United States or Iraq ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He had hastened ahead to Mendez; told a tale in his own way, rendering the chief's suspicions of Lacy more acute, and thus gaining permission to assume full charge. Her only hope was to go herself into the presence of the leader, and make a plea to him face to face. Moore was already at the horses' heads, and was turning them about in the trail. Cateras, smiling, pressed her arm with his fingers.
"Even if we got away now, we would be pursued, and overtaken, for the desert offers few chances for concealment. If we can reach that smaller cabin unseen we ought to be safe enough there for hours. Cateras will not bother, and with Mendez captive, his men will not learn what has occurred. Is not this our best plan, Mr. Cavendish?" "And at night?"
I cannot promise; Señor Cateras " "Señor Cateras will not be there," she interrupted sharply. "We have already seen to Señor Cateras. The others will obey you?" "They may; I cannot promise." "Then it will be your own loss; for if there be a shot fired, you will get either a bullet or a knife thrust. I would try no sharp tricks, Señor Mendez. Now we go on."
The next instant, before the astounded Mexican could even throw up an arm in defence, the infuriated girl struck, the stinging lash raising a red welt across the swarthy cheek. Cateras staggered back, his lips giving utterance to a curse. Again she struck, but this time his fingers gripped the leather, and tore it from her hands, with sufficient force to send her to her knees.
It was the Mex all right, an' some o' his bunch." "And Lacy didn't know they were there?" "I reckon not; leastways he never said so, an' they'd only come a few days." "How many are they?" "Maybe a dozen; I don't just know. I saw eight, or ten, round the bunk-house, besides ol' Mendez an' that dude lieutenant of his, Juan Cateras. I ain't got no use fer that duck; I allers did want ter soak him.
"Take her within no, there; the second door, you fools." Breathless from effort, a mere child in their grip, Miss Donovan struggled vainly. They forced her through the door, and Cateras, still cursing furiously followed, the whip in his hands. It never occurred to Westcott on his escape through the darkness that his night's adventure would in any way endanger Miss Donovan.
I was brought in this way, yet my memory is not clear. There are two log houses before the cave?" "Yes," he answered readily, "one somewhat larger than the other the men occupy that; the other is for myself and my officers." "Besides Cateras?" "No, not at present; at times I have guests. It would be pleasurable to entertain you, and your friend." "No doubt. You expect Lacy?" "You know that also?
She could not think; she was only conscious of a deadly, paralysing horror. Cateras slammed the intervening door, and strode past. What occurred was not clear to her mind; but suddenly what appeared to be an open fireplace seemed to swing aside, leaving revealed a great black opening in the rock.
Flattening herself against the sides of the passage, she thought quickly; to return to the cell in which lay Juan Cateras would be unwise, for he might break the bonds, which were none too strong, and, in his fury at having been so easily duped, subject her to unknown but anyway horrible indignities, if not death itself. But what other course was there?
"Juan Cateras, the little devil," muttered Sikes, as the rider drew nearer. "There's some pot brewing if he is in it." The rider drew up his horse, and lifted his hat, his smiling lips revealing a row of white teeth. "A pleasant day, señor," he said graciously, his dark eyes searching the faces of the two men, and then dwelling with interest on the woman.
Word Of The Day