They crowded around him, hoping to hear where they were going. Some even asked the question. But he, ignoring it, shook hands with each one, and conversed in a delightful manner, now asking the college men about their studies, and now speaking to the others about their work. Still the mystery remained--whither was the ship going? Day after day went by, and the mystery deepened. The _Leander_ took her course southward. George Martin, mingling with the men, chatted affably. He related his adventures, he told of his sufferings, escapes, and many perils, and of his friendships at Court and of all the romance of his life. Then he waxed warmer, and spoke of his great idea--of _Equality, Fraternity, and Liberty_ for all men. Thus he aimed to sow seeds of heroic deeds and Freedom, in the minds of the young men. Meanwhile, he began to drill the men on deck, assigning officers to duties. He fixed the regimental uniforms; the infantry dress in blue and yellow, the artillery in blue and red; the engineers in blue and black velvet; the riflemen in green; the dragoons in yellow and blue. From sunrise to sunset there was hustle and bustle on deck. A printing press was set up. At an armourer’s bench a man was repairing old muskets, sharpening bayonets, and cleaning rusty swords. Tailors, sitting cross-legged on the deck, were cutting out and stitching uniforms. A body of raw recruits were drilling under a drill-master who looked as bold as a lion and roared nearly as loud. There was buzz everywhere, and excitement too, for no one yet knew to what land the ship was going. And George Martin, looking mightily pleased, stood watching everybody and everything, and saying, “We shall soon be ready for the Main.” Then a day arrived when several hundred proclamations were run off the printing press. They were addressed to the People of South America, painting strongly their hardships and woes, and promising them deliverance from Spain. They were signed, “Don Francisco de Miranda, Commander-in-Chief of the Colombian Army.” Thereupon George Martin--who was Miranda--announced that he expected soon to land on the coast of Venezuela and strike the first blow against Spain. Some of the young Americans, who were eager to fight anywhere or anybody, and who longed for the glint of Spanish Gold, cheered loudly. But their mates kept quiet, with heavy hearts, for they had begun to wonder whether after all they were not a band of mere filibusters instead of a noble army, since they were sailing under no protecting flag. Then, too, rumours were going the round, that if any of the men were captured by the enemy, they would be given short shrift and hanged as pirates. A few days later General Miranda hoisted for the first time the new Colombian flag of Freedom--a tri-colour, the Red, Yellow, and Blue. And as it floated wide on the southern wind, a gun was fired and toasts drunk to the banner that was long to wave--and is waving to-day--over the Republic of Venezuela.