at Pernambuco. Our only danger at
either place will be encountered at the actual moment of landing. At
Maceio there is practically no risk of finding a warship in the harbor.
That is why we are going there."

"And not because you are more likely to find adherents there?"

"It is a much smaller town than Pernambuco, and my strength lies
outside the large cities, I admit. But there can be no question as to
our wisdom in preferring Maceio, even where the young lady's well-being
is concerned."

"I think differently. At Maceio there are few, if any, Europeans. At
Pernambuco the large English-speaking community will protect her, no
matter what President is in power. I must ask you to reconsider your
plan. Land Miss Yorke and me at Pernambuco, and then betake yourself
and those who follow you where you will."

Coke jerked himself into the dispute.

"'Ere, wot's wrong now?" he demanded angrily. "Since w'en 'as a second
officer begun to fix the ship's course?"

"I am not your second officer, nor are you my commander," said Philip.
"At present we are fellow-pirates, or, at best, running the gravest
risk of being regarded as pirates by any court of law. I don't care a
cent personally what port we make, but I do care most emphatically for
Miss Yorke's safety."

"We've argied the pros an' cons, an' it's to be Maceio," growled Coke.

Dom Corria's precise tones broke in on what threatened to develop into
a serious dispute.

"You would have been asked to join in the discussion, if, apparently,
you were not better engaged at the moment, Mr. Hozier," he said. "I
assure you, on my honor, that there are many reasons in favor of Maceio
even from the exclusive point of view of Miss Yorke's immediate future.
She will be well cared for. I promise to make that my first
consideration. The army is mainly for me, and Senhor San Benavides's
regiment is stationed at Maceio. The navy, on the other hand, supports
Dom Miguel Barraca, who supplanted me, and we shall surely meet a
cruiser or gunboat at Pernambuco. You see, therefore, that common
prudence----"

"I see that, whether willing or not, we are to be made the tools of
your ambition," interrupted Hozier curtly. "It is also fairly evident
that I am the only man of the _Andromeda's_ company whom you have not
bribed to obey you. Well, be warned now by me. If circumstances fail
to justify your change of route, I shall make it my business to settle
at least one revolution