demn; if innocent,
acquit. Meanwhile I will remand him to prison and order the execution
postponed. Does that satisfy you, captain?"

The American officer shook hands warmly. "General, it is a pleasure to
meet a man like you. Mexico is fortunate in having such a son."

Culvera beamed. "Gracias. And now, captain, first a bath, then dinner.
Afterwards you shall talk with the moving-picture men." He turned
affably to Yeager. "I shall give orders that you be given a good dinner
to-night. To-morrow we shall pass judgment on you."

Steve nodded to the West Pointer. "Much obliged, captain."

CHAPTER XXVIII

AS LONG AS LIFE

Breakfast was served to Yeager next morning by a guard who either knew
nothing or would tell nothing of what was going on in the camp. After he
had eaten, nobody came near the prisoner for hours. Through the barred
window he could see a sentry pacing up and down or squatting in the
shade of the deserted building opposite. No other sign of human life
reached him.

His nerves were keyed to a high tension. Culvera was an opportunist.
Perhaps something had occurred to make him change his mind. Perhaps he
had decided, after all, not to play for the approval of the United
States. In revolutionary Mexico much can happen in a few hours.

Steve was a man of action. It did not suit his temperament to sit cooped
up in a prison while things were being done that affected the happiness
of Ruth and his own life. He tried to persuade himself that all was
going well, but as the fever of his anxiety mounted, he found himself
limping up and down the short beat allowed him from wall to wall.

It was noon before he was taken from his cell. Steve counted it a good
augury that a saddle horse was waiting for him to ride. Last night he
had limped across the plaza on his wounded leg.

He and his little procession of guards cut straight across to
headquarters. Culvera sat on the porch smoking a cigarette. He was
dressed immaculately in a suit of white linen with a blue sash. His
gold-trimmed sombrero was a work of art.

At sight of Yeager the Mexican general smiled blandly.

"Are you ready to take a long journey, Senor Yeager?" he asked.

The heart of the cowpuncher lost a beat, but he did not bat an eye.
"What journey? The same one that Holcomb took?" he demanded bluntly.

Culvera showed a face of pained surprise. "Am I a barbarian? Do you
think me another Pasquale? No, no, senor. You and I have had our
disa