Having blundered into prominence, the
second mate was quick to see that he must hammer home the facts, though
in more serious vein.
"Bring us to the island, Senhor De Sylva," he said, "and we will make a
fight of it. In any case, even if we fail, they will not deliberately
kill a woman. There must be other women there who will intervene in
behalf of one of their own sex. But we may succeed. It is improbable
that the whole of the troops will be gathered in one spot. Why should
we not take some small detachment by surprise and secure their weapons?
If we can land unobserved, we ought to be able to drop on them
apparently from the skies. I take it that the presence here of Captain
San Benavides is unknown, and the leadership of an officer in the
enemy's own uniform should turn the scale in our favor. Have you no
followers among the troops or islanders? Suppose we make good our
first attack, and seize a strong position--isn't it probable we may
receive assistance from your partisans?"
"Perhaps--among the convicts," was De Sylva's grim reply.
"No officials, or soldiers?"
"Not one. They are chosen for this service on account of their
animosity against the former Government. How else could you account
for their treatment of unarmed men on a ship crippled by their first
shell?"
"You spoke of a steam launch.
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