"Estevan, my darling child," she exclaimed, throwing herself on his breast, to which she was clasped in the most affectionate embrace.
"How did you come here, and whence?" he asked, after a time.
"From the camp of the redskins."
"Already!" said he, in astonishment.
"Yes; my mistress sends me to you."
"And who was the man with you, mother?"
"Don Torribio himself."
"Malediction!" exclaimed the mayor domo; "I have let him escape, when I had covered him for five minutes with my rifle. But we will not stay here. Come with me. As soon as I have placed you in safety, you shall relate what your mistress has charged you to communicate to me."
When they got into the presidio, Don Estevan made his mother recount the incidents of their expedition.
"Ah!" said he more than once; "Women are imps of cunning; men are but fools beside them!"