However, to the disappointment of both Dreadnought Boys, the _Beale_ weighed anchor that evening and stood off down the coast to another port--Hermillo. There were several American mining interests in this neighborhood, but, so far they had not been jeopardized by the revolutionists, who were busy to the northward, concentrating that branch of their army for an attack on Boca del Sierras itself. If they could gain this important base, they would have control of the principal seaport of Costaveza, and be in a position to dictate terms. However, from the information he had gained from the consul, Lieutenant Timmons had decided that there was no immediate danger of an attack on the city. So, in pursuance with his orders, he decided to steam down the coast and ascertain the condition of affairs farther south. For three or four days the destroyer dawdled about in the port of Hermillo, the lieutenant being in constant communication by wire with Boca del Sierras. He and his officers were constantly ashore, and the boys, who were eager for the promised action, which they felt sure would come when they were detailed to shore duty, almost wore themselves out with impatience. At last, however, one bright evening the command to weigh anchor came, and the _Beale_ once more moved northward. As she left Hermillo a low vessel of war, not unlike herself, came steaming in just as the _Beale_ drew out of the roadstead. “Hello, another destroyer!” exclaimed Ned, as his eyes fell on the newcomer. “Yes, I guess it’s the _General Barrill_,” said Stanley, who, as usual, was beside the boys. “She’s a destroyer the Costavezan government bought from the Argentine just before the revolution broke out.” “If she had four stacks instead of three, she could easily be mistaken for us!” exclaimed Ned. “That’s a fact,” agreed Stanley. “She’s exactly the same type.” “What’s that flag she’s flying?” asked Ned, as the vessel’s ensign dipped in response to the _Beale’s_ courtesy. “Red, white and blue, with a gold star in the middle. That’s the flag of the Costavezan republic,” remarked Stanley, gazing at the destroyer as she came to an anchorage. “She ought to be capable of putting the rebels out of business,” observed Herc. “Don’t be so sure of that,” put in a sailor who had joined the group. “The revolutionists have got a few boats of their own. When I was ashore I heard that the northern section of their forces had seized the rest of the government’s navy, and that they had ’em waiting some place up the coast ready for action.” “Wonder what the _General Barrill_ is doing in here?” inquired Ned. “Put in to coal, most likely. They’ll need her up north if those revolutionists attack Boca del Sierras. A few shells from those guns of hers would do a lot of damage.” “But how about the revolutionists’ fleet?”