Corporal Dorlan on making the rounds of his little force shortly after taps noticed the Ardois lights from the _Denver_ were flashing regularly. Not being an adept signalman he sought Trumpeter Cabell, who was trying to snatch a little sleep on the back piazza of the consulate, and shook him into wakefulness. "Come, me lad, shake a leg, for the ship is callin’ of us, and I want ye to read the message." "Be with you in a jiffy," said Henry, going to get the lantern, which he had already put to good use in the earlier part of the evening. Soon he was acknowledging the call, and the message Corporal Dorlan noted down as Henry called off the letters caused the veteran many a chuckle of satisfaction. It was a long message, and immediately it was finished Dorlan and Henry shook hands over it in great glee. "I knew that lad would turn the trick, and come out on top," remarked the older man as he entered the house in search of Señor Perez. In the center of the building was a room, which, because of past revolutions, the Consul had prepared against the chance of stray bullets. It was but a makeshift affair, but it had served its purpose on many occasions, and during times of danger the family always occupied it. Around the walls of this compartment rows of iron-wood railroad ties were placed from the floor to ceiling and these tough native timbers could be counted upon to stop the leaden bullets used in the guns with which the opposing factions were generally armed. Corporal Dorlan’s knock at the door of the "strong room," as it was called, was immediately answered by the Consul. "’Tis the ’best of news I have for ye, sir," he said, and his face shone with delight. "Yer little daughter is safe and sound aboard the _Denver_. It seems that our drummer boy, Dick Comstock, followed them rascals what stole her, and he’s just now got her away from ’em and is back on the ship. After ye give yer wife the good news I’ve got somethin’ important to tell ye, and the quicker the sooner, sir." With that the thoughtful fellow closed the door and impatiently awaited the Consul’s reappearance. Soon the little man came out and, running up to Dorlan, he embraced the marine in true European fashion by kissing him on both cheeks, much to the old fellow’s embarrassment. "Your good tidings have made me the happiest man in the world, whereas, but a short time since, I was the most miserable," said the Consul, and he again threatened Dorlan with another exhibition of his enthusiasm, but this time the marine evaded it. "That’s all right, yer honor, but we can’t be talkin’ of that now. There’s other doin’s afoot this night, and with yer help we can do a neat stroke of work to cap the climax of this day’s excitement."