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The girl covered her face with her hands, appalled at the sight, unnerved at the thought of being left alone in such a place. Cateras saw the movement, and laughed, gazing about carelessly. "Some boudoir, señorita," he said meaningly. "Well, we will see what can be done for you later. Perhaps a few hours in such a hole may work a miracle. When I come again you will be glad to see even me.
I reckon he's been mixed up in scrapes enough down thar, but they had mighty little to do with revolutin'. He's just plain bad man, miss cattle thief, an' all round outlaw. There's a price on his head in three States, but nobody dares go after it, because of the dangerous gang he controls." Her eyes sought the distant figure doubtfully. "And this man this Juan Cateras what of him?"
He looked at the two men closely, and his voice easily reached the ears of the listeners. "Who posted you here?" "Juan Cateras, señor," answered one. "Not on my order. Dias is watching above. Did the lieutenant give you a reason?" "The prisoners, señor." "The prisoners! Oh, yes; those that Lacy had confined here. Well, they will not be here for long.
"I can count about a dozen out there," he said finally, his words barely audible, and his eye still at the slight opening. "All Mexican except two they look American. Most of them are armed. You must have pricked Mendez, for he has one arm in a sling, and the cloth shows bloody. Ah! Wait! The fellows have searched the cells and discovered Cateras. Do you hear that yell?
"Even if you succeeded in overawing these two, we would have no way of securing them. An alarm would be given before we could get beyond reach. Our only hope of escape lies in getting out of here unseen." "Yes, and before Cateras is discovered." "He gave no orders to the guard to return?" "No; but he will be missed after a while and sought for.
Cateras seemed to have regained his good humour, although the red welt across his face stood forth ugly in the flare. His thin lips smiled, and he bowed hat in hand, hatefully polite. "Go ahead with the light, Silva; not too fast, my man; the room beyond the señor's. Now, Merodez, release the girl." "Ah, so you can stand alone, señorita; that is well.
I ain't greatly afeerd o' Mendez, but I wouldn't put nuthin' past this Cateras lad, if he got some hell idea in his head. He's Injun-Mex, an' that's the worst kind." The wagon lurched down a steep bank, splashed its way across the narrow stream, and up the other side, the horses straining in their harness to the sharp snap of the driver's whip.
Miss Donovan hesitated a moment before she answered, wondering whether to tell him of her narrow escape. This she decided to do. "Alive, but only by luck," she said in a friendly voice, and then recounted the insults of Cateras, her struggle with him, and capture of his cartridge belt and revolver, and how finally she had left him bound and gagged in the adjoining cell.
He return here where it is safe: yet the right time will come." "But you, señor?" "I am his lieutenant Juan Cateras," and he bowed low, "and I ride now to tell him of his guest." She watched him as he spurred forward, proud of his horsemanship, and making every effort to attract her attention. Moore turned in his seat, and grinned.
I have done it to worse than you. Look up at me." She lifted her eyes slowly, her lips pressed tightly together. She was conscious of depression, of fear, yet as her glance encountered his, a sudden spirit of defiance caused her to stand erect. "There are some women with whom you are not acquainted, Señor Cateras," she said quietly, desperation rendering her voice firm.
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