He speaks
the language of the gringo less well even than I. From what
country is he?"
Billy Byrne would have asserted with some show of asperity
that he was nothing if not American; but Bridge was quick to
see a possible loophole for escape for his friend in Pesita's
belief that Billy was no gringo, and warned the latter to
silence by a quick motion of his head.
"He's from 'Gran' Avenoo,'" he said. "It is not exactly in
Germany; but there are a great many Germans there. My
friend is a native, so he don't speak German or English
either--they have a language of their own in 'Gran' Avenoo'."
"I see," said Pesita--"a German colony. I like the
Germans--they furnish me with much ammunition and rifles.
They are my very good friends. Take Miguel and the gringo
away"--this to the soldiers who had brought the prisoners to
him--"I will speak further with this man from Granavenoo."
When the others had passed out of hearing Pesita addressed
Billy.
"I am sorry, senor," he said, "that you have been put to so
much inconvenience. My men could not know that you were
not a gringo; but I can make it all right. I will make it all
right. You are a big man. The gringos have chased you from
their country as they chased me.
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