"I mean I can't get them! Their wires must be gone!"
His use of the word "dead" still terrified the woman at his side. He had no time to explain. He simply thrust his inscribed pad sheets into her hand as he turned to his key again, for time now was precious, terribly precious.
She read:
Duran's men all here. Shut up in city waiting cartridge shipment. Light skirmishes last two days. Ulloa held De Brigard back all yesterday, but had to fall back on city at night. Short of ammunition.… We are shut in. De Brigard's forces surrounded city at daybreak. Courier reports rebels bringing machine guns up through hills, from Sanibella. We must have help before guns join bombardment. Carbines are picking at my aerials from Paraiso Hill, to the east. Can you get Chilean battleship two days off Puerto Locombia or British ship out of Kingston? Must have help. Relay call to anything in reach.… Duran's authority.… Or if Chilean or British marines can be landed in time advise them to push in by way of Boracao. American Consul Klauser shut up there holding wireless with Kilvert, United Fruit operator, but report bad sending.… Is only disaffected town outside capital.… Entrain there.… Must hurry.…
Her hungry eyes rushed back and forth along the second sheet which McKinnon had thrust into her hand:
