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Updated: June 9, 2025
The mestizo had been to the fiesta as well as his master, and his keen eyes had been busy on that day. He, too, had observed the conduct of Vizcarra; and long before their halt he had arrived at an elucidation of the many mysteries that marked the late Indian incursion. He knew all his master might have saved words in telling him. Neither words nor time were wasted.
A military force appealing below would frustrate their design. That, however, was kept in readiness, but its continued presence near the rancho, thought Vizcarra and his captain, would only frighten the bird, and prevent it from returning to its nest. There was good logic in this. Roblado, as stated, was in his quarters, completing his arrangements.
But no, nothing said of the place yes, the old place. Hell and furies! they have met before often often oh!" A groan of agony broke from the speaker, and he paced to and fro like one bereft of his senses. "Shall I tell Vizcarra now," he continued, "or wait till it is over? I shall wait. It will be a dainty bit of news along with supper.
"Well, my good fellow," replied Vizcarra, in his usual haughty and patronising manner, "let me hear it. If not unreasonable " "Your excellency, it is a very heavy favour I would ask, but I hope not unreasonable. I am sure that, if it do not interfere with your manifold duties, you will not refuse to grant it, as the interest and trouble you have already taken in the cause are but too well-known."
Bereft of his property in the midst of hostile Indians, who might change their minds, return, and massacre him and his party many hundred miles from home, or from any settlement of whites a wide desert to be traversed the further discouragement that there was no object for his going home, now that he was stripped of all his trading-stock perhaps to be laughed at on his return no prospect of satisfaction or indemnity, for he well knew that his government would send out no expedition to revenge so humble an individual as he was he knew, in fact, that no expedition of Spanish soldiery could penetrate to the place, even if they had the will; but to fancy Vizcarra and Roblado sending one on his account!
The cibolero should die like a captive Indian by fire at the stake. Vizcarra swore this! After him, the mother, too. She was deemed a witch. She should be punished as often witches have been. In this he would not have to act alone. He knew that the padres would endorse the act. They were well inclined to such fanatical cruelties. Then the sister, alone uncared for by any one.
"And yet," continued Vizcarra, following out the original theme, "it does not seem natural that he should leave them behind him, even for a short period, after what has occurred, and after the risk he ran to recover her; does it?" "No," replied the other, thoughtfully, "no.
It was at this very moment that Vizcarra had caught sight of the horseman on the bluff the sight that had so terrified him, and which indeed was no illusion. "Can it be that fiend himself?" thought Carlos, regarding the officer for a moment. "Quite likely it is he. Oh! that he were within range of my rifle! Patience patience! I will yet have my revenge!"
Vizcarra would have revenge, or try hard to obtain it. The young ranchero had other unpleasant thoughts in connexion with this affair. What could have brought the Comandante to the rancho? Who had directed him that way? What brought the troop out of the main road, their usual route of march? These were questions which Don Juan put to himself.
"It is," coldly replied Vizcarra, sipping his wine; "but to expel him, my dear Roblado, some one else might be also driven off. The rose would be plucked along with the thorn. You understand?" "Perfectly." "That, then, of course, I don't wish at least not for the present. After some time we may be satisfied to part with rose, thorn, bush, roots, and all. Ha! ha! ha!"
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