"I have several men who are rather severely wounded. May I leave them here in your care while we push on farther?"
"Certainly, my friend, certainly. But, Morando, you are tired, I know; so are your men. Alight, every one of you, for rest and refreshment. Filipo, call the servants from the siesta."
The loud blast of Filipo's bugle brought life into the hacienda house and around it.
"Muchas gracias, señor. I cannot remain. We have been engaging Yoscolo since yester noon. This morning a large number of the renegades came to the front and fought vigorously for a time. Then they scattered. Some of the prisoners have told us that, during the fight, Yoscolo and a picked body of his men doubled around us, intending to cut across the valley, and make the Santa Cruz mountains at La Cuesta de los Gatos. We must hurry in pursuit."
"Yoscolo, is it? Caramba!" from Mendoza. "In an hour O'Donnell comes here. I'll guarantee he will be glad to ride with you after Yoscolo."
"I should be glad of his services, but——"
"But, wait, Captain. O'Donnell will pick up the rascal's trail as no other man can. Before night he will be riding in his heels. Come, Morando, dismount. Let your men take the horses to the stables."
"I know of O'Donnell's value in such contests as this; but the trail will be an hour colder."
"Not so, Captain. The Indian will leave false tracks in abundance. The Americano frontiersman's eyes will not be deceived. Better wait, my friend."
Morando finally consented. The wounded men were cared for, and the weary men and horses were refreshed.