It is hardly probable that all his friends took his high-toned moral view of the subject; but without exception they were in favor of recapturing the steamer, and making prisoners of the smugglers. Undoubtedly such an attempt would involve an adventure; but there was a flavor of doing one's duty connected with it which satisfied Louis that "it was the right thing to do," if it was practicable, for even Louis did not believe that his party were called upon to perish by the stilettos of the ruffians for the benefit of the Spanish treasury. "Hold on a minute," said Scott, as the gong in the engine-room sounded to stop the boat. "They have come to the Golondrina. We had better find out if we can how the pirates arrange their affairs on board when they take the schooner in tow." "That is a good idea," replied Louis, as he went to one of the cabin windows, and raised the curtain a little so that he could see out on the deck. "The steamer has come about, and her stern is under the bowsprit of the schooner." "Look out, Louis!" called Scott, as he heard voices on the deck. "They will see that the window is open if you are not careful." The cabin had been lighted by Chickworth when he brought the steamer to the gangway of the Guardian-Mother. A lamp was suspended from a deck-beam overhead; it had three brackets, and the little apartment was illuminated like a ballroom. Louis dropped the curtain at this warning, but he could still hear all that was said on the deck. Captain Velazquez ordered Lucio on board of the schooner, directing him to pass the tow-line to the steamer; and it had evidently been made ready before the smugglers left the vessel to procure the services of the Salihé. Louis interpreted the command of the captain to his companions in a low tone so that he could not be heard by those on deck. "That settles one thing," said Scott, who was proving himself to be one of the most useful and determined of the party. "What does it settle?" asked Louis, who had taken no particular notice of the meaning of the order. "It settles that no men were left in the schooner; for that reason Lucio had to be sent on board of her to pass the tow-line on board," replied Scott. "That is important," added Louis. "Possibly it proves another thing: that the smugglers intended to take the steamer by force if necessary, or they would have sent only two or three after her. They are hauling the line on board." Louis listened again, and Diego's orders indicated that the line was made fast at the stern of the Salihé. The only names he heard used were those of Gray, the captain, and Francisco, for Pedro appeared to be still in charge of the engine, or rather of the engineer. Only four of the ruffians remained on board of the steamer. "_Todo esta pronto_" (All is ready), said Gray, who seemed to be more impatient than his companions. "_Todavia no_" (Not yet), added the captain.