ed at Zalapata last evening, where she will be
disappointed to find you absent, though your meeting will be deferred
but a short time."

With many acknowledgments, Major Starland bade President Yozarro good
bye, passed out into the hall and hurried down the street to the
wharf, where Captain Guzman was placidly awaiting him. The same
drowsiness that he had noted on his arrival, brooded over everything,
and no time was lost in casting off and heading down the river.

But during the absence of the American, the Captain had had a visitor,
who did not step ashore, but helped in getting the boat under way, and
showed by his action, that he meant to remain with them, if they did
not object thereto.

"Who is he?" asked Starland, at the first opportunity to speak
privately to his friend.

"Martella, a deserter from President Yozarro."

"That won't do, Captain; I cannot permit him to go with us."

"Not so, Major; he is more valuable than you think; he will tell you
something you ought to know."

CHAPTER IX.

The little craft was fairly under way, and with favoring wind and
current, ought to reach Zalapata in the course of ten or twelve hours.
Martella, the new recruit, so to speak, seeing there was nothing just
then for him to do, sat down at the bow of the boat and smoked his
cigarette, while Captain Guzman kept company with Major Starland at
the stern.

"Two years ago, when there was war between Atlamalco and Zalapata,"
explained the native officer, "we captured a party of raiders in the
mountains and shot them all excepting one. He was Martella, who, being
wounded, was saved at my prayer. Since then we have been friends."

"He ought to be your life friend if there is any such thing as
gratitude in his nature."

"I have been to see him and he comes to see me. Martella is one who
speaks the truth."

"I was not aware that--barring yourself--there was any man in this
part of the world who had that virtue."

"What did President Yozarro tell you?" asked the Captain so bluntly
that the American resented it.

"You have no warrant for asking that question."

"Pardon me, Major; I do not ask to know what he said about the claim
of President Bambos, for I already know that."

"You do! Well, what was it?"

"He said he would pay the amount of the claim and asked you to tell
President Bambos he is very sorry."

"You are right; that is what he said."

"But he did not pay you the money; and, begging pardon ag