The Ordeal of Barata: a Political Fantasy

British Doctor Enrico Dalston travels to Central America, where he finds himself entangled in the longstanding political quarrel between the republics of Barata and Bioli. On the voyage to Bioli, he becomes enamored of the beautiful daughter of Bioli President Gomez--and then is arrested when he steps foot in Barata. In an extraordinary turn of events, Dalston is suddenly named Baratan Ambassador to Bioli, and told by President Cortez to bargain for peace. Does this represent an opportunity for the English physician to settle the two countries' differences? Or will his return to Bioli spark all-out war?