"There is one thing I wish to settle first." "What is it?" "Do you regard me as an envoy, or merely as your prisoner?" "Why this question, whose purport I do not understand?" "Pardon me, General," he said with an ironical smile, "but you understand me perfectly well, and so do these Caballeros--if a prisoner, you have the right to force silence upon me; as a deputy, on the other hand, I enjoy certain immunities, under, the protection of which I can speak frankly and clearly, and no one can bid me be silent, so long as I do not go beyond the limits of my mission. That is the reason why I wish first to settle my position with you." "Your position has not changed to my knowledge. You are an envoy of rebels." "Oh, you recognise it now?" "I always did so." "Why did you make me a prisoner, then?" "You are shifting the question. I explained to you a moment ago, for what reason I was, to my great regret, compelled to defer our interview till a more favourable moment, that is all." "Very good, I am willing to admit it. Be kind enough, General, to read this letter," he added, as he drew from his pocket a large envelope, which, at a sign from the General, he handed to him. Night had fallen some time before, and two soldiers brought up torches of acote-wood, which one of the aides-de-camp lit. The General opened the letter and read it attentively, by the ruddy light of the torches. When he had finished reading, he folded up the letter again pensively, and thrust it into the breast of his uniform. There was a moment's silence, which the General at last broke. "Who is the man who gave you this letter?" "Did you not read his signature?" "He may have employed a go-between." "With me, that is not necessary." "Then, he is here?" "I have not to tell you who sent me, but merely discuss with you the proposals contained in the letter." The General gave a passionate start. "Reply, Señor, to the questions I do you the honour of asking you," he said, "if you do not wish to have reasons for repenting." "What is the use of threatening me, General? You will learn nothing from me," he answered firmly. "As it is so, listen to me attentively, and carefully weigh your answer, before opening your mouth to give it." "Speak, General." "This moment,--you understand, this moment, Señor, you will confess to me, where the man is who gave you this letter, if not--" "Well?" the American nominally interrupted. "Within ten minutes you will be hanging from a branch of that tree, close to you." Davis gave him a disdainful glance. "On my soul," he said ironically, "you Mexicans have a strange way of treating envoys." "I do not recognise the right of a scoundrel, who is outlawed for his crimes, and whose head is justly forfeited, to send me envoys, and treat with me on an equal footing."