"All right, Cap'. The name of the Admyral's boat is the Vanguard, I forgot to say. Well, after supper the preacher came 'round again. 'The Admyral wants to see you,' he said."
"You went, of course; and what happened there?"
"I could see from the start the preacher was strong with the Admyral. 'Mr. Blair tells me you are familiar with Monterey,' the Admyral said. 'I'm pretty familiar,' I told him. The Admyral's room's fixed up fine, almost like Mr. Mendoza's parlor, only not so big. 'You're the Brown who was in Cap'n Farquharson's service for a time?' he asked knowin'-like. 'If you mean his employ, yes,' I said. 'I've heard the Cap'n speak of you as an honest feller,' he went on pleasant enough, but watchin' sharp's a cat at a mouse-hole. I remarked to him, 'I and all my folks are honest, makin' it a point to be square in money matters.'
"'You've quit Cap'n Farquharson's employ?' he asked. 'Yes,' I said. 'How was that?' said he. 'O, for reasons,' said I, and shut up like a clam. You see, Cap', he was askin' personal questions, which I don't allow no man, providin' I don't want to answer.
"In a minute he inquired casuallike, 'You're now in the employ of "Seenyore" Mendoza, is that it?' I replied very shortlike, 'I am,' and started to shut up like another clam, then I thought better of it and blurted out, 'The "Seenyore" is determined no king sets up in business 'round this part o' the world.'
"'Where does this "Seenyore" live?' asked the Admyral. 'At Mission San José,' I told him. 'Mission San José? How long?' 'Ever since he quit fightin' old Napoleon, I reckon,' I said. I tell you, that Admyral's eyes opened wide. 'Has the "Seenyore" a following in the province?' he asked.
"I was gettin' pretty mad about then. I told him about the riflemen Mr. Mendoza has drillin', and drillin', Spaniards, Injuns, and all.
"Well, the Admyral looked away and looked away. Then suddenly he asked, 'Describe Mendoza's appearance.' I pretty soon did. 'Yes, the same man,' he said.
"He was awful quiet for a minute, then he spoke out to himself like. 'Why has no one told me about Mendoza's activities here? He's a man to be taken into consideration. I knew him years ago.'
"Finally the Admyral said, 'I'll test it out. Sail into Monterey, just as we'd planned.'