"Here's to the good cause and confusion to its enemies," he said, in a deep voice.
"Good luck to the cause," shouted the men as they dashed off their liquor and sat solemnly down again.
For half an hour scarcely a word was spoken, as they all did full justice to the cook's excellent dinner. When they were through, the steward removed the cloth and the captain brought out a box of cigars which he passed around, this time not overlooking the boys, but they each refused, with thanks. The steward replaced the black bottle and it made another circuit of the table. After a short silence, during which the men puffed vigorously on their cigars, the captain said quietly:
"Men, to-morrow we begin to get busy. You all know what dangers we are facing and you have all been through them before. I know you will acquit yourselves well if it comes to a tight rub, for your hearts are all with the cause. That we may all know to what end to bend our individual endeavors, and in case anything should happen to any of us, I will now read to you the orders under which we are sailing. Always remember our compact. We have our numbers. If number one falls, number two takes command, and to him you give your true allegiance, always with your minds free from personal ambitions and petty jealousies, working only as human machines for the good of the cause."
The men turned and looked nervously in the direction of the boys. The captain noticed their suspicious glances.
"Do not fear," he said, addressing particularly the furtive-eyed Suarez, "I will answer for them. They are my guests."
There was in the captain's tone just a touch of defiance, as if he challenged opposition to his views.
"Now listen, and mark well the directions in the order. It is in Spanish, but I will read it to you in English, as I believe none among you, save Suarez and myself, understand Spanish."
The captain produced from a large wallet a paper which he read slowly, dwelling long upon those passages containing detailed instructions:>