Now the caballero stopped and listened, and then began unwrapping the scarf from the _señorita’s_ head. She gave a gasp as it fell away, a sob, another moan. “_Señorita!_” the caballero said, and his voice was soft again. “_Señorita_, will you not speak to me and say that you forgive? There was no other way, believe me, for you were so determined. You did not trust me, and time was short and the danger great. It was to save you.” “From one shame for another?” she asked. “Not for all the world would I wrong you, offer you harm, hurt your feelings!” he said. “You do not understand, _señorita_. Back there at the rancho there was naught but danger for you, no matter what the outcome of this revolt. It is better you are at the mission with decent people, and there I am taking you now. It were better to die there, _señorita_, with your _duenna_, and go to death unsullied, than to live and be at the rancho when this revolt is over.” “Unsullied!” she cried. “How can that ever be now, since Rojerio Rocha has done this thing?” “I would not dwell on that, _señorita_, at the present time. The night is passing, and we must hurry on to the mission, and we can make none too good time considering the _señora’s_ horsewomanship.” She was sure there was the sound of mirth in his voice. “I ask you only to trust me for the time being, and to do one other thing--when the fighting begins at the mission, repair to the guest house with your _duenna_ and remain there, despite any orders to the contrary. Do this, and I swear you’ll never meet death at the hands of hostiles.” “How can you promise that, when you dare not approach the mission or presidio yourself?” she asked. “Trust me, and ask no questions.” “I cannot forget you are Captain Fly-by-Night. It is almost an insult to be rescued by such a man.” She felt his hands grip her for an instant, then the pressure of them relax, and to her ears came a whisper so low that even Señora Vallejo could not hear. “_Señorita!_ Since first I saw you I have longed to hold you in my arms as I am doing now. Since you taunted me down by the creek I have loved you. You are mine, though you think it not. And do not now speak of insults, else will I crush your red lips with mine! What I have been, or who, or what or who I am now--still I love you as a strong man loves, with my whole heart--and for you I would gladly die if it would save you pain.” He started the horses again, since she did not answer. Neither did she struggle to get from his arms, as he had expected she would do. For half a mile they rode in silence, carefully, making their way over the hills toward the mission, avoiding all roads and trails. And then, suddenly, two arms slipped around his neck to pull down his head, and a voice breathed into his ear: