"Oh yes," replied the middy, "he did say something like that," and then as he caught Poole's eye he had to turn his back, looking out through the slit in the window and biting his tongue hard the while, while he heard the carpenter maunder on to the President something more about not having a bit of stuff, and every nail to straighten before he could drive it in again. "Yes, that's right. Winks," said the skipper, bringing the speech to an end, and not before it was time, for the carpenter was beginning to repeat himself again and again. "You did splendidly, and if we had a few hundred feet of battens and boards, we could hold this place for a month.--Well, President," he continued, turning his back on his man, who sighed with relief and whispered to Fitz that that was a good job done, "and after we've driven them back again?" "Ah! After! Treachery, fire, powder to blow us up! The fighting of cowards. But with your help, my brave, as soon as they are cowering among the trees we must attack in turn." "No, President," said the skipper, laying his hand upon the other's shoulders; "you are too brave and rash. This is your last stronghold, is it not?" "Alas, yes!" "Then you must hold it, sir, and tire the enemy out." "Yes, yes; you are right. But food--water? What of them?" "Ah! There we must see what strategy will do. There is the river not far away, and as soon as they grow thirsty, my lads will contrive that we have enough to drink." "To drink--ah, yes. But the food?" "Well, perhaps they will contrive that too. Sailors are splendid fellows to forage, sir." "Yes. If I could only be a President of sailors!" cried the President warmly. "There seems to be nothing that the English sailor cannot do. But can they make powder-cartridges when their own is fired away?" "Well, I don't say that," said the skipper; "but they know how to save them, and not fire good ammunition to waste; and that's what you must try to teach your men. But look out yonder; while we are talking there is something going on." Don Ramon looked out keenly, ran into the next room to look out in another direction, and then came back. "They are coming on again, captain," he said. "It may be an hour yet. But they mean attack, to leave more of their force behind." "Now is your time, then, sir, to speak to your men. Tell them to use the cartridges as if each was the last he had and his life depended upon sending it home." "Yes, yes," said the President. "I see; I see. But when my men are fighting and the blood is up they will not think; but we shall see." Within half-an-hour another and a fiercer attack was made--one more ably sustained and better met too by the defence; for the President's words to his followers went home, the men grasping their position, and though the attack was more prolonged it ended by another panic and a roar of cheers. "Now, President," said the skipper, "what of the next attack?"