"Would you murder an unarmed man?" asked the captain.
"I wouldn't consider it murder. Answer."
The look in Donald's eyes was not to be mistaken.
"Gen. Maas is in command of Vera Cruz," the captain said.
"Good. I think I see it all. If it is decided not to accede to
the ultimatum, it is proposed to hold the train load as
hostages."
The captain smiled.
"Now listen!" and Donald spoke very slowly so that every word
might find lodgment. "You have one chance for your life. Can you
guess what it is?"
The captain shook his head.
"To do just exactly as I bid. Just one little attempt to do
differently, and you are a dead man."
The captain scowled, but made no reply.
"Put on your hat and come with me. Order the passengers back on
to the train and give your engineer instructions to cover just as
much of the distance between here and Vera Cruz by daylight as he
knows how!"
The captain shrugged his shoulders as he arose from his seat.
"I see you think it will be easy to escape. Just put any such
idea out of your mind. There is no possible chance."
Donald turned to Billie.
"This is what must be done. We shall walk directly back to where
the passengers are. The captain will give his order without any
hesitation.
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