The distance lessened rapidly—­the cruiser plunging up and down in the same spot, the derelict heaving to leeward in great, swinging leaps, as the successive seas caught her, each one leaving her half a length farther on.  Soon they could make out the figures of men.

“Take us off,” screamed the doctor, waving his arms, “and get out of our way!”

“We’ll clear her,” said Boston; “see, she’s started her engine.”

As they drifted down on the weather-side of the cruiser they shouted repeatedly words of supplication and warning.  They were answered by a solid shot from a secondary gun, which flew over their heads.  At the same time, the ensign of Spain was run up on the flag-staff.

“They’re Spanish, Boston.  They’re firing on us.  Into that boat with you!  If a shot hits our cargo, we won’t know what struck us.”

They sprang into the boat, which luckily hung on the lee side, and cleared the falls—­fastened and coiled in the bow and stern.  Often during their long voyage they had rehearsed the launching of the boat in a seaway—­an operation requiring quick and concerted action.

“Ready, Doc?” sang out Boston.  “One, two, three—­let go!” The falls overhauled with a whir, and the falling boat, striking an uprising sea with a smack, sank with it.  When it raised they unhooked the tackle blocks, and pushed off with the oars just as a second shot hummed over their heads.

“Pull, Boston; pull hard—­straight to windward!” cried the doctor.

The tight whaleboat shipped no water, and though they were pulling in the teeth of a furious gale, the hulk was drifting away from them, so, in a short time, they were separated from their late home by a full quarter-mile of angry sea.  The cruiser had forged ahead in plain view, and, as they looked, took in the try-sail.

“She’s going to wear,” said Boston.  “See, she’s paying off.”

“I don’t know what ‘wearing’ means, Boston,” panted the doctor, “but I know the Spanish nature.  She’s going to ram that hundred and thirty tons of nitro.  Don’t stop.  Pull away.  Hold on, there; hold on, you fools!” he shouted.  “That’s a torpedo; keep away from her!”

Forgetting his own injunction to “pull away,” the doctor stood up, waving his oar frantically, and Boston assisted.  But if their shouts and gestures were understood aboard the cruiser, they were ignored.  She slowly turned in a wide curve and headed straight for the Neptune which had drifted to leeward of her.

What was in the minds of the officers on that cruiser’s deck will never be known.  Cruisers of all nations hold roving commissions in regard to derelicts, and it is fitting and proper for one of them to gently prod a “vagrant of the sea” with the steel prow and send her below to trouble no more.  But it may be that the sight of the Cuban flag, floating defiantly in the gale, had something to do with the full speed at which the Spanish ship approached.  When but half a length separated the two craft, a heavy sea lifted the bow of the cruiser high in air; then it sank, and the sharp steel ram came down like a butcher’s cleaver on the side of the derelict.