But the skipper's forebodings were needless. As they sailed round the
headland it was through a sea of golden light. There lay Velova with
every window flashing in the late afternoon sunshine. Small coasting
vessels were at anchor, boats were putting out to sea to reach the
fishing-grounds; and, save that through the glass a few figures could be
seen about the little fort with its flagstaff flying the national
colours, and the rough earthworks could be made out mounting a few small
guns, all was calm and peaceful.
"There, captain," cried Don Ramon triumphantly, "what do you say now?"
"It is for you to speak, sir. What do you say now?"
"Sail right in as close up to the wharf as you can get; you can lay your
vessel alongside in these calm waters."
"And if they open fire?"
"They will not dare," cried the Don, his eyes flashing with excitement.
"We must be first, and there will be scarcely any one there."
"But if they did, sir?"
"If they did, my men would crowd into your boats, we should row ashore
and carry the fort and earthworks. We can do that with ease while you
come right on to where we will meet you, and help to land the guns.
Captain Reed, our young friend's plans have opened the way to triumph.
You will see that all the people in Velova now will declare for me. I
shall arm them with the rifles you have brought, strengthen the fort and
earthworks, and plant three of the pieces upon the road leading to the
mountain-pass by which the enemy are bound to come. Let them attack
then if they dare. Do you see? Do you understand?" he added quickly.
"Yes. Excellent. Nothing could be better than your plan, sir; and if
Villarayo should not arrive till morning the game would be your own."
"Would be! Will be," said the Spaniard fiercely. "What is to prevent
it now?"
The skipper glanced round as they stood together aft, and saving the two
lads there was no one to overhear his words, as he leaned a little
nearer to the excited Spaniard and said, almost in a whisper--
"The gunboat."
There was a faint click. Don Ramon had closed his teeth sharply, and he
turned half round to gaze out to sea. The next minute he turned back
with his brow knit and his eyes half-closed.
"Yes, my good friend," he said quietly; "that is the great enemy. Ah!
if you could show me how to get control of that it would mean all.
Still I do not despair. She is not here now, and there is the land, the
country all before me. Let her keep away till after Villarayo has
returned, and I have scattered all his horde of ruffians, the sweepings
of the place--as I shall, for once I have landed with my warlike
supplies, all that is good and true in Velova will fight for me to the
death--and then the march to San Cristobal will be an easy task. The
news that Villarayo and his people are scattered will go before me, and
the people there will crowd to me for arms, the arms that I shall send
round by your vessel to meet me there. Oh, it will be all child's play
now, and in another few days my flag will be flying at San Cristobal, as
it will be flying here."
"If," said Fitz quietly to Poole, as the Spaniard walked forward to
address his men, "he is not counting his chickens before they are
hatched."
"Yes," said the skipper, who had heard his words; "and if the gunboat
does not return."
"Well, father, there are some things in his favour," said Poole, "even
about the gunboat."
"What?"
"This is a very rocky coast. That gunboat must draw a good deal of
water."
"True, my boy; true."
"And, father," said Poole, with a smile, "they haven't got a Burgess on
board."