“Ask Ramon,” said Carlos. “He will tell you—perhaps.”
Ramon drew himself up. The time had come that he must face the matter unflinchingly.
“It is this,” he said; “we have been promised much and have received little. Some of us are not satisfied.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed Black Joaquin. “And you are one of the dissatisfied, I see.”
“I am,” was the admission; “but I am not alone. You will find that there are many more. Ask them. You will find nearly all are dissatisfied.”
The chief glanced them over, and what he saw in their faces convinced him that Ramon spoke truly. Suddenly he smiled on them in that pleasant manner of his, and his voice was soft and musical as he spoke again.
“I would not have any of my faithful fellows dissatisfied,” he declared. “If there is anything I can do in justice, let them name it.”
Carlos seemed disappointed by this unexpected manner of their leader.
“It is that you have promised us a great deal we have not received,” said Ramon.
“And is it yet time?” was the placid question.