The lads tried to console the sorely tried man, but he was inconsolable. The reaction on his Latin nature was more than his nerve could stand. “You have placed me under a heavy debt,” the captain said, his voice breaking with emotion. “I believe in my heart that without your superb assistance, my ship would now be beneath the waves instead of the ‘Soledad,’ or, which is far worse for an honorable man, lying there vanquished, my flag trailing in the dirt.” He pointed through the gun-port at the battle-scarred “Barcelo,” her lowered flag still trailing from her mast in sign of surrender. “Don’t think of it in that way,” Phil hastily assured him. “We have served our own ends as well as yours.” “But you have risked your lives many times for our sacred cause,” cried Captain Garcia. He took each by the hand, while tears of gratitude streamed down his face. “I take your hands as brothers; and that superb sailorman! if he would join our navy our president would make him a captain.” Both lads were pleased and proud that their work had been appreciated so highly by their friend. Their short acquaintance with his noble character tended to change the opinion they had formed of the men of his race. This man was surely one of nature’s noblemen. The boys thanked him warmly for his words. “We have risked our lives, Captain Garcia, in your cause,” Phil replied earnestly, “because your cause happens to be our cause.” Captain Garcia looked puzzled. “However you put it,” he declared, “I shall always consider that you three Americans have given us this victory. We could never have won without your aid, and our president shall richly reward you.” “That will be impossible, sir,” Phil explained quickly. “Do not believe us unappreciative, but you must not tell any one of the part we have played in this battle. I pray you will counsel secrecy to your officers and men. It will do us much harm if the truth were known.” Captain Garcia was more perplexed than ever. He shrugged his shoulders as much as to say: “Young man, your American ways are entirely too complicated for me to understand.” CHAPTER XII CAPTAIN GARCIA’S STRATEGY Captain Garcia’s face showed the midshipmen his keen disappointment. “You are denying my men and myself a rightful pleasure,” he answered after an appreciable silence. “They are acclaiming you their deliverers and I fear they will not observe my orders when I counsel secrecy. Señor O’Neil is already their idol; to a man they are wildly enthusiastic over his rough and ready ways, and unless I am much mistaken the praises for the three Americans will be sung in every house in La Boca a short time after we have returned.” “But, Captain Garcia,” Phil replied hastily, a sudden fear in his voice, “you must tell the men that by speaking of our work on board the ‘Aquadores’ they will injure those to whom they wish well. Our future careers in the navy may be jeopardized.”