asions, equivocations, and subterfuges, I was
driven to utter a shadowy kind of menace, in which I artfully contrived
to mix the name of the General Santa Anna,--a word, in those days, of
more than talismanic power.

"And this reminds me," said I, "that one of my suite who lost his way,
and was taken prisoner in the Rocky Mountains, committed to my charge a
letter, in which I fancy the General is interested." This was a random
shot, but it struck the bull's-eye through the very centre. The Senhora
Dias's letter was enclosed in an envelope, in which a few words only
were written; but these, few as they were, were sufficient to create
considerable emotion in Don Xafire, who retired into a window to read
and re-read them.

Another shot, thought I, and he's disabled! "It is needless, then,
Don Xafire, to prolong an interview which promises so little. I will
therefore take my leave; my next communication will reach you through
the General Santa Anna."

"May I not crave a little time for consideration, Senhor?" said he,
humbly. "These are weighty considerations; there may be other demands
still heavier in store for us of the same kind."

"You are right, Senhor; there are other and still heavier claims, as you
very properly opine. Some of them I have here with me; others are in the
hands of our house; but all shall be forthcoming, I assure you."

"What may be the gross amount, Senhor?" said the banker, trying, but
very ineffectually, to look at his ease.

"Without pretending to minute accuracy, I should guess the sum at
something like seven hundred thousand piastres,--this, exclusive
of certain claims for compensation usual in cases of inquiry. You
understand me, I believe." The last menace was a shot in the very centre
of his magazine, and so the little usurer felt it, as he fidgeted among
his papers and concealed his face from me.

"Come, Senhor Xafire," said I, with the air of a man who means to
deal mercifully, and not to crush the victim in his power, "I will be
moderate with you. These bills and receipts shall be all placed in
your hands on payment of the sums due, without any demand for interest
whatever. We will not speak of the other claims at all. The transaction
shall be strictly in honor between us, and nothing shall ever transpire
to your disadvantage regarding it. Is this enough?"

The struggle in the banker's mind was a difficult one; but after several
hours passed in going over the papers, after much d