The carriage drew up at a large house on a hill overlooking the harbor. The coat of arms, emblazoned on the door, was enough evidence that inside was the inviolable territory of the United States of America.
“Ah, captain,” cried the Honorable Robert Henderson, as he grasped the hands of the three officers in turn, “your fine ship carrying that grand old flag was a welcome sight when we awoke this morning. A great weight has been lifted from my mind.”
“We came down at full speed, sir,” replied Captain Taylor, courteously, “and now we are at your service, every man of us. You have but to command me.”
The old diplomat swallowed a lump in his throat before replying.
“Captain Taylor, you cannot imagine the delight it gives us exiles to feel that we have so many brave American hearts so near at hand. I pray there will be no need to resort to force, but affairs appear to be more serious than I should wish. The rebel army is but a league from the city, and awaits an opportunity to attack. Their leader, General Ruiz, is a cutthroat and unfit for the high office of president of the republic. My most trustworthy informant tells me the rebels are losing strength daily and so I have informed the State Department, but affairs lately have led me to believe that their strength has been underestimated. I should greatly deplore the city being taken by these brigands, for I fear much valuable property will be destroyed by their undisciplined followers.”
“There seems nothing for us to do, save await developments?” asked the captain, having followed closely the minister’s explanation of the situation.
“No, there is nothing,” he answered promptly. “I have a faithful vice-consul, who keeps me well informed of the movements on both sides. He is a naturalized American citizen. His name is Isidro Juarez. He has lived here many years and seems to have friends in both armies. I trust him implicitly. I shall keep you daily informed so that we may act promptly in an emergency.”
“Does the minister know that arms for the insurgents are coming from the United States?” asked Phil of the captain as they drove back to the boat landing.
“He made no mention of it,” he answered. “If his information is really trustworthy, he must know it.”
On arriving on board ship, Phil was called upon to make a boarding call to the American mail steamer, just arrived from New York.