“‘He promises you your life.’
“‘Our life is our own. And do you, Santierra, advise us to surrender to that rastrero?’
“‘No!’ I shouted. ‘But he wants his wife and child, and he can cut you off from water.’
“‘Then she would be the first to suffer. You may tell him that. Look here—this is all nonsense: we shall dash out and capture you.
“‘You shall not catch me alive,’ I said firmly.
“‘Imbecile!’
“‘For God’s sake,’ I continued hastily, ‘do not open the gate.’ And I pointed at the multitude of Peneleo’s Indians who covered the shores of the lake.
“I had never seen so many of these savages together. Their lances seemed as numerous as stalks of grass. Their hoarse voices made a vast, inarticulate sound like the murmur of the sea.
“My friend Pajol was swearing to himself. ‘Well, then—go to the devil!’ he shouted, exasperated. But as I swung round he repented, for I heard him say hurriedly, ‘Shoot the fool’s horse before he gets away.
“He had good marksmen. Two shots rang out, and in the very act of turning my horse staggered, fell and lay still as if struck by lightning. I had my feet out of the stirrups and rolled clear of him; but I did not attempt to rise. Neither dared they rush out to drag me in.