“Now that this is off our minds,” exclaimed Phil, as he and Sydney walked up and down outside the captain’s cabin, “I believe it our duty to discover how strong this ship is for fighting two of her enemy’s vessels. I am delighted to be here, but at the same time I don’t care about getting killed, or what might be worse, captured. If our friend Ruiz gets us in his power again, it will be all up with us.”
“What do you propose to do?” asked Sydney excitedly. “I wish we could fight her for them.”
“No, that we couldn’t do; but we are surely justified in instructing them before the battle, and during the battle too, for we can satisfy our conscience by the plea of self-defense,” answered Phil, regarding closely a six-inch gun near him. “Look at their guns; they are the very latest pattern and have two telescope sights each. These men in but a short time could be trained to use those guns in a way that will insure a victory.”
“In training these men to fight a successful battle,” Sydney returned, thoroughly interested, “we shall also help the government to keep in control of the country. Do you know for what reason we were sent to the insurgent camp?”
“To find out their strength, of course,” answered Phil promptly.
“Yes, but why did our government wish this information? The reason has just occurred to me. Some of the foreign governments wish to give the insurgents the power of belligerents. This the United States does not desire, for it will give them an opportunity to blockade La Boca with their navy and thus ruin our shipping with that port. Our merchant vessels, and also those of foreigners, may be seized at the will of these outlaws, and this situation would be disastrous. La Fitte and Company have a powerful backing in two countries of Europe.”
“Syd, I believe you have hit the nail on the head. Why couldn’t I have thought of that?” exclaimed the lad, proud of his companion’s sagacity.
“Then, there’s all the more reason,” Phil added, “why we should do our utmost to see that these insurgent war vessels never have an opportunity to blockade La Boca.”
“That’s exactly it,” answered Sydney promptly, “and as we are due in Rio Grande in two days more we should start right in now.”
O’Neil was sent for and told of our lads’ plans. The boatswain’s mate was greatly delighted.