"Within yonder house of the Jefe Politico. You also, Señor Correspoñsal, does he desire to see."
"I am at the service of Señor Gigedo. Know you, Comandante, what he desires to speak of?"
"It is that you will convey the glorious news of our naval victory to your gran'diario."
"Dios! That will be done within an hour. I but waited to find out all particulars from Don Juan."
"Oh! I can tell you everything," said Jack cheerfully, "I was on board The Montezuma with Don Rafael, and it was her torpedo which sank The Pizarro."
"Viva los Torpederas," shouted Garibay, who was greatly excited over this unexpected victory.
The cry was taken up by a chattering group of officers lounging in from off the General's headquarters, and Jack being recognized was at once surrounded by them. They were mostly young fellows, who were weary of being pent up within the walls of a suburban town, and saw in this sinking of The Pizarro, a chance of coming face to face with the enemy. It was all cries of Viva! Bueno! Gracias a Dios! as Duval passed through their midst, and many would fain have detained him, to learn particulars of the combat; but Jack was anxious to hear Gigedo's views concerning the non-arrival of the reinforcements, so entered the mansion at once. Colonel Garibay conducted them both without delay to the General's apartments. Gigedo, cigarette in mouth, was poring over a large map of the country, evidently tracing the line of march from Tlatonac, but on seeing Duval, he sprang up and advanced to salute him, with a pleased smile.
"A thousand congratulations, Señor, on your escape from the hands of Xuarez," he said, warmly; "and still more on your gallant conduct of last night."
"Oh! as to that, General, I was but an onlooker," replied Duval, modestly. "The credit of sinking The Pizarro rests with Don Rafael Maraquando. Have you heard the particulars?"
"Assuredly Señor, Don Sebastian de Ahumada has left me but this moment. He informed me of the affair, and also delivered the instructions from His Excellency. I find here," added Gigedo, striking a pile of papers with his open hand, "that over a thousand men left Tlatonac for the front, four days ago."