The four as if by common consent turned their backs upon him and did not utter another word. The renegade understood the contempt expressed by those four silent backs, and the willful flush broke through the tan of his face. He had never hated them more bitterly.
"Come you, Henry Ware," he said roughly, "Captain Alvarez wishes to ask you some questions."
"I wouldn't go, Henry," said Long Jim. "I wouldn't hev a word to say to that Spaniard or to this white Injun either."
"He will go, whether willingly or unwillingly," said Braxton Wyatt. "I've men enough here to drag him."
"I will go willingly, Jim," said Henry addressing himself to his comrade rather than to the renegade. "It cannot do any harm, and it may help."
"Yes, it is wiser," said Paul.
"So long, boys," said Henry. "I'll be back pretty soon."
He stepped out, calmly ignoring the existence of Braxton Wyatt, and placed himself in the center of the little group of soldiers. His manner indicated clearly that he would make no attempt to escape, and, armed though the four soldiers were, and unarmed though their captive was, they breathed four simultaneous sighs of relief. Henry Ware, boy though he was, with his great height and powerful shoulders, chest, and limbs, was a truly formidable figure.
Braxton Wyatt turned the key noisily in the huge padlock that held the door.
"There," he said, "I think we've got that cattle securely fastened in the pen!"