How did he know but the men who had been fighting to capture the city
and were now being shot down like sheep were not the real patriots,
anxious to govern their own country in their way and not in the
interests of foreign corporations? As for Rodriguez, he knew enough of
him to--
Virginia Howland, coming up from behind, touched him on the arm, while
her father, who followed her, placed his hand on Dan's shoulder.
"Captain," said the girl, "I am disappointed. I wagered a box of candy
with father that you were already out fighting."
Dan, unable to suppress the thoughts which had filled his mind, smiled
grimly.
"I don't think I have any desire to turn butcher," he said, with just a
tinge of bitterness.
The girl flushed and regarded Dan for a moment with a curious
expression, and then glanced at her father.
"Is it really--that?" she said.
Mr. Howland smiled easily.
"Butchery? It seems to amount to about that. Poor beggars! But war
is war," Mr. Howland tapped the rail with his finger by way of
emphasis, "and those who attempt to overthrow governments generally do
either one of two things: they succeed, or they pay the penalty of
failure."
"In this case," said Dan, coolly, "they seem to be paying the penalty."
"Yes, thanks to you," replied Mr.
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