Once a flush of shame overspread the governor's face, but he recovered himself promptly, and listened with a bitter smile till the end.
"You shall eat your words if not your heart," he exclaimed brutally; and turning to an officer, he added, "Rincona, bring in your men and the heaviest irons that can be found in the prison."
Santiago smiled scornfully; but José, pushing forward, said quietly, "You cannot do that, señor. This man is my prisoner, for whom I am responsible to Colonel Miller alone. Until the return of the colonel, therefore, I cannot let him go from my keeping."
For a moment Rincona hesitated, but at the governor's second command he left the room, while the other officers clustered round their chief.
José produced a pistol and cocked it, saying coolly, "The man who lays hands on my prisoner dies."
Santiago turned to him with a pleasant smile. "Thanks, my friend," he said, "but I cannot let you suffer on my behalf. Besides, there is Crawford to be considered. The consequences may be fatal to him, as he is sure to stand by you."
"Don't hesitate on my account, José," said I. But the major's words had made an impression, and a shadow of annoyance flitted across my companion's brow.
However, there was little time for thinking. We heard the tramp, tramp of marching feet, and presently Rincona entered, followed by about a dozen soldiers.
"The irons!" roared the governor, beside himself with passion; "where are the irons?"
"I have sent for them, sir," replied Rincona.