"Thankee, sir, I will," was the reply; then he turned to Hal and Gerald, and led them below.
"You've had a good square meal, I understand," he said, "so we'll see right away what's to be done about togs. Come along here."
He led them into a cabin, and began to ransack various drawers, producing, after a long hunt, undergarments and a spare suit for each.
"Perhaps you won't mind telling us what's going on?" said Hal. "We know no more than that war was declared a few days ago."
"Then I fancy that you are as well primed with information as we are. I can tell you that this is a very queer war—in fact, quite the strangest I have ever heard of. The truth is, that neither the Dons nor my country are prepared for fighting; for, you see, ships are not sufficient to enable a nation to carry on hostilities. An army to invade is wanted, and where is ours to come from? Mind you, sir, I've not a morsel of doubt that we shall raise all the troops we want, and that very quickly too, for all America is buzzin' with enthusiasm at this very moment. But you must understand that men who have not been trained to work together stand a very poor chance when confronted with regulars. Then, again, where would our supply department be? I can inform you right now that there would be terrible confusion when it was found that a hastily raised arm of the service was called upon to feed, say, twenty thousand men, perhaps in Cuba, or elsewhere.
"So it comes to this, that we must wait till all is ready ashore. Meanwhile, the navy will have to do all the fighting, and, if only the Dons show the spirit for which their ancestors were famous, we shall have some very ticklish brushes with them.
"After our forces are ready to move, and the various departments have got into thorough working order, we shall want ships to carry them to Cuba, or even to Spain, for all I know; and then I have a notion that there'll be a heap of fun, and a mighty lot for all of us to do."
"Then there is no chance of an invasion taking place yet a while?" Hal asked.
"No, that's just how it stands. But how does it interest you, Mr.—er—er—oh, I can't remember your name. Anyhow, you're a Britisher. How do you come into the quarrel?"
"It did not interest me greatly till a few days ago," said Hal. "Now it does. You see, these Spaniards have given us a very bad time. I must admit that the greater part of the trouble has arisen through one Don in particular, who is a very bad specimen of humanity. He attacked our hacienda, and the next day did his utmost to have us shot as spies. In fact, if matters had not turned out otherwise, you may take it that he would be gloating over our deaths at this very moment."