"That's one of the words for private use, eh, Jack?" laughed Philip, quite exhausted with merriment. "A very good word. I must teach it to Doña Eulalia." "It's too bad of you, Doña Dolores," said Jack, reproachfully; whereat Dolores laughed again at the success of her jest. "Did the Señor have good sport with Cocom," asked Don Miguel, somewhat bewildered at all this laughter, the cause of which, ignorant as he was of English, he could not understand. "Did you have a good time, Peter," translated Tim, fluently, "with the beetles." "Oh, splendid! tell him splendid. I captured some Papilionidae! and a beautiful little glow-worm. One of the Elateridae species, and----" "I can't translate all that jargon, you fat little humming-bird! He had good sport, Señor," he added, suddenly turning to Don Miguel. "Bueno!" replied the Spaniard, gravely, "it is well." It was no use trying to carry on a common conversation, as the party invariably split up into pairs. Dolores and Eulalia were already chatting confidentially to their admirers. Doña Serafina began to make more signs to Peter, with the further addition of a parrot-cry of "Darling," and Tim found himself once more alone with Don Miguel. "I have written out my interview with the President," he said slowly; "and it goes to England to-morrow. Would you like to see it first, Señor?" "If it so pleases you, Señor Correspoñsal." "Good! then I shall bring it with me to-morrow morning. Has that steamer gone to Acauhtzin yet?" "This afternoon it departed, Señor. It will return in two days with the fleet." "I hope so, Don Miguel, but I am not very certain," replied Tim, significantly. "His Excellency Gomez does not seem very sure of the fleet's fidelity either." "There are many rumours in Tlatonac," said Maraquando, impatiently. "All lies spread by the Opposidores--by Xuarez and his gang. I fear the people are becoming alarmed. The army, too, talk of war. Therefore, to set all these matters at rest, to-morrow evening his Excellency the President will address the Tlatonacians at the alameda." "Why at the alameda?" "Because most of them will be assembled there at the twilight hour, Señor. It is to be a public speech to inspire our people with confidence in the Government, else would the meeting be held in the great hall of the Palacio Nacional." "I would like to hear Don Franciso Gomez speak, so I and my friends will be at the alameda." "You will come with me, Señor Correspoñsal," said Miguel, politely; "my daughter, niece, and sister are also coming." "The more the merrier! It will be quite a party, Señor." "It is a serious position we are in," said Maraquando, gravely; "and I trust the word of his Excellency will show the Tlatonacians that there is nothing to be feared from Don Hypolito."