The rest of the customary civilities were interchanged, and the captain of the Yankee came ashore to visit the new President, laughingly saying that he had come to see Don Villarayo, but as he was in the mountains and a new President governed in his stead, and as he supposed it was only a matter of form before Don Ramon would be acknowledged by the American Government, he had nothing to do but wait for instructions after he had communicated with Washington. The captain made himself very agreeable, chatting with Don Ramon's notabilities, and the schooner's skipper; but several times he glanced searchingly in the direction of Fitz Burnett, who had been awaiting his opportunity either to be introduced or to go up and speak. His turn came at last, for the captain fixed his eyes upon him with a look of invitation to which Fitz instantly responded by closing up, colouring slightly the while with consciousness, as it seemed to him that the American captain, all spick and span in his neat naval uniform, was looking askant at the well-worn garments the lad was wearing. "How do, youngster?" he said. "I didn't know one of your cruisers was in these waters. Has she left you here as a hostage, or something of the kind? You English chaps are everywhere." For long enough Fitz Burnett had been waiting for this moment, ready to pour out his troubles and adventures to somebody who would give him help; and now that the time had come he could hardly speak. The American captain noticed it, and raised his eyebrows a little. "Why was it?" he said kindly, as he saw how thoroughly agitated the boy was. "In trouble?" "Yes, sir," cried Fitz. "You don't mean to tell me you've done such a stupid school-boy act as to desert your ship?" "Oh, no, no, no!" cried Fitz excitedly; and out it all came, the captain listening eagerly and questioning him wherever the boy hesitated, till he had finished his adventurous tale. "Well, this is something fresh, my lad," cried the American captain. "But I reckon that the time will come when you'll think you've been in luck. For you've done nothing wrong. You were regularly taken prisoner while doing your duty, and your skipper can't blame you." "Think not, sir?" cried Fitz, warming up in the gratitude he felt for the captain's sympathy. "Think not? Of course! If he does, and won't have you back, I'll find you a berth on my ship, and be glad to have you. What do you say? Will you come?" Fitz looked at him searchingly, and shook his head. "I am in the Queen's service, sir," he said. "And a fine service too, my lad. But how has this skipper behaved to you since you've been with him?" "Oh, as if I had been his own son, sir," cried Fitz warmly; "and his boy and I have been the best of friends."