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〃Dirge；〃 had been crossed out for the substituted 〃In Memoriam。〃
He read carelessly：
〃O Muse unmetbut not unwept
I seek thy sacred haunt in vain。
Too late； alas！ the tryst is kept
We may not meet again！
〃I sought thee 'midst the orange bloom；
To find that thou hadst grasped the palm
Of martyr； and the silent tomb
Had hid thee in its calm。
〃By fever racked； thou languishest
On Nicaragua's〃
Hurlstone threw the paper aside。 Although he had not forgotten the
Senor's reputation for sentimental extravagance； and on another
occasion might have laughed at it； there was something so monstrous
in this hysterical； morbid composition of the man who was even then
contemplating bloodshed and crime； that he was disgusted。 Like
most sentimental egotists； Hurlstone was exceedingly intolerant of
that quality in others； and he turned for relief to his own
thoughts of Eleanor Keene and his own unfortunate passion。 HE
could not have written poetry at such a moment！
But the cabin…door opened； and Senor Perkins appeared。 Whatever
might have been the excited condition of his unknown visitor； the
Senor's round； clean…shaven face was smiling and undisturbed by
emotion。 As his eye fell on the page of manuscript Hurlstone had
just cast down； a slight shadow crossed his beneficent expanse of
forehead； and deepened in his soft dark eyes； but the next moment
it was chased away by his quick recurring smile。 Even thus
transient and superficial was his feeling； thought Hurlstone。
〃I have some news for you；〃 said Perkins affably； 〃which may alter
your decision about returning。 My friends ashore；〃 he continued；
〃judging from the ingenuous specimen which has just visited me； are
more remarkable for their temporary zeal and spasmodic devotion
than for prudent reserve or lasting discretion。 They have
submitted a list to me of those whom they consider dangerous to
Mexican liberty； and whom they are desirous of hanging。 I regret
to say that the list is illogical； and the request inopportune。
Our friend Mr。 Banks is put down as an ally of the Government and
an objectionable business rival of that eminent patriot and well…
known drover； Senor Martinez； who just called upon me。 Mr。
Crosby's humor is considered subversive of a proper respect for all
patriotism； but I cannot understand why they have added YOUR name
as especially 'dangerous。'〃
Hurlstone made a gesture of contempt。
〃I suppose they pay me the respect of considering me a friend of
the old priest。 So be it！ I hope they will let the responsibility
fall on me alone。〃
〃The Padre is already proscribed as one of the Council；〃 said Senor
Perkins quietly。
〃Do you mean to say；〃 said Hurlstone impetuously； 〃that you will
permit a hair of that innocent old man's head to be harmed by those
wretches？〃
〃You are generous but hasty； my friend；〃 said Senor Perkins； in
gentle deprecation。 〃Allow me to put your question in another way。
Ask me if I intend to perpetuate the Catholic Church in Todos
Santos by adding another martyr to its roll； and I will tell you
No！ I need not say that I am equally opposed to any proceedings
against Banks； Crosby； and yourself； for diplomatic reasons； apart
from the kindly memories of our old associations on this ship。 I
have therefore been obliged to return to the excellent Martinez his
little list； with the remark that I should hold HIM personally
responsible if any of you are molested。 There is； however； no
danger。 Messrs。 Banks and Crosby are with the other Americans；
whom we have guaranteed to protect； at the Mission； in the care of
your friend the Padre。 You are surprised！ Equally so was the
Padre。 Had you delayed your departure an hour you would have met
them； and I should have been debarred the pleasure of your company。
〃By to…morrow；〃 continued Perkins； placing the tips of his fingers
together reflectively； 〃the Government of Todos Santos will have
changed hands； and without bloodshed。 You look incredulous！ My
dear young friend； it has been a part of my professional pride to
show the world that these revolutions can be accomplished as
peacefully as our own changes of administration。 But for a few
infelicitous accidents； this would have been the case of the late
liberation of Quinquinambo。 The only risk run is to myselfthe
leader； and that is as it should be。 But all this personal
explanation is； doubtless； uninteresting to you； my young friend。
I meant only to say that； if you prefer not to remain here； you can
accompany me when I leave the ship at nine o'clock with a small
reconnoitring party； and I will give you safe escort back to your
friends at the Mission。〃
This amicable proposition produced a sudden revulsion of feeling in
Hurlstone。 To return to those people from whom he was fleeing； in
what was scarcely yet a serious emergency； was not to be thought
of！ Yet； where could he go？ How could he be near enough to assist
HER without again openly casting his lot among them？ And would
they not consider his return an act of cowardice？ He could not
restrain a gesture of irritation as he rose impatiently to his
feet。
〃You are agitated； my dear fellow。 It is not unworthy of your
youth； but； believe me； it is unnecessary；〃 said Perkins； in his
most soothing manner。 〃Sit down。 You have an hour yet to make
your decision。 If you prefer to remain； you will accompany the
ship to Todos Santos and join me。〃
〃I don't comprehend you；〃 interrupted Hurlstone suspiciously。
〃I forgot；〃 said Perkins； with a bland smile； 〃that you are unaware
of our plan of campaign。 After communicating with the insurgents；
I land here with a small force to assist them。 I do this to
anticipate any action and prevent the interference of the Mexican
coaster； now due； which always touches here through ignorance of
the channel leading to the Bay of Todos Santos and the Presidio。 I
then send the Excelsior； that does know the channel； to Todos
Santos； to appear before the Presidio； take the enemy in flank； and
cooperate with us。 The arrival of the Excelsior there is the last
move of this little game； if I may so call it： it is 'checkmate to
the King；' the clerical Government of Todos Santos。〃
A little impressed； in spite of himself； with the calm forethought
and masterful security of the Senor； Hurlstone thanked him with a
greater show of respect than he had hitherto evinced。 The Senor
looked gratified； but unfortunately placed that respect the next
moment in peril。
〃You were possibly glancing over these verses；〃 he said； with a
hesitating and almost awkward diffidence； indicating the manuscript
Hurlstone had just thrown aside。 〃It is merely the first rough
draft of a little tribute I had begun to a charming friend。 I
sometimes；〃 he interpolated； with an apologetic smile； 〃trifle with
the Muse。 Perhaps I