"I've won five out of six games from you to-night, Colonel."
"Chance threw the cards your way. My skill simply went for nothing—went for nothing!"
The card room rapidly filled. After a few moments of cursory conversation there was silence. Each was waiting for another to speak.
Valencia began.
"Señors," with much deliberation, "at supper the sense of the majority of the assemblage was that we take our province from the tutelage of Mexico to the protection of Great Britain. The question before us is, How shall we proceed to make this transfer? Let us hear from you."
Hernandez arose.
"Send a delegation to the English representative in Monterey, and tell him of our desires. A British fleet is near. Let it take possession of the province. Then, if Mexico objects, she will have Great Britain to deal with."
Most of the men nodded affirmatively.
Hernandez took his seat with a satisfied air.
"Friends," said Mendoza, "I am not of the mind that it is wise to take action in this matter to-night. Too great haste in acting is like a too hot fire in cooking."