"Bueno!" cried Captain Pedraza, who had his night glass up. "There is one good thing, mis amigos, the Opal flag still flies over the town, so as yet it holds out."
"What is next to be done, Comandante?" asked Jack, who was standing near with Rafael.
"We must wait till dawn, Señor Americano, and then find out if the reinforcements have arrived at Janjalla. Afterwards we will steam back to Tlatonac, and if possible meet the Cortes and Columbus coming back. In any event, we must go to Tlatonac to report this victory to the Junta."
"Shall you land these two hundred troops?"
"Caranto! Why not?"
"Because the camp of the enemy lies between the town and ourselves. Two hundred men cannot do much against two thousand."
"True, Señor. If it is impossible, we will not attempt it. But at dawn, I will signal to General Gigedo to make a sally from the gates down to the shore; our men will land, and effect a conjunction, and so with small loss they ought to get into the town. Especially under cover of our guns, and those of the forts."
"I don't see what use that will be, Pedraza," interrupted Rafael, bluntly.
"Caro, Señor! His Excellency ordered this to be done, so it must be done."
"Rather a useless task, I think," said Jack, dryly. "However, I am not sorry, as I wish to get into the town myself. But you, Señor Comandante, what will you do?"