after the arrival of the English
ships, the remainder of your plate fleet and its convoy appeared off
this port, my countrymen could have kept them outside, had they so
chosen, with the result that every ship would have been lost in the next
gale that might arise. _You_ knew, as well as did my own countrymen,
the tremendous risk and peril to which those enormously rich ships would
have been exposed, had they been prevented from entering the harbour;
and you hastened to arrange a convention with the English whereby your
own ships were to be permitted to enter the port, while the English were
to be allowed to refit their vessels without hindrance or molestation.
Is all this true, senors, or have I misstated any part of the story, so
far?"

George paused for a reply; but for a full minute or more there was no
response. Then at last the alcalde slowly rose to his feet and
stretching forth his right hand deprecatingly toward the young captain,
said:

"Most illustrious senor, all that you have said is absolutely true. But
before--"

"Pardon, senor," interrupted George. "I have not yet finished. When I
have done so I shall be quite prepared to listen courteously and with
patience to whatever you may be pleased to say.

"In accordance with the terms of that convention the English were
permitted to work for three days at the dismantling of their ships in
preparation for the work of refitting--and then, senors, without a word
or hint of warning, at the very instant when they were least able to
defend themselves, you treacherously fell upon them; with the result
that more than three hundred Englishmen were slain, four of their ships
were either captured or destroyed, many Englishmen were taken prisoners,
and the residue were driven to sea in their least dismantled ships,
short of food and water, to sink or swim as the fates might decide. One
of the ships which effected her escape afterward sank, and with her went
the entire proceeds of the voyage, while the other two, riddled and torn
by Spanish shot, treacherously fired, only reached England after a
voyage of incredible difficulty, toil, and suffering. Now, senors, the
object of my visit to San Juan de Ulua is to avenge that treacherous
attack upon my fellow-countrymen, to exact ample compensation therefor
and for all the loss and suffering attendant upon it, and to demand the
release of those who fell into your hands upon that occasion. If you
have aught to urge by