Roblado's eloquence, combined with his own vile desires, overruled the slight opposition of his superior; and, once entered on the affair, the latter found himself highly amused in carrying it out. The burlesque proclamations, the exaggerated stories of Indians, the terror of the citizens, their encomiums on his own energetic and valorous conduct--all these were a pleasant relief to the _ennui_ of a barrack life and, during the several days' visit of "los barbaros," the Comandante and his captain were never without a theme for mirth and laughter. So adroitly had they managed the whole matter that, upon the morning after the final _coup_ of the robbers--the abduction of Rosita--there was not a soul in the settlement, themselves and their two aides excepted, that had the slightest suspicion but that real hostile Indians were the actors! Yes, there was one other who had a suspicion--only a suspicion--Rosita's mother. Even the girl believed herself in the hands of Indians--_if belief she had_. CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. "Ha! ha! ha! A capital joke, by my honour!" continued Roblado, laughing as he puffed his cigar. "It's the only piece of fun I've enjoyed since we came to this stupid place. Even in a frontier post I find that one _may_ have a little amusement if he know how to make it. Ha! ha! ha! After all, there was a devilish deal of trouble. But come, tell me, my dear Comandante--for you know by this time--in confidence, was it worth the trouble?" "I am sorry we have taken it," was the reply, delivered in a serious tone. Roblado looked straight in the other's face, and now for the first time noticed its gloomy expression. Busied with his cigar, he had not observed this before. "Hola!" exclaimed he; "what's the matter, my colonel? This is not the look a man should wear who has spent the last twelve hours as pleasantly as you must have done. Something amiss?" "Everything amiss." "Pray what? Surely you were with her?" "But a moment, and that was enough." "Explain, my dear colonel." "She is mad!" "Mad!" "Having mad! Her talk terrified me. I was but too glad to come away, and leave her to the care of Jose, who waits upon her. I could not bear to listen to her strange jabberings. I assure you, camarado, it robbed me of all desire to remain."