to the ships in the harbour, we feel that we cannot
undertake to be answerable for the conduct of their captains and crews,
since we have had no opportunity to communicate with them; we therefore
venture to suggest that, in order to avoid anything in the nature of an
untoward event, I, as chief magistrate, be permitted to write and
dispatch to each ship an order embodying the instructions contained in
the communication received by me, through your courtesy, this morning,
from the governor of Cartagena."

"Or, perhaps, what would be still better," replied George, "I would
advise that you write an open order to the captain and chief officer of
each ship, commanding their immediate presence here. I will then place
them in honourable confinement until our negotiations are concluded,
when we will, of course, release them. By adopting such a course I
think we may make quite sure that none of them, through mistaken zeal,
will do anything to interrupt the smooth course of our rather delicate
negotiations. What say you?"

The idea at once strongly commended itself to the party, who, it was
quite evident, were more deeply interested in the preservation of their
own skins than in anything else, and who, it was equally evident, were
mortally afraid that some over-zealous individual might be tempted to do
something for which this stern-faced young Englishman would hold them
accountable; accordingly the order was written in the cabin of the
_Nonsuch_, summoning the commanding officers and their immediate
subordinates to at once assemble on board the English ship to assist in
the arrangement of a matter of vital importance to themselves and the
city; and when it had been submitted to and approved by George and his
officers, the alcalde's boat was despatched with instructions to go the
round of the plate ship fleet, show the order, and bring the officers
back upon her return. That done, refreshments--including a liberal
service of wine taken out of the _Santa Maria_--were placed upon the
table in the state cabin, and the alcalde and his companions were
invited to partake thereof pending the arrival of the men from the
ships; but they were much too anxious to do justice to the viands spread
before them, and would fain have forthwith proceeded to the business
which they had been summoned to discuss. But George refused to say a
word until the officers of the plate ships were safe under hatches; and
a long interval now elapsed durin