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 issuing from no higher authority than an individual who is proscribed by the laws of this land, if you will forgive me."

"Tell him I am acting for the United States government, in whose name I have seized this country."

There was a great deal of hope, not a little contempt, in Don Abrahan's face as he looked around, plainly for the army that was to enforce the demands of this self-appointed commander. The gleam like the reflection of firelight, of laughter that was not yet mirth, stood again in Don Abrahan's eyes. He was recovering himself, now that he saw through the mighty bombast, as he believed, of this simple sailor from a Yankee ship.

"I will send a messenger to General Garvanza and deliver to him your desires," he said with false complaisance, false respect.

"Not my desires, sir; my commands," Henderson corrected, the sternness of his voice like a stone against Don Abrahan's ear.

"I will send him the word, Don Gabriel."

"In the meantime, it will be necessary to re strain you," Henderson announced. There is a compartment here, "indicating the warehouse, 'that I have occupied"

"I give you my word that I will not attempt to leave this place," Don Abrahan hastily pledged.

"You could not be blamed, under the conditions, if you failed to keep it," Henderson replied, inflexible as Don Abrahan's own whipping-post.