The notion is preposterous. Be guided by me, Dom Corria, and
decline to have anything to do with it. Better still, let these
English boors promise to forget that we are alive; then Marcel can
guide them to the landing-place, where they will be shot speedily and
comfortably. There is no sense in sacrificing the girl. She must be
kept here on some pretext."
The ex-President took thought before he answered. He did not deny
himself that the confident air of these hard-bitten sailors made strong
appeal to his judgment. He had his own reasons for distrusting some
among his professed supporters, and he did not share his military
aide's opinion as to the coming of the promised vessel.
"There is a good deal in what you say, senhor adjudante," he announced
after his bright eyes had dwelt on San Benavides' expressive face in
thoughtful scrutiny. "In England they have a proverb that a man cannot
both run with the hare and hunt with the hounds, but such maxims are
not framed for would-be Presidents. I fear we must fall in with our
allies' views, _faute de mieux_. You and I have to lead a headstrong
army. That little Hercules of a commander is stubborn as a mule--a
mule that has the strength and courage of a wild boar. The younger man
thinks only of the girl's safety.
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