“My compatriots,” he began, “believe that this useless killing of Chinese is harming our country’s interests. We have decided that we should send a flag of truce to the viceroy to request him to use his own soldiers to fight these Chinese rebels.”
“A flag of truce!” cried Commander Hughes, in eloquent disdain. “How will the viceroy answer us? Probably by throwing the lifeless carcasses of our emissaries on the sand for the dogs to feed upon.”
Commander Ignacio flinched before the menacing disgust in the American’s face, but he held stolidly to his point, while all of the allies, with the single exception of Commander Buresford, echoed the foreigner’s proposal.
“The Inland Mission containing over a hundred innocent men, women and children, is still in danger from these rebels,” Commander Hughes exclaimed anxiously, making a last stand for what he considered was vital to his cause. “Although we have scattered their forces, they can, as we know, quickly regather. By concerted action, even without danger to ourselves and possibly without bloodshed, we can march this force of two thousand sailors over the seven miles of intervening country. By daylight we can return here with these refugees and then we shall be in a far better position to again open negotiations with the viceroy. If he should refuse to treat with us now—by to-morrow these outlaws will have recovered from their repulse. I beg that my brother officers will agree with me on this point,” he ended in entreaty.
Commander Ignacio craftily refused to allow the point to be discussed; he feared the persuasive powers of the earnest and loyal American.
“We have decided that question,” he replied quickly, an ugly leer on his face. “Now our business is to select those to go to the viceroy.”
Commander Hughes was about to suggest that this foolhardy foreigner should be chosen, and was on the point of refusing to risk the lives of his own officers in such a dangerous undertaking, when to his surprise the name of Ignacio was voiced by the combined council.
Phil glanced closely at the foreigner. The lad had heard his captain’s views of the possible fate of the flag of truce. Would Commander Ignacio accept the dangerous post?
It seemed plain from Commander Ignacio’s face that the detail was not to his liking, but in his successful attempts to overrule the plans of the American, he had become the avowed leader of those in opposition to the Anglo-Saxon policy of quick action. Phil was eager to accompany the flag of truce, but to serve under Ignacio was indeed disquieting. The midshipman could see that his captain was taken unawares by the acceptance of Ignacio to lead the dangerous mission. Knowing the Chinese as he did, he honestly believed they would go to their death.
The selection of the other members of the embassy was unanimously left to the decision of their leader, Commander Hughes.