tisfaction for the outrage from
the Spanish Ambassador. But we all know what that means. The
negotiations may go on for years, and the demand may be withdrawn in the
end if by so doing the interests of diplomacy may be served. Therefore
I do not propose to wait for that--for who trows what may happen to my
brother in the interval? My plan is this: I intend to go on trying
until I can find somebody sufficiently interested in my scheme either to
advance me the money, or to entrust me with a ship. Then I will get
together a crew who will be willing to go with me, taking a certain
share of the proceeds of the expedition in lieu of wages--and I believe
I shall be able to raise such a crew without difficulty--and I shall
sail direct to San Juan de Ulua. Arrived there, I shall make a formal
demand for my brother's immediate release. And if the Spaniards refuse,
or attempt to put me off by saying that they do not know what has become
of Hubert, I will at once attack the town, take it, and hold it for
heavy ransom. And if ransom is refused, I will sack the place, taking
every piece of gold or silver and every jewel that I can lay hands upon.
And from there I will traverse the entire coast of the Spanish Main,
attacking every town that promises to be worth while, until I have
succeeded in persuading the Spaniards that it will be to their advantage
to free my brother and deliver him over to me."

"And, supposin' that they should deliver up your brother at the first
town you call at--San Juan de Ulua, I think you named the place--what'll
you do then, boy?" demanded Radlett.

"I shall still require compensation for my brother's seizure," replied
George. "And," he added, "that compensation will have to be amply
sufficient not only to recompense Hu for his imprisonment, but also to
pay handsomely all connected with the expedition. It is my intention,
sir, not to return home until I can replace every pig of iron ballast in
my ship with gold and silver."

"Hear to him! hear to him! Gold and silver, quotha!" exclaimed Radlett,
delightedly. "And how big's thy ship to be, then, eh, Garge?"

"The biggest that I can get," answered George; "the bigger the better,
because she will carry the more men, the more guns--and the more gold.
I should have liked the _Bonaventure_, if I could have got her, for I'm
used to her, and she is just the right size. But Mr Marshall will have
nothing to do with me and my scheme."

"Ay, the _Bon