And some were young, with the blood running hot in their veins, and they looked upon the suffering face of Doña Catalina and imagined her their own mother, and upon the lovely face of theseñoritaand imagined her their sister or betrothed.
And some of these men glanced at one another furtively, and though they did not speak they were wondering the same thing—whether Señor Zorro would hear of this, and whether he would send word around for the members of the new league to gather.
Thecarretastopped before thecarcelfinally, the mob of jeering natives andpeonssurrounding it. The soldiers made some pretense of holding themback, and the sergeant dismounted and forced Don Carlos and his wife and daughter to step to the ground.
Uncouth and intoxicated men jostled them as they walked up the steps to the door. More mud was thrown, and some of it spattered upon Doña Catalina's gown. But if the mob expected an outburst on the part of the agedcaballero, it was disappointed. Don Carlos held his head high, ignoring those who were striving to torment him, and so led his ladies to the door.
The sergeant beat against it with the heavy hilt of his sword. An aperture was opened, and in it appeared the evil, grinning face of the jailer.
"What have we here?" he demanded.
"Three prisoners charged with treason," the sergeant replied.
The door was thrown open. There came a last burst of jeers from the mob; and then the prisoners were inside, and the door had been closed and bolted again.
The jailer led the way along an evil-smelling hall and threw open another door.
"In with you!" he directed.
The three prisoners were thrust inside, and this door was closed and barred. They blinked their eyes in the semigloom. Gradually they made out two windows, some benches, some human derelicts sprawled against the walls.
They had not even been given the courtesy of a clean, private room. Don Carlos and his wife anddaughter had been thrust in with the scum of thepueblo, with drunkards and thieves and dishonored women and insulting natives.
They sat down on a bench in one corner of the room, as far from the others as possible. And then Doña Catalina and her daughter gave way to tears, and tears streamed down the face of the aged don as he tried to comfort them.
"I would to the saints that Don Diego Vega were only my son-in-law now!" the don breathed.
His daughter pressed his arm.
"Perhaps—my father—a friend will come," she whispered. "Perhaps the evil man who caused this suffering will be punished!"
For it seemed to theseñoritathat a vision of Señor Zorro had appeared before her; and she had great faith in the man to whom she had given her love.
One hour after Don Carlos Pulido and his ladies had been incarcerated in thecarcel, Don Diego Vega, dressed most fastidiously, made his way slowly on foot up the slope to thepresidioto make his call on his excellency, the governor.
He walked with swinging stride, gazing both to right and left as if at the hills in the distance, and once he stopped to observe a blossom that bloomed beside the path. His rapier was at his side, his most fashionable one with its jeweled hilt, and in his right hand he carried a handkerchief of flimsy lace, which he wafted this way and that like a dandy, and now and then touched it to the tip of his nose.
He bowed ceremoniously to two or threecaballeroswho passed him, but spoke to none beyond the necessary words of greeting, and they did not seek conversation with him. For, remembering that they had thought Don Diego Vega was courting the daughter of Don Carlos, they wondered how he would take the matter of her imprisonment along with her father and mother. They did not care to discuss the matter, for their own feelings were high, and they feared they might be betrayed into utterances that might be termed treasonable.
Don Diego came to the front door of thepresidio,and the sergeant in charge called the soldiers to attention, giving Vega the salute due his station in life. Don Diego answered it with a wave of his hand and a smile, and went on to thecomandante'soffice, where the governor was receiving suchcaballerosas cared to call and express their loyalty.
He greeted his excellency with carefully chosen words, bowed over his hand, and then took the chair the governor was kind enough to indicate.
"Don Diego Vega," the governor said, "I am doubly glad that you have called upon me to-day, for in these times a man who holds high office would know his friends."
"I should have called sooner, but I was away from my house at the time you arrived," Don Diego said. "You contemplate remaining long in Reina de Los Angeles, excellency?"
"Until this highwayman, known as Señor Zorro, is either slain or taken," the governor said.
"By the saints! Am I never to hear the last of that rogue?" Don Diego cried. "I have heard of nothing else for these many days. I go to spend an evening with afray, and in comes a crowd of soldiers chasing this Señor Zorro. I repair to thehaciendaof my father to get me peace and quiet, and along comes a crowd ofcaballerosseeking news of Señor Zorro."
These be turbulent times! A man whose nature inclines him to music and the poets has no right to exist in the present age!"
"It desolates me that you have been annoyed,"the governor said, laughing. "But I hope to have the fellow soon, and so put an end to that particular annoyance. Captain Ramón has sent for his big sergeant and his troopers to return. I brought an escort of twenty. And so we have ample men to run down this Curse of Capistrano when next he makes his appearance."
"Let us hope it will end as it should," said Don Diego.
"A man in high office has many things with which to contend," the governor went on. "Look at what I was forced to do this day! I am called upon to put in prison a man of good blood, and his lady wife and tender daughter. But the state must be protected."
"I suppose you mean Don Carlos Pulido and his family?"
"I do,caballero."
"Now that it is called to my mind again, I must say a few words regarding that," Don Diego said. "I am not sure that my honor is not involved."
"Why,caballero, how can that be?"
"My father has ordered that I get me a wife and set up my establishment properly. Some days ago I requested of Don Carlos Pulido permission to pay my addresses to his daughter."
"Ha! I understand! But you are not the betrothed of the young lady?"
"Not yet, excellency."
"Then your honor is not involved, Don Diego, that I can see."
"But I have been paying court to her."
"You may thank the saints that it has gone no further, Don Diego. Think how it would look if you were allied with this family now! As for getting you a wife—come north with me to San Francisco de Asis,caballero, where theseñoritasare far more lovely than here in your southland.
"Look over those of good blood, and let me know your preference, and I'll guarantee that the lady will listen to your suit and accept your hand and name. And I can guarantee, also, that she will be of a loyal family with which it will be no shame to make a contract. We shall get you a wife of the proper sort,caballero."
"If you will pardon me, is it not taking stern measures to have Don Carlos and his ladies thrown into thecarcel?" Don Diego asked, flicking dust from his sleeve.
"I find it necessary,señor."
"Do you think it will add to your popularity, excellency!"
"Whether it does or not, the state must be served."
"Men of good blood hate to see such a thing, and there may be murmurings," Don Diego warned. "I should hate to see your excellency make a wrong step at this juncture."
"What would you have me do?" the governor asked.
"Place Don Carlos and the ladies under arrest, if you will, but do not incarcerate them. It isunnecessary; they will not run away. Bring them to trial as gentle folk should be brought to trial."
"You are bold,caballero."
"By the saints, am I talking too much?"
"It were better to leave these matters to the few of us who are trusted with attention to them," the governor said. "I can understand, of course, how it irks a man of good blood to see a don thrown into acarcel, and to see his ladies treated likewise, but in such a case as this—"
"I have not heard the nature of the case," Don Diego said.
"Ha! Perhaps you may change your mind when you learn it. You have been speaking of this Señor Zorro. What if I tell you that the highwayman is being shielded and protected and fed by Don Carlos Pulido?"
"That is astonishing!"
"And that the Doña Catalina is a party to the treason? And that the lovelyseñoritahas seen fit to talk treasonably and dip her pretty hands into a conspiracy against the state?"
"This is past belief!" Don Diego cried.
"Some nights ago Señor Zorro was at the Pulidohacienda. Warning was fetched thecomandanteby a native who is loyal. Don Carlos aided the bandit in tricking the soldiers, hid him in a closet, and when Captain Ramón was there alone, this highwayman stepped from the closet and attacked him treacherously and wounded him."
"By the saints!"
"And while you were gone and the Pulidos were your house guests,señor, Señor Zorro was in your house, speaking to theseñorita, when thecomandantewalked in upon them. And theseñoritagrasped Captain Ramón by the arm and annoyed him until this Señor Zorro had made good his escape!"
"It is past comprehension!" Don Diego exclaimed.
"Captain Ramón has placed before me a hundred such items of suspicion. Can you wonder now that I had them placed incarcel? Did I merely have them put under arrest, this Señor Zorro would combine forces with them and aid them to escape."
"And your intentions, excellency?"
"I shall keep them incarcelwhile my troopers run down this highwayman. I shall force him to confess and implicate them—and then they shall have a trial."
"These turbulent times!" Don Diego complained.
"As a loyal man—and I hope an admirer of mine—you should hope to see foes of the state confounded."
"I do! Most sincerely do I! All real foes of the state should receive punishment."
"I am joyed to hear you say that,caballero!" the governor cried, and he reached across the table and grasped Don Diego fervently by the hand.
There was some more talk that amounted to nothing, and then Don Diego took his leave, for there were other men waiting to see the governor. Afterhe had left the office the governor looked across at Captain Ramón and smiled.
"You are right,comandante," he said. "Such a man could not be a traitor. It would tire him too much to think treasonable thoughts. What a man! He must be enough to drive that old fire-eater of a father of his insane!"
Don Diego made his way slowly down the hill, greeting those he passed, and stopping again to regard the little flowers that blossomed by the wayside. At the corner of the plaza he met a youngcaballerowho was glad to call him friend, one of the small band of men who had spent the night at Don Alejandro'shacienda.
"Ha! Don Diego, a fair day to you!" he cried. And then he lowered his voice and stepped nearer: "Has, by any chance, the man we call leader of our league of avengers, sent you a message this day?"
"By the bright blue sky—no!" Don Diego said. "Why should the man?"
"This Pulido business. It seems an outrage. Some of us have been wondering whether our leader does not intend to take a hand in it. We have been anticipating a message."
"By the saints! Oh, I trust not!" Don Diego said. "I could not endure an adventure of any sort to-night. I—er—my head aches, and I fear I am going to have a fever. I shall have to see an apothecary about it. There are shiverings up and downmy spine, also. Is not that a symptom? During thesiestahour I was bothered with a pain in my left leg just above the knee. It must be the weather!"
"Let us hope that it will not result seriously," laughed his friend, and hurried on across the plaza.
An hour after dusk that night a native sought out one of thecaballeroswith 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 thecaballerowould come he had bade the native say that there was a fox in the neighborhood.
"A fox! Zorro—fox!" thecaballerothought, 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 thecaballerowent backto 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 thedespenserothat 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 thecaballerosbegan slipping from thepuebloone 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'shacienda, among other things.
Thepueblowas 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 thepresidio, 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 thesaints were kind enough to let them meet and grant him his blade in his hand.
There were lights in the big lounging-room of thepresidio, 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 thepueblowas in darkness, and the people slept.
In thecarcelthere 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.
Thecaballerosfound 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 thecaballeroschuckled, 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 tocarceland 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!" acaballerosaid; 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 thepuebloquietly," Señor Zorro said. "There is no moon, and we will not be observed if we use caution. We shall approach thecarcelfrom 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 thecarcelwith 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 theseñorita. 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 thisplace," he said. "At that point we shall scatter. Those who have the Doña Catalina in charge will hasten with her to thehaciendaof 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 thispueblothey 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, eachcaballerowill ride to his home quietly and alone, telling what story pleases him, and using great caution. I shall have conducted theseñoritato 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?" acaballeroasked. "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 inthe tavern, saw the lights in thepresidio, and crept toward thecarcelquietly, 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.
Señor Zorro knocked upon it with the hilt of his sword. They heard a man gasp inside, presently heard his steps on the stone flooring, and after a little time light showed through the cracks, and the aperture was opened, and the sleepy face of the guard appeared.
"What is wanted?" he asked.
Señor Zorro thrust the muzzle of his pistol through the aperture and into the man's face, and in such fashion that the little door could not be closed.
"Open, if you value your life! Open—and make not the slightest sound!" Señor Zorro commanded.
"What—what is this?"
"Señor Zorro is talking to you!"
"By the saints—"
"Open, fool, or you die instantly!"
"I—I'll open the door. Do not shoot, good Señor Zorro! I am only a poor guard and not a fighting man! I pray you do not shoot!"
"Open quickly!"
"As soon as I can fit key to lock, good Señor Zorro!"
They heard him rattling the keys; presently onewas turned in the lock, and the heavy door was thrown open.
Señor Zorro and his four companions rushed inside, and slammed and fastened the door again. The guard found the muzzle of a pistol pressed against the side of his head, and would have knelt before these five masked and terrible men, only one of them caught him by the hair and held him up.
"Where sleeps the keeper of this infernal hole!" Señor Zorro demanded.
"In yonder room,señor!"
"And where have you put Don Carlos Pulido and his ladies?"
"In the common prison-room, señor!"
Señor Zorro motioned to the others, strode across the room, and threw open the door to the jailer's chamber. The man already was sitting up in bed, having heard the sounds in the other room, and he blinked in fright when he beheld the highwayman by the light of the candle.
"Do not make a move,señor!" Zorro warned. "One screech, and you are a dead man! Señor Zorro confronts you!"
"May the saints preserve me—"
"Where are the keys to the prison rooms?"
"On—on that table,señor."
Señor Zorro picked them up, and then whirled upon the jailer again and rushed toward him.
"Lie down!" he commanded. "On your face, scoundrel!"
Señor Zorro tore strips from a blanket, and boundthe jailer's hands and feet, and made a gag which he affixed.
"To escape death," he said, then, "it is necessary for you to remain exactly as you are now, without making a sound, for some time after we have left thecarcel. I shall leave it to your own judgment to decide the length of time."
Then he hurried back into the main office, beckoned the others, and led the way down the evil-smelling hall.
"Which door?" he asked of the guard.
"The second one,señor."
They hurried to it, and Señor Zorro unlocked it and threw it open. He forced the guard to hold a candle high above his head.
A gasp of pity came from beneath the highwayman's mask. He saw the aged don standing by the window, saw the two women crouched on the bench, saw the vile companions they had in this miserable place.
"Now may Heaven forgive the governor!" he cried.
Señorita Lolita looked up in alarm, and then gave a glad cry. Don Carlos whirled at the highwayman's words.
"Señor Zorro!" he gasped.
"The same, Don Carlos! I have come with some friends to rescue you!"
"I cannot allow it,señor. I shall not run away from what is in store for me. And it would avail me little to have you do the rescuing. I am accusednow of harboring you, I understand. How will it look, then, if you effect my escape?"
"There is no time for argument," Señor Zorro said. "I am not alone in this, but have twenty-six men with me. And a man of your blood, and gentle ladies such as those of your family, shall not spend an entire night in this miserable hole if we can prevent it.Caballeros!"
The last word was one of command. Two of thecaballerosthrew themselves upon Don Carlos, subdued him quickly, and half carried him into the hall and along it toward the office. Two others grasped the Doña Catalina by the arms, as gently as they could, and so carried her along.
Señor Zorro bowed before theseñorita, and extended a hand, which she clasped gladly.
"You must trust me,señorita," he said.
"To love is to trust,señor!"
"All things have been arranged. Ask no questions, but do as I bid. Come!"
He threw an arm around her, and so led her from the prison-room, leaving the door open behind him. If some of the miserable wretches there could win through and out of the building, Señor Zorro had no wish to prevent them. More than half of them, he judged, were there because of prejudice or injustice.
Don Carlos was causing an unearthly clamor, shouting that he refused to be rescued, and that he would stay and face the governor at the trial, andshow the blood that was in him. Doña Catalina was whimpering a bit because of fright, but made no resistance.
They reached the office, and Señor Zorro ordered the guard to a corner of it, with instructions to remain there quietly for some time after they had gone. And then one of thecaballerosthrew open the outside door.
There was a tumult outside at that moment. Two soldiers had approached with a fellow caught stealing at the tavern, and thecaballeroshad stopped them. One glance at the masked faces had been enough to tell the troopers that here was something wrong.
A soldier fired a pistol, and acaballeroanswered the fire, neither hitting the mark. But the shooting was enough to attract the attention of those in the tavern, and also of the guards at thepresidio.
Troopers at thepresidiowere awakened immediately, and took the places of the guards while the latter mounted and spurred down the hill to ascertain the cause of the sudden tumult at that hour of the night. Sergeant Pedro Gonzales and others hurried from the tavern. Señor Zorro and his companions found themselves facing a resistance when they least expected it.
The jailer had gathered courage enough to work himself free of gag and bonds, and he shrieked through a window of his chamber that prisoners were being rescued by Señor Zorro. His shriek wasunderstood by Sergeant Gonzales, who screeched for his men to follow him and earn a part of his excellency's reward.
But thecaballeroshad their three rescued prisoners on horseback, and they spurred through the gathering throng and so dashed across the plaza and toward the highway.
Shots flew about them, but no man was hit. Don Carlos Pulido was still screaming that he refused to be rescued. Doña Catalina had fainted, for which thecaballerowho had her in charge was grateful, since he could give more attention to his horse and weapons.
Señor Zorro rode wildly, with the Señorita Lolita in the saddle before him. He spurred his magnificent horse ahead of all the others, and so led the way to the highroad. And when he had reached it, he pulled up his mount and watched the others come galloping to the spot, to ascertain whether there had been casualties.
"Carry out your orders,caballeros!" he commanded, when he saw that all had won through safely.
And so the band was broken into three detachments. One rushed along the Pala Road with Don Carlos. Another took the highway that would lead them to thehaciendaof Don Alejandro. Señor Zorro, riding without any of his comrades at his side, galloped toward Fray Felipe's place, theseñorita'sarms clasped tightly about his neck, and theseñorita'svoice in his ear.
"I knew that you would come for me,señor," she said. "I knew you were a true man, and would not see me and my parents remain in that miserable place."
Señor Zorro did not answer her with words, for it was not a time for speech with his enemies so close at his heels, but his arm pressed theseñoritacloser to him.
He had reached the crest of the first hill; and now he stopped the horse to listen for sounds of pursuit, and to watch the flickering lights far behind.
For there was a multitude of lights in the plaza now, and in all the houses, for thepueblohad been aroused. Thepresidiobuilding was ablaze with light, and he could hear a trumpet being blown, and knew that every available trooper would be sent on the chase.
The sound of galloping horses came to his ears. The troopers knew in what direction the rescuers had traveled; and the pursuit would be swift and relentless, with his excellency on the scene to offer fabulous rewards and urge on his men with promises of good posts and promotion.
But one thing pleased Señor Zorro as his horse galloped down the dusty highway and theseñoritaclung to him and the keen wind cut into his face—he knew that the pursuit would have to be divided into three parties.
He pressed theseñoritato him again, put spurs to his horse, and rode furiously through the night.
Over the hills peeped the moon.
Señor Zorro would have had the sky heavy with clouds this night and the moon obscured, could he have had things his own way, for now he was riding along the upper trail, and his pursuers were close behind and could see him against the brightening sky.
The horses ridden by the troopers were fresh, too, and the most of those belonging to the men of his excellency's escort were magnificent beasts as swift as any in the country, and able to endure many miles of travel at a terrific pace.
But now the highwayman thought only of getting all the speed possible out of his own mount, and of making as great as he could the distance between himself and those who followed; for at the end of his journey he would need quite a little time, if he was to accomplish what he had set out to do.
He bent low over theseñorita, and felt his horse with the reins, making himself almost a part of the animal he rode, as any good horseman can. He reached the crest of another hill, and glanced back before he began the descent into the valley. He could see the foremost of his pursuers.
Had Señor Zorro been alone, no doubt thesituation would have caused him no uneasiness, for many times he had been in a position more difficult, and had escaped. But theseñoritawas on the saddle before him now, and he wanted to get her to a place of safety, not only because she was theseñoritaand the woman he loved, but also because he was not the sort of man to let a prisoner he had rescued be recaptured. Such an event, he felt, would be a reflection on his skill and daring.
Mile after mile he rode, theseñoritaclinging to him, and neither speaking a word. Señor Zorro knew that he had gained some on those who followed, but not enough to suit his purpose.
Now he urged his horse to greater effort and they flew along the dusty highway, pasthaciendaswhere the hounds barked in sudden alarm, past the huts of natives where the clamor of beating hoofs on the hard road caused bronze men and women to tumble from their bunks and rush to their doors.
Once he charged through a flock of sheep that were being driven to Reina de Los Angeles and the market there, and scattered them to either side of the road, leaving cursing herders behind him. The herders gathered the flock again, just in time to have the pursuing soldiers scatter it once more.
On and on he rode, until he could see, far ahead, the mission buildings at San Gabriel glistening in the moonlight. He came to a fork in the road, and took the trail that ran to the right, toward thehaciendaof Fray Felipe.
Señor Zorro was a reader of men, and he wastrusting to his judgment to-night. He had known that the Señorita Lolita would have to be left either where there were women, else where there was a robed Franciscan to stand guard over her, for Señor Zorro was determined to protect his lady's good name. And so he was pinning his faith to old Fray Felipe.
Now the horse was galloping over softer ground, and was not making such good speed. Señor Zorro had little hope that the troopers would turn into the San Gabriel Road when they arrived at the fork, as they might have done had it not been moonlight and they had been unable to catch sight now and then of the man they pursued. He was within a mile of Fray Felipe'shaciendanow, and once more he gave his horse the spurs in an effort to obtain greater speed.
"I shall have scant time,señorita," he said, bending over her and speaking into her ear. "Everything may depend upon whether I have been able to judge a man correctly. I ask only that you trust me."
"You know I do that,señor!"
"And you must trust the man to whom I am carrying you,señorita, and listen well to his advice upon all matters concerned with this adventure. The man is afray."
"Then everything will be well,señor," she replied, clinging to him closely.
"If the saints are kind, we shall meet again soon,señorita. I shall count the hours, and deem each one of them an age. I believe there are happier days ahead for us."
"May Heaven grant it!" the girl breathed.
"Where there is love, there may be hope,señorita."
"Then my hope is great,señor."
"And mine!" he said.
He turned his horse into Fray Felipe's driveway now, and dashed toward the house. His intention was to stop only long enough to leave the girl, hoping that Fray Felipe would afford her protection, and then ride on, making considerable noise and drawing the troopers after him. He wanted them to think that he was merely taking a short cut across Fray Felipe's land to the other road, and that he had not stopped at the house.
He reined in his horse before the veranda steps, sprang to the ground and lifted theseñoritafrom the saddle, hurrying with her to the door. He beat against it with his fist, praying that Fray Felipe was a light sleeper and easily aroused. From the far distance there came a low drumming sound that he knew was made by the hoofs of his pursuers' horses.
It seemed to Señor Zorro that it was an age before the oldfraythrew open the door and stood framed in it, holding a candle in one hand. The highwayman stepped in swiftly and closed the door behind him, so no light would show outside. Fray Felipehad taken a step backward in astonishment when he had beheld the masked man and theseñoritahe escorted.
"I am Señor Zorro,fray," the highwayman said, speaking swiftly and in low tones. "Perhaps you may feel that you owe me a small debt for certain things?"
"For punishing those who oppressed and mistreated me, I owe you a large debt,caballero, though it is against my principles to countenance violence of any sort," Fray Felipe replied.
"I was sure that I had made no mistake in reading your character," Señor Zorro went on. "Thisseñoritais Lolita, the only daughter of Don Carlos Pulido."
"Ha!"
"Don Carlos is a friend of thefrailes, as you well know, and has known oppression and persecution the same as they. To-day the governor came to Reina de Los Angeles and had Don Carlos arrested and thrown into thecarcelon a charge that has no true worth, as I happen to know. He also had the Doña Catalina and this young lady put incarcel, in the same prison-room with drunkards and dissolute women. With the aid of some good friends, I rescued them."
"May the saints bless you,señor, for that kind action!" Fray Felipe cried.
"Troopers are pursuing us,fray. It is not seemly, of course, that theseñoritaride farther with me alone. Do you take her and hide her,fray—unlessyou fear that such a course may cause you grave trouble."
"Señor!" Fray Felipe thundered.
"If the soldiers take her, they will put her incarcelagain, and probably she will be mistreated. Care for her, then, protect her, and you will more than discharge any obligation you may feel that you owe me."
"And you,señor?"
"I shall ride on, that the troopers may pursue me and not stop here at your house. I shall communicate with you later,fray. It is agreed between us?"
"It is agreed!" Fray Felipe replied solemnly. "And I would clasp you by the hand,señor!"
That handclasp was short, yet full of expression for all that. Señor Zorro then whirled toward the door.
"Blow out your candle!" he directed. "They must see no light when I open the door."
In an instant Fray Felipe had complied, and they were in darkness. Señorita Lolita felt Señor Zorro's lips press against her own for an instant, and knew that he had raised the bottom of his mask to give her this caress. And then she felt one of Fray Felipe's strong arms around her.
"Be of good courage, daughter," thefraysaid. "Señor Zorro, it appears, has as many lives as a cat, and something tells me he was not born to be slain by troopers of his excellency."
The highwayman laughed lightly at that, openedthe door and darted through, closed it softly behind him, and so was gone.
Great eucalyptus-trees shrouded the front of the house in shadows, and in the midst of these shadows was Señor Zorro's horse. He noticed, as he ran toward the beast, that the soldiers were galloping down the driveway, that they were much nearer than he had expected to find them when he emerged from the house.
He ran quickly toward his mount, tripped on a stone and fell, and frightened the animal so that it reared and darted half a dozen paces away, and into the full moonlight.
The foremost of his pursuers shouted when he saw the horse, and dashed toward it. Señor Zorro picked himself up, gave a quick spring, caught the reins from the ground and vaulted into the saddle.
But they were upon him now, surrounding him, their blades flashing in the moonlight. He heard the raucous voice of Sergeant Gonzales ordering the men.
"Alive, if you can, soldiers! His excellency would see the rogue suffer for his crimes. At him, troopers! By the saints!"
Señor Zorro parried a stroke with difficulty, and found himself unhorsed. On foot, he fought his way back into the shadows, and the troopers charged after him. With his back to the bole of a tree, Señor Zorro fought them off.
Three sprang from their saddles to rush in athim. He darted from the tree to another, but could not reach his horse. But one belonging to a dismounted trooper was near him, and he vaulted into the saddle and dashed down the slope toward the barns and corral.
"After the rogue!" he heard Sergeant Gonzales shouting. "His excellency will have us flayed alive if this pretty highwayman escapes us now!"
They charged after him, eager to win promotion and the reward. But Señor Zorro had some sort of a start of them, enough to enable him to play a trick. As he came into the shadow cast by a big barn, he slipped from the saddle, at the same time giving the horse he rode a cut with his rowels. The animal plunged ahead, snorting with pain and fright, running swiftly through the darkness toward the corral below. The soldiers dashed by in pursuit.
Señor Zorro waited until they were past, and then he ran rapidly up the hill again. But he saw that some of the troopers had remained behind to guard the house, evidently with the intention of searching it later, and so he found he could not reach his horse.
And once more there rang out that peculiar cry, half shriek and half moan, with which Señor Zorro had startled those at thehaciendaof Don Carlos Pulido. His horse raised its head, whinnied once in answer to his call, and galloped toward him.
Señor Zorro was in the saddle in an instant, spurring across a field directly in front of him. Hishorse went over a stone fence as if it had not been in the way. And after him speedily came a part of the troopers.
They had discovered the trick he had used. They charged at him from both sides, met behind him, followed and strained to cut down his lead. He could hear Sergeant Pedro Gonzales shouting lustily for them to make a capture in the name of the governor.
He hoped that he had drawn them all away from Fray Felipe's house, but he was not sure, and the thing that demanded his attention the most now was the matter of his own escape.
He urged his horse cruelly, knowing that this journey across plowed ground was taking the animal's strength. He longed for a hard trail, the broad highway.
And finally he reached the latter. Now he turned his horse's head toward Reina de Los Angeles, for he had work to do there. There was noseñoritabefore him on the saddle now, and the horse felt the difference.
Señor Zorro glanced behind, and exulted to find that he was running away from the soldiers. Over the next hill, and he would be able to elude them!
But he had to be on guard, of course, for there might be troopers in front of him, too. His excellency might have sent reënforcements to Sergeant Gonzales, or might have men watching from the tops of the hills.
He glanced at the sky, and saw that the moon wasabout to disappear behind a bank of clouds. He would have to make use of the short period of darkness, he knew.
Down into the little valley he rode, and looked back to find that his pursuers were only at the crest of the hill. Then came the darkness, and at the proper time. Señor Zorro had a lead of half a mile on the pursuing soldiers now, but it was not his intention to allow them to chase him into thepueblo.
He had friends in this locality. Beside the highway was an adobe hut, where there lived a native Señor Zorro had saved from a beating. Now he dismounted before the hut, and kicked against the door. The frightened native opened it.
"I am pursued," Señor Zorro said.
That appeared to be all that was necessary, for the native immediately threw the door of the hut open wider. Señor Zorro led his horse inside, almost filling the crude building, and the door was hastily shut again.
Behind it, the highwayman and the native stood listening, the former with pistol in one hand and his naked blade in the other.
That the determined pursuit of Señor Zorro and his band ofcaballerosfrom thecarcelhad been taken up so quickly was due to Sergeant Pedro Gonzales.
Sergeant Gonzales had heard the shots, and had rushed from the tavern with the other troopers at his heels, glad of an excuse to escape without paying for the wine he had ordered. He had heard the shout of the jailer, and had understood it, and immediately had grasped the situation.
"Señor Zorro is rescuing the prisoners!" he screeched. "The highwayman is in our midst again! To horse, troopers, and after him! There is a reward—"
They knew all about the reward, especially the members of the governor's bodyguard, who had heard his excellency rave at mention of the highwayman's name and declare he would make a captain of the trooper who captured him or brought in his carcass.
They rushed for their horses, swung themselves into their saddles, and dashed across the plaza toward thecarcelwith Sergeant Gonzales at their head.
They saw the maskedcaballerosgalloping acrossthe plaza, and Sergeant Gonzales rubbed his eyes with the back of one hand and swore softly that he had been taking too much wine. He had lied so often about Señor Zorro having a band of men at his back, that here was the band materialized out of his falsehoods.
When thecaballerossplit into three detachments, Sergeant Gonzales and his troopers were so near them that they observed the maneuver. Gonzales quickly made three troops of the men who followed him, and sent a troop after each band.
He saw the leader of thecaballerosturn toward San Gabriel, he recognized the leap of the great horse the highwayman rode, and he took after Señor Zorro with an exultant heart, being of a mind to capture or slay the highwayman rather than to retake any of the rescued prisoners. For Sergeant Pedro Gonzales had not forgotten the time Señor Zorro had played with him in the tavern at Reina de Los Angeles, nor had he given up the idea of taking his vengeance for it.
He had seen Señor Zorro's horse run before, and he wondered a bit now because the highwayman was not putting greater distance between himself and his pursuers. And Sergeant Gonzales guessed the reason—that Señor Zorro had Señorita Lolita Pulido on the saddle before him and was carrying her away.
Gonzales was in the lead, and now and then he turned his head and shouted orders and encouragement to his troopers. The miles flew beneath them,and Gonzales was glad because he was keeping Señor Zorro in sight.
"To Fray Felipe's—that is where he is riding!" Gonzales told himself. "I knew that oldfraywas in league with the bandit! In some manner he tricked me when I sought this Señor Zorro at hishaciendabefore. Perhaps this highwayman has a clever hiding-place there. Ha! By the saints, I shall not be tricked again!"
On they rode, now and then catching glimpses of the man they pursued, and always in the minds of Gonzales and his troopers were thoughts of the reward and promotion a capture would mean. Their horses were beginning to show some fatigue already, but they did not spare the animals.
They saw Señor Zorro turn into the driveway that led to Fray Felipe's house; and Sergeant Gonzales chuckled low down in his throat because he felt that he had guessed correctly.
He had the highwayman now! If Señor Zorro continued to ride, he could be seen and followed because of the bright moonlight; if he stopped, Señor Zorro could not hope to cope successfully with half a score of troopers with Gonzales at their head.
They dashed up to the front of the house and started to surround it. They saw Señor Zorro's horse. And then they saw the highwayman himself, and Gonzales cursed because half a dozen troopers were between him and his prey, and were at him with their swords, threatening to end the business before Gonzales could reach the scene.
He tried to force his horse into the fight. He saw Señor Zorro spring into a saddle and dash away, and the troopers after him. Gonzales, not being close, gave his attention to the other half of his duty—he bade some of his soldiers surround the house so that none could leave it.
Then he saw Señor Zorro take the stone fence, and started in pursuit, all except the guards around the house joining him. But Sergeant Gonzales went only as far as the crest of the first hill. He noticed how the highwayman's horse was running, and realized that he could not be overtaken. Perhaps the sergeant could gain some glory if he returned to Fray Felipe's house and recaptured theseñorita.
The house was still being guarded when he dismounted before it, and his men reported that none had attempted to leave the building. He called two of his men to his side, and knocked on the door. Almost instantly, it was opened by Fray Felipe.
"Are you just from bed,fray?" Gonzales asked.
"Is it not a time of night for honest men to be abed?" Fray Felipe asked in turn.
"It is,fray—yet we find you out of it. How does it happen that you have not come from the house before? Did we not make enough noise to awaken you?"
"I heard sounds of combat—"
"And you may hear more,fray, else feel the sting of a whip again, unless you answer questions swiftly and to the point. Do you deny that Señor Zorro has been here?"
"I do not."
"Ha! Now we have it! You admit, then, that you are in league with this pretty highwayman, that you shield him upon occasion? You admit that,fray?"
"I admit nothing of the sort!" Fray Felipe replied. "I never set my eyes on this Señor Zorro, to my knowledge, until a very few minutes ago."
"That is a likely story! Tell it to the stupid natives! But do not try to tell it to a wise trooper,fray! What did this Señor Zorro wish?"
"You were so close upon the man's heels,señor, that he scarce had time to wish for anything," Fray Felipe said.
"Yet you had some speech with him?"
"I opened the door at his knock,señor, the same as I opened it at yours."
"What said he?"
"That soldiers were pursuing him."
"And he asked that you hide him, so he could escape capture at our hands?"
"He did not."
"Wanted a fresh horse, did he?"
"He did not say as much,señor. If he is such a thief as he is painted, undoubtedly he would merely have taken a horse without asking, had he wanted it."
"Ha! What business had he with you, then? It would be well for you to answer openly,fray!"
"Did I say that he had business with me?"
"Ha! By the saints—"
"The saints are better off your lips,señor—boaster and drunkard!"
"Do you wish to receive another beating,fray? I am riding on his excellency's business. Do not you delay me further! What said this pretty highwayman?"
"Nothing that I am at liberty to repeat to you,señor," Fray Felipe said.
Sergeant Gonzales pushed him aside roughly and entered the living-room, and his two troopers followed at his heels.
"Light thecandelero!" Gonzales commanded his men. "Take candles, if you can find any. We search the house!"
"You search my poor house?" Fray Felipe cried. "And what do you expect to find?" Fray Felipe asked.
"I expect to find the piece of merchandise this pretty Señor Zorro left here,fray."
"What do you imagine he left?"
"Ha! A package of clothing, I suppose! A bundle of loot! A bottle of wine! A saddle to be mended! What would the fellow leave,fray? One thing impresses me—Señor Zorro's horse carried double when he arrived at your house, and was carrying none but Señor Zorro when he departed."
"And you expect to find—"
"The other half of the horse's load," replied Gonzales. "Failing to find it, we may try a twist or two of your arm to see whether you can be made to speak."
"You would dare? You would so affront afray? You would descend to torture?"
"Meal mush and goat's milk!" quoth Sergeant Gonzales. "You fooled me once in some manner, but you will not so fool me again. Search the house, troopers, and be sure that you search it well! I shall remain in this room and keep this entertainingfraycompany. I shall endeavor to discover what his sensations were while he was being whipped for swindling."
"Coward and brute!" Fray Felipe thundered. "There may come a day when persecution shall cease."
"Meal mush and goat's milk!"
"When this disorder shall end and honest men be given their just dues!" Fray Felipe cried. "When those who have founded a rich empire here shall receive the true fruits of their labor and daring instead of having them stolen by dishonest politicians and men who stand in their favor!"
"Goat's milk and meal mush,fray!"
"When there shall be a thousand Señor Zorros, and more if necessary, to ride up and down El Camino Real and punish those who do wrong! Sometimes I would that I were not afray, that I might play such a game myself!"
"We'd run you down in short order and stretch a rope with your weight," Sergeant Gonzales told him. "Did you help his excellency's soldiers more, perhaps his excellency would treat you with more consideration."
"I give aid to no spawn of the devil!" Fray Felipe said.
"Ha! Now you grow angry, and that is against your principles! Is it not the part of a robedfrayto receive what comes his way and give thanks for it, no matter how much it chokes him? Answer me that, angry one!"
"You have about as much knowledge of a Franciscan's principles and duties as has the horse you ride!"
"I ride a wise horse, a noble animal. He comes when I call and gallops when I command. Do not deride him until you ride him. Ha! An excellent jest!"
"Imbecile!"
"Meal mush and goat's milk!" said Sergeant Gonzales.
The two troopers came back into the room. They had searched the house well, they reported, invading every corner of it, and no trace had been found of any person other than Fray Felipe's native servants, all of whom were too terrified to utter a falsehood, and had said they had seen nobody around the place who did not belong there.
"Ha! Hidden away well, no doubt," Gonzales said. "Fray, what is that in the corner of the room?"
"Bales of hides," Fray Felipe replied.
"I have been noticing it from time to time. The dealer from San Gabriel must have been right when he said the hides he purchased of you were not properly cured. Are those?"
"I think you will find them so."
"Then why did they move?" Sergeant Gonzales asked. "Three times I saw the corner of a bale move. Soldiers, search there!"
Fray Felipe sprang to his feet.
"Enough of this nonsense!" he cried. "You have searched and found nothing. Search the barns next, and then go! At least let me be master in my own house. You have disturbed my rest enough as it is."
"You will take a solemn oath,fray, that there is nothing alive behind those bales of hides?"
Fray Felipe hesitated, and Sergeant Gonzales grinned.
"Not ready to forswear yourself, eh?" the sergeant asked. "I had a thought you would hesitate at that, my robed Franciscan! Soldiers, search the bales!"
The two men started toward the corner. But they had not covered one-half the distance when Señorita Lolita Pulido stood up behind the bales of hides and faced them.
"Ha! Unearthed at last!" Gonzales cried. "Here is the package Señor Zorro left in thefray'skeeping! And a pretty package it is! Back tocarcelshe goes! And this escape will but make her final sentence the greater!"
But there was Pulido blood in theseñorita'sveins, and Gonzales had not taken that into account. Now theseñoritastepped to the end of the pile of hides, so that light from thecandelerostruck full upon her.
"One moment,señores!" she said.
One hand came from behind her back, and in it she held a long, keen knife such as sheep skinners used. She put the point of the knife against her breast, and regarded them bravely.
"Señorita Lolita Pulido does not return to the foulcarcelnow or at any time,señores!" she said. "Rather would she plunge this knife into her heart, and so die as a woman of good blood should! If hisexcellency wishes for a dead prisoner, he may have one!"
Sergeant Gonzales uttered an exclamation of annoyance. He did not doubt that theseñoritawould do as she had threatened, if the men made an attempt to seize her. And while he might have ordered the attempt in the case of an ordinary prisoner, he did not feel sure that the governor would say he had done right if he ordered it now. After all, Señorita Pulido was the daughter of a don, and her self-inflicted death might cause trouble for his excellency. It might prove the spark to the powder magazine.
"Señorita, the person who takes his or her own life risks eternal damnation," the sergeant said. "Ask thisfrayif it is not so. You are only under arrest, not convicted and sentenced. If you are innocent, no doubt you soon will be set at liberty."
"It is no time for lying speeches,señor," the girl replied. "I realize the circumstances only too well. I have said that I will not return tocarcel, and I meant it—and mean it now. One step toward me, and I take my own life!"
"Señorita—" Fray Felipe began.
"It is useless for you to attempt to prevent me, goodfray," she interrupted. "I have pride left me, thank the saints! His excellency gets only my dead body, if he gets me at all."
"Here is a pretty mess!" Sergeant Gonzales exclaimed. "I suppose there is nothing for us to doexcept retire and leave theseñoritato her freedom!"
"Ah, no,señor!" she cried quickly. "You are clever, but not clever enough by far. You would retire and continue to have your men surround the house? You would watch for an opportunity, and then seize me?"
Gonzales growled low in his throat, for that had been his intention, and the girl had read it.
"I shall be the one to leave," she said. "Walk backward, and stand against the wall,señores! Do it immediately, or I plunge this knife into my bosom!"
They could do nothing except obey. The soldiers looked to the sergeant for instructions, and the sergeant was afraid to risk theseñorita'sdeath, knowing it would call down upon his head the wrath of the governor, who would say that he had bungled.
Perhaps, after all, it would be better to let the girl leave the house. She might be captured afterward, for surely a girl could not escape the troopers.
She watched them closely as she darted across the room to the door. The knife was still held at her breast.
"Fray Felipe, you wish to go with me?" she asked. "You may be punished if you remain."
"Yet I must remain,señorita. I could not run away. May the saints protect you!"
She faced Gonzales and the soldiers once more.
"I am going through this door," she said. "Youwill remain in this room. There are troopers outside, of course, and they will try to stop me. I shall tell them that I have your permission to leave. If they call and ask you, you are to say that it is so."
"And if I do not?"
"Then I use the knife,señor!"
She opened the door, turned her head for an instant and glanced out.
"I trust that your horse is an excellent one,señor, for I intend to use it," she told the sergeant.
She darted suddenly through the door, and slammed it shut behind her.
"After her!" Gonzales cried. "I looked into her eyes! She will not use the knife—she fears it!"
He hurled himself across the room, the two soldiers with him. But Fray Felipe had been passive long enough. He went into action now. He did not stop to consider the consequences. He threw out one leg, and tripped Sergeant Gonzales. The two troopers crashed into him, and all went to the floor in a tangle.
Fray Felipe had gained some time for her, and it had been enough. For theseñoritahad rushed to the horse and had jumped into the saddle. She could ride like a native. Her tiny feet did not reach halfway to the sergeant's stirrups, but she thought nothing of that.
She wheeled the horse's head, kicked at his sides as a trooper rushed around the corner of the house. A pistol ball whistled past her head. She bent lower over the horse's neck, and rode!
Now a cursing Sergeant Gonzales was on the veranda, shouting for his men to get to horse and follow her. The tricky moon was behind a bank of clouds again. They could not tell the direction theseñoritawas taking except by listening for the sounds of the horse's hoofs. And they had to stop to do that—and if they stopped they lost time and distance.