Part 14 (1/2)
”I do not say that; but I wish to know what you intend doing, and what our chances of success are?”
During this conversation, the other bandits had left their cells and ranged themselves round the speakers, whose discussion they followed with the deepest interest.
”On my word, my dear child, I do not know what answer to make you. Last evening Red Cedar spoke to me of the affair, and it appeared to us grand; but if it does not please you we will give it up. We will not mention it again; and that's all about it.”
”That is how you always are, Sandoval; it is impossible to discuss any point with you. At the slightest objection offered you flare up, and will not listen to the reasons which may be given to you.”
”I am not so, my child; I only state facts. However, here is Red Cedar; have it out with him.”
”That will not take long,” the girl answered; and turning to the squatter, who entered the grotto, bearing on his shoulders a magnificent elk he had shot, and which he threw on the ground, she said--
”Answer me a single question, Red Cedar.”
”Twenty, if it be agreeable to you, charming Gazelle,” the bandit said, with a constrained smile, which rendered him hideous.
”No, one will be sufficient. Who are the people you are engaged with?”
”A Mexican family.”
”I want to know their name.”
”I will tell it you. It is the Zarate family, one of the most influential in New Mexico.”
At this answer a vivid flush ran over the girl's face, and she displayed marks of profound emotion.
”I also propose,” the bandit continued, whose notice this flush had not escaped, ”to finish with that demon, Bloodson, on whom we have so many insults to avenge.”
”Good!” she said with increasing emotion.
The astounded brigands gazed anxiously on the girl. At length, by a violent effort, the Gazelle succeeded in rea.s.suming an air of coolness; and, addressing the Pirates, said to them, in a voice whose accent revealed a great internal agitation--
”That entirely changes the question. Bloodson is our most cruel enemy.
If I had known that at first, I should not have opposed the enterprise as I did.”
”Then--?” Sandoval ventured to interrupt. ”I consider the idea excellent; and the sooner we put it in execution, the better.”
”Very good,” Red Cedar exclaimed. ”I felt sure that the nina would support me.”
The Gazelle smiled on him.
”Whoever could understand women?” Sandoval muttered in his moustache.
”Now,” the young girl added, with extraordinary animation, ”let us hasten to make our preparations for departure, as we have not an instant to lose.”
”Caspita! I am glad we are going to do something at last,” said Orson, as he prepared to cut up the elk brought in by Red Cedar: ”we were beginning to moulder in this damp hole.”
”Leonard,” Sandoval said, ”look after the horses; fetch them from the corral, and bring them to the subterraneous pa.s.sage.”