our names, and knew all about
our design--that to do--_murder_! You needn't start at the word, nor
turn pale. But you may at the prospect before us. _Carrai_! we're in
danger, Calderon;--no mistake about it. Why the devil didn't you tell
me of it--at the time you saw that man?"

"Because, as I've said, I had no thought it could be any one connected
with them."

"Well, your thoughtlessness has got us into a fix indeed--the worst I've
ever been in, and I can remember a few. No use to think about duelling
now, whoever might be challenger. Instead of seconds, they'd meet us
with a posse of sheriff's officers. Likely enough they'll be setting
them after us before this. Although I feel sure our bullets didn't hit
either, it'll be just as bad. The attempt will tell against us all the
same. Therefore, it won't do to stay here. So direct your servants not
to unsaddle. We'll need to be off, soon as we've swallowed a cup of
chocolate."

A call from Don Faustino brings one of his domestics to the door; then a
word or two sends him off with the order for keeping the horses in hand.

"_Chingara_!" fiercely exclaims De Lara, striking the table with his
shut fist, "everything has gone against us."

"Everything, indeed. Our money lost, our love made light of, our
revenge baffled--"

"No, not the last! Have no fear, Faustino. That's still to come."

"How?"

"How I you ask, do you?"

"I do. I can't see what way we can get it now. You know the English
officers will be gone in a day or two. Their ship is to sail soon.
Last night there was talk in the town that she might leave at any
moment--to-morrow, or it may be this very day."

"Let her go, and them with her. The sooner the better for us. That
won't hinder me from the revenge I intend taking. On the contrary,
'twill help me. Ha! I shall strike this Crozier in his tenderest part!
and you can do the same for Senor Cadwallader."

"In what way?"

"Faustino Calderon, I won't call you a fool, notwithstanding your
behaviour last night. But you ask some very silly questions, and that's
one of them. Supposing these _gringos_ gone from here, does it follow
they'll take everything along with them? Can you think of nothing they
must needs leave behind?"

"Their hearts. Is that what you mean?"

"No, it isn't."

"What then?"

"Their sweethearts, stupid! And that brings me to what I intend telling
you--leastwise to the first chapter of it."

"Which is