United States or Nepal ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
It was Bambos who broke the oppressive hush by saying to him: "The words of General Yozarro are just; comply with what he demands, and he will be glad to restore you to your friends; am I not correct, General?" "I suppose so," was the sour response. "Then my answer is that I'll see the whole gang of you hanged first!
He glared at the American, standing among his own officers, who made what room they could for him in the restricted space, and when he could command his tumultuous feelings, he spoke: "You come to surrender the boat! You surrender yourself also, el Americano!" "Well, hardly; I stayed aboard at the suggestion of my friend, General Bambos, that this thing might be done in due and ancient form.
General Bambos bowed as nearly to the deck as he could, with his plumed hat sweeping the air, and expressed his happiness at meeting the charming young American Señorita again. Then, while the boats remained lashed, he asked an explanation of the situation, which was a mystery to him as it was to nearly all the others.
"What do you intend to do with the boat?" "Take you to Zalapata; it would serve him right if I scuttled it, but I will turn it over to Bambos to keep or destroy as he pleases " She was about to speak, when shouts and calls caused both to hurry outside.
General Bambos swung back to the upright poise, or rather went a little beyond it since his bulky protuberance in front gave him the appearance of leaning backward. The deepening crimson of his countenance showed the profundity of his anger. "How much longer shall we submit to the insults of that infamous tyrant, President Yozarro of the Republic of Atlamalco.
"Bully!" shouted the Major; "put the next shot through her boiler! Don't mind me! I can swim and don't care for a little thing like being blown up!" General Bambos heard the terrifying news and climbed tremblingly to his feet. "Don't let them fire again! We shall all be killed!" "Only one thing can save you," replied the Major aglow with the light of triumphant battle; "run up the white flag!
"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."
Since he was deaf to argument and reason nothing remained but to refer it to the arbitrament of arms, with the result that General Bambos is quite sure not to open the dispute again." "Did those visitors of the long ago take away all the gold in the mountains?" "That is quite impossible." "Why do you not dig or mine for what is left?"
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.
When Jack Starland kindly but firmly declined his offer, he feared that he would become an obstacle to his scheme; and although he hid any such feeling, he would have been glad to have him disappear from the stage of action. What galled Bambos was the fact that the American lady was the guest of his rival, who he knew would do his utmost to woo and win her.
Word Of The Day