"They're reckoning without the fort," said Fitz excitedly, as he strained his eyes in vain for the ball which he expected to see come skipping over the smooth water. "Yes," said Poole.--"No: it was a blank. Look, they are hauling down the flag. Oh, it's all right. A regular walk-over. Three cheers for Don Ramon!" "Yes," shouted the skipper. "With a will, my lads! Three cheers for Don Ramon!" And they were given with such energy that the Don sprang up upon the cabin-light, to bow and press his hands to his breast. He was down again the next instant, to run to the skipper and catch and wring his hands. "You see," he cried, "the people are with me. But you will help me still?" "As far as I can," was the reply; "but you must not call upon me to land my men and help you in your fight with Villarayo." "No?" said the Don, in a questioning way. "No," replied the skipper. "The fight at the hacienda was an exception. I was driven to that." "But you will help me still? The arms--the ammunition?" "Yes; it is our duty to land everything safely to your order." "Then I want the rifles and cartridges now." "Yes," said the skipper. "You feel satisfied that it will be safe to have them landed?" "Quite. So as to arm my friends." "Then as soon as your men are ashore I will have the cases got up from the hold." "No," said Don Ramon; "you must do it now. Have them up on deck so that my people can bear them ashore as soon as we reach the wharf." "It shall be done," said the skipper quietly. "All that I require is your authority, that you take them in charge." "I give you my authority before all your witnesses," replied Don Ramon proudly; "and I take them in charge. Is that sufficient?" "Quite, sir. Mr Burgess, you will lay the schooner alongside the wharf. Pass the word for the carpenter and eight or ten men. I want these tarpaulins and hatches off. Order your men back, Don Ramon. I want room for mine to work." It was a busy scene that followed. Sails were lowered, for they were close in now; hammers were ringing; the way down into the hold was laid bare; tackle was rigged up; and by the time the schooner lay alongside a fairly-made wharf, a dozen long white cases bound with hoop-iron lay piled up upon the deck, while dozens more lay waiting to take their place. The excitement was tremendous; the wharf and its approaches were crowded by an enthusiastic mob, eager and clamouring for arms, which during the next hour were lavishly supplied, along with a sufficiency of ammunition, with the result that Don Ramon's little force had grown into a well-armed crowd, so full of enthusiasm that they gave promise, if not of victory, of making a desperate defence.