"Good! I hope I am not a coward," said the baronet, serenely, as a clod of earth hit him on the shoulder; "but I will be glad when we are safe on board _The Bohemian_." "So will I. This is like Donnybrook Fair. But we're nearly outside the town. Glory be to the saints!" As they approached the gate, the fury of the mob increased, and it took all the strength of the soldiers, tramping shoulder to shoulder, to prevent them breaking through and falling on the emissaries of the Junta. At the gate, however, a soldier stumbled and fell, whereon, through the gap thus formed, a torrent of men rushed, shouting wildly. The escort fought bravely, and the rebel soldiers did their best to save the ambassadors. It would be a disgrace to Acauhtzin to let the mob have their will. Inch by inch they fought their way down to the sea-shore, surrounded by the howling multitude. Philip knocked down a man who tried to snatch his watch-chain, and Tim, head and shoulders above the torrent of humanity, whacked every head he saw heartily with his heavy stick. "When you see a head, hit it." That was Tim's rule of warfare. He picked it up at Donnybrook Fair, and applied it practically in his present predicament. At the water's edge they were hurried into several boats, and amid a shower of stones and mud, managed to get on board the yacht. As soon as all were on deck, Benker, without waiting for instructions, started the boat. Philip stood at the side of the ship and shook his fist at the shore. "You scoundrels!" he raged, fiercely. "You dishonourable wretches." "And Xuarez is a great man," scoffed Tim, wiping the blood from his face. "Well," retorted Philip, viciously, "he's not responsible for this mob." "When we return," swore Rafael, who stood near him, "we will level those walls with the sand." By this time the yacht had passed out of the harbour, and was steaming between the two war-ships. Don Alonzo began to recover his courage. "Thanks to the Holy Virgin, we are all safe, Señores," he said, in a trembling voice. "The Junta will bitterly resent this insult shown to the Intendante of Xicotencatl." Philip looked around with an alarmed expression of countenance. "Where's Jack?" "Jack!" cried Tim, in a stentorian voice. There was no answer. "Señor Juan was with me," said Rafael, quickly, "but I lost him from my side outside the gate." "He must be down below," said Philip, greatly disturbed, and went off to the cabin. In a few moments he reappeared. "He is not there. My God! Can he be lost?" The yacht was searched thoroughly, but no trace of Jack Duval could be found. Philip wanted to put back and rescue his friend, who had been evidently left ashore. "Impossible, Señor!" cried Don Alonzo, in alarm; "it is dangerous." "I do not care. Do you think I am going to leave my dear friend to be torn to pieces by these savages?" raged Philip, stamping his foot.