"Yes," he answered. "That is certain, and, on the whole, it is good that there is to be. People are always pleased with that which is novel, and up to this time there have been no kings on the throne bearing the name of Valeriano. _I_ think Valeriano the First will make a very pretty autograph. Don"t you?"
"Indeed I do!" I cried. "Write one for me, won"t you?"
But the sagacious warrior merely winked his eye, and by a swish of his machete courteously gave me to understand that the audience was over.
I immediately cabled to Washington the results of my interview, and, by the time I got back to London, had the pleasure of reading in the newspapers that the United States Senate had confirmed my appointment of First a.s.sistant Vivandiere to the Department of Manila, with the rank of captain, for services rendered, wherefore I have given up the pleasant task of interviewing celebrities for the sterner duties of war.
I was glad also to learn that the Administration, acting upon my advices, had taken steps to make Ohio impregnable by sea in any event.
The Gibraltar of American politics should not be allowed to fall into the hands of a ruthless Castilian like Weyler, and, frankly, whatever else our government will permit, I do not think it will ever do this, and as long as we possess Ohio we need have no fear that we shall be governed by foreign people.
THE END