``That was true at first,'' he interrupted, ``but it is not so now.I should be glad, General, to take you over the men's quarters at any time.As for their not having been paid, they were never paid by their own Government before they came to us and for the same reason, because the petty officers kept back the money, just as they have always done.But the men are paid now.However, this is not of the most importance.Who is it that complains of the terms of our concession?''
``Every one!'' exclaimed Mendoza, throwing out his arms, ``and they ask, moreover, this: they ask why, if this mine is so rich, why was not the stock offered here to us in this country? Why was it not put on the market, that any one might buy? We have rich men in Olancho, why should not they benefit first of all others by the wealth of their own lands? But no! we are not asked to buy.All the stock is taken in New York, no one benefits but the State, and it receives only ten per cent.It is monstrous!''
``I see,'' said Clay, gravely.``That had not occurred to me before.They feel they have been slighted.I see.'' He paused for a moment as if in serious consideration.``Well,'' he added, ``that might be arranged.''
He turned and jerked his head toward the open door.``If you boys mean to go to town to-night, you'd better be moving,'' he said.The two men rose together and bowed silently to their guest.
``I should like if Mr.Langham would remain a moment with us,''
said Mendoza, politely.``I understand that it is his father who controls the stock of the company.If we discuss any arrangement it might be well if he were here.''
Clay was sitting with his chin on his breast, and he did not look up, nor did the young man turn to him for any prompting.``I'm not down here as my father's son,'' he said, ``I am an employee of Mr.Clay's.He represents the company.Good-night, sir.''
``You think, then,'' said Clay, ``that if your friends were given an opportunity to subscribe to the stock they would feel less resentful toward us? They would think it was fairer to all?''
``I know it,'' said Mendoza; ``why should the stock go out of the country when those living here are able to buy it?''
``Exactly,'' said Clay, ``of course.Can you tell me this, General? Are the gentlemen who want to buy stock in the mine the same men who are in the Senate? The men who are objecting to the terms of our concession?''
``With a few exceptions they are the same men.''
Clay looked out over the harbor at the lights of the town, and the General twirled his hat around his knee and gazed with appreciation at the stars above him.
``Because if they are,'' Clay continued, ``and they succeed in getting our share cut down from ninety per cent to fifty per cent, they must see that the stock would be worth just forty per cent less than it is now.''
``That is true,'' assented the other.``I have thought of that, and if the Senators in Opposition were given a chance to subscribe, I am sure they would see that it is better wisdom to drop their objections to the concession, and as stockholders allow you to keep ninety per cent of the output.And, again,''
continued Mendoza, ``it is really better for the country that the money should go to its people than that it should be stored up in the vaults of the treasury, when there is always the danger that the President will seize it; or, if not this one, the next one.''
``I should think--that is--it seems to me,'' said Clay with careful consideration, ``that your Excellency might be able to render us great help in this matter yourself.We need a friend among the Opposition.In fact--I see where you could assist us in many ways, where your services would be strictly in the line of your public duty and yet benefit us very much.Of course Icannot speak authoritatively without first consulting Mr.
Langham; but I should think he would allow you personally to purchase as large a block of the stock as you could wish, either to keep yourself or to resell and distribute among those of your friends in Opposition where it would do the most good.''
Clay looked over inquiringly to where Mendoza sat in the light of the open door, and the General smiled faintly, and emitted a pleased little sigh of relief.``Indeed,'' continued Clay, ``Ishould think Mr.Langham might even save you the formality of purchasing the stock outright by sending you its money equivalent.I beg your pardon,'' he asked, interrupting himself, ``does your orderly understand English?''
``He does not,'' the General assured him, eagerly, dragging his chair a little closer.
``Suppose now that Mr.Langham were to put fifty or let us say sixty thousand dollars to your account in the Valencia Bank, do you think this vote of want of confidence in the Government on the question of our concession would still be moved?''
``I am sure it would not,'' exclaimed the leader of the Opposition, nodding his head violently.
``Sixty thousand dollars,'' repeated Clay, slowly, ``for yourself; and do you think, General, that were you paid that sum you would be able to call off your friends, or would they make a demand for stock also?''