"But, General, this is absolutely preposterous!" protested Jack. "Why should Don Hermoso Montijo and his family be dragged into the affair? And why should I be supposed to be governed by their advice? I must positively refuse to submit the matter to them in any shape or form; and I must also refuse to permit myself to be influenced by any advice which they might see fit to give. They are my guests on board this vessel, and, I may tell you, have embarked in her for the purpose of taking a cruise in her for the benefit of the health of the ladies of the family--indeed, we were on the point of getting under way when you boarded us." "Senor," retorted the General, "I will not pretend to dispute any one of your statements; but I will simply say that if you persist in refusing your assistance to the Spanish Government in this strait, your refusal will have the effect of very greatly strengthening the suspicions that already exist as to the loyalty of the Montijo family!" "General," exclaimed Jack, "if you did but know it you could scarcely have said anything better calculated to defeat your own wishes and make me declare that under no circumstances will I permit myself to be dragged into this business. To be perfectly frank with you, I do not believe that you have the slightest shadow of foundation or excuse for your suspicions of Senor Montijo and his family. But, in order to show you how little grounds there are for them--should such actually exist--I will do violence to my own feelings by acceding to your request, without consulting Senor Montijo in any way, to the extent of conveying a party of your men, not exceeding fifty, to Mulata Bay; upon condition that I am allowed to fly the Spanish man-o'-war ensign while engaged upon the service." "Why do you attach that condition to your assent, Senor?" demanded the General. "Because," snapped Jack, who was now perilously near losing his temper, "I neither can nor will do the work under the British flag!" "I think, Excellency, Senor Singleton is justified in his demand," remarked the skipper of the cruiser, now speaking for the first time. "The work that he has kindly undertaken to do is essentially Spanish Government work, and can only be properly done under the Spanish flag. I will bring you a Spanish ensign and pennant to hoist, Senor, when I bring my men alongside," he added, turning to Jack. "I shall be obliged, Senor, if you will," answered Jack; "for I will do nothing without them." "Then that is settled," exclaimed the General, rising to his feet. "When will you be ready to leave the harbour, Senor Singleton?" "As soon as Captain Morillo brings his men alongside," answered Jack.