The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss
Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its
nature. Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the
desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident. One
might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its
existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no
trace of wheel-marks in guidance. How Moore had ever driven so
unerringly to the spot was a mystery. Yet he had done so, and now the
team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the
slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about
the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
The cliffs arose precipitously on either side, absolutely bare. To the
left nothing could be seen but black rock, but on the other side an
open space yawned, perhaps twenty feet across, its bottom
imperceptible. The horses stumbled over the rough stones, held only by
Moore's firm grip on the reins, and the light began to fade as they
descended. At last nothing appeared above but a narrow strip of sky,
and the glimmer of sun had totally vanished. Almost at the same moment
the driver released the creaking brake, and at a trot the wagon swept
forward between two pinnacles of rock, and came out into an open valley.
The transition was so sudden and startling as to cause the girl to give
utterance to a cry of surprise. She had been clinging desperately to
the seat in front, expecting every instant to be hurled headlong.
Intense fear gripped her and it seemed as if every drop of blood in her
veins stood still. The change was like a leap into fairy land; as
though they had emerged from the mouth of hell into the beauty of
paradise. They were in a green, watered valley, a clear stream
wandering here and there through its centre, shadowed by groves of
trees. All about, as far as eye could reach, stood great precipices,
their bold, rugged fronts rising hundreds of feet, unbroken, and
unscalable; the sun directly above bathed these with showers of gold,
and cast a blanket of colour across the sheltered valley.
This valley itself was nearly square, possibly extending not over a
mile in either direction, merely a great hole rimmed by desert, a
strange, hidden oasis, rendered fertile and green by some outburst of
fresh water from the rocks. Emerging upon it in midst of the barren
desolation through which they had been toiling for hours, blinded by
alkali dust, jolted down that dangerous decline, it seemed like some
beautiful dream, a fantasy of imagination.
Miss Donovan doubted the evidence of her own eyes, half convinced that
she slept. It was Moore's voice which aroused her.
"Mendez must have got back, Joe," he said eagerly. "There are horses
and cattle over yonder."
The other pushed up the canvas and looked out.
"That's right. Must just got here, or there'd 'a' been a guard up
above. The fellow is comin' now--see?"
He was loping along carelessly, Mexican from high hat to jingling
spurs, sitting the saddle as though moulded there, a young fellow, dark
faced, but with a livid scar along one cheek.
"Juan Cateras, the little devil," muttered Sikes, as the rider drew
nearer. "There's some pot brewing if he is in it."
The rider drew up his horse, and lifted his hat, his smiling lips
revealing a row of white teeth.
"A pleasant day, _señor_," he said graciously, his dark eyes searching
the faces of the two men, and then dwelling with interest on the woman.
"Ah, your pardon, _señorita_; your presence is more than welcome here."
He rested one hand on the wagon box, the expression of his face
hardening. "Yet an explanation might not be out of place--the Señor
Mendez may not be pleased."
"We came under orders from Lacy," replied Moore confidently. "You have
seen us both before."
"True, but not the lady; you will tell me about her?"
Sikes climbed down over the wheel.
"It is like this, _señor_," he began. "Lacy did not know your party
was here; he thought you were all south for another month yet. He
would keep this girl quiet, out of the way for a time. She is from New
York, and knows too much."
"From New York?" The quick eyes of the Mexican again sought her face.
"She is to be held prisoner?"
"Yes, _señor_."
"Again the case of that man Cavendish?"
"We were not told, only ordered to bring her here and guard her until
we heard otherwise. It was not known you were back."
"We came three hours ago; you see what we brought," with a wave of the
hand. "All was clear above?"
"Not a sign; I searched with field-glasses."
"Then I will ride with you to Mendez; 'tis well to have the matter
promptly over with."
The wagon, rumbled on, Moore urging the wearied team with whip and
voice to little result. Sikes remained on foot, glad of the change,
striding along in front, while the Mexican rode beside the wheel, his
equipment jingling, the sunlight flashing over his bright attire. He
made a rather gallant figure, of which he was fully conscious, glancing
frequently aside into the shadow beneath the canvas top to gain glimpse
of its occupant. At last their eyes met, and he could no longer
forbear speech, his English expression a bit precise.
"Pardon, _señorita_, I would be held your friend," he murmured, leaning
closer, "for it is ever a misfortune to incur the enmity of Señor Lacy.
You will trust me?"
"But," she ventured timidly, "I do not know you, _señor_; who you may
be."
"You know Señor Mendez?"
She shook her head negatively.
"'Tis strange! Yet I forget you come from New York. They know him
here on this border. If you ask these men they will tell you. Even
Señor Lacy takes his orders from Pascual Mendez. He care not who he
kill, who he fight--some day it come his turn, and then he liberate
Mexico--see? The day is not yet, but it will come."
"You mean he is a revolutionist?"
"He hate; he live to hate; to revenge the wrong. Twice already he lead
the people, but they fail him--the cowards. He return here where it is
safe: yet the right time will come."
"But you, _señor_?"
"I am his lieutenant--Juan Cateras," and he bowed low, "and I ride now
to tell him of his guest."
She watched him as he spurred forward, proud of his horsemanship, and
making every effort to attract her attention. Moore turned in his
seat, and grinned.
"Some tin soldier," he said sneeringly, "that's a feller I always
wanted ter kick, an' some day I'm a goin' ter do it."
"You heard what he said?"
"Sure; he was tellin' yer 'bout old Mendez being a Mexican
revolutionary leader down in Mex, wa'n't he? Hell of a leader he is!
I reckon he's been mixed up in scrapes enough down thar, but they had
mighty little to do with revolutin'. He's just plain bad man,
miss--cattle thief, an' all round outlaw. There's a price on his head
in three States, but nobody dares go after it, because of the dangerous
gang he controls."
Her eyes sought the distant figure doubtfully.
"And this man--this Juan Cateras--what of him?"
"One of the devil's own imps; I'd a heap rather play with a rattlesnake
than him." He paused, to assure him self that Sikes was safely out of
hearing. "I thought maybe I better tell yer while I had a chance.
That fellar is plumb pisen, miss."
She reached out her hand, and touched him.
"Thank you," she said gratefully, "I--I am glad you did. Am--am I to
be left here with these--these men?"
"No, not exactly. I suppose they'll naturally sorter expect to run
things while they're here, fer this yere valley is their camp, Mendez
has been hidin' out yere fer some time. But Joe and I are goin' to
stay, and even old Mendez ain't liable to make no enemy outer Bill
Lacy. They had a row wunst, an' I reckon they don't neither of 'em
want another. I ain't greatly afeerd o' Mendez, but I wouldn't put
nuthin' past this Cateras lad, if he got some hell idea in his head.
He's Injun-Mex, an' that's the worst kind."
The wagon lurched down a steep bank, splashed its way across the narrow
stream, and up the other side, the horses straining in their harness to
the sharp snap of the driver's whip. A towering precipice of rock
confronted them, and at its very foot stood two cabins of log
construction, so closely resembling their stone background as to be
almost imperceptible, at the distance of a few yards. Sikes leaned on
his rifle waiting, and as Moore halted the panting team, and leaped
over the wheel to the ground, Cateras came forth from one of the open
doors and crossed the intervening space on foot. He was smoking a
cigarette, the blue wreath of smoke circling above his head in the
still air.
"The lady is to be placed in my care," he said almost insolently.
"Your hand, _señorita_."
Miss Donovan hesitated, the memory of Moore's words of warning yet
ringing in her ears. The handsome face, with its smiling lips and
eyes, suddenly appeared to her a mask assumed to conceal the unclean
soul behind. Moore broke the silence with a protest.
"In your care, _señor_? The girl is here as prisoner to Bill Lacy."
"So I told Mendez," he said indifferently. "But he is in ill humour
this morning, and took small interest in the affair. It was only when
I promised to take full charge that he consented to your remaining at
all. 'Tis my advice that you let well enough alone. You know who
rules here."
"If there is evil done, the debt will be paid."
Cateras laughed, one hand at his incipient moustache.
"Billy Lacy, you mean, no doubt. That is a matter for him to settle
with Mendez. It is not my affair, for I only obey my chief. However,
_señors_, 'tis no evil that is contemplated, only we prefer guarding
the secrets of this valley ourselves. That is what angers Mendez, the
fact that Lacy uses this rendezvous as a prison during our absence. We
found one here when we returned--guarded by an American. Now you come
with another. _Caramba_! You think we stand this quietly? How do we
know what may result from such acts? What sheriff's posse may be on
your trail? Bill Lacy! _Dios_! if Bill Lacy would make prisoners, let
him keep them somewhere else than here. Mendez takes no prisoners--he
knows a better way than doing things like that."
"But, _señor_, this is a woman."
"Of which I am well aware," bowing gallantly. "Otherwise I should not
have interfered, and offered my services. But we have talked enough.
You have had the word, and you know the law of our compact. Do you
obey me, or shall I call the chief--God be merciful to your soul, if I
do."
Moore stood silent, realising the full meaning of the threat; he
glanced aside at Sikes, but that individual only shook his head.
"All right then," went on the Mexican sharply. "'Tis well you show
sense. You know what to do with your team; then the both of you report
to Casas at the upper camp--you know him?"
"Yes, _señor_."
"Tell him I sent you. He will have his orders; they are that you be
shot if you attempt to leave before Mendez gives the word. 'Tis not
long now till we learn who is chief here--Bill Lacy or Pascual Mendez.
Come, _señorita_, you are safe with me."
Concealing a dread that was almost overpowering, yet realising the
impossibility of resistance, Stella permitted him to touch her hand,
and assist her to clamber over the wheel. The baffled, helpless rage
in Moore's face was sufficient proof of the true power possessed by
Cateras, that his was no idle boast. Under some conditions the change
in captors might have been welcomed--certainly she felt no desire to
remain in the hands of the two who had brought her there, for Sikes,
plainly enough, was a mere drunken brute, and Moore, while of somewhat
finer fibre, lacked the courage and manhood to ever develop into a true
friend.
Yet she would have infinitely preferred such as these--men, at least,
of her own race--to this smirking Mexican, hiding his devilish
instincts behind a pretence at gallantry. She knew him, now,
understood him, felt convinced, indeed, that this was all some cunning
scheme originating within his own brain. He had hastened ahead to
Mendez; told a tale in his own way, rendering the chief's suspicions of
Lacy more acute, and thus gaining permission to assume full charge.
Her only hope was to go herself into the presence of the leader, and
make a plea to him face to face. Moore was already at the horses'
heads, and was turning them about in the trail. Cateras, smiling,
pressed her arm with his fingers.
"This way, _señorita_."
"Wait," and her eyes met his, showing no sign of fear. "You take me, I
presume, to Señor Mendez?"
"Of what need?" in surprise. "He has already placed me in charge."
"Yet without hearing a word as to why I am here," indignantly. "I am
an American woman, and you will yet pay dearly for this outrage. I
demand an interview with the chief, and refuse to go with you until it
is granted."
"You refuse! Ha!" and he burst into laughter. "Why, what power have
you got, you little fool? Do you know where you are? What fear do we
have of your damn Americanos. None!" and he snapped his fingers
derisively. "We spit on the dogs. I will show you--come!"
He gripped her shoulder in his lean hand, his eyes glaring into her
face savagely. The grasp hurt, and a sudden anger spurred her to
action. With a quick twist she freed herself, and, scarcely knowing
how it was done, snatched the heavy driver's whip from Moore's hand.
The next instant, before the astounded Mexican could even throw up an
arm in defence, the infuriated girl struck, the stinging lash raising a
red welt across the swarthy cheek. Cateras staggered back, his lips
giving utterance to a curse.
Again she struck, but this time his fingers gripped the leather, and
tore it from her hands, with sufficient force to send her to her knees.
With a spring forward the man had her in his grasp, all tiger now, the
pretence at gentleness forgotten. He jerked her to her feet, with
fingers clutching her neck mercilessly.
"Here, Silva, Merodez," he cried, "come take this spitfire. _Caramba_!
we'll teach her."
Two men ran from between the huts and Cateras flung her, helpless from
her choking, into their grasp.
"Take her within--no, there; the second door, you fools."
Breathless from effort, a mere child in their grip, Miss Donovan
struggled vainly. They forced her through the door, and Cateras, still
cursing furiously followed, the whip in his hands.