“General Barras,” the latter cried, dragging the bashful Americans forward, “to these three American officers we owe our success at Rio Grande.”
The general’s face was wreathed in smiles. He was joyful at snatching victory from what had seemed to him but a few minutes before utter defeat. He grasped the hands of both lads and in his native tongue expressed his heartfelt obligations.
“Señors,” he said, “you have accomplished that which I was powerless to do. These machine guns I knew were leaving your country for my enemy, but I was powerless to find out the means by which they were to be landed; your marvelous work here to-day has saved my government from being overthrown and the lawless rebels raised to power. Your defense of this hill with but a company of raw soldiers has won our highest praise.”
Captain Garcia’s face wore a puzzled look. He knew nothing of the defense of La Mesa.
“General Barras,” he exclaimed, “these gentlemen have shown themselves our staunch friends; they have risked their lives many times for our cause. I have told you but an unimportant part of their work for me on board the ‘Aquadores,’ and now they have saved the day for us here. Cannot we suitably reward them for their heroic services?”
“General Barras,” Phil finally managed to explain to the president of the republic, who had been directing the defense in person, “for my companions and myself, I thank you for the high compliments you and Captain Garcia are paying us, but we dare not allow the knowledge of our work to become common property. I crave your pardon if we appear ungrateful, but we ask that our services here and at Rio Grande be kept as secret as is possible.” He stopped, seeing the disappointment and surprise on the president’s face; then he continued hurriedly: “These machine guns arrived in La Boca in such a manner that we felt ourselves in honor bound to see that they did no harm to your government; the small service we have been able to do for you has been made possible through our determination to prevent the guns from falling into the hands of your enemy. We have acted upon the dictates of our consciences, but we are in the naval service of the United States and our motives, if the circumstances were known, might be easily misconstrued to our ruin.”
The president, though disappointed at not being allowed to show his official appreciation for their invaluable services, readily promised secrecy, and after bidding them farewell they were allowed to continue on their way.
“Those are the two finest dagos I have ever seen,” exclaimed O’Neil, after they had gotten out of ear-shot.
The excitement of the last half hour had been so intense that the lads had quite forgotten to ask of O’Neil his experiences in the house of Juarez.
“How did you get into the house?” Phil questioned the sailor, while they walked rapidly toward the city.