She fled from him into the house, terror giving speed to her limbs.
Upon Holcomb the dictator turned eyes that had grown cold and harsh again.
"Welcome, captain, welcome, to the Northern Legion," he said brusquely, offering a gauntleted hand.
They went into the house together, Pasquale's arm across the shoulder of the Texan.
"Dios, I'm glad to see you, captain," the insurgent chief ran on quickly. "This riff-raff of mine can't hit a hillside. Hammer the artillery into shape and I'll say gracias."
"Yes. I see you have a countrywoman of mine visiting you," the American said quietly.
"From Arizona." The Mexican laughed harshly. "We should get together more, your country and mine. We should bind the States and the Republic together by closer ties. A man without a wife is but a half man. Captain, I shall marry."
It was common knowledge of the camp that in his outlaw days Pasquale had a wife and family. The sons were grown up now. The rumor ran that the wife had found a more congenial mate and was separated from Gabriel by common agreement. Holcomb made no reference to this free-and-easy arrangement.
"Congratulations, general. Is the lady some high-born señorita?"
"The lady you have just seen is my choice—the young woman from Arizona," answered Pasquale, flashing from under his heavy grizzled brows a sharp, questioning look at the Texan.