 Campo?«
    The truth of the comparison struck Charles Gould heavily. In his determined
purpose he held the mine, and the indomitable bandit held the Campo by the same
precarious tenure. They were equals before the lawlessness of the land. It was
impossible to disentangle one's activity from its debasing contacts. A
close-meshed net of crime and corruption lay upon the whole country. An immense
and weary discouragement sealed his lips for a time.
    »You are a just man,« urged the emissary of Hernandez. »Look at those people
who made my compadre a general and have turned us all into soldiers. Look at
those oligarchs fleeing for life, with only the clothes on their backs. My
compadre does not think of that, but our followers may be wondering greatly, and
I would speak for them to you. Listen, señor! For many months now the Campo has
been our own. We need ask no man for anything; but soldiers must have their pay
to live honestly when the wars are over. It is believed that your soul is so
just that a prayer from you would cure the sickness of every beast, like the
orison of the upright judge. Let me have some words from your lips that would
act like a charm upon the doubts of our partida, where all are men.«
    »Do you hear what he says?« Charles Gould said in English to Antonia.
    »Forgive us our misery!« she exclaimed, hurriedly. »It is your character
that is the inexhaustible treasure which may save us all yet; your character,
Carlos, not your wealth. I entreat you to give this man your word that you will
accept any arrangement my uncle may make with their chief. One word. He will
want no more.«
    On the site of the roadside hut there remained nothing but an enormous heap
of embers, throwing afar a darkening red glow, in which Antonia's face appeared
deeply flushed with excitement. Charles Gould, with only a short hesitation,
pronounced the required pledge. He was like a man who had ventured on a
precipitous path with no room to turn, where the only chance of safety is to
press forward. At that moment he understood it thoroughly as he looked down at
Don José stretched out, hardly breathing, by the side of the erect Antonia,
vanquished in a lifelong struggle with the powers of moral darkness, whose
stagnant depths breed monstrous crimes and monstrous illusions. In a few words
the emissary from Hernandez expressed his complete satisfaction. Stoically
Antonia lowered her veil, resisting the longing to inquire about Decoud's
