“Then is he aboard the pirate craft!” Don Audre declared.
“The pirate ship sailed to the south, señor.”
“Good!” Audre cried. “Know you anything of the trading schooner?”
“Sí, señor! She is anchored straight ahead, and the men expect to start for Reina de Los Angeles in the morning to trade.”
“They will not, though they do not know it.” Don Audre said. “Here is gold for you, fellow. Ha! So the pirate ship sailed to the south. That means that the rogues are going to their hidden rendezvous somewhere down the coast. We’ll get the trading schooner and pursue! Forward!”
But, as they would have started, Don Audre Ruiz raised a hand and stopped them again. From the rear had come the beating of a horse’s hoofs. Don Audre motioned to the caballeros, and they scattered to either side of the road and prepared to receive the newcomer.
Nearer grew the beating of hoofs, and a horseman appeared, riding frantically through the moonlight down the slope and toward them. When he saw them, he reined up, and stopped in their midst in a shower of gravel and sand and dust. The reckless rider was Sergeant Gonzales.
“Ha, señores!” he called. “I have overtaken you finally, it appears.”
“And to what end?” Don Audre Ruiz asked, urging his horse forward and glaring at the soldier. “You have news?”
“Not so, señor! I come in search of it. I returned to Reina de Los Angeles with my troopers to learn of the pirates and what they had done. I learned, also, of your departure, so left my men and rode after you. Captain Ramón was not at the presidio. As the next soldier of rank—”