No, President," said the skipper, laying his hand upon the other's
shoulders; "you are too brave and rash. This is your last stronghold,
is it not?"

"Alas, yes!"

"Then you must hold it, sir, and tire the enemy out."

"Yes, yes; you are right. But food--water? What of them?"

"Ah! There we must see what strategy will do. There is the river not
far away, and as soon as they grow thirsty, my lads will contrive that
we have enough to drink."

"To drink--ah, yes. But the food?"

"Well, perhaps they will contrive that too. Sailors are splendid
fellows to forage, sir."

"Yes. If I could only be a President of sailors!" cried the President
warmly. "There seems to be nothing that the English sailor cannot do.
But can they make powder-cartridges when their own is fired away?"

"Well, I don't say that," said the skipper; "but they know how to save
them, and not fire good ammunition to waste; and that's what you must
try to teach your men. But look out yonder; while we are talking there
is something going on."

Don Ramon looked out keenly, ran into the next room to look out in
another direction, and then came back.

"They are coming on again, captain," he said. "It may be an hour yet.
But they mean attack, to leave more of their force behind."

"Now is your time, then, sir, to speak to your men. Tell them to use
the cartridges as if each was the last he had and his life depended upon
sending it home."

"Yes, yes," said the President. "I see; I see. But when my men are
fighting and the blood is up they will not think; but we shall see."

Within half-an-hour another and a fiercer attack was made--one more ably
sustained and better met too by the defence; for the President's words
to his followers went home, the men grasping their position, and though
the attack was more prolonged it ended by another panic and a roar of
cheers.

"Now, President," said the skipper, "what of the next attack?"

"I don't know," was the reply. "If one is made it will be some
treachery with fire; but you see they have retired farther back, and it
is all their leaders can do to keep them from breaking up into retreat.
Villarayo must be mad, and will be thinking how to scheme my downfall to
the end. Captain, my heart is sick. What of the coming night? What of
the darkness which will shroud them like a cloak?"

"It will not be dark for a couple of hours yet," replied the skipper.
"We can rest now, and refresh our men. A