He had not the faintest idea how long he had been dozing, when he suddenly woke with a start, as men will when aroused from a deep sleep. But he never uttered a cry, and at once he fell back intending to go to sleep again. It was against the rules to do so, but in his tired state he never thought of this. In a minute he would have been asleep but for the fact that he heard some men talking, and out of mere curiosity he listened to what was being said. "Some of the Spanish officers," he muttered. He knew this, for the language they were using was Spanish. The young sailor was able to hear every word, and before the talk had proceeded far, he was taking in every word, feeling as wide awake as ever he had been in his life. "Juan," said one man, "I've interested you already by what I've said." "I confess it, Manuel." "And you would like to hear more?" "Of course." "I can't understand, Juan, how it is you are ignorant of what is going on. They know you're to be trusted." "I should hope so," was the indignant answer. "Perhaps it is because I have kept myself away from the others. I have felt heart broken over our defeat." "All the more reason why you should do what you can to repair it." "There is no repairing it." "Who knows?" "I do." "You speak confidently, Juan." "Because, Manuel, I know where our ships are. We shall meet none as we sail through the Caribbean Sea. No, no, Manuel, dismiss such thoughts. Reconcile yourself to spending the next few months as prisoners of war in America." "A prospect I by no means fall in with. Help may be nearer than you think, Juan." "Help?" "Yes." "Not unless it descends from the skies, and the age of miracles is past." "The help is aboard this ship," said Manuel impressively. "What folly," was Juan's reply. "Have we not lost enough brave men already? I thought of that, but dismissed it from my mind at once. Unarmed men, however numerous they are, can do nothing against men armed to the teeth." "Exactly my answer to Dan," muttered Young Glory. "This Spaniard is a sensible man." "But the plan I have in view won't cost the loss of a single man." "Then it will fail." "No, it can't. Its success is certain. Don't look so surprised, Juan. Have I a reputation for good sense or not? I'm telling you no fairy tale." "From anybody but yourself, Manuel, if such a story came I should laugh in their faces." "You won't laugh at me." "Perhaps." "Not when you've heard me through." "Proceed, proceed." "I weary you. Well, to the point as you say. You know when we handed up our swords we surrendered the ship, don't you?" "Why ask foolish questions or recall what pains me?" "But did we hand over everything?" "Surely." "There you're wrong." "I'm a very patient man, as you know, Manuel, but a little more of this talk and I shall be getting up and leaving you." "I'm leading up to my story. No, Juan, we did not hand over everything. Shall I tell you what was kept back?" "If you please."