But it was a hard push, through bad weather, and it took six days to get there and four to come back, ten days of rough riding, wet weather, poor food and little rest. They found Pedro's hut, his woman and guns. Luis had to cover her with his revolver while Raul removed the guns and ammunition, stuffing them into long grain sacks. They rode off in a hailstorm that gradually became a torrential rain. Making a cairn, in the downpour, they cached the guns and ammunition. Freezing cold, they mounted and rode on, hoping to reach a cabin before night. When they returned to Petaca, through driving mist, Raul was astonished to see rurales in front of Father Gabriel's room. Dirty, fagged and sore, he dismounted and gave his reins to Luis, saying: "I hope this means they've got him." A stranger opened the door, and Raul found Gabriel in bed, covered with serapes. "Raul, thank God, you're safe! Is Luis all right?" he asked. Raul nodded and said: "What happened to you, Gabriel?" "Malaria.... This is Captain Cerro.... This is Señor Medina." They shook hands, the captain holding his riding gloves in his left hand. Raul had heard good reports of Cerro's having organized his rurales into an efficient corps. He was hard-mouthed and gray-eyed; he seemed the kind of a man to do his job. "I hope you've had better luck than we've had," Cerro said. "I couldn't find Pedro," Raul said. "I didn't expect to find him. I found his hut and took his stock of pistols and rifles. His ammunition. The people at Mountain Rancheria are afraid to talk about him." "My men got there shortly after you had taken the guns. You disappeared in the rain." Cerro drew his gloves through his fingers as he talked. "We cached the guns. I'll send Luis for them with some men." "I left some of my men at the rancheria. We're on the lookout for Pedro. You feel sure that he murdered your man, here at the hacienda?" "There's not much doubt about that," said Raul. "Ana Paz came to me while you were at the rancheria," said Gabriel to Raul. "She saw Pedro leave Farias' place early that morning. She's been at the hacienda for years, Captain." Raul laughed angrily. "You'd think we needed proof that this Pedro is a murderer. There are any number of witnesses to his killings, at Petaca. Father Storni, Manuel Boaz, Salvador Vega, Luis." "But I understand he committed these ... ah ... crimes ... under orders," said Cerro. His remark stopped Raul. "If so, who is guilty?" asked Gabriel, propping himself on his elbow. "The person who gave the orders," said the captain. "My father," said Raul. Embarrassed, Cerro shoved his gloves under his belt and moved toward the door. "I'll send men to del Valle," he said. "Pedro may be there. I must return to Colima. I'm glad to have met you, Señor Medina. I hoped you might have better luck on your hunt.... I hope you are well soon, Father."