Part 29 (1/2)
”We shall be in a position, Juan, to blow up the s.h.i.+p.”
”Folly! Folly!”
”You speak hastily,” cried Manuel, angrily.
”I speak sensibly; what good will it do to you or me if the s.h.i.+p is blown up? Four hundred of our nation, you and I included, will visit the next world, taking, say, one hundred Americans with us. A heavy price to pay for such a poor result, and I'm bound to tell you, Manuel, that I've not had enough of this world yet.”
Manuel laughed softly.
”Old fellow, there won't be any blowing up.”
”Why?”
”Because these Americans will have too much sense; they won't drive us to it.”
”What can he mean?” muttered Young Glory. ”This is getting interesting.”
Juan was quite as much perplexed, and told his friend so.
”I tell you,” answers Manuel, sharply, ”that there will not be any blowing up. These Americans value their lives. This is the programme.
Once in the magazine, of course, it will be known to the American officer commanding this s.h.i.+p.”
”There's not much doubt of that.”
”None, because he will be notified that we hold the magazine.”
”That's a kind attention on your part, Manuel.”
”Ha! Ha! You think so? Well, this is what happens. Lieutenant Tyler, that's the fellow's name, I believe. You or I go to him, and say: 'Lieutenant Tyler, the forward magazine of this s.h.i.+p is in the hands of the Spaniards. What do you propose to do about it?'”
”He will be so scared he won't know what to say.”
”Exactly. Then we proceed. We offer terms. 'We give you five minutes to decide, Lieutenant Tyler. Release the Spanish sailors you have made prisoners. Surrender the Cristobal Colon back to Captain Moret or you die!'”
”You threaten to blow up the magazine?”
”Yes.”
”Manuel, it is very daring.”
”What do you think of its success?”
”Once get into the magazine, you can't fail.”
”I knew you would say so. The Americans love life even more than we do, and placed in such a dilemma, there can't be any doubt what their choice will be.”
”None!”