“Don’t you think, sir, that leniency might be observed in this case?” he said. “The man’s wife and children, the excitement, the chagrin of losing the contest, and——”
“Say no more; say no more,” was the abrupt reply. In fact, at the sight of the man’s terrified wife and bewildered children, the Don himself had experienced a feeling of compunction, “Jose, your life is saved——”
The abject creature sprang up, pouring out a fulsome stream of thanks and blessings. But the Don abruptly checked him.
“Had it not been for your wife and children, and for the noble intercession of this young man whom you attempted foully to assassinate, I should have hanged you without loss of time. But their pleadings have had weight with me——”
“Oh, the blessings of the saints on the caballero’s head,——” began the Mexican, but once more he was cut short.
“But I only remit your sentence on one condition,” went on the Don, “and that is that you leave this part of the country forever. My overseer will supply you with the money. If within twelve hours you are in the neighborhood of Santa Anita, your life shall pay the penalty. Now go!”
The Mexican reeled to his feet, and, shunned by the crowd, tottered off. Only his wife and children clung to him.
“Strange that often the worst of men will have the most faithful wives and devoted children,” mused the Don. “But come,” he said, putting aside his momentary gravity, “do not let us mar the day by this incident. Senor Merrill, you will now proceed to the stand where your prize awaits you.”
At this the crowd set up a great cheer, and surrounded by his friends, Jack rode to the grandstand where the senorita, still pale, but radiant, presented him with the prize. Jack, crimson to the roots of his hair, stammered out something in reply, he never knew what; and then bending low he presented the lance tip on which the ring still reposed to the senorita. With a blush and a smile she took the ring and snatching a red rose from her hair affixed it to the point of his lance. What a shout went up then! And in the midst of it our party rode off, for the roping contest had been called.