"
The American smiled. "Are writers such dangerous people?"
"That altogether depends upon circumstances. The United States is
inclined to recognize the belligerency of these Cuban rebels, and
her relations with Spain are becoming daily more strained; ill-
feeling grows, and all because of the exaggerations, the
mendacities, that have gone forth from here to your newspapers. We
are determined to put down this uprising in our own way; we will
tolerate no foreign interference. War is never a pleasant thing,
but you journalists have magnified its horrors and misrepresented
the cause of Spain until you, threaten to bring on another and a
more horrible combat. Now then, you understand what I mean when I
say that you are more dangerous than a powder expert; that your
pen can do more injury, can cause the death of more Spanish troops
than could a regiment of Americans with dynamite. Your English
friend makes no secret of his business, so we shall escort him to
Neuvitas and see him safely out of the country, once for all."
"And yet you permit me to remain?" Johnnie was surprised.
"For the present, yes! That is my official message to you.
Privately, however"--the speaker eyed O'Reilly with a
disconcerting expression--"I would like to warn you. You are a
bright fellow, and you have a way with you--there's no denying it.
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