“What does it mean?” exclaimed Sydney. “If I were Captain Garcia I’d make short work of the torpedo-boat before I left this port. One of these dark nights she may steal into La Boca harbor and torpedo the ‘Aquadores.’” “I am not so sure that he is abandoning the idea of destroying her,” replied Phil thoughtfully. “I have come to consider him a clever naval officer. There is some good reason for his action. Let’s go to the bridge--I am sure he will enlighten us.” The lads found Captain Garcia in the wheel house carefully studying the chart of Rio Grande. Phil shot a swift glance at Sydney as he divined the captain’s intentions. “There’s more work ahead,” he whispered. The captain raised his head finally and greeted the midshipmen. “The more I look into this matter the more hazardous it appears,” he confided, a worried look on his face. “I may undo the effect of our victory by losing both ships. Yet I cannot return to La Boca and report one vessel still at large and a menace to our cause.” The captain paused and seemed in deep thought. The boys regarded him intently in silence. “I am resorting to strategy,” he finally explained, pointing ahead in the direction of La Boca. “It is now three o’clock; there are three more hours of daylight and by dark we shall be fifty miles from Rio Grande. Our enemy will watch us pass below the horizon and I hope will believe that we have continued our way northward. As soon as it is dark I shall turn about and steam back for the harbor at full speed.” The boys were consumed with delight at the plan. “And then?” asked Phil. “I have reasoned thus,” continued Captain Garcia smiling in spite of himself at the lads’ eager faces: “the torpedo-boat, believing we have gone, may leave the harbor and go outside to reconnoitre. She will go out to the locality where the ‘Soledad’ sank; there is a great deal of wreckage there which has undoubtedly been seen from ashore. I am depending upon the curiosity of my countrymen to see the ill-fated spot. If she should leave the harbor now she would be back inside before I could turn and head her off, but if she delays until sunset she will find me waiting here at the harbor’s mouth on her return. When we reach the entrance the ‘Barcelo’ will leave us and search to seaward.” “And if she is still inside?” questioned Phil. “Then I shall sacrifice the ‘Barcelo,’” the captain answered quickly, “in an attempt to run the mine fields to engage the enemy inside. The night will be moonless and the advantage will be with the attacking force.” The boys could not hide their admiration of the captain’s strategy. “How could you ever have thought of it?” cried Phil delightedly. “I believe that is exactly what she will do.” Then a thought came to him. “But if she is outside will she not discover you before you see her? You dare not use your search-lights, for she can then easily avoid you and escape into shallow water, where you could not follow her.”