initiative in an unnecessary war. This Abe Lincoln is no mere
mad fool. I will send a messenger East, and urge that ten thousand
Texan cavalry be pushed right over to Arizona. We must seize the
coast. You are right! There is one obstacle, Valois, I cannot
conquer."

"What is that?" says Maxime.

"It is Sidney Johnston's military honor," thoughtfully says
Hardin. "He is no man to be played with. He will not act till he
has left the old army regularly. He will wait his commission from
our confederacy. He will then resign and go East."

"It will be too late," cries Valois. "We will be forgotten, and so
lose California."

"The worst is that the coast will stand neutral," says Hardin.

"Now, Judge," Valois firmly answers, "I have heard to-night talk of
running up the 'bear flag,' 'the lone star,' 'the palmetto banner,'
or 'the flag of the California Republic,' on the news of war. I
hope they will not do so rashly."

"Why?" says Hardin.

"I think they will swing under the new flags on the same pole,"
cries Valois, pacing the room. "If there is failure here, I shall
go East. Judge Valois offers me a Louisiana regiment. If this war
is fought out, I do not propose to live to see the Southern Cross
come down."