“The ‘Aquadores’ sunk the ‘Soledad’ and torpedo-boat and captured the ‘Barcelo,’” Phil replied proudly, then he described all that had happened since they had left the “Connecticut.”
The two officers listened in silence at the lad’s story, told simply and modestly. He bestowed unstinted praise on his two companions, barely mentioning the important part that he himself had played, which brought from Sydney an unselfish protest.
“Mr. Perry, sir, was everything to us,” Sydney interrupted, his face flushed with joy at his companion’s praises for him.
When Phil had told of the part they had taken in the sea fights, the admiral could contain himself no longer; he felt his boyhood blood once more flowing through his veins; he had in his youth taken part in many a fight during the long Civil War.
“Our only excuse,” Phil ended contritely, “is that we acted in self-defense.”
The admiral chuckled gleefully.
“Self-defense,” he laughed. “You young rascals, you did it for the love of fighting. Now own up to it! If you had done otherwise I’d have had you all court-martialed.” He lowered his voice. “You have done a great service to your country; when the news of the sinking of the ‘Aquadores’ reached Europe, three countries there acknowledged the rebels as belligerents, which gave General Ruiz the temerity to declare the blockade. If this is established our country’s commercial interests will suffer to the extent of many millions of dollars a day. My orders are if the rebel war-ships attempt to stop our merchantmen from entering or leaving this port to put an end to the blockade by force, and you see I have the force,” he added smiling. “But why did you not send us a wireless instead of keeping us in this suspense?”
“We couldn’t, sir,” Phil explained; “our wireless was totally wrecked in the first engagement.”
The lads were indeed happy. Instead of being punished for their acts, the admiral was praising them. They dared not look at each other; they feared they would shout out with excess of joy.
“For the present of course everything must be kept secret,” the admiral cautioned, rising to depart, “but bear in mind, I shall not forget your valuable services.”