You are surprised! Equally so was the
Padre. Had you delayed your departure an hour you would have met them,
and I should have been debarred the pleasure of your company.
"By to-morrow," continued Perkins, placing the tips of his fingers
together reflectively, "the Government of Todos Santos will have changed
hands, and without bloodshed. You look incredulous! My dear young
friend, it has been a part of my professional pride to show the world
that these revolutions can be accomplished as peacefully as our own
changes of administration. But for a few infelicitous accidents, this
would have been the case of the late liberation of Quinquinambo. The
only risk run is to myself--the leader, and that is as it should be. But
all this personal explanation is, doubtless, uninteresting to you, my
young friend. I meant only to say that, if you prefer not to remain
here, you can accompany me when I leave the ship at nine o'clock with a
small reconnoitring party, and I will give you safe escort back to your
friends at the Mission."
This amicable proposition produced a sudden revulsion of feeling in
Hurlstone. To return to those people from whom he was fleeing, in what
was scarcely yet a serious emergency, was not to be thought of! Yet,
where could he go? How could he be near enough to assist HER without
again openly casting his lot among them? And would they not consider
his return an act of cowardice? He could not restrain a gesture of
irritation as he rose impatiently to his feet.
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