The man’s dark brows rose. “No, señorita. If there was a requisition served there it must have been by el coronel Lopez.”
“When did you leave the cuartel general?”
“Ten days ago. We have been working among the haciendas on the other side of the railroad. But what difference does it make—”
“A great deal.” She gave a little nod. “Since you left headquarters the señor Benson, with my manager, the señor Perrin, has gone with an offer of all our horses on favorable terms to General Valles. So that matter may also be left with him.”
“Which lets you out!” Jake, who had been fuming all this time in the background, now burst out. “Now git! That’s what I said—an’ take your dead hombre along.”
From his cold, bleak face, so dangerous in its vitriolic quiet, the man’s glance passed to Gordon, whose hand was on his gun, then to the peonas who were now crowding the patio gates. Everywhere his glance fell amid a small sea of hot, brown faces flecked with a scum of glittering, dangerous eyes. Accustomed to be met always with fawning fear, defiance was a new experience, not easily assimilated. As his glance returned to Jake and he felt the danger that loomed imminent behind his cold truculence, the instinct of defiance wilted. With a shrug he passed out into the compound through the lane the peonas opened.
While he was assembling his command Jake leaned casually across the patio wall, his rifle in the hollow of his arm, beside him Lee and Gordon, the latter now with a rifle. At the back gate Sliver and his ancianos still stood, wary and watchful. Wherefore, in spite of secret mutterings, the intruders made quick business of it.
As, with the dead man tied in his saddle and leading the horse, they passed out under the patio arch, the leader paused, bowed ironically, then followed his men.
“Saddle a fresh horse an’ go after them,” Jake ordered, when Sliver came up. “Don’t let ’em see you, but keep them in sight. After this we’ll have to keep one man circling the hills while the ancianos keep watch an’ watch at the gates.”
With Lee, Gordon had moved out to the stage and stood watching the men ride away. “I am sorry to have brought this on you,” he said, in low tones. In his ignorance of Mexican habits and treachery, he added, “Perhaps it would have been better if I had gone with him.”