vast, and it may be that it includes the country on either side of the
Ohio. The French, our predecessors, claimed it, and now that all the
colonists east of the mountains are busy fighting their king, it may be
easy to take it from them, as one would snip off a skirt with a pair of
scissors. That is why I and this faithful band are so far north in these
woods."

Braxton Wyatt nodded.

"And a wise thing, too," he said. "I am strong with the tribes. The great
chief, Yellow Panther, of the Miamis and the great chief, Red Eagle, of
the Shawnees are both my friends. I know how they feel. The Spanish in New
Orleans are far away. Their settlements do not spread. They come rather to
hunt and trade. But the Americans push farther and farther. They build
their homes and they never go back. Do you wonder then that the warriors
wish your help?"

Francisco Alvarez smiled again. It was a cold but satisfied smile and he
rubbed one white hand over the other.

"Your logic is good," he said, "and these reasons have occurred to me,
also, but my master, Bernardo Galvez, the Governor, is troubled. We love
not England and there is a party among us--a party at present in
power--which wishes to help the Americans in order that we may damage
England, but I, if I could choose the way would have no part in it. As
surely as we help the rebels we will also create rebels against
ourselves."

"You are far from New Orleans," said Braxton Wyatt. "It would take long
for a messenger to go and come, and meanwhile you could act as you think