remarkable story.

"You will permit me to say, Major, that you have committed a serious
international offence."

"And I am prepared to bear all the consequences of my crime."

"They are likely to be graver than you seem to think; it is your duty,
first of all, to apologize--"

"Apologize to that scoundrel of a Yozarro! I'll see him hanged first!"

"You will not deny that it is your honorable duty to restore the
Atlamalcan navy to my excellent compatriot, General Yozarro."

"You seem to be concerned for the brother with whom, only a day or
two ago, you were eager to go to war. I don't want that old tub which
he calls a gunboat; he is welcome to it; Atlamalco holds a single
solitary gentleman, Captain Ramon Ortega, who is up there at the
wheel, and he is at liberty to take the boat back to his chief with my
compliments, and that chief may go hang."

"But that will hardly do; you took it by force from him and should
return it in person. It is the only way by which an international
complication can be prevented."

Yielding to an impulse inspired by the humor of the situation, Major
Starland said:

"Very well; I'll take it upon myself to deliver the _General Yozarro_
to its owner with my own hands."

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Major Jack Starland carried out his thoughtlessly formed plan. I fear
it must be conceded that his motive was not a wholly chivalrous one.
He saw the chance for humiliating the man for whom he felt only
unmitigated contempt. He had not a whit of respect for the pompous
Bambos, but the ponderous nuisance had not insulted him and his
unpardonably. No doubt had the opportunity come to the President of
the Zalapatan Republic, he would have acted with similar dishonor, but
in the affairs of this world, men are judged by their deeds instead of
their motives. Only One can be unerring in his judgments.

"General Bambos and I will go aboard the tugboat and steam up the
river till we find Yozarro. We may have to go to Atlamalco, but it
makes no difference; the _Warrenia_ will act as our escort, and I
shall make sure the affair is conducted in the highest style of the
art. I don't wish to involve my government in the broil."

Accordingly, after everything had been explained to Captain Winton of
the yacht, the American officer and the General walked beside each
other across the gangplank, which bowed threateningly under the
unusual weight, the support was drawn in, and both craft began moving
at mod