“But that isn’t the worst, to my way of thinking,” exclaimed Donald. “The worst thing was his assault upon Santiago!”
“He explained that to me by saying that Santiago was playing into the hands of the haciendados,” declared Villa, meaning by the “haciendados” the rich landowners, who for years have been grinding the peons under their heel.
“Explained to you!” exclaimed Billie. “Then you have seen him?”
“He left me not an hour ago.”
“It is none of our business,” said Donald, “but as we are interested in Santiago, we should be glad to know what he wanted.”
“Just what you might expect—to help him overthrow President Madero, who, he says, is just as bad as was Diaz.”
“Do you think he is?” asked Billie, who had become much interested in Mexican affairs during the past few days.
“Quien sabe!” was Villa’s non-committal reply. “We hope not, but Mexico has suffered much from those who should have been her friends.”
“Well, whatever President Madero may be,” said Adrian emphatically, “Don Rafael is a scoundrel and murderer at heart.”
For several minutes Villa made no reply, then with a shake of his head: “Time will tell!”