To one of her temperament, it seemed incredible that a number of inoffensive strangers should be slaughtered because a South American republic could not agree in choosing a president.

Such a thing was unheard of in her previous experience, built on no more solid foundation than the humdrum existence of Brussels and Bootle.
And the inhabitants of neither Brussels nor Bootle settle their political differences by shooting casual visitors at sight.
Oddly enough, the only professional soldier present condemned her project roundly when it was mooted.
"In leaving the island to-night you are acting on an assumption," protested Captain San Benavides to his chief.

"You cannot be sure that the _Andros-y-Mela_ will not appear.

The arrangement is that she is to send a boat here soon after midnight, yet, if this mad scheme of an attack on armed troops by unarmed men is persisted in, we must begin to ferry to the island long before that hour.

In all probability, we shall be discovered at once.