“And it was done without a fight?” asked Kit. “I have heard that the men picked for Soledad were not the gentlest band Señor Perez could gather.”
“We had their number,” said Rotil placidly. “Good men enough, but with their cartridges doctored what could they do? I sent in two machine guns, and they were not needed. A signal smoke went up to show me all was well, and in another minute I heard the horses of Marto and his girl. He must have started an hour before Perez arrived. It is a trick of Don José’s that no one can count on his engagements, but this time every hill had its sentinels for his trail, not anything was left to chance.”
“And your accident?” asked Kit politely.
“Oh, I was setting my own guards at every pass when the runaway woman and men caught my ear and we took a short cut down the little cañon to head them off. I knew they would make for here, and that houses were not plenty––” he smiled as if well satisfied with the knowledge. “So, as this was a friendly house it would be a safe bet to keep on coming.” He blew rings of smoke from the cigarette, and chuckled.
“The boys will think a quicksand has swallowed us, and no one will be sleeping there at Soledad.”
“Is there anything I can do to be of service,” asked Kit. “I have a good room and a bed–––”
But the chuckling of Rotil broke into a frank laugh.
“No, señor!” he said with humorous decision, watching Kit as he spoke, “already I have been told of your great kindness in the giving of beds and rooms of comfort. Why, with a house big enough, you could jail all the district of Altar! Not my head for a noose!”
Kit laughed awkwardly at the jest which was based on fact, but he met the keen eyes of Rotil very squarely.
“The Indians no doubt told you the reason the jail was needed?” he said. “If a girl picks a man to take a trail with, that is her own affair and not mine, but if a girl with chains on her wrists has to watch men throwing dice for her, and is forced to go with the winner––well––the man who would not help set her free needs a dose of lead. That is our American way, and no doubt is yours, señor.”