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He Villista. Villista with gringos run Mexico--gringos and the church. Just like

Huerta would have done it if they'd given him a chance, only Huerta more for

church than for gringos."

"Aw, let the poor boob go," urged Billy, "an' I'll come along wit you. Why he's got a

wife an' kids--you wouldn't want to leave them without no one to look after them

in this God-forsaken country!"

Pesita grinned indulgently.

"Very well, Senor Captain," he said, bowing low. "I let Miguel and your honorable

friend go. I send safe escort with them."

"Bully fer you, ol' pot!" exclaimed Billy, and Pesita smiled delightedly in the belief

that some complimentary title had been applied to him in the language of

Granavenoo." "I'll go an' tell 'em," said Billy.

Yes," said Pesita, "and say to them that they will start early in the morning."

As Billy turned and walked in the direction that the soldiers had led Bridge and

Miguel, Pesita beckoned to a soldier who leaned upon his gun at a short distance

from his "general"--a barefooted, slovenly attempt at a headquarters orderly.

"Send Captain Rozales to me," directed Pesita.

The soldier shuffled away to where a little circle of men in wide-brimmed, metal-

encrusted hats squatted in the shade of a tree, chatting, laughing, and rolling

cigarettes. He saluted one of these and delivered his message, whereupon the tall,

gaunt Captain Rozales arose and came over to Pesita.

"The big one who was brought in today is not a gringo," said Pesita, by way of

opening the conversation. "He is from Granavenoo. He can be of great service to

us, for he is very friendly with the Germans--yet he looks like a gringo and could

pass for one. We can utilize him. Also he is very large and appears to be equally

strong. He should make a good fighter and we have none too many. I have made

him a captain."

Rozales grinned. Already among Pesita's following of a hundred men there were

fifteen captains.

Where is Granavenoo?" asked Rozales.

You mean to say, my dear captain," exclaimed Pesita, "that a man of your

education does not know where Granavenoo is? I am surprised. Why, it is a

German colony."

203

The Mucker