"What is the
matter with those rascals?" he growled, turning to Dan, who,
resplendent in blue and gold, had just joined him on the bridge.
"They don't seem to be happy to see us," replied the Captain, shortly.
"Not happy!" exclaimed Mr. Howland, who began to feel that the
situation approximated _lese-majeste_. "Not happy? Confound them!
When we're bringing guns to support their mangy and tottering
Government!"
"Well," replied the young commander, who scented trouble and thought of
the party on board, "they don't seem to be, anyway."
A sharp hail rang out from the nearest gun-boat, the flag-ship.
"What vessel is that, and whither bound?"
Mr. Howland tore at his collar and stuttered in purple fury.
"Impudence! Impertinence! Lunacy! Here, Captain, tell them they know
very well what ship this is--and--and--wait!" as Dan raised the
megaphone to his lips. "Don't waste time talking to the villains.
Tell them--tell them to go--well, you know what to tell them."
And Dan demonstrated that he did--so vigorously, so eloquently that the
answer came in the shape of a blank shot across the _Tampico's_ bows.
Dan looked gravely at the owner.
"The thing is pretty plain, Mr. Howland," he said; "the navy has
evidently joined the insurrection. Why they have not bombarded the
city I don't know; but you can be sure they are going to.
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