The officer on duty greeted him as an old friend, and the boatswain’s mate was shortly in Captain Garcia’s presence.
O’Neil told his errand as soon as Captain Garcia would allow him time to speak; the Spaniard was enthusiastic in his reception of the American sailor.
“And, sir, I knew you would help me catch this man,” he added; “our young friend is to be tried by court martial, and if found guilty will be dismissed from the service.”
Captain Garcia showed the anxiety he felt for Phil’s predicament.
“I am always at the service of my American friends,” he declared immediately; “but how may I help you find this man?”
“He will go by steamer,” replied O’Neil, “and we must find out the one and drag him off before she sails. If I go alone I can’t do it, but you are known and they won’t dare stop us, if you are with me.”
“But may he not have sailed already?” questioned Captain Garcia anxiously.
“I have thought of that,” O’Neil answered decidedly; “he was at the legation late last night, and there has been no steamer sailing since. I’ll stake anything that he is still in La Boca.”
Inside of two hours every vessel in the harbor had been visited by the two men, but they were doomed to disappointment. Craig was not on board any of them.
Bitterly disappointed they walked disconsolately through the brilliantly lighted streets of the town; the city was in gala dress, celebrating the victory won by the government arms. They passed many soldiers of both armies, arm in arm; their differences were forgotten already and they fraternized as if they had always been the best of friends.