“As how?” demands the mystified Buck-tail.
“As follows: Mexico is rich in gold; I argue that his dishonest avarice will take him loyally with me, hand and glove, in the hope of loot. His treacherous talents should come finely into play in certain diplomacies that must be entered upon with Mexican officials, who will favor me. Likewise he should find them exercise in dealings with the war department here in Washington; for you can see, sir, that, in his dual rôles of filibusterer and military commander of the Southwest for this government, he is certain to be often in collision with himself.”
The stubborn Bucktail says no more, being too well drilled in deference to Aaron’s will and word. It is clear, however, that his distrust of the whisky-faced Wilkinson has not been put to sleep.
Wilkinson, as he swigs his whisky by Aaron’s fire, sits in happy ignorance of the distrustful Bucktail’s views. Confident as to his own high importance, he plunges freely into Aaron’s plans.
“Five hundred,” says Aaron, “full five hundred are agreed to go; and I have lists of five thousand stout young fellows besides, who should crowd round our standard at the whistle of the fife. The move now is to purchase eight hundred thousand acres on the Washita, as a base from which to operate and a pretext for bringing our people together. My excuse for recruiting them, you understand, will be that they are to settle on those eight hundred thousand Washita acres.”
“Eight hundred thousand acres!” This, between sips of whisky: “That should take a fortune! Where do you think to find the money?”
“It will come from New York, from Connecticut, from New Jersey, from everywhere—but most of it from my son-in-law, Alston, who is to mortgage his plantation and crops. He is worth a round million.”
“How do you succeed with the English?” asks Wilkinson, taking a new direction.
“It is as good as done. Merry, the British Minister, was with me yesterday. He has sent Colonel Williamson of his legation to London, to return by way of Jamaica and bring the English fleet to New Orleans. Truxton is to be given temporary command, and sail against Vera Cruz, where you and I must meet him with an army. When we have reduced Vera Cruz, and secured a port, we shall march upon the city of Mexico.”
Wilkinson helps himself to another glass.