug。AsDavidreadithisbreathlefthim，afingeroficepassedslowlydownhisspine。ThenamehereadwasTheThreeFriends。
"THETHREEFRIENDS！"shriekedDavid。"She’safilibuster！She’sapirate！Where’rewegoing？
"ToCuba！"
Davidemittedahowlofanguish，rage，andprotest。
"Whatfor？"heshrieked。
Theyoungmanregardedhimcoldly。
"Topickbananas，"hesaid。
"Iwon’tgotoCuba，"shoutedDavid。"I’vegottowork！I’mpaidtosellmachinery。Idemandtobeputashore。I’lllosemyjobifI’mnotputashore。I’llsueyou！I’llhavethelaw——"
Davidfoundhimselfsuddenlyuponhisknees。Hisfirstthoughtwasthattheshiphadstruckarock，andthenthatshewasbumpingherselfoverasuccessionofcoralreefs。Shedipped，dived，reared，andplunged。Likeahookedfish，sheflungherselfintheair，quiveringfrombowtostern。NolongerwasDavidofamindtosuethefilibustersiftheydidnotputhimashore。Ifonlytheyhadputhimashore，ingratitudehewouldhavecrawledonhisknees。WhatfollowedwasofnointeresttoDavid，nortomanyofthefilibusters，nortoanyoftheCubanpatriots。Theirgroansofself—pity，theirprayersandcursesineloquentSpanish，rosehighabovethecrashofbrokencrockeryandthepoundingofthewaves。Evenwhenthesearch—lightgavewaytoabrilliantsunlightthecircumstancewasunobservedbyDavid。Norwasheconcernedinthetidingsbroughtforwardbytheyouthinthegolfcap，whoracedtheslipperydecksandvaultedtheprostrateformsassure—footedlyasahurdleronacindertrack。
ToDavid，inwhomheseemedtothinkhehadfoundacongenialspirit，heshoutedJoyfully，"She’sfiredtwoblanksatus！"hecried；"nowshe’sfiringcannon—balls！"
"ThankGod，"whisperedDavid；"perhapsshe’llsinkus！"
ButTheThreeFriendsshowedherheelstotherevenuecutter，andsofarasDavidknewhourspassedintodaysanddaysintoweeks。
Itwaslikethosenightmaresinwhichinaminuteoneiswhirledthroughcenturiesoffearandtorment。Sometimes，regardlessofnausea，ofhisachinghead，oftheharddeck，ofthewavesthatsplashedandsmotheredhim，Davidfellintobrokenslumber。
Sometimeshewoketoadullconsciousnessofhisposition。Atsuchmomentsheaddedtohismiserybyspeculatingupontheothermisfortunesthatmighthavebefallenhimonshore。Emily，hedecided，hadgivenhimupforlostandmarried——probablyanavyofficerincommandofabattle—ship。BurdettandSonshadcasthimoffforever。Possiblyhisdisappearancehadcausedthemtosuspecthim；evennowtheymightberegardinghimasadefaulter，asafugitivefromjustice。Hisaccounts，nodoubt，werebeingcarefullyoverhauled。Inactualtime，twodaysandtwonightshadpassed；toDaviditseemedmanyages。
Onthethirddayhecrawledtothestern，wherethereseemedlessmotion，andfindingaboat’scushionthrewitintheleescupperandfelluponit。Fromtimetotimetheyouthinthegolfcaphadbroughthimfoodanddrink，andhenowappearedfromthecook’sgalleybearingabowlofsmokingsoup。
Davidconsidereditadoubtfulattention。
Buthesaid，"You’reverykind。Howdidafellowlikeyoucometomixupwiththesepirates？"
Theyouthlaughedgood—naturedly。
"They’renotpirates，they’repatriots，"hesaid，"andI’mnotmixedupwiththem。MynameisHenryCarrandI’maguestofJimmyDoyle，thecaptain。"
"Thebarkeeperwiththederbyhat？"saidDavid。
"He’snotabarkeeper，he’sateetotaler，"Carrcorrected，"andhe’sthegreatestfilibusteralive。HeknowsthesewatersasyouknowBroadway，andhe’sthesaltoftheearth。Ididhimafavoronce；sortofmouse—helping—the—lionidea。JustthroughdumbluckIfoundoutaboutthisexpedition。ThegovernmentagentsinNewYorkfoundoutI’dfoundoutandsentformetotell。ButI
didn’t，andIdidn’twritethestoryeither。Doyleheardaboutthat。So，heaskedmetocomeashisguest，andhe’spromisedthatafterhe’slandedtheexpeditionandthearmsIcanwriteasmuchaboutitasIdarnplease。"
"Thenyou’reareporter？"saidDavid。
"I’mwhatwecallacubreporter，"laughedCarr。"Yousee，I’vealwaysdreamedofbeingawarcorrespondent。ThemenintheofficesayIdreamtoomuch。They’realwaysguyingmeaboutit。
But，haven’tyounoticed，it’stheoneswhodreamwhofindtheirdreamscometrue。Nowthisisn’trealwar，butit’sanearwar，andwhentherealthingbreaksloose，IcantellthemanagingeditorIservedasawarcorrespondentintheCuban—Spanishcampaign。Andhemaygivemearealjob！"
"AndyouLIKEthis？"groanedDavid。
"Iwouldn’t，ifIwereassickasyouare，"saidCarr，"butI’veastomachlikeaHarlemgoat。"Hestoopedandloweredhisvoice。
"Now，herearetwofakefilibusters，"hewhispered。"Themenyoureadaboutinthenewspapers。Ifaman’saREALfilibuster，nobodyknowsit！"
ComingtowardthemwasthetallmanwhohadknockedDavidout，andthelittleonewhohadwantedtotiehimtoatree。
"Alltheyask，"whisperedCarr，"ismoneyandadvertisement。IftheyknewIwasareporter，they’deatoutofmyhand。ThetallmancallshimselfLighthouseHarry。Heoncekeptalight—houseontheFloridacoast，andthat’sasneartotheseaasheevergot。
Theotheroneisadare—devilcallinghimselfColonelBeamish。Hesayshe’sanEnglishofficer，andasoldieroffortune，andthathe’sbeenineighteenbattles。Jimmysayshe’sneverbeennearenoughtoabattletoseethered—crossflagsonthebasehospital。Butthey’vefooledtheseCubans。TheJuntathinksthey’regreatfighters，andit’ssentthemdownheretoworkthemachineguns。ButI’mafraidtheonlyfightingtheywilldowillbeinthesportingcolumns，andnotinthering。"
Ahalfdozensea—sickCubanswerecarryingaheavy，oblongbox。
TheydroppeditnottwoyardsfromwhereDavidlay，andwithascrewdriverLighthouseHarryproceededtoopenthelid。
CarrexplainedtoDavidthatTheThreeFriendswasapproachingthatpartofthecoastofCubaonwhichshehadarrangedtolandherexpedition，andthatincaseshewassurprisedbyoneoftheSpanishpatrolboatsshewaspreparingtodefendherself。
"They’vegotanautomaticguninthatcrate，"saidCarr，"andthey’regoingtoassembleit。You’dbettermove；they’llbetrampingalloveryou。
Davidshookhisheadfeebly。
"Ican’tmove！"heprotested。"Iwouldn’tmoveifitwouldfreeCuba。"
ForseveralhourswithverylanguidinterestDavidwatchedLighthouseHarryandColonelBeamishscrewaheavytripodtothedeckandbalanceaboveitaquick—firingone—pounder。Theyworkedveryslowly，andtoDavid，watchingthemfromtheleescupper，theyappearedextremelyunintelligent。
"Idon’tbelieveeitherofthosethugsputanautomaticguntogetherinhislife，"hewhisperedtoCarr。"Ineverdid，either，butI’veputhundredsofautomaticpunchestogether，andIbetthatgunwon’twork。"
"What’swrongwithit？"saidCarr。
BeforeDavidcouldsummonsufficientenergytoanswer，theattentionofallonboardwasdiverted，andbyasingleword。
Whetherthewordiswhisperedapologeticallybythesmoking—roomstewardtothosedeepinbridge，orshriekedfromthetopsofasinkingshipitneverquitefailsofitseffect。Asweatingstokerfromtheengine—roomsawitfirst。
"Land！"hehailed。
Thesea—sickCubansraisedthemselvesandswungtheirhats；theirvoicesroseinafiercechorus。
"Cubalibre！"theyyelled。
Thesunpiercingthemorningmistshaduncoveredacoast—linebrokenwithbaysandinlets。Aboveittoweredgreenhills，thepeakofeachtoppedbyasquatblockhouse；inthevalleysandwatercourseslikecolumnsofmarblerosetheroyalpalms。
"YouMUSTlook！"CarrentreatedDavid。"it’sjustasitisinthepictures！
"ThenIdon’thavetolook，"groanedDavid。
TheThreeFriendswasmakingforapointoflandthatcurvedlikeasickle。OntheinsideofthesicklewasNipeBay。OntheoppositeshoreofthatbroadharborattheplaceofrendezvousalittlebandofCubanswaitedtoreceivethefilibusters。Thegoalwasinsight。Thedreadfulvoyagewasdone。Joyandexcitementthrilledtheship’scompany。CubanpatriotsappearedinuniformswithCubanflagspinnedinthebrimsoftheirstrawsombreros。
Fromtheholdcameboxesofsmall—armammunitionofMausers，rifles，machetes，andsaddles。Toprotectthelandingaboxofshellswasplacedinreadinessbesidetheone—pounder。
"Intwohours，ifwehavesmoothwater，"shoutedLighthouseHarry，"weoughttogetallofthisonshore。Andthen，allI
ask，"hecriedmightily，"isforsomeonetokindlyshowmeaSpaniard！"
Hisheart’sdesirewasinstantlygranted。HewasshownnotonlyoneSpaniard，butseveralSpaniards。Theywereonthedeckofoneofthefastestgun—boatsoftheSpanishnavy。NotamilefromTheThreeFriendsshesprangfromthecoverofanarrowinlet。Shedidnotsignalquestionsorextendcourtesies。Forherthenameoftheocean—goingtugwassufficientintroduction。Throwingaheadofherasolidshell，sheracedinpursuit，andasTheThreeFriendsleapedtofullspeedtherecamefromthegun—boatthesharpdrycrackleofMausers。
WithanexplosionofterrifyingoathsLighthouseHarrythrustashellintothebreechofthequick—firinggun。Withoutwaitingtoaimit，hetuggedatthetrigger。Nothinghappened！Hethrewopenthebreechandgazedimpotentlyatthebaseoftheshell。Itwasuntouched。Theshipwasringingwithcriesofanger，ofhate，withrat—likesqueaksoffear。
Abovetheheadsofthefilibustersashellscreamedandwithinahundredfeetsplashedintoawave。
FromhismatintheleescupperDavidgroanedmiserably。Hewasfarremovedfromanyofthegreateremotions。
"It’snouse！"heprotested。"Theycan’tdo！It’snotconnected！"
"WHAT’Snotconnected？"yelledCarr。HefelluponDavid。Hehalf—lifted，half—draggedhimtohisfeet。
"Ifyouknowwhat’swrongwiththatgun，youfixit！Fixit，"heshouted，"orI’ll——"
DavidwasnotconcernedwiththevengeanceCarrthreatened。For，ontheinstantamiraclehadtakenplace。Withtheswiftinsidiousnessofmorphine，peaceranthroughhisveins，soothedhisrackedbody，hisjanglednerves。TheThreeFriendshadmadetheharbor，andwasglidingthroughwaterflatasapond。ButDaviddidnotknowwhythechangehadcome。Heknewonlythathissoulandbodywereatrest，thatthesunwasshining，thathehadpassedthroughthevalleyoftheshadow，andoncemorewasasane，soundyoungman。
WithasavagethrustoftheshoulderhesentLighthouseHarrysprawlingfromthegun。Withswift，practisedfingershefelluponitsmechanism。Hewrencheditapart。Heliftedit，reset，readjustedit。
Ignorantthemselves，thoseabouthimsawthatheunderstood，sawthathisworkwasgood。
Theyraisedajoyous，defiantcheer。Butashowerofbulletsdrovethemtocover，bulletsthatrippedthedeck，splinteredthesuperstructure，smashedtheglassintheairports，likeangrywaspssanginacontinuouswhiningchorus。Intentonlyonthegun，Davidworkedfeverishly。Heswungtothebreech，lockedit，anddraggeditopen，pulledonthetriggerandfounditgavebeforehisforefinger。
Heshoutedwithdelight。
"I’vegotitworking，"heyelled。
Heturnedtohisaudience，buthisaudiencehadfled。Frombeneathoneofthelife—boatsprotrudedtheriding—bootsofColonelBeamish，thetallformofLighthouseHarrywasdoubledbehindawaterbutt。Ashellsplashedtoport，ashellsplashedtostarboard。ForaninstantDavidstoodstaringwide—eyedatthegreyhoundofaboatthatateupthedistancebetweenthem，atthejetsofsmokeandstabsofflamethatsprangfromherbow，atthefigurescrouchedbehindhergunwale，firinginvolleys。
ToDaviditcamesuddenly，convincingly，thatinadreamhehadliveditallbefore，andsomethinglikerawpoisonstirredinDavid，somethingleapedtohisthroatandchokedhim，somethingroseinhisbrainandmadehimseescarlet。HefeltratherthansawyoungCarrkneelingattheboxofammunition，andholdingashelltowardhim。Heheardtheclickasthebreechshut，felttherubbertireofthebracegiveagainsttheweightofhisshoulder，downalongshiningtubesawthepursuinggun—boat，sawheragainandmanytimesdisappearbehindaflashofflame。Abulletgashedhisforehead，abulletpasseddeftlythroughhisforearm，buthedidnotheedthem。Confusedwiththethrashingoftheengines，withtheroarofthegunheheardastrangevoiceshriekingunceasingly：
"Cubalibre！"ityelled。"TohellwithSpain！"andhefoundthatthevoicewashisown。
ThestorylostnothinginthewayCarrwroteit。
"Andthebestofitis，"heexclaimedjoyfully，"it’strue！"
ForaSpanishgun—boatHADbeencrippledandforcedtorunherselfagroundbyatug—boatmannedbyCubanpatriots，andbyasinglegunservedbyoneman，andthatmananAmerican。Itwasthefirstsea—fightofthewar。OvernightaCubannavyhadbeenborn，andintothelimelightacubreporterhadprojectedanew"hero，"aready—made，warranted—not—to—run，popularidol。
Theywereseatedinthepilot—house，"Jimmy"Doyle，Carr，andDavid，thepatriotsandtheirarmshadbeensafelydumpeduponthecoastofCuba，andTheThreeFriendswasglidingswiftlyand，havingcaughttheFloridastraitsnapping，smoothlytowardKeyWest。Carrhadjustfinishedreadingaloudhisaccountoftheengagement。
YouwilltellthestoryjustasIhavewrittenit，"commandedtheproudauthor。"YourbeingSouthasatravellingsalesmanwasonlyablind。Youcametovolunteerforthisexpedition。Beforeyoucouldexplainyourwishyouweremistakenforasecret—serviceman，andhustledonboard。Thatwasjustwhereyouwantedtobe，andwhenthemomentarrivedyoutookcommandoftheshipandsingle—handedwonthenavalbattleofNipeBay。"
JimmyDoylenoddedhisheadapprovingly。"Youcertaintydid，Dave，"protestedthegreatman，"Iseenyouwhenyoudoneit！"
AtKeyWestCarrfiledhisstoryandwhilethehospitalsurgeonskeptDavidthereoveronesteamer，todresshiswounds，hisfameandfeaturesspreadacrossthemapoftheUnitedStates。
BurdettandSonsbaskedinreflectedglory。Reportersbesiegedtheiroffice。AttheMerchantsDown—TownClubthebusinessmenoflowerBroadwaytenderedcongratulations。
"Ofcourse，it’sagreatsurprisetous，"BurdettandSonswouldprotestandwinkheavily。"Ofcourse，whentheboyaskedtobesentSouthwe’dnoideahewasplanningtofightforCuba！Orwewouldn’thavelethimgo，wouldwe？"Thenagaintheywouldwinkheavily。"Isupposeyouknow，"theywouldsay，"thathe’sadirectdescendantofGeneralHiramGreene，whowonthebattleofTrenton。WhatIsayis，’Bloodwilltell！’"Andtheninabodyeveryoneintheclubwouldmoveagainstthebarandexclaim：
"Here’stoCubalibre！"
WhentheOlivettefromKeyWestreachedTampaBayeveryCubanintheTampacigarfactorieswasatthedock。TherewerethousandsofthemandalloftheJunta，inhighhats，toreadDavidanaddressofwelcome。
And，whentheysawhimatthetopofthegang—plankwithhisheadinabandageandhisarminasling，likeamobofmaniacstheyhowledandsurgedtowardhim。ButbeforetheycouldreachtheirherothecourteousJuntaforcedthemback，andclearedapathwayforayounggirl。Shewastravel—wornandpale，hershirt—waistwasdisgracefullywrinkled，herbesthatwasawreck。NooneonBroadwaywouldhaverecognizedherasBurdettandSons’mostimmaculateandbeautifulstenographer。
ShedugtheshapelesshatintoDavid’sshoulder，andclungtohim。"David！"shesobbed，"promisemeyou’llnever，neverdoitagain！"
Chapter5。THESAILORMAN
BeforeLatimerputhimonwatch，theNantucketsailormanhadnotacareintheworld。Ifthewindblewfromthenorth，hespuntotheleft；ifitcamefromthesouth，hespuntotheright。Butitwasentirelythewindthatwasresponsible。So，whicheverwayheturned，hesmiledbroadly，happily。Hisoutlookupontheworldwasthatofonewholovedhisfellowman。HehadmanybrothersaslikehimastwinsalloverNantucketandCapeCodandtheNorthShore，smilingfromtherailingsofverandas，fromtheroofsofbungalows，fromtheeavesofsummerpalaces。Empaledontheirlittleironuprights，eachsailormanwhirled——sometimeslanguidly，likeagreatladyrevolvingtotheslowmeasuresofawaltz，sometimessorapidlythathemadeyouquitedizzy，andhadhenotbeenasailormanwithaheartofoakandaheadandstomachofpine，hewouldhavebeenquiteseasick。ButtheparticularsailormanthatLatimerboughtforHelenPageandputonsentrydutycarriedonhisshouldersmostgraveandunusualresponsibilities。Hewastheguardianofaburiedtreasure，thekeeperofthehappinessoftwoyoungpeople。Itwasreallyaskingagreatdealofacare—free，happy—go—luckyweather—vane。
EverysummerfromBostonHelenPage’speoplehadbeencomingtoFairHarbor。Theyknewitwhenwhatnowisthepolofieldwastheircowpasture。Andwhetherattheageoftwelveoroftwentyormore，HelenPageruledFairHarbor。Whenshearrivedthe"season"opened；whenshedepartedthelocaltrades—peoplesighedandbegantotakeaccountofstock。Shewassopopularbecauseshepossessedcharm，andbecausesheplayednofavorites。
TothegroomswhoheldtheponiesonthesidelineshermannerwasjustassimpleandinterestedasitwastothegildedyouthswhocametowinthechampionshipcupsandremainedtotrytowinHelen。Shewasjustasgenuinelypleasedtomakeafourattenniswiththe"kids"astotaketeaontheverandaoftheclub—housewiththematrons。Toeachhermannerwasalwaysasthoughshewereoftheirage。Whenshemetthelatteronthebeachroad，shegreetedthemriotouslyandjoyfullybytheirmaidennames。Andthematronslikedit。Incomparisonthedeferenceshownthembytheotheryoungwomendidnotsostronglyappeal。
"WhenI’mjoggingalonginmystationwagon，"saidoneofthem，"andHelenshrieksandwavesatmefromhercar，IfeelasthoughIweretwenty，andIbelievethatsheisreallysorryIamnotsittingbesideher，insteadofthatgood—lookingLatimerman，whoneverwearsahat。Whydoesheneverwearahat？Becauseheknowshe’sgood—looking，orbecauseHelendrivessofasthecan’tkeepiton？"
"DoeshewearahatwhenheisnotwithHelen？"askedthenewarrival。"Thatmighthelpsome。"
"Wewillneverknow，"exclaimedtheyoungmatron；"heneverleavesher。"
Thiswassotruethatithadbecomeapublicscandal。Youmetthemsomanytimesadaydrivingtogether，motoringtogether，playinggolftogether，thatyouwereembarrassedforthemanddidnotknowwhichwaytolook。Buttheygloriedintheirshame。Ifyoutactfullypretendednottoseethem，Helenshoutedatyou。
Shemadeyoufeelyouhadbeencaughtdoingsomethingindelicateandunderhand。
ThemothersofFairHarborwereratherslowinacceptingyoungLatimer。SomanyoftheirsonshadseenHelenshakeherheadinthatinarticulate，worriedway，andlooksosorryforthem，thatanystrangeyoungmanwhoapparentlysucceededwherethosewhohadbeenherfriendsforyearshadlearnedtheymustremainfriends，couldnothopetoescapecriticism。Besides，theydidnotknowhim：hedidnotcomefromBostonandHarvard，butfromaWesterncity。Theyweretoldthatathome，atboththelawandthegameofpolitics，heworkedhardandsuccessfully；butitwasratherheldagainsthimbytheyouthofFairHarborthatheplayedattheregames，notsomuchforthesakeofthegameasforexercise。Heputasidemanythings，suchaswhiskeyandsodaattwointhemorning，andbridgeallafternoon，withtheremark：
"Ifinditdoesnottendtowardefficiency。"Itwasaremarkthatirritatedand，tothemindsofthemenatthecountryclubs，seemedtoplacehim。Theylikedtoplaypolobecausetheylikedtoplaypolo，notbecauseitkepttheirmuscleslimberandtheirbrainsclear。
"SomeWesternpeopleweretellingme，"saidoneofthematrons，"thathewantstobethenextlieutenant—governor。Theysayheisveryambitiousandveryselfish。"
"Anymanisselfish，"protestedonewhoforyearshadattemptedtomarryHelen，"whowantstokeepHelentohimself。Butthatheshouldwishtobealieutenant—governor，too，isratherananticlimax。Itmakesonelosesympathy。"
Latimerwentonhiswaywithoutaskinganysympathy。ThecompanionshipofHelenPagewasquitesufficient。Hehadbeenworkingovertimeandwastreatinghimselftohisfirstvacationinyears——hewasyoung——hewasinloveandhewasveryhappy。Norwasthereanyquestion，either，thatHelenPagewashappy。Thosewhohadknownhersinceshewasachildcouldnotrememberwhenshehadnotbeenhappy，butthesedayssheworeherjoyousnesswithadifference。Itwasinhereyes，inhergreetingstooldfriends：itshoweditselfhourlyincourtesiesandkindnesses。
ShewasverykindtoLatimer，too。Shedidnotdeceivehim。Shetoldhimshelikedbettertobewithhimthanwithanyoneelse，——itwouldhavebeendifficulttodenytohimwhatwasapparenttoanentiresummercolony，——butsheexplainedthatthatdidnotmeanshewouldmarryhim。Sheannouncedthiswhenthesignssheknewmadeitseemnecessary。Sheannounceditinwhatwasforheraroundaboutway，byremarkingsuddenlythatshedidnotintendtomarryforseveralyears。
ThisbroughtLatimertohisfeetandcalledforthfromhimremarkssoeloquentthatHelenfounditverydifficulttokeepherown。Sheasthoughshehadbeencaughtinanundertowandwasbeingwhirledouttosea。When，atlast，shehadregainedherbreath，onlybecauseLatimerhadpausedtocatchhis，sheshookherheadmiserably。
"Thetroubleis，"shecomplained，"therearesomanythinkthesamething！"
"Whatdotheythink？"demandedLatimer。
"Thattheywanttomarryme。"
Checkedbutnotdiscouraged，Latimerattackedinforce。