The names of men were called as scouts, and the response was quick, as one after another ran to the kiva for orders, and then started on the run towards mesa and forest.
Don Ruy looked after them with eyes perplexed.
“Does the Cacique regard the mirage with earnestness?” he said to the padre who also watched and listened. “The man has a quick, good brain and marvellous understandings,––but to prepare for battle because of a sun picture in the sand is scarce what I looked for in him.”
Padre Vicente smiled with his lips, and stroked his beard.
“You have yet to learn that the Indian magic workers let no tricks go by to prove their greatness,”––he said. “That wench and José were witness to the thing––thus he must claim it as his own! When the scouts find no Navahu warriors, be sure it will be for the reason that the magic of the sorcerer caused them to turn back in weakness on the trail!”
“That will but strengthen his power, if it be so,” agreed the younger man,––“and how will you surmount that fear of him, and win the renegade of Ni-am-be to give the word we need?”
“Protection and a life of ease away from the Indian magicians is a good bribe for an outcast,––and it may be that fortune plays into our hands. I could wish that the Cacique would follow the scouts with his mummeries and incantations. You see how they have taught even José the fear of him!”
“Yes––I do see, and but for the story that in this one village is held the gold secret, I should say to move camp to some province where bookish caciques hold no sway. How account you for the keen brain of this wonder-worker? We have pampered and 238 tutored numbskulls in Seville who know not even their own creed so well as it is known by this heretic barbarian.”
“Without doubt it is the power of the Prince of Darkness,” and Padre Vicente gave the opinion with all due force––having in remembrance that scene of the gift of the rosary in the kiva, and seeing clearly that the Spanish adventurer had more than a little of admiration for the unexpected daring of the pagan.––“Witchcraft and sorcery are of the Devil, and both white men and savages do trade their souls for evil knowledge. To strip him of his ill-gotten power would be a work of grace for the Faith––and it is a thing for which each Christian should gladly say many prayers!”