"

Swartwout answered with feeling and dignity.

"I hope I may prove myself worthy of his confidence and of yours. I
would not hesitate to risk my life for Colonel Burr or for his best
friend, General Wilkinson."

"That is very noble of you. Tell me, now that you are rested and
refreshed after your long journey, by what route did you come?"

"I came straight from Pittsburg, thence westward through Ohio and
Kentucky to Louisville, and from there on to St. Louis, expecting to
find you at that post. Learning that you had gone down the Mississippi
I followed in a skiff. I have been more than two months on the way
from Philadelphia to Natchitoches and have travelled fully fifteen
hundred miles."

"The document in your custody justified the difficult journey, Mr.
Swartwout. What information did you gather in the progress of your
trip, concerning our preparations?"

"I learned that, with the support of a powerful association extending
from New York to New Orleans, Colonel Burr is levying an armed body of
seven thousand men, with the view of carrying an expedition against
the Mexican provinces. Five hundred men are to descend the Alleghany,
for whose accommodation boats are ready."

"What will be the course of action?"

"This territory will be revolutionized. Some property will be seized
in New Orleans, I suppose. Our boats will be ready to leave in
February for Vera Cruz; the troops will march from there to the City
of Mexico."

"Does Colonel Burr know there are several millions of dollars in the
Bank of New Orleans?"

"We know that full well."

"Is it the intention to seize upon the deposits of private
individuals?"

"We mean to borrow, not to violate private property. We must equip
ourselves in New Orleans; we expect naval protection from Great
Britain. Of course, general, everything depends upon your
co-operation."

"Mr. Swartwout, the plans set forth in Colonel Burr's schedule are
admirable! You will readily perceive, however, that my part in
carrying them into effect must be manipulated with caution. I am
surrounded, as you see, by officers whom I must manage discreetly. It
is impossible that I should ever dishonor my commission. If I cannot
join in the expedition, the engagements which the Spaniards have
prepared for me in my front might prevent my opposing your operations.
Do you understand me?"

Burr's agent understood. He interpreted Wilkinson's language to mean
much more than it said, attributing