"I thought as much."
"You see Farquharson came across the Indian several months ago, and played for his good offices. Not a bad idea, for a power of renegades followed him. All of Yoscolo's Indians were to declare for English sovereignty—much they know what it is. Yoscolo wanted money—the clever rascal. He made the capture as near Farquharson's banker as possible—a suggestion of mine. I figured that Farquharson deserved to lose his money for his attempt at bribery. But the Englishman slipped the toils. I heard Yoscolo nearly had a fit when the news reached him."
"You do not like Farquharson personally?"
A gust of anger came over O'Donnell's face. "No! No! The Englishman is my enemy for something that occurred years ago in old Ireland."
"I too knew Farquharson many, many years ago. I have not seen him in late times. I blamed him once for an act that reflected on his judgment. Later he greatly distinguished himself at Waterloo. I am surprised that he would stoop to bribery. In fact, the manner of procedure of the English agents here has not disposed me to their cause."
"So much the worse for England, and so much the better for the United States," O'Donnell commented.
"Good friend O'Donnell, I favor the United States in the present matter because they reach two thirds across the continent to us already; because their government appeals to me; and, last but not least, because their agent, Señor O'Donnell, is not attempting to rush our people like sheep into the American fold."
"Three cheers for you, Señor Mendoza! Speak these words from the housetops. Your patriotism will soon equal my own. The Irish and the Spanish are always of one heart anyway."
"Some time ago I told you that if I played in this political game, I'd use the trump that meant the most to the province of California. I am far from forwarding my own interest in thus doing." He went to a secretary and took therefrom a bulky envelope. Opening it he handed to O'Donnell several papers, one of which read:
"On recommendation of the Duke of Wellington, Jesus Maria y José Mendoza, of Mission San José, California, is tendered the office of major-general in the army of Great Britain," and mentioning in highest encomium Mendoza's masterful service from Talavera to the fall of Toulouse which crushed Napoleon, and sent him to Elba. The document was signed and sealed by high officials of the kingdom.