By some mischance the General has discovered that you are an American, and Major Alvarez is charged with your capture.

You have been traced to this point, and even now the hill is being surrounded to prevent your escape.

Within two minutes soldiers will ascend from all sides, and, until they come, you are my prisoner." At this Ridge started back and clapped a hand to his pistol.
"But I do not forget," continued the other, "that I am also your prisoner, on parole not to fight against your countrymen, or that to you I owe my life.

So I am come to save yours and aid your escape, or die beside you in making the attempt.

First, though, let us exchange prisoners, for, amigo, it has come to me within these two days that I cannot desert my own people in this time of their need.