"The general wishes to see the prisoner," explained the messenger to the officer.
The party wheeled at a right angle, toward the headquarters of Culvera.
Steve thought he understood what this meant. Culvera had sent for him to gloat over him, to taunt him. The man wanted to hear him beg for his life. The teeth of the cowpuncher clenched tightly till the muscles of the jaw stood out like ropes. He would show this man that an American did not face a firing squad with a whine.
At sight of the captain of cavalry sitting beside Culvera the heart of Yeager leaped. The long arm of Uncle Sam had reached across the border in the person of this competent West Pointer. It meant salvation for Ruth, for his friends, possibly even for himself.
"Captain Girard wants to ask you a few questions," Culvera explained.
Without waiting for questions Yeager spoke. "Do you know that an American girl is held prisoner here, captain,—that Pasquale was driving her to a forced marriage when Holcomb shot him to save her?"
Girard turned toward the general, a question in his eyes.
Ramon shrugged his shoulders. "I told you Pasquale was a barbarian. The trouble is he was a peon. He took what he wanted."
"Her name is Ruth Seymour. She's a fine girl, captain. You'll save her, of course, and see that she gets home," continued Steve.
"I have the promise of General Culvera to see her and your friends safe to Arixico," replied Girard.