one powerful, resistless whole?"

"The only obstacle is themselves; each country is so jealous of every
other that it prefers to fight rather than to fuse. Zalapata and
Atlamalco are illustrations; they are continually quarreling and at
war over trifles that would shame a couple of schoolboys."

"All that is ended; henceforth General Yozarro and I are brothers,
and the two republics will join hands in the path of progress. Our
example will be quickly followed by Venezuela, by Colombia, by
Ecuador, by Bolivia, by Brazil and all the states down to and
including Patagonia. Will not that be the grandest confederation
the world ever saw?"

"Undoubtedly--when it is formed. Is the conception your own, General?"

"It is; it has been forming in my mind for weeks and months; more than
once I was in despair, and not until last evening did the splendor of
the scheme burst upon me in all its fulness."

"You are dreaming what others dreamed before you, but the only one
who made a fair start toward its realization was Simon Bolivar, and
he died disappointed and brokenhearted. I suppose the first step will
be to send ambassadors, or whatever you choose to call them, to the
different republics of South America, proposing a meeting of
representatives to consider the great scheme?"

"That will be the first step. It will take some time for a full
exchange of views, and a committee will be named from each government
to draw up the plan for confederation."

"Your scheme contemplates that this union shall be a republic, like my
own country?"

"No other form can flourish in the clear sunlight of liberty of South
America."

"Not the least important step, after the plan has been formulated,
will be the choice of the Chief Magistrate; who should he be?"

The American knew what was coming, but the enjoyment of prodding the
bulky ignoramus was none the less exquisite.

"The thoughts of all would naturally turn to the man who originated
the grand scheme; they would feel profound gratitude, and inquire
whether he is competent to carry out the plan and make the dream a
realization; an immense majority will insist that the responsibility
and honor shall go to him."

"And in that case you would be the man?"

The little head wabbled forward on the short neck.

"There can be no forecasting the whims of the public; the hero of
today is the traitor of tomorrow, and vice versa; suppose some one
other than you should be fixed upon; suppose