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As I could do nothing there, I hastened here to tell you what happened. Pobre Pedrillito!" The cloud already darkening Uraga's brow grows darker as he listens to the explanation. It has nothing to do with the death of Pedrillo, or compassion for his fate upon which he scarce spends a thought but whether there has been a miscarriage of that message of which the drowned man was the bearer.
We need not describe the duel, which, if different from other encounters of the kind, was by being on both sides bitter, and of deadly intent. Suffice it to say, that the young Kentuckian displayed a skill in swordsmanship sufficient to disarrange several of Gil Uraga's front teeth, and make an ugly gash in his cheek.
And, in proportion as these gained strength, so increased Gil Uraga's confidence in himself, till at length he assumed an air of effrontery almost insolence towards his superior officer; and towards the sister, in the interviews he was permitted with her, a manner significantly corresponding. These were few, and still less frequent, as his brusque behaviour began to manifest itself.
The motive in the speaker's mind is Uraga's desire to possess Adela. After a pause, this though: passing him, he adds, "No, Don Valerian, you are not safe here." Then, continuing, "How know you that your servant Manuel has not been recognised while executing some of those errands on which you've sent him; or that the man himself may not turn traitor?
With a full knowledge of the situation forced upon him by various events the badinage of the brilliant militario does not for a moment blind him. Circumstances have given him enough insight into Uraga's character and position to know that the tatter's motives should somewhat resemble his own.
There is in reality no road, only a trail made by wild animals, occasionally trodden by the domesticated ones belonging to Colonel Miranda; later still by Uraga's lancers. Soaked by the rain, it has become a bed of mud, into which the horses of the Rangers sink to their saddle girths, greatly impeding their progress. Whip and spur as they may, they make but slow time.
It was a cheap grace on Uraga's part, considering his ulterior design. An attendant, a sort of hospital assistant, was allowed to accompany the doctor to the cell, carrying his lints, drugs, and instruments.
Not one of the ten but would cut a throat at Gil Uraga's bidding, without asking the reason why. The picket placed on a spin of the cliff has orders to signal if any one is seen coming up the creek. If Indians appear he is to gallop into the camp, and report in person.
As if this exclamatory phrase, sent hissing through his teeth too foul to bear translation were the name of a man, one at this moment appears in the doorway, who, after a gesture of permission to enter, steps inside the room. He is an officer in full uniform one whom we have met before, though not in military costume. It is Lieutenant Roblez, Uraga's adjutant, as also his confederate in crime.
It is forming itself on Gil Uraga's lips. But before he can speak there comes a volley, filling the valley with sound, and the space around the prisoners with smoke. The reports of more than forty pieces speak almost simultaneously, none of them with the dull detonation of cavalry carbines, but the sharper ring of the rifle!
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