The Buccaneer Farmer, page 179 by Harold Bindloss
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looked surprised, but they saluted him politely, and soon afterwards the girl, who was nearest, looked round.
"You have courage, señor," she remarked in a meaning tone.
"I do not know if courage is needed," Kit replied, forcing a smile. "It looks as if I could no longer meddle with politics."
"Then, since you could not help Alvarez, why did you come?"
"I imagined I could help him, until I saw the presidio was burnt," Kit replied. "In fact, I haven't found out what has happened yet."
The girl studied him with some curiosity, but Kit felt that he had nothing to fear from her.
"If one did not know that you were incorruptible, one could understand your rashness," she said, in a mocking tone. "I suppose your steamer is in the lagoon?"
Kit looked round. The café was crowded, but the people were talking excitedly, and nobody seemed to notice him and the girl. The noise would prevent their talk being heard.
"There is no use in denying it, because Galdar's spies have, no doubt, seen her. I would be glad if you can tell me what has become of the president."
Francisca gave him a keen glance. "You do not know Alvarez is dead?"
"Ah!" said Kit. "I did not know. Was he killed?"
"He died soon after the fighting began. The doctors say it was apoplexy; he had been hurrying about in the burning sun."
"I wonder--He was a strong man and used to the sun."
Francisca smiled. "One does not ask questions at a time like this. It is prudent to believe what one is told. When the soldiers lost their leader they ran away."
Kit was silent for a few minutes. He had had a faint hope that the president might rally his supporters and begin the fight again, but the hope was gone. He knew all he wanted, and must leave the town as soon as he had had some food.
"Alvarez was a friend of mine, and the news you have given me is something of a shock," he said. "I think the country will feel its loss, but that is not my business, and since