"Thus time passed on and under another name he fought with Gomez and Garcia--wherever the flag of Cuba waved in battle he was there, ready to lead the charge and die if need be for the cause in which he had enlisted. "When your troops were first put ashore near Santiago and attacked by the Spaniards, it was Leon, now a captain in the Cuban army, who saved them from annihilation. "The time had apparently come when he felt at liberty to send me a message, and this he did through one of the Americans. It is too long a story to tell how he accomplished it, nor does it matter. "He also sent word, believing me to be still in Porto Rico, still in dear old San Juan, that he expected to be there sometime in the latter part of July or early in August and I must keep on the lookout for him. "Between us, Senor Roderic, we must find Leon! If he comes to me I shall count it the same as though you had won your case, since the desire to do this service for me is there." "Ah! you are forgiving--you are an angel, dearest girl. No matter, I shall never excuse myself for my unfounded suspicions." "You no longer believe in them?" "I have not this long time back. Reason was fast driving me to again visit San Juan and discover how deeply I had wronged you." "Would you have done that?" "I swear that such a thought, amounting almost to a resolution, was in my mind, when I learned fortune was again sending me to San Juan." She showed the pleasure that was rioting in her heart--the reconciliation seemed drawing very near. "And you leave--to-morrow, senor?" "Yes, the sooner I get away from Dublin the better for all purposes. I have discovered that the mission of those who sought aid here has been balked. Just now the sentiment of the Irish toward England seems softened, and it looks as though by means of kindness and justice, the wrongs of the past may be washed out. We who love the best interests of this green isle hope for great things." "You go to New York, that great city of which you so often spoke, but which I have never yet seen?" "No, direct to Porto Rico." "Indeed. I did not know there were any regular vessels going to Spanish ports in the West Indies." "This is a special trip." "Ah! I begin to see. We too, leave to-morrow. Can it be possible you have taken passage on the same boat, the Sterling Castle, a fleet blockade runner?" Eagerness was written on her lovely face. Roderic could almost wish he had been lucky enough to have done so, believing that it must have proven a happy voyage for them. He failed to take into account the elements that would naturally be in charge of such a vessel, and the strong probability that his form must grace a yard arm as an American spy, ere the voyage had been half completed.