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"Ah, yes," agreed Pesita, not wishing to admit any ignorance of plain American

even before a despised gringo. "But the large-faced dick--what might that be? I

have spend much time in the States, but I do not know that."

"I said 'fat-head dick'--dat's a fly cop," Billy elucidated.

It is he then that is the bird." Pesita beamed at this evidence of his own sagacity.

He fly."

"Flannagan ain't no bird--Flannagan's a dub."

Bridge came to the rescue.

My erudite friend means," he explained, "that the police chased him out of the

United States of America."

Pesita raised his eyebrows. All was now clear to him.

"But why did he not say so?" he asked.

"He tried to," said Bridge. "He did his best."

"Quit yer kiddin'," admonished Billy.

A bright light suddenly burst upon Pesita. He turned upon Bridge.

Your friend is not then an American?" he asked. "I guessed it. That is why I

could not understand him. He speaks the language of the gringo less well even

than I. From what country is he?"

Billy Byrne would have asserted with some show of asperity that he was nothing

if not American; but Bridge was quick to see a possible loophole for escape for his

friend in Pesita's belief that Billy was no gringo, and warned the latter to silence

by a quick motion of his head.

He's from 'Gran' Avenoo,'" he said. "It is not exactly in Germany; but there are a

great many Germans there. My friend is a native, so he don't speak German or

English either--they have a language of their own in 'Gran' Avenoo'."

"I see," said Pesita--"a German colony. I like the Germans--they furnish me with

much ammunition and rifles. They are my very good friends. Take Miguel and the

gringo away"--this to the soldiers who had brought the prisoners to him--"I will

speak further with this man from Granavenoo."

When the others had passed out of hearing Pesita addressed Billy.

201

The Mucker