"You'll get your name in the papers, and perhaps cause
another diplomatically worded protest, but there the matter will
end. You won't be paid for your cattle."
"Then I shall go to La Feria."
"No!" The Judge shook his head decidedly.
"I've been there a hundred times. The Federals have always been
more than courteous."
"Longorio has a bad reputation. I strongly advise against your
going."
"Why, Judge, people are going and coming all the time! Mexico is
perfectly safe, and I know the country as well as I know Las
Palmas."
"You'd better send some man."
"Whom can I send?" asked Alaire. "You know my situation."
The Judge considered a moment before replying. "I can't go, for
I'm busy in court. You could probably accomplish more than anybody
else, if Longorio will listen to reason, and, after all, you are a
person of such importance that I dare say you'd be safe. But it
will be a hard trip, and you won't know whether you are in Rebel
or in Federal territory."
"Well, people here are asking whether Texas is in the United
States or Mexico," Alaire said, lightly, "Sometimes I hardly
know." After a moment she continued: "Since you know everything
and everybody, I wonder if you ever met a David Law?"
Ellsworth nodded.
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