"We have heard of your victories, General, yes," he said; "and on your return you say you found things had not been going to your liking?" 

 "That is it," assented the other, eagerly.  "I find that indignation reigns on every side. I find my friends complaining of the railroad which you run across their land. I find that fifteen hundred soldiers are turned into laborers, with picks and spades, working by the side of negroes and your Irish; they have not been paid their wages, and they have been fed worse than though they were on the march; sickness and—" 

 Clay moved impatiently and dropped his boot heavily on the porch. 

 "That was true at first," he interrupted, "but it is not so now. I should be glad, General, to take you over the men's quarters at any time. As for their not having been paid, they were never paid by their own Government before they came to us and for the same reason, because the petty officers kept back the money, just as they have always done. But the men are paid now. However, this is not of the most importance. Who is it that complains of the terms of our concession?" 

 "Every one!" exclaimed Mendoza, throwing out his arms, "and they ask, moreover, this: they ask why, if this mine is so rich, why was not the stock offered here to us in this country? Why was it not put on the market, that any one might buy? We have rich men in Olancho, why should not they benefit first of all others by the wealth of their own lands? But no! we are not asked to buy. All the stock is taken in New York, no one benefits but the State, and it receives only ten per cent. It is monstrous!" 

 "I see," said Clay, gravely.  "That had not occurred to me before. They feel they have been slighted. I see."  He paused for a moment as if in serious consideration.  "Well," he added, "that might be arranged." 

 He turned and jerked his head toward the open door.  "If you boys mean to go to town to-night, you'd better be moving," he said. The two men rose together and bowed silently to their guest. 

 "I should like if Mr. Langham would remain a moment with us," said Mendoza, politely.  "I understand that it is his father who controls the stock of the company. If we discuss any arrangement it might be well if he were here." 

 Clay was sitting with his chin on his breast, and he did not look up, nor did the young man turn to him for any prompting.  "I'm not down here as my father's son," he said, "I am 

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