"Don't touch me," said Ned. "I'll follow without resistance."
Santa Anna laughed.
"Let him have his way for the present, Captain Urrea," he said. "But
remember that it is due to your gentleness and mercy. Adios, Senor
Fulton, we meet again to-morrow morning, and if you survive I shall
report to Mr. Roylston the manner in which you may bear yourself."
"Good-day," said Ned, resolved not to be outdone, even in ironical
courtesy. "And now, Captain Urrea, if you will lead the way, I'll
follow."
Urrea and his soldiers took Ned from the Veramendi house and across the
street to a large and strong stone building.
"You are fortunate," said Urrea, "to have escaped immediate death. I do
not know why the name of Roylston was so powerful with our general, but
I saw that it was."
"It seemed to have its effect," said Ned.
Urrea led the way to the flat roof of the house, a space reached by a
single narrow stairway.
"I shall leave you here with two guards," he said. "I shall give them
instructions to fire upon you at the slightest attempt on your part to
escape, but I fancy that you will have sense enough not to make any such
attempt."
Urrea departed, but the two sentinels sat by the entrance to the
stairway, musket in hand.
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