“You—you——!” Anita gasped.
“You will get used to the idea, señorita. Within half a score of days I shall be a king. You did not think to wed the ruler of the coast, did you, señorita? Why did you think I am so anxious to come to the rancho to-day? Because my armies had been gathering here, señorita, and because it was my place here, instead of at the mission. And I desire to get you here, with the señora, where you will be out of harm’s way until after we have succeeded. As for Lopez and the troopers—they walked into the trap, and we have five men the less to fight to-morrow night.”
He laughed loudly and took another step toward them, and the women recoiled.
“You realise—what you are saying?” the señora gasped.
“Fully, señora.”
“You—Rojerio Rocha—with the blood of the Rochas and the Fernandez in your veins—you turn renegade, lead hostile Indians, play at treason, countenance murder and rapine? Fear has turned your brain! You could not do such a thing!”
“It takes a man with good brain to do it, and travel on the Governor’s pass at the same time,” he returned, laughing again. “Rest assured I speak the truth, señora. It has taken much planning, but soon we see the culmination.”
“But—this Captain Fly-by-Night——?”
The man’s face darkened.
“A meddling fool,” he said, “who shall be sent to eternity if ever I cross blades with him again. A nothing, a novice—this man of whom you speak! Captain Fly-by-Night, eh? The fools sent out alarms concerning him, eh? They chase him and hunt him like a mad bull—while I am guest at the mission, and smile, and send out my plans and orders under the very noses of the frailes. I do not deny this man has had his uses. But I command—not he!”