rse with the red pirates
of the prairie.

It matters not much now. As military commander of a district he has
attained power, enabling him to dispense with any left-handed
assistance; and of late more than once has wished himself rid of such
suspicious auxiliaries. Therefore, but for the frustration of his
present plans, he would rather rejoice than grieve over the tidings
brought by the returned emissary.

His suit scorned, his scheme of assassination thwarted, he is as much as
ever determined on the death of the two prisoners.

In the first moments of his anger, after hearing Jose's tale, he felt
half inclined to rush upon Miranda, sword in hand, and settle the matter
at once. But, while returning to the camp-ground, calmer reflections
arose, restraining him from the dastardly act, and deciding him to carry
out the other alternative, already conceived, but kept back as a
_dernier ressort_.

"Sit down, _camarado_!" he says, addressing the adjutant on entering.
"We must hold a court-martial, and that is too serious a ceremonial to
be gone through without the customary forms. The members of the court
should be seated."

The grim smile which accompanies his words shows that he means them in
jest only as regards the manner of proceeding. For the earnestness of
his intention there is that in his eyes--a fierce, lurid light, which
Roblez can read.

In rejoinder the adjutant asks,--

"You are still resolved upon the death of the prisoners?"

"Still resolved! Carramba! An idle question, after what has occurred!
They die within the hour. We shall try, condemn, and then have them
shot."

"I thought you had arranged it in a different way?"

"So I had. But circumstances alter cases. There's many a slip 'twixt
cup and lip, and I've just heard of one. The Horned Lizard has failed
me."

"How so, colonel?"

"You see that Indian outside. He's one of my muleteers I'd sent as a
messenger to the Tenawa town. He returns to tell me there's no Horned
Lizard in existence, and only a remnant of his tribe. Himself, with the
best of his braves, has gone to the happy hunting grounds; not
voluntarily, but sent thither by a party of Tejanos who fell foul of
them on a foray."

"That's a strange tale," rejoins Roblez, adding, "And Barbato?"

"Dead, too--gone with his red-skinned associates."

"Certainly a singular occurrence--quite a coincidence."

"A coincidence that leaves me in an awkward predicament, without my