CHAPTER VI
OUT ON THE RANCHO
Giono was thoroughly beaten on his own ground, and cringed as Mr. Blunt still directed his revolver at him. The gaucho was by no means wanting in courage, for he had inherited that as a gift natural to all these wild men of the pampas. But he could not face that muzzle, nor the smiles and nudges of his comrades. He dropped his own weapon with an oath, scowled at Dudley, and turned from the group. They saw him swing away towards the back of the house, and presently he appeared again mounted on a beautiful animal, which he reined back with iron fingers till he was out of range of the pistol. Then he gave his temper full license.
"Listen, you, my late employer," he roared, shaking a quivering fist at Mr. Blunt. "Listen, you, I say. You shall regret your action. I will make you call the day an evil one when you brought that English cub with you, and I give you warning. Giono does not knuckle down to men such as you are. I will shoot you and the pup you have engaged when the first chance comes."
He shook his fist again, scowling at Mr. Blunt and Dudley, then he dug the huge rowels of his cruel spurs into the flanks of his beast, swung him round with a powerful wrench of the arm, and went off at a mad gallop, the heels of the poor animal kicking dust and earth far up behind it.
"I expected every word," said Mr. Blunt quietly. "I could have told beforehand what that gentleman was about to say. Threats do no damage, Dudley, but with a ruffian such as he is they put one on one's guard. My men, you will break into threes, take your arms, and follow that late comrade of yours till you have seen him off the rancho. After to-day the man who first catches sight of him on the place has my authority to shoot him instantly."
He waved his hand to the men and watched as they ran to the stable, and very soon they were streaming away in threes, each little party separating and galloping in the wake of Giono.
"He will not rest till he has put miles between himself and our friends," said Mr. Blunt when they were gone. "We shall see no more of him, I hope; but don't forget his warning, my lad. This is a rough country, we are out of reach of police and soldiers, and a ruffian has to be put down by those who are disposed to live a decent life. If you ever see him, do as I have commanded the men. Don't hesitate, for if you do you will have no second chance. He will see well to that.
"Now we will make a round of the rancho. It is some time since I saw the cattle, and it is always well for an owner to inspect the work of his men. Get Francia to put up some food for us, bring your gun and your rifle, and don't forget a blanket and a poncho."
They went to the house to make their preparations, and within a little while the two were cantering away, a saddle bag well filled with food slung to each saddle, a canvas sack overflowing with water to balance it on the far side, and behind the cantle a mound composed of a thick blanket and the inevitable poncho. Dudley had by now ridden all over the rancho, and had obtained some insight into the work the gauchos performed. He had also received the impression that Mr. Blunt must be a prosperous farmer or grazier, for none of the land was tilled, and numerous herds of cattle pointed to his wealth.