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 ing; I will leave the way to the harbor open to you. There you will find a British ship that will give you refuge, and carry you back to your home."

"Does this condition apply to Helena Sprague and Felipe Guiterrez as well as to me, Roberto?"

"No, Gabriel; to you alone."

"You affront me in proposing it!"

"I cannot embrace the others in any condition of leniency," Roberto contended with harsh severity. "Where I find them, they are mine."

"If you will withdraw your soldiers, leaving the way open to all of us, in whatever direction we may choose to go, I will accept."

"It is impossible," said Roberto, coldly.

"There is nothing more," Henderson said, speaking his thought aloud.

It appeared, indeed, that his use of Roberto's doubtful state had turned out another failure. In more skillful hands Roberto might have been led, he believed, or intimidated by a bold and insolent face, and compelled to grant terms to them all. Now it seemed there could be nothing more.

"It is not possible to admit the other two," Roberto said. "That is a different matter; they are Mexican citizens—they must answer."

"They must be caught first," Henderson returned, still able to play his part of confidence, no matter how low his hope.

Roberto was looking toward the laborers' houses, lifting himself, shifting and straining to