"Because he would use his position to destroy the Constitution of Cholacaca. We have not forgotten Iturbide and Dr. Francia. Cholacaca shall never lie at the mercy of a tyrant, as did Mexico and Paraguay. No, gentlemen. It was not for such an end that we threw off the yoke of Spain. Republicans we are, Republicans we remain. If Don Hypolito succeeds, he will find Tlatonac in ruins." "I don't think that will stop him, Señor," said Jack, lightly. "If he ruins the old Tlatonac, he can build up a new one." "Not with peons and Indians," retorted Maraquando, fiercely. "We, Señor, are Spaniards, and will submit to the tyranny of no man, much less this Mestizo of a Xuarez." "What do you propose to do, Don Miguel?" "The Junta has already decided that. Don Hypolito is to be arrested, brought here for trial, and banished from the country." "I don't see how you are going to capture him at Acauhtzin. It is the headquarters of his party." Maraquando smiled grimly, and waved his hand contemptuously. "Xuarez has no party. A few unimportant estancieros believe in him, certainly; but the whole population of Tlatonac is in favour of the Government." "But not the whole population of Cholacaca," said Duval, significantly. "That is no matter. The Government hold Tlatonac, and, therefore, has all the power in its own hands. Acauhtzin! a mere village, whose adherence can do Xuarez no good." "But if it comes to war?" "It will not come to war, Señor Corresponsal. The fleet have gone to Acauhtzin to arrest Xuarez, and bring him here for trial." "They won't do that easily." Don Miguel laughed in a saturnine sort of manner, and pulled his moustache savagely. "And why not, Señor?" said he slowly. "I think three war-ships, manned by brave men, are more than sufficient to arrest one traitor." "That's so," replied Jack, dropping into Americanese, "if you can trust their crews." "My son, Don Rafael, commands _The Pizarro_," he said, gravely. "The Government can trust him and his crew, if no others." "'One swallow doesn't make a summer,' Don Miguel. That's an English proverb." "And a very true one. Where did you hear that our navy was not to be trusted, Don Juan?" "Here, and yonder!" said Jack, waving his hand all round the compass. "I hear this and that, Señor, and think over things. The general opinion, I find, is that there will be a civil war." "It needs no prophet to tell that. And afterwards?" "Señor, it is said the army will support the Junta, but the navy will strike for Xuarez." "If I thought so!" growled Maraquando, savagely, under his breath. "If I--but no, Señor, you are mistaken. My son, Don Rafael, is in the navy, and many of the officers are his personal friends. He only consorts with men of honour, Señor. I swear that there is no fear of the navy revolting. In a few days, our three ships will come back with Don Hypolito."