“How could any one help it? Is the Castle yours, General?”
“Yes; it may be said to be a part of the spoils of war. The boundary line between Atlamalco and Zalapata runs through these mountains, but its precise course has never been defined. The Castle rightfully belonged to Atlamalco, but General Bambos claimed that it stood on his territory. Since he was deaf to argument and reason nothing remained but to refer it to the arbitrament of arms, with the result that General Bambos is quite sure not to open the dispute again.”
“Did those visitors of the long ago take away all the gold in the mountains?”
“That is quite impossible.”
“Why do you not dig or mine for what is left?”
“I have thought of that, but it seems wise to wait until I gain some one to share my lonely life with me.”
“Would it not be more considerate to finish the work before that time, so that you both will be at leisure to enjoy it? How much better than waging war with your neighbors!”
“I have sufficient gold for me and mine. You mean it would be better for my neighbors to refrain from waging war against me. I made a religious vow long since never to go to war except in the defence of my rights, and that you know is one’s solemn duty.”
It was the same old argument that General Bambos had used in discussing the question with Major Jack Starland.
The young woman made no reply, for she saw it would be useless, and her escort added: