"
Colonel Onate leaned forward and whispered something to General
Carlo, who shook his head and frowned. Presently the black head
of Chaves joined them, and the three were in excited discussion.
Arms waved like signals, as is usual among the Latin races who
talk with their hands and expressive shrugs of the shoulders.
Outvoted by two to one, Onate appealed to the governor, who came
up and listened, frowning, to both sides of the debate. In their
excitement the voices raised, and to Bucky came snatches of
phrases that told him his life hung in the balance. Carlo and
Chaves were for having him executed out of hand, at latest, by
sunset. The latter was especially vindictive. Indeed, it seemed
to the ranger that ever since he had mentioned his name this man
had set himself more malevolently to compass his death. Onate
maintained, on the other hand, that their prisoner was worth more
to them alive than dead. There was a chance that he might weaken
before morning and tell secrets. At worst they would still have
his life as a card to hold in case of need over the head of the
rebels. If it should turn out that this was not needed, he could
be executed in the morning as well as to-night.
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