"The chaplain said to me, 'You're familiar with Monterey, are you?' 'Yes,' I said. 'I was 'round there considerable when I worked for Cap'n Farquharson.' Cap', he knew you like a book. Said I, 'The Cap'n is smart on politics, but his politics don't go in California.' 'Why not?' he asked me. 'We won't have it,' I said. 'Who?' he asked again. 'The American nation,' I said, 'represented by the American fleet, "Seenyore" Mendoza, and no end of Spanish big fellers. They're clear agen it, and so am I.' "The chaplain perked up a good deal at this. I went on. '"Seenyore" Mendoza, my present employer, fought old Napoleon,' said I. 'The "Seenyore" came here, I reckon, to get rid of tyrants. He'll fight to the last ditch before he'll let any of 'em get in here, and I'm with him.' "The young preacher looked some serious now. He went away after a while." "Go on, Brown, please." "All right, Cap'. The name of the Ad_my_ral's boat is the Vanguard, I forgot to say. Well, after supper the preacher came 'round again. 'The Ad_my_ral wants to see you,' he said." "You went, of course; and what happened there?" "I could see from the start the preacher was strong with the Ad_my_ral. 'Mr. Blair tells me you are familiar with Monterey,' the Ad_my_ral said. 'I'm pretty familiar,' I told him. The Ad_my_ral's room's fixed up fine, almost like Mr. Mendoza's parlor, only not so big. 'You're the Brown who was in Cap'n Farquharson's service for a time?' he asked knowin'-like. 'If you mean his employ, yes,' I said. 'I've heard the Cap'n speak of you as an honest feller,' he went on pleasant enough, but watchin' sharp's a cat at a mouse-hole. I remarked to him, 'I and all my folks are honest, makin' it a point to be square in money matters.' "'You've quit Cap'n Farquharson's employ?' he asked. 'Yes,' I said. 'How was that?' said he. 'O, for reasons,' said I, and shut up like a clam. You see, Cap', he was askin' personal questions, which I don't allow no man, providin' I don't want to answer. "In a minute he inquired casuallike, 'You're now in the employ of "Seenyore" Mendoza, is that it?' I replied very shortlike, 'I am,' and started to shut up like another clam, then I thought better of it and blurted out, 'The "Seenyore" is determined no king sets up in business 'round this part o' the world.' "'Where does this "Seenyore" live?' asked the Ad_my_ral. 'At Mission San José,' I told him. 'Mission San José? How long?' 'Ever since he quit fightin' old Napoleon, I reckon,' I said. I tell you, that Ad_my_ral's eyes opened wide. 'Has the "Seenyore" a following in the province?' he asked. "I was gettin' pretty mad about then. I told him about the riflemen Mr. Mendoza has drillin', and drillin', Spaniards, Injuns, and all. "Well, the Ad_my_ral looked away and looked away. Then suddenly he asked, 'Describe Mendoza's appearance.' I pretty soon did. 'Yes, the same man,' he said.