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Now, Juan," he addressed the dazed countryman, "I have one order for you. Every night of your life you and your pretty wife must say a prayer for the safety and happiness of this beautiful lady who has induced me to spare you. Do you promise?" "We promise!" eagerly cried the pair. "Good! See that you keep your word. On the day that you forget for the first time Luis Longorio will come to see you.
His name was O'Malley. He had come from Monclova, whence the Rebels had banished him under threat of death. He had seen his church despoiled of its valuables, his school closed; he himself had managed to escape only by a miracle. During his flight toward the border he had suffered every indignity, and finally Longorio had intercepted him and brought him here, practically in chains.
Longorio by no means shared her disappointment. On the contrary, he assured her they were making splendid progress, and he was delighted with her grasp of detail and her knowledge of business essentials. At his word all Nuevo Pueblo bowed and scraped to her, she was treated with impressive formality, and even the military guards at the various headquarters presented arms when she passed.
Dave nodded his agreement; for the first time Blaze noted how white and set was his friend's face. "Longorio must have foreseen what was coming," Dave went on. "That country's aflame; Americans aren't safe over there. If war is declared, a good many of them will never be heard from. He knows that. He's got her safe. She can't get out." Blaze was very grave when next he spoke.
"They look very poor," said Alaire, and opened her purse; but Longorio would not permit her to give. Extracting a large roll of paper money from his own pocket, he tossed it, without counting, to Juan, and then when the onlookers applauded he loudly called to one of his officers, saying: "Oiga! Give these good friends of mine two horses, and see that they are well cared for.
Turning upon the others, Alaire explained: "I've sent for some of the women, and they'll be here in a minute. Father, this man has come for me. He loves me. Will you marry us, before Longorio arrives?" "Alaire!" Dave exclaimed. She stilled him with a gesture. "Quick! Will you?" Father O'Malley was bewildered. "I don't understand," he expostulated. "Nor I," echoed Dave.
That is the end of the matter." With a graceful gesture Longorio dismissed the subject. "Is it to be my pleasure," he next inquired, "to meet Señor Austin, your husband?" "I am afraid not." "Too bad. I had hoped to know him and convince him that we Federales are not such a bad people as he seems to think.
As if to shut out a vision or to escape some dazzling sight, he dosed his eyes. Alaire wondered if the fellow had been drinking. She turned to Dolores to find that good woman wearing an expression of stupefaction. It was very queer; it made Alaire extremely ill at ease. Longorio opened his eyes and smiled.
"I can't argue politics with you," Alaire interrupted, positively. "I believe most Americans agree that you have cause for complaint, but what has that to do with my ranch and my cattle? This is something that concerns no one except you and me." Longorio was plainly flattered by her words, and took no trouble to hide his pleasure. "Ah! If that were only true!
Once there was a fine ranch owned by a man who had two lovely daughters girls of great respectability and refinement. But the man was a Candelerista. Longorio killed him he and his men killed everybody on the hacienda except the daughters, and those he captured. He took them with him, and for no good purpose, either, as you can imagine.
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