She began to be amused by the situation and regarded the angry man with a curious smile. There was but one horse, and that one already far spent. Miguel Cardanza had never walked a step in his life when riding had been possible. Anita examined her torn attire and wounded hands, though these caused her little pain now, since her young and healthful blood recovered swiftly from any hurt. Yet now was a chance to test how true a “gentleman” was the Señor Miguel Cardanza!
Her laughing audacity nettled him and he remarked, ungraciously:
“It’s miles if it’s a rod. Must I walk? Can you? Well, then, bitter pills must e’en be swallowed.”
With that he swung Anita upon Lady Jane and leaped into the saddle before her, then goaded the doubly-burdened animal to its swiftest pace. In this fashion and in due time the ill-assorted couple appeared before old Marta at her kitchen door, and set that astonished person trembling and gasping at the extraordinary sight, Miguel and Anita, riding double! Indeed, and indeed! They had all gone mad that day!
“Anita—the podrida—my son—”
During her return ride the girl had scorned to support herself by so much as a touch upon her cavalier’s belt, but she now coquettishly clasped his sturdy waist and sweetly answered:
“Yes, Mother Marta, it is even so I bring back your little son quite safe. Yet I have suffered much, and it was that Amador who spilled the children’s supper and— Hark!”
A shrill whistling sound silenced the words on her lips.
CHAPTER VI
THE NORTHER
“O, brother! We must ride fast, fast! We must not stop one single minute—if they should get us—why did our father go away!”