When Montes began covert kindnesses to the poor Yaqui slaves the chief showed gratitude and pathos: “Señor Montes is good--but the sun of the Yaquis is setting.” Perez in his triumphant arrogance evidently derived pleasure from being magnanimous to the man he instinctively knew was his rival. One day at the hacienda when Montes rode up to meet Donna Isabel and Dolores he found them accompanied by Perez and his parents. Almost immediately the young officer suggested gayly: “Señor, pray carry Dolores off somewhere. My father has something to plan with Donna Isabel. It must be a secret from Dolores. Take her a walk--talk to her, señor--keep her excited--make love to her!” “I shall be happy to obey. Will you come, señorita?” said Montes. If they expected Dolores to pout, they were mistaken. Her slow, sleepy glance left the face of her future husband as she turned away silently to accompany Montes. They walked along the palm-shaded road, out toward the huge, open, sunny space that was the henequen domain. “I hate Perez,” she burst out suddenly. “He meant to taunt you. He thinks I am his slave--a creature without mind or heart. Señor, make love to me!” “You will be his slave--soon,” whispered Montes bitterly. “Never!” she exclaimed passionately. They reached the end of the shady road. The mill was silent. Montes saw the Indian standing motionless close at hand, in the shade of the henequen racks. “Dolores, did you mean what you just said?” asked Montes eagerly. “That I will never be Perez’s slave?” “No; the other thing you said.” “Yes, I did,” she replied. “Make love to me, señor. It was his wish. I must learn to obey.” With sullen scorn she spoke, not looking at Montes, scarcely realizing the actual purport of her speech. But when Montes took her in his arms she started back with a cry. He held her. And suddenly clasping her tightly he bent his head to kiss the red lips she opened to protest. “Let me go!” she begged wildly. “Oh--I did not--mean--Montes, not so! Do not make me--” “Kiss me!” whispered Montes hoarsely, “or I’ll never let you go. It was his wish. Come, I dare you--I beg you!” One wild moment she responded to his kiss, and then she thrust him away. “Ah, by the saints!” she murmured with hands over her face. “Now I will love you more--my heart will break.” “Dolores, I can’t let Perez have you,” declared Montes miserably. “Too late, my dear. I am to be his wife.” “But you love me, Dolores?” “Alas! too true. I do. Oh, I never knew how well!” she cried. “Let us run away,” he implored eagerly. Mournfully she shook her head, and looking up suddenly she espied the Yaqui. His great burning cavernous eyes, like black fire, were fixed upon her. “Oh, that terrible Yaqui,” she whispered. “It is he who watches us at the bull fights--Let us go, Montes--Oh, he saw us--he saw me--Come!”