If he recognized Billie, he gave no intimation of the fact; but
in a harsh voice commanded: "Up with your hands!"
Billie obeyed.
"Turn to the left and march. In there," he continued a moment
later as Billie approached an open door in the rear of the patio.
Into the house Billie went--into a large room, but dimly lighted.
Santiago followed, closing the door behind him with a kick.
"Why shouldn't I shoot you down like a dog?" asked Santiago as
soon as the door was closed.
"I can't see any reason," was the reply, "except that it might
cause you a lot of trouble when it was found out. I imagine that
Admiral Fletcher is going to be pretty severe upon snipers and
others who shoot Americans."
"Bah!" exclaimed Santiago angrily. "I spit upon Americans! Bah!"
"That's all right," Billie agreed, "if it's the way you feel
about it."
"Just because you Americans have driven away a few soldiers with
the guns of your great fleet, you don't think you can conquer
Mexico, do you?"
"I hadn't thought much about it."
"Then it's time you did, as you may never have another chance."
"Well, then," explained Billie, "I'll tell you how it looks to
me. You might a great deal better be governed by the United
States than by a man like Huerta.
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