The situation was quickly explained to the naval officer by the messengers.
The captain sat in silence for some minutes after they had finished, his face showing strongly the strain he was under: all the Americans on the river were in mortal danger, and he and his small force were all that stood between them and a fate far worse than death. Phil and Langdon anxiously watched the captain’s face as if to read the next move on the international chess-board, which Commander Hughes, as the senior among the foreign captains, was called upon to make.
“Gentlemen, the news you bring me is so terrible in its possibilities,” the captain finally began, “that I am quite at a loss how to act. Our force is too small to resist an attack; we must resort to diplomacy with this rascally viceroy. And yet we don’t know how far-reaching the movement may be. If we sit idly by the natives will gain confidence, mistaking forbearance for cowardice, and can readily drive all foreigners off the river.
“Mr. Perry,” the captain added, rising and ringing for his orderly, “I want you to take the steam launch at once and go to each of the foreign gunboats; request that their commanding officers come on board here to a meeting in a half-hour’s time. Explain to them the gravity of the situation.” Then turning to the waiting marine, “My compliments to the officer on duty, and tell him to have the steamer ready for Mr. Perry immediately.”
Phil soon delivered his captain’s messages to the officer of the deck of each of the foreign gunboats and upon his return was detailed by Commander Hughes for the duty of secretary to the international council.
Slightly nervous in the presence of so many seniors, the midshipman sat near his captain, pencil in hand, ready to take notes of the proceedings of the council.
“Commander Ignacio of the ‘Albaque’ is ill,” a young foreign lieutenant announced as the American captain glanced at him inquiringly, “and begs you will receive me as his representative.”
Commander Hughes bowed politely in agreement and then in a few words described the incident at the mission.
“Before it is too late,” he added, “I believe that it is our duty to lay our difficulties before the viceroy, and demand that he take steps at once to quell this uprising. Meanwhile we should warn all foreigners living in the foreign concession at Ku-Ling that if our diplomacy fails they must be ready to take refuge on board the gunboats. We must deal with the situation fearlessly, for only in that way can we expect success. Chang-Li-Hun must be made to see the seriousness of his inactivity.”
To this clear proposal all agreed and Commander Hughes was chosen by acclamation to lead the embassy on the morrow to the viceroy’s yamen. Two other commanders were selected, and then with many expressions for success the council adjourned.