[CHAPTER X.]
THE CAMP OF THE REDSKINS.
The extreme care of Don Pedro and his daughter soon restored Don Estevan to perfect health.
His first care was to reveal to the hacendero, in accordance with his threat to Don Torribio, the name of the man who had originated the dastardly attack on Don Fernando, and into whose hands he had fallen.
After that communication, Don Torribio was a lost man in the estimation of Don Pedro and his daughter.
Having accomplished this piece of revenge, the mayor domo undertook the duty of discovering tidings of his friend. Chance favoured him by throwing El Zapote in his way. The worthy and conscientious vaquero was just then in the best humour for giving all the information required, in consequence of having that very morning, by a ruinous run of ill luck which fastened upon him been utterly cleaned out at monte, and left without an ochavo (a farthing). By the help of a few ounces of gold, the mayor domo contrived to learn, in the minutest detail, all that had passed, and the place where Don Fernando was concealed.
As soon as he had learned all he wanted, Don Estevan left the vaquero, and hastened his return to the hacienda.
Doña Hermosa was no ordinary woman. She was gifted with much energy, and, moreover, loved Don Fernando. She resolved to set him free; but held her tongue, in the fear of making Don Pedro uneasy. She merely expressed a wish to spend a day or two at the hacienda of Las Norias; to which Don Pedro consented, on condition of her taking with her a strong escort of resolute and well-armed peones.
Instead of going to the hacienda, the girl went to the presidio, into which she managed to find her way unnoticed by the Indians.