The general was not so easily convinced. His natural and inherent cautiousness could not be changed even under the combined persuasion of the midshipman and his staff officers, Major Marble and Captain Blynn, who were both enthusiastic over the conception of such a daring strategy. “The very impertinence of it will make it successful,” Major Marble exclaimed. “They will not believe that one could be so rash as to willingly place his life in danger.” “You’ll have to stay with the gunboat,” Phil explained to Sydney, who was visibly put out that he too could not be allowed to go. “I shall take only O’Neil. The general has ordered that all the soldiers who can be spared from the garrisons throughout the island be despatched to rendezvous here and will need the ‘Mindinao’ to carry troops and shell the stronghold from the river. If you find it possible take her through the cañon; there is a trail on the other side from the westward. If you are successful we shall have them between our two parties.” That evening Maria and her small brother followed their father’s body to his grave in the family cemetery. The general himself read the solemn burial service and a company of American infantry fired three volleys over the grave of the murdered patriot. General Wilson established his field headquarters in the house of mourning and before three o’clock of the next day the first of the detachments of soldiers arrived and went into camp on the river slope. “We shall have about one thousand rifles for the attack,” Captain Blynn told the midshipmen, after Phil had unfolded to him and Major Marble the details of his plan to rescue Lieutenant Tillotson, “and by to-morrow afternoon they should all be assembled here. The general,” he added, “is very much worked up over Espinosa’s threat, and realizes that it is not an empty one, but he still refuses to allow you to take this terrible chance.” Within a short time Phil was summoned to the general’s room. “I cannot allow you to take this risk,” he said kindly, a light of admiration in his eyes. “Why should two American lives be jeopardized to save one? And perhaps some will say that Lieutenant Tillotson does not deserve such a sacrifice at your hands.” “That makes me more anxious to take the risk,” Phil urged. “We did not part friends, and I can’t help feeling that our quarrel has had some part in his misfortune.” Under the confiding influence of the general’s manner, Phil told of his affair with Tillotson, doing his best to make a good case for his one time enemy. The general shook his head thoughtfully.