“Ah, wouldst see Captain Fly-by-Night?” the sergeant asked. “A rogue, is he? Now when did he cross your path, good pirate? Is he your friend or foe?” “Is he? There’ll be one sergeant less for the hostiles to combat if you dare intimate the man to be friend of mine! A pretty scoundrel! Where crossed he my path? Hah! Like a whirlwind he descended upon the pueblo of Reina de Los Angeles one night, as you know very well, Cassara mine! ‘Fray Felipe of San Fernando says I am an honest man, and that you are one,’ he states. ‘I would sleep until an hour before dawn,’ he states. ‘You will care for my animal and give me a couch and food?’ he states.” “I dare say he got what he requested,” Cassara put in, trying to choke back a laugh. “Did he? The rogue! Did I not sit up all night, musket in hand, pistol at belt, sword ready, to guard the wretch? Did I not have my Indian prowling around the house alert for sneaks? Did I not rub down the scoundrel’s horse? And in the morning did I not ride with him a short distance on his way and give him my blessing? Hah! ‘These are turbulent times,’ I suggested to him. ‘So I have understood,’ he states. ‘Perhaps you think me a man I am not,’ he states. To my face, the rogue! And, in my wisdom, I wink one eye and slap him on the back and send him on his way. _Dios!_” “We all make mistakes,” Cassara observed. “He warned me of another traveller, and I play with this same other man and lose good gold, seeking to delay him. I do delay him--to find I have hindered the Governor’s good messenger and given aid to the renegade. And you ask me why I want to see him? Hah! Where is he to be found?” “Answer me that, good pirate, and I bless you! My blade waits for him!” “After I am through,” Gonzales suggested. “I have first claim,” Cassara declared. “The man is mine, I say. If he dares show his face, all must stand aside and let me at him!” “Hah! Stand aside for you, pirate?” Cassara cried. “Captain Fly-by-Night comes to me, and I would have all men know it!” “Now, by all the good saints, this passes a jest! I say the man comes to my blade. Have I not the better right?” “There are three of us,” Cassara said. “The _comandante_ here at San Diego de Alcalá has a score to settle with the rogue. Yet I think I shall spit him----” “By what right? Wherein has he put shame upon you?” demanded Gonzales. “Hah! As to that----” “Speak, Sergeant Cassara, and let these men judge. Why have you the better right?” Cassara’s face grew purple suddenly, for there came to him a vision of the barracks-room at the presidio, himself and two soldiers bound hand and foot and fastened to stools, a grinning gentile watching them--while Captain Fly-by-Night slept in an adjoining room. “Let the men judge!” Gonzales was shouting. Cassara choked in embarrassment. Tell the outrage this Caballero had put upon him--tell it to the grinning troopers? A courageous man was the Santa Barbara sergeant, but not courageous enough for that.