omment of the
American; "it would be madness to attack such a force when we have
only one rifle among us."

Until now Major Starland had held slight opinion of the courage and
ability of the deserter, but the latter straightway made a proposal
whose daring fairly took away his breath.

"Senor the Major may have been right when he said my desertion would
not be known for several days, but he mistook when he thought I had
made no mention of it. I told Valentin Herrera, the engineer of the
gunboat, before I left; I asked him to tell General Yozarro with word
from me that if I ever gained a chance I should kill him just as
surely as he killed my brother. The engineer promised to bear the
message to General Yozarro and I doubt not that it will be repeated
to him before the sun sets."

"Martella, you're a fool!"

"Perhaps," replied the native with a grin and shrug; "but Senor the
Major does not reflect that General Yozarro would have me shot for
leaving the boat without his permission. He can do no more with me
than that,--why should I rob myself of the pleasure of sending him an
insulting message?"

"In other words, you might as well be in for a sheep as a lamb. Very
well; have you any plan to offer?"

"I will go to Captain Navarro of the guard and tell him I come as a
messenger from General Yozarro, who is waiting with the gunboat to
take the Senoritas to Atlamalco, and he must not delay in obeying the
command."

The American looked at him in amazement.

"Have you the nerve for that, Martella?"

"I await only your permission."

"I cannot permit you to run such risk; better that I should go myself
and make the demand upon Captain Navarro."

"The captain has been warned not to permit any such thing, on his
life. You know that though General Yozarro may be aware I have left
his service, it is not likely to be known to Captain Navarro."

"It is a fearful risk, Martella. You are a good deal braver than I
thought; I accept your offer; but you have no acquaintance with the
ladies; they will not come away with you."

"You can write me a few lines to hand to the American Senorita that
will explain it all to her."

Major Starland had a feeling that it was hardly right to allow this
simple hearted fellow to sacrifice himself in this manner. He turned
to Captain Guzman, who was silently smoking a cigarette.

"What do you think of it?"

"It is the only plan that will succeed and there is no certainty that
it will