would not
attempt one; but she changed her mind and left the town in the care and
guidance of a Mexican employee of her father, in whom full trust was
reposed. She rode out an hour earlier than was her wont, and when a
Delaware Indian called at the house to beg alms from the generous
senorita he found the building open and empty. Knowing that the last
night was to be spent in the encampment and thinking that she had gone
there, as he understood was the plan, he gave little thought to this and
wandered back to the _Plaza Publica_ to look for his companions. They
were not in sight and he went over to the barracks to seek them there.

Don Jesu swaggered along the side of the building, caught sight of the
disreputable Delaware and contemptuously waved him away. "Out of my
sight, you drunken beggar and son of a beggar! If I catch you here once
more I'll hang you by your thumbs! _Vamoose!_"

The Delaware stiffened a little and seemed reluctant to obey the
command. "I seek my friends," he replied in a guttural polyglot. "I do
no harm."

Don Jesu's face flamed and he drew his sword and brought the flat of the
blade smartly across the Indian's shoulder. "But once more I tell you to
_vamoose_! _Pronto!_" He drew back swiftly and threw the weapon into
position for a thrust, for he had seen a look flare up in the Indian's
eyes that warned him.

The Delaware cringed, muttered something and slunk back along the wall
and as he reached the corner of the building he bumped solidly into
Robideau, who at that moment turned it. The foot of the second officer
could not travel far enough to deliver the full weight of the kick, but
the impact was enough to send the Indian sprawling. As he clawed to
hands and knees, Robideau stood over him, sword in hand, threats and
curses pouring from him in a burning stream. The Indian paused a moment,
got control over his rage, ran off a short distance on hands and knees
and, leaping to his feet, dashed around the corner of the building to
the hilarious and exultant jeers of the sycophantic soldiers. He barely
escaped bumping into a huge, screeching and ungainly _carreta_ being
driven by a soldier and escorted by a squad of his fellows under the
personal command of Salezar. The lash of a whip fell across his
shoulders and cut through blanket and shirt. The second blow was short
and before another could be aimed at him, the Delaware had darted into a
passage-way between two buildings.

The officer la