felt the touch of poison in the silky tone. He stiffened himself slightly
as if he would resist a danger, unknown as yet, but all the more to be
dreaded on that account. He still remained silent.

"Yes, you are the strongest and the one most to be feared," continued
Alvarez musingly, "I am not saying it to flatter you, but because it is a
matter that I have weighed well for reasons pertaining to statecraft.
There sentiment or personal liking cannot count. I have plans, large
plans, in regard to this country. I suppose that every ambitious man who
comes here has them. How can he help it when he sees so vast and fertile a
land inhabited only by savages? My plan, I believe, is right, in
accordance with probability and justice. You, Senor Ware, are a
representative of a race that has crossed the mountains into a new
region. You have there, in Kaintock, thin and feeble settlements that must
soon be crushed."

Henry spoke for the first time, but he showed no excitement, although his
heart had begun to beat faster.

"I think you are wrong, Captain Alvarez," he said. "The settlements in
Kentucky have already driven back some formidable forays, and they grow
stronger every day."

"Forays of savages only. What could they do if a force of white men, a
powerful force, armed with cannon came?"

"But will they come?" asked Henry pointedly.

"Ah, I see you are clever," said Alvarez, still smiling. "You and the
other youth, Cotter, are educated, and you must realize the truth of what
I say. Yes, that force will come. Your Eastern colonies are about to be
defeated by the King of England. You are rebels, and there is no place for
defeated rebels but the depths of the wilderness. Spain has been
coquetting with these colonies, but she will come back to the side of the
English monarchy where she belongs. The monarchies must stand together
against all rebels."

"How do you know that Spain will help England to fight us?" asked Henry.

Alvarez smiled once more, but the smile now, instead of being merely
winning, was superior.

"It is a long distance from here to Europe," he replied, "but news may
come even into the depths of the woods. I have many friends in Spain,
friends near the court, who inform me whenever the wind changes."

Henry did not like that superior smile. It was a mistake of Francisco
Alvarez, a mistake that many strong men make, to assume a patronizing
manner even for a moment in the presence of another who was also