“Yes, but there is a difference,” answered Phil, meditatively; “for instance, see that native boatman sculling along as if he had a week to reach his destination; then look over there at the coal pile on the mole. There are nearly enough men to actually eat the coal, yet they are not doing as much work as ten good Americans. We are in the land of ‘Mañana’ (to-morrow). No one wishes to work too hard to-day, for he wishes to save enough to do to-morrow.” “We are not the first nation to send a war-ship here, I see,” said Captain Taylor, joining the boys in their study of the harbor. “There is a German cruiser over yonder and a Frenchman is anchored just astern of us, and our wireless operator has been in communication with a British ship for some hours. She is on her way from Barbadoes. It seems we are to have an interesting time.” Phil was impatient to ask the captain when their work would commence, but he desisted. It were better the captain should broach the subject. “I hope you lads have the ‘lingo’ at your tongue’s tip,” the captain remarked smilingly. “You won’t find much English spoken here, and a little Spanish is a necessity.” “Yes, sir,” they both agreed. Phil could not contain himself longer. “When can we start on our work, sir?” he asked. “Such zeal I have never seen before,” answered the captain, a merry twinkle in his eyes. “Soon enough, lad,” he added gravely. “I hope nothing happens to you youngsters. I almost fear I am wrong in not sending older and maybe wiser heads to do this work.” “Oh, no, sir,” Phil and Sydney cried together; then Phil added, “We are old enough, sir; we are nearly twenty.” “Nearly twenty,” roared the skipper in merriment. “You are both mere infants in the wicked ways of these people here, but it will be an excellent lesson for you. When I was your age,” he added, “it was during the Civil War, many times I did work that in these days of peace never comes to men of your age.” The captain left them to receive the foreign officers who were coming alongside to pay the customary visit of courtesy to a senior commanding officer. Some hours later Phil and Sydney received orders to prepare themselves to accompany Captain Taylor ashore to pay his respects to the United States Minister to Verazala. As they left the ship in the speedy “Vidette,” our lads felt that a new and interesting life was opening before them. Were they not to have a hand in the affairs of their great nation? They found the minister’s carriage awaiting them at the landing, and were driven rapidly amid staring crowds of natives through the narrow streets of the city. The carriage drew up at a large house on a hill overlooking the harbor. The coat of arms, emblazoned on the door, was enough evidence that inside was the inviolable territory of the United States of America.