"'Your Monroe Doctrine, bah, I care not _that_ for it!' said he,
snapping his fingers. 'Let the United States look to herself if she
refuses to help us! As for you, Senor,' he continued in milder tones,
but with a threatening note, 'if, as you tell me, you are no longer our
friend, as a gentleman you will at least respect the secret that I have
so ill-advisedly betrayed to you. My kinsman's life, as well as that of
the Captain Robson, depend upon your silence. I rather think you will do
us no harm, eh?' And there he had me. If I was ever disposed to violate
his confidence, the fact that I would thereby jeopardize my young cousin
would effectually deter me. I assured the tempestuous fellow that his
secret was safe with me, and after a few moments we parted, with a great
show of politeness on both sides. I was glad to have him go.
"Again back in my seat my reflections were anything but pleasing. It was
harrowing to think of Charlie Robson so completely in the power of these
desperadoes, his probable fate, and the grief of his family and friends.
And what could I do to save him? My hands were completely tied.
"The Villasante family and I were under the same roof, all of us being
at the Arlington, but I hoped to avoid seeing them. Certainly, after my
talk with Manuel, a meeting would be anything but agreeable.
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