They both spoke in Spanish, but Louis understood them, and he was interested in the answer to the question of the Scotchman. "Shut them up in the cabin. There is a lock on the door, and they will be safe there," replied the captain. "I looked at the door as I went forward." "But we must use them well, Diego, or it will go hard with us if we should happen to get caught," suggested Gray, as he tied his handkerchief around his left hand, where his worst saw wound was located. "We shall not be caught," protested the captain vigorously, and it was plain that he did not like to contemplate such a mishap. "The steamer will tow us safely out of the bay, and on the next tide I shall run my schooner into Vega River, where no vessel that draws more than nine feet of water can follow us. We shall be all right as soon as we get to sea. Here we are in the river." "Then we must lock up the prisoners," added Gray. "But how about the engineer? He has not been on deck at all." "He is a Spaniard; but I sent Pedro into the engine-room to keep watch of him. He will not make any trouble," replied the captain of the smuggler. Before the unfortunate ship's company of the Salihé were committed to their prison they obtained a view of the situation up the Palmones. There appeared to be no persons on the shore. The houses were all on the north side of the stream, and a couple of feluccas lay on the south side, which had probably been employed in bringing the smuggled goods to this locality. In the middle of the river a small schooner was at anchor; and Louis concluded that this was the vessel to be towed out of the bay. There was not a breath of wind, and the smuggler was utterly helpless without the assistance of the steamer. While they were surveying the scene the gong in the engine-room struck, and it was plain that Francisco knew how to manage the bells. The head of the Salihé was directed toward the schooner, assuring the prisoners that she was the craft to be taken in tow. Louis had thought they might appeal to some person on the shore for assistance; but no one was to be seen. "Come, gentlemen, your quarters are ready, and your prison is fit for a king," said Gray, who had been making it ready while the prisoners were looking up the stream; and he seemed to have had some trouble with the lock, for it bothered him for some time. "All right; I think we can be comfortable here," replied Louis, who led the way. "I should think you might. You can go to sleep if you like; and when we have done with the steamer, I will call you, and ask you to return her to Captain Chickworth with my compliments," continued the Scotchman very pleasantly, for his wounds did not seem to make him ugly.