As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days. In the meantime the and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico. What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.  
The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests. This, as I took it, was intended on his part as a precaution against suspicion of his . That he had no news for me was evident from his not passing me a note, though three or four opportunities offered for him to do so without detection.
 
A few days later I had a still greater surprise than the mystery of the to Mexico. It came in the form of an invitation for the Lieutenant and myself to dine at Don Pedro's. Hope, ever unquenchable in the heart of a lover, told me that the don had of his harsh and was thinking to save his niece from a fate worse than death. Never was a lover more bitterly disappointed! Don Pedro and Doña Marguerite received us with the most and cordial hospitality—but Alisanda did not appear.
 
In answer to the Lieutenant's , Doña Marguerite explained, with regret, that Señorita Alisanda was indisposed, and so could not join us. I needed no more to assure me that the dear girl was under restraint. What I could not understand was why I should have been invited to dine.
 
The nearest I could come to an explanation was a repeated assurance from Don Pedro that he and his friends were doing their utmost to persuade Salcedo that it would be advisable to hurry me out of the country with my fellow members of the expedition. This I took as an intimation that our host still regarded me as a friend, but that the sooner I was sent away from Chihuahua the more pleased he would be. When we left, shortly before the beginning of the , I had not been favored with so much as a glimpse of my lady, nor even of Chita.
 
That evening we went to bid farewell to Colonel Mayron, who had been ordered to a command in Soñora. Doña Dolores had no word for me other than her assurance that I might rely upon the constancy of Alisanda. Of that I was already certain, yet it pleased me to receive the of the fact from her true friend.
 
On the other hand, I experienced a kind of joy when Malgares took occasion to draw me aside and warn me that Medina was looking for the first opportunity to force a . I made no other reply than to request that every effort be made to keep Pike in ignorance of my private troubles, and to ask Malgares to act as my second.
 
Being at such a disadvantage with the Government, I thought it as well to refrain from explaining that Medina would not need to force me very hard to reach an issue. Also I feared that a display of eagerness on my part might cause even so a as the aide to hesitate, and I had become desirous to break the blockade of events.
 
Medina did not keep me waiting long. The following afternoon he found his opportunity in a message to us from Salcedo. As an officer, he was careful to attend first to his official business, which proved to be of a character well suited to his temper. I happened to be in one of the rear rooms when Walker him in to where Pike was thumbing over his beloved Pope's "Essay on Man."
 
Recognizing Medina's carefully voice, I lingered to adjust my with an extra touch. When I entered, the Lieutenant was in the midst of a reply to some remark by the aide: "—Therefore, Mr. Robinson and I have considered ourselves at liberty to discuss what we pleased, and as we pleased."
 
Medina met my half bow with a .
 
"May I inquire the purpose of our guest's presence with us?" I asked.
 
"He brings word from the Governor-General that it is high time we put on muzzles," replied Pike, with one of his rare flashes of anger.
 
"Por Dios!" I mocked. "Can it be Don Nimesio Salcedo does not admire our teeth?"
 
"Were I His Excellency," Medina, "certain teeth would be crusts in the calabozo."
 
"But as it is, Lieutenant de Gonzales y Medina comes as an aide in the service of His Excellency," suggested Walker.
 
The hint was sufficient to smooth Medina's front. He his gaze upon Pike, and addressed him with the most formal politeness: "Then you admit, señor, that yourself and Señor Robinson have and inculcated and republican principles throughout the period of your presence in New Spain?"
 
"It is true," replied Pike. "We came to Chihuahua at the of His Excellency, yet have been assured that we are not to regard ourselves as prisoners. Why, then, should we not discuss topics of world-wide interest with the same freedom we should enjoy in our own country?"
 
"Lieutenant Pike overlooks the of his situation."
 
"My compliments to His Excellency," retorted Pike. "My country is yet young and poor. It may as yet lack strength to resent the of Britain and France. But present to His Excellency the assurance of my confidence that the Republic can exact for injuries to its citizens and officers by a secondary power."
 
"Satanas!" swore the aide. "You dare name the great Kingdom of Spain as not among the first of the powers?"
 
"The sun of Spain is fast setting. Your statesmen at the mistakes and seeming weakness of the United States. I predict that unless Spain elects for freedom, within a century she will be shorn of the last of her glory, while free America shall grow in might beyond the grandest dreams of her citizens!"
 
"It is with the present we have now to deal, señor," Medina. "His Excellency sends you fair warning. Those who have permitted you to indulge in your Jacobinical and in their company, and in particular those who have themselves indulged in the treasonous discussions, are all noted, and their cases will be attended to in due time."
 
"That, señor, is doubtless one of the to itself by tyranny," said Pike. "As for Señor Robinson and myself, we are citizens of the United States, and not subjects of His Most Catholic . We propose to continue to express our opinions freely on all subjects."
 
"I shall report your reply to His Excellency," said Medina, rising. "Rest assured your conduct will be represented in no very favorable view to your Government."
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