When Nicolas at last reached the young engineers he delivered the message that Pedro Gato had regarded the whole matter as insolence, and had been very angry.
"Gato added," continued Nicolas, "that he would shoot at you when and where he pleased. And he will do it. He is a ferocious fellow."
"Humph!" muttered Tom. "If your feet don't mind, my good Nicolas,
I have a good mind to send Gato another and much shorter note.
Is it far to go!"
"N-not very far," said Nicolas, though he began to quake.
"Of course, I shall pay you well for this and all the other trouble you are taking on my account," Tom continued, gently.
"I am finely paid by being allowed to serve you at all, Senor
Reade," Nicolas protested.
CHAPTER XIII
PINING FOR THE GOOD OLD U.S.
"You will have to be very careful that Gato does not get another chance to shoot at you, mi caballero," Nicolas went on. "He does not believe that you are unarmed, or he would speedily settle with you. But he will shoot at you frequently, from ambush, if you give him the chance."
"Then I hope he'll do it frequently," grimaced Reade. "The need of frequent shooting indicates bad marksmanship."