“We must not delay an instant in taking this information to the captain,” Phil declared excitedly, the contemplated movement of the expulsionists with its possible results flashing through his mind. The foreign gunboat captains were gathered about the cabin table when Langdon and Phil were announced by the orderly, and all listened intently while the pilot gave hurriedly the story brought by the two Chinese refugees. A buzz of eager conversation and questions ensued as Langdon finished. Each of the captains had his own plans to advance, but Commander Hughes, as the senior, was the first to be heard. He arose, his face grave, and at once the room was hushed; all recognized and respected his understanding and fertility of resource. “We must acknowledge a failure in our diplomatic mission to the viceroy,” he began, weighing each word carefully; “the cable being in the hands of the Chinese officials, we are for the present cut off from instructions from our respective governments. We have here every available vessel on the river, except those necessary for the protection of the missions farther up the country; the state of the river at present will not admit of the battle-ships coming to our aid, and the two monitors of my government are by last accounts as yet in the Philippines. We must act here and now; there is no time for calm and deliberate judgment; our decision must be made quickly, and our act must be as prompt, if we are to be in time to prevent a general massacre of foreigners.” The speaker stopped and glanced earnestly at the faces of his colleagues; each recognized full well the delicacy of the position. Would their respective governments sanction their acts, or would they find themselves disgraced and relieved of their commands, for not having followed a course of procedure decided upon by their sovereigns at a great distance from the scene of disturbance and in the light of events which had not as yet transpired? “My government,” Commander Hughes resumed, “is one of the most conservative of those represented here; it has ever been against striking the first blow. But there has now come a time when humanity calls for other and more drastic measures. You have just heard from the lips of one who knows these people far better than we that these fanatics aided by the viceroy intend attacking a mission guarded by American sailors.” Commander Hughes as he spoke spread out a chart upon the table before him, beckoning Langdon at the same time to his side.