CHAPTER XI.

THE LADY ON THE QUARTER DECK.

The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.

He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealed galvanic battery.

Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.

The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.

Which was a very sensible thing for them to do, considering his rudeness, he concluded.

At any rate it left the coast clear, and all minor things had to give way when this major passion that filled his heart, was concerned.

"That is what I have been waiting to hear, Captain. Show me the boat you mean?" he said, as quietly as the bounding of blood through his veins would allow.

"Step this way, sir."

Captain Beven knew _why_ Roderic was so deeply interested in the Sterling Castle, and as a man who had a family at home in some quiet little English cathedral town he could respect these feelings of the ardent lover.

All the world feels an interest in the course of true love, and every decent man stands ready to lend a hand if by so doing he may assist in the anticipated happy outcome.

In another minute they were leaning over the port quarter.

"Yonder she lies, riding at anchor. The light is very dim, for the moon you see sir, is just about going down, and presently we will be in the dark," said the man of navigation.

Roderic glued his eyes on the indistinct form of what appeared to be a steamer, but beyond this fact he was unable to hazard a guess.

"I see her plainly enough, but what makes you imagine or believe she may be the vessel I am so anxious about?" he asked.

Captain Beven was not at all offended.

He knew Roderic had no idea of questioning his ability to determine such matters, but was only curious to hear the clinching of the argument by such means as he might advance.

Hence, he made answer in the way Roderic most desired, laying down the logic of events in quick succession.

Beven, if he had any peculiarity, was rather inclined to speaking rapidly, and without any useless flow of language.

Like Grant and other great men of like calibre, of whom history is full, he believed in getting at the kernel of matters in the least possible stretch of time.

"Something familiar about her appearance, even seen under such disadvantages. Never forget the cut of a boat on which I have sailed. Then I heard her bell sound--do you know, there are bells and bells--some have a peculiar ring that you would recognize if you heard it on a camel in Egypt. The Sterling Castle had such a bell--I never heard one just like it until a short bit ago when it sounded four strokes. I tell you sir, it made me jump and rub my eyes, half believing I was officer of the deck again on board the stanch old Sterling Castle. And last but not least, there came a man from the shore rowing past and heading for some German ship over yonder. I hailed him, and as he came alongside asked him the question. As near as I could make out he said he believed she was called the Sherwin Castle, and had just arrived two hours before sundown. That settled it, sir."

"I should think it did, captain. And so that is the boat. So near and yet so far. It is very aggravating, captain."

"Very, sir," solemnly.

"I have half a notion--" reflectively.

"Thought you'd say that, sir," rubbing his hands gleefully, as though anticipating something.

"To make a little run across to her."

"Yes, sir, with what object in view?"

"Oh! merely to ease my mind with respect to her identity, you might say," carelessly.

"Of course--quite natural--young blood--always impetuous," commented the Benedict.

"And incidentally to see whether I could find some golden opportunity to have a few words with one who is a passenger on board."

"Ah! yes."

The captain placed one finger alongside his nose.

It was a habit he had when engaged in serious consideration, and Roderic, who had studied the old sea dog to advantage, felt sure there would be some result to this incubation.

Nor was he wrong in his surmise.

"Well, it could be done, sir," he said.

"I knew I could trust you to help me out, Heaven bless you, old chap," said Owen, at once diving for the captain's hand and wringing it with impetuous ardor quite unlike his usual self possessed manner; but Cupid has wrought more marvelous changes than this in men.

"It would not do to go prowling around the craft at this hour of the night--we might be suspected of being Yankee spies and fired upon."

"That is true," assented Owen, knowing full well the captain would not stop there.

"Now, I know Captain Shackelford well, and it wouldn't be strange for me to run over to shake hands with the old war dog. Besides, a sailor has respect for another man's affection regarding a craft he has made several voyages on, and he'd understand why I want to tread the deck of the Castle once again. It revives recollections, you know, and throws a man back years."

"Just so," commented Roderic, encouragingly.

"Well, so far, good. Now, if so be you could change your looks a little bit----"

Roderic laughed exultantly.

"I might row you over and go aboard."

"Consider it done, Captain, and many thanks to you."

"Don't forget they owe you no good will."

"And would be only too glad to hang me up to the yardarm if discovered. Don't worry, my dear fellow. It has been my business to hide my identity from all sorts of inquisitive people. This comes right in my line. When will you go?"

"I can be ready in five minutes, sir, but----"

"In five minutes I shall be here."

Then he vanished.

The captain chuckled so hard he shook like a pyramid of calves foot jelly.

"A boy after my own heart, God bless him, and all them that loves the ladies, are my sentiments. My little woman at home came without any such hardships, but I honors them as think no danger too great, no price too dear, when true affection calls. Only I _am_ surprised at his not falling in love with Miss Fairfax, for unless my old eyes deceive me she worships the ground he walks on. Well, this is a queer world anyhow, and remarkable things happen in it," with which sage remark the old sailor hurried away to fix up a little for his late visit on board the neighboring craft.

When he returned to the spot the five minutes had expired.

Roderic awaited him.

The captain would never have suspected his identity only that he spoke.

In that brief space of time Roderic had completely altered his appearance--instead of a gentleman, well dressed and desirous of only killing time, he had the look of an ordinary everyday sailor.

Even his face was altered--Captain Beven never could tell how it was done, and marveled greatly at the tricks of the trade--but in the semi darkness it did not look at all like Owen who addressed him laughingly asking if he would do.

"Most excellently. By the way I believe in being prepared for emergencies, even while not in the least expecting a display of force," significantly.

"Oh, that's all right," returned Owen, touching his pocket in a convincing manner.

The captain laughed.

"Very good. Now, I'll take a couple of men with us to do the rowing. They shall remain in the boat while we go aboard. You can act like my boatswain, if you choose. I know the men to select, smart fellows who will understand what we're up to, and I'll guarantee they'll not give the game away. Wait a minute."

The preliminaries were quickly adjusted.

A boat being lowered they dropped in.

The two men knew who their stranger sailor companion was, the captain having given them a few pointers, deeming it the part of wisdom that they should not be kept in ignorance, and as Roderic had quickly made firm friends of all the yacht's crew, by his cheery and hearty ways, they were genuinely interested in the successful outcome of his venture.

Poor the sailor who has not sweetheart or wife in port--indeed, they have been often accused, doubtless falsely, of a predilection for having a girl in every port.

The silvery crescent moon just hung trembling above the horizon, preparatory to taking the plunge that would hide her from view until another night rolled around.

Roderic was duly impressed with the witchery of his surroundings, nor did the romantic nature of his own errand fail to stamp itself upon his mind.

Thus they quitted the side of the yacht and headed directly for the steamer whose vague outlines could just be dimly seen through the haze and darkness.

Hardly had they proceeded five boatlengths than Captain Beven who sat beside him in the stern-sheets, turning his head to take a last loving glance at his own little craft, uttered an exclamation.

This of course caused Roderic to follow suit.

He saw instantly what had caught the old sailor's eye.

A woman's white duck dress stirred by the night breeze drew his attention to the quarter deck.

It was Cleo, who had come on deck again, possibly to discover whether he had aroused from his state of dreamy forgetfulness.

Did she know where they were going--was she aware of his presence in the boat?

Impossible.

He might have called out, but that would hardly have been politic--she should hear the results of the adventure when they returned.

His attention was now entirely occupied with the craft which their boat, urged on by the strokes of the two men, was rapidly approaching.

As she loomed out of the water, even Roderic could see she was fairly well laden.

He could imagine the cargo would be one that might prove of great value to the forces of General Blanco, could it be landed at Havana in spite of the Yankee fleet lying off that city.

When they came close up Roderic saw the British flag floating from the stern.

Then his eyes sought the smoke stack, and as near as he could judge in the uncertain light it appeared to answer the description he had received of the Sterling Castle--the funnel was dark below and light above, probably buff, with the trade-mark of its line in relief.

It mattered little, since Captain Beven was about to settle this matter once and for all.

Their approach had been noisy enough to attract attention, and as they came up, a deep voice hailed them.

It was a decidedly English voice, and the salutation lacked the extreme courtesy that might have been expected had the vessel floated the colors of Spain, France or Italy.

"Hello! the boat--what d'ye want?"

That was to the point, at least.

Captain Beven made immediate answer to the effect that it was his desire to come aboard and pay his respects to his old friend the skipper, upon hearing which the man who had hailed from the deck sang out his readiness to receive them.

It may be readily understood that Roderic found himself alongside the blockade runner with singular emotions stirring within his mind.

The remarkable had happened again, for it was quite out of the common that the two vessels thus came together in the Azores.

She was aboard this craft, the girl for whom his soul yearned.

Perhaps he would even see her ere the lapse of many minutes.

What bliss in the very thought--how could he help it if his traitor heart bounded tumultuously within its narrow confines?

Still, he could not count upon it, since "there is many a slip twixt cup and lip."

Perhaps she may have already retired for the night, since the hour was wearing late.

This hardly struck him as possible, for after the storm, and the necessity of being confined to the cabin, doubtless the senorita would be only too glad to pass hours on deck, especially when the night was so warm below.

Other things might also influence her.

The sounds coming over the water, how vividly they must remind her of dear San Juan, and after an enforced exile from her native city it would be a pleasure to once more sit and drink in the music and laughter and song that can always be heard in a Spanish or Portuguese town after the heat of day has given place to the cool of evening.

Captain Beven clambered aboard and as though he had already received his orders to do likewise, Roderic followed suit.

A number of English sailors stood around as if in curiosity.

The captain had followed the second officer in the direction of the cabin, and Roderic moved in the same quarter, as though possessed of some curiosity regarding the vessel upon which his feet now pressed for the first time.

By degrees he thus shook off the inquisitive sailormen who had first kept an eye on him.

All the while he was getting closer to the quarter deck, knowing that here if anywhere, he would be apt to find the object of his search.

Beven had arranged for at least an hour's stay on board, so there would be plenty of time to accomplish what he wished.

When he heard the voice of Georgia near by it sent a thrill through his heart.

She was here within a dozen yards of him, this beautiful maid of San Juan whose presence affected him so strangely, and under whose potent spell his heart delighted to remain a prisoner, rescue or no rescue.

How was he to find an opportunity to address her with others near by?

That must depend upon the good fortune that awaits upon Cupid's devotees--and Captain Beven, who might be trusted to put in a few good strokes in order to favor his protege.

As Roderic slipped closer up to the little ladder that led to the quarter deck he could plainly discover that besides General Porfidio there were two gentlemen present on the ground, and these he presently made out to be the redoubtable Jerome Wellington and a Spanish agent, possibly the same Senor Roblado, who had shown such a valiant spirit at the bungalow on the Rathmines road, Dublin.

Roderic was so eager to approach the girl that he could with a clear conscience have tossed both of these loquacious worthies overboard into the waters of the harbor, had he been allowed the chance, and could this bold move have secured the desired private interview.

He knew it would not--that he must possess his soul in patience and await the logic of events.

Don Porfidio was holding forth upon some favorite topic, and his gruff voice sounded like the distant boom of breakers on a lee shore.

Roderic bore no animosity toward the veteran--indeed, he had rather grown fond of him in times past, and the fact that he was of kin to Georgia added something to this feeling.

At the same time he wished the big senor anywhere else than here just at present.

There is such a thing as being in the way--at times even three can make a crowd.

You see, Roderic was no different from the same old general run of lovers--every man must be a law unto himself when he finds circumstances surrounding him with a network of this kind.

He bided his time and counted the minutes as though they were freighted with lead, hoping that the gentlemen might suddenly be assailed by a most amazing thirst that would demand their presence below decks.

Such a thing was apt to happen at any time where Don Porfidio was concerned, as Roderic knew full well from previous experience.

Ah! some one approached.

With his heart beating like a trip hammer from mingled eagerness and anticipation, he slunk back out of sight and waited, hoping that this might be the earnestly hoped for deliverance.

It was.

Captain Beven had done his part well.

The second officer of the blockade runner appeared on the quarter deck with his usual bluff announcement.

"Gentlemen all, the captain has a visitor who desires to make your acquaintance in the cabin. He has brought over a basket of champagne with which to drink in memory of old days when he trod this deck in the duties that I now perform. Gentlemen all, will you be pleased to accompany me?"

Would they--Roderic could not but chuckle at the eager haste with which they bounded from their chairs, and apologizing to the lady for this necessity that tore them from her charming company, came down the ladder one after the other, to solemnly march toward the cabin.

The game had worked.

Roderic now had the coast clear and it would be his own fault if he failed to improve the golden opportunity a happy fortune had placed before him.