But the man of railways prided himself on being equal to every emergency.

Since he was met by the inimical sentiment of blind conservatism in Sulaco he would meet it by sentiment, too, before taking his stand on his right alone.

The Government was bound to carry out its part of the contract with the board of the new railway company, even if it had to use force for the purpose.

But he desired nothing less than an armed disturbance in the smooth working of his plans.

They were much too vast and far-reaching, and too promising to leave a stone unturned; and so he imagined to get the President-Dictator over there on a tour of ceremonies and speeches, culminating in a great function at the turning of the first sod by the harbour shore.