There was no possible doubt now about that Spanish strain of cruelty.
"I presume," he said, and he seemed to Ned to bite each word, "that you meant to go to the Texans with the lying message that the word of the most illustrious General Santa Anna was not to be believed ?" "I meant to go with such a message," said Ned proudly, "but it would not be a lying one." Knowing that he was already condemned he resolved to seek no subterfuge.
"The President cannot be insulted in my presence," said Cos ominously.
"He is only a boy, General," said Almonte appealingly.
"Boys can do mischief," said Cos, "and this seems to be an unusually cunning and wicked one.

You are zealous, Colonel Almonte, I will give you that much credit, but you do not hate the Gringos enough." Almonte flushed, but he bowed and said nothing.

Cos turned again to Ned.
"You will bear no message to the Texans," he said.

"I think that instead you will stay a long time in this hospitable Mexico of ours." Ned paled a little.

The words were full of menace, and he knew that they came straight from the cruel heart of Cos.