“Hello, another destroyer!” exclaimed Ned, as his eyes fell on the newcomer.
“Yes, I guess it’s the General Barrill,” said Stanley, who, as usual, was beside the boys. “She’s a destroyer the Costavezan government bought from the Argentine just before the revolution broke out.”
“If she had four stacks instead of three, she could easily be mistaken for us!” exclaimed Ned.
“That’s a fact,” agreed Stanley. “She’s exactly the same type.”
“What’s that flag she’s flying?” asked Ned, as the vessel’s ensign dipped in response to the Beale’s courtesy.
“Red, white and blue, with a gold star in the middle. That’s the flag of the Costavezan republic,” remarked Stanley, gazing at the destroyer as she came to an anchorage.
“She ought to be capable of putting the rebels out of business,” observed Herc.
“Don’t be so sure of that,” put in a sailor who had joined the group. “The revolutionists have got a few boats of their own. When I was ashore I heard that the northern section of their forces had seized the rest of the government’s navy, and that they had ’em waiting some place up the coast ready for action.”
“Wonder what the General Barrill is doing in here?” inquired Ned.
“Put in to coal, most likely. They’ll need her up north if those revolutionists attack Boca del Sierras. A few shells from those guns of hers would do a lot of damage.”