the excitement that ensued was intense. there was a rush for the spot by visitors, officers and crew. a chorus of screams from the feminine visitors, a quick word of command, and an excited jumble of english and portuguese.
the crowd suddenly swayed, and a man in civilian clothing—a suit with a loud check pattern—was seen to savagely force his way to the ladder leading to the after deck.
a score of hands clutched at him, but he eluded them and gained the top. as he paused for a second, bareheaded, disheveled, breathing heavily, a cry came from the frantic mob below.
“it’s the englishman!”
“yes, the englishman!” he flung back, fiercely. “i defy you, slaves of a royal master. i have tried to strike a blow for your liberty, hounds, a blow for the world’s liberty, and have failed. i——”
a bullet whistled past his head, but he never flinched. as the crowd below surged up the ladder eager to tear him limb from limb, he retreated slowly and with magnificent courage to the railing.
as the foremost of his pursuers reached the deck, he sent a curse at them, then turned and sprang over the side into the swiftly moving waters of the tagus.
“after him! quick! five thousand milreis to the man who captures him alive!”
these words, in broken english, came from one of the royal suite.
a rush was made for the side, and eager glances were cast down toward the river. a dozen excited sailors and cadets recklessly leaped into the water and began a search, but nothing was seen of the desperate fugitive.
the tagus in the immediate vicinity of the practice ship was thronged with vessels of all classes, attracted to the spot by the royal visit, and it was observed at once that the assassin’s chances for escape, if he was an expert swimmer, were good.
there was commotion on board the neighboring craft, and many false alarms, but no certain sign of the englishman’s presence.
when the excited crowd on the monongahela turned inboard again, they found a group of officers and cadets surrounding clif, who was calmly standing in the center while the surgeon fastened a temporary bandage round a bleeding cut in his right arm.
the king had been hurried to the cabin by his suite and captain brookes. a moment later he emerged and joined the group surrounding clif.
“i want to see the brave american boy who saved my life,” he insisted. “it was he who foiled that assassin and he shall have my heartfelt thanks.”
“but, your majesty,” implored one of his military staff, in portuguese, “there may be other wretches on board. they may make another attempt on you.”
“then keep every one at a distance,” was the retort. “act rather than talk. it is strange you and your comrades did not prevent that man from making his attempt. what has been done to capture him?”
“word was sent ashore at once, sire. a launch is even now on the way with instructions to the chief of police and the general in charge of the district. the assassin will be in prison before dark.”
“see that he is!” exclaimed the king, imperiously.
turning to clif he extended both his hands and added in excellent english:
“my brave lad, i thank you. i deplore the wound you have received in my service.”
“it is nothing, sir,” replied clif, simply.
“a king’s life nothing?” smiled his majesty. “ah, that is a democratic principle. it is american. i admire your cleverness and bravery. you will hear from me.”
he turned away, after learning from the surgeon that clif’s wound was a mere scratch, and, surrounded by his suite, left the ship.
a wild cheer greeted him as he entered the barge, and there was every sign of joy at his escape.
as soon as the barge was clear of the monongahela, captain brookes, ever mindful of his duty, gave orders to man yards and fire a second salute.
in the meantime the search for the englishman had been prosecuted with vigor.
the news that a reward of five thousand milreis, about six thousand dollars, had been offered for the fugitive, dead or alive, had spread like wildfire.
in a remarkably short space of time the surface of the river in front of the city was literally covered with boats, large and small.
as the minutes passed and no sign of the englishman was discovered, the belief that he had perished became prevalent.
when clif went forward after an interview with the captain and officers of the monongahela—an interview that caused his heart to beat with unaccustomed rapidity—he found an ovation awaiting him.
he tried to escape, and dodged down the forward ladder for that purpose, but a number of new fourth class cadets, headed by the lanky joy, captured him, and he was borne in triumph about the decks.
“hurray for the yankee who saved a king,” shrieked little nanny. “three cheers and—and a whole cageful of tigers.”
the cheers were given and the tigers, too, but in subdued tones. it is not considered the proper thing to make much noise on board an american war vessel.
“you make one good speech now,” insisted trolley, grinning broadly.
“not much,” was clif’s flat refusal. “i draw the line at that. what’s all this row about, anyway? one would think war had been declared at the very least.”
“something more important than that, dear boy,” drawled toggles. “i’ll wager anything the news is being cabled about the world this very minute. and the name of clifford faraday, new fourth class plebe, function, and rescuer of kings in general, will be in everybody’s mouth before dinner. clif, your fortune is made. i see you lord high muck-a-muck of portugal before you are a day older.”
clif laughed carelessly.
“i am content to remain a cadet in the united states naval academy,” he replied. “that’s honor enough for me.”
“what did the girl say?” asked nanny, slyly. “i saw you talking to her after your great act.”
“if you want to know, youngster, she asked me to tea to-night and i accepted the invitation. she also said she would like to have me bring another cadet.”
a hubbub broke out at once. every plebe within hearing was eager to be selected.
clif finally decided to take joy, much to the disappointment of the others. the liberty party was called[pg 265] away at one o’clock, and, shortly after that hour, the two chums found themselves ashore.
they little suspected as they carelessly walked toward the main plaza that they were destined to experience some very thrilling adventures before they again saw the old monongahela.
