A moment, and a gruff voice hailed in vigorous Spanish from out the darkness: "Aloft there! Who is on the foreyard ?" For a brief space there came no answer, although we were made aware of other movements more directly below us.

Then some one answered: "The watch are all here on the forecastle, Senor.

It must have been a loose block that rattled." "Two of you jump into the foretop, and make all fast." The steady tramping was resumed, while a moment later we became aware of the approach of men climbing through the darkness toward us.

We were unable to perceive their shadows, yet their muttered conversation, as they lay out upon the yard, served to fix its actual position more clearly in my mind.

I believed I knew where I had so grievously overshot the mark.
"_Boca del Dragon_!" grumbled one of the fellows hoarsely, seemingly in our very ears.