Very gently he moved away from the señora. Slowly he arose to his feet. The woman quickly realized the effect of her ill-chosen words. She arose also and stood leaning on the back of her chair. For a moment they looked at each other. She was the first to speak, a queer little smile stealing over her face.
"Well, Captain Morando, I have made report to you," the smile vanishing. "I must now—journey homeward."
He escorted the señora to her horse. Assisting her to mount he kissed her hand in parting salute.
She rode leisurely out of the pueblo, pleasantly exchanging greetings with acquaintances along the way. Once on the plains, however, she lashed her horse until the beast plunged and kicked in fury. She quelled him with bit and word, then rode at break-neck speed until he was winded.
The peon guard followed in wonderment.
CHAPTER XXIII
PEDRO ZELAYA BRINGS IMPORTANT NEWS
"On with the green boughs, Anselmo. Now, you, Francisco, the turpentine in plenty. Pronto! hombre. Pronto! Hasten! Diablo!"
The wind from the Yerba Buena side blew more and more strongly, and finally stiffened to a quarter gale.
"It is useless, Señor Zelaya," said the peon Anselmo. "The breeze from the bay so fans the blaze that there is no smoke at all, but all flame."