To avoid attracting attention from the owner of the store, who was gazing curiously at them, the boys bought the post-card and left the place.
“See the way that fellow in there was glaring at us?” grinned Herc. “They sure do love Americans down here—not!”
“That’s a good way to tell a revolutionary sympathizer,” said Stanley. “The government party are all friendly to Americans. They realize the good they have done the country and the capital they have brought into it. The revolutionists, on the other hand, all want to see all foreigners out of here, and be able to run the place for themselves—and their pockets.”
“I don’t see why our government should interfere,” said Herc, as they made their way down the street, pursued sometimes by approving and sometimes by unfriendly glances.
“She’s not interfering,” rejoined Stanley; “that’s just it. If she could she’d mighty soon show these revolutionists where they stand. Not that the United States doesn’t believe in every one having a square deal, mind you, but at Washington they think these things should be decided by the ballot box, and not by fighting and squabbling.”
By this time they had drawn near the wharf, had turned and were headed for it, when a sudden chorus of shouts and yells rapidly drawing nearer attracted their attention. At the same instant round the corner of one of the dark, narrow streets leading to the water front burst a strange group—or rather, from their exciting actions and cries, mob would be a better term.
“Hullo!” shouted Ned suddenly, “there’s some of our fellows among them.”
“By the great turret gun, so there are!” echoed Stanley, starting forward.
In the midst of a howling, yelling crowd of townsmen there had suddenly flashed into view for an instant the white uniform of a man-of-war’s man. Evidently he was having a desperate fight against heavy odds. As the Dreadnought Boys and Stanley rushed toward the scene of action, they could see stones and filth, both of which were plentiful in the streets, flying from all directions at the Yankee sailor.