The oars dipped into the water as the sun arose in the east, and the boat shot away from _The Montezuma_ over a flood of gold. Rafael was in great spirits, and chatted gaily all the time; but Jack, thinking of the peril of the proposed expedition, was graver. Besides, he was anxious about the safety of Philip and Tim. "By the way," said Rafael, suddenly, "Don Pedro did not return with us last night." "No; Pedraza asked him to sleep on board _The Iturbide_. See, there he is, looking over the bulwarks. I can tell him by the flash of the sun on his spectacles!" "Dios! How strange! Will Don Pedro go with you into the town?" "Certainly not," replied Jack, decisively; "it is too risky! Take him back with you to Tlatonac." "Assuredly! My aunt would never forgive me if harm came to Don Pedro." Rafael laughed heartily at the idea, for this undutiful nephew was much amused at the flirtation between Peter and Serafina. "She will marry him, Juan! I am sure of it." "Then we will have four weddings when the war is over, Rafael." "Four weddings. Por todos santos! What mean you?" "Myself and Dolores. Yourself and Doña Carmencita. Pedro and your aunt, and Señor Felipe and Doña Eulalia!" "Eh, mi amigo!" cried Rafael, in a lively tone, "does my sister favour that cavalier? Dios! what says my father?" "He does not know anything yet. But as he has consented to receive one heretic into his family, he can surely stretch a point, and receive two." "Como, no! But it may be! Who knows? Ah! Here we are at _The Iturbide_. Come, Juan!" They climbed up the side of the cruiser, and were received by Captain Pedraza and Peter. "Buenos dias de Dios á ustedes, Señores," said Pedraza, greeting them heartily. "I am glad to see you both, as I wish to land these troops at once. Señor Pedro desires to go also." "What nonsense, Peter," said Jack, in English, turning to his friend; "it is too dangerous. You stay on board, and go back to Tlatonac." "I shall not!" returned the doctor, indignantly; "you are going, so why should not I? Besides, I wish to see Tim, and to be certain that Philip has arrived safely." "I don't want you killed, Peter," protested Jack. "I won't be killed any more than you will be, Jack. It's not a bit of use your talking, I'm going with you. I have my medicine-chest with me." "Oh, well, obstinacy! Have it your own way," replied Duval, touched by this proof of Peter's friendship; "but Tim will pitch at me for bringing you into danger." "Tim will be glad enough to have a doctor at hand. Why, Jack, I should have been at Totatzine to cure you." "Cocom was good at a pinch." "A quack!" muttered Peter, scornfully. He could not forgive Cocom having cured Jack so rapidly. It was a case of professional jealousy. "Señor Duval," said Pedraza, approaching Jack, "Don Rafael tells me you and he have hit on a plan to land the troops without danger."