Luxurious fittings had been put in, but many of the rents and scars from the old combat were yet visible.

They entered the great dining room, and, once more, Ned stood face to face with the most glorious general, the most illustrious dictator, Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

But Ned alone stood.

The dictator sat at the head of the table, about which were Castrillon, Sesma, Cos, Gaona, the Italian, Filisola and others.

It seemed to Ned that he had come not only upon a breakfast but upon a conference as well.
The soldiers who had guarded Ned stepped back, Urrea stood by the wall, and the boy was left to meet the fixed gaze of Santa Anna.