castle ghost--this old rummy who can't sleep in his
grave of nights? Ha, ha! I'm not afraid of a little trifle like that,
senor."

Robledo stepped back threateningly, and yet with hesitation caused by
the perplexing simplicity of this foreigner.

"No?... Well, senorita, we gentlemen of Seguro will gladly drink to
your American hero! Here, lads, is a toast to the maddest fool that
ever came to Spain!"

He turned contemptuously on his heel, with military precision. Then he
chuckled Dolores under the chin with a leer, to have his hand
indignantly pushed aside. As the girl glared at him with a flash of
hatred in her eyes, he stalked into the taproom, followed by the ready
topers.

"Pile these bags on the table, Rusty," ordered Warren, as he smiled
winningly at the girl.

"Yassir. We kin use 'em for one of these yere barracadies, if we has
to."

"It looks as though we're booked for a warm reception in Seguro, Rusty.
Doesn't it?"

Rusty rolled those chalky optics, with an expression of mingled
drollery, apprehension, and confidence in his master's ability to lead
the battle. It is wonderful how much expression can be condensed into a
darky's eyes!

"Yassir. It's some tropical, dat's shore. But, you-all ain't no
cold-storage rooster yohself, Marse Warren. A little Kaintucky
ammanition might make some echoes 'round dis confabulation."

From the taproom came loud howls of derision from the associated
village sports of Seguro.

"That ward heeler seems to be making a campaign speech, Rusty. He may
be making a few promises that he can't fulfill after he gets elected,"
observed the Kentuckian, with pursed lips. "Listen to them holler!"

Rusty looked over his shoulder, while Dolores studied these two types
with girlish curiosity, as they chattered in their alien tongue. She
had never seen a man unafraid of Don Robledo but his distinguished
Excellency, the Duke, before. It gave her a new thrill.

"He's a mighty nice man, he is. Mighty nice, Marse Warren. He's almos'
too nice, ain't he?"

Warren shook his head, with a serious look on the usually laughing
face.

"No, Rusty, not too nice--yet! He'll be a lot nicer before he's ten
years older. I think his education has been neglected. You and I must
begin to keep school around this township. There's nothing so nice as
education, especially when the school-teacher has a nice long rattan
concealed up his sleeve!"

XIV

MORE OBSTACLES

Dolores approached the