Excusing himself for a few minutes, the Major left the General in the cabin and went forward for a few words with Captain Ortega, who, cigarette in mouth, smilingly saluted and welcomed him.
“You understand, Captain, the arrangement that has been made?”
“I heard what was said; you have agreed to turn over this boat in person to General Yozarro.”
The American nodded.
“You will permit me to say, Major, that you have done a foolish thing. When you left the gunboat as you did, I was free to pick up the General and that should have been the end of the affair.”
“True, but I am quite willing to feed his vanity to the extent demanded by General Bambos; but I wish to say, Captain, that I am in the dark as to where we shall find your President. He sailed down the river ahead of us, but the yacht saw nothing of him, when it seems he should have been met, and we have not observed him on our way.”
“Pardon me, Major, you should say ‘I,’ not ‘we.’”
“Do you know where General Yozarro is?”
“I have known for several hours; I believe my status has been changed by the late occurrences and I may speak freely.”
“Unquestionably; no cause remains for further secrets between us.”