“But,” the general retorted, “Señor Espinosa would have saved you the trouble if you had not interfered.”
Phil’s wrath blazed forth.
“How did I know that the man who was about to murder Martinez was a traitor to his own people? I saw the two natives on the ground, one with a knife upraised to bury it in the body of a man lying helplessly beneath him, and then when I had separated them with the help of a sailor, I saw that Martinez was armed, and I knew by a glance at his face that he could not be taken alive.” The lad stopped suddenly, the girl’s face coming suddenly before his eye. Did the general know of her? He remembered that her presence at the scene had not been mentioned. Had Espinosa failed to discover her presence? If not, why had he failed to mention her in his report to Captain Blynn?
General Wilson’s parchment-like face betrayed a suspicion of a smile while he listened patiently to the midshipman’s impetuous defense of his own actions.
“Captain Perry,” he said slowly, “after you have been fighting these natives longer your sensibilities will become more blunted. The excuse of allowing an enemy to escape simply because you did not wish to kill him would be laughed at by those who have been through these six months of fighting. But,” he added, “I respect the delicacy of the situation and shall tell Captain Blynn that I approve of your actions.”
Phil’s gratitude was fully expressed in the look he gave the officer as he murmured his thanks.
“I do not wish you to believe,” the general added hastily, “that I approve of useless bloodshed, but in a warfare such as has been forced upon us the higher instincts of generosity to a fallen foe have but small place. It is an eye for an eye with us now.”
As the general finished speaking the adjutant-general, Major Marble, entered and greeted the newcomers warmly. Both the lads had known him in their Annapolis days.
“Major Marble will give you the situation,” the general said as the midshipmen shook his hand in parting. “I suppose you are ready to get under way on summons.”
Phil answered promptly in the affirmative.