“Many thanks to you, Capitan, but in this case it is not your sword I shall command––except to remain in its scabbard!––but your speech I must silence while we give this matter of the Cacique a season of prayer and due consideration.”
“Excellency––I do not understand––”
“You understand at least all that a soldier need, Capitan,” said Don Ruy with smiling ease. “Your commission comes from me,––and I did not bestow it for the furtherance of private quarrels. Until I give the word, your speech must not again mention the thing you suspect––”
“But––the padre––”
“Least of all must the padre or Señor Brancedori hear even a whisper of it! Neither private vengeance, nor religious war must be pursued while the company is on our present quest.”
“You would have me break my oath on the 194 cross––save a heretic alive who belongs in the deepest pit?––Excellency!”
Gonzalvo’s voice had much of pleading. He felt himself a man cheated of his righteous dues.
“Your holy vengeance will keep until our quest is over––and the more time to prepare your soul,” suggested Don Ruy. “Then––if the gold is found, and all goes well, you two can have open fight before we take the road to the south. But until that lucky hour, the first and the last word for you is––silence!”
Gonzalvo stood, staring in baffled rage. It was to the padre he should have gone first. He had played the wrong card in the game. Was Don Ruy bewitched as well as his horse?
“At least I shall have a double debt to pay when my time does come, Excellency”––he said at last. “His pagan discourse warrants him a Christian knife, and will insure him a corner of hell when I send him there!”