“Think you they will stand in the middle of El Camino Real and await our pleasure?” Gonzales growled. “What pirate would be abroad a night like this? Could we but meet some—ha! There is a special reward for pirates!”
Even before they had reached the entrance of the presidio, he began shouting his orders. Torches flared, and men ran to prepare the horses. Fifteen minutes later, with Gonzales at their head, they rode across the plaza and out upon El Camino Real, their mounts snorting, their sabers rattling.
From the crest of a slope a few hundred yards away, Barbados and his evil crew watched them depart upon their mounts.
CHAPTER III.
SUDDEN TURMOIL.
While the blushes played across her cheeks, Señorita Lolita Pulido sat at one end of the big table in the great living-room of her father’s house and watched the final preparations for her wedding.
Don Carlos, her gray-haired father, watched proudly from the foot of the table. Doña Catalina, her mother, walked majestically around the room and gave soft commands. Native servants scurried like rats in and out of the great room, carrying bundles of silks and satins, gowns, intimate garments.
“To-morrow!” Don Carlos sighed, and in the sigh was that which spoke of cruelties bravely borne. “To-morrow, señorita, you become the bride of Don Diego Vega, and the first lady of Reina de Los Angeles. And my troubles, let us hope, are at an end.”
“Let us hope so,” said Doña Catalina.
“The Governor himself dare not raise his hand against the father-in-law of Don Diego Vega. My fortunes will increase again. And you, daughter of my heart, will be a great lady, with wealth at your command.”