"The insurgents request a parley," the Colonel said, distinctly.
"To parley with me?" the General answered, with an almost imperceptible tinge of irony in his voice. "These Caballeros do me a great honour. And what about, pray?"
"As they think themselves capable of seizing Galveston, they wish to avoid bloodshed by treating with you."
The General rose, and walked sharply up and down the room for some minutes. At length he stopped before the Colonel.
"And what would you do in my place?"
"I should treat," the young officer replied, unhesitatingly.
[CHAPTER III.]
THE RETREAT.
After this frankly expressed opinion there was a rather lengthened silence, and the Colonel was the first to resume the conversation.