第52章

``Whatever we do must be done at once,'' said Clay.``They will come for the arms to-night, most likely, and we must be there first.I agree with you entirely about the place.It is only a question now of our being on time.There are two things to do.The first thing is, to keep them from getting the arms, and the second is, if we are lucky, to secure them for ourselves.

If we can pull it off properly, we ought to have those rifles in the mines before midnight.If we are hurried or surprised, we must dump them off the fort into the sea.'' Clay laughed and looked about him at the men.``We are only following out General Bolivar's saying `When you want arms take them from the enemy.'

Now, there are three places we must cover.This house, first of all,'' he went on, inclining his head quickly toward the two sisters, ``then the city, and the mines.Stuart's place, of course, is at the Palace.King must take care of this house and those in it, and MacWilliams and Langham and I must look after the arms.We must organize two parties, and they had better approach the fort from here and from the mines at the same time.

I will need you to do some telegraphing for me, Mac; and, King, Imust ask you for some more men from the yacht.How many have you?''

King answered that there were fifteen men still on board, ten of whom would be of service.He added that they were all well equipped for fighting.

``I believe King's a pirate in business hours,'' Clay said, smiling.``All right, that's good.Now go tell ten of them to meet me at the round-house in half an hour.I will get MacWilliams to telegraph Kirkland to run an engine and flat cars to within a half mile of the fort on the north, and we will come up on it with the sailors and Ted, here, from the south.You must run the engine yourself, MacWilliams, and perhaps it would be better, King, if your men joined us at the foot of the grounds here and not at the round-house.None of the workmen must see our party start.Do you agree with me?'' he asked, turning to those in the group about him.``Has anybody any criticism to make?''

Stuart and King looked at one another ruefully and laughed.``Idon't see what good I am doing in town,'' protested Stuart.

``Yes, and I don't see where I come in, either,'' growled King, in aggrieved tones.``These youngsters can't do it all; besides I ought to have charge of my own men.''

``Mutiny,'' said Clay, in some perplexity, ``rank mutiny.Why, it's only a picnic.There are but three men there.We don't need sixteen white men to frighten off three Olanchoans.''

``I'll tell you what to do,'' cried Hope, with the air of having discovered a plan which would be acceptable to every one, ``let's all go.''

``Well, I certainly mean to go,'' said Mr.Langham, decidedly.``So some one else must stay here.Ted, you will have to look after your sisters.''

The son and heir smiled upon his parent with a look of affectionate wonder, and shook his head at him in fond and pitying disapproval.

``I'll stay,'' said King.``I have never seen such ungallant conduct.Ladies,'' he said, ``I will protect your lives and property, and we'll invent something exciting to do ourselves, even if we have to bombard the Capital.''

The men bade the women good-night, and left them with King and Mr.Langham, who had been persuaded to remain overnight, while Stuart rode off to acquaint Alvarez and General Rojas with what was going on.