Roderic was unable to decide what the man was up to, since Spanish soldiers as a rule are not given to exert themselves overly much.
Now and then the fellow would stop, and at such times his attitude strongly reminded the watcher of one who was straining his hearing in the hope of catching some eagerly anticipated signal.
After a little reflection Roderic felt compelled to decide that the fellow was anxiously waiting for a relief guard to appear, although this hardly satisfied him.
His duty in the premises was clear enough.
That guard was in the way.
He threatened to block their game just when, after surmounting so many difficulties, it promised to bring them success.
Such a thing could not be allowed.
The guard would have to succumb, like all Spaniards, to superior Yankee dominion.
First he must give Inez warning as to his intentions, so that she might not be alarmed when he quitted her side.