To
capture a queen and a regent at one coup, to upset a government, to
bring a desolating war to an end--these were all in the day's work. But
why, in the name of all that was sanest and most practical, did his
heart feel like lead within him and his new dignity turn to Dead Sea
ashes in his mouth?

It was not long before Cabrera dropped back, that he might talk over
ways and means with the young colonel. It was clear that the _guerrilla_
chieftain did not believe greatly in the project.

"I do not understand all this," he said; "it is not my way. What have we
to do with taking women and children prisoners? Let us have no truck,
barter, or exchange with the government at Madrid except at the point of
the bayonet. That is my way of it, and if my advice had been taken
before, my master would at this moment have been in the royal palace of
his ancestors. But these secret embassies in the hands of
foreigners--what good can come of them?"

Rollo explained such things as the Abbot of Montblanch had made clear to
him--namely, that the Regent and her daughter were by no means averse to
Holy Church, nor yet eager to keep the true King out of his own. But,
they were in the power of unscrupulous men--Mendizabal, Linares, and
others, who for their own ends published edicts and compelled the ladies
to sign them. If they were captured and sequestered for their own good,
the ministry would break down and Don Carlos would reign undisturbed.

Rollo thought the exposition a marvel of clearness and point. It was
somewhat disappointing, therefore, when he had finished to hear from
Cabrera the unmoved declaration: "A Cristino is a Cristino whether in
the palace of Madrid or on the mountains of Morella. And the quickest
way is the best way with such an one, wherever met with!"

"But you do not mean to say that you would shoot the girl-Queen or the
mother-Regent if they fell into your hands?" cried Rollo, aghast at the
horror.

The deep underlying anger leaped up fiery red into the eyes of the
_guerrilla_ chief.

"Aye, that would I," he cried, "as quickly as they slew my own old
mother in the barrack yard of Tortosa!"

And thinking of that tragedy and the guilt of Nogueras, Rollo felt there
was something to be said for the indomitable, implacable little
butcher-general of Don Carlos.

Cabrera was silent for a while after making this speech, and then
abruptly demanded of Rollo how many men he would require for his
undertaking.