"I, the Intendante, deny that!"
"Impossible to take Janjalla," echoed Velez, nodding his head wisely.
Rafael shrugged his shoulders. It was next to impossible to argue with these obstinate people who would only look at one side of the question.
"We will grant that Janjalla falls into the power of Xuarez," said Garibay, impatiently; "and afterwards?"
"Afterwards," resumed the young man, "Xuarez will garrison the town, and concentrate all his troops there."
"Thus leaving Acauhtzin open to attack," said Jack, satirically.
"By no means. The war-ships will prevent our troops getting to that town. We cannot get to it by land, and the sea will be blockaded by the rebel fleet."
"Unless the torpederas——"
"True! unless the torpederas arrive," replied Rafael significantly; "but it is doubtful as to whether the Junta or Xuarez will get them. However, I am only supposing all these things being in favour of the Opposidores."
"Bueno! We will look at the matter from Don Hypolito's point of view," said Philip, quietly. "His troops are concentrated at Janjalla. Between that town and Tlatonac are open plains—and," added Philip, dryly, "the armies of the Republic!"