"At that rate, the rebel ships cannot possibly reach Janjalla before to-morrow midnight. When do we leave here?" "About three o'clock," said Rafael, glancing at his watch. "The torpederas can knock out eighteen knots, but the full speed of _The Iturbide_ is fifteen. We will reckon at that, so by leaving here at three can reach Janjalla long before midnight." "Bueno! We shall have a clear twenty-four hours in which to sink _The Pizarro_." "Twelve," contradicted Rafael, captiously, "we must attack in the darkness. The less risk the better." "I don't see that it makes much difference," retorted Jack, grimly, "if _The Pizarro_ can fight two torpedo boats and an armed cruiser she is a mighty clever ship. I look upon _The Pizarro_ as lost." "So do I, Juan," replied Rafael, with a sad expression flitting across his face, "she was my ship, you know. I am sorry that it falls to my lot to sink her." "Perhaps she will surrender." "Not while she is commanded by De Galvez. He was my first lieutenant, and is as obstinate as the devil. Dios! There is noon. We have not much time in which to make our adieux. Go up and see Dolores, mi amigo, but return by two o'clock." Jack gladly took advantage of the permission and had a long interview with Dolores, who wept bitterly at the idea of parting with him again. She was already low-spirited, through having comforted Eulalia, and now that her own lover was going away broke down entirely. "Promise me you will take the greatest care of yourself, querido." "My dearest, I will ask Rafael to wrap me in cotton wool. But, indeed, cara, you need not fear. I will be as safe on board _The Montezuma_ as in Tlatonac." "But you will be gone many days." "A week at the most. If we succeed in sinking _The Pizarro_ we will steam north to meet the other war-ships, and try our luck with them." "I will pray for you, Juanito, and I will look after the beetles of Don Pedro." Jack burst out laughing at the incongruity of such coupling. "Has Don Pedro asked you to look after that rubbish!" "Yes, Juanito! I am to take the very greatest care. They are precious." "In the doctor's eyes they are more precious than the opal. By the way, where is Peter?" "He has said farewell, and departed with my uncle. Would I could come down to the boat, querido. But I dare not." "I never knew such particular people as the Tlatonacians," muttered Jack, somewhat vexed. "Well, angelito, we must say good-bye here." "Will you take the opal for good fortune, Juan?" "I? Take the opal? My dear Dolores, I would be frightened out of my life at carrying such a treasure with me. No! No! You keep the opal with yourself, and yourself in Tlatonac. Then will the good fortune of the city be assured. But I will take this ring." "Turquoise! rubies! pearls!" said Dolores, drawing it off her finger. "It was my mother's, querido. Now it is yours."