CHAPTER XVIII: IN MEXICAN POWER
The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that MissDonovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of itsnature. Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of thedesert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident. Onemight pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise itsexistence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining notrace of wheel-marks in guidance. How Moore had ever driven sounerringly to the spot was a mystery. Yet he had done so, and now theteam was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, theslipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there aboutthe sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
The cliffs arose precipitously on either side, absolutely bare. To theleft nothing could be seen but black rock, but on the other side anopen space yawned, perhaps twenty feet across, its bottomimperceptible. The horses stumbled over the rough stones, held only byMoore's firm grip on the reins, and the light began to fade as theydescended. At last nothing appeared above but a narrow strip of sky,and the glimmer of sun had totally vanished. Almost at the same momentthe driver released the creaking brake, and at a trot the wagon sweptforward 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 giveutterance to a cry of surprise. She had been clinging desperately tothe seat in front, expecting every instant to be hurled headlong.Intense fear gripped her and it seemed as if every drop of blood in herveins stood still. The change was like a leap into fairy land; asthough they had emerged from the mouth of hell into the beauty ofparadise. They were in a green, watered valley, a clear streamwandering here and there through its centre, shadowed by groves oftrees. All about, as far as eye could reach, stood great precipices,their bold, rugged fronts rising hundreds of feet, unbroken, andunscalable; 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 amile in either direction, merely a great hole rimmed by desert, astrange, hidden oasis, rendered fertile and green by some outburst offresh water from the rocks. Emerging upon it in midst of the barrendesolation through which they had been toiling for hours, blinded byalkali dust, jolted down that dangerous decline, it seemed like somebeautiful dream, a fantasy of imagination.
Miss Donovan doubted the evidence of her own eyes, half convinced thatshe slept. It was Moore's voice which aroused her.
"Mendez must have got back, Joe," he said eagerly. "There are horsesand 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 upabove. The fellow is comin' now--see?"
He was loping along carelessly, Mexican from high hat to jinglingspurs, sitting the saddle as though moulded there, a young fellow, darkfaced, but with a livid scar along one cheek.
"Juan Cateras, the little devil," muttered Sikes, as the rider drewnearer. "There's some pot brewing if he is in it."
The rider drew up his horse, and lifted his hat, his smiling lipsrevealing a row of white teeth.
"A pleasant day, _senor_," he said graciously, his dark eyes searchingthe faces of the two men, and then dwelling with interest on the woman."Ah, your pardon, _senorita_; your presence is more than welcome here."He rested one hand on the wagon box, the expression of his facehardening. "Yet an explanation might not be out of place--the SenorMendez may not be pleased."
"We came under orders from Lacy," replied Moore confidently. "You haveseen us both before."
"True, but not the lady; you will tell me about her?"
Sikes climbed down over the wheel.
"It is like this, _senor_," he began. "Lacy did not know your partywas here; he thought you were all south for another month yet. Hewould keep this girl quiet, out of the way for a time. She is from NewYork, and knows too much."
"From New York?" The quick eyes of the Mexican again sought her face."She is to be held prisoner?"
"Yes, _senor_."
"Again the case of that man Cavendish?"
"We were not told, only ordered to bring her here and guard her untilwe heard otherwise. It was not known you were back."
"We came three hours ago; you see what we brought," with a wave of thehand. "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 matterpromptly over with."
The wagon, rumbled on, Moore urging the wearied team with whip andvoice to little result. Sikes remained on foot, glad of the change,striding along in front, while the Mexican rode beside the wheel, hisequipment jingling, the sunlight flashing over his bright attire. Hemade a rather gallant figure, of which he was fully conscious, glancingfrequently aside into the shadow beneath the canvas top to gain glimpseof its occupant. At last their eyes met, and he could no longerforbear speech, his English expression a bit precise.
"Pardon, _senorita_, I would be held your friend," he murmured, leaningcloser, "for it is ever a misfortune to incur the enmity of Senor Lacy.You will trust me?"
"But," she ventured timidly, "I do not know you, _senor_; who you maybe."
"You know Senor Mendez?"
She shook her head negatively.
"'Tis strange! Yet I forget you come from New York. They know himhere on this border. If you ask these men they will tell you. EvenSenor Lacy takes his orders from Pascual Mendez. He care not who hekill, who he fight--some day it come his turn, and then he liberateMexico--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 leadthe people, but they fail him--the cowards. He return here where it issafe: yet the right time will come."
"But you, _senor_?"
"I am his lieutenant--Juan Cateras," and he bowed low, "and I ride nowto tell him of his guest."
She watched him as he spurred forward, proud of his horsemanship, andmaking every effort to attract her attention. Moore turned in hisseat, and grinned.
"Some tin soldier," he said sneeringly, "that's a feller I alwayswanted 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 Mexicanrevolutionary 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 hadmighty little to do with revolutin'. He's just plain bad man,miss--cattle thief, an' all round outlaw. There's a price on his headin three States, but nobody dares go after it, because of the dangerousgang 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 rattlesnakethan him." He paused, to assure him self that Sikes was safely out ofhearing. "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 tobe left here with these--these men?"
"No, not exactly. I suppose they'll naturally sorter expect to runthings while they're here, fer this yere valley is their camp, Mendezhas been hidin' out yere fer some time. But Joe and I are goin' tostay, and even old Mendez ain't liable to make no enemy outer BillLacy. They had a row wunst, an' I reckon they don't neither of 'emwant another. I ain't greatly afeerd o' Mendez, but I wouldn't putnuthin' 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 narrowstream, and up the other side, the horses straining in their harness tothe sharp snap of the driver's whip. A towering precipice of rockconfronted them, and at its very foot st
ood two cabins of logconstruction, so closely resembling their stone background as to bealmost imperceptible, at the distance of a few yards. Sikes leaned onhis rifle waiting, and as Moore halted the panting team, and leapedover the wheel to the ground, Cateras came forth from one of the opendoors and crossed the intervening space on foot. He was smoking acigarette, the blue wreath of smoke circling above his head in thestill air.
"The lady is to be placed in my care," he said almost insolently."Your hand, _senorita_."
Miss Donovan hesitated, the memory of Moore's words of warning yetringing in her ears. The handsome face, with its smiling lips andeyes, suddenly appeared to her a mask assumed to conceal the uncleansoul behind. Moore broke the silence with a protest.
"In your care, _senor_? The girl is here as prisoner to Bill Lacy."
"So I told Mendez," he said indifferently. "But he is in ill humourthis morning, and took small interest in the affair. It was only whenI promised to take full charge that he consented to your remaining atall. 'Tis my advice that you let well enough alone. You know whorules 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 settlewith Mendez. It is not my affair, for I only obey my chief. However,_senors_, 'tis no evil that is contemplated, only we prefer guardingthe secrets of this valley ourselves. That is what angers Mendez, thefact that Lacy uses this rendezvous as a prison during our absence. Wefound one here when we returned--guarded by an American. Now you comewith another. _Caramba_! You think we stand this quietly? How do weknow what may result from such acts? What sheriff's posse may be onyour trail? Bill Lacy! _Dios_! if Bill Lacy would make prisoners, lethim keep them somewhere else than here. Mendez takes no prisoners--heknows a better way than doing things like that."
"But, _senor_, this is a woman."
"Of which I am well aware," bowing gallantly. "Otherwise I should nothave interfered, and offered my services. But we have talked enough.You have had the word, and you know the law of our compact. Do youobey me, or shall I call the chief--God be merciful to your soul, if Ido."
Moore stood silent, realising the full meaning of the threat; heglanced aside at Sikes, but that individual only shook his head.
"All right then," went on the Mexican sharply. "'Tis well you showsense. You know what to do with your team; then the both of you reportto Casas at the upper camp--you know him?"
"Yes, _senor_."
"Tell him I sent you. He will have his orders; they are that you beshot if you attempt to leave before Mendez gives the word. 'Tis notlong now till we learn who is chief here--Bill Lacy or Pascual Mendez.Come, _senorita_, you are safe with me."
Concealing a dread that was almost overpowering, yet realising theimpossibility of resistance, Stella permitted him to touch her hand,and assist her to clamber over the wheel. The baffled, helpless ragein Moore's face was sufficient proof of the true power possessed byCateras, that his was no idle boast. Under some conditions the changein captors might have been welcomed--certainly she felt no desire toremain in the hands of the two who had brought her there, for Sikes,plainly enough, was a mere drunken brute, and Moore, while of somewhatfiner fibre, lacked the courage and manhood to ever develop into a truefriend.
Yet she would have infinitely preferred such as these--men, at least,of her own race--to this smirking Mexican, hiding his devilishinstincts behind a pretence at gallantry. She knew him, now,understood him, felt convinced, indeed, that this was all some cunningscheme originating within his own brain. He had hastened ahead toMendez; told a tale in his own way, rendering the chief's suspicions ofLacy more acute, and thus gaining permission to assume full charge.Her only hope was to go herself into the presence of the leader, andmake 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, _senorita_."
"Wait," and her eyes met his, showing no sign of fear. "You take me, Ipresume, to Senor 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 aman American woman, and you will yet pay dearly for this outrage. Idemand an interview with the chief, and refuse to go with you until itis granted."
"You refuse! Ha!" and he burst into laughter. "Why, what power haveyou got, you little fool? Do you know where you are? What fear do wehave of your damn Americanos. None!" and he snapped his fingersderisively. "We spit on the dogs. I will show you--come!"
He gripped her shoulder in his lean hand, his eyes glaring into herface savagely. The grasp hurt, and a sudden anger spurred her toaction. With a quick twist she freed herself, and, scarcely knowinghow it was done, snatched the heavy driver's whip from Moore's hand.The next instant, before the astounded Mexican could even throw up anarm in defence, the infuriated girl struck, the stinging lash raising ared welt across the swarthy cheek. Cateras staggered back, his lipsgiving utterance to a curse.
Again she struck, but this time his fingers gripped the leather, andtore 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, thepretence at gentleness forgotten. He jerked her to her feet, withfingers 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 fromher choking, into their grasp.
"Take her within--no, there; the second door, you fools."
Breathless from effort, a mere child in their grip, Miss Donovanstruggled vainly. They forced her through the door, and Cateras, stillcursing furiously followed, the whip in his hands.