Captain Beven had taken the precaution to make Spaniards out of his men and himself, in the expectation that such a conceit might avail to save Cleo future trouble; for such an event as this could easily be made the foundation of an international dispute, and the Spanish government find just cause to demand damages from John Bull. Down the _calle_ they went, in the midst of shouts and execrations from a myriad of heads that protruded from the windows on either side. That the owners neither knew what was in the wind nor cared a _peseta_ was a foregone conclusion; but they could not resist giving tongue after the manner of their kind and according to the stripe of their belief. It was a hot finish. Roderic did not breathe easily until they reached the boat. Then he began to believe there was a strong chance for boarding the yacht. It would not be a walk over, for pursuit had been inaugurated, and the shouts of the angry soldiery rang down the narrow street. The embarkation was speedily accomplished--indeed, almost like magic they found themselves in the boat, the sailors sprang after, oars were unshipped and the shore left behind. What a pæan of thanksgiving seemed to arise in Owen's heart when he saw the long prayed for consummation of their hopes accomplished--as the shore receded, each stroke of the oars appeared like a measure in the glad anthem that swelled upward from his very soul. For success meant to him more than life--he had fought _for love_, and Paradise opened wide her doors. Then he cast an anxious look above--oh, pale moon, sailing so serenely athwart the heavens, show yet again your sympathy and gentle mercy by veiling that bright face behind some friendly cloud--it were worth a king's ransom to have this occur, but it was vouchsafed them without money and without price. The moon dipped out of sight behind a black, ragged mass of clouds, and the bay of San Juan was for the time being wrapped in semi-gloom. Even Providence seemed on their side. When the Spanish soldiers reached the water's edge they fired at random, but none of the missiles came anywhere near them in the boat. Faster rowed the British tars, knowing full well that boats must already have put out in pursuit, and delay meant trouble. Roderic cast many an anxious glance up toward that section of the heavens where moon and cloud were having a royal warfare, and he was delighted to discover that the former would evidently be discounted in the battle--at least the reign of the cloud would last until they had reached the Dreadnaught and were sheltered by her bulk from searching eyes. So it happened. One and all had gained her deck and the boat was hauled up to the davits ere the face of fair Luna peeped inquisitively forth.