"Yes," replies the Mexican, with added emphasis. "He is, undoubtedly,
the robber who despoiled you. Though done in the guise of an Indian
onslaught, with real Indians as his assistants, he has been their
instructor--their leader. I see it all now clear as sunlight. He got
your letter, which you say was addressed to me as colonel commanding at
Albuquerque. As a matter of course, he opened it. It told him when and
where to meet you; your strength, and the value of your cargo. The last
has not been needed as an incentive for him to assail you, Don
Francisco. The mark you made upon his cheek was sufficient. Didn't I
tell you at the time he would move heaven and earth to have revenge on
you--on both of us? He has succeeded; behold his success. I a refugee,
robbed of everything; you plundered the same; both ruined men!"
"Not yet!" cries the Kentuckian, starting to his feet. "Not ruined yet,
Colonel Miranda. If the thing be as you say, I shall seek a second
interview with this scoundrel--this fiend; seek till I obtain it. And
then--"
"Hyur's one," interrupts the ex-Ranger, unfolding his gigantic form with
unusual rapidity, "who'll take part in that sarch. Yis, Frank, this
chile's willin' to go wi' ye to the heart o' Mexiko, plum centre; to the
halls o' the Montyzoomas; reddy to start this minnit."
"If," resumes Hamersley, his coolness contrasting with the excited air
of his comrade, now roused to a terrible indignation, "if, Colonel
Miranda, it turns out as you conjecture, that Gil Uraga has taken part
in the destruction of my waggon-train, or even been instrumental in
causing it, I shall leave no stone unturned to obtain justice."
"Justice!" exclaims the ex-Ranger, with a deprecatory toss of the head.
"In case o' this kind we want somethin' beside. To think o' thirteen
innercent men attacked without word o' warnin', shot down, stabbed,
slaughtered, and sculped! Think o' that; an' don't talk tamely o'
justice; let's shout loudly for revenge!"