“Do I not know what is best in this matter?” the caballero demanded. “Do as I instruct, or I will have nothing further in common with you!”
“That is your answer, señor?”
“It is. I counsel more delay!”
“Then we have decided. You will remain in this camp until the blow is struck. I regret, señor, that your ideas are not ours, but we have gone too far to risk failure. Our friendship for you remains the same; it is merely a disagreement between leaders in a council of war. You will remain in the camp as we ask, señor?”
“Suppose I prefer to ride?” said the caballero.
“We cannot take that risk, señor. If you leave, we must consider you an enemy.”
Another series of grunts came from the circle; again the caballero read determination in the faces that confronted him. He got up, and the others did likewise.
“I suppose I may have a teepee, food, picket my horse?” he asked.
“You shall have every courtesy, señor. This teepee is yours, food will be furnished, you may picket your horse behind you.”
“So be it!”