"I hadn't thought much about it."
"Then it's time you did, as you may never have another chance."
"Well, then," explained Billie, "I'll tell you how it looks to me. You might a great deal better be governed by the United States than by a man like Huerta."
"Huerta! Huerta!" fairly screamed Santiago. "He is not the governor of Mexico."
"No," from Billie. "He calls himself the provisional president. In reality he is a dictator."
"He is a murderer!" shouted the thoroughly excited man.
"Then what are you worrying about? All that the Americans want is to get rid of Huerta. They don't want Mexico. Didn't you know that, Santiago?"
"What? Who calls me Santiago? I am Ixtazhl, Prince of the Aztecs and guardian of the treasures of Montezuma. Who calls me Santiago?"
In his excitement he rested the stock of his rifle upon the floor and bent upon Billie a gaze so fierce as greatly to disconcert him for the moment.
But Billie was not a lad to be easily unnerved and after a moment he replied calmly: