The stars crept out and kept watch over the heaving craft. The waves hurled spray against the backs of the oarsmen, of which they took no notice, except as the father would occasionally direct one of his sons to bale out the water. Señora Valentino, who had sat for hours through repeated drenchings, shook with the cold. She was in the stern of the boat facing the others. Through the dimness they saw her crouching, elbows on knees, her body quivering, her teeth chattering. Their rude chivalry awoke. The father spoke to one of the sons, who searched in the locker till he found a skin which had been rubbed over with seal oil. The lady wrapped herself in it. The storm abated, and the cold increased correspondingly. The señora drew the coat more tightly about her. After a while she slept. The fishermen began talking in low tones. "Five hundred pesos," from the eldest son, "besides the one hundred in hand! We can buy the store of Manuel Lopez, and sell the fish that others catch." "Five hundred pesos," from the youngest. "Is there that much money in the world? I wonder why the señora is so anxious to get on board the ships?" "Past finding out are the ways of white people," the father replied. "Long have I ceased to try to understand them." "I think," the boy continued, "that she must have a lover there." "Quién sabe? If it is a lover I'll think he'll find she possesses spirit. Santa Maria! If all women had half as much, children, I'd bid you never marry." "She is most generous with money," in way of defense from the second son. "Money flies into the Spaniard's pocket, and out again. They care nothing for it. But this one," nodding to the sleeping woman, "would have killed us to-day if she had not been given her way." "We've been calling her 'señora.' I believe we should have said 'señorita,'" came from the eldest son. "I think so too; and I'm sure it's her lover she is going to meet out there," returned the youngest son. "Anyway, she's very young, and very handsome." "Handsome is that handsome does," retorted the father. "But she makes our fortune for us; and she took the risk in coming here the same as we," reminded the middle son. The wind spent itself finally in a few rampant whirls. The boat commenced to rock in even motion. The boys worked industriously with the baling pails. The father took from the locker two or three fishnets. These he bunched together and placed on the bottom of the vessel near where the lady was sitting. He touched her on the shoulder. "Awake, señora. The wind has gone down, and we'll no longer ship water. I've made you quite a good bed from these fishnets. You can lie here and sleep till morning." "Thank you, hombre," as she snuggled down on the improvised bed. "We usually have aguardiente, but none's left in the locker this trip. Only by chance did we have that coat you're wearing."