“In that case,” replied Nelson, “you are nearly two to one, and I venture to think that we have not come up the river for nothing.”
“What braggarts you English are!”
“Is it bragging to welcome a stirring fight? Are you well provided with cannon?”
“You will learn that for yourself when you come within sight of the fort. Have you any more questions to ask, Señor Sailor?”
“Yes; one. The number in the fort, which you give, corresponds with what I have already heard. I have heard also that you were well supplied with cannon, but I have been told that you have no cannonballs in Fort San Carlos.”
“That is not true; we have plenty.
“Incredible as it may seem, I was told that the cannon-balls were made of clay. When I said you had none, I meant that you had none of iron.”
“That also is quite true,” answered the girl. “Do you mean to say that you are going to shoot baked clay at us? It will be like heaving bricks,” and the young man threw back his head and laughed.
“Oh, you may laugh,” cried the girl, “but I doubt if you will be so merry when you come to attack the fort. The clay cannon-balls were made under the superintendence of my father, and they are filled with links of chain, spikes, and other scraps of iron.”
“By Jove!” cried young Nelson, “that’s an original idea. I wonder how it will work?”