\"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。