"Already troops are ordered to land there--perhaps General Miles is on the way. With the fall of Santiago our efforts are to be concentrated about San Juan. A portion of the work falls upon my shoulders--that is all. Besides, I naturally want to be in at the death, as do all ardent fox hunters in the chase." "I wish, cousin, you would give up so dangerous a calling. Surely you are as well fitted for other pursuits in which your life would not be at stake." There was real concern in her voice, and Roderic found his heart touched. "I have been seriously considering that same matter myself, and concluded to make a change after the war is over." "Why wait until then?" "For many reasons. In the first place Western men have a saying that it is bad policy to change horses while crossing a stream. It is also a poor piece of business to desert your country while she has need of your services." "Enough. I know that your motives are honorable. But about this trip across to the Antilles--I could tell you of a quicker way of reaching the shore of Porto Rico, that is, should you consider it worth your while to accept," with a tinge of color in her cheeks, and a sparkle to her blue eyes. "Indeed, I should like to hear of it. Time may be a factor in my game." "I made a purchase in England--you know I am something of a yachtsman in my way, and the temptation was great." "You purchased a yacht?" "A steam yacht." "Lucky mortal to be able to do such a thing with as little concern as I would buy a cravat." "She is a beauty, Roderic." "Don't doubt it in the least, else you would never have fancied her." "She is called the Dreadnaught." "Phew! a genuine English name. Of course you will change it to the Mayflower or Pilgrim or some strictly Yankee cognomen?" "At present I must decline to do so, as she sails with an English crew and under the flag of Great Britain." Owen looked puzzled, and then smiled. "Oh! I see, a _ruse de guerre_. Very good, indeed. The Dreadnaught she shall remain as long as our war with Spain continues. Well, are you off for a delightful voyage along the Mediterranean, or perhaps, seeing it is summer, to the North Cape, the Land of the Midnight Sun. Jove! at another time I might be tempted to join you--that is providing I were invited." "I extend a most pressing invitation and expect you to accept and be our _compagnon de voyage_." "Alas! my duty lies amid sterner scenes." "In ten days you can be landed on the shore of Porto Rico." He eyed her in surprise. "Is your voyage a westerly one?" "We are intending to see something of the war, that is all." Perhaps uncertain but nevertheless alarming visions were conjured up in his mind. "I am sorry to hear you say so. The conditions existing on those unhappy islands are terrible. Besides, an attractive woman would run risks among the lawless elements at large that I should grieve to see you exposed to."