When they returned on deck from their inspection of the ship, a note was brought to Rafael, from Captain Pedraza, of _The Iturbide_, requesting his presence on board. They dropped into a boat, and were speedily clambering up the giant sides of the cruiser. Being conducted to the state-room, they found Captain Pedraza, surrounded by his officers, reading a message from the President. "Ola mis amigos!" cried the captain, gaily, "you are just in time. Señor Juan, I am your servant. Don Rafael, we leave Tlatonac for Janjalla to-morrow afternoon." "Why in the afternoon?" "Carambo. So as to reach Janjalla at night. _The Pizarro_ is lying there in the harbour, and, under cover of darkness, we may be able to sink her either with our guns or by means of torpedoes." "Will the torpederas be ready?" asked Jack, for the second time. "You may be certain of that," said Rafael, significantly. "I will guarantee that _The Montezuma_ will be able to start at the appointed time." "And I can say the same of _The Zuloaga_," observed a slim man, in whom Jack recognised the commander of the other torpedo-boat. "I think, Señor, it can be looked on as certain that all three can depart." After this a babel of talk ensued concerning the chances of surprising _The Pizarro_. Some proposed one place, some another, and amid all the excitement, Jack, growing weary of the arguing, slipped out of the saloon, and went ashore, so as to have as much time as possible with Dolores before departure. He strolled along the sea-shore, and met Cocom just outside the sea-gate. The old man saluted him gravely-- "Señor," he said, mysteriously approaching Jack; "beware of Ixtlilxochitli." "What do you mean, Cocom?" asked Duval, rather startled. "The Indians, Señor, are now on the war-path--to the south," added Cocom, significantly. "Great Heaven!" ejaculated the young man, horror-struck. "They intend to surprise the reinforcements." "That is so, Señor. But I, Cocom, have sent runners after them to warn the Señors." "Bueno! Cocom, you are the safeguard of Cholacaca!" "Not I, Señor; but the Chalchuih Tlatonac!" "Oh, I haven't much belief in that." "Don Juan!" said Cocom, significantly; "the Indians obeyed the stone implicitly--it is sacred. What it speaks they do. Red is burned and war was proclaimed. But, Señor, if it flamed blue, then would the Indians be at peace." Before Jack could say a word, Cocom mysteriously slipped away, leaving the young man sorely puzzled as to his meaning. "That confounded opal," he said, as he resumed his way towards the Casa Maraquando, "it meets one at every turn. They say opals are unlucky, and certainly the Chalchuih Tlatonac has not brought much luck to us as yet." CHAPTER XII. A NAVAL ENGAGEMENT--NEW STYLE.