"And they wouldn't swallow it, Dan," retorted a marine, who was standing by.
"It is a fairy story you have given us," said an American officer.
"There's an easy way to determine it, senor."
"How?"
"Let one of your men step forward and see."
"Who would trust himself?"
"I give you my word," said Juan, hotly, "as an officer and a gentleman, that he will not be hurt, but he must come without arms."
"Shure, it's meself's the boy to do it!" cried Dan, handing his six-shooter and cutlass to a comrade as he spoke.
"You go at your own risk, Dan," said the officer; "nobody asks you to do so."
"Arrah, it's not a finger they'll lift against me! It's Young Glory would fix them for it if they did!"