they're going to give the governor a run for his money yet.''

Clay turned to MacWilliams.

``How many of Mendoza's soldiers have we in the mines, Mac?'' he
asked.

``About fifteen hundred,'' MacWilliams answered. ``But you ought
to hear the way they talk of him.''

``They do, eh?'' said Clay, with a smile of satisfaction.
``That's good. `Six hundred slaves who hate their masters.'
What do they say about me?''

``Oh, they think you're all right. They know you got them their
pay and all that. They'd do a lot for you.''

``Would they fight for me?'' asked Clay.

MacWilliams looked up and laughed uneasily. ``I don't know,'' he
said. ``Why, old man? What do you mean to do?''

``Oh, I don't know,'' Clay answered. ``I was just wondering
whether I should like to be President of Olancho.''



III

The Langhams were to arrive on Friday, and during the week before