He could have sworn that, as his head arose above the level of the quarter deck he positively saw a common fellow in the dress of a sailor, standing very very close to the beautiful niece of General Porfidio--more than this, that he actually had the audacity to raise her hand to his lips and kiss it--Jerome knew full well what a kiss was like, and could not be deceived in the sound of one, even when simply pressed upon a lady's hand. Indignation filled his noble breast. Since Don Porfidio, gallant son of Porto Rico, was absent from his post of duty, the pleasant task of defending his ward must fall to others. Undoubtedly this fellow must have used some ignoble means of gaining the mastery over the young and innocent girl's mind--Jerome had exhausted his own matchless resources for the last few days in the endeavor to arouse a responsive feeling in her heart, and possibly felt considerably piqued just now to discover that what he had failed to accomplish this son of Neptune had apparently brought about with ease. Of course he possessed some wonderful power that aided him in this revolutionary work--Jerome had read and heard considerable on the subject of personal magnetism, of hypnotism, the astonishing control one mind may have over another that nature has so constructed as to make it subject or tributary to the first. What was needed, therefore, was the sudden introduction of a third resolute body in order to break the magic spell. Jerome would be this public benefactor--he was always ready to sacrifice his own comfort in order to restore natural harmony. Having thus quickly decided that it was not only his privilege but a duty as well, to step between this necromancer and his intended victim, Jerome set the ball rolling by continuing his upward movement. By this time his presence seemed to have become known to those in whose mutual affairs he was taking such a remarkable interest. Strangely enough it was the girl who first detected the fire of his cigar appearing above the line marking the quarter deck--the girl who uttered a choking little Spanish exclamation of mingled alarm and consternation--the girl who even sprang back a step as though to make it appear that she and the sailor were but engaged in an ordinary conversation. All of which was noted by the newcomer with no little surprise. It did not alter his determination to inject his personality into the game. As has been said before Jerome was not a coward, whatever else he may have been. True, it did not require the dashing soldierly qualities of a D'Artagnan to advance upon a solitary sailorman who had broken the rules of the ship and pushed his inferior person upon the deck space reserved for superior beings. Jerome solemnly walked toward the fellow. He noticed that the chap had not stirred an inch all this while, but seemed to be awaiting his masterly approach.