"That?" said Buttons. "It's a spy-glass. I didn't notice it before." "I've seen it for the last half-hour." "Then they most recognize us. How strange that they don't slacken a little! Perhaps we are not in full view. I will sit a little more out the shade of the sail, so that they can recognize me." Accordingly Buttons moved out to a more conspicuous place, and Dick allowed himself to be more visible. Again the flashing brass was seen in the boat, and they could plainly perceive that it was passed from one to the other, while each took a long survey. "They must be able to see us if they have any kind of a glass at all." "I should think so," said Buttons, dolefully. "Are you sure they are the Spaniards?" "Oh! quite." "Then I must say they might be a little more civil, and not keep us racing after them forever!" "Oh, I don't know; I suppose they wouldn't like to sail close up to us." "They needn't sail up to us, but they might give us a chance to hail them." "I don't think the man they have with them looks like Señor Francia." "Francia? Is that his name? He certainly looks larger. He is larger." "Look!" As Buttons spoke the boat ahead fell rapidly to leeward. The wind had fallen, and a current which they had struck upon bore them away. In the effort to escape from the current the boat headed toward Buttons, and when the wind again arose she continued to sail toward them. As they came nearer Buttons's face exhibited a strange variety of expressions. [Illustration: A Thousand Pardons!] They met. In the other boat sat two English ladies and a tall gentleman, who eyed the two young men fixedly, with a "stony British stare." "A thousand pardons!" said Buttons, rising and bowing. "I mistook you for some acquaintances." Whereupon the others smiled in a friendly way, bowed, and said something. A few commonplaces were interchanged, and the boats drifted away out of hearing. CHAPTER XI. THE SENATOR HAS SUCH A FANCY FOR SEEKING USEFUL INFORMATION!--CURIOUS POSITION OF A WISE, AND WELL-KNOWN, AND DESERVEDLY-POPULAR LEGISLATOR, AND UNDIGNIFIED MODE OF HIS ESCAPE. It was not much after ten in the morning when Buttons and Dick returned. On reaching the hotel they found Mr. Figgs and the Doctor, who asked them if they had seen the Senator. To which they replied by putting the same question to their questioners. He had not been seen since they had all been together last. Where was he? Of course there was no anxiety felt about him, but still they all wished to have him near at hand, as it was about time for them to leave the town. The vetturino was already grumbling, and it required a pretty strong remonstrance from Buttons to silence him.