"No doubt. If Don Hypolito secures Dolores and her opal, the Indians, out of sheer superstition, will side with him against the Government. In that case, they are too near Tlatonac to be pleasant."
"And what are the plans of this Don, if you please," asked Tim, who was scribbling shorthand notes in his pocket-book.
"Hum! you'll have to ask Xuarez about those, and then he won't tell you. So far as I can judge, he will win over the navy to his side, establish his head-quarters at Acauhtzin, and make things unpleasant all round. With the navy of three, he can blockade Tlatonac."
"What about the torpedo-boats?"
"They, no doubt, are on their way out from England. If the war-ships can stop them, they certainly will."
"Torpedo-boats are unpleasant things to handle."
"Yes; I don't suppose the war-ships will try force. Those in charge of the two torpedo-boats won't know of the disaffection of the navy; so possibly their commander will be decoyed on board the ships, and the rebels can place their own men in charge of the torpederas."
"In that case," said Philip, after a pause, "it would be as well to use this yacht to warn them before they enter the harbour."
"My dear Philip, if you tried on that game, the rebels would send a war-ship after you, and The Bohemian would be knocked to bits."
"Not if she gets a start. I'll back her speed against the whole Cholacacan navy. When The Bohemian has all her furnaces going, she is like a streak of greased lightning."