"Permit me to explain that I robbed a bank—a bank engaged in robbing others under government sanction," said Ganza. "To rob is a small thing, señors; but it is a crime to be discovered robbing. That was my fault. Others in my native land, who are more successful embezzlers than I, are to-day respected, rich and happy."
"Was that your only crime?"
"So far as is known, señor. Otherwise I am very good man and quite respectable."
"He is a tyrant and a bully, and whips his men if they disobey him," declared Steve.
"Pah! they are curs. The whip is less than they deserve," retorted Ganza. "But permit me to remind you of my present discomfort, señors. I will gladly exchange this bog for a Mexican prison."
They managed to drag him out, none too gently, and the seamen scraped the oily slime from his legs and body so that he could stand erect.
Then they turned to examine the condition of the aëroplane.