His necessary presence in the West, his age and rank, make him
invaluable, out of harness. His scheming brain is needed, not his
ready sword.

He pours out a glass of brandy, saying, "Valois, tell me of our
prospects here. You know the interior as well as any man in the
State."

Maxime unburdens his mind. "Judge, I fear we are in danger of losing
this coast. I have looked over the social forces of the State. The
miners represent no principle. They will cut no figure on either
side. They would not be amenable to discipline. The Mexicans
certainly will not sympathize with us. We are regarded as the old
government party. The Black Republicans are the 'liberals.' The
natives have lost all, under us. We will find them fierce enemies.
We cannot undo the treatment of the Dons." Hardin gravely assents.

"Now, as to the struggle. Our people are enthusiastic and better
prepared. The nerve of the South will carry us to early victory.
The North thinks we do not mean fight. Our people may neglect to
rush troops from Texas over through Arizona. We should hold California
from the very first. I know the large cities are against us. The
Yankees control the shipping and have more money than we. We
should seize this coast, prey on the Pacific fleets, strike a telling
blow, and with Texan troops (who will be useless there) make sure
of the only gold-yielding regions of America. Texas is safe. We hold
the Gulf at New Orleans. Yankee gunboats cannot reach the shallow
Texas harbors. Unless we strike boldly now, the coast is lost forever.
If our people hold the Potomac, the Ohio, and the Missouri (after