"You are agitated, my dear fellow. It is not unworthy of your youth;
but, believe me, it is unnecessary," said Perkins, in his most soothing
manner. "Sit down. You have an hour yet to make your decision. If you
prefer to remain, you will accompany the ship to Todos Santos and join
me."
"I don't comprehend you," interrupted Hurlstone suspiciously.
"I forgot," said Perkins, with a bland smile, "that you are unaware of
our plan of campaign. After communicating with the insurgents, I land
here with a small force to assist them. I do this to anticipate any
action and prevent the interference of the Mexican coaster, now due,
which always touches here through ignorance of the channel leading to
the Bay of Todos Santos and the Presidio. I then send the Excelsior,
that does know the channel, to Todos Santos, to appear before the
Presidio, take the enemy in flank, and cooperate with us. The arrival
of the Excelsior there is the last move of this little game, if I may so
call it: it is 'checkmate to the King,' the clerical Government of Todos
Santos."
A little impressed, in spite of himself, with the calm forethought and
masterful security of the Senor, Hurlstone thanked him with a greater
show of respect than he had hitherto evinced.
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