At that the man called back tauntingly the old Spanish proverb: "He
who takes Pecachua, sleeps in the palace." McGraw did not understand
Spanish, and looked at me appealingly, and I retorted, "We've altered
that, sir. The man who sleeps in the palace will take Pecachua
tonight."

And McGraw added: "Yes, and he won't take it with thirty pieces of
silver, either."

I started away, beckoning to McGraw, but, as we moved, Mr. Fiske
pushed his pony forward.

"Can you give me a pass, sir?" he asked. He shouted the words, for the
roaring of the storm drowned all ordinary sounds. "In case I meet with
more of your men, can you give me a written pass?"

I knew that the only men of ours still outside of the city were a few
scouts, but I could not let Fiske suspect that, so I whipped out my
notebook and wrote:

"To commanders of all military posts: Pass bearer, Joseph Fiske, his
family, servants, and baggage-train.

"ROYAL MACKLIN,

"Vice-President of Honduras"

I tore out the page and gave it him, and he read it carefully and
bowed.