'_La Buena Presidente_ put into San Josef two days ago, after carrying out target practice, and, under shelter of Punta Rejos, coaled from a collier. She is flying the insurgent flag.'
'Now we know, lad! That's the reason the Santa Cruz fleet cleared off, lad! They've heard about her. She'll be off the coast any day, and they're flying back under the guns of Los Angelos.'
He sent the signalman back with his message for Captain Roger Hill.
'Tut, tut, boy! I'll be able to ask your brother to dinner in a few days, I hope--that is, if he isn't too big a swell--makes me feel a worm--p'r'aps he won't come--hope he will.'
He pointed his telescope towards the shore. 'Look at those black and green flags flying over the town. The Provisional Government are unpacking their bags again, I expect, and if they demand Official Recognition they'll probably get it.'
'I hope they will, sir,' I said, and went below. You can guess how jolly cheerful I felt, and how I blessed _La Buena Presidente_ and the people who'd coaled her.
I knew how awfully happy the news would make them at home, so I got permission to send a telegram to tell them that Gerald was safe. It went to the _Hercules_ by 'wireless,' and I jolly well hoped that some one on board her would pay for it to be telegraphed to England. I did so wish that old 'Ginger' and I hadn't parted 'brass rags,' and that I could have asked him to send it.
That afternoon the Captain sent for me; he'd shipped a sea-boot face, and I knew that something had gone wrong.
'I've just had that signal, lad,' he said, and handed it to me.
'From Captain, _Hercules_, to ditto, _Hector_.--The following signal has been received from the Admiralty: "The cruiser known as _La Buena Presidente_, flying the unrecognised flag of the insurgent Provisional Government, left San Josef on the 22nd. She is to be arrested as soon as possible, and handed over to the Government at Santa Cruz. Force is to be employed if necessary. Steps are to be taken to inform the Government Authorities that she will not be allowed to afford any assistance to the insurgents."
'Identical orders have been received by the Governor of Prince Rupert's Island from the Foreign Office.'
'That's a bit of a knock-out for your brother, I'm afraid,' he said sadly.