Captain Pons arose with much dignity and bowed to Captain Sandoval.
"Merci, monsieur!" he murmured. "Nevair vill I say ze derogatory word to youar honor, but ze actions of zis Motor Matt, w'at you call, is mos' contemptible. Let heem spik, let heem explain if he can."
"Amigo," said Captain Sandoval, "you will explain, for my sake, to my honorable friend, Captain Pons?"
"That's what I came here to do," answered Matt. "I and my friends have saved the Pom for Captain Pons, and this is the reward he gives us."
Captain Pons got up and bowed again to Captain Sandoval. Not to be outdone in courtesy, Captain Sandoval arose and bowed to Captain Pons.
"If I do heem ze wrong," said Captain Pons gravely, "zen I make ze amende. Until he explains, I have ze right to call him mos' contemptible."
"You have the right," agreed Captain Sandoval.
Then they bowed again and sat down.
All this was highly edifying to Matt, but it did not get him very far along with his explanation.
When he got started, however, he held the floor in spite of disturbing symptoms on the part of Pons to get up and bow. He carried the explanation through to its conclusion, and not failing to put due stress on the dangers he and his friends had undergone in their attempt to get the better of the Sons of the Rising Sun.