“It is a part of my business to investigate suspicious characters,” the lieutenant said.
“Have a care, officer! The score I hold against you already is a heavy one!”
“Your presence here, and your manifest determination to remain, are annoying, señor.”
“Were you at your post at the presidio, it would not annoy you, allow me to say.”
“Those of the mission——”
“I have been given to understand, señor,” the caballero interrupted, “that I do not exist for those at the mission. As for yourself, if you seek hospitality I have none to offer you. Suppose you give me the pleasure of your absence.”
“Señor!”
“Señor!” the caballero mocked, sweeping sombrero from his head and bowing low.
The comandante snarled in sudden rage and his blade leaped half from its scabbard. Taking a step backward, the caballero put hand to hilt again, and waited. Thus they faced each other beside the creek, while frailes and neophytes watched from the wall, expecting the two men to clash. But the rage died from the officer’s face, and he snapped his sword back in place again.
“You are a clever rogue, Captain Fly-by-Night,” he said. “Almost you taunted me to combat. An officer of his excellency’s forces cannot stoop to fight with such as you.”