"Don't you be in such a hurry, Mr Son-of-the-skipper," said Fitz. "I'd thought of that, and I should keep the enemy from coming on." "How?" said Poole, rather excitedly now. "Light three or four watch-fires--quite little ones--and put up a stick or two amongst the bushes with blankets on them and the Spaniards' sombrero hats. They'd look at a distance like men keeping the fire, and we could make these fires so that they would glow till daylight and go on smoking then; and as long as smoke was rising from these fires, I believe not one of the enemy would come near until the reinforcements arrived. And by that time, if all went well, we should be off Velova Bay." "Humph!" grunted the carpenter again. "It won't do, Burnett," said Poole; "it's too risky. There's nothing in it." "Humph!" grunted the carpenter once more. "And hark at that! You've set old Chips off snoring with your plot." "That he aren't!" growled the carpenter. "I've heared every precious word. It's fine, Mr Poole, sir--fine! There's only one thing wanted to put it right, and that's them Sallies sitting round the fire. I wouldn't have Sallies. I'd have guys. I could knock you up half-a-dozen with crossed bamboos, each on 'em looking like tatter-doolies looking after crows with a gun. I says the plan would do." "And so do I, carpenter," said the skipper, in his quick short tones as he stepped out from among the trees, making the three start to their feet. "And I, my friend," cried Don Ramon excitedly catching the middy by the hand. "Poole, my lad," continued the skipper, "get one of the other men and go cautiously down to the landing-place with every care, and if you reach it unhindered, whistle up the boat at once. Carpenter, get others to help you, and start fires as quickly as you can. _Very_ small. The others can do that, while you contrive your rough effigies.--Now, Don Ramon, you'll take the covering of our efforts with your men while mine work. Remember, it is for our lives, and our only chance." CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. FITZ SHOWS PEPPER. "Here, Mr Burnett!" came out of the darkness, and Fitz stopped short. "Yes, sir." "Do you know that you are a great nuisance?" It was invisible, but Fitz flushed and felt, after his fashion, peppery. "I don't understand you, sir," he said hotly. "I spoke plainly, my lad. You are always in my way, and you never were more so than at this minute." "Then why did you take me prisoner, sir?" said the boy angrily. "Why, in the name of thunder, did you come and tumble down my hatchway instead of stopping on the gunboat? I didn't ask you to come. Here, you are as bad as having a girl on board, or something made of wax, that mustn't be spoiled. I can't stir without thinking of having to take care of you." "Oh," cried Fitz angrily. "This is adding insult to injury, sir."