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In a sense, it doesn't matter to us who is president, except that we want the concessions Galdar promised, and they're worth an extra two thousand pounds. We'll give you American bills for the sum if your steamer lands her cargo too late to be of use." Kit thought hard. It looked as if Olsen knew the Rio Negro had broken down.
"I had some talk with my supporters last night and we agreed to strike when the Rio Negro's cargo arrives. We need the guns and money to pay my troops, and when we get them we will arrest the leading conspirators. This will start the revolution, but it will fail if my blow is struck before Galdar is ready." "Yes," said Adam. "We can trust Mayne; he knows he's got to hustle.
I reckon the chances are against Alvarez if Galdar puts up a fight, but the latter's not ready yet and Alvarez means to arm his troops before the fellow knows. I imagine about half the citizens are plotters and spies." "Alvarez has been honest so far. I suppose if he wins he'll pay?" "That's so," said Adam dryly. "If he goes down, we get nothing.
So far, I have escaped; perhaps because I was lucky, and perhaps because it was not certain the people would choose Galdar if I followed my friends." "I have wondered why you hold on. For a president of this country, you have had a good run. I think I would have left after a few prosperous years and located at Havana, for example." Alvarez smiled.
Well, I don't suppose you'll get another chance like this; we'll pay you ten thousand dollars if you can keep the Rio Negro back for a week." "That doesn't indicate that you're sure of winning," Kit remarked dryly. "Besides, I wouldn't trust Galdar to put up the money." "I don't ask you to trust Galdar; my people will find the money.
We then pushed on to Teror, famous for turkeys, traversed the high and forested northern plateau, visited Galdar and Guia of the cheeses, and rode back by Banaderos Bay and the Cuesta da Silva, renowned in olden island story. These three days gave me a fair general view of Grand Canary. From this plateau barrancos, or ravine-valleys, said to number 103, radiate quaquaversally.
It was a risky business, carried on with people who had a talent for dark revolutionary intrigue. "Since Don Hernando Alvarez is president of the republic, I don't quite see why we need smuggle in his machine-guns," Kit remarked. "On the surface, the reason isn't very obvious. Alvarez is president now, but mayn't be very long. It depends on whether he or his rival, Galdar, gets his blow in first.
Those who have none will wait and back the man they think will win. So far, I have the soldiers, but their pay is behind and they are badly armed and drilled. They will stand by me if I can give them machine-guns and pay off arrears. But this must be done soon, without Galdar knowing. The next president will be the man who strikes before the other is ready." "What will the thing cost altogether?"
"You have got to hustle and back the right man. Since you're stopping at the presidio, it's obvious that Askew's on the president's side. Well, I suppose everybody knows my employers have put their money on Galdar." "Then, I imagine you run some risk." "Sure," said Olsen, smiling. "Alvarez doesn't like me, and if I wasn't an American citizen, I'd feel scared.
"Yes; it's rather important." "The important thing is you'll get paid," Olsen rejoined. Kit frowned. He imagined he could demand a high price, and now Alvarez was dead, there was perhaps no reason for refusing to bargain; but he did not mean to let Galdar have the goods. He thought Adam would not have done so, and he held the new president, to some extent, accountable for Adam's last illness.
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