“Can you give us good reason?” the chief demanded. “Your words are peculiar to our ears, _señor_. We had expected you would be eager to make the move. Many things have mystified us, and we are suspicious because of what has happened before. As I said, we have considered the matter, and we have reached a decision.” “What is it, then?” “Either give us the word now to attack in two nights’ time, or we attack without your word, _señor_. To be certain there will be no treachery we will hold you prisoner here, but well treated, until the attack is begun. We do this because of the aid you have given our cause. And after it is over you shall be treated with respect, and no man will harm you. Lead us in two nights’ time, _señor_, or we strike without your leadership and keep you prisoner until the work is done.” The caballero swept the circle with his eyes; every man there seemed to approve. “There are many plans to be made yet,” he said. “I must counsel delay for a time.” “We have made all plans while awaiting you, _señor_. It is but for you to lead. The plans may be discussed in half a day’s time, and changed if we decide they should be. If there is a rancho you wish spared, or a man or woman saved----” “Do I not know what is best in this matter?” the caballero demanded. “Do as I instruct, or I will have nothing further in common with you!” “That is your answer, _señor_?” “It is. I counsel more delay!” “Then we have decided. You will remain in this camp until the blow is struck. I regret, _señor_, that your ideas are not ours, but we have gone too far to risk failure. Our friendship for you remains the same; it is merely a disagreement between leaders in a council of war. You will remain in the camp as we ask, _señor_?” “Suppose I prefer to ride?” said the caballero. “We cannot take that risk, _señor_. If you leave, we must consider you an enemy.” Another series of grunts came from the circle; again the caballero read determination in the faces that confronted him. He got up, and the others did likewise. “I suppose I may have a teepee, food, picket my horse?” he asked. “You shall have every courtesy, _señor_. This teepee is yours, food will be furnished, you may picket your horse behind you.” “So be it!” The caballero caught the reins from the Indian who had been holding them and led the animal to the rear of the teepee. The chiefs scattered to their own huts; the men resumed their dancing around the fires. The caballero threw the reins over his horse’s head and started to fumble at the cinch of the saddle. The spokesman turned his head aside for an instant to look at the dancers, and in that instant, the caballero vaulted to the horse’s back, shrieked a cry in the animal’s ear, gathered up reins and applied spurs, and dashed past the chief and down the arroyo.