``Whatever we do must be done at once,'' said Clay.``They will come for the arms to-night, most likely, and we must be there first.I agree with you entirely about the place.It is only a question now of our being on time.There are two things to do.The first thing is, to keep them from getting the arms, and the second is, if we are lucky, to secure them for ourselves.
If we can pull it off properly, we ought to have those rifles in the mines before midnight.If we are hurried or surprised, we must dump them off the fort into the sea.'' Clay laughed and looked about him at the men.``We are only following out General Bolivar's saying `When you want arms take them from the enemy.'
Now, there are three places we must cover.This house, first of all,'' he went on, inclining his head quickly toward the two sisters, ``then the city, and the mines.Stuart's place, of course, is at the Palace.King must take care of this house and those in it, and MacWilliams and Langham and I must look after the arms.We must organize two parties, and they had better approach the fort from here and from the mines at the same time.
I will need you to do some telegraphing for me, Mac; and, King, Imust ask you for some more men from the yacht.How many have you?''
King answered that there were fifteen men still on board, ten of whom would be of service.He added that they were all well equipped for fighting.
``I believe King's a pirate in business hours,'' Clay said, smiling.``All right, that's good.Now go tell ten of them to meet me at the round-house in half an hour.I will get MacWilliams to telegraph Kirkland to run an engine and flat cars to within a half mile of the fort on the north, and we will come up on it with the sailors and Ted, here, from the south.You must run the engine yourself, MacWilliams, and perhaps it would be better, King, if your men joined us at the foot of the grounds here and not at the round-house.None of the workmen must see our party start.Do you agree with me?'' he asked, turning to those in the group about him.``Has anybody any criticism to make?''