"He was awful quiet for a minute, then he spoke out to himself like. 'Why has no one told me about Mendoza's activities here? He's a man to be taken into consideration. I knew him years ago.' "Finally the Ad_my_ral said, 'I'll test it out. Sail into Monterey, just as we'd planned.' "I spoke up, 'Monterey don't want you. If anybody says they do, it's politics. Mebbe you can shoot all these cannon at 'em tell they couldn't fight back any more, but just the same they don't want you.' "The Ad_my_ral looked mighty queer. When I left he was still thinkin' and thinkin'. "We sailed into Monterey harbor and out again, I still stayin' on the Ad_my_ral's boat, bein's I couldn't get off, the walkin' not bein' exactly what you'd call good. "First thing I knew, I was in the Ad_my_ral's room a second time. A power of officers were there from the other ships. 'Repeat your statement of last night, if you will,' he asked of me. Well, I did. Then the Ad_my_ral spoke up, 'The man's words were verified this mornin' by the fort firin' on us.' "The officers looked black as thunder. One big feller said, 'Reduce their defenses and invest the city at once.' the Ad_my_ral replied, 'I've no call to take Monterey, if she's unwillin', and I'll not do it.' "Another officer spoke up, savage as the dickens. 'The honor of her Majesty's navy is assailed. Let the fleet take over the city!' 'Not while I'm commandin' the fleet,' put in the Ad_my_ral. "They were talkin' when I left. Mebbe they're at it yet. The fishboat was waitin' for me and the Injuns. She skimmed through the waves like grease, and here I be." "Confounded chicken-hearted cad!" the Captain exploded. "How!" from Brown sharply. "I refer to Fairbanks." "Fine old gent. Even if his politics does differ from mine I'm not agen him as such." Farquharson stared at the sea. "Well, your friend Fairbanks, the Admiral, has done what might be expected from him." "I reckon you know him better'n I do." "Brown, you have done devilish work." Farquharson's face turned on the other. "Cap', if it's harm to you personal, I'm sorry. If it's to your side in politics, as I reckon it is, I'm all-fired glad." The Captain continued looking at Brown for a minute. His frown faded. "You've had your adventure, old man, and you've hunted big game. Yes, by Jove! and bagged it too." A curious smile crept over his features. "Well, I haven't got it with me, Cap'." "Say, Brown, when you went out yesterday toward that warship of yours, did you see that the Cyane----" "No, you don't, Cap'. That there's where secrets come in, secrets from you and your side." "Boom! Boom!--Boom! Boom! Boom!--Boom! Boom!" sounded from the sea. Farquharson listened intently. The signal was repeated. "Boom! Boom!--Boom! Boom! Boom!--Boom! Boom!"