The general's face was swept by a grimace intended for a smile. "I have ordered your horses to be saddled."
Dave, who had with difficulty restrained his anger at the fellow's bombast, was upon the point of speaking when Father O'Malley took the words out of his mouth:
"Would you send this woman out of her own house into a country like—like this? Remember the fortune in cattle you have already taken—"
Longorio broke in with a snarl: "Is it my fault that the country is in arms? Military necessity compels me to remain here. I consider myself magnanimous. I—" His voice cracked, and he made a despairing, violent gesture. "Go, before I change my mind."
Dave signaled to the others, and Alaire slipped away to make herself
ready. During the uncomfortable silence which succeeded her departure,
Longorio paced the room, keeping his eyes resolutely turned away from
Law.
"Do you mean that I, too, may go?" O'Malley inquired.
"What good are you to me?" snapped the general.
"You will give us safe conduct?"
"Be still, priest!" Longorio glared at the speaker, clasping and unclasping his fists behind his back.
With the sound of hoofs outside, Alaire and Dolores appeared, and the
Mexican straightened himself with an effort.