This Spanish phrase, meaning, "Let us go and take the eleven," was introduced by Jack, and referred to "aguardiente" (brandy), which has eleven letters. It was in constant use, and when the familiar sound struck on their ears, Philip and Peter lifted their heads anxiously. It is but fair to state, however, that in the sense in which the saying was used on board the yacht, it referred to lemon squash, which also has that number of letters.
"I'll take one, if you prepare it."
"Carambo!" said Tim, viciously. "I won't. Brew one for yourself. I'm not a bar tender."
"Tim's getting up his Spanish for the ladies," murmured Philip, lazily.
"If he greets them with carambo, he'll be slung out of Tlatonac," retorted Jack, who frequently indulged in American slang.
"Oh, I also know how to make love in Spanish," said the Irishman, bluntly. "El hombre prevenido nunca fue vencido."
"Oh, shut up!"
"What does that mean?" asked Peter, who was profoundly ignorant of the Castillian tongue.
"It means, 'The prepared man is never conquered,' you ignorant creature. Peter, you'll have to learn Spanish, if only to flirt with old Serafina."
Peter deliberately arose from his chair, and walked down to the saloon.