“In the shadows of our mission walls he has met his gentiles and conspired, no doubt. We do not know which of the natives here at the mission are corrupted and which are loyal. Now that his conspiracy is known and he has been driven to the hills, he may gather his horde of savages and attack at any time. So I say it would be madness, Rojerio Rocha, for you to go to the rancho this morning.”
The younger man stopped pacing the room and stood before the fireplace in an attitude of determination.
“Rumours of Indian uprisings are as thick as buds on a pepper-tree,” he said. “The rancho is only five miles from the mission. Señorita Anita and Señora Vallejo can ride in a carreta while we ride horses. I am anxious to see the rancho of which I have inherited the half. Things may be going to ruin there.”
“Of course, there are the soldiers—” Lopez began.
“Let some of them accompany us. They are looking for this Captain Fly-by-Night, and they are as like to find him in the neighbourhood of the rancho as elsewhere. Your Indians will not attack if we have half a dozen troopers along, and they will not attack in daytime at any rate. If things do not look as they should we can return this evening. It is but a journey of five miles.”
“Your argument is a good one, Rojerio Rocha, but I still think it would be madness to make the trip.”
“I wish it. I am tired of the mission already. Was it not the intention for me to take over the rancho immediately and wed Señorita Anita after a proper interval? If you hope to be continued in the post of manager, Señor Lopez, do not begin our acquaintance by opposing everything I wish.”
Lopez turned away at that and walked to the window again, although he did not like the tone of this Rojerio Rocha and imagined there were unpleasant times ahead. And now the mild Señora Vallejo crossed the room to rest a hand on the younger man’s arm.
“Perhaps it would be better, Señor Rocha, to take the advice of Señor Lopez,” she said, in her soft voice.
“You are a very good woman, señora,” he replied, “but a poor contributor to a council of men’s intentions.”