eorge caused a boat to
be lowered, and, with its crew armed to the teeth, pulled round the
Spanish fleet, hailing each ship belonging to it, and informing the
captains that any ship seen to be getting under way would at once be
fired into and sunk. This threat, backed up as it was by the display of
the English ship's ordnance, had the desired effect, and there were no
further attempts at flight just then on the part of the plate ships.

George's next act was to send Captain Martinez, of the wrecked _Dona
Catalina_, ashore in one of the _Nonsuch's_ boats, under a flag of
truce. The captain was handed his dispatches, and was instructed to
either deliver or forward them to the persons to whom they were
addressed; and he was also given a letter addressed to the governor or
chief magistrate of the town, summoning that functionary, together with
twelve of the most influential inhabitants of the place, to a conference
on board the English ship, upon a matter of vital import; the conference
to begin not later than noon that day; the penalty of non-attendance
being the bombardment of the town. Then, every preparation having been
made to carry into effect the threatened bombardment, the English sat
down and patiently awaited developments.

Half an hour before the expiration of the specified time a large boat,
flying a flag of truce, was seen to leave the wharf, and some ten
minutes later she came up to within a few fathoms of the _Nonsuch_
gangway, when it was seen that, in addition to eight oarsmen, she
carried in her stern sheets thirteen men, most of whom had passed beyond
middle age, while all were, in appearance at least, and so far as dress
was concerned, men of position and substance.

Arrived within easy hailing distance, the oarsmen ceased their efforts
at a sign from the man at the tiller, and an elderly individual, attired
in what might be supposed to be robes of office, rose to his feet and,
doffing his plumed hat, bowed to the little group of officers mustered
on the ship's poop. Then, hat in hand, he remarked:

"Noble senors, I am Juan Alvarez, the alcalde of San Juan de Ulua, very
much at your service; and in response to your somewhat imperatively
worded letter I and my fellow townsmen have come out to confer with you.
But before we board your ship I should like to ask you just one
question. I see by your flag that you are English. Come you in peace,
or in war, senors?"

"That," answered George, stepping