"The key of the forward magazine!" "Ha!" Juan was excited now. That was clear by the exclamation he had uttered. So was another listener, Young Glory. He kept as still as death, not wishing to lose one syllable that was said, and waiting eagerly for the talk to proceed. "Yes," continued Manuel, after what seemed a long silence, "we kept back the key of the forward magazine, and those fools are ignorant of it." "But the keys were handed over?" "There are duplicates." "Go on! Go on!" exclaimed Juan, hastily. He was as excited now as he had been indifferent before. "Now, Juan, to get into that magazine is quite an easy matter." "There are sentries!" "Who can be overpowered." "By whom?" "You, I, if necessary. We walk about the ship as we please, so do a few of our sailors, who are kept at work. What's to prevent us from seizing the sentries posted near the magazine, and stabbing them to death?" "You might leave the stabbing out." "Certainly, if it's not necessary." "Having got rid of the sentries, Manuel, what follows?" "We enter the magazine." "I suppose so; I'm still wandering in the dark." "But surely you understand what will happen." "I haven't the faintest idea." "We shall be in a position, Juan, to blow up the ship." "Folly! Folly!" "You speak hastily," cried Manuel, angrily. "I speak sensibly; what good will it do to you or me if the ship is blown up? Four hundred of our nation, you and I included, will visit the next world, taking, say, one hundred Americans with us. A heavy price to pay for such a poor result, and I'm bound to tell you, Manuel, that I've not had enough of this world yet." Manuel laughed softly. "Old fellow, there won't be any blowing up." "Why?" "Because these Americans will have too much sense; they won't drive us to it." "What can he mean?" muttered Young Glory. "This is getting interesting." Juan was quite as much perplexed, and told his friend so. "I tell you," answers Manuel, sharply, "that there will not be any blowing up. These Americans value their lives. This is the programme. Once in the magazine, of course, it will be known to the American officer commanding this ship." "There's not much doubt of that." "None, because he will be notified that we hold the magazine." "That's a kind attention on your part, Manuel." "Ha! Ha! You think so? Well, this is what happens. Lieutenant Tyler, that's the fellow's name, I believe. You or I go to him, and say: 'Lieutenant Tyler, the forward magazine of this ship is in the hands of the Spaniards. What do you propose to do about it?'" "He will be so scared he won't know what to say." "Exactly. Then we proceed. We offer terms. 'We give you five minutes to decide, Lieutenant Tyler. Release the Spanish sailors you have made prisoners. Surrender the Cristobal Colon back to Captain Moret or you die!'" "You threaten to blow up the magazine?" "Yes." "Manuel, it is very daring." "What do you think of its success?"