He held up a broken end of line. “More treachery, or looks that way. Fix it up quick, Strong.” Suddenly the dark trees along the shore burst into crackling flame. A deadly rifle fire poured from them. There was no doubt now as to the revolutionaries’ whereabouts. “They’ve waked up at last!” exclaimed Ned, as having adjusted the broken line he leaped lightly forward once more. At the same instant Stanley gave a slight groan, and jerked his hand from the wheel as if it had been red hot. “Winged!” he exclaimed briefly, holding up a limp wrist. Ned shoved him aside and seized the spokes. Already the wheel had dropped over, allowing the launch to drift nearer to the deadly point. Bullets fell about them like rain now. The air was full of their screaming sounds. They could hear the patter-patter as the leaden hail ricochetted over the water. The launch was struck in half a dozen places, but luckily not below the water line. “Can you make it, Strong?” It was Stark’s voice, as he leaned over the boy. “I think so, sir. You’d better lie down. It’s getting pretty hot here.” As he spoke a bullet whistled so close to Ned’s ear that he ducked. “Hooray! a miss is as good as a mile,” yelled the boy, the excitement of battle coming over him. All his life Ned had dreamed and hoped of being in one of the naval engagements he had read about, and now, without the slightest warning, here he was in the thick of it. He would have given his chance of promotion almost to have been able to seize up his revolver and fire back at the revolutionists. “There must be a hundred of them in there,” grunted Stanley, tearing off his shirt and allowing Herc to bind up his wrist. “All of that,” rejoined Herc. “Wow, I hear the bees hum!” The red-headed youth clapped his hand to his amber thatch as if to check the bullet that had just whistled past him. Ned, his heart beating tumultuously, stuck to his post. In another moment they would be past the promontory and out of danger. Suddenly the engineer rose from beside his engines and climbed out on the little stern deck. He raised his hands above his head as if to dive and swim ashore. “He’s gone mad from fright!” shouted Stanley. “Look out for sharks!” warned Stark. “The water’s alive with them.” But without heeding the warning cries, the panic-stricken wretch prepared to make a wild leap. There was a fresh volley from the point and a rattle of sharp reports. The engineer threw his hands above his head and collapsed in a moaning heap. “A hit!” exclaimed Stanley grimly. CHAPTER XI. ON SECRET SERVICE. Ned stuck grittily to his post, although at any moment one of the bullets from the firing party ashore might have terminated his career. But presently, to his delight, the fire began to slacken and grow scattering. “Guess they’re tired of wasting lead on the night,” grinned Ned, as, having rounded the promontory, he headed the two launches out to sea a way before turning to make back toward Boca del Sierras.