The footing was secure here where the ground was comparatively level, and soon he rode beside the other steed and reached out to grasp the reins. Gradually he forced both animals to a canter, finally to a walk. “It desolates me to think you have sustained fright, _señorita_, and you, _señora_,” he said. “Luckily the horses sensed our enemies and galloped of their own account, else one or more of us might be slain, wounded or prisoner now. That was the last outpost of the hostiles, I imagine; nevertheless it will repay us to move with caution the rest of the distance. ’Tis but another mile to the mission, and soon we will be in the midst of their sentinels, if they have any out. One force is as dangerous for me as the other.” “I doubt whether I can ride the other mile,” said the _señora_, gaspingly. “Do you ride on and save the _señorita_; if the hostiles catch me I shall die as becomes a woman of my blood.” “You’ll die immediately with a slit throat if you do not ride on!” the caballero announced, angrily; and the _señora_ moaned and rode on; only the _señorita_ detected the note of amusement in the caballero’s voice. They had come out upon the highway now, knowing that no hostile would be there so close to the mission, and the caballero slowed the horses to a walk again, letting the eager _señora_ ride a few feet ahead. “Some minutes ago you asked me a question, _señorita_,” he said. “Rather, say that you issued a command. So you would have me slay this Rojerio Rocha?” “He should pay the penalty for the infamy he has cast on our name, _señor_. And you would like to slay him anyway; you have said so yourself.” “I am making a point of that, _señorita_--am I slaying him for you or for myself?” “I care not, as long as he is slain. I would you could do it before the attack begins! Yet you do not seem eager to aid in saving the good names of Fernandez and Rocha, it appears. Is it true, then, that you both are leaders of the Indians, but jealous of each other’s leadership?” “I have told you I am no traitor, _señorita_.” “Casting a stain upon my name is not enough cause to have you kill a man, then?” “The man has done enough to merit death, no doubt.” “If that is not enough, there is more--a personal insult.” “Personal insult, _señorita_?” he asked. “He--he told me that after the attack had succeeded he would make me his wife. When I told him I would sooner die than wed such an infamous traitor he said--said that I would come to him, marriage or no marriage----” “By the saints! He said that?” the caballero cried. “Is there no drop of gentle blood in his veins?” “My blood, _señor_,” she reminded him. “No more your blood than the water of that creek, _señorita_. Do not protest! I know not what strain flows in his arteries, but it is none like flows in yours. The man dies, _señorita_. I regret but one thing--that I cannot slay him twice, once for you and once for myself. He has a heavy score to be settled, this man!