"Comrades!" exclaimed Martinez, "thanks to the accidents which so opportunely happened, the ship and the brig were compelled to put into port, and I have been enabled to come here that I might discuss secretly with you some important matters!"
"Bravo!" replied the party of men, with one voice.
"Speak, lieutenant," exclaimed several of the sailors, "and let us hear your plans."
"This is my scheme," answered Martinez. "As soon as we shall have made ourselves masters of the two vessels, we will steer a course for the coast of Mexico. You must know that the new Confederation possesses no ships of war; she will, therefore, be eager to buy our ships without asking questions, and not only shall we regularly receive our pay for the future, but the price we obtain for the ships will be fairly divided among us."
"Agreed!"
"And what shall be the signal for acting in concert on board the two ships?" asked José the topman.
"A rocket fired from the Asia," answered Martinez; "that shall be the moment for action. We are ten to one, and the officers of the ship and the brig will be made prisoners before they will have time to know what is happening."
"When shall we look out for the signal?" asked one of the boatswain’s mates of the Constanzia.
"In a few days hence, when we shall be off the island of Mindanao."
"But the Mexicans, will they not receive our ships with cannon shots?" inquired José in a hesitating tone. "If I mistake not, the Confederation has issued a decree to prohibit any Spanish ships from entering her harbors, and instead of gold it will be iron and lead they will be sending on board us!"
"Don't trouble yourself about that, José. We will let them know who we are from a distance," answered Martinez.
"How is that to be done?"
"By hoisting the Mexican colors at the gaffs of our ships;" and saying this, Lieutenant Martinez displayed before the eyes of the mutineers, a green, white, and red flag.
The exhibition of this emblem of Mexican independence was received with gloomy silence.
