"On the several charges of contempt for an officer, disobedience of orders, and desertion," was the startling reply. "Very well, sir, I'll go with you," said Ridge, "seeing that I was going in that direction anyhow." "But--" remonstrated Ensign Comly. "Who are you, sir? And what have you to say regarding this business?" demanded the Major, fiercely, at the same time drawing and cocking his revolver. "Only a United States officer." "Then, in the name of the United States, I call upon you to assist me in carrying this deserter to a place of security," shouted the Major, in theatrical tones. "Pretend to agree," said Ridge, in a low voice, heard only by Comly. "All right, Major, I'll see the thing through," agreed the navy man; "though I must protest that it is wholly out of my line of business." With this the three set forth, Ridge leading Rita, and the officers walking on either side of him. For some distance they proceeded in a silence that was finally broken by the sound of oars, apparently close to the pier, which touched land but a short distance ahead. At the same time a train of cars came thundering over the hollow structure behind them, causing the mare to plunge violently in a terrified effort to escape. "Now is your chance!" whispered Comly. Quick to take the hint, Ridge flung himself on the animal's back and dashed away, followed by a harmless bullet from Herman Dodley's revolver. Ere he could fire another shot the naval man snatched away the weapon, flung it into the sea, and started on a run after the disappearing horseman. As he ran he shouted: "Look out for that horse, you in the boat, and get it aboard lively! Do you understand?" "Ay, ay, sir," came a cheery answer from out of the darkness. Behind the Ensign ran Major Dodley, swearing, and also shouting: "Corporal of the guard! Turn out the guard! Quick! This way!" Then all other sounds were drowned in the roar of the passing train. When it subsided a confused struggle between a dark mass and a number of dimly seen white forms was going on in the shallow water. Several sailors were lifting Senorita bodily into a little flat-bottomed boat, and two young men in soaked uniforms were aiding them. Then, as two boats, one in tow of the other, began to move away, a squad of soldiers with muskets in their hands came running down to the beach. "Fire!" commanded Herman Dodley, beside himself with rage. "Fire at that boat. A deserter is escaping in it." "Don't you dare fire!" came back in a stern tone from the darkness. "This is a boat from a United States man-of-war, commanded by an officer in the discharge of his duty."