The Admiral arose, looked out the window, walked back to his desk, put his hands in his pocket, then clasped them behind him; once more went to the window, and back again; took a speaking-tube off its hook. "How are those Mexicans getting along in the cockpit, Doctor? Good. Have they breakfasted? Each one enough for three, you say? Good." He sat quiet a moment. Arising, he came in front of the señora, lines of firmness marking his face. "Too many times have the shadows of war darkened our world history. Her gracious Majesty, our young Queen Victoria, ever counsels to work in the interest of peace. Never have I had wish other than this. Señora Valentino, what you say strikes home. I shall invest Monterey to-morrow." A marine rapped at the door. He saluted and gave a message. "The Calliope signals that Padre Osuna wishes to speak with Admiral Fairbanks." "Ah! she must have picked up the padre at San Diego," from the señora. "The high wind has returned him north in double-quick time." "Let us go on deck, señora. The Calliope and three others came up coast last night and knew us by our lights." A ship's boat was approaching bearing the Franciscan. As it swung under the bow of the flagship the friar seized a rope and, hand over hand, as adept as a sailor, he reached the side of the señora and the Admiral. After a few words of greeting the padre, noting Señora Valentino's questioning look, announced: "I have traveled from Monterey to San Diego. The southland is crying aloud for English rule," directing his words to the Admiral. "In the interest of peace, Padre Osuna, I shall take Monterey to-morrow," from Fairbanks. After a few minutes in conversation the señora said: "Señora Padre, I have boat and men here," pointing to the place where the Mexicans were sitting on their inverted craft. "Will you not go with me to Yerba Buena?" "I will, señora, and my thanks are yours." Sailors raised the boat on davits and lowered it to the water. The fishermen joyfully turned home, the padre and the señora conversing quietly in the stern. "That bloomin' Mexican has a lot o' money bulgin' under 'is belt," one tar remarked to another, as they watched the fish-boat making for shore. "Haw! haw! haw!" laughed a third. "You should 'a seen Dickie this mornin'. Somebody sings out, 'There's a H'english gal aboard.' 'No such thing,' says Dickie, comin' over the side and spittin' water like a sperm w'ale, 'they're h'all black Mex., an' 'e a 'oldin' the purtiest w'ite gal I ever see h'all the time. Haw! haw!" slapping Dickie's shoulder. Then, in different tones: "Admiral's signalin' a-plenty. Wonder w'at h'it's all about." The señora, the padre and the Mexicans made Yerba Buena safely, and found the little town in uproar over the astounding escapade of a señora who had persuaded good, sane fishermen to go with her to sure death.