"Bravo! Magnificent!" cried Don Ramon. "You have both done wonders," and to the lads' disgust he caught them in turn to his breast and kissed them. "It is grand, and your fathers should be proud. My lads, it is the grandest thing in life to be a Spaniard of pure Castilian descent, but next to that the greatest thing in the world is to be an English boy." "This is no time for compliments, Don Ramon," said the skipper sternly. "They have done their duty; that is all. Now then, will you lead on at once with half our party, and I with the rest will form the rear-guard. If even now the enemy come up we shall be able to hold them in check. We shall fire, and then double past you and your party, who will halt and fire, and then retire past us again. We are very few and they are many, but I think we can reach the boat in safety after all." The Don made no reply, but put himself at the head of his little party at once, leaving the skipper, the two lads, and the remainder facing the enemy's camp and watching the flickering fires between, the hardest task of all when the way was open and they felt that with a good rush they might reach the boat in safety. But discipline was master, and fighting down all desire to break away, the remnant of the little force stood waiting, while the carpenter made a last effort to find himself something to do, by suggesting that it would be best perhaps to give them there fires just another touch. "No," said the skipper sternly. "In another two minutes we shall follow on." "Thank goodness!" whispered Fitz excitedly. "I don't feel as if I could stand any more." "Not even one of Don Ramon's speeches and a hug?" "Oh, don't talk about it," whispered Fitz angrily. "What! Isn't it grand to be an English boy?" "Bosh!" cried Fitz, and like an echo of his ejaculation came the skipper's command-- "Forward!" And directly afterwards, "Poole--Mr Burnett--will you watch with me?" The lads stepped to his side at once. "The last to turn our backs, Fitz Burnett," whispered Poole. "The place of honour after all." CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. ABOARD AGAIN. The little party strained their ears as they tramped silently on towards the boat; but not a sound was heard suggesting that the enemy grasped the fact that the strategy had been cleverly carried out. The dull reflection of the fires had from time to time been faintly discernible upon the low-hanging mist; but this soon died out, and fortune seemed to be smiling kindly upon their efforts now. "I'd give something to know what time it is," whispered Poole, and he took a step nearer to his father to ask him how long he thought it would be before day. "I haven't the least idea, my boy," he replied. "The night has seemed far too short, but it must be nearly at an end. But if we can once get into the boat and reach the schooner I shall begin to hope that we may reach Velova before the enemy." "We have got much farther to go than they have, though, father."