“Not orders, good Benito. I wish you to do me a favour.”
“Command me, s’ñorita!”
“You know the spot of open ground at the top of the hill—where the three roads meet?”
“As well as the corral of your uncle’s hacienda.”
“Good! Go there. You will find a man lying upon the ground, his arms entangled in a lazo. Release, and let him go free. If he be hurt—by a harsh fall he has had—do what you can to restore him; but don’t tell him who sent you. You may know the man—I think you do. No matter for that. Ask him no questions, nor answer his, if he should put any. Once you have seen him on his legs, let him make use of them after his own fashion. You understand?”
“Perfectamente, s’ñorita. Your orders shall be obeyed to the letter.”
“Thanks, good Benito. Uncle Silvio will like you all the better for it; though you mustn’t tell him of it. Leave that to me. If he shouldn’t—if he shouldn’t—well! one of these days there may be an estate on the Rio Grande that will stand in need of a brave, faithful steward—such an one as I know you to be.”
“Every one knows that the Doña Isidora is gracious as she is fair.”
“Thanks—thanks! One more request. The service I ask you to do for me must be known to only three individuals. The third is he whom you are sent to succour. You know the other two?”
“S’ñorita, I comprehend. It shall be as you wish it.”