classic features, but dark and stern. His eyes were as sombre as
Alvarado's: doubtless both knew that their day would be short, their
great gifts wasted in this far-away land, as remote from the great
civilisations where lasting reputations are made as had it been on
another planet.
He shook Roldan warmly by the hand, but he did not smile.
"Yes," he said, "it will be a pleasure to train you; and as you are
young and malleable you will adapt yourself to the new order of things
when it comes. Both Alvarado and I will write to your father; I am sure
he will send you to us in Monterey."
And then they graciously dismissed him.
As the boys left the battlefield they came upon Hill, who was sitting on
a hillock eating a sandwich. When Roldan had told his story the American
replied:
"Shake! Rolly, you've got a heap o' genius, but you've got a durned
sight more luck. You'll git there--one way or nother--if the skies fall.
And I wish ye luck, I do for a fact."
"Don Jim," said Roldan, gravely, "have you another sandwich? We are
very hungry."
End of Project Gutenberg Etext of The Valiant Runaways, by Gertrude Atherton
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