The girl listened eagerly, nodding her head in agreement with the wise words of this cool and calm American. O’Neil’s companions, understanding no Spanish, had finished their meal and were dozing contentedly in their chairs.
“Have you a servant you can trust?” O’Neil asked after a moment’s thought.
“My maid, Inez,” she answered.
“All right; give her a revolver and tell her to go to each company and quietly wake the men and tell them to get ready immediately to repel an attack. If she is in danger of being captured by a lurking enemy tell her to use the revolver. I’ll leave two men with you and your father, while I’ll take two to try to bag this Garcia.”
Maria listened eagerly, hope rising as the sailor clearly outlined his plan of action. She was sure Inez could be depended upon. Quietly she flew up the stairs. As she passed her father’s room she saw that he had retired, but had left the light burning for her. She stopped a second, listening to his easy breathing. He was asleep. Then she went through her own room, a chill passing through her as her eyes turned in fear toward the window.
She took hold of Inez’s arm and shook her into wakefulness. The old woman, who had nursed Maria as a baby, sat up rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
“Keep quiet,” Maria whispered in a commanding voice. “We are all in danger of being murdered. I want you to take this revolver and go to each outpost, tell the officer on guard that it is Señor Rodriguez’s order to form his men to repel an attack at once. If you fail fire the revolver as a signal to us.”
The old woman rose to her feet trembling violently. She counted her beads, murmuring her prayers, but there was never a word of fear or hesitancy.
“Good, Inez,” Maria whispered, kissing the old wrinkled face. The girl saw it was set determinedly, yet a great and unknown terror looked out of her appealing eyes. But the girl knew that she would be the safest messenger. No one else could be depended upon like Inez, and she would sacrifice her old life willingly to help her beloved master.
When Maria again entered the dining-room O’Neil had turned out the lamp and was ready to carry out his daring plan.