Tillotson frowned. “I have fifty men with me,” he exclaimed protestingly. “Of course the gunboat was useful in bringing us here and shelling the beach.”
“What’s become of all the town natives?” Captain Baker asked suddenly.
“They all left town yesterday morning,” the sergeant replied. “That’s how we knew that all was not going just right.”
“The cowardly beggars!” Captain Baker exclaimed. “You’d have thought we were their best friends. Well, I suppose they’ve got to look out for themselves. Have you buried all the bodies?” he asked suddenly.
“Yes, sir,” Tillotson replied, “but your sergeant has the names of all those he recognized; apparently there were some of the town people in the attack.”
Captain Baker nodded his head, a sorrowful expression on his face. “Who can we trust among these people?” he said in a low voice as he scanned the list handed him. “Even my own servant against us. Pedro might have stuck a knife in me any night he wished.”
“A telegram, sir,” the captain’s orderly announced handing him a sheet of paper.
“Send gunboat ‘Palilo.’ If desirable retain Tillotson and men.”
Captain Baker read the message aloud, then his soldier eye gazed intently at the lieutenant. The inspection from the expression on the captain’s face had not been reassuring; however, in a second he turned a smiling face to Phil.
“Captain Perry, I am sorry I am not to have the pleasure longer; however, I am deeply grateful to you and the navy for saving my men. Tillotson, you can return; I’ll keep your men.”