ica, and tried to worm out of me where I had been and what I had
done since my arrival in the country. I answered him courteously and
diplomatically, taking good care to tell him nothing that I did not want
to be known.

"I see," he said, "it was a love of adventure that brought you here--you
English are always running after adventures. A caballero like you can have
no sympathy with these rascally rebels."

"I beg your pardon; I do sympathize with the rebels; not, I confess, as
warmly as I did at first, and if I had known as much as I know now, I
think I should have hesitated to join them."

"How so?"

"They kill prisoners in cold blood, and conduct war more like savages than
Christians."

"You are right, they do. Yes, killing prisoners in cold blood is a brutal
practice! I am obliged to be severe sometimes, much to my regret. But
there is only one way of dealing with a rebellion--you must stamp it out;
civil war is not as other wars. Why not join us, Senor Fortescue? I will
give you a command."

"That is quite out of the question, General Griscelli; I am not a mere
soldier of fortune. I have eaten these people's salt, and though I don't
like some of their ways, I wish well to their cause."

"Think better of it, senor. The alternative might not be agreeable."

"Whatever the alternative may be, my decision is irrevocable. And you said
just now you would let me go."

"Oh, yes, I will let you go, since you insist on it" (smiling). "All the
same, I think you will regret your decision--Mejia, of course, means to
attack us. He can have come with no other object--by your advice?"

"Certainly not."

"That means he is acting against your advice. The man is mad. He thought
of taking us by surprise, I suppose. Why, I knew he was on his way hither
two days ago! And if he does not attack us to-night--and we are quite
ready for him--I shall capture him and the whole of his army to-morrow. I
want you to go with us and witness the operation--in the character of a
spectator."

"And a prisoner?"

"If you choose to put it so."

"In that case, there is no more to be said, though for choice, I would
rather not witness the discomfiture of my friends."

Griscelli gave an ironical smile, which I took to mean that it was
precisely for this reason that he asked me to accompany him.

"Will you kindly receive Senor Fortescue, as your guest, Captain Guzman,"
he said, "take him to your quarters, give him his supper, and find him