"Well, what does he want?"
"His benevolent purpose is to bring on a war between Mexico and the United States," was the astonishing reply.
"I don't think he's next to his job as a statesman, then," observed Frank, "unless he wants to see Mexico cleaned out."
"However that may be, he believes that a raid on Texas soil from this side of the river would provoke our government to an invasion, as it probably would."
"I should hope so."
"And he believes, too, that in such an emergency the Mexican federals and insurrectos would join hands in fighting the common enemy."
"That is quite likely. He's got that figured out in good form," laughed Frank. "I guess he isn't such a dub, after all."
"He is probably right in the supposition that such a war would stop the fighting over here—that is, the fighting as it is now going on. He seeks peace in his own land at the risk of a war with our country."
"Then he ought to be shot," declared the boy.
"He was negotiating with Mr. Cameron for the purchase of firearms and ammunition," Nestor went on. "His people haven't got the guns, and Mr. Cameron dealt in them."