“Yes, but that was only once and it is not likely to occur again. Perhaps you think it not unlikely that we may have such another war as that in Rousillon? The most bloody, the best conducted, the most splendidly planned war since the days of Epaminondas! Certainly not. Every thing about it was exceptional; and you may believe me when I say it, for I was in the thick of it, from the Introit to the last blessing. It is to my experience there that I owe my knowledge of artillery—did you never hear me spoken of? I am sure you must recognize my name. Well, you must know that I have in my head a magnificent scheme, and if one of these days it is only realized we shall hear of no more disasters like that of the 21st. Yes, gentlemen,” he said, looking round at the three or four officers who were listening, with consummate gravity and conceit: “Something must be done for the country. Something must be devised—something stupendous, to recoup us at once for our losses and secure victory to our fleets for ever and ever, Amen.”
“Let us hear, Don José,” said one of the audience. “Explain your scheme to us.”
“Well, I am devoting my mind to the construction of 300-pounders.”
“Three-hundred-pounders!” cried the officers with shouts of laughter and derision. “Why, the largest we carry is a 36-pounder.”
“Mere toys! Just imagine the ruin that would be dealt by a 300-pound gun fired into the enemy’s fleet,” said Malespina. “But what the devil is that?” he added putting out his hand to keep himself from falling, for the Rayo rolled so heavily that it was very difficult for any one to keep his feet.
“The gale is stiffening and I doubt our getting into Cadiz to-night,” said one of the officers moving away. The worthy man had now but two listeners, but he proceeded with his mendacious harangue all the same.
“The first thing must be to build a ship from 95 to 100 yards in length.”
“The Devil you will! That would be a snug little craft with a vengeance!” said one of the officers. “A hundred yards! Why the Trinidad—God rest her—was but seventy and everybody thought her too long. She did not sail well you know and was very difficult to handle.”
“It does not take much to astonish you I see,” Malespina went on. “What is a hundred yards? Why, much larger ships than that might be built. And you must know that I would build her of iron.”
“Of iron!” and his listeners went into fits of laughter.