Willing hands helped them aboard and up the gangway of the war-ship, which now steamed away, hurling a parting broadside into the deserted and burning town.
The Americans indeed presented a sorry spectacle; with clothes torn nearly off their bodies, smoke-begrimed, and burned painfully in many places; but their new found friends on board received them with great courtesy and cheerfully supplied all their needs.
In but a short time their wounds and burns, which were found to be only slight, were carefully attended to by the ship’s surgeon, and they appeared on deck with the only clothes available, those of the government officers.
Captain Garcia, the commanding officer of the cruiser, insisted that the lads should live with him in his cabin, and O’Neil was to be given a place among the officers themselves.
After the experiences of the last few hours all three were exhausted, and the captain, with tactful generosity, refrained from asking their story until the rescued men could be refreshed with a bath, clean clothes and a bountiful dinner.
Phil and Sydney lay back in the commodious cabin of the war-ship and, in spite of their eagerness to hear the latest news from La Boca, fell into a profound sleep.
It was not until late in the afternoon that the lads were awakened by Captain Garcia.
“I hope you are feeling refreshed,” he inquired kindly. “I am delighted to have you with us for a few days until I can take you back to your own ship.”
“For a few days,” Phil exclaimed in astonishment; “aren’t you going back now to La Boca?”
“I am sorry if I seem to carry you away against your wishes,” he replied courteously, “but I am sailing under very imperative orders from my president to seek the rebel cruisers at Rio Grande. It was but by accident that I went into Mariel. I saw a great many soldiers of the enemy drawn up there and took the opportunity to worry them, and at the same time give my gunners an opportunity to test our new guns.” He stopped and inquired, “But tell me how you and your two companions came to be there; was I the means of liberating you? I have not heard as yet your experiences.”