General Wilson received Señor Rodriguez with marked courtesy and appointed him on the spot a colonel in command of his own men whom he offered to enlist as native troops, rationing and feeding them from army funds, but Rodriguez declined the latter, agreeing to defray all expenses.
The midshipmen insisted that their new ally should go down to the dock and inspect the gunboat, so after explaining to General Wilson that they would like to be absent for a few days on reconnaissance work, the three strolled leisurely down the street.
“Where is Colonel Martinez?” Phil asked after they had arrived on board and the Chinese servant had brought refreshments.
Rodriguez shrugged his shoulders and pointed toward the interior of the island.
“Will he serve under Espinosa as leader?” Sydney asked incredulously.
“Who knows?” Rodriguez answered evasively.
The lads saw that their friend had reasons for being non-committal and tactfully ceased their interrogation, yet inwardly they were consumed with curiosity. Espinosa had attempted to kill Colonel Martinez on the morning of Blynn’s attack, and now would they serve amicably side by side against a common enemy?
The hour for lunch arrived, and as Rodriguez was not leaving for several hours to return to his home up the river he gladly accepted the midshipmen’s pressing invitation to eat with them.
Phil had made up his mind to explore the river, though this idea was unformed in his mind when he left headquarters.
During the meal the midshipmen questioned their guest about Espinosa’s impregnable stronghold and of its approach by water.