“The _General Barrill_ will be a lame duck,” said the veteran, with one of his grim smiles. “It is the only way we can draw the vessels lying in that harbor from under the protection of those guns of the forts.” “I see, sir,” cried the midshipman, in a burst of comprehension. “You mean to play ’possum and drag them out to sea, and then pick their bones at your leisure.” “Well, I don’t know about the latter part of it. But I am pretty certain we can lure them out. But recollect, young man, that it will be no child’s play. The _Manueal Calvo_, the flagship, mounts three six-inch guns and a secondary battery of rapid fires. The other two carry bow-chasers and stern guns of the same caliber, besides a battery of small rapid-fire rifles.” “Phew!” whistled the middy. “Your country had money to spend on armament, sir.” “I was minister of the marine for a time,” rejoined the other, with a mild sort of pride beaming on his weather-beaten countenance. “I saw to it that we were as well equipped as possible. Little did I dream, however, that one day my own guns would be turned against me.” He sank his grizzled head in his hands, his impressible Latin temperament overcome for a moment at the bitterness of his thoughts. To create a diversion the middy struck in with another question. “Have they torpedoes, sir?” “Only the _Bolivar_. She is, in fact, a semi-torpedo boat. The others were being equipped with tubes when the revolution broke out, and the crews mutinied.” “The _Bolivar_, then, is the only one that can plump a Whitehead at us?” “That’s it, but she carries a good supply.” “And so do we, don’t we?” “I am sorry to say not. The last shipment of Whiteheads from your country was delayed. We have on board now not more than four.” “Hum, that’s bad,” mused the middy. “However, captain, we have a first-rate armament, and I guess we’ll be able to give a good account of ourselves.” “I sincerely hope so,” rejoined the other, with a dubious intonation that, in spite of his courage, made cold chills run down the middy’s spine, “but it is three against one----” “Lame duck!” laughed Stark, throwing off his nervousness with an effort. “Do you intend to put your strategy into effect at once?” “No, I think the best plan would be to cruise off here for a time. There is always a chance that they may send out one of the vessels alone to reconnoiter. In that case we could cut her off and have her at our mercy.” “That is right,” agreed Stark, “but there is one serious objection.” “And that is?” “They are likely to see us from the shore and report our presence along the coast. That might precipitate a night attack or some sort of sortie that might put us in an awkward hole.” “By the great bells of Sevilla, you are right. What do you suggest? You see, already I am beginning to lean on you Americans.” The brave old captain smiled wanly as he spoke.