"Will you be safe from him on this journey?"
"My friends would harry him out of the Sierras, and down to these valleys where he would meet destruction at the hands of your riflemen."
"Very good, friend O'Donnell. But I am keeping you too long. I will come to the point now. I detained you from an early start on that long road of yours for an important matter. The English have been very active in creating a sentiment here favorable to annexing our province to Great Britain."
"There are many signs of their activity; but others have been active too."
"It is time your government should survey roads between California and your westernmost outpost."
The large man sprang to his feet. "Capital, Mendoza! Capital, sir! It's good to hear you say that. I didn't expect it so soon. Will you put it down in writing, and sign your name to it?"
"Assuredly. I will also do my part toward welcoming settlers from your republic when the roads are built."
"Famous! Famous! That is exactly what I wanted you to say every time we've met. It's worth the hindrance in my journey to hear news like that." Then, suddenly, "Something special has happened to bring you to this conclusion. What is it? I've been debating for weeks with you, and with no apparent result."
O'Donnell seated himself. A peon had come in response to a signal from Mendoza.
"Aguardiente and cigarros," the master ordered.