being
compelled to pay an indemnity for an action which he, personally,
regarded as perfectly righteous and justifiable. On the whole, senor, I
am inclined to think that it is just as well for all concerned that Don
Manuel is dead; for I am convinced that, had he continued to live, he
would have proved an insuperable bar to every kind of negotiation, and,
quite possibly, have precipitated a further catastrophe. For he was a
Government official, and was possessed, in a very marked degree, of all
the arrogance, the tyrannical, overbearing manner, the blind,
intolerable pride, and the immeasurable contempt for everybody and
everything not official, that so strongly characterises the
representatives of Government in these territories. Yet, on the other
hand, his death places me in a dilemma from which I can see no way of
extricating myself; for the Commandant is so ill that it is impossible
for me to discuss business with him; I dare not act upon my sole,
unsupported authority; and if I have understood you aright,
_illustrissimo_, you will not give the time necessary to communicate
with the Viceroy. So what am I to do?"

"I quite recognise the difficulty of your position, Don Juan," answered
George; "and perhaps the simplest way will be for us to act entirely
upon our own initiative, and so relieve you of all responsibility in the
matter. Therefore, if you will kindly excuse me, I will leave you for a
little while, and will discuss the situation with my officers. And
while I am absent, you will have an opportunity to talk matters over
with these worthy gentlemen, your fellow-citizens, who are in the
unfortunate position of being hostages for a good faith that has been
wantonly broken. Perhaps when I return you may find yourselves able to
make a proposal, or at least offer a suggestion."

Having said which, the young Englishman bowed to his involuntary guests,
and went out on deck, where he invited Basset and Heard to accompany him
to the poop for the purposes of a consultation. That same consultation
proved to be but a very brief affair; for George opened it by clearly
explaining to his fellow adventurers the distinctive features of the
situation, as it then existed, and giving his own views as to the manner
in which it might best be met; whereupon his companions at once agreed
to his suggested course of procedure, daring though this was, and the
conference, if such it might be called, broke up, having lasted less