The crowd on the beach and wharf roared with rage, as they saw the hated ensign, and recognised the fact that by this audacious piece of strategy a band of their enemies had gained admission into the very heart of their harbour. Had those on shore been able to get on board _The Bohemian_ it would have gone ill with Philip and his friends; but, fortunately, the yacht had cast anchor some distance away, by the side of _The Pizarro_. The crew of the war-ship lined the side of their vessel to look at the daring intruder, and seeing this, Don Rafael, suppressing all outward signs of rage, swore fluently to himself as he recognised the renegades. In a remarkably short space of time, a boat with the rebel flag hanging over its stern pulled out from the shore, and in a few minutes came alongside _The Bohemian_. A ladder was thrown over at once, and there stepped on deck Don José de Tejada, accompanied by a few officers. He recognised Don Alonzo and his friends at once, for they had been intimates of his before the outbreak of this fratricidal war. "Don Rafael! Don Alonzo," said Tejada, in astonishment. "What is the meaning of this, Señores? and how have you the hardihood to display the flag of Tlatonac under the guns of Acauhtzin?" "I, the Intendante, with these gentlemen, have come hither on a mission to Don Hypolito Xuarez from the Junta of Cholacaca." "Oh, you would make peace. The Junta fears the result of an appeal to arms." "Carajo, no!" cried Garibay, clapping his hand to his sword. "The Junta fears nothing; much less the rebel Xuarez." "Beware, Señor," said Tejada, as several of his officers muttered angrily; "I cannot protect you, if thus you speak of our honoured President." "President!" cried Rafael, in a rage. "Yes; the President of Cholacaca." "Don Francisco Gomez is President?" "By the will of the aristocrats," said Don José fiercely; "but Don Hypolito Xuarez is President by the will of the people." "Enough of this," exclaimed the Intendante, waving his hand; "we are here under a flag of truce. Even you, Señor, must respect that. We will deliver our message to Xuarez, and depart unharmed." "That is as Don Hypolito wills it." "Your pardon, Señor," interposed Philip, taking off his yachting cap; "this is an English vessel, and as such you dare not seize her." "I recognise no vessel as English under those colours," said Tejada, fiercely, pointing to the opal banner. "Bueno! I will endeavour to remove your prejudice." In another moment Philip had given orders to Benker, and the Union Jack was flying at the other masthead. "You must respect our neutrality now, Señor." Don José bit his lip, and turning to one of his officers, gave an order. The soldier bowed, dropped over the side of the yacht, and went ashore in the boat. "I have sent to tell Don Hypolito that an embassy has come from Tlatonac," said Tejada, addressing the Intendante with marked coldness; "in ten or fifteen minutes you shall know his decision."