"That is if the ship you propose to smash doesn't bring her heavy guns to bear on this boat."
"Hoots! hoots! mon. The Montyzumy can gang her ain gait. Nineteen knots an hour! Ma certie, it wud tack a braw gun to catch the likes o' her."
When they returned on deck from their inspection of the ship, a note was brought to Rafael, from Captain Pedraza, of The Iturbide, requesting his presence on board. They dropped into a boat, and were speedily clambering up the giant sides of the cruiser. Being conducted to the state-room, they found Captain Pedraza, surrounded by his officers, reading a message from the President.
"Ola mis amigos!" cried the captain, gaily, "you are just in time. Señor Juan, I am your servant. Don Rafael, we leave Tlatonac for Janjalla to-morrow afternoon."
"Why in the afternoon?"
"Carambo. So as to reach Janjalla at night. The Pizarro is lying there in the harbour, and, under cover of darkness, we may be able to sink her either with our guns or by means of torpedoes."
"Will the torpederas be ready?" asked Jack, for the second time.
"You may be certain of that," said Rafael, significantly. "I will guarantee that The Montezuma will be able to start at the appointed time."
"And I can say the same of The Zuloaga," observed a slim man, in whom Jack recognised the commander of the other torpedo-boat. "I think, Señor, it can be looked on as certain that all three can depart."
After this a babel of talk ensued concerning the chances of surprising The Pizarro. Some proposed one place, some another, and amid all the excitement, Jack, growing weary of the arguing, slipped out of the saloon, and went ashore, so as to have as much time as possible with Dolores before departure.