“Only as your prisoner—by force.”
“But Miro is a friend of your friend, of the man who hates me, James Robertson.”
“Miro has been friendly with Jim; but Jim understands that Miro never lets courtesy or friendship interfere with his master’s orders. If Charles III says for Miro to do a thing, Don Estephan Miro does it, regardless of whom it hits or hurts.”
McGillivray bowed his head and sighed, and said:
“Then I must go beyond what I expected would be necessary, beyond my own inclination; for it is not according to my best judgment. But so be it. You are a stubborn man, John Sevier. I will agree with you that we can form no allegiance with Spain. Say the word and I will inform Don Miro to that effect.”
“What is that word?”
“That you will form an independent Government out of the Western settlements.”
“No!”
“The central Government will not oppose you.”
“That makes no difference.”