"Blamed sorry to leave the Cap'n," Brown volunteered. "He's a decent chap, and smart--well, about the best educated man I ever saw--and spunky--I'll never forget how he half raised up from that stair-landing in Monterey, like a shot weasel standing off a pack of dogs. Fire was just spitting from his eyes--just spitting!" "But his politics," O'Donnell interpolated. "His politics ain't mine," Brown sighed. They rode on in silence. CHAPTER XIX SEÑORA VALENTINO AND CAPTAIN MORANDO CONTINUE CONVERSATION "Saul has slain his thousands, but David his tens of thousands. I greet you, Captain Morando." Morando bowed. "A chair, Captain. My good brother-in-law the Colonel Barcelo awakes soon, I'm sure." "If you do not mind, Señora Valentino, let us walk up and down this wide veranda. I think you were doing so a moment ago." "Quite right, Señor Captain." The señora and the soldier were on a long balcony in the second story of the Barcelo mansion. It ran along the street side of the house and across one end. The cool wind from the Monterey Bay crept along the street, mounted to the porch, and breathed gently there. The leaves crinkled under the chill and the flower petals shrank within themselves. "Benito had strict orders to keep awake and bring you here the moment you arrived, Captain." "The watchful sentinel was indeed awake and lost no time in showing me here, señora." "At midnight I left the Colonel and his council. They had just finished reading the dispatches you sent. They expected you and your prisoners along shortly. They were to wait for you in these chairs, but I fancy the cool morning invited them within. I fancy, again, one could easily find the Colonel and his council." She shrugged and laughed. They paused just opposite a wide-open door. Within were several men, in easy chairs, fast asleep. Colonel Barcelo, especially, was breathing stoutly. Two soldiers, evidently detailed as orderlies, were on guard. They rose from their chairs, saluted the Captain, and again seated themselves, all silently as if in pantomime. The señora and the Captain continued their walk. "I expected to arrive here much sooner, but had difficulty in getting enough horses. We were obliged to sequester a number from the Mission Santa Clara. Many mounts, as well as many men, were killed or maimed in the fight, and we had nearly two hundred prisoners to transport to the military prison here." "Ah, Captain, my heart rejoices in your victory and in your safety. Do you soldiers ever think that while you are away fighting we women are home inactive, save in prayer, waiting, longing for word of you, yet dreading to hear it when it comes? In the rush of battle, amigo, does one little thought ever go back to these waiting ones?"