"If you can do so!" said Garibay, tauntingly. "If I can do so. As you say," replied Xuarez, suddenly recognising that this controversy was unworthy of his rank; "we need say no more on that subject. Ha!" he added, as the officers, with a man and a woman, entered the hall, "here is Pepe! and here, Señores, is the woman he carried off." The woman threw back her rebozo. "Marina!" cried Jack, in despair. "You see, Señores," said Don Hypolito, serenely, "I am not the base one you think me to be." "I'm not so sure of that," muttered Tim, under his breath. "But this, Señores, is outside the question. You came to me with a message from the Junta. I have answered that message. Go! Go, and carry back to Tlatonac my defiance and that of Acauhtzin. Sail away under your opal flag, caballeros, and I promise you my guns will respect your vessel. Adios. Go!" He pointed imperiously down the hall to where the great doors stood wide open, and, headed by Don Alonzo, the deputation retired. Rafael was biting his lips with rage, and Garibay was swearing under his breath. The exit was scarcely dignified or worthy of the greatness of the Republic. "I never felt so mean in my life," whispered Philip to Tim. "What a beast the man is!" "And you said he was a great man!" "So he is. But even great men are human. Xuarez is not perfect; but I believe he is honourable as regards rules of warfare. We can leave the harbour in safety." "I doubt that, my boy," said Tim, significantly; "the man's a liar!" "What!" said Jack, overhearing this; "do you think that Dolores----?" "I think that he knows where she is." "Then I'll stay here till he gives her up." "You'll stay here a long time, then. She is not in Acauhtzin." "Then where is she?" "It's more nor I know." They were marching down the street on their way to the sea-gate, surrounded by their own soldiers and a troop of the Regimiento de Huitzilopochtli. Around this living barrier raged the populace, who had heard of the message sent by the Republic, demanding the surrender of Xuarez, and were mad with anger. To give up the idol of their hearts--the man on whom the glorious future of Acauhtzin depended! It was an insult! If they could have got at the emissaries, they would have torn them to pieces; but, fortunately, the line of soldiers prevented this. Don Alonzo was pale with terror, but Rafael and Garibay swore loudly at the rebel crowd. The three Englishmen smiled scornfully and marched serenely along, not heeding the savage howling of the mob, which recognised them as foreigners. "Abajo los Americanos! Mueran los Yankies!" "We would have rather a hard time out there," said Philip, as Tim, his huge frame shaking with anger, ranged alongside of him. "Keep together boys. Where's Jack?" "Behind, with Don Rafael. Don't trouble, Philip; Jack Duval has his six-shooter on him."