sudden happy thrill of
defiance he added: "They are probably somewhere arranging the details of
our rescue."

Alvarez frowned again.

"That is impossible," he said. "Perhaps you do not know your position. You
are not at New Orleans. Here I am both the civil and military chief and
this is my own place. I can put you to death as brigands or guerillas,
caught red-handed upon Spanish soil."

"Both charges, you know, are false," said Paul, "you know, too, that we
have come to defeat, if we can, a conspiracy between you and Braxton
Wyatt, a renegade whose life is doubly forfeit to his people. He carries
plans, maps, and full information of our settlements in Kentucky, and he
expects that you will go with many soldiers and cannon to help him and the
tribes destroy us. What plans you and he have beyond this I do not know,
but these, my friends and I hope to defeat, and we feel we could not be
engaged in a greater or holier task."

Paul spoke with great fire and eloquence. His soul was revealed in his
eyes, and Alvarez felt that he was in touch with a mind of no common
order.

"Imagination!" said the Spaniard trying to laugh the impression away. "I
find in Senor Wyatt a pleasant and intelligent assistant. He understands
the rights of the King of Spain in these vast regions, and has a due
regard for them. You and your comrades are outlaws, subject to the penalty
of death and I hold you in my hand. Yet I am disposed to be generous.
Give me your oath that you and your comrade here and the three in the
woods will go back to Kaintock at once and remain there, and I will
release you."

Paul regarded him steadily. Bold man as he was, the Spaniard's eyes fell
at last.

"We can give no such promise," said Paul. "I think that the reasons why we
should go on to New Orleans are exceedingly strong."

"Ez fur me," said Long Jim, "I ain't ever been fond uv goin' back on my
own tracks until I git good an' ready."

"I merely came here to give you a chance," said Alvarez, still addressing
himself to Paul. "Do you think that a few woodsmen can stand in the path
of Spain? Do you think that a great ancient monarchy can be held back by
stray settlers?"

"You seem to be afraid of it yourself," said Paul who was regarding him
closely.

A flush, despite himself, came into the Spaniard's cheeks, and it was
partly of anger because a boy had read his mind so well. It was not a
thing to be endured.

"I repeat that I came merely to give you