“Good,” he replied, a wistful sense of gratitude stealing over him at the reassuring thought of their presence. “Bien, we will not disturb them.”
Summoning Rosendo and Don Jorge, the three men sought the lake’s edge. There, seated on the loose shales, they wrestled with their problem until dawn spread her filmy veil over the shimmering stars.
Long before sun-up the soldiers and the peones, whom Captain Morales had impressed, were busy gathering the commandeered rifles and carrying them down to the gunboat Hercules, waiting at the mouth of the Boque river, some six or eight miles distant, and over a wild trail. The townsfolk, thoroughly frightened, hugged the shelter of their homes, and left the streets to the troops. Though they detested the soldiers, yet none would lightly risk a blow from the heavy hand of Morales, whose authority on a punitive expedition of this sort was unlimited. The summary execution of the Alcalde had stricken them with horror, and left an impression which never would be erased from their memories.
Immediately after the early desayuno the captain appeared at Rosendo’s door. He had come to say farewell to the priest. All of the soldiers had disappeared down the trail, with the exception of the two who formed the captain’s small personal escort.
“Conque, adios, Señor Padre” he called cheerily, as he approached. Josè was sitting at table with Rosendo’s family and Don Jorge. Instinctively he rose hastily, and seizing Carmen, thrust her into the adjoining bedroom and closed the door. Then he went out to face the captain.
“Much excitement for your little pueblo, no?” exclaimed the captain with a bluff laugh as he grasped Josè’s hand. “But a lesson like this will last a century. I rejoice that I found it unnecessary to burn the town.”
Josè trembled as he replied. “Señor Capitán, I, too, rejoice. But––the state of the country––what may we expect?”
The captain laughed again. “Caramba, Padre mío! who can say? There is much talk, many angry looks, much gesturing and waving of hands. Congress still sits. The President sees fit to send me here, without order from the Departmental 329 Governor. Hombre! what will follow? Quien sabe?” He shrugged his shoulders with that expressive Latin gesture which indicates complete irresponsibility for and indifference to results.
Josè’s heart began to beat more regularly. He again took the captain’s hand. He was eager to see him depart. “Bueno pues, Señor Capitán,” he said hurriedly. “I wish you every felicitation on your return trip. Ah––ah––your orders contained no reference to––to me?” he added hesitatingly.