THE SIGN OF THE FOX
An hour after dusk that night a native sought out one of the
_caballeros_ with the intelligence that a gentleman wished to speak to
him immediately, and that this gentleman was evidently wealthy since
he had given the native a coin for carrying the message, when he might
just as well have given nothing more than a cuff alongside the head;
also that the mysterious gentleman would be waiting along the path that
ran toward the San Gabriel trail, and to be sure that the _caballero_
would come he had bade the native say that there was a fox in the
neighborhood.
"A fox! Zorro--fox!" the _caballero_ thought, and then he ruined the
native forever by giving him another coin.
He went to the rendezvous immediately, and there he found Señor Zorro
sitting his big horse, his face masked, the cloak wrapped around his
body.
"You will pass the word, _caballero_," Señor Zorro said. "I would have
all men who are loyal and wish to do so, meet at midnight in the little
valley beyond the hill. You know the place? _Si?_ I shall be waiting."
Then Señor Zorro wheeled his horse and dashed away in the darkness, and
the _caballero_ went back to the pueblo and passed the word to those
men he knew could be depended upon, and urged upon them that they pass
it to others of the league. One went to Don Diego's house, but was told
by the _despensero_ that Don Diego had complained of a fever and had
retired to his chamber, and had left word that he would flay alive any
servant who dared enter the room unless he called.
Near the hour of midnight the _caballeros_ began slipping from the
_pueblo_ one at a time, each upon the back of his best horse, and each
armed with sword and pistol. Each man had a mask that could be put
over his features instantly, for that had been decided upon at Don
Alejandro's _hacienda_, among other things.
The _pueblo_ was in darkness, save that there were lights in the
tavern, where some of his excellency's escort made merry with the local
troopers. For Sergeant Pedro Gonzales had returned with his men just
before nightfall, glad to be back from a fruitless chase, and hoping
that the next scent would be warmer.
Those in the tavern had gone down the hill from the _presidio_, some
leaving their horses there without saddles or bridles on, and they
had no thought of an encounter with Señor Zorro this night. The fat
landlord was kept busy, for the soldiers from the north had coins in
their purses and were willing to spend them. Sergeant Gonzales, holding
the attention of the company as usual, was detailing at length what he
would do to this Señor Zorro if the saints were kind enough to let
them meet and grant him his blade in his hand.
There were lights in the big lounging-room of the _presidio_, too, for
few of the soldiers had retired. And there were lights in the house
where his excellency was a guest, but the remainder of the _pueblo_ was
in darkness, and the people slept.
In the _carcel_ there was no light at all except one candle burning in
the office, where a sleepy man was on guard. The jailer was in his bed.
Prisoners moaned on the hard benches in the prison-room. Don Carlos
Pulido stood before a window, looking up at the stars; and his wife
and daughter huddled on a bench beside him, unable to sleep in such
surroundings.
The _caballeros_ found Señor Zorro waiting for them as he had said he
would be, but he remained aloof, speaking scarcely a word, until all
were present.
"Are all here?" he asked then.
"All except Don Diego Vega," one replied. "He is ill with a fever,
_señor_."
And all the _caballeros_ chuckled, for they had an idea the fever was
caused by cowardice.
"I take it that you know something of what is in my mind," Señor Zorro
said. "We know what has happened to Don Carlos Pulido and the ladies
of his family. We know they are innocent of any treason; and were they
not, they should not have been taken to _carcel_ and incarcerated with
common felons and drunkards.
"Think of those gentle ladies in such surroundings! Think of
it--because Don Carlos has the ill will of the governor! It is the
sense of the league that something be done in this matter? If it is
not, then will I do something by myself!"
"Rescue them!" a _caballero_ said; and the others growled their
approval. Here was a chance for risk and adventure and an opportunity
to do a good deed.
"We must enter the _pueblo_ quietly," Señor Zorro said. "There is no
moon, and we will not be observed if we use caution. We shall approach
the _carcel_ from the south. Each man will have his task to do.
"Some will surround the building to give notice if any approach it.
Others must be ready to beat off the soldiers, if they respond to an
alarm. Others will effect an entrance to the _carcel_ with me, and
rescue the prisoners."
"It is an excellent plan," one said.
"That is but a small part of it. Don Carlos is a proud man, and if
given time for reflection may refuse to be rescued. We cannot allow
that. Certain ones will seize him and take him from the place. Others
will attend to the Doña Catalina. I will undertake to care for the
_señorita_. Now--we have them free! And then what?"
He heard murmurs, but no distinct reply, and so he continued to outline
the plan.
"All will ride to the highway just below this place," he said. "At
that point we shall scatter. Those who have the Doña Catalina in charge
will hasten with her to the _hacienda_ of Don Alejandro Vega, where
she can be hidden if necessary, and where the governor's soldiers will
hesitate before entering and seizing her.
"Those who have Don Carlos in charge will take the road to Pala, and at
a certain point some ten miles from this _pueblo_ they will be met by
two natives of understanding, who will give the sign of the fox. The
natives will take Don Carlos in charge and care for him.
"When these things are done, each _caballero_ will ride to his home
quietly and alone, telling what story pleases him, and using great
caution. I shall have conducted the _señorita_ to a safe place by that
time. She shall be given into the keeping of old Fray Felipe, a man we
can trust, and he will hide her if he must. Then we will watch to see
what the governor does."
"What can he do?" a _caballero_ asked. "Have them searched for, of
course."
"We must await developments," Señor Zorro said. "Are all now ready?"
They assured him that they were, and so he named the men for each task,
and then they left the little valley and rode slowly and cautiously
around the little town, and approached it from the south.
They heard the soldiers shouting and singing in the tavern, saw the
lights in the _presidio_, and crept toward the _carcel_ quietly, riding
two by two.
In a short time it had been surrounded by quiet, determined men; and
then Señor Zorro and four others dismounted and went to the door of the
building.