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The boundary line between Atlamalco and Zalapata runs through these mountains, but its precise course has never been defined. The Castle rightfully belonged to Atlamalco, but General Bambos claimed that it stood on his territory.
"I repeat that such an opportunity has now opened to the Republic of Zalapata." The thin husky voice climbed several notes of the register, and the right hand of the speaker thumped so hard on the table that it shook. The noise would have been considerable, had not the impact been dulled by the fleshy cushion that smothered the knuckles of the orator.
"He wouldn't do it." "How do you know he wouldn't?" "Don't I know the man better than The Hague Tribunal or anyone else knows him?" "If you have so clear a case against President Yozarro, the decision is sure to be in your favor." "You forget, Sir, that The Hague has insulted the Republic of Zalapata through its President." "I was not aware of that."
"That is my boat!" howled General Yozarro; "return at once or suffer the consequences of your thievery." "I'll suffer the consequences, but I am only borrowing it for a little while; you did not seem to be able to deliver Miss Starland to Zalapata, and I will do it myself; I place at your disposal the small boat we left behind."
"I shall join General Bambos in his war against Yozarro, and we'll make him pay dear for his deviltry." "Do you prefer the friendship of General Bambos to that of General Yozarro?" "I don't care a picayune for either, but I will use one against the other." "You forget that there is no choice between the good will of the two. When you came up the forked river you first called at Zalapata."
General Fernando De Bambos, President and Dictator of Zalapata, had summoned one of the most momentous councils of war in the history of the Republic. Those present were our old friend, Major Jack Starland, who was a guest of the General, and Captain Alfredo Guzman, Chief of Staff.
"But how am I to leave? It will not do to attempt the journey alone to Zalapata, and what way is there of sending word thither?" "Why shall we not have our ponies brought up and ride direct to the capital? They are here already, with proper saddles. We can start tomorrow after breaking fast, and we should reach the capital by nightfall." "Do you know the route?"
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.
The President of Zalapata, saluting and bowing low, conducted the other dignitary to the cabin, with the officers trailing after them. For the moment, Major Starland found his situation a trifle embarrassing. General Yozarro scowled savagely at him, but the others paid scant attention. There was some crowding, for it will be remembered that the apartment was of slight size.
It has been intimated that after Miss Starland had been delivered over to her dearest friend, the yacht dropped down the river to Zalapata, and left Jack there. Captain Winton, who was a cousin of Aunt Cynthia, intended to steam some twenty miles farther eastward to the city of San Luis, where a few needed supplies would be taken aboard.
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