Captain Ramón felt desperate. He had an idea that the señorita was under pirate guard in one of the buildings. He would make away with the guard and get her, he decided—ride with her away from the camp and scene of battle.
He could say, afterward, that he had believed the pirates were to be victorious, and that he wanted to rescue the señorita while yet there was time. Possibly he could make them believe that he had departed before he saw the caballeros released and the tide of battle turned.
He had no definite plans after that. Perhaps, he thought, he could keep the señorita a prisoner of his own in some out of the way place, and force her to consent to wed him. Any wandering fray could perform the ceremony. Or, all else failing, he could turn criminal, play highwayman, force the señorita to do his bidding. In an emergency, a knife thrust in the heart, a secret grave, and Captain Ramón could wander back among men, saying he had seen nothing of her, possibly claiming that a blow on the head during the battle had robbed him of his wits, and that he did not know where he had been or what had happened.
Captain Ramón had a fertile brain when it came to plotting. He watched for his chance, and escaped through the clouds of smoke, urging his horse to its utmost. He galloped around behind the buildings, so that the smoke screened his movements. Behind an adobe building he dismounted, and then crept along the wall toward the front. He crouched beside a window, lifted himself slowly, and peered inside.
There sat the señorita, her hands to her face, and lounging near the door was one of the pirates on guard.
The commandante drew his blade and crept nearer the door. He waited for a lull in the din of battle and then shouted loudly.
“At you!” he cried. “Die, soldier!”
The subterfuge had immediate results. The pirate opened the door, stepped out a couple of feet, and peered into the smoke. Captain Ramón guessed that the fellow thought the battle was drawing near.
A quick thrust, and the pirate was down, coughing out the blood of his life. Captain Ramón dashed into the building, sheathing his red blade.
The señorita sprang to her feet.