But that is life, and he had a great deal rather be
accepted for what he had done than because of mere ties of blood. Thus
thinking, he came to attach greater significance to the letter. He
would go on to Boston when the _Tampico_ returned to the United States.
In the meantime he was Captain of a Howland boat, and he would obey
orders, he smiled grimly, and go to the dinner.
The dinner was a memorable one in San Blanco City. The revolution had
been shattered. The Rodriguez Government was supreme. The
_Presidente's_ palace was a blaze of lights. Conspirators were being
arrested and cast into prison. Vehicles of all sorts were bearing
dinner guests to the Hotel Garcia and dashing away. There were foreign
consuls in uniforms, and their wives; there was Rodriguez and his
cabinet, and officers of the army in resplendent garb, and women who,
when they threw their mantillas aside, revealed tawny necks and
shoulders.
The _Presidente_, Mr. Howland, and high officers of the Government sat
on a long dais at the head of the room; the other guests, including the
_Tampico's_ party, were at round tables with red-shaded lamps. It was
a pleasing picture, and Dan, for the first few courses, was glad he had
come. However, when he found that those with whom he was seated could
not speak English, while he could understand little of Spanish, the
evening began to wear.
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