"Message was hurried to me that your Indians, frenzied by pagan rites, were about to make an attack. I gathered my men, together with such volunteers as the pueblo afforded, and hot-foot came to the rescue. I see, instead, the Indians going quietly to their homes. What does it mean?"
"Come within, Señor Captain."
In a moment Morando stood with the others.
The señor told him of the coming of the padre and his dispersal of the Indians.
Señorita Carmelita entered the room, bowing to her father, then to the others.
"O, papacito, my Indian maids who ran away last week, in their madness, are back all sane and cool. They ask your forgiveness and a new lease of service."
"You alone have to do with them, my child."
The Captain was standing at attention. Red lightly tinged the girl's cheek as she saw him. She again bowed, and went out, with "I thank you, papacito."
The Indian maidens were heard on the outside loudly wailing their thanks to the señorita, as was the way of children of the wild when penitent.
"Señors, we need——"