Both answered that they approved his plan, and would like nothing better, and Elsie and Ned exclaimed with enthusiasm that they would like nothing better.
"A unanimous vote in favor," commented Max, "so the thing is settled."
"And we can settle to something," remarked Elsie, in a tone of satisfaction; "Uncle Harold, don't you want to tell us about some of the poor wounded or sick fellows you attended in Cuba?"
"I fear I have not much to tell of them—seeing I have already told so much—except that they were wonderfully brave and patient, full of love for their country and compassion for the downtrodden, inhumanly treated Cubans," replied Dr. Travilla.
"I think our soldiers were very brave, patient, and uncomplaining," said Elsie. "I am very proud of them, especially because they didn't do cruel deeds such as I have read of soldiers of other nations doing in time of war."
"Yes, I think they deserved that commendation," said Harold. "And the attempt of Hobson and his men to block the entrance to Santiago harbor by sinking the Merrimac there was brave as brave could be. We have indeed cause to be proud of our soldiers."
"And so we are!" cried Ned enthusiastically, "and," turning toward his brother, "just as proud of the brave fellows that were at Manila as of those in Cuba."
"Thank you, young man," returned Max, with a bow and a smile. "We certainly have every reason to believe that our doings there have been appreciated by our kind countrymen."
"Brother Max, could you help feeling a little bit afraid when your ship went into that long channel with its many forts and torpedoes?"
"I certainly cannot say that I was entirely free from fear," acknowledged Max; "but I had no desire to escape the danger by giving up my part in the coming fight, for I felt that we were on the right side of it—undertaken for the oppressed—and that my Heavenly Father was able to protect me, and all of us."